cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High performance fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry via a single trap electrode.

An open-ended cylindrical cell with a single annular trap electrode located at the center of the excitation and detection region is demonstrated for Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. A trapping well is created by applying a static potential to the trap electrode of polarity opposite the charge of the ion to be trapped, after which conventional dipolar excitation and detection are performed. The annular trap electrode is axially narrow to allow the creation of a potential well without excessively shielding excitation and detection. Trapping is limited to the region of homogeneous excitation at the cell centerline without the use of capacitive coupling. Perfluorotributylamine excitation profiles demonstrate negligible axial ejection throughout the entire excitation voltage range even at an effective centerline potential of only −0.009 V. High mass resolving power in the single-trap electrode cell is demonstrated by achievement of mass resolving power of 1.45 × 106 for benzene during an experiment in which ions created in a high pressure source cubic cell are transferred to the low pressure analyzer single-trap electrode cell for detection. Such high performance is attributed to the negligible radius dependent radial electric field for ions cooled to the center of the potential well and accelerated to less than 60% of the cell radius. An important distinction of the single-trap electrode geometry from all previous open and closed cell arrangements is exhibition of combined gated and accumulated trapping. Because there is no potential barrier, all ions penetrate into the trapping region regardless of their translational energy as in gated trapping, but additional ions may accumulate over time, as in accumulated trapping. Ions of low translational kinetic energy are demonstrated to be preferentially trapped in the single-trap electrode cell. In a further demonstration of the minimal radial electric field of the single-trap electrode cell, positive voltages can be applied to the annular trap electrode as well as the source cell trap electrode to achieve highly efficient transfer of ions between cells.
Books on the Historical Jesus as a Test Case for Selection Bias in American Academic Libraries

American libraries have on occasion been accused of censoring their own collections. While most charges are groundless, some cannot be easily dismissed. Because of recent widespread public and scholarly interest, “historical Jesus studies” was chosen as a test case for self-censorship in American academic libraries. Two groups of prominent Jesus scholars, Evangelical/ traditional and non-Evangelical/nontraditional, were polled about the best college-level books on historical Jesus studies. The results were checked against the book holdings of 100 randomly selected academic libraries using an independent t-test. The results found that the selected libraries as a whole were four times more likely to hold one or more of the non-Evangelical Jesus books than one or more of the evangelical Jesus books. Selection bias by librarians appears to be one possible explanation.
Mach cones in the quark-gluon plasma: Viscosity, speed of sound, and effects of finite source structure

I use the space-time distribution of energy and momentum deposited by a fast parton traversing a perturbative quark-gluon plasma as a source term for the linearized hydrodynamical equations of the medium. A method of solution for the medium response is presented in detail. Numerical results are given for different values of the shear viscosity to entropy density ratio, $\ensuremath{\eta}/s$, and speed of sound, ${c}_{s}$. Furthermore, I investigate the relevance of finite source structure by expanding the source term up to first order in gradients of a \ensuremath{\delta} function centered at the fast parton and comparing the resulting dynamics to that obtained with the full source. It is found that, for the source term used here, the medium response is sensitive to the finite source structure up to distances of several femtometers from the source parton.
Bounds for aggregating nodes in network problems

It is often necessary or desirable in practice to replace a large, detailed optimization model with a smaller, approximate model. It would be useful to have bounds on the error resulting from this process of aggregation. This paper develops such bounds for a class of linear minimum-cost network-flow problems, where groups of nodes in a large problem are replaced by aggregate nodes. Two types of bounds are derived: A priori bounds are available before solving the aggregated problem; a posteriori bounds, which are generally tighter, may be computed afterwards.
Transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasound for monitoring of follicular development in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program: Patient response

Patients' response to daily ultrasound scanning by either a transvaginal or a transabdominal method for the purpose of monitoring the ovarian response to gonadotropin therapy in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program has been evaluated. A questionnaire was used to determine various aspects of these two procedures, sources of discontent, and the patients' preference. The vast majority of patients reported less discomfort and generally preferred the transvaginal over the transabdominal scanning method. The transvaginal method is easy to perform, affords excellent visualization of the pelvic organs, and in addition, is clearly preferred by patients over the transabdominal technique. We recommend its use in patients monitored for IVF-ET and for a variety of other clinical conditions requiring detailed evaluation of the pelvic organs.
Ribosomal protein - nucleic acid interactions. I. Isolation of a polypeptide fragment from 30S protein S8 which binds to 16S rRNA

