cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
African American and white child welfare workers' attitudes towards policies involving race and sexual orientation ☆

Abstract This article reports findings from a study of attitudes of 259 African American and White child welfare workers. They were asked about their views of the role of race in child welfare decisions and about the appropriateness of placement of children with gay and lesbian and single foster/adoptive parents. African American child welfare workers were more likely that White workers to believe that race should be considered both in general and in placement decisions. Both African American and White conservative leaning workers are more likely to disagree with the placement of children in gay/lesbian households. African American workers were more likely to agree with a placement of children in a single parent family.
Phase relations and structures in uranium-plutonium-fissium alloys☆

Abstract Alloys of U with 20 wt % Pu and various additions of a group of fission product elements termed “fissium” were investigated and their transformations, structures and melting points are reported. Additions of fissium, which was composed of the elements Ru, Mo, Pd, Te, Rh, Nb and Zr stabilized the gamma and beta uranium phases down to 555° C. At high fissium contents the beta transformation was entirely suppressed. Alpha uranium, gamma-prime and zeta were the stable phases at temperatures below 400° C. A primary phase “theta” with an unknown crystal structure was present in all the compositions studied. Lattice constants are given for alpha and gamma uranium and some intermetallic phases.
Generalized laser filamentation instability coupled to cooling instability

We consider the propagation of laser light in an initially slightly nonuniform plasma. The classical dispersion relation for the laser filamentation growth rate (see e.g., B. Langdon, in the 1980 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Laser Program Annual Report, pp. 3-56, UCRL-50021-80, 1981) can be generalized to include other acoustical effects. For example, we find that the inclusion of potential imbalances in the heating and cooling rates of the ambient medium due to density and temperature perturbations can cause the laser filamentation mode to bifurcate into a cooling instability mode at long acoustic wavelengths. We also attempt to study semi-analytically the nonlinear evolution of this and related instabilities. These results have wide applications to a variety of chemical gas lasers and phenomena related to laser-target interactions (e.g., jet-like behavior).
A semi-quantitative method for measuring Cryptosporidium parvum infection using polymerase chain reaction

Abstract A semi-quantitative method for measuring Cryptosporidium parvum infection in mice using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed for evaluating therapeutic reagents against cryptosporidiosis. A competitor molecule composed of CP15/60 primer-binding sequences flanking an unrelated sequence was synthesized and used in PCR to amplify competitor and target CP15/60 sequences. For estimating relative intestinal parasite numbers, seven-day-old BALB/C mice were infected with 0, 102, 103, or 104 C. parvum oocysts. At 24, 48, 72, and 96 h post-infection, three mice per group were killed and the intestine from each mouse was processed for DNA. Semi-quantitative PCR using serial dilutions of competitor molecule and a constant amount of mouse tissue DNA showed that challenge doses of 103 and 104 oocysts could be easily detected at both 72 and 96 h post-infection. CP15/60-specific PCR products were not observed at earlier timepoints (24 and 48 h) nor at any timepoint with the 0 or 102 challenge doses. The semi-quantitative PCR technique proved to be more sensitive, rapid, and cost-effective compared to conventional histological scoring of cryptosporidial stages in tissue sections from C. parvum-infected mice. A rapid method for extracting DNA from infected mouse intestine was developed and, when used in the semi-quantitative PCR, proved to be as reproducible as conventional DNA extraction methods.
MOF/graphite oxide hybrid materials: exploring the new concept of adsorbents and catalysts

Two types of metal-organic framework (MOF)/graphite oxide hybrid materials were prepared. One is based on a zinc-containing, MOF-5 and the other on a copper-containing HKUST-1. The materials are characterized by X-ray diffraction, sorption of nitrogen, thermal analyses, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their features are compared to the ones of the parent materials. The water stability and ammonia adsorption capacity of the hybrid materials were also evaluated. It was found that the latter compounds exhibit features similar to the ones of the parent MOF. In most cases, their porosity increased compared to the one calculated considering the physical mixture of MOF and GO. This new porosity likely located between the two components of the hybrid materials is responsible for the enhanced ammonia adsorption capacity of the compounds. However, for both the zinc-based and the copper-based materials (MOFs and hybrid materials), a collapse of the framework was observed as a result of ammonia adsorption. This collapse is caused by the interactions of ammonia with the metallic centers of MOFs either by hydrogen bonding (zinc-based materials) or coordination and subsequent complexation (copper-based materials). Whereas the MOF-5 based compounds collapse in presence of humidity, the copper-based materials are stable.
Numerical simulation of tsunami generation by pryoclastic flow at Aniakchak Volcano, Alaska

[1] Pyroclastic flows entering the sea are plausible mechanisms for tsunami generation at volcanic island arcs worldwide. We evaluate tsunami generation by pyroclastic flow using an example from Aniakchak volcano in Alaska where evidence for tsunami inundation coincident with a major, caldera-forming eruption of the volcano ca. 3.5 ka has been described. Using a numerical model, we simulate the tsunami and compare the results to field estimates of tsunami run up.
The Meaning of Motherhood Adolescent Childbearing and its Significance for Poor Dominican Females of Haitian Descent

