cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity Analysis of the 9975 Packaging Thermal Response Using Factorial Design Methods

A method is presented for using the statistical design of experiment technique (2k Factorial Design) in the sensitivity analysis of the thermal (temperature) response of the 9975 radioactive material packaging where multiple thermal properties of the impact absorbing and fire insulating material Celotex and certain boundary conditions are subject to uncertainty. 2k Factorial Design method is very efficient in the use of available data and is capable of analyzing the impact of main variables (Factors) and their interactions on the component design. The 9975 design is based on detailed finite element (FE) analyses and extensive proof testing to meet the design requirements given in 10CFR71 [1]. However, the FE analyses use Celotex thermal properties that are based on published data and limited experiments. Celotex is an orthotropic material that is used in the home building industry. Its thermal properties are prone to variation due to manufacturing and fabrication processes, and due to long term environmental exposure. This paper will evaluate the sensitivity to variations in thermal conductivity of the Celotex, convection coefficient at the drum surface, and drum emissivity (herein called Factors) of the thermal response of 9975 packaging under Normal Conditions of Transport (NCT). Application of this methodology will ascertain the robustness of the 9975 design and it can lead to more specific and useful understanding of the effects of various Factors on 9975 performance.Copyright © 2006 by Westinghouse Savannah River Company
Conceptions of Youth and Children in the Theory Into Practice Archive

Conceptions of youth and children are central to educational practices of teaching and learning, as are the tacit ideas of socialization and development with which they are closely intertwined. But youth and children can stand-in for many dimensions of society and many processes. A recent exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City portrayed “the child” as representing families, nations, and the future; young people are also connected with play, experimentation, and health (Museum of Modern Art, 2012). Twentieth-century children and childhood became a paradigm for progressive design thinking, in and out of formal education. Idealized views of children and youth also call up the past in nostalgic recollections of other times and spaces. Thus, youth and children are ready resources for talking about many topics, and they are simultaneously stuck to complex feelings about change, newness, creativity, tradition, optimism, morality, domesticity, and national orderliness. This article reviews 33 select...
Development of 31 new microsatellite loci for two mole salamanders (Ambystoma laterale and A. jeffersonianum)

Ambystoma salamanders are amphibians that due to limited dispersal abilities and reliance on wetlands for breeding are susceptible to population declines and local extinctions (Blaustein et al. 2011). Species identification within Ambystoma is especially difficult due to the presence of unisexual Ambystoma that consist of multiple all-female lineages in which clones can have between two and five nuclear genomes from up to five other Ambystoma species (Bogart et al. 2007). The majority of these unisexual Ambystoma are composed of nuclear genomes from two species, A. laterale (Blue Spotted Salamander) and A. jeffersonianum (Jefferson Salamander). We developed species-specific microsatellite markers for these two species as a tool for the identification and investigation of the genetic interactions between sexual and unisexual groups in areas where either sexual species is endangered or of special conservation concern (Ohio, Indiana, and Ontario).
The distribution of earnings news over time and seasonalities in aggregate stock returns

Abstract Over the past 55 years returns on stock market indexes have on average been higher during the first half-month of calendar quarters 2 through 4 than at other times. Coincidentally, aggregate corporate earnings news arriving at the market during these half-month periods tends to be good, whereas earnings reports arriving later are more likely to convey bad news. In addition firms tend to publish bad-news earnings reports on Mondays, coincident with negative Monday effects in stock returns. The coincidence of earnings news arrival and market seasonalities leads to conjectures about informational reasons for observed seasonalities.
An Empirical Examination of Two Transformations of Sample Correlations

This paper examines the differential accuracy of the Fisher and Hotelling transformations of the correlation coefficient. Contrary to expectation, the Hotelling transformation provided a minimal gain in power and was associated with a larger Type I error rate when compared to Fisher's formula with small sample sizes. The two transformations produced essentially identical results for larger sample sizes.
Magnetic Biotransport: Analysis and Applications

Magnetic particles are finding increasing use in bioapplications, especially as carrier particles to transport biomaterials such as proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids and whole cells etc. Magnetic particles can be prepared with biofunctional coatings to target and label a specific biomaterial, and they enable controlled manipulation of a labeled biomaterial using an external magnetic field. In this review, we discuss the use of magnetic nanoparticles as transport agents in various bioapplications. We provide an overview of the properties of magnetic nanoparticles and their functionalization for bioapplications. We discuss the basic physics and equations governing the transport of magnetic particles at the micro- and nanoscale. We present two different transport models: a classical Newtonian model for predicting the motion of individual particles, and a drift-diffusion model for predicting the behavior of a concentration of nanoparticles that takes into account Brownian motion. We review specific magnetic biotransport applications including bioseparation, drug delivery and magnetofection. We demonstrate the transport models via application to these processes.
CHOLINESTERASE DISTRIBUTIONS IN THE RAT EPIDIDYMIS AND VAS DEFERENS AFTER CASTRATION AND SEX HORMONE TREATMENTS.

