cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of voids and inclusions in thin metal plates using Bragg imaging

For thin metal plates which are used for aerospace pressure vessels, an assessment of voids and inclusions is essential for fatigue analysis. It is known that flaws of these types with sizes larger than 127 mu m (5 mils) in diameter can appreciably shorten the fatigue life below the design limits. To improve the current capabilities of detecting flaws of the above size in thin metal plates the application of Bragg imaging techniques has been attempted. Using ultrasonic frequencies near 30 MHz and a helium-neon laser, the spatial resolution has been determined to be close to the above flaw size based on the image of holes in thin Inconel-718 plates. While the system was designed to optimize spatial resolution, it distorts the obtained image in the vertical direction. This is corrected by a simple numerical processing technique. Details of the Bragg imaging system design and analysis of the results are discussed. Also discussed are the elements to determine the sensitivity for flaw detection. >
Diffuse fibrosis leads to a decrease in unipolar voltage: Validation in a swine model of premature ventricular contraction-induced cardiomyopathy

Background Frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) may lead to dilated cardiomyopathy. A leftward shift in the unipolar voltage distribution in patients with cardiomyopathy has also been described and attributed to increased fibrosis. Objectives We established a swine model of PVC-induced cardiomyopathy and assessed (1) whether an increase in left ventricular fibrosis occurs and (2) whether increased fibrosis leads to a leftward shift in the unipolar voltage distribution. Methods Ten swine underwent implantation of ventricular pacemakers; 6 programmed to deliver a 50% PVC burden and 4 controls without pacing. Voltage maps were acquired at baseline and after 14 weeks of ventricular bigeminy. Results In the PVC group, left ventricular ejection fraction decreased from 67% ± 7% to 44% ± 15% (P Conclusion PVC-induced cardiomyopathy in swine leads to an increase in interstitial fibrosis and a leftward shift in the unipolar voltage distribution. These findings are consistent with findings in humans with PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.
Why do some maltreated youth become juvenile offenders?: A call for further investigation and adaptation of youth services

Abstract Experiencing maltreatment is an established risk factor for delinquency. Yet, an understanding of the maltreatment–delinquency link is incomplete as few models have elucidated how maltreated youth become juvenile delinquents. This paper utilizes the latest empirical evidence to propose a diagram detailing pathways from maltreatment to delinquency through potential intervening risk factors, including substance abuse, mental health problems, school difficulties, negative peer networks, and running away from home. Hypothesized gender differences in pathways from maltreatment to delinquency are delineated. Implications for adaptation of child welfare and juvenile justice services to address the link between maltreatment and delinquency are discussed. This paper calls for testing and refining of the proposed pathways from maltreatment to delinquency in order to advance understanding of these complex relationships.
ARRANGEMENT AND FUNCTIONAL IDENTIFICATION OF GENES IN THE REGULATORY REGION OF LAMBDOID PHAGE H-19B, A CARRIER OF A SHIGA-LIKE TOXIN

Abstract H-19B is a lambdoid phage that carries the genes (stx-I) encoding the two toxin subunits of a Shiga-like toxin; Escherichia coli lysogens of H-19B are converted to toxin producers. Based on the determination of a 17-kb region of the H-19B genome and functional studies, we have identified the early regulatory region and associated genes of H-19B, as well as the location of the late regulatory region and the toxin and lysis genes. A comparative analysis of the sequence of the H-19B genome reveals the presence of ORFs and genes found in analogous positions on the genomes of a number of other lambdoid phages. A cloned genomic fragment that confers immunity to an infecting H-19B phage contains an ORF of an analogous size and genomic location for a repressor gene, adjacent to a putative operator region. The λ replication genes, O and P, are conserved in H-19B except for a 39-bp insert in the O gene creating two new O protein-binding sites in the origin of replication (ori), giving H-19B six binding sites as opposed to the four sites found in λ. We identify ORFs and sequences involved in transcriptional regulation encoding N-like antitermination systems like those found in other lambdoid phages and nearly identical to sequences found in phage HK97. Our functional studies show that these sequences support antitermination even though they contain significant differences from those of other lambdoid phages. We also identify ORFs and sequences analogous to the Q-p′R late antiterminators–promoters found in other lambdoid phages. The Shiga-like stx-I genes are located directly downstream of the promoter, p′R, for the late genes, and upstream of the lysis genes.
Superpowers: The American Academic Elite

This paper examines the hiring practices of Ph.D. — granting political science programs in the United States. It finds that hiring is closely related to one's Ph.D. alma mater as a form on institutional affiliation. Descriptive statistics for this impact are given and include that the top five programs place 20% of all R1 academics and the top eleven place 50%.
Time-Varying Phenomena in Cavities

