cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship web: realizing the Memex vision with the help of semantic web

Relationship Web takes us from "which document" could have information I need to "what's in the resources" that gives me the insight and knowledge I need for decision making. Dr. Vannevar Bush outlined his vision for Memex in a 1945 Atlantic Monthly article [1]. Describing how the human brain navigates an information space in what he called trailblazing, Dr. Bush said, "It operates by association. With one item in its grasp, it snaps instantly to the next that is suggested by the association of thoughts, in accordance with some intricate web of trails carried by the cells of the brain." Now that we can label content to associate semantics (meaning) to data and build information processing in which relationships rather than keywords and entities play the central role, the possibility of realizing the Memex vision seems tantalizingly close. Although through much of the recent past attention has been on search, finding a document is seldom the end goal of a human activity. Aligned with the Memex vision, human need for information is related to a desire and need for information processing that goes well beyond delivering a list of documents that matches the keywords or even the implied intent. Human information seeking is likely to be driven by more demanding activities such as interaction and entertainment, finding associations and answers, performing analysis, gaining insights, or making decisions. The Memex vision provides an interesting paradigm for supporting these objectives. Changing the computing paradigm to one that focuses on relationships is the key to realizing the Memex vision. We term our realization of Memex Relationship Web. In past work we observed the changing focus from documents to entities to relationships. We also investigated a broad variety of issues related to modeling, validating, discovering, and exploiting the many types of relationships between entities in content [2]. The first result of these efforts was the concept of Metadata Reference Links (MREFs), which proposed associating semantic metadata with hypertext links [3]. MREF faced several limitations, but recent significant advances resulting from research, standards, and technology development associated with Semantic Web provide building blocks for realizing the Relationship Web. We outline below some recent relationship-centric research to which we have had the opportunity to contribute, at the same time acknowledging extensive work in each area by many researchers and practitioners.
Prenatal ultrasonographic fetal rib length measurement: correlation with gestational age.

The availability of normal data on fetal rib bone length would be of value in a variety of circumstances under which ultrasound examinations are performed. Fetal rib length measurements were obtained in 257 singleton fetuses in a prospective cross-sectional study. The study population consisted of pregnancies between 14 and 40 weeks with no evidence of growth disturbances, or structural or karyotypic abnormalities. Fetal rib length, as a function of gestational age, was expressed by the regression equation: RL = −0.5834 + 0.2030 (GA), where RL is the rib length in centimeters and GA the gestational age in weeks. The correlation was R = 0.94 (p < 0.0001). The normal limits of fetal rib length are defined, and a high correlation between fetal rib length, gestational age, and other standard determinants of fetal growth is demonstrated. Our results indicate that fetal rib length can be a useful adjunct in determining normal fetal growth and in the management of the pregnancy with fetal skeletal dysplasia. Copyright © 1996 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Nondestructive sensing of magnetic cores

A nondestructive method for sensing the information state of magnetic-memory cores is under development. This new method involves the use of a quadrature magnetic field which, when pulsed, produces an output voltage. The polarity of the output voltage contains the information: a positive output pulse represents a one, and a negative pulse a zero. Reading in this manner can be repeated indefinitely without destroying the information held by the core. The method has proven to be exceedingly fast, giving output pulses of 0.2 microsecond in duration, and because of the rapid flux change when sensing, the output voltage has been observed in excess of 1 volt per turn.
Relative kinetic ordering of [1,3]-hydrogen migration, anionic oxy-cope rearrangement, and base-accelerated dehydration in tertiary cyclononatrienyl alkoxides

Abstract The reactivity exhibited by 1-methyl- and 1-ethyl- cis 3 -2,4,7-cyclononatrienol toward KH under various conditions has been examined.
Ketotic hypoglycemia in a Russell dwarf.

A Russell dwarf with hypoglycemic seizures is presented. He was found to have ketogenic hypoglycemia. Fasting levels of growth hormone in plasma and the increase following insulin hypoglycemia were normal.
The serial position curve in immediate serial recall

Two different kinds of serial position curves are produced by immediate serial recall of supraspan lists. One is the regular bow-shaped curve, generally regarded as the standard shape. The other is a curve in which recall decreases from the first to about the third serial position, levels off at the fourth position, and then decreases more sharply at the fifth serial position. In many studies, this marked pattern suggests a discontinuity in the serial position curve. This article reviews studies producing each kind of curve, presents some analyses suggesting that a chunking process is involved in the production of the second kind of curve, and discusses the significance of the problem for studies of serial recall and order information.
β-Arrestins Regulate Protease-activated Receptor-1 Desensitization but Not Internalization or Down-regulation

