cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Target prototypicality moderates racial bias in the decision to shoot

Abstract Research shows that target race can influence the decision to shoot armed and unarmed Black and White males (e.g., Correll, Park, Judd, & Wittenbrink, 2002). To date, however, research has only examined category level effects by comparing average responses to Blacks and Whites. The current studies investigated whether target prototypicality influences the decision to shoot above and beyond the effect of race. Here, we replicated racial bias in shoot decisions and demonstrated that bias was moderated by target prototypicality. As target prototypicality increased, participants showed greater racial bias. Further, when targets were unprototypic, racial bias reversed (e.g., participants mistakenly shot more unarmed Whites than Blacks). Study 2 examined whether these effects were observed among police officers. Although police showed no racial bias on average, target prototypicality significantly influenced judgments. Across both studies, sensitivity to variability in Whites' prototypicality drove these effects, while variation in Black prototypicality did not affect participants' decisions.
Novel MEMS Apparatus for in Situ Thermo-Mechanical Tensile Testing of Materials at the Micro- and Nano-Scale

We present, for the first time, a MEMS-based test methodology that potentially enables elevated-temperature mechanical tensile testing of nano- and micro-scale samples within a SEM or TEM (T ≫ 500°C). Importantly, the test methodology allows for the samples to be fabricated separately from the MEMS-apparatus, a significant advancement from other test devices developed by some of the present authors [1]. Therefore the test methodology should be applicable to the study of a wide range of materials. Other advancements found in the methodology include a co-fabricated force calibration device, and a built-in thermocouple sensor to measure the stage temperature close to the sample.
Primary lymphoma of the calcaneus.

Primary non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) of bone is a rare condition. Presented herein is a case of primary NHL of the calcaneus illustrating many of the classic features of the disease. Emphasized in this report are the nonspecific clinical and conventional radiographic features of primary NHL of bone, which may mimic inflammatory, neuropathic, infectious, or other neoplastic conditions of the extremities. The importance of early cross-sectional radiologic studies, such as magnetic resonance imaging, lies in the early characterization of the mass-like features and local extent of such lesions, helping to raise the suspicion of neoplastic disease.
Task Matching and Scheduling in Heterogeneous Computing Environments Using a Genetic-Algorithm-Based Approach

To exploit a heterogeneous computing (HC) environment, an application task may be decomposed into subtasks that have data dependencies. Subtask matching and scheduling consists of assigning subtasks to machines, ordering subtask execution for each machine, and ordering intermachine data transfers. The goal is to achieve the minimal completion time for the task. A heuristic approach based on a genetic algorithm is developed to do matching and scheduling in HC environments. It is assumed that the matcher/scheduler is in control of a dedicated HC suite of machines. The characteristics of this genetic-algorithm-based approach include: separation of the matching and the scheduling representations, independence of the chromosome structure from the details of the communication subsystem, and consideration of overlap among all computations and communications that obey subtask precedence constraints. It is applicable to the static scheduling of production jobs and can be readily used to collectively schedule a set of tasks that are decomposed into subtasks. Some parameters and the selection scheme of the genetic algorithm were chosen experimentally to achieve the best performance. Extensive simulation tests were conducted. For small-sized problems (e.g., a small number of subtasks and a small number of machines), exhaustive searches were used to verify that this genetic-algorithm-based approach found the optimal solutions. Simulation results for larger-sized problems showed that this genetic-algorithm-based approach outperformed two nonevolutionary heuristics and a random search.
Correlation of satellite signal time delays at widely separated locations

A correlation analysis of ionospheric signal time delays performed for nearly co-longitudinal locations is extended to widely separated locations. Monthly and daily maximum correlation coefficients were in general \gsim 0.8 .
2-Nitro-1,3-dinitro­oxypropane

The title compound, C3H5N3O8, was synthesized by reacting 2-nitro­propane-1,3-diol with acetyl nitrate. The mol­ecule is bisected by a crystallograpic mirror plane. In the crystal, the mol­ecules pack in a ribbon-like fashion along the c axis, with the central nitro groups pointing in the same direction. C—H⋯O contacts apparently provide some additional packing stabilization.
Uniform waveguide dispersion segmented-core designs for dispersion-shifted single-mode fibers

For SiO2-GeO2 based fibers fabricated by vapor deposition techniques, the wavelength regions of low attenuation occur near 1300 and 1550 nm. With single-mode systems operating in the 1300-nm window becoming a commercial reality, research is under way to design and fabricate fibers that utilize the potentially lower loss possible in the 1550-nm window. These designs, with zero dispersion wavelength also shifted to the 1550-nm window, allow simultaneously low loss and low dispersion with conventional laser diodes.
SU‐FF‐T‐77: Accuracy of Gated IMRT Delivery On the Varian Linac Using the Real‐Time Position Management System

