cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concentrations and loadings of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in dust from low-income households in California.

California residents may experience the highest polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardant exposures in the United States, the nation with the highest body burdens worldwide. It is hypothesized that Californians' high exposures are due to the state's strict furniture flammability standards. Ingestion of PBDE-contaminated dust, to which children may be particularly susceptible, is a dominant exposure pathway. Low-income populations may also face disparately high exposures due to the presence of older, deteriorated or poorly manufactured furniture treated with PBDEs. We collected up to two dust samples per home (54 samples total), several days apart, from low-income California households in the urban community of Oakland (n = 13 homes) and the agricultural community of Salinas (n = 15 homes). We measured BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-100, the major constituents of the penta-PBDE flame retardant formulation commonly used in furniture. All three PBDE congeners were detected in every sample with concentrations (loadings) ranging from 185 to 126,000 ng/g (621–264,000 ng/m2), 367–220,000 ng/g (1550–457,000 ng/m2), and 84–41,100 ng/g (257–85,700 ng/m2) for BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-100, respectively. Median concentrations (loadings) observed in Salinas homes for BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-100 were 3100 ng/g (10,800 ng/m2), 5480 ng/g (19,500 ng/m2), and 1060 ng/g (3810 ng/m2), respectively, and in Oakland homes 2780 ng/g (10,700 ng/m2), 4450 ng/g (19,100 ng/m2), and 1050 ng/g (4000 ng/m2), respectively. Maximum concentrations for BDE-47 and BDE-99 are the highest reported to date. Indoor concentrations and loadings did not significantly differ between communities; concentrations and loadings were strongly correlated between collections for all three congeners (Spearman rho = 0.79–0.97, p < 0.002). We estimated non-dietary ingestion of each congener for one child in each home (n = 28 children) and found that estimated intake for BDE-47 and BDE-99 exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recommended chronic reference dose for three and five children, respectively. Children's estimated intake via dust ranged from 1.0 to 599 ng/kg/day, 2.0–1065 ng/kg/day and 0.5–196 ng/kg/day for BDE-47, BDE-99 and BDE-100, respectively. In order to mitigate these exposures, future research must address the factors that contribute to PBDE exposures in low-income homes.
SU-E-P-09: Feasibility of Axillary Target Coverage Utilizing High Tangent Prone Breast Radiation

Purpose: To evaluate the ability to treat level I and level II axillary lymph nodes utilizing a high tangent prone breast radiotherapy technique. Methods: Twenty‐one patients were treated with whole breast radiation utilizing a prone technique. Retrospectively, axillary nodes were contoured as levels I and low lying level II with the intent of elective nodal coverage. Treatment plans were designed as tangential fields with the superior border set to cover the contoured axillary volume (high tangents). Dose‐volume histograms (DVH) were evaluated for axillary, breast, lung and heart (for left breast treatments) coverage. The percent volume receiving greater than or equal to 95% of the prescribed dose (V95) was obtained for the breast and axillary regions. Results: The 95% isodose line encompassed on average 98.0% of breast volumes (range, 93.2 to 100.0%). The mean V95 for the level I and level II axillary regions were 99.5% (range, 98.3 to 100.0%) and 97.4% (range, 92.5 to 100.0%), respectively. The mean percent volume of the ipsilateral lung receiving greater than 20 Gy was 7.7% (range, 4.0 to 13.4%), and the percent volume of the heart receiving greater than 40 Gy was 0.57% (range, 0 to 2.1%). Conclusion: These results imply that prone breast radiation with high tangents is an effective and safe technique for the treatment of level I and level II axilla in addition to breast volumes. With increasing trends to limit axillary dissections in sentinel node positive patients, radiotherapy techniques to adequately cover nodal volumes has become more important. With historic data that suggested lower coverage in a prone position, we present techniques to adequately cover elective nodal volumes with good success.
Biomechanical Factors Affecting the Peak Hand Reaction Force During the Bimanual Arrest of a Moving Mass

Fall-related wrist fractures are among the most common fractures at any age. In order to learn more about the biomechanical factors influencing the impact response of the upper extremities, we studied peak hand reaction force during the bimanual arrest of a 3.4 kg ballistic pendulum moving toward the subject in the sagittal plane at shoulder height. Twenty healthy young and 20 older adults, with equal gender representation, arrested the pendulum after impact at one of three initial speeds: 1.8, 2.3, or 3.0 m/sec. Subjects were asked to employ one of three initial elbow angles: 130, 150, or 170 deg. An analysis of variance showed that hand impact force decreased significantly as impact velocity decreased (50 percent/m/s) and as elbow angle decreased (0.9 percent/degree). A two segment sagittally-symmetric biomechanical model demonstrated that two additional factors affected impact forces: hand-impactor surface stiffness and damping properties, and arm segment mass. We conclude that hand impact force can be reduced by more than 40 percent by decreasing the amount of initial elbow extension and by decreasing the velocity of the hands and arms relative to the impacting surface.
Striking the federal bargain in Russia: comparative regional government strategies

