cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU‐E‐T‐446: The Effect of Breathing Motion on the Delivery of Linac‐Based Intensity Modulated Total Marrow Irradiation (IM‐TMI)

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of breathing motion on the delivery of linac‐based intensity modulated total marrow irradiation (IM‐TMI). Methods: An IM‐TMI treatment planning for an anthropomorphic Rando phantom was performed using the three isocenter technique that was previously reported by our group. The chest sub‐plan that targets the ribs, sternum and spine while sparing the lungs,liver, and heart was used to evaluate the effect of breathing on the treatment delivery. The breathing motion was simulated using a motorized stage. IM‐TMI dose measured in a stable phantom first and then in a phantom that was set on motion using three sinusoidal motions with peak‐to‐peak distances of 5 mm superior‐inferior (SI), 10 mm SI, and 5 mm both SI and anterior‐posterior (AP). A total of 46 thermoluminescent detectors(TLDs) were placed in five locations in the target bones and lungs. An additional 8 TLDs were used for dose calibration. The measured doses were corrected using the individual TLD sensitivities. The average TLD doses obtained with motion were compared to that of the stable delivery. In addition, a stereotactic photon diode was used to measure the dose in another target bone location. Results: The ratio of the moving to stable delivery of mean dose were 1.04 (range: 1.01–1.06), 1.06 (1.04–1.07) and 1.03 (1.00–1.04) in target bones while the ratios were 1.00 (0.94–1.09), 1.01 (0.97–1.04) and 1.00 (0.97–1.04) in the lungs for the 5 mm SI, 10 mm SI, and 5 mm SI and AP motions respectively. Conclusions: In this study, 16 out of 18 measurement points showed less than 6% difference with breathing motions in a single fraction. The delivered dose difference was as much as 7% high in bone and 9% low in lung with breathing motion.
Becoming a culturally competent nurse

Cultural competence in nursing provides an ideal avenue to meet the various needs of our patients while providing them with safe, competent care. “Racial and ethnic differences in family expectations or preferences for care are not yet well identified and cataloged, but they may uniquely affect individual ratings or experience with care” [1]. The purpose of this article is to enlighten nurses as health care providers about cultural care in an effort to provide that safe, competent care. Many times patients present for care at hospitals and clinics with language barriers and preconceived ideas based on their own cultural beliefs and practices. It is ideal when we, as nurses have the ability to meet those needs in an effort to meet patient’s expectations and healthcare needs. In order to meet the diverse needs of our growing multi-cultural population, it is becoming apparent that we must not only provide care based on the physical needs, but the entire person’s needs relevant to their cultural beliefs regarding healthcare practices and the healing process.
Ensuring thorough comparison of modeling and simulation (M&S) Results with experimental and test observations

The Verification, Validation and Accreditation (VVA Conceptual Model Validation; Design Verification; Implementation Verification; and Results Validation. This paper addresses issues associated with Results Validation which is a comparison of M&S predictions with experimental (test) observations (measurements) for the purpose of ensuring the fidelity of the M&S representations of the system. Comparison of model predictions with test observations (measurements) may or may not be a straightforward process. We discuss the comparison of the experimental results (e.g. a flight test) with the output of a model (as represented by a simulation), we consider the elements of the `system' and `model,' and directly address the impact of the model abstraction techniques employed.
Single-particle and interaction effects on the cohesion and transport and magnetic properties of metal nanowires at finite voltages

The single-particle and interaction effects on the cohesion, electronic transport, and some magnetic properties of metallic nanocylinders have been studied at finite voltages by using a generalized mean-field electron model. The electron-electron interactions are treated in the self-consistent Hartree approximation. Our results show the single-particle effect is dominant in the cohesive force, while the nonzero magnetoconductance and magnetotension coefficients are attributed to the interaction effect. Both single-particle and interaction effects are important to the differential conductance and magnetic susceptibility.
A Grid-enabled problem-solving environment for advanced reservoir uncertainty analysis

Uncertainty analysis is critical for conducting reservoir performance prediction. However, it is challenging because it relies on (1) massive modeling-related, geographically distributed, terabyte, or even petabyte scale data sets (geoscience and engineering data), (2) needs to rapidly perform hundreds or thousands of flow simulations, being identical runs with different models calculating the impacts of various uncertainty factors, (3) an integrated, secure, and easy-to-use problem-solving toolkit to assist uncertainty analysis. We leverage Grid computing technologies to address these challenges. We design and implement an integrated problem-solving environment ResGrid to effectively improve reservoir uncertainty analysis. The ResGrid consists of data management, execution management, and a Grid portal. Data Grid tools, such as metadata, replica, and transfer services, are used to meet massive size and geographically distributed characteristics of data sets. Workflow, task farming, and resource allocation are used to support large-scale computation. A Grid portal integrates the data management and the computation solution into a unified easy-to-use interface, enabling reservoir engineers to specify uncertainty factors of interest and perform large-scale reservoir studies through a web browser. The ResGrid has been used in petroleum engineering. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evolution of the Mt. Pinatubo aerosol over Antarctica inferred from SAGE II extinction measurements

