cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to fish genetics and genome mapping.

The various applications of the technique of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to fish genetics will be reviewed for fishes being used as model organisms to study human disease, including those species for which major genome projects have been initiated. ``FISH on fish'' has been used to map highly repetitive sequences including centromere-specific sequences and sex-specific sequences, moderately repetitive sequences such as rRNAs and histones, and single-copy sequences. Paint probes specific for whole genomes, whole chromosomes, and chromosome subregions have been prepared for several species. The potential future applications of FISH to fish genetics and genome mapping will be discussed.
Convex-concave procedure for weighted sum-rate maximization in a MIMO interference network

The weighted sum-rate maximization in a general multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) interference network has known to be a challenging non-convex problem, mainly due to the interference between different links. In this paper, by exploring the special structure of the sum-rate function being a difference of concave functions, we apply the convex-concave procedure to the weighted sum-rate maximization to handle non-convexity. With the introduction of a certain damping term, we establish the monotonie convergence of the proposed algorithm. Numerical examples show that the introduced damping term slows down the convergence of our algorithm but helps with finding a better solution in the network with high interference. Even though our algorithm has a slower convergence than some existing ones, it has the guaranteed convergence and can handle more general constraints and thus provides a general solver that can find broader applications.
A review of the growing evidence base for pediatric psychopharmacology

This article provides an update of pediatric psychopharmacologic treatment evidence and focuses on six classes of medications in pediatric populations: psychostimulants, mood stabilizers, SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotic agents, and other agents. The evidence is organized by disorder so that it is most useful to practicing clinicians. We begin each section with a brief introduction and summary of the findings published before January 1998. Priority is given to clinical trials that use random assignment and use of a comparison group (ie, placebo-control, head-to-head comparison, or cross-over design). Serious concerns remain about the efficacy and safety of many of these agents for use in children and adolescents. While a great progress is being made, there is clearly much work left to be done.
Implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act in State Police and Highway Patrol Agencies: Results of a National Survey

This article provides an empirical analysis of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) implementation within the law enforcement profession. Specifically, the study reports results from a national survey of state police/highway patrol agencies regarding practical implementation of the ADA. The data is analyzed in terms of population size and collective bargaining status. Results of this endeavor indicate that implementation of the ADA within law enforcement is difficult, especially as applied to the work of sworn personnel. These challenges are somewhat diminished when applied to non-sworn personnel such as dispatchers, administrators, and clerical personnel. The most substantial obstacles to implementation of the ADA within law enforcement is not associated with political officials or administrators. Instead, most arise from the lack of training and vague legislative language and regulatory standards. Smaller states and those without collective bargaining report lower levels of accommodation; however, there are few statistically significant differences in terms of population and collective bargaining.
Evaluation of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) for measurement of silica on filter samples of coal dust.

Airborne silica dust (quartz) is common in coal mines and represents a respiratory hazard that can lead to silicosis, a potentially fatal lung disease. With an eye toward developing a portable monitoring device for rapid analysis of silica dust, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to quantify quartz in coal dust samples collected on filter media. Pure silica (Min-U-SilTM 5), Georgia kaolin, and Pittsburgh-4 and Illinois-6 coal dusts were deposited separately and at multiple mass loadings onto 37-mm polyvinylchloride (PVC) filters. LIBS-generated silicon emission was monitored at 288.16 nm, and non-silica contributions to that signal from kaolinite were removed by simultaneously detecting aluminum. Measurements of the four samples were used to calculate limits of detection (LOD) for silicon and aluminum of approximately 0.08 ?g/cm2 and 0.05 ?g/cm2, respectively (corresponding to 0.16 ?g/cm2 and 0.20 ?g/cm2 for silica and kaolinite, respectively). Relative errors of prediction are around 10%. Results demonstrate that LIBS can dependably quantify silica on filter samples of coal dust and confirm that accurate quantification can be achieved for very lightly loaded samples, which supports the potential application of LIBS for rapid, in-field monitoring.
Flow structure on a three-dimensional wing subjected to small amplitude perturbations

Small amplitude angular perturbations, of the order of one-half degree, can substantially modify the flow structure along a three-dimensional wing configuration, which is quantitatively characterized using a technique of high-image-density particle image velocimetry. Excitation at either the fundamental or the first subharmonic of the spanwise-averaged instability frequency of the separating shear layer from the stationary wing nearly eliminates the large-scale separation zone along the wing at high angle of attack. The physics of the flow is interpreted in terms of time-mean streamlines, vorticity and Reynolds stress, in conjunction with phase-averaged patterns of instantaneous vorticity. Distinctive vorticity patterns occur along the leading edge when the time-averaged separation zone is minimized.
Serum thyroid hormone changes during whole body hyperthermia