Sections 6-4 and 6-5 consider the bidirectional ring laser, which is described by two oppositely-running waves of possibly different frequencies. This is a simple and useful example of multimode phenomena that can produce time variations in the laser. The present chapter considers a number of time-varying laser processes such as the relaxation oscillations in the ruby or semiconductor laser output, the build-up of multimode operation in lasers, the generation of steady-state pulse trains, and chaotic operation. Some of these time-varying processes result when you might expect single-mode steady-state operation such as in a homogeneously-broadened unidirectional ring laser. As such their multimode character can be thought of as an instability of single-mode operation. Other cases of multimode operation are expected intuitively, since different cavity modes interact to a considerable extent with different atoms, such as in a Doppler-broadened gaseous medium. While these can also be thought of as optical instabilities, we prefer to refer to them in the traditional way simply as multimode operation. In particular, this kind of operation can produce a periodic train of short pulses.
Market Expectations for First-Time Going-Concern Recipients:

Prior research on market reaction to going-concern modifications indicates that unanticipated modifications cause a negative market reaction, whereas anticipated modifications produce no similar re...
Improving Urban Middle Schools: Lessons from the Nativity Schools by L. Mickey Fenzel

Since the release of the Coleman Report (1966), policymakers, educators, and researchers have sought ways to provide better educational opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. De...
Shell structure surface impedances for eddy current problems

The author examines the application of the surface impedance technique (SIT) to transient problems and shell structures where the conductor thickness is much less than the skin depth. The theoretical framework is developed for a cylindrical geometry. Test results are presented for both cylindrical and spherical transient problems. It is concluded that the SIT is a useful technique for examining both transient and steady-state field variations in eddy current problems. >
Effect of Testosterone and Dienestrol Diacetate on Hemoglobin Levels of Cockerels and Capons

Abstract THE results of several investigations have suggested the possibility that gonadal hormones affect hemoglobin levels. Harmon (1936) found no significant difference in hemoglobin levels of male and female chicks up to 8 weeks of age, although cocks had higher levels than hens and capons. This phenomenon was noted also in pigeons and doves by Riddle and Braucher (1934). Tanaka and Rosenberg (1954) reported that mature males had significantly higher Hb * levels than females from 24 to 80 weeks of age. In their investigation, laying chickens had lower Hb levels than nonlaying birds from the same hatch, and Hb levels varied significantly within individuals, being higher during periods of pause and partial molt than during egg production. These phenomena were observed both in mature pullets and yearling hens. Steinglass et al. (1941) reported that, in rats, normal males had higher Hb values than norml females. Following castration, the erythrocyte numbers and …
Effects of Growth Regulators and Genotypes on Callus and Embryoid Induction from Maize Anther Culture

Fifty genotypes and ten growth-regulator combinations were used in two experiments (I and II) to investigate genotype and hormonal effects on production of callus and embryoids via anther culture in maize (Zea mays L.). Hormonal effects across all genotypes were not significant in either experiment. However, highest callus-induction frequencies in both experiments occurred on YP basal medium plus 2,4-D at 2.0 mg 1−1, and kinetin at 1.5 mg 1−1 indicating that this combination was more effective than others. Genotypic differences in callus or embryoid induction across all media were significant. The most responsive genotypes in experiment I were single-cross hybrids Yuanwu × 592 and K727 × K305, which produced 18.3 and 6.7 % calli, respectively, with their appropriate media. The most responsive entry in experiment II was CIMMYT Pool 29, which produced 15.0 % calli on appropriate medium and an average of 10.0 % calli across 10 media. Twenty-three plantlets was regenerated from this study. Most of them developed embryogenically.
Microglia in the nerve fiber layer of the cat retina: detection of postnatal changes by a new monoclonal antibody.

This paper describes changes in the appearance and distribution of microglia in postnatal cat retina as demonstrated by a new antibody, H386F. This fractionated IgM antibody was created via an intrasplenic immunization of a single BALB/C mouse with about 2–3 × 105 large, whole cells isolated from 46 minced cat retinae. To confirm that the labeled cells are microglia, the staining properties of H386F were compared with those of four commercially available antibodies, OX-33, OX-41, OX-42, and ED-1, that have been used by others to distinguish between microglia and other cells in rat brain. These experiments show that H386F is the only antibody of the five to label only microglia in both the cat retina and hippocampus.
Equation of state for parahydrogen

A pressure-explicit equation of state is presented for parahydrogen describing the experimental data of Goodwin, Diller, Roder, and Weber, which consist of over 1,200 points ranging between 2 and 365 atm, 19 and 100 deg K, and 0.0011 and 0.044 moles/cm/sup 3/. The equation is a modification of that of Hirschfelder, Buehler, McGee, and Sutton and is divided into different expressions for the three regions representing low density gas, high density gas, and liquid. The equations for the three regions are continuous at their boundaries through the second partial derivatives of pressure with respect to density and temperature. Besides relatively high accuracy, the proposed equation of state possesses reasonable extrapolation properties, and is of a form that allows analytical integration of the theoretical expressions for thermodynamic properties such as enthalpy, entropy, and internal energy. (auth)
Architecture and performance of the ESPER-2 hard-disk drive servo writer

