cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of shock attenuation in the forelimb of horses wearing boots and wraps

Abstract High frequency, high amplitude shock waves, believed to contribute to detrimental joint and bone changes, are generated each time the hoof strikes the ground. The purpose of the present study was to compare the shock attenuating capability of athletic support boots and traditional cotton wraps (polo wraps). Accelerometers were attached to the hoof and third metacarpus of five horses. Peak deceleration and asymptotic frequencies were measured at two speeds (3.5 mls, trot, and 6. 0 mls, gallop) under the following conditions: control (no boots or wraps), cotton wraps, and two athletic support boots. Leg supports did not reduce shock in the third metacarpus. In fact, support boots increased the asymptotic frequency measured in the third metacarpus. This result could be explained if the leg supports were acting to stiffen the limb, thereby increasing the spring constant of the leg support-limb system.
Self-Defense, Punishing Unjust Combatants and Justice in War

Some contemporary Just War theorists, like Jeff McMahan, have recently built upon an individual right of self-defense to articulate moral rules of war that are at odds with commonly accepted views. For instance, they argue that in principle combatants who fight on the unjust side ought to be liable to punishment on that basis alone. Also, they reject the conclusion that combatants fighting on both sides are morally equal. In this paper, I argue that these theorists overextend their self-defense analysis when it comes to the punishment of unjust combatants, and I show how in an important sense just and unjust combatants are morally equal. I contend that the individualistic and quid pro quo perspective of the self-defense analysis fails to consider properly how the international community, morally speaking, ought to treat combatants, and I set forth four elements of justice applicable to war, which, together, support the conclusion that in principle the international community should not take on the activity of punishing combatants solely for fighting on the unjust side.
Underdiagnosed and Undertreated Allergic Rhinitis in Urban School-Aged Children with Asthma

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a risk factor for the development of asthma, and if poorly controlled, it may exacerbate asthma. We sought to describe AR symptoms and treatment in a larger study about asthma, sleep, and school performance. We examined the proportion (1) who met criteria for AR in an urban sample of school children with persistent asthma symptoms, (2) whose caregivers stated that they were not told of their child's allergies, (3) who had AR but were not treated or were undertreated for the disease, as well as (4) caregivers and healthcare providers' perceptions of the child's allergy status compared with study assessment, and (5) associations between self-report of asthma and AR control over a 4-week monitoring period. One hundred sixty-six children with persistent asthma participated in a clinical evaluation of asthma and rhinitis, including allergy testing. Self-report of asthma control and rhinitis control using the Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) and Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT) were measured 1 month after the study clinic session. Persistent rhinitis symptoms were reported by 72% of participants; 54% of rhinitis symptoms were moderate in severity, though only 33% of the sample received adequate treatment. AR was newly diagnosed for 53% during the clinic evaluation. Only 15% reported using intranasal steroids. Participants with poorly controlled AR had poorer asthma control compared with those with well-controlled AR. This sample of urban school-aged children with persistent asthma had underdiagnosed and undertreated AR. Healthcare providers and caregivers in urban settings need additional education about the role of allergies in asthma, recognition of AR symptoms, and AR's essential function in the comanagement of asthma. Barriers to linkages with allergy specialists need to be identified.
Hemochromatosis: A Literature Review

Hemochromatosis is an iron metabolism disorder in which the intestines absorb excessive amounts of iron, which is eventually deposited into soft tissues. Hereditary hemochromatosis is the most comm...
Fast Track THR: One Hospital’s Experience with a 2-Day Length of Stay Protocol for Total Hip Replacement

Current trends in total joint replacement have focused on shorter hospital stays. This study aimed to determine if a pathway for total hip replacement (THR) with the goal of a 2-day discharge (fast track) is safe and effective compared to our traditional pathway (control). One hundred forty-nine patients undergoing unilateral, uncomplicated, THR were enrolled in an accelerated postoperative pathway and 134 were enrolled in the traditional pathway. Patients were followed prospectively and outcomes included hospital length of stay, intra- and postoperative complications, readmissions, reoperations. A statistical model was created to determine factors predictive of a 2-day discharge. At 1 year, there were no differences in complications, readmissions, or reoperations. The average length of stay decreased from 4.1 to 2.6 days (p < 0.0001). In the fast track group, 58% of patients were discharged home within 2 days. Barriers to a 2-day discharge were postoperative pain, nausea, and dizziness. The only preoperative factor that was predictive of a 2-day discharge was hypertension. In a select group of patients, a protocol that allows for a 2-day discharge following THR is safe and effective.
Developmentally regulated histone modifications in Drosophila follicle cells: initiation of gene amplification is associated with histone H3 and H4 hyperacetylation and H1 phosphorylation