In order to elucidate changes in thyroid hormone metabolism during acute heat stress, we measured sequentially serum thyroxine (T4), triiothyronine (T3), and reverse T3 (rT3) levels in 5 patients with neoplasia during treatment with whole body hyperthermia. The core temperature was raised from 37.0 degrees C to 42.0 degrees C over a 2-hour period, maintained at 42.0 degrees C for 2 hours, and then cooled to 37.0 degrees C over 2 hours. This short period of severe hyperthermia produced a fivefold rise in rT3 and a fall in T3 levels to one half of baseline levels. T4 and free T4 levels increased slightly, but thyrotropin (measured in two patients) did not change. These changes in T3 and rT3 levels were detectable at the fourth hour after onset of hyperthermia, were maximal at 24 and 48 hours, and in one patient were uncorrected after 4 days. We conclude that this reciprocal change in T3 and rT3 levels is a response to stress and may represent in part adaptation to a high environmental temperature by the suppression of theromengic T3. Whole body hyperthermia of short duration for cancer therapy produces profound changes in the peripheral degradation of thyroxine, which last for several days. This must be considered in the management of patients receiving hyperthermia, and the technique itself may prove to be a useful model for the study of adaptation to heat stress.
All patients with heart failure and intraventricular conduction defect or dyssynchrony should not receive cardiac resynchronization therapy.

Case Presentation : J.S., a 72-year-old man, was diagnosed with heart failure 5 years ago. Before that, he had suffered a large anterior myocardial infarction and had undergone successful coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. An internal cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was implanted 3 years ago. He was hospitalized briefly for decompensated heart failure 9 months ago, and his medical regimen was intensified at that time. He subsequently resumed his usual activities, which included daily walks of up to several hundred yards around his company’s construction work site and 2 to 3 rounds of golf weekly. His only symptoms were fatigue after 36 holes of golf and shortness of breath while walking uphill rapidly. Medications included 0.125 mg digoxin, 40 mg furosemide, and target doses of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, a β-blocker, and warfarin. An ECG demonstrated atrial fibrillation with a controlled ventricular response. The QRS duration was 130 ms with a left bundle-branch block pattern. On echocardiogram, the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) was 23% with anterior wall akinesis; the LV internal diastolic dimension was 83 mm; and there was trace mitral regurgitation. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) was recommended. Placement of an LV pacing lead and “upgrading” his ICD to an ICD/biventricular pacemaker was performed uneventfully. Response by Abraham p 2691 Shortly after the procedure, he experienced recurrent ventricular tachyarrhythmias, and his ICD, which had not discharged since implantation, delivered 4 shocks over a 24-hour period to terminate episodes of ventricular fibrillation. There was no evidence of acute myocardial infarction, worsening heart failure, or a pericardial effusion. The ventricular arrhythmias were responsive to intravenous amiodarone. After 7 days, he was discharged on oral amiodarone in addition to his other medications. Over the next several weeks, he had only 1 episode of ventricular tachycardia terminated by pacing. During this period, however, he …
The adolescent and the child in the cinema of the Thaw

AbstractThis article compares and contrasts the representation of the child and adolescent hero in films of the Thaw (1956–64.). It argues that, while Thaw films seemed to represent a new value system that placed the individual in the centre, numerous films in the 1950s and 1960s continue to follow the patterns of Socialist Realist plots and position characters in hierarchical relationships that replicate the family structure represented in Stalinist texts. In the aftermath of World War II and the Purges, the family unit is broken. While adolescents seek mentors outside the traditional family, and may fall into traps and be misguided, it is the children who fix the broken family bonds. The article argues that, with the shift of narratives to focus on children, traditional values, such as family and nation, are revised, signalling a move away from the centre to the periphery, from the vertical to the horizontal axis. The child-hero moves to the margins and eventually disappears from the screen completely, ...
Telecommunications system technologies for the near spacecraft

Abstract The launch of the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft on February 17, 1996 was the first in NASA's series of Discovery-class missions. The spacecraft is designed to rendezvous with and eventually orbit the asteroid 433 Eros. The spacecraft telecommunications system is centered about two redundant X-band transponder systems that provide the command, telemetry, and tracking functions. Despite a very tight development schedule, a significant amount of new technology has been used in the system. Included in the design are the most recent developments in transponder hardware, an X-band solid state power amplifier (a deep space “first”), and efficient microstrip patch antennas. During spacecraft emergencies, a microstrip fanbeam antenna is used as part of a unique earth acquisition algorithm. Potential areas for future technology improvements are also discussed.
TU‐E‐201B‐08: K‐Edge Imaging Using a Gold Nanoparticle Contrast Agent and a CT System with Photon Counting Detectors