The servo writer is known as the most accurate and sensitive tool on an HDD (harddisk drive) manufacturing line. ESPER-2 is designed as a product-independent common servo writer which incorporates major advances in equipment cost, reduction of clean-room requirements, and writing accuracy. The servo writing process consists of two stages. The first stage writes the master servo pattern on as many as ten disks at once with little need for contaminant protection facilities. One such master disk is then assembled with other, raw, disks in a file, and the second stage writes the proper servo pattern on all disk surfaces by referring to the master. The effects of off-center discursions in the mechanical disk assembly and random runout (NRRO, or nonrepeatable runout) in the product spindle components are eliminated by table-lookup servo actuator control, so that writing accuracy is improved. Neither an exceptionally clean environment nor fine mechanical parts are required for the second-stage operation.
THE PRODUCTION OF BEAMS FROM SOLID MATERIALS AT THE LBL ECR SOURCE

Two ovens are described for the feed of vapor from solid materials in the LBL ECR source. A low temperature oven, operating up to 700 /degree/ C, has been used for Li, Mg, P, K, Ca, Ti and Bi. A high temperature oven operating up to 2000/degree/C, has been used for Sc, Fe, Ni, Cu, Ag, La and Tb. At the 1 e..mu..A level the charge states from the oven beams are very close to those from gases. 4 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.
Attraction of Coastal Pelagic Fishes with Artificial Structures

Abstract Artificial structures positioned off Panama City, Florida, during July 1969 proved effective in attracting commercial quantities of round scad, Spanish sardines, and scaled sardines. The structures' position in the water column and their design were important in attracting fish. Midwater structures which resembled a small pup tent were effective in attracting up to 25 metric tons of fish and consistently attracted frown 1/2 to 5 metric tons daily. SCUBA divers made visual estimates of the number of each species present at the structures. We discuss the behavior of the fish and present a possible explanation of why fish are associated with submerged structures.
Process development for in situ remediation of a highly contaminated groundwater plume

Abstract Over two decades, a chemical processing waste liquor which contained high concentrations of both ammonium sulfate and organic species (up to 85 000 mg/l sulfate and 38 000 mg/l total organic carbon [TOC]), was discharged into surficial trenches, adjacent to a manufacturing facility. Waste deposits have migrated and reacted in the underlying aquifer. A multi-phase contaminant plume has resulted. In situ treatment has been investigated to contain groundwater and treat the contaminants. An appropriate system must arrange process components to effectively eliminate organic and inorganic species. Several process scenarios have been considered. In situ precipitation of sulfate to form a groundwater flow barrier, followed by an anaerobic denitrification step appears to be a promising process. Results of laboratory-scale experiments indicate that the combined sequence can reduce total dissolved solids by over 75%, and TOC by nearly 90%. A demonstration of the process at pilot-scale is under consideration.
Identification and control of noncoronary collateral blood flow.

Abstract To identify the source of noncoronary collateral myocardial blood flow and to establish methods to control it during induced ischemia, 29 dogs were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass. The right and left ventricles were vented, vent flows were measured volumetrically, and intracavitary left ventricular (LV) pressures were monitored. After induction of ischemia by aortic cross-clamping and infusion of cardioplegic solution, six different microspheres 7 to 10 μm in diameter were injected into the aorta at six different times to measure myocardial blood flow during the following interventions: vent drainage of the right or left ventricle or both, proximal ligation of both coronary arteries, severance of the proximal pulmonary artery or the ascending aorta or both, and ligation of the bronchial arteries. Without effective LV venting, LV intracavitary pressure rose to 7.0 ± 0.1 mm Hg (mean ± standard error of the mean) and myocardial blood flow in the anterior left ventricle was 2.3 ± 1.3 ml/100 gm/min. When the LV vent was opened, vent flow was 35.9 ± 3.5 ml/min and myocardial blood flow fell to 0.3 ± 0.2 ml/100 gm/min. Right ventricular (RV) vent flow was absent except when the LV vent was occluded, and this RV vent flow was abolished by ligating the coronary arteries. With bronchial artery ligation, LV vent flow ceased and myocardial blood flow was virtually absent. These studies demonstrate that myocardial blood flow does occur during induced ischemia, but that the source of this blood flow is primarily through systemic–pulmonary channels. True noncoronary collateral myocardial blood flow was virtually nonexistent.
FURTHER HETEROGENEITY IN LETHAL NEONATAL SHORT-LIMBED DWARFISM