Abstract Within the bacterial ribosome a large number of specific protein and rRNA interactions appear to be required for assembly of the particle and its subsequent function in protein synthesis. In this communication it is shown that it is possible to isolate cyanogen bromide digestion products from ribosomal 30S protein S8 which will interact stoichiometrically with 16S rRNA. In addition to this a small binding polypeptide was generated from S8-16S rRNA complexes which were treated with proteinase K. The digestion of the complex yields a "protected" fragment of protein S8 which binds to 16S-rRNA. The isolated fragment will reassociate with 16S rRNA. It is not displaced by other 30S ribosomal proteins and blocks the binding of intact S8 to 16S rRNA. The size the possible structure of the S8 protein binding site are discussed and compared with the binding of cyanogen bromide digestion products which bind to 16S rRNA.
A cyber-physical approach to a wide-area actionable system for the power grid

Unexpected occurrences of large-area cascading failures due to small disturbances in worldwide electricity grids serve as evidence of their intrinsic instability. As the grid is the most fundamental critical infrastructure in any modern society, detection and mitigation of such cascading failures due to accidental failures or malicious attacks are of vital importance to both civilian and military applications. However, due to the unique physical properties of electricity, such as its travel speed, systems must be able to react within a fraction of second in order to detect and prevent occurrences of cascading failures. In this paper, by modeling the grid as a cyber-physical system, we propose a decentralized, hierarchical framework to develop and implement a wide-area actionable system, capable of detecting and mitigating potential cascading failures. The states of the grid and physical constraints are modeled as manifolds, and evolution of the grid becomes a path on the manifold. By decomposing the grid into resilience zones with minimal power flow between them, we utilize precomputed scenarios in each resilience zone to develop a parametrized model. During deployment, online phasor measurements will be used to estimate the stability within each zone and interactions among them. The detection of cascading failures will be based on the detection of cascading failing paths among the K hop trees built for each zone. We illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach using the 2003 Italy blackout scenarios, and we discuss practical requirements in order to deploy such a system.
Insect olfaction from model systems to disease control

Great progress has been made in the field of insect olfaction in recent years. Receptors, neurons, and circuits have been defined in considerable detail, and the mechanisms by which they detect, encode, and process sensory stimuli are being unraveled. We provide a guide to recent progress in the field, with special attention to advances made in the genetic model organism Drosophila. We highlight key questions that merit additional investigation. We then present our view of how recent advances may be applied to the control of disease-carrying insects such as mosquitoes, which transmit disease to hundreds of millions of people each year. We suggest how progress in defining the basic mechanisms of insect olfaction may lead to means of disrupting host-seeking and other olfactory behaviors, thereby reducing the transmission of deadly diseases.
Scanning electron microscopic analysis of the stapled microvascular anastomosis in the rabbit

Background. Despite the high percentages of experimental and clinical patency rates achieved using so-called mechanical anastomotic devices (Unilink; 3M, St. Paul, MN; vascular staples) they remain little known and occasionally used. Methods. The VCS Auto Suture microstapler technique for microvascular anastomosis was tested experimentally and compared with the conventional "gold standard" 10/0 end-to-end microvascular technique. Thirty carotid arteries on one side of 30 rabbits were stapled using nonpenetrating 0.9-mm (small) VCS Auto Suture microclips, and the other 30 carotid arteries on the other side were sutured in a conventional way with 10/0 monofilament nylon. A 100% patency rate was achieved on both sides. Biopsy was performed in five groups of rabbits at different time intervals postoperatively, and the specimens were examined under scanning electron microscopy. Results. All 60 anastomoses were patent. Histomorphologic examination of the anastomotic site revealed no major differences between sutured and stapled groups. Conclusions. Stapled microvascular anastomosis technique is fast and reliable.
Death Anxiety, Disclosure Behaviors, and Attitudes of Oncologists toward Terminal Care

Relationships among death anxiety, disclosure behaviors, and attitudes of oncologists toward terminal care were examined by means of a questionnaire responded to by ninety-nine members of the Oncology Society of New Jersey. Death anxiety scores were lower for oncologists than typically reported for physicians in general. Oncologists with low death anxiety scores related to dying patients more effectively than oncologists with high death anxiety scores. Short-term repeated exposure to dying patients resulted in comfort with dying patients while long-term repeated exposure resulted in discomfort. Disclosure to patients' families was clearly a more frequently reported behavior than disclosure to the patient. Oncologists who did not always disclose a terminal prognosis to the patient reported difficulty with disclosure, tried to avoid direct disclosure, and were not as comfortable with dying patients as with other patients.
Retinal Motion Tracking in Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy

We apply a novel computational technique known as the map-seeking circuit algorithm to track retinal motion from a sequence of frames of data from a scanning laser opthalmoscope.
Sedimentary Basin Analysis of Middle Ordovician Limestones in Central Appalachians: ABSTRACT