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of imaging a goldnanoparticle (GNP) contrast agent for detection of vulnerable plaque using a CT with photon countingdetectors and energy resolution. Materials and Methods: Simulation was performed for material decomposition based on the likelihood maximization method. The simulations were based on single‐slice parallel beam geometry. The beam energy was set to 120 kVp in order to provide high enough photon flux for energies above the k‐edge of the gold (80.7 keV). A CdZnTe detector with 5 different energy bins was used. Both ideal and more realistic detectors were used in the simulation. The phantom used for the simulation contained polymethyl‐methacrylate (PMMA), calcium, and GNP. The concentration of calcium in plaque was adjusted in such a way that the linear attenuation coefficients of GNP and calcium were approximately equal. It is expected in patients with an unstable plaque that goldnanoparticles would occupy portions of calcified tissue. Thus, the simulation of these three materials allows the simulation of the situations which are clinically relevant. Results: In reconstructed images after decomposition only gold was visualized without any traces of PMMA or calcium. The minimum detectablegold density for ideal detector was found to be ∼300 μg/cm3. The minimum detectable density increased by a factor of two as imperfections were added to the detector during simulation. However, the minimum detectable GNP density was far less than the amount of GNP that is accumulated in the plaque. The effect of dose, beam energy, and gold concentration on the image quality was also studied. Conclusions: These studies show the feasibility of using GNP as a contrast agent to detect vulnerable plaque.
Officer force versus suspect resistance: A gendered analysis of patrol officers in an urban police department

Abstract This study examined patrol officer use of force and exposure to resistance on a gendered basis in an urban police department. Using data from use of force reports for the year 2000, a weighted force factor value was calculated for each officer. These values were then compared by officer gender. The mean value for both females and males was positive, indicating a tendency to employ lower force levels in response to higher levels of resistance. The male officer weighted force factor value, however, was significantly larger than that for the females. Placed within the context of the use of force continuum, this result suggested that male officer use of force vis-a-vis subject resistance spanned a wider range. Alternatively, female officers could be viewed as operating within a narrower range of the force continuum. One interpretation of this finding was that female and male officers responded differentially to subject resistance levels.
Radiation damage in Al2O3 crystals implanted with 3.8 MeV Fe2+ ions☆

Sapphire (α-Al2O3) crystals were implanted with 3.8 MeV Fe2+ ions to fluences of 0.5 × 1016 and 2 × 1016 cm−2. The sample face was perpendicular to the c-axis. The radiation damage produced by the implantation was investigated using optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) techniques. The former encompassed optical absorption and luminescence. The predominant defect detected optically was the oxygen vacancy with two electrons (F center), identified by an absorption peak at 6.2 eV (~200 nm). The paramagnetic oxygen vacancy with one electron (F+ center) absorbs at 4.8 eV (~260 nm) and was identified by EPR. Divacancies in various charge states were present in much lower concentrations and could not be unambiguously identified by optical absorption. Instead, they were detected by the highly sensitive huminescence measurements. Upon isochronal annealing between 500 and 1200 K, the concentration of the F center decreased monotonicauy. No evidence of the F+ center was found after annealing at 800 K.
The Pulmonary Circulation in Neonatal Respiratory Failure

The pulmonary circulation rapidly adapts at birth to establish lungs as the site of gas exchange. Abnormal transition at birth and/or parenchymal lung disease can result in neonatal hypoxemic respiratory failure. This article reviews the functional changes in pulmonary hemodynamics and structural changes in pulmonary vasculature secondary to (1) normal and abnormal transition at birth, and (2) diseases associated with neonatal hypoxemic respiratory failure. Various management strategies to correct respiratory failure are also discussed.
Allosteric mechanisms in P450eryF probed with 1-pyrenebutanol, a novel fluorescent substrate.

1-Pyrenebutanol (1-PB) has been used as a new fluorescent substrate for P450eryF to explore the molecular mechanisms of cooperativity. Hydroxylation of 1-PB by P450eryF was detected by both fluorometric and chromatographic assays. Binding was monitored by a substrate-induced low-to-high spin shift, as well as by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from 1-PB to the heme. Spectrophotometric titration showed that P450eryF has high affinity for 1-PB with distinct positive cooperativity (S(50) = 12.4 +/- 2.2 microM, n = 2.3 +/- 0.6), as also revealed in activity measurements. FRET analysis showed a different binding process obeying a simple bimolecular mechanism with a K(D) = 2.15 +/- 0.8 microM that suggests the presence of the higher affinity binding site. 1-PB binding at this site appears not to modulate the spin state directly but rather to facilitate the spin shift caused by the interactions of P450eryF with the other substrate molecule.
Ion bombardment-induced retarded moisture adsorption in optical thin films

Moisture adsorption and desorption in optical filters made of TiO2 and SiO2 can be retarded by bombarding the completed films with 3-keV oxygen ions. This effect is not seen in filters made of ZrO2 and SiO2 We propose that retardation is due primarily to a swelling of the TiO2 surface as material is converted from crystalline to amorphous. In ZrO2, bombardment induces a transition toward more crystalline order, and the effect is not observed. This paper describes our experiments and results and discusses alternate explanations of the retardation effect.
PARITY-VIOLATING INTERNUCLEON POTENTIAL IN NUCLEAR REACTIONS OF THE n--p SYSTEM.