Abstract The central research goals of this article are to classify and explain the positions of the 89 state “governors” of Russia with regard to the most desirable federal division of power. The state governors are classified along a 5-item autonomy index based on events data and content analysis of their speeches, declarations, petitions, threats and actions from 1991–1995 as reported in two regional sources. Theoretical propositions derived from four schools of thought (essentialism, instrumentalism, relative deprivation and resource mobilization) are tested to discover which, if any, provide useful insights into the preferences and behavior of regional elites in Russia. In the end, a combined model that synthesizes elements of the above is shown to be most useful in explaining variation in elite positions.
Active THz imaging for standoff detection

Compared to Millimeter waves THz frequencies can provide an almost magnitude higher resolution, which enables detection of small threats at larger distances. Here we present an active THz standoff imaging system based on commercially available BWO sources and a thermal detector. At a excitation frequency of 720GHz an almost diffraction limited resolution was achieved of about 1.6mm at 1.2m distance to the target. With signal to noise ratio of 35dB detection of metal and ceramic weapons covered by different clothing is demonstrated. A detailed system analysis is done, which led to limiting factors of the proposed system.
Statistical generation of a technical vocabulary

The results of an experiment in the use of statistical techniques for extracting a technical vocabulary from document texts are presented and discussed.
Mechanisms controlling pathogenesis and survival of leukemic stem cells

Stem cells are an integral component of normal mammalian physiology and have been intensively studied in many systems. Intriguingly, substantial evidence indicates that stem cells also play an important role in the initiation and pathogenesis of at least some cancers. In particular, myeloid leukemias have been extensively characterized with regard to stem and progenitor cell involvement. Thus, as a focal point for both scientific and therapeutic endeavors, leukemic stem cells (LSC) represent a critical area of investigation. LSC appear to retain many characteristics of normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) as evidenced by a hierarchical developmental pattern, a mostly quiescent cell cycle profile, and an immunophenotype very similar to HSC. Consequently, defining unique properties of LSC remains a high priority in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving stem cell transformation, and for developing therapeutic strategies that specifically target the LSC population. In this review, we discuss emerging concepts in the field and describe how various molecular and cellular characteristics of leukemia cells might be exploited as a means to preferentially ablate malignant stem cells.
INHIBITION OF NITRATE ASSIMILATION IN EXCISED WHEAT ROOTS BY VARIOUS RESPIRATORY POISONS.

The effects of several commonly employed respiratory poisons on the complete assimilation of nitrate and the reduction of nitrate to nitrite by the excised roots of wheat seedlings were observed. Carbon monoxide in the dark does not inhibit the assimilation. Cyanide and iodoacetate inhibit both reduction of nitrate to nitrite and the complete assimilation of nitrate. Azide inhibits the complete assimilation of nitrate but its effects on the formation of nitrite cannot be observed directly because of the reaction between azide and nitrite. 25 references.
THE SLOW INVARIANT MANIFOLD OF A CONSERVATIVE PENDULUM-OSCILLATOR SYSTEM

We analyze the motions of a conservative pendulum-oscillator system in the context of invariant manifolds of motion. Using the singular perturbation methodology, we show that whenever the natural frequency of the oscillator is sufficiently larger than that of the pendulum, there exists a global invariant manifold passing through all static equilibrium states and tangent to the linear eigenspaces at these equilibrium states. The invariant manifold, called slow, carries a continuum of slow periodic motions, both oscillatory and rotational. Computations to various orders of approximation to the slow invariant manifold allow analysis of motions on the slow manifold, which are verified with numerical experiments. Motion on the slow invariant manifold is identified with a slow nonlinear normal mode.
Adsorption and thermal behavior of ethylene on Si(100)-(2 × 1)

The adsorption of ethylene on Si(100)-(2 × 1) has been studied in ultrahigh vacuum. Chemisorption was found to occur via a mobile precursor mechanism. The activation energy difference for desorption and chemisorption from the precursor (Ed − Er), was found to be 2.9 kcal mol−1. The saturation coverage of ethylene is 1 C2H4/Si2 dimer. Hydrogen-site blocking and thermochemical arguments suggest that C2H4 bonds as a di-σ surface complex to dimer sites; upon chemisorption of C2H4 the SiSi dimer is cleaved. Chemisorbed ethylene desorbs unimolecularlfrom Si(100) at ∼ 550 K, with approximately 2% of the monolayer undergoing dissociation. The activation energy of C2H4 desorption is 38 kcal mol−1, and for the di-σ C2H4Si2 complex, each SiC bond has a strength of ∼ 73 kcal mol−1. The low desorption activation energy allows C2H4 to desorb prior to signifi dissociation, preventing the formation of significant coverages of surfaces carbon and hydrogen.
The Theory of Positrons

