cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract IA4: Designing biological systems to report on disease

Biology presents us with an array of design principles. From studies of both simple and more complex systems, we understand some of the fundamentals of how nature works and what goes wrong in the disease state. We are interested in using the foundations of biology to engineer cells in a logical and predictable way to perform certain functions with relevance to therapeutics and diagnostics. By necessity, the predictable engineering of biology requires knowledge of quantitative behavior of individual cells and communities and the ability to construct reliable models. By building and analyzing synthetic systems, we learn more about the fundamentals of biological design as well as engineer useful living devices with myriad applications. For example, we are interested in building cells that can perform specific tasks, such as remembering past events and thus acting as a biological computer. In particular, we have built genetic circuits whereby cells can ‘remember’ stimuli for many generations including DNA damage and hypoxia. By characterizing these ‘memory’ cells, we can identify key genes that may act as therapeutic targets and explanations for persistence of a subset of cells in tumors. Citation Format: Pamela A. Silver. Designing biological systems to report on disease [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chemical Systems Biology: Assembling and Interrogating Computational Models of the Cancer Cell by Chemical Perturbations; 2012 Jun 27-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(13 Suppl):Abstract nr IA4.
Deconvolution/identification techniques for nonnegative signals

Several methods for solving the nonparametric deconvolution/identification problem when the unknown is nonnegative are presented. The authors consider the constrained least squares method and discuss three ways to estimate the regularization parameter: the discrepancy principle, Mallow's (1973) C/sub L/, and generalized cross validation. They consider maximum entropy methods. A new conjugate gradient algorithm and a preliminary comparison are presented. >
Exact Power of Conditional and Unconditional Tests: Going beyond the 2 × 2 Contingency Table

Abstract The controversial question of whether one should condition on both margins of a contingency table for exact inference is examined from a fresh, computational perspective. The conditional test is believed to be less powerful than the unconditional test. However, in all previous work the actual hard evidence for this alleged power loss has always been provided by the single 2 × 2 table. In this setting the discreteness of the test statistic confounds the issue since the loss in power is offset by a corresponding reduction in Type 1 error. Although one could overcome discreteness through an auxiliary randomization experiment, this would not resolve the controversy, because such post hoc randomization is unacceptable to the practicing statistician. We overcome the discreteness more naturally by extending the power computations to 2 × 3 contingency tables. In doing so we find that the power advantage of the unconditional test rapidly vanishes. The article also discusses computational difficulties we w...
The Volatile Constituents of the Coffee Flower (Coffea arabica L.)

Although coffee beans have been well studied, the volatile constituents of the coffee flower have not previously been investigated. An extract of coffee flower (Coffea arabica L.) was analyzed by GC–MS and found to contain a significant number of nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds as well as phenylethane derivatives. The novel epoxygeraniols (2,3-epoxygeraniol and 6,7-epoxygeraniol) were also detected as minor components. These epoxides were estimated to be an approximately equal mixture of both enantiomers by chiral GC analysis. Optically active 2,3-epoxygeraniols were synthesized by Sharpless's asymmetric epoxydation (AE), and 6,7-epoxygeraniols were prepared utilizing Sharpless's asymmetric dihydroxylation (AD) as a key step in high optical purities (96–99% ee). Epoxygeraniols were found to possess rosy and muguet-like aromas reminiscent of the living flower. Considerable differences of aroma were perceived between the enantiomers. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RGS9, a GTPase Accelerator for Phototransduction

Abstract The rod outer segment phototransduction GAP (GTPase-accelerating protein) has been identified as RGS9, a member of the RGS family of Gα GAPs. RGS9 mRNA expression is specific for photoreceptor cells, and RGS9 protein colocalizes with other phototransduction components to photoreceptor outer segment membranes. The RGS domain of RGS9 accelerates GTP hydrolysis by the visual G protein transducin (Gα t ), and this acceleration is enhanced by the γ subunit of the phototransduction effector cGMP phosphodiesterase (PDE γ ). These unique properties of RGS9 match those of the rod outer segment GAP and implicate it as a key element in the recovery phase of visual transduction.
A hormonal basis for sex differences in the self-grooming of rats.

