cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and optimization of a radiation detector for ground and spaced-based exposure

In response to the critical need of more effective bio-dosimetric techniques to improve cancer risk estimation, this paper focuses on the design of an advanced biomedical instrumentation that could be used for radiation risk analysis on space missions. A designed concept for a hodoscope for radiation detection and tracking is tested via Monte Carlo simulation. The device consists of a set of layers of scintillating fibers, above and below a biological sample, in a design that allows for the determination of the direction of incoming and outgoing radiation. The efficiency of energy deposition on each of the different layers of the device is studied for proton radiation. The study of the response for different incoming energy is the main focus, but fiber-size is also a designed parameter considered in this study. The optimum energy range as found to be around 30 MeV’s – 50MeV’s depending on arrangement. It is found that energy deposited by protons in the optimum range in 1 mm-diameter fibers, is large enough for detection. Since smaller fibers allow for larger resolution, it is concluded that they are preferable than 2 mm fibers. Alternative arrangements consisting respectively of 3 and 4 layers of fibers on each side of the sample are tested and compared. It is observed that although one more coordinate for the source is needed, the 3-layers array is a viable alternative when that extra information is available. With this arrangement, the device is sensitive to lower energy photons.
Discovery of Highly Accurate Plant DNA Barcodes via Novel Iterative Methodologies

A DNA barcode is a short, variable segment of DNA used in species identification. A rapid and inexpensive molecular tool, DNA barcoding may allow for large-scale biodiversity assessments in the future, prompting logical and targeted conservation policies. However, a highly accurate DNA barcode for plants has not yet been found, hindering development of advanced DNA barcoding-based conservation paradigms and perpetuating loss of plant biodiversity. Previous attempts to develop a plant barcode have examined only small fractions of the plant genome. In this study, a more rigorous methodology was devised: whole plant chloroplast genomes were iteratively analyzed in successive 500 base pair segments, such that all potential barcodes contained within the chloroplast genome were assessed for their ability to distinguish plants. Moreover, an algorithm was constructed to optimize this novel process, yielding a 17000% increase in efficiency. Both non-optimized and optimized methods uncovered two 500 bp regions of DNA (out of the 2950 tested) that had unprecedented, near-perfect identification accuracy in a comprehensive sample set of whole chloroplast sequences. These DNA barcodes may enable larger biodiversity assessments, aiding plant species preservation efforts. And, our algorithm may facilitate discovery of barcodes for other kingdoms of life, expanding the reach of our methodology.
Commentary: Assessing the Health Effects of Medicare Coverage for Previously Uninsured Adults: A Matter of Life and Death?

In contrast to a previous study we conducted and other evidence, a recent study found no significant effects of Medicare coverage after age 65 on overall health for previously uninsured adults and significant adverse effects on survival for some of these adults. We discuss explanations for these inconsistent findings, particularly the different ways in which deaths were handled, a key methodological challenge in longitudinal analyses of health. We demonstrate that analytic approaches suitable for examining effects of coverage on health measures may not be suitable for effects on mortality. Thus, estimates may be misleading when these different outcomes are jointly modeled. We also present new survival analyses that suggest Medicare coverage significantly attenuated the rising risk of death for previously uninsured adults.
The Stokes-flow drag on prolate and oblate spheroids during axial translatory accelerations

Stokes's linearized equations of motion are used to calculate the flow field generated by a spheroid executing axial translatory oscillations in an infinite, otherwise still, incompressible, viscous fluid. The flow field, expressed in terms of spheroidal wave functions of order one, is used to develop general expressions for the drag on oscillating prolate and oblate spheroids. Formulae for the approximate drag, useful in making calculations, are obtained for small values of an oscillation parameter. These formulae reduce to the Stokes result in the limit when the spheroid becomes a sphere and the steady-state drag for a spheroid as the frequency of oscillation becomes zero. The fluid forces on spheroids of various shapes are compared graphically. The approximate formulae for the drag are integrated over all frequencies to obtain formulae for the drag on spheroids executing general axial translatory accelerations. The fluid resistance on the spheroid is expressed as the sum of an added mass effect, a steady-state drag and an effect due to the history of the motion. A table of added mass, viscous and history coefficients is given.
Generalist flowers, biodiversity and florivory: implications for angiosperm origins

A brief overview of arthropod/insect evolution with particular emphasis on herbivory provides the starting point for discussion of increased herbivory over time. The term "flower" is defined, and it is noted that angiosperm flowers are distinguished by their edibility. It is observed that the phenomenon of florivory is a primary plant-animal interaction, and pollination, as one possible outcome of the eating of flowers, is a secondary phenomenon. An hypothesis reconciling the facts that angiosperms are the most eaten of all plant groups and the most successful in term of number of species is proposed. From the perspective of a floral morphologist, 1 discuss what a generalist flower is and how archaic angiosperms are characterized by this flower type. Biodiversity arguments underpin a discourse on why researchers should investigate generalist flowers and florivory.
A framework for extreme locomotion planning