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of gated IMRT delivery on a Varian linear accelerator equipped with the Realtime Position Management (RPM) camera and software. Method and Materials: A non‐uniform dose distribution within a solid water phantom was contoured and planned with IMRT. A sinusoidally oscillating platform simulated superioinferior respiratory motion, and a reflecting block was placed on the surface of the platform to provide a “respiratory” signal to the RPM camera. First, the phantom was stationary while the platform served only to provide the respiratory signal. The respiratory period was 5 sec, and the treatment was delivered in phase‐gated intervals of 6%, 10%, 25% and 50%. Second, the phantom was placed on the platform, with motion amplitude of 6 cm. Here, dose was delivered to the phantom during a small amplitude‐defined interval at end‐expiration, with periods 1.7 sec, 5.3 sec and 12.6 sec. Dose distributions were captured on film. Results: Dose profiles generally showed variation between configurations less than 2% the maximal dose, with shorter‐interval delivery providing slightly less dose than longer‐interval delivery. The only notable difference occurred for the phantom moving with respiratory period of 1.7 sec, where dose fluctuations of nearly 6% occurred at regions of high dose gradient in the direction of motion. It should be noted that the gating interval spanned 15% the respiratory cycle, implying the beam was delivered in only 1.7 × 0.15 = 0.25 sec intervals. Conclusion: Gated IMRT delivery provided dose distributions equivalent to ungated delivery to within clinically acceptable limits. This result held for significant motion amplitude, under a wide range of respiration frequencies and gating intervals. While discrepancies up to 6% arose at high gradient borders for configurations of extremely rapid motion and short beam‐on time, these parameters are very unlikely to be seen in any clinical situation.
Archaeal and bacterial glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether lipids in chimneys of the Lost City Hydrothermal Field

We detected archaeal and bacterial glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGT) lipids in carbonate chimneys of the Lost City Hydrothermal Field, an alkaline system near the mid-Atlantic Ridge. Isoprenoidal, archaeal tetraethers from this site include “H-shaped” GDGTs, crenarchaeol and GDGTs with 0–3 cyclopentane moieties (here referred to as GDGTs 0–3). Concentrations of GDGT-3 do not track those of GDGTs 0–2 across the sample set, suggesting that its biosynthesis may be subject to different controls. Two branched, bacterial GDGTs (brGDGTs) common in terrigenous environments were also detected. Consulting previously published surveys of microbial diversity at Lost City and literature on known precursor-product relationships, we investigated the provenance of these GDGTs. The principal source of GDGTs 0–3 is likely ANME-1 archaea, abundant at Lost City. H-shaped GDGTs are likely derived from thermophilic Methanobacteria and Thermoprotei. Marine Group I Thaumarchaea detected in Lost City chimneys are a potential source of crenarchaeol, but it is unclear whether they are autotrophic nitrifiers or representatives of a hydrothermal ecotype with different physiology. The detection of branched GDGTs, possibly synthesized by Acidobacteria at Lost City, adds to a growing body of evidence that the capacity for their biosynthesis is not restricted to acidophilic soil bacteria and that they cannot strictly be considered indicators of terrigenous contributions to marine sediments. Input of hydrothermally derived lipids has the potential to complicate paleoproxy applications based on GDGTs. We propose that H-GDGTs be viewed as indicators of hydrothermal input and that their detection in sediments warrants caution in proxy application when a hydrothermal origin for co-occurring isoprenoidal and brGDGTs cannot be excluded.
Far-field evanescent wave propagation using coupled subwavelength gratings for a MEMS sensor.

A technique was developed to couple near-field evanescent waves into observable diffraction orders in the far-field region. This investigation was of two gratings that have a 1.0 μm grating period in glass and 1.1 μm in silicon and are individually subwavelength, but when coupled together yield an 11.0 μm effective grating period. This effective grating period is not subwavelength to a 1.550 μm infrared incident source and exhibits higher diffraction orders. Optimum evanescent wave coupling efficiency was simulated by varying the grating thickness and the grating separation between the subwavelength gratings. This proposed evanescent wave coupling concept is being investigated for use in a bulk silicon MEMS accelerometer.
The GP(Y/F) domain of TF1 integrase multimerizes when present in a fragment, and substitutions in this domain reduce enzymatic activity of the full-length protein.

