cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human performance under vibrational stress.

Blindfolded subjects, restrained by standard harness, sat on a modified Air Force chair, which was programmed to move in random patterns in pitch and roll, the subjects counteracting these motions by using a control stick. The whole device was itself mounted on a mechanical shake table producing vertical sinusoidal motion at frequencies ranging from 2 c/s to 20 c/s and at amplitudes corresponding to about one-third of the subjective tolerance limits. The angular deviations from the upright position were evaluated relative to the disturbing input for both pitch and roll, one minute during the vibration experience and one minute after cessation of the vibration. Some individual subjects were not influenced by the vibration; others showed performance decrements. In the mean, these measures of human performance reflect all mechanical resonances within the body, previously established by other methods. The frequencies most affecting performance were found to be between 3 and 12 c/s. Residual effects were detec...
Transmit covariance optimization with a constraint on user electromagnetic radiation exposure

With the continuous evolution of cellular systems, portable wireless communication devices, such as mobile phones, are becoming more and more powerful, complex, and essential to our daily life. However, the debate over the health effects from using portable devices in close proximity has still not been settled. To limit the amount of user exposure, regulatory agencies in most countries set exposure threshold in terms of the specific absorption rate (SAR), measured in Watts per kilogram. SAR is a measure of the rate of electromagnetic energy absorption by the human body. Surprisingly, portable devices are often designed with little attention to the SAR thresholds, instead focusing on transmit power constraints. In this paper, we propose SAR-aware transmission that considers constraints on both transmit power and SAR with multiple antennas. We discover that the effect of a SAR constraint can be regarded in a way similar to a transmitter-side spatial correlation. Numerical results demonstrate the proposed method increases the capacity by 1.75 folds under the regulatory SAR limitation of 1.6 W/kg over schemes that only consider the power constraint.
Using FMEA models and ontologies to build diagnostic models

Product design and diagnosis are, today, worlds apart. Despite strong areas of overlap at the ontological level, traditional design process theory and practice does not recognize diagnosis as a part of the modeling process chain; neither do diagnosis knowledge engineering processes reference design modeling tasks as a source of knowledge acquisition. This paper presents the DAEDALUS knowledge engineering framework as a methodology for integrating design and diagnosis tasks, models, and modeling environments around a common Domain Ontology and Product Models Library. The approach organizes domain knowledge around the execution of a set of tasks in an enterprise product engineering task workflow. Each task employs a Task Application which uses a customized subset of the Domain Ontology—the Task Ontology—to construct a graphical Product Model. The Ontology is used to populate the models with relevant concepts (variables) and relations (relationships), thus serving as a concept dictionary-style mechanism for knowledge sharing and reuse across the different Task Applications. For inferencing, each task employs a local Problem-solving Method (PSM), and a Model-PSM Mapping, which operate on the local Product Model to produce reasoning outcomes. The use of a common Domain Ontology across tasks and models facilitates semantic consistency of variables and relations in constructing Bayesian networks for design and diagnosis.The approach is motivated by inefficiencies encountered in cleanly exchanging and integrating design FMEA and diagnosis models. Demonstration software under development is intended to illustrate how the DAEDALUS framework can be applied to knowledge sharing and exchange between Bayesian network-based design FMEA and diagnosis modeling tasks. Anticipated limitations of the DAEDALUS methodology are discussed, as is its relationship to Tomiyama's Knowledge Intensive Engineering Framework (KIEF). DAEDALUS is grounded in formal knowledge engineering principles and methodologies established during the past decade. Finally, the framework is presented as one possible approach for improved integration of generalized design and diagnostic modeling and knowledge exchange.
Bounded risk estimation of linear combinations of the location and scale parameters in exponential distributions under two-stage sampling

Two-stage sampling is proposed for estimating linear combinations of the location and scale parameters of exponential distributions with bounded quadratic risk functions. Exact formulae for the expected values and risks of the estimators are derived, and the performance of estimators is studied. Illustrations with real data are included.
Altered biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals: role of radiochemical/pharmaceutical purity, physiological, and pharmacologic factors