This article looks at how a group of marginalized young women, in the Dominican Republic, understand the experience of becoming a mother at an early age. The dominant global discourse on adolescent motherhood problematizes the phenomenon. Methodologically flawed scholarship typically attributes adolescent motherhood to poor economic and education outcomes. Little research exists examining the voices of young mothers themselves. The author aims to fill this gap and contribute a better understanding of how a group of disenfranchised young females narrate the experience of motherhood and its significance using a qualitative research design. Narratives suggest that adolescent motherhood may provide unconditional love, a sense of purpose in life, hope for future financial support and an alternative pathway to adulthood for poor Dominican Haitian adolescent females. Findings contrast with the dominant discourse on teen motherhood, indicating a need for researcher and policy to reexamine the costs and benefits o...
On Lipkin's Treatment of Pairing Forces in Nuclei

Belyaev1) has described how the "BCS method" developed in the theory of superconductivity2) can be utilized to obtain approximate wave functions for nuclei. It is characteristic of the method that the wave function which results does not correspond to a system having a definite number of nucleons. Quantities which are calculated with this wave function are interpreted as averages of the corresponding quantities taken over a set of neighbouring nuclei. It is of interest to investigate any variations of this BCS method in which effects of fluctuation of the number of nucleons
A simple characterization of non-randomized admissible procedures in group testing

Abstract The group testing problem is to classify each of n items as either good or defective. In this note, it is shown that a non-randomized procedure is admissible in the class of all randomized and non-randomized procedures, if it does not include any test whose outcome can be inferred from previous test outcomes.
Dynamic changes in flow rate and composition of urine during the post-bloodmeal diuresis in Aedes aegypti (L.)

1. The urine of blood-fed mosquitos was collected and analyzed for elemental composition and osmolality. 2. Peak rates of urine flow averaged 4.9 droplets/min at 6 min following the beginning of the bloodmeal; peak flow urine contained, in mM, Na 178, K 4, and Cl 132, and the urine was approximately isosmotic to hemolymph. 3. As urine flow rates fell, the [Na] of the urine decreased and the [K] increased. Urine osmolality declined, measuring less than 100 mOsm/kg in some samples, as compared to 354 mOsm/kg measured in pre-bloodmeal hemolymph. 4. When urine flow rates had fallen to less than 10% of peak flow rates, urine again became approximately isosmotic to hemolymph, still containing Na and K as the principal cations. 5. Approximately 40% each of the water, Na and Cl contained in the plasma fraction of the bloodmeal was excreted during the 1–2h period following the bloodmeal. This excretion represents only 20–30% of the total loads ingested in the bloodmeal. 6. The data are consistent with dynamic changes in the functioning of both the Malpighian tubules and hindgut during the post-bloodmeal diuresis.
Many calls, little action: Global illiteracy in the United States

What is the role of United States universities role in preparing graduates for an increasingly interdependent world in which the knowledge of other languages and cultures is once again a critical need? The article reviews the many calls for global understanding and language competence, the barriers to sustained follow-up and action, and the consequences for national security, economic competitiveness, and a globally aware citizenry. It concludes with several recommendations for universities to undertake in partnership with schools, states, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and the federal government.
LACUNARITY AND THE BOHR TOPOLOGY

If G is an abelian group, then G # denotes G equipped with the weakest topology that makes every character of G continuous. This is the Bohr topology of G . If G =ℤ, the additive group of the integers and A is a Hadamard set in ℤ, it is shown that: (i) A − A has 0 as its only limit point in ℤ # ; (ii) no Sidon subset of A − A has a limit point in ℤ # ; (iii) A − A is a Λ( p ) set for all p <∞. This leads to an explicit example of a set which is Λ( p ) for all p <∞ and is dense in ℤ # . If f ( x ) is a quadratic or cubic polynomial with integer coefficients, then the closure of f (ℤ) in the Bohr compactification of ℤ is shown to have Haar measure 0. Every infinite abelian group G contains an I 0 set A of the same cardinality as G such that 0 is the only limit point of A − A in G # .
Adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase of Leydig cells: in vitro activation and relationship to gonadotropin action upon cyclic AMP and steroidogenesis.

