cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Countdown Pedestrian Signals on Pedestrian Behavior and Perception of Intersection Safety in the District of Columbia

Countdown pedestrian signals (CPS) are increasingly being used as a supplementary device for improving safety at signalized intersections. This research examined the impact of CPS on pedestrian crossing behaviors in the District of Columbia where the display of the remaining time for crossing the intersection begins with the steady "WALK" indication and continues through the flashing DON'T WALK indication. The research also examined pedestrians' perception of safety in crossing intersections equipped with CPS. Data on a number of pedestrian behaviors were collected at the 14 intersections before and after the installation of the CPS through video playback in morning and evening peak periods. The frequency of pedestrian involvement in running, balking, vehicular conflicts, crossing violations, and compliance were among the variables observed. In addition, a survey was conducted at the intersections with high pedestrian traffic to assess pedestrians' perception of safety in relation to the CPS. Statistical analyses were conducted at 5% level of significance to ascertain the significance of changes in variables used as measures of effectiveness. From the results, pedestrians overwhelmingly attributed their increased perception of safety in crossing intersections to the presence of the CPS. However, there was no overwhelming consensus of statistically significant changes in pedestrian behaviors at the intersections as a result of the CPS installations. The results did not indicate any adverse pedestrian behavior caused by CPS installations either. CPS were effectively recognized and understood by pedestrians. More than 80% of the pedestrians surveyed at 7 intersections favored the use of CPS.
Education and Training Needs of School Staff Relevant to Preventing Risk Behaviors and Promoting Health Behaviors Among Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Questioning Youth

Abstract A national-level needs assessment of high school psychologists, social workers, counselors, and nurses was conducted to identify training and educational resource material needs of these staff relevant to providing health and mental health services to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and questioning (GLBQ) youth. Systematic sampling procedures were employed with professional membership lists of five national organizations. A self-administered survey, extensively pilot tested, was completed by 941 school staff. Results revealed that most staff acknowledged the presence of GLBQ youth in their schools; reported “accepting” attitudes toward these students; perceived GLBQ students to be at much higher risk, than their heterosexual counterparts, for several health and mental health problems; indicated that they should be providing more services to these students; and identified a number of barriers related to school climate, lack of staff training, and community/parental opposition that hamper service provision...
Distraction and attitude change: A resolution

Abstract Previous studies have shown that distraction may either increase or decrease attitude change. The present experiment, designed to reconcile earlier findings, was based on the hypothesis that distraction should interfere with message reception but also increase yielding to the message. Distraction should thus increase attitude change to a simple message (one which is easily understood but not very convincing), but decrease attitude change to a complex message (one which is difficult to understand but convicing if understood). Subjects beard messages on two topics, sometimes while distracted by a tape recording of music and sometimes not. Message complexity was successfully manipulated for one of the topics. The results support a model of attitude change which considers the effects of independent variables on both reception and yielding.
A double-injection technique for in vivo measurement of dopamine D2-receptor density in monkeys with 3-(2'-[18F]fluoroethyl)spiperone and dynamic positron emission tomography.

Dopamine D2-receptor density in striatum of monkey was measured with 3-(2'-({sup 18}F)fluoroethyl)spiperone (FESP) and dynamic positron emission tomography (PET), using a double-injection technique. A first bolus of high specific activity (SA) FESP (5 mCi; approximately equal to 1 Ci/mumol) was injected i.v.; 90 min later, a second bolus of lower SA FESP (5 mCi; approximately equal to 0.04 Ci/mumol) was injected. A dynamic PET study was performed to measure the kinetics of FESP in striatum over 180 min, and the metabolite-corrected concentration of FESP in plasma as a function of time was obtained from arterial blood samples. A nonlinear compartmental model that took into account the saturability of the receptor binding was used to describe the kinetics of FESP in striatum. Model parameters were estimated by regression with a constraint based on information about the equilibrium dissociation constant of the ligand-receptor binding. Dopamine D2-receptor density in striatum was estimated to be 25.9 +/- 12.7 pmol/g in seven Macaca nemestrina monkeys. The method does not require the use of cerebellum as a reference tissue region and an estimate of dopamine D2-receptor density can be obtained from a single study.
Identifying and managing conjoint threats : Earthquake-induced hazardous materials releases in the US

Abstract Hazardous materials (hazmat), in many forms, are ubiquitous in modern society. Not only are they present in manufacturing and commercial establishments, but also in homes, medical facilities, laboratories and schools. Further, hazmat is transported by truck and rail and pipeline and stored in large tanks. Indeed, these materials are both integrated into communities in fixed facilities and circulate through neighborhoods in the transportation process. In areas that are vulnerable to earthquakes, the presence of hazmat poses special problems. This article examines the nature of earthquake-induced hazmat releases, their likelihood and their impact on emergency response systems. It is argued that hazmat incidents become an additional diaster agent that must be integrated into the management framework for earthquakes. Under specified conditions, an earthquake could initiate releases from many sources simultaneously, severely taxing the emergency management system. Further, earthquake-related obstacles to emergency response severely hamper the management of hazmat releases. These obstacles include loss of communication capacity, overload of the emergency medical system, loss of warning systems for the public, and impediments to incident access caused by road buckling, fires, rubble, structural collapse and flooding from damaged water mains. A case review of the hazmat problems that arose during the Northridge earthquake is reported to identify challenges posed for emergency managers. The article closes with a series of recommendations for mitigation, preparedness and emergency response.
Microprocessor Controlled Multipoint Recorder with Graphical Video Output for Reactor Core Temperatures