A person practicing parkour is an incredible display of intelligent planning; he must reason carefully about his velocity and contact placement far into the future in order to locomote quickly through an environment. We seek to develop planners that will enable robotic systems to replicate this performance. An ideal planner can learn from examples and formulate feasible full-body plans to traverse a new environment. The proposed approach uses momentum equivalence to reduce the full-body system into a simplified one. Low-dimensional trajectory primitives are then composed by a sampling planner called Sampled Composition A* to produce candidate solutions that are adjusted by a trajectory optimizer and mapped to a full-body robot. Using primitives collected from a variety of sources, this technique is able to produce solutions to an assortment of simulated locomotion problems.
The effects of acid episodes on Lepomis sunfish recruitment and growth in two ponds in Massachusetts, U.S.A.

1. The effects of transient acidity on the recruitment of Lepomis sunfish were examined in two ponds in Plymouth County, Massachusetts with on-site monitoring systems. One pond had low buffering capacity and was sensitive to acidification and acid spikes, the other had better buffering with no acid spikes. Pond pH was continuously monitored over 3 years. 2. Young-of-the-year (YOY) sunfish were collected and through otolith analysis aged in days since larval metamorphosis. Day-classes were constructed from these age data. The YOY swim-up day-class distribution was more irregular with pronounced gaps in Maquan Pond than in the better-buffered Furnace Pond. 3. The poorly buffered pond, Maquan, experienced irregular acid spikes, defined as a sudden lowering of pond pH from about 6.6 to below 5.3 for an hour or more. These spikes were associated with rainfall (P < 0.005). Acid spikes were not found at Furnace Pond. 4. The occurrence of acid spikes and diminished day-classes from expected swim-up values were significantly associated, based on pooled data from 3 years at Maquan Pond. 5. Transient acid spikes at Maquan Pond appear to harm Lepomis YOY at the vulnerable stage of metamorphosis, when their gills become fully functional and exposed to the environment. 6. Growth rates of Lepomis YOY were also studied. Length–age and weight–length growth relationships were examined for differences in instantaneous growth coefficients between years and between ponds. Length–age instantaneous growth coefficients ranged from 0.0114 to 0.0176 over five pond-years. The slowest growth rates were in a warm, dry spawning season with the earliest average metamorphosis date.
Excitation of interneurons in piriform cortex by 5-hydroxytryptamine : blockade by MDL 100,907, a highly selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist

Electrophysiological studies have suggested that a subpopulation of interneurons near the border of layer II and III in rat piriform cortex are excited by serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) via 5-HT2A (formerly 5-HT2) rather than 5-HT2C (formerly 5-HT1C) receptors. However, the pharmacological agents used in those studies were limited in specificity. In the present study, we tested a new, highly selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist MDL 100,907 (R-(+)-alpha-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl-ethyl)]-4- piperidine-methanol, which has a 300-fold greater affinity for 5-HT2A than 5-HT1C receptors or alpha 1-adrenoceptors) on excitatory responses of interneurons to 5-HT in rat piriform cortex slices. We observed a parallel, reversible rightward shift in the 5-HT concentration-response curve in the presence of 1-10 nM concentrations of MDL 100,907. Schild regression analysis resulted in a slope of 1.13 and a Kd value of 1.17 which is close to the published Ki value of 0.36 for MDL 100,907. These data confirm that 5-HT2A rather than 5-HT2C receptors mediate excitation by 5-HT of interneurons in the piriform cortex. Because of its rapid equilibration and reversibility, MDL 100,907 appears to be an excellent tool for studies of 5-HT2A receptor function in the brain.
Role of satellites in estimating primary productivity on the northwest Atlantic continental shelf

Abstract Variance in primary productivity over the northwest Atlantic continental shelf has been studied to determine its dependence on variables amenable to satellite remote sensing. A large data set consisting of 14C uptake rates, chlorophyll concentrations, incident and underwater light (PAR) and sea surface temperatures was analysed for empirical and theoretical relationships. These data were obtained at 1047 stations surveyed by the National Marine Fisheries Service between 1977 and 1982 as a part of the MARMAP program. Empirically, we found a well-defined seasonal pattern in the ratio of integral productivity to surface layer chlorophyll; its annual maximum occurred in August, lagging the maximum insolation by about 30 days, and coinciding with maximum surface water temperature. The annual minimum occurred during December and January. Surface chlorophyll was highly correlated with mean euphotic chlorophyll concentration (r2 = 0.93) and moderately correlated with mean euphotic productivity (r2 = 0.62). Theoretical models of the dependence of integral productivity on chlorophyll and light were considered. It was found that parameters in such models can be highly variable, in particular those that characterize light absorption characteristics of the phytoplankton. We conclude that the goal of estimating primary productivity from satellite measurements requires improved techniques for measuring and/or modeling the PAR absorbed by photosynthetic organisms.
Software prefetching and caching for translation lookaside buffers

