cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Muon-induced radioactivity in underground detectors

Induced radioactivities that generate background events in particle detectors used for low-energy (<5 MeV) neutrino detection are discussed. Production rates from cosmic-ray muons incident on detector materials at sea level and underground are estimated. The production of /sup 7/Be at sea level in detector materials is shown to be a serious problem.
Characterization of replication origins flanking the 23S rRNA gene in tobacco chloroplast DNA.

Using 5′ end-labeled nascent strands of tobacco chloroplast DNA (ctDNA) as a probe, replication displacement loop (D-loop) regions were identified. The strongest hybridization was observed with restriction fragments containing the rRNA genes from the inverted repeat region. Two-dimensional gel analysis of various digests of tobacco ctDNA suggested that a replication origin is located near each end of the 7.1 kb BamHI fragment containing part of the rRNA operon. Analysis of in vitro replication products indicated that templates from either of the origin regions supported replication, while the vector alone or ctDNA clones from other regions of the genome did not support in vitro replication. Sequences from both sides of the BamHI site in the rRNA spacer region were required for optimal in vitro DNA replication activity. Primer extension was used for the first time to identify the start site of DNA synthesis for the D-loop in the rRNA spacer region. The major 5′ end of the D-loop was localized to the base of a stem-loop structure which contains the rRNA spacer BamHI site. Primer extension products were insensitive to both alkali and RNase treatment, suggesting that RNA primers had already been removed from the 5′ end of nascent DNA. Location of an origin in the rRNA spacer region of ctDNA from tobacco, pea and Oenothera suggests that ctDNA replication origins may be conserved in higher plants.
Influence of aphid honeydew on the foraging behaviour of Hippodamia convergens larvae

1. Environmental cues associated with prey are known to increase predator foraging efficiency. Ladybird larvae are major predators of aphids. The sugary excretion of aphids (honeydew) has been proposed to serve as a prey-associated cue for ladybird larvae. 2. Ladybird larvae are regularly found on the ground moving between plants or after falling off plants. The use of prey-associated cues would be particularly beneficial for ladybird larvae on the ground in that such cues would help them to decide which plants to climb because aphids are patchily distributed within as well as amongst plants and, as a result, many plants are either not infested with aphids or do not host an aphid species of high nutritional value for ladybird larvae. 3. Laboratory experiments with larvae of Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) were carried out to explore whether honeydew accumulated on the ground is used as a foraging cue. The study also investigated whether, if honeydew is a foraging cue, larvae show differential responses to honeydew of high-quality prey Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris compared with that of low-quality prey Aphis fabae Scopoli (both: Homoptera: Aphididae). 4. Hippodamia convergens larvae stayed longer in areas containing honeydew but did not engage in longer bouts of searching. Furthermore, larvae did not distinguish between honeydew from high- and low-quality aphid prey.
Rate of deposition of droplets in annular two-phase flow

Abstract Droplets in a turbulent flow will deposit on surrounding surfaces. This paper critically examines measurements of the deposition rate with the goal of outlining our present ability to predict this quantity for annular two-phase flows.
The cytotoxicity of short-chain alcohols and aldehydes in cultured neuroblastoma cells

Abstract The effects of methanol, ethanol, propanol, and allyl alcohol and their corresponding aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, and acrolein) on the cell growth, viability, adhesion to the flask surface, and morphologic appearance of a clone of mouse C1300 neuroblastoma were studied in culture. The aldehydes were more toxic than their corresponding alcohols. The cytotoxicity of the alcohols increased as the number of carbons in the compound increased, whereas toxicity of the aldehydes increased with decreasing chain length. The cytotoxicity of the aldehydes and alcohols increased with increasing concentration and with increasing time of exposure. Both the carbonyl group and the carbon-carbon double bond are necessary for the marked cytotoxicity of acrolein since both propionaldehyde, having only the carbonyl group, and allyl alcohol, having only the carbon-carbon double bond, were less toxic.
Origin of the pulmonary venous orifice in the mouse and its relation to the morphogenesis of the sinus venosus, extracardiac mesenchyme (spina vestibuli), and atrium

Background Human embryology textbooks indicate that the trunks of the pulmonary vein and artery originate from the left atrium and aortic sac, respectively, based on histological analyses of limited human specimens. However, our studies show that the pulmonary venous trunk in the mouse as in other nonhuman vertebrates originates from a vascular “sac” at the venous pole, the sinus venosus. Methods Mouse embryos of 9–11 days gestation were obtained and staged according to Theiler's criteria and fixed in Carnoy's solution. Samples were embedded in paraffin and serial sections were prepared. Results Histological analysis showed that at day 9.5 the pulmonary venous rudiment was initially observed along the left margin in the extracardiac mesenchyme that separated the venous pole of the heart from the lung buds. The endothelium of the pulmonary vein was continuous, with a vascular sac we identified as sinus venosus based on its location immediately posterior to the left sinoatrial fold. The sinus venosus became incorporated into the left atrium (days 10–10.5) to form part of the posterior atrial wall. Similarly, the pulmonary vein and associated extracardiac mesenchyme were “drawn” into the atrium. This extracardiac mesenchyme of the venous pole, also called “spina vestibuli” and containing the pulmonary vein at its left margin, formed a wedge-shaped invagination within the atrium that contributed nonmuscular tissue to the primary atrial septum. Conclusions We propose that the orifice of the pulmonary vein establishes a link with the left side of the atrium as a consequence of a venous sac, the sinus venosus, and its associated mesenchyme (in which the root of the pulmonary vein is embedded) being incorporated into the atrium. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The effect of diapause and age on the tarsal acceptance threshold of the fly, Musca autumnalis.

