cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of Thumb Endurance Curves Applicable for Deadman Switches in Sandblasting Machines

Thumb operated deadman switches used in sandblasting machines are designed to prevent serious bodily injury from unintentional discharge of high velocity sand. The force required to hold down the switch is significant, causing fatigue and pain to set in very quickly in operator’s thumb. The objective of this study was to determine the thumb force capacity and muscle fatigue curves for thumb flexion, applicable for design of these devices. Maximum thumb pressing force (MTPF) and endurance times (ET) for holding down at force levels of 10, 20, 40, and 60% of MTPF were measured from 10 male and 10 female participants in a laboratory experiment. The best fit curves of ET as a function of %MTPF were modeled with R2 > 95%. These models should be used in matching the worker strength capacity to the thumb force requirements in deadman switch design to improve safety standards in sandblasting.
Casualties of Trade Wars

Although trade wars have existed throughout modern history, there is little empirical evidence as to how countries choose which industries to target for retaliatory tariffs. We develop a political economy model of trade policy to explain a country’s choice of product for retaliation and test the implications of this model using the choices of seven countries in two retaliation episodes: (1) the US imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs in 2018 and (2) the US passage of the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act (CDSOA) in 2000. The empirical results from a binary choice regression indicate that countries are more likely to sanction products with higher trade values and those in which they can extract terms-of-trade welfare, suggesting that trade wars move countries back to a terms-of-trade driven prisoner’s dilemma equilibrium. We find a significant amount of heterogeneity in the degree to which countries consider the political importance of the industry when developing their retaliation list; while countries such as the EU and Canada clearly targeted politically important industries in 2018, we find little evidence that emerging markets did so. There is also little evidence that the EU and Canada targeted politically important industries in retaliation against the CDSOA.
Differential intake of D- and L-tryptophan by serotonin-deficient and normal Rattus norvegiens DAB stocks

The Fawnhooded (FH) rat, Rattus norvegicus, is an apparently spontaneous mutant in both laboratory and wild stocks. It is deficient in serotonin in blood platelets and in the pineal, and has prolonged bleeding times. It also has shown a readiness to drink bitter-tasting substances (cyclohexamide and phenylthiocarbamide) in greater quantities than other rat stocks. This study was undertaken to investigate whether the FH rat would also drink a bitter-tasting substance which might have physiological significance. In three experiments, FH and normal Wistar (W) rats were given bitter-tasting L-tryptophan (L-t), phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), sweet-tasting D-tryptophan (D-t), and saccharin (S) and water in various combinations in two-bottle presentations. FH rats drank more L-t than did W rats, and W rats drank more D-t than did FH rats, although both stocks drank S and PTC freely. W rats drank more S than FH rats, whereas FH rats drank more PTC than W rats. These stocks may have different receptor sites for S, PTC, and the two tryptophans. These differential receptor characteristics may be related to the FH stock’s serotonin deficiency.
Advanced Tactics in Field Hockey

(1936). Advanced Tactics in Field Hockey. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 7, No. 8, pp. 496-520.
Semantic frameworks for document and ontology clustering

The Internet has made it possible, in principle, for scientists to quickly find research papers of interest. In practice, the overwhelming volume of publications makes this a time consuming task. It is, therefore, important to develop efficient ways to identify related publications. Clustering, a technique used in many fields, is one way to facilitate this. Ontologies can also help in addressing the problem of finding related entities, including research publications. However, the development of new methods of clustering has focused mainly on the algorithm per se, with relatively less emphasis on feature selection and similarity measures. The latter can significantly impact the accuracy of clustering, as well as the runtime of clustering. Also, to fully realize the high resolution searches that ontologies can make possible, an important first step is to find automatic ways to cluster related ontologies. The major contribution of this dissertation is an innovative semantic framework for document clustering, called Citonomy, a dynamic approach that (1) exploits citation semantics of scientific documents, (2) deals with evolving datasets of documents, and (3) addresses the interplay between algorithms, feature selections, and similarity measures in an integrated manner. This improves accuracy and runtime performance over existing clustering algorithms. As the first step in Citonomy, we propose a new approach to extract and build a model for citation semantics. Both subjective and objective evaluations prove the effectiveness of this model in extracting citation semantics. For the clustering stage, the Citonomy framework offers two approaches: (1) CS-VS: Combining Citation Semantics and VSM(Vector SpaceModel)Measures and (2) CS2CS: From Citation Semantics to Cluster Semantics. CS2CS is a document clustering algorithm with a 3-level feature selection process. It is an improvement over CS-VS in several aspects: (i) deleting the requirement of a training step, (ii) introducing an advanced feature selection mechanism, and (iii) dynamic and adaptive clustering of new datasets. Compared to traditional document clustering, CS-VS and CS2CS significantly improve the accuracy of clustering by 5-15% (on average) in terms of the F-Measure. CS2CS is a linear clustering algorithm that is faster than the common document clustering algorithms K-Means and K-Medoids. In addition, it overcomes a major drawback of K-Means/Medoids algorithms in that the number of clusters can be dynamically determined by splitting and merging clusters. Fuzzy clustering with this approach has also been investigated. The related problem of ontology clustering is also addressed in this dissertation. Another semantics framework, InterOBO, has been designed for ontology clustering. A prototype to demonstrate the potential use of this framework, has been developed. The Open Biomedical Ontologies (OBOs) are used as a case study to illustrate the clustering technique used to identify common concepts and links. Detailed experimental results on different data sets are given to show the merits of the proposed clustering algorithms.
Arkansas’s Public Records Retention Program: Finding the FOIA's Absent Partner