Cholinesterase (ChE) distributions in the epithelial and smooth muscle cells and in the peripheral nervous plexus of the reproductive ducts of the male rat are dependent on male sex hormones. Castration results in establishment of a low maintenance level of apical enzyme activity in the epithelial cells; smooth muscles and the nerve plexus of the vas deferens and cauda epididymidis also show reduced enzyme reactions. Testosterone treatment restores the normal enzyme relations in the epithelium and smooth muscles. Estradiol is partially effective, but reaction intensities do not attain normal distrbutions and proportions. Reductions in relative numbers of ChE positive nerve plexus fibers and their enzyme reactivity, and recession to outer muscle layers occur in castrates, but better recoveries follow after testosterone than after estradiol treatments. The results are interpreted to be in agreement with other data relating to smooth muscle behavior and its neural and hormonal regulation. Epithelial cell differentiation is complete in testosterone treated castrates, but is incomplete in estradiol treated cases, although ChE synthesis and duct growth occurs in the latter.
Reply: neonatal caffeine therapy and sleep: important findings to guide new approaches and reduce concerns.

From the Author: We thank Dr. Araujo and colleagues for their interest in our study (1). Polysomnography involves the measurement of many physiological signals, and much can be learned about pathophysiology by studying the more subtle aspects of these signals. However, the direct clinical relevance of some of these sophisticated analyses is not clear. Hence, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and other academic associations have defined the most relevant clinical polysomnographic parameters to be reported. The current study was designed to look for clinically meaningful differences in sleep between participants randomized to the two conditions (caffeine vs. placebo), and none were found. In addition, it should be noted that the participants had undergone detailed neurodevelopmental evaluations as part of the parent Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity study (2, 3); these studies have shown improved function in the caffeine group, making it unlikely that subtle unmeasured abnormalities in sleep due to caffeine exposure are having significant effects on development or cortical maturation. However, further neurodevelopmental evaluations are being performed as these children become older, and if deficits are seen in the caffeine group, then further studies would be warranted.
The FN method in slab geometries with a polynomial basis

Abstract We show how the FN method for one speed neutron transport in finite slabs can be viewed as a transform of a problem on an infinite interval. This allows us to use an analysis based on the singular value decomposition to prove convergence of the method. Unlike previous work, the problem on the infinite interval is not the equation for the flux.
Antenatal corticosteroid therapy: Current strategies and identifying mediators and markers for response

Landmark early work has led to the nearly universal use of antenatal corticosteroids to accelerate fetal lung maturity with pregnancies complicated by impending preterm birth. Antenatal corticosteroids clearly reduce respiratory morbidity, death, and other adverse neonatal outcomes. Limited pregnant human pharmacokinetic data and some animal data give clinicians some information as to the behavior of the drug in the body. However, there is controversy about the type, amount, and frequency of steroid to use for this therapy. This review article summarizes the history, clinical use, and pharmacology of antenatal steroids. In addition, the review highlights some potential mediators of steroid response and current research strategies aimed at possible optimization of this therapy.
Response: From Fish and Bicycles to a Science of Social Work

John Brekke challenges the field and profession of social work to define and develop the “science of social work”. This response to Brekke's paper identifies the premises undergirding a discussion ...
Angle-resolved SIMS studies of AlxGa(1 − x)As 001 (2 × 4) surface reconstruction

Angular distributions of Al+ and Ga+ ions desorbed by keV particle bombardment have been measured from a modified AlxGa(1 − x)As 001 (2 × 4) surface reconstruction. This surface was prepared from the GaAs 001 c 4 × 4) surface by deposition of one monolayer of aluminum in situ via molecular beam epitaxy. The surface was then annealed to 550 K producing a (2 × 4) reconstruction. By comparing experimental angular distribution results with molecular dynamics simulations of the bombardment process, we show that Al and Ga segregate into different layers of the prepared (2 × 4) surface.
Free energy functions of undercooled liquid glass-forming AuPbSb alloys

Abstract Based on measured specific heat data, the entropy, enthalpy and Gibbs free energy functions of crystalline, liquid and undercooled liquid AuPbSb alloys were determined and compared with theoretical predictions. Models proposed for the free energy difference between the undercooled liquid and the stable crystalline phase agree with the experimental results at low and modest undercooling. At high undercooling the models are found to be inconsistent with results of nucleation kinetics measurements, the extrapolated isentropic temperature, and the minimum cooling rates necessary to avoid crystallization in drop tower experiments.
The Effects of Adolescent Victimization on Self-Concept and Depressive Symptoms:

