cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inversion for refractivity parameters from radar sea clutter

[1] This paper describes estimation of low-altitude atmospheric refractivity from radar sea clutter observations. The vertical structure of the refractive environment is modeled using five parameters, and the horizontal structure is modeled using six parameters. The refractivity model is implemented with and without an a priori constraint on the duct strength, as might be derived from soundings or numerical weather-prediction models. An electromagnetic propagation model maps the refractivity structure into a replica field. Replica fields are compared to the observed clutter using a squared-error objective function. A global search for the 11 environmental parameters is performed using genetic algorithms. The inversion algorithm is implemented on S-band radar sea-clutter data from Wallops Island, Virginia. Reference data are from range-dependent refractivity profiles obtained with a helicopter. The inversion is assessed (1) by comparing the propagation predicted from the radar-inferred refractivity profiles and from the helicopter profiles, (2) by comparing the refractivity parameters from the helicopter soundings to those estimated, and (3) by examining the fit between observed clutter and optimal replica field. This technique could provide near-real-time estimation of ducting effects. In practical implementations it is unlikely that range-dependent soundings would be available. A single sounding is used for evaluating the radar-inferred environmental parameters. When the unconstrained environmental model is used, the “refractivity-from-clutter,” the propagation loss generated and the loss from this single sounding, is close within the duct; however, above the duct they differ. Use of the constraint on the duct strength leads to a better match also above the duct.
Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis Sputum Can Be Chemically Dynamic, Anoxic, and Extremely Reduced Due to Hydrogen Sulfide Formation

Severe and persistent bacterial lung infections characterize cystic fibrosis (CF). While several studies have documented the microbial diversity within CF lung mucus, we know much less about the inorganic chemistry that constrains microbial metabolic processes and their distribution. We hypothesized that sputum is chemically heterogeneous both within and between patients. To test this, we measured microprofiles of oxygen and sulfide concentrations as well as pH and oxidation-reduction potentials in 48 sputum samples from 22 pediatric patients with CF. Inorganic ions were measured in 20 samples from 12 patients. In all cases, oxygen was depleted within the first few millimeters below the sputum-air interface. Apart from this steep oxycline, anoxia dominated the sputum environment. Different sputum samples exhibited a broad range of redox conditions, with either oxidizing (16 mV to 355 mV) or reducing (−300 to −107 mV) potentials. The majority of reduced samples contained hydrogen sulfide and had a low pH (2.9 to 6.5). Sulfide concentrations increased at a rate of 0.30 µM H_2S/min. Nitrous oxide was detected in only one sample that also contained sulfide. Microenvironmental variability was observed both within a single patient over time and between patients. Modeling oxygen dynamics within CF mucus plugs indicates that anoxic zones vary as a function of bacterial load and mucus thickness and can occupy a significant portion of the mucus volume. Thus, aerobic respiration accounts only partially for pathogen survival in CF sputum, motivating research to identify mechanisms of survival under conditions that span fluctuating redox states, including sulfidic environments.
Guerrilla-style Defensive Architecture in Detroit: A Self-provisioned Security Strategy in a Neoliberal Space of Disinvestment.

Self-provisioning has long been an important component of urban political economic processes. However, it has recently become a central feature of grassroots urban governance strategies as well. In tumultuous cities of the twenty-first century, with governments either unwilling or unable to effectively enforce zoning laws, police neighborhoods or manage infrastructure, some householders have begun performing these services instead. This article examines one subset of self-provisioning practices that has emerged in southwest Detroit where residents have taken steps to secure abandoned housing as a means of exerting social control over their living environment. These actions embody many contradictions and ethical dilemmas, and the intimate scale of action has left the structural production of disinvestment in places like Detroit largely unchecked. Nevertheless, these guerilla-style spatial interventions have emerged as critically important response strategies helping residents reduce their vulnerability and stabilize their blocks even as other nearby areas continue to experience decline.
Tailoring an architectural middleware platform to a heterogeneous embedded environment

Embedded systems are rapidly growing in size, complexity, distribution, and heterogeneity. As a result, the traditional practice of developing one-off embedded applications that are often rigid and unmanageable is no longer acceptable. Recent studies have suggested that an effective approach to developing software systems in this domain is to employ the principles of software architecture. However, for software architectural concepts to be truly useful in a development setting, they must be accompanied by support for their implementation and evolution. This has motivated our work over the past several years on an architectural middleware, called Prism-MW, that provides implementation-level support for the development of software systems in terms of the software architectural constructs (e.g., components, connectors). Prism-MW was initially developed in Java and used in several domains. Recently, as part of an on-going project, we were required to implement Prism-MW in ANSI C++. This experience proved to be more challenging than we initially anticipated, mainly due to the inherent heterogeneity of the computing substrate. As a result of this experience, we had to reconsider some of our earlier assumptions of what constitutes an architectural middleware and its role in the software development process. In this paper, we provide an overview of our experience and the lessons we have learned along the way.
Radiographic Estimation of Long Bone Cross-Sectional Geometric Properties

