cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neutron Time Projection Chamber for Nuclear Security and Verification Applications

Detection of fast neutrons produced by fission is a powerful method for discovering, verifying the presence, or monitoring significant quantities of special nuclear material (SNM) at up to moderate distances. Fast neutrons are relatively rare in the natural background and can be very penetrating, even in situations when the energetic gamma‐rays are well shielded. Fast neutrons point in the direction of their source and can thus be considered for use in imaging, a feature desirable for rapid, high‐signal‐to‐noise detection of concealed SNM and for nuclear verification. We describe the development and performance of a prototype neutron time projection chamber (nTPC) and its use for directional neutron detection and high‐resolution neutron imaging. The nTPC is based on ∼0.025 m3 of a hydrogen‐methane mixture and utilizes a readout system with low channel count and is optimized for low event rates. We experimentally demonstrate robust operation, reliable particle identification, event‐by‐event directional rec...
A Liquid-Crystal Video Stereoscope With High Extinction Ratios, A 28 % Transmission State, And One-Hundred-Microsecond Switching

A liquid-crystal pi-cell is an ideal choice for fabricating a video stereoscope because it can switch between states at speeds that approach vertical blanking times on a standard display monitor. Initial applications, although very good compared with alternative technologies, revealed several areas for improvement. First, extinction ratio measurements made from 470 to 630 nanometers varied between 20:1 and 35:1. This range of ratios falls far short of dichroic polarizer capability. Second, a noticeable color shift can occur in the transmissive state as the image is rastered down the screen. For instance, a white image can appear bluish white at the top and yellowish near the bottom. The problems associated with less than perfect extinction ratios are due to boundary-layer optics of the liquid-crystal device and with the drive waveforms applied to the liquid-crystal device. The coloration in the transmissive state occurs because the switching time from the extinction state to the transmission state is 2 to 4 msec, which exceeds typical submillisecond vertical blanking times. A second compensating liquid-crystal cell was introduced to cancel the two extinction-state problems. The compensating cell arrangement also allows simultaneous cell switching without changing the net optical state of the device. By pre-switching both cells prior to vertical blanking, a drive scheme was devised that allows less than 100 Asec switching to either the extinction or transmis-sion state. Although increased by two to three times, extinction ratios still failed to meet expectations. However, the double cell arrangement accentuated substrate index mismatches that accounted for the last bit of light leakage. Correcting this problem brought the extinction values near the limits of the polarizers and improved the transmission state to 28% .
The effect of inter- and intra-specific competition on survival and growth rate of native juvenile noble crayfish Astacus astacus and alien spiny-cheek crayfish Orconectes limosus

Juvenile noble crayfish, Astacus astacus and spiny-cheek crayfish, Orconectes limosus were reared from the 2nd and the 3rd developmental stage (i.e. since the stage of independence), respectively, until the end of the growing season. The first period revealed very low survival rate of O. limosus in the communal stock (7 ± 6.2%), probably caused by predation of A. astacus. Separately reared O. limosus proved significantly higher survival rate (49 ± 9.2%) than those in the communal stock with A. astacus. The latter species also showed the highest survival rate in this case (90 ± 7.1%). This was not found to differ from the survival rate of separately reared noble crayfish (86 ± 3.1%). In general, both the significant effect of bigger size of A. astacus than that of O. limosus and higher intra-specific cannibalism of O. limosus were reflected during the first phase of rearing. Size and weight of both species were equivalent 11 weeks after hatching (8 weeks of rearing). The higher cumulative survival rate was reached in the intraspecific culture of A. astacus (90%) while low cumulative survival of both species was found in communal stock (less than 50%) in the second phase of rearing. At the end of the growing season, 19-week-old O. limosus attained a higher mean size and weight but were more variable in the group (29.3 ± 5.17 mm and 616.4 ± 412.53 mg) than A. astacus (21.2 ± 1.82 mm and 229.9 ± 59.45 mg). Single and communal stock did not differ. Growth of O. limosus was much faster than that of A. astacus.
A temporal analysis of the hepatic transcriptomic response to bone fracture and hemorrhagic shock in mice

whereas a 10-fold increase in k2 results in similar primary and secondary signaling peaks. Conclusions: Our simulations suggest that a simplified model of LPS/TLR4 signaling can account for complex preconditioning phenomena without invoking a specific signaling inhibition mechanism, but rather based on the dynamics of the signaling response itself, as well as the timing and magnitude of the LPS stimuli.
The (mis)acquisition of gender identity among transsexuals

Transsexualism suggests questions for sociologists who study gender. Is gender identity always a precursor to role behavior or might it result from the social reactions to deviant behavior? This article considers several theoretical explanations for the (mis)acquisition of gender identity among transsexuals: biological hypotheses, psychoanalytic theories, social learning, and role theory. The author concludes that gender role and gender identity are confounded in past research and that the issue inflexibility of identities needs to be treated more systematically.
Nonsampling measurement error in administrative data: implications for economic evaluations.

