cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Light Intensity and Low-Level Intermittent Lighting on Broiler Performance During a High Density Limited-Area Brooding Period

Abstract In an attempt to determine the amount of light needed during the brooding period (0 to 3 weeks) under a limited-area brooding density equivalent to one-half house brooding for commercial broilers, three trials were conducted. Results showed that broilers which received a continuous lighting regimen at an intensity of 75 lx had significantly less mortality than those brooded under a continuous lighting regimen of 5 lx. Three-week body weight was not significantly affected by lighting regimens used. The best 3-week feed conversion was obtained by those brooded under an intermittent lighting regimen (5 lx for 15 min, followed by 105 min of no measurable light, repeated continuously). However, the mortality of the broilers brooded under the intermittent lighting regimen was significantly higher than that of those brooded under the continuous lighting regimen.
Twentieth-Century American Education Reform in the Global Context

As detailed in the articles throughout this issue, the U.S. education system experienced a number of structural developments throughout the 20th century. These changes served to shift the landscape of decision-making authority in multiple areas of primary and secondary schooling. This article provides an international perspective on the changes undergone by the American system, painting a broad picture of where the trends in the United States’ educational system fit within changes worldwide. To best understand the possible implications of changes in the United States, I describe trends in educational centralization and decentralization in other nations, placing the American changes in a broader context shedding light on where education in the United States could be headed.
How much cai is hidden in commercial software

It is somewhat astonishing to find that a well-developed software package designed for business uses provides an extremely interesting teaching instrument with an as yet unrealized potentialFor many years report generating systems such as REPORTER have been extensively used as work horses in business and industry. Administrators in these areas require up-to-date information presented in an understandable, well-organized form. The business executive may need a daily, weekly, or monthly report of the sales records of the company's employees, listing for each sales representative the number of items sold in each category, the amount of income produced, the number of items returned in each category, etc.The Burroughs REPORT writER is based upon an entirely different premise which not only permits but encourages user involvement and understanding. The programs which create each REPORT are accessible, small, modular in structure, and limited to the specific options requested by the user. While it can be easily used in a non-technical manner, and need not be explored in any depth, there are no formidable barriers to a more intelligent mastery of this tool.The unique characteristic of the Burroughs REPORTER is its production of an independent COBOL program for each set of specifications entered. It
Approximating the linear quadratic optimal control law for hereditary systems with delays in the control

The fundamental control synthesis issue of establishing a priori convergence rates of approximation schemes for feedback controllers for a class of distributed parameter systems is addressed within the context of hereditary systems. Specifically, a factorization approach is presented for deriving approximations to the optimal feedback gains for the linear regulator-quadratic cost problem associated with time-varying functional differential equations with control delays. The approach is based on a discretization of the state penalty which leads to a simple structure for the feedback control law. General properties of the Volterra factors of Hilbert-Schmidt operators are then used to obtain convergence results for the controls, trajectories and feedback kernels. Two algorithms are derived from the basic approximation scheme, including a fast algorithm, in the time-invariant case. A numerical example is also considered.
A Study of Clinical Faculty Use of Information Resources on the iPad

A 13-question survey designed to determine physician use of iPads or other tablets and to gauge physician interest in accessing reliable medical resources on a tablet was sent to 932 clinical faculty members at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Almost three fourths of the 272 respondents had tablets, although less than half (37.1%) were satisfied with accessing medical information through such devices. Slightly more than 88% (88.6%) were interested in receiving assistance from the Research Medical Library in downloading information resources or applications on their tablets. Upon completion of the analysis, the Library launched a tablet-optimized mobile Web site where faculty and staff can access journals.
Edward Pococke’s Arabic Translation of Grotius, De Veritate

This article recounts the history of the composition, publication and dissemination of Edward Pococke’s translation into Arabic of Grotius, De Veritate, the motivation for making it alleged both by Grotius and by Pococke, and the changes in the text which were introduced by Pococke. An Appendix provides, for the two chapters which are most different from Grotius’s original, the Arabic text, a literal translation, Grotius’s Latin, and details of the sources of Grotius and Pococke for their accusations against the Muslims in those chapters.
Saturable absorbed Er:YAG Q-switched laser with short pulse

We demonstrate passively Q switched 2% doped Er:YAG laser operation in the eyesafe region with sub 5 nsec pulse widths using Cr 2+ :ZnSe as a saturable absorber. A rod geometry operating in the burst mode and a micro slab geometry operating continuously are described. The micro slab geometry generates 6nsec passively Q switched pulses with over 1.5 Watt of output power and with multi kilohertz pulse repetition rates. The lasers are resonantly pumped with a 1534nm fiber laser.
Mothers' narratives regarding their child with autism predict maternal synchronous behavior during play.