The parity-violating nucleon-nucleon interaction arising from weak one-pion exchange and one-vector-meson exchange, has been added to the strong, semiphenomenological nucleon-nucleon interaction and its effects on the $n\ensuremath{-}p$ system studied in detail. The parity admixtures in the initial and final states of the $n\ensuremath{-}p$ system in deuteron photodisintegration and in radiative $n\ensuremath{-}p$ capture have been calculated for various models of the weak-interaction Hamiltonian ${H}_{w}$ and found to be in the range ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}9}$-${10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ depending on the model of ${H}_{w}$, thus allowing for the possibility of discriminating among models of ${H}_{w}$ by comparison to experiment.
The effect of huberizing and trimming on the Quadratic-discriminant function

Methods for Huberizing and trimming the estimated means and covariance matrices are described for use with the quadratic discriminant function. Small sample simulations were run to determine the effect on the misclassification rates for normal, log-normal and inverse hyperbolic sine-normal distributions. None of the procedures investigated produced a sufficient reduction in misclassification rates to counterbalance the added complexity of che discrimination rule.
Tracking Ethnically Divided Commuting Patterns Over Time: A Case Study of Atlanta

This study is motivated by insufficiencies in two areas in the literature. First, some technical barriers have hindered investigations of changing job–housing patterns over time. Second, traditional dichotomous studies (black–white) of ethnically divided commuting patterns are insufficient to paint the big picture of such dynamics in a multiethnicity metropolitan area. This research fills the gap by presenting an approach to the spatio-temporal analysis of commuting patterns by ethnicity. A case study is performed to track changing commuting patterns for whites, blacks, and Latinos in Atlanta over the last two decades. The results shed light on our understanding of the changing job–housing dynamics, particularly that of Latinos.
Type II collagen and TGF-βs in developing and aging porcine mandibular condylar cartilage: immunohistochemical studies

Transforming growth factor-betas (TGF-βs) have been associated with the development and maintenance of articular cartilage. However, no studies have addressed their role in the postnatal development of mandibular condylar cartilage. This investigation represents the first immunohistochemical characterization of TGF-β isoforms and type II collagen in porcine mandibular condylar cartilage from various age groups. Furthermore, it is the first description of possible age-related changes in the expression of these proteins during postnatal development of this tissue. Condylar cartilage was dissected from freshly harvested temporomandibular joints of newborn, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 36-month-old farm swine. TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, and type II collagen were localized via standard immunohistochemical procedures. An immunoblot technique was employed to compare the relative amount of each protein present in the various age groups. Immunoreactivity was detected in mandibular condylar cartilage for all three isoforms of TGF-β and for Type II collagen. All age groups demonstrated some evidence of immunostaining, primarily in the cytoplasm of cells from most zones of the cartilage. Immunoblot results indicated that TGF-β isoforms had individualized patterns of expression. When newborn protein levels were taken as the baseline, TGF-β1 demonstrated a significant increase at ages 24 and 36 months. TGF-β2 significantly increased at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months (peak levels at 24 months; similar levels at 6, 12, and 36 months), whereas TGF-β3 remained stable at all ages. Type II collagen demonstrated increases that paralleled the increased levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 at 24 and 36 months.
A method for the dynamic measurement of diffusivities of gases in polymers

A method is presented for determining the diffusivity of a gas in a polymer from the response to a step concentration change in a continuous-flow permeation chamber. The outlined procedure has several advantages over techniques currently in use: it requires simple numerical integration rather than curve fitting; it utilizes the complete response, rather than a portion of the response which falls within the region of validity of a short-time asympotic solution of the diffusion equation; and it is applicable both to flat membranes and cylindrical tubes. An illustration of the method is provided by the measurement of the diffusivity of sulfur dioxide in a PTFE tube at several temperatures.
Computational Investigation on the Dispersive Transport of Angiographic Contrast Injected Antegradely Into Flow in a Tube

In catheter-based angiography contrast is injected through a catheter into flowing arterial blood to attenuate the X-ray beam such that physicians can view vascular luminal morphology for diagnosis of vascular pathology [1]. Since real time angiography became available the transport of contrast could be visualized and numerous attempts have been made to relate the visualized transport of contrast to blood flow or blood velocity. Since the dispersion of contrast is a complex process and thorough understanding of contrast mixing with the flowing blood is missing, many physicians and researchers alike implicitly assume that mixing of contrast and blood is either instantaneously completed or that mixing does not take place at all during the short visualization period. In the former case many erroneously assume that the visualization of contrast transport directly reflect blood flow characteristics. Yet others attributed homogeneous mixing to turbulence even when the Reynolds number was as low as 77 [2]. In the latter case some reports suggested that since the two do not mix, the contrast, which is denser than blood, will tend to accumulate at low parts of the arterial system due to the gravity. The stereotypical concept is that under laminar flow conditions homogeneous mixing will take a long time and consequently a long distance. The fact that the angiographic contrast is a liquid tracer injected forcefully into the blood, generating an ejector effect is ignored. The velocity mismatch between the injected contrast and the flowing blood plays a major role in laminar mixing of the contrast. In this paper, we report our experimental investigation that was designed to find out how far distal to the catheter tip will the injected contrast reach homogeneous mixing with a blood analog fluid as evident by no further changes in the contrast density profiles measured downstream of the catheter tip.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Investigating the Role of Islet Cytoarchitecture in Its Oscillation Using a New β-Cell Cluster Model