Abstract The self-grooming behavior of prepubescent male and female rats is described. Sex differences were observed in components of grooming addressed to the genitals, but not in other aspects of grooming. A hormonal basis for the sex difference was examined in two experiments. When females were injected with testosterone propionate (TP) on the day of birth, their subsequent grooming was found to be no different from that of control-treated females. However, males and females gonadectomized at weaning and treated daily with TP each performed significantly more genital self-grooming than oil-treated controls. There were no sex differences in gonadectomized, oil-treated rats, and sex differences in response to TP were limited to greater responsiveness of females to a 50-μg, but not 200-μg, TP dose. These results lead to the conclusion that sex differences in self-grooming can be accounted for primarily by differences in testosterone availability during the peripubertal period.
The Anticurare Activity of Two Alkyl Phosphates

The anticurare activities of tetraethylpyrophosphate (TEPP) and parathion were compared with those of neostigmine methyl sulfate (Prostigmin®). Two methods were employed involving the rat and the rabbit. In the first procedure, using the rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm, TEPP appeared to be more effective than Prostigmin which was in turn more effective than parathion. In the second procedure, however, which involved pretreating the rat phrenic nerve-diaphragm, none of the three antagonists differed significantly. Prostigmin appeared to be more effective than the other two antagonists in raising the headdrop dose of Intocostrin® in the rabbit, but only at the lower dosage level. As the dosage for all antagonists was raised, their action did not differ significantly.
Ampere-Squared-Second Recorder

A device is described which records the ampere-squared seconds in an electrical impulse of less than 0.5-second duration. A number of these have been used in resistance-welding applications to monitor the electrical variables and have contributed greatly to the uniformity of welds. The problem of indicating 1/60-second impulses at the rate of 100 a minute with the same device that will correctly integrate a half-second impulse has been solved by the use of a moving element with an infinitely long natural period, combined with a supplementary circuit which returns the element to the starting position in a fraction of a second.
Quantification of complex polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures in standard reference materials using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass spectrometry

This research is the first to quantify complex PAH mixtures in NIST SRMs using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC/ToF-MS), with and without extract cleanup, and reports previously unidentified PAH congeners in the NIST SRMs. We tested a novel, high orthogonality GC column combination (LC-50×NSP-35), as well as with a commonly used column combination (Rtx-5ms×Rxi-17) for the quantification of a complex mixture of 85 different PAHs, including parent (PAHs), alkyl- (MPAHs), nitro- (NPAHs), oxy- (OPAHs), thio- (SPAHs), bromo- (BrPAHs), and chloro-PAHs (ClPAHs) in extracts from two standard reference materials: NIST SRM1650b (diesel particulate matter), with cleanup and NIST SRM1975 (diesel particulate extract), with and without extract cleanup. The LC-50×NSP-35 column combination resulted in an average absolute percent difference of 33.8%, 62.2% and 30.8% compared to the NIST certified PAH concentrations for NIST SRM1650b, NIST SRM1975 with cleanup and NIST SRM1975 without cleanup, while the Rtx-5ms×Rxi-17 resulted in an absolute percent difference of 38.6%, 67.2% and 79.6% for NIST SRM1650b, NIST SRM1975 with cleanup and NIST SRM1975 without cleanup, respectively. This GC×GC/ToF-MS method increases the number of PAHs detected and quantified in complex environmental extracts using a single chromatographic run. Without clean-up, 7 additional compounds were detected and quantified in NIST SRM1975 using the LC-50×NSP-35 column combination. These results suggest that the use of the LC-50×NSP-35 column combination in GC×GC/ToF-MS not only results in better chromatographic resolution and greater orthogonality for the separation of complex PAH mixtures, but can also be used for the accurate quantification of complex PAH mixtures in environmental extracts, such as diesel particulate matter, without silica gel cleanup.
CONSIST-Consistent Internet route updates

An Internet router may receive a batch of tens of thousands of updates (insert a new rule or delete/change an existing rule) in any instant (i.e., with the same time stamp). This paper deals with analyzing possible orderings of a batch of updates such that forwarding table consistency is maintained while these updates are performed one at a time as in a table that supports incremental updates rather than batch updates. This analysis results in the system CONSIST, which removes any redundancies in the batch of updates and uses a heuristic to arrange the reduced set of updates into a consistent sequence that results in near minimal increase in table size as the updates are done one by one.
Open Veins of Latin America: Five Centuries of the Pillage of a Continent

A wide-ranging historical account of the social, political, and particularly economic development of a continent seemingly ravaged by the unbridled exploitation of major capitalist countries bent on turning Latin American resources into their own economic gain. Bibliogs.
Nonlinear Black-Box Modeling of Aeroelastic Systems Using Structure Detection Approach: Application to F/A-18 Aircraft Data

