cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microfabrication of Ceramics by Co-extrusion

Fine-scale ceramic objects are fabricated by forcing a thermoplastic ceramic extrusion compound through a die with reduction ratio R. Objects with complex shapes are fabricated by assembling an extrusion feedrod from a shaped ceramic compound with space-filling fugitive compound. After each reduction state, R2 extrudates are assembled into a feedrod and extruded again, reducing the size and multiplying the number of shaped objects. Several stages of extrusion produce arrays of objects in the size range of 10 µm.
Prescription drug formularies in managed care: concerns for the elderly population

Prescription drug formularies are a key element in the rapidly growing trend of prescription drug benefit management. The use of formularies can increase the quality of prescribing and reduce the costs of prescription drug therapy. This is particularly important to older Americans, who represent about 13% of the population but consume roughly one third of the drugs prescribed in the United States. However, the question of whether the use of formularies affects patient access to pharmaceuticals has not been analyzed sufficiently. This paper identifies benefits and risks to older Americans from the use of prescription drug formularies by third-party payers, analyzes the evidence of those benefits and risks, and proposes areas for future research. An extensive review and synthesis of the literature were performed, focusing on three aspects of drug formulary design: (1) the extent to which health maintenance organizations and insurers consider consumer interests when using formularies; (2) the extent to which formulary design is affected by clinical and economic considerations; and (3) the impact of formularies on the quality of drug care received. Safeguards to guarantee that economic considerations of drug benefit managers do not restrict access to needed drugs are insufficient. Alternatively, no evidence to date shows that the use of formularies adversely affects patients' access to pharmaceutical care. More research is required to understand the process of drug formulary development and the extent to which different formulary recommendations impede on physicians' ability to provide high-quality care.
Three-dimensional CT data processing for inspection

For workpiece inspection applications such as internal edge measurement verifications, 3D data processing for detecting the internal and external surface of the object is required. Rather than detecting edge points on each slice of CT image and stacking them up, we detect the 3D surface points directly from a sequence of CT images. Using this strategy, surfaces whose normals are vertical to the slices can be detected. We present a set of 3D edge detection methods, facet-model-based, morphology-based, and wavelet-based for evaluation. The facet-model-based surface detection method uses facet model to estimate the local 3D directional derivatives and location of the zeros of the second 3D directional derivatives along the direction of gradient. Subvoxel accuracy can be achieved using this method. The morphology-based method performs a 3D dilation-erosion residue operation first. Then the zero crossings of the residue result images are detected, and the surface points are extracted. The wavelet-based method performs a 3D wavelet transform on the CT images, and the local maxima of the gradient are detected and marked as surface points. The performance of these surface detectors are compared. Finally, as an illustration, we apply the facet-model-based method on a set of engine blade CT images with resolution of 5 mil by 5 mil and the measurements of thickness of wall are taken. A linear regression model is used to correct the systematic error. The results are very close to the direct optical measurements of cut-up sections of the blade with a maximum error of 3 mil.
Epilepsy in early development: The lesson from surgery for early intractable seizures

This report examines the impact on development and the problems involved in assessing development in very young children with early-onset intractable seizures, particularly infantile spasms. A review of studies on medically and surgically treated children with infantile spasms underscores the relationship between selzure control and developmental outcome. About 50% of children with markedly intractable infantile spasms attained seizure control and significant improvement in the use of nonverbal communication, a developmental measure that has been used in other populations of developmentally delayed children. With the exception of duration of illness, clinical measures of age of onset of infantile spasms, type of surgery, and side of surgery did not appear to be related to the postoperative change in nonverbal communication. The neuropathology findings of surgically treated children with infantile spasms suggest that the underlying pathology occurs early in brain development. In conclusion, the cumulative effect of uncontrolled seizures and the underlying pathology might impact the early development of children with intractable infantile spasms.
Sparse Odor Coding in Awake Behaving Mice

Responses of mitral cells represent the results of the first stage of odor processing in the olfactory bulb. Most of our knowledge about mitral cell activity has been obtained from recordings in anesthetized animals. We compared odor-elicited changes in firing rate of mitral cells in awake behaving mice and in anesthetized mice. We show that odor-elicited changes in mitral cell firing rate were larger and more frequently observed in the anesthetized than in the awake condition. Only 27% of mitral cells that showed a response to odors in the anesthetized state were also odor responsive in the awake state. The amplitude of their response in the awake state was smaller, and some of the responses changed sign compared with their responses in the anesthetized state. The odor representation in the olfactory bulb is therefore sparser in awake behaving mice than in anesthetized preparations. A qualitative explanation of the mechanism responsible for this phenomenon is proposed.
Kinesthetic pathways: a tabletop visualization to support discovery in systems biology