One of the most common problems associated with radiopharmaceuticals is an unanticipated or altered biodistribution, which can have a significant clinical impact on safety, scan interpretation, and diagnostic imaging accuracy. In their most extreme manifestations, unanticipated imaging results may even compromise the utility and or accuracy of nuclear medicine studies. We present here an overall summary of altered biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals with a special emphasis on the molecular mechanisms involved. Important factors affecting the biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals can be described in 5 major categories and include (1) radiopharmaceutical preparation and formulation problems; (2) problems caused by radiopharmaceutical administration techniques and procedures; (3) by changes in biochemical and pathophysiology; (4) previous medical procedures, such as surgery, radiation therapy and dialysis; and finally (5) by drug interactions. The altered biodistribution of 99m Tc radiopharmaceuticals are generally associated with increased amounts of 99m Tc radiochemical impurities, such as free 99m TcO 4 − and particulate impurities, such as 99m Tc colloids or 99m Tc-reduced hydrolyzed species. Faulty injection, such as dose infiltration or contamination with antiseptics and aluminum during dose administration, may cause significant artifacts. The patient's own medical problems, such as abnormalities in the regulation of hormone levels; failure in the function of excretory organs and systems, such as hepatobiliary and genitourinary systems; and even simple conditions, such as excessive talking may contribute to altered biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals. Previous medical procedures (chemotherapy, radiation therapy, dialysis) and drug interaction are the some of the nontechnical factors responsible for unanticipated biodistribution of radiotracers. This review provides a comprehensive summary of various factors and specific examples to illustrate the significance of altered biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals.
Validation of the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) version 5 land surface emissivity product over the Namib and Kalahari deserts

[1] Hyperspectral infrared sounders require accurate knowledge of the land surface emissivity (LSE) to retrieve important climate variables such as surface temperature, air temperature, and total water vapor from space. This study provides a method for validating and assessing the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) version 5 LSE product using high–spatial resolution data (90 m) from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) which has five bands in the thermal infrared region (8–12 μm, 1250–833 cm−1) and high–spectral resolution laboratory measurements of sand samples collected over the Namib and Kalahari deserts in southern Africa. Results indicate that the mean, absolute daytime LSE difference between AIRS and the laboratory results for six wavelengths in window regions between 3.9 and 11.4 μm (2564–877 cm−1) was 2.3% over the Namib and 0.70% over the Kalahari, while the mean difference with ASTER was 2.3% over the Namib and 2.26% over the Kalahari for four bands between 8 and 12 μm. Systematic modeling and surface dependent AIRS LSE retrieval errors such as large discrepancies between day and nighttime shortwave LSE (up to 15%), unphysical values (LSE >1), and large daytime temporal variations in the shortwave region (up to 30%) are further discussed.
Influences of two-phase flow in the deflagration of homogeneous solids☆

Theoretical analyses are developed for the deflagration of solids such as nitramines that experience exothermic reactions in liquid layers at their surfaces. Relative motion of gas and liquid in a two-phase region at the surface is considered, with influences of pressure gradients and of surface-tension gradients taken into account for the drops and bubbles. It is shown that these influences tend to produce gas velocities in excess of liquid velocities. Burning-rate expressions are derived by activation-energy asymptotics, with special attention paid to the role of interphase heat transfer.
Global comparison of pediatric surgery workforce and training.

Abstract Introduction The number of pediatric surgeons and their distribution vary greatly throughout the world. The purpose of this study is to examine potential influential factors including the length of education and training, pediatric population, birth rate, and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita. Methods An internet search was conducted to determine the duration of education from grade school to pediatric surgery fellowship, number of pediatric surgeons, birth rate, GDP, and population under 15years of age in 15 countries. The number of pediatric surgeons per million children was correlated with these factors. Results The number of pediatric surgeons per million children varied from 0.51 to 29.3. The total length of education from grade school to completion of pediatric surgery training ranged from 23 to 29years. There was no correlation between pediatric surgeons per million children with the duration of training. The number of pediatric surgeon per million children was inversely correlated with the birth rate. There was a positive correlation between the GDP per capita and pediatric surgeons per million children. Conclusion There is a tremendous variability in pediatric surgeons around the world. There appears to be a significant shortage of pediatric surgeons in countries with a high birth rate and low GDP per capita.
A dual formulation of a penalized maximum likelihood x-ray CT reconstruction Problem

This work studies the dual formulation of a penalized maximum likelihood reconstruction problem in x-ray CT. The primal objective function is a Poisson log-likelihood combined with a weighted cross-entropy penalty term. The dual formulation of the primal optimization problem is then derived and the optimization procedure outlined. The dual formulation better exploits the structure of the problem, which translates to faster convergence of iterative reconstruction algorithms. A gradient descent algorithm is implemented for solving the dual problem and its performance is compared with the filtered back-projection algorithm, and with the primal formulation optimized by using surrogate functions. The 3D XCAT phantom and an analytical x-ray CT simulator are used to generate noise-free and noisy CT projection data set with monochromatic and polychromatic x-ray spectrums. The reconstructed images from the dual formulation delineate the internal structures at early iterations better than the primal formulation using surrogate functions. However the body contour is slower to converge in the dual than in the primal formulation. The dual formulation demonstrate better noise-resolution tradeoff near the internal organs than the primal formulation. Since the surrogate functions in general can provide a diagonal approximation of the Hessian matrix of the objective function, further convergence speed up may be achieved by deriving the surrogate function of the dual objective function.
Utility of C4d immunostaining in the first year after pediatric and young adult heart transplantation.