Structure detection is a procedure for selecting a subset of candidate terms, from a full model description, that best describes the observed output. This is a necessary procedure to compute an efficient system description which may afford greater insight into the functionality of the system or a simpler controller design. Structure computation as a tool for "black-box" modeling is not well known to the flight-test community but may be of critical importance in the development of robust, parsimonious models. Moreover, this approach may lead to efficient strategies for rapid envelope expansion which may save significant development time and costs. Structure detection methods applicable to nonlinear autoregressive, moving average exogenous modeling are applied to aeroelastic dynamics and their properties demonstrated via continuous-time simulations of experimental conditions. Simulation results from a nonlinear dynamic model of aircraft structural free-play demonstrate that methods developed for nonlinear autoregressive, moving average exogenous structure computation provide a high degree of accuracy for selection of the exact model structure from an overparameterized model description. Applicability of these methods to the F/A-18 active aeroelastic wing using flight-test data is shown by identifying a parsimonious system description with a high percent fit for cross-validated data.
Letter to the Editor: Resolution of the Presence of Multiple Forms of the Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases (PDE) in Normal and Reye's Syndrome Liver

Letter to the Editor: Resolution of the Presence of Multiple Forms of the Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases (PDE) in Normal and Reye's Syndrome Liver
Commercial laboratory IgM testing for Toxoplasma gondii in pregnancy: a 20-year experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to review the clinical utility of commercial laboratory Toxoplasmosis-specific IgM testing during pregnancy and outcomes of the gestation at our institution. METHODS: A retrospective review of all women referred for suspected acute Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy from 1984 through 2004 was performed. Women were diagnosed with suspected acute toxoplasmosis based on commercial laboratory serologic antibody testing. All women had blood sent to a recognized reference laboratory for antibody testing within 2 weeks of the commercial laboratory results. The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Chi-square analysis were used with a significance of P < .05. RESULTS: A total of 130 women were evaluated during the study period with 116 IgM positive results from the commercial laboratories. The commercial laboratory antibodies were as follows: IgM positive with IgG negative (n = 20), IgM positive with IgG positive (n = 96), and IgM negative with IgG positive (n = 14). There was a significant reduction in the IgM positive results when comparing commercial laboratory (n = 116) with the reference laboratory results (n = 28; p < .001). Acute toxoplasmosis infection was diagnosed in 7 (5%) of the women. All cases of acute toxoplasmosis infection had a positive commercial laboratory IgM result. The false positive rate for the commercial laboratory IgM was 88.6% and the diagnostic indices were sensitivity 100%, specificity 11.4%, positive predictive value 6% and negative predictive value 100%. CONCLUSION: Commercial laboratory Toxoplasmosis-specific IgM is associated with a high false positive rate. The commercial and reference laboratory IgM results identified all cases of acute toxoplasmosis infection. Commercial laboratories reflexively obtaining reference laboratory confirmation of positive results could reduce costs associated with testing, referrals, retesting, and invasive procedures.
Ubiquitous clicks and complements

More generally, widespread use of a technology generates customers for small but essential after-sale activities. Costs for complements decline when the technology becomes widely used. In most cases, these costs reach their minimum long before every potential adopter employs the technology. Widespread use also has a way of encouraging the invention of complementary services that had not previously existed. In addition, widespread use also encourages the specialization of inventive energy. Demonstrating pervasiveness alleviates inventors' concerns that they must invent all the pieces of a system. The invention of complements for telephony provides many examples. A pervasive mobile communications infrastructure had been a standard element of technology visions. Other improvements required technical invention. The author ends the discussion of pervasive complements with a special but important case. It involves a market setting in which complements are best sold everywhere to every last person. When that is the case, it is possible for the last set of buyers to hold everyone else hostage
Genetic analysis of ion channel dysfunction in Drosophila.

Genetic analysis of ion channel dysfunction in Drosophila. To dissect the molecular mechanisms of electrical activity in the nervous system, an extensive collection of mutations affecting various types of voltage-gated ion channels was identified and characterized in Drosophila. Most of these mutations were generated by chemical mutagenesis and were recognized on the basis of defects in motor behavior. These were the first genetically determined ion channelopathies to be characterized in any multicellular organism. Drosophila is a particularly attractive model system for such studies because of the availability of powerful genetic, electrophysiological, and molecular techniques for generating new mutations, characterizing their phenotypes, and cloning the genes thus defined. Consequently, a number of ion channels, including various types of K+ channels that had not yielded previously to biochemical approaches, were first identified via a genetic strategy in Drosophila. Evolutionary conservation of these genes enabled subsequent isolation of the corresponding genes from various mammals, including humans. Several of these human homologues have been found to be associated with heritable neuromuscular disorders. Studies of ion channel mutations in Drosophila have thus provided important biological information concerning the molecular and functional diversity of ion channels, their evolutionary relationships, and their in vivo functions in the nervous system. Similar studies of additional new mutations should now facilitate the analysis of ion channel regulatory mechanisms.
The hypnotic psychotherapy of Milton H. Erickson.