Received 31 August 1976 1. Introduction Gonadotropic stimulation of steroidogenesis in dispersed interstitial cells from the rat testis is elicited by subnanogram levels of LH or hCG, without a detectable change in cyclic AMP formation [l-4] . These observations have suggested that the steroido- genie action of gonadotropins may not operate via adenylate cyclase, or that steroidogenesis is activated by extremely small changes in cyclic AMP, possibly by translocation within a small intracellular pool. Since activation of protein kinase is the primary mechanism by which cyclic AMP controls the meta- bolic functions of eukaryotic cells, we have examined the in vitro actions of gonadotropin upon cyclic AMP- dependent protein kinase during homone-induced steroidogenesis in dispersed interstitial cells. 1200 rev/mm for 10 min, and the cells were resus- pended in 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.4, containing 1 mM 2-mercaptoethanol and 10 mM theophylline, then sonicated for 1.5 s. For partial purification of protein kinase by ion- exchange chromatography, 30 mg aliquots of DEAE- Sephadeg A50 in distilled water were dispensed into 0.7 X 4 cm polypropylene columns, then washed with 1 ml of Tris-HCl buffer. 1 ml of cell sonicate was applied to each column, washed with 1 ml of 20 mM Tris-HCl buffer solution, and the enzyme activity was eluted with 1 ml of 0.5 M NaCl in 20 mM Tris- HCl buffer, pH 7.4, containing 1 mM mercaptoethanol and 10 mM theophylline. Assay of protein kinase was performed by a minor modification of the method of Reddit et al. [8], using histone F2b as a substrate in the presence or absence of 4 I.~M cyclic AMP. 2. Materials and methods 3. Results Dispersed interstitial cells were prepared from testes of adult Sprague-Dawley rats by collagenase treatment as previously described [3,5-71. Cell incubations were performed in triplicate at 34°C under 95% 02:5% COZ in polyethylene vials contain- ing about 40 million cells in 4 ml of Medium 199, 0.1 ml of hormone solution and 0.2 ml of 2 mM l-methyl 3-isobutylxanthine. Afrer incubation, 500 ~1 of the cell suspension was taken for measurement of cyclic AMP and testosterone production by radio- immunoassay as previously described [
Effect of Vitamin B1 and Cocarboxylase on Synthesis of Acetylcholine.

Summary1. The synthesis of acetylcholine in vitro in the presence of thiamine chloride and thiamine pyrophosphate was investigated. 2. Both thiamine chloride and thiamine pyrophosphate, in concentrations of 3.10-6 M and 2.10-6 M respectively, slightly increased the synthesis of acetylcholine (average 10%). 3. The thiamine compounds in higher concentrations depressed the synthesis of acetylcholine. Thiamine chloride is a more potent depressor than thiamine pyrophosphate.
Un/safe/ly at Home: Narratives of Sexual Coercion in 1920s Egypt

This paper takes up an Arabic narrative genre that appeared in the 1920s. Its distinctive narrative properties included adoption of a first-person female experiental voice and a focus on `impolite' social realms. Combining confessional expose and social polemic in what I am calling `simulated memoirs', these narrating voices offered readers the narrative authority of first-hand experience in Cairo's underworld and critique of elite politics and spaces of behaviour from the constructed perspective of subaltern social figures. I argue that these text's inscriptions of bodily coercion trace an anxiety about growing female visibility throughout urban space. Construction of feminine narrative voices apparently wrests authority to speak about gendered bodily violence away from elite, mostly male commentators and representatives of the state, transferring that authority to the figure of the `fallen' female who `speaks'. But this is an act of ventriloquism: complex layerings of authorial and narrative attribution recoup that authority, reasserting the disciplinary power of the patriarchal father over the lives and vulnerabilities of the young.
Should “multiple imputations” be treated as “multiple indicators”?

Rubin's “multiple imputation” approach to missing data creates synthetic data sets, in which each missing variable is replaced by a draw from its predictive distribution, conditional on the observed data. By construction, analyses of such filled-in data sets as if the imputations were true values have the correct expectations for population parameters. In a recent paper, Mislevy showed how this approach can be applied to estimate the distributions of latent variables from complex samples. Multiple imputations for a latent variable bear a surface similarity to classical “multiple indicators” of a latent variable, as might be addressed in structural equation modelling or hierarchical modelling of successive stages of random sampling. This note demonstrates with a simple example why analyzing “multiple imputations” as if they were “multiple indicators” does not generally yield correct results; they must instead be analyzed by means concordant with their construction.
Languages and grammars of action and interaction: A contribution to the formal theory of action

The languages of action and interaction studied in this paper arise from a formalization of the concept of a “production system” found in several recent empirical studies of human action. From a systems viewpoint, the concern is with the temporal structure of the activity of living systems-organisms, groups, and/or organizations. The theory is applicable at any of these levels to the extent that actions of units at each level can be appropriately specified. The article starts with the idea that acts of an acting unit are evoked only when certain conditions are satisfied. An action is identified as an act together with the class of conditions under which it is evoked. Formal interest centers on action strings (concatenations of actions that meet criteria derived from episode constraints relating actions) and how well-formed they are. An episode constraint holds between two actions if one of the associated acts establishes a condition in the class evoking the other act. Two basic types of episode constraints are identified and several propositions are proved and conjectures advanced about the type of automaton that will accept only well-formed action strings under various assumptions about the type and number of constraints which obtain. The approach is then generalized to n-party interaction.
Trichinella spiralis: The Effect of Specific Antibody on Muscle Larvae in the Small Intestines of Weaned Rats