We report on an ethnographic study of the work practice and discovery process in a systems biology lab, and outline a tabletop visualization that was developed based on this study, in collaboration with the researchers. The feedback from the researchers on the current prototype is presented, and ongoing revisions are outlined. We conclude with some of the challenges involved in developing such tangible visualizations for discovery.
Video of Children as Anchors in an Online Forum for Elementary School Teachers: A Tool for Positioning Oneself as Knowledgeable About Physics

The authors investigated how prospective teachers enrolled in an undergraduate physical science course participated in an online forum in which they posted reactions to video episodes of children talking about science. Using Positioning Theory (Harre & Van Langenhove, 1991) as a lens, the authors analyzed 108 online posts from 26 prospective teachers as they completed six prompts from a Unit Task about force. Prospective teachers compared their own current ideas about physics topics to their prior understandings as well as to ideas articulated by the children in the video clips. Additionally, within these posts the prospective teachers positioned themselves as knowledgeable about how physics ideas develop, an important aspect of teaching science. As the prospective teachers wrote about the videos in their online posts, the videos may have served as a point of comparison with which they could document their understanding of physics concepts as well as the process of learning physics.
Some Notes on Demodulation

The audio output of a detector depends upon two magnitudes which are independent each from the other. These magnitudes are the radio-frequency envelope of the input and the rectification characteristic of the detector. In problems dealing with the distortions caused by selective circuits or by the superposition of several modulated signals it becomes necessary to treat both magnitudes separately. A new method to find graphically the radio-frequency envelope for the "general modulated signal," is given. An analysis is made showing how to find the detector output if the input radio-frequency envelope and the rectification characteristic of the detector are known.
Adaptive control with neuro-adaptive disturbance rejection

This paper presents an adaptive disturbance rejection scheme which makes use of a neural model of the disturbance. Unknown disturbances may account for the reduction in the performance of a control system where precise tracking is required. These disturbances may be nonlinear and dynamic making the rejection problem difficult for traditional methods. Also the plant being controlled may be unknown, as the model may be inaccurate or the parameters may vary over time. Classical controllers may not be able to stabilize the system and meet performance requirements under these conditions. For this purpose, the scheme presented employs an adaptive controller in conjunction with an adaptive disturbance rejector which is based on a neural model of the unknown disturbance. Numerical simulations are included to show the benefit of the scheme in terms of tracking performance.
Echocardiographic indices of Doppler flow patterns compared with MRI or angiographic measurements to detect significant coarctation of the aorta.

Evaluation for the presence and severity of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) by two-dimensional echocardiography alone can be difficult. The purpose of this study was to use Doppler velocity and pressure gradient half-time in systole and diastole to estimate CoA severity. Doppler echocardiograms of children with suspected CoA and either an aortic angiogram or thoracic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed within 1 month of the echocardiogram were evaluated. Patients with patent ductus arteriosus, significant aortic insufficiency, long tubular CoA, or CoA outside the thorax were excluded. Measured Doppler variables, indexed for heart rate, included systolic velocity half-time (sVHTi), diastolic velocity half-time (dVHTi), systolic pressure half-time (sPHTi), and diastolic pressure half-time (dPHTi). For each of these variables, sensitivity and specificity to detect a significant CoA were determined. A significant CoA was defined as a ratio of the CoA diameter to the diaphragmatic aortic diameter of 200 msec indexed, we found a positive predictive value of 87% and a negative predictive value of 80%. The parameter dPHTi, using a critical value of > 75 msec indexed, demonstrated positive and negative predictive values of 92% and 79%, respectively. Measurement of dVHTi is a useful predictor for significant CoA, but the parameter dPHTi has an improved positive predictive value for detection of significant CoA. Systolic measurements of velocity or pressure half-times are not adequate to assess severity of CoA.
Psychiatric and Substance Use Comorbidity Among Treatment-Seeking Opioid Abusers

Background: Major studies of psychiatric comorbidity in opioid abusers reported rates of comorbidity that far exceeded general population estimates. These studies were published more than a decade ago and reported on few women and few substance use diagnoses. Methods: Psychiatric and substance use comorbidity was assessed in 716 opioid abusers seeking methadone maintenance. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Revised Third Edition diagnostic assessment was conducted 1 month after admission. Rates of psychiatric and substance use disorder were compared by gender, and associations were assessed between psychiatric comorbidity and dimensional indexes of substance use severity, psychosocial impairment, and personality traits. Results: Psychiatric comorbidity was documented in 47% of the sample (47% women and 48% men). Antisocial personality disorder (25.1%) and major depression (15.8%) were the most common diagnoses. Patients had at least 2 substance use diagnoses, most often opioid and cocaine dependence. Demographics, substance use history, and personality variables discriminated between patients with vs without comorbidity. Psychiatric comorbidity also was associated with a more severe substance use disorder. Conclusions: Psychiatric comorbidity, especially personality and mood disorder, was common in men and women. The positive associations between psychiatric comorbidity and severity of substance use and other psychosocial problems were most consistent among those with antisocial personality.
The effects of largemouth bass virus on a quality largemouth bass population in Arkansas.