Abstract Using proboscis extension as an index of acceptance, cow blood, cow manure, and various molar solutions of glucose were applied to the tarsi of the face fly, Musca autumnalis DeGeer, to determine differences between the tarsal acceptance thresholds of diapausing and non-diapausing adults. The effect of adult age on tarsal acceptance threshold was also investigated. It was demonstrated that non-diapausing face fly adults had a significantly greater percentage response than did diapausing adults to blood, manure, and various molar solutions of glucose. These results suggest an elevation of the tarsal acceptance threshold for diapausing adults. Gravid females produced a response similar to that of diapausing females. Male face flies, over the 5 days tested, exhibited a similar response to the substances tested whereas females responded differently. At the peak of ovary development, females had a significant decrease in the percentage response to blood and glucose. Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that the mechanism causing elevation of the tarsal acceptance threshold in diapausing and gravid face flies may be similar to that reported for Phormia by Dethier and Gelperin.
History of Lake Ontario Contamination from the Niagara River by Sediment Radiodating and Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Analysis

Contamination of Lake Ontario by persistent organic compounds began with the development of the chemical industry along the Niagara River. These compounds are discharged to the river where they are scavenged from the water column by sedimenting particulates which in turn settle out in depositional areas of Lake Ontario. We have determined 210Pb, 137Cs, and chlorinated hydrocarbon profiles of sediment cores taken about 3 km from the mouth of the Niagara River. Age profiles of the sediments were constructed from the radionuclide measurements and used to determine historic trends of chlorinated hydrocarbon input to Lake Ontario. The historical record found in the sediments for chlorobenzenes, chlorotoluenes, hexachlorobutadiene, octachlorostyrene, mirex, and PCBs is in good agreement with known production and usage patterns of the chemicals. Pollution of Lake Ontario with chlorinated hydrocarbons from the Niagara River is still occurring, but the worst contamination of the lake occurred in the 1960s.
Guidance for clinicians in discerning and comparing the price of pharmaceutical agents

Abstract Discerning the price of a pharmaceutical agent is not as straightforward an exercise as might be imagined. The widely used average wholesale price is a misnamed figure that does not provide a consistent approximation of the cost of a drug at either the retail or hospital levels. While clinicians should consider the prices of medications when deciding on the agent to prescribe for both ethical and economic reasons, there is currently no comprehensive source of accurate drug prices. Unless and until such information is made available, prescribes are encouraged to consult dispensing pharmacists to learn of these costs.
The Sensitivity of Shaped Pupil Coronagraphs to Optical Aberrations

Unlike focal-plane coronagraphs that use occulting spots and Lyot stops to eliminate diffraction, pupil-plane coronagraphs operate by shaping the pupil to redirect the diffracted stellar light into a tight core. As in focal-plane coronagraphs, the optical aberrations in the telescope must be sufficiently corrected to enable high contrast imaging. However, in shaped-pupil coronagraphs, the low-order aberrations resulting from misalignment and optical figure drift have a much smaller influence upon the contrast at at the inner working angle. These weaker sensitivities greatly relax the strict low-order wavefront stability required for high-contrast imaging the cost of some throughput. In this paper, we present the simulated performance of the concentric ring shaped pupil concepts comparing them to focal-plane coronagraphs that are optimized for the same inner working angles.
Structure, Bonding, and Dipole Moment of (CH3)3N−SO3. A Microwave Study

Six isotopic derivatives of the complex (CH3)3N−SO3 have been studied in the gas phase by microwave spectroscopy. The N−S bond length is 1.912(20) A, and the NSO angle is 100.1(2)°. The dipole moment, determined from Stark effect measurements, is 7.1110(69) D, representing an enhancement of 6.5 D over the sum of the dipole moments of the free monomers. Analysis of the 14N nuclear hyperfine structure indicates that about 0.6 e is transferred from the nitrogen to the SO3 upon formation of the complex. Comparison between the gas-phase structure and that previously determined for the adduct in the solid state reveals small but significant differences, indicating that the formation of the dative bond is slightly less advanced in the gas. Gas-phase and solid-state structural data are compared for several related amine−SO3 systems.
Enterprise Resource Planning ERP: A Postimplementation Cross-Case Analysis