The widely expressed β-arrestin isoforms 1 and 2 bind phosphorylated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and mediate desensitization and internalization. Phosphorylation of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR1), a GPCR for thrombin, is important for desensitization and internalization, however, the role of β-arrestins in signaling and trafficking of PAR1 remains unknown. To assess β-arrestin function we examined signaling and trafficking of PAR1 in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from β-arrestin (βarr) knockouts. Desensitization of PAR1 signaling was markedly impaired in MEFs lacking both βarr1 and βarr2 isoforms compared with wild-type cells. Strikingly, in cells lacking only βarr1 PAR1 desensitization was also significantly impaired compared with βarr2-lacking or wild-type cells. In wild-type MEFs, activated PAR1 was internalized through a dynamin- and clathrin-dependent pathway and degraded. Surprisingly, in cells lacking both βarr1 and βarr2 activated PAR1 was similarly internalized through a dynamin- and clathrin-dependent pathway and degraded, whereas the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) failed to internalize. A PAR1 cytoplasmic tail mutant defective in agonist-induced phosphorylation failed to internalize in both wild-type and β-arrestin knockout cells. Thus, PAR1 appears to utilize a distinct phosphorylation-dependent but β-arrestin-independent pathway for internalization through clathrin-coated pits. Together, these findings strongly suggest that the individual β-arrestin isoforms can differentially regulate GPCR desensitization and further reveal a novel mechanism by which GPCRs can internalize through a dynamin- and clathrin-dependent pathway that is independent of arrestins.
Interaction and Functionality of Mixed Myofibrillar and Enzyme-hydrolyzed Soy Proteins

Native and briefly heated (85 °C for 3 min) soy protein isolates (SPI) were partially hydrolyzed (4% DH) by Alcalase® and Flavourzyme™ before incorporation into a pork myofibril isolate (MPI) system. The hydrolysis of soy protein enhanced its interaction with MPI, leading to a decreased thermal stability of both soy and muscle proteins. Alcalase SPI hydrolysates, when compared with nonhydrolyzed SPI, improved viscoelastic properties and hardness of MPI gels, while Flavourzyme SPI hydrolysates had an adverse effect. Hydrolyzed SPI augmented emulsifying properties of MPI; the specific efficacy depended upon the type of enzymes used, the SPI:MPI ratio, and whether SPI was heated before hydrolysis.
Effects of intraventricular infusions of ACTH1-24 and ACTH4-10 on LH release, ovulation and behavior in the rabbit.

Abstract Earlier reports have described a stretching and yawning syndrome (SYS) and sexual exciement in male rabbits following injections of peptides possessing ACTH or intermedin (MSH) activity into the cerebrospinal fluid. The present study reports the effects of intraventricular (lateral and third ventricles) infusions of ACTH1–24, ACTH4–10 and LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) on behavior, LH release (by radioimmunoassay) and ovulation in the estrogen-primed female rabbit. In addition, EEG and multiple unit activity (MUA) recordings were made in various areas of the brain in 6 animals. In the first study, in which only limited behavioral observations were made due to the electrical recording procedures, ACTH1–24 was given 1 h after a control injection of saline, a sequence followed by ovulation in 5 of 6 rabbits. Under a similar infusion schedule (i.e., saline infusion followed 2 h later with ACTH1–24), a second group of 5 animals were bled by cardiac puncture several times before and after the saline and ACTH. None of these 5 animals showed appreciable elevation in serum LH or ovulation, but 2 of 5 rabbits exhibited the SYS and sexual behavior. In contrast, in 8 trials involving 7 animals given ACTH1–24 alone and subjected thereafter to multiple bleedings, 5 displayed sexual excitement, 6 demonstrated SYS, and 6 had elevations of serum LH with a peak 0.5–1.5 h after infusion, of which 5 ovulated. Treatment with saline alone in 9 rabbits had essentially no effect on these responses. ACTH4–10 did not induce ovulation in any of the animals tested, but when given without prior bleeding to 5 animals, 2 showed the SYS and one, sexual excitement. A non-ovulatory rise in serum LH was observed in 2 of 5 animals receiving ACTH4–10 alone. LHRH caused an elevation in LH with subsequent ovulation in 4 of 4 rabbits tested, but no behavioral changes were noted. Increased electrical activity was observed in rabbits with electrode placements in the area of the lateral preoptic-diagonal band of Broca and the periventricular preoptic area. Other areas showed little or no change in MUA. These results demonstrate that, when administered under appropriate conditions, intraventricular infusions of ACTH1–24 are highly effective in initiating SYS, sexual excitement, LH release and ovulation. These responses are suppressed when preceded by the non-specific stress of bleeding. The smaller peptide, ACTH4–10, may have some stimulating influence on behavior and hormone release, but it is much weaker than that of the larger peptide, ACTH1–24.
Some Two-Dimensional Exterior Problems in a Linear Elastic Solid of Grade Two