A 22.4-ha impoundment experienced an outbreak of Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) virus (LMBV) disease in the summer of 2006. All dead or dying largemouth bass observed throughout the entire event were recorded and removed. In this study, we estimated mortality and examined size distribution, condition, and biomass following the outbreak. Boat-mounted electrofishing was used to collect largemouth bass for a mark-recapture population estimate and other population metrics. Fish samples were examined for evidence of LMBV, other infectious diseases, and physical abnormalities. Cell cultures inoculated with samples from moribund fish developed cytopathic effects typical of LMBV, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the presence of LMBV. The total number (N±95% confidence interval) of stock-size largemouth bass remaining was estimated to be 2,301±528 fish (103 bass/ha). The total observed mortality, including dead and dying individuals, during the LMBV outbreak was 176 largemouth bass (7% of the...
Development and test of a raster scanning laser altimeter for high resolution airborne measurements of topography

The RAster SCanning Airborne Laser (RASCAL) sensor was developed in 1995 at the Goddard Space Flight Center for airborne mapping of surface topography. RASCAL is a second generation laser altimeter with application to both Earth (airborne) and planetary surface (space-based) topography measurement. It differs from earlier nadir-profiling laser altimeters by a two-order of magnitude increase in pulse repetition rate and provision for a near-contiguous scan pattern. It was operated in a NASA airborne remote sensing program in California in September 1995 where it's ability to produce a high-resolution (better than 2 m spatial resolution) three-dimensional image of topography was demonstrated. The design and operational use of the RASCAL sensor are presented below, along with sample data sets that demonstrate its ability to map surface elevation at the sub-metre level of accuracy.
Effect of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in patients with spontaneous intra-cerebral hemorrhage: Does medication use predict worse outcome?

Abstract Objectives To assess the impact of anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents on the severity and outcome of spontaneous non-traumatic intra-cerebral hemorrhage (ICH). To evaluate associations between reversal of anticoagulation and mortality/morbidity in these patients. Methods Data was collected on a consecutive cohort of adults presenting with ICH to an academic Emergency Department over a 3-year period starting January 2006. Results The final cohort of 245 patients consisted of 125 females (51.1%). The median age of the cohort was 73 years [inter-quartile (IQR) range of 59–82 years]. Antiplatelet (AP) use was seen in 32.6%, 18.4% were using anticoagulant (AC) and 8.9% patients were on both drugs (AC+AP). Patients on AC had significantly higher INR (median 2.3) and aPTT (median 31s) when compared to patients not on AP/AC (median INR 1.0, median aPTT 24s; p p Hemorrhage volumes were significantly higher for patients on AC alone (median 64.7cm 3 ) when compared to those not on either AC/AP (median 27.2cm 3 ; p =0.05). The same was not found for patients using AP (median volume 20.5cm 3 ; p =0.813), or both AC+AP (median volume 27.7cm 3 ; p =0.619). Patients on AC were 1.43 times higher at risk to have intra-ventricular extension of hemorrhage (IVE) as compared to patients not on AC/AP (95% CI 1.04–1.98; p =0.035). There was no relationship between the use of AC/AP/AC+AP and functional outcome of patients. Patients on AC were 1.74 times more likely to die within 7 days (95% CI 1.0–3.03; p =0.05). No relationship was found between use of AP or AC+AP use and mortality. Of the 82 patients with INR>1.0, 52 patients were given reversal (minimum INR 1.4, median 2.3). Therapy was heterogeneous, with fresh frozen plasma (FFP) being the most commonly used agent (86.5% patients, median dose 4U). Vitamin K, activated factor VIIa and platelets were the other agents used. Post reversal, INR normalized within 24h (median 1.2, IQR 1.1–1.3). There was no association between reversal and volume of hemorrhage, IVE, early mortality (death Conclusions Anticoagulated patients were at 1.7 times higher risk of early mortality after ICH. Reversal of INR to normal did not influence mortality or functional outcome.
Sex role and attitudinal correlates of desired family size.

A study was conducted in 1971 among 386 (250 males and 136 females) students at the University of Illinois to determine the social factors influencing desired family size and favorability toward birth control among young people. It was found that role and attitudinal predictors correlated highly with the number of children respondents desired to have biologically. Individuals who were pro-sex role equivalence pro-womens liberation proliberalism and anticonservatism wanted fewer children. The level of statistical significance for the correlation was p less than .01. These attitudes were more significant in determining desired family size than social factors such as number of siblings religion rural-urban background and social class. For women respondents the attitudinal factors had more effect on favorability toward birth control than on desired family size. Males desired more children biologically and females desired more adoptive children. The data indicate that procreative goal limitation is associated with general nontraditional attitudes.
A tutorial on convolution coding for M-ary signals-trellis-coded modulation

Trellis-coded modulation (TCM) is defined and described with respect to code-to-signal mapping and coding for QAM. Also summarized are the evolution and underlying principles of TCM and how TCM schemes achieve coding gains without bandwidth expansion. An example is used to illustrate a simple implementation of such a coding scheme. >
Who's on first? Does hypertension in type I diabetics result from nephropathy or metabolic alterations?