Background C4d assessment of endomyocardial biopsies (EMBs) after heart transplantation (HTx) has been widely adopted to aid in the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), yet it remains unclear whether or not to assess all patients routinely and with what frequency/duration. In this study we sought to evaluate the utility of routine C4d immunostaining in the first year after pediatric and young adult HTx. Methods We reviewed pre-transplant alloantibody and clinical data, including serial EMB reports, on all 51 patients who received HTx at our center since we instituted routine C4d staining of all first-year EMBs. C4d was considered positive if diffuse capillary staining (≥2 + ) was present. Rare/focal capillary staining or absence of staining was considered negative. Results Twenty-six of 406 first-year EMBs (6%) were C4d + in 6 (12%) patients. Sixty-five percent of all C4d + EMBs occurred by 30 days post-transplant. Five of 6 patients had pre-transplant donor-specific antibody (DSA)≥4,000 MFI. The sixth patient had neither pre-transplant anti-HLA antibodies nor a positive donor-specific cytotoxicity crossmatch (DSXM), but there was clinical concern for AMR. Among the entire cohort, 5 of 10 patients with pre-transplant DSA≥4,000 MFI and/or a positive DSXM were C4d + compared with only 1 of 41 without (50% vs 2%; p = 0.001). Conclusions In the first year after HTx, C4d + occurred early and only in children and young adults with pre-transplant DSA or with clinical suspicion of AMR. Although our data suggest that assessment limited to the first 90 days post-transplant in patients with pre-transplant DSA≥4,000 MFI may be appropriate in the absence of clinical concern for AMR, further research is needed to determine the optimum strategy for post-transplant surveillance.
Modulation of protein phosphorylation by a factor purified from adipocytes.

Abstract 1. 1. A factor which modulates tha activity of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase copurifies from rat adipocytes with an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase. Purification and stability studies that both effects reside in a single factor previously referred to as a feedback regulator. 2. 2. The magnitude and direction of the feedback regulator effect of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity was dependent on the concentration of feedback regulator and the concentration and type of protein substrate. Using histone type IIA as substrate, feedback regulator was inhibitory at low histone concentrations and stimulatory at high concentrations. Preincubation of protein kinase feedback regulator resulted in inhibition at all histone concentrations. With some protein substrates, e.g. histone f2b and casein, inhibition was observed at all histone concentrations. 3. 3. The stimulation of histone type IIA phosphorylation resulted from an increased V with no effect on either the apparent K a for cyclic AMP or the K m for ATP. Time course studies suggest that feedback regulator increased the rate of phosphorylation without increasing the total number of phosphorylation sites. Increased histone phosphorylation was observed regardless of whether the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase was peak I of peak II (off DEAE-cellulose), isolated from bovine or rabbit skeletal muscle or rat heart. A small stimulation was observed using cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase. 4. 4. These results indicate that feedback regulator van inhibit os stimulate protein kinase, an effect which is probably substrate directed, and depends on the reaction conditions. Whether feedback regulator modulated protein phosphorylation in vivo in addition to its inhibition of adenylate cyclase is unknown. However, stimulation of protein kinase activity in the presence of cyclic AMP is a valuable and rapid assay for monitoring feedback regulator fractions during purification procedures.
Branching on hyperplane methods for mixed integer linear and convex programming using adjoint lattices

We present branching-on-hyperplane methods for solving mixed integer linear and mixed integer convex programs. In particular, we formulate the problem of finding a good branching hyperplane using a novel concept of adjoint lattice. We also reformulate the problem of rounding a continuous solution to a mixed integer solution. A worst case complexity of a Lenstra-type algorithm is established using an approximate log-barrier center to obtain an ellipsoidal rounding of the feasible set. The results for the mixed integer convex programming also establish a complexity result for the mixed integer second order cone programming and mixed integer semidefinite programming feasibility problems as a special case. Our results motivate an alternative reformulation technique and a branching heuristic using a generalized (e.g., ellipsoidal) norm reduced basis available at the root node.
Superheavy elements in nature? Fissiogenic xenon in Sudbury, Ontario, norite.