Solutions are given to four two-dimensional exterior problems in a linear, mechanically homogeneous, isotropic and centrosymmetric elastic solid of grade two (Toupin [1], p. 87). bounded internally by a circular cylindrical cavity. The solutions are found to be size dependent and to exhibit boundary layer effects. The results are compared to the corresponding results in classical elasticity, couple-stress theory and micropolar elasticity. Fur vier zweidimensionale Ausenprobleme an einem linearen, mechanisch homogenen, isotropen und zentralsymmetrischen elastischen Korper vom „Grad 2” (Toupin [1], S. 87), der nach innen von einem kreiszylindrischen Hohlraum begrenzt ist, werden Losungen angegeben. Es erweist sich, das sie grosenabhangig sind und Grenzschichtwirkungen zeigen. Die Ergebnisse werden mit den entsprechenden in der klassischen Elastizitatstheorie, der Momentenspannungstheorie und der Theorie der mikropolaren Elastizitat verglichen.
Trinitrophenyl-ATP Blocks Colonic Cl- Channels in Planar Phospholipid Bilayers Evidence for Two Nucleotide Binding Sites

Outwardly rectifying 30-50-pS Cl- channels mediate cell volume regulation and transepithelial transport. Several recent reports indicate that rectifying Cl- channels are blocked after addition of ATP to the extracellular bath (Alton, E. W. F. W., S. D. Manning, P. J. Schlatter, D. M. Geddes, and A. J. Williams. 1991. Journal of Physiology. 443:137-159; Paulmichl, M., Y. Li, K. Wickman, M. Ackerman, E. Peralta, and D. Clapham. 1992. Nature. 356:238-241). Therefore, we decided to conduct a more detailed study of the ATP binding site using a higher affinity probe. We tested the ATP derivative, 2',3',O-(2,4,6-trinitrocyclohexadienylidene) adenosine 5'-triphosphate (TNP-ATP), which has a high affinity for certain nucleotide binding sites. Here we report that TNP-ATP blocked colonic Cl- channels when added to either bath and that blockade was consistent with the closed-open-blocked kinetic model. The TNP-ATP concentration required for a 50% decrease in open probability was 0.27 microM from the extracellular (cis) side and 20 microM from the cytoplasmic (trans) side. Comparison of the off rate constants revealed that TNP-ATP remained bound 28 times longer when added to the extracellular side compared with the cytoplasmic side. We performed competition studies to determine if TNP-ATP binds to the same sites as ATP. Addition of ATP to the same bath containing TNP-ATP reduced channel amplitude and increased the time the channel spent in the open and fast-blocked states (i.e., burst duration). This is the result expected if TNP-ATP and ATP compete for block, presumably by binding to common sites. In contrast, addition of ATP to the bath opposite to the side containing TNP-ATP reduced amplitude but did not alter burst duration. This is the result expected if opposite-sided TNP-ATP and ATP bind to different sites. In summary, we have identified an ATP derivative that has a nearly 10-fold higher affinity for reconstituted rectifying colonic Cl- channels than any previously reported blocker (Singh, A. K., G. B. Afink, C. J. Venglarik, R. Wang, and R. J. Bridges. 1991. American Journal of Physiology. 260 [Cell Physiology. 30]:C51-C63). Thus, TNP-ATP should be useful in future studies of ion channel nucleotide binding sites and possibly in preliminary steps of ion channel protein purification. In addition, we have obtained good evidence that there are at least two nucleotide binding sites located on opposite sides of the colonic Cl- channel and that occupancy of either site produces a blocked state.
An unconditionally stable extended (USE) finite-element time-domain solution of active nonlinear microwave circuits using perfectly matched layers

This paper proposes an extension of the unconditionally stable finite-element time-domain (FETD) method for the global electromagnetic analysis of active microwave circuits. This formulation has two advantages. First, the time-step size is no longer governed by the spatial discretization of the mesh, but rather by the Nyquist sampling criterion. Second, the implementation of the truncation by the perfectly matched layers (PML) is straightforward. An anisotropic PML absorbing material is presented for the truncation of FETD lattices. Reflection less than -50 dB is obtained numerically over the entire propagation bandwidth in waveguide and microstrip line. A benchmark test on a microwave amplifier indicates that this extended FETD algorithm is not only superior to finite-difference time-domain-based algorithm in mesh flexibility and simulation accuracy, but also reduces computation time dramatically.
A novel red fluorescent protein orthotopic pancreatic cancer model for the preclinical evaluation of chemotherapeutics.

Background. Realistic models of pancreatic cancer are necessary to develop effective drugs for the disease. More aggressive tumor models enhanced by brighter fluorescent biomarkers to follow the disease in real time would enhance the ability to predict accurately the effect of novel therapeutics on this particularly malignant human cancer. Materials and methods. A novel, highly fluorescent, red fluorescent protein (RFP)-expressing pancreatic cancer model was orthotopically established in nude mice. The MIA-PaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cell line was transduced with RFP and grown subcutaneously. Fluorescent tumor fragments were then surgically transplanted onto the nude mouse pancreas. Groups treated with intraperitoneal gemcitabine or intravenous irinotecan were sequentially imaged to compare, in real time, the antimetastatic and antitumor effects of these agents compared with untreated controls. Results. Rapid tumor growth and widespread metastases developed in untreated mice within 2 weeks, leading to a median survival of 21 days. In contrast, significant tumor growth suppression and consequent increase in survival (32.5 days, P 0.009) were achieved with CPT-11. Gemcitabine highly improved survival (72 days, P 0.004) by inducing transient tumor regression over the first 3 weeks. However, at this time, growth and dissemination occurred despite continued treatment, suggesting the development of tumor resistance. The antimetastatic efficacy of each drug was followed noninvasively in real time by imaging the RFP-expressing tumor and metastases, and was confirmed by fluorescent open imaging of autopsy specimens. Conclusions. This highly metastatic model reliably simulates the aggressive course of human pancreatic cancer. Noninvasive, sequential imaging permits quantification of tumor growth and dissemination and, thereby, real time evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. These features make this model an ideal, preclinical system with which to study novel therapeutics for
Phase reconstruction from bispectrum slices