We have used gene amplification in Drosophila follicle cells as a model of metazoan DNA replication to address whether changes in histone modifications are associated with replication origin activation. We observe that replication initiation is associated with distinct histone modifications. Acetylated lysines K5, K8, and K12 on histone H4 and K14 on histone H3 are specifically enriched during replication initiation at the amplification origins. Strikingly, H4 acetylation persists at an amplification origin well after replication forks have progressed significantly outward from the origin, indicating that H4 acetylation is associated with origin regulation and not histone deposition at the replication forks. Origin recognition complex subunit 2 (orc2) mutants with severe amplification defects do not abolish H4 acetylation, whereas the dup/cdt1 mutant delays the appearance of acetylation foci, and mutants in rbf result in temporal persistence. These data indicate that core histone acetylation is associated with origin activity. Furthermore, follicle cells undergoing gene amplification exhibit high levels of histone H1 phosphorylation. The patterns of H1 phosphorylation provide insights into cell cycle states during amplification, as H1 kinase activity in follicle cells is responsive to high Cyclin E activity, and it can be abolished by overexpressing the retinoblastoma homolog, Rbf, that represses Cyclin E. These data suggest that amplification origins are able to initiate when the cells are in a late S-phase, when the genome is normally not licensed for replication.
Evidence for recent population bottlenecks in northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina)

The northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is one of the most controversial threatened subspecies ever listed under the US Endangered Species Act. Despite protection of its remaining forest habitat, recent field studies show continued declines of northern spotted owls. One potential threat to northern spotted owls which has not yet been shown is loss of genetic variation from population bottlenecks. Bottlenecks can increase the probability of mating among related individuals, potentially causing inbreeding depression, and can decrease adaptive potential. Here we report evidence for recent bottlenecks in northern spotted owls using a large genetic dataset (352 individuals and 10 microsatellite loci). The signature of bottlenecks was strongest in the Washington Cascade Mountains, in agreement with field data. Our results provide independent evidence that northern spotted owls have recently declined, and suggest that loss of genetic variation is an emerging threat to the subspecies’ persistence. Reduced effective population size (N e) shown here in addition to field evidence for demographic decline highlights the increasing vulnerability of this bird to extinction.
Modeling the Cell Division Cycle: M-phase Trigger, Oscillations, and Size Control

Abstract The proteins Cdc2 and cyclin form a heterodimer, called M-phase promoting factor (MPF), that controls the transition from interphase to mitosis of the cell cycle. The Cdc2-cyclin regulatory system can operate either as a spontaneous oscillator in early embryos, or as an excitable switch in growth-controlled cell division. We develop a mathematical model of the interactions among the subunits of MPF (Cdc2 and cyclin) and the enzymes (Wee1, Cdc25, CAK and INH) which together control the phosphorylation state of Cdc2. The model explains how, in the switch mode, the Wee1/Cdc25 ratio can serve as a proxy for the cell's nucleocytoplasmic ratio: triggering mitosis and cell division each time the mass of a growing cell doubles, in order to maintain a state of balanced growth and division.
Boron-based organometallic nanostructures: hydrogen storage properties and structure stability.

Transition-metal (TM) boride and carboride nanostructures are studied as model organometallic materials for hydrogen storage. The dispersed TM atoms function as H2 sorption centers on the surface of the boron or carbon−boron substrate. The flexibility offered in the variety of possible structures permits the study of the effect of the TM−TM distance on the storage capacity. When the TMs are too close to one another, TM−TM bonding reduces the capacity. Even when separated by distances larger than the normal TM−TM bond length, delocalization of TM valence electrons can still lower the hydrogen capacity. An optimal TM−TM distance for the structural motifs studied here is ∼6 A. Our study also permitted the evaluation of new TM boride nanostructures. We predict a low-energy single-walled scandium triboride (ScB3) nanotube that can bind ∼6.1 wt % hydrogen with a binding energy of 22∼26 kJ/mol.
Conductivity in alkylamine/gold and alkanethiol/gold molecular junctions measured in molecule/nanoparticle/molecule bridges and conducting probe structures.

Charge transport through alkane monolayers on gold is measured as a function of molecule length in a controlled ambient using a metal/molecule/nanoparticle bridge structure and compared for both thiol and amine molecular end groups. The current through molecules with an amine/gold junction is observed to be more than a factor of 10 larger than that measured in similar molecules with thiol/gold linkages. Conducting probe atomic force microscopy is also used to characterize the same monolayer systems, and the results are quantitatively consistent with those found in the nanoparticle bridge geometry. Scaling of the current with contact area is used to estimate that ∼100 molecules are probed in the nanoparticle bridge geometry. For both molecular end groups, the room-temperature conductivity at low bias as a function of molecule length shows a reasonable fit to models of coherent nonresonant charge tunneling. The different conductivity is ascribed to differences in charge transfer and wave function mixing at ...
In vivo culture of Drosophila melanogaster embryos containing the notch deficiencies Df(1)N8 and Df(1)N264-40.

