cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The second-order wave force on a vertical cylinder

The second-order wave force is analysed for diffraction of monochromatic water waves by a vertical cylinder. The force is evaluated directly from pressure integration over the cylinder, and the second-order potential is derived by Weber transformation of the corresponding forcing function on the free surface. This forcing function is reduced to a form which involves a simple factor inversely proportional to the radial coordinate plus an oscillatory function which decays more rapidly in the far field. This feature alleviates the slow rate of convergence involved in capturing the far-field effect. Benchmark computations are obtained and compared with other works. Asymptotic approximations are derived for long and short wavelengths. The analysis and results are primarily for the case of infinite fluid depth, but the finite-depth case is also considered to facilitate comparison with other computations and to illustrate the importance of finite-depth effects in the long-wavelength asymptotic regime.
Quantitative Analysis of Heavy Metals in Children’s Toys and Jewelry: A Multi-Instrument, Multitechnique Exercise in Analytical Chemistry and Public Health

For most chemistry curricula, laboratory-based activities in quantitative and instrumental analysis continue to be an important aspect of student development/training, one that can be more effective if conceptual understanding is delivered through an inquiry-based process relating the material to relevant issues of public interest and student career trajectories. Laboratory experiences that actively engage students in this manner can be difficult to identify and execute. A special topics, project-based laboratory module is presented here that utilizes multiple techniques and instruments to investigate toxic metal content (lead, cadmium, and arsenic) in children’s toys and toy jewelry. The module effectively illustrates a considerable number of fundamental and advanced quantitative analysis principles including sample digestion, Beer–Lambert law, calibration curve, and standard addition analyses, as well as instrumental analysis considerations of atomic absorption spectroscopy including atomization efficie...
Age determination in manatees using growth-layer-group counts in bone

Growth layers were observed in histological preparations of bones of known-age, known minimum-age, and tetracycline-marked free-ranging and captive Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris), substantiating earlier preliminary findings of other studies. Detailed analysis of 17 new case histories showed that growth-layer group (GLG) counts in the periotic bone were consistent with known age, or time since tetracycline administration, but were less reliable in other bones. GLG counts were also made in periotic bones of 1,196 Florida manatees of unknown age found dead from 1974 through 1991. These counts were conducted in order to assess variability and to determine relationships among estimated age, size, sex, and degree of bone resorption. Resorption can interfere with accuracy of GLG counts. This effect does not occur until ages greater than about 15 yr and body lengths greater than 300 cm are attained. GLGs were also observed in periotic bones of Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) but were not validated against known-age specimens. Use of GLG counts in the periotic bone is suitable for application to studies of population dynamics and other age-related aspects of manatee biology.
Binary encoding method to encrypt Fourier-transformed information of digital images

Abstract An encoding method is used to encrypt the Fourier-transformed information of a hidden (covert) digital image in an overt image, while the Fourier-transformed information must be encoded with binary codes. All of the pixels in an overt image are classified into five groups that are called identification, type, tracing, dimension, and information codes. Identification codes are used to judge if the overt image contains codes that belong to the proposed encoding method or not; type codes are used to judge the encoding type; tracing codes are used to judge the encoding trace; dimension codes are used to judge the size of the hidden information; and information codes are used to decode the hidden information. Applying the proposed encoding method is rather easy, and host images corresponding to overt images are not needed for decoding work. The experiment has demonstrated four types of encoding for the proposed encoding method to reconstruct covert images without any distortion or only with a little distortion.
Sub Acute Gastric Residuals Elimination Change Project

Purpose The practice of checking gastric residual volumes (GRV) for patients receiving enteral tube feedings has long been a tradition in nursing based on the concern that large residuals would increase the risk of aspiration and pneumonia. However, a review of the literature suggests that the practice of checking GRV is not a reliable method for assessing risk for aspiration. We conducted a study in our adult Sub Acute Unit to determine whether it was necessary to continue routine monitoring of GRV. Method A retrospective chart review was conducted that included 15 patients who had received G-tube enteral feedings as their primary source of nutrition for a period of 1 year. Findings Over 10,000 GRV were reviewed, with no instance of aspiration or pneumonia found. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance This resulted in the decision to change our facility's policy, eliminating routine GRV checks, saving over 3 hours of nursing time per patient, per week with no deleterious effects.
Magnitude and Causes of Bias Among Family Caregivers Rating Alzheimer Disease Patients