Using two waves of the Developmental Victimization Survey (DVS), this research examined the effects of different forms of child victimization on changes in self-concept in a national sample of 11- to 18-year-old youth. Specifically, we (a) assessed the independent effects of past-year sexual victimization, nonsexual child maltreatment, peer victimization, and nonvictimization adversity on changes in mastery and self-esteem, (b) investigated the effects of these stressors on levels of depressive symptoms, and (c) determined the extent to which changes in mastery and/or self-esteem mediate associations between victimization and depression. Results indicate that only sexual victimization independently reduced self-esteem, and there were no significant changes in mastery in response to victimization exposure. Declines in self-esteem partially mediated the association between past-year sexual victimization exposure and levels of depressive symptoms. Strong direct effects of each form of victimization and nonvictimization adversity on depression were also evident. Results suggest that sexual victimization experiences may have uniquely powerful effects on self-esteem that are not apparent for other types of victimization and stress.
The ene reaction of singlet oxygen: kinetic and product evidence in support of a perepoxide intermediate

Abstract The ene reaction of singlet oxygen (1O2) was examined using time-resolved techniques and by an intramolecular trapping reaction. The Eyring activation parameters reveal that the rate of the ene reaction of 1O2 with simple olefins is controlled by ΔS‡. A description of the reaction co-ordinate accommodating our findings and the results of others is presented.
Imaging Steep Salt Flanks By Super-wide Angle One-way Method

The super-wide angle one-way method has been proposed to overcome the angle limitation of regular one-way wave propagation methods. In the method, a technique of wavefront reconstruction was used to combine the two orthogonally propagated one-way wavefields. This paper is focused on the accuracy improvement of the wave back propagation from the receiver array. The proposed method can model turning waves well and consequently can be employed in imaging overhanging salt flanks. Numerical tests demonstrated the validity of the method.
Intrinsic γ-aminobutyric acid neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract and the rostral ventrolateral medulla of the rat: An immunocytochemical and biochemical study

Abstract Sympathoexcitatory neurons in the C1 adrenergic area of the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVL) are tonically inhibited by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). To identify the source of this GABAergic input, the distribution of neurons containing glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) was determined immunocytochemically in rats treated with colchicine. Numerous GAD-stained neurons were located in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and in RVL. Unilateral lesions in NTS did not alter GABA content or GAD activity in RVL, indicating that the afferent projection from NTS to RVL is not GABAergic. Intrinsic GABAergic neurons in RVL may provide tonic inhibition of vasomotor neurons in the C1 area.
Calorimetric hydrocarbon sensor for automotive exhaust applications

Abstract We have developed a calorimetric sensor utilizing a thermoelectric device supported on a planar alumina substrate. By using a highly selective carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation catalyst and a non-selective platinum (Pt) catalyst, the device can be built to detect either CO or hydrocarbons with high selectivity. The CO oxidation catalyst comprises lead-modified platinum and exhibits excellent selectivity over the 200–400 °C temperature range. The thermoelectric device consists of two thick film junctions made of niobium pentoxide (Nb 2 O 5 )-doped titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) and a lithiated nickel (Ni), which are supported on a planar alumina substrate. The thermocouple detects the difference in temperature due to different catalytic reactions over the two junctions and shows a high output signal because of the high Seebeck coefficient of Nb 2 O 5 -doped TiO 2 (−400 μV/°C). In gas bench tests, the sensor has a linear output of 0–2.75 mV over 0–1000 ppm of propylene and a response time of 2.5 s (at 90% of amplitude) at a gas temperature of 350 °C. An engine dynamometer evaluation shows that the response of the sensor parallels the change in CO and hydrocarbon constituent concentrations when the engine air-to-fuel ratio is varied.
Relationship between plasma or serum drug concentration and amount of drug in the body at steady state upon multiple dosing

The average amount of drug in the body at steady state (\(\bar X\))upon repetitive dosing in a two-compartment open system is related to the average steady-state plasma level (\(\bar C\))by the apparent volume of distribution at steady state Vssrather than by Vβ,the apparent volume of distribution at pseudodistribution equilibrium, despite the fact that\(\bar C\)is directly proportional to 1/Vβ.Multiplication of\(\bar C\) by \(\ddot V_\beta \)results in an overestimate of\(\bar X\)the magnitude of which depends on the distribution and elimination parameters of the drug. The significance and utility of the volume parameters, Vβand Vss,employed in multicompartment systems are considered.
A novel chromatographic method for determining the polydispersity index for polymers with a specified number of functional groups

A novel chromatographic method is proposed to determine the polydispersity index, without reference to standards, for polymers that contain a specified number of functional groups. Refractive index and ultraviolet-visible (or infrared) detectors are employed for detecting the weight and number fractions, respectively, of the sample eluted in size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Pyrene-labeled polystyrenes were used to demonstrate the validity of this method. The polydispersity index, Mw/Mn, measured by the new method underestimates the true value by 3%, whereas the application of the calibration curve overestimates the polydispersity index of the same sample by 6%. An illustrative SEC model including the effect of diffusion was used to explain the production of errors in different directions by the two methods.
Characterization of oxide traps in 0.15 μm2 MOSFETs using random telegraph signals