Integrases (INs) of retroviruses and long terminal repeat retrotransposons possess a C-terminal domain with DNA binding activity. Other than this binding activity, little is known about how the C-terminal domain contributes to integration. A stretch of conserved amino acids called the GP(Y/F) domain has been identified within the C-terminal IN domains of two distantly related families, the γ-retroviruses and the metavirus retrotransposons. To enhance understanding of the C-terminal domain, we examined the function of the GP(Y/F) domain in the IN of Tf1, a long terminal repeat retrotransposon of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The activities of recombinant IN were measured with an assay that modeled the reverse of integration called disintegration. Although deletion of the entire C-terminal domain disrupted disintegration activity, an alanine substitution (P365A) in a conserved amino acid of the GP(Y/F) domain did not significantly reduce disintegration. When assayed for the ability to join two molecules of DNA in a reaction that modeled forward integration, the P365A substitution disrupted activity. UV cross-linking experiments detected DNA binding activity in the C-terminal domain and found that this activity was not reduced by substitutions in two conserved amino acids of the GP(Y/F) domain, G364A and P365A. Gel filtration and cross-linking of a 71-amino acid fragment containing the GP(Y/F) domain revealed a surprising ability to form dimers, trimers, and tetramers that was disrupted by the G364A and P365A substitutions. These results suggest that the GP(Y/F) residues may play roles in promoting multimerization and intermolecular strand joining.
Barriers to preventive interventions for coronary heart disease

Many barriers exist to the delivery of preventive services by cardiologists and other physicians. Appropriate training and the development of supportive infrastructures can effectively overcome these barriers. In addition, institutional priorities must change to encourage such efforts. Cardiologists must continue to recognize the importance of risk-factor modification, and training programs in cardiology should teach appropriate counseling techniques, the use of risk-factor-lowering pharmacologic agents, and the manner in which cardiologists should interface with dietitians and other ancillary personnel [77]. In addition, it is important to recognize and teach, both didactically and by example, that counseling patients and carrying out long-term preventive interventions can be as gratifying and interesting as performing dramatic procedures that, although valuable and rewarding, take place at a very late point in the patient's clinical course, a point that might have been averted by greater attention to risk-factor modification. Increasingly, the public and governmental agencies are becoming involved in encouraging such an approach [66], and health care provider groups [78] and organizations [67] are also facilitating the development of a more comprehensive approach to the delivery of preventive intervention [79].
Fast diagnosis and treatment of cracklike defect injuriousness in nuclear power plant equipment

Abstract Increasingly stringent safety requirements governing the nuclear industry have made it essential to gain in-depth knowledge of the injuriousness of cracking phenomena in auxiliary and secondary nuclear power plant systems, and to devise methods of rapidly evaluating potentially injurious flaws. The Defect Injuriousness Diagnosis and Treatment Package (DIDTP) discussed in this paper was developed by Framatome, a French-based PWR builder, with this goal in mind. The first part of this paper gives a general description of the DIDTP, which is made up of tables and nomographs illustrating the injuriousness of flaws liable to be encountered in the most severely loaded regions of plant systems. The basic principles underlying the DIDTP, together with computational methods and application procedure, are detailed. The second part of the paper presents two practical examples illustrating the use of the diagnostic system, one applied to the main steam line, the other to gate valve wedges. The types of results obtained and the usefulness of the system as both a treatment and a diagnostic tool are explored.
Molecular switches: Pushing the right button

In a metal complex, a tin ion can be pushed and pulled through a flat macrocyclic ring with a scanning tunnelling microscope, allowing the molecule to act as a switch.
Semantic Transfer and Its Implications for Vocabulary Teaching in a Second Language

This study investigated semantic transfer in second language (L2) learning and provided a replication of the author's study (Jiang, 2002) in a different English as a Second Language (ESL) population. Korean ESL speakers were asked to perform a semantic judgment task in which they decided whether or not 2 English words were related in meaning. Two types of related word pairs served as critical stimuli: word pairs whose 2 members shared or did not share the same Korean translation. The Korean ESL speakers responded to the same-translation pairs significantly faster than to the different-translation pairs whereas no such same-translation effect was found among native speakers of English. The same-translation effect found in L2 speakers was taken as evidence for the presence of first language semantic structures in L2 lexical representations and their continued involvement in L2 processing. Pedagogical implications for L2 vocabulary teaching are discussed.
Ferromagnetic Resonance in Thin Films. I. Theory of Normal-Mode Frequencies

A theory is developed for the frequencies of the general ferromagnetic normal modes of a sample of arbitrary shape and size with both exchange and demagnetization energies included. The frequencies of the modes of rectangular and circular films are calculated by casting the linearized equation of motion of the magnetization into the form of an eigenvalue equation, which is solved by a variational method. The results explain the experiments of Dillon, Besser, Sparks et al., Freedman and Brundle, and Voltmer in detail qualitatively and typically to within \ensuremath{\sim}5-10% quantitatively for the mode spacings, with possible exceptions for the first few low-order modes in some samples, for which several contributions to the line spacings are difficult to estimate accurately. Pinning the surface spins has little effect on the frequencies and intensities of magnetostatic modes (with negligible exchange energy). The theory has implications concerning the main-resonance position in finite films, and together with experiments, further verifies Portis's modespacing theory. A simple physical explanation of the results is given, and the relation of the results for for finite films to those for infinite films is given.
The Strut Display of Male Sage Grouse: a "Fixed" Action Pattern