Background: Mothers’ synchronous playtime behaviors have been linked to language development in children with autism (Siller & Sigman, 2002, 2008). This study sought to explain individual differences in maternal synchrony in order to improve parent-training programs targeting communication skills in children with autism. Methods: Participants were 67 children with autism under the age of 7 and their biological mothers. Maternal cognitions were assessed using two narrative measures, the Insightfulness Assessment (Koren-Karie & Oppenheim, 1997) and the Reaction to Diagnosis Interview (Pianta & Marvin, 1992). Mean levels of maternal synchrony, measured with a micro-analytic coding system (Siller & Sigman, 2002, 2008), were compared between groups formed according to mothers’ interview classifications. Results: Variation in maternal synchrony was related to classification of the Insightfulness Assessment, but not the Reaction to Diagnosis Interview. Child characteristics were not related to interview classifications or ratings of maternal synchrony. Conclusion: Qualities of mothers’ narratives about their child with autism and the relationship with the child are associated with variability in maternal synchronous behavior during play.
Sphincter-preserving operations following preoperative chemoradiation: an alternative to abdominoperineal resection for lower rectal cancer?

Sphincter-preserving operations (SPO) for lower rectal cancer are on the rise. In the study reported here, we compared the oncologic outcomes of patients who underwent sphincter-preserving operations following preoperative chemoradiation for lower rectal cancer with the outcome for patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection (APR). This prospective study included 87 patients who underwent proctectomy with curative intent for locally advanced rectal cancer that was located less than 6 cm from the anal verge. Forty-four patients had APR with no preoperative treatment. Forty-three patients underwent concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) consisting of preoperative 5-fluorouracil–based chemotherapy and pelvic radiation (4500–5040 cGy); this was followed 6 weeks later by surgery (SPO/CCRT). The oncologic outcomes between the two groups were compared, and factors affecting survival were evaluated. The median follow-up period was 56.2 months. The overall postoperative complication rates did not significantly differ between SPO/CCRT and APR (32.6% versus 34.2%; p = 0.879). Also, there were no significant differences in the overall recurrence rate (20.9% versus 20.5%; p = 0.956) and 5-year overall survival rate (70.8% versus 62.9%; p = 0.189) between the two groups. By multivariate analysis, only the pathologic N stage was significantly associated with overall survival (p < 0.001). Sphincter-preserving operation with CCRT could be another option for the treatment of locally advanced lower rectal cancer in patients who are clinically considered for APR, with no deterioration of oncologic outcomes. For patients undergoing curative resection for lower rectal cancer, the pathologic N stage can provide valuable prognostic information about survival.
A fully integrated Q-band bidirectional transceiver in 0.12-µm SiGe BiCMOS technology

A fully integrated Q-band (40∼45 GHz) bidirectional transceiver is demonstrated in a 0.12-µm SiGe BiCMOS technology. The RF front-end design eliminates the need for transmit/receive switches by demonstrating a novel PA/LNA circuit. The transceiver has a transmit conversion gain of 35 dB with a 3-dB bandwidth of 4 GHz. The OP1dB is 8.5 dBm and Psat is 9.5 dBm. The transceiver has a receive conversion gain of 34 dB with a 3-dB bandwidth of 3 GHz. The noise figure is 4.7 dB and OP1dB is −5 dBm at 43 GHz. The chip consumes 119.4 mW when transmitting and 54 mW when receiving, and overall chip size is 1.6 mm×0.8 mm including pads. To the author's knowledge, this work represents the first switchless millimeter-wave bidirectional transceiver in a CMOS or BiCMOS processes.
Reflective Practice Enriches Clerkship Students’ Cross-Cultural Experiences

AIM To describe a curriculum incorporating written reflection followed by reflective discussion with the goal of enhancing students’ recognition and handling of cross-cultural and health disparity issues in different healthcare delivery settings.
Spatial and Skills Mismatch for Labor-Market Segments:

The spatial mismatch hypothesis associates high unemployment rates among inner-city blacks with the spatial dispersion of employment to suburban job markets. An alternative explanation for high une...
Nano-Imprint Fabrication of Injectable, Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery Vehicles

Nanofabrication techniques are developed to create well-defined and characterized drug delivery devices that overcome the limitations of current methods. Our approach is to use novel, top-down nano-fabrication technologies, including thermal nano-imprinting and step-and flash imprint lithography (S-FIL), coupled with stimuli-responsive polymer membranes to develop injectable nanocontainers that can release drug only in response to specific physiological signals at specific cellular locations.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Attitudes and representations of Spanish and the spread of the language industries in Brazil

This paper analyzes the context of Spanish language teaching in Brazil. We examine the representations of and attitudes toward Rioplatense/Argentinean Spanish and Peninsular Spanish—and toward the speakers of each of these varieties—held by Brazilian learners of Spanish as a foreign language. To provide the context in which Spanish learning takes place in Brazil, we report on the changes that the teaching of Spanish language has undergone since the 1990s in that country. We used two complementary research methodologies—matched guise and open questionnaires—to measure the representations and attitudes of learners taking Spanish classes in the state of Sao Paulo. Findings suggest that attitudes were impacted primarily by the sounds characterizing each different language variety. From there the participants moved toward their representations of the people and their nationalities. Based on these findings, we propose changes in the treatment of linguistic varieties in the classroom.
The development of vagal innervation of the bovine stomach.