A number of interacting trends in operating system structure, processor architecture, and memory systems are increasing both the rate of translation lookaside buffer (TLB) misses and the cost of servicing amiss. This paper presents two novel software schemes, implemented under Mach 3.0, to decrease both the number and the cost of kernel TLB misses (i.e., misses on kernel data structures, including user page tables). The first scheme is a new use of prefetching for TLB entries on the IPC path, and the second scheme is a new use of software caching of TLB entries for hierarchical page table organizations.For a range of applications, prefetching decreases the number of kernel TLB misses by 40% to 50%, and caching decreases TLB penalties by providing a fast path for over 90% of the misses. Our caching scheme also decreases the number of nested TLB traps due to the page table hierarchy, reducing the number of kernel TLB miss traps for applications by 20% to 40%. Prefetching and caching, when used alone, each improve application performance by up to 3.5%; when used together, they improve application performance by up to 3%. On synthetic benchmarks that involve frequent communication among several different address spaces (and thus put more pressure on the TLB), prefetching improves overall performance by about 6%, caching improves overall performance by about 10%, and the two used together improve overall performance by about 12%.Our techniques are very effective in reducing kernel TLB penalties, which currently range from 1% to 5% of application runtime for the benchmarks studied. Since processor speeds continue to increase relative to memory speeds, our schemes should be even more effective in improving application performance in future architectures.
Liberal education and the criminal justice major

New perspectives on the impact of college on students, on linking general education, the major, electives and extra-classroom experiences toward the goal of “integrated learning,” and renewed emphasis on the importance of producing liberally educated college graduates, present opportunities for criminal justice educators to make their field a keystone in the architecture of a liberal education. In this essay, I argue that the multidisciplinary perspectives that characterize the field of criminal justice, as well as its core intellectual concerns, make criminal justice well-suited to serve as the infrastructure for a high-quality undergraduate liberal education program.
Quality is Not an Accident: The Planning for a Safe Journey Through the Healthcare System

The communication between health care professionals and patients should go beyond the communication about the management of the disease â€“ it should encompass educating patients about the knowledge available to treat the disease, the processes in place to enhance safe, effective and sustained performance. Accountability about the processes and outcomes of the care are expected to both demonstrate the social responsibilities of health care professionals and gauge the expectations of patients, families, and communities. The purpose of this article is to explore the determinants of what patients expect from healthcare and caring; how providers of care use available knowledge (or pseudo-knowledge) to apply their craft, and how information technologies assist in both the application of the available knowledge and the goodness of that application. Special focus is given to the role of physicians as educators rather than exclusively healers of disease and managers of patient complaints.
Funding the public health response to terrorism.

On 11 September 2001, 3400 people died because of four horrific, intentional plane crashes. These individuals' only unifying characteristic was that they were in the wrong place in America at the wrong time. Their deaths, and those of Londoners killed on 7 July 2005, highlighted our vulnerability to terrorism and launched an avalanche of repercussions. As a response to these deaths, several subsequent deaths from anthrax, and other current and potential terrorist threats, the US government redefined and redirected its role in funding for public health. Governments must protect their citizens, and anticipating these possible future threats is appropriate and could prove essential to Americans' health. However, there is also an immediate and real threat that because of the US government's policy, enormous numbers of Americans will die unnecessarily.
Histopathological Studies on Irradiated and Chemosterilized Beet Leaf hoppers, Circulifer tenellus

The internal morphology of the reproductive system of Circulifer tenellus (Baker) is described. Morphological, as well as histological changes resulting from exposure of nymphs and adult males and females to Co60 irradiation, or treatment by N,N '-hexamethylenebis(1-aziridinecarboxamide are discussed. Primary egg chambers with developing oogonia, oocytes, and follicle cells are present in 12-hour-old females. Females exposed to 5 kr irradiation showed only a reduction of various cell stages of oogenesis, but 10 kr dosages caused nuclear disintegration and cellular atrophy. Similar effects were observed in chemosterilized individuals, nymphs being more sensitive than adults. Treatment of males with 20-kr dosages resulted in pronounced cell necrosis and sperm depletion.
Growth factor and cytogenetic abnormalities in cultured nevi and malignant melanomas