Abstract This study focuses on the evolution and stratospheric settling of the Mt. Pinatubo volcanic aerosol. The volcanic aerosol characteristics are inferred from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE) II extinction measurements using a modified randomized minimization search technique (RMST) between 13–30 km in the radii range between 0.10–0.80 μm. The temporal span of this study is between the date of eruption to early 1994 at latitudes poleward of 50°S. The 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo resulted in the enhancement of the derived quantities with the existence of a large particle mode superimposed on the small background mode. This resulted in an order of magnitude increase in column number concentration, a 5-fold increase in column surface area, and greater than 20-fold increase in column mass loading (luring the austral summer of 1992. The averaged column effective radius is around 0.25 μm in 1994, still greater than the 0.15 μm observed in 1991 (background). The column mass loading has decreased 25 mg m −2 over two years between 1992–1994. Column bi-modal size distributions were evident from austral spring 1991 through the austral summer of 1994 with small mode radii ⩽ 0.20 μm and large mode between 0.30 – 0.60 μm. Effects of the polar vortex are observed during each austral spring since the eruption. Aerosol settling and decay in the presence of horizontal and vertical transport is observed during each austral spring. Column number concentrations have reached pre-eruption background levels whereas mass loading, surface area, and mean effective radius are still elevated as of early 1994.
EXCESS HOMOPLASY RATIOS

I begin by reviewing calculation of R and HER. I have extended my 1989 notation to accommodate permutation methods. Formulae have been restated to reduce algebraic terms. Data matrix X has t columns (terminals) and n rows (characters). Tis any tree for the terminals of X, and U is the entirely unresolved tree with those terminals. Character Xrequires amount h(k, T) of homoplasy (extra steps) on tree I; this cannot be negative. H(X, 7) is xh(k, T) over the characters of X. Define i(k) as h(k, U), and note that h(k, T) 1. i(k). Likewise, H(X, T) 0; i(k) is called the amount ofinformative variation in k. I(X) is the total informative variation in X, and N(X) is the number of informative characters in X. The data X are called uninformative when Z(X) = N(X) = 0. Two characters ofX are incongruent just when no tree Tcan be free ofhomoplasy in both. Consequently, an uninformative character cannot be incongruent with any character. Define B (X) as the minimum ofH(X, ) among possible trees. Iftree C-is most parsimonious for X. then B(X) = H(X, V). The data X show incongruence just when B(X) > 0, and this can happen only if .V(X) > 1.
Ultrastructure of ovarian tumors. I. Papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma

Twenty-eight cases of papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma are evaluated by light and electron microscopy. Five cell types are commonly identified in these tumors. Cell types A and B are similar to those seen in the upper female genital tract (fallopian tube). Cell type C is similar to the responding cell of the endometrium. Cell type D is composed of two secretory types of cells, one resembling endocervical epithelium. Cell type E is of an unusual cell type not compatible with any cell previously seen in the female genital tract by the authors. These findings support the hypothesis that these tumors (and other cystomas) are derived from “germinal epithelium.” Findings common to other tumor cells are identified including annulate lamellae, unusual appearing mitochondria, numerous free polyribosomes, large irregular nuclei with macronucleoli, and nuclear inclusions.
Combustion characteristics and flame stability at the microscale: a CFD study of premixed methane/air mixtures

A two-dimensional elliptic, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a microburner is solved to study the effects of microburner dimensions, conductivity and thickness of wall materials, external heat losses, and operating conditions on combustion characteristics and flame stability. We have found that the wall conductivity and thickness are very important as they determine the upstream heat transfer, which is necessary for flame ignition and stability, and the material's integrity by controlling the existence of hot spots. Two modes of flame extinction occur: a spatially global type for large wall thermal conductivities and/or low flow velocities and blowout. It is shown that there exists a narrow range of flow velocities that permit sustained combustion within a microburner. Large transverse and axial gradients are observed even at these small scales under certain conditions. Periodic oscillations are observed near extinction in cases of high heat loss. Engineering maps that delineate flame stability, extinction, and blowout are constructed. Design recommendations are finally made.
On the relation between visual surround and motion aftereffect velocity

Two experiments examined the effect of changes in the visual surround upon the velocity of motion aftereffects. Experiment I showed that introduction or reintroduction of a patterned surround midway through the test period was sufficient to produce an increase in apparent velocity. However, a greater increase was observed when a patterned surround instead of a dark homogeneous surround had been used during the induction period. Experiment II demonstrated that luminance change was also sufficient to produce an increase in apparent velocity, although the extent of the increase was not as great as that produced through the use of the patterned surround in Experiment I. These results indicate that a change in stimulus surround is sufficient to produce an increase in the velocity of a motion aftereffect and that the extent of the increase is dependent upon the characteristics of both the induction and test surrounds.
Development of the intrarenal vascular system of the puppy kidney