In today's intensely competitive marketplace, companies can benefit strategically and tactically from enterprise resource planning ERP systems, if implemented correctly. However, with failure rates estimated to be as high as 50% of all ERP implementations, companies can be negatively impacted by a poorly performing ERP system. The research on ERP has focused on events leading to the selection, evaluation, and implementation of the ERP system. The intent of this research is to identify new or lightly researched theories regarding the difficulties of ERP implementations that can help practitioners successfully manage ERP implementations by performing a post-ERP implementation examination of eight corporations. We examine operations management OM literature rather than information systems IS literature in order to provide IS readers with an alternative yet valuable analysis. Further, we purposely avoid well-established findings by performing a large literature review. This article is based on a qualitative research design using case-study methodology. The propositions derived from the case studies form solid insight into the considerations that may influence the success of an ERP system.
An Experimental Investigation of the Effects of Functional Group Structure on Particulate Matter and NO Emissions of Oxygenated Hydrocarbons

The effects of alkyl group size on nitric oxide and soot emissions in small esters was investigated using a multi-element diffusion burner (a Hencken burner) and pool fires at atmospheric pressure. The esters were chosen to examine chemical structure characteristics, e.g. carboxylic acid length, while holding other parameters constant (molecular weight, and C:H:O ratio), to determine the effects of various structural parameters on the particulate matter and NO emissions. The esters were chosen to vary alkyl chain length from one to four carbons in both their alcohol and carboxylic acid groups with the largest ester chosen containing 5 carbons in total. Increasing the carbon content increased the relative sooting tendencies of the esters. Within the isomer pairs considered, the sooting tendency was higher for compounds with longer alcohol groups compared to longer carboxylic groups. Although the NO results were convolved with temperature and structural effects are not isolated, the NO emissions were significantly affected by the addition of the esters to a baseline methane flame.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Development of withaferin A analogs as probes of angiogenesis.

The natural product withaferin A (WFA) is a potent angiogenesis inhibitor and it targets the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway in vascular endothelial cells. We generated a biotinylated affinity analog WFA-LC2B for use as a probe to study angiogenesis. WFA-LC2B inhibits angiogenic sprouting in vitro and it causes levels of ubiquitinated proteins to increase in tumor necrosis factor-α-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells, confirming the retention of WFA’s biological activity. We show that WFA-LC2B forms protein adducts in endothelial cells which are competed by free WFA in vivo. This WFA-LC2B analog will be useful to isolate the biological target of WFA.
Diffuse Intracranial and Extracranial Vascular Involvement in Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome

As further workup, the patient underwent diagnostic cerebral angiography, lumbar puncture, and unilateral temporal artery biopsy. Pathology returned negative for any inflammatory changes, cerebrospinal fluid returned with a benign profile, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate/C-reactive protein levels returned unremarkable. Cerebral angiography demonstrated diffuse vasculopathy characterized by multifocal narrowing within the anterior and posterior intracranial circulations bilaterally. Involvement within the distribution of bilateral ECAs was also noted, with significant beading of the superficial temporal and occipital arteries bilaterally (Fig. 2). Angiography was also notable for evidence of a prior dissection within the cervical segment of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) and dolichoectasia within the bilateral cervical internal carotid arteries.
Preliminary report on measurement of magnetization of oceanic sediments

Measurements on the magnetization of sediments taken from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean are reported. These sediments are believed to retain the magnetization they acquired in formation and hence to reveal the state of the Earth's magnetic field in past geologic ages very much as fossils reveal the types of life existing on the Earth in the past. Extensive measurements made on a sample of sediments extending nine feet into the floor of the North Atlantic Ocean taken with the apparatus developed by Dr. C. S. Piggot of the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington show marked differences in the direction of magnetization at various depths. If the interpretation which has been given these measurements is correct, the direction of the compass in that region was about 60° east of true north when some of the sediments were deposited several thousands of years ago. Today the direction of the compass in the same region is 30° west of true north.
An RF field pattern with improved B1 amplitude homogeneity

Providing uniform RF excitation across the sample is challenging in building high-field human MRI scanners. The traditional design strategy for the RF power transmission has been trying to achieve a spatial distribution of B1 that is as uniform as possible in amplitude and direction. The fundamental limitation of this approach is that a constant solution of B1 is not available from the Maxwell equations at radio frequencies. Here, a new design strategy is introduced that takes advantage of solutions of the Maxwell equations that have a B1 with uniform amplitude and varying direction in a lossless medium. In lossy media the B1 amplitude also varies in space, but there is no intrinsic penalty in the homogeneity due to increases of the real part of the wave vector at higher fields. We demonstrate how it might be realized for RF excitation through a computer simulation for a uniform medium. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part B (Magn Reson Engineering) 24B: 1–5, 2005
Dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes by a natural lung surfactant for pulmonary in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies

Background Accumulating evidence indicate that the degree of dispersion of nanoparticles has a strong influence on their biological activities. The aims of this study were to develop a simple and rapid method of nanoparticle dispersion using a natural lung surfactant and to evaluate the effect of dispersion status of SWCNT on cytotoxicity and fibrogenicity in vitro and in vivo.
A REVIEW OF ENHANCEMENT OF BOILING HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH NANOFLUIDS AND NANOPARTICLE COATINGS

This review traces the development of nanofluid pool boiling from its beginning (1984) to the present through a sampling of studies that have interested the authors and which have led to the latest findings at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). The studies of thermophysical properties of nanofluids are briefly covered. Several works in the last 7 years are highlighted to illustrate the modes of nanofluid pool boiling testing, the variability of nanofluid boiling heat transfer (BHT), and the postulations of causes of this behavior. Starting in 2006, the wettability increase in the nanoparticle coating, generated during the nanofluid pool boiling, is recognized as the source of critical heat flux (CHF) enhancement through its effect on the dynamics of hot spots and departing bubbles. The reasons for the observed contradictory BHT behavior are not yet fully clear, but recently at UTA, nanofluid boiling heat transfer has shown to be transient due to the dynamic nature of the formation of the nanoparticle coating. Also at UTA, the mechanism of nanoparticle deposition on the heated surface has been further confirmed. Thus, nanofluid boiling has led back to heat transfer enhancement through surface modification in nanoscale. These developments from 2006 are covered in more detail.
A clinically practical method to acquire parametric images of unidirectional metabolic rates and blood spaces.

UNLABELLED As SPECT imaging has become more quantitative with the advent of the attenuation correction, SPECT parametric imaging can become a reality if the data acquisition and the numeric reduction procedures can be simplified. METHODS A method that is clinically practical for acquiring quantitative parametric images of unidirectional metabolic rate constants and apparent blood space is proposed. Its application to PET imaging with FDG was investigated. This procedure requires a short postinjection waiting period, three sequential imaging scans and one blood sample (1 ml) during each scan, obviating the requirements of continuous blood sampling, "assumed" rate constants (autoradiographic method) and difficult nonlinear regression computations. The effect of the early-phase blood input function is computed directly from the image. The clinical procedure is completed 1 hr after FDG injection. The computation time for generating 21 metabolic rate image slices and blood space slices is negligible (30 sec after image reconstruction). Preliminary human studies on brain, heart, liver and tumor were performed. RESULTS The method was tested on seven normal subjects. The results showed that the rapidly changing early-phase blood input can be derived from the raw image and that the metabolic rate images of this method agreed with the results from the graphical analysis method, using continuous sampling, and with published data from three-compartment models. CONCLUSION This study is clinically more practical and computationally simpler as a method to acquire parametric images of the metabolic rate constant, Ki, and the apparent blood space Vd for unidirectional tracers. Applying this simple quantitative parametric imaging method to routine clinical studies may improve the accuracy of routine clinical evaluations.
A power study of bivariate LOD score analysis of a complex trait and fear/discomfort with strangers

Complex diseases are often reported along with disease-related traits (DRT). Sometimes investigators consider both disease and DRT phenotypes separately and sometimes they consider individuals as affected if they have either the disease or the DRT, or both. We propose instead to consider the joint distribution of the disease and the DRT and do a linkage analysis assuming a pleiotropic model. We evaluated our results through analysis of the simulated datasets provided by Genetic Analysis Workshop 14. We first conducted univariate linkage analysis of the simulated disease, Kofendrerd Personality Disorder and one of its simulated associated traits, phenotype b (fear/discomfort with strangers). Subsequently, we considered the bivariate phenotype, which combined the information on Kofendrerd Personality Disorder and fear/discomfort with strangers. We developed a program to perform bivariate linkage analysis using an extension to the Elston-Stewart peeling method of likelihood calculation. Using this program we considered the microsatellites within 30 cM of the gene pleiotropic for this simulated disease and DRT. Based on 100 simulations of 300 families we observed excellent power to detect linkage within 10 cM of the disease locus using the DRT and the bivariate trait.
Shape Factor and Hydraulic Conductance in Noncircular Capillaries I. One-Phase Creeping Flow

Abstract We use the Mason–Morrow shape factor, i.e., a dimensionless hydraulic radius, and corner half-angles to capture the geometry of noncircular capillaries pertinent to a physically adequate pore network description of porous media. We give analytic expressions for random corner half-angles that satisfy a given shape factor calculated from the microscopic images of pore space. We demonstrate that use of the shape factor leads to particularly simple expressions for the hydraulic conductance in single-phase flow through noncircular capillaries. In particular, we obtain the hydraulic conductances of arbitrary triangular ducts semianalytically, using conformal mapping. The conductances of equilateral triangular, rectangular, and elliptic ducts are calculated analytically.
Frequency domain analysis of an optical FM discriminator

