cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
60 GHz investigation of building scattering at 2 GHz using a scale model

In this work, we investigate building scattering at 2 GHz by performing 60 GHz scattering measurements on a 1/30 scale building model. The materials used to build this model were chosen to have similar reflected and transmitted power characteristics at 60 GHz to common building materials at 2 GHz. Co-polarized and cross-polarized scattering measurements of the model were performed with and without furniture and the front building surface. Near the specular direction, results show that the contribution from waves that enter a building, internally scatter and/or reflect, and then exit the building are not significant compared to those that only interact with the features on the front building surface. However, away from the specular direction, this contribution can be observed.
What is the Value of a p Value

Successful publication of a research study usually requires a small p value, typically p < 0.05. Many clinicians believe that a p value represents the probability that the null hypothesis is true, so that a small p value means the null hypothesis must be false. In fact, the p value provides very weak evidence against the null hypothesis, and the probability that the null hypothesis is true is usually much greater than the p value would suggest. Moreover, even considering "the probability that the null hypothesis is true" is not possible with the usual statistical setup and requires a different (Bayesian) statistical approach. We describe the Bayesian approach using a well-established diagnostic testing analogy. Then, as a practical example, we compare the p-value result of a study of aprotinin-associated operative mortality with the more illuminative interpretation of the same study data using a Bayesian approach.
A General Model for Expansion of Extruded Products

The expansions (cross-sectional, longitudinal and volumetric) of corn extrudates made with a single-screw extruder were studied. Longitudinal and Volumetric Expansion Indices were developed to characterize the product's specific length and volume. To explain the results, it was postulated that increased stored energy in the elastic starch melt occurring with higher shear strains favored radial expansion at the expense of longitudinal expansion. An inverse relationship between radial and longitudinal expansions was confirmed. A general expansion model involving dough moisture, melt temperature, and die and screw shear strains described all three expansions and characterized the thermally induced expansions with associated energies of activation.
Dynamics of the Duke storage ring UV FEL

Abstract The Duke 1 GeV storage ring will be commissioned this year with a 280 MeV linac-injector. We intend to ramp the energy to 0.7–1.0 GeV for FEL operation. The OK-4 optical klystron will be shipped from the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics to Duke in early 1995. The OK-4 will be the first FEL to operate on the Duke storage ring. This paper is dedicated to the study of the OK-4 performance in the CW mode of operation in the UV range, using a 3-D code developed by the authors.
Crossing and crossers in East Asian pop music: Korea and Japan

: This paper examines crossing and crossers between Korea and Japan in the domain of pop music. Crossing of semiotic products such as music between the two countries, in both a “linguistic” and “physical” sense, presents a sociolinguistic case in which renegotiation of positions of ex-colonizer (Japan) and ex-colonizee (Korea) is promising. The turbulent cultural and linguistic dynamics between the two countries have undergone stages of oppression, contestation, and collaboration over the years. Pop culture, including music and TV shows, is a sociolinguistic venue that has recently experienced a noticeable change in the power dynamics between Korea and Japan.
Structural and electrical characteristics of nitrogen-doped nanocrystalline diamond films prepared by CVD

Nitrogen-doped nanocrystalline diamond (N-NCD) films were grown using microwave plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition method. Films were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Perfectly ohmic contacts for the N-doped NCD film and p-type Si substrate were obtained using silver (Ag). Silver deposited at a temperature of 250 °C with the pulsed laser deposition method was found to show ohmic behaviour with a high degree of reproducibility. Current–voltage (I–V) characteristics are presented for various Ag/N-NCD and Ag–Si. Rectifying I–V behaviour for the interface N-NCD/p-Si suggests that the majority carriers for N-NCD are electrons.
SU-GG-T-452: Attenuation of Single Beam in Dose Calculation of Gamma Knife (GK) Treatment Planning