Abstract Random telegraph signals (RTS) have been used to characterize oxide traps of W×L=0.97×0.15 μm 2 medium-doped drain n-MOSFETs. RTS have been measured in the linear and saturation regions of operation, both in forward and reverse modes where the drain and source are reversed. The contribution of mobility fluctuations as well as number fluctuations to the amplitude of RTS has been investigated. The scattering coefficient due to screened Coulomb scattering effect is computed from the measured data as a function of channel carrier density. The depth of the position of the trap in the oxide from Si–SiO2 interface is calculated utilizing the dependence of the emission and capture times on the gate voltage. In addition, the position of the trap along the channel with respect to the source is obtained using the difference in the drain voltage dependence of the capture and emission times between the forward and reverse modes. Knowing the location of the trap in the oxide and along the channel, the energy associated with the trap can be extracted accurately from the data. This technique allows one to evaluate the trap energy at the point where the trap is located without any assumptions about the location of the trap or the need for variable temperature measurements. The probed trap was found to be an acceptor type center (repulsive for an n-MOSFET) located at about 27 A deep the oxide, half-way between drain and source with an energy of ECox−ET=3.04 eV, slightly above the conduction band edge.
Evaluation of Adjusted Total Thyroxine (Free Thyroxine Index) as a Measure of Thyroid Function

Adjusted total thyroxine (T4-Adj), also known as free thyroxine index, is the product of total serum thyroxine (Total T4) and T3 resin uptake ratio (T3 ratio). It was measured in 93 subjects comprising 6 groups with differing thyro-metabolic states. T4-Adj was found to have a highly significant positive correlation with a conventional method for measurement of free thyroxine (free T4) in all patients studied. T4-Adj is a relatively inexpensive determination which corrects for alterations in thyroxine binding proteins and is not influenced by iodine contamination.
Volatile constituents of commercial imported and domestic black-ripe table olives (Olea europaea)

Volatile constituents of commercial black-ripe table olives (Olea europaea) from the United States, Spain, Egypt and Morocco were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Dynamic headspace sampling was used to isolate a variety of aldehydes, alcohols, esters, ketones, phenols, terpenes, norisoprenoids, and pyridines. Odour unit values, calculated from concentration and odour threshold data, indicate that the following compounds are major contributors to black-ripe table olive aroma: β-damascenone, nonanal, (E)-dec-2-enal, 3-methylbutanal, ethyl benzoate, octanal, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-methylbutanal and 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol. Imported olives contained a variety of fermentation derived volatiles that were not detected in domestic olives. Constituents such as ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, ethyl 3-methylbutanoate, 3-methylbutyl acetate, oct-1-en-3-one, ethyl hexanoate, (Z)-hex-3-enyl acetate, hexyl acetate, ethyl cyclohexanecarboxylate, benzyl acetate and 4-ethylphenol contributed to the odour of imported olives but were not detected in domestic olives.
TU‐B‐224C‐01: 4D Scanning

The purpose of CT simulation in radiotherapy is to acquire patient geometrical information and to build a patient geometrical model for treatment planning. Errors in patient model caused by motion artifacts will influence all treatment fractions and therefore should be handled carefully. Due to the tumor respiratory motion, the captured tumor position and shape can be heavily distorted. The distortions along the axis of motion could result in either a lengthening or shortening of the target. The center of the imaged target can be displaced by as much as the amplitude of the motion. A newly developed technique that can reduce motion artifacts and provide patient geometry throughout the whole breathing cycle is called respiration‐correlated or 4D CT scan. The basic idea for 4D CT scan is that, at every position of interest along patient's long axis, images are over‐sampled and each image is tagged with breathing phase information. After the scan is done, images are sorted based on the corresponding breathing phase signals. Thus, many 3D CT sets are obtained, each corresponding to a particular breathing phase, and together constitutes a 4D CT set that covers that the whole breathing cycle. 4D CT scan has been developed at various institutions with slightly different flavors. In this lecture, we will provide an overview of various implementations of 4D CT scan. 4D CT scan can be used to account for respiratory motion to generate images with less distortion than 3D CT scan. 4D images also contain respiratory motion information of tumor and organs that is not available in a 3D CTimage. This technology can be used for respiratory‐gated treatment to identify the patient‐specific phase of minimum tumor motion, determine residual tumor motion within the gate interval, and compare treatment plans at different phases. It can also be used for non‐gated treatment planning to define ITV by combining gross tumor volume at all breathing phases or using a method called maximum intensity projection. Of course 4D CT will also play a vital role in the futuristic 4D radiotherapy where the tumor is tracked dynamically during the treatment using multi‐leaf collimator. Existing problems for 4D CT scan include the increased imagingdose,CT tube heating, and data management. More importantly, one has to keep in mind that 4D CT scan is not really 4D. Temporal information is mapped into one breathing cycle. Irregular respiration will cause artifacts in 4D CTimages. Patient coaching can improve the regularity of breathing pattern and thus reduce the residual artifacts. However this issue still deserves further studies. Educational Objectives: 1. Understand the origin and magnitude of motion artifacts in free breathing helical CT scan. 2. Understand how 4D CT scan works. 3. Understand how 4D CT can be used in radiotherapy. 4. Understand the remaining artifacts in 4D CT scan and possible future improvements.
Following enzyme catalysis in real‐time inside a fast atom bombardment mass spectrometer