Objective Family caregivers generally underestimate the health and well-being of Alzheimer disease (AD) patients when compared to patients' self-assessments. The goals of this study were to identify caregiver, patient, and contextual factors associated with caregiver rating bias. Methods One hundred five patients with AD, along with their family caregivers, were assessed twice by trained interviewers 1-year apart. In separate interviews, caregivers were asked to rate the quality of life and suffering of their patient relative, and patients provided self-ratings using the same structured instruments. Multivariate cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were used to identify predictors of caregiver–patient discrepancies. Results Caregivers consistently reported significantly higher levels of suffering and lower levels of quality of life than patients. Caregiver psychological well-being and health status accounted for a substantial portion of the difference in caregiver and patient ratings in both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Caregiver depression and burden were consistently positively associated with the magnitude of caregiver–patient discrepancy, and caregiver health status was negatively associated with the size of the discrepancy. Conclusions Caregiver assessments of dementia patients may determine the type and frequency of treatment received by the patient, and caregivers' ability to reliably detect change in patient status can play a critical role in evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic interventions and pharmacologic agents. Clinicians and researchers working with dementia patients who rely on caregiver reports of patient status should be sensitive to the health and well-being of the caregiver and recognize that caregiver assessments may be negatively biased when the caregiver's own well-being is compromised.
Intramolecular B−N Coordination in Boratabenzene Complexes

The reaction of 1-chloro-1-boracyclohexa-2,5-diene with (3-(dimethylamino)propyl)magnesium chloride followed by reaction with tert-butyllithium in ether affords lithium 1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)boratabenzene (8). The reaction of 8 with Mn(CO)3(CH3CN)3PF6 affords tricarbonyl[1-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl)boratabenzene]manganese(I) (15B). The crystal structure of 15B shows that it exists in the intramolecularly B−N-coordinated form with a B−N bond distance of 1.716(5) A. However in toluene-d8 solution 15B is in mobile equilibrium with its ring-opened isomer 15A. Using 11B NMR spectroscopy the equilibrium constants for 15B → 15A have been measured over the temperature range −35 to 48 °C, allowing evaluation of ΔH° (6.0 kcal/mol) and ΔS° (23 cal/mol K).
Scrotal mass and unilateral lung masses with pleural effusion mimicking metastatic testicular malignancy: an unusual presentation of sarcoidosis

Involvement of the genitourinary tract by sarcoidosis may present with a scrotal mass, mimicking infection or malignancy. Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease that affects patients of both sexes worldwide. Sarcoidosis of the genitourinary tract is rare. We describe a case of a 33-year-old African–American man who presents with a scrotal mass, mediastinal mass, unilateral lung masses and pleural effusion mimicking testicular malignancy with pulmonary metastases. The histopathological examination of the right testis and lung biopsy revealed granulomatous inflammation consistent with sarcoidosis. Genitourinary sarcoidosis must be a diagnostic consideration, especially in an African-American patient with a scrotal mass. There is a possible association between sarcoidosis and testicular malignancy; hence, underlying malignancy should always be ruled out. Serum tumour markers, ACE, a biopsy of the accessible tissue and intraoperative frozen section analysis aid in establishing the diagnosis of sarcoidosis and leading to appropriate management.
Unusual sonographic appearance of a perforated appendiceal abscess.

In this report, the clinical and unusual sonographic manifestations of a perforated appendiceal abscess is described.
Angiogenesis in response to allergen challenge in a murine model of asthma

Abstract Rationale Airways of patients with fatal asthma are edematous and contain increased vasculature. Recent reports have demonstrated that there is increased expression of proangiogenic cytokines in patients with untreated asthma as well as increased expression of anti-angiogenic molecules in patients who have controlled asthma. Methods Using a murine model of ova induced asthma in which mice are exposed to repetitive ova challenge for 1–3 months, we have studied the extent of angiogenesis as well as the expression levels of various molecules and growth factors involved in vasculogenesis in response to allergen challenge. Results Following ova challenge, there is a significant increase in the vascularity in the lungs of ova challenged compared to non-ova challenged mice as assessed by image analysis (0.30 ± 0.07 vs. 0.04 ± 0.02) (p=0.05). The increase in lung vascularity following repetitive ova challenge is associated with increased levels of expression of the angiogenic growth factor VEGF in BAL fluid from ova challenged mice compared to non-ova challenged mice as assessed by ELISA (p=0.05). In addition, we show a 5-fold increase in the number of blood vessels expressing the VEGF receptor, FLK-1 in the vascular endothelium. Conclusions Repetitive allergen challenge induces lung vasculogenesis which is associated with upregulation of the levels of VEGF and its receptor FLK-1. These results suggest a potential role for angiogenesis in the process of airway remodeling in allergen induced asthma.
Adiabatic Cobordism Theorems for Analytic Torsion andη-Invariant

Abstract We study the “adiabatic” limits of spectral invariants for the elliptic boundary problems of compatible Dirac operators. MOS number: 58G11, 58G25, 57R90, 35J55, 35S35.
Rochester's city manager campaign

Professional politicians have no monopoly on political strategy. If you want to know about a well-run reform campaign, read this article.
Packaging and integration of MEMS and related microsystems for system-on-a-package (SOP)