This article first provides background, charting the scope of record retention in relation to the freedom of information, then outlining record retention through its history and development in the federal government, through its general principles and modes of practice, through a sketch of the problems that have arisen specially in the electronic era, and through an overview of its development at the state level. The article then describes the recent history of record retention law in Arkansas, up to and including the initiative enacted by the General Assembly in 2005, and the process and product of a state working group that labored on this problem in the months leading up to the 2005 legislative session. The article finally analyzes the legal models and looks ahead to the future of state record retention systems.
New min-max theorems for weakly chordal and dually hordal graphs

A distance-k matching in a graph G is matching M in which the distance between any two edges of M is at least k. A distance-2 matching is more commonly referred to as an induced matching. In this paper, we show that when G is weakly chordal, the size of the largest induced matching in G is equal to the minimum number of co-chordal subgraphs of G needed to cover the edges of G, and that the co-chordal subgraphs of a minimum cover can be found in polynomial time. Using similar techniques, we show that the distance-k matching problem for k > 1 is tractable for weakly chordal graphs when k is even, and is NP-hard when k is odd. For dually chordal graphs, we use properties of hypergraphs to show that the distance-k matching problem is solvable in polynomial time whenever k is odd, and NP-hard when k is even. Motivated by our use of hypergraphs, we define a class of hypergraphs which lies strictly in between the well studied classes of acyclic hypergraphs and normal hypergraphs.
A papilla-regulating extract that induces resistance to barley powdery mildew

Abstract A partially purified aqueous extract from healthy barley leaves, composed apparently of a mixture of peptides and oligosaccharides, was found to regulate papilla formation in inoculated barley coleoptiles. This papilla-regulating extract, the first of its kind to be reported, induced the plant to form oversize papillae in response to attempted fungal penetration, and made susceptible barley resistant to powdery mildew disease. It also induced the plant to deposit more autofluorescent compounds, presumably phenylpropanoid derivatives, in the papillae and host cell walls. Functionally similar extracts were obtained from several plants, including cauliflower, cucumber and onion. All of the extracts induced the formation of oversize papillae in response to fungal attack in wheat coleoptiles as well as in barley. These substances are apparently constitutive in many kinds of plants, and they may play a key role in the regulation of widespread, non-specific defence reactions such as papilla formation and phenylpropanoid deposition.
Reactions of 2-hydroxybenzonitrile with isocyanates

Triethylamine catalyzes the reaction of 2-hydroxybenzonitrile (1) with aryl isocyanates to form the corresponding carbamates 2a-c, as well as the cyclization of the latter compounds to either 4[N-(N-arylcarbamoyl)-imino]-3-aryl-2H-1,3-benzoxazin-2-ones 4a-c, or 4-arylamino-2H-1,3-benzoxazin-2-ones 7a-c, depending on the reaction temperature. Under analogous conditions, the carbamates obtained from 1 and 2-chloroethyl isocyanate, 3-chloropropyl isocyanate and ethyl isocyanatoacetate undergo a double cyclization yielding imidazo- and pyrimido[1,2-c|1,3]benzoxazinones 13a,b,17. Upon heating in phenyl ether, compounds 7a-c, rearrange to 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-4(3H)-quinazolinones 10a-c.
The use of instructive feedback for teaching language skills to children with autism

Abstract Instructive feedback (IF) is a teaching strategy in which extra information is presented to a student during teaching trials for other target skills. Research has shown that when IF is utilized with students with disabilities, they acquire additional skills without additional instructional time (fewer trials and sessions), resulting in more efficient instruction. Only one published study has focused specifically on the effectiveness of IF for children with autism, and demonstrated that the inclusion of IF resulted in more efficient teaching during 1:1 instruction for four preschoolers with autism/developmental delay. The current pair of studies seeks to replicate and extend the findings of Reichow and Wolery. In Study 1, we examined the effectiveness of IF with older students with autism with greater levels of impairment. Out of four students, only one showed more efficient acquisition with IF than without IF during 1:1 instruction. In Study 2, the student who demonstrated positive effects with IF in Study 1 participated in dyad instruction with IF. The effectiveness of IF for that student did not extend to the dyad context for this student.
Improving consent rates for organ donation: the effect of an inhouse coordinator program.