The development of the vagal innervation of the bovine stomach was examined in serial section from 15 embryos ranging from 10 to 20 mm crown-rump length. Models of the gastric epithelium and nerves were made of an 11, 14, and 20 mm embryo. The vagal innervation of the stomach was also examined in six bovine fetuses ranging from 15 to 52 cm in length. The bovine stomach developed from a spindle-shaped primordium at 10 mm to a four-chambered organ at 20 mm. At 11 mm, the right and left vagus extended to a point dorsal to the heart where they divided into dorsal and ventral branches. The ventral branches fused to form the ventral vagal trunk and the dorsal branches fused to form the dorsal vagal trunk. At the 12 to 14 mm stage, both vagal trunks ran along the lesser curvature of the gastric pri-mordium to the level of the developing abomasum. By 20 mm, the principal branches of the vagal trunks found in the adult were established and it became clear that the dorsal and ventral vagal trunks innervated areas of the ruminant stomach roughly comparable to the visceral and parietal (posterior and anterior (NA)) surfaces, respectively, of the simple stomach. The distribution of the vagal trunks in the fetuses was similar to that in the adult. Similarities in the development of the gastric nerves in man and ox were discussed.
Reclamation of acid coal refuse

Abstract Slurry (coal refuse), which contains pyritic materials, produces sulfuric acid when wetted and oxidized. The acidity, together with droughtiness and high surface temperatures, create a complex problem for revegetation. Four grasses, orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L.), redtop ( Agrostis alba L.), reed canarygrass ( Phalaris arundinacea L.) and tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Shreb.), were planted on an acid slurry site at Captain Mine, Arch of Illinois Inc., Perry County, IL, USA, to evaluate the effects of soil amendments. Organic material from composted garbage (0, 112, 224 and 336 Mg ha -1 ), limestone (0, 45, 90 and 135 Mg ha -1 ) and a mixture of organic material and limestone (56/22.5, 112/45 and 168/67.5 Mg ha -1 ) were incorporated into the slurry. All the grasses established successfully and persisted best on treatments involving the addition of limestone. Tall fescue and reed canarygrass were the grasses best suited for the revegetation of the acid slurry impoundments. The grasses did not accumulate heavy metals to levels considered potentially toxic to livestock. The application of limestone with or without organic material appears to be a possible alternative method for revegetating acid slurry without the addition of a soil cover.
TH‐C‐M100F‐04: A Deformable Lung Tumor Tracking Method in Fluoroscopic Video Using Active Shape Models

Purpose: Elastic tumor deformation and different intra‐ and inter‐fractional tumor paths between inhalation and exhalation were observed for some lung patients. For high accuracy and possibly 100% duty cycle dose delivery, we propose and evaluate a noninvasive method to fluoroscopically track location and shape variations of lungtumors with different types of deformations. Method and Materials: During a fluoroscopic simulation, lungtumor contours in one complete respiratory period are manually drawn by an expert. Each contour is described by 65 landmarks. The respiratory period is divided into 9 phases and a Point Distribution Models (PDM) statistically describing typical tumor shape variations are built for each phase. When tracking starts, the breathing phase for an incoming frame is first determined by the respiratory signal generated simultaneously from diaphragm motion and the PDM for this frame is also found. Starting from an initial estimate of the tumor contour, the Active Shape Models algorithm searches the area near each landmark and finds a better location. Based on the shifts found for these landmarks, the initial estimate is deformed within a certain range of typical shape variations found in PDM and also rigidly transformed to match the shifts. The new generated contour iteratively updates the previous contour estimate until no significant difference appears between two consecutive iterations or a user defined number of iterations is reached. Results:Tumors demonstrating distinct types of deformations in fluoroscopic videos were well tracked. All the landmarks of the tracked objects were manually revised by an expert using a GUI tool. The average magnitude of the deviation between the tracked and revised results was within 2 mm for 95% the landmarks and within 3mm for all landmarks. Conclusion: This method affords precise tracking of lungtumor location and deformation and may be used for real‐time tracking or DMLC radiotherapy.
Resonant tunneling via localized states in thin MOS structures

Abstract MOSFET samples were fabricated with Na+ ions in the gate oxide. Large peaks in the tunneling conductivity through the oxide were observed which are interpreted as resonant tunneling of electrons via the localized Na+ impurities. The localized sites are believed to arise from Na+ decoration of intrinsic defects in the oxide.
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis TrcR Response Regulator Represses Transcription of the Intracellularly Expressed Rv1057 Gene, Encoding a Seven-Bladed β-Propeller