Administrative databases are increasingly being used to measure resource use in economic evaluations. Traditionally, it is assumed that any measurement error within the resource data source is stochastic and uncorrelated with group assignment. If the error is correlated with characteristics of the service delivery system and/or correlated by group, the estimated differences in consumption between groups may be reflecting errors in measurement rather than treatment effects. This paper is concerned with the effect of nonsampling measurement error on the internal and external validity of cost estimates based on data drawn from administrative record systems. Two service delivery characteristics, ownership form and financial incentives, are likely to influence systematically an agency's data collection effort. Using data from three community mental health centres located in three different states, evidence of systematic differences in data quality was found; private agencies with reimbursement property rights had higher quality data than public agencies without property rights. Simple tests for detecting variation in service use and costs data and cost-effective solutions for managing these problems are proposed.
High energy X-ray spectrum of Her X-1

Line features in the high-energy X-ray spectrum of Her X-1 are attributed to an approximately 1% change in detector gain. The spectrum was obtained by a high-energy X-ray detector aboard OSO-8. The time-averaged spectrum of Her X-1 for the period August 31-Sept. 6, 1977 is presented; the count-rate spectrum was corrected for an average change in gain of 0.7%. The best fit power-law is reported.
Photo-mosaicing of images of pipe inner surface

This paper describes the algorithm for the construction of continuous visually consistent images of the inner surface of a pipe from a sequence of images acquired by a wide-angle camera that traveled inside the pipe. The algorithm is designed to be a proof of concept and performs well on simulated data (rendered images) even when camera poses (attitude and location) have errors as much as 5%. Photo-mosaics are suitable for traditional (visual) inspection or automatic processing for the detection of manufacturing faults, corroded areas, and cracks. It is demonstrated that the quality of the resulting mosaic depends how the camera is oriented with respect to the pipe axis and that the traditional orientation with an almost collinear camera optical axis and the pipe axis is not the optimal choice. The proposed system is useful for inspection of pipelines that cannot accommodate traditional devices (e.g., pipeline inspection gauges or crawlers), for example, small-scale boilers and gas systems.
Speed Kills? Not Always: The New York State Thruway Experience

BACKGROUND:: The New York State (NYS) speed limit increased from 55 mph to 65 mph in August 1995. This study examines the change in motor vehicle fatality rates on the NYS thruway and NYS Interstates before and after the speed limit change. We also compare the fatality rates pre- and postincreased speed limit between the NYS thruway and other major NYS roadways, where speed limit remained unchanged at 55 mph. METHODS:: The number of fatalities and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) on individual roadways were extracted from NYS Department of Transportation reports. The data were divided into groups by prespeed limit change, August 1992 to August 1995, and postspeed limit change, August 1995 to August 1998, and roads where the speed limit remained unchanged at 55 mph. Data were also analyzed to assess the effect of variability of speed and general topography on changes in fatality rates on roads where the speed limit was increased. RESULTS:: There was a 28.3% decrease in absolute mortality and a 42.6% decrease in mortality adjusted for VMT, on the NYS thruway after the speed limit increase from 55 mph to 65 mph. When compared with roadways, where the speed limit remained unchanged, there was a 52.4% reduction in fatality rates below the predicted rates after the speed limit increase (p = 0.009). On the NYS interstate system, there was a 13.5% decrease in absolute mortality and a 29.2% decrease in mortality adjusted for VMT, after the speed limit increase. The percentage of traffic traveling >10 mph faster than the speed limit dropped from 39% to 8% on roads, where the speed limit was increased from 55 mph to 65 mph. In the NYS interstate system, "flat" roads (elevation 200 m) had a 17.6% increase in absolute mortality in response to the speed limit increase (p Language: en
Behavior and space utilization of two common fishes within Caribbean mangroves: implications for the protective function of mangrove habitats

Behaviors, activity budgets, and spatial locations of reef-associated schoolmaster snapper (Lutjanus apodus) and non-reef-associated checkered puffer (Sphoeroides testudineus) were cataloged in mangrove forests in Caribbean Honduras to see how and where they spent their time and whether this changed as they grew. For schoolmasters, swimming was the most common behavior, while checkered puffers spent the majority of their time resting. Both remained completely within (as opposed to outside) the mangrove roots and in the lower half of the water column most of the time. However, as the size of the fish increased there was a clear decrease in the time spent both within the root system and closer to the substrate; the larger fish spent more time higher up in the water column and outside the root system. This was observed in both the schoolmaster and the puffer; the schoolmaster subsequently moves to reefs while the puffer does not. Coupled with limited feeding, the results suggest a primarily protective function for mangroves.
Acute Hearing Loss.