Purpose: In Gamma Knife (GK) stereotactic radio‐surgery, highest accuracy of dose calculation is important. The attenuation of each single beam in GK is determined by their paths. The path, where each beam passes through the skull to the tumor, is determined by the measurement of skull radius. To estimate the path attenuation effect on the dose calculation is important for clinicians in deciding selection of the gamma angle, blocking beam and helmet size, etc. The purpose of this study was to design and test a new method to assess the beam path attenuation effects on dose computation in GK. Method and Materials: A simulation of GK C‐model was employed for this study. The skull was initially assumed to be a spherical bulb. Shot locations in the center and in the periphery of the bulb were tested. Shot center dose and each beam's contribution was calculated using the tissue maximum ratio (TMR) formula for each path. The simulation of the inhomogeneity calculation is an approach similar the procedure of finding the different paths from different beams. The dose point at different beam contribution is quantitatively calculated with variation difference. Results: The data from several typical plug locations showed that the path length difference could be over 50% and ensuring TMR changes could be as much as 20% of the average value. The single beam profiles at the shot center were variable; however, the composite profiles from the total beams did not show significant changes. Conclusion: Our method to calculate the different path length of single beam from GK treatment planning simulation model shows that the beam path parameters affect GK treatment planning. The beam profile changes based on path length variations. These findings suggest the necessity of considering dose contributions to the normal tissue from different beam paths.
HEPA Filter Performance Under Adverse Conditions

This study involved challenging nuclear grade high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters under a variety of conditions that can arise in Department of Energy (DOE) applications such as: low or high RH, controlled and uncontrolled challenge, and filters with physically damaged media or seals (i.e., leaks). Reported findings correlate filter function as measured by traditional differential pressure techniques in comparison with simultaneous instrumental determination of up and down stream PM concentrations. Additionally, emission rates and failure signatures will be discussed for filters that have either failed or exceeded their usable lifetime. Significant findings from this effort include the use of thermocouples up and down stream of the filter housing to detect the presence of moisture. Also demonstrated in the moisture challenge series of tests is the effect of repeated wetting of the filter. This produces a phenomenon referred to as transient failure before the tensile strength of the media weakens to the point of physical failure. An evaluation of the effect of particle size distribution of the challenge aerosol on loading capacity of filters is also included. Results for soot and two size distributions of KCl are reported. Loading capacities for filters ranged from approximately 70 g of soot to nearly 900 g for the larger particle size distribution of KCl.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Computer simulations of linear rigid particles that form chiral superstructures and tilted smectic phases

We study the superstructures and phases formed by linear rigid coarse-grained particles using molecular dynamics simulations in the isothermal–isobaric ensemble (NPT). Chiral barrel-shaped and chiral column superstructures self-assemble from these building blocks at low pressures and Monte Carlo parallel tempering and energy minimization simulations demonstrate that chiral superstructures are minima of the potential energy surface for these rigid linear building blocks. At higher pressures the nematic, smectic A, smectic C, and smectic I phases are formed. By varying the spacing between interaction centres in our particles, we show that the discrete nature of the interactions can be tuned to favour both tilted smectic phases and chiral superstructures and our findings point to design rules that can be applied to nanoparticle and colloidal building blocks for the targeted synthesis of the structures we present. Interestingly, superstructural chirality appears as a common theme in systems composed of achiral linear particles with Lennard-Jones interaction sites that are appropriately spaced.
Beyond AREDS: is there a place for antioxidant therapy in the prevention/treatment of eye disease?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the major cause of blindness in adults (65 years of age and older), and diabetic retinopathy, the major cause of blindness in working adults, are chronic, progressive diseases with multifaceted etiologies that are not fully understood. Progression and lack of treatment of both diseases may lead to the advanced stage with neovascularization. Although the detailed cellular mechanisms leading to the development of AMD and diabetic retinopathy remain elusive, oxidative damage to the retina and its pigment epithelium are considered to be involved. Clinical studies have shown that the progression of AMD can be slowed down by nutritional antioxidants, but trials with antioxidants for diabetic retinopathy (very limited in number) have been inconclusive. Long-term administration of the AREDS antioxidants, the same nutritional antioxidants that have been demonstrated to slow the progression of AMD, have yielded exciting results in preventing the pathogenesis of retinopathy in diabetic rodents. These results suggest the merit of testing the AREDS antioxidants in a clinical trial to prevent the development and/or progression of diabetic retinopathy, with the possibility of reducing the impact of this common vision-threatening disease. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011;52:8665– 8671) DOI:
Noninteractive macroscopic reliability model for whisker-reinforced ceramic composites

Considerable research is underway in the field of material science focusing on incorporating silicon carbide whiskers into silicon nitride and alumina matrices. These composites show the requisite thermal stability and thermal shock resistance necessary for use as components in advanced gas turbines and heat exchangers. This paper presents a macroscopic noninteractive reliability model for whisker-reinforced ceramic composites. The theory is multiaxial and is applicable to composites that can be characterized as transversely isotropic. Enough processing data exists to suggest this idealization encompasses a significantly large class of fabricated components. A qualitative assessment of the model is made by presenting reliability surfaces in several different stress spaces and for different values of model parameters.
Stable carbon isotopic evidence for carbon limitation in hydrothermal vent vestimentiferans.