The oscillatory insulin release is fundamental to normal glycemic control. The basis of the oscillation is the intercellular coupling and bursting synchronization of β cells in each islet. The functional role of islet β cell mass organization with respect to its oscillatory bursting is not well understood. This is of special interest in view of the recent finding of islet cytoarchitectural differences between human and animal models. In this study we developed a new hexagonal closest packing (HCP) cell cluster model. The model captures more accurately the real islet cell organization than the simple cubic packing (SCP) cluster that is conventionally used. Using our new model we investigated the functional characteristics of β-cell clusters, including the fraction of cells able to burst fb, the synchronization index λ of the bursting β cells, the bursting period Tb, the plateau fraction pf, and the amplitude of intracellular calcium oscillation [Ca]. We determined their dependence on cluster architectural parameters including number of cells nβ, number of inter-β cell couplings of each β cell nc, and the coupling strength gc. We found that at low values of nβ, nc and gc, the oscillation regularity improves with their increasing values. This functional gain plateaus around their physiological values in real islets, at nβ~100, nc~6 and gc~200 pS. In addition, normal β-cell clusters are robust against significant perturbation to their architecture, including the presence of non-β cells or dead β cells. In clusters with nβ>~100, coordinated β-cell bursting can be maintained at up to 70% of β-cell loss, which is consistent with laboratory and clinical findings of islets. Our results suggest that the bursting characteristics of a β-cell cluster depend quantitatively on its architecture in a non-linear fashion. These findings are important to understand the islet bursting phenomenon and the regulation of insulin secretion, under both physiological and pathological conditions.
GD-GhOST: a goal-oriented self-tuning caching algorithm

A popular solution to internet performance problems is the widespread caching of data. Many caching algorithms have been proposed in the literature, most attempting to optimize for one criteria or another, and recent efforts have explored the automation and self-tuning of caching algorithms in response to observed workloads. We extend these efforts to consider the goal of optimizing for selectable performance criteria. With our proposed algorithm, we have shown performance matching and exceeding the best performance of the known greedy dual-size algorithms for either object or byte hit ratios across different web workloads. GD-GhOST consistently outperforms the other algorithms tested, at its worst observed performance GD-GhOST exhibited equivalent miss rates to those of the best applicable Greedy-Dual variant, while achieving miss rates that were 25% lower than the worst performing variant. For byte miss rates, GD-GhOST consistently demonstrated rates lower than the best applicable Greedy-Dual variant. At its best, GD-GhOST offered byte miss rates 10% lower than the best variant.
Chiral symmetry breaking with octet and sextet quarks

Abstract The finite temperature chiral transition is studied in the quenched approximation for octet and sextet quarks. The ratios of critical temperatures are estimated to be T (8) c / T (3) c ∼ 7.5 ± 1.5 and T (6) c / T (3) c ∼ 12.0 ± 2.5.
COMPARISON OF RADIOGRAPHIC SUBCHONDRAL BONE CHANGES WITH ARTHROSCOPIC FINDINGS IN THE EQUINE FEMOROPATELLAR AND FEMOROTIBIAL JOINTS: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 72 JOINTS (50 HORSES)

Radiographs of 72 femoropatellar and femorotibial joints from 50 horses were evaluated. Ninety four arthroscopically evaluated areas were graded according to a predetermined system. The radiographic grade was then compared to arthroscopic findings in the same location. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the association between the radiographic subchondral bone changes and arthroscopic findings. Radiographically normal areas in the femoropatellar joint were arthroscopically positive for cartilaginous changes in 40% of the femoropatellar joints. Areas of mild subchondral bone flattening (grade I) in the lateral trochlear ridge were arthroscopically positive for cartilage changes 78% of the time. Ninety six percent of moderate to severe subchondral bone changes (grades II-V) were arthroscopically positive for cartilage damage. This research demonstrates that (1) a significant number of radiographically normal joints will have cartilage changes, (2) areas of mild subchondral bone flattening have cartilage changes present in the majority of cases and (3) areas of moderate to severe subchondral bone changes have arthroscopically detectable cartilage changes present.
A Virtual-Cam Control Methodology for Free-Piston Engines