Male Drosophila melanogaster embryos inheriting deficiencies of the Notch series on the X-chromosome fail to hatch from the egg, and are characterized in part by almost complete lack of differentiation of the mesoderm. In order to determine the developmental capacities of these tissues, male embryos containing N8 and N264-40 deficiencies were cultured in vivo in the hemocoeles of wild-type D. melanogaster larvae and adults. After periods of five and 12 days, the Notch embryos were compared with similarly cultured wild-type control embryos. The deficient embryos of both types revealed considerable growth. The mesodermal derivatives muscle, fat, and gonad sheath were well differentiated. In every case, embryos of the short deficiency, N264-40, grew to a greater size than did those of the much longer deficiency, N8. They generally did not exceed the size attained by normal embryos cultured for the same length of time. The growth of transplants in larval hosts always exceeded that seen in adult hosts in the same period of time. Neither of the types of deficient embryos was able to molt in either type of host, although control embryos always molted in larval hosts. The results indicate that the mesodermal tissues of Notch embryos are capable of further differentiation than they are able to exhibit in their own environment, and that the genetic materal within the extent of the N8 deficiency may be involved in their capacity to grow in culture.
Isradipine prevents global and regional cocaine-induced changes in brain blood flow : a preliminary study

The L-type calcium channel antagonist, isradipine, reduces brain ischemia in animal models of ischemic stroke. These effects of isradipine appear more pronounced in dopamine (DA) rich brain regions. These same DA-rich brain regions have also been shown to be the areas most affected by cocaine-induced ischemic changes. Using a novel quantified approach to single photon emission computerized tomography, we demonstrated that isradipine pre-treatment prevented cocaine-induced ischemic changes, especially in these DA-rich brain regions. This is the first demonstration that any medication, including isradipine, can prevent the ischemic effects of cocaine on brain blood flow. Isradipine may, therefore, be a useful therapeutic agent for the prevention of brain ischemia in cocaine addicts.
SU‐GG‐T‐609: Development of a Sector‐Integration Method for Calculating Cutout Factors for Large Electron Fields

Purpose: The purpose of this research project was to design a spreadsheet program which will calculate the cutout factor for an arbitrary electron cutout shape for a 15×15cm electron applicator. Method and Materials: Fourteen electron cutouts were made from cerrobend using a 15×15 cm applicator with a centered circular hole of diameter 2 cm to 15 cm. Cutout factors were measured for five electron energy levels and at two depths. Graphs comparing cutout factors to circle diameters were created and polynomial equations were applied to fit the curves. A spreadsheet was developed which calculates cutout factors using radii measured from the center of an electron cutout. The spreadsheet calculates a cutout factor for each radius entered and takes an average to produce a final cutout factor. We tested the spreadsheet by using electron cutouts from ten actual patients. Cutout factors were measured for each patient cutout using a Markus‐type parallel‐plate ion chamber. The patient cutouts were then traced onto polar‐coordinate graph paper and different numbers of radii were measured to determine the number of radii needed to accurately calculate the patient cutout factor. Results: The minimum acceptable number of radii to use was 16. Using 16 radii, the spreadsheet calculated cutout factors which were within 1% of the measured values for all cases. The patient cutout factors, even though for large fields, had values greater than 1.5% from unity in 60% of the cases. Conclusion: A spreadsheet program has been designed which calculates cutout factors to within 1% error using only 16 radii measured from the center of the cutout. The use of this spreadsheet can improve the efficiency and accuracy of calculating electron cutout measurements. The results suggest that cutout factors should be measured or calculated for all fields, not just small ones.
Anglican Against Puritan: Ideological Origins during the Marian Exile

Traditionally, divisions among Protestant groups during the English Reformation have been examined as deep theological crises, simply written off as manifestations of economic or political struggles, or, more recently, treated as having roots in basic ideological commitments. One of the most important Protestant divisions, that between Anglicans and Puritans, has undoubtedly had a great impact on western history; however, it lacks full treatment from the point of view of its intellectual and social bases. One's attention is easily drawn to the Anglican-Puritan conflict of Queen Elizabeth's rule or to the seventeenth-century revolution in England; but earlier origins often receive only cursory treatment. Actually, the ideas, party divisions and social characteristics of the Anglican-Puritan division in the Elizabethan and Stuart eras have their roots and first appearance during the flight of Protestants from England after the reign of King Edward VI. It is to the ideological and social factors which appeared in the congregation of English exiles at Frankfurt-am-Main in 1554–55 that I should like to draw attention, for it was in the “Troubles at Frankfurt” that the historical pattern of the Anglican-Puritan division assumed a form which was to have such a great impact on western society.
Humoral responses to independent vaccinations are correlated in healthy boosted adults.