Seven of 28 wells penetrating the Trenton Limestone in West Virginia have reported shows of natural gas, enough to continue industry's interest in this potential reservoir. The formation consists of thin limestones interbedded with shales and bentonites. Sediments were deposited on a ramp that sloped eastward from a shallow platform in northwest Ohio into the foreland basin of Virginia, and the unit forms a wedge-shaped mass that thickens into the basin. Limestones of the upper ramp were deposited on sand shoals (skeletal grainstones) and restricted flats (lime mudstones), which passed downslope into skeletal patches of a deep, muddy environment (packstones and wackestones). Rapid downwarping of the carbonate ramp produced a major transgression, and deeper limestone facie migrated westward during time. Bentonites spread across the region from distant volcanic islands. In West Virginia, a lower bentonite package is present in the Black River Limestone to the southwest, whereas an upper package occurs in the Trenton to the east and north. This distribution End_Page 1444------------------------------ indicates that the site of volcanic activity shifted during time. A growing orogenic source area shed terrigenous sediment into the basin and onto the Trenton ramp. Initially, these muddy influxes came from the north and from the south, but terrigenous mud eventually swamped the entire ramp and carbonate sedimentation then came to an end. Trenton Limestones have only minor intergranular porosity because of abundant mud matrix and cementation. The only significant contribution to porosity is in fractures. Thus, wells with Trenton shows are characterized by high initial potential that decreases rapidly. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1445------------
Educational research: The source of better schools

Mr. Stiles, dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin, cites ongoing studies that demonstrate the value of research in education. He then outlines the basic requirements for strengthening research.
Assessment of minimum sample sizes required to adequately represent diversity reveals inadequacies in datasets of domestic dog mitochondrial DNA.

Background and aims: Evolutionary and forensic studies commonly choose the mitochondrial control region as the locus for which to evaluate the domestic dog. However, the number of dogs that need to be sampled in order to represent the control region variation present in the worldwide population is yet to be determined.Materials and methods: Following the methods of Pereira et al. (2004), we have demonstrated the importance of surveying the complete control region rather than only the popular left domain. We have also evaluated sample saturation in terms of the haplotype number and the number of polymorphisms within the control region.Results: Of the most commonly cited evolutionary research, only a single study has adequately surveyed the domestic dog population, while all forensic studies have failed to meet the minimum values.Conclusion: We recommend that future studies consider dataset size when designing experiments and ideally sample both domains of the control region in an appropriate number of dome...
Perimesencephalic Nonaneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE : A critical review of the literature on the incidence, presentation, diagnosis, and prognosis of perimesencephalic nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS : Review of the relevant literature. CONCLUSION : The importance of early computed tomography (<3 d), anatomy of the perimesencephalic and neighboring cisterns, and adequate four-vessel angiography are discussed. Treatment strategies, including the avoidance of repeated angiographic studies and surgical exploration, are presented.
Use of lagrangian methods to describe drop deposition and distribution in horizontal gas-liquid annular flows

Abstract Drop distribution and deposition in horizontal gas—liquid annular flow is described by a diffusion model, which views the concentration field as the result of dispersion from a distribution of sources. Drops originating from a wall source are considered to diffuse in a field of homogeneous turbulence, while simultaneously being swept downward by the gravitational field. Deposition is assumed to be controlled by two mechanisms operating in parallel, and boundary conditions are derived which correctly satisfy conservation of mass. This analysis for an instantaneous source is shown to be equivalent to considering diffusion in a coordinate system moving with the settling velocity of the particles. The results are found to be useful for understanding droplet distribution and deposition.
Aggregation and inhibition of rat platelets, and the formation of endoperoxide metabolites.

Abstract In citrated rat platelets, arachidonic acid (AA) at 1 mM could not induce aggregation unlike human or rabbit platelets. However, preincubation of platelet rich plasma (PRP) prepared in sodium citrate with AA (1 mM) enhanced the aggregation induced by collagen suspension or adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and this enhancement was abolished by the preincubation of PRP with indomethacin. Arachidonic acid at a higher concentration (6 mM) induced aggregation; but it was not attenuated by preincubation of indomethacin indicating that this aggregation may not be augmented by prostaglandins (PGs) or their intermediates. The major product of endoperoxide metabolites formed during collagen-induced aggregation was thromboxane A2 (TXA2) as measured in terms of TXB2, the stable metabolite. Preincubation of citrated PRP with imidazole neither abolished the enhancement of ADP-induced or collagen-induced aggregation by AA (lmM), nor attenuated the aggregation induced by ADP or collagen alone; but imidazole inhibited the synthesis of TXB2 by more than 90%. In heparinized platelets, arachidonic acid at 0.25 mM induced the aggregation, and this was inhibited by preincubation of the PRP with indomethacin. Heparinized PRP was much more sensitive to aggregating agents than citrated PRP. This implied that aggregation of rat platelets is more dependent on calcium than human or rabbit platelets. Preincubation of heparinized PRP with imidazole inhibited AA-induced aggregation, and the inhibition was abolished by the preincubation of vitamin E. This result implied that inhibition of AA-induced aggregation by imidazole is due to products of platelet lipoxygenase rather than due to the inhibition of TXA2 synthesis.
Phosphorylation of Serine 337 of NF-κB p50 Is Critical for DNA Binding