System-on-a-package (SOP) or multi-domain module (MDM), next generation multichip module (MCM) philosophy, offers significant performance promises, and new set of packaging and integration challenges. In packaging and integrating SOP, the drive is not only to increase electrical density, increase operating speed and reduce cost per part but also the major advantage is to make system SMART by increasing functional density per unit area and/or per unit volume. Functional spectrum not only includes electrical domain with elements such as control, processing, memory, etc. but also, various other domains or signals such as mechanical, optical, chemical, magnetic, biological for sensing and/or for actuation. MEMS and related microsystems are used for various mechanical, optical, chemical and biological sensing and actuation, and are the important elements of SOPs. This paper discusses packaging and integration advantages and challenges of MEMS and related microsystems for SOP. Philosophical difference in packaging IC versus MEMS is that IC really never wants to "touch" media where MEMS and related systems are designed to integrate with media for sensing jnd actuation. Various MEMS and micro-systems packaging related issues are dicing, handling, wafer-level packaging, media compatibility, outgassing and vacuum packaging, interconnection, etc. This paper will discuss SOP related MEMS and microsystem packaging and integration issues.
Relationship of megascopic coal types to quality variation within Eocene-age, Indonesian coal beds

Abstract Coal-mining ventures in part of the Indonesian archipelago have recently become economically important. Mineable deposits of subbituminous-A rank coal occur within Eocene-age rocks in southeast Kalimantan and preliminary analyses of these beds indicate a high degree of variation in quality. Because mining decisions sometimes require rapid quality information, it is important to develop a method to predict variations in such parameters as ash, sulfur, hardgrove grindability (HGI) and petrographic composition by simple visual inspection. In order to accomplish this goal, two mineable coal deposits were examined and characterized on the basis of their geometry and spatial distribution of megascopic coal types. The coal types were characterized petrographically and related of the quality parameters. Mineable coal deposits (>1 m) in southeast Kalimantan, occur in podlike bodies approximately 3 × 3 kilometers in areal extent. Within these pods four major coal types can be megascopically distinguished: (1) bright, non-banded; (2) bright, banded; (3) dull, non-banded; and (4) dull, banded. Bands of vitrain within the banded coal are generally 1 mm or less in thickness. Although the bright coal types (non-banded and banded) are both low in ash (6–14%) they differ in their petrographic composition and HGI. The bright, banded coal type is composed of well-preserved plant tissues (20–35%) and has moderately high HGI (35–38). In contrast, the bright, non-banded coal type contains lower concentrations of preserved plant structures ( Sulfur content in the coal is highest at the top of the bed and decreases downward and varies independently of coal type. This trend is associated with the occurrence of overlying marine and brackish water sediments. The distribution of the megascopic coal types and associated quality parameters are related to the geometry of the coal seam. In both of the deposits, the thicker, unsplit portions of the seam are composed of either bright, banded or non-banded low-ash coal. The dull, high-ash coal types occur in the thinner, split benches of the coal body. These relationships suggest that knowledge of the geometry of these Eocene coal bodies combined with simple examination of cores and outcrop can be used to forecast variations of coal quality in advance of and during the mining process.
Towards an ecdysone synthesis. 20β-acetoxy-5α-pregna-2, 7-dien-6-one

Abstract Pregnenolone (3β-hydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one) was converted to 20β-acetoxy-3, 5-cyclo-5α-pregnan-6-one by existing procedures. This compound was ring opened with bromine, and the resultant 3, 5-dibromide was subsequently rearranged to the 3, 7-dibromide. Dehydrohalogenation of the latter gave 20β-acetoxy-5α-pregna-2, 7-dien-6-one. This substance is of interest as intermediate for the synthesis of ecdysone.
Two principles of genetic reconstruction

Abstract Two principles useful for genetic classification, inherent in earlier work, are proposed here more explicitly. The principle of archaic heterogeneity implies that when cognate systems (i.e. paradigms) in related languages are compared, the system that exhibits the most inner heterogeneity is likely to be the closest to the ancestor-system. The principle of shared morpholexical innovations limits the scope of the Brugmann-Delbruck principle of shared innovations. The most arbitrary elements of language are the phonetic shape of morphological and lexical items (the requirement of arbitrariness safeguards against possible developments due to general tendencies), and the phonetic shape of morphological items is the least likely to be borrowed (as against lexical items). A sketch of Semitic classification is presented to illustrate the principles.
Abalones and Sea Urchins in an Area Inhabited by Sea Otters