The problem of the behavior of positrons and electrons in given external potentials, neglecting their mutual interaction, is analyzed by replacing the theory of holes by a reinterpretation of the solutions of the Dirac equation. It is possible to write down a complete solution of the problem in terms of boundary conditions on the wave function, and this solution contains automatically all the possibilities of virtual (and real) pair formation and annihilation together with the ordinary scattering processes, including the correct relative signs of the various terms. In this solution, the "negative energy states" appear in a form which may be pictured (as by Stuckelberg) in space-time as waves traveling away from the external potential backwards in time. Experimentally, such a wave corresponds to a positron approaching the potential and annihilating the electron. A particle moving forward in time (electron) in a potential may be scattered forward in time (ordinary scattering) or backward (pair annihilation). When moving backward (positron) it may be scattered backward in time (positron scattering) or forward (pair production). For such a particle the amplitude for transition from an initial to a final state is analyzed to any order in the potential by considering it to undergo a sequence of such scatterings. The amplitude for a process involving many such particles is the product of the transition amplitudes for each particle. The exclusion principle requires that antisymmetric combinations of amplitudes be chosen for those complete processes which differ only by exchange of particles. It seems that a consistent interpretation is only possible if the exclusion principle is adopted. The exclusion principle need not be taken into account in intermediate states. Vacuum problems do not arise for charges which do not interact with one another, but these are analyzed nevertheless in anticipation of application to quantum electrodynamics. The results are also expressed in momentum-energy variables. Equivalence to the second quantization theory of holes is proved in an appendix.
Tight-binding energy dispersions of armchair-edge graphene nanostrips

A tight-binding model of hydrogen-terminated armchair-edge graphene nanostrips is presented, which includes up to third-nearest-neighbor carbon-carbon interactions and edge distortion. The model reproduces the band gaps found in first-principles local-density-functional calculations well. The model also leads to energy dispersion relations in excellent agreement with first-principles results in the vicinity of the Fermi level. Approximate analytical $\stackrel{P\vec}{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\stackrel{P\vec}{p}$ and effective mass expressions of the dispersion relations are also presented. Finally, the electron-phonon coupling constant is estimated to be $40\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}∕\mathrm{nm}$.
Self-defeating arguments

An argument is self-defeating when it contains defeaters for some of its own defeasible lines. It is shown that the obvious rules for defeat among arguments do not handle self-defeating arguments correctly. It turns out that they constitute a pervasive phenomenon that threatens to cripple defeasible reasoning, leading to almost all defeasible reasoning being defeated by unexpected interactions with self-defeating arguments. This leads to some important changes in the general theory of defeasible reasoning.
Weak correction to the muon magnetic moment in SU(2) L ⊗SU(2) R ⊗ U(1) gauge models

The weak correction, aμw, to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon is calculated in SU(2)L ⊗ SU(2)R ⊗ U(1) gauge models of weak and electromagnetic interactions, using the Rδ gauge. The experimental value of aμw does not place any constraint on the mass of either of the two neutral gauge bosons, nor does it constrain the mass of the heavy neutral lepton.
Comparisons of laboratory and planetary spectra IV. The identification of the 7500-Å bands in the spectra of Uranus and Neptune

Abstract Spectra of Uranus obtained by Kuiper and by the present author have revealed several new absorptions in addition to the five unidentified features near 7500 A previously discovered by Kuiper in spectra of both Uranus and Neptune. Laboratory spectra obtained with very long optical paths indicate that all of these planetary absorptions are caused by methane. This result suggests that the amount of methane in the atmospheres of Uranus and Neptune is greater than presently accepted estimates, but the absolute value is still considered to be poorly defined.
An intervention trial to improve adherence to community treatment by adolescents after a suicide attempt.

ABSTRACT Objective To determine whether a problem-solving intervention would increase adherence to outpatient treatment for adolescents after a suicide attempt. Method Sixty-three adolescents who had attempted suicide and were evaluated in an emergency department between 1997 and 2000 were randomly assigned to undergo standard disposition planning or a compliance enhancement intervention using a problem-solving format. At 3 months after the intervention, all evaluable adolescents, guardians, and outpatient therapists were contacted to determine adherence to outpatient treatment. Results At 3-month follow-up, the compliance enhancement group attended an average of 7.7 sessions compared with 6.4 sessions for the standard disposition group, but this difference was not statistically significant. However, after covarying barriers to receiving services in the community (such as being placed on a waiting list and insurance coverage difficulties), the compliance enhancement group attended significantly more treatment sessions than the standard disposition-planning group (mean = 8.4 versus 5.8 sessions). Conclusion Interventions designed to improve treatment attendance must address not only individual and family factors but also service barriers encountered in the community that can impede access to services.
Impact of Fluidic Chevrons on Supersonic Jet Noise