In recent years the extent of the heterogeneity within lethal neonatal short limbed dwarfism has become apparent, with the delineation of numerous distinct syndromes such as thanatophoric dwarfism, achondrogenesis and the short rib polydactyly syndromes. Utilizing a combined clinical, radiologic, histologic and biochemical approach, we have observed further heterogeneity within this group of disorders. For example, we feel we can distinguish at least 3 distinct disorders in what has been called “thanatophoric” dwarfism, by histological and biochemical criteria. One group of patients is recognized by the Kleeblattschadel skull deformity. They differ both radiologically and in the histologic appearance of their growth plates from patients not manifesting this deformity. In this latter group, 2 additional disorders can be distinguished by specific growth plate histopathology and biochemical abnormalities observed on whole chain electrophoresis of collagen isolated from resting cartilage. Similarly, 2 distinct varieties of achondrogenesis can be clearly separated by radiologic and histopathologic criteria. The short rib polydactyly syndromes were originally divided into the Majewski and Saldino-Noonan types on the basis of radiologic criteria. He feel that the latter type can be further subdivided into 2 distinct entities. These studies demonstrate that the true heterogeneity of this group of disorders is only beginning to be appreciated, and that further heterogeneity will likely be found by this multidisciplinary approach.
Radiolytic reduction of protein and nonprotein disulfides in the presence of formate : a chain reaction

We have reported recently that the disulfide groups in bovine serum albumin can be reduced by a radiolytic chain reaction which occurs in deoxygenated solutions containing formate ions. This reaction, which involves the reduction of disulfide groups by hydrated electrons and carbon dioxide radical anions, has now been studied in greater detail and compared with an analogous reaction in small, disulfide containing molecules over a range of pH values and substrate concentrations. A two-step reaction is proposed to account for the reduction of disulfides in reactions which can have chain lengths of 20 or more. Thiols produced by the disulfide reduction are stable to the conditions of the reaction. For example, a biological assay showed that the integrity of glutathione was maintained even at radiation doses much larger than those required to achieve complete reduction of glutathione disulfide. It was found that the extent of disulfide reduction could easily be controlled by varying the radiation dose delivered to the solutions. Radiolytic reduction is a very useful way of reducing protein and low molecular weight disulfides without the use of excess quantities of reagents such as dithiothreitol. In many cases, the reaction solutions could be used directly for subsequent reactions and this may be of considerable value in modifying the structure of hormones, enzymes, membrane receptors, and other disulfide containing proteins. If ammonium formate is used, freeze drying is an effective way to remove the formate salt, should this be required.
Immunotherapy of murine leukemia. XI. differential susceptibility of spleen cells from serum-protected mice to the in vitro immunosuppressive effects of Friend leukemia virus-infected splenocytes.

It has previously been shown that DBA/2 mice protected against the development of Friend leukemia virus (FLV)4-induced disease by the passive administration of heterologous antisera directed against disrupted virions or the major viral envelope glycoprotein (gp71) fail to undergo the generalized immunosuppression which characterizes FLV leukemogenesis. In the present studies, the susceptibility of spleen cells from serum-protected mice to the immunosuppressive effects of FLV-infected spleen cells has been examined by means of in vitro assays of antibody production and of natural killing (NK). In contrast to the parallel suppression of both functions in FLV-infected mice and their lack of suppression in serum-protected animals, a dichotomy was observed in the in vitro susceptibility of these activities of spleen cells from serum-protected mice to the suppressive effects of virus-infected splenocytes, implying that more than one mechanism of suppression is operative. Thus, the antibody-producing capability of serum-protected splenocytes was not suppressed by FLV-infected spleen cells, this suppression reflecting the activity of infectious virus, while the NK effector function of serum-protected spleen cells was as susceptible as that of normal splenocytes to suppression by virus-infected spleen cells. This suppression of NK activity is mediated by virus-induced suppressor cells and does not involve free infectious virus, in contrast to suppression of antibody production. These results thus indicate that, while serum therapy inhibits the development of the virus-induced NK suppressor cells found in the spleens of progressively infected mice, splenic NK effectors, which are present, demonstrate full susceptibility to the suppressive effects of such independently generated virus-induced suppressor cells. Preliminary attempts at characterizing these NK suppressors in the spleens of FLV-infected mice indicate that they are not eliminated by treatment with antisera directed against T cells, B cells, macrophages or FLV gp71. However, Percoll fractionation of spleen cells from infected mice has revealed the presence of an expanded (as compared to normal spleen cells) population of cells of density 1.077 which demonstrates high in vitro NK suppressor activity, presumably representing the virus-induced suppressor cells measured in this assay. At the present time, the mechanism of the resistance of serum-protected spleen cells' antibody production to suppression by FLV-infected splenocytes (i.e., by FLV itself) remains undefined.
A new synthetic ether aminophosphoglyceride exhibits partial modulator activity towards the glucocorticoid receptor.