Acute hearing loss (AHL) is a medical urgency. The management of patients presenting with sudden deafness involves detecting the causal mechanism and administering emergency therapeutic drugs to restore hearing by minimizing the period of cellular ischemia to the inner ear. Acute management of AHL consists of administering a 10-day course of high-dose corticosteroids (prednisone 60 to 80 mg) until a cause can be established. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium is indicated, with a study dedicated to the internal auditory canals. The natural history of idiopathic AHL is characterized by spontaneous improvement in two thirds of patients. Maximum improvement occurs within 2 weeks of onset of AHL. In the vast majority of patients (>90%), the AHL is idiopathic. For an identifiable etiology, the treatment is specific and may consist of stopping ototoxic medications, repair of perilymphatic fistulas, administering antimicrobial agents for viral or bacterial infections, correction of metabolic imbalances, management of stroke, and possible surgery for cerebellopontine angle tumors. Management of idiopathic AHL is controversial. Various therapeutic agents, such as vasodilators, diuretics, anticoagulants, plasma expanders, contrast agents, and carbogen inhalation, have been tried in single therapy or as a combination therapy. The empiric use of these drugs is mainly based on improving the blood circulation and restoring the oxygen tension to the inner ear. The use of interventional procedures, such as low-density lipoprotein apheresis as well as newer drug delivery systems for corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive agents have opened new options in the treatment of AHL secondary to immunemediated diseases of the inner ear. Prognosis for AHL is best when patients are seen early, begin recovery within 2 weeks, and have a mild hearing loss (<90 dB) with upward-sloping audiograms. Greater than 90 dB of hearing loss along with flat or down sloping audiogram, advanced age, and presence of vertigo are adverse prognostic factors for recovery of hearing loss.
Mid-Infrared Observations of M17

ABSTRACTMosaicsoftheM17southwestphotodissociationregion(PDR)atthemid-infraredwavelengths9.8,10.53,11.7, and 20.6 lm are presented. Mapsof hydrocarbon and ionized gas emission were derived by subtractingthe continuum at 9.8 lm from the 10.5 and 11.7 lm maps, respectively. Comparisons of the emission fromhydrocarbons and ionized gas to the 9.8 lm/20.6 lm color temperature and 9.8 lm opacity maps show thatregions of hotter 9.8 lm/20.6 lm color temperatures have increased emission from ionized gas, while thehydrocarbons are found in cooler regions with high 9.8 lm opacities. Emission at 20.6 lm is spatially corre-lated with 11.3 lm hydrocarbon emission. Two bright point sources found in the southwest PDR are high-mass young stellar objects caught at distinctly diﬀerent early evolutionary phases. M17-UC1 appears to beolder than IRS 5 because it has less maser emission and has an observable H ii region in radio continuum.Both sources are modeled with a radiative transfer code, which takes advantage of both the spatial and spec-tral information available. Models that best match the proﬁles and spectral energy distribution of the ultra-compact H iiregion, M17-UC1, havecentral stars with aluminosity andtemperatureequal tothat ofazero-agemain-sequence(ZAMS)B0star,anouterradiuslessthan0.032pc,aninnerradiusaboutthesamesizeasthe radio observed H ii region, and a total shell mass of 0.6–3.4 M . The best-ﬁt models underestimate thetotal observed ﬂux found at near-infrared wavelengths, which suggests that a small, hot disk may be presentin M17-UC1. A second source, identiﬁed with the near-infrared source IRS 5, has comparable mid-infraredemission to M17-UC1. The best-ﬁtting model to IRS 5 has a central star with a luminosity and temperatureequal to that of a ZAMS B0 star, an outer radius on the order of 1 pc, a small inner radius (0.001 pc), and atotalshellmassof70M .Keywords:Hiiregions — infraredradiation — ISM:individual(M17) — stars:formation
Alcohol abuse among Native Americans

Native Americans have experienced substantial problems with alcohol since its introduction to their culture by early European settlers. Epidemiological data indicate that elevated morbidity and mortality attributable to alcohol abuse among this population remain at epidemic levels. Adolescent drinking patterns and family and peer influences on alcohol use are examined. A multifactorial etiology is indicated in the origin of Native American alcohol abuse. Some scholars have ascribed this problem to historical factors such as the introduction of alcohol to Native Americans by aberrant role models, while other researchers subscribe to various physiological theories which support the “firewater myth” suggesting that Native Americans may be genetically predisposed to crave ever increasing doses of alcohol during a rapid loss of control of their senses. The physiological theories generally suggest significant differences in alcohol absorption and metabolism rates between Native Americans and caucasians. A wide variety of social factors appear to be implicated in Native American drinking problems. Cultural and social orientations, socioeconomic conditions, “stake theory,” failure to develop social sanctions regulating drunken deportment, passive-aggressive syndromes, and emotional repression contribute to Native American alcohol abuse. Treatment regimes for Native American alcoholics are examined briefly. Nativistic movements, conversion to evangelistic religions, therapies grounded in the medical model, and Native American group-oriented efforts have demonstrated varying degrees of success. Clearly, prevention would be preferable to the frustration of attempting to change the highly addictive behavior patterns characteristic of alcoholism. Suggestions for health education interventions are presented including an example of one effort currently being implemented.
Centering on the Gut