We propose a new method for the reconstruction of the Fourier phase of a complex LTI system based on the principal arguments of any pair of horizontal consecutive bispectrum slices of the system output. Since principal bispectrum arguments only are required, there is no need for two-dimensional (2-D) phase unwrapping. The reconstructed phase differs from the true one by a constant, integer multiples of 2/spl pi/, and a linear-phase component corresponding to an integer time delay. The ability to choose the location of the two slices enables us to avoid low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) bispectral regions, which usually occur in the case of bandlimited systems.
The relative importance of drift causes for stream insect herbivores across a canopy gradient

A key attribute of riverine food webs is the downstream movement of invertebrates via the water column, or invertebrate drift. Causes of drift include benthic predation, food limitation, and perhaps passive entry, which may occur when invertebrates lose their purchase on stream substrate. However, the relative importance of drift causes is unknown, as is whether the relative importance of drift causes varies across space. Combining observational data on invertebrate herbivore and predator guild densities with in-stream experiments, we evaluated the relative importance of benthic predation, food limitation, and passive entry as proximate causes of drift for the herbivore guild across the canopy gradient of a montane stream. We found that 1) benthic predation and food limitation were both more important as causes of herbivore drift than passive entry; 2) drift caused by food limitation did not vary with riparian canopy, whereas herbivore density decreased with increasing riparian canopy, and 3) per capita drift increased linearly with increasing density, while per capita drift decreased in a negative hyperbolic fashion with increasing food, indicating that herbivore drift is proportional to herbivore density, and inversely proportional to food. We conclude that invertebrate herbivore drift was overwhelmingly an active process to improve fitness, and that herbivore food did not vary across the canopy gradient, likely because increased herbivory from larger herbivore populations at sunnier sites prevented food from accumulating.
An analytic model for the fluxgate magnetometer

The output voltages from various fluxgate probe types are found to have the same general form, and an analytic model has been developed with which the output may be calculated. In the saturation region where the output pulse is developed, the differential permeability can be closely approximated by an exponential, dB/dH = k_{1}H^{K_{2}} , where k 1 and k 2 are on the order of 100 and -2.0, respectively, for cores of Supermalloy or Permalloy 80. Using this model, the effect of the nature of the excitation function on output pulse amplitude and width and the effect of the squareness of the core characteristic can be clearly demonstrated, and good agreement with experimental results has been obtained.
Does the Use of Recombinant Factor VIIA Reduce Morbidity or Mortality in Nonhemophiliac Patients

Prophylactic use 1.04 (0.55–1.97) 1.35 (0.82–2.25) 0.85 (0.72–1.01) Therapeutic use 0.91 (0.76–1.06) 1.21 (0.93–1.58) NA* NA, Not applicable. *Data were too limited to conduct a meta-analysis.
Finding a good job: Academic network centrality and early occupational outcomes in management academia

Summary The impact of universalistic versus particularistic criteria on academic hiring has been receiving growing attention in recent years. Yet, most studies conducted on hiring norms in academy and management academy have ignored the impact of social capital, particularly structural social capital, a particularistic attribute, on occupational outcomes. This could lead to a partial if not misleading view of the sociology of hiring in management academy. We utilize a novel approach, focusing on academic departments' structural social capital in the form of network centrality (based on cumulative PhD exchange networks), and explore how this type of centrality impacts job seekers' occupational prestige for new academic jobs in management departments and early career quality publications. We find that although merit-based criteria such as publications matter somewhat, academic network centrality explains significant variance in obtaining prestigious jobs. Paradoxically, we find that academic network centrality does not explain early career publications. We discuss the implications of our findings for management science. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One breath at a time: living with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to describe the lived experiences of families caring for a child with cystic fibrosis at the time of initial diagnosis. Phenomenological research methodology as described by Colaizzi (1978) was used to guide the investigation. A purposive sample of 9 family members voluntarily participated in the study. Data were gathered through focus groups and written narratives. Data analysis yielded 3 essential theme clusters with subthemes: Falling Apart, Pulling Together, and Moving Beyond. Within the theme of Falling Apart, the subthemes of Devastation of Diagnosis, An All-Encompassing Sense of Fear and Isolation, and An Overwhelming Sense of Guilt and Powerlessness are described. The theme of Pulling Together included the subthemes of Perpetual Vigilance and Returning to Normalcy, and the third theme of Moving Beyond included the subtheme of An Optimal Unfolding of a New Kind of Consciousness. This article describes in detail the themes and subthemes identified during data analysis and the fluid nature of the relationship that exists within the essential structure of caring for a family member with cystic fibrosis. The diagnosis of cystic fibrosis most often comes as a life-shattering experience to families. Lifestyle readjustments are made in an attempt to return to some sense of family normalcy. In order to achieve stability in their daily lives, families are vigilant in the care and monitoring of the health of a child with cystic fibrosis. Ongoing support from health care professionals that is grounded in the realities of living with cystic fibrosis is critical. This study describes how families develop their own unique way of controlling the experience of living with cystic fibrosis, one day and one breath at a time.
Co-evolution of the archaeal tRNA-dependent amidotransferase GatCAB with tRNAAsn