It has long been assumed that end-organ damage by the metabolic abnormalities associated with type I diabetes mellitus occurs before clinically evident adverse outcomes. However, the study reported by Elliott et al1 in the present issue of Circulation suggests that it is time to reconsider this hypothesis. See p 563 Patients with diabetes mellitus are at a high risk of cardiovascular events. Observational studies suggest that cardiovascular morbidity is ≈2 times higher in diabetics than in the general population, and that cardiovascular disease accounts for ≈70% of all deaths in people with diabetes mellitus.2,3 The risk of vascular events is further heightened by coexistent hypertension. As in the general population, there is a strong, graded relationship between hypertension and coronary heart disease and stroke in diabetic patients, independent of other traditional risk factors.4 In diabetics, as in nondiabetics, most studies focus on the treatment of hypertension as a surrogate end point for cardiac risk reduction. Acknowledgment of the excessive risk of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes and hypertension has led to numerous studies on the potential benefits of optimizing antihypertensive therapy in this population. The results of several recent clinical trials demonstrate that rigorous control of arterial pressure in patients with diabetes markedly reduces morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. In the Hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT) trial, hypertensive patients were randomized to 1 of 3 diastolic blood pressure targets: ≤90 mm Hg, ≤85 mm Hg, or ≤80 mm Hg. Initial therapy was with felodipine, and an ACE inhibitor or β-blocker was added if needed. In the subgroup of 1501 patients with diabetes, more intense blood pressure control led to a 51% reduction in cardiovascular events.5 The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) evaluated outcomes in hypertensive diabetic patients assigned to “intensive” therapy (treatment goal, <150/85 …
Ring current energy input and decay

A new view of the ring current as an active element in the geospace system has emerged in which the ring current responds not only to changing convection electric fields imposed by solar wind interactions but to internal dynamics of the magnetosphere-ionosphere-atmosphere (geospace) system. Variations in the plasma sheet density, temperature and composition, saturation of the polar cap potential drop (and presumably the cross-tail potential drop), modifications to the imposed convection potential in the inner magnetosphere due to ring current shielding effects, the presence of a pre-existing ring current population, storm-substorm coupling, and strong convection with and without accompanying substorm activity all have an impact on the ring current strength, formation and loss. All of these internal processes imply that the geoeffectiveness of a solar wind driver cannot be predicted on the basis of the characteristics of the driver alone but must reflect key aspects of the dynamically changing geospace environment, itself. This review gives a summary of new information on ring current input and decay processes focusing on implications for the global geospace response to solar wind drivers during magnetic storms and on open questions that can be addressed with new ENA imaging techniques.
Post-training intrabasolateral amygdala infusions of dopamine modulate consolidation of inhibitory avoidance memory: involvement of noradrenergic and cholinergic systems

There is extensive evidence that several neurotransmitter systems within the basolateral amygdala (BLA) influence memory consolidation. The present study investigated the influence of dopamine (DA) in the BLA on the consolidation of memory for inhibitory avoidance (IA) training. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (approximately 300 g) were trained on a step-through IA task and, 48 h later, tested for retention as indexed by their latencies to enter the shock compartment on the test day. Drugs were infused into the BLA or central amygdala nucleus (CEA) immediately or 3 h after training via bilateral cannulae. DA infused into the BLA immediately after training enhanced retention, whereas DA infused into the BLA 3 h after training or into the CEA did not affect retention. Infusions of the dopaminergic antagonist cis-Flupenthixol together with DA blocked the DA-induced memory enhancement. Immediate post-training intra-BLA infusions of the D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 or the D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride impaired retention. beta-adrenergic or muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonists coinfused into the BLA with DA blocked the memory enhancing effects of DA. These findings indicate that dopaminergic activation within the BLA modulates memory consolidation and that the modulation involves activation of both D1 and D2 receptors and concurrent activation of beta-adrenergic and cholinergic influences within the BLA.
A CORRECTION IN THE TRYPHONINAE (HYMENOPTERA: ICHNEUMONIDAE) IN DALLE TORRE'S CATALOGUS HYMENOPTERORUM