Background Roughly half of U.S. adults do not receive recommended booster vaccinations, but protective antibody levels are rarely measured in adults. Demographic factors, vaccination history, and responses to other vaccinations could help identify at-risk individuals. We sought to characterize rates of seroconversion and determine associations of humoral responses to multiple vaccinations in healthy adults.
Chemotherapy-related leiomyopathy: a suggested morphological explanation for the intestinal dysmotility affecting patients treated with anthracyclines

Anthracycline, used in oncological chemotherapy, has one well-known side effect: cardiotoxicity. Another is abnormal intestinal motility such as constipation and ileus, the pathogenesis of which, to our knowledge, has not been morphologically investigated. We conducted a study in search of morphological evidence that might shed some light on the pathogenesis of the motility dysfunction. Autopsies performed between 2002 and 2007 were reviewed to select cases of children who had received anthracycline therapy for various neoplasms. The seven patients found had leukemias, lymphomas, or renal solid tumors. They all suffered from constipation or intestinal dysmotility, and no case of anthracyclin-treated neoplasia without the side effect was found in the files. Tissue samples from the heart, gastrointestinal tract, uterus, urinary bladder, and skeletal muscles were examined by light and electron microscopy. As described by others, the myocardium of all anthracycline-treated patients showed loss of myofilaments, fibrosis, mitochondrial proliferation, and pools of accumulated Z-band material. In the gastrointestinal tract and other smooth muscle-endowed organs such as muscular blood vessels, bladder and uterus, the muscularis displayed hyalinization and disorganization, including loss of myofilaments and moderate-severe fibrosis. This study illustrates changes in the smooth muscle, and that of the gastrointestinal tracts and their vessels in particular, in patients treated with anthracycline, who had experienced motility dysfunction associated with their chemotherapy, suggesting that, in addition to the heart, anthracycline may also damage smooth muscle fibers and thus be instrumental in the pathogenesis of the side effects.
Prior Exposure to Neurotrophins Blocks Inhibition of Axonal Regeneration by MAG and Myelin via a cAMP-Dependent Mechanism

MAG is a potent inhibitor of axonal regeneration. Here, inhibition by MAG, and myelin in general, is blocked if neurons are exposed to neurotrophins before encountering the inhibitor; priming cerebellar neurons with BDNF or GDNF, but not NGF, or priming DRG neurons with any of these neurotrophins blocks inhibition by MAG/myelin. Dibutyryl cAMP also overcomes inhibition by MAG/myelin, and cAMP is elevated by neurotrophins. A PKA inhibitor present during priming abrogates the block of inhibition. Finally, if neurons are exposed to MAG/myelin and neurotrophins simultaneously, but with the Gi protein inhibitor, inhibition is blocked. We suggest that priming neurons with particular neurotrophins elevates cAMP and activates PKA, which blocks subsequent inhibition of regeneration and that priming is required because MAG/myelin activates a Gi protein, which blocks increases in cAMP. This is important for encouraging axons to regrow in vivo.
Conditional expectations and submartingale sequences of random Schwartz distributions

Abstract Let (Ω, Σ, P ) be a fixed complete probability space, D the real Schwartz space, and D′ its strong dual. D and D′ are partially ordered by C and C′ respectively, where C is the positive cone of nonnegative functions in D and C′ its dual in D′ . C is a strict B -cone and C′ is normal, where B is the family of all bounded subsets of D . If X , Y are two random Schwartz distributions, then X ≤ Y if and only if Y ( ω ) − X ( ω ) ∈ D′ for almost all ω ∈ Ω(P) . Integrability of random Schwartz distributions and properties of such integrals are discussed. The monotone convergence theorem, the dominated convergence theorem, and Fatou's lemma are proved. The existence of conditional expectations of integrable random Schwartz distributions relative to a given sub σ-field of Σ is shown. Properties of conditional expectations are discussed and the conditional form of the monotone convergence theorem is proved. Sub(super)-martingale sequences are defined via the partial order relations introduced above, and a convergence theorem is given. The notion of a potential is introduced and the Riesz decomposition theorem is proved.
Characterization and PCR-based detection of benzimidazole-resistant isolates of Monilinia laxa in California

Monilinia laxa is a pathogen of brown rot of stone fruit and almond in California, causing blossom blights and fruit rots. In this study, low-level resistance to the benzimidazole fungicides benomyl and thiophanate-methyl was detected in field isolates of Ml axacollected from stone fruits and almonds in California. Low-resistant (LR) isolates grew in potato dextrose agar (PDA) plates amended with benomyl and thiophanate-methyl at 1 and 5 µgml −1 , respectively, but not in plates amended with benomyl at 5 µgml −1 or thiophanate-methyl at 50 µgml −1 . The benzimidazole LR isolates were characterized by temperature sensitivity and the DNA sequence of the β-tubulin gene. The LR isolates showed high- temperature sensitivity, being sensitive to 1 µgml −1 of benomyl at 28 ◦ C but resistant at 8-24 ◦ C. Analysis of the DNA sequence of the β-tubulin gene showed that the LR isolates had a point mutation at the amino-acid position 240, causing substitution of leucine by phenylalanine. Based on the point mutation, a pair of allele-specific PCR primers was developed for rapid detection of LR isolates of Ml axa .I n addition, a pair of PCR primers specific to Ml axawas developed on the basis of the differences in the DNA sequence of the intron 6 of β-tubulin gene from Ml axa, Mf ructicolaand other fungal species. The primer pair amplified the expected 376-bp DNA fragment from all Ml axaisolates tested, but not from 14 other fungal species isolated from stone fruit and almond crops. The restriction endonuclease BsmA I recognized the sequence GTCTCC in the PCR products from sensitive (S) isolates only, but not the GTTTCC sequence in the PCR products from LR isolates. The endonuclease digested the 376-bp PCR products from S isolates to produce two bands (111 and 265bp) on agarose gels. Thus, both allele-specific PCR and the PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods could be useful for rapidly detecting benzimidazole-resistant isolates of Ml axafrom stone fruit and almond crops in California.  2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Monitoring friction related surface degradation using acoustic emission technique