Because of their biomechanical significance, cross-sectional geometric properties of long bone diaphyses (areas, second moments of area) have been increasingly used in a number of form/function studies, e.g., to reconstruct body mass or locomotor mode in fossil primates or to elucidate allometric scaling relationships among extant taxa. In the present study, we test whether these biomechanical section properties can be adequately esti- mated using biplanar radiographs, as compared to calculations of the same properties from computer digitization of cross-sectional images. We are par- ticularly interested in smaller animals, since the limb bone cortices of these animals may not be resolvable using other alternative noninvasive techniques (computed tomography). The test sample includes limb bones of small (25- 5,000 g) relatively generalized quadrupedal mammals—mice, six species of squirrels, and Macaca fascicularis. Results indicate that biplanar radio- graphs are reasonable substitutes for digitized cross-sectional images for deriving areas and second moments of area of midshaft femora and humeri of mammals in this size range. Potential application to a variety of questions relating to mechanical loading patterns in such animals is diverse. , C 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Scaling carbon dioxide and water vapour exchange from leaf to canopy in a deciduous forest. I. Leaf model parametrization

In order to parametrize a leaf submodel of a canopy level gas-exchange model, a series of photosynthesis and stomatal conductance measurements were made on leaves of white oak (Quercus alba L.) and red maple (Acer rubrum L.) in a mature deciduous forest near Oak Ridge, TN. Gas-exchange characteristics of sun leaves growing at the top of a 30 m canopy and of shade leaves growing at a depth of 3–4 m from the top of the canopy were determined. Measured rates of net photosynthesis at a leaf temperature of 30°C and saturating photosynthetic photon flux density, expressed on a leaf area basis, were significantly lower (P = 0.01; n = 8) in shade leaves (7.9μmol m−2 s−1) than in sun leaves (11–5μmol m−2 s−1). Specific leaf area increased significantly with depth in the canopy, and when photosynthesis rates were expressed on a dry mass basis, they were not significantly different for shade and sun leaves. The percentage leaf nitrogen did not vary significantly with height in the canopy; thus, rates expressed on a per unit nitrogen basis were also not significantly different in shade and sun leaves. A widely used model integrating photosynthesis and stomatal conductance was parametrized independently for sun and shade leaves, enabling us to model successfully diurnal variations in photosynthesis and evapotranspiration of both classes of leaves. Key photosynthesis model parameters were found to scale with leaf nitrogen levels. The leaf model parametrizations were then incorporated into a canopy-scale gas-exchange model that is discussed and tested in a companion paper (Baldocchi & Harley 1995, Plant, Cell and Environment 18, 1157–1173).
Using vegetation index and modified derivative for early detection of soybean plant injury from glyphosate

Glyphosate is a non-selective, systemic herbicide highly toxic to sensitive plant species. Its use has seen a significant increase due to the increased adoption of genetically modified glyphosate-resistant crops since the mid-1990s. Glyphosate application for weed control in glyphosate-resistant crops can drift onto an off-target area, causing unwanted injury to non-glyphosate resistant plants. Thus, early detection of crop injury from off-target drift of herbicide is critical in crop production. In non-glyphosate-resistant plants, glyphosate causes a reduction in chlorophyll content and metabolic disturbances. These subtle changes may be detectable by plant reflectance, which suggests the possibility of using optical remote sensing for early detection of drift damage to plants. In order to determine the feasibility of using optical remote sensing, a greenhouse study was initiated to measure the canopy reflectance of soybean plants using a portable hyperspectral image sensor. Non-glyphosate resistant soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) plants were treated with glyphosate using a pneumatic track sprayer in a spray chamber. The three treatment groups were control (0kg ae/ha), low dosage (0.086kg ae/ha), and high dosage (0.86kg ae/ha), each with four 2-plant pots. Hyperspectral images were taken at 4, 24, 48, and 72h after application. The extracted canopy reflectance data was analyzed with vegetation indices. The results indicated that a number of vegetation indices could identify crop injury at 24h after application, at which time visual inspection could not distinguish between glyphosate injured and non-treated plants. To improve the results a modified method of spectral derivative analysis was proposed and applied to find that the method produced better results than the vegetation indices. Four selected first derivatives at wavelength 519, 670, 685, and 697nm could potentially differentiate crop injury at 4h after treatment. The overall false positive rate was lower than the vegetation indices. Furthermore, the derivatives demonstrated the ability to separate treatment groups with different dosages. The study showed that hyperspectral imaging of plant canopy reflectance could be a useful tool for early detection of soybean crop injury from glyphosate, and that the modified spectral derivative analysis had a better performance than vegetation indices.
Risk factors associated with pelvic floor disorders in women undergoing surgical repair