Abstract The principles of hypnosis and suggestion permeate most of Milton Erickson's psychotherapy, although formal trance induction is used in less than ten percent. Characteristic of Erickson's style is his indirect manner of phrasing suggestions or interpretations. They come not as outside impositions, but as subtle manipulations leading the patient to institute constructive behavior from within, often without full conscious awareness. Usually Erickson first attempts to meet the patient at the patient's level, thereby gaining rapport. As trust is developed, he modifies the patient's productions by covert suggestions, thereby gaining control. In this manner, he is able to convert a chaotic psychotic hallucination into an orderly hypnotic one, or the desperate cries of a terminal cancer patient into hypnotic anesthesia. As interpreted here, Erickson's therapeutic approaches can be divided into three categories. First are techniques resembling modern behavior therapy, with frequent use of desensitization...
Apple Juice Clarification With the Use of Honey and Pectinase

The clarification of apple juice with the use of honey and enzyme separately and in combinations was studied. The results indicated the existence of a synergistic effect upon the time of initial flocculation when honey was combined with pectinase enzymes. Changes in the rate of flocculation appeared to be an additive effect of enzyme concentration and/or honey concentration. The combined treatment of honey and enzyme was found to induce flocculation very fast as compared to enzyme alone at cold as well as warm temperatures. When used alone, the honey treatment produced a clarified juice with a viscosity similar to cider.
Analysis of the Drought Stress-Responsive Transcriptome of Black Cottonwood ( Populus trichocarpa ) Using Deep RNA Sequencing

The complete genome of Populus trichocarpa has been available for years, however, relatively little effort has been made to map and quantify the transcriptome for this important model organism. Here, we applied Illumina sequencing to systematically investigate the leaf transcriptomes derived from P. trichocarpa seedlings grown in normal condition and drought stress. On the basis of the available Populus genome, we defined gene structures and identified a number of novel transcripts and upstream open reading frames, which may be informative for understanding drought adaption of woody plants. We obtained 33,044 genes expressed in leaves covering ~80 % of the available P. trichocarpa gene models and 5689 genes were differentially expressed during drought stress. About 38.9 % of the expressed genes show alternative splicing (AS) patterns. Interestingly, the number of AS events and the expression of some AS genes increased when the plants were subjected to drought. At the physiological level, photosynthetic rates, stomatal conductance, and leaf water potential were significantly reduced after water stress. This was accompanied by strong transcriptional remodeling of energy metabolism, cell growth, carbohydrate metabolism, and cellular homeostasis in P. trichocarpa. In addition, genes involved in photosynthesis, cell wall organization, and osmoprotectants metabolism that may specially modulate the drought stress responses of P. trichocarpa are highlighted. Our analysis provides insight into the transcriptional responses of P. trichocarpa to drought stress and is expected to serve as valuable transcriptome resources for woody plants.
The development of forest Islands in exurban central New York state

Abstract Onondaga County in central New York State was extensively cleared for agricultural use, so that by 1930 only 8% of the area maintained small and highly fragmented forest islands. Subsequent natural re-forestation in exurban parts of the county increased the forest cover to 40% of the total land area by 1980. New stands formed around many residual forest islands, and natural re-forestation often consolidated two or more small parcels previously separated by open fields. At present, some forests cover as much as 3000 ha each, and even-aged stands less than 50 years old make up 80% of the total forest area. These stands are generally devoid of appreciable woody understory vegetation, and have an elevated and tight crown canopy. Tree species composition is less diverse than in the residual islands which were never cleared for protracted agricultural use. Sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) and white ash (Fraxinus americana L.) predominate in most new forest stands on the better-drained soils. Red maple (Acer rubrum L.), elms (Ulmus) and white ash are most common on poorly drained sites. Overall, available data suggest the prevalence of fairly homogeneous structural conditions across most forest stands. Information from resource statistics also indicates that similar conditions may dominate much of the forested area in rural southwestern New York State and even greater areas of Northeastern United States. Development of existing seedling stands and new natural re-forestation should further consolidate the forest cover and bring increased structural homogeneity throughout the region.
human ecology and the population concept: the Yelnadu Reddi population in India

Key concepts in ecological anthropology need careful testing by case studies to determine the limits of their applicability and any need for redefinition and conceptual development. This article applies the concept of “population” to an endogamous group in southern India, the Yelnadu Reddis, who have a distinctive, reticulately structured set of relations with their physical and social resources.
EFFECT OF EVAPORATION AND TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT MATERIAL PROPERTIES ON WELD POOL DEVELOPMENT

This paper evaluates the effect of weld pool evaporation and thermophysical properties on the development of the weld pool. An existing computational model was modified to include vaporization and temperature-dependent thermophysical properties. Transient, convective heat transfer during gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding with and without vaporization effects and variable properties was studied. The present analysis differs from earlier studies that assumed no vaporization and constant values for all of the physical properties throughout the range of temperature of interest. The results indicate that consideration of weld pool vaporization effects and variable physical properties produce significantly different weld model predictions. The calculated results are consistent with previously published experimental findings.
The deterrent impact of police: An examination of a locally provided public service