Experiments involving the monitoring of enzyme catalyzed reactions occurring within a fast atom bombardment mass spectrometer are reported. Data are presented using FAB mass spectrometry to monitor trypsin and dipeptidyl aminopeptidase I catalyzed hydrolysis of their respective assay substrates and for hydrolysis of the peptide (val4) angiotensin III by yeast carboxypeptidase Y. Enzyme catalysis was followed by measuring the decrease of abundance of the [M + H]+ ion of the substrate and the increase of that of the product from a mixture of enzyme and substrate in a glycerol/water matrix placed on the probe inside the mass spectrometer. In addition, results of preliminary experiments to determine the survival of live yeast cells on exposure to FAB mass spectrometry is also presented.
Editorial: Advice to authors

This PDF file contains the editorial “Editorial: Advice to authors” for OE Vol. 32 Issue 12
On the efficient generation of language instances

Polynomial-time Turing machines that output instances of a given language are considered, where the instances are required to have a certain length specified by the input. Two types of generating machines are investigated. The first, called a constructor, is deterministic and outputs one string in the language having the specified input length, if such a string exists. A generator is nondeterministic and may output different strings in the language using different computations on the same input; it is required, however, that for any string in the language satisfying the input constraint, there be some computation of the generator on this input that produces the string. Although most P and NP languages examined appear to have such polynomial-time constructors and generators, it is shown that the question of whether all NP languages have such machines is related to other open questions in complexity theory and that even under the assumption that P is not equal to NP, the question cannot be resolved using te...
Development of nanocrystalline structure in Cu during friction stir processing (FSP)

Abstract The characteristics of microstructures at various locations behind the pin tool extraction site were studied in copper after FSP that had been conducted with continuous quenching to enhance cooling rates. The substructures initially formed around the pin tool consist of very small crystallites having sizes of a few tens of nanometers. It is proposed that the processing conditions result in formation of microband structures around pin tool in the presence of severe strain heterogeneity. The microbands appear as nano-scale elongated crystallites surrounded by high-angle boundaries. The elongated crystallites transform to nearly random oriented and equiaxed grain structures by shape adjustment during the initial stages of cooling from the peak temperature. Nanocrystalline structures ∼174 nm in size were produced in OFHC copper by FSP.
Review of meteorologic radar polarimetry in North America

A brief summary of early polarimetric radar development pertinent to radar meteorology in North America over the past forty years (1950 - 1991) is presented. Rather than providing an in-depth assessment, only important events leading to major advances are succinctly reviewed by providing the pertinent references.
3D object recognition using kernel construction of phase wrapped images

Kernel methods are effective machine learning techniques for many image based pattern recognition problems. Incorporating 3D information is useful in such applications. The optical profilometries and interforometric techniques provide 3D information in an implicit form. Typically phase unwrapping process, which is often hindered by the presence of noises, spots of low intensity modulation, and instability of the solutions, is applied to retrieve the proper depth information. In certain applications such as pattern recognition problems, the goal is to classify the 3D objects in the image, rather than to simply display or reconstruct them. In this paper we present a technique for constructing kernels on the measured data directly without explicit phase unwrapping. Such a kernel will naturally incorporate the 3D depth information and can be used to improve the systems involving 3D object analysis and classification.
On the growth and stability of cell cultures and solid tumors.