Abstract Modulator is an endogenous low-molecular weight regulator of both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors, as well as protein kinase C. Analogs of the putative modulator structure have been synthesized. These compounds include 1-O-(3′-carboxypropyl) or (5′-carboxypentyl)-L-glycero-3-phospho-L-serine or L-threonine, and the D-glycerol stereoisomers. These compounds were tested for in vitro modulator activity using the glucocorticoid-receptor complex activation inhibition and steroid-binding stabilization assays. One of the ether phosphoglycerides, 1-O-(5′carboxypentyl)-L-glycero-3-phospho-L-threonine (H-GPT-1), partially inhibited steroid-receptor complex activation in a dose-dependent manner. However, none of the other compounds exhibited any modulator activity towards the glucocorticoid-receptor complex. Like modulator, H-GPT-1 did not inhibit activated glucocorticoid-receptor complex binding to DNA-cellulose. Surprisingly, in contrast to modulator, H-GPT-1 partially inhibited unoccupied receptor steroid-binding in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that although modulator is not exactly mimicked by this compound, H-GPT-I is the first synthetic organic molecule to exhibit some modulator activity towards the glucocorticoid receptor.
A theory of high mathematical aptitude

Abstract Talent searches identifying mathematically able junior high school youth have shown, on a number of summary statistics, remarkably consistent sex differences on mathematical aptitude test scores. To date no theory has been presented which can account for the data. A model is proposed which assumes there is a sex-linked gene which facilitates high mathematical test score performance. The model accounts for the ordered data relations.
Estimation of eruption source parameters from umbrella cloud or downwind plume growth rate

Abstract We introduce a new method to estimate mass eruption rate (MER) and mass loading from the growth of a volcanic umbrella cloud or downwind plume using satellite images, or photographs where ground-based observations are available. This new method is compared with pre-existing models and documented mass eruption rate given in the research literature. We applied the method to five well-studied eruptions (Mount St. Helens, 1980; Redoubt, 1990; Pinatubo, 1991; Hekla, 2000 and Eyjafjallajokull, 2010) and to five less well-documented eruptions (Kliuchevsko'i, 1994; Okmok, 2008; Kasatochi, 2008; Sarychev Peak, 2009 and Bezymianny, 2012). The mass eruption rate is obtained by estimation of the radius of the umbrella cloud with time or by estimation of the width of the downwind plume with distance from the volcano. The results given by the new method show a more fully characterized MER as a function of time than do the results given by pre-existing methods, and allow a faster, remote assessment of the mass eruption rate, even for volcanoes that are difficult to study. The method thus may provide an additional important path to the estimation of source parameters and the forecasting of ash cloud propagation. In addition, in cases where numerous methods are available, use of the method yields new, independent measures of mass eruption rate, hence an ability to estimate uncertainty in mass eruption rate, which could be used in probabilistic estimations of ash cloud propagation.
Response to Howell’s (2010) Commentary

Purpose Findings from Anderson (2007) were broadly interpreted according to several psycholinguistic-oriented theories of stuttering, including EXPLAN (Howell, 2004). Although the study was not exp...
Hyperspectral image classification using an unsupervised neuro-fuzzy system

An unsupervised neuro-fuzzy system, Gaussian fuzzy self-organizing map (GFSOM), is proposed for hyperspectral image classification. This algorithm operates by integrating an unsupervised neural network with a Gaussian function-based fuzzy system. We also explore the potential for hyperspectral image analysis of three other artificial intelligence (AI)-based unsupervised techniques popular for multispectral image analysis: self-organizing map (SOM), fuzzy c-mean (FCM), and descending fuzzy learning vector quantization (DFLVQ). To apply these methods effectively and efficiently to hyperspectral imagery, an optimal learning sample selection strategy and a prototype initialization system are developed. An experimental study on classifying an EO-1/Hyperion hyperspectral image illustrates that GFSOM achieves the best accuracy, since it can model both the central tendency characteristics of input samples and capture the dispersion characteristics of data within a cluster. By adopting the system initialization approach developed here, all the AI-based techniques have the capability to classify hyperspectral images and can deliver acceptable accuracy, which could consequently accelerate their transitions from the multispectral to the hyperspectral field.
An allogeneic hybrid-cell fusion vaccine against canine mammary cancer.

Mammary cancer is among the most prevalent of canine tumors frequently resulting in death due to metastatic disease. Most tumors fail to raise an effective immune reaction making improving immune recognition a priority. Hybrid-cell fusion strategies have been employed to load dendritic cell populations with tumor cell antigens to stimulate immune recognition; however, recovery, heterogeneity and quality of primary cells from patients present enormous challenges. We employed allogeneic cell lines to develop an improved hybrid-cell fusion strategy and evaluated immune reactions in normal laboratory beagles. Such a strategy relies on enhanced immune recognition of allogeneic tumor cell antigens by antigen presenting cells. Optimized PEG-promoted fusions between uniquely stained canine mammary tumor CMT12 or CMT28 cells and a dendritic cell-like DH82 cell fusion partner resulted in greater than 40% hybrid-cell fusion populations by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Hybrid-cell fusions were delivered by direct ultrasound guided injection into popliteal lymph nodes of laboratory beagles. Only hybrid-cell fusions provided statistically significant enhancement of cell-mediated immunity ((51)Cr-release assay) compared to innate reactions in naive vehicle injected dogs while dogs vaccinated with either single cell component alone did not. Vaccination with hybrid-cell fusions enhanced IFN-gamma expression in sorted CD8+ and CD4+ cells but not in CD4-/CD8- cells consistent with a CTL response. Cell-mediated immune assays revealed strong reactions against matched (vaccine component) CMT cells and unmatched CMT cells indicative of an immune response to mammary cancer antigens common to both cell lines. These results provide proof of principle for development of an allogeneic vaccination strategy against canine mammary cancer.
Is intravascular ultrasound better than quantitative coronary arteriography to assess cardiac allograft arteriopathy