Relative motion between surfaces of mechanical parts causes surface wear and damage. The degradation to the surfaces has been monitored using vibration characteristics as well as acoustic emissions generated during the relative surface movements. In particular, acoustic emission signals were found to be sensitive to some of the microscopic processes occurring at the frictional interface. In this study, friction between two surfaces was monitored experimentally under controlled conditions. Relative velocity, contact pressure, and surface roughness values were varied in the experiments. Friction related acoustic emission signals were recorded and analyzed to understand the relationship between the signals generated and the physical processes giving rise to these signals. Information related to the stick-slip movements during cyclic motion, in the experiments, was observed from the signals. Features of the waveforms were found to reveal the conditions existing at the friction interface. In particular, the changes in the surface roughness and contact pressure were readily observed from the acoustic emission signals.
Clinically suspected intussusception in children : Evidence-based review and self-assessment module

ObjectiveThis article uses case examples to review the current evidence for the management of children with clinically suspected intussusception.ConclusionIn this educational module, we review the evidence for diagnostic and management strategies in children with clinically suspected intussusception.
Access to Care and Use of the Internet to Search for Health Information: Results From the US National Health Interview Survey

Background: The insurance mandate of the Affordable Care Act has increased the number of people with health coverage in the United States. There is speculation that this increase in the number of insured could make accessing health care services more difficult. Those who are unable to access care in a timely manner may use the Internet to search for information needed to answer their health questions. Objective: The aim was to determine whether difficulty accessing health care services for reasons unrelated to insurance coverage is associated with increased use of the Internet to obtain health information. Methods: Survey data from 32,139 adults in the 2011 National Health Interview Study (NHIS) were used in this study. The exposure for this analysis was reporting difficulty accessing health care services or delaying getting care for a reason unrelated to insurance status. To define this exposure, we examined 8 questions that asked whether different access problems occurred during the previous 12 months. The outcome for this analysis, health information technology (HIT) use, was captured by examining 2 questions that asked survey respondents if they used an online health chat room or searched the Internet to obtain health information in the previous 12 months. Several multinomial logistic regressions estimating the odds of using HIT for each reported access difficulty were conducted to accomplish the study objective. Results: Of a survey population of 32,139 adults, more than 15.90% (n=5109) reported experiencing at least one access to care barrier, whereas 3.63% (1168/32,139) reported using online health chat rooms and 43.55% (13,997/32,139) reported searching the Internet for health information. Adults who reported difficulty accessing health care services for reasons unrelated to their health insurance coverage had greater odds of using the Internet to obtain health information. Those who reported delaying getting care because they could not get an appointment soon enough (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.9-2.5), were told the doctor would not accept them as a new patient or accept their insurance (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.7-2.5 and OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.7-2.5, respectively), or because the doctor’s office was not open when they could go (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.9-2.7) had more than twice the odds of using the Internet to obtain health information compared to those who did not report such access difficulties. Conclusions: People experiencing trouble accessing health care services for reasons unrelated to their insurance status are more likely to report using the Internet to obtain health information. Improving the accuracy and reliability of health information resources that are publicly available online could help those who are searching for information due to trouble accessing health care services. [J Med Internet Res 2015;17(4):e106]
Phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate localization in recycling endosomes is necessary for AP-1B-dependent sorting in polarized epithelial cells.

The authors show that PI(3,4,5)P3 in recycling endosomes is needed for AP-1B recruitment and AP-1Bdependent sorting to the basolateral membrane. Interestingly, AP-1B expression itself triggers the ...
Elastin repeat peptides as chemoattractants for bovine aortic endothelial cells

Cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells migrate toward a concentration gradient of repeating elastin peptides, specifically the repeating nonamers Gly-Phe-Gly-Val-Gly-Ala-Gly-Val-Pro and Gly-Leu-Gly-Val-Gly-Ala-Gly-Val-Pro and the repeating hexamer Val-Gly-Val-Ala-Pro-Gly. Dose-response experiments demonstrate that the peak of activity occurs at 8 x 10(-8) M for the nonapeptides and 1 x 10(-8) M for the hexapeptide. Checkerboard assays establish that the movement is chemotaxis and not chemokinesis. Because of the concentration difference in the responsiveness between the nonapeptide and the hexapeptide, the cells can differentiate between the two types of repeats. The positive control for the chemotaxis studies was fibronectin.
Generation of sub-Poissonian photon statistics in a two-level atomic oscillator