A theory is formulated to describe the growth and movement of certain cell cultures and solid tumors in response to an arbitrary distribution of nutrient. Conditions are established for the unstable development of a colony in which internal pressure forces overcome surface tension and adhesion. Instability is manifested as either a pinch or a corrugation of the boundary surface which can cause a spheroidal distortion of colony shape and may possibly lead to subdivision or disintegration. It is further shown that colonies which share the same food supply repel each other and move apart.
Effect of beam size on composite polymerization

Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of the Argon laser and conventional curing light to polymerize light- activated materials. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of beam size on the diametral tensile strengths of a composite resin. The Argon laser (HGM Model 8) at 280 mw and 450 mw and beam size of approximately 5 mm , 8 mm, and 13 mm, with 10 second exposure were used to polymerize samples of TPH (L.D. Caulk) composite resin. The conventional curing light (the Max/L.D. Caulk) with beam sizes of 8 mm and 13 mm and 20 seconds exposure were used to polymerize Silux Plus (3M) composite resin. Twelve samples were made for each set of parameters for a total of 96 samples. The samples were stored in light-proof containers for 24 hours at room temperature and then tested on the Instron testing machine for diametral tensile strengths (MPa). Mean values were calculated for each set of data and ANOVA and Fisher PLSD were used for statistical analysis. Results indicate that in this study there was no statistical difference in diametral tensile strengths (MPa) between the beam sizes for a given power setting and light source.
Intranasal immunization with attenuated live influenza vaccine in asthma.

Abstract Attenuated live intranasal influenza vaccine ("Alice") was given to 20 asthmatics and 9 control subjects. Pulmonary function tests were performed before and after, with emphasis on tests of small airways function (using flow volume curves with air and a helium-oxygen mixture). In subjects with a low influenza A antibody titer, there was a 4-fold rise in titer to the vaccine, whereas those subjects with a high titer showed no rise. There were no significant changes in pulmonary function in any parameters measured, and no significant symptoms were reported. We have concluded from this study that "Alice" appears safe for use in asthma and was capable of producing an antibody titer rise in persons with low titers.
The 4X Source

Our Penning surface-plasma source (SPS) discharge chamber was enlarged 4X in two dimensions. To date, three pulsed discharge modes have been studied: two with noisy arc (?20% H- current fluctuations) and one with quiescent arc (?1% H- current fluctuations). Lower arc magnetic field and higher H2 gas flow allow switching from the noisy to the quiescent mode. The noisy modes yield up to 120 mA of 29-keV H- beam; for 110 mA at 29 keV, the two-dimensional normalized rms emittance is 0.017 x 0.018 ?·cm·mrad. The quiescent mode yields 75 mA of 29-keV H- beam; for 67 mA at 24 keV, the emittance is 0.011 x 0.012 ?·cm·mrad.
Two-dimensional echocardiography using second harmonic imaging for the diagnosis of intracardiac right-to-left shunt: a meta-analysis of prospective studies

Right-to-left shunting (RLS), usually through a patent foramen ovale (PFO), has been associated with migraine, cryptogenic stroke and hypoxemia. With emerging observational studies and clinical trials on the subject of PFO, there is a need for accurate diagnosis of PFO in patients being considered for transcatheter closure. While transesophageal echo (TEE) bubble study is the current standard reference for diagnosing PFO, transthoracic echo with second harmonic imaging (TTE-HI) may be a preferable screening test for RLS due to its high accuracy and non-invasiveness. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the accuracy of TTE-HI compared to TEE as the reference. A systematic review of Medline, Cochrane and Embase was done for all the prospective studies assessing for intracardiac RLS using TTE-HI compared to TEE as the reference; both TTE-HI and TEE were performed with a contrast agent and a maneuver to provoke RLS in all studies. A total of 15 studies with 1995 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The weighted mean sensitivity and specificity for TTE-HI were 91 and 93 % respectively. Likewise, the positive and negative likelihood ratios were 13.52 and 0.13 respectively. TTE-HI is a reliable, non-invasive test with proficient diagnostic accuracies. The high sensitivity and specificity of TTE-HI make it a useful initial screening test for RLS. If the precise anatomy is required, then TEE can be obtained before scheduling a patient for transcatheter PFO closure.
Dynamin 2 regulates T cell activation by controlling actin polymerization at the immunological synapse

Actin reorganization at the immunological synapse is required for the amplification and generation of a functional immune response. Using small interfering RNA, we show here that dynamin 2 (Dyn2), a large GTPase involved in receptor-mediated internalization, did not alter antibody-mediated T cell receptor internalization but considerably affected T cell receptor-stimulated T cell activation by regulating multiple biochemical signaling pathways and the accumulation of F-actin at the immunological synapse. Moreover, Dyn2 interacted directly with the Rho family guanine nucleotide exchange factor Vav1, and this interaction was required for T cell activation. These data identify a functionally important interaction between Dyn2 and Vav1 that regulates actin reorganization and multiple signaling pathways in T lymphocytes.
STUDIES ON THE PURIFICATION OF POLIOMYELITIS VIRUS : I. YIELDS AND ACTIVITY OF PREPARATIONS OBTAINED BY DIFFERENTIAL CENTRIFUGATION.