It has been demonstrated that phosphorylation of the p50 subunit of NF-kappaB is required for efficient DNA binding, yet the specific phospho-residues of p50 have not been determined. In this study, we substituted all of the serine and conserved threonine residues in the p50 Rel homology domain and identified three serine residues, Ser65, Ser337, and Ser342, as critical for DNA binding without affecting dimerization. Although substitution with negatively charged aspartic acid at each of these positions failed to restore DNA binding, substitution with threonine, a potential phospho-acceptor, retained DNA binding for residues 65 and 337. In particular, Ser337, in a consensus site for protein kinase A (PKA) and other kinases, was shown to be phosphorylated both in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, phosphorylation of Ser337 by PKA in vitro dramatically increased DNA binding of p50. This study shows for the first time that the DNA binding ability of NF-kappaB p50 subunit is regulated through phosphorylation of residue Ser337, which has implications for both positive and negative control of NF-kappaB transcription.
A Critique of Critical Discourse Analysis: Deconstructing and Reconstructing the Role of Intention

Current approaches to critical discourse analysis either presume that persons are active agents, intentionally and strategically resisting oppression and domination or that persons are objects, inscribed in the reproduction and reconstitution of speech conventions. These dichotomies (intention/convention and resistance/reproduction) inhibit the description of the discursive processes through which persons participate actively in the transformation of dominant ideologies. This article attempts to dissolve these dichotomies by deconstructing the role of intentionality in critical discourse analysis and redefining intentions as social constructions in discourse, rather than deep structures manifest in speech action. Using Anscombe (1960), I define intention as a language game central to the political management of positions in discourse; from this perspective, intentions, as discursive artifacts, are empirically available and methodologically pertinent to the analysis of power in communicative practices.
Hospital length of stay--does 1% TBSA really equal 1 day?

Length of stay (LOS) continues to be a standard variable when evaluating progress and outcomes in burn care. Common wisdom would dictate that this measure is linearly related to TBSA. Is this truly the case? A retrospective review of the National Burn Repository was conducted to evaluate factors that affect hospital LOS. The National Burn Repository data set was obtained from the American Burn Association. Data from the years 2002-2007 were extracted. Unique patients were identified by removing readmissions, outpatients, and patients not admitted. Patients whose "HOSPLOS" and/or "AREATOT" field was blank or 0 were excluded, as were nonthermally injured patients. Patients without an entry for age and dead patients were also excluded. This left a final data set of 52,712 patients for analysis. The data were then analyzed, with %TBSA burned as the independent variable. In patients who survived their entire LOS, the mean LOS increased linearly by decile. Females with a TBSA 60% and age older than 70 years. Anticipating hospital LOS is not a simple task. Using complex statistical analysis, a linear trend associated with %TBSA can be seen; however, other variables do contribute. Until the precise role of these variables can be elucidated, anticipating patient LOS to be 1 day for every %TBSA is still a useful exercise.
Evolution of the mandibular symphysis in Notharctinae (Adapidae, Primates)

The Eocene Notharctinae provide a record of increasing fusion of the mandibular symphysis. The two sympatric genera,Notharctus andSmilodectes, differed through time in two respects.Notharctus increased in body size and evolved a partially fused mandibular symphysis.Smilodectes changed little in body size and retained an unfused symphysis. Similarities in molar morphology between these two genera and extant leaf-eating mammals suggest thatNotharctus andSmilodectes were specialized for folivory, a dietary regime correlated with partial symphyseal fusion in many extant mammals. It is concluded that the presence and the extant of symphyseal fusion is a function of body size, diet, and jaw mechanics, complicated by lineagespecific factors that vary among higher mammalian taxa.
A sol–gel based fiber optic sensor for local blood pH measurements

Abstract This paper describes a fiber optic pH sensor based upon sol–gel encapsulation of a self-referencing dye, seminaphthorhodamine-1 carboxylate (SNARF-1C). The simple sol–gel fabrication procedure is ideal for encapsulation and immobilization of dye molecules onto the end of an optical fiber. A miniature bench-top fluorimeter system was developed for use with the optical fiber to obtain pH measurements. Linear and reproducible responses were obtained in human blood in the pH range 6.8–8.0, which encompasses the clinically-relevant range. The sensor was also shown to have low coating leachability. This sensor will be used as part of an array of sensors being developed to monitor stroke patients.
The Fiber Optic Gyroscope: Past and Present