The impact of fluidic chevrons on broadband shock noise and mixing noise for single stream and coannular jets was investigated. Air was injected into the core flow of a bypass ratio 5 nozzle system using a core fluidic chevron nozzle. For the single stream experiments, the fan stream was operated at the wind tunnel conditions and the core stream was operated at supersonic speeds. For the dual stream experiments, the fan stream was operated at supersonic speeds and the core stream was varied between subsonic and supersonic conditions. For the single stream jet at nozzle pressure ratio (NPR) below 2.0, increasing the injection pressure of the fluidic chevron increased high frequency noise at observation angles upstream of the nozzle exit and decreased mixing noise near the peak jet noise angle. When the NPR increased to a point where broadband shock noise dominated the acoustic spectra at upstream observation angles, the fluidic chevrons significantly decreased this noise. For dual stream jets, the fluidic chevrons reduced broadband shock noise levels when the fan NPR was below 2.3, but had little or no impact on shock noise with further increases in fan pressure. For all fan stream conditions investigated, the fluidic chevron became more effective at reducing mixing noise near the peak jet noise angle as the core pressure increased.
A Multinucleated Marine Amoeba Which Digests Seaweeds1

Marine amoebae were isolated during a search for organisms which degrade cell walls of seaweed. One of the isolates, a multinucleated amoeba (referred to here as Amoeba-I-7 or Am-I-7) was isolated from live tissues of the brown seaweed Sargassum muticum. It digested a variety of brown and red seaweeds including their walls and cuticles. Axenic clone cultures were isolated from cells that migrated on agar. Cultures were grown on agar or in liquid media. Seaweeds, seaweed wall extracts, and unicellular algae were tested as food sources.
Partner Notification of Sexually Transmitted Infections among Pregnant Women

The object of this study was to determine the factors associated with partner notification (PN) of sexually transmitted infection (STI) exposure among pregnant, low income, Mexican-American (MA) and African-American (AA) women and their male sexual partners. We used a cross-sectional analysis of 166 pregnant women with an STI, enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of behavioural intervention to prevent recurrent STIs. The primary outcome, PN, is notification of, or intent to notify male sexual partner(s) of STI exposure. Pregnant women with one (n = 136) versus multiple (n = 30) partners reported PN for 88.2% and 54.5% of male partners, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated three variables that independently predicted PN: a steady relationship, with one male sexual partner and recent (<30 days) intercourse with the partner. Among the low income, pregnant MA and AA women, the three relationship variables predicted 81.6% of PN and correctly classified 78.5% of males notified and 65.7% of males not notified.
Neutrino mixing due to a violation of the equivalence principle.

Massless neutrinos will mix if their couplings to gravity are flavor dependent, i.e., violate the principle of equivalence. Because the gravitational interaction grows with neutrino energy, the solar neutrino problem and the recent atmospheric neutrino data may be simultaneously explained by violations at the level of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$ to ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}17}$ or smaller. This possibility is severely constrained by present accelerator neutrino experiments and will be preeminently tested in proposed long-base-line accelerator neutrino experiments.
Performance of Individuals with Left-Hemisphere Stroke and Aphasia and Individuals with Right Brain Damage on Forward and Backward Digit Span Tasks.

Background: Working memory (WM) limitations have been suggested as a significant source of the linguistic processing deficits observed in individuals with aphasia (IWA). Digits forward (DF) and digits backward (DB) span tasks are frequently used to study WM in both healthy and clinical populations. Unfortunately only a handful of studies have explored digit span in IWA. Aims: The purpose of the current study is to measure the DF and DB spans of IWA and compare their digit spans to a group with right brain damage, but no aphasia (RBD). Additionally, DF and DB span is compared within each group to determine if there is indeed a performance differential that may support the idea that DB is a more difficult WM task in these populations. Methods & Procedures: A total of 17 IWA and 14 individuals with RBD participated in a DF and DB span task. Modifications to the span tasks were implemented to accommodate language deficits. A series of two digits were orally presented to each participant continuing to a maximu...
Protective effects of isothiocyanates on blood-CSF barrier disruption induced by oxidative stress.

The choroid plexuses (CPs) form the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier (BCSFB) and play an important role in maintaining brain normal function and the brain response to injury. Many neurological disorders are associated with oxidative stress that can impact CP function. This study examined the effects of isothiocyanates, an abundant component in cruciferous vegetables, on H2O2-induced BCSFB disruption and CP cell death in vitro. It further examined the potential role of a transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), in isothiocyanate-induced protection. Sulforaphane (SF) significantly reduced H2O2-induced BCSFB disruption as assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (29 ± 7% reduction vs. 92 ± 2% decrease in controls) and [3H]mannitol permeability. Allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC) had a similar protective effect. H2O2-induced epithelial cell death was also reduced by these isothiocyanates. In primary CP cells, SF and AITC reduced cell death by 42 ± 3% and 53 ± 10%, respectively. Similar protection was found in a CP cell line Z310. Protection was only found with pretreatment for 12–48 h and not with acute exposure (1 h). The protective effects of SF and AITC were associated with Nrf2 nuclear translocation and upregulated expression of antioxidative systems regulated by Nrf2, including heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase, and cysteine/glutamate exchange transporter. Thus isothiocyanates, as diet or medicine, may be a method for protecting BCSFB in neurological disorders.
Internetworking tactical MANETs

Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (MANETS) will play a significant role in future tactical military networks. Tactical networks are required to support military operations in areas without access to a fixed network infrastructure. They are also characterized by frequent changes in network topology due to node mobility and intermittent line-of-sight (LOS) connectivity. The self-forming and self-healing nature of MANETs is therefore advantageous in a tactical military network. This is evidenced by programs such as the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) and Warrior Information Network – Tactical (WIN-T), which are developing MANET capable radios and waveforms for future military operations. Most work to date addresses the challenges of networking and scalability within a MANET. The internetworking of MANETs presents a set of challenges which to date have been largely overlooked. The general assumption is that techniques and protocols currently used to interconnect fixed networks in the Internet will work equally well for MANETs. However, protocols like Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), which is widely used to interconnect autonomous networks in the Internet, may not be well suited to address the dynamics of networking between MANETs. There are a number of approaches to managing the challenges associated with internetworking MANETs, e.g. abstracting route information between MANETs, managing and updating connection points, addressing network partitions, etc. Each of these approaches offers a different balance between limiting the exchange of routing information generated by node mobility, and maintaining up-to-date routes to all nodes. The solution space can be divided into routing techniques and mobility management techniques. This paper presents simulation studies which examine the trade-offs between scalability and reachability when interconnecting tactical MANETs.
Reply to Murrell et al.: Noise matters

The concept of statistical “equitability” plays a central role in the 2011 paper by Reshef et al. (1). Formalizing equitability first requires formalizing the notion of a “noisy functional relationship,” that is, a relationship between two real variables, X and Y, having the form Y = f ( X ) + η , Y=f(X)+η,where f is a function and η is a noise term. Whether a dependence measure satisfies equitability strongly depends on what mathematical properties the noise term η is allowed to have: the narrower one’s definition of noise, the weaker the equitability criterion becomes. Unfortunately, the allowed mathematical properties of η is an issue …
A Survey of Methods Available for the Numerical Optimization of Continuous Dynamic Systems

There has been significant progress in the development of numerical methods for the determination of optimal trajectories for continuous dynamic systems, especially in the last 20 years. In the 1980s, the principal contribution was new methods for discretizing the continuous system and converting the optimization problem into a nonlinear programming problem. This has been a successful approach that has yielded optimal trajectories for very sophisticated problems. In the last 15–20 years, researchers have applied a qualitatively different approach, using evolutionary algorithms or metaheuristics, to solve similar parameter optimization problems. Evolutionary algorithms use the principle of “survival of the fittest” applied to a population of individuals representing candidate solutions for the optimal trajectories. Metaheuristics optimize by iteratively acting to improve candidate solutions, often using stochastic methods. In this paper, the advantages and disadvantages of these recently developed methods are described and an attempt is made to answer the question of what is now the best extant numerical solution method.
The effect of generic competition on prescription to over-the-counter switching.

Objective: While it is generally accepted that the decision to switch a drug from the prescription market to the over-the-counter (OTC) market is based on an optimisation problem that firms are solving, no attempts have been made to formalise the problem. The purpose of this article is to present a model of prescription to OTC switching that helps explain the role of potential generic competition in a firm’s decision to switch. In particular, we examine what market conditions are necessary for the threat of generic competition to induce switching.
Flutter Analysis of the Thermal Protection Layer on the NASA HIAD

A combination of classical plate theory and a supersonic aerodynamic model is used to study the aeroelastic flutter behavior of a proposed thermal protection system (TPS) for the NASA HIAD. The analysis pertains to the rectangular configurations currently being tested in a NASA wind-tunnel facility, and may explain why oscillations of the articles could be observed. An analysis using a linear flat plate model indicated that flutter was possible well within the supersonic flow regime of the wind tunnel tests. A more complex nonlinear analysis of the TPS, taking into account any material curvature present due to the restraint system or substructure, indicated that significantly greater aerodynamic forcing is required for the onset of flutter. Chaotic and periodic limit cycle oscillations (LCOs) of the TPS are possible depending on how the curvature is imposed. When the pressure from the base substructure on the bottom of the TPS is used as the source of curvature, the flutter boundary increases rapidly and chaotic behavior is eliminated.
Can improvisation be ‘taught’?: A call for free improvisation in our schools:

The purpose of this article is to present the idea that the music education profession’s current drive to include improvisation in school music is limited in its approach, and that teaching improvisation, in the traditional sense, is not possible. These beliefs are based on an examination of current methodologies and texts in light of the historical evolution of both improvisation and the teaching of improvisation. The article provides an examination of Jeff Pressing’s historical conceptions of improvisation as a continuum model and then briefly looks at the short history of improvisation in American music education in the 20th century. Current methods are examined in light of free improvisation techniques. This leads to a final argument for more free improvisation in school music balanced with the current skills approach used in the USA. The conclusion of this article examines the issues and realities for current practices in music education in light of the beliefs set forth.
Subpicosecond time-resolved x-ray measurements

The emission of ultrashort thermal x-ray radiation is shown to be controlled by two factors; peak temperature and the population of `cold' electrons. Two experiments are used to illustrate these mechanisms. The first measures the time history of 50 angstroms - 130 angstroms x-rays from ultrashort pulse laser heated solid targets. This experiment is used to illustrate the effect of the peak temperature on the full width at half maximum of the emission. The second experiment measures the dependency of decay time of the 1s2(S0) - 1s2p(1P1) transition (He(alpha )) emission on target thickness. This is used to infer the effects of unheated material or `cold' electrons on the time history of the x-ray emission.
Involvement of 5-HT receptor subtypes in the discriminative stimulus properties of mescaline.