It has been proposed that benign nevi that fail to differentiate normally may undergo stepwise growth and morphologic changes resulting in progression toward dysplastic nevi, which in some cases progress into malignant melanoma. In this study, we sought to determine the relationship between production of endogenous growth factors and the appearance of chromosomal abnormalities in cultured nevi and melanomas. Newly established cultures from 8 nevi with benign histology and 6 malignant melanomas, anti 2 malignant melanoma cell lines were studied. Assays for mitogenic growth factors were based on stimulation of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in Hs0294 malignant melanoma cells, produced by serum-free conditioned medium from nevus or melanoma cultures. Karyotypes were examined in cultures of an equivalent passage. Three of the 8 nevus cultures were mitogen-negative and displayed normal karyotypes; one nevus culture was mitogen-positive and had a normal karyotype, although the biopsied tissue demonstrated histologic evidence of benign melanocytic proliferation; one was mitogen-negative initially, but had an extra chromosome 8 in 2 of 50 cells; 3 were mitogen-positive and chromosomally abnormal. Each of the cultures in this latter group exhibited reciprocal translocation (rcpt) as the only identifiable abnormality [rcpt(6;15), rcpt(10;15), rcpt(15;20)], or a constitutional rcpt(4;5). Thus, there was direct correlation between growth factor production and chromosome abnormality in 6 of 8 benign nevus cultures. In the newly established melanoma cultures there was also concordance between growth factor and chromosomal status; conditioned media from 4 of 6 were mitogen-positive by at least one assay, and all 4 of the mitogen-positive cultures had chromosomally abnormal cell populations. Of the 2 melanoma cultures negative for growth factors, one was also negative for chromosome abnormality; the other had chromosomal change consisting of increased polyploidy. Both melanoma cell lines had abnormal karyotypes and were mitogen-positive. Though numerous chromosome changes were noted in the karyotypically abnormal melanoma cells, 6 of the 8 cultures exhibited abnormalities in chromosomes 1,6, and/or 7. These data suggest that steps in the progression from benign nevi toward dysplastic nevi or malignant melanoma include: (1) proliferation resulting from altered production of endogenous mitogenic growth factors; and (2) development of specific chromosomal abnormalities.
Development of a subtidal epibenthic community: factors affecting species composition and the mechanisms of succession

Macroinvertebrate grazers and temporal variability were found to strongly influence species composition of communities that developed subtidally on plexiglas panels. On panels exposed to the naturally high densities of sea urchins and sea stars, only grazer-resistant algal crusts, a diatom/blue-green algal film and short-lived filamentous algae became abundant. On those panels protected from grazers, however, other algae and sessile invertebrates were also common. Both the effects of grazing and the abundance of individual taxa differed on panels immersed at different times of the year.Resident species also affected subsequent recruitment. Some colonists were found more frequently on panels with established communities than on recently immersed plates. Others became more abundant on younger than on older panels. Considerable small-scale spatial variation in the abundance of species was also found among panels within treatments and appeared to persist throughout the 13 months of the study.I suggest that since the interactions that determine which mechanisms are important in succession occur between individuals (generalized here to species), not between successional stages, factors such as those examined that can determine which species will interact, indirectly determine the mechnaisms that are important in the development of a community. Models that deal with interactions between successional stages may lack the detail neccessary to predict or explain changes in species composition in diverse communities.
Blackbody effects in the Yb optical lattice clock

We report a high accuracy measurement of the differential static polarizability for the clock transition in a Yb lattice clock, a key parameter for determining the blackbody (BBR) shift of this transition. We further report efforts to determine the 〈6s5d3 D 1 ‖D‖6s6p3 P 0 〉 reduced dipole matrix element, a critical ingredient in the non-static correction to the BBR shift. In all, we have reduced the largest uncertainty in the Yb lattice clock (that stemming from the BBR shift) by an order of magnitude.
“Trying to Find the Middle Ground” Drug Policy and Harm Reduction in Black Communities

U.S. federal drug policy has long emphasized criminalization and incarceration, and many negative policy outcomes have disproportionately impacted communities of color and Blacks in particular. The framework of harm reduction informs a range of alternative policy strategies from decriminalization to legalization, treating drugs more as a public health than a criminal justice issue. While Black communities are seen as opposing harm reduction with illicit drugs, Black leadership has recently supported ending the war on drugs. Using in-depth interviews with 21 substance abuse service providers in a Northeastern U.S. urban hub, this study explores views toward the potential impact of, and support for, harm reduction illicit drug policies in Black U.S. communities. Cognizant of the racially skewed impact of drug policies, respondents endorsed policy changes but were generally mixed on harm reduction, opposing liberalization of “hard” drugs, yet supporting it for marijuana given its link to race-based policing....
Evaluating the effects of price and trade liberalisation on the technical efficiency of agricultural production in a transition economy: The case of Russia

A stochastic production function is estimated, using data on agricultural output and inputs for 75 Russian regions for 1990-95. Regional technical efficiency scores are calculated as the ratio of actual to potential output. The average efficiency score improved from 0.77 to 0.92 in 1991-93 and then declined to 0.78 by 1995. Losses from technical inefficiency in terms of under-production were cut by more than 20 per cent during 1991-95. Short-run overall improvements in technical efficiency were achieved primarily through contraction of input use relative to output. The role of technological change in improving efficiency was negligible. Additional capital investments in new technologies and management training will probably be needed to achieve further efficiency gains. Investments could be quite profitable, since real returns to capital increased substantially during the reforms. Progress in reducing technical inefficiency was uneven across the regions. Regions that still employ price controls and subsidise production are experiencing increases in technical inefficiency. Copyright 1998 by Oxford University Press.
P450 Oxidoreductase Deficiency: A New Disorder of Steroidogenesis