The important identity elements in tRNAGln and tRNAAsn for bacterial GatCAB and in tRNAGln for archaeal GatDE are the D-loop and the first base pair of the acceptor stem. Here we show that Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus GatCAB, the archaeal enzyme, is different as it discriminates Asp-tRNAAsp and Asp-tRNAAsn by use of U49, the D-loop and to a lesser extent the variable loop. Since archaea possess the tRNAGln-specific amidotransferase GatDE, the archaeal GatCAB enzyme evolved to recognize different elements in tRNAAsn than those recognized by GatDE or by the bacterial GatCAB enzyme in their tRNA substrates.
Intermittent Communication with a Fluctuating Signal

Intermittent transmission is proposed as a method to combat the effects of signal fading. Message error and average transmission rate are functions of operating bandwidth and threshold signal-to-noise ratio. The method is evaluated for Rayleigh-fading signals, using binary frequency modulation and phase modulation. One variable-bandwidth system is examined. The theoretical advantage (power gain>40 db for a binary error = 10-6) is reduced by practical limitations but should be nearly realized for some systems.
Ultrafast all-optical bistability in AlGaAs photonic crystals

We present the design and fabrication of an all-optical bistable device in AlGaAs. The material is known to have a nonlinear figure-of-merit that is in larger silicon and thus well suited to nonlinear experiments. We employ theoretical analysis consisting of both analytical models and finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods to ensure robust design and to estimate the power threshold of the proposed device. The proposed nanocavity experiment suggests low powers (~102 μW) and ultra fast switching (~ps) on chip limited only by photon lifetime. This is an improvement over silicon based experiments, which have demonstrated ~ 100 nanosecond responses but intrinsically bounded by free-carrier dynamics [12]. In this manuscript, we will elaborate on theoretical and experimental considerations required to implement a low power, ultrafast bistable device that forms a fundamental building block in all-optical logic operations.
Resputtering-induced chemical inhomogeneity during the growth of highT c superconductor thin film

HighT c films belonging to Y-Ba-Cu-O, Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O and Tl-Ba-Ca-Cu-O systems have been fabricated by reactive sputtering of single targets in a planar magnetron and Ar + O2 sputtering atmosphere. Although it was possible to deposit films of correct composition, resputtering related composition variation was a problem. The key to obtaining correct chemistry was a proper control of the deposition parameters. The pressure and oxygen content of the sputtering gas were found to be the most critical parameters. Results of the variation of these parameters on the cation chemistry are presented in this paper. Results from Monte-Carlo simulation of the sputtering process are also presented showing that low pressure and oxygen content of the sputtering gas result in a higher yield of energetic reflected neutrals which can cause compositional variation in the film mainly due to preferential sputtering of the growing film. The effect was particularly noticeable directly underneath the target. The energetic particle bombardment can be controlled by using moderately high pressures and low oxygen concentration in the gas.
The split keyboard: an ergonomics success story.

Objective: The author reviews the paper by Kroemer (1972) on the design of the split geometry keyboard and the subsequent 35 years of research on the topic. Background: It was first suggested in th...
Laser photoacoustic spectroscopy helps fight terrorism : High sensitivity detection of chemical Warfare Agent and explosives

Tunable laser photoacoustic spectroscopy is maturing rapidly in its applications to real world problems. One of the burning problems of the current turbulent times is the threat of terrorist acts against civilian population. This threat appears in two distinct forms. The first is the potential release of chemical warfare agents (CWA), such as the nerve agents, in a crowded environment. An example of this is the release of Sarin by Aum Shinrikyo sect in a crowded Tokyo subway in 1995. An example of the second terrorist threat is the ever-present possible suicide bomber in crowded environment such as airports, markets and large buildings. Minimizing the impact of both of these threats requires early detection of the presence of the CWAs and explosives. Photoacoustic spectroscopy is an exquisitely sensitive technique for the detection of trace gaseous species, a property that Pranalytica has extensively exploited in its CO2 laser based commercial instrumentation for the sub-ppb level detection of a number of industrially important gases including ammonia, ethylene, acrolein, sulfur hexafluoride, phosphine, arsine, boron trichloride and boron trifluoride. In this presentation, I will focus, however, on our recent use of broadly tunable single frequency high power room temperature quantum cascade lasers (QCL) for the detection of the CWAs and explosives. Using external grating cavity geometry, we have developed room temperature QCLs that produce continuously tunable single frequency CW power output in excess of 300 mW at wavelengths covering 5μm to 12μm. I will present data that show a CWA detection capability at ppb levels with false alarm rates below 1:108. I will also show the capability of detecting a variety of explosives at a ppb level, again with very low false alarm rates. Among the explosives, we have demonstrated the capability of detecting homemade explosives such as triacetone triperoxide and its liquid precursor, acetone which is a common household liquid. This capability, deployed at airports and other public places, will go a long way towards increasing public safety and minimizing inconveniences faced in airline travel.
The role of COP1 in light control of Arabidopsis seedling development