Abalones (Haliotis spp.) and sea urchins (Strongylocentrotus spp.) are part of the subtidal fauna in the kelp bed off Hopkins Marine Station, Pacific Grove, California, USA, a protected marine reserve. Although these animals have been preyed upon by sea otters for over 10 years, their densities are gubstantial (Haliotis spp.: 0.21/m2; Strongylocentrotus spp.: 0.22/m2), and two species, H. rufescens (Swainson) and S. purpuratus (Stimpson), have wide size distributions indicating broad age ranges. Most of the adult abalones and sea urchins occur clustered deep in crevices, either as a direct result of sea-otter predation or because ample drift of algal food reduces foraging activities. Abalones tend to occur in larger crevices than sea urchins, and competition for suitable crevice space may exist among these large, invertebrate, algal-drift feeders.
Bobcats (Lynx rufus) as a Model Organism to Investigate the Effects of Roads on Wide-Ranging Carnivores

We are using bobcats (Lynx rufus) as a model organism to examine how roads affect the abundance, distribution, and genetic structure of a wide-ranging carnivore. First, we compared the distribution of bobcat-vehicle collisions to road density and then estimated collision probabilities for specific landscapes using a moving window with road-specific traffic volume. Next, we obtained incidental observations of bobcats from the public, camera-trap detections, and locations of bobcats equipped with GPS collars to examine habitat selection. These data were used to generate a cost-surface map to investigate potential barrier effects of roads. Finally, we have begun an examination of genetic structure of bobcat populations in relation to major road networks. Distribution of vehicle-killed bobcats was correlated with road density, especially state and interstate highways. Collision models suggested that some regions may function as demographic sinks. Simulated movements in the context of the cost-surface map indicated that some major roads may be barriers. These patterns were supported by the genetic structure of bobcats. The sharpest divisions among genetically distinct demes occurred along natural barriers (mountains and large lakes) and in road-dense regions. In conclusion, our study has demonstrated the utility of using bobcats as a model organism to understand the variety of threats that roads pose to a wide-ranging species. Bobcats may also be useful as one of a group of focal species while developing approaches to maintain existing connectivity or mitigate the negative effects of roads.
Reason, Truth, and Reality

Dan Goldstick Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 2009 x + 337 pp., ISBN 9780802095947, Can$70.00, £45.00 (hardback) In Reason, Truth, and Reality, Dan Goldstick advances what he describes as a ‘...
Ideal mixing behavior of the debye process in supercooled monohydroxy alcohols.

Glass-forming monohydroxy alcohols exhibit two dielectric relaxation signals with super-Arrhenius temperature dependence: a Debye peak and an asymmetrically broadened α-process. We explore the beh...
Design and Characterization of Peptide Modulators of IAPP-Membrane Binding

Type II Diabetes (T2D) is characterized by the formation of pancreatic amyloid deposits of the peptide hormone islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP). Recent evidence suggests that α-helical oligomeric species of IAPP formed en route to, or independently of, amyloid formation may be cytotoxic to β-islet cells of the pancreas and play a role in the pathogenesis of T2D. These α-helical oligomers interact with anionic lipid bilayers, and may cooperatively and transiently convert to leakage-competent oligomers that disrupt the bilayer [Last, Rhoades & Miranker (2011) PNAS 108:9460]. We used Rosetta modeling software and Monte Carlo simulations to rationally design short peptides to selectively bind one of two early intermediate dimer structures of IAPP proposed from single-molecule fluorescence experiments: one hypothesized to lead to the formation of leakage-competent oligomers, and one hypothesized to inhibit such formation. Here we describe the computational design as well as the in vitro characterization of six candidate peptides. Half of the peptides were predicted to preferentially bind a dimer of IAPP believed to lead to leakage-competent oligomers, and half were targeted to a dimer not believed to lead to leakage-competent oligomers. We characterized the short peptides by measuring their effects on IAPP-induced leakage across DOPG liposomes at various concentrations. As another metric for interactions between IAPP and these short peptides, we also performed isothermal titration calorimetry on the binding of the short peptides with IAPP. The methods utilized here could serve useful in studying the mechanism of amyloid formation, and in the development of specific peptide binding partners targeting other proteins.
Analysis of mycosporine-like amino acids in plankton by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are small, water-soluble compounds with the putative biological function of serving as screens against ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Thus far, these compounds are usually characterized and quantified by based on their retention time during high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and by their characteristic UV absorption patterns or absorption maxima. To allow for better assessment of compound diversity in plankton, we implemented electrospray ionization mass spectrometry coupled with liquid chromatography (LC/MS) for MAA characterization and quantification. Quantitative mass spectral analysis of MAAs with respect to an l -tyramine hydrochloride internal standard was found to have a precision of better than 3% and a detection limit of ∼2.0 pg. Overall, this method adds another level in MAA elucidation by providing the molecular weight and/or fragmentation pattern of each constituent. Using a data matrix of retention time, absorption maximum, and molecular weight, the identity of the MAAs can be unambiguously established. Mass spectrometry also provides a means to better characterize novel MAAs and MAA degradation products in general.
Time-Varying Smoking Abstinence Predicts Lower Depressive Symptoms Following Smoking Cessation Treatment