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis TrcR response regulator binds and regulates its own promoter via an AT-rich sequence. Sequences within this AT-rich region determined to be important for TrcR binding were used to search the M. tuberculosis H37Rv genome to identify additional related TrcR binding sites. A similar AT-rich sequence was identified within the intergenic region located upstream of the Rv1057 gene. In the present work, we demonstrate that TrcR binds to a 69-bp AT-rich sequence within the Rv1057 intergenic region and generates specific contacts on the same side of the DNA helix. An M. tuberculosis trcRS deletion mutant, designated STS10, was constructed and used to determine that TrcR functions as a repressor of Rv1057 expression. Additionally, identification of the Rv1057 transcriptional start site suggests that a SigE-regulated promoter also mediates control of Rv1057 expression. Using selective capture of transcribed sequences (SCOTS) analysis as an evaluation of intracellular expression, Rv1057 was shown to be expressed during early M. tuberculosis growth in human macrophages, and the Rv1057 expression profile correlated with a gene that would be repressed by TrcR. Based on structural predictions, motif analyses, and molecular modeling, Rv1057 consists of a series of antiparallel beta-strands which adopt a beta-propeller fold, and it was determined to be the only seven-bladed beta-propeller encoded in the M. tuberculosis genome. These results provide evidence of TrcR response regulator repression of the Rv1057 beta-propeller gene that is expressed during growth of M. tuberculosis within human macrophages.
Duality, mass spectrum and vacuum expectation values

Abstract We give a general proof that for an arbitrary two-dimensional theory containing order and disorder fields φ ( x ) and μ ( x ), defined so as to satisfy a dual algebra, then, the mass gap is zero, whenever 〈 φ 〉=0 and 〈 μ 〉=0. It is also shown that the dual algebra imposes certain restrictions on the mixed vacuum expectation values of the fields. In particular, the product 〈 φ 〉〈 μ 〉 and the two-point functions 〈 μφ 〉 vanish.
Protective Effects of Acetazolamide and Hyperbaric Oxygenation on Experimentally Induced Syncope

The protective effects of acetazolamide and hyperbaric oxygenation on experimentally induced syncope were evaluated in seven healthy male subjects. Syncope was induced by vigorous hyperventilation and Valsalva maneuver. Each subject performed these procedures three times in each of the following conditions: (1) breathing room air at normal atmospheric pressure, (2) breathing 100% oxygen at 2.36 atmospheric pressure, (3) breathing 9% oxygen at 2.36 atmospheres and (4) after intravenous injection of 500 mg of acetazolamide while breathing 100% oxygen at 2.36 atmospheres. With comparable changes of arterial pCO2 and blood pressure during the hyperventilation-Valsalva maneuver, syncope occurred in 19 of 21 (91%) hyperventilation-Valsalva maneuvers performed at ambient environment, in 18 of 21 (86%) when subject was breathing 9% oxygen at 2.36 atmospheres, in 14 of 21 (67%) when 2.36 atmospheres of 100% oxygen was used, and in only 7 of 21 (33%) when acetazolamide was used in conjunction with hyperbaric oxygen...
The effects of mercury on developing larvae of Rhithropanopeus harrisii (Gould): I. Interactions of temperature, salinity and mercuryon larval development

Larvae of the estuarine xanthid crab Rhithropanopeus harrisii were reared inthe laboratory from hatch through completion of metamorphosis to postlarva in 64 combinations of temperature (20–35°C), salinity (10–40‰) and mercury (0–20 parts 10 −9 Hg 2+ ). Multiple linear regression analysis and response surface methodology were used to determine and visually display the individual and interactive effects of the various constant temperature-salinity-mercury combinations on both survival and developmental rates of developing larvae throughout total larval development and for zoeae and megalopae separately, to distinguish any differential sensitivity between the two larval forms. Survival capacity of larvae under a broad range of salinities and temperatures characteristic of temperate estuarine conditions was progressively reduced upon continual exposure to mercury ranging from 5 to 20 parts 10 −9 Hg 2+ . Exposure concentrations as low as 5 parts 10 −9 Hg 2+ reduced the salinity and temperature plasciticity of the normally euryhalinic and eurythermal larvae. Larval survival from hatch to postlarva was affected by both mercury-salinity and mercury-temperature interactions with mercury toxicity increasing under suboptimal temperatures and salinities. Viability of early zoeal stages proved more sensitive to mercury exposure than the final megalopa stage. Exposure to mercury concentrations from 5–20 parts 10 −9 , Hg 2+ prolonged complete developmental duration by 3 to 4 days with zoeal developmental rates retarded more than megalopal rates. Developmental rates of the megalopa were more reduced by mercury at higher salinities, and both zoeal and megalopal developmental rates were more retarded by mercury at lower temperatures. The reduced plasticity of larvae to estuarine conditions, and retarded developmental rates by low mercury concentrations may reduce recruitment into adult benthic populations and alter the distributional patterns of pelagic R. harrisii larvae.
Charge Transfer and Nanostructure Formation During Electroless Etching of Silicon

The Turner mechanism of porous silicon formation during stain etching was developed and accepted without surface-sensitive data and without an understanding that nanostructures are being formed. Here it is shown that an oxide intermediate does not play a role in the formation of nanocrystalline porous Si films. Furthermore, a mechanistic understanding of etching and nanostructure formation leads to the formulation of seven rules for the rational design of stain etchants. These rules are used to develop three new formulations of stain etchants containing Fe3+, VO2+, and Ce4+, which are demonstrated to effectively produce porous silicon. These new formulations represent a significant advance in stain etching as they avoid many of the problems associated with common nitrate-/nitrite-based stain etchants including no need for “activation”, short induction times, and the reproducible production of homogeneous films of unprecedented thickness.
Geographical Distribution of Demodex ursi in Black Bears from Florida