Background: The inability to obtain consent remains one of the major obstacles to organ donation. The presence of in-house coordinators (IHCs) from organ procurement organizations (OPOs) might substantially improve donation rates. Objective: To review the preliminary results of the effect of the presence of an IHC on organ donation rates at our center. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of patients referred to the regional OPO for possible organ donation. An IHC program was started at our hospital in late 2001. Data regarding organ donation demographics and family consent rates were compared before (Pre-IHC, 1998-2001) and after (Post-IHC, 2002-2005) the institution of an IHC program. The conversion rate was calculated as the number of actual donors divided by the number of potential donors and is represented as a percentage. The function of the IHC was to assist in donor surveillance, ensure timely referral, provide hospital staff education, assist with family consent and donor management, and provide family support. Results: There were a total of 495 potential donors and 195 actual donors during the 8-year time period. Post-IHC was associated with a significantly higher consent rate (52% vs. 35%, p < 0.01), a significantly higher conversion rate (50% vs. 34%,p < 0.01), and a 17% increase in organs donated compared with Pre-IHC. Conclusion: The presence of an IHC program significantly improves consent and conversion rates for organ donation. An IHC program should be considered as a viable option to bridge the gap between organ supply and organ demand.
Isotopic Analysis of N and O in Nitrite and Nitrate by Sequential Selective Bacterial Reduction to N2O

Nitrite is an important intermediate species in the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen, but its role in natural aquatic systems is poorly understood. Isotopic data can be used to study the sources and transformations of NO2- in the environment, but methods for independent isotopic analyses of NO2- in the presence of other N species are still new and evolving. This study demonstrates that isotopic analyses of N and O in NO2- can be done by treating whole freshwater or saltwater samples with the denitrifying bacterium Stenotrophomonas nitritireducens, which selectively reduces NO2- to N2O for isotope ratio mass spectrometry. When calibrated with solutions containing NO2- with known isotopic compositions determined independently, reproducible δ15N and δ18O values were obtained at both natural-abundance levels (±0.2−0.5‰ for δ15N and ±0.4−1.0‰ for δ18O) and moderately enriched 15N tracer levels (±20−50‰ for δ15N near 5000‰) for 5−20 nmol of NO2- (1−20 μmol/L in 1−5 mL aliquots). This method is highly selectiv...
Texture size specificity in the slant aftereffect

Transfer of the median plane slant aftereffect was assessed across changes in stimulus texture size (sine-wave grating frequency). Under binocular viewing, reliable decrements in aftereffect magnitude were observed when texture size was changed, compared with no-change control conditions. Under monocular viewing conditions, no significant aftereffects were found. The results indicate a spatial-frequency-specific component of binocular slant aftereffects.
Direct measurement of the transbilayer movement of phospholipids by sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy.

The direct measurement of the transbilayer movement of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) in a planar supported lipid bilayer (PSLB) at the fused silica/D2O interface was obtained wi...
Four lysozymes (one c-type and three g-type) in catfish are drastically but differentially induced after bacterial infection

Lysozyme is an important component of the innate immune system. In this study, four lysozyme genes including one c-type lysozyme and three g-type lysozymes were identified from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus). The lysozyme genes are highly conserved in their structural features as compared to those from other species. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted allowing annotation of these genes. Additional analyses using conserved syntenies allowed determination of orthologies for the c-type lysozyme. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the g-type lysozyme may have gone through species-specific gene duplications leading to multiple copies in some teleost species. Channel catfish possessed three copies of the g-type lysozyme genes. Expression analysis revealed that the catfish lysozyme genes were expressed in a broad range of tissues. The highest levels of expression were found in head kidney, liver, spleen, and trunk kidney, compatible with the immune functions of these tissues/organs. The c-type and g-type lysozymes were drastically induced after bacterial infection, but exhibited large differences in the extent of induction and the tissue with the highest level of induction, with the g-type lysozyme being most highly induced in the head kidney whereas the other three lysozymes being most highly induced in the liver, suggesting their cooperative actions in the immune responses but difference in their detailed functions.
Coercion and Sex Offenders Controlling Sex-Offending Behavior Through Incapacitation and Treatment

Sex offenders represent a variable group of law violators, yet they are often viewed as suffering from a generalized mental illness and in need of treatment and management different from other type...
The inhibition of aspartate transcarbamoylase activity by ATP in a mutant of baker's yeast S1237

Abstract The activity of aspartate transcarbamoylase (carbamoyphosphate: L -aspartate carbamoyltransferase, EC 2.1.3.2) was studies in a partially purified enzyme prepartion from a mutant of baker's yeast S1237. ATP, at the concentration of 2·10 −2 M, was found to inhibit 30% of the aspartate transcarbamoylase activity. Addition of equimolar bicarbonate and glutamine removed this inhibition completely. Kinetics of the mutant enzyme was the same as that of the wild type. The UTP-regulatory site of the mutant enzyme was much more labile than that of the wild type on heating at 50°. These findings suggested that the UTP-regulatory site of the mutant aspartate transcarbamoylase was deformed and also further substantiated the model of Lacroute 3 that aspartate transcarbamoylase and carbamoylphosphate synthase are both present in the same enzyme molecule.
Observer variability in the quantitation of Doppler color flow jet areas for mitral aortic regurgitation