A fission xenon component with isotopic composition resembling that of the Renazzo-type fission xenon (CCF) was released at 800 and 1, 200°C from a 17.971-gram sample of norite from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The presence of CCF was also noted in Wausau, Wisconsin, granite. The siderophilic superheavy elements (possibly Z = 114, 115, 116) may have decayed in the earth's iron core and the xenon isotopes became trapped in the crustal rocks. The results can also be explained, however, as due to the fact that the xenon isotopes produced by spontaneous fission of 238U were mass-fractionated and heavier xenon isotopes were preferentially released from the rocks at temperatures 800 to 1, 200°C.
Does Technology Trust Substitute Interpersonal Trust?: Examining Technology Trust's Influence on Individual Decision-Making

While an increasing number of trust studies examine technological artifacts as trust recipients, there is still a lack of basic understanding of how technology trust relates to traditional trust and its role within the broader nomological net articulated in trust research. This paper suggests that technology trust is distinct from interpersonal trust i.e., trust in humans due to the different core characteristics of the trustees. To examine these differences, the authors first develop and validate a measure of technology trust comprised of IT-specific belief sources. Then, they articulate a research model that compares and contrasts technology trust and interpersonal trust. This study provides evidence that technology trust is associated with, yet distinct from, interpersonal trust. The authors found technology trust plays a dual role in the nomological net tied to individual intended behavior-exerting a direct and an indirect influence on a trust outcome. Rather than suggesting that technology trust substitutes for interpersonal trust, the findings suggest that technology trust complements interpersonal trust in affecting purchase intention.
Varicella-zoster virus open reading frame 47 (ORF47) protein is critical for virus replication in dendritic cells and for spread to other cells.

Abstract Varicella-zoster virus infects human dendritic cells (DCs). We found that VZV infection of DCs resulted in down-regulation of Fas expression on the surface of cells. VZV ORF47 was critical for replication of virus in human immature, but not mature DCs. Immature DCs infected with a mutant virus unable to express ORF47 expressed similar levels of a VZV immediate–early protein as cells infected with parental virus; however, cells infected with the ORF47 mutant expressed lower levels of glycoprotein E. Thus, in the absence of ORF47 protein, there is a block in viral replication between immediate–early and late gene expression. VZV unable to express ORF47 was severely impaired for spread of virus from DCs to melanoma cells. Infection of DCs with parental VZV resulted in a different pattern of phosphoproteins compared with the ORF47 mutant virus. Thus, VZV ORF47 is important for replication in immature DCs and for spread to other cells.
Speech clinician's stereotypes of elementary-school boys who stutter

Abstract All 174 speech clinicians employed by schools in the state of Iowa were asked to list all words, adjectives, or traits which they felt were needed to describe adequately elementary school-age boys who stutter. Of the 174 clinicians, 127 responded. Ninety-three University of Iowa students then judged the desirability or undesirability of the traits most frequently mentioned by the clinicians. Analysis of the results indicated the following: 1. (1) Speech clinicians assigned a relatively large number of descriptive items to stuttering boys. 2. (2) The median number of items mentioned tended to increase with clinical experience. 3. (3) Male and female clinicians were more similar than they were different in the traits they assigned. 4. (4) Speech clinicians demonstrated a relatively high degree of consensus in the assignment of traits. 5. (5) The 26 most frequently mentioned traits indicated a tendency to describe stuttering boys in terms of personality characteristics rather than in terms of physical structure and appearance or mental abilities. 6. (6) Of the 26 most frequently mentioned items, 17 were evaluated as undesirable and 9 were evaluated as desirable.
CHARACTERIZING CHRONIC MYOCARDIAL INFARCTIONS IN PATIENTS USING NATIVE T1-BASED CARDIOVASCULAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE

Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE) Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CMR) is the gold standard for characterizing chronic myocardial infarctions (CMIs), but it is contraindicated in patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease. We investigated whether native T1 mapping at 3T can reliably
The mRNA-Binding Protein HuR is Regulated in the Menstrual Cycle and Repressed in Ectopic Endometrium

Cytokines modulate turnover of the endometrium during the menstrual cycle and contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Gene expression for cytokines is often regulated by proteins that bind to adenosine- and uridine-rich elements (AREs) in their transcripts to stabilize or destabilize bound messenger RNAs (mRNAs). HuR/ELAVL1 is an RNA-binding protein that stabilizes ARE-containing mRNAs. We hypothesized that HuR might play a role in regulating cytokine expression during the menstrual cycle and in endometriosis and characterized the expression and regulation of HuR in eutopic and ectopic human endometrium. Tissue sections obtained from normal (n = 23) and ectopic (n = 16) endometrium were immunostained for HuR, and staining intensity was evaluated by HSCORE. Cultured stromal cells isolated from normal endometrium were treated with vehicle, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), E2 + P, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) for 24 hours, and HuR expression was determined by Western blot. HuR immunoreactivity was significantly lower in the early proliferative and late secretory phases (157.5 ± 11.08 and 190.0 ± 15.2, respectively), compared to the mid-late proliferative (270.0 ± 8.0) and early-mid secretory phases (256.6 ± 20.2; P < .01, analysis of variance [ANOVA]). Furthermore, HuR expression was significantly lower in ectopic endometrial cells compared to normal endometrium in mid-late proliferative and early-mid-secretory phases (P < .01). Estrogen, P, or cytokines did not alter HuR expression in cultured endometrial stromal cells. Increased HuR levels in the mid-menstrual phases are likely to contribute to reduced mid-cycle cytokine expression and enhanced cellular survival in eutopic endometrium. In ectopic endometrium, elevated cytokine levels associated with endometriosis likely reduce HuR expression.
A New Device for Performing Fluid-Gas Exchanges