From May 1990 to February 1996, 55 black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) (38 males, 17 females) from 21 counties in Florida (USA), were examined for Dermodex ursi(Acari: Demodecidae). The sample included cubs <1-yr-old (n = 12), juveniles (1 to <3 yr, n = 20), and adults (3 to 12 yr, n = 23). Demodex ursi was collected from four bears by deep scrapings of 15 sites on the head and forelimb of each bear. All four bears with demodicosis had crusty, scaly skin lesions, and moderate alopecia. No D. ursi were seen in any of the 750 scrapings from the other 51 bears, nor did any of those bears have signs of demodi cosis. Demodicosis was found only in bears from or near the Ocala population in northcentral Florida.
Further Studies with the 2-Amino-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-one Class of 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Inhibitors: Reducing Pregnane X Receptor Activity and Exploring Activity in a Monkey Pharmacodynamic Model

A series of compounds containing the 2-amino-1,3-thiazol-4(5H)-one core were found to be potent inhibitors of the enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1). One of our lead compounds from this series activated the human nuclear xenobiotic receptor, pregnane X receptor (PXR). To try and mitigate the PXR activity, we prepared analogues of our lead series that contained polar groups on the right-hand side of the thiazolone. Several analogues containing amides or alcohols appended to the C-5 position of the thiazolone showed a significant reduction in PXR activity. Through these structure−activity efforts, a compound containing a tert-alcohol group off the C-5 position, analogue (S)-33a, was found to have an 11β-HSD1 Ki = 35 nM and negligible PXR activity. Compound (S)-33a was advanced into a pharmacodynamic model in cynomolgus monkeys, where it inhibited adipose 11β-HSD1 activity after being orally administered.
The dynamic behavior of continuous polymerization reactors—VI. Complex dynamics in full-scale reactors

Abstract The dynamic behavior of the solution polymerization of vinyl acetate in a continuous stirred tank reactor was analyzed in a previous study. Modelling results and experimental verification confirmed the existence of limit-cycle attractors for a laboratory—scale reactor. In the present work, the model is modified slightly to represent the behavior of full-scale industrial reactors. Results of a detailed bifurcation analysis indicate the existence of more regions in parameter space than for the earlier analysis. Complex structures are analyzed in detail. Examples include multiple stable periodic orbits, isolas of periodic solutions, nonhomogeneous periodic oscillations and cascading period doublings leading to chaos.
Nuclear p63 expression in osteoblastic tumors

Expression of the p63 tumor suppressor protein has been reported in the mononuclear stromal cells of giant cell tumor of the bone, which may represent osteoblast-precursor cells. Only a limited number of osteoblastic tumors have been studied for p63 expression thus far. We therefore examined whether p63 may serve as a marker for osteoblastic differentiation in osteosarcomas or as a differential diagnostic marker to distinguish osteoblastoma from osteosarcoma. Immunohistochemical stains for p63 were performed on a tissue microarray containing 71 chemotherapy naive biopsy samples of osteosarcoma, 21 whole sections of osteosarcoma, and 8 osteoblastomas. Nuclear p63 was detected in seven of eight osteoblastomas but was restricted to stromal cells within primitive, immature-appearing areas of osteoid deposition. Although only 7 of 71 (10 %) biopsy samples of osteosarcoma represented on the tissue microarray were positive for p63, 7 of 21 (33 %) osteosarcomas were positive when whole tissue sections were evaluated. Although p63 is detected in most osteoblastomas, it is also observed in a significant subset of osteosarcomas, severely limiting its utility in distinguishing between benign and malignant osteoblastic tumors. The relatively low prevalence of p63 expression in osteosarcoma would also seem to preclude its use as a marker of osteoblastic differentiation in skeletal sarcomas.
Distinguishing deviant and non-deviant nurses using the personnel reaction blank

Personnel Reaction Blank (PRB) scores and biographical data were obtained from two groups of registered nurses; a “deviant” group, represented by those who had official actions taken against their nursing license by the Minnesota Board of Nursing (n=53) and a “non-deviant” group of nurses (n=79) randomly selected from a broader population. The hypothesis that the deviant group of nurses would exhibit lower PRB scores, on average, compared to the non-deviant group was confirmed. The mean PRB scores for the deviant nurses (m=32.43) were significantly lower (p≤.01) than for the randomly selected non-deviant nurses (m=35.06). A multiple regression logit analysis showed that in addition to PRB scores, college degree, sex, and household income variables were also significantly related (p≤.001) to deviant and non-deviant group assignment; nonetheless, PRB significantly differentiated these groups after holding these variables constant.
Associations between preconception counseling and maternal behaviors before and during pregnancy.