Abstract Early studies using Doppler color flow imaging have suggested that measurement of the regurgitant jet area provides information regarding the severity of valvular insufficiency. This study was performed to assess the observer variability of mitral and aortic regurgitant jet area measurements using the Doppler color technique. Color Doppler recordings from 45 patients were reviewed: 23 patients had aortic regurgitation and 22 had mitral regurgitation. To assess interobserver variability, the largest definable mitral regurgitant jets from three cardiac cycles were independently chosen and measured by planimetry by two observers who were unaware of other patient information. Measurements were repeated by both observers at a separate time to obtain intraobserver data. Videotapes from 23 patients with aortic regurgitation were similarly analyzed. Each observer measured the isovolumic aortic jet (before mitral valve opening) and the maximal aortic regurgitant jet (at any time during diastole) using computer-assisted planimetry. Both intraobserver and interobserver correlations were excellent for mitral regurgitant jet areas (r = 0.97 and r = 0.93, respectively). The intraobserver correlation for isovolumic aortic regurgitant jet was r = 0.73; the interobserver correlation for this measurement was only fair (r = 0.57). For the maximal aortic regurgitant jet area, intraobserver correlation was good (r = 0.86) and interobserver correlation was fair (r = 0.72). These findings suggest that intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility are acceptable for the measurement of mitral regurgitant jet area. However, the measurement of aortic regurgitant jet areas results in significant observer differences that appear to be related to problems with slow sampling rates for the measurement of isovolumic aortic regurgitation and to difficulties in separating mitral inflow from aortic regurgitation for the maximal Jet.
Pollard to actomyosin: "freeze! Don't even move your head"

In the field of muscle biophysics, nothing has attracted more attention (or generated more controversy) than the Big Question: Does myosin rotate on actin to generate force? For at least two decades, textbooks have shown attractive and compelling cartoons in which the myosin head forms a weak-binding cross-bridge to actin at a 90° angle, then becomes a strong-binding cross-bridge at a 450 angle, thus pulling the actin filament by 5-10 nm and generating force. However, compelling evidence for this two-angle rotating cross-bridge model has not been produced, either because (a) the model is not correct or (b) the force-generating actomyosin ATPase cycle is so dynamic that direct structural evidence is very difficult to obtain. The strong-binding 450 structure at the end of the ATPase cycle (AM.ADP or AM) has been observed clearly and directly by electron microscopy, since it can be obtained at equilibrium. The missing link is a convincing observation of the more elusive weak-binding structure that occurs earlier in the cycle (AM.ATP or AM.ADP.P). A report by Pollard et al. ( 1), in this issue, represents
Regionally Adaptive Histogram Equalization of the Chest

Advances in the area of digital chest radiography have resulted in the acquisition of high-quality images of the human chest. With these advances, there arises a genuine need for image processing algorithms specific to the chest, in order to fully exploit this digital technology. We have implemented the well-known technique of histogram equalization, noting the problems encountered when it is adapted to chest images. These problems have been successfully solved with our regionally adaptive histogram equalization method. With this technique histograms are calculated locally and then modified according to both the mean pixel value of that region as well as certain characteristics of the cumulative distribution function. This process, which has allowed certain regions of the chest radiograph to be enhanced differentially, may also have broader implications for other image processing tasks.
Hardiness, coping, and burnout in the nursing workplace

Relationships among hardiness, coping approach, and burnout were studied in a sample of 440 nurses. Within each of the coping approaches used, subjects with greater hardiness reported less stress in the form of burnout than did those with less hardiness (F = 36.21, df = 1, P = .001). Subjects using direct-active coping (changing the stressor, confronting the stressor, finding positive aspects in the situation) had the lowest burnout scores, and those using direct-inactive coping (ignoring the stressor, avoiding the stressor, leaving the stressor) had the highest ( t = 2.267, df = 437, P x 2 analysis identified independence between hardiness and coping approach. Analysis of variance identified no interaction between hardiness and coping behavior categories for burnout; however, the lowest burnout scores were encountered among nurses with greater hardiness who used direct-active coping behaviors. These findings suggest that both hardiness and direct-active coping approaches can be used independently or in concert to reduce burnout. Rationale is provided for preparing practitioners to engage in problem-solving approaches, assertive interaction, and active and direct methods of conflict resolution.
Atypical insufficiency fractures confused with looser zones of osteomalacia