In conventional internal combustion engines, valves are opened and closed using a cam surface. The cam is kinematically related to the piston positions through the crankshaft and timing belt. In contrast, there is no crankshaft or kinematic cam surface in a free-piston engine to physically realize this mechanism. As a consequence, a free-piston engine has variable stroke lengths, which presents a challenge for active piston motion and precise stroke length control. This paper presents a virtual-cam based approach to relate free-piston motion to actuated engine valve control within a clear and familiar intuitive physical context. The primary functionality of the virtual cam control framework is to create a variable index, which is adjustable from cycle to cycle, for the exhaust/injection valves and spark timing similar to the function of physical cams in conventional engines. Since the cam is virtually created, it can be dynamically rebuilt to comply with cycle-to-cycle variations such as amount of the air/fuel supply, engine load and stroke length. This index rebuilding process is based on a cycle-to-cycle adaptive control method that uses the knowledge obtained from previous cycles to adjust the cam parameters. Preliminary experimental results are presented for a novel liquid-piston free-piston engine intended as a compact and efficient energy source for untethered power dense pneumatic systems such as untethered robots.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Factors Affecting High School Baseball Coaches' Enforcement of School Tobacco Policy.

In spite of policy bans and recommendations against spit tobacco (ST) use, baseball athletes have demonstrated ST prevalence rates ranging from 34% to 50% in high school, 42% in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and 50% in the professional ranks. To evaluate enforcement of ST bans, high school baseball coaches in North Carolina (N = 93) completed a survey about ST attitudes, behaviors, and intentions to use and enforce tobacco use policies. Findings revealed that coaches who were current ST users, considered ST pleasant, did not value health impacts, and stated the baseball environment influenced their ST use were less likely to enforce school ST policy with their players.
Development of recombinant ovalbumin-luteinizing hormone releasing hormone as a potential sterilization vaccine

The objective was to develop an immunogenic chimeric ovalbumin-LHRH (ova-LHRH) molecule using genetic engineering. Hybrid ova-LHRH genes with either four or seven LHRH inserts were constructed by cassette mutagenesis and oligonucleotide mismatch mutagenesis. Recombinant ova-LHRH proteins were over-expressed in E. coli strain BL21 (DE3) using a pET expression system, which expresses a target protein with a C-terminal His–Tag. The C-terminal His–Tag allows purification by metal chelation chromatography. The antigenicity and biological effects of these recombinant proteins were tested in mice. In experiment 1, 17 female 7 wk old BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups. Six mice were injected with 50 μg of the recombinant ovalbumin (ova) protein. Five mice were injected with 50 μg of the recombinant protein with four LHRH inserts (ova-LHRH-7). Six mice were injected with 50 μg of the recombinant protein with seven LHRH inserts (ova-LHRH-7). One primary immunization using Freund's complete adjuvant was followed by one booster using incomplete adjuvant. Mice were killed 2 wk after the booster, blood collected, and the reproductive tract removed and weighed. Only ova-LHRH-7 decreased (P<0.01) uterine-ovarian weight (89±11 mg) vs control (138±6 mg) and ova-LHRH-4 (126±16 mg). The genetically engineered molecule with seven LHRH inserts induced LHRH antibody titers which were significantly correlated (r=−0.79) with biological response. In experiment 2, the recombinant ova-LHRH-7 was evaluated at two doses with the adjuvants Zmax and Immumax. Seventy female 6–8 wk old BALB/c mice were randomly divided into seven groups of 10 mice each. Anti-LHRH titers were detected in all of the ova-LHRH-7 immunized mice. Significant decreases were shown in uterine-ovarian weight of the mice by the immunization with 30 μg of ova-LHRH-7 and Zmax (P<0.005) or 10 μg of ova-LHRH-7 with Immumax (P<0.025). These data show that the recombinant ova-LHRH-7 protein could have potential as an effective sterilization vaccine.
Clark's Nutcracker (Aves: Corvidae) Spatial Memory: Interference Effects on Cache Recovery Performance?

Clark's nutcrackers, Nucifraga columbiana, accurately v recover thousands of caches per year in the field. Previous experiments have confirmed that these birds possess excellent, long-lasting spatial-memory capabilities. We tested whether resistance to interference is one of the features of nutcracker spatial memory. Experiment 1 tested retroactive interference. Nutcrackers showed no decrease in accuracy overall but performed relatively poorly in their final recovery session. Interference is unlikely to have caused these sites to be poorly remembered because they had fewer neighbouring cache sites than better-remembered sites. Experiment 2 tested for proactive interference. Interference would have caused the experimental birds to be less accurate than control birds. Instead then were slightly more accurate. In experiment 3, nutcrackers were allowed to repeatedly view their cache sites from a cage between caching and recovery. Nutcrackers were less accurate when recovering from cache sites they had viewed. This effect may be due to changes in motivation. Order of caching had no effect on accuracy but nutcrackers were more accurate when recovering caches from central than from peripheral areas of experimental rooms. In summary, these experiments provide further evidence of the remarkable spatial-memory abilities of Clark's nutcrackers and demonstrate that these birds are highly resistant to interference effects on spatial memory. Comparative tests will be needed to test if specialized food storers are exceptionally resistant to interference in spatial memory.
A combined integrating and differentiating matrix formulation for boundary value problems on rectangular domains