Preconception counseling (PCC) is a vital component of preconception care. Through counseling, providers educate and recommend strategies to improve health and birth outcomes for women of reproductive age. The objective of our analysis was to assess the associations between receipt of PCC and positive maternal behaviors before and during pregnancy. We analyzed 2004–2008 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from Maine, New Jersey, Utah, and Vermont. Multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate the associations between receipt of PCC and prepregnancy daily multivitamin consumption, first-trimester entry into prenatal care, and cessation of smoking and drinking before pregnancy among women who smoked/drank in the 2 years preceding the survey, adjusting for a wide range of maternal characteristics. Overall, 32% of women reported receipt of PCC, with particularly low rates reported among women with an unintended pregnancy (14%) and no health insurance prior to pregnancy (14%). Receipt of PCC was associated with daily prepregnancy multivitamin consumption (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.0, 4.7), first-trimester entry into prenatal care for women with an intended pregnancy (AOR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.8, 2.4), and drinking cessation before pregnancy among women who drank in the 2 years preceding the survey (AOR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.2, 1.5). PCC was associated with positive maternal behaviors that increase the likelihood of a healthy woman, pregnancy, and infant. Unfortunately, less than one-third of women with a recent live birth reported receiving PCC. These data provide population-based evidence suggesting the value of PCC in the promotion of healthy maternal behaviors for women with intended or unintended pregnancies.
Identification of two plaque variants of Guaroa virus.

The prototype CoH35211 strain of Guaroa virus contained 2 different plaque populations when French or Mann agarose were used for solidifying the overlay medium. The pl1L (large) and p12S (small) plaque variants were similar with respect to pathogenicity for suckling mice (SM), titers achieved in SM brains after intracranial inoculation and time of appearance of plaques under agarose overlay. The prototype CoH35211 strain and the 2 plaque variants were indistinguishable by complement-fixation and plaque-neutralization tests. However, the 2 plaque variants differed with respect to plaque size and sensitivity to the inhibitory effects of sulfated agar polysaccharides. The only different serological relationship was a “one-way” cross-reaction between p12S antibody and California encephalitis and Tahyna viruses by plaque-neutralization test.
Multi-chroic Dual-Polarization Bolometric Focal Plane for Studies of the Cosmic Microwave Background

We are developing multi-chroic antenna-coupled Transition Edge Sensor (TES) focal planes for Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarimetry. In each pixel, a dual polarized sinuous antenna collects light over a two-octave frequency band. Each antenna couples to the telescope with a contacting silicon lens. The antenna couples the broadband RF signal to microstrip transmission lines, and then filter banks split the broadband signal into several frequency bands. A TES bolometer detects the power in each band and polarization. We will describe the design of this device and demonstrate its performance with optical data measured using prototype pixels. Our measurements show low ellipticity beams, low cross-polarization, and properly partitioned bands in banks of 2, 3, and 7 filters. Finally, we will describe how we will upgrade the Polarbear CMB experiment using the focal planes of these detectors to increase the experiment’s mapping speed and its ability to discriminate between the CMB and polarized foregrounds.
Dual energy CT via fast kVp switching spectrum estimation

Recently there has been significant interest in dual energy CT imaging with several acquisition methods being actively pursued. Here we investigate fast kVp switching where the kVp alternates between low and high kVp every view. Fast kVp switching enables fine temporal registration, helical and axial acquisitions, and full field of view. It also presents several processing challenges. The rise and fall of the kVp, which occurs during the view integration period, is not instantaneous and complicates the measurement of the effective spectrum for low and high kVp views. Further, if the detector digital acquisition system (DAS) and generator clocks are not fully synchronous, jitter is introduced in the kVp waveform relative to the view period. In this paper we develop a method for estimation of the resulting spectrum for low and high kVp views. The method utilizes static kVp acquisitions of air with a small bowtie filter as a basis set. A fast kVp acquisition of air with a small bowtie filter is performed and the effective kVp is estimated as a linear combination of the basis vectors. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated through the reconstruction of a water phantom acquired with a fast kVp acquisition. The impact of jitter due to the generator and detector DAS clocks is explored via simulation. The error is measured relative to spectrum variation and material decomposition accuracy.
Quality of air contrast barium enema performed the same day as incomplete colonoscopy with air insufflation

The quality of 17 air contrast barium enemas performed the same day as incomplete colonoscopies using air insufflation was compared with 21 air contrast barium enemas performed on a different day from incomplete colonoscopies. A gastrointestinal radiologist blinded to the timing of the procedures reviewed the barium studies scoring them as 1 (unsatisfactory) to 4 (excellent) in four areas. The mean overall quality score for the air contrast barium enemas done the same day as incomplete colonoscopy was 3.29 vs. 2.97 for those done on a different day (p = 0.24). There were no significant differences in quality scores between same-day versus different-day air contrast barium enemas for the specific parameters of quality of distention, barium coating, and amount of spasm. We conclude that when colonoscopy using air insufflation is incomplete because of looping or angulation, air contrast barium enema can be done the same day without impairing the quality of the barium study.
Laser-induced fluorescence of As, Se and Sb in the inductively coupled plasma