Six women, aged 24-67 years, had osteopenia and insufficiency fractures, which suggested a diagnosis of osteomalacia. The insufficiency fractures occurred at traditional sites for Looser zones, were multiple in number, were symmetrically distributed in three patients, and did not heal promptly. Bone mass was low, as assessed by single-energy photon absorptiometry at the midshaft of the radius. Two postmenopausal women had vertebral compression fractures. Biochemical indices and bone histomorphometric analysis excluded osteomalacia, and in vivo double tetracycline labeling in five patients revealed both high and low bone turnover states. We propose more stringent radiographic criteria for the designation of the term "Looser zone" that retains the customary association between the radiologic event and osteomalacia. This paper also outlines a diagnostic strategy for future cases of atypical insufficiency fractures and proposes reasons for their resemblance to true Looser zones.
Thermal Reactions of 2-Naphthalenethiol Adsorbed on Ag(111)

The thermal properties of 2-naphthalenethiol, C10H7SH, dosed on Ag(111) at 150 K have been studied by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) using time-of-flight mass spectrometry and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). For low doses, no C10H7SH is observed in TPD, S−H bonds break below 235 K to form 2-naphthyl thiolate, C10H7S(a), and H(a), the latter desorbing as H2 below 300 K. For higher doses, dissociation is accompanied by C10H7SH desorption in a single unsaturable peak at 235 K. Reflecting the stability of the thiolate, there is negligible desorption between 300 and 500 K. Over a broad temperature range, 500−850 K, products desorb that couple C10H7 and C10H7S with H, with C10H7, or with C10H7S, but no H2 desorbs. Some products involve forming additional rings. At 850 K, the highest temperature probed, only H2S is desorbing. After TPD, AES detects a multilayer comprised of C and S with a C/S ratio of 3.1. A mechanism accounting for the products is presented.
CT and pathologic correlation of Tc-99m medronate splenic uptake in metastatic breast carcinoma.

Abstract The CT and autopsy findings in a case of bone tracer uptake by a spleen infiltrated with metastatic breast carcinoma is presented. Calcium could not be demonstrated by either CT or special stains of histologic sections of the spleen. The mechanisms that have been postulated for radiotracer uptake by the spleen are reviewed in relationship to the correlation provided by this case. In addition, bone tracer uptake did not occur in five other sites of metastatic disease.
The relationship of pineal calcification to subtypes of tardive dyskinesia in bipolar patients.

Recent studies have suggested that bipolar patients may be at high risk for developing tardive dyskinesia (TD) if exposed to chronic neuroleptic therapy. It has been suggested that reduced melatonin secretion may favor the development of TD in bipolar and schizoaffective patients. Since pinealectomized rats have been reported to develop increased incidence and severity of abnormal chewing movements, and as depression is associated with reduced melatonin secretion, the increased risk of TD in bipolar patients may be associated with diminished melatonin secretion. Evidence suggestive of an inverse correlation between pineal calcification and reduced melatonin secretion, led me to study the relationship between pineal calcification on CT scan and the severity of axial (truncal) and limb and orofacial dyskinesias in bipolar patients with TD. The incidence of pathologically enlarged pineal calcifications (i.e., greater than 1 cm in diameter) in the bipolar patients was 25 times greater than the reported incidence in the literature among nonpsychiatric patients. In addition, there was a significant difference in scores of axial dyskinesias between patients with pineal calcification of less than 1 cm in diameter compared to those with pineal calcification of greater than 1 cm in diameter (F = 3.24; p = .04, one-way ANOVA). There was no significant association between scores of limb and orofacial dyskinesias and pineal calcification. These findings suggest a meaningful association between the presence of enlarged pineal calcification, and axial dyskinesias in bipolar patients. Further studies using direct plasma melatonin measurements are required to more precisely define the association between TD and melatonin secretion in bipolar patients.
Evaluation of retinal laser lesion healing by perimetric electroretinography

Eight Cynomolgus fasciculata who had graded laser lesions placed in one eye 6 years previously were evaluated by a stimulation and electrophysiologic recording technique to produce maps of retinal function. All animal testing was performed under IACUC approved protocols. The single q-switched pulses from a neodymium-YAG laser produced lesions of 4 types: no visible change, minimal visible lesions, `white dot' lesions (localized circumscribed retinal blanching) and `red dot' lesions (contained retinal hemorrhage) in the eye at the time of placement. Single exposures had been made in four locations: 5 degrees superior, inferior and temporal to the fovea, and one foveally. The multifocal (perimetric) electroretinogram was recorded from specialized contact lenses through hospital grade amplifiers. Initial analyses gave field maps that demonstrated apparent relative loss of function in some lesion sites. However, these losses were variable and occasionally patchy (i.e. disconnected areas of low signal). Repeated examinations of the same retinal areas showed high variability, even with 15 minute acquisition times and no apparent gaze drift. Apparent losses did not appear to correlate with visible retinal changes at the lesion site. Further research is needed to determine the biological substrate for this variability in response topography.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Barbara A. Romanowicz Receives 2009 Inge Lehmann Medal