Microsomal P450 enzymes, which metabolize drugs and catalyze steroid biosynthesis require electron donation from NADPH via P450 oxidoreductase (POR). POR knockout mice are embryonically lethal, but we found recessive human POR missense mutations causing disordered steroidogenesis and Antley-Bixler syndrome (ABS), a skeletal malformation syndrome featuring craniosynostosis. Dominant mutations in exons 8 and 10 of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) cause phenotypically related craniosynostosis syndromes and were reported in patients with ABS and normal steroidogenesis. Sequencing POR and FGFR2 exons in 32 patients with ABS and/or hormonal findings suggesting POR deficiency showed complete genetic segregation of POR and FGFR2 mutations. Fifteen patients carried POR mutations on both alleles, four carried POR mutations on 1 allele, nine carried FGFR2/3 mutations on one allele and no mutation was found in three patients. The 34 affected POR alleles included 10 with A287P, 7 with R457H, 9 other missense mutations and 7 frameshifts. These 11 missense mutations and 10 others identified by database mining were expressed in E. coli, purified to apparent homogeneity, and their catalytic capacities were measured in four assays: reduction of cytochrome c, oxidation of NADPH, and support of the 17alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20 lyase activities of human P450c17. As assessed by Vmax/Km, 17,20 lyase activity provided the best correlation with clinical findings. Modeling human POR on the X-ray crystal structure of rat POR shows that these mutant activities correlate well with their locations in the structure. POR deficiency is a new disease, distinct from the craniosynostosis syndromes caused by FGFR mutations.
Conformational comparisons of a series of tachykinin peptide analogs.

Previous studies have shown differences in the biological activity and the structure of two naturally occurring tachykinin peptides, substance P (SP, RPKPQQFFGLM-NH2) and ranatachykinin C (RTKC, HNPASFIGLM-NH2). To further understand the basis for these differences, four analogs that selectively incorporate the amino acid differences between SP and RTKC have been synthesized for study. The four peptide analogs studied have the following amino acid sequences: SP2-11, also known as des-Arg SP (PKPQQFFGLM-NH2); Q5A-SP (RPKPAQFFGLM-NH2); Q6S-SP (RPKPQSFFGLM-NH2); and Q5AQ6S-SP (RPKPASFFGLM-NH2). Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and molecular modeling calculations were performed on SP, RTKC, SP2-11, Q5A-SP, Q6S-SP, and Q5AQ6S-SP to compare their conformational differences and similarities in the presence of the membrane mimetic system sodium dodecyl sulfate. The molecular modeling data of the analogs Q5A-SP and Q6S-SP show residues 1–3 have a random conformation and residues 4–8 have a helical structure...
The erythroid-specific transcription factor Eryf1: a new finger protein

The erythroid-specific transcription factor Eryf1 binds to DNA sites within regulatory regions of every member of both the alpha- and beta-globin families in chicken. The distribution of these sites suggests that Eryf1 may serve as a general "switch" factor for erythroid development. We have cloned the cDNA for Eryf1 and show that the corresponding mRNA is present in all erythroid lineages, but is absent from non-erythroid cells. We demonstrate that the cDNA encodes the specific Eryf1 binding activity found in erythrocytes. Eryf1 is a basic 38 kd protein containing a pair of highly similar "fingers" with the motif Cys-x-x-Cys-x17-Cys-x-x-Cys. The amino acid sequences of these regions bear no resemblance to those found in other regulatory proteins with a similar arrangement of cysteine residues. Our evidence suggests, furthermore, that transition metal ions are unusually tightly bound, or may not be necessary for the sequence-specific DNA binding of Eryf1.
Using ceramic mixed ionic and electronic conductors for gas separation

The emerging technology involving ceramic mixed ionic and electronic conductors (MIECs) in gas separation is discussed in this overview, which describes the science of MIEC membranes. Further, specific applications of MIECs in syngas production and the generation of hydrogen are described.
Pulse height analyzer-card punch interface

Abstract A simple, reliable, but relatively slow pulse height analyzer-card key punch interface is described which punches one card, containing channel identification and ten data channels, every eight seconds. This letter describes a cheap, simple, but relatively slow interface between a Nuclear Data Model 2200 pulse height analyzer which has a typewriter output to an IBM Model 026 key punch. This system was developed while working on a project involving nuclear geochemistry. The Nuclear Data typewriter drive was obtained with channel identification and, as received, had nonsignificant zeros suppressed. The IBM 026 key punch was received with no modifications
On practical specification and enforcement of obligations