C. G. de Dalle Torre (Catalogus hymenopterorum, vol. 3, p. 24) makes the following erroneous entry: “ Plectiscus pleuralis (Cress.) Davis—♀—Am. New Jersey. Tryphon pleuralis Cresson, Proc. Entom. Soc. Philadelphia. III. 1864, p. 275 n. 5, ♀. Plectiscus pleuralis Davis, Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc. xxiv. 1897, p. 245 ♀.”
The Effects of Extreme Drought on Native Forage Nutritional Quality and White-tailed Deer Diet Selection

Forage availability is often used as a measure of habitat quality for Odocoi- leus virginianus (White-tailed Deer; hereafter "Deer"). Many studies have evaluated treatment effects on forage availability, but the effects of other abiotic factors, such as drought, on native forages and Deer diet selection are poorly understood. We measured diet selection and nutritional quality of commonly occurring forages following extreme drought (2007) and normal rainfall years (2008) in 4 closed-canopied hardwood stands in the Central Hardwoods region. Deer selected 6 forage species in both years of the study. Within these 6 species, crude protein (CP) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were not different, and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased during the year of normal rainfall. Thirteen other commonly occurring forages showed a different trend, with CP negatively affected by drought and ADF and NDF unaffected. Less-selected species in the drought year and a greater selection-index cut-off value suggest Deer were more selective of species consumed during extreme drought because fewer plants met their nutritional requirements. Our data support the selective quality hypothesis, predicting Deer become more selective of plant species to meet nutritional requirements when resources are lim- ited. Our data suggest more frequent and intense droughts predicted as a result of global climate change may influence diet selection of deer and decrease forage quality enough to limit lactation during the late-summer stress period in the Southeast.
An agile approach to distributed information dissemination in mobile ad hoc networks

In order to ease the challenging task of information dissemination in a MANET, we employ a legend: a data structure passed around a network to share information with all the mobile nodes. Our motivating application of the legend is sharing location information. Previous research shows that a simplistic legend performs better than other location services. To realize the full potential of legend-based location services, we propose three methods for the legend to traverse a network and compare their performance in simulation. We also evaluate several improvements to the traversal methods, and describe our way of making the legend transmission reliable. The result is a simple, lightweight location service that makes efficient use of network resources.
A methodology for creating an IEEE standard 830-1998 software requirements specification document

Software intensive systems are developed to provide solutions in some problem domain and software engineering principles are employed to develop and implement such systems. Software engineering principles should enhance development and production of software artifacts and yet the artifacts often lack in quality. Crucial in the development process are requirements engineering activities and methods for software documentation. This research focused on requirements engineering activities, software requirement documentation and a new approach incorporating ontology engineering principles. The resulting system utilized the benefits of intelligent reasoning to elicit, automatically verify, extract and document software requirements. The resulting Software Requirements Specification documents produced from within this environment conformed to Standard 830-1998 promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
A framework for R.F. spectrum measurements and analysis

Dynamic spectrum access networks and spectrum policy depend on accurate spectrum utilization statistics. This paper presents the architecture of a collaborative framework to measure, characterize and model the utilization of the spectrum. It provides statistical methods to classify measurements as either signal or noise. Finally, it introduces algorithms for estimating signal thresholds and spectrum occupancy, and presents a performance evaluation to test the accuracy of the algorithms
Rapid Maneuvering of a Biologically Inspired Hexapedal Robot

In dynamic running hexapods, stable and rapid turns can be achieved by small changes in the nominal configuration of the system used for straight-ahead running. Such changes in configuration, or “shape,” alter the direction of the ground reaction forces and result in a high rate of change in heading and orientation. In this paper, we explore strategies for rapid maneuverability of a hexapedal running robot, taking further inspiration from its exemplar, the cockroach. Through simulation and experiments, we show that a one-parameter control input, or turn factor, can be used to coordinate changes in the multi-dimensional configuration space of the robot for efficient turning up to 4 rad/s. This turn factor is used in the characterization of turning dynamics via system identification techniques.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Amino acid-sensing mTOR signaling is involved in modulation of lipolysis by chronic insulin treatment in adipocytes

Chronically high insulin levels and increased circulating free fatty acids released from adipose tissue through lipolysis are two features associated with insulin resistance. The relationship between chronic insulin exposure and adipocyte lipolysis has been unclear. In the present study we found that chronic insulin exposure in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, as well as in mouse primary adipocytes, increased basal lipolysis rates. This effect of insulin on lipolysis was only observed when the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway was inhibited by rapamycin in the adipocytes. In addition, amino acid deprivation in adipocytes phenocopied the effect of rapamycin in permitting the stimulation of lipolysis by chronic insulin exposure. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt pathway does not appear to be involved in this insulin effect. Furthermore, we found that triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH) activity was required for the stimulation of lipolysis by combined exposure to insulin and rapamycin. Therefore, we propose that nutrient sufficiency, mediated by an mTOR pathway, suppresses TGH-dependent lipolysis stimulated by chronic insulin exposure in adipocytes.
The response of Kodak EDR2 film in high-energy electron beams.