Weaned rats were passively immunized with rat IgG2c monoclonal antibodies previously shown to protect infant rats against challenge with Trichinella spiralis. Although the antibodies did not protect rats against infection, the course of larval establishment in the intestine was altered in a way that has not been described previously. Specifically, larvae that invaded the epithelium were inhibited from migrating from intestinal tissue into saline during the standard recovery procedure. The inhibition was reversed at a time coincident with the first moult. Whole serum from infected rats had a similar effect. These results show that specific antibodies influence T. spiralis larvae in the intestinal epithelium, yet fail to effect their expulsion from adult rats.
Purification and Characterization of Fet3 Protein, a Yeast Homologue of Ceruloplasmin *

Abstract The FET3 gene product ofSaccharomyces cerevisiae is an essential component of the high affinity iron transport system. Based on FET3 sequence homology to the multicopper oxidase family and iron oxidation studies in spheroplasts (De Silva, D. M., Askwith, C. C., Eide, D., and Kaplan, J. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 1098–1101), it was hypothesized that the Fet3 protein (Fet3p) was a cell surface ferroxidase. To further characterize the protein, we have isolated Fet3p from yeast membranes and purified the protein to apparent homogeneity. Consistent with its localization at the plasma membrane, Fet3p is a glycosylated protein. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis showed that the protein was present in two differentially glycosylated forms of approximately 120 and 100 kDa. Purified Fet3p is a copper-containing protein that is able to catalyze the oxidation of a variety of organic compounds in addition to ferrous iron. Azide and metal chelators strongly inhibited enzyme activity. Iron appeared to be the best substrate for the enzyme, and the apparentK m for ferrous oxidation was 2 μm. Interestingly, Fet3p was able to effectively catalyze the incorporation of iron onto apotransferrin. We conclude that Fet3p is a ferro-O2-oxidoreductase in yeast, homologous to the human plasma protein ceruloplasmin.
P‐129: Performance of Cold Mirror Coated Enhanced Metal and Conventional Glass Reflectors

A novel manufacturing process is presented for manufacturing high performance, low cost, cold mirror coated metal reflectors for consumer and business projectors. The performance (light concentration ability, cost saving potential, operation temperature, lifetime, mounting features) of these enhanced metal reflectors is compared to that of traditional molded glass reflectors.
The great subluxation debate: a centrist's perspective.

Abstract Objective This commentary describes the debate and some of the associated issues involving the subluxation construct. Discussion The long-standing debate regarding the chiropractic subluxation has created substantial controversy within the profession. Currently, this phenomenon can be compared with a country with a 2-party system that has a large silent majority sitting between the 2 factions. It is argued that the position held by those in the middle (the centrists) may be the most rational view when considering all of the available evidence. It is also suggested that the subluxation construct is similar to the Santa Claus construct in that both have a factual basis as well as social utility. Ultimately, the centrists must become proactive if they want to protect the profession and further advance the evidence in regard to the subluxation. They must not only engage in the debate, but fund the research that will investigate various aspects of the subluxation and then help disseminate this evidence to fellow doctors of chiropractic, other practitioners, health care policy makers, and society at large. Conclusion The role of subluxation in chiropractic practice, the progression of this debate, and the future of the profession will be directly determined by the role that centrists choose to play.
Clinical outcome following post-chemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection in men with intermediate- and poor-risk nonseminomatous germ cell tumour.

As usual, the urological oncology section is quite full, and covers a range of topics. Authors from New York describe their considerable experience with retroperitoneal lymph node dissection after chemotherapy, and make some important recommendations about the procedure in men initially diagnosed with intermediate- and poor-risk nonseminomatous germ cell tumours. There are several papers on prostate cancer, and on renal and bladder cancer. As can be seen, the role of chemotherapy in prostate cancer is receiving increasing attention. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the outcome in patients treated with chemotherapy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) after an initial diagnosis of International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group (IGCCCG) intermediate- and poor-risk metastatic nonseminomatous testicular germ cell tumour (NSGCT), as the integration of chemotherapy and surgery in managing advanced NSGCT continues to develop. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1989 and 2003, 157 patients initially diagnosed with IGCCCG intermediate- and poor-risk NSGCT had RPLND after chemotherapy at the authors’ institution, with a median follow-up of 36 months. Progression-free probability (PFP) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to assess the prognostic significance of risk factors for disease progression after RPLND. RESULTS In all, 68 (43%) and 89 (57%) patients were assigned as intermediate- and poor-risk, respectively. At the time of RPLND the median residual retroperitoneal mass was 3.0 cm and 29 (19%) men had elevated serum tumour markers (α-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotrophin, or both). Retroperitoneal residual masses were completely resected in 147 (94%) patients; retroperitoneal histology revealed fibrosis in 73 (47%), teratoma in 63 (40%) and viable GCT in 21 (13%). The 5-year overall DSS and PFP were 81% and 70%, respectively. Patients with poor-risk NSGCT were at no greater risk of disease progression than those with intermediate-risk NSGCT. In a multivariate analysis, residual mass size, incomplete surgical resection and the presence of teratoma and viable germ cell cancer independently predicted disease progression after RPLND. CONCLUSIONS Patients with advanced NSGCT have long-term freedom from disease progression when chemotherapy is combined with resection of residual masses. Our data suggest that the tumour response to chemotherapy, coupled with complete resection of all residual masses, predicts long-term freedom from disease progression.
Rare case of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus associated with morphea