Introduction: The question of whether abstinence during the months following a planned quit attempt exacerbates or improves depressive symptoms is an important clinical issue. Extant research has primarily modeled between-person covari- ation between postquit abstinence and depressive symptom tra- jectories. However, this approach cannot account for potential third variables between participants that may affect both smok- ing and depression. Accordingly, the current study examined within-person covariation between time-varying abstinence and depressive symptom in a multilevel model (MLM), which allowed for transitions between smoking statuses within a participant. Methods: Participants were 236 heavy drinking smokers in a randomized clinical trial testing the efficacy of incorporating brief alcohol intervention into smoking cessation treatment. Depressive symptoms and biochemically verified abstinence were assessed 1 week prior to and 2, 8, 16, and 26 weeks after quit date. Results: MLMs indicated a slight increase in depressive symptoms over time in the sample as a whole. However, there was an inverse relation between time-varying absti- nence (vs. smoking) and concurrent level of depressive symptoms, indicating that transitions from smoking to absti- nence within individuals were associated with reductions in depressive symptoms. Conclusions: During the first 6 months following a planned quit attempt, being abstinent in a particular week appears to be associated with lower levels of concurrent depressive symptoms. These results are not concordant with the view that intentional smoking abstinence exacerbates depressive symptoms. Efforts to promote smoking cessation should highlight that individuals are likely to feel more rather than less psychologically healthy when they successfully quit smoking.
Haptic form perception: relative salience of local and global features.

John B. Pierce Laboratory and Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut When we examine objects haptically, do we weight their local and global features as we do visually, or do we place relatively greater emphasis on local shape? In Experiment 1, subjects made either haptic or visual comparisons of pairs of geometric objects (from a set of 16) differing in local and global shape. Relative to other objects, those with comparable global shape but different local features were judged less similar by touch than by vision. Separate groups of subjects explored the same objects while wearing either thick gloves (to discourage contour-following) or splinted gloves (to prevent enclosure). Ratings of similarity were comparable in these two conditions, suggesting that neither exploratory procedure was necessary, by itself, for the extraction of either local or global shape. In Experiment 2, haptic exploration time was restricted to 1, 4, 8, or 16 sec. Limiting exploration time affected relative similarity in objects differing in their local but not their global shape. Together, the findings indicate that the haptic system initially weights local features more heavily than global ones, that this differential weighting decreases over time, and that neither contour-following nor enclosure is exclusively associated with the differential emphasis on local versus global features.
NSLS-CFN Users' Meeting Draws Record Number of Attendees

Workshops on cutting-edge nanotechnology, perspective from a Nobel Laureate, and a sneak peek at the quickly growing National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) ring building attracted a record number of visitors to Brookhaven for the annual meeting of the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) and Center for Functional Nanomaterials (CFN) user communities.
Development of a homologous equine relaxin radioimmunoassay.

Equine relaxin (eRlx) immunoactivity has previously been measured in the mare during pregnancy using the porcine relaxin (pRlx) RIA (pRlx-RIA). This was not the optimal system for measurement of eRlx because the dose-response curve obtained with equine plasma was not parallel to the pRlx standard curve. A homologous eRlx-RIA has been developed and used to measure relaxin immunoactivity during pregnancy and parturition in the mare. Highly purified eRlx was used for the generation of antiserum in rabbits, preparation of tracer, and as assay standards. A double antibody eRlx RIA (eRlx-RIA) was developed which was highly specific and sensitive (0.023 ng relaxin/tube). The doseresponse curve obtained with eRlx plasma was parallel to the equine standard curve while there was no parallelism noted between the pRlx and eRlx standard curves. This assay was utilized to measure eRlx in samples collected during pregnancy which were previously measured for relaxin content in the pRlx-RIA. It was found that the two assa...
Placement of Long-term Implantable Ventricular Assist Devices Without the Use of Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Background Implantation of ventricular assist devices for cardiac support is normally performed using cardiopulmonary bypass. Post-operative complications could be minimized by the placement of these devices without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods We hypothesize that left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), in selected patients, can be implanted safely off-pump. Results In 25 patients, LVADs were implanted off-pump (mean age 50 years; 64% male, 36% female; average left ventricular ejection fraction 15%). Pre-operatively 68% of patients were on inotropes, 25% had an intra-aortic ballon pump, and 44% had a previous sternotomy. Blood utilization intra- and post-operatively was relatively minimal with 1 re-exploration for bleeding. There were 3 deaths. Conclusions We describe a technique for successful placement of a left ventricular assist device without the use of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Hypertension incidence in an inner-city black population

Abstract A random sample of the inner-city Baltimore population aged 30–69 yr was screened for hypertension. Three to four years later those individuals who were identified as normotensives (DBP vs (16.1%) with respect to father's occupation.
Radiation Protection and Regulations