Abstract This paper develops and empirically tests a model of crime deterrence in an urban area. There are two important departures from past efforts to study the impact of criminal sanctions. The first is that the provision of sanctions from the local public sector is modeled; this is accomplished by specifying the distributional goals of local government and by specifying the production of safety. The second departure is that actual crime and reported crime are differentiated theoretically and in the empirical work. An empirical test of the model, using a unique neighborhood data set, shows that police deter crime significantly; however, this deterrent impact cannot be demonstrated without the distinction between actual and reported crime.
Carnitine levels in valproic acid-treated psychiatric patients: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Carnitine facilitates the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the mitochondria for beta oxidation, and the removal of potentially toxic acylcoenzyme-A metabolites from the inner aspect of mitochondrion as acylcarnitines. Previous studies suggest a significant decrease in camitine concentrations and changes in the ratio of acylcamitine to free carnitine in seizure-disordered patients treated with valproic acid (VPA), which may lead to clinical manifestations of carnitine deficiency. This study sought to explore whether the same decrease in plasma free carnitine and increase in acylcarnitines are seen when VPA is used in the treatment of patients with psychiatric disease. Method: Thirty psychiatric patients treated with VPA for at least 6 months were selected for the study and granted informed consent for participation. Exclusion criteria included liver disorder or pancreatitis, metabolic defects known to affect plasma camitine levels, or noncompliance with VPA regimen. Plasma free carnitine, total carnitine, acylcarnitine, VPA, and amylase levels were determined, and liver function tests (LFTs) were performed. Pearson correlations were conducted between VPA levels, levels and ratios of carnitines, as well as LFTs and amylase levels. Results: Plasma free and total carnitine levels were lower than the reported normal range for the laboratory performing the assay, and the ratio of acylcarnitine to free carnitine was increased. There was a significant positive correlation of VPA levels and acylcarnitine-free carnitine ratio, a trend toward significance between VPA levels and acylcarnitine levels, and a marginal negative correlation between VPA levels and free carnitine levels. VPA levels correlated also with several LFTs and acylcarnitine levels. Octanoyl carnitine and acylcarnitine levels, as well as acylcarnitine-free carnitine and octanoyl-free camitine ratios, correlated significantly with amylase levels. Conclusion: Although the study was limited by a cross-sectional design without direct control comparison, the findings suggest that patients with various psychiatric conditions treated with polypharmacy that includes VPA may have lower plasma carnitine levels than would be expected in healthy controls.
Think back and remember when you were a nursing student

remember the nurse who looked like she was having a “Maalox™ Moment” when she realized she was working with a nursing student? Remember the nurse who gave you your report and then was “MIA” for the rest of the morning? Remember the nurse who, on your first day in obstetrics, sent you in to perform a procedure you'd only read about in textbooks? Remember, also, the nurse who said “I really love to teach,” and meant it? The nurse who explained everything clearly and completely—that same nurse who said, “I hope you're coming again tomorrow?”
THE DETECTION OF HEROIN, COCAINE AND CANNABINOID METABOLITES IN THE STOOLS OF INFANTS OF DRUG DEPENDENT MOTHERS: CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

We have shown (Dev Pharm Ther 1:163, 1980) in morphine addicted fetal monkeys that the tissue concentration of morphine was highest in their intestines due to bile secretion or swallowed fetal urine. To test the corollary hypothesis that the stools from infants of drug dependent mothers (IDDM) will contain the drugs which the fetus has been exposed to, in utero, we collected stools (meconium) during the first 5 days from 10 IDDMs and 2 control infants and tested them for the metabolites of heroin (morphine), cocaine (benzoylecgonine), and cannabis (Δ 9 tetrahydrocannabinol or THC), three commonly abused drugs. In addition, we addicted a pregnant Sprague-Dawley rat by the daily subcutaneous injections of morphine sulfate (10-20 mgs/kg bid) from the 8th to the 21st day of gestation. Soon after birth, the rat pups were sacrificed and their intestines were collected for morphine analysis. The drug metabolites were extracted in appropriate solvents and quantitated by radioimmunoassay. The control stools were used for background correction. RESULTS: Four of the 10 IDDM stools contained morphine (range = 0.24-22.7 μg/gm stool, mean = 5.42) and 3 had cocaine metabolites (range = 0.24-0.67 μg/gm stool, mean = 0.42) up to the 2nd day of sampling. Five of 5 stools tested contained Δ 9 THC (range = 0.023-1.082 μg/gm stool, mean = 0.37) up to the 5th day sample. In the 9 rat pups, their intestinal contents collectively contained 1.65 μg of morphine or 0.18 μg morphine per pup. SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows that the stool (intestinal content) is a repository of the drugs which the fetus has been exposed to, in utero, and their detection may provide a unique insight into the drug exposure of the fetus throughout gestation. Likewise, since the complete evacuation of meconium occurs slowly, drug detection for diagnostic purposes in infants, is feasible even in late sampling.
A Noninvasive Computerized Tail-Cuff System for Measuring Blood Pressure in Mice