A rare case of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus coexisting with morphea in the foot was presented. Orthotic therapy was required to alleviate an antalgic gait.
Ototoxic Impact of Cisplatin in Pediatric Oncology Patients

Objective: To describe hearing changes in a group of 28 children (age range, 8-180 mo) undergoing protocol-based cisplatin therapy. Methods: Conventional, play audiometry, visual reinforcement audiometry (VRA), immittance audiometry, transient click evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), and auditory brainstem response (ABR) evoked potentials were used to assess peripheral sensitivity and for threshold determination. Results: Bilateral symmetrical high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss was noted in 9 of the 28 children (26%). Hearing loss was evident as early as 1 month after chemotherapy and as late as 50 months and was not dependent on individual or cumulative dosage of cisplatin. Conclusions: 1) Presence of sensorineural hearing loss was independent of individual and/or cumulative dosage of cisplatin; 2) audiologic assessment should be incorporated into a child's periodic medical evaluations after chemotherapy treatment, as onset of sensorineural hearing loss cannot be predicted; 3) personal hearing aids may be indicated for those children with hearing loss affecting the low- to mid-frequencies; a personal assistive listening device (frequency modulated system) may be more appropriate for losses above 3000 Hz; and 4) evaluation and intervention by a speech-language pathologist may be indicated to address possible articulation or language development problems consequent to hearing loss.
The Incidence of Eating Disorders among University Students Majoring in Dietetics

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To determine if eating disorders are more prevalent among 1995 dietetic students than the non-dietetic major college student population or among the disorders among dietetic student in 1987. A questionnaire was distributed to dietetic students (1995) at four Western US universities and to non-nutrition majors (1995 non-majors) at one Western US university to assess incidence of eating disorders. Results from these questionnaires were compared to a similar study conducted eight years ago among dietetic students (1987) at the same four Western US universities. Results indicate that the 1995 dietetic students had significantly lower incidence of bulimic tendencies that the 1995 control subjects (7% to 18%, p
Greedy expansions in Banach spaces

We study convergence and rate of convergence of expansions of elements in a Banach space X into series with regard to a given dictionary \(\mathcal{D}\) . For convenience we assume that \(\mathcal{D}\) is symmetric: \(g\in\mathcal{D}\) implies \(-g\in\mathcal{D}\) . The primary goal of this paper is to study representations of an element f∈X by a series $$f\sim\sum_{j=1}^{\infty}c_{j}(f)g_{j}(f),\quad g_{j}(f)\in\mathcal{D},\ c_{j}(f)>0,\ j=1,2,\dots.$$ In building such a representation we should construct two sequences: {gj (f)} j=1∞ and {cj (f)} j=1∞ . In this paper the construction of {gj (f)} j=1∞ will be based on ideas used in greedy-type nonlinear approximation. This explains the use of the term greedy expansion. We use a norming functional \(F_{f_{m-1}}\) of a residual fm−1 obtained after m−1 steps of an expansion procedure to select the mth element \(g_{m}(f)\in \mathcal{D}\) from the dictionary. This approach has been used in previous papers on greedy approximation. The greedy expansions in Hilbert spaces are well studied. The corresponding convergence theorems and estimates for the rate of convergence are known. Much less is known about greedy expansions in Banach spaces. The first substantial result on greedy expansions in Banach spaces has been obtained recently by Ganichev and Kalton. They proved a convergence result for the Lp , 1<p<∞, spaces. In this paper we find a simple way of selecting coefficients cm (f) that provides convergence of the corresponding greedy expansions in any uniformly smooth Banach space. Moreover, we obtain estimates for the rate of convergence of such greedy expansions for \(f\in A_{1}(\mathcal{D})\) – the closure (in X) of the convex hull of \(\mathcal{D}\) .
The retinal threshold gradient in the presence of a high-luminance target and in total darkness

The retinal threshold was measured along the horizontal meridian for the dark-adapted eye and for the same retinal region light-adapted by stray light from a small foveally fixated high-luminance target. This was done to quantify the irradiation phenomenon in the foveal-parafoveal boundary region. Two target luminances were investigated (5,531 and 13,000 fL). Seven Ss made threshold settings using a variable-intensity test spot whose retinal image was located at various angular separations from the foveal center as far as 10 deg in the temporal field. Threshold slopes were steeper for test spots imaged from 15min to 1 deg of arc from the foveal center than for spots imaged from ldegl5min to 10 deg of arc from the foveal center for the illuminated target conditions. The angular distance between the fovea and the intersection of the steep component with the shallow component of each threshold curve tended to shift toward the target’s edge with an increase in target luminance. These data are interpreted as an indication that a dynamic neural mechanism is involved in producing the irradiation phenomenon.
Emotional Flow in Persuasive Health Messages

Overwhelmingly, the literature on the persuasive influence of emotions has focused on individual emotions, fear in particular, though some recent attention has been given to mixed emotions in persu...
Lightweight Mirror Technology Development for NGST