Abstract Objective To identify demographic, obstetric, and gynecologic risk factors associated with the development of pelvic floor disorders in women who undergo surgical correction. Methods We conducted a case–control study, with cases selected from all women who had surgery by our urogynecology service from July 1, 1999 to July 1, 2000 and who had a first obstetric delivery at Magee Womens Hospital (n = 80). Controls were patients seen in the general gynecology office over the same time period who had no complaints associated with pelvic floor disorders in the previous 3 years, less than stage I prolapse on pelvic examination, and first obstetric delivery at Magee Womens Hospital (n = 176). Demographic, obstetric, and gynecologic variables were compared between cases and controls. Results There were no significant differences in race, current age, gravidity, or parity. Cases were more likely than controls to have a higher body mass index (BMI) (28.6 ± 6.3 versus 26.4 ± 6.1 kg/m2, P = .01), to be younger at first delivery (25.8 ± 5.3 versus 28.4 ± 4.9 years, P Conclusion In our surgical patients, younger age at first delivery, higher BMI, forceps delivery, and history of gynecologic surgery were significantly associated with subsequent development of pelvic floor disorders.
Functional Effects of Monoclonal Antibodies to the Purified Amino-Terminal Extracellular Domain of the Human Ca2+ Receptor

We generated three functionally unique monoclonal antibodies to the purified human CaR extracellular domain. Flow cytometry studies of chimeric receptors localized their epitopes to lobe 2 of the VFT domain. These results lead us to propose a mechanism for the functional effects of these antibodies. Introduction: The human Ca2+ receptor (CaR), which plays a central role in the regulation of [Ca2+]0 homeostasis, has a distinctively large extracellular domain that consists of a bilobed Venus flytrap (VFT) domain, involved in agonist binding, and a cysteine-rich domain. Functional antibodies that specifically bind to this domain would have therapeutic potential and could be used as a tool to gain insights into receptor activation as well. Materials and Methods: We generated three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), 7F8, 5C8, and 1A8, to the purified human CaR extracellular domain. Functional characterization of these antibodies included Ca2+ stimulation of phosphoinositide hydrolysis to examine effects of intact or protease digested antibodies on sensitivity of the receptor to extracellular Ca2+ and flow cytometry assay of binding of the antibodies to HEK-293 cells expressing chimeric receptors to map antibody epitopes. Results: We found these mAbs specifically recognize native but not denatured human CaR or homologous native Fugu CaR. Sensitivity of the human CaR to extracellular calcium was increased by binding of 5C8 but decreased by binding of 1A8. A chimeric receptor FCFCF, with lobe 2 region of the human CaR VFT domain in the Fugu CaR backbone, bound all three mAbs, and the sensitivity of this chimeric CaR to extracellular Ca2+ was also increased by binding of 5C8 and decreased by binding of 1A8. Conclusions: The epitopes of these mAbs reside in the lobe 2 region of the human CaR VFT domain. 5C8 might activate the receptor by facilitating closure and/or rotation of the VFT domains on agonist binding, whereas 1A8 might inhibit the receptor by impeding such agonist-induced conformational changes. Recombinant antibodies with antigen binding domains of 5C8 and 1A8 could be useful in the treatment of hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis, respectively.
Optical and magnetic surface studies on germanium

GOLD-DOPED germanium at liquid nitrogen temperature has been very useful for studying surface behavior.(l) The high bulk resistivity of the material ~10s Q cm at 85”K, permits sensitive detection of surface conductive and galvanomagnetic properties. At the low temperature, communication between the “bulk” and “slow” surface states becomes so ineffective that changes in surface potential, induced by external fieldeffect, or illumination are very stable. This makes possible detailed measurements of surface properties at various values of the surface potential. Illumination(s) of the surface of the samples at 80°K with intense white light produces, in addition to the usual fast bulk photoconductivity, a very slowly decaying component which may be called a retentive conductance, G,. An appreciable fraction of this conductance remains even several days after the light is shut off. Gr may be built up to values several orders of magnitude higher than the initial dark conductance, Go. G, depends on the integrated flux which has fallen on the sample, and may be built up for hours without
The effects of compression on the maturation and early development of the eggs of asterias forbesii