In order to further evaluate the extent to which particular 5-HT receptor subtypes (5-HT1, 5-HT2) might be involved in the behavioral effects of hallucinogenic drugs, rats were trained to discriminate mescaline (10 mg/kg i.p.) from saline and were given substitution (generalization) and combination (antagonism) tests with putatively selective serotonergic and related neuroactive compounds. The mescaline cue generalized to relatively high doses of the 5-HT2 agonists, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM), LSD and psilocybin; the extent of generalization to 5-HT1 agonists (8-hydroxy-2-[diethylamino]tetralin (8-OHDPAT), RU-24969 and 8-hydroxy-2-[di-n-propylamino]tetralin (TFMPP] was unclear. Combinations of the training drug and sufficiently high doses of 5-HT2 antagonists (ketanserin, LY-53857, pirenperone) were followed by saline-lever responding; less selective central 5-HT (metergoline), and DA (SCH-23390, haloperidol) antagonists, did not block the mescaline cue. These data suggest that 5-HT2 receptors are involved in the stimulus properties of mescaline.
Computer aided design in the food processing industry.2. Applications of process flowsheeting

Summary. Applications of the GEMS computer flowsheet simulatian program to identify and evaluate cost saving opportunities in the food processing industry are described. Examples include modificatian af existing peel-oil recavcry during orange juice processing, energy reduction and sugar control in patato blanching, and design improvements in process equipment for cross flow air tunnel dryers.
EUS-FNA with rescue fluorescence in situ hybridization for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma in patients with inconclusive on-site cytopathology results.

Background Detection of chromosomal abnormalities by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis has not been well-studied in FNA samples of pancreatic masses. Selective use of FISH in patients with inconclusive on-site cytopathology results may improve the sensitivity of EUS for malignancy. Objective To determine the sensitivity and specificity of FISH analysis in patients with inconclusive on-site cytopathology results. Design Consecutive patients with suspected pancreatic malignancy, nonrandomized cohort study. Final diagnosis was based on either surgical biopsy or disease progression on extended follow-up or death. Setting Academic center, tertiary-care referral cancer center. Patients A total of 212 EUS examinations were performed in 206 patients for solid pancreatic lesions over a 24-month period (January 2009-December 2010). FISH analysis was done for 69 patients with inconclusive or nonavailable on-site cytology results. Intervention EUS-guided FNA (EUS-FNA) of solid pancreatic masses with cytology and FISH analysis for polysomy of chromosomes 3, 7, and 17 and deletion of 9p21. Main Outcome Measurements Sensitivity/specificity of cytology, FISH, and a composite of cytology and FISH. Results Patients with positive on-site cytology (110), neuroendocrine tumors (22), insufficient follow-up (1), FISH not obtained (3), and renal cancer with pancreatic metastasis (1) were excluded. Sixty-nine patients comprised the study cohort, 54 with malignancy and 15 with benign disease. Sensitivity for malignancy of cytology, FISH analysis, and the combination were 61%, 74%, and 85%, respectively ( P = .009). FISH detected an additional 13 cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma missed by cytology. There was no false-positive FISH analysis in 15 patients with benign disease. No major complications occurred from EUS-FNA. Limitations Single center, selected patients underwent FISH analysis, limited number of patients with benign disease. Conclusion In patients with suspected pancreatic cancer, FISH analysis can detect additional cases missed by cytology without compromising specificity. FISH analysis to detect polysomy of chromosomes 3, 7, and 17 and deletion of 9p21 should be considered when cytology is negative for malignancy in patients with a known pancreatic mass.
Reading fiction to understand the Soviet Union : Soviet dissidents on Orwell's 1984

Soulignant le role de la litterature comme vehicule de la protestation sociale chez les dissidents russes heritiers de l'intelligensia communiste, l'A. etudie la fonction particuliere du roman de G. Orwell intitule «1984» dans la critique, la comprehension et la diffusion du communisme sovietique dans les annees 1960-1970, en tant qu'il s'inspire de la realite de l'Union sovietique dans les annees 1930-1940. Denoncant les deficiences tant materielles qu'intellectuelles des systemes totalitaires, Orwell defend la possibilite d'une reforme et d'une regeneration de l'Union sovietique qui peut annoncer la perestroika et le glasnost de l'epoque Gorbatchev, mais aboutit surtout a la propre ruine du pays et a son demantelement en 1991
Temperature fluctuations in the lower limbs of young and elderly individuals during activities of daily living