The Strut display of male Sage Grouse, Centrocercus urophasianus, exemplifies a complex "fixed" action pattern. The display results in the inflation of the male's large esophageal sac, which is then used to produce a strange sound that includes two sharp snaps 0.19 seconds apart. Measurements of the durations of an individual's displays usually yielded a coefficient of variation (C.V.) less than 4%; the most accurate measurements had C.V.'s less than 1%. The intervals between Struts, in contrast, had much higher variability. No geographic differences were detected among three populations in Wyoming and Montana. Nor did the slight differences in the displays of individual adult males have a consistent relation to their successes in mating. First-year males performed their Struts with faster tempo but not with greater variability. The temporal stereotypy in the Strut display approximates or exceeds the stereotypy in passerine songs. Stereotyped motor patterns in vertebrates often subserve communication at long range or between individuals in brief, but biologically crucial, contact with each other. The Strut display exemplifies both of these functions in communication. Stereotyped, complex signals incorporate more redundancy and/or more efficient encoding; they thus enhance the receiver's chances of detecting and correctly interpreting the signal. Reafference that depends on the harmonic properties of moving structures might help to explain both the developmental and physiological stability of this stereotyped motor coordination. Because year-old males' displays show no greater variability than those of older males, the peculiarities of young males' performances probably are not the result of incompletely crystallized neural mechanisms.
Reactions of atomic oxygen [O(3P)] with polymer films

The reactions of polymer films with oxygen atoms are reviewed focusing on laboratory tests on polybutadienes with different amount of 1,4 or 1,2 double bonds and their polyalkenamer homologues, polyimide (Kapton), and a series of polyolefines with increasing fluorine content. It is found that etch rates increase with decrease in -CH=CH- unsaturation, starting with 1,4 -polybutadiene and reaching the maximum rate with polyethylene or ethylene-propylene rubber. IN polybutadienes with both 1,4 and 1,2 double bonds, the rate of O(3P)-induced etching is lower the higher the 1,2 content. The reactions are confined to the polymer surface.
Probing for drug-induced multiplex signal transduction pathways using high resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis: application to β-adrenoceptor stimulation in the rat C6 glioma cell

Abstract Whole-cell [ 32 P ]-protein phosphorylation assays and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DGE) were applied to the analysis of the β-adrenoceptor (βAR)-linked signal transduction pathway. Rat C6 glioma cells were stimulated with isoproterenol and the protein lysates were resolved by 2-DGE. Two dimensional [ 32 P ]-phosphoprotein `maps' were generated depicting the modulation of intracellular proteins after isoproterenol stimulation versus unstimulated cells. A total of 274 distinct phosphoprotein spots were detected, of which 200 were up-regulated, 69 were down-regulated, and 5 remained unchanged. An evaluation of isoproterenol's activity across several kinase pathways was performed using a computer-generated 2-DGE template incorporating the location and identification of individual signaling phosphoprotein intermediaries. The template served as a `reference map' for drug treatment comparisons. We observed a significant increase in the phosphorylation states of several nuclear transcription factors, notably CREB-1, ATF-1, NFκB/IκBα and ELK-1, but not c-Jun. A parallel series of radioimmunoprecipitation studies confirmed our 2-DGE findings. Moreover, isoproterenol increased the phosphorylation state of PKC and of several MAPK-dependent pathway kinases which correlated with a significant increase in their endogenous kinase activity. Isoproterenol's effects on PKA, PKC and ERK-dependent activities were blocked by propranolol, a βAR antagonist. In conclusion, an acute isoproterenol stimulus induced multiplex pathway modulation via the βAR in the C6 glioma cell indicating that signaling pathway cross-talk is an essential feature for the regulation of cellular function. Moreover, the immediate advantages of the 2-DGE analytical approach were apparent, and further development of the protein database will provide a valuable tool to screen for broad-based drug-mediated signaling activities.
Coping with the threat of terrorism: A review

Terrorism creates a ripple of fear and uncertainty. Although most individuals are resilient and recover over time, a minority remains functionally and psychologically impaired. In this paper, we examine research on coping strategies employed in the aftermath of terrorist events, theories and empirical findings related to appraisal processes that influence individuals' primary attributions of risk, and normative processes that shape secondary appraisals, which predict specific coping behaviors. We also describe individual diatheses and factors promoting resilience that may influence coping and functioning in the face of terrorism. Finally, we offer suggestions for future research.
THE TIME LINE AND THE “WHY NOW?” QUESTION: A TECHNIQUE AND RATIONALE FOR THERAPY, TRAINING, ORGANIZATION CONSULTATIONS AND RESEARCH

A method is presented for quickly and graphically clarfying the relationships between life cyle evnts and the onset of probles Its basic from involves laterally organizing events in terms of the points in time at which they ocurred. A structural version-expressed in two formate-elucidates the interaction between nodal events and changes in family/organization structure. The device can both tease out hypotheses and identify directoins for treatment. It addreses the “Why now?” question for therapists and trainees and can provide a normalizing, edifying, and encouraging experience for families. It is also adaptable for research and for use in organizational development and consultation with agencies and businesses.
Aggressive, Depressive, and Prosocial Coping with Affective Challenges in Early Adolescence