Obligations are an important and indispensable part of many access control policies, such as those in DRM (Digital Rights Management) and healthcare information systems. To be able use obligations in a real-world access control system, there must exist a language for specifying obligations. However, such a language is currently lacking. XACML (eXtensible Access Control Markup Language), the current de facto standard for specifying access control policies, seems to integrate obligations as a part of it, but it treats obligations largely as black boxes, without specifying what an obligation should include and how to handle them. In this paper we examine the challenges in designing a practical approach for specifying and handling obligations, and then propose a language for specifying obligations, and an architecture for handling access control policies with these obligations, extending XACML's specification and architecture. In our design, obligations are modeled as state machines which communicate with the access control system and the outside world via events. We further implement our design into a prototype system named ExtXACML, based on SUN's XACML implementation. ExtXACML is extensible in that new obligation modules can be added into the system to handle various obligations for different applications, which shows the strong power of our design.
Augmented reality, surface style: extending displays through fiber optics

Most displays can show information only on a planar surface. In some cases it is advantageous to extend the display into the third dimension or inside objects on the surface. For instance, a person on one side of an interactive table might want to read a message displayed privately to themselves. This paper describes a novel use of fiber optics to take the light from a planar surface and extend it to display into the third dimension, both vertically and in any direction that the fiber optic is bent.
Food Price Increases and Net Food Importing Countries : Lessons from the Recent Past

Recent increases in food and other commodity prices have highlighted concerns that many poor countries are net food importers and higher food prices would worsen their trade balances. In this article, we analyze the changes in food trade balances associated with the 32% increase in food prices from 2000/2001 to 2004/2005. We find a small deterioration in food trade balances of low-income countries and an improvement in middle-income countries. The deterioration is most severe for countries in conflict and small island states, so attention should be placed first on these countries and on a few very-low-income countries that are also vulnerable. Because low-income countries as a group had much lower agricultural GDP growth rates than middle-income countries, the answers to food vulnerability in low-income countries should probably be addressed within the context of incentives for agricultural production.
Nonrandom loss of chromosome 15 in Syrian hamster tumours induced by v-Ha-ras plus v-myc oncogenes.

Nonrandom chromosome rearrangements, observed in a variety of human and animal tumours1,2, are associated in some cases with enhanced expression or deregulation of cellular oncogenes3,4. Recently, it was shown that normal, diploid rodent cells are neoplastically transformed following transfection with two cooperating oncogenes, for example myc plus ras5–7. However, the number of steps necessary to convert a normal cell into a malignant cell is unknown. If activation of two oncogenes is sufficient for tumorigenicity, tumours derived from diploid cells tranformed by the transfected oncogenes may remain diploid or have only random chromosome alterations. We have performed cytogenetic analyses of tumours formed after transfection of Syrian hamster embryo cells with either v-Ha-ras plus v-myc DNAs or polyoma DNA alone. Whereas polyoma-induced, tumour-derived cells were diploid, tumours induced by v-Ha-ras plus v-myc oncogenes were monoclonal and had a nonrandom chromosome change, monosomy of chromosome 15. Thus, an additional change, loss of chromosome 15, is required for or is advantageous for tumorigenicity induced by v-Ha-ras plus v-myc oncogenes. These results suggest that the neoplastic progression of normal, diploid cells requires more than two steps under certain conditions.
NMR and mass spectrometry of phosphorus in wetlands

Summary There is at present little information on the long-term stability of phosphorus sequestered in wetlands. Phosphorus sequestered during high loading periods may be relatively unstable and easily remobilized following changes in nutrient status or hydrological regime, but the chemical forms of sequestered phosphorus that do remobilize are largely unknown at this time. A lack of suitable analytical techniques has contributed to this dearth of knowledge regarding the stability of soil organic phosphorus. We analysed phosphorus in soils from the ‘head’ of Rescue Strand tree island and an adjacent marsh in the Florida Everglades by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Tree islands are important areas of biodiversity within the Everglades and offer a unique opportunity to study phosphorus sequestration because they are exposed to large phosphorus loads and appear to be natural nutrient sinks. The 31P NMR profiling of extracts from surface and sediment samples in the tree island indicates that phosphorus input to Rescue Strand tree island soils is mostly in the form of inorganic ortho-phosphate and is either refractory when deposited or rapidly recycled by the native vegetation into a stable phosphorus pool largely resistant to re-utilization by plants or microbes. Mass spectrometry revealed the presence of inositol hexakisphosphate, a common organic monophosphate ester not previously observed in Everglades’ soils.
Life history and fecundity rate of Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) on different wheat flour varieties