Barbara A. Romanowicz was awarded the 2009 Inge Lehmann Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 16 December 2009 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for “outstanding contributions to the understanding of the structure, composition, and dynamics of the Earth's mantle and core.”
Electron traps and transfer efficiency of cerium-doped aluminate scintillators

Abstract Comparative measurements of thermoluminescence and scintillation light outputs of gamma-ray irradiated Ce;LuAlO 3 (LuAP) and Ce:YAlO 3 (YAP) reveal that electron trapping significantly depresses transfer efficiency in these scintillator materials, but fails to explain fully either their performance differential or their departures from ideal efficiency. In the limit of short radiation times, the ratio of integrated thermoluminescence light output to integrated scintillation light output is 0.14 in LuAP and 0.02 in YAP.
Chapter 12 Geodetic imaging of magma migration at Soufrière Hills Volcano 1995 to 2008

Abstract We use histories of magma efflux and surface deformation from a continuously operating global positioning system (cGPS) to quantitatively constrain magma transfer within the deep crustal plumbing of the Soufriere Hills Volcano (SHV). Displacement records reach a surface aperture of approximately 11 km and are continuous over three successive cycles of eruption followed by a pause spanning 1995–2008, and we focus on data of this time period. The assumed geometry and flow topology is for twin vertically stacked spherical chambers pierced by a vertical conduit that transmits magma from the deep crust to the surface. For a compressible magma column within an elastic crust we use mean deformation rates measured at between 6 and 13 cGPS stations for periods of effusion then repose and the time-history of magma efflux to define optimal chamber depths and basal magma input. The best fit for a constrained constant basal input to the system is obtained for chambers at 5 and 19 km, and a constant magma input rate of approximately 1.2 m 3 s −1 . Eruptive then pause episodes are, respectively, characterized by synchronous deflation then inflation of both shallow and deep chambers. Throughout this period of three repeated episodes of effusion then repose, the total effusive volume ( c. 0.95 km 3 dense rock equivalent, DRE) has been sourced half from the lower chamber ( c. 0.5 km 3 ) and half from below this chamber ( c. 0.45 km 3 ). A consistent observation, repeated through three episodes, is that the eruption restarts as the shallow chamber regains its original volume following the pause and that eruption rearrests when the shallow chamber has deflated by a small but constant volume change ( c. 16–22 Mm 3 ). This magmatic metering is consistent with a control on eruption periodicity that involves overpressured breaching of the shallow chamber followed by underpressured sealing. We contrast these observations with other contemporary models that have consistently placed an upper chamber at a depth of approximately 5–6 km, and deeper chambers at 12 km and deeper.
Microwave radiation energy: A probe for the neurobiologist

Abstract Microwave energy radiation is widely used as a method for rapidly sacrificing small laboratory animals so that measurements of endogenous levels of labile neurochemical substances can be assessed after various drug treatments or pharmacological maneuvers. Several factors are important to insure that microwave energy is efficiently coupled to the rodent brain, including: the frequency of microwave radiation, the size of the waveguide for the propagation of the energy, the tuning of the waveguide system, the placement of the animal at the point of maximum power within the waveguide, the amount of power which is delivered, the time during which the power is delivered, and whether the animal is restrained during the microwave protocol.
Dielectric, electric and thermal properties of carboxylic functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes impregnated polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposite

The dielectric, electric and thermal properties of carboxylic functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (F-MWCNT) incorporated into the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were evaluated to determine their potential in the field of electronic materials. Carboxylic functionalization of the pristine multi walled carbon tubes (Ps-MWCNT) was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns for both Ps-MWCNTs and F-MWCNTs elaborated that crystalline behavior did not change with carboxylic moieties. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses were performed to elucidate the thermal stability with increasing weight % addition of F-MWCNTs in the polymer matrix. Crystallization/glass transition / melting temperatures were evaluated using differential scanning calorimeter and it was observed that glass transition and crystallization temperatures were diminished while temperatures of first and second melting transitions were progressed with increasing F-MWCNT concentration in the PDMS matrix. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy were carried out to confirm the morphology, functionalization, and uniform dispersion of F-MWCNTs in the polymer matrix. Electrical resistivity at temperature range (100–300°C), dielectric loss (tanδ) and dielectric parameters (/ //) were measured in the frequency range (1MHz–3GHz). The measured data simulate that the aforementioned properties were influenced by increasing filler contents in the polymer matrix because of the high polarization of conductive F-MWCNTs at the reinforcement/polymer interface.
Effect of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol on immobilization-induced changes in rat adrenal medullary enzymes

Abstract The effect of Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol on adrenal medullary catecholamine-forming enzymes in immobilized and non-immobilized control rats was studied. The immobilization-induced increase in tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine-β-hydroxylase was markedly enhanced by Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol; however, neither ethanol alone nor ethanol in combination with Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol altered the levels of the enzymes in non-immobilized control rats.
Adaptive Compensation of Dynamic Characteristics for In-Process Sensors