This study investigates the development of the vascular system of the puppy kidney (1-21 days after birth) after preparing casts of the renal vessels. At two days, the intrarenal vascular system distal to the afferent arteriole is strikingly different than that of the adult. The glomeruli of the outer cortex consist of a single dilated vessel while those of the mid and inner cortex posses an increasingly larger number of capillary loops. The efferent arterioles vary greatly in appearance from outer to inner cortex. Those in the nephrogenic zone are characteristically short and narrow and join a larger venous vessel termined a sinusoidal capillary. An efferent system somewhat similar to that of the adult is seen in the mid and inner cortex. One of the most obvious differences noted between the puppy and adult kidney is the relative lack of peritubular capillary networks throughout the cortex of the puppy kidney. The puppy possesses large, irregular vessels termed sinusoidal capillaries. The most rudimentary sinusoids are found in the outer cortex with more mature vessels in the inner cortex. The vascular arrangement of the efferent arteriole and sinusoidal capillary appears as a post-glomerular shunt. Functionally, the shunt would direct blood flow away from the proximal tubule and thus could result in a low extraction ratio and Tm for secreted solutes.
Effect of pressure gradient on the stability of compressible boundary layers

An investigation into the influence of pressure gradient (wall shaping) on the stability of compressible boundary layers is presented. The steady, compressible, nonsimilar boundary-layer equations are solved with a potential flow velocity distribution corresponding to a power law edge Mach number distribution. The stability of the mean flow is investigated using the small-disturbance compressible linear stability theory. The results indicate that two-dimensional second-mode (Mack) waves can be stabilised with pressure gradient. However, the effectiveness of the pressure gradient on the natural laminar flow control of two-dimensional second-mode waves decreases at hypersonic speeds. The maximum growth rate varies almost linearly with the pressure gradient level. The effect of pressure gradients on stabilising three-dimensional first-mode waves is much larger than their effect on stabilising two-dimensional first-mode waves.
Tissue-Specific and Developmentally Regulated Expression of a Cluster of Tandemly Arrayed Cell Wall-Associated Kinase-Like Kinase Genes in Arabidopsis

The Arabidopsis cell wall-associated kinase (WAK) and WAK-like kinase (WAKL) family of receptor-like kinase genes encodes transmembrane proteins with a cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinase domain and an extracellular region containing epidermal growth factor-like repeats. Previous studies have suggested that some WAK members are involved in plant defense and heavy metal responses, whereas others are required for cell elongation and plant development. The WAK/WAKL gene family consists of 26 members in Arabidopsis and can be divided into four groups. Here, we describe the characterization of group 2 members that are composed of a cluster of seven tandemly arrayed WAKL genes. The predicted WAKL proteins are highly similar in their cytoplasmic region but are more divergent in their predicted extracellular ligand-binding region. WAKL7 encodes a truncated WAKL isoform that is predicted to be secreted from the cytoplasm. Ratios of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions suggest that the extracellular region is subject to diversifying selection. Comparison of the WAKL and WAK gene clusters suggests that they arose independently. Protein gel-blot and immunolocalization analyses suggest that WAKL6 is associated with the cell wall. Histochemical analyses of WAKL promoters fused with the β-glucuronidase reporter gene have shown that the expressions of WAKL members are developmentally regulated and tissue specific. Unlike WAK members whose expressions were found predominately in green tissues, WAKL genes are highly expressed in roots and flowers. The expression of WAKL5 and WAKL7 can be induced by wounding stress and by the salicylic acid analog 2,6-dichloroisonicotinic acid in an nonexpressor of pathogenesis-related gene 1-dependent manner, suggesting that they, like some WAK members, are wound inducible and can be defined as pathogenesis-related genes.
A stochastic adding machine and complex dynamics.

This paper considers properties of a Markov chain on the natural numbers which models a binary adding machine in which there is a non-zero probability of failure each time a register attempts to increment the succeeding register and resets. This chain has a family of natural quotient Markov chains, and extends naturally to a chain on the 2-adic integers. The transition operators of these chains have a self-similar structure, and have a spectrum which is, variously, the Julia set or filled Julia set of a quadratic map of the complex plane.
Symmetry and asymmetry of permeation through toxin-modified Na+ channels