Results of experiments on the preparation of high molecular weight constituents from normal and poliomyelitis-infected medullae-cords are presented. Relatively large yields were obtained from glycerolated normal or infected tissues or from tissues that had been stored at –10°C. for a few days. When the frozen tissues were stored for several weeks, the amount of sedimentable nitrogen isolated from the normal cords decreased and became almost negligible. Under these same conditions small but definite amounts of a high molecular weight material were isolated from the infectious extracts. This material regularly produced poliomyelitis when 1 ml. containing 5 x 10–9 gm. of nitrogen was injected intracerebrally into rhesus monkeys. The purified virus sediment contains nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbohydrate, it gives the Millon's test for protein, and is precipitated by one-third saturation with ammonium sulfate. Results of ultracentrifugal analyses show that a relatively homogeneous component with S W 20° = 62 x 10–13 is present.
Heterogeneity of p15(E)-related polypeptides expressed by MuLV-infected cells

The p15(E)-related polypeptides of radiation leukemia virus (RadLV)-derived viruses and of cells infected with prototype MuLV were analyzed by immunoprecipitation, SDS-PAGE, and immunofluorescence analyses. It was found that the p15(E)-related molecules of ecotropic and xenotropic viruses derived from RadLV lymphoma cell lines were distinguishable by reactivity with monoclonal anti-p15(E) antibodies and by SDS-PAGE profile. Ecotropic MuLV of RadLV origin encoded the p15(E)a antigen and produced a Pr15(E) of 20K MW. In contrast, xenotropic virus derived from RadLV did not express the p15(E)a antigen and by SDS-PAGE its Pr15(E) migrated at 21K. A previously undescribed, p15(E)-related molecule of 18.5K MW was associated with xenotropic RadLV. These differences were also reproduced by the prototype ecotropic, xenotropic, and dualtropic viruses.
Gait characteristics of adults with Down syndrome explain their greater metabolic rate during walking

The altered gait patterns of adults with Down syndrome (DS) may contribute to their higher net metabolic rate (net-MR) during walking than adults without DS, leading to mobility limitations. This study examined the extent to which gait characteristics explain differences in net-MR during walking between adults with and without DS. Fifteen adults with DS (27 ± 8 years) and 15 adults without DS (28 ± 6 years) completed two testing sessions in which expiratory gases and kinematic data were collected, respectively, during treadmill walking. Participants walked at six, randomly-presented dimensionless speeds, ranging from slow to fast. Hierarchical and stepwise regressions were used to determine the proportion of the variance in net-MR explained by gait variables that differed between groups, after controlling for variance due to walking speed. Positive work rate, the range of the body center of mass (COM) mediolateral position and its square, variability in the time-course of COM anteroposterior velocity, and the variability of step length, step width, and step time significantly predicted net-MR (p < .05). These variables collectively explained 73.9% of the variance in net-MR that was explained by DS but not by walking speed. After accounting for shared variance among predictors, step length variability made the greatest unique contribution (10.6%) to the higher net-MR in adults with DS, followed by the range of COM mediolateral motion (6.3%), step width variability (2.8%), and variability in COM anteroposterior velocity (0.7%). Therefore, the gait characteristics of adults with DS appear to largely explain their higher net-MR during walking.
Trace-based framework for concurrent development of process and FPGA architecture considering process variation and reliability

This paper develops a trace-based framework to enable concurrent process and FPGA architecture co-development. Based on process parameters and traces for FPGA applications, the framework calculates the chip level performance and power distribution and soft error rate (SER) with consideration of process variations and device aging. As examples to utilize the framework, the paper further applies heterogeneous gate lengths to logic and interconnects for energy reduction, and studies the interaction between device aging, process variation and SER
Bunch length measurements in the SLC damping ring

The synchrotron light of the SLC damping ring was used to measure the bunch length with a streak camera at different times in the damping cycle. There are bunch length oscillations after injection, different equilibrium length during the cycle due to rf manipulations to avoid microwave instability oscillations, and just before extraction there is a longitudinal phase space rotation (bunch muncher) to shorten the bunch length. Measurements under these different conditions are presented and compared with BPM pulse height signals. Calibration and adjustment issues and the connection of the streak camera to the SLC control system are also discussed. >
A Feedback Controlled Carbon Nanotube Based NEMS Device: Concept and Modeling

A switchable carbon nanotube based nano-electromechanical systems (NEMS) device with close-loop feedback is examined. The device is made of a conductive multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT) placed as a cantilever over a micro-fabricated step. A bottom electrode, power supply and a resistor are also parts of the device circuit. The pull-in/pull-out and tunneling characteristics of the device are investigated by means of an electro-mechanical analysis. The model includes the concentration of electrical charge, at the end of the nanocantilever, and the van der Waals force. Finite kinematics accounting for large deformations of the cantilever is also included in the modeling. The result shows that the device has two well-defined stable equilibrium positions as a result of the tunneling and the incorporation of a feedback resistor to the circuit. The potential applications of the device include NEMS switches, random-access memory (RAM) elements, logic devices and electron-counters.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
DIVERSITY AND INVASIBILITY OF SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN PLANT COMMUNITIES