Abstract We have validated a noninvasive computerized tail-cuff system for measuring blood pressure in mice. The system was designed to perform all functions automatically, including a programmable routine of cuff inflation and deflation, analysis and assignment of pulse rate and blood pressure, and recording of data electronically. To evaluate this system over a range of blood pressures, we gave groups of mice enalapril or N G -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester in their drinking water. For each of these groups, an equal number of control mice were given nothing in their drinking water. Tail-cuff blood pressures were recorded as the means of blood pressures determined on at least 3 days after at least 7 days of training. Tail-cuff enalapril and control group means were measured both 3 and 4 months after enalapril (or no drug) was begun; the group means at 3 months were not significantly different from the group means at 4 months. These results demonstrate that the system gives reproducible results. After the tail-cuff measurements were completed, intra-arterial blood pressures were attempted in all mice under unrestrained, unanesthetized conditions, and individual mouse (n=22) blood pressures with the use of the two methods were compared. The blood pressures from individual mice by tail-cuff and intra-arterial methods were highly correlated ( r =.86, P r =.98, P
Improvements to a MCP based high speed x-ray framing camera to have increased robustness in a high neutron environment

As neutron yields increase at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) the need for neutron ‘hardened’ diagnostics has also increased. Gated Imagers located within the target chamber are exposed to neutrons which degrade image quality and damage electronics. In an effort to maintain the signal to noise ratio (S/N) on our images and mitigate neutron induced damage, we have implemented numerous upgrades to our X-ray framing cameras. The NIF Gated X-ray Detector (GXD), design has evolved into the Hardened Gated X-ray Detector, HGXD. These improvements are presented with image data taken on high yield NIF shots showing enhanced image quality. Additional upgrades were added to remotely locate sensitive electronics and ease operational use.
Comparative Measurements of Earth and Martian Entry Environments in the NASA Langley HYMETS Facility

Arc-jet facilities play a major role in the development of heat shield materials for entry vehicles because they are capable of producing representative high-enthalpy flow environments. Arc-jet test data is used to certify material performance for a particular mission and to validate or calibrate models of material response during atmospheric entry. Materials used on missions entering Earth s atmosphere are certified in an arc-jet using a simulated air entry environment. Materials used on missions entering the Martian atmosphere should be certified in an arc-jet using a simulated Martian atmosphere entry environment, which requires the use of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide has not been used as a test gas in a United States arc-jet facility since the early 1970 s during the certification of materials for the Viking Missions. Materials certified for the Viking missions have been used on every entry mission to Mars since that time. The use of carbon dioxide as a test gas in an arc-jet is again of interest to the thermal protection system community for certification of new heat shield materials that can increase the landed mass capability for Mars bound missions beyond that of Viking and Pathfinder. This paper describes the modification, operation, and performance of the Hypersonic Materials Environmental Test System (HYMETS) arc-jet facility with carbon dioxide as a test gas. A basic comparison of heat fluxes, various bulk properties, and performance characteristics for various Earth and Martian entry environments in HYMETS is provided. The Earth and Martian entry environments consist of a standard Earth atmosphere, an oxygen-rich Earth atmosphere, and a simulated Martian atmosphere. Finally, a preliminary comparison of the HYMETS arc-jet facility to several European plasma facilities is made to place the HYMETS facility in a more global context of arc-jet testing capability.
“Someone will notice, and someone will care”: How to build Strong Communities for Children

Derived from the recommendations of the U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect, Strong Communities for Children is a universal community-wide approach to prevention of child maltreatment. It is intended to change community norms-to facilitate informal support for families and to strengthen parents' belief that they can improve the quality of life for their own and their neighbors' families. A phased intervention, Strong Communities begins with recruitment and mobilization of volunteers, initially to spread Strong Communities' messages and ultimately to provide direct assistance to families of young children. Principle-driven, Strong Communities uses assets in the community to expand and strengthen networks of supportive relationships and, in particular, to increase support to parents. At least in concept, Strong Communities appears to be applicable in highly disparate communities and societies.
Image registration methods in high‐dimensional space