• A new device was developed for performing outpatient fluid-gas exchanges in vitrectomized eyes. This device allows the operator to hold his needle in position steadily with less effort and fatigue. It is particularly useful for fluid-gas exchanges in phakic eyes where precise needle positioning is required.
Diagnosis and Therapeutic Intervention in the Management of Coronary Artery Disease in African Americans

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in African Americans, despite the lower prevalence of anatomic coronary atherosclerosis in this group. Risk factors for CAD in African Americans are considerable; however, the specific role of these risk factors in the excess mortality rates as compared with that of whites is not clarified. Factors such as differences in vascular pathobiology may be important in determining the cause of the excess mortality. The higher prevalence of normal coronary angiograms in African Americans with angina may be caused by pathobiology related to microvascular function and reserve. When access is available, the initial approach to diagnoses and management of coronary artery disease in African Americans is no different from that in other populations. Diagnostic approaches and therapeutic interventions are needed to identify the cause and modify the effects of the excess risks from coronary artery disease in African Americans.
Ovarian cancer and asbestos

Abstract There is a rising death rate from ovarian cancer in advanced western countries. By contrast, ovarian cancer is uncommon in less developed areas. Mesotheliomas in asbestosis resemble ovarian cancer in appearance. Intraperitoneal injection of one variety of asbestos produces epithelial changes in the ovaries of guinea pigs and rabbits which are similar to those seen in patients with early ovarian cancer. Six of twelve patients with early ovarian malignant changes show birefringent crystalline material in the ovaries. These observations are compatable with the thesis that asbestos is an etiologic factor in ovarian cancer.
Systematic review with meta-analysis: non-alcoholic steatohepatitis - a case for personalised treatment based on pathogenic targets

Summary Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an umbrella term, which encompasses simple steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The entire spectrum of NAFLD has been associated with metabolic syndrome. NASH is associated with increased mortality compared with that of the general population. Many therapeutic options for NASH have been studied. However, there is very little evidence supporting the efficacy of most regimens for the treatment of NASH. Aim To provide a review focusing on the current therapeutic options available for patients with NASH as well as to briefly introduce possible future interventions. Methods A MEDLINE, Pubmed and Cochrane Review database search using a combination of keywords, which included non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic hepatic steatosis, NAFLD, NASH, treatment, therapeutics, vitamin E, orlistat and bariatric surgery. An overall summary of the articles was developed for each section of discussion in this review. Results NASH associated with metabolic syndrome can progress advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis. Weight loss and lifestyle modification have been shown to improve NASH. Other medications used for weight loss and metabolic syndrome have been evaluated, such as orlistat, metformin and thiazolidinediones. Alternative regimens using ursodeoxycholic acid, statins and probiotics as well as bariatric surgery have been evaluated, but have not been recommended as first-line treatment for NASH. Vitamin E for NASH patients without diabetes seems to be promising. The lack of effective treatment for NASH suggests the heterogeneity of patients presenting with the NASH phenotype. The best treatment strategy for these patients may be to identify their pathogenic target and develop personalised treatment protocols. Conclusions Currently, there are few options available for the management of NASH. Future targeted treatment strategies based on the pathogenic pathways may be needed to develop effective treatment for patients with NASH.
Biosolubilization and liquid fuel production from coal

Recently, several microorganisms have been shown to be capable of directly solubilizing low-rank coals. This bioextract has a high molecular weight and is water soluble, but is not useful as a liquid fuel. This paper presents the results of studies to biologically solubilize coal and convert the solubilized coal into more useful compounds. Preliminary experiments have been conducted to isolate cultures for the serial biological conversion of coal into liquid fuels. Coal particles have been solubilized employing an isolate from the surface of Arkansas lignite. Natural inocula, such as sheep rumen and sewage sludge, are then employed in developing cultures for converting the bioextract into fuels. This paper presents preliminary results of experiments in coal solubilization and bioextract conversion.
Competition between sigma factors for core RNA polymerase

The switch of RNA polymerase specificity from early to late promoters of bacteriophage T4 is achieved by substitution of host sigma factor, sigma 70, with the T4 induced factor, sigma gp55. However, overproduction of sigma gp55 from an expression vector is not detrimental to Escherichia coli growth. Direct competition binding assays demonstrate that sigma 70 readily displaces sigma gp55 from RNA polymerase and thereby reverses the promoter specificity of the enzyme. The displacement also occurs with the core enzyme modified by bacteriophage T4 infection. We postulate that an antagonist of sigma 70 should be formed in T4-infected cells to aid sigma gp55 in the early/late switch.
tomoRecon: High-speed tomography reconstruction on workstations using multi-threading