Monitoring of machine tools and optimization of manufacturing processes require accurate values of in-process measured mechanical quantities such as force, torque, or displacement. Commercial sensors available today do not provide the required performance, usually due to the very principle of their operation. Periodical tuning of these sensors to match the expected characteristics of their working environment is not a solution, since this environment changes rapidly. A system presented in this paper corrects dynamic characteristics of sensors in a continuous fashion. The implemented on-line algorithm comprises three steps performed repeatedly: (1) identification of parameters in a model of the machining process, in which the particular sensor is used; (2) estimation of parameters in the assumed model of the sensor—this estimation is based on results obtained in step 1; (3) evaluation of parameters of the adaptive filter that compensates the actual dynamic properties of the sensor. The developed algorithm has been implemented as a multi-processor, transputer based system integrated with digital signal processors.
Approximate confidence intervals on positive linear combinations of expected mean squares

Let niS2 i/θi for i = 1,2, …,q represent independently distributed chi-squared random variables with ni: degrees of freedom. In this article, we develop new procedures for obtaining approximate confidence intervals on positive linear combinations of the θi:. The proposed approximations, in many cases, are the weighted average of liberal and conservative confidence limits. By choosing the appropriate weight, which can be easily determined from data, we show that the proposed methods produce confidence intervals with confidence coefficients very close to the stated level. Numerical examples compare the performance to other approximations.
Performance characteristics of cylindrical heat pipes with multiple heat sources

Abstract A steady-state analytical model for cylindrical heat pipes subject to either constant heat flux or convective cooling is presented. The proposed model couples two-dimensional heat conduction in the heat pipe’s wall with the liquid flow in the wick and the vapor hydrodynamics, and is capable of modeling multiple uniform heat sources (evaporators). A parametric study on the effect of axial heat conduction in the heat pipe wall was carried out. It was found that the exclusion of the effects of axial heat conduction in wall can result in an overestimate of the pressure drops in heat pipe by about 10%, depending on the heat pipe specifications. A simple method was developed to predict and quantify the criteria for the importance of the axial heat conduction in the heat pipe’s wall. A significant saving in computational time is achieved by use of the proposed analytical model compared to full numerical simulations. The developed model provides a useful tool to evaluate the capillary limit of the cylindrical heat pipes and can be used for optimization and design applications.
Translational injuries in posterior elbow dislocation

We describe a new plain radiographic finding in posterior elbow dislocation: a defect in the nonarticular posterior surface of the capitellum caused by impaction of the radial head during dislocation. The defect was visible on a lateral view unobscured by overlying bony structures in the unreduced state and confirmed on both an axial view after reduction and by magnetic resonance imaging. We propose that this lesion is analogous to the Hill-Sachs/ Bankart lesion complex seen in translational glenohumeral injury.
Postcolonial Identities in Africa

Postcolonlal Identities in Africa. Richard Werbner and Terence Ranger. eds. London: Zed Books, 1996. xii. 292 pp., contributors, references, index.
Surgical management of pelvic malignancy: role of extended abdominoperineal resection/exenteration/abdominal sacral resection.

Although the incidence of locoregional recurrence of colorectal cancer after primary resection has been reduced by improved surgical techniques and the frequent use of neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy, local failure remains a significant clinical problem. At diagnosis, 37% of patients with colorectal cancer have localized disease (5-year survival, 91%), 37% have regional disease (5-year survival, 66%), 20% have distant metastases (5-year survival, 8.5%), and 6% are unstaged [1,2]. Stage for stage, the outcome is worse for rectal cancer (5-year survival approximately 20% less) than for colon cancer. The primary determinants of survival are TNM stage and completeness of resection, with the goal being R0 resection (no gross or microscopic residual disease). Other prognostic factors include histologic type and grade, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, and extramural or submucosal
The Tale of Two Obamas

In this paper I trace the tensions between structure and agency, the racial and the postracial, as they intersect and clash in the body of Barack Obama, and the US Presidency more broadly. These tensions are examined in the context of contemporary neoliberal political economy and its hyper-extenuated condition, neo-neoliberalism. Finally, the condition of postraciality is read through a critical analysis of the writings of Shelby Steele on Obama and a conceptualization of Obama the Person and Obama the Phenom.
Fluorescence of excited photofragments correlated with electronic states of multiply charged CO produced through photoexcitation of CO in the 28–100 eV region

Abstract Fluorescence excitation functions produced through photoexcitation of CO using synchrotron radiation in the range 28–100 eV have been studied. Two broadband detectors were employed to simultaneously monitor fluorescence in the 1080–3000 A and 3000–7000 A regions. Broad fluorescence peaks are observed and are interpreted in terms of dissociative ionization excitation of multiple electronic states, ion states and Rydberg states converging to multiply charged CO (i.e. CO m + for m =1–3).
Cyberseismology and Teachable Moments

In mid-2000, the USGS Southern California Earthquake Hazards Program office instituted a set of electronic mailing lists for public notifications of earthquakes. These mailing lists have proven to be quite popular and are currently up to about 13,000 subscribers. The figures here show the growth of the subscriber lists in response to felt and otherwise newsworthy earthquakes.⇓ Figure 1. Growth of the public notifications lists during 2001. Figure 2. Growth of the public notifications lists during …
Interval tubal sterilization in obese women--an assessment of risks.