Quantitative evaluation of similarity between feature densities of images is an important step in several computer vision and data-mining applications such as registration of two or more images and retrieval and clustering of images. Previously we had introduced a new class of similarity measures based on entropic graphs to estimate Renyi's α-entropy, α-Jensen difference divergence, α-mutual information, and other divergence measures for image registration. Entropic graphs such as the minimum spanning tree (MST) and k-Nearest neighbor (kNN) graph allow the estimation of such similarity measures in higher dimensional feature spaces. A major drawback of histogram-based estimates of such measures is that they cannot be reliably constructed in higher dimensional feature spaces. In this article, we shall briefly extrapolate upon the use of entropic graph based divergence measures mentioned above. Additionally, we shall present estimates of other divergence viz the Geometric-Arithmetic mean divergence and Henze–Penrose affinity. We shall present the application of these measures for pairwise image registration using features derived from independent component analysis of the images. An extension of pairwise image registration is to simultaneously register multiple images, a challenging problem that arises while constructing atlases of organs in medical imaging. Using entropic graph methods we show the feasibility of such simultaneous registration using graph based higher dimensional estimates of entropy measures. Finally we present a new nonlinear correlation measure that is invariant to nonlinear transformations of the underlying feature space and can be reliably constructed in higher dimensions. We present an image clustering experiment to demonstrate the robustness of this measure to nonlinear transformations and contrast it with the clustering performance of the linear correlation coefficient. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 130–145, 2006
Military Psychology: Applicable Research1

Many psychologists and social scientists are unaware of the field of military psychology. Although marginally aware of Division 19: Military Psychology of the American Psychological Association (APA), a number of psychologists have very mistaken ideas about what military psychology includes and the uses thereof (APA Monitor, 1984). The purpose of this special issue is to present some research conducted under the rubric of military psychology. This issue of the Journal of Applied Social Psychology (JASP) may provide some preliminary answers to the frequently asked questions: What is this creature called military psychology? Who does it? What kinds of research are classified as military psychology?What Is Military Psychology?
Advanced light trapping designs for high efficiency thin film silicon solar cells

Abstract State-of-the-art optical trapping designs for tandem thin film silicon solar cells in the superstrate configuration commonly feature two elements: a textured transparent conductive oxide front contact and a low refractive index interlayer between top and bottom cell. We investigate more advanced super light trapping schemes that have been designed and implemented in thin film tandem junctions at different levels in the solar cells to further enhance light trapping capabilities. Regularly patterned nano-imprinted substrates offer an additional capability to tune the substrate morphology and optimize it for enhanced solar cell performance. We show that the onset of defect formation in thin film layers can be controlled and that the spectral response in the infra-red part of the spectrum is increased. Intermediate reflectors with ultra-low refractive indeces and plasmonic properties lead to increased light confinement in top cells. Results show that reducing the refractive index below 1.5 still leads to a substantial current increase in the top cell. These innovative designs improve the output current in amorphous/microcrystalline tandem devices with thin photo-active layers. In addition, they surprisingly enhance the electrical parameters of the tandem cells with a record open circuit voltage of 1.47 V. Plasmonic effects of metal nano-particles embedded in interlayers do not compromise the electrical solar cell parameters and similarly strengthen light confinement in the top cell, however detrimental effects are observed in the bottom cell current output.
Effect of Constant Light on Luteal Function

The effect of continuous light on luteal function was studied in both adult pseudopregnant (induced by cervical stimulation) rats and in immature rats with “superluteinized” ovaries (50 IU PMS, 25 IU hCG). All rats were maintained in a photoperiod of 14 hr light and 10 hr dark (CL) prior to induction of pseudopregnancy or gonadotropin treatment. Exposure to continuous light (LL) was started at the time of cervical stimulation and PMS administration for adult pseudopregnant and immature rats, respectively. Adult rats were killed on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 12 of pseudopregnancy. PMS—hCG treated (PMS—hCG—Tr) animals were sacrificed on days 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 17 and 21 following hCG administration. Progesterone and 20a—OH—P were extracted from ovarian venous blood of adult pseudopregnant rats and from systemic blood of immature PMS—hCG—Tr animals. Extracts were purified through thin—layer chromatography (TLC). 20a— OH—P was acetylated and rechromatographed. Both steroids were quantified by gas—liquid chromat...
A P300-based brain-computer interface: initial tests by ALS patients.