1) Compression of the eggsAsterias forbesii before the dissolution of the germinal vesicle usually prevents the extrusion of both polar bodies; occasionally one polar body is given off, but never two as is normally the case. 2) The retention of chromatin that is normally extruded in the polar bodies does not lead to a parthenogenetic development of the egg. 3) Polyspermy is very common in eggs that have been subjected to pressure, and as many as 18 spermatozoa may enter one egg. Several sperm-nuclei may fuse with the egg-nucleus and produce a triaster, a tetraster, or a more irregular form of mitotic figure. 4) In some instances compressed eggs that have been fertilized segment in an apparently normal manner up to the blastula stage; none develop beyond this stage. Abnormality in development is usually apparent at the first cleavage and frequently eggs divide simultaneously into three, four, or more cells. In all cases segmentation is greatly delayed. 5) The abnormalities produced by subjecting eggs to pressure are due in part to the distortion of the egg and in part to the presence of an abnormal amount of chromatin. 6) Deficiency in the supply of oxygen while eggs are under compression does not lead to abnormality in development. Ripe eggs placed in water deprived of oxygen maturate in a normal manner and, if fertilized, develop into normal embryos. These processes, however, take place much more slowly than in eggs developing normally in sea-water.
Visual warning signals of the ladybird Harmonia axyridis: the avian predators' point of view.

Previous studies have suggested that spotted patterns are important in the protection of ladybirds against attack by avian predators. Nevertheless, these studies were based on the comparison of several ladybird species differing in colouration, but also in other traits (e.g., chemical protection). We presented natural as well as artificial colour modifications (using brown, red, and black paint) of the ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) – an invasive alien species for Europe – to an avian predator, the great tit, Parus major L. (Passeriformes: Paridae). All forms were considered to be equal in size, but differed in colouration and in the presence of spots. The chemical protection was equal except for one form. The birds displayed strong avoidance of all forms with red and black colouration; beetles with artificially removed red colouration (painted brown) were attacked more often. The beetles painted brown with black spots were slightly better protected than the painted beetles without spots. We can sum up that spots are of some importance in the protection of ladybirds; nevertheless, red and black colouration is the main part of the visual signal.
Impact of Transit-Pass Ownership on Daily Number of Trips Made by Urban Public Transit

This paper investigates the factors influencing the decision to own a monthly transit pass and the impact ownership of the pass has on the daily number of trips individuals make by urban transit. Monthly transit pass owners in the Toronto Region are found to have a transit trip rate four times that of nonowners. A comparison of socioeconomic characteristics of transit pass owners and nonowners shows significant differences. A negative binomial model of daily transit-trip frequency is formulated. It is posited in the model structure that transit-pass ownership status is an endogenous variable in the transit-trip frequency model with the transit-pass ownership status modeled using a binary probit model. The estimation results show transit pass ownership status of an individual to be the single most important variable associated with the daily number of trips made by transit. Other variables influencing transit-trip frequency are accessibility and socioeconomic variables. Variables influencing the decision to own a transit pass include ratio of transit accessibility to auto accessibility at zone of residence, socioeconomic, and spatial variables.
Neonatal goiter: Imaging findings in two children

Neonatal goiter is a rare cause of a neck mass and stridor. Often, the diagnosis can be made on clinical grounds exclusively, but there may be times when a neck mass becomes a diagnostic dilemma. There are several different imaging modalities available to the clinician that are useful in the rapid diagnosis of neonatal goiter. Presently, however, there is no definite algorithm for the workup of a neonatal neck mass. The two cases presented here demonstrate the imaging findings of plain film radiography, sonography, scintigraphy, and CT in neonatal goiter.
QRA Study of an Activated Carbon Filter Safeguard System

The Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC) at Texas A&M University conducted a Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA) for subsystems of the VX neutralization process. The process is conducted in a negative pressure containment system. The very large air handling system also acts to direct any fugitive emissions or small leaks to the carbon adsorption filter systems, the final safeguard in preventing highly toxic chemicals from escaping to the atmosphere. The activated carbon filter system concentrates the low level fugitive emissions, thereby creating a potential for a more significant catastrophic release if the carbon filter system fails. The risk tradeoff between capturing low-level fugitive emissions and the potential for a large-scale toxic chemical release must be compared. The fault trees for the air handling system and the carbon filter systems are highlighted. In particular, the uncertainty in the reliability data and their respective impact on the overall failure rate and system availability are emphasized. The importance of this study was to point out a specific failure mode that was not adequately addressed with safeguards in the original process design, thereby creating an unacceptable risk and requiring additional safeguards. The study also verified that the safeguards in the original design for all other identified failure modes reduced the risks to generally acceptable levels.
Protein Kinase C-Dependent Modulation of Heterologously Expressed Homomeric Kv7.4, Kv7.5 and Heteromeric Kv7.4/7.5; Differential Sensitivities to Low Concentrations of Vasopressin and PMA in A7R5 Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 voltage-activated potassium channels are proposed to contribute to the maintenance of resting membrane voltage in smooth muscle cells. We had previously provided evidence that Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 form predominantly heteromeric channels when natively or exogenously expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells. Endogenous Kv7 currents in smooth muscle cells are suppressed upon activation of Gq coupled receptors. It remained to be elucidated if both Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 respond similarly to low concentrations of vasopressin (AVP), an agonist of the V1a Gq-coupled receptor. using patch-clamp techniques, we measured currents through human Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 channels expressed individually or together in A7r5 rat aortic smooth muscle cells and compared their sensitivity to AVP (100 pM and 500 pM) and to the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 1nM). AVP (100 pM) and PMA suppressed currents through Kv7.4, Kv7.5 and Kv7.5/7.5. Currents were reduced with different voltage dependencies and potencies in the rank order: Kv7.5 > Kv7.4/7.5 > Kv7.4. Both AVP and PMA increased the steepness of Kv7.5 voltage-dependent activation and dramatically decreased Gmax. In contrast, AVP and PMA induced a rightward shift of the Kv7.4 activation curve with only a slight reduction in maximal conductance (Gmax). The modulation of Kv7.4/7.5 activation by AVP and PMA had intermediate biophysical characteristics that were distinct from the modulation of either of the homomeric configurations. These findings reinforce the significance of PKC-dependent regulation of the Kv7 channels and suggest a differential regulation of Kv7.4 and Kv7.5 channel subunits by PKC-dependent phosphorylation.
Somatosensory Feedback for Brain-Machine Interfaces: Perceptual Model and Experiments in Rat Whisker Somatosensory Cortex