According to the exact solution of a two-level atomic system interacting with a single-mode field in a cavity and including a pumping mechanism, sub-Poissonian photon statistics can be generated either by regular pumping or by resonance absorption of the lower level. When the atomic lifetime is much smaller than the interaction time (${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathit{a}\mathit{b}}$\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\gg}1), which corresponds to a usual laser system, the sub-Poissonian photon distribution can be obtained only by regular pumping. On the other hand, if the atomic lifetime is comparable with the interaction time (${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathit{a}\mathit{b}}$\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\le}1), the sub-Poissonian photon distribution can be generated by both mechanisms.
Acculturative stress among Polynesian, Asian and American students on the Brigham Young University—Hawaii campus

Abstract Research was conducted over five years to determine acculturation effects upon students from nine cultural groups attending a multiracial. American university setting. It was hypothesized that acculturative stress would be greater among cultural groups of students where the gap between traditional and imposed (host) culture was greater. Data collected from Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, New Zealand Maori, Fijian, Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, and American Caucasian first year students reveal significant differences in assimilation patterns, affective contingencies, points of conflict and cultural stereotyping. Findings identify: (1) acculturative stress is significantly greater among Samoan students, (2) Chinese students are academically the most successfully adaptive cultural group, and (3) English language usage imposes the greatest discrimination barrier to all non-American cultures. Cultural configurations relative to Samoan students and recommendations to minimize acculturative stress are discussed.
Are New Technologies the Enemy of Privacy

Privacy is one good among other goods and should be weighed as such. The relationship between technology and privacy is best viewed as an arms race between advancements that diminish privacy and those that better protect it, rather than the semi-Luddite view which sees technology as one-sided development enabling those who seek to invade privacy to overrun those who seek to protect it. The merits or defects of particular technologies are not inherent to the technologies, but rather, depend on how they are used and above all, on how closely their use is monitored and accounted for by the parties involved. In order to reassure the public and to ensure accountability and oversight, a civilian review board should be created to monitor the government’s use of surveillance and related technologies. Proper accountability requires multiple layers of oversight, and should not be left solely in the hands of the government.
Vibrational spectra of transition metal hexafluoride crystals. I. Orthorhombic MoF6, WF6, and UF6 neat crystals

Abstract Neat crystal Raman spectra of orthorhombic MoF 6 , WF 6 , and UF 6 are presented and discussed. This work lays the foundation for presentation of two-particle and total band structures in the two following papers. The neat crystal spectra are interpreted in terms of an internal-external mode separation and a conventional factor group analysis. In general, these data lead to four essential conclusions concerning hexafluoride crystals: (a) Fermi resonance plays an important role in producing the observed energy and intensity differences in this series; (b) k = 0 exciton structures are remarkably similar in the three crystals; (c) similarities and differences between these solids can be directly correlated with molecular parameters such as dipole derivatives, polarizabilities, etc.; and (d) phonons (external modes) can be neatly separated into rotational and translational normal modes.
Separation and determination of aminophenols and phenylenediamines by liquid chromatography and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

Abstract The separation and determination of aminophenols and phenylenediamines were investigated by liquid chromatography (LC) and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) in this study. Aminophenols and phenylenediamines are commonly used components in commercial hair colorants. The problem of tailing peaks in LC was improved by the technique of using mobile phase containing 15 mM triethylamine at pH 8.0. The analysis of o -aminophenol was not succeeded with LC even though the modifier of triethylamine was added. But it could be quantitative successfully by MEKC. The optimum separation condition of MEKC was achieved by employing 55 mM cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride in 50 mM borate buffer (pH 9.2) with electric field strength of −145 V cm −1 . Finally, the commercial hair dyes were analyzed by developing methods of LC and MEKC. From both the results, there is no significant difference presence at 99.5% confidence level. These two methods could give the complementary results.
1.4.1 Using the Knowledge Pyramid to Characterize Systems

Many systems help us increase our knowledge of the world in one way or another. Systems engineering needs a better way to understand how systems help or hinder the creation of knowledge. The Knowledge Pyramid was developed as a reference model to facilitate systems analysis with respect to data, information and knowledge. This paper describes the elements of the Pyramid and how they relate to system architecture.
Interannual variability in western US precipitation