Abstract Stimulated Raman shifting (SRS) has been used to generate tunable UV radiation at 193.7 nm, 197.2 nm and 196.0 nm for the excitation of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) of As and Se, respectively, in the ICP. An excited-state, stepwise LIF approach has also been explored for Se using laser excitation at 206.279 nm. LIF of Sb has been accomplished using laser excitation at 206.833 nm and 212.739 nm. Power dependence studies of the LIF signals for As, Se and Sb have been performed. Saturation behavior has been observed for each element and saturation spectral energy densities are reported at 193.696 nm and 197.197 nm for As, at 196.026 nm for Se and at 212.739 nm for Sb. Evaluation of the saturation spectral energy density provides insight into the relative magnitude of the fluorescence quantum efficiency of Se at 196.026 nm in the ICP. Limits of detection of the ICP LIF approaches are 4 ng ml −1 , 2 ng ml −1 and 15 ng ml −1 for As, Se and Sb, respectively, and compare favorably with those reported previously by ICP emission and ICP atomic fluorescence spectroscopy approaches. Also reported are the first observations of high-lying excited-state transitions of Se in a flame by a LIF technique.
An efficient, highly homogeneous radiofrequency coil for whole-body NMR imaging at 1.5 T

Optimisation de l'homogeneite du champ radiofrequence necessaire pour produire des sequences d'impulsions a multichocs et du rapport signal sur bruit
Stability of nonlinear AR(1) time series with delay

Abstract The stability of generally defined nonlinear time series is of interest as nonparametric and other nonlinear methods are used more and more to fit time series. We provide sufficient conditions for stability or nonstability of general nonlinear AR(1) models having delay d ⩾1. Our results include conditions for each of the following modes of the associated Markov chain: geometric ergodicity, ergodicity, null recurrence, transience and geometric transience. The conditions are sharp for threshold-like models and they characterize parametric threshold AR(1) models with delay.
Characteristics of fragments produced in the interaction of 5.5-gev protons with silver

The energy spectra of nuclear fragments produced by the interaction of 5.5-GeV protons with silver were determined at several laboratory angles by means of $\frac{\mathrm{dE}}{dx\ensuremath{-}E}$ measurements with semiconductor-detector telescopes. Individual isotopes of the elements from hydrogen to nitrogen were resolved. From oxygen to silicon the elements were determined without isotopic separation. For the case of the isotopes of He through Be enough of the evaporation-like energy spectra were recorded so that it was possible to perform integrations to obtain angular distributions and total cross sections. For elements above beryllium, an experimental cutoff on the low-energy side precluded these integrations, and only the high-energy portions of the spectra were recorded. The energy spectra of the neutron-deficient isotopes differ from the others in that the high-energy parts of the spectra are more pronounced and flatter, and the angular distributions are more forward-peaked.Some of the energy spectra were fitted with calculated curves based on the isotropic evaporation of fragments from an excited nucleus moving along the beam axis. The apparent Coulomb barriers obtained from this analysis were about one half the nominal Coulomb barriers, and the apparent nuclear temperatures fell in the 8-11-MeV range. However, no one temperature could fit the entire energy range, and for the highest-energy fragments observed at 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} the apparent temperature rose to 20 MeV or higher. From the forward-backward shifts of the most probable energy it was deduced that the average velocity of the moving system emitting Li and Be fragments is $0.008c$. However, all of the data are more forward-peaked in intensity than can be explained by the simple two-step model. The energy analysis carried out on these new data is compared with those given in the literature for silver targets or emulsions bombarded with protons, cosmic rays, pions, kaons, and other particles. Comparisons are made of these results with those obtained in an earlier study of fragments from a uranium target.
The Jovian magnetosphere: A post‐Voyager view

At the Rice University Conference on the Physics of the Jovian Magnetosphere, interactive discussion among in situ observers, remote observers, and theorists was encouraged by means of an informal workshop format. This format was successful in promoting a useful degree of open discussion, but because of the informality of the conference format, neither an abstract book nor a conference proceedings is available for general distribution. In an attempt to bridge this information gap, I describe here several of the important results presented at the conference and attempt to characterize the emerging post-Voyager status of understanding of Jovian magnetospheric physics. A brief bibliography is provided for the reader who desires more detail. Included are pre-Voyager reviews and reference to many of the Voyager results.
Multipoint linkage disequilibrium mapping for complex diseases.