The effect of different wheat flour varieties (Bahar, Zarin, Pishgham, Pishtaz, Sardari and Parsi) on the life history and fecundity of the Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) was determined at 28 ± 2 °C, 65 ± 5% RH and a light: dark cycle of 14:10 h. The larval period ranged 38.60–49.60 days on Pishgham and Pishtaz, respectively. The longest development time was on Pishtaz (62.45 days) and the shortest was on Parsi (50.98 days). The highest total fecundity (284.60 eggs) and the lowest (219.93 eggs) was observed on Parsi and Zarin, respectively. Cluster analysis of the biological parameters of E. kuehniella on different wheat flour varieties demonstrated that Pishtaz was the partially resistant to E. kuehniella. Determining the suitable variety among wheat flour varieties would help us in improvement of natural enemy production using this pest as food on susceptible varieties of wheat flour.
Acute kidney injury is associated with early cytokine changes after trauma.

BACKGROUNDAcute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 26% of trauma patients and is associated with increased mortality and risk for nosocomial infections (NCIs). We compared serial plasma cytokine levels in patients with posttraumatic AKI to determine whether the early cytokine changes are associated with
Impact of nose-probe chines on the vortex flows about the F-16C

A 1/15-scale model of the F-16C aircraft was tested at subsonic and transonic speeds to determine the effects of small nose-probe chines on the high angle-of-attack aerodynamic and stability characteristics. Off-body flow visualization using a laser vapor screen technique and six-component forces and moments were obtained at freestream Mach numbers of 0.30, 0.60, and 0.80. The nose-probe chines generated strong vortices interacting with the vortices generated over the smooth forebody or over the strakes. These vortices in turn led to global flow unsteadiness and model dynamics at the high angles of attack. The test results underscore the sensitivity of the high angle-of-attack flow field to small geometry changes in the nose region.
PDB-SQL: a storage engine for macromolecular data

The Protein Data Bank (PDB) was established in 1971 as a repository for macromolecular crystal structure data. Recent development of high throughput structural genomic technologies has produced massive quantities of data, and the amount of macromolecular structure data is increasing exponentially. The original format for these files was designed to be human-readable, rather than machine readable, and limited attention was played to standard vocabularies and data formats. It can be difficult to access these data for calculations in an efficient manner. This paper discusses the creation of PDB-SQL, a model database originally designed for the storage of alpha carbon coordinates and other types of information, of all protein structures in the PDB. We describe the architecture of this database and present data indicating the timing required to populate the database with all structures currently in the PDB. Comparison of storage requirements and time required to perform computational tasks are presented. Finally, we describe future development that would allow all macromolecular structure data to be stored in this database.
Accounting for trading and available-for-sale investments

Abstract Differences in accounting for trading securities versus available-for-sale securities is often confusing to students. SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (FASB, 1993), SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income (FASB, 1998), and the presentation of investments in intermediate financial accounting textbooks provide limited guidance for preparing useful classroom examples. Moreover, little mention is given in textbooks to the Statements’ explicit shift in measurement theory for security investments from historical cost to current cost. In this paper, we provide examples of the accounting treatment, journal entries, and financial statement preparation for trading and available-for-sale investment portfolios. Both debt and equity portfolios are used to illustrate the accounting for gains and losses (holding and realized), and the related financial statement presentation. The examples also provide an introduction to the relationship between net income and comprehensive income.
High Performance Microfluidic-Based DNA Isolation Chip

Magnetic separation is one of the effective ways to separate specific biological entities such as DNA/RNA, bacteria, and cells from their native environment for subsequent downstream analysis. The process involves the labeling of the desired biological entity with magnetic beads followed by separating the tagged entities via a magnetic separation device. In conventional tube-based magnetic separation, magnetically labeled biological entities are retained on the inner wall of the tube by applying an external magnet, while the supernatant is decanted off. Removing the tube from the magnetic field enables resuspension of the target entity. Although widely used, there are limitations to the conventional magnetic separation method. For example, there is a significant sample loss due to multiple sample handling, washing, and transfer. In addition, manual magnetic separation systems are labor intensive and their effectiveness is user-dependent.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Calibration of a multi-projector system for display on a cylindrical surface

In this paper we present a method for geometrically, photometrically & colorimetrically calibrating a multi-projector system for display on a cylindrical surface. Using a single camera we reconstruct the 3D surface of the display and determine the projector-screen relationship to accurately register projected images. Given these relationships, we apply chrominance gamut morphing in the overlap regions to smoothly transition from one projected image to the next. After white point balancing and perceptual brightness constraining, the final registered and blended images are shown by each respective projector to create a seamless high resolution image.
Metallocene-catalyzed polymerization of methacrylates to highly syndiotactic polymers at high temperatures.