Integrating and differentiating matrices allow the numerical integration and differentiation of functions whose values are known at points of a discrete grid. Previous derivations of these matrices have been restricted to one-dimensional grids or to rectangular grids with uniform spacing in at least one direction. The present work develops integrating and differentiating matrices for rectangular grids with non-uniform spacing in both directions. The use of these matrices as operators to reformulate boundary-value problems on rectangular domains as matrix problems for a finite-dimensional solution vector is considered. The method requires non-uniform grids which include “near-boundary” points. An eigenvalue problem for the transverse vibrations of a simply-supported rectangular plate is solved to illustrate the method.
Public Assistance Receipt across Immigrant Generations

Abstract Calls for less government spending and the perception that immigrants disproportionately use public assistance have contributed to the largest overhaul of the U.S. welfare system in 60 years. The new rules affect all needy persons, including immigrants. Drawing on data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation, and using a multivariate approach, this study compared use of public assistance programs among immigrants of various ethnic groups, their offspring into the third generation, and native-born White Americans. Our findings show that some immigrant groups, in particular Mexicans and Asians, use public assistance more than native-born Whites with native-born parents. However, by the third generation (with the exception of Mexicans), a striking pattern emerged that showed a steep decline in the probability of using public assistance programs, with West and East Europeans' use, moreover, dropping below that of native-born Whites with native-born parents. Additionally, we found that recent cohorts of immigrants arriving in 1970 or later are more likely to use public assistance than were earlier cohorts of immigrants. The findings are interpreted from the perspective of assimilation.
The Nurse Role in Parent‐Infant Bonding: Overview, Assessment, Intervention

The recognition of appropriate and inappropriate attachment behavior is vital to maternal health and self‐stem and effective infant growth and development. An overview of parent‐infant bonding is presented, followed by a discussion of the principles and methods of assessment and intervention.
Maternal screening in prevention of neonatal infections: current status and rationale for group B streptococcal screening.

Abstract Maternal screening—either selective or universal—is an accepted component of a number of strategies for prevention of congenital and perinatal infections. Using the results of maternal screening at prenatal visits and the presence of perinatal risk factors during labour, neonatal group B streptococcal (GBS) early-onset disease can be prevented by selective intrapartum chemoprophylaxis. Possible variations on this strategy may employ semiquantitative tests for GBS colonization at prenatal visits or, possibly, rapid bacterial diagnosis intrapartum. Based on the incidence and economic impact of GBS disease, selective intrapartum chemoprophylaxis appears cost-effective in United States populations, but may not be so in countries with lower incidence rates.
A comparison of wind-tunnel and full-scale wind pressure measurements on low-rise structures

Abstract Comparison are made between wind pressures measured on two low-rise experimental buildings and pressures measured on wind-tunnel models of those buildings. For the experimental building at Aylesbury, U.K., comparisons are made between the full-scale pressures obtained by the Building Research Establishment and those of model tests at 1:500 scale carried out by the University of Western Ontario, Canada (U.W.O.) and at 1:50 scale by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (V.P.I.S.U.). The second experimental building, constructed by V.P.I.S.U. at Price's Fork, VA, provided information on wall pressures which are compared with those obtained from a 1:24 scale model tested in the wind tunnel at V.P.I.S.U. By using pressure coefficients based on the mean velocity in the approach flow at the level of the pressure measurement, it is shown that there is little difference between mean or fluctuating pressure coefficients obtained from a model at 1:500 scale, in a carefully simulated boundary layer, and those from a model at 1:50 scale. Scaling in the latter case did not allow careful simulation of the mean velocity profile, but did provide a suitable level of turbulence and a turbulence integral scale at least as large as the largest model dimension. Use of large model-scales has the advantage that relatively small details of construction can be included. On the basis of the full-scale/model comparisons it is shown that the non-stationary character of the natural wind has a significant effect on the mean, r.m.s and peak pressure coefficients. Under non-stationary wind conditions the full-scale extreme peak coefficients may be as much as 5 times the wind-tunnel values. Local pressure coefficients can be modeled adequately for low-rise structures located on level sites (Aylesbury) with relatively uniform upstream terrain, provided the turbulence intensity and turbulence integral scale are properly simulated. For structures located on sloping sites and with complex upstream terrain (Price's Fork experimental building), the modeling of the mesoscale terrain features may be very important. The complex terrain is responsible for increased turbulence intensities of the horizontal velocity components as a results of increased low-frequency spectral energy.
Action of R-40244 on chloroplast pigments and polar lipids

Abstract The herbicide R-40244 [1-(m-trifluoromethylphenyl)-3-chloro-4-chloromethyl-2-pyrrolidinone] blocked the accumulation of chloroplast pigments in cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) and annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.). The total amount of polar (membrane) lipids synthesized and the proportion of unsaturated 18-carbon fatty acids were progressively reduced in shoots of annual ryegrass as the concentration of R-40244 increased from 1 to 100μM. Blocked chloroplast pigment accumulation and perturbations of membrane lipids were related to reduced growth of annual ryegrass. Growth and membrane lipids of cabbage were much less affected by R-40244. Light was not required for the action of R-40244 on membrane lipids. The combined data suggest that the accumulation of chloroplast pigments is blocked by R-40244 in all species sensitive to R-40244, but that species differ in sensitivity to action on membrane lipids. In sensitive species, where both pigments and membrane lipids are affected, the action on membrane lipids may limit growth independently of effects on pigments.
6967 Prevalence of villous histology or high grade dysplasia in different size polyps found on screening colonoscopies.