A model that predicts psychophysical ability to discriminate electrical stimulation trains is presented. Our model is a leaky integrator, which operates based on the hypothesis that the perceived intensity of a stimulus train is a function of the total number of action potentials evoked over the volume of stimulated neurons. The model predictions are validated with our experimental results obtained from four Long Evans rats on a two-alternative behavioral task. The rats were stimulated in the whisker barrel cortex using frequency, amplitude, and duration modulation. Our results demonstrate that the rats generalized the perception of frequency, amplitude, and duration of stimulation, in a manner consistent with the model. The surprising finding of our work is that the model is able to accurately predict the psychophysical discrimination of intensity, without accounting for the neural network properties of the somatosensory cortex.
Usefulness of a single item in a mail survey to identify persons with possible dementia: a new strategy for finding high-risk elders.

The objective of this study was to examine the characteristics of elderly persons who responded positively to a question about "severe memory problems" on a mailed health questionnaire yet were missed by the existing health risk algorithm to identify vulnerable elderly persons. A total of 324,471 respondents aged 65 and older completed a primary care health status questionnaire that gathered clinical information to quickly identify members with functional impairment, multiple chronic diseases, and higher medical care needs. The respondents were part of a large, integrated, not-for-profit managed care organization that implemented a model of care for elders using a uniform risk identification method across eight regions. Respondents with severe memory problems were compared to general respondents by morbidity, geriatric syndromes, functional impairments, service utilization, sensory impairments, sociodemographic characteristics, and activities of daily living. Of the respondents, 13,902 persons (4.3%) repo...
Light Shifts in the Alkali Atoms

Quantitative formulas for computing the light shift due to virtual transitions in any alkali atom are presented. The theoretically calculated light shifts for ${\mathrm{Rb}}^{87}$ are compared with experimentally measured light shifts, and good quantitative agreement is obtained.
The local dispersion relation for magneto-atmospheric waves

The local dispersion relation for magneto-atmospheric waves is discussed in terms of the linearized theory of waves in a plane-stratified, inviscid, perfectly conducting atmosphere under uniform gravity. The normally used local dispersion relation is demonstrated to not be unique, depending instead on the order of derivation from the fundamental first-order perturbation equations of continuity, momentum, energy, and induction. Furthermore, it is shown that the local dispersion relation predicts that the cutoff frequency decreases with increasing magnetic field strength, while the WKB approximation method projects an increase in the cutoff frequency with increasing magnetic field strength. A new form of the local dispersion relation is developed, and consideration is given to the special case of a global dispersion relation in conditions of an isothermal atmosphere with a horizontal magnetic field.
Vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms on the risk of tuberculosis, a meta-analysis of 29 case-control studies.