We've all taken and taught courses that cover the digestive system. After a while it gets to be old hat: stomach acid, peristalsis, intestinal villi, and so on. That's why I was so surprised, when going through my stack of articles, to find several that deal with the gut in very novel ways. It seems that the digestive system is hot right now and at the nexus of a number of other current topics in biology from genomics to immunology, from ecology to microbiology. Surprises like these make me want to keep teaching biology because they mean that I can never teach it the same way twice. There's always something new to enliven things. As with many other areas of biology, digestive-system research is getting a makeover because of genomics. Obviously, knowing more about the human genome has given researchers information on the genetics of gut-related diseases like colitis and Crohn's disease, but it is the study of microbiological genomes that I refer to here. Metagenomics, the investigation of a host of genomes at once, has opened up to examination the organisms living in and on the human body. Many of these are bacteria, the majority of which cannot be cultured with standard microbiological techniques. This means that they have been essentially invisible to researchers. But with the advanced genomic analyses available now, whole bacterial communities can be studied at once. This has led to a much greater appreciation for the diversity of organisms that we carry around with us, our internal ecosystems. Researchers estimate that there are 10 times more microbial cells than human cells in the body (Cerutti, 2010) and that these organisms belong to many species. Almost 130 species have been identified in the stomach, more than half of which were previously unknown. This is in the …
Sediment provenance and geomorphic development of soils in a blackwater ecosystem, South Carolina Coastal Plain

Abstract Mineral soil is a conundrum on southeastern U.S. blackwater floodplains because these freshwater ecosystems are known for slow-flowing streams bearing little suspended sediment. Investigations on soils along this riparian system revealed two distinct geomorphic surfaces, the modern swamp floodplain (classified as Inceptisols according to Soil Taxonomy) and slightly elevated landforms (intra-swamp terraces) with more developed soils (Alfisols and Ultisols). This study examined soil characteristics and sediment provenance on the Black River floodplain and its tributaries in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of South Carolina to determine the properties and pedogenic relationship between these two geomorphic surfaces and to propose a theory for the geomorphic evolution for soils on these landforms. Spatial characterization of the soils will benefit ecologists researching the biological aspects of blackwater ecosystems such as the concentration and flux of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Results showed terrace soils had aquic moisture regimes while floodplain soils had peraquic moisture regimes. Floodplain surface horizons were organic carbon-rich (5% to 25% OC) but seldom with enough to qualify as organic soil material. Discontinuities occurred within the soils of both landforms indicating two distinct sedimentological environments. The fine-earth fraction of soil profiles on both landforms generally had upper strata composed mainly of silt and clay indicative of wash load sediments underlain with sandy strata indicative of bed load deposits. Fine clay distribution and fine clay:total clay ratios (FC/TC) showed argillic horizon development in the terrace subsoils but not in the floodplain soils. Micromorphology supported argillic horizons for the terraces, but also revealed modest clay accumulation in pores and channels of the floodplain soils. These floodplain clay features are interpreted to have formed during a period of subaerial weathering. The sandy strata were likely deposited during the beginning of the transgressions following the down cutting that occurred during the regressions and sea level lows. Silt fraction comparisons between the blackwater soils and soils on other landscapes in the region suggest the silts and clays likely were deposited in an estuarine environment late in the transgressions.
Geophysics: Going with the mantle flow

Measurements of directional travel speed of seismic waves constrain flow in the upper mantle. Laboratory experiments suggest that high pressure can change the mantle's mineral alignment, leading to a 90° offset in the direction of the fastest seismic waves.
Ion beam propagation and focusing