Many nuclear reactors and experimental facilities use multipoint strip chart recorders for the measurement of temperature and other data. These recorders have several serious deficiencies, including: lack of display visibility, poor data format, poor operator interaction and the requirement for a great deal of maintenance activity. To eliminate these problems and provide the operator with a quick, accurate method of displaying recorded data, a microprocessor controlled multipoint recorder has been developed. This unit uses a video monitor to display data in graphical form and a magnetic tape recorder to provide archival storage and data retrieval. This paper describes the hardware and software design details of this device and describes its use.
The dosimetric properties of an applicator system for intraoperative electron-beam therapy utilizing a Clinac-18 accelerator.

A prototype electron applicator system providing circular and rectangular fields for use in intraoperative electron beam therapy with a Varian Clinac 18 linear accelerator has been fabricated. The dosimetric properties of this system for a variety of electron‐beam energies, applicator sizes, and x‐ray collimator settings was documented. Significant findings include: (a) surface dose values are in excess of 90% for electron energies of 12 MeV and above; (b) for the 18‐MeV beam, the deepest depth where the central axis dose is 90% of its maximum value is in excess of 50 mm for circular applicators whose diameters are in excess of 5 cm; and (c) the treatment time to deliver 1000 rads ‘‘given dose’’ (at a given dose rate of 300 MU/min) is on the order of 3–4 min. Cross‐field behavior is acceptable for the intended application and x‐ray contamination is less than 4% for any applicator/electron energy combination. A system for irregular field blocking and TLD verification dosimetry has been developed.
Amphiphilic Janus particles at fluid interfaces

Janus particles are colloids that have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic faces. Recent advances in particle synthesis enable the generation of geometrically and chemically anisotropic Janus particles with high uniformity and precision. These amphiphilic particles are similar to molecular surfactants in many aspects; they self-assemble in bulk media and also readily attach to fluid interfaces. These particles, just like molecular surfactants, could potentially function as effective stabilizers for various multiphasic systems such as emulsions and foams. In particular, just as the shape and chemical composition have a significant impact on the surfactancy of molecular amphiphiles, the ability to control the shape and wetting properties of Janus particles could provide a unique opportunity to control their surface activity. In this review, we first examine the recent developments in using amphiphilic Janus particles as colloid surfactants to stabilize multiphasic mixtures such as emulsions. These results have motivated a number of detailed investigations aimed at understanding the behaviour of Janus particles at fluid–fluid interfaces at the microscopic level, which we highlight. This review also discusses the importance of controlling the shape of Janus particles, which has a drastic impact on their behaviour at fluid interfaces. We conclude this review by presenting outlook on the future directions and outstanding problems that warrant further study to fully enable the utilization of Janus particles as colloid surfactants in practical applications.
The k-ZIG: flexible modeling for zero-inflated counts.

Summary. Many applications involve count data from a process that yields an excess number of zeros. Zero-inflated count models, in particular, zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) and zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) models, along with Poisson hurdle models, are commonly used to address this problem. However, these models struggle to explain extreme incidence of zeros (say more than 80%), especially to find important covariates. In fact, the ZIP may struggle even when the proportion is not extreme. To redress this problem we propose the class of k-ZIG models. These models allow more flexible modeling of both the zero-inflation and the nonzero counts, allowing interplay between these two components. We develop the properties of this new class of models, including reparameterization to a natural link function. The models are straightforwardly fitted within a Bayesian framework. The methodology is illustrated with simulated data examples as well as a forest seedling dataset obtained from the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis program.
Treadmill stress test in left ventricular hypertrophy.

Twenty-one patients with electrocardiographically diagnosed left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and essentially normal coronary arteries on arteriography were subjected to a snbmaximal treadmill stress test (TST). Six of the 16 patients (38 percent) able to attain a heart rate of at least 90 percent of their predicted maximum were found to have positive tests. It is concluded that LVH in and of itself may cause a positive TST.
The Solids Content of Egg White

Abstract THE white of a fresh egg is separated into several well defined layers. The layer adjacent to the shell is quite fluid or watery. Just inside this layer is another which is markedly different in that it has a comparatively firm structure and a certain resilency. It is usually found to be attached to the shell at the small end of the egg. Pearl and Curtis (1912) pointed out that inside of the second layer may be found another, which they considered to be relatively small and to result from a slight shrinking of the fibrous structure in the firmer white. This third layer has much the same appearance as the outer watery layer and often is even more fluid. Surrounding the yolk is a thin covering of fibrous material which extends out in the form of the chalazae. This fourth layer somewhat resembles the others; however, it seems preferable . . .
Latest Laurentide Ice Sheet: New evidence from southern New England