This article describes a coping-competence model that accounts for early adolescent trajectories toward aggressive, depressive, or prosocial coping. Prepared for early adolescence by socialization ...
Effects of Herbal Preparations on Symptom Clusters During the Menopausal Transition

AbstractAims To determine the effects of herbal therapies on hot flushes and at least one other symptom including, sleep, mood, cognition, and pain that women experience during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause.Methods An extensive search of PubMed/Medline, CINAHL Plus, PsycInfo, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, EMBASE, AMED, and Alt-Health Watch for randomized, controlled trials reported in English between January 2004 and July was conducted by an experienced reference librarian. There were 1193 abstracts identified but only 58 trials examined effectiveness of therapies for hot flushes and at least one additional co-occurring symptom.Results Seventeen studies used herbal preparation including seven studies of black cohosh, two studies of black cohosh mixed with other herbals, and eight studies of other herbals. Of these, one study of black cohosh, two studies of black cohosh mixed with other herbals, and four other h...
Structural studies of N- and C-terminally truncated human apolipoprotein A-I.

Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) plays an important structural and functional role in lipid transport and metabolism. This work is focused on the central region of apoA-I (residues 60−183) that is predicted to contain exclusively amphipathic α-helices. Six N- and/or C-terminally truncated mutants, Δ(1−41), Δ(1−59), Δ(198−243), Δ(209−243), Δ(1−41,185−243), and Δ(1−59,185−243), were analyzed in their lipid-free state in solution at pH 4.7−7.8 by far- and near-UV CD spectroscopy. At pH 7.8, all mutants show well-defined secondary structures consisting of 40−52% α-helix. Comparison of the α-helix content in the wild type and mutants suggests that deletion of either the N- or C-terminal region induces helical unfolding elsewhere in the structure, indicating that the terminal regions are important for the integrity of the solution conformation of apoA-I. Near-UV CD spectra indicate significant tertiary and/or quaternary structural changes resulting from deletion of the N-terminal 41 residues. Reduction in pH from 7....
Management of neonatal herpes simplex virus infection and exposure

Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are rare but are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Advances in diagnostic modalities to identify these infants, as well as the development of safe and effective antiviral therapy, have revolutionised the management of affected infants. This review will summarise the epidemiology of neonatal HSV infections and discuss the management of infants with HSV exposure and infection.
Investigations of the effect of chromate conversion coatings on the corrosion resistance of Ni-based alloys

Abstract The influence of thin (10–50 nm) chromate conversion coatings (CCC) on the corrosion performance of Ni–P-based alloys in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 was investigated by using potentiodynamic sweeping techniques. Thin CCC films can improve the corrosion resistance of Ni–P alloys to a significant extent. On the contrary, the improvement in the corrosion resistance of Ni–W–P and Ni–Mo–P coatings is minimal, due to a poor kinetics of formation of the chromate coatings in the latter alloys. Dichromate concentration, solution pH and immersion time all have a significant effect on the corrosion resistance of Ni–P, while solution temperature influences corrosion resistance only to a very limited extent. Chromated Ni–P exhibits enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with respect to untreated Ni–P; this effect is intrinsic and attributed to a change in electronic structure of the alloy. The observed trends in corrosion resistance were interpreted in terms of the thickness and coverage of the chromate layers, as ascertained by use of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
Citrus Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Resistance Monitoring in California

Tolerance of adult female citrus thrips, Scirtothrips citri (Moulton), to chlorfenapyr, cyfluthrin, and spinosad was monitored at 10 sites in California in 1996. Chlorfenapyr and spinosad have yet to be used commercially in California and baseline LC90s were estimated to assist in future resistance monitoring efforts. The LC90s for chlorfenapyr ranged from 0.505 to 4.13 mg (AI) /Iiter and for spinosad from 2.09 to 5.37 mg (AI) /liter. On California citrus, cyfluthrin usc, 1991-1996, has been restricted to the San Joaquin Valley and to a single application per year on navel oranges. Compared with the LC90 from the most susceptible site outside the San Joaquin Valley, resistance ratios ranged from 6.2 to 56.6 at 4 sites within the valley. The 56.6-fold resistance observed at the site in Kern County is a cause for concern and may be the result of citrus thrips exposure to pyrethroids applied to nearby cotton and vegetables. Strategies for slowing further escalation of pyrethroid resistance are discussed.
WE-G-217BCD-07: Implementation and Evaluation of Helical On-Board CBCT and Exact Image Reconstruction