The relationship of four potentially functional polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene, ApaI, BsmI, FokI and TaqI , with tuberculosis susceptibility were considered. The aim of this meta-analysis was to explore the association between the four polymorphisms and tuberculosis risk in different ethnic backgrounds. Eligible case-control studies that were catalogued before April 1st 2013 were enrolled, and the heterogeneity between the studies was evaluated using a χ2 based Q-test. Fixed and random effect models were built to evaluate the association of the four polymorphisms with the risk of tuberculosis, and the association between the four polymorphisms and tuberculosis was expressed as the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Finally, twenty nine qualified studies were enrolled for this meta-analysis that included 6179 tuberculosis cases and 6585 healthy controls. The variant homozygote genotype of the FokI polymorphism was associated with a significantly increased risk of tuberculosis when compared to the heterozygote and wild type homozygote genotypes in the Chinese population (ff vs. Ff+FF: ORrecessive=1.97, 95%CI: 1.32-2.93, Pbonferroni=0.0032; heterogeneity test: χ2=0.24, P=0.62). For European subjects, the homozygote and heterozygote genotypes of the BsmI polymorphism were associated with a significantly decreased risk of tuberculosis when compared to the wild type homozygote (bb+Bb vs. BB: ORdominant=0.41, 95%CI, 0.22-0.76, Pbonferroni=0.02; heterogeneity test: χ2=2.59, P=0.11). Based on the above results, we conclude that variants of the VDR gene that are homozygous for the FokI polymorphism might be more susceptible to tuberculosis in Chinese. Furthermore, larger sample studies are warranted to confirm the protective effects of BsmI variants on tuberculosis in the Europeans.
Standard Reference Materials For X-Ray Diffraction Part II. Calibration Using d-Spacing Standards

External standard and internal standard calibrations are important procedures for achieving high accuracy in X-ray powder diffraction studies. The theoretical basis as well as procedures for obtaining calibration curves are given. Methods and examples of selecting Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) which are produced and issued by the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), and procedures of sample preparation with these standards are also described. Three examples are presented to indicate the value of using SRMs.
Tillich's implicit ontological argument

"[T] he ontological argument," states Paul Tillich, "is neither an argument nor does it deal with the existence of God" (TC 15) 1. But Tillich also claims that: The Anselmian statement that God is a necessary thought and that therefore this idea must have objective as well as subjective reality is valid in so far as thinking, by its very nature, implies an unconditional element which transcends subjectivity and objectivity...(ST 1.287; Cf. HCT 164). Do these assertions imply paradoxical positions? Tillich rejects Anselm's reasoning as an argument per se for the existence of a supreme being. Nevertheless, he endorses it as a description of a necessary, unconditioned element in human thought. In what follows 2, I explain Tillich's treatment of Anselm's ontological argument and contend that he presents an implicit argument for the reality of God. First, I summarize Tillich's evaluation of the traditional theistic arguments and describe his interpretation of the ontological argument. I then address four concerns in my analysis of Tillich's position: I explicate his implicit ontological argument; I suggest a plausible reason why he accepts a frequently criticized tenet of Anselm's argument; and, finally, I note some difficulties that accompany the basic premise of his tacit argument.
Central and peripheral actions of amphetamine on memory storage.

Abstract These experiments investigated the effects of central (intracerebroventricular) and peripheral (i.p.) posttraining administration of d -amphetamine on rat's retention of a one-trial inhibitory avoidance response. While retention was enhanced by i.p. administration (1.0 mg/kg) the central administration (dose range 50–500 μg) did not affect retention. In rats given peripheral 6-OHDA 24 h prior to training a lower dose (i.p.) of amphetamine (0.25 mg/kg) was most effective in enhancing retention. These findings suggest that the memory enhancing effects of d -amphetamine are mediated at least in part through peripheral systems.
School Counselor Educators as Educational Leaders Promoting Systemic Change

If the full impact of the transformation of the school counseling profession is to be enacted, it is incumbent upon school counselor educators to model the same skills and professional mindset that are expected of practicing school counselors. Specifically, school counselor educators can serve as leaders within their educational communities in order to promote systemic change that will remove barriers to student success. The notion of school counselor educators as educational leaders represents a philosophical and behavioral congruence that churns the professional ecosystem, from the professor to the practitioner to the P-12 student. This article outlines the role that school counselor educators can play in modeling leadership and other essential skills for the profession.
Notch in mammary gland development and breast cancer

Abstract Notch signaling has been implicated in many processes including cell fate determination and oncogenesis. In mice, the Notch1 and Notch4 genes are both targets for insertion and rearrangement by the mouse mammary tumor virus and these mutations promote epithelial mammary tumorigenesis. Moreover, expression of a constitutively active form of Notch4 in mammary epithelial cells inhibits epithelial differentiation and leads to tumor formation in this organ. These data implicate the Notch pathway in breast tumorigenesis and provide the foundation for future experiments that will aid in our understanding of the role of Notch in human breast cancer development. Here, we review studies of mammary tumorigenesis induced by Notch in mouse and in vitro culture models providing evidence that Notch activation is a causal factor in human breast cancer
1349 IN VITRO EFFECT OF BILIRUBIN ON DOPAMINE SYNTHESIS IN ADULT RAT BRAIN SYNAPTOSOMES