Abstract Age-related deficiencies in thermoregulation diminish the capacity to defend against heat loss under conditions often encountered during activities of daily living (ADL). A potential consequence of these deficiencies is that elderly individuals could have colder lower limbs, which would exacerbate the age-related decline in plantarflexor contractile properties and compromise recovery from a tripping incident. Moreover, a common self-perception among the elderly is that their limbs are cold. However, this impression has never been documented, especially under ADL conditions. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that elderly individuals have lower plantarflexor temperatures than their younger counterparts. Skin temperatures above the plantarflexors of elderly and young individuals were continuously recorded during ADL in the winter months and compared under three conditions: quiescent indoor temperature, during a cold challenge, and the recovery period subsequent to the cold challenge. For quiescent indoor periods, differences in skin temperature between the two groups were not statistically significant. During cold exposures, both age and exposure duration were statistically significant factors related to the decrease in skin temperature, with the elderly group maintaining warmer temperatures. In the recovery period following short duration cold exposures, a statistically significant difference between the two groups for the decrease in skin temperature persisted for the first 9 min of recovery. The results do not support the hypothesis that the lower limbs of elderly participants are colder. Higher limb temperatures observed in elderly participants were consistent with previous studies of age-related thermoregulatory changes, indicating that deficiencies in vasoconstriction are persistent in ADL.
Solar radiative heating in the presence of aerosols

A theoretical study is carried out to evaluate the effects of aerosols on the shortwave flux divergence in the lower troposphere (0-2 km) by using four computational methods: Gauss-Seidel iteration, a reference method by which all orders of scattering are accounted for, and three approximations, primary scattering, no-scattering and median wavelength. By using these procedures, the radiative transfer equation is solved for a cloudless plane parallel atmosphere of infinite extent in the horizontal, but of finite extent in the vertical. The Gauss-Seidel procedure is taken as a standard and comparisons of the flux divergence are made by using various combinations of solar zenith angle, aerosol size frequency distribution and aerosol refractive index. In many of the simulations the median wavelength approximation gives accuracies comparable to those of the no-scattering approximation, in which case the choice of method is based on the required computational time. However, inaccuracies appear with all the approximations and the degree of superiority of one method over another depends on the aerosol and gaseous constituents of the model atmosphere.
Yield analysis of a novel wafer manipulation method in 3D stacking

Three-dimensional IC (3D IC) exhibits various advantages over traditional two-dimensional IC, including heterogeneous integration, reduced delay and power dissipation, smaller chip area, etc. Wafer-on-wafer stacking is attractive for 3D IC fabrication, but it suffers from low compound yield of the stacked chips. To improve the compound yield, a novel manipulation of sector symmetry and cut (SSC) is proposed. In this method, wafers with rotational symmetry are cut into identical sectors, which are then used to replenish the repositories. The SSC method is combined with best-pair matching algorithm for compound yield evaluation. Simulation results show that: 1) For wafers with radially clustered defects, plain rotation of wafers offers trivial benefits in yield. 2) SSC shows significantly higher yield than that for existing methods under various conditions. The advantage becomes even more obvious with increased repository size, larger number of stacked layers, and the decreased wafer yield. 3) A cut number of 4 is always optimal in increasing the final production size of good 3D ICs.
The membrane lipids of the marine ciliated protozoan Parauronema acutum

The membrane lipid composition of the marine ciliated protozoan Parauronema acutum was characterized. Phospholipids of P. acutum comprised 75% of the total lipids and consisted of phosphatidyl ethanolamine (33%), phosphatidyl choline and its phosphono analog (24%), phosphatidyl inositol (12%), phosphatidyl serine (8%), an unidentified phosphonolipid (18%) and small amounts of sphingomyelin, phosphatidic acid and lysophospholipid. Neutral sphingolipids comprised 15% of the total ciliate lipids and consisted of two major glycosphingolipids and six minor glycosphingolipids. These contained two kinds of long chain bases, one of which was sphingosine and either glucose or galactose or mixtures of both. The fatty acids of the total lipids of P. acutum consisted primarily of palmitic acid (13%), oleic acid (6%), linoleic acid (25%), alpha-linolenic aid (12%) plus highly unsaturated fatty acids of the omega - 3 family including all-cis 6,9,12,15-octatetraenoic acid (9%), all-cis 5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid (10%) and all-cis 4,7,10,13,16,19,22-docosa-hexaenoic acid (5%). Individual lipids had their own specific fatty acid patterns.
On nonlinear oscillations for a second order delay equation

where y7(t)Y = {y(t I)>’ and q(t) is continuous and eventually nonnegative on some half-line [a, co). The constant y is the ratio of odd integers and satisfies 0 a. Briefly, a solution of equation (1) for t > b is uniquely determined by a continuous initial function y = (b(t) on an appropriate interval I C [b &I, 61 and an initial value y’(b) = B. The solution y(t) with this initial data can then be found by using the step method. We call a solution y(t) of equation (1) oscillatory if it has no last zero, i.e., if y(t,,) = 0 for some to then there is some t, > to for which y(t,) = 0. We call a solution y(t) of equation (1) nonoscillatory if it is eventually of constant sign. Equation (1) is called oscillatory if every solution is oscillatory. If T(t) 3 0 equation (1) reduces to the ordinary differential equation
A Central American Genocide: Rubber, Slavery, Nationalism, and the Destruction of the Guatusos‐Malekus