Purpose: Longitudinal coverage of CBCT, which is 17 cm for head scan and 15.5 cm for body scan, is not enough to cover the entire PTV for over 90% of head/neck and gastrointestinal/genitourinary/gynecologic patients if lymph nodes are involved. Helical CBCT, which was accomplished using external beam LINAC in its research mode, is one promising way to extend the CBCT longitudinal coverage. Aim of this study is to compare Katsevich's exact algorithm with traditional FDK algorithm for helical CBCTimage reconstruction.Methods:CBCT projection raw data were acquired on a TrueBeam LINAC machine (Varian Medical Systems) in the research mode in helical trajectories that encompass a 360 degree rotation, 25 cm pitch, 100 kVp, 80 mA, and 25 ms, with a Catphan 600. Reconstruction was done with Katsevich's exact and FDK approximate algorithms. Scatter correction, beam‐hardening correction, and non‐uniform gantry angle correction, are performed on projection data to reduce artifacts and noise.Image qualities (CT number accuracy, uniformity, SNR) were evaluated and compared between the reconstruction algorithms. Results:Imagesreconstructed by Katsevich's algorithm show better qualities, compared to ones by FDK algorithm and HU numbers have higher uniformity and accuracy. The HU‐density calibration curve closely conforms to the manufacturer recommended values. The level of noise computed as the standard deviation in the phantom uniform region is 28.07 for the Katsevich algorithm, compared to 44.64 for the FDK algorithm. Conclusions: Katsevich's exact reconstruction algorithm provided better image qualities than FDK for helical CBCT scans. This result will very useful for our ongoing investigation of helical CBCT, which would lead to improvement of CBCT longitudinal coverage of PTV and would be essential for future image‐guidedadaptive radiation therapy applications. Varian Research Agreement with Washington University in St. Louis
Learning Japanese Via Satellite in an American High School: A Case Study.

This case study observed a beginning-level Japanese language class of eight students taught via satellite at a high school in the United States over a period of one academic year. The study investigated the nature of learning experiences, the level of students' motivation and attitudes toward Japanese speakers and learning Japanese, the degrees of language skills development, student-teacher interaction during the once-a-week telephone conversation and broadcast classes analyzed by modified COLT. The results show that while students' involvement in learning was rather restricted due to technical, instructional and administrative limitations, students maintained their levels of motivation and positive attitudes and demonstrated gains in language skills, which may be facilitated by the communicative nature of the telephone conversation and the presence of a student tutor. These results offer some suggestions to satellite program providers and school administrators.
An approach for determining suitability of knowledge‐based systems in the workplace

To expand worker capabilities, knowledge-based systems (KBS) have been introduced to aid the decision-making activities performed by shop floor personnel. With this introduction, increased concern has been expressed regarding effective and efficient utilization of resources when applying KBS technology. This article describes the development and testing of a theoretically based methodology to identify task domains where KBS technology will yield the highest gains in performance. Results indicate the described technique is capable of discriminating between application domains regarding their suitability for KBS implementation. The utility and reliability of this instrument are discussed.
Apelin Signaling New G Protein–Coupled Receptor Pathway in Lymphatic Vascular Development

The identification of novel factors that orchestrate the development, growth, and function of the lymphatic vascular system is a relatively new and coveted goal in the broad field of vascular biology. With the increased incidence of lymphedema and the recent recognition of the important roles that lymphatic vessels play in cancer, obesity, and metabolic disorders, there is a strong motivation to identify factors that could serve as pharmacological targets for the therapeutic modulation of lymphatic vessel growth and function.1 Because G protein–coupled receptors constitute the largest proportion of targets for prescribed pharmaceuticals, there is intense interest in revealing novel receptor pathways that could be targeted with highly specific agonists and antagonists.2 In this issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology , Kim et al3 discover a new player in lymphatic vessels: Apelin signaling—a broadly expressed and multifunctional G protein–coupled receptors pathway that is part of the broader family of adipocytokine signaling.4,5 See accompanying article on page 338 Much of our knowledge on lymphatic vessel growth has come from developmental studies, whereby the establishment of lymphatic progenitor fate, migration, proliferation, and maturation can be elegantly teased apart using genetic approaches in mice and aquatic animal model systems.6,7 Lymphatic progenitors arise from venous endothelial cells, and the process of lymphatic endothelial cell migration away from parental veins can be stereotypically visualized and quantitated in zebrafish. Therefore, identifying key growth factors that are spatiotemporally expressed during this critical point of lymphatic vessel formation provides a strong foundation for the elucidation of new players. This pattern of highly restricted expression is precisely what led Kim et al to explore the possible functions of Apelin signaling in lymphatic development. Previous studies had shown that although the expression of Apelin receptors was broad during early zebrafish development, …
Facile dissolution of selenium and tellurium in a thiol–amine solvent mixture under ambient conditions