Within a 50-km segment of the coast of Connecticut, the discovery of two discontinuous late Wisconsin end moraines — the Old Saybrook moraine and the Madison moraine — extends existing knowledge of end moraines that occur to the east. The moraines trend N75°E, which is oblique to the coast; the Old Saybrook moraine intersects the coast farther east than the Madison moraine. Offshore, within an area of about 235 km 2 , a study of the bottom and subbottom by acoustic-reflection profiling has revealed a probable westward continuation of the Old Saybrook moraine. The 18-km-long continuation was recognized by its form and by concentrations of large boulders. Bedrock shoals were differentiated from shoals believed to be end moraine according to (1) absence of surface boulders and (2) greater relief than that which would be expected on drift reworked by surf and currents during postglacial submergence. Increased width of the Old Saybrook moraine at the mouth of the Connecticut River may indicate an ice stream within the former ice sheet. The newly identified moraines fit reasonably into the general framework of similar features between New Jersey and Cape Cod. North of the moraines and parallel with them, is a belt within which ice-contact stratified drift merges into outwash. This belt is believed to approximate a glacier terminus of later date, when the glacial regimen was less active. Search of the Connecticut region north of this line has not thus far yielded evidence of later positions of a discrete margin of the former ice sheet.
QoS provisioning in cellular networks based on mobility prediction techniques

In cellular networks, QoS degradation or forced termination may occur when there are insufficient resources to accommodate handoff requests. One solution is to predict the trajectory of mobile terminals so as to perform resource reservations in advance. With the vision that future mobile devices are likely to be equipped with reasonably accurate positioning capability, we investigate how this new feature may be used for mobility predictions. We propose a mobility prediction technique that incorporates road topology information, and describe its use for dynamic resource reservation. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the improvement in reservation efficiency compared with several other schemes.
Solid Deuterium-Tritium Surface Roughness In A Beryllium Inertial Confinement Fusion Shell

Solid deuterium-tritium (D-T) fuel layers for inertial confinement fusion experiments were formed inside of a 2 mm diameter beryllium shell and were characterized using phase-contrast enhanced x-ray imaging. The solid D-T surface roughness is found to be 0.4 {micro}m for modes 7-128 at 1.5 K below the melting temperature. The layer roughness is found to increase with decreasing temperature, in agreement with previous visible light characterization studies. However, phase-contrast enhanced x-ray imaging provides a more robust surface roughness measurement than visible light methods. The new x-ray imaging results demonstrate clearly that the surface roughness decreases with time for solid D-T layers held at 1.5 K below the melting temperature.
Lymphocyte stimulation in vitro by orosomucoid glycoprotein

Mitogenesis of human peripheral blood lymphocytes as measured by the uptake of [3H]thymidine was stimulated in vitro by pure orosomucoid glycoprotein when used at concentrations that are considerably lower than the physiological plasma level. The lymphocyte cultures stimulated with PHA or PWM were not affected by low concentration (67 micrograms/ml), but they were mildly suppressed by high concentration (1 mg/ml) of this glycoprotein. The stimulatory response was relatively greater with fractionated T cells than the non-T cells (B cells and monocytes). At 50 micrograms/ml concentration of orosomucoid, the lymphocyte activation was found in randomly selected blood donors which included normal healthy volunteers and patients with T cell immunodeficiency or Alzheimer's disease, demonstrating a consistent immunostimulatory action of this glycoprotein.
Aluminum and reactive element additions to chromium steel fibers for oxidation resistance in surface combustion

Abstract Radiant burners have traditionally been made from ceramic fibers and reticulated ceramics. Metal fiber burners (MFBs) are a recent innovation. MFBs are currently made using fine FeCrAl alloy fibers, modified to include a small amount (≈0.1 wt.%) of a reactive element (RE), e.g., yttrium. The choice of RE modified FeCrAl alloy is due to their excellent oxidation resistance under both isothermal and cyclic oxidation conditions. FeCrAl alloy fibers for MFBs are currently made using sophisticated drawing techniques. The fibers are pressed to the required dimensions and porosity of the MFB and sintered to provide pad strength. We are investigating a different method for producing MFBs that begins with chromium steel fibers and diffuses aluminum and a reactive element into these fibers using pack cementation. The advantage of this method is that the compositional modification of the fibers to the FeCrAl alloy composition and their sintering can be accomplished simultaneously. In this paper we present experimental details and some preliminary results obtained using this technique. Starting with loose chromium steel fibers, we were able to produce small fiber pads of FeCrAl composition. We also observed that the fibers always sintered together during diffusion providing sufficient strength to the pad. RE is required only at the surface of the fiber. In most of our experiments we detected RE at the surface of the fiber. On the basis of these experimental results and observations we conclude that pack cementation is a viable technique for producing MFBs from chromium steel fibers.
Metastatic tumors to the bones of the foot.