Since the discovery of radioactivity, there has been a tremendous increase in the use of radionuclides for various purposes. At the same time, radiation hazards also have increased considerably. To minimize radiation hazards, international and national organizations have been established to set guidelines for the safe handling of radioactive materials. As mentioned in Chapter 14, the ICRP and the NCRP are two such organizations. They set guidelines for all radiation workers to follow in handling radiation. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) adopts many of these recommendations into regulations for implementing radiation protection programs in the United States. At present, the Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, 10CFR20 contains major radiation protection guidelines applicable in the United States. This document incorporates advances in science and new concepts of radiation protection and includes all principal recommendations of the ICRP. 10CFR35 contains regulations related to medical use of radiation, as set by the NRC.
Langmuir-Blodgett Assembly of Soft Carbon Sheets

Graphene oxide sheets have recently gained immense interest as a building block for graphene based materials and devices. Rapid developments have been made in the chemistry and applications of GO. However, assembly, too, plays a critical role in the final properties of bulk graphene based materials as it determines the microstructures of the 2D sheets. There is thus a pressing need for controllable assembly strategies. Based on the recent identification of the pH dependent surfactant-like behavior of GO sheets, we are now able to control the tiling morphologies of such sheets to produce thin films with either wrinkled or overlapped types of microstructures. This allows for the deconvolution of the effects of these two basic morphological features in the electrical and optical properties of the resulting thin films, providing a well-defined example of the processing-microstructure-properties relationship for this unique soft material building block.
Requirements for the Self-Directed Replication of Flock House Virus RNA 1

The larger segment (RNA 1) of the bipartite, positive-sense RNA genome of the nodavirus flock house virus encodes the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Two nonstructural viral proteins are made during the self-directed replication of this RNA: protein A (110 kDa), the translation product of RNA 1 itself, and protein B (11 kDa), the translation product of a subgenomic RNA (RNA 3) that is produced from RNA 1 during replication. To examine the roles of these proteins in RNA replication, specialized T7 transcription plasmids that contained wild-type or mutant copies of flock house virus RNA 1 cDNA were constructed and used in cells infected with the vaccinia virus-T7 RNA polymerase recombinant to make full-length transcripts that directed their own replication. Sequences in the primary transcripts that extended beyond the ends of the authentic RNA 1 sequence inhibited self-directed RNA replication, but plasmids that were constructed to minimize these terminal extensions produced primary transcripts that replicated as abundantly as authentic RNA 1. Truncation or mutation of the open reading frame for protein A eliminated self-directed replication, although the mutant RNA 1 remained a competent template for replication by wild-type protein A supplied in trans. These results showed that protein A was essential for RNA replication and that the process was not inseparably coupled to complete translation of the template. In contrast, protein B could be eliminated without inhibiting replication by mutations that disrupted the second of the two overlapping open reading frames on RNA 3. Furthermore, a mutant of RNA 1 in which the first nucleotide of the RNA 3 region was changed from G to U replicated at levels as high as those of the wild type without making either RNA 3 or protein B. However, diminishing replication levels were observed during subsequent replicative passages of RNA from both the mutants that could not make protein B. Roles for this protein that could account for the subtle phenotype of these mutants are discussed.
Promoting Social Justice Through Appreciative Community Service

Social justice and community service have strong traditions in higher education. In this chapter, the authors describe ways in which positive psychology and appreciative inquiry inform the pursuit of social justice through community service activities.
Development of HypergoIIc Liquid Fuels for use with Hydrogen Peroxide

To investigate the kinetics of non-toxic bipropellants, the Hypertester has been developed at Purdue University to measure the time delay between impingement of hypergolic bipropellants and combustion. An Isp code is used to determine the thermodynamic data such as the Isp and plsp. Several chemical compounds have been found that reduce ignition -delays and increase the energy of these bipropellants. This paper will discuss the use of kinetics and thermodynamics to create non-toxic, hypergolic bipropellants for use in a liquid rocket motor.
Intrinsic generalization analysis of low dimensional representations

Low dimensional representations of images impose equivalence relations in the image space; the induced equivalence class of an image is named as its intrinsic generalization. The intrinsic generalization of a representation provides a novel way to measure its generalization and leads to more fundamental insights than the commonly used recognition performance, which is heavily influenced by the choice of training and test data. We demonstrate the limitations of linear subspace representations by sampling their intrinsic generalization, and propose a nonlinear representation that overcomes these limitations. The proposed representation projects images nonlinearly into the marginal densities of their filter responses, followed by linear projections of the marginals. We use experiments on large datasets to show that the representations that have better intrinsic generalization also lead to better recognition performance.
AN APPRAISAL OF THE REPORT OF THE TASK FORCE ON NATIONAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

After a last-minute change in assignment, Dr. Pollack and his Committee, because of the urgency initiated by the publication of the report by the American Dental Association's Task Force, prepared a recommendation for vigorous action by the American Association of Public Health Dentists.
The overfishing debate: an eco-evolutionary perspective