This tutorial will review the principles, performance, and limitations of conventional fiber optic gyroscopes utilizing broadband light, and the promising advances made recently in fiber optic gyroscopes interrogated with a laser.
A technique for the simultaneous measurement of nasal and oral respiration

Abstract A technique is developed which for the first time enables the direct and simultaneous measurement of inspired and expired air, both orally and nasally. The apparatus for such measurement consists of a Plexiglas chamber in which the subject's head is enclosed. Attached is a series of valves, flowmeters, differential air pressure transducers, and a physiograph for the recording of respiratory activity. The apparatus used in data collection is described. The reliability of the instrument is established. The analysis of the physiographic record is explained and illustrated by data from six trials. The use of this technique to describe respiratory mode is discussed, together with indications for its future use in orthodontics and other research areas.
Analysis of the Gs/Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Pathway in Mutant S49 Cells

Heterotrimeric G protein-coupled receptors can activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade. Recent studies using pharmacological inhibitors or dominant-negative mutants of signaling molecules have advanced our understanding of the pathways from G protein-coupled receptors to MAPK. However, molecular genetic analysis of these pathways is inadequate in mammalian cells. Here, using the well characterized Gsα- and protein kinase A-deficient S49 mouse lymphoma cells, we provide the molecular genetic evidence that Gsα is responsible for transducing the β-adrenergic receptor signal to MAPK in a protein kinase A-dependent pathway involving Rap1 and Raf (but not Ras) molecules.
The equation of state of dense matter

Abstract Theories of dense matter are discussed. It is pointed out that there is considerable confluence between the best nonrelativistic and relativistic calculations. In particular, the behavior of the effective mass m∗ with density is very similar. This behavior is essential for the equation of state; the main density dependence seems to be determined by that of m∗. Momentum dependence of the effective interaction is discussed in connection with the relativistic heavy ion experiments, which involve high nucleon momenta. Consistency with the later transition to the quark/gluon phase is discussed, especially the restrictions which this places on the behavior of the mass of the scalar σ-particle with density. Kaon condensation is also considered. General consistency of nonrelativistic and relativistic calculations is found. It is pointed out that inclusion of effects which make the σ-mass decrease with density will soften the equation of state. In this article we will often talk about “cold” and “hot” equations of state. By “cold” equation of state we mean the EOS for the static system. By “hot” equation of state we will mean the behavior of the system formed in the collision of heavy ions with large relative momenta. We hope that these matters — which form the main part of this article — will be made clear in the development.
Perioperative management of the pediatric transplant patient.

With advances in surgical techniques, an increasing number of children are becoming transplant candidates. Pediatric critical care physicians may need to manage both transplant donors and recipients in the pediatric intensive care unit. Care of such patients needs to be performed aggressively with complete attention to details in order to obtain successful transplant outcomes. The postoperative management of the transplant recipient includes the basic intensive care monitoring and management of postoperative patients who are critically ill. Besides this, there are some unique features among these patients which may complicate the postoperative stay in the pediatric intensive care unit and these are discussed here. It is important to remember that the successful management of a transplant patient includes the pediatric critical care physician’s abilities of not only taking care of acute issues but also of coordinating care between subspecialists. The pediatric critical care physician must always continue to provide support to families of these transplant patients during their intensive care unit stay.
Spirodihydantoin is a minor product of 5-hydroxyisourate in urate oxidation.

Spirodihydantoin is a minor product from oxidation of uric acid (∼0.15% yield), while spiroiminodihydantoin is a major product from oxidation of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (37% yield, pH 10.2). High pH and temperature favor the formation of both spiro compounds. 18O labeling experiments and in situ generation and decomposition of 5-hydroxy-N7-methylisouric acid indicate that spirodihydantoin and allantoin and spiroiminodihydantoin and guanidinohydantoin are products of 5-hydroxyisourate and 5-hydroxy-8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine intermediates, respectively.
Erratum to: Rotator Cuff Tear and Glenohumeral Instability: A Systematic Review

The online version of the original article can be found under doi:10.1007/s11999-013-3290-2.
Assessment of immune response during chrysotherapy. Comparison of gold sodium thiomalate vs. auranofin.