Information on lesions that are metastatic to the bones of the feet is limited. Review of the literature revealed only 17 cases, nine of which were confirmed histologically. Our series involved the clinical records, roentgenograms, and pathologic specimens in eight cases of biopsy-proven metastatic involvement of the bones of the foot. In three additional cases, there was clinical and roentgeno-graphic evidence of metastatic osseous foot lesion but biopsy was not done to provide histologic confirmation. Genitourinary malignancies tended to be associated with metastasis to the bones of the feet, the calcaneus being the commonest site of involvement. Although metastatic lesions of the foot are rare, foot pain may be suggestive of an occult carcinoma. Foot pain was the initial presenting complaint in five of our eight cases. The pathogenesis of these distal metastatic lesions remains obscure. Specific problems in management are associated with osseous metastases of the foot.
Determining the firth order nonlinear optical susceptibility of a polydiacetylene film

Polydiacetylenes are known to possess large 3rd order nonlinearity due to their extensively delocalized π-electrons along the backbone.1–6
Differential expression of integrin α subunits supports distinct roles during lung branching morphogenesis

Epithelial branching morphogenesis is a process by which a continuous epithelium, embedded in mesenchyme, forms tubules that extend and branch into the surrounding mesenchyme. The morphogenetic process is responsible for the architecture of many organs including the lung. Proper expression and function of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, such as collagens and laminins, are necessary for branching to occur normally. However, little is known about the role of epithelial cell surface molecules that mediate epithelial-matrix interactions during this process. We have studied the expression patterns of cell surface collagen and laminin integrin receptor alpha subunits, alpha 1, alpha 2, alpha 3, and alpha 6, in relation to that of collagen and laminin during lung branching morphogenesis. The alpha 1 integrin subunit was present on endothelia and smooth muscles around airways and large blood vessels. The mesenchyme expressed high levels of alpha 2 and alpha 6 but not alpha 3, whereas the epithelium expressed all three integrin subunits. In contrast to the widespread epithelial expression of alpha 3 and alpha 6, the epithelial expression of alpha 2 was restricted to branch tips. By performing in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence on serial sections, we found that alpha 2 protein expression on the epithelium correlated spatially and temporally with high level expression of collagen IV and laminin-1 mRNAs, suggesting that the alpha 2-expressing epithelial cells were in the process of producing and assembling their collagen and laminin matrices. While the expression of alpha 3 and alpha 6 on all lung epithelia suggests that these integrins may be important to lung epithelial development, the unique expression pattern of the alpha 2 subunit suggests that the alpha 2 beta 1 integrin may be important at branch tips either in the process of collagen/laminin synthesis and assembly or extension of the epithelial tubules into the mesenchyme.
MR imaging of diffuse liver disease.

The recent development of rapid-acquisition techniques with excellent image quality and tissue-specific contrast agents has rendered MR imaging the most accurate imaging modality for the evaluation of liver disease. In many instances, with the appropriate combination of sequences, MR imaging can diagnose and characterize diffuse liver disease accurately so that the need for invasive procedures is obviated. MR imaging plays an important role in the evaluation of complications and follow-up of diffuse hepatic disease and may have prognostic and therapeutic implications. Diffuse liver disease by definition refers to any destructive or infiltrative process that involves the liver parenchyma, the biliary ducts, or the vascular structures leading to liver dysfunction. Diffuse liver disease includes a variety of conditions, such as infectious and inflammatory diseases, storage and metabolic disorders, neoplastic diseases, and vascular diseases. Cirrhosis, a complex and slowly destructive process of various etiologies, is considered as a distinct entity. This article discusses abdominal MR imaging techniques and findings on the most common causes of diffuse liver disease with an emphasis on MR imaging patterns and pathologic correlation.
Automated size analysis for OCL

An essential tool in object oriented modeling is the specification of cardinalities of associations between classes. In Object Constraint Language (OCL) such constraints are expressed as conditions on the sizes of the collections that correspond to associations. In this paper we present tools and techniques for automated verification of size properties of collection types in OCL. We automatically verify invariants related to the sizes of the collections of a class with respect to the pre and post-conditions of the methods of that class. Our approach is based on a size abstraction that abstracts away the contents of the collections, but preserves the constraints on their sizes. We implemented a tool which automates this abstraction by converting OCL expressions on collections to arithmetic expressions on their sizes. Following this translation, we employ an infinite state model checker, called Action Language Verifier (ALV), for size analysis. Size abstraction reduces the state space of the system and, hence, the cost of automated verification, and by focusing on size properties, enables us to use efficient, domain specific model checking techniques for automated verification. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach we conducted a case study on the OCL specification of the Java Card API. The OCL specification of the Java Card API consists of 31 classes and 150 methods. Using our tool, we translated the OCL specification of each class to Action Language and verified the size properties using ALV. Verification with ALV took only a few seconds per class and we revealed errors in 26 out of the 150 method specifications.
Implantable Subcutaneous Venous Access Devices: Is Port Fixation Necessary? A Review of 534 Cases