Are the oceans and freshwaters of the world being overfished? It seems a simple question and one which modern fisheries research should be poised to answer. However, an ongoing debate among fisheries biologists has largely ignored what is arguably one of the most important factors impacting the sustainability of fisheries and the health of freshwater and marine ecosystems: evolution.
Hemispherical transition of seismic attenuation at the top of the earth's inner core

In contrast to the liquid outer core, the earth's inner core is mostly solid, and its composition is more pure iron. Based on dynamic arguments related to the freezing process of the inner core, and the observation of much lower P-wave quality factor in the inner core (Qα 10,000), it has been suggested that a mushy layer with liquid inclusions may exist at the top of the inner core. On the other hand, seismic measurements indicate that Qα increases towards the center of the inner core. We here present estimates of Qα in the depth range 32–110 km beneath the Inner Core Boundary (ICB), based on the measurement of PKIKP/PKiKP amplitude ratios after a narrow band-pass filtering (0.7–2.0 Hz). Our measurements indicate that there are pronounced hemispherical differences in the values of Qα (∼335 and ∼160 in the western (180°W to 40°E) and eastern (40°E to 180°E) hemispheres, respectively), and in the depth of transition from decreasing to increasing Qα (<32 km beneath the ICB in the eastern hemisphere and ∼85 km in the western hemisphere). Below 85 km, the hemispherical pattern disappears. We also confirm the existence of a correlated hemispherical pattern in P velocity down to 85 km. The P velocity and Qα variations are compatible with an interpretation in terms of small hemispherical variations of temperature at the top of the inner core and their influence on the morphology of porosity and connectivity of liquid inclusions in the mushy zone. The disappearance of the differences in Qα beneath 85 km provide constraints on the likely depth extent of the mushy zone.
Is there an advantage to delivering breast boost in the lateral decubitus position

Background The purpose of this study was to compare the change in depth of target volume and dosimetric parameters between the supine and lateral decubitus positions for breast boost treatment with electron beam therapy.
Costa Rica: Public Continuity, Private Gains

IHE devotes a column in each issue to a contribution from PROPHE, the Program for Research on Private Higher Education, headquartered at the University of Albany. See http://www.albany.edu/. Costa Rica’s private-sector higher education, though Latin America’s second youngest, is now 30 years old. It encompasses some 50 institutions and 80,000 enrollments. Striking is how much Costa Rican public higher education has maintained its standing, even as it has lost its enrollment share. As was the case in the 1970s, there are still only four public universities (apart from a distance university). The four continue to be led by the University of Costa Rica, in essence the national university. Despite a movement in the 1970s to build regional campuses of the public universities, the lack of public university proliferation is unusual for Latin America. It has allowed comparatively uniform quality and at a rather high level. Recent surveying shows that 85 percent of secondary school graduates prefer to attend public rather than private universities. Even the public technical university draws on private secondary schools (generally advantaged) for the majority of its entrants. Public universities have also maintained an unusual degree of autonomy—a lack of accountability, in the view of critics. There are interuniversity regulatory bodies, but the public universities basically run themselves. At the same time, the universities have undertaken more reforms than many of their regional counterparts. A major example is tuition and other measures that introduce some privateness. Also, there is government funding of student loans, the majority of which involve the private higher education sector, due to its size and the level of tuition charges. Government subsidies given directly to institutions are only for public universities. In part because the public sector has adapted and to a larger extent because it maintains enviable quality and has not pursued either huge expansion or the leftist activism characteristic of the 1970s, Costa Rica has escaped some of the public-private clashes seen in sister republics. On the other hand, formal public-private partnerships remain rare (though, as is common globally, private institutions hire, through part-time appointments, professors from the public institutions). In comparative terms, Costa Rica is noteworthy for the separateness and distinctiveness of the public and private sectors.
Neurosurgical management of myelomeningocele (spina bifida).

1. Mark S. Dias, MD, FAAP* 1. *Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pa After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Understand the outcomes regarding survival, cognitive abilities, ambulation capacities, and urologic functions for the child who has a myelomeningocele. 2. Appreciate the importance of folate in the pathogenesis of myelomeningoceles and the rationale for periconceptional folate supplementation in the prevention of neural tube defects. 3. Describe the initial neurosurgical care and rationale for neurosurgical treatment for the child who has a myelomeningocele. 4. Discuss the common presenting features of a shunt malfunction in the child who has a myelomeningocele. 5. Understand the significance and describe the management of the child who has signs or symptoms of shunt malfunction and no change in ventricular size on imaging studies. 6. Discuss the importance of considering shunt malfunction before initiating other neurosurgical treatments for the deteriorating child who has a myelomeningocele. 7. Describe the common signs and symptoms of spinal cord tethering, Chiari malformation, and syringomyelia, and the surgical options for each. Myelomeningocele (spina bifida) is the most common congenital neurologic malformation compatible with life. Therefore, every busy pediatric practice includes at least a few children who have spina bifida, and it is important for the primary care clinician to have a practical working knowledge about the unique and important problems that face this group of children. The incidence of myelomeningocele in the United States is between 0.41 and 1.43 per 1,000 live births (1) and is lower among African-Americans than Caucasians. Native Africans have a very low incidence of 0.1 per 1,000 live births. (2) The incidence of myelomeningocele in the United States and worldwide has declined significantly over the past 3 decades. (2) This decline has been attributed, in part, to improved maternal nutrition and periconceptional vitamin supplementation and to wider availability of prenatal diagnostic tests with a corresponding increase in the number of elective terminations. However, these …
Long-term Effects of Multiple Glucocorticoid Exposures in Neonatal Mice