Auranofin (AF) differs significantly from gold sodium thiomalate (GST) in formulation, i.e., aurous gold is stabilized by dual sulfur and phosphorus ligands, has hydrophobic rather than hydrophilic characteristics, and lacks ionic charge. These attributes facilitate: oral absorption of AF, plasma membrane penetration, increase in intracellular lymphocyte gold concentration and perhaps thereby influence lymphocyte function. AF therapy was observed to affect primarily T rather than B lymphocyte function in 16 RA subjects receiving 6 mg of AF per day for an average of 45 weeks (range 20-74 weeks) compared with GST-treated RA subjects. Lymphocytes from AF-treated subjects manifested prompt and sharp declines in mitogen-induced lymphoproliferative response (LPR); suppressed response to skin testing with dinitrochloro-benzene (DNCB); and blebbing of lymphocyte membranes as shown by scanning electron microscopy. Suppression of LPR with AF was approximately 60% after the first week and 80% after 20 weeks of thera...
Exposure to physical violence during childhood, aging, and health.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to estimate the relationship between expo- sure to physical violence administered by one's parents and adult health. In the pro- cess, the authors also examine factors that mediate and moderate this association. Methods: Hypothesized relationships were tested using ordinary least squares regression analyses with data collected from a nationwide sample of adults aged 25 to 74 in 1995. Results: The data suggest that exposure to childhood physical violence is associated with diminished mental and physical health in adulthood. These associa- tions do not vary by respondent's age. Furthermore, the long-term effects of child- hood physical violence are largely mediated by psychosocial resources. Discussion: These results support the idea that the effects of childhood trauma may persist into later life. Therefore, in studying the antecedents of current health problems among adults, it may be necessary to consider the influence of events that have occurred throughout the entire life course. Within the study of psychosocial stress, the examination of traumatic events and their consequences is undergoing a period of remarkable growth (Wheaton, 1999). Despite this increased effort, however, the long-term health effects of traumatic events remain unclear. The
Automatic interpretation of echocardiograms-a computer vision approach

Cardiac function is often evaluated quantitatively using two-dimensional echocardiography to analyze shape attributes, such as the heart wall thickness or the shape change of the heart wall boundaries. A review of previous work in detecting the heart wall boundaries is presented, along with how this problem can be viewed from a computer vision perspective. The principles of echo image sequence analysis and high-level analysis are described. It is suggested that one promising approach is to use multiple-resolution processing by using a large window smoothed image for the initial detection of major edge segments, followed by smaller and smaller windows until a complete boundary is found. >
Visual determination of sex of diamondback moth larvae

The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), is a major worldwide pest of cruciferous vegetables (Talekar and Shelton 1993). Male and female adults of this species can be accurately identified by visible differences in their external genitalia. According to Robertson (1939), the sex of pupae can also be identified, but, in our experience, this approach is more difficult. For some types of research, determination of larval sex would be useful. For example, one could determine sex-specific responses of larvae to a treatment by observing mortality, development rate, or behavior of male and female larvae separately. In studies requiring hybrid mating between different strains of diamondback moth (Tabashnik et al. 1992), one could isolate groups of male larvae separately from female larvae to avoid mating within a strain. Some lepidopteran larvae can be sexed by the gonads being visible through the cuticle of the fifth abdominal segment or by the position of external pits marking the location of the genital discs in the eighth and ninth abdominal segments (Stehr 1987). But, because of their small size, it is not practical to sex diamondback moth larvae by external pits and we have found no studies in which male and female larvae were identified by gonadal form. Herein we report that third- and fourth-instar larvae of diamondback moth can be sexed efficiently and reliably.
Family History of Cancer and Colon Cancer Risk: the Utah Population Database

BACKGROUND Family history of colon cancer has been shown to be related to the risk of developing colon cancer. The impact that a comprehensive family history of colon or other cancers has on the risk of colon cancer has not been thoroughly studied. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of developing colon cancer associated with having a family history of colon, rectal, breast, ovarian, endometrial, or prostate cancer. METHODS A case-control study was conducted using data from the Utah Population Database. Case patients had first primary colon cancers (n = 2543). Three control subjects per case were individually matched to case patients on year of birth, place of birth, marital status, and sex. RESULTS Those case patients with the highest familial standardized incidence ratio were at an increased risk of developing colon cancer (for men, odds ratio [OR] = 2.51 and 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.88-3.29; for women, OR = 2.90 and 95% CI = 2.17-3.82). A second- or third-degree relative with colon cancer increased risk from 25% to 52%. Risk associated with family history was greater in those patients diagnosed before age 50 (for men, OR = 3.61 and for women, OR = 7.18) than in those diagnosed at 50 or more years of age (for men, OR = 2.44 and for women, OR = 2.73). The risk associated with a family history of colon cancer was greatest for the distal segment of the colon. Women were at an increased risk of colon cancer if they had a first-degree relative with breast (OR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.25-2.03), uterine (OR = 1.50; 95% CI = 0.99-2.26), ovarian (OR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.41-1.89), or prostate (OR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.21-1.82) cancer; men were at increased risk of colon cancer if they had a first-degree relative with breast (OR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.02-1.66), uterine (OR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.34-2.87), or ovarian (OR = 1.59; 95% CI = 0.90-2.81) cancer. CONCLUSIONS These findings support previous observations that people with a family history of colon cancer are at increased risk of colon cancer. Those with a second- or third-degree relative with colon cancer or a first-degree relative with breast, ovarian, uterine, or prostate cancer also have an increased risk of developing colon cancer. IMPLICATIONS These data support the recommendations that individuals who have a first-degree, and possibly a second- or third-degree, relative with colon cancer should have regular screening for colon cancer.
Re-thinking the cultural codes of new media: The question concerning ontology