Computers have changed remarkably in just the last 2-3 years. Memory is now very inexpensive, as little as $10/GB, or less than $1000 for 96GB. Computers with 8 or 12 cores are now inexpensive, starting at less than $3,000. This means that affordable workstations are in principle now capable of processing large tomography datasets. But for the most part tomography reconstruction software has not changed to take advantage of these new capabilities. Most installations use clusters of Linux machines, spreading the work over computers running multiple processes. It is significantly simpler and cheaper to run a single process that spreads the job over multiple threads running on multiple cores. tomoRecon is a new multi-threaded library for such tomography data reconstruction. It consists of only 545 lines of C++ code, on top of the ~800 lines in the Gridrec reconstruction code. The performance on a single modern workstation significantly exceeds dedicated clusters currently in use at synchrotron beamlines.
Conformational change in unsolvated trp-cage protein probed by fluorescence

We report the first direct measurements of the unfolding of a protein, Trp-cage, in the gas phase using laser-induced fluorescence of protein ions in a heated quadrupole ion trap. The changes in enthalpy and entropy associated with the observed conformational change are obtained by fitting a two-state model of protein unfolding to the fluorescence intensities plotted versus temperature. The enthalpy and entropy changes for the 2+ and 3+ charge states are greater than the values measured in solution and depend on charge state.
Class, Consumption, and the Environment

On March 9, 2001, the Hagley Center for the History of Business, Technology and Society hosted a one-day conference, "Consumption and the Environ ment," in Wilmington, Delaware. The idea for the conference and the selection of papers were the work of graduate students in the University of Delaware's Hagley Program in the History of Technology and Industrialization. The orga nizers made a deliberate effort to "integrate studies of production and con sumption," "highlight the social implications of seemingly personal decisions," and explore how changing understandings of the environment have shaped con sumption choices. This conference brought together a diverse group of graduate students and faculty members from across the country. How often have historians of con sumption, technology, the environment, food, labor, agriculture, and gender spent an entire day in the same room addressing issues of common interest? Par ticipants demonstrated ways to bridge traditional dichotomies like production vs. consumption and technological "progress" vs. environmental and social "de clension." While the conference title neglected to mention class, nearly all par ticipants wove this subject into their discussions of consumption and the envi ronment. Throughout history, socioeconomic groups have defined themselves, and others, by the way individuals understood, enjoyed, and consumed "nature" and "the environment." When social boundaries are reinforced through physi cal segregation, those with more money and power have often escaped (or at least delayed) facing the consequences of consumption by exporting their prob lems to poorer regions and people. While this conference self-consciously ex plored the past, its lessons and conclusions clearly contribute to understanding the world today. Joel Tarr (Richard S. Caliguiri Professor of Urban and Environmental His tory at Carnegie Mellon University) delivered the keynote address: "Environ ment, Consumption and the Urban Hinterland." Tarr proposed examining the city-hinterland relationship in three dimensions: consumption of basic necessi ties (food, fuel, and water); waste disposal; and consumption of land. He then suggested three possible approaches: life-cycle analysis, to determine what and when people knew about a product's effects on the environment and how they dealt with that knowledge (e.g., the transformation of CFCs from miracle re frigerant to ozone threat); industrial ecology, to determine the actual impact of consumption on the environment over time; and social and cultural history. All nine panelists and three commentators addressed various aspects of these themes. It is impossible in this short space to convey the rich conversations that resulted. Instead, the remainder of this review focuses on three case stud
Granulomatous hepatitis due to Bartonella henselae infection in an immunocompetent patient

Bartonella henselae (B. henselae) is considered a rare cause of granulomatous hepatitis. Due to the fastidious growth characteristics of the bacteria, the limited sensitivity of histopathological stains, and the non-specific histological findings on liver biopsy, the diagnosis of hepatic bartonellosis can be difficult to establish. Furthermore, the optimal treatment of established hepatic bartonellosis remains controversial. We present a case of hepatic bartonellosis in an immunocompetent woman who presented with right upper quadrant pain and a five cm right hepatic lobe mass on CT scan. The patient underwent a right hepatic lobectomy. Surgical pathology revealed florid necrotizing granulomatous hepatitis, favoring an infectious etiology. Despite extensive histological and serological evaluation a definitive diagnosis was not established initially. Thirteen months after initial presentation, hepatic bartonellosis was diagnosed by PCR studies from surgically excised liver tissue. Interestingly, the hepatic granulomas persisted and Bartonella henselae was isolated from the patient's enriched blood culture after several courses of antibiotic therapy. The diagnosis of hepatic bartonellosis is exceedingly difficult to establish and requires a high degree of clinical suspicion. Recently developed, PCR-based approaches may be required in select patients to make the diagnosis. The optimal antimicrobial therapy for hepatic bartonellosis has not been established, and close follow-up is needed to ensure successful eradication of the infection.
Intrinsic stochasticity in fusion plasmas