Abstract Low-frequency (interannual or longer period) climatic variability is of interest, because of its significance for the understanding and prediction of protracted climatic anomalies. Since precipitation is one of the key variables driving various hydrologic processes, it is useful to examine precipitation records to better understand long-term climate dynamics. Here, we use the multi-taper method of spectral analysis to analyze the monthly precipitation time series (both occurrence and amount) at a few stations along a meridional transect from Priest River, ID to Tucson, AZ. We also examine spectral coherence between monthly precipitation and widely used atmospheric indices, such as the central Northern Pacific (CNP) and southern oscillation index (SOI). This analysis reveals statistically significant ‘signals’ in the time series in the 5–7 and 2–3 year bands. These interannual signals are consistent with those related to El-Nino southern oscillation (ENSO) and quasi-biennial variability identified by others.
BOWMAN HF IP network solution

The BOWMAN HF networking solution is based on easing the integration of the RF-5800H radio into the BOWMAN network using a concept called bridging. This has greatly simplified the IP management problem associated with the HF subsystem. The HF Networking scheme utilizes the STANAG 4538 capabilities in association with performance enhancing technologies such as concatenation and compression to achieve the required system throughputs. The HCMAC protocol has been developed to provide roughly twice the capacity achievable using STANAG 4538 FLSU (for equal latency) in ground wave and NVIS HF scenarios where the reduced robustness of the HCMAC signaling can be tolerated.
How Arousal Affects Younger and Older Adults' Memory Binding

A number of recent studies have shown that associative memory for within-item features is enhanced for emotionally arousing items, whereas arousal-enhanced binding is not seen for associations between distinct items (for a review, see Mather, 2007, Perspectives on Psychological Science, 2, 33-52). The costs and benefits of arousal in memory binding have been examined for younger adults but not for older adults. The present experiment examined whether arousal would enhance younger and older adults' within-item and between-item memory binding. The results revealed that arousal improved younger adults' within-item memory binding but not that of older adults. Arousal worsened both groups' between-item memory binding.
Phase Locked BWO System for Open Resonator Measurement in D-Band

The combination of a D-Band phase-locked backward-wave oscillator (BWO) with a spectrum analyzer for measurement of permittivity and low loss-tangent is presented. For measuring low loss tangent material, such as CVD diamond and high purity semi-insulating (HPSI) 4H-SiC , at millimeter wave ranges, it is necessary to precisely measure an increase of a few kHz in a line-width of 200 kHz. We describe a phase-locked loop with frequency conversion that combines a BWO source and a microwave spectrum analyzer to obtain line-width measurements with less than 2 kHz (less than 1%) standard deviation in D-Band millimeter wave.
Determination of a transfer function from phase response data

This letter discusses the use of an iterative least squares procedure for rational function curve fitting to determine a transfer function from phase frequency response data.
Perpetual and fair data collection for environmental energy harvesting sensor networks

Renewable energy enables sensor networks with the capability to recharge and provide perpetual data services. Due to low recharging rates and the dynamics of renewable energy such as solar and wind power, providing services without interruptions caused by battery runouts is nontrivial. Most environment monitoring applications require data collection from all nodes at a steady rate. The objective of this paper is to design a solution for fair and high throughput data extraction from all nodes in the presence of renewable energy sources. Specifically, we seek to compute the lexicographically maximum data collection rate and routing paths for each node such that no node will ever run out of energy. We propose a centralized algorithm and two distributed algorithms. The centralized algorithm jointly computes the optimal data collection rate for all nodes along with the flows on each link, the first distributed algorithm computes the optimal rate when the routing structure is a given tree, and the second distributed algorithm, although heuristic, jointly computes a routing structure and a high lexicographic rate assignment that is nearly optimum. We prove the optimality for the centralized and the first distributed algorithm, and use real test-bed experiments and extensive simulations to evaluate both of the distributed algorithms.
Sleep rounds: a multidisciplinary approach to optimize sleep quality and satisfaction in hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUND: Poor sleep has adverse affects on heath, yet few studies have addressed the goal of improving sleep among hospitalized patients. We evaluated the effectiveness of a sleep-promoting intervention on the quality and quantity of sleep among inpatients. METHODS: This study was conducted on a neurological ward in a large, tertiary care hospital. Sleep quality, quantity, and disruptors were assessed using questionnaires completed by patients during their hospital stay and Press Ganey surveys completed retrospectively. Room noise was also measured using noise meters. Data from each of 4 chronological phases of the study (baseline, basic intervention, “washout,” and deluxe intervention) were analyzed. In the intervention phases, nurses conducted “Sleep Rounds” at bedtime, during which sleep-promoting practices were implemented, including lights out, television off, temperature adjustment, and a final restroom usage. RESULTS: Patients reported 5 (interquartile range [IQR] 3) hours of sleep per night, awoke 3 (IQR 3) times nightly, and reported a median sleep latency of 11 to 15 minutes. Pain, staff interruptions, and roommates were the most significant barriers to good sleep. Noise levels were adequately low (35–40 dB) at night but were not positively impacted by our sleep-promoting interventions. Patients perceived noise on the unit to be worse during phases of the study in which there was no intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Patient perception of sleep experience improved during the phases in which Sleep Rounds were implemented, despite the fact that there was no measurable improvement in sleep or sleep-disrupting factors. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012; © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Requirements for utilization of CREB binding protein by hypersensitive site two of the β-globin locus control region