In 2009, NASA plans to launch the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST) to the L2 point, 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. With a 6-meter diameter mirror, NGST is a successor to the Hubble Space Telescope with 5 times the collecting aperture. As part of NASA’s Origins Program, the ten-year observing mission will search for the “first light” of the universe. NGST will provide astronomers with unparalleled light collection, mid-infrared sensitivity, spatial resolution and field of view. Mirror technology is critical to the system’s success. The hard part is solving the problem of how to launch a 6m, 600 kg, mirror into space on a 4-meter diameter rocket. Additionally, high performance is expected at operating temperatures of 50K. This paper reviews the mirror requirements and provides a status of recent development efforts.
Thermal-Neutron Fission Cross Sections for Isotopes of Plutonium, Americium, and Curium

The following thermal-neutron fission cross sections have been measured in the thermal column of the Materials Testing Reactor at Idaho Falls, Idaho: ${\mathrm{Pu}}^{238}$, 18.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9 barns; ${\mathrm{Am}}^{241}$, 3.13\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15 barns; ${\mathrm{Am}}^{242}$, 6390\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}500 barns; ${\mathrm{Am}}^{243}$, 0.072 barn; ${\mathrm{Cm}}^{243}$, 690\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}50 barns; ${\mathrm{Cm}}^{245}$, 1880\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}150 barns. In addition, a pile neutron capture cross section of 520\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}40 barns has been measured for ${\mathrm{Pu}}^{238}$.
Precision of the XCT 3000 and Comparison of Densitometric Measurements in Distal Radius Scans Between XCT 3000 and XCT 2000 Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography Scanners

Researchers conducting longitudinal studies face challenges as technology evolves and data collection equipment is upgraded from older to newer models. In this study, we report precision error and associations from correlation, regression equations, and Bland-Altman plots that compare results of distal radius images from the XCT 2000 and XCT 3000 peripheral quantitative computed tomography densitometers at the 4% and 20% distal radius site. The mean difference expressed as a percent of the measurement's mean was approximately 5% for cortical thickness, periosteal and endosteal circumferences, and total bone size at the 20% site, and less than 2% for all other measures. There were strong associations between bone parameter measures from the XCT 3000 and XCT 2000 with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.92 to 1.0. Strong associations between the 2 machines allow for the comparison of results with minor adjustments.
The homogeneity conjecture.

Abstract We show that, for any function f in which Kleene's O is computable, the ordering of Turning degrees (i.e., degrees of difficulty of computation of functions) is not isomorphic to the ordering of degrees of functions from which f is computable. This refutes a well-known conjecture of H. Rogers, Jr., and others.
Piriformis and related entrapment syndromes: myth & fallacy.

This article explores the myths surrounding piriformis syndrome. It looks at the syndrome's history ranging from early hypothesis to acceptance; then from disfavor to resurrection as a diagnosis for patients with leg pain devoid of objective neurologic deficits, without disc herniations. It includes a critical review of the clinical literature and treatment strategies. It calls for a renaming of the syndrome to "nonlocalizing sciatica" and restriction of surgical resection of the piriformis to cases where all other treatment has failed. This is part of a Point-Counterpoint discussion with Dr. Aaron Filler's presentation of "Diagnosis and Management.
Framework stability of nanocrystalline NaY in aqueous solution at varying pH.

Nanocrystalline zeolites are emerging as important materials for a variety of potential applications in industry and medicine. Reducing the particle size to less than 100 nm results in advantages for nanocrystalline zeolites relative to micrometer-sized zeolite crystals, such as very large total and external specific surface areas and reduced diffusion path lengths. Understanding the physical and chemical properties of zeolite nanocrystals is imperative for further development and application of nanocrystalline zeolites. In this study, the framework stability of nanocrystalline NaY zeolite with a crystal size of 66 nm and Si/Al = 1.74 was investigated at pH 7.4, 4, 2, and 1. The solids and solutions were analyzed using several different analytical techniques. The relative crystallinity and crystal size and morphology of the solids were examined by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. The aluminum content, Si/Al, and coordination were monitored by inducti...
Videosurgery in oncological pediatrics

As a recent innovation, videosurgery (VS) has enjoyed rapid and widespread development. While colon cancers in adults are quite commonly removed using laparoscopic techniques, children could also benefit from the improved diagnostic and interventional possibilities using VS techniques. From January 1992 to February 1994, we carried out 15 procedures. Eight thoracic operations were performed on 7 patients: diagnostic in 5 cases and metastasis resection in 3. Six patients underwent 7 laparoscopic operations for biopsies (5) or lymph-node harvesting (2). Based on this experience, we discuss the advantages of VS (noninvasive technique for primary or “second-look” exploration, guided biopsies, and removal of tumors) and its risks (spillage of malignant cells, subjective palpation) in the management of pediatric malignancies.
Reactions of the Eight-Coordinate Rhenium Complex ReH4(hq)(PPh3)2 (hq = 2-Hydroxyquinoline Monoanion) with Monodentate Tertiary Phosphines: Formation of Pentagonal Bipyramidal Dihydridorhenium(III) Complexes of the Type ReH2(hq)(PPh3)2(PR3)