Single Na+ channels from rat skeletal muscle were inserted into planar lipid bilayers in the presence of either 200 nM batrachotoxin (BTX) or 50 microM veratridine (VT). These toxins, in addition to their ability to shift inactivation of voltage-gated Na+ channels, may be used as probes of ion conduction in these channels. Channels modified by either of the toxins have qualitatively similar selectivity for the alkali cations (Na+ approximately Li+ greater than K+ greater than Rb+ greater than Cs+). Biionic reversal potentials, for example, were concentration independent for all ions studied. Na+/K+ and Na+/Rb+ reversal potentials, however, were dependent on the orientation of the ionic species with respect to the intra- or extracellular face of the channel, whereas Na+/Li+ biionic reversal potentials were not orientation dependent. A simple, four-barrier, three-well, single-ion occupancy model was used to generate current-voltage relationships similar to those observed in symmetrical solutions of Na, K, or Li ions. The barrier profiles for Na and Li ions were symmetric, whereas that for K ions was asymmetric. This suggests the barrier to ion permeation for K ions may be different than that for Na and Li ions. With this model, these hypothetical energy barrier profiles could predict the orientation-dependent reversal potentials observed for Na+/K+ and Na+/Rb+. The energy barrier profiles, however, were not capable of describing biionic Na/Li ion permeation. Together these results support the hypothesis that Na ions have a different rate determining step for ion permeation than that of K and Rb ions.
The influence of metal ions on the conductivity of Nafion 112 in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

Abstract Nafion 112 membranes were soaked in 1 M H 2 SO 4 solutions containing variable amounts of Fe and Cr ions, either individually or mixed. An even distribution of the metal ions on the surface of the membranes was observed with electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) mapping. The proton conductivity of the soaked membranes was investigated using a conductivity cell. For Fe ions, the conductivity was almost constant until the Fe-ion solution concentration reached 300 ppm. Over the 300-ppm threshold, the conductivity decreased significantly. Similar results were obtained with Cr ions in the membrane, but here the threshold was approximately 200 ppm in the solution. Mixed metal ions were found to decrease these threshold values due to the additive effect of the two metals.
Complex Legal Legacies: The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, Scientific Study, and Kennewick Man

Debates over disposition options for an inadvertently discovered set of early Holocene human remains known as Kennewick Man have fueled discussions about the scientific, cultural, and ethical implications of the anthropological study of human remains. A high-profile lawsuit over Kennewick Man has led to the most extensive judicial analysis to date of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), the primary law affecting access to, and the ultimate disposition of, ancient human remains found in the United States. However, despite years of litigation, some key questions remain unanswered. The judicial decisions in Kennewick address important questions about determining Native American status and assessing cultural affiliation under the law. However, the court opinions fail to address the role of scientific study within NAGPRA's confines. This article examines NAGPRA and concludes that two provisions in the law expressly permit the scientific study of human remains if certain conditions are met. Significantly, Kennewick Man might have qualified for study under NAGPRA even if found to be Native American and culturally affiliated with the claimant tribes, which would have enabled study to proceed from the outset while the parties debated the issues of Native American status and potential cultural affiliation.
Role of substrate and triggers in the genesis of cardiac alternans, from the myocyte to the whole heart: implications for therapy.

Electrocardiographic alternans, a phenomenon of beat-to-beat oscillation in electrocardiographic (ECG) waveforms, was first described by Hering in 1908.1 Much of the interest in the alternans phenomenon has focused on alternans during the repolarization phase of the cardiac action potential (AP), also known as repolarization alternans (RA). More specifically, RA has been associated with an increased risk for malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) across a wide range of pathophysiological conditions, including both ischemic and nonischemic congestive heart failure with impaired left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and recent myocardial infarction.2,3 Cardiac alternans can also be produced in structurally normal hearts under conditions of chronotropic stimulation4,5 or significant metabolic stress.6 Given that several comprehensive review papers7–10 have been published on the mechanisms of RA and the clinical risk-stratification aspects of microvolt T-wave alternans (MTWA) testing, in the present report we have attempted to present a novel framework for how an “appropriate” substrate and an “appropriate” trigger event may synergistically contribute to the mechanisms that generate cardiac alternans from the cellular to the whole-heart level, and we propose novel aspects of the use of RA to guide therapy. Two major hypotheses have been developed to explain the alternans phenomenon at the cellular level. The first hypothesis suggests that alternation in sarcolemmal currents, membrane voltage, and AP morphology leads to beat-to-beat fluctuations in intracellular calcium concentration. In support of this hypothesis, it has recently been shown that modulation of sarcolemmal Ca2+11 and K+12,13 currents based on changes in AP morphology14 has a significant effect on the stability of Ca2+ handling processes and the transition to stable alternans15,16 (Figure 1A). In contrast, the second major hypothesis suggests that alternation of …
Validating the Malheur model for predicting ponderosa pine post-fire mortality using 24 fires in the Pacific Northwest, USA

Fires, whether intentionally or accidentally set, commonly occur in western interior forests of the US. Following fire, managers need the ability to predict mortality of individual trees based on easily observed characteristics. Previously, a two-factor model using crown scorch and bole scorch proportions was developed with data from 3415 trees for predicting the probability of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) mortality following prescribed fire. Here, we report validation of that model for broader application using data from 10 109 ponderosa pines in 17 prescribed fires and 7 wildfires, observed for 3 years post-fire, from east of the Cascade Range crest in Washington, Oregon and northern California. The overall rate of correct classification was 87.1% and the rate of correctly predicting mortality was 80.1%. Similar accuracy is reported when testing the model for small trees (<53.3-cm diameter at breast height), wildfire, prescribed fire, and when using a field guide that simplifies application of the model. For large trees (≥53.3-cm diameter at breast height), the overall rate of correct prediction was 93.6% and the rate of correctly predicting mortality was 65.2%. These results suggest the Malheur model is useful for predicting ponderosa pine mortality following fires in this region.
Privacy enhanced group communication in clinical environment