In magnetically confined fusion plasmas, the stability and confinement of the plasma edge region place important constraints on the capability to reach and sustain the high temperatures and power levels needed for fusion burning. Edge instabilities have the potential to be dangerously large and their control is critical for future burning plasmas. Recent results suggest that the importance of intrinsic stochasticity, beyond the effects of small-scale background plasma fluctuations, on macroscopic stability and confinement near the plasma edge. Two main sources exist. The toroidal magnetic field behaves like a Hamiltonian system with two degrees of freedom. A favorable configuration for confinement has a D-shaped cross-section, with magnetic X-points at one or both corners of the D. Small non-axisymmetric disturbances of the plasma boundary surface lead to the development of a homoclinic-type magnetic tangle around the X-point(s) that distorts the magnetic boundary and produces a stochastic field over the edge region. The D-shape also sustains a steep pressure gradient near the plasma edge. Plasma instabilities driven by the gradient have a broad spectrum of moderate to high toroidal harmonics; their nonlinear interaction contributes to the stochasticity. Large scale magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulations allow the plasma boundary to move freely inside a surrounding, near-vacuum region of unconfined field lines. They show that MHD edge instabilities can self-consistently generate a stochastic magnetic tangle. The tangle evolves with the instability to reproduce important features of experimental observations. The results suggest that the plasma edge always has a non-negligible degree of stochasticity that affects plasma stability and confinement.
File system framework for organizing sensor networks

We present a filesystem based framework to support common operations and applications in the sensor networks domain. The framework uses virtual filesystems to encapsulate resources at various levels of the sensor network hierarchy that are exported to clients who can then use common file operations to interact with the network. Our approach is scalable, supports concurrent access of sensors and is compatible with lightweight sensor architectures. In this paper we introduce file representation of sensor networks, describe the general architecture used in implementing the framework and illustrate its use in supporting common sensor network operations.
Low-noise multicolor archival storage with broad source interferometric imaging

A low-noise true color image plane rainbow hologram is formed with a modified Mach-Zehnder interferometer using an extended source. Experiments show excellent results in the noise suppression and resolution preservation capabilities of this system.
Livelihood Patterns of Displaced Households in Greater Khartoum

Members of impoverished households in Greater Khartoum, who have been displaced from their homelands by famine and civil war, gain a livelihood by utilising a wide variety of subsistence activities and sources. These include moonlighting, income diversification and pooling, exchange relations, scavenging, relief supplies from aid agencies and remittances from relatives working in other areas. This finding challenges the widely held view of the displaced as dependent and parasitic on the wider urban community. Several public policies are identified which have a detrimental effect on the livelihood of the displaced.
Geodynamic and geomorphic evolution of the Permo-Triassic appalachian mountains

Abstract The basic topography of a steady state, accretionary mountain range is a function of the critical taper of the accretionary wedge, which in turn depends upon the convergence flux at the toe, internal rock strength, basal slope, and erosion rate off the top. It is possible to obtain a first-order estimate of this topography for ancient mountain ranges by constraining these parameters using sediment thicknesses in adjacent, flexurally-produced sedimentary basins. Here we apply the technique to the Early Permian central Appalachians, by first obtaining the steady-state mass of the wedge from a flexural loading model of Beaumont and others. Then, the equations of a critically tapered wedge are solved using a Monte Carlo method of parameter selection. Those solutions that match the observed mass of the wedge suggest that the Early Permian Appalachians possessed a central Andean topography with average relief of from 3.5–4.5 km and width of 250–300 km.
The Role of Ideas in Education Politics: Using Discourse Analysis To Understand Barriers To Reform in Multiethnic Cities.

This article examines how the presence of multiple racial and ethnic groups complicates education politics. It suggests that to fully understand the multiethnic political terrain, we need to study ...
Interaction of zonal winds with the equatorial midnight pressure bulge in the Earth's thermosphere: Empirical check of momentum balance

The paper is concerned with the effect of the equatorial midnight pressure on the nighttime zonal winds in the altitude range 300-400 km. The analysis is based on zonal momentum balance of measured quantities at the specified altitude combined with the nighttime average-pressure variations given by the Atmosphere Explorer-E (AE-E) satellite and the ion density given by the model of Chiu (1975). It is found that the nighttime pressure variation obtained from temperatures and densities measured on AE-E is consistent with the observed variations in the zonal wind and that the zonal wind decay time due to ion drag and viscosity reasonably accounts for the observed decay in velocity leading to the midnight minimum.
Estimation of velocity eigenfunction and vorticity distributions from the timeline visualization technique