Optimal methods to detect and quantify allograft arteriopathy have not been established. Both arteriography and intravascular ultrasound have been used to evaluate vessel lumen diameter and area and arterial wall thickness in patients following cardiac transplantation, although due to the anatomically diffuse nature of this disease, neither technique has been accepted as the diagnostic "gold standard". To determine the usefulness of quantitative angiography to detect transplant-related coronary artery disease compared to intravascular ultrasound, 25 patients underwent both procedures following cardiac transplantation (20 1 year). Lumen diameter and area measurements of proximal coronary artery segments were compared using both techniques. Overall, lumen diameter and area measurements correlated closely between the two procedures, both for the early and late follow-up patients. However, because of the ability to characterize changes more precisely in coronary vessel shape and wall thickness, intravascular ultrasound offered distinct advantages over routine coronary angiography and is probably the technique of choice to evaluate allograft arteriopathy.
From surface coatings to polymer nanofilms: lifting off polymer brushes

In this contribution we introduce a technique for the fabrication of a new kind of organic nanofilm from polymer brushes. For this, we grew poly(styrene) brushes on a thin film of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The resulting graft polymer film was patterned into square-shaped sections using photolithographic techniques. Afterwards the PVA layer was dissolved in water, thus lifting off the extremely thin layer of brush material. We obtained dimensionally stable, square shaped objects with a thickness in the nanometer size region, dispersed in water. When dried on a substrate, these nanofilms showed a unique folding behavior.
Focal occlusion of the rabbit carotid artery by endovascular laser therapy.

Laser energy was fiberoptically transmitted into the carotid artery of a series of rabbits to induce an acute focal arterial occlusion. Temporary interruption of blood flow during the treatment was necessary to achieve an occlusion. The arterial occlusive effects of three wavebands of laser energy were compared and the violet band proved the most effective when using 0.3–0.5 Joules/second for 25–30 seconds. There was always the risk of vascular performation during treatment when laser energy emission was from a bare-tipped optical fiber.
The Experience of Vicarious Posttraumatic Growth in Mental Health Workers

In order to add to the body of research that examines the phenomenon of vicarious posttraumatic growth, this study sought to illuminate the lived experiences of mental health professionals who work on a day-to-day basis with multiply traumatized children and adolescents and, as a result, experience measurably high levels of vicarious trauma and compassion satisfaction. The findings from this qualitative study support positive vicarious experiences derived from trauma work and expose the pathologically focused nature of the profession.
Extranuclear apoptosis. The role of the cytoplasm in the execution phase.

The execution phase is the “active” phase of apoptosis occurring immediately after a cell commits to the death program. It lasts about an hour and is characterized by the hallmark morphologic features of apoptosis (e.g., membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation)
A justification for the use of the Langer modification in Miller's classical analog method of non-adiabatic scattering

Abstract The analytical behavior of the S matrix in Miller's classical analog method for electronic degrees of freedom in non-adiabatic scattering is considered. It is demonstrated that the Langer modification, which replaces the action variables nk with nk + 1 2 , results in an acceptable functional form at the singular points in the classical equations of motion governing this method. If the Langer modification is not made, or if the action variables are shifted by other than half integers, then the S matrix does not behave reasonably at these points.
THE CHLOROPHYLL-CARBON DIOXIDE RATIO DURING PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Using a rapid spectrographic method of carbon dioxide measurement previously described by McAlister (1937) further studies on the time course of photosynthesis in the higher plant, wheat, variety Marquis, are herein reported. Of major importance in this work is the discovery of a pick-up of carbon dioxide in darkness immediately following a high rate of photosynthesis (see Figs. 3 and 4). This pick-up is believed to be due to the action of a carbon dioxide-combining intermediate; i.e., the "acceptor molecule" for carbon dioxide in photosynthesis. The conditions under which this phenomenon has so far been observed indicate that the intermediate is formed in relatively large quantities during the actual process of photosynthesis and not before. That the intermediate is chlorophyllous in nature is suggested by a simple stoichiometry of the order of unity that is found to exist between the number of carbon dioxide molecules taken up and the total number of chlorophyll molecules present in the plant. This is in opposition to the idea of a large photosynthetic unit of some 2000 chlorophyll molecules operating together in the reduction of 1 carbon dioxide molecule. Further studies of the induction phase under various conditions of previous dark rest and of carbon dioxide and light limitation are herein described. Employing the simple hypothesis that the number of carbon dioxide molecules not reduced during the induction period (induction loss) gives a measure of the number of elementary photosynthetic cycles unoperative or compensated for during induction together with the experimental fact that this induction loss is of the order of the total number of chlorophyll molecules present, these latter studies also indicate, in a less direct manner, that chlorophyll participates in photosynthesis as an individual molecule and not as part of a very large multimolecular chlorophyll unit. The fast dark reaction lasting about 1 minute (Fig. 7) required to reproduce both (a) the phenomena of induction in carbon dioxide assimilation and (b) the recovery of fluorescence of chlorophyll in leaves in darkness as observed by Franck and Wood (1936), demonstrates a close relationship between the fluorescence of chlorophyll and induction in photosynthesis. The rate of respiration (carbon dioxide production) of the higher plant, wheat, was measured under intense illumination and in the absence of carbon dioxide (to suppress assimilation). This value was found to be identical with the dark respirational rate measured before and after the light period, indicating very positively the absence of any direct effect of light on respiration.
A comparative study of cancer proteins in the human protein-protein interaction network