Bilirubin (BR) can inhibit cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase activity. To investigate the mechanism of BR neurotoxicity, we studied the effect of BR on production of dopamine, a neuro-transmitter whose synthesis is stimulated by cyclic AMP (c-AMP). We used a synaptosome (SYN) preparation to study dopamine synthesis rate (DSR); in vitro. SYNs, the biochemically functional units of synapses, were isolated by differential centrifugation from the corpus striatum of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. DSR was quantitated by 14CO2 produced after addition of the labeled precursor, L-(l- 14C) tyrosine. The effect of BR was assessed at 4 different BR concentrations under 2 experimental conditions: basal DSR and 2mM dibutyryl c-AMP (db c-AMP) stimulated DSR. Results as noted in figures, were expressed as % of basal DSR and compared against matched controls. We conclude that while BR has no effect on basal DSR, it does dampen the db c-AMP stimulated synthesis of dopamine in vitro. The data provide evidence for an inhibitory effect of BR on protein kinase-mediated neuro-transmitter synthesis activation.
Relationship of adiposity to bone volumetric density and microstructure in men and women across the adult lifespan

Recent evidence suggests that adipose tissue may negatively impact bone health, challenging the traditional paradigm that increased fat mass, through mechanical loading or endogenous estrogen production, is beneficial to the skeleton. We hypothesized that it is primarily the visceral compartment of body fat that is detrimental to bone metabolism, resulting in impaired bone density and architecture. In an age-stratified population sample of 218 women and 291 men (age 20–97 years), we assessed visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue areas at the L2–L3 interspace level by single slice quantitative computed tomography (QCT) and measured total body fat mass (TBF) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We then correlated these findings with volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) at the femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) assessed by central QCT, and with vBMD and microstructural parameters at the ultradistal radius (UDR) by high resolution peripheral QCT (HRpQCT). In unadjusted analyses in postmenopausal women, TBF and SAT were positively correlated with total, trabecular, and cortical vBMD at the FN, LS, and UDR and with trabecular microstructure at the UDR. By contrast, VAT was not correlated with vBMD at the FN or LS but was positively correlated with UDR total and trabecular vBMD but not cortical vBMD. Adjustment for age or for bioavailable estradiol and testosterone levels reduced these correlations, while adjustment for body weight eliminated most positive associations. Assessment of the VAT/SAT ratio, however, demonstrated a negative relationship with vBMD at the FN and LS in postmenopausal women, a relationship eliminated when adjusted for age. Correlations between skeletal parameters and adipose measurements in pre-menopausal women and older men were weaker and mostly non-significant. In younger men, VAT was negatively associated with vBMD, cortical thickness, and trabecular microstructure at the UDR, and with LS vBMD and FN cortical vBMD. These associations generally remained after adjustment, with some negative associations (e.g. UDR cortical area) being accentuated. Similar results were found when the VAT/SAT ratio was correlated with FN vBMD in younger men; in contrast, VAT/SAT was positively correlated with FN vBMD in older men and this relationship was strengthened by age-adjustment. Together, our data suggest that adiposity has associations with bone that are age-, gender-, menopausal status-, adipose depot-, and bone compartment-specific. These novel observations warrant further investigations to establish any causal relationships.
From microscope to mirror: doctoral students’ evolving positionalities through engagement with culturally sensitive research

This study examines the experiences of doctoral students in a qualitative research course that centers culture throughout the research process. Data sources include one-on-one interviews, written documentation of course assignments, research team meetings, and doctoral students’ conference proposals and publications examining civic learning and action and notions of citizenship of second- and 1.5-generation African immigrants in New York City. Using Tillman’s framework for culturally sensitive research (CSR), we draw attention to the ways doctoral students as emerging scholars come to understand and enact their positionalities in research, especially in relation to data analysis, interpretation, and representation. This study expands notions of CSR to include a focus on research with African immigrants and strengthens possibilities for doctoral preparation in education that focuses on culture, race, and immigrant populations.
Intrinsic and extrinsic neuromodulation of motor circuits

Neuromodulation of motor circuits by extrinsic inputs provides enormous flexibility in the production of behavior. Recent work has shown that neurons intrinsic to central pattern-generating circuits can evoke neuromodulatory effects in addition to their neurotransmitting actions. Modulatory neurons often elicit a multitude of different effects attributable to actions at different receptors and/or through the release of co-transmitters. Differences in neuromodulation between species can account for differences in behavior. Modulation of neuromodulation may provide an additional level of flexibility to motor circuits.
Piezoelectric Ceramics with Functional Gradients: A New Application in Material Design

Internal strain amplification can be utilized in piezoelectric ceramics to obtain relatively large displacements. The monomorph described in the present work is a bending bar made from a single piece of material into which a smooth gradient of piezoelectric activity is introduced. The application of a voltage then causes the bar to bend due to the differential stresses that are induced. These are relatively uniformly distributed and do not peak in the center as in a conventional bimorph. Significantly increased life and reliability can then be achieved.
Sexually transmitted diseases: Experience and risk factors among urban, low income, African American and Hispanic youth