For the case of quasi-periodic flow, it is demonstrated that use of the hydrogen bubble timeline method leads to reasonable estimates of the eigenfunction of the streamwise velocity fluctuation. Both amplitude and phase distributions across an unstable wake flow are well-approximated. It is shown that the vorticity extrema, as well as the degree of concentration of vorticity, are in good agreement with those calculated from linear stability theory. A critical assessment is given of the possible uncertainties associated with this technique: the existence of a finite, but unknown cross-stream velocity component; bubble rise due to buoyancy effects; wake defect created downstream of the bubble wire; and resolution of the digitized image. Furthermore, the uncertainty in the streamwise velocity, arising from existence of a finite cross-stream velocity component, is actually less than that corresponding to a single-element hot film probe over certain regimes of operation.
School Climate Factors Contributing to Student and Faculty Perceptions of Safety in Select Arizona Schools

BACKGROUND: To ensure that schools are safe places where students can learn, researchers and educators must understand student and faculty safety concerns. This study examines student and teacher perceptions of school safety. METHODS: Twenty-two focus groups with students and faculty were conducted in 11 secondary schools. Schools were selected from a stratified sample to vary in location, proximity to Indian reservations, size, and type. The data analysis was based on grounded theory. RESULTS: In 9 of 11 schools, neither faculty nor students voiced overwhelming concerns about safety. When asked what makes school safe, students tended to report physical security features. School climate and staff actions also increased feelings of safety. Faculty reported that relationships and climate are key factors in making schools safe. High student performance on standardized tests does not buffer students from unsafe behavior, nor does living in a dangerous neighborhood necessarily lead to more drug use or violence within school walls. School climate seemed to explain the difference between schools in which students and faculty reported higher versus lower levels of violence and alcohol and other drug use. CONCLUSIONS: The findings raise provocative questions about school safety and provide insight into elements that lead to perceptions of safety. Some schools have transcended issues of location and neighborhood to provide an environment perceived as safe. Further study of those schools could provide insights for policy makers, program planners, and educational leaders. Language: en
Folding Angle Regulation by Curved Crease Design for Self-Assembling Origami Propellers

This paper describes a method for manufacturing complex three-dimensional curved structures by self-folding layered materials. Our main focus is to first show that the material can cope with curved crease self-folding and then to utilize the curvature to predict the folding angles. The self-folding process employs uniform heat to induce self-folding of the material and shows the successful generation of several types of propellers as a proof of concept. We further show the resulting device is functional by demonstrating its levitation in the presence of a magnetic field applied remotely.
Leadership in the Organizational Context: A Conceptual Approach and its Applications1

The present research reviewed the literature on leadership, and noted the lack of a well-founded theoretical conception of leadership that would provide a general, cross-situational approach to leadership identification and develoment. Subsequently, it was suggested systems theory might be used to gain some understanding of leadership as it occurs in bureaucratic organizations. This led to the hypothesis that formal leadership activities will always be focused on the attainment of certain goals specified in the leadership role, and so will represent a form of problem-solving activity. The literature supporting this hypothesis was reviewed. The personal characteristics of a leader which would be likely to facilitate goal attainment and problem solving across situations were outlined as well as certain problem-specific processes. Finally, some implications of this approach to leadership identification and development were considered.
The masculine ideal: Rape on prime‐time television, 1976–1978

This study examines 25 episodes of prime time television featuring rape as a primary plot element from 1976 through 1978. These episodes say little about rape law reform or victim rights and experiences, serving instead as a discourse on masculinity. The episodes serve to bolster hegemonic masculinity by focusing on male protagonists, depicting them as nurturing and concerned for victim rights and feelings.
Role of processing on interlaminar shear strength enhancement of epoxy/glass fiber/multi-walled carbon nanotube hybrid composites

Abstract Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) of hybrid composites made from glass fiber and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) modified epoxy is compared with unmodified epoxy/glass fiber composites (control). By combining the techniques of high speed mechanical stirring and ultrasonic agitation, 0.5% MWCNT by weight was dispersed in epoxy to prepare a suspension. Composites were manufactured by both injection double vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (IDVARTM) and the flow flooding chamber (FFC) methods. Compression shear tests were conducted on the manufactured samples to determine ILSS. The effect of processing history and batch-to-batch variability of materials – glass fiber preform, resin and carbon nanotubes – on ILSS of samples made by both techniques was investigated. Statistical analysis of the measured ILSS values for hybrid composites and their comparison with the control specimens clearly show that hybrid composites made by the FFC process resulted in (i) significant ILSS enhancement relative to the control and to IDVARTM specimens and (ii) better repeatability than the IDVARTM process. A description of both IDVARTM and FFC processes and their role in dispersing the nanotubes between the fabric layers was discussed.