The reactions of ReH4(hq)(PPh3)2, where hq represents the monoanion of 2-hydroxyquinoline, with monodentate phosphines afford the seven-coordinate complexes ReH2(hq)(PPh3)2(PR3) (PR3 = PMe3 (1), PMe2Ph (2), PMePh2 (3), PPh3 (4), and PHPh2 (5)) which have been shown to possess pentagonal bipyramidal structures on the basis of X-ray crystal structure determinations of 1, 4, and 5. The unique PR3 ligand occupies the pentagonal plane in the case of 1 and 5. The reactions of 4 with PMe3 and PHPh2 lead to substitution of one of the PPh3 ligands and the formation of 1 and 5, respectively. The mild thermolysis of solutions of 4 in refluxing benzene affords the diphenyphosphine complex 5, along with some decomposition of 4 and the release of free PPh3; when this reaction is carried out in C6D6, the released PPh3 is found to contain the isotopomers PPh3-d0 through PPh3-d6 with the deuteration taking place only in the ortho positions.
Africans and African-Americans : an enduring relationship

This paper examines, within a historical context, the nature of the relationship which has existed between Africans in the continent and African-Americans, from the Atlantic Slave Trade era to the present. It argues that by working together Africans and African-Americans have challenged slavery, oppression, colonialism, racism, and exploitation. Significant cases used in this study include slavery, decolonisation, the African-American civil rights struggle, and the anti-apartheid crusade. It is hoped that this essay will reiterate to blacks that some of the major achievements made to improve their lot was as a result of a combined effort, and to remind them that the struggle continues. Currently, the problems confronting both groups are monumental, and the response must be similarly monumental. This paper challenges them to revisit the ideas postulated by the early pan-Africanists, as they search for ways to address their problems in contemporary times. They must continue the work to improve the welfare of Africans and African-Americans. It is hoped that this study will encourage more research and awareness on black people's contribution to the world.
Politeness Accommodation in Electronic Mail

Email has become a common form of interaction between both individuals and groups in the online environment. Based on Buzzanell et al.’s (1996) research of politeness accommodation with telephone messages, this study has investigated politeness accommodation in email. Response rate was high at 81 % (n=121). Results indicated that subjects accommodated to verbal markers in the body of a message, and to greetings. Responses to those email messages that included either verbal politeness cues or structural politeness cues were significantly more polite than responses to those email messages that did not include such cues. This research provides a foundation for explaining issues of relationship forming, communication accommodation in an electronic environment, and discourse analysis in online interaction.
Caspase-dependent activation of cyclin-dependent kinases during Fas-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells

The activation of cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks) has been implicated in apoptosis induced by various stimuli. We find that the Fas-induced activation of cdc2 and cdk2 in Jurkat cells is not dependent on protein synthesis, which is shut down very early during apoptosis before caspase-3 activation. Instead, activation of these kinases seems to result from both a rapid cleavage of Wee1 (an inhibitory kinase of cdc2 and cdk2) and inactivation of anaphase-promoting complex (the specific system for cyclin degradation), in which CDC27 homolog is cleaved during apoptosis. Both Wee1 and CDC27 are shown to be substrates of the caspase-3-like protease. Although cdk activities are elevated during Fas-induced apoptosis in Jurkat cells, general activation of the mitotic processes does not occur. Our results do not support the idea that apoptosis is simply an aberrant mitosis but, instead, suggest that a subset of mitotic mechanisms plays an important role in apoptosis through elevated cdk activities.
Platinum concentration in silicone breast implant material and capsular tissue by ICP-MS

Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the concentration of platinum (Pt) in silicone breast implant gel (range, 0.26–48.90 μg g−1 Pt; n=15), elastomer (range, 3.05–28.78 μg g−1 Pt; n=7), double lumen (range, 5.79–125.27 μg g−1 Pt; n=7), foam (range, 5.79–8.36 μg g−1 Pt; n=2), and capsular tissue (range, 0.003–0.272 μg g−1 Pt; n=15). The results show that very high levels of Pt are present in the encasing elastomer, double lumen, and foam envelope materials. Silicone breast implants can be a source of significant Pt exposure for individuals with these implants.
Compliances of symmetric flexure hinges for planar compliant mechanisms

A general analytical compliance model is presented for symmetric flexure hinges formed of serial segments of known compliances and with thicknesses defined analytically. Serial combination, mirroring, and translation of individual segments yield the flexure compliances. As an illustration, the compliances of a right elliptical corner-filleted flexure hinge are studied. For an aluminum sample with dimensions of l = 0.0254 m, a = 0.006 m, b = 0.008 m, t = 0.0015 m, and w = 0.00635 m, experimental testing, finite element simulation, and analytical results are very close. Results of this study include plots of the rotary compliance in terms of geometric parameters.
Distribution of calcium and magnesium in rat kidney homogenate fractions accompanying magnesium deficiency induced nephrocalcinosis.