We propose that the relationship between diversity and community invasibility depends on the degree to which community composition is driven by immigration processes. When immigration is enhanced by high propagule pressure or low-intensity disturbance, the relationship between diversity and exotic species invasion should be positive. Only when such immigration processes are limited should competitive interactions lead to a negative correlation between diversity and invasibility. Moreover, competition should be more apparent at smaller scales where individual plants compete directly for space; thus, diversity and invasibility are more likely to be negatively correlated at small spatial scales. We tested these predictions by comparing exotic and native species diversity of vascular plants across five spatial scales in riparian and upland plant communities in the southern Appalachians. We found a positive relationship between species diversity and exotic invasion in riparian areas at large scales (100 m2), w...
A marginalized pattern-mixture model for longitudinal binary data when nonresponse depends on unobserved responses

This paper proposes a method for modeling longitudinal binary data when nonresponse depends on unobserved responses. The proposed method presumes that the target of inference is the marginal distribution of the response at each occasion and its dependence on covariates, and can accommodate both monotone and non-monotone missingness. The approach involves a marginally specified pattern-mixture model that directly parameterizes both the marginal means at each occasion and the dependence of each response on indicators of nonresponse pattern. This formulation readily incorporates a variety of nonresponse processes assumed within a sensitivity analysis. Once identifying restrictions have been made, estimation of model parameters proceeds via solution to a set of modified generalized estimating equations. The proposed method provides an alternative to standard selection and pattern-mixture modeling frameworks, while featuring certain advantages of each. The paper concludes with application of the method to data from a contraceptive clinical trial with substantial dropout.
A generation at risk: Young investigators and the future of the biomedical workforce

A number of distressing trends, including a decline in the share of key research grants going to younger scientists, as well as a steady rise in the age at which investigators receive their first funding, are now a decades-long feature of the US biomedical research workforce. Working committees have proposed recommendations, policy makers have implemented reforms, and yet the trajectory of our funding regime away from young scientists has only worsened. An investigation of some of the major factors and their geneses at play in explaining the increasing average age to first RO1 is presented. Recommendations related to funding, peer review, career paths, and the university–government partnership are provided.
A Longitudinal Examination of the Relationships Among Stress, Coping Strategies, and Problems Associated with Alcohol Use

This study examined the longitudinal relationships among family history of alcoholism (FH+), stress levels, utilization of coping methods, and alcohol-related problems. Data used in this study were obtained from a nonclinical sample of subjects who were originally interviewed when they were 12, 15, or 18 years of age and followed-up twice more at 3-year intervals for a longitudinal sample size of 1270. Although a greater percentage of females in this sample reported a FH+ background as well as higher levels of stress, they tended to utilize positive coping strategies more often and reported fewer numbers of alcohol problems than males. In general, younger subjects who reported high levels of stress experienced more alcohol-related problems regardless of coping method chosen. In older subjects, the effect of stress on problems appeared to be buffered when coupled with the use of support seeking. Subjects whose stress preceded problems exhibited no significant difference from subjects whose problems preceded stress and symptom-free and "stressed-only" subjects were not significantly different from each other in number of problems at time 3, suggesting that a direct effect of stress alone on alcohol-related problems is questionable.
Treatment targets in systemic lupus erythematosus: biology and clinical perspective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex disease characterized by numerous autoantibodies and clinical involvement in multiple organ systems. The immunological events triggering the onset and progression of clinical manifestations are also complex and multi-step, including breach of tolerance in the adaptive immune system, amplification of autoimmunity through innate and adaptive immune system dysregulation, and end-organ damage. Studies of murine genetic manipulations and human risk variants have provided important clues to the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of SLE, operating at multiple of these steps. The breakdown of B-cell tolerance is probably a defining and early event in the disease process and may occur by multiple pathways, including alterations in factors that affect B-cell activation thresholds, B-cell longevity, and apoptotic cell processing. Examples of amplification of autoimmunity on the adaptive immune system side include disturbances in B-cell/T-cell collaboration. B cells can also amplify innate immune cell activation via antibody-dependent and antibody-independent mechanisms. Indeed, one of the key amplification loops in SLE is the activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells via autoantibodies and RNA-containing and DNA-containing immune complexes, which act as Toll-like receptor ligands, stimulating the secretion of large quantities of IFNα. A more recent link between the innate and adaptive immune system in SLE includes the neutrophil, which can be primed by interferon and autoantibodies to release neutrophil extracellular traps as an additional source of immunogenic DNA, histones, and neutrophil proteins. The innate immune system activation then feeds back, driving autoreactive B-cell and T-cell survival and maturation. This self-perpetuating disease cycle creates the opportunity for targeted treatment inventions at multiple steps.