Stable carbon isotope composition (δ 13 C values) can be used to evaluate an animal9s source of nutritional carbon. Most animals with chemoautotrophic endosymbionts have quite negative tissue δ 13 C values due to discrimination against 13 C associated with chemoautotrophic assimilation of inorganic carbon. However, the δ 13 C values of hydrothermal vent (HTV) vestimentiferans are significantly higher than the values reported for non-HTV vestimentiferans or other invertebrates with chemoautotrophic endosymbionts. Tissue δ 13 C values of two species of HTV vestimentiferans increase with increasing size of the animals. This relation supports the hypothesis that the relatively high δ 13 C values are the result of inorganic carbon limitation during carbon fixation. A more favorable relation between gas exchange and carbon fixation in the smaller individuals is expected, due to differences in the geometric scaling of gas-exchange surfaces and trophosome volume.
Extent and types of small-scale wind policies in the U.S. states: Adoption and effectiveness

Abstract Renewable energy sources, including wind, are increasingly promoted by U.S. state governments. Using state-level data and survey responses from energy officials in 44 states, this study catalogs the extent and types of small wind policies adopted by states. It examines the factors correlated with policy adoption, and perceptions about which policy tools are most effective. Results indicate that 84% of the states participating in the survey have adopted at least one policy to promote small wind technologies, and most have adopted several policies. The most frequent policy is net metering, and this policy tool was also perceived to be one of the most effective at encouraging businesses and consumers to install small wind technologies. However, several other policy tools perceived to be most effective at promoting small wind installations have been adopted by relatively few states. This identified gap suggests opportunities for improving policy effectiveness. In explaining factors associated with adoption of policy tools, we find support for variables comprising both the policy diffusion and internal determinants models of policy adoption, including state commitment to environmental protection and policy innovations, citizen ideology, per capita wealth, energy policy network communications, and desire to be viewed as an environmental leader.
A High Efficiency DC-DC Converter Using 2nH On-Chip Inductors

Historically buck converters have relied on high-Q inductors on the order of 1 to 100 muH to achieve high efficiency. In this paper we exploit on-chip magnetic coupling in the proposed stacked interleaved topology to enable high efficiency buck converters to be realized with 2 nH moderate-Q on-chip inductors. The measured conversion efficiency for a prototype circuit implemented in a 130-nm CMOS technology was over double that of a linear converter for low output voltages rising to a peak value of 77.9% for a 0.9 V output.
Wolves Are Beautiful and Proud: Science Learning from a School Field Trip.

AbstractThis research examines the impact of related classroom activities on fourth grade students' science learning from a school field trip. The current study draws upon research in psychology and education to create an intervention that is designed to enhance what students learn from school science field trips. The intervention comprises a set of activities that include 1) orientation to context, 2) discussion, 3) use of field notebooks, and 4) post-visit discussion of what was learned. The effects of the intervention are examined by comparing two groups of students: an intervention group which receives classroom activities related to their field trip and an equivalent control group which visits the same field trip site for the same duration but does not receive researcher- designed activities. Learning of target concepts in both groups is compared using objective pre- and post-tests, with results that indicate intervention group students learn more than comparison group students.
Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite In-Flight Dynamics Study: Lessons Learned

The lessons learned from investigating the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) in-e ight dynamics are summarized.Keyto thesuccessofthestudywastheapplicationofknowledgediscoveryindatabasetechniques.The isolationofdisturbanceswascriticaltoidentifyingtheeffectofindividualdisturbancesonthespacecraft.Numerous types of data were examined for spatial and frequency correlation as a means of discovering hidden knowledge of thedynamicbehaviorofthespacecraftand itsinstruments. Two in-e ightdynamicsexperimentswereconductedon UARS to providetheinvestigation with casesofisolatedand combined instrument and environmental disturbances that were not attainable during the normal operation of the spacecraft. Flight data from the experiments were augmented with data collected from the e rst 737 days after launch. This study identie ed many disturbances that greatly impacted the spacecraft line-of-sight pointing but were ignored from prelaunch analysis. The spacecraft attitude response was signie cantly ine uenced by the thermal elastic bending of the solar array, the solar array gear drive, orientation of the solar array, and instrument motion. These disturbances can now be included in a knowledge base for future prelaunch analysis.
Noisy Nonlinear Motions of Moored System. II: Experimental Study