The digital world need not solely be conceived in Western, elite terms, but instead can and should be re-envisioned as a space that empowers the values, priorities, and ontologies held by global users from the ‘margins’, within the developing world. This paper asks us to re-consider the ontologies of the digital world in light of the cultural beliefs, languages, and value systems of emerging web users. I argue that as we design new media technologies and develop projects we must think about local ontologies and practices rather than singular Western-created representations of knowledge. I present several examples that think past rigid, hierarchical classifications, opening up the codes of new media to better listen to diverse community and cultural voices.
A link-node complementarity model and solution algorithm for dynamic user equilibria with exact flow propagations

In this paper, we propose a link-node complementarity model for the basic deterministic dynamic user equilibrium (DUE) problem with single-user-class and fixed demands. The model complements link-path formulations that have been widely studied for dynamic user equilibria. Under various dynamic network constraints, especially the exact flow propagation constraints, we show that the continuous-time dynamic user equilibrium problem can be formulated as an infinite dimensional mixed complementarity model. The continuous-time model can be further discretized as a finite dimensional non-linear complementarity problem (NCP). The proposed discrete-time model captures the exact flow propagation constraints that were usually approximated in previous studies. By associating link inflow at the beginning of a time interval to travel times at the end of the interval, the resulting discrete-time model is predictive rather than reactive. The solution existence and compactness condition for the proposed model is established under mild assumptions. The model is solved by an iterative algorithm with a relaxed NCP solved at each iteration. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the proposed model and solution approach. We particularly show why predictive DUE is preferable to reactive DUE from an algorithmic perspective.
A measurement-driven anti-jamming system for 802.11 networks

Dense, unmanaged IEEE 802.11 deployments tempt saboteurs into launching jamming attacks by injecting malicious interference. Nowadays, jammers can be portable devices that transmit intermittently at low power in order to conserve energy. In this paper, we first conduct extensive experiments on an indoor 802.11 network to assess the ability of two physical-layer functions, rate adaptation and power control, in mitigating jamming. In the presence of a jammer, we find that: 1) the use of popular rate adaptation algorithms can significantly degrade network performance; and 2) appropriate tuning of the carrier sensing threshold allows a transmitter to send packets even when being jammed and enables a receiver to capture the desired signal. Based on our findings, we build ARES, an Anti-jamming REinforcement System, which tunes the parameters of rate adaptation and power control to improve the performance in the presence of jammers. ARES ensures that operations under benign conditions are unaffected. To demonstrate the effectiveness and generality of ARES, we evaluate it in three wireless test-beds: 1) an 802.11n WLAN with MIMO nodes; 2) an 802.11a/g mesh network with mobile jammers; and 3) an 802.11a WLAN with TCP traffic. We observe that ARES improves the network throughput across all test-beds by up to 150%.
Virtual leaders, artificial potentials and coordinated control of groups

We present a framework for coordinated and distributed control of multiple autonomous vehicles using artificial potentials and virtual leaders. Artificial potentials define interaction control forces between neighboring vehicles and are designed to enforce a desired inter-vehicle spacing. A virtual leader is a moving reference point that influences vehicles in its neighborhood by means of additional artificial potentials. Virtual leaders can be used to manipulate group geometry and direct the motion of the group. The approach provides a construction for a Lyapunov function to prove closed-loop stability using the system kinetic energy and the artificial potential energy. Dissipative control terms are included to achieve asymptotic stability. The framework allows for a homogeneous group with no ordering of vehicles; this adds robustness of the group to a single vehicle failure.
Effects of hearing protectors on auditory localization in azimuth and elevation.

This paper describes an experiment conducted to determine the effects of 2 types of hearing protectors on auditory localization performance. Six listeners localized a 750-ms broadband noise from loudspeakers ranging in azimuth from -180 deg. to +180 deg. and in elevation from -75 deg. to +90 deg. Independent variables included the type of hearing protector and the elevation of the source. Dependent measures included azimuth error, elevation error, and the percentage of trials resulting in a front-back confusion. Performance on each of the dependent measures was found to be mediated by 1 or more of the independent variables.
Complicated Grief in Survivors of Suicide.