Measurement of optical phase and frequency deviations using a frequency-domain network analysis approach is described. The frequency domain transfer functions are given which relate the conversion of optical phase, frequency, and intensity modulation into photodetector current after passing through a quadrature biased Mach-Zehnder interferometer. It is shown that the error term in the phase and frequency transfer functions depends only to second order on any accompanying intensity modulation. Experimental data are given illustrating the analytical results. >
Economic modeling of methods to stimulate quality improvement

Objective. This paper uses an economic model to compare three methods for stimulating quality improvement: payment incentives, competition for patients, and emphasis on professional ethics. Design. Use an economic model to simulate the impact on quality distortions (risk selection) of differences in payment incentives, competition for patients, and emphasis on professional ethics. Setting. Health care policymakers in many countries seek to use incentives and competition to spur quality improvement. However, strong incentives often promote risk selection: insurers and providers financially benefit from distorting quality to attract profitable patients. Results. The analysis suggests that intense competition for patients and strong financial rewards for cost control can exacerbate quality distortions and compromise social solidarity. Conclusions. Carefully regulated competition and mixed forms of provider payment (risk sharing) appear to be the best options. Moreover, designing competition, regulation, payment, and other forms of health policy to promote suppliers’ professional ethics can help society to reap the quality and efficiency benefits of competition and incentives without sacrificing social solidarity.
Nitrogen and phosphorus budgets for a tropical watershed impacted by agricultural land use: Guayas, Ecuador

Large-scale changes in land use are occurring in many tropical regions, with significant impacts on nitrogen and phosphorus biogeochemistry. In this study we examine the relationships between land use, anthropogenic nutrient inputs, and riverine nutrient exports in a major agricultural watershed of the Pacific coast of South America, the Guayas River basin of Ecuador. We present comprehensive nutrient budgets for nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) for the Guayas River basin and 10 sub-watersheds. We quantify the four major anthropogenic nutrient fluxes into and out of the region: N and P fertilizer application, N fixation by leguminous crops, net import/export of N and P in agricultural products (food and feed), and atmospheric deposition. We also estimate inputs of N from biological N fixation in forests and of P from weathering sources in soils and bedrock. The sum of these sources represents net inputs of N and P to each watershed region. Overall, synthetic fertilizers are the largest input to the Guayas Basin for N (53%) and P (57%), and the largest outputs are N and P in crops. Losses of N and P in river export account for 14–38% of total N and P inputs, and there is significant accumulation of N and P, or unmeasured forms of N and P export, in most of the sub-basins. Nutrient balances are indicative of the sustainability of land use practices in a region, where a negative balance of N or P indicates nutrient depletion and subsequent loss of soil fertility, yield, and economic viability. Although the nutrient balance of the entire Guayas Basin is positive, there are negative or near zero balances in two sub-watersheds with extensive banana, coffee and permanent crops. In these basins, degradation of soil quality may be occurring due to these net nutrient losses. Our data show that nutrients are leaving the basin primarily as export crops, with riverine losses of nutrients smaller than crop exports. Nonetheless, there is a direct relationship between nutrient inputs and river outputs, suggesting that agricultural management practices in the basin may have direct impacts on N and P delivery to the highly productive Guayas estuary.
Atomic Registry at the Pt-Si Interface Studied by Transmission Channeling RBS

Transmission channeling Rutherford scattering of MeV ions is one of the only techniques which can probe the atomic registry at a “buried” internal interface between a thin film and single-crystal substrate. Interfacial intermixing, dislocations, and reconstruction can be observed at concentrations above ∼ 3×1015 atoms/cm. The physical basis for this measurement is the “flux-peaking” effect, which is well known in conventional ion channeling as a method to determine the lattice location of dilute impurities. Transmission channeling is conceptually similar, but the scattering arises from the interface at the exit side of a thin single crystal sample rather than from a volume effect. In this work, we apply transmission channeling to measure the low temperature intermixing between Pt and Si. In a previous study, we suggested that a disordered interface forms prior to crystalline suicide formation. The present results are a quantitative measurement of the area density of Si which intermixes with Pt at 150°C. Experiments are performed using 80A Pt layers e-beam deposited onto 1–2μm thick single crystals of Si(100) and (111) following various interfacial cleaning procedures. We find that >1×1016 Si atoms/cm2 are displaced from their lattice sites after Pt deposition, increasing to ∼2×1016/cm2 upon annealing to 150°C. The room temperature intermixing of >6 monolayers of Si is large, but not inconsistent with existing studies of the Pt - Si reaction. The transmission channeling measurement includes any Si segregated at grain boundaries or the free surface as well as the interface. No systematic differences are observed as a function of substrate orientation or cleaning procedure.
Incorporation of Iron Cations Into Epitaxial Sapphire Thin Films by CO-Evaporation and Subsequent Thermal Annealing