Privacy protection of medical records has always been an important issue and is mandated by the recent Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards. In this paper, we propose security architectures for a tele-referring system that allows electronic group communication among professionals for better quality treatments, while protecting patient privacy against unauthorized access. Although DICOM defines the much-needed guidelines for confidentiality of medical data during transmission, there is no provision in the existing medical security systems to guarantee patient privacy once the data has been received. In our design, we address this issue by enabling tracing back to the recipient whose received data is disclosed to outsiders, using watermarking technique. We present security architecture design of a tele-referring system using a distributed approach and a centralized web-based approach. The resulting tele-referring system (i) provides confidentiality during the transmission and ensures integrity and authenticity of the received data, (ii) allows tracing of the recipient who has either distributed the data to outsiders or whose system has been compromised, (iii) provides proof of receipt or origin, and (iv) can be easy to use and low-cost to employ in clinical environment.
Estrogen Regulation of Steroidogenesis in Rabbit Luteal Cells

Estradiol is a potent modifier of gonadotropin-stimulated steroidogenesis. By the seventh day after ovulation, estradiol is the only agent required for the stimulation of progesterone synthesis by corpora lutea of superovulated pseudo-pregnant rabbits. To learn which control points in steroidogenesis are susceptible to regulation by estradiol alone, we have studied the production of pregnenolone, progesterone, and 20 alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one by corpora lutea of estradiol-stimulated and estradiol-deprived pseudopregnant rabbits. In previous investigations, we learned that estradiol deprivation in vivo, on day 9 of pseudopregnancy, causes an abrupt cessation of progesterone and 20 alpha-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one production, which is associated with accumulation of cholesterol and cholesteryl ester in the luteal tissue. We now report that production of pregnenolone, measured as its concentration in serum, also decreases abruptly by 84% within 48 h when the estradiol stimulus is removed on day 9 of pseudopregnancy. In addition, short term incubations of luteal tissue demonstrate that corpora lutea from estradiol-deprived rabbits do not use stores of luteal intracellular cholesterol for production of pregnenolone and progestin. These findings suggest that upon estradiol deprivation, rabbit luteal cells lose their capacity for using stored cholesteryl ester, or cholesterol synthesized de novo, for the production of pregnenolone and progestins. We, therefore, tested the hypothesis that a blockade of steroidogenesis caused by estrogen deprivation occurs at the point of cytochrome P-450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage (P-450scc), a principal rate-limiting step in the conversion of cholesterol to hormonal steroid products. To this end, we assayed the P-450scc activity in mitochondria-rich fractions of corpora lutea from rabbits that were deprived of estradiol for 24 and 48 h beginning on day 9 after induction of superovulation. Surprisingly, withdrawal of the estradiol stimulus did not cause loss of luteal P-450scc activity, measured as the amount of aminoglutethimide-inhibitable conversion of 25-hydroxycholesterol to pregnenolone by mitochondria-rich preparations. From these results, we infer that the luteotropic action of estradiol is probably not effected at P-450scc in the rabbit corpus luteum, but, presumably, occurs at control points that regulate the availability of stored cholesterol and/or its movement to or within the mitochondria for conversion to pregnenolone.
The syntax of modal constructions in English

Abstract A re-analysis and classification of English modals are proposed. Most of the candidates for inclusion in the modal category are eliminated since they are independently generated as verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. Those included are further classified into the ‘pure’ (M) and the ‘quasi’ (Q) by their ability to combine internally in the auxiliary. On syntactic grounds, then, Chomsky's re-writing rule is revised as. Aux → Tense(M)(Q) n ( have + en )( Q ) n ( be + ing ) ( Q ) n . Based on this segmentation, both modals and quasi-modals are examined regarding their selectional characteristics as well as their relationships to certain transformation. The paper concludes that despite tenuous evidence surrounding their semantics, the syntax of English modal constructions can be described by a single rule.
Chemical modification of the electrical properties of hydrogenated amorphous carbon films

Abstract Semiconducting films of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-C:H), prepared via the dc glow discharge decomposition of C2H2, have been successfully doped via incorporation of B and P during growth. The doping efficiency achieved was comparable to that achieved in a-Si:H produced in a like manner. For a-C:H films deposited at Td=250C, (RT) increased from 10-12 to 10-7 ohm-1 cm-1 when either 1% PH3 or 10% B2H6 were added to the C2H2. A shift of the Fermi level EF of about 0.7 eV is inferred from changes in the “activation” energy of conduction.
Physical aggression as a function of objective self-awareness and attitudes toward punishment