Cet article examine la rencontre entre les populations indigenes Guatuso-Maleku du Nicaragua et les esclaves collecteurs de gomme a la fin du XIX e siecle qui resulta au genocide des premiers. Ces derniers tentaient de s'approprier un nouvel espace geographique afin de repondre a la demande internationale de caoutchouc et a la demande locale d'une main d'oeuvre servile (trois siecles apres l'abolition de l'esclavage dans les colonies espagnoles et 50 ans apres l'abolition de toute forme d'esclavage dans l'Amerique Centrale independante). Le rapport de l'expedition de 1882, menee par Bernardo Augusto Thiel (ne a Costa-Rica mais d'origine allemande), sur le territoire des Guatusos dans la foret meridionale du Lac Nicaragua, offre de nombreuses donnees ethnographiques mais aussi de riches informations sur la construction d'une ideologie nationaliste costaricaine ou l'image negative de l'Autre s'est formee a partir du rejet des Nicaraguayens frontaliers. Cette etude montre finalement que les projets civilisateurs de la fin du XIX e siecle en Amerique Centrale ont beneficie de l'etroite collaboration ainsi que de l'accord ideologique entre les liberaux (pronant la construction nationaliste) et le clerge conservateur dont les expeditions evangelisatrices (et ethnographiques) jouerent un role fondamental dans le discours legitimant la formation de l'Etat.
Value and limitations of transesophageal echocardiography in evaluating prosthetic or bioprosthetic valve dysfunction.

Optimal management of patients with prosthetic heart valves requires serial assessment of valve function. The addition of Doppler and color flow techniques to conventional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) has increased our ability to evaluate prosthetic valve function. However, the sensitivity of TTE remains limited in a number of patients because of suboptimal precordial windows or because of ultrasound interference with the nonbiologic materials composing the prostheses.1–3 Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) allows excellent imaging resolution of the cardiac anatomy without interposition of thoracic structures. Recently, TEE has been shown to increase the yield of undetected prosthetic valve abnormalities by TTE.4–8 However, most of the TEE information relates to biologic prostheses in the mitral position.5–8 Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of TEE in evaluating mechanical and biologic prostheses in both aortic and mitral positions, and the impact of the TEE information on the clinical outcome.
Development of Assistive Technology Devices Using an EEG Headset

Two signal-processing algorithms have been developed to detect the head movements from a human subject. The head movement was measured by two signals from a gyroscope (representing x- and y-axis) integrated in an EEG headset (EEG neuroheadset, Emotiv Systems). These signals were acquired into a PC wirelessly to determine four possible head movements: left, right, up, and down using two different algorithms based on cross-correlation and clipping. A series of tests was conducted with two subjects to evaluate the performance of both algorithms. The results showed that the cross-correlation method detected head movements with 75% accuracy while the clipping method performed slightly better than the cross-correlation method with 81% accuracy. These algorithms will be further improved and integrated with a brain-computer interface for the purpose of assisting people with disabilities.
Literacy conversations between adults and children at child care: descriptive observations and hypotheses

Abstract This study examines the nature of literacy-related, teacher-child talk in the daily routines of child care. The researchers focused on the incidence, features, and patterns of talk on a typical morning at three child care centers. With regard to the incidence of talk, observations indicated that the adults talked about reading and writing to a modest degree, compared to the total amount of talk with children. When adults did talk about reading and writing, it typically involved few children in brief exchanges that primarily gave information about print, or that met practical needs of daily routines. The incidence of the adults' literacy talk, aside from book talk, was primarily intermittent and spontaneous. Analysis of the discourse features of the teachers' literacy talk showed a similar pattern for all three teachers, namely one of getting/giving information and checking for understanding. Overall, the patterns reflected the natural teaching tendencies of telling, asking, and checking, features...
A test of the four-factor model of impulsivity-related traits

Abstract In a recent article, Whiteside and Lynam [Person. Indiv. Diff. 30 (2001) 669] proposed a new model for understanding personality pathways to impulsive behavior. Their UPPS model maintains that there are four personality dimensions that are related differentially to impulsive behaviors: urgency, sensation seeking, (lack of) premeditation, and (lack of) perseverance. The purpose of the current study was to provide validation for this model and to test some of the specific hypotheses offered by Whiteside and Lynam. The sample used in this study consisted of 481 individuals who completed mailed surveys at age 20 and an in-depth laboratory protocol at age 21. Zero-order correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relations between the four personality traits and various forms of externalizing behaviors, several types of internalizing psychopathology, and intelligence. Results revealed that the four traits were differentially related to various behaviors and forms of psychopathology consistent with many of Whiteside and Lynam's predictions. Therefore, the UPPS model does appear to offer a novel and useful way of understanding behaviors and forms of psychopathology considered to be characterized by some form of impulsivity.