The Arabidopsis seedling can follow two contrasting developmental programmes, photomorphogenesis in light and skotomorphogenesis in darkness. CONSTITUTIVE PHOTOMORPHOGENIC I (COP1) is an essential regulatory gene required for repression of seedling photomorphogenic development in darkness. Recent mutational and overexpression analyses of the COP1 gene suggest a central role for COP1 in light control of seedling development and point to functional implications of its structural domains. Cell biological studies of COP1 have provided a clue to how light regulates the repressive activity of COP1 and thus seedling development.
Operational life-cycle assessment and life-cycle cost analysis for water use in multioccupant buildings

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) and life-cycle cost analysis (LCC) techniques are used to study a 25-year operational life cycle for plumbing fixtures and water-consuming appliances for four different multioccupant building scenarios: an apartment, a college dormitory, a motel, and an office building. Both analysis methodologies suggest that the specification of higher-efficiency fixtures and appliances is environmentally and economically justified for the scenarios considered. Additionally, both the LCA and LCC results suggest that natural gas should be used insted of electricity for water heating when both energy sources are practical options. The study found the dominant environmental impacts of domestic water consumption to be attributable to water intake, global warming potential, and fossil-fuel depletion. The dominant life-cycle cost component is for maintenance, repair, and replacement. The results of this study can be especially beneficial to long-term building owners, such as universities, because operational costs savings can be realized.
Are self-assessments reliable indicators of topic knowledge?

Self-assessment of topic/task knowledge is a human metacognitive capacity that impacts information behavior, for example through selection of learning and search strategies. It is often used as a measure in experiments for evaluation of results and those measurements are taken to be generally reliable. We conducted a user study (n=40) to test this by constructing a concept-based topic knowledge representation for each participant and then comparing it with the participant judgment of their topic knowledge elicited with Likert-scale questions. The tasks were in the genomics domain and knowledge representations were constructed from the MeSH thesaurus terms that indexed relevant documents for five topics. The participants rated their familiarity with the topic, the anticipated task difficulty, the amount of learning gained during the task, and made other knowledge-related judgments associated with the task. Although there is considerable variability over individuals, the results provide evidence that these self-assessed topic knowledge measures are correlated in the expected way with the independently-constructed topic knowledge measure. We argue the results provide evidence for the general validity of topic knowledge self-assessment and discuss ways to further explore knowledge self-assessment and its reliability for prediction of individual knowledge levels.
A Theory of Cost-Effectiveness for Military Systems Analysis

This paper presents a theoretical basis for cost-effectiveness analysis. It is argued that, frequently, a range of effectiveness or cost levels may be acceptable to whoever must ultimately decide which military system if any should be acquired. The function of the analyst is to present a schedule of alternatives and not to optimize in the sense that he recommends the selection of a particular alternative. The formulation of the schedule is discussed where the cost and effectiveness associated with each alternative are viewed as random variables. The paper concludes with some general observations relating to military system selection.
Representing the Audience: The gendered politics of sport media

In many ways, the Olympics offer anomalous examples of televised sport. In the United States at least, sports that typically receive scant attention can suddenly draw huge audiences when they are p...
Assessment of stricture formation with the ureteral access sheath