Inertial confinement fusion with ion beams requires the efficient delivery of high energy (≳1 MJ), high power (≳100 TW) ion beams to a small fusion target. The propagation and focusing of such beams is the subject of this paper. Fundamental constraints on ion beam propagation and focusing are discussed, and ion beam propagation modes are categorized. For light ion fusion (LIF), large currents (2–33 MA) of moderate energy (3–50 MeV) ions of low atomic number (1⩽A≲12) must be directed to a target of radius ≲1 cm. The development of pulsed power ion diodes for LIF is discussed, and the necessity for virtually complete charge neutralization during transport and focusing is emphasized. Fornear-term LIF experiments, the goal is to produce pellet ignition without the standoff needed for the ultimate reactor application. Ion diodes for use on Sandia National Laboratories Particle Beam Fusion Accelerators PBFA-I (2–4 MV, 1 MJ, 30 TW, operational) and PBFA-II (2–16 MV, 3.5 MJ, 100 TW, scheduled for operation in 1985) are discussed. Ion beam transport from these diodes to the pellet is examined in reference to the power brightness ℬ. While values of ℬ=2–5 TW/cm2/sr have been achieved to date, a value of ℬ≈100 TW/cm2/sr is needed for breakeven. Research is now directed toward increasing ℬ, and means already exist (e.g., scaling to higher voltages, enhanced ion diode current densities, and bunching), which indicate that the required goal should be attainable. Forfar-term LIF applications, the goal is to produce net energy gain with standoff suitable for a reactor. This may be achieved by ion beam transport in preformed, current-carrying plasma channels. Channel transport research is discussed, including experiments with wire-initiated, wall-initiated, and laser-initiated discharge channels, all of which have demonstrated transport with high efficiency (50–100%). Alternate approaches to LIF are also discussed, including comoving electron beam schemes and a neutralized beam scheme. For heavy ion fusion (HIF), moderate currents (∼10 kA) of high energy (∼10 GeV) ions of high atomic number (A≳200) must be directed to a target of radius ≲0.3 cm. Conventional accelerator drivers for HIF are noted. For a baseline HIF reactor system, the optimum transport mode for low charge state beams is ballistic transport in near vacuum (10−4–10−3 Torr lithium), although a host of other possibilities exists. Development of transport modes suitable for higher charge state HIF beams may ultimately result in more economical HIF accelerator schemes. Alternate approaches to HIF are also discussed which involve collective effects accelerators. The status of the various ion beam transport and focusing modes for LIF and HIF are summarized, and the directions of future research are indicated.
Embryonic salivary gland epithelial branching activity is experimentally independent of epithelial expansion activity.

Abstract Embryonic mouse submandibular salivary gland rudiments undergo morphogenesis in organ culture, characterized by extensive epithelial growth and expansion and repetitive branching activity. Tunicamycin, at a concentration of 25 ng/ml culture medium, decreases the degree of net protein accumulation by 83% and the degree of epithelial expansion by 70% compared to controls, over a 48-hr culture tenure. These decreases correlate with reduced incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA. Nevertheless, epithelial branching activity is uncompromised, undergoing an ∼10-fold increase in lobe numbers, in both controls and tunicamycin-treated rudiments, during the same 48-hr period. The effect is most striking during the 24- to 48-hr culture interval, when controls and tunicamycin-treated rudiments each triple their lobe numbers and controls approximately double epithelial area, while tunicamycin virtually stops all epithelial expansion.
Ethnic Variation in Blood Pressure among Preadolescent Children

As part of a study on methods for assessing diet and exercise among 163 3rd to 6th grade students, data were collected on blood pressure, diet, urinary electro- lytes, aerobic activity, resting pulse, and body composition. Data were collected on a stratified sample, with almost equal numbers of children of both sexes from 3rd or 4th and 5th or 6th grades; from three ethnicities: Anglo-, Black- and Mexican-American. Three resting blood pres- sures were obtained using a Hawksley random zero sphyg- momanometer. Data analytic procedures relied on analyses of variance and covariance to assess differences across design factors in blood pressure, with dietary sodium, resting pulse, body surface area, and energy expended as covariates. No differences were detected across ethnic groups in systolic pressures, but Mexican-American chil- dren were shown to have significantly higher diastolic fourth phase pressures than Anglo- or Black-American children. Only the dietary variables differed across ethnic groups, but not in the same pattern. Differences in the covariates did not account for the difference across ethnic groups in diastolic pressures. (Pediatr Res 23: 270-274, 1988)
Isolation and Characterization of Flexibacter maritimus from Marine Fishes of California

Abstract Lesions of the head, body, eyes, and fins colonized by gliding bacteria were observed in four marine fish species along the southern California coast and described histologically. Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tschawytscha reared in marine net-pens had severe gill lesions colonized by gliding bacteria. Gliding bacteria with a requirement for seawater were recovered from white seabass Atractoscion nobilis, northern anchovy Engraulis mordax, and Pacific sardine Sardinops sagax. Biochemical characterization showed that the gliding bacteria belonged to the species Flexibacter maritimus, the first identification of this bacterium along the Pacific coast of North America. Criteria for presumptive identification of F. maritimus include Gram stain morphology, motility, oxidase and catalase production, agar hydrolysis, seawater requirement, Congo red reaction, and flexirubin pigment.
Those cheating rats: male and female rats use odor trails in a water-escape “working memory” task