Despite their extremely low solubility in most solvents, hexagonal grey selenium and tellurium are shown to be remarkably soluble in binary mixtures of thiols and ethylenediamine (en) at room temperature and ambient pressure. A 1 : 4 vol/vol mixture of ethanethiol (EtSH) and en gave saturated solutions of 38 and 9.3 wt% for grey selenium and tellurium, respectively. Crystalline and phase-pure chalcogen is easily recovered from solution by drying and mild heat treatment at 250 °C (for selenium) or evaporation at room temperature (for tellurium). To demonstrate utility for these dissolved chalcogens, it was shown that elemental antimony readily reacts with the dissolved selenium to give a stable, solution processable Sb–Se precursor solution. In the same way, elemental tin reacts with the dissolved tellurium to generate a Sn–Te precursor solution. Upon solution deposition and heat treatment to 250 °C, these precursor solutions yielded crystalline Sb2Se3 and SnTe.
Bleomycin Pulmonary Toxicity Has a Negative Impact on the Outcome of Patients With Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Purpose Bleomycin pulmonary toxicity (BPT) has been well described in Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) patients treated with bleomycin-containing chemotherapy regimens. The influence of this pulmonary complication, along with the omission of bleomycin from further chemotherapy, on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in HL remains unclear. We reviewed our experience with BPT in HL to better delineate outcome and appropriate treatment in these patients. Patients and Methods One hundred forty-one patients who were treated with bleomycin-containing chemotherapy for newly diagnosed HL between January 1986 and February 2003 were eligible for this retrospective review. BPT was defined by the presence of pulmonary symptoms, bilateral interstitial infiltrates, and no evidence of an infectious etiology. Results BPT was observed in 18% of patients. Increasing age, doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine as initial therapy, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor use were associated with t...
Changes in growth and pigment concentrations with leaf age in pea under modulated UV-B radiation field treatments

We assessed whether growth of garden pea (Pisum sativum mutant Argenteum) was reduced under ecologically relevant enhancements of ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, 280-320nm) by employing modulated field lampbanks which simulated 0, 16 or 24% ozone depletion. In addition, we determined whether enhanced UV-B altered the concentration and distribution of chlorophyll and UV-B-absorbing compounds in leaves, and whether this was dependent on leaf age. There were no significant UV-B effects on the four whole-plant parameters we examined (height, above-ground biomass, total leaflet area or average leaflet area). Of the 12 leaf-level parameters we examined, UV-B had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on only one parameter : the ratio of UV-B-absorbing compounds to chlorophyll, which was greatest at the highest UV-B level. Total chlorophyll concentrations tended to be lower under enhanced UV-B (P=0.11), while the proportion of UV-B-absorbing compounds in the adaxial epidermis tended to be higher (P=0.11). Total leaf concentrations of UV-B-absorbing compounds were unaffected by UV-B level. Cooler, suboptimal growing conditions during this late summer/early autumn experiment may have masked some potential UV-B effects. In contrast to the UV-B effects, we found strong leaf-age effects on nearly all parameters that we assessed. On an area basis, concentrations of total chlorophyll and UV-B-absorbing compounds increased with leaf age, while chlorophyll a/b ratios decreased. One of the few parameters unaffected by leaf age was the ratio of UV-B-absorbing compounds to total chlorophyll, which remained constant within a given UV-B treatment. Pea was much less sensitive to enhanced UV-B than in previous growth-chamber and greenhouse studies, and in nearly all cases UV-B treatment effects were overshadowed by leaf-age effects. In view of the large effect leaf age had on concentrations of UV-B-absorbing compounds, as well as their distribution within leaves, researchers may need to consider leaf age in UV-B experimental designs.
Seed Localization Using Trus and Gre Based Gaussian Fil Tering For Brachytherapy Applications

In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm for detecting needles and their corresponding implanted radioactive seed locations in the prostate during Barachytherapy from transrectal ultrasound images. This is carried out efficiently using separable Gaussion filters in a probabilistic Gibbs random field framework. An approximation of the needle path through the prostate volume is obtained using a polynomial fit. The seeds are then detected and assigned to their corresponding needles by calculating local maxima. In our experiments, we were able to successfully localize over 85% of the implanted seeds.
Tunable blazed gratings

In this paper, we report on the design, fabrication, and characterization of blazed gratings made tunable by electrostatic actuation. We combine KOH etching and deep-reactive ion etching (DRIE) to fabricate tunable blazed gratings (TBGs) on silicon-on-insulator wafers with optical-quality mirror surfaces on {111} crystalline planes. The actuators that are used to position the individual grating elements are designed to reduce rotation to levels acceptable for spectroscopic applications. We characterize the fabricated devices mechanically, verify the rotation-reduction design, and demonstrate the functionality of TBGs as tunable filters.
Family History, Social History, and Social Change