Abstract Objectives To analyze the long-term incidence of ureteral stricture formation in a series of patients in whom a new-generation ureteral access sheath was used. A new generation of ureteral access sheaths has been developed to facilitate ureteroscopic procedures. However, some have questioned their safety and whether the device might cause significant ureteral trauma. Methods Between September 1999 and July 2001, 150 consecutive ureteroscopic procedures with adjunctive use of an access sheath were performed. A retrospective chart review to April 2002 was done. Of the 150 patients, 130 underwent ureteroscopy for ureteral stones. Patients who underwent endoureterotomy or treatment of transitional cell carcinoma were excluded from this analysis. Sixty-two patients had follow-up greater than 3 months and were included in the analysis. Overall, 71 ureteroscopic procedures were performed, with 9 patients undergoing multiple procedures. Ninety-two percent of the patients had pathologic findings above the iliac vessels. The average patient age was 45.3 years (range 17 to 76), and 70% and 30% of the patients were male and female, respectively. The mean clinical follow-up was 332 days (range 95 to 821), and follow-up imaging was performed within 3 months after ureteroscopy in all patients. Results The 10/12F access sheath was used in 8 ureteroscopic procedures (11.2%), the 12/14F access sheath in 56 (78.9%), and the 14/16F access sheath in 7 (9.8%). One stricture was identified on follow-up imaging of 71 procedures performed, for an incidence of 1.4%. The patient developed the stricture at the ureteropelvic junction after multiple ureteroscopic procedures to manage recurrent struvite calculi. The access sheath did not appear to be a contributing factor. Conclusions The results of our series indicate that the ureteral access sheath is safe and beneficial for routine use to facilitate flexible ureteroscopy. However, awareness of the potential ischemic effects with the use of unnecessarily large sheaths for long periods in patients at risk of ischemic injury should be considered. We advocate the routine use of the device for most flexible ureteroscopic procedures proximal to the iliac vessels.
Do parasitism and nutritional status interact to affect production in snowshoe hares

We evaluated the hypothesis that the effects of parasitism on animal body condition are accentuated when host nutritional status is compromised. In a field experiment we manipulated natural burdens of five nematode species via anthelmintic treatment in one- half the free-ranging snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) on each of six study areas and supplemented overwinter food level on three areas, to assess whether treatments interacted synergistically. We predicted that the effects of parasitism would be aggravated in mal- nourished hares (i.e., hares not administered supplemental food), and that animals receiving both treatments would have (1) lower parasite burdens, and (2) higher body mass, fat storage, and reproduction, than those receiving only one or no treatments. Mean numbers of Trichuris leporis were lower in hares subjected to food supplementation, suggesting that nutritional status affected immunity to that species. Obeliscoides cuniculi, Nematodirus triangularis, Dirofilaria scapiceps, and Protostrongylus boughtoni numbers were not directly affected by supplementation. Body mass of parasite-normal controls (i.e., not administered the anthelmintic treatment) was negatively correlated to nematode abundance during May- June, implying that parasitism had a deleterious effect on hare mass at that time. However, the anthelmintic treatment failed to directly affect hare body mass, fat storage, or repro- duction. Food supplementation had a positive effect on body mass, fat storage, and repro- duction, although effects of food were neither strong nor consistent among study areas and body condition parameters being measured. Only 2 of 22 analyses of hare production yielded marginally significant (i.e., 0.05 < P < 0.10) interactions between food and parasitism; therefore, we concluded that the two factors were not strongly linked. However, because our snowshoe hare population was at low densities and likely exposed to neither severe food shortage nor high rates of nematode parasitism, failure to detect an interaction between treatments may not comprise a general refutation of the hypothesis. Rather, hare populations subject to more serious food limitation (i.e., during a cyclic peak in numbers) may be apt to display stronger interactions between nutrition and parasitism.
The Curriculum Material Center's Vital Link to Play and Learning: What's the Connection?.

Many educational theorists who study child development concur that the importance of play related materials in schools, homes and libraries is vital to the concept of play and learning. As academic librarians responsible for information literacy, and as the education liaison for the management and collection development of the instructional component in the Curriculum Materials Center, the authors of this paper will explore valuable connections between children‘s play and learning. Further, they will discuss how that association affects a child‘s cognitive development as seen through the curriculum materials and the educational support for teachers who work closely with students.
Quantifying the lifetime circadian rhythm of physical activity: a covariate-dependent functional approach

Objective measurement of physical activity using wearable devices such as accelerometers may provide tantalizing new insights into the association between activity and health outcomes. Accelerometers can record quasi-continuous activity information for many days and for hundreds of individuals. For example, in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study on Aging physical activity was recorded every minute for [Formula: see text] adults for an average of [Formula: see text] days per adult. An important scientific problem is to separate and quantify the systematic and random circadian patterns of physical activity as functions of time of day, age, and gender. To capture the systematic circadian pattern, we introduce a practical bivariate smoother and two crucial innovations: (i) estimating the smoothing parameter using leave-one-subject-out cross validation to account for within-subject correlation and (ii) introducing fast computational techniques that overcome problems both with the size of the data and with the cross-validation approach to smoothing. The age-dependent random patterns are analyzed by a new functional principal component analysis that incorporates both covariate dependence and multilevel structure. For the analysis, we propose a practical and very fast trivariate spline smoother to estimate covariate-dependent covariances and their spectra. Results reveal several interesting, previously unknown, circadian patterns associated with human aging and gender.
NPV of Refinancing: Rethinking the Borrower's Discount Rate

The desirability to a borrower of refinancing a loan generally is addressed through net present value, with expected cash flow benefits discounted at the new market interest rate for similar loans....
Metathetical Degradation and Depolymerization of Unsaturated Polymers

Abstract The employment of transition metal catalysts has been a viable route in the degradation and depolymerization of unsaturated polymers. Initially, unsaturated polymers were degraded with a catalytic system containing a transition metal and a Lewis acid cocatalyst (WCl6/SnBu4). Degradation chemistry was effective in reducing the molecular weight of the polymer, however, the classical catalyst system induces side reactions which generates ill-defined products. These side reactions were obviated by using a preformed alkylidene without a Lewis acid cocatalyst, and perfectly difunctional telechelics were synthesized.
Relationship between minor physical anomalies and "soft signs" of brain damage.