Conventional surgical technique of subcutaneous venous port placement describes dissection of the port pocket to the pectoralis fascia and suture fixation of the port to the fascia to prevent inversion of the device within the pocket. This investigation addresses the necessity of that step. Between October 8, 2004 and October 19, 2007, 558 subcutaneous chest ports were placed at our institution; 24 cases were excluded from this study. We performed a retrospective review of the remaining 534 ports, which were placed using standard surgical technique with the exception that none were sutured into the pocket. Mean duration of port use, total number of port days, indications for removal, and complications were recorded and compared with the literature. Mean duration of port use was 341 days (182,235 total port days, range 1–1279). One port inversion/flip occurred, which resulted in malfunction and necessitated port revision (0.2%). Other complications necessitating port removal included infection 26 (5%), thrombosis n = 2 (<1%), catheter fracture/pinch n = 1 (<1%), pain n = 2 (<1%), and skin erosion n = 3 (1%). There were two arrhythmias at the time of placement; neither required port removal. The overall complication rate was 7%. The 0.2% incidence of port inversion we report is concordant with that previously published, although many previous reports do not specify if suture fixation of the port was performed. Suture fixation of the port, in our experience, is not routinely necessary and may negatively impact port removal.
Sentencing Decisions in Three U.S. District Courts: Testing the Assumption of Uniformity in the Federal Sentencing Process:

Studies of the federal sentencing process typically focus on sentencing decisions at the national level. These studies assume, either explicitly or implicitly, that there is little interdistrict va...
IL-22 activates oxidant signaling in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediate cell-signaling processes in response to various ligands and play important roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. The present study reports that interleukin-22 (IL-22) elicits signal transduction in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) through a ROS-dependent mechanism. We find that pulmonary artery SMCs express IL-22 receptor alpha 1 and that IL-22 activates STAT3 through this receptor. IL-22-induced signaling is found to be mediated by NADPH oxidase, as indicated by the observations that the inhibition and siRNA knock-down of this enzyme inhibit IL-22 signaling. IL-22 triggers the oxidative modifications of proteins through protein carbonylation and protein glutathionylation. Mass spectrometry identified some proteins that are carbonylated in response to IL-22 stimulation, including α-enolase, heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein, mitochondrial 60 kDa heat shock protein, and cytoplasmic 2 actin and determined that α-tubulin is glutathionylated. Protein glutathionylation and STAT3 phosphorylation are enhanced by the siRNA knock-down of glutaredoxin, while IL-22-mediated STAT3 phosphorylation is suppressed by knocking down thioredoxin interacting protein, an inhibitor of thioredoxin. IL-22 is also found to promote the growth of SMCs via NADPH oxidase. In rats, pulmonary hypertension is found to be associated with increased smooth muscle IL-22 expression. These results show that IL-22 promotes the growth of pulmonary vascular SMCs via a signaling mechanism that involves NADPH oxidase-dependent oxidation.
Die neue Photokristallographie

Kleine Ursache, grose Wirkung: In einer jungsten photokristallographischen Studie wurde ein starker Anstieg der magnetischen Suszeptibilitat eines Kristalls beim Bestrahlen mit UV-Licht beobachtet. Der Suszeptibilitatsanstieg ging mit einer betrachtlichen Verkurzung der Bindungslangen der Nd-NC-Fe-Einheit einher (siehe Bild; Bindungslangen in A im Grundzustand (schwarz) und im photoinduzierten Zustand (rot)).
Joan Miró’s Call and Response

‘‘Best of luck to the globule of life and so may it agglomerate with itself as many times as the raindrop on the leaf and windowpane, according to tracings no sooner here than gone of which it guards the secret and this in as many directions as the rays of the sun describe. It’s like the pearls in those little round boxes from childhood a toy you don’t see anymore that didn’t let you go for as long as, with great patience, you hadn’t punctuated to the very last cavity a mouth putting on a smile. The head of Ogmios coifed as a wild boar always rings so clearly through the squally thunder: it offers us a countenance forever struck from the same die as the heavens. In the middle, primordial beauty, stammering out vowels, served with supreme adroitness by numbers.’’ Andre Breton, 1958, ‘‘Ciphers and Constellations in Love with a Woman,’’ Constellations
Mammogram synthesis using a three-dimensional simulation. III. Modeling and evaluation of the breast ductal network