Cs-Ligated ansa-zirconocene bis- and mono(ester enolate) complexes incorporating the diphenylmethylidene−(cyclopentadienyl)(9-fluorenyl) ligand, upon activation with appropriate activators, are highly active catalysts for the syndiospecific polymerization of MMA at ambient temperature, leading to the production of PMMA with high syndiotacticity (rrrr = 94%) and glass transition temperature (Tg = 139 °C).
Teaching engineering ethics

One consequence of the engineering profession's increased interest in ethics and the social effects of technology is the involvement of philosophers in these areas. Philosophers and engineers are now beginning to work together on ethical and value problems that arise in engineering, just as philosophers and the medical profession have worked together on similar problems. Although this collaboration is somewhat belated, it will unquestionably be beneficial, for the ethical problems faced by engineers are generally mixtures of both philosophical and technical issues. They can only be effectively understood and resolved by applying the different kinds of skills and knowledge possessed by engineers and philosophers.
Program quality with pair programming in CS1

Prior research on pair programming has found that compared to students who work alone, students who pair have shown increased confidence in their work, greater success in CS1, and greater retention in computer-related majors. In these earlier studies, pairing and solo students were not given the same programming assignments. This paper reports on a study in which this factor was controlled by giving the same programming assignments to pairing and solo students. We found that pairing students were more likely to turn in working programs, and these programs correctly implemented more required features. Our findings were mixed when we looked at some standard complexity measures of programs. An unexpected but significant finding was that pairing students were more likely to submit solutions to their programming assignments.
Two‐dimensional turbulence, space shuttle plume transport in the thermosphere, and a possible relation to the Great Siberian Impact Event

[1] During two solstices, Stevens et al. [2003, 2005] presented satellite and ground-based observations that indicated that the water vapor plume from the space shuttle's main engine rapidly expanded and moved quickly to the summer pole. Once there, the water vapor plume condensed into large noctilucent cloud displays. Here we present a hypothesis for the plume's rapid transport and anomalous horizontal diffusion. We argue that this system is two-dimensionally turbulent, which has the property of inverse cascade. This energy transport to large scales explains the poleward transport, and the well-known system properties explain the anomalous diffusion. Additionally, we apply these results to the aftermath of the 1908 Great Siberian Impact Event, when extremely bright night skies were observed in Great Britain during the days following the impact. The impacting object must have contained considerable ice and thus, was very likely a comet.
Education Research as a Contested Enterprise: the deliberations of the SSRC-NAE Joint Committee on Education Research

The SSRC—NAE Joint Committee on Education Research, a multidisciplinary group formed in 2001, initiated an investigation of the complex and sprawling field of American education research organized into three general domains of inquiry: the social organization of education research, an assessment of the quality of education research, and a consideration of the politics and policy implications of education research. This article describes the organization of this effort, summarizes the major themes discussed, and describes the resources gathered and research projects suggested by these deliberations.
Immune Mediators of Rotavirus Antigenemia Clearance in Mice

The immunological mediators that clear rotavirus antigenemia or viremia remain undefined. Immunodeficient mice and antibody transfer were used to test whether lymphocytes or rotavirus-specific serum antibodies are essential for resolving antigenemia. Clearance of antigenemia required lymphocytes, but neither T nor B lymphocytes were absolutely required. Transfer of convalescent-phase or nonneutralizing rotavirus-specific serum antibodies to the systemic compartment of severe-combined-immunodeficient (SCID) mice temporarily suppressed the onset or level of chronic rotavirus antigenemia. Our findings provide the first report demonstrating that clearance of rotavirus antigenemia and possibly viremia are mediated by multiple effector lymphocyte subsets and serum antibodies.
Far-ultraviolet optical activity of saccharide derivatives. II. Dextran, amylose, and mycodextran acetes; dextran and amylose xanthates

The ultraviolet ORD and CD spectra of amylose, dextran, and mycodextran acetates and some of thier oligomers were recorded in trifluoroethanol solution in the 300–185nm wavelength range. Similarly, the spectra of amylose and dextran xanthates in water solution were obtained in the 400–200 nm range. In the amylose acetate series, the monomer and dimer both show a normal acetyl n π* transition in CD, while the trimer and the polymer both exhibit an additional, shorter wavelength peak. The latter is presumed to arise from a helical conformation of the amylose chain. This interpretation is substantiated by a helix–coil type transition of the CD spectra of amylose triacetate at elevated temperatures and a reversion of the anomalous CD to the normal CD upon partial deacetylation. By contrast, neither dextran acetates nor mycodextran acetate exhibit any conformational effects. The CD of dextran acetates is quite sensitive to β-1,6 and branch linkages. The ORD and CD of amylose xanthate are complex, suggesting the presence of organized structure in solution. The dextran xanthate shows only a simple ORD spectrum and no observable CD.
UV-C irradiation gives platelets a sunburn

In this issue of Blood , Verhaar and colleagues report that, although UV-C irradiation is an attractive method to minimize microbial contamination of platelet concentrates, it directly activates platelet αIIbβ3 by reducing critical extracellular disulfide bonds, resulting in the aggregation of stored platelets.