Kodak XV2 film has been a key dosimeter in radiation therapy for many years. The advantages of the recently introduced Kodak EDR2 film for photon beam dosimetry have been the focus of several IMRT verification dosimetry publications. However, no description of this film’s response to electron beams exists in the literature. We initiated a study to characterize the response and utility of this film for electron beamdosimetry. We exposed a series of EDR2 films to 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV electrons in addition to 6 and 18 MV x rays to develop standard characteristic curves. The linac was first calibrated to ensure that the delivered dose was known accurately. All irradiations were done at d max in polystyrene for both photons and electrons, all films were from the same batch, and were developed at the same time. We also exposed the EDR2 films in a solid water phantom to produce central axis depth dose curves. These data were compared against percent depth dose curves measured in a water phantom using an IC-10 ion chamber, Kodak XV2 film, and a PTW electron diode. The response of this film was the same for both 6 and 18 MV x rays, but showed an apparent energy-dependent enhancement for electron beams. The response of the film also increased with increasing electron energy. This caused the percent depth dose curves using film to be shifted toward the surface compared to the ion chamber data.
A Reappraisal of Hohokam Irrigation1

For over two centuries the visible remains of prehistoric irrigation in southern Arizona have been the subject of scrutiny and speculation. Manje, for example, in the company of Father Kino, recorded his observations of the canals near Casa Grande and along the Santa Cruz River at the end of the 17th century (Karns 1954:135, 141, 287). In the 19th century many keen observers, such as General Rusling (1877), were impressed by what they could see and could infer about the canals. Systematic investigations began with Cushing in 1887, when the Hemenway Expedition cut a cross section through the canal that they found at Los Muertos (reported by Hodge in 1893), and prepared a map of the canals leading from the Salt River to the vicinity of Los Muertos (published by Haury, 1945a), that appears to consist of about equal parts of observation and imagination. A more satisfactory map, and one of a larger area, was published by Patrick in 1903, becoming the basis for Turney's map of 1922 and its later editions through 1929. Turney also published (1929-30) a lengthy but unorganized collection of quotations, observations, and speculations concerning the ancient canals of the Salt Valley. The first map of the Gila River canals was published in 1926 by Cummings. In 1930 an ambitious and systematic program of aerial photography of parts of both the Gila and Salt was directed by Judd (1931) with assistance from Halseth (1936)-a program that unfortunately was never completed and published, although the photographs and notes are currently on loan to the Arizona State Museum, where they are receiving further study. Excavation of prehistoric canals has lagged behind mapping and surface observations, so that only the two cross sections dug by Haury at Snaketown (Haury 1937) have been available as a basis for correcting the many guesses made about the size and form of the canals. In general, three kinds of information are needed for a proper understanding of Hohokam irrigation: (1) details such as size, profile, gradient, and course of individual canals; (2) chronological data-dates of initial construction and length of use; and (3) the location and extent of the several canal systems. All of this information will be most useful, of course, when combined with the slowly emerging picture of Hohokam culture history. But details of the ancient canals are scanty and will remain so, since the places anciently irrigated have been highly attractive to modern farmers ever since the first settlement of Phoenix in 1867. In 1903 Patrick wrote that " . .. the greater portion of the ruins of the ancient canal systems have long since been leveled by the agriculturalist." The situation is far worse now than Patrick could have imagined. Nevertheless, a few facts are available,
Tubal microsurgery with the carbon dioxide laser

Abstract Thirty New Zealand White female rabbits underwent tubal resection and reanastomosis for comparison of conventional microsurgery and laser microsurgical techniques. The rabbits were divided into three groups. The first group of 10 rabbits had 3 cm of tissue resected by knife from each uterine horn; the cut ends were then reanastomosed in one layer with 8−0 Vicryl sutures with the use of the operating microscope. The second group of 10 rabbits had 3 cm of tissue resected by laser from each uterine horn; the cut ends were then reanastomosed in one layer with 8−0 Vicryl. The third group of 10 rabbits had 3 cm of tissue resected by laser from each uterine horn; the cut ends were then reanastomosed by “welding” the tissues with the laser. All rabbits in the first group became pregnant. Only four in the second group became pregnant, but none in the third group became pregnant. It is concluded that the carbon dioxide laser beam as used in this study has no place in tubal resection and reconstruction.
The Effect of Economic and Cultural Globalization on Anti-U.S. Transnational Terrorism 19712000*