Abstract Objectives. The objectives of this study were to assess: (1) ethnic and gender differences in reporting of diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), symptoms related to STDs and sexual behavior and (2) behavioral risk factors for STDs in a probability sample of low income African American and Hispanic youth. Methods. Data were analyzed from a household probability sample of youth. The study collected data on self reported STDs, symptoms of STDs and sexual behavior. The sample was drawn from households in low income areas of urban Detroit: 1435 African American and Hispanic low income youth age 15–24 living in Detroit were interviewed face to face in 1991. Results. Patterns of sexual activity as well as experience with STDs differ by ethnicity and gender. Within ethnic groups, women report more symptoms of STDs. Risk factors for diagnosed STDs included age, a young age at first intercourse, numbers of sexual partners, oral intercourse and anal intercourse. Conclusions. The data underscore...
Enhanced virulence effect of K1 polysaccharide in neonatal rats challenged withE. coli

Purified K1 polysaccharide enhanced the virulence of non-K1Escherichia coli species when given by orogastric feeding to neonatal rats. Neonatal rats developedE. coli bacteremia when K1 polysaccharide was given concomitantly with non-K1E. coli, whereasE. coli bacteremia did not develop when non-K1E. coli was given alone.E. coli K1 species did cause bacteremia and meningitis when fed to neonatal rats. The mechanism by which k1 polysaccharide enhances virulence can be studied with this model of bacteremia development in neonatal rats.
Tetralogy of Fallot associated with total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage.

A previously unreported association of tetralogy of Fallot and total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage is described in two infants. The initial clinical manifestation was tetralogy, and both patients had systemic-pulmonary shunt surgery to increase the pulmonary blood flow. Postoperatively, one infant died of massive pulmonary edema, and at postmortem examination total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage below the diaphragm was found. The other patient had the association of tetralogy with anomalous pulmonary venous drainage into the coronary sinus diagnosed by cardiac catheterization. Following shunt surgery, prolonged continuous positive airway pressure was necessary to adequately ventilate the lungs, presumably the result of pulmonary venous congestion and low pulmonary compliance. The infant eventually died from tracheostomy complications. The diagnosis, clinical course, surgical implications and pathology of this association are discussed.
FREGE AND PSYCHOLOGISM

Etude de la signification du psychologisme pour Frege et des raisons pour lesquelles il le considere comme dangereux pour la logique. Examinant les perils que constituent l'incommunicabilite, l'idealisme et la conception realiste de la signification, l'A. montre que Frege ne peut pourtant echapper au psychologisme qu'il repere dans la premiere philosophie et dans l'approche des mathematiques de Husserl, d'une part, et que sa propre conception de la logique presente des dispositions psychologistes telles que la conception kantienne des verites geometriques et la connaissance des premiers principes, d'autre part
Parametric Evaluation for Route Guidance Systems with Analysis of Sustainable Driver Compliance

A framework is developed to parametrically evaluate networks under user equilibrium route guidance (UERG) and system optimal route guidance (SORG), assuming that the unguided traffic is in stochastic user equilibrium. The framework can determine in what condition an advanced traveler information system performs well and which route guidance state performs better as the market penetration of guidance systems increases. Unlike other studies that assumed a fixed number of compliant drivers, this study explicitly considers compliance rate as an endogenous variable in a general parametric nonlinear programming framework. Under endogenously determined compliance rate, SORG may result in a higher total system cost than UERG because of a lower compliance rate, even though SORG aims to minimize total system cost. In contrast, even though UERG is generally preferable because of higher acceptance, it may result in increased total system cost under certain conditions. A simple network is used to illustrate the applic...
Confidence intervals for the mean in a balanced two factor random effects model

Seven methods of constructing confidence intervals for the fixed mean in a balanced two factor random effects model are proposed and compared. Computer simulation is used to estimate the confidence coefficient and average margin of error for each method. Recommendations are provided for selecting approppriate method.
A reusable automatically generated software system for the control of the Large Millimeter Telescope

A telescope system is composed of a set of real-world objects that are mapped onto software objects whose properties are described in XML configuration files. These XML files are processed to automatically generate user interfaces, underlying communication mechanisms, and extendible source code. Developers need not write user interfaces or communication methods but can focus on the production of scientific results. Any modifications or additions of objects can be easily achieved by editing or generating corresponding XML files and compiling them into the system. This framework can be utilized to implement servo controllers, device drivers, observing algorithms and instrument controllers; and is applicable to any problem domain that requires a user-based interaction with the inputs and outputs of a particular resource or program. This includes telescope systems, instruments, data reduction methods, and database interfaces. The system is implemented using Java, C++, and CORBA.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.