Adenomatous Polyps(AP)are a frequent finding on colorectal cancer screening examinations. The presence of villous histology or high grade dysplasia on pathologic examination of an AP indicates a more advanced lesion. The goal of this study was to determine (1)the prevalence of villous histology or high grade dysplasia in AP removed during screening colonoscopies performed after a hemoccult positive stool or an abnormal flexible sigmoidoscopy and to (2)subcategorize the data based on the size of the AP. Methods:Colonoscopy and pathology reports were retrospectively reviewed on 1203 polyps removed during 665 colonoscopies.Polyps were divided by size into 3 categories:(1)1-5mm,(2)6-10mm, and (3)>10mm, and path reports were used to determine the prevalence of villous histology or high grade dysplasia.Results:The results are summarized in Table 1 Conclusions:There was an overall 11.6% prevalence of villous histology or high grade dysplasia in AP removed during colonoscopy. Diminuitive AP of less then 6mm had a 4.0% prevalence while AP 6-10mm in size were three times as likely(12.8%) and AP >10mm were eleven times as likely(44.8%) to have villous histology or high grade dysplasia.
Aortic and iliac graft fistulae.

Sixteen patients with aortic and iliac graft fistulae were diagnosed from a series of over 886 abdominal aortic reconstructive operations. A preoperative diagnosis was established in 12, eleven by radiographic studies. Angiography and barium intestinal studies were the most helpful. The two most important features in diagnosis are a high index of suspicion and an aggressive radio graphic approach.
The number and quality of children: education and marital fertility in early twentieth-century Iowa.

This study examined the role of education in the transition to low fertility in Iowa (US) in the early part of the 20th century. Data were obtained from a sample of 8503 ever married women from the 1910 census. The sample reflected 4 of the 8 cities with populations over 25000 persons (Des Moines Dubuque Cedar Rapids and Council Bluffs) and 10 rural areas. In 1910 over 33% of women aged over 65 years had 7 or fewer years of schooling and around 8% had some high school education. 18.3% of women aged under 25 years had less than 8 years of schooling and 26.3% had some high school education. Husbands educational levels were similar to wives levels. Wives in families in the highest income group were more educated than wives in other income groups. Women of southern birth or origin had less schooling. The best educated came from New England or were religiously affiliated in that region. The index of fertility indicated a curvilinear relationship between age and fertility. The index of completed fertility increased from younger to older women. The index for controlled fertility declined from younger to older women. Findings suggest parity-specific control. Education was inversely correlated with fertility. Women with 7 or less years of schooling had a children ever born (CEB) index of 8.45 which was 41% higher than among high school educated women. Very few women with high levels of education had large families. The CEB index was 49% higher for farm tenants compared to spouses of middle class husbands. The CEB index was 7.75 for women in rural places 6.21 for women in towns and 6.14 for women in cities. The highest fertility was among poorly educated Catholic and Lutheran women whose mothers were born in Europe and who married farm tenants. Multiple classification analysis revealed that place of residence and socialization affected fertility.
Comparative study of musculoskeletal injuries in transport aircrew.

INTRODUCTION: Musculoskeletal (MS) injuries causally associated with aircraft or aircrew positions pose a threat to safety and readiness. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast MS injury rates between C-5 and C-17 aircrew members at Travis Air Force Base. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from the Duties Not to Include Flying (DNIF) log maintained at the Flight Medicine Clinic. Active duty C-5 and C-17 aircrew MS injuries documented in the log from May 2008 to May 2009 were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 63 injuries were identified in a 12-mo period that resulted in DNIF status. Of the total, 12 (19.1%) were pilots, 13 (20.6%) were flight engineers, 37 (58.7%) were loadmasters; 58 (92.1%) were men and 5 (7.9%) were women. C-5 aircrew represented 57.1% of the reported injuries; C-17 aircrew represented 42.9% of the reported injuries. The findings did not indicate a difference between C-5 and C-17 aircrew MS injuries; however, loadmasters were at an increased risk. Increased age and body mass index also correlated to an increased risk of MS injuries in the C-5 and C-17 community. DISCUSSION: C-5 and C-17 loadmasters are at an increased risk of MS injury based on aircrew position. However, 67.6% of loadmaster's injuries were reported as not duty-related, suggesting that off-duty actions are potentially affecting mission readiness and safety. These findings supported the importance of maintaining good physical condition as a preventative safety measure against MS injuries. Language: en