Abstract Based on a theory of self-awareness, it was hypothesized that subjects would use their attitudes to determine their behaviors when (a) that attitude was salient and (b) their attention was directed toward themselves. Subjects, who on questionnaires had indicated that they opposed or condoned the use of punishment, were given the opportunity to shock a male confederate in two (bogus) learning experiments. Each subject was instructed to use his own attitude in choosing shocks to punish incorrect responses. Self-awareness was increased among half the subjects by the presence of a mirror. In each experiment a Punitiveness by self-awareness interaction resulted: High Punitive-Mirror subjects shocked higher than Low Punitive-Mirror subjects, but their respective No Mirror controls did not differ from each other.
Significance of depolarization cross sections obtained from D2 optical pumping

Abstract The D 2 pumping method is shown to measure σ 1 , the cross section for collisional destruction of “orientation” within the Zeeman sublevels of the 2 P 3/2 state of an alkali atom.
Patch Clamp Recordings in Inner Ear Hair Cells Isolated from Zebrafish

Patch clamp analyses of the voltage-gated channels in sensory hair cells isolated from a variety of species have been described previously1-4 but this video represents the first application of those techniques to hair cells from zebrafish. Here we demonstrate a method to isolate healthy, intact hair cells from all of the inner ear end-organs: saccule, lagena, utricle and semicircular canals. Further, we demonstrate the diversity in hair cell size and morphology and give an example of the kinds of patch clamp recordings that can be obtained. The advantage of the use of this zebrafish model system over others stems from the availability of zebrafish mutants that affect both hearing and balance. In combination with the use of transgenic lines and other techniques that utilize genetic analysis and manipulation, the cell isolation and electrophysiological methods introduced here should facilitate greater insight into the roles hair cells play in mediating these sensory modalities.
An overview of tractable computation of optimal scheduling and routing in mesh networks

Capacity optimization by optimizing transmission schedules of wireless networks has been an active area of research for at least 20 years. The challenge is that the space over which the optimization is performed is exponential in the number of links in the network. For example, in the simple SISO case where no power control is used and only one bitrate is available, the optimization must be performed over a space of size 2L where there are L links in the network. Thus, a brute force approach to this optimization is not possible for even moderate size networks of more than a few tens of links.
Graph analysis: do we have to reinvent the wheel?

The problem of efficiently analyzing graphs of various shapes and sizes has been recently enjoying an increased level of attention both in the academia and in the industry. This trend prompted creation of specialized graph databases that have been rapidly gaining popularity of late. In this paper we argue that there exist alternatives to graph databases, providing competitive or superior performance, that do not require replacement of the entire existing storage infrastructure by the companies wishing to deploy them.
Contraceptive use and fertility in Costa Rica 1986

Contraceptive prevalence in Costa Rica is higher than almost anywhere else in Latin America with 70% of currently married women using a contraceptive method. Differentials in contraceptive use by educational level and between urban and rural areas are actually quite small compared with those in other Latin American countries. While levels of contraceptive use among married women 20-44 years of age remained relatively stable between 1976 and 1986 total fertility rates increased slightly over that period perhaps because of changing fertility intentions or changing patterns of contraceptive use. For example Costa Rican women increased their reliance on barrier methods and decreased use of the pill. The majority of women who were not practicing contraception were either pregnant or breastfeeding an infant; only about 1 in 5 nonusers could be considered candidates for contraceptive use. 1/5 of all 15-19-year-old women and 2/5 of all 20-24-year-olds had had premarital intercourse. Most young adults who had had premarital intercourse did not practice contraception at 1st intercourse. (authors)
‘Beach-Boy Elders’ and ‘Young Big-Men’: Subverting the Temporalities of Ageing in Kenya's Ethno-Erotic Economies

ABSTRACTIn the 1980s, Samburu men from northern Kenya began migrating to coastal tourist resorts to sell souvenirs and perform traditional dances for European tourists. Many of them engaged in transactional sex or marriages with European women attracted to the image of the exotic African young male warrior. Through relationships with European women, some Samburu men managed to rapidly accumulate wealth, becoming so-called ‘young big-men’. As a way to transform their wealth into more durable forms of respectability, these men used their money to marry local women and speed up their ritual initiation into elderhood. Meanwhile, there also emerged the figure of ‘beach-boy elders’, men who aged before accumulating sufficient wealth. They returned to coastal tourist resorts, dressed as young warriors, and waited to find European partners. In the article, I argue that beach-boy elders and young big-men produce queer moments in the temporalities of ageing, in that they subvert normative expectations of ageing at ...
The theoretical basis for estimating phytoplankton production and specific growth rate from chlorophyll, light and temperature data