Iron-doped sapphire thin films have been successfully epitaxially grown onto sapphire single crystal substrates by electron beam deposition and subsequent thermal annealing. Amorphous Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} thin films, about 280--390 nm thick, cation doped with iron have been deposited on [0001] oriented sapphire substrates. Iron doping with cation concentrations (a ratio of Fe content to total cation content) up to 5 at % can be incorporated into the octahedral sites of Al-cation sublattice during the epitaxial regrowth process at 1,000--1,400 C, as determined by Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry and ion channeling measurements. Cross-sectional Transmission Electron Microscopy shows the presence of two distinct regions in the annealed films. One exhibits the epitaxial relationship with the sapphire substrate and the second region has amorphous type of contrast. External optical transmittance measurements in the ultra violet and visible light range have exhibited the absorption associated with Fe{sup 3+}. This study has demonstrated a simple method of incorporating dopants into single crystal sapphire, which has potential in the fabrications of thin film planar optical waveguides.
Deformable registration of male pelvises in CT images

In this paper, a method for deformable registration of male pelvises in CT images is proposed. It is composed of three major steps. Firstly, an attribute vector is defined for each voxel in the image, and is used to reflect the density distribution of the bone tissues in the neighborhood of that voxel. Different anatomical structures thus own different attribute vectors. Secondly, the match of two images under a particular deformation is evaluated by integrating the similarities of attribute vectors on the corresponding voxels. Finally, a set of hierarchical deformation strategies are employed, in order to avoid the local minimum match of two images. The performance of this deformable registration method has been demonstrated by both synthesized and real CT images of pelvises.
A Practical Approach to Building Resilience in America’s Communities

The Community and Regional Resilience Institute has conducted a number of projects and case studies examining the nature and characteristics of community resilience in order to identify processes, tools, and resources that could assist communities in strengthening their resilient capacities. This article begins by describing a theoretical framework for community resilience developed from literature review and community practice. The authors review the Community and Regional Resilience Institute’s practical work to assist selected communities in understanding and improving their resilience through two rounds of case studies and provide summaries of community outcomes and implications of the community work. The article also briefly describes the collaborative development process used to build a web-enabled system of tools, resources, and resilience knowledge that can be used by all communities to build and strengthen resilience. Finally, the article presents key observations arising from the community and c...
Securing Information Technology in Healthcare

Dartmouth College's Institute for Security, Technology, and Society conducted three workshops on securing information technology in healthcare, attended by a diverse range of experts in the field. This article summarizes the workshops.
Social media ownership: using twitter as a window onto current attitudes and beliefs

Social media, by its very nature, introduces questions about ownership. Ownership comes into play most crucially when we investigate how social media is saved or archived; how it is reused; and whether it can be removed or deleted. We investigate these social media ownership issues using a Mechanical Turk survey of Twitter users; the survey uses open-ended questions and statements of belief about realistic Twitter-based scenarios to give us a window onto current attitudes and beliefs. Our findings reveal that respondents take a liberal attitude toward saving and storing the tweets that they encounter. More caution is exercised with republishing the material, and still more with sharing the material among friends and associates. Respondents approach removal of this type of lightweight social media most cautiously. The material's provenance and the respondents' relationship to the material (whether they are the author or subject) has considerable bearing on what they feel they can do with it.
In-vitro development of mouse zygotes following reconstruction by sequential transfer of germinal vesicles and haploid pronuclei

We evaluated whether mouse oocytes reconstructed by germinal vesicle (GV) transfer can develop to blastocyst stage. The oocytes were artificially activated with sequential treatment of A23187 and anisomycin; fertilization was then established by transfer or exchange of pronuclei with those of zygotes fertilized in vivo. Type 1 zygotes were constructed by placing the male haploid pronucleus from a zygote into the cytoplasm of an oocyte that underwent GV transfer, in-vitro maturation and activation; for type 2 zygotes, the female pronucleus was removed from a zygote and replaced with the female pronucleus of an oocyte subjected to GV transfer, in-vitro maturation and activation. Karyotypes of activated oocytes and type 2 zygotes were also subjected to analysis. When cultured in human tubal fluid (HTF) medium, reconstructed oocytes matured and, following artificial activation, consistently developed a pronucleus with a haploid karyotype; the activation rate for this medium was two- to three-fold higher than that of oocytes cultured in M199 (87% versus 30% respectively). Following transfer of a male pronucleus, only 47% of the type 1 zygotes developed to morula or blastocyst stage and embryo morphology was poor. In contrast, 73% of the type 2 zygotes developed to morula or blastocyst stage, many even hatching, with few morphological anomalies. Normal karyotypes were observed in 88% of the type 2 zygotes analysed. These observations demonstrate that the nucleus of a mouse oocyte subjected to sequential nuclear transfer at GV and pronucleus stages is, nonetheless, capable of maturing meiotically, activating normally and supporting embryonic development to hatching blastocyst stage. In contrast, the developmental potential of the cytoplasm of such oocytes appears to be compromised by these procedures.
THE METAMORPHOSIS OF THE EGYPTIAN MUSLIM BROTHERS