Complicated grief is a newly defined and distinctive psychiatric disorder that occurs in response to a significant loss through death. New findings suggest that survivors who were close to the deceased are at heightened risk for complicated grief. Little is known about whether close kinship (spouses, parents, children, siblings, vs. in-laws, aunts/uncles, nieces/nephews, friends, or coworkers) to a suicide victim also represents a heightened risk for complicated grief. Assessing for complicated grief is important, especially with survivors of suicide, because of the potential for associated health risks. This report contains preliminary data from an exploratory, descriptive pilot study examining complicated grief in adult survivors of suicide. Sixty bereaved subjects, within one month after the suicide of a family member or significant other, were assessed for complicated grief symptoms. Statistically significant differences, as measured with the Inventory of Complicated Grief, were noted between closely related and distantly related survivors of the suicide victim. These preliminary results indicate that health care professional's assessments and interventions for complicated grief should take into consideration the bereaved's familial and/or social relationship to the deceased. The closely related survivors of suicide had higher levels of complicated grief and could be at risk of developing physical and/or mental health problems, including suicidal ideation, in the future.
Soil aggregates control N cycling efficiency in long-term conventional and alternative cropping systems

This paper presents novel data illustrating how soil aggregates control nitrogen (N) dynamics within conventional and alternative Mediterranean cropping systems. An experiment with 15N-labeled cover crop residue and synthetic fertilizer was conducted in long-term (11 years) maize–tomato rotations: conventional (synthetic N only), low-input (reduced synthetic and cover crop-N), and organic (composted manure- and cover crop-N). Soil and nitrous oxide (N2O) samples were collected throughout the maize growing season. Soil samples were separated into three aggregate size classes. We observed a trend of shorter mean residence times in the silt-and-clay fraction than macro- (>250 μm) and microaggregate fractions (53–250 μm). The majority of synthetic fertilizer-derived 15N in the conventional system was associated with the silt-and-clay fraction (<53 μm), which showed shorter mean residence times (2.6 months) than cover crop-derived 15N in the silt-and-clay fractions in the low-input (14.5 months) and organic systems (18.3 months). This, combined with greater N2O fluxes and low fertilizer-N recoveries in both the soil and the crop, suggest that rapid aggregate-N turnover induced greater N losses and reduced the retention of synthetic fertilizer-N in the conventional system. The organic system, which received 11 years of organic amendments, sequestered soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil N, whereas the conventional and low-input systems merely maintained SOC and soil N levels. Nevertheless, the low-input system showed the highest yield per unit of N applied. Our data suggests that the alternating application of cover crop-N and synthetic fertilizer-N in the low-input system accelerates aggregate-N turnover in comparison to the organic system, thereby, leading to tradeoffs among N loss, benefits of organic amendments to SOC and soil N sequestration, and N availability for plant uptake.
Characteristics of Oxide Layer Grown on Gallium Arsenide Using 2.8-eV Translational Energy Atomic Oxygen

Thick (>200 {angstrom}), uniform, oxide layers have been produced on GaAs (110) and (100) by reacting the substrate (T{sub s}<160{degree}C) with high translational energy (1--3 eV) neutral atomic oxygen at flux levels of {approx}100 monolayers per second. The Ga and As species are formed in their highest oxidation states respectively which implies formation of either Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} and As{sub 2}O{sub 5} or GaAsO{sub 4}. Raman spectroscopy indicates that there is no metallic (amorphous or crystalline). As in the oxide or at the interface between the oxide and substrate and that there is no appreciable oxidation induced disorder of the substrate as is seen in high temperature thermal oxidation processes. 16 refs., 4 figs.
Faster Web page allocation with neural networks

To maintain quality of service, some heavily trafficked Web sites use multiple servers, which share information through a shared file system or data space. The Andrews file system (AFS) and distributed file system (DFS), for example, can facilitate this sharing. In other sites, each server might have its own independent file system. Although scheduling algorithms for traditional distributed systems do not address the special needs of Web server clusters well, a significant evolution in the computational approach to artificial intelligence and cognitive engineering shows promise for Web request scheduling. Not only is this transformation - from discrete symbolic reasoning to massively parallel and connectionist neural modeling - of compelling scientific interest, but also of considerable practical value. Our novel application of connectionist neural modeling to map Web page requests to Web server caches maximizes hit ratio while load balancing among caches. In particular, we have developed a new learning algorithm for fast Web page allocation on a server using the self-organizing properties of the neural network (NN).