Glucocorticoids (GCs) such as dexamethasone (DEX) or betamethasone are repeatedly administered for up to a month to prematurely born infants as a treatment for chronic lung dysfunction. Results of clinical trials have shown that the use of GCs in these infants induces long-term deficits in neuromotor function and cognition. We have previously shown that a single exposure to clinically relevant doses of DEX or other GCs in the mouse during a period corresponding to the human perinatal period produces a dramatic increase in apoptotic cell death of neural progenitor cells in the developing cerebellum. To provide a model approximating more chronic clinical dosing regimens, we evaluated possible behavioral effects resulting from repeated exposures to DEX and subsequent GC-induced neuronal loss where neonatal mouse pups were injected with 3.0 mg/kg DEX or saline on postnatal days 7, 9, and 11 (DEX3 treatment). Adult, DEX3-treated mice exhibited long-term, possibly permanent, neuromotor deficits on a complex activity wheel task, which requires higher-order motor co-ordination skills. DEX3 mice exhibited impaired performance on this task relative to saline controls in each of two independent studies involving separate cohorts of mice. Histopathology studies utilizing stereological neuronal counts conducted in behaviorally-tested mice showed that the DEX3 treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the number of neurons in the internal granule layer (IGL) of the cerebellum, although the number of neurons in the Purkinje cell layer were unchanged. The results suggest that multiple neonatal DEX exposures can produce chronic deficits in fine motor co-ordination that are associated with cerebellar IGL neuronal loss.
Electronic Properties of Dislocations in Heavily Dislocated Quantum well Structures: Doping Effects

In heavily dislocated GaAs (dislocation density of 108cm-2), the low-temperature cathodo- luminescence efficiency of quantum wells and superlattices is dramatically higher than that of a bulk-like layer. Furthermore, the luminescence efficiency can be further improved by doping the barriers of the GaAs/(Al,Ga)As multi-quantum well structures with beryllium (Be). Two quite different possible models for this observation are discussed: One assumes that the effect is due to the expulsion of dislocation kinks from the wells, the other that it is due to the effect of well width fluctuations.
Measuring the effects of low assistive vs. moderately assistive environments on novice programmers

Improving the novice's experience with programming has been an important research topic for some time. The high attrition rate of CS majors continues to be a problem. Incoming majors are being exposed to programming but many are driven away from the field. As a way to engage novices with programming, many CS departments have adopted visual environments. However, not all novices are taught to program using visual environments. Typically, students are introduced to programming through either a visual or command line environment at the beginning stages of a CS curriculum. The features in standard command line environments are not as assistive to programmers as visual environments. Novices must learn both language syntax and semantics while navigating the file system and compilation tools. On the other hand, visual environments with highly assistive features could constrict a novice to learn a fixed set of foundational programming skills that exclude exposure to syntax checking, compilation and file systems. Novices will eventually need to move to a less assistive environment to round out their skill set. The objective of this research was to determine if certain environments are more appropriate for teaching novices how to program, based on their respective levels of feature assistance. There are anecdotally based motivations for using either tools with low assistive features like command line environments (promotes acquisition of useful mental models) or tools with moderate to high assistive features like visual environments (engages novices while programming). Unfortunately, no systematic study exists that supports either supposition. This research was composed of three studies for evaluating environments with varying feature sets: a high school outreach, a CS1-Laboratory Study, and a CS1-Study. Engagement, comprehension, efficiency, and usability were used as measures to evaluate the environments during these studies. Overall, this research showed that a moderately assistive environment imposes a lower learning curve for novices, while a low assistive environment appears to broaden their understanding of programming.
Toward a more balanced view of non-native species.

Institut National de Recherche Agronomique, Unit´e de Recherche Mixte, Ecologie et Sant ´e des Ecosyst `emes, 65 rue de Saint-Brieuc35042, Rennes, France, email mschlaepfer@esf.edu†State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY, U.S.A.‡Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, U.S.A.§School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, U.S.A.