Linkage disequilibrium (LD) or association studies using case-parent trios have become a common approach to locate unobserved susceptibility genes underlying complex diseases. With the availability of ever more dense marker maps, how to utilize the information carried by multiple markers simultaneously remains challenging. Recently, Liang et al. ([2001a] Am. J. Hum. Genet. 68: 937-950) proposed a multipoint LD method to estimate the location of a susceptibility gene within a framework map along with its sampling uncertainty. Two important features of this method are that 1) it uses all trios whether parents are heterozygous for a given marker or not, and 2) it provides a single test statistic for the null hypothesis of no linkage or no LD to the region, avoiding the multiple testing problem encountered when performing individual transmission disequilibrium tests (TDT) for each marker individually. In this paper, we discuss how this method can be expanded to address important issues pertaining to complex diseases in a unified fashion. These issues include, among others, gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, genetic heterogeneity, phenotypic refinement, and paternal vs. maternal transmission. We applied this method to asthmatic case-parent trios from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Asthma (CSGA), and found that the previous evidence for linkage and LD in a 13.6 cM region of chromosome 11 can be attributed to maternal transmission, while there was no evidence of excess paternal transmission. Furthermore, such discrepancy in preferential transmission was most evident among probands with early onset age (6 years old or younger).
Does metabolic failure at the synapse cause Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) a neurodegenerative disorder of widely distributed cortical networks evolves over years while A beta (Aβ) oligomer neurotoxicity occurs within seconds to minutes. This disparity combined with disappointing outcomes of anti-amyloid clinical trials challenges the centrality of Aβ as principal mediator of neurodegeneration. Reconsideration of late life AD as the end-product of intermittent regional failure of the neuronal support system to meet the needs of vulnerable brain areas offers an alternative point of view. This model introduces four ideas: (1) That Aβ is a synaptic signaling peptide that becomes toxic in circumstances of metabolic stress. (2) That intense synaptic energy and maintenance requirements of cortical hubs may exceed resources during peak demand initiating a neurotoxic cascade in these selectively vulnerable regions. (3) That axonal transport to and from neuron soma cannot account fully for high mitochondrial densities and other requirements of distant terminal axons. (4) That neurons as specialists in information management, delegate generic support functions to astrocytes and other cell types. Astrocytes use intercellular transport by exosomes and tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) to deliver mitochondria, substrates and protein reprocessing services to axonal sites distant from neuronal soma. This viewpoint implicates the brain's support system and its disruption by various age and disease-related insults as significant mediators of neurodegenerative disease. A better understanding of this system should broaden concepts of neurodegeneration and facilitate development of effective treatments.
The contributions of plasma membrane Na+-Ca2+- exchange and the Ca2+-ATPase to the regulation of cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) in a clonal pituitary cell line (AtT-20) of mouse corticotropes

Abstract Single cell calcium microfluorimetry was used to examine the regulation of [Ca 2+ ] i homeostasis in a clonal cell line of corticotropes (AtT-20 cells). Single cells, loaded with fura-2/AM, were exposed briefly to elevated potassium chloride (KCl, 40 mM, 5 sec). The time constant of decay of the [Ca 2+ ] i signal was used as an index of [Ca 2+ ] i extrusion and/or sequestration. Substitution of extracellular sodium with lithium, N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG), or Tris, increased resting levels of [Ca 2+ ] i and significantly increased the time constant of [Ca 2+ ] i decay by 40% compared to control indicating the participation of Na + -Ca 2+ -exchange. Prior exposure of single cells to thapsigargin (1 μM) or BuBHQ (10 μM), inhibitors of the SERCA Ca 2+ -ATPases, and/or the mitochondrial uncoupler FCCP (1 μM) did not significantly change the time constant of [Ca 2+ ] i decay following KCl. Lanthanum ions (La + 3), applied during the decay of the KCl-induced increase in [Ca 2+ ] i , significantly increased the time constant of the return of [Ca 2+ ] i to resting levels by 70% compared to control. Brief exposure of cells to sodium orthovanadate, an inhibitor of ATP-dependent pump activity, slowed and longer exposures prevented, the return of [Ca 2+ ] i to resting levels. We conclude that neither intracellular SERCA pumps nor mitochondrial uptake contribute significantly to [Ca 2+ ] i sequestration following a [Ca 2+ ] i load and that the plasma membrane Ca 2+ -ATPase contributes to a greater extent than the Na + -Ca 2+ -exchanger to the return of [Ca 2+ ] i to resting levels following a [Ca 2+ ] i load under these experimental conditions.
Image sampling using phase gratings

A novel method is described for sampling images formed with quasimonochromatic light at or near the diffraction limit of the primary imaging system. The high-resolution sampling method uses a binary phase grating placed in the primary image plane. The grating produces multiple images of the entrance pupil that can be spatially filtered to achieve a periodic amplitude modulation in the relayed image. It is shown that the modulation is insensitive to the degree of coherence in the image.
Behaviors of successful interdisciplinary hospital quality improvement teams.

BACKGROUND Although interdisciplinary hospital quality improvement (QI) teams are both prevalent and associated with success of (QI) efforts, little is known about the behaviors of successful interdisciplinary QI teams.
Phosphorus Requirement of Commercial Leghorn Pullets from 8 to 20 Weeks

Abstract Hisex White pullets, hatched in November, were used to study the influence of the amount of dietary phosphorus in practical grower diets during the 8 to 20-week growing period. Measurements were made on 20-week body weight, bone ash, and layer house performance. All chicks were fed a 21% protein starter diet through 8 weeks at which time they were randomized into eight treatment groups. Grower diets were changed at 8, 12, and 16 weeks at which time different dietary phosphorus percents were used. Percents of total phosphorus used were .60, .55, .50, .45, and .32 for 8 to 12 weeks and .31 for 13 to 20 weeks. Lowering the phosphorus to .32% at 8 weeks or .31% at 12 weeks significantly reduced 20-week body weight. Lowering total phosphorus to .31% at 16 weeks did not significantly affect 20-week body weight. Bone ash measured at 20 weeks was not significantly affected by feeding less phosphorus. Laying house mortality, egg production, egg weight, and egg specific gravity were not influenced by lowering phosphorus in grower diets.