Strong transactivation of the β-globin genes is conferred by the β-globin locus control region (LCR), which consists of four erythroid-specific DNase I hypersensitive sites (HS1–HS4). HS2 has a powerful enhancer activity dependent upon tandem binding sites for the erythroid cell- and megakaryocyte-specific transcription factor NF-E2. An important co-activator-mediating transactivation by HS2 is the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) CREB binding protein (CBP). We showed previously that recruitment of a GAL4-CBP fusion protein to HS2 largely bypassed the requirement of the NF-E2 sites for transactivation. To determine whether GAL4-CBP recruitment is sufficient for transactivation, we assessed the importance of cis-elements within HS2. Docking of GAL4-CBP upstream of an Aγ-globin promoter lacking HS2 only weakly activated the promoter, indicating that HS2 components are required for GAL4-CBP-mediated transactivation. Sequences upstream and downstream of the NF-E2 sites were required for maximal GAL4-CBP-mediated transactivation, and HAT catalytic activity of GAL4-CBP was critical. No single factor-binding site was required for GAL4-CBP-mediated transactivation. However, deletion of two sites, a CACC site and an E-box, abolished transactivation in transient and stable transfection assays. These results suggest that NF-E2 recruits CBP as a critical step in transactivation, but additional components of HS2 are required to achieve maximal enhancer activity.
The use of microcode instrumentation for development, debugging and tuning of operating system kernels

We have developed a tool based on microcode modifications to a VAX 8600 which allows a wide variety of operating system measurements to be taken with minimal perturbation and without the need to modify any operating system software. A trace of interrupts, exceptions, system calls and context switches is generated as a side-effect to normal execution. In this paper we describe the tool we have developed and present some results we have gathered under both UNIX 4.3 BSD and VAX/VMS V4.5. We compare the process fork behavior of two different command shells under UNIX, look at context switch rates for interactive and batch workloads and generate a histogram for network interrupt service time.
Sensitivity to biological motion drops by ∼1/2 log-unit with inversion, and is unaffected by amblyopia

The low-level deficits associated with amblyopia have been studied extensively, but very little is known about potential impairments to higher-level visual processing such as object recognition or structure-from-motion. Studies on biological motion, a complex form of structure-from-motion depicting human actions, have demonstrated that normal observers can analyze these patterns more effectively when they are shown in their original upright configuration as opposed to inverted upside-down (feet-up head-down). We measured this inversion effect quantitatively for both the dominant and amblyopic eyes of amblyopic observers. We found a modest (∼30%) loss in sensitivity in the amblyopic eye for both upright and inverted actors, which we attribute to low-level deficits. However, we found no difference in the inversion effect between the two eyes, both showing an average 1/2 log-unit drop in sensitivity between upright and inverted displays. Our data provide a quantitative estimate of the inversion effect for biological motion, and demonstrate that higher-level processing in the motion hierarchy is not affected by amblyopia.
Challenges in state estimation on distribution systems

This paper summarizes the state of the art in state estimation methods for distribution systems and also outlines the challenges of developing state estimation methods that can address some of the distribution operation problems.
Biomass smoke exposures: toxicology and animal study design

The International Biomass Smoke Health Effects (IBSHE) conference was convened in Missoula, MT, to define our current knowledge of smoke exposure and the potential health effects. In an effort to ascertain the relative health effects of an exposure to biomass smoke, numerous studies have utilized either animal or in vitro systems. A wide variety of systems that have been employed ranged from more mainstream animal models (i.e., rodents) and transformed cell lines to less common animal (piglets and dogs) and explant models. The Toxicology and Animal Study Design Workgroup at IBSHE was tasked with an analysis of the use of animal models in the assessment of the health effects of biomass smoke exposure. The present article contains a mini-review of models utilized historically, in addition to the adverse health effects assessed, and an overview of the discussion within the breakout session. The most common question that arose in discussions at the IBSHE conference was from local and federal health departments: What level of smoke is unhealthy? The present workgroup determined categories of exposure, common health concerns, and the availability of animal models to answer key health questions.
The Acute Health Consequences to Children Exposed to Hazardous Substances Used in Illicit Methamphetamine Production, 1996 to 2001

Children who are raised in an environment where illicit methamphetamine production occurs can experience acute health effects from hazardous substances used. Common substances used include anhydrous ammonia, hydrochloric acid, and acetone. Many of these are hazardous upon exposure and can lead to emergency events such as fires, explosions, spills, and toxic emissions. Data from 17 states participating in the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance system were used to analyze the acute health consequences among children exposed to hazardous substances released in association with illicit methamphetamine production during 1996 through 2001. Of the 519 methamphetamine-related emergency events identified where releases occurred, at least 8 known events involved 13 children who were injured. In four of these eight events, lethal substances such as anhydrous ammonia were released. The predominant injuries sustained by these children were respiratory ...