Jihane al-Halafawi's small apartment above a barbershop in Alexandria is exceedingly orderly, a cool oasis on a sweltering summer afternoon. Plant leaves brush up against curtains undulating with the breeze from the nearby Mediterranean. As she walks into the living room with a tray full of cakes and tea, al-Halafawi is the picture of a kindly Egyptian mother, a genuine smile gracing her youthful face. But when this fifty-year-old mother of six and grandmother announced her candidacy for Egypt's parliamentary elections in fall 2000, the state geared up a massive security force outside polling stations; leftists shrugged her off as a “front” for her husband; and state feminists dedicated to the electoral empowerment of women were silent. When Halafawi outperformed her ruling-party rival in the first round, despite rigging, the Interior Ministry promptly stepped in and canceled the results on the pretext of respecting an earlier court ruling postponing the elections.
Archaeology, Anthropology and Cult: The Sanctuary at Gilat, Israel

Archaeology, Anthropology and Cult: The Sanctuary at Gilat, Israel. Thomas E. Levy, ed. Oakville, CT: Equinox Publishing, 2006. 875 pp.
Optimizing the production of activated carbon from fast pyrolysis char

Fast pyrolysis of red oak wood yields approximately 10–30 wt% biochar, which is considered a low value co-product. Production of high value activated carbon using steam was investigated at different activation conditions. The relationship between activation parameters, surface area and revenue was evaluated using response surface methodology. A second degree model showed a maximum economic benefit at 800°C with 5 minutes of steam activation, resulting in $907 of net revenue per metric ton of biochar.
Generalized Boltzmann equation for many-body distributions

A kinetic equation is derived for the general many-body distribution function in a dilute system. The collision integral is valid for times of the order of mean free time. AnH-theorem is proved, showing the irreversible nature of the evolution of initial distributions.
The Bhagavad Gītā and the Book of Job on the Problem of the Self

Although I have for some time been acquainted with both the Book of Job and the Bhagavad Gītā in varying contexts, I must confess that the reading of one did not ever suggest to me the other in any immediately significant way. The common ground between them has not been an obvious one. They were, in fact, first brought together by a matter of academic expediency, an historical accident, rather than by any revelation of a common and innate truth. But once the two had been thrust into juxta-position, the resulting interaction has been a continued source of intriguing challenge and discovery. My mind has not been at rest with them since it happened, a little over a year ago.
PIM Kinases in AML

PIM proto-oncogenes encode for a family of serine/threonine/tyrosine kinases (Pim-1, Pim-2 and Pim-3) that are overexpressed in a number of solid tumors and hematological malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Pim kinases are constitutively expressed and are involved in critical AML signaling pathways including leukemogenesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis inhibition, microenvironment signaling, and drug resistance. Pim kinases play a key role in FLT3-mediated leukemogenesis, and, in particular, are upregulated by FLT3-ITD activating mutation and contribute to cell survival and proliferation. The fact that there was minimal phenotype in mice lacking all three Pim kinase functionality strongly suggested these kinases as therapeutic targets. Recent efforts in both industry and academic institutions to identify and develop Pim kinase inhibitors highlight the utility of targeting, converging, and overlapping pathways through Pim kinases. In this chapter, we give an overview of Pim kinase signaling pathways relevant to AML and discuss the therapeutic strategies that are under development against these pathways.
Genetic factors in intrauterine growth retardation

I T HAS BEEN estimated that up to 10% of all intrauterine growth retarded fetuses are associated with a significant congenital malformation. Numerous reports have suggested that structural malformations, both related and unrelated to chromosomal malformations, have been identified in the fetus that is growing abnormally. Whereas other sections of this issue deal with the diagnosis and management of the growth-retarded fetus, this review will focus on the application of ultrasound in the recognition of congenital malformations associated with the abnormally growing fetus. Specific disorders recognized by constitutionally small babies include those affected by early intrauterine infection, as well as chromosoma1 malformation. The emphasis on this report will be based on pattern recognition and growth disturbances. Once an abnormality of growth is identified, sonographic examination should be carried out in the fetus to identify patterns that may be pathopneumonic of the specific entities. Unfortunately, while ideal, most cases are not associated with either chromosomal malformations or specific syndromes will go unidentified until after the delivery.
Methods for Inference on Transmission in Seroprevalence Data for Multiple Infections