The events of 9/11 have rekindled interest in the social sciences concerning the global factors responsible for transnational terrorism. Two opposing frameworks currently dominate the scene: proponents of a destructive globalization approach argue that processes related to the transnationalization of capital produce native resistance in the more economically disadvantaged areas of the globe that is manifested as transnational terrorist attacks, especially against the U.S., civilizing globalization arguments point to precisely the opposite effect: economic globalization through the spread of markets and material goods brings with it prosperity and higher living standards, thus defusing the motivation to engage in high-risk political violence. In this paper, I propose an additional framework that goes beyond the narrow realism of the destructive globalization and civilizing globalization perspectives by examining the role of the globalization of world culture in theproduction of anti-u.s. terrorism. I argue that looking at the role of world cultural structuration is important because even though economic globalization may help create local grievances outside of the most economically advantaged areas of the world, cultural globalization provides the requisite models of individual and organizational action and the interpretive schemas that empower local actors with the constitutive capacity to engage in high-risk acts of political violence and allows them to make local/global connections. I test this framework using time-series world-level data in order to examine the global correlates of anti-u.s. terrorist activity for the last 30 years. The results provide mixed support for both civilizing globalization and destructive globalization viewpoints. Further, and in accord with the model proposed here, cultural globalization has a positive effect on the rate of anti-u.s. terrorist activity.
Modeling of radiation from luminous turbulent diffusion flames

A pdf (probability density function) code has been applied to the calculation of the spectral radiation intensity emitted from a luminous turbulent diffusion flame. The code included a simple model of soot formation that was based on a rate equation for soot nucleation and growth. The rates of these processes were derived empirically and were employed in an equation for the soot volume fraction. The other scalars considered were the mixture fraction and the enthalpy. The enthalpy equation included a term to account for the radiative heat loss. Temperatures were derived from a constrained equilibrium chemistry assumption. The radiation intensity in the wavelength region from 1 to 4 microns was determined for a beam across the diameter of the flame at various axial locations. The mean spectral intensities compared well to measurements in a buoyant turbulent ethene diffusion flame. The pdfs of radiation intensity showed that the variance of intensity was greatest for the shortest wavelengths. (Author)
Recency and recall time

The intervals between successive presentations of a given letter were varied within a cylic list, in which each of six letters appeared equally often at each of 11 recurrence intervals (0-10 intervening items). Ss responded with the name of the letter. Voice key reaction times increased with the length of the interval.
The Design of Passive Filter in PLL

Loop filter is one of the most important parts in PLL system.There are two kinds of filter which are active filter and passive filter.We analyzed the structure of passive filter and the influence to the PLL performance in this paper.We summarized the design method of second order passive filter,and designed the third passive filter.Throughout the simulation results,we find the design is satisfied to specification.
Mechanisms that increase the growth efficiency of diatoms in low light

Photoacclimation was studied in Thalassiosira pseudonana to help understand mechanisms underlying the success of diatoms in low-light environments, such as coastal and deep mixing ecosystems. Light harvesting and other cell characteristics were combined with oxygen and carbon production measurements to assess the water-splitting reaction at PSII ( $${\text{GPP}}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} }}$$ ) and intermediate steps leading to net carbon production (NPPC). These measurements revealed that T. pseudonana is remarkably efficient at converting harvested light energy into biomass, with at least 57 % of $${\text{GPP}}_{{{\text{O}}_{2} }}$$ retained as NPPC across all light-limited growth rates examined. Evidence for upregulation of ATP generation pathways that circumvent carbon fixation indicated that high growth efficiency at low light levels was at least partly due to increases in the efficiency of ATP production. Growth rate-dependent demands for ATP and NADPH were reflected in carbon composition and in unexpected shifts in the light-limited slope (α) of photosynthesis–irradiance relationships generated from chlorophyll-specific 14C-uptake. Overall, these results suggest that pathway gating of carbon and energy flow depends on light availability and is a key factor promoting the efficiency of diatom growth at low light intensities.
Reconstitution of N1-methylnicotinamide and p-aminohippuric acid transport in phospholipid vesicles with a protein fraction isolated from dog kidney membranes.

N1-methylnicotinamide (NMN) and p-aminohippurate (PAH) transport can be reconstituted in phospholipid vesicles by incorporating the solubilized membrane proteins into artificial phospholipid membranes. After solubilization with the non-ionic detergent, Lubrol WX, the protein solution was added to a phospholipid solution (prepared by dissolving the phospholipids in the detergents) and the phospholipid:protein vesicles were allowed to form during dialysis. Transport in these vesicles was studied with radioactively labeled NMN or PAH; the transport for NMN was 173 to 394 pmoles/mg of protein/5 min and for PAH was 263 to 505 pmoles/mg of protein/5 min. Transport into control vesicles (without protein) was less than 10% of these values. The transport of NMN and PAH displayed properties of facilitated diffusion: 1) equilibrium was reached within 5 min; 2) pH dependence (optimum for NMN was 7.4, for PAH, 7.0); 3) protein and lipid concentration dependence; 4) saturability ( Km estimated from ½ saturation was approximately 1 mM for both NMN and PAH); and 5) specificity, in that known competitors of these transport systems inhibited uptake. In addition, it appears as if specific phospholipids are required in that only sphingomyelin and phosphatidylcholine functioned in reconstituting transport. Using reconstitution as the mode of assaying the proteins through an isolation procedure after solubilization, we achieved a 45 fold purification of the NMN and PAH transport proteins. Interestingly, although our data clearly show that the two transport systems are distinct entities, the two activities copurify. Based upon these results, we propose that we have accomplished a partial purification of the "carrier" proteins involved in the renal secretion of organic compounds. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors would like to thank Dr. A. R. Bassel for the electron microscopy, Drs. J. D. Robinson and I. M. Weiner for their critical reading of this manuscript and to Dorothy Stechyshyn for typing it.
Un-Mastering the Script: The Struggle to Include the Haitian Other in Dominican Identity