Three-month-old Sprague—Dawley rats were trained on a working memory win—stay (spatial delayed matching-to-sample) water-escape task with the escape platform location the same for all subjects on a given trial, a procedure that maximizes the buildup of an odor trail to the escape platform. In subsequent tests during which the location of the escape platform varied randomly between subjects, the rats, especially the females, while continuing to perform above chance level, made increased errors. Varying the platform location between subjects eliminated odor trail as a nonambiguous cue for locating the escape platform. In a second experiment females performed better than males on a reference memory odor trail discrimination task which involved following the path of like-gender “pathmaker” rats to the escape platform. The relatively poor use of odor trails by the males was associated with a high frequency of choosing a preferred choice section or returning to the choice section selected first on the immediately preceding trial (perseveration). Collectively, the two experiments demonstrate that rats can use either working memory or odor trails to locate an escape platform in a water maze, and that they, especially females, will use odor trails in a working memory task if odor trails are available. Clearly, the location of the escape platform should be varied randomly between subjects in tests of working memory.
Ultra high resolution ultra high sensitive optical micro-angiography based on super continuum light source

In this paper, we demonstrate for the first time utilizing a super continuum light source to achieve ultra high sensitive Optical Micro-Angiography (UHS-OMAG) system. The broad band light with central wavelength around 800nm, emitted from the super continuum light source, could provide a ~2μm coherence gate for the system. Based on a fast CMOS camera, we could successfully develop a high speed (~70 kHz line rate) Fourier Domain Optical coherence tomography system. Applying the ultra high sensitive OMAG algorithm onto the system, we could visualize blood vessel networks buried within the tissue bed in a high resolution and high sensitivity mode. The modality is performed on imaging the human finger nail fold and the mouse pinna to obtain both high resolution structure image and detailed blood perfusion map. The excellent performance shows a great potential of our system in future biological imaging application.
Numerical study of the thermal development in a rotating cooling passage

In the present study, the fully developed turbulent secondary flows inside rotating square-upstream section and rectangular downstream section oriented at several angles with axis rotation are numerically simulated using the low Reynolds Non-linear \( k - \omega \), \( k - \varepsilon \) Reynolds-Stress Model (RSM), and Large Eddy Simulation (LES) models. The two flat walls are heated (leading and trailing sides), while the outer wall and the splitter plate are thermally insulated. The simulation has been done at Re = 36,000 with different rotation numbers from Ro = −0.4 to Ro = 0.4, where negative Ro values refer to counter-clock wise and positive Ro values refer to clock wise sense of rotation. This enables to investigate the effects on the thermal development of the rotation numbers. The effects of minor modifications, in cross section area at the bend exit, on thermal development, under rotating conditions, can also be explored. The interactions between secondary flows and separation lead to very complex flow patterns. To accurately simulate these flows and heat transfer, both refined turbulence models and higher-order numerical schemes are indispensable for turbine designers to improve the cooling performance. Previous studies have shown that the flow and heat transfer features through curved bends, even with a moderate curvature, cannot be accurately simulated. It is the conventional belief and practice that the usage of a proper turbulence model and a reliable numerical method for achieving accurate computations. It is shown that the present RSM model produces satisfactory predictions of the flow development inside the sharp U-bend comparing with the experiments (Iacovides et al. 2006). In the present study, three turbulence models are used to predict Nusselt number distribution. The results were further compared with the LES computations and discussed the difference between the turbulence models and the LES as well.
The GRAINS thermodynamic and kinetic code for modeling nebular condensation

The GRAINS thermodynamic and kinetic code for modeling condensation and grain growth in the solar nebula is described. The code calculates CWPI-type (Condensation With Partial Isolation) equilibrium partitioning of 33 chemical elements among 242 gaseous and 520 condensed phases, and growth in the nebula of metal and olivine grains by condensation from the nebular gas accompanied by diffusional redistribution of major and trace elements in those grains. Several examples of the GRAINS application to cosmochemical problems are briefly discussed.
Exploring perceptions of online sport commentary: A test of disposition effects hypothesis

This study aimed at examining whether exposure to the positive/negative commentaries on the win/loss of readers' favorite team would activate their dispositions toward the favorite team and whether such disposition effects would lead reader's perceptions of online sport commentary. A two (the win of favorite team versus the loss of favorite team) by two (the positive commentary versus the negative commentary) within-subjects repeated measures experiment examined readers' perceptions in terms of quality, credibility, representativeness. Results showed that the positive/negative commentaries on readers' favorite team would be a stronger factor influencing readers' quality and credibility perceptions than the win/loss of readers' favorite team. However, the positive/negative commentaries and the win/loss of the favorite team both did not lead readers' representativeness perceptions.
THE DUAL FUNCTIONS OF DIRECTOR COMPETENCIES AND LEADERSHIP: A MODEL FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER EDUCATION

(1999). THE DUAL FUNCTIONS OF DIRECTOR COMPETENCIES AND LEADERSHIP: A MODEL FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER EDUCATION. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education: Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 193-199.
Broadening the enclave debate: The labor market experiences of Dominican and Colombian men in New York city