Abstract The distribution of calcium and magnesium was determined in rat kidney homogenate fractions before and during the development of nephrocalcinosis induced by the feeding of a low magnesium (10–20 ppm) diet for 12 days. In the normal kidney, magnesium was distributed throughout the five fractions (nuclear-debris, mitochondrial, light mitochondrial, microsomal and supernate) in proportion to protein but calcium was concentrated in the acid phosphatase-rich light mitochondrial fraction. Calcium accumulation began between 24–48 hr of the first low magnesium meal and was confined to the nuclear-debris (74–90%) and mitochondrial (10–26%) fractions at its earliest detection. Supernate calcium was elevated only after 10 days. Although serum magnesium was depressed by 33% within 15 hr, kidney magnesium was constant throughout the experimental period except for a slight reduction in the mitochondrial fraction after 8 days. Morphologically, the calcium accumulation was primarily in the form of an intranephronic calculosis. The data are discussed in terms of their bearing on the questions of the origins and identity of calculus matrix.
Elevated interleukin-12 in progressive multiple sclerosis correlates with disease activity and is normalized by pulse cyclophosphamide therapy

Multiple sclerosis is postulated to be a Th1-type cell-mediated autoimmune disease. We investigated cytokine profiles in patients with progressive multiple sclerosis by using intracytoplasmic staining. We found increased IL-12 production by monocytes and increased IFN-gamma production by T cells in untreated patients as compared with controls. In patients treated with methotrexate, methylprednisolone, or cyclophosphamide/methylprednisolone (CY/MP), only CY/MP treatment normalized the elevated IL-12 production. Furthermore, CY/MP-treated patients had decreased IFN-gamma and increased IL-4, IL-5, and TGF-beta expression. Patients followed prospectively before and after starting CY/MP treatment showed a gradual decrease in IL-12 and IFN-gamma production and an increase in IL-4 and IL-5. In vitro, addition of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, a metabolite of cyclophosphamide decreased IL-12 production in mononuclear cell cultures. When patients were classified as having active or stable disease, IL-12 production correlated with disease activity. In summary, our results demonstrate a Th1-type cytokine bias in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of untreated progressive MS patients that is reversed by CY/MP treatment and is associated with Th2 and TGF-beta (Th3) type responses. These findings provide a basis for immune monitoring of patients with MS and suggest that treatments that downregulate IL-12 may prove to be beneficial in progressive MS.
Intentional vital root transection: A 52-week histopathologic study in Macaca mulatta

Past studies dealing with the vascular supply to surgically mobilized dentoalveolar segments have mentioned occasional encounters with vital root transection and have noted varying degrees of pulpal response to this insult. The purpose of this investigation was to observe the pulpal and periapical responses of monkey dental tissues to intentional vital root transection over a 1-year postoperative period. Four adult Macaca mulatta monkeys were used in this study. All roots were surgically transected within the apical third with a bur. Maxillary and mandibular quadrants for 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, 24, and 52 weeks following surgery were obtained after the animals were killed by perfusion of the left ventricle. The tissue blocks were prepared by routine histologic methods. The results demonstrated a disruption of the normal pulpal architecture, with initial pulpal degeneration and subsequent early replacement by the periodontal ligament tissue. A cellular cemental lining of the root canal occurred in all specimens. The periodontal ligament-like tissue continued to deposit cementum, resulting in almost total obliteration of the root canal and pulp chamber and leaving an intact but much reduced blood supply to the pulp chamber containing periodontal tissues.
The Covenant with Mut: A New Interpretation of Isaiah 28:1-22

Many difficulties and perplexities in Isa 28:1-22 can be resolved by reading the text as a condemnation of the Judeans' seeking protection from Assyria by means of a covenant with one of Egypt's major deities, the mother goddess Mut. Her close association with the Egyptian throne would have given her the "right" to make a covenant; her protective aspect explains why those in distress would seek her; her motherhood explains why the Judeans who seek her are characterized as children; the prominence of drunkenness and flowers in her cult explains the appearance of those elements in Isaiah 28. She also was associated with the underworld as a protectress of the dead, and it is likely that her name sounded very much like the Hebrew word ???, "death", making Isaiah's double entendre a natural play on words. Other features of the text such as the overwhelming flood refer to the Neo-Assyrians; Isaiah warns that Egypt and Mut cannot protect Judah from their assault.
An overview of the STEAMiE Educational game Engine

Today, there exists a significant disparity in the degree of technological development between commercial and educational games. The STEAMiE educational engine is a cutting-edge system used to create advanced, realistic, immersive learning environments. These environments have been shown to influence comprehension and retention of hard-to-teach science concepts. This paper will present an overview of the features of our STEAMiE educational engine and how to use it to create games/simulations capable of enhancing a userpsilas learning experience. The STEAMiE educational engine contains a rich feature set allowing for development of powerful modules within a short period of time. From a development point of view, the STEAMiE educational enginepsilas object oriented design is modular and can be easily extended to support new functionality in a timely manner. This significantly shortens development time and abstracts complexities from the developer allowing for clean and efficient implementations of games and simulations.