A method is proposed for realistic simulation of the breast ductal network as part of a computer three-dimensional (3-D) breast phantom. The ductal network is simulated using tree models. Synthetic trees are generated based upon a description of ductal branching by ramification matrices (R matrices), whose elements represent the probabilities of branching at various levels of a tree. We simulated the ductal network of the breast, consisting of multiple lobes, by random binary trees (RBT). Each lobe extends from the ampulla and consists of branching ductal segments of decreasing size, and the associated terminal ductal-lobular units. The lobes follow curved paths that project from the nipple toward the chest wall. We have evaluated the RBT model by comparing manually-traced ductal networks from 25 projections of ductal lobes in clinical galactograms and manually-traced networks from 23 projections of synthetic RBTs. A root-mean-square (rms) fractional error of 41%, between the R-matrix elements corresponding to clinical and synthetic images, was computed. This difference was influenced by projection and segmentation artifacts and by the limited number of available images. In addition, we analyzed 23 synthetic trees generated using R matrices computed from clinical images. A comparison of these synthetic and clinical images yielded a rms fractional error of 11%, suggesting the possibility that a more appropriate model of the ductal branching morphology may be developed. Rejection of the RBT model also suggests the existence of a relationship between ductal branching morphology and the state of mammary developmentand pathology.
Effect of a Chemical Modified Urea Fertilizer on Soil Quality: Soil Microbial Populations Around Corn Roots

Slow‐release nitrogen (N) fertilizers are used to increase N‐use efficiency and extend N availability over a plant‐growing season. One formula of this fertilizer commonly used in turf and horticultural crops is methylene–urea–triazone. After this compound is applied in the soil, it is subject to bacterial degradation and becomes available for uptake by plants. The objective of this work is to elucidate the application of methylene–urea–triazone in the soil microbial population as well as effects on soil quality. Zea mays was planted in a silty loam soil. Urea and methylene–urea–triazone were incorporated into the soil. Two weeks and 6 weeks after inoculation, soil samples were collected and used to inoculate agar plates and for DNA extraction. Bacterial colony morphology was examined. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was performed with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the rRNA gene cluster. The Shannon Wiener index was determined for...
Real-time analysis of the microstructural evolution and optical properties of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films as a function of Cu content

Thin films of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 with various copper contents were deposited by co-evaporation onto thermally oxidized silicon substrates. Characterization by real-time spectroscopic ellipsometry reveals clear similarities among the samples, as well as key variations with Cu content. Although all films exhibit a Volmer–Weber nucleation and similar fundamental critical point energies in the analysis of optical properties, Cu-rich films exhibit enhanced coalescence, smoother surfaces, larger grain sizes, as well as a sub-bandgap absorption which is absent in Cu-poor films. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A simple model for neutrino cooling of the large magellanic cloud supernova.

A simplified analytic model of a cooling hot neutron star, motivated by detailed computer calculations, describes well the neutrinos detected from the recent supernova in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The observations do not require explanations that invoke exotic physics or complicated astrophysics. The parameters in this simple model are not severely constrained: 6.1 -3.6 +3.5 x 10 52 ergs emitted in electron antineutrinos, a peak temperature of 4.2 -0.8 +1.2 megaelectron volts, a radius of 27 -15 +17 kilometers, and a cooling time of 4.5 -2.0 +1.7 seconds.
Measurement of the hyperfine splitting of the6S1/2level in rubidium

We present a measurement of the hyperfine splitting of the 6S$_{1/2}$ excited level of rubidium using two photon absorption spectroscopy in a glass cell. The values we obtain for the magnetic dipole constant A are 239.18(03) MHz and 807.66(08) MHz for $^{85}$Rb and $^{87}$Rb, respectively. The combination of the magnetic moments of the two isotopes and our measurements show a hyperfine anomaly in this atomic excited state. The observed hyperfine anomaly difference has a value of $_{87}\delta_{85}=-0.0036(2)$ due to the finite distribution of nuclear magnetization, the Bohr-Weisskopf effect.
WE‐E‐332‐06: Estimated Cumulative Effective Dose From PET/CT in Pediatric Patients with Malignancies

Purpose: To estimate the cumulative effective dose to pediatric patients with malignancy from regularly PET/CT scans. Method and Materials: We retrospectively reviewed 248 PET/CT studies performed on 78 pediatric patients with malignancies who were being periodically scanned for evaluation of disease progression. To estimate the effective dose from the CT portion of the exam, we used the ImPACT CT Patient Dosimetry Calculator software package which provides estimates based on patient specific scan parameters (scanner, kVp, mAs, collimation, scan coverage and so on). To estimate effective dose from the PET portion of the study, OLINDA software (Vanderbilt University) was used which provides estimates based on patient specific FDG doses. Since estimations from both parts were based on adult models, effective doses were adjusted for patient age according to published values. Results: The average effective dose from a single CT scan was 20.3mSv, ranging from 2.7 to 54.2 mSv. For the PET study the average effective dose was 4.6mSv, ranging from 0.4 to 7.7mSv. For a combined PET/CT study the average was 24.8 mSv, ranging from 6.2 to 60.7mSv. The average cumulative effective dose per patient from combined PET/CT studies was 78.9mSv, ranging from 6.2 to 399 mSv. Radiationdoses varied significantly depending on the number of studies as well as the number of additional CT scans performed. Conclusion: Effective doses from combined PET/CT studies for pediatric patients with malignancies may be significant. While some of these patients will go on to radiation therapy, many will not. While PET/CT remains an important non‐invasive diagnostic, staging, and surveillance modality, the decision to use PET/CT should be made with particular awareness to the cumulative radiationdose, potential dose reduction options (such as further reducing tube currents) and the overall benefit of this exam.
The use of irreversible ligands to inactivate receptor subtypes: 4-DAMP mustard and muscarinic receptors in smooth muscle