Obesity is considered to be a complicating factor in most surgical, procedures, but very few studies have investigated whether this is true for tubal sterilization. We used a large international data set to investigate the effect of obesity on tubal sterilization. Each of the 159 women delineated as obese (>50% above the mean ideal weight) was matched with a woman of normal weight on important provider variables such as center, operator, and type of surgical procedure. Incidences of anesthesic, surgical, and early postsurgical complications were comparably low and of a mild nature for both the obese and the nonobese groups. Incidence of surgical difficulties was higher, and as a result, the technical failure rate was also higher and the surgical time longer for obese women than for nonobese women. However, none of these surgical difficulties or technical failures led to serious consequences. The difference in surgical times was small and is probably of little practical significance. It appears that the surgical difficulties of tubal sterilization in moderately obese women can be easily overcome.
Taste aversions and acute methyl mercury poisoning in rats

Rats injected with methyl mercuric chloride (5 mg/kg) following exposure to the taste of saccharin rejected saccharin on subsequent days to a significantly greater extent than either rats poisoned following plain water or rats injected with normal saline following saccharin exposure. Intraperitoneal injections caused nonspecific reduction of fluid intake in addition to the specific rejection of saccharin, and intravenous injections were not accompained by nonspecific effects. The present study adds methyl mercuric chloride to the expanding list of substances that are effective unconditioned aversive stimuli for learned taste aversions and testifies to the sensitivity and potential utility of the taste aversion technique for studying the effects of acute exposure to this chemical.
Nitric oxide prevents p21 degradation with the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Abstract Purpose: We have shown that gene transfer of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene to injured arteries inhibits the development of intimal hyperplasia. One mechanism by which nitric oxide (NO) may inhibit this process is through the upregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21, which induces a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, leading to an inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. Because NO induced such a dramatic upregulation of p21 and because p21 is a universal inhibitor of the cell cycle, this study aimed to determine how NO upregulates p21 protein expression in VSMCs. Methods: p21 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) were determined by Northern blot analysis after treatment with S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) or after adenoviral iNOS gene transfer. p21 protein levels in RASMCs in similar conditions were determined by Western blot analysis. Levels of ubiquinated p21 in these same treatment groups were assessed by immunoprecipitation of p21 from RASMCs, followed by Western blot analysis for ubiquitin. Protein tyrosine and protein serine/threonine phosphatase activity after treatment with SNAP, plus or minus the phosphatase inhibitors calyculin A or cantharidin, were measured with 32 P-labeled myelin basic protein as a substrate. Results: NO exposure by the NO-donor SNAP or iNOS gene transfer induced a dose- and time-dependent increase in p21 protein expression in RASMCs. p21 mRNA levels were significantly increased after SNAP treatment only at the 6-hour point, but were not increased at 24 hours. In contrast, protein levels were increased from 6 to 24 hours, and transcriptional inhibitors did not inhibit this increase in protein synthesis. The increase in p21 protein expression induced by NO was associated with less of the ubiquinated form of p21 at both early and late points. Furthermore, NO induced an increase in both protein tyrosine and protein serine/threonine phosphatase activity. Inhibition of these phosphatases with calyculin A or cantharidin prevented the upregulation of p21 protein expression by NO. Conclusion: These data indicate that one mechanism by which NO upregulates p21 protein expression is through the prevention of p21 protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in association with increased protein tyrosine and serine/threonine phosphatase activity. (J Vasc Surg 2000;31:364-74.)
Neuroprotective synergism of 2-amino-3-phosphonoproprionate (D,L-AP3) and MK-801 against ibotenate induced brain injury.

Abstract The neuroprotective characteristics of the functional antagonist of metabotropic stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis, 2-amino-3-phosphonoproprionate ( d,l -AP3), were examined alone and in combination with the non-competitive N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, MK-801, against ibotenate induced brain injury. Postnatal day (PND) 7 rats received unilateral stereotaxic intrastriatal injections of 10 nmol ibotenate and treated with either d,l -AP3 (600 nmol i.c.), MK-801 (1 mg/kg i.p.) or both. The severity of brain injury was assessed on PND 12 by comparison of the weights of injected and contralateral cerebral hemispheres. Ibotenate induced injury was partially reduced by treatment with MK-801 (34.0±4.4% protection, P t -test) but not d,l -AP3. However, combined treatment with both MK-801 and d,l -AP3 produced marked synergistic neuroprotection (83.5±7.6% protection, P t -test). The data suggest that metabotropic stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis contributes to excitotoxic neuronal injury in the presence of concurrent ionotropic receptor activation.