This article provides new data on immigrant employment in ethnic firms, in an attempt to go beyond the terms of the ethnic enclave debate as it has developed so far. We contend that enclave research has focused too narrowly on wages. Using data from a survey of Colombian and Dominican immigrants in New York City, we compare enclave, primary, and secondary workers on three types of work-related resources: wages, opportunities for skill acquisition, and access to nonmonetary fringe benefits. We find little evidence that Dominican and Colombia men in the enclave comprise a protected labor market sector. On the contrary, they are disadvantaged with respect to several fringe benefits.
Machine-to-man communication by speech part 1: generation of segmental phonemes from text

For many years man has been receiving messages from machines in printed form. Teletypes, computer console typewriters, high-speed printers and, more recently, character display oscilloscopes have become familiar in the role that they play in machine-to-man communication. Since most computers are now capable of receiving instructions from remote locations through ordinary telephone lines, it is natural that we ask whether with all of the sophistication that we have acquired in computer usage, we can communicate with the computer in normal speech. On the input of the computer, there is the automatic speech recognition problem, and at the output, the problem of speech synthesis from messages in text form. The problem of automatic speech recognition is substantially more difficult than the speech synthesis problem. While an automatic speech recognizer capable of recognizing connected speech from many individual speakers with essentially no restriction on the vocabulary is many years away, the generation of connected speech from text with similar restrictions on vocabulary is now well within our reach.
Outcomes of invasive mechanical ventilation in children and adolescents hospitalized due to status asthmaticus in United States: a population based study

AbstractObjective: Current national estimates of and outcomes of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation (MV) in status asthmaticus (SA) are unclear. The objective of this study is to estimate the incidence and outcomes of MV in hospitalized SA children and adolescents. Methods: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS, 2009–2010), the largest all-payer hospital discharge database in United States. All hospitalizations (age ≤21 years) with a primary diagnosis of SA were selected. MV was identified using ICD-9-CM procedure codes. Multivariable regression analyses were used to examine the association between MV and outcomes (Length of Stay (LOS) and Hospital Charges (HC)). Results: Over the study period, of the 250 718 SA hospitalizations, MV was needed for <96 h in 0.37% hospitalizations and 0.18% had MV for ≥96 h. Complications occurred in 12.4% (30 991) of all hospitalizations with pneumonia (10.8%) being the most common. A total of 65 patients died in hospitals (the overall in-hospital mortality [IHM] rate ...
A Focus-Based Study of English Demonstrative Reference With Special Reference to the Genre of Written Advertisements

Speakers/writers choose one from among several available referring expressions to refer to an entity, depending on the context. The question then is, “What are the critical factors that motivate them to prefer one expression to another in a given discourse context?” There have been numerous attempts to provide an answer to this question, all of which fall under the heading of the study of demonstrative reference. The present study takes the position that “focus” is the most critical factor in the speaker’s choice of demonstrative reference and tests this claim against the data from a particular genre (i.e., written advertisements). As will be shown later, the patterns of demonstrative reference are very different in different discourse types (e.g., speech, writing, or written advertisements). One purpose of the present study is to show that the focus-based approach is superior to other approaches in explaining why the use of the demonstratives differs by discourse type. A second purpose of this study is to describe how demonstrative usage is functionally motivated; that is, certain kinds of demonstrative reference help advertisers achieve specific functional goals.
Removal of carrier frequency in phase-shifting techniques

The existence of carrier frequency is unavoidable in many phase-shifting techniques. It makes the phase-unwrapping procedure more difficult, especially when speckle-like noise exists in the wrapped phase map. In this paper, it is shown that the carrier frequency is approximately equal to the average of the first difference of the phase. To remove the carrier frequency, we compute the first difference of the phase before attaining the phase map, subtract the average of the first difference, and integrate to get the phase map without carrier frequency. Computer simulation and experimental results show this method as being profitable for phase unwrapping.
Involvement of 2p23 in pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumors

Abstract Pulmonary inflammatory pseudotumors (IP) are rare mesenchymal proliferations that have a polymorphic histology and an unpredictable biologic behavior. The histologic spectrum of IP has led to uncertainty as to whether this tumor has a reactive or neoplastic pathogenesis. Reports of extrapulmonary IP have identified clonal chromosomal aberrations involving 2p23 in the region of the ALK gene. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization with a probe flanking the ALK gene at 2p23 and immunostaining for the ALK gene product, we studied formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of pulmonary IP and found a subset (33%) with 2p23 aberrations. We suggest that chromosomal rearrangements and ALK immunostaining may be helpful in the diagnosis of a group of pulmonary IP and should be investigated as a potential tool for predicting their future biologic behavior. An association with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma was also observed. HUM PATHOL 32:428-433. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Evolution in action.