Irreversible ligands are useful tools for investigating the function of receptor subtypes in various physiological processes. The mechanism for alkylation involves the formation of a reversible receptor complex followed by a covalent reaction. The extent of receptor alkylation is determined by the dissociation constant of the reversible complex and the rate constant for conversion to the covalent complex. Selectivity can be achieved if the irreversible ligand exhibits a difference in its dissociation constants for receptor subtypes. Selective alkylation can also be achieved using a selective competitive inhibitor to protect the desired receptor subtype. By using the non-M2-selective irreversible antagonist, 4-DAMP mustard, in combination with the competitive M2-selective antagonist, AF-DX 116, it has been possible to achieve a highly selective inactivation of all non-M2 subtypes of the muscarinic receptors in smooth muscle and has enabled the discovery of the functional role of M2 receptors in smooth muscle.
Initial survey of arthropods found in North Coast vineyards of California.

A survey of spider mites and their predators in North Coast vineyards revealed that Tetranychus pacificus McGregor and Eotetranychus willamettei (McGregor) are differentially distributed on the vine and leaves. Metaseiulus occidentalis (Nesbitt) is the most abundant predator and the only one with distribution coinciding with that of the spider mites occurring on foliage. Other predators, notably mites of the families Bdellidae and Anystidae, may be important factors limiting the number of spider mites successfully overwintering in the bark fissures. Of eight vinifera varieties plus wild grape sampled, ‘Sauvignon vert’ was the most susceptible to attack by spider mites and supported the highest densities.
Neutron diffraction determination of hydrogen atom locations in the α ( TiCrSiO ) 1/1 crystal approximant

Titanium/zirconium-based quasicrystals and their related crystal approximants have been identified as potential new materials for hydrogen storage applications. To better understand the local chemistry and atomic ordering in these phases, preferential interstitial sites for hydrogen/deuterium were determined for $\ensuremath{\alpha}(\mathrm{TiCrSiO}).$ This is a bcc 1/1 crystal approximant to the icosahedral quasicrystal phase that contains a two-shell, Mackay-icosahedral cluster of atoms at each bcc site. It absorbs hydrogen or deuterium, without formation of other hydride phases, to a maximum hydrogen to metal atom ratio $(H/M)$ of 0.26. For fully deuterated samples, both tetrahedral and octahedral interstitial sites are occupied with fractions of 0.14 and 0.12, respectively. Here, the hydrogen/deuterium sites are determined from a Rietveld analysis of x-ray and neutron powder diffraction data taken from samples of $\ensuremath{\alpha}(\mathrm{TiCrSiO})$ loaded with deuterium. Only the octahedral sites are occupied in the partially deuterated samples $(D/M=0.11).$ A decrease in the oxygen concentration below the stoichiometric value for $\ensuremath{\alpha}(\mathrm{TiCrSiO})$ leads to an increase in the total amount of hydrogen that can be absorbed, suggesting that these interstitial atoms are competing for the same octahedral interstitial sites.
Analysis of ancient pottery from the Palatine Hill in Rome

A program of compositional analysis using neutron activation has been performed on samples of Roman fineware from the Palatine East excavations in Rome at the University of Illinois' TRIGA reactor. These experiments are ultimately intended to assist the authors in advancing the understanding of the organization of pottery production and distribution in central Italy during the late Roman imperial period (4th–5th c. AD). The objectives of this paper are 1) to present an archaeological background of two regionally-produced finewares, 2) to discuss the methods of sampling, irradiation and data analyses, and 3) to demonstrate the preliminary results of our investigation, which included the analyses of Plio-Pleistocene clays from the Janiculum Hill in Rome.
FLORES SALGADO, ELIZABETH. The Pragmatics of Requests and Apologies. Philadelphia/Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 2012. Pp. v, 212. $143.00, cloth. ISBN 978–9–02725–618–8.

The article reviews the book "The Pragmatics of Requests and Apologies," by Elizabeth Flores Salgado.
A New Approach to Shock Isolation and Vibration Suppression Using a Resetable Actuator

A novel low power control technique along with a new class of actuators is developed for shock isolation and control of structural vibrations. In contrast to other techniques, including conventional viscous or rate damping, the force produced by the actuator has no velocity dependence. Several experimental, analytical, and simulation results are presented in support of this new, semi-active technique for structural control. The basic approach is to manipulate the system stiffness through the use of resetable actuators. With the proposed control approach, the actuator behaves like a linear spring. However, at appropriate times, the effective unstretched length of the actuator is changed—or reset—to extract energy from the vibrating structure. Experimental validation of the actuator model, analytical results on stability and actuator-placement, and simulation results for earthquake applications are presented.@S0022-0434~00!01603-8#
Theoretical Insights Regarding the Cycloaddition Behavior of Push-Pull Stabilized Carbonyl Ylides.