Objective: The current study evaluates the effectiveness of a brain–computer interface (BCI) system that operates by detecting a P300 elicited by one of four randomly presented stimuli (i.e. YES, NO, PASS, END). Methods: Two groups of participants were tested. The first group included three amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients that varied in degree of disability, but all retained the ability to communicate; the second group included three non-ALS controls. Each participant participated in ten experimental sessions during a period of approximately 6 weeks. During each run the participant’s task was to attend to one stimulus and disregard the other three. Stimuli were presented auditorily, visually, or in both modes. Results: Two of the 3 ALS patient’s classification rates were equal to those achieved by the non-ALS participants. Waveform morphology varied as a function of the presentation mode, but not in a similar pattern for each participant. Conclusions: The event-related potentials elicited by the target stimuli could be discriminated from the non-target stimuli for the non-ALS and the ALS groups. Future studies will begin to examine online classification. Significance: The results of offline classification suggest that a P300-based BCI can serve as a non-muscular communication device in both ALS, and non-ALS control groups. q 2005 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Toward a predictive model of the consumer inference process: The role of expertise

An information processing model is proposed for understanding and predicting cognitive behaviors underlying the generation of an inference. J. R. Anderson's theory of cognitive skill learning serves as the basis for the conceptual model. Specific predictions are generated concerning the impact of different levels of prior knowledge on the occurrence of inference and on the types of inference processes. An effort is made to demonstrate how the theory can be developed into a formal, predictive model in the form of a computer simulation model. Finally, some suggestions for future research directions are discussed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Childhood in South Africa: Separate and unequal

Separate and unequal is the conclusion from this paper describing black children's childhood in South Africa. Using in‐country research observations and experience the authors explain the situation for black children in South Africa. Black women have a total fertility rate of 5.2 children. Black children have a high incidence of infant mortality and malnutrition. Black children must pay for tuition and books while white children's education is free. Schools are crowded and few opportunities exist for progressing beyond the primary grades. Job opportunities are few for black youth. Black families are forced to live in the homelands, resettlement areas, urban townships, or on white‐owned farms. Children are socialized from the beginning to know that they must defer to white people of any age.
Human performance in relational algebra, tuple calculus, and domain calculus

The results of two experiments are reviewed in which users' performance in developing query solutions using relational algebra, relational tuple calculus, and relational domain calculus was measured. Sample query solutions in domain and tuple calculus are analysed and compared for complexity. In terms of human factors, tuple calculus is apparently the weakest of the three languages, with domain calculus showing a decided improvement over tuple calculus. Query solution analysis indicates possible reasons for this result. Although users performed best in relational algebra, their performance in domain calculus was equal to that of relational algebra in three of four query classifications. Further investigation is needed to compare algebra and domain calculus in other query classifications, in order to more precisely determine their relative utility in solving complex queries.
Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Part III: Applications in Inorganic Chemistry and Synthetic Polymer Chemistry

The introduction of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in the mid-1980s started a new era in mass spectrometry and, currently, mass spectrometers of this type are present in virtually all pharmaceutical and biotechnology laboratories. Mass spectrometry has now become important for obtaining molecular weights as well as structural information for chemical substances including very large molecules, for example, biological substances such as proteins, carbohydrates, and oligonucleotides. This paper extends the applications of ESI-MS in this series to a variety of inorganic systems.
Characterization of the Peptidoglycan of Vancomycin-Susceptible Enterococcus faecium†

Vancomycin and other antibacterial glycopeptide analogues target the cell wall and affect the enzymatic processes involved with cell-wall biosynthesis. Understanding the structure and organization of the peptidoglycan is the first step in establishing the mode of action of these glycopeptides. We have used solid-state NMR to determine the relative concentrations of stem-links (64%), bridge-links (61%), and cross-links (49%) in the cell walls of vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium (ATTC 49624). Furthermore, we have determined that in vivo only 7% of the peptidoglycan stems terminate in d-Ala-d-Ala, the well-known vancomycin-binding site. Presumably, d-Ala-d-Ala is cleaved from uncross-linked stems in mature peptidoglycan by an active carboxypeptidase. We believe that most of the few pentapeptide stems ending in d-Ala-d-Ala occur in the template and nascent peptidoglycan strands that are crucial for cell-wall biosynthesis.
A Simple Numerical Method for Contact Analysis of Rough Surfaces

This paper presents a simple method that may be used to calculate the pressures and surface displacements in contacts of rough surfaces. A main feature of the method is that the pressure is calculated (updated) individually at each surface location rather than simultaneously at all locations by solving a system of equations. The pressure update at a given location is computed solely based on the surface interpenetration at that location; consequently, both 2-D and 3-D contact problems are solved in exactly the same way. Furthermore, this scheme of calculation does not produce negative pressures in the solution process, which is a main source of numerical instability in other types of methods of solution. The method is conceptually simple and easy for computer implementation. It is numerically stable and can solve various types of problems of high contact severity. Measured roughness data can be used directly without any mathematical treatment such as filtering or frequency decomposition. The method is also computationally efficient and requires minimum computer storage, making it suitable for integration into computer programs for design-analysis calculations of practical contact/lubrication problems.