The renewal of social history in the 1960s and thereafter challenged the standard historical emphasis on explanation by motive, validation by motive-revealing texts, and explication by narrative. Social historians divided, however, in their relative emphasis on reconstitution of lives as people lived them and on the establishment of connections between ordinary people's behavior and large social processes such as industrialization. The standard method of social history—collective biography—aids the study of connections more than it aids reconstitution, although its uncritical use often suggests false connections, and many borrowings from the social sciences lead to erroneous analogies. Family history illustrates these points as an exemplar for the study of large-scale social change, as a direct contribution to that study, and as a challenge to its improvement. Among the challenges faced by family history and by social history as a whole are (a) the shift of analyses from calendar time sequences, (b) the i...
Randomized trial of the healthy families Arizona home visiting program

article i nfo Article history: The purpose of this paper was to examine the effectiveness of home visiting as a means of improving parental, child, and maternal outcomes and preventing child abuse and neglect. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a large southwestern metropolitan area. One hundred and ninety-five women were randomly assigned to the Healthy Families Arizona experimental or control conditions. Significant results favoring the experimental group in contrast to the control group were found on some measures in each of five domains including violent parenting behavior, parenting attitudes and practices, parenting support, mental health and coping, and maternal outcomes.
Effect of Packaging Materials on Temperature Fluctuations in Frozen Foods: Mathematical Model and Experimental Studies

An analytical solution of the conduction heat transfer equation was developed for prediction of temperature in frozen foods exposed to periodic environmental temperature fluctuations. The prediction model includes the effect of surface heat transfer resistances. Theoretical predictions were compared with experimental values recorded from frozen ice cream at different storage regimes. Slab-shaped metal containers were used in the experiment. Surface heat transfer resistances were simulated with single layers of commercial packaging cardboard sheets and restricted air movement over the containers. A satisfactory agreement was obtained between predicted values and experimental data. Packaging materials coupled with a layer of stagnant air are effective barriers against thermal fluctuations.
High Prevalence of Hereditary Cancer Syndromes in Adolescents and Young Adults With Colorectal Cancer

Purpose Established guidelines recommend evaluation for hereditary cancer syndromes in patients younger than 50 years diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). This group has been well described in the literature; however, patients diagnosed as adolescents and young adults are not well represented in CRC studies. Here, we define the clinical profile, including the extent of hereditary cancer syndromes and family history of cancer, in patients diagnosed with CRC at age 35 or younger. Patients and Methods We reviewed patients who underwent genetic counseling at our institution during 5 years (2009 to 2013). Data were collected regarding demographics, clinicopathologic information, tumor and genetic testing, and family history. Patients with an identified hereditary cancer syndrome were compared with those without a syndrome. Results Of the 193 patients with evaluable data, 35% had an identifiable hereditary cancer syndrome, including 23 with Lynch syndrome, 22 with mutation-negative Lynch syndrome, 16 with fa...
The effects of attention and handedness on coordination dynamics in a bimanual Fitts’ law task

Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of attention and handedness on bimanual coordination in the context of a dynamical model of coordinated movements. Participants performed a bimanual, rhythmic Fitts' law task in which the relative amount of attention directed to each task was manipulated by the relative difficulty associated with the pair of targets that each hand tapped. In both experiments, participants tended to lead with their preferred hand. The effects of attention, though, were mixed, which suggested that there was a combined effect of an attentional asymmetry and an asymmetry in the hands' uncoupled frequency, both of which are captured in the dynamical model.
The incidence of acetabular osteolysis in young patients with conventional versus highly crosslinked polyethylene.

Background Osteolysis is a major mode of hip implant failure. Previous literature has focused on the amount of polyethylene wear comparing highly crosslinked polyethylene (HXPLE) with conventional liners but has not clarified the relative incidence of osteolysis with these two liners.
On the probability density function of the derotated phase of complex wavelet coefficients

The derotated phase of a complex wavelet coefficient is defined as the phase of that coefficient minus twice of the phase of its parent coefficient. It was recently introduced and found to be useful in terms of providing more correlation among coefficients near singularities in scale and space. In this paper, we investigate the derotated phase of a complex wavelet coefficient by deriving its probability density function (pdf). We show that the derotated phase can be well approximated by a Gaussian random variable for moderate signal to noise ratio. The simulation results are shown to confirm the consistency between the derived pdf and the derotated phase of the actual coefficients.
Electrostatic combdrive-actuated micromirrors for laser-beam scanning and positioning

We describe the design and fabrication of surface-micromachined resonant microscanners that have large scan angles and fast scan speeds. These scanning micromirrors, which are hundreds of micrometers on a side, are driven by electrostatic-comb actuators and have resonant frequencies in the kilohertz range. Fabricated with two or three structural layers of polysilicon, the scanners are compact, extremely light in weight, and potentially very low in cost. Their power consumption is also minimal because the capacitive motors draw very low currents. High-precision positioning (0.01/spl deg/ dynamically and 0.038/spl deg/ statically) over a large angular range (up to 28/spl deg/ optical angle) makes the micromirrors suitable for a variety of optical applications such as laser scanners and printers, displays, holographic data storage, and fiber-optic switches. We have demonstrated microscanners of this type in bar-code readers, which are important devices with a growing number of applications in many industries.