Abstract Phytoplankton maximum specific growth rate, μmax, and maximum photosynthetic quantum yield, Φmax, can be related mathematically via the photosynthetic light curve, P(I). A model is presented in which maximum quantum yield defines the initial slope of the light curve and is assumed to be a known constant, while maximum specific growth rate defines the light-saturated region of the curve and is assumed to be a known function of temperature. The effect of introducing μmax(T) into P(I, Φmax) is to replace the unknown, temperature-dependent light saturation parameter with a term involving the ratio μmax/Φmax. The advantage of writing P(I) in terms of both μmax and Φmax is that those parameters are particularly well documented in the literature. Consequently, estimates of nutrient-unlimited phytoplankton growth and production rates can be based solely on the constants μmax, Φmax and kc (light absorption per unit of chlorophyll) and the free variables light, temperature and chlorophyll concentration. Rate estimates appear to be accurate to within a factor of two for an extremely wide range of conditions. One particularly significant result of introducing μmax into P(I, Φmax) is that the carbon : chlorophyll ration, θ, appears explicitly. It is possible to derive an expression for optimum θ based on the assumption that adaptive changes in carbon/chlorophyll occur so as to maximize the specific growth rate for given conditions of light and temperature. Laboratory and field data are compiled from the literature to test the formulae presented here.
A sedimentary and geochemical record of water-level changes from Rantin Lake, Yukon, Canada

A multi-proxy analysis of two sediment cores from Rantin Lake are used to reconstruct past lake-level changes and to make inferences about millennial-scale variations in precipitation/evaporation (P/E) balance in the southern Yukon, Canada between 10,900 and 3,100 cal yr BP. Analyses of calcium carbonate and organic matter concentration, magnetic susceptibility, titanium content, dry bulk density, and macrofossils are used to reconstruct water-level changes. The development of sand layers and deformed sediments at the deep-water core site (i.e. Core A-06) prior to ~10,900 cal yr BP suggest that lake level was lower at this time. Fine-grained organic sediment deposited from 10,600 to 9,500 cal yr BP indicates a rise in lake level. The formation of an unconformity at the shallow cores site (Core C-06) and the deposition of shallow-water calcium carbonate-rich facies at the Core A-06 site between ~9,500 and ~8,500 cal yr BP suggest lower lake levels at this time. Shallow-water facies gradually transition into a sand layer that likely represents shoreline reworking during an extreme lowstand that occurred at ~8,400 cal yr BP. Following this low water level, fine-grained organic-rich sediment formed by ~8,200 cal yr BP, suggesting deeper water conditions at core site A-06. Calcium carbonate concentrations are relatively low in sediment deposited from ~6,300 to 3,100 cal yr BP in Core A-06, indicating that lake level was comparatively higher during the middle and late Holocene. In general, results from this study suggest that the early Holocene was characterized by high P/E from ~10,500 to 9,500 cal yr BP, low P/E from ~9,500 to 8,400 cal yr BP, and return to higher P/E from ~8,200 to 3,100 cal yr BP.
Attitudinal reinforcement effects as a function of stimulus homogeneity-heterogeneity

Attitude statements are conceptualized as having evaluative (affective) meaning and hence reinforcement properties. Previous findings consistently indicate that traditional rightwrong reinforcement in a discrimination learning task yields higher performance levels than does attitudinal reinforcement. This differential performance has been attributed to differences in reinforcement value. In the present investigation, it was hypothesized that such differences are a function of the heterogeneity of the attitude stimuli. A simple discrimination-learning task was employed (N = 45) with three conditions of reinforcement: traditional right-wrong feedback, similar and dissimilar attitude statements on a heterogeneous variety of topics, and statements involving similarity and dissimilarity on only one homogeneous attitude topic. The hypothesis was supported. Analysis of variance indicated a significant difference among the three experimental groups, with the homogeneous attitude condition yielding the highest performance level.
Twenty-Four-Hour Attending Physician Coverage and Its Impact on Resident Training

� is committed to serving the community. We are dedicated to enhancing patient care, teaching and research, and to taking a leadership role as an integrated health care system. The above is excerpted from the mission statement of the hospital that sponsors my residency program. Such a statement is likely to be found similarly worded, if not verbatim, in many others around the country. Although different instruments have occasionally generated contradictoryresults(i.e.,PressGaneyAssociates), at least one major survey (NRCPicker Group) has reported that smaller community hospitals generally achieve greater patient satisfaction than larger teaching institutions [1]. The most common explanation offered for this finding is that community hospitals focus exclusively on the mission of patient care, without having to expend additional resources on teaching and research, and are therefore able to accomplish this singular goal more effectively. These data seem to put the mission of patient care somewhat at odds with those of teaching and re
Dopaminergic nature of acute cathine tolerance