When risk factors for an infectious disease are unknown, a method commonly employed is to investigate parallels with known infections (covariate infections). Data sets of value here are those for specified populations in which the seroprevalence of antibodies for multiple infections has been ascertained. The use of markers of covariate infections in multivariable analyses is problematic when the covariate infection is not itself an independent risk factor for the outcome of interest. In the performance of these analyses, the authors recommend the following strategy: 1) For estimates of the effects of measured risk factors on the outcome, adjustment for the covariate infection should not be done; this will avoid problems of overadjustment. 2) After control for the measured risk factors, an estimate of the "effect" of the covariate infection may be used as an indicator of the presence of unmeasured shared risk factors. 3) When shared, measured risk factors exist, the authors propose the use of methods developed for analysis of repeated measures of categorical variables to assist in inference about shared mechanisms of action of these risk factors. This analytic strategy takes advantage of the method of analogy for building understanding of transmission of new agents through their parallels with better known ones and is useful in the development of hypotheses.
Water oxidation on hematite photoelectrodes: Insight into the nature of surface states through in situ spectroelectrochemistry

Uniform planar films of hematite (α-Fe2O3), deposited by atomic layer deposition, were examined using in situ spectroelectrochemistry during photoinduced water oxidation. A change in the absorption spectrum of hematite electrodes during water oxidation was measured under illumination and applied potentials. The absorption was correlated to a charge measured by cyclic voltammetry and with a capacitance measured by impedance spectroscopy. Modification of the hematite surface with alumina reduced the absorption feature and the associated capacitance, suggesting that these features are associated with the surface. Comparing the spectral change of hematite to absorption features of molecular analogues allowed us to tentatively assign the absorbance and capacitive features to the oxidation of a low valent iron-aqua or iron-hydroxyl species to a high valent iron-oxo chemical species at the surface.
Research on DC/DC Converter for Rare Earth Electrolysis Power

Lagging-leg for conventional rare earth electrolysis power DC/DC converter is difficult for achieving zero current switching(ZCS).A modified phase-shift full-bridge zero voltage zero current switching(PS-FB-ZVZCS) DC/DC converter is proposed by using saturation inductance,blocking-up capacitance and passive clamp circuit.The principle and operation modes of the converter are analyzed.Theoretical analysis shows that the proposed circuit topology can achieve PS-FB-ZVZCS in a wide load range and reduce the diode voltage stress in secondary side.Rare earth electrolysis power model machine with 12 V/1.7 kA is developed and experiment proves that lagging-leg of the converter achieves ZCS in a wide load range.
Atraumatic osteonecrosis of the humeral head

While much literature has focused on the management of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, far less information is available regarding the treatment and outcomes of this disease in the proximal humerus. To a great extent, management of humeral head osteonecrosis has been inferred from studies involving the femoral head. The etiologies for this disease can be categorized most usefully as traumatic versus atraumatic. Regardless of the underlying etiology, the common pathway involves disruption of the arterial inflow or the venous outflow of the bone, with resultant osseous cell death. The general treatment strategies for humeral head osteonecrosis include nonoperative modalities for symptomatic early disease, with surgical intervention reserved for more advanced disease or those with recalcitrant pain.
Hofmann rearrangement (Hofmann degradation reaction)

Upon treatment of primary amides with hypohalites, primary amines with one less carbon are obtained via the intermediacy of isocyanate.
Iron-Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in children and is worldwide in distribution, affecting 2 billion people. The prevalence of iron deficiency worldwide is twice as high as iron-deficiency anemia.
Cultural-Historical Activity Theory/Design-Based Research in Pasteur’s Quadrant

Like Kevin O’Neill (2016/this issue) in his introduction, I aim here to advocate for the unique value of the body of work that is represented in the articles in this collection. And also like Kevin...
Lkb1 deletion in murine B lymphocytes promotes cell death and cancer

LKB1 (also known as STK11) is a potent tumor suppressor in solid tumors, such as melanoma and lung adenocarcinoma, but inactivation in hematopoietic cells causes cell death without signs of tumorigenesis. We noted somatic LKB1 deletion or mutation at low frequency in human B-cell lymphoma. To determine if LKB1 inactivation is a passenger or driver event in lymphoid cancers, we examined the effects of conditional inactivation of Lkb1 in murine lymphocytes. Consistent with prior reports, Lkb1 deletion in either T or B cells resulted in massive, lineage-specific apoptosis. Surprisingly, despite an 80% reduction of peripheral B-cell number, animals harboring somatic B-lineage Lkb1 deletion developed aggressive B-cell lymphoma with high penetrance and moderate latency. Malignant B cells exhibited somatic Lkb1 recombination. In contrast, Lkb1 deletion in T cells did not promote tumorigenesis. Concomitant Ras activation with Lkb1 deletion reduced T-cell apoptosis, but did not enhance tumor formation in T or B cells. These results suggest that although physiologic LKB1 expression exerts a potent pro-survival effect in lymphocytes, LKB1 inactivation nonetheless facilitates transformation of B, but not T, lymphocytes.
Completing a career

When I considered retiring from a rewarding career in neuroscience, first as a U.S. Air Force officer and then as a university professor, I knew I would be relieved to no longer spend evenings and weekends writing grant proposals or dueling with journal referees. But when I turned over the keys to