A series of diazoamido keto esters were prepared by the reaction of N-substituted 3-carbethoxy-2-piperidone with n-butylmagnesium chloride followed by the addition of ethyl 2-diazomalonyl chloride. Treatment of these diazo amides with rhodium(II) acetate afforded transient push−pull carbonyl ylide dipoles which could be readily trapped with electron deficient dipolarophiles. All attempts to induce the dipolar cycloaddition to occur across tethered alkenyl π-bonds failed to give internal cycloadducts. However, placing a sp2 center on the tethered side chain was found to result in the formation of a tricyclic adduct in 95% yield. The stereochemistry of the cycloadduct was firmly established by an X-ray crystallographic study and occurred endo with respect to the amido carbonyl ylide dipole. A detailed computational study was undertaken to provide better insight into the factors that influence the intramolecular cycloaddition process. The calculations indicate that a severe cross-ring 1,3-diaxial interaction...
134 ASSESSMENT OF ADRENAL AUTOTRANSPLANTATION IN THE RAT BY WEIGHT GAIN AND STRESS RESPONSE

134 ASSESSMENT OF ADRENAL AUTOTRANSPLANTATION IN THE RAT BY WEIGHT GAIN AND STRESS RESPONSE
A Three-Dimensional Lumped Parameter Model of Nanoscale Phononic Crystals

This work focuses on modeling nanoscale phononic crystals by setting up the appropriate Lagrangian equations of motion. The atomic structure and force constants are accounted for by means of a lumped parameter mass-spring model. In particular we focus on a simple cubic lattice with one mass per primitive unit cell. We use the model to predict the wave propagation frequency spectrum. We then use the model to conduct a series of studies on the influence of defects intentionally introduced to the lattice at a supercell level. One area of interest is the effect of such alterations on the size and location of band gaps.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Diffuse pagetoid squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the esophagus : a case report

BACKGROUND In Western countries, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is usually advanced at presentation and is rarely diagnosed in situ. The authors studied an in situ squamous cell carcinoma that occupied the entire mucosa of a 9 cm length of esophagus, causing dysphagia for solid food in a woman aged 68 years. METHODS The esophagectomy specimen contained a circumferential region of depressed tan mucosa in the middle and lower thirds, bordered above and below by normal squamous mucosa, without ulcer, stricture, or mass. The entire lesion was submitted for histology and evaluated with immunostains for cytokeratins and markers of Paget's cells, p53 mutation, and proliferation. RESULTS The lesion involved 45 cm2 of mucosa. Large, atypical cells with frequent mitoses occupied the basal layers of the squamous epithelium and were often separated from more superficial maturing cells by acantholysis. Pagetoid spread of tumor cells into nonneoplastic surface and gland duct epithelium was prominent. The tumor cells expressed cytokeratins of low molecular weight, p53 gene product, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), but lacked markers usually seen in Paget's cells in the breast or vulva. No invasion was evident. CONCLUSIONS This extensive in situ squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus resulted from pagetoid spread of tumor cells. These cells had a phenotype suggestive of origin from primitive epidermal stem cells and also had overexpressed p53 and PCNA, but they lacked the capacity to penetrate the basement membrane. Flat, erythematous areas of esophageal mucosa seen during endoscopy could represent early squamous cell carcinoma and should be biopsied. Cancer 1997; 79:1865-70. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Energy Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors for Bound Quantum Systems Using Parametric Equations of Motion

This paper considers the solution of a family of Schrodinger equations, characterized by one or more continuous parameters in the Hamiltonian. From a solution of the Schrodinger equation at initial parameter values all other solutions may be obtained by integrating a set of ordinary differential equations in the parameter space of the quantum system. Specifically, the parametric equations for energy eigenvalues and eigenstates are explored. Existing parameteric equations are generalized to include nonlinear parameters in the Hamiltonian and systems with degenerate eigenstates. The connections between this method and more traditional methods like perturbation theory and the variational principle are examined. The method is illustrated with the study of the vibrational energies of hydrogen fluoride calculated by deforming continuously the solutions of a harmonic oscillator to those of a Morse oscillator. In another example several coupled diatomic electronic states are considered where the deformation parameter is the bond length. It is demonstrated that no modification of the method is required to treat degeneracies or avoided level crossings. 15 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.
Relationship of estradiol and prostaglandins in sperm retention in the mated rabbit

Abstract Estradiol-17β (3 μg), administered 1 hr before mating, significantly increased sperm retention in oviducts, uterus, cervices and vagina of does at 2 hr after mating. Indomethacin itself, administered 1.5 hr before mating, reduced the prostaglandin F 2 α concentration in the uterus and reduced the number of sperm recovered from the oviducts, cervices and vagina, but indomethacin did not block the estradiol-induced increase in sperm retention in the reproductive tract. Increased sperm retention due to estradiol is probably not mediated solely by prostaglandin F 2 α.