Un-Mastering the Script: The Struggle to Include the Haitian Other in Dominican Identity, examines how negative, culturally entrenched attitudes toward Haiti held by Dominicans shape school-based representations of Dominican identity and history. This book argues that textbooks used in the Dominican Republic falsely represent Dominican and Haitian identity as diametric opposites by situating Haiti and Haitians as the “other” in order to construct the fundamental elements of Dominican identity. Through the lens of critical race theory, this book analyzes the construction of Dominican identity via the Haitian other master script through curricula mediums in Dominican elementary schools. As applied to curriculum and instruction in the Dominican Republic, critical race theory guides us to an understanding that textbooks serve as a medium to communicate the master script of the existence of a pigmentocracy and the supposed superiority of whiteness. Critical race theory informs this book’s thesis, which is the pigmentocracy and white European superiority - black African inferiority narrative in Dominican curriculum is aimed at framing, communicating, and reinforcing the Haitian other master script in the Dominican Republic.
Abdominal imaging and patient education resources: enhancing the radiologist-patient relationship through improved communication.

The relative ease of Internet access and its seemingly endless amount of information creates opportunities for Americans to research medical diseases, diagnoses, and treatment plans. Our objective is quantitative evaluation of the readability level of patient education websites, written for the lay public, pertaining to common radiologic diagnostic test, and radiologic diagnoses specific to abdominal imaging. In October 2015, 10 search terms were entered in the Google search engine, and the top 10 links for each term were collected and independently examined for their readability level using 10 well-validated quantitative readability scales. Search terms included CT abdomen, MRI abdomen, MRI enterography, ultrasound abdomen, X-ray abdomen, cholecystitis, diverticulitis, hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and pancreatitis. Websites not written exclusively for patients were excluded from the analysis. As a group, the 100 articles were assessed at an 11.7 grade level. Only 2% (2/100) were written at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and American Medical Association (AMA) suggested 3rd to 7th grade level to meet the 8th grade average reading level in the United States. In fact, 49% were written at a level that required a high school education or higher (greater than 12th grade). With websites like radiologyinfo.org, generating over a million visitors a month, it is that clear there is a public interest in learning about radiology. However, given the discordance between the level of readability of the majority of the Internet articles and the NIH and AMA guidelines noted in this study on abdominal imaging readability, it is likely that many readers do not fully benefit from these resources on abdominal imaging.
On the design of finite dimensional stabilizing compensators for infinite dimensional feedback-systems via semi-infinite optimization

In a recent paper, E. Polak and T.L. Wuu presented a set of easily solvable, differentiable inequalities which are related to the classical Nyquist stability criterion and which constitute a necessary and sufficient condition of stability for finite-dimensional systems. It is shown that a similar set of easily solvable inequalities can be used to design finite-dimensional stabilizing compensators for a class of infinite-dimensional feedback systems. Computational aspects of the stability test are discussed. >
Citations and author numbers in six sciences

For 13 journals in six sciences (astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, geophysics, and physics) I counted citations in 2017 to 3094 papers published in 2012. It was found that on the average the numbers of citations per paper increased slowly (factor of 1.5) with team sizes but the citations per author are much higher (by an average factor of 6.1) for single-author papers than for large teams. Therefore a researcher will get more credit by working in a small team than in a large one.
Benefits and Challenges of Telemedicine: the JScreen Program Experience

The purposes of the present study are to evaluate telemedicine via analysis of the JScreen program and describe the benefits and challenges of telemedicine for genetic services. There are a number of considerations in establishing and using telemedicine services. These may include technology and the need for future upgrades, overcoming difficulties in connecting with patients, state regulations on genetic testing and provision of services, and data security and confidentiality. Also, providers must adjust and expand their skills to overcome the unique challenges that may arise during patient consultation. Despite the challenges, telemedicine is a valuable tool that increases patient access to genetic services and makes provision of these services more convenient for both patients and providers. Benefits of telemedicine far outweigh the challenges, making it a favorable alternative service delivery model. JScreen provides a model for optimizing benefits and overcoming challenges in the successful provision of genetic services via telemedicine to patients across the country.