Cancer is a complex disease. So far, many genes have been reported to involve in the development of cancer. Rather than the traditional approach to studying individual genes or loci, a systematic investigation of cancer proteins in the human protein-protein interaction network may provide important biological information for uncovering the molecular mechanisms of cancer and, potentially, other complex diseases. We explored global and local network characteristics of the proteins encoded by cancer genes (cancer proteins) in the human interactome. We found that the network topology of the cancer proteins was much different from that of the proteins encoded by essential genes (essential proteins) or control genes (control proteins). Relative to the essential proteins or control proteins, cancer proteins tended to have higher degree, higher betweenness, shorter shortest-path distance, and weaker clustering coefficient in the human interactome. We further separated the cancer proteins into two groups (recessive and dominant cancer proteins) and compared their topological features. Recessive cancer proteins had higher betweenness than dominant cancer proteins, while their degree distribution and characteristic shortest path distance were also significantly different. Finally, we found that cancer proteins were not randomly distributed in the human interactome and they connected strongly with each other. Our study revealed much stronger protein-protein interaction characteristics of cancer proteins relative to the essential proteins or control proteins in the whole human interactome. We also found stronger network characteristics of recessive than dominant cancer proteins. The results are helpful for cancer candidate gene prioritization and verification, biomarker discovery, and, ultimately, understanding the etiology of cancer at the systems biological level.
Overnight consolidation promotes generalization across talkers in the identification of nonnative speech sounds

This investigation explored the generalization of phonetic learning across talkers following training on a nonnative (Hindi dental and retroflex) contrast. Participants were trained in two groups, either in the morning or in the evening. Discrimination and identification performance was assessed in the trained talker and an untrained talker three times over 24 h following training. Results suggest that overnight consolidation promotes generalization across talkers in identification, but not necessarily discrimination, of nonnative speech sounds.
Capacitive edge sensor design for SELENE segmented primary mirror

ECTIVE The objective of this project is to produce a proof-of-concept demonstration of an edge sen sor for the Space Laser Energy (SELENE) program. The operational specifications are: im full range in the z 10 nm resolution in z 100 jim 5p.mgap width between segments sign information 30 kHz bandwidth where z is the direction normal to the reflective surface of the mirror segment. Fabrication cost constraints also require that the edge sensor is affordable, easy to align, and integrable with seg ment materials. The small dimension of each hexagonal segment (3 cm from flat to flat, 1 cm thick) also requires that the sensor is small.
Estimating natural landscape changes from 1992 to 2030 in the conterminous US

Quantifying landscape dynamics is a central goal of landscape ecology, and numerous metrics have been developed to measure the influence of human activities on natural landscapes. Composite scores that characterize human modifications to landscapes have gained widespread use. A parsimonious alternative is to estimate the proportion of a cover type (i.e. natural) within a spatial neighborhood to characterize both compositional and structural aspects of natural landscapes. Here I extend this approach into a multi-scale, integrated metric and apply it to national datasets on land cover, housing density, road existence, and highway traffic volume to measure the dynamics of natural landscapes in the conterminous US. Roughly one-third of the conterminous US (2.6 million km2) in 1992 was classified as human-dominated. By 2001 this expanded by 80,800 km2, and forecasted residential growth by 2030 will potentially lead to an additional loss of up to 92,200 km2. Wetland cover types were particularly affected. The natural landscapes metric developed here provides a simple, robust measure of landscape dynamics that has a direct physical interpretation related to proportion of natural habitat affected at a location, represents landscapes as a gradient of conditions rather predicated on patch/matrix definition, and measures the spatial context of natural areas.
Safety and Efficacy of Same-Session Bilateral Ureteroscopy