Several investigations have drawn attention to the possible etiological significance for children's behavior disorders of such organismic characteristics as soft neurological signs of brain damage and minor physical anomalies ( 1 , 3, 4 ) . Although both soft neurological signs and minor physical anomalies have been related to the same disorders, only one study ( 5 ) has attempted to determine whether these variables are correlated. Although soft signs and anomalies are both assumed to reflect a common underlying factor, such as congenital abnormality, no relationship was obtained between these variables. However, the absence of a correlation between presence of anomalies and soft signs may have been a function of the item content of the soft-sign examination used by Quinn and Rapoport. Half of their examination was composed of gross motor coordination items, e.g., balance on one foot; heel to toe walk. Such items may reflect a slowed developmental rate rather than neurological abnormality. The present study attempted to clarify the relationship between minor physical anomalies, soft signs, and gross motor coordination by separating items for gross motor coordination from those for soft neurological signs. The subjects were 76 boys from a residential treatment center. Their ages ranged from 8-3 to 12-9 yr. ( M = 10-6 yr.) and their IQs on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children ranged from 76 to 118 ( M = 9 0 ) . None of the boys were psychotic or obviously brain damaged. All were from lower-socioeconomic-class families. The majority were black, but many were Puerto Rican or of mixed parentage. All of the boys were administered an abbreviated examination of soft neurological signs ( 4 ) , an examination for minor physical anomalies ( G ) , and the gross motor subtest from the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities ( 2 ) . Product-moment correlations were computed among all the variables. A significant value obtained between soft signs and anomalies ( 7 7 , = .28, p < . 01 ) . This correlation confirms the expectation that these variables should be linked due to a common underlying factor such as congenital abnormality. Significantly correlated also were soft signs and motor coordination ( f a = -.43, p < . 01 ) , which may reflect the element of motor execution common to both sets of items.
Three-and Four-Dimensional Arterial and Venous Anatomies of the Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator Flap

Background:The vascular anatomy of the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, which has not previously been elucidated, was examined using three- and four-dimensional computed tomographic angiography and venography.Methods:Twenty-five thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps were harvested from fresh ca
Highly effective IPsec VPN solutions for information security of university networks

Until very recently, corporations (including big educational organizations) that needed to link computers and servers in geographically dispersed locations (even in different states and countries on separated continents) had to build their own wide area networks. In many cases, those networks were very expensive and relatively slow frame relay circuits. These days, university administrators, faculty and researchers enjoy a broadband Internet connection - an open but dreadfully insecure environment. This paper discusses results and outcomes of 5-year long active utilization of a very promising information security technology -- the virtual private network (VPN) -- in university environment; it 1) presents a conceptual model for IPsec VPN solutions for university networks (UN), 2) provides results of performance analysis of various authentication and encryption algorithms to be used for a secure transfer of streaming media files, and 3) describes specific IPsec VPN solutions for various types of UN users such as top-level administrators, faculty and learning content developers.
Mesocricetus auratus (Syrian or “golden” hamster)

The karyotypes displayed were prepared from fetal tissue cultures and kindly supplied by Dr. M. Galton, Hanover, New Hampshire. They have been published by Galton & Holt and are reproduced with permission of the publishers. The long arm of X and Y are late replicating as shown by the autoradiographs. In several publications the Y chromosome is not identified correctly.
A Curtin–Hammett pentamethylene chain symmetrization process in the Bergman cyclization of an 11-membered ring enediyne

Pentamethylene chain conformational effects for the Bergman cyclization of the 11-membered ring enediyne, (3Z)-3-cycloundecene-1,5-diyne, 2, are examined theoretically with unrestricted Becke, three-parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr/6-31 G(d,p) calculations. A C1 symmetric enediyne conformation was found to be the global minimum, where its nonsymmetric pentamethylene chain prevented π-orbital alignment of the acetylene groups for C–C σ bond product formation. The Bergman cyclization of 2 was found to be conformationally dependent. In a Curtin–Hammett type process, the C1 symmetric 2 inverts to one of the CS or C2 symmetric conformers required for the Bergman cyclization, which produced a CS or C2 symmetric 1,4-diradical intermediate. The activation energy for the cyclization is slightly higher to reach the C2 symmetry diradical compared with the CS symmetry diradical. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exit Strategies of Ehrlichia

The tick-transmitted, obligate intracellular, Gram-negative bacterium Ehrlichia is the causative agent of ehrlichiosis. Until recently, the mechanism by which Ehrlichia are released from host cells or how they gain entry into cells was not clearly understood. This chapter describes the exit strategies of the obligate intracellular bacterium Ehrlichia.