The alpha/beta barrel enzyme phosphotriesterase from soil bacteria appears to have evolved the ability to hydrolyze the insecticide paraoxon at the diffusion limit in only a few decades. A newly-identified open reading frame from Escherichia coli may offer a clue to its origins.
Combining positive and negative magnetophoreses to separate particles of different magnetic properties

A new separation method that combines both positive and negative magnetophoreses based on ferrofluids is used to separate mixtures of particles with different magnetic properties. Ferrofluids are stable magnetic nanoparticles suspensions. Under external magnetic field gradients, particles with a larger magnetization within the ferrofluids are attracted to a magnet while the ones with a smaller magnetization are pushed away from it. Based on this principle, we report the design, modeling, fabrication, and characterization of the separation device and use it to separate magnetic and non-magnetic particles, as well as particles with different magnetizations. This scheme is simple, cost-effective, and label-free compared to other existing techniques.
InGaAs/GaAs multiquantum-well electroabsorption modulator with integrated waveguide.

A monolithically integrated guided-wave modulator has been realized by using molecular-beam epitaxial regrowth and ion-milling techniques. The guiding and modulating regions consist, respectively, of In-doped GaAs and GaAs/In(0.34)Ga(0.66)As strained-layer multiquantum wells. Modulation is achieved by field-enhanced electroabsorption in the multiquantum wells. The insertion loss of the modulator is 0.9 dB, and the transmission loss in the guides is less than or equal to 1 dB/cm. The temporal response of similar GaAs/InGaAs as-grown photodiodes to pulsed laser excitation is characterized by a rise time of 115 psec.
Surgical Treatment of Ovarian Vein Thrombosis

Ovarian vein thrombosis is a rare but serious condition that may cause sepsis in the postpartum patient or may be associated with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava or renal vein. A 30-year-old woman presented 2 weeks postpartum with sudden onset of dyspnea and rightsided pleuritic chest pain. She was diagnosed with a large pulmonary embolus and thrombosis of the right ovarian vein. After failure of percutaneous embolization of the right ovarian vein, the patient underwent open surgical excision of the right ovarian vein. The management of ovarian vein thrombosis may involve systemic anticoagulation, antibiotics, thrombolysis, open surgical treatment, or a combination of these.
Precancerous carcinogenesis of human breast epithelial cells by chronic exposure to benzo[a]pyrene

To understand carcinogenesis of human breast epithelial cells induced by chronic exposure to environmental pollutants, we studied biological and molecular changes in progression of cellular carcinogenesis induced by accumulated exposures to the potent environmental carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P). Increasing exposures of human breast epithelial MCF10A cells to B[a]P at picomolar concentrations resulted in cellular transformation from a noncancerous stage to precancerous substages, in which cells acquired the cancerous abilities of a reduced dependence on growth factors, anchorage-independent growth, and disruption in acini formation on reconstituted basement membranes. Using cDNA microarrays, we detected seven upregulated genes related to human cancers in B[a]P-transformed MCF10A cells. Using this model, we verified that green tea catechin significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed B[a]P-induced carcinogenesis. Our studies indicate that this cellular model may serve as a cost-efficient, in vitro system, mimicking the chronic carcinogenesis of breast cells that likely occurs in early stages of carcinogenesis in vivo, to identify agents that inhibit cellular carcinogenesis. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Electrophysiologic and morphologic properties of neurons in dissociated chick spinal cord cell cultures

Abstract Neurons dissociated from embryonic chick spinal cords mature in relatively sparse cell culture and survive in vitro for several weeks. They generate action potentials and form both excitatory and inhibitory chemical synapses with one another. By electrophysiologic and morphologic criteria, it appears that the neuronal population (after 2–3 weeks) is made up of a variety of different cell types; few, if any, are motoneurons. Neuron cell bodies are not covered by glia or satellite cells and nerve processes are not myelinated. Thus, the cultures should permit more direct microelectrode and pharmacologic analysis of differentiation of cell specific properties and of synapse formation than is possible in the intact central nervous system.
Caritas across the Iron Curtain?: Polish-German Reconciliation and the Bishops' Letter of 1965

This article takes the November 1965 letter of Poland's Roman Catholic bishops to their German counterparts as a starting point for historical inquiry into the nature and consequences of Catholic engagement in Polish-German reconciliation. The article begins with a close reading of the letter's text and its philosophical-theological underpinnings; then, it discusses the letter's reception history and its political consequences. The letter and its reception have a double significance: first, as an event in post-World War II European political, intellectual, and ecclesiastical history; second, as an ethical commentary on the spirit of dialogue promulgated in the constitutions of the Second Vatican Council. Although the letter helped to facilitate a process of Polish-German reconciliation that remains ongoing, this process has failed to assimilate the letter's ethics of forgiveness. That failure has reinforced the roadblocks that hamper Polish-German reconciliation almost two decades after the fall of commun...
Methyl 4‐O‐benzyl‐6‐deoxy‐2,3‐O‐iso­propyl­idene‐α‐l‐talo­pyran­oside

The structure of the title compound, C17H24O5, was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 100 K.