Purpose: Same-session ureteroscopy for bilateral urinary calculi would potentially reduce costs and the need for a second anesthetic compared with staged procedures. We sought to establish the safe...
A Cost Effective Motion Platform for Performance Testing of MEMS-Based Attitude and Heading Reference Systems

An accurate attitude and heading reference system (AHRS) is a key component to ensuring safe and reliable flight of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Recently, much attention has been given to developing AHRS using inertial sensors based on microelectromechanical sytems (MEMS). These MEMS-based AHRS are low-cost, lightweight, and consume little power. However, the advantages of inexpensive MEMS sensors are coupled with the drawback of having greater potential error in reported roll, pitch, and yaw angles due to increased sensor noise and drift. To minimize this error, advanced sensor fusion techniques such as Kalman Filtering are commonly implemented. Testing these techniques, and the AHRS as a whole, is therefore a crucial part of the performance optimization process. This paper outlines the development of an inexpensive 3-axis motion platform for AHRS calibration and testing that replicates aircraft motions from actual UAV flights, or from a flight simulator. To accomplish this, custom LabVIEW control software was developed to process time-stamped aircraft orientation data. Commands were then sent through a microcontroller to the motion platform, which reconstructs the flights with high precision (R2 = .994). By using this method, AHRS testing can be performed under more realistic conditions, providing an alternative to costly field testing. This technique is especially useful for simulations of autonomous vehicle technologies such as collision avoidance, where an increased risk of damage to the UAV is present.
D-wave Resonances in Positronium Hydride

In a previous paper [Phys. Rev. A 65, 032721 (2002)] we re-examined a model describing the structure of the low-energy Ps-H resonances as being due to quasi-bound states of the positron in the perturbed Coulomb potential of the H-ion appearing in the closed, rearranged channel. In particular, we wished to understand why the lowest p-state resonance was so far away from the lowest quasi-bound (2p) state. We found that the lowest resonance actually corresponds to the first excited [3p] state, while the lowest state is not recognizable as a resonance. In the present work we repeat our analysis, but this time for the lowest d state. We find that the lowest [3d] state does correspond to a resonance shifted moderately.
Parental Work and Early Adolescence Issues for Research and Practice

Research that has examined the relationship between parental employment and early adolescent adjustment has tended to yield mixed or no associations. This is true for studies that have examined academic, emotional, social, or cognitive well-being in this age group. Some gender differences have emerged but are not well understood at this time. There appear to be several reasons for the lack of significant findings. The first lies in the adaptation that mothers, children, and families as a whole have been making to increases in maternal employment. The second lies in the relatively simple research designs that have not adequately explored more complex hypotheses. The article concludes with suggestions for additional research as well as implications for policies and practices related to parental employment and early adolescence.
Fatigue Degradation Properties of LIGA Ni Films Using Kilohertz Microresonators

A micrometer-scale ultrasonic fatigue characterization technique is introduced to investigate the fatigue degradation properties of LIGA Ni structural films in the very high cycle fatigue regime. Kilohertz microresonators fabricated with the MetalMUMPs process were driven at resonance (~ 8 kHz) in controlled environments (30 °C , 50% relative humidity (RH); 80 °C, 5% RH; and 80 °C, 90% RH) to perform fatigue tests on 20-μm -thick Ni notched beams subjected to fully reversed bending over a wide range of stress amplitudes. It is shown that the fatigue degradation occurring at the notch, observed with scanning electron microscopy, can be quantified with the measured evolution of the microresonators' resonant frequency. The fatigue damage consists of extrusion formation and microcrack nucleation and does not propagate to form fatal cracks due to the extreme stress gradients at the notch. The resonant frequency evolution for fatigue tests performed at 80 °C, 90% RH suggests that stress-assisted oxidation in the presence of humid environments may accentuate fatigue damage formation. This experimental technique brings critical information regarding the long-term fatigue degradation properties of metallic microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices. In particular, this technique can allow controlled studies of the effects of fatigue localization and large stress gradients typically encountered in MEMS components.
Effect of aerosol volatility on the sizing accuracy of Differential Mobility Analyzers

Differential mobility analyzers (DMAs) are widely used for calibrating other instruments and measuring aerosol size distributions. DMAs classify aerosol particles according to their electrical mobility, which is assumed to be constant during the classification process. However, particles containing semivolatile substances can change their size in the DMA, leading to sizing errors. In this article, the effect of particle size changes during the classification process on the sizing accuracy of DMAs is discussed. It is shown that DMAs select particles whose time-of-flight-averaged electrical mobility is equal to that of stable particles that are selected under given operating conditions. For evaporating particles, this implies that DMAs select particles that are originally larger than the reported size. At the exit of the DMA, selected particles are smaller than the reported size. Particle evaporation and growth inside DMAs was modeled to study the effect of particle size changes on the sizing accuracy and t...