Cathine is a psychoactive constituent in the leaves of the Khat shrub which are habitually ingested for their stimulatory effects in many parts of the world. Rats were trained to discriminate the stimulus effect of intraperitoneally administered 4.8 mg/kg d-cathine and, once trained, administration of another Khat constituent, cathinone, was shown to produce cathine-like effects. This generalization to cathinone was dose-responsive when testing occurred 24 hr after vehicle administration, whereas prior administration of cathine resulted in a diminished discriminative response to subsequent cathinone administration possibly as a result of the development of acute tolerance. CGS 10746B, a compound that blocks presynaptic release of dopamine, significantly decreased rats' ability to discriminate cathine when it was administered 25 min prior to cathine testing and it reversed the acute tolerance observed when cathine was tested 24 hr after cathine administration. These results indicate that a previously reported acute tolerance effect to cathine after cathinone administration in cathinone-trained rats appears to be symmetrical in that there is acute tolerance to cathinone after cathine in these cathine-trained rats. The results with CGS 10746B would suggest that both the cathine-induced discriminative cue and cathine's ability to produce acute tolerance are mediated by presynaptic dopamine release.
Improving Global Motion Estimation Using Texture Masks

Global motion estimation (GME) is a critical step for image alignment, image registration, and sprite generation. Direct methods use all pixels to estimate the motion. Eliminating pixels for GME is important since it may reduce the processing time and may also help to obtain correct motion parameters. In this paper, we firstly consider using fixed masks to observe the performance of GME. Then, we generate and use texture masks to eliminate texture regions to improve the performance of GME. The texture regions may include water, grass, ground, sky, etc. Our results indicate that adapting suitable masks reduces the processing time and improves the correctness of GME.
Observations of the density profile in the magnetosheath near the stagnation streamline

An enhancement in the plasma density occurs in more than half of the ISEE-1 and 2 magnetosheath passes near the stagnation streamline just in front of the magnetopause. On average, this structure is about 0.4 R(e) thick and clearly separated from the magnetopause. The average density enhancement is about 44 percent above the ambient magnetosheath density. The anticorrelation of the magnetic field and density is that expected for the MHD slow mode. Strong fluctuations in the density within the structure are usually accompanied by fluctuations in velocity.
Ionic cohesion and electron doping of thin carbon tubules with alkali atoms.

Cohesion properties between carbon nanotubules and potassium atoms are studied using a first-principles total-energy and band-structure approach. The present calculations which assume linearly aligned arrangements of K atoms inside and outside of tubules suggest that the classical wetting picture of capillary action is not applicable on a microscopic scale. Charge transfer occurs from the K atoms to the tubule resulting in ionic cohesion. The energy barrier for sliding motion of the K atoms is found to be comparable to that of K diffusion in graphite intercalated compounds. The possibility of superconductivity of doped tubules is also discussed.
Low or High Cocaine Responding Rats Differ in Striatal Extracellular Dopamine Levels and Dopamine Transporter Number

Both humans and animals exhibit marked individual differences in cocaine responsiveness. By using the median split of cocaine-induced locomotor activity, we have classified outbred male Sprague-Dawley rats as either low or high cocaine responders (LCRs or HCRs, respectively). LCR/HCR classification predicts differences in cocaine inhibition of striatal dopamine (DA) transporters (DATs), cocaine-induced locomotor sensitization, cocaine-conditioned place preference, and motivation to self-administer cocaine. In this study, we used in vivo microdialysis to investigate whether the differential cocaine inhibition of DATs in LCRs and HCRs is translated into differential extracellular DA levels. Paralleling their locomotor profiles, LCRs and HCRS had similar basal extracellular DA levels in dorsal striatum (dSTR) and nucleus accumbens (NAc); after acute cocaine injection (10 mg/kg i.p.), HCRs showed greater cocaine-induced increases in DA than LCRs, with more pronounced differences in NAc. After repeated cocaine injection, LCRs and HCRs no longer differed in cocaine-induced locomotor activity or extracellular DA. To further explore the differential susceptibility of LCR/HCR DATs to cocaine, we used in vitro [3H]2-carbomethoxy-3-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane ([3H]WIN 35,428) binding and quantitative autoradiography to measure the number of DAT binding sites and cocaine's affinity for them. After acute cocaine administration, HCRs had fewer DAT binding sites in dSTR and NAc shell, compared to LCRs. No LCR/HCR differences were observed in DAT number after repeated cocaine injection or in cocaine's affinity. Our findings suggest that levels of striatal extracellular DA and DATs both make important contributions to initial differences in cocaine activation, which in LCRs/HCRs predict differential cocaine reward and reinforcement.
The Quality of Psychotherapy Case Formulations: A Comparison of Expert, Experienced, and Novice Cognitive-Behavioral and Psychodynamic Therapists.

Sixty-five expert, experienced, and novice cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic psychotherapists provided "think aloud" case formulations in response to 6 standardized patient vignettes varying in disorder and prototypicality. The 390 formulations were reliably transcribed, segmented into idea units, content coded, and rated on multiple dimensions of quality. As hypothesized, the formulations of experts were more comprehensive, elaborated, complex, and systematic. Judges did not rate them as more coherent or precise in the use of language. In addition, the treatment plans of experts were more elaborated and linked better to the formulations. Effect sizes for overall ratings of quality ranged from medium to large. Few differences based on therapy orientation were observed. Results are discussed in terms of therapist training.