An experimental study of a nonlinear moored structural system subjected to monochromatic wave excitations with random perturbations is reported in this paper. Sources of nonlinearity in the system include large geometric configurations and wave-induced quadratic drag. Random perturbations in the waves are approximated by linearly filtered white noise. An analytical model derived in Part I to assimilate the noisy nonlinear response is validated by good agreements shown in comparisons of simulated and experimental results in both time and frequency domains. System parameters of the analytical model are identified based on the experimental data. Noise effects on the nonlinear responses are examined. Experimental results indicate that the presence of random noise bridges the domains of multiple coexisting response attractors, and transitions among the multiple steady states are observed as analytically predicted in Part I.
SOME FEATURES OF WIND WAVES IN LAKE MICHIGAN

Sets of simultaneous data of wind profiles and surface waves recorded in Lake Michigan during fall 1965 facilitated a detailed study of generation and decay aspects of wind waves. A logarithmic wind profile, fitted to data measured simultaneously at 3 or 4 anemometer heights, appears to be satisfactory. From the parameters of frictional wind velocity and roughness element computed from the logarithmic wind profile, the spectral growth of waves according to recently developed theoretical models of wave generation was predicted. The energy spectra of measured waves indicate that wave energy growth rate is, as predicted, exponential with respect to time but is 8 times larger than the predict.ed rate. The decay of wave spectra at a single location was qualitatively examined. The peak frequency either increased or remained constant for decreasing spectral energy. The similarity in behavior of wave spectra was demonstrated through normalization which re#sulted in an empirical equation for wave spectra. The measured equilibrium range in the high-frequency region of the spectra follows the f-” rule.
An alternative dynamic programming solution for the 0/1 knapsack

The 0/1 knapsack (or knapsack without repetition) has a dynamic programming solution driven by a table in which each item is consecutively considered. The problem can also be approached by generating a table in which the optimal knapsack for each knapsack capacity is generated, modeled on the solution to the integer knapsack (knapsack with repetition) found in Sedgewick [1] and the solution to change-making found in Ciubatii [2].
The Attitudes of Members of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers Towards Treatment, Release, and Recidivism of Violent Sex Offenders: An Exploratory Study

Abstract Attitudes of members of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) towards treatment, release, and recidivism of sexual predators are assessed through an anonymous questionnaire. Fifty-two percent (540 members) responded. A large majority report little hope for cure (63%) and fear of recidivism after treatment (88%). No differences in opinion are found between respondents when grouped by age, gender, political orientation, occupational title, or years in occupation.
Isolation and culture of colonic epithelial cells in serum-free medium

Techniques are described for the dissociation, fractionation through Percoll, and in vitro maintenance of mucosal epithelia from the human or guinea pig large bowel. Tissue recovered after surgery is predigested with trypsin-citrate and treated subsequently with a mixture of trypsin, citrate, and collagenase. The resulting suspension of single cells, cell clusters, and partially digested crypts is suspended over a Percoll solution and enriched in multicellular elements by two sequential centrifugations. The recovered multicellular complexes are inoculated to specially treated culture vessels in a serum-free medium supplemented with epidermal growth factor, insulin, transferrin, selenium, and bovine pituitary extract. Epithelia, characterized as such by transmission electron microscopy, adhere to the substrate, form colonies, and can be maintained routinely for study for at least 10 wk.
Microstructure Development in Mullite‐Cordierite Ceramics

The evolution of the microstructure in mullite-cordierite bodies containing 36 wt% cordierite has been studied in samples fired at 1490{sup 0}C for varying times. This material reaches its final density very quickly once the cordierite becomes molten. However, densification, which is not accompanied by any significant coarsening of the mullite phase, appears almost entirely to result from particle-particle rearrangement. Consequently, the ultimate density of these materials appears to be limited by the inability of molten cordierite to penetrate all mullite-mullite grain boundaries.
The Fluoridation War: a Scientific Dispute or a Religious Argument?

Communal water fluoridation is not considered controversial by the vast majority of the scientific community; however, politically it has persisted as an issue that many legislators and community leaders have avoided because of an aura of dispute, it has been a battleground for vigorous opposition by a very small but outspoken minority who have fought it with the dedication of religious zealots. This paper reviews the nature of the opposition, who they are, the broad thrust of their arguments, some of the specific issues they have raised, and their techniques.
Effects of control strategies on the transient performance of an integrated manufacturing system

Abstract Based on a stimulation model and a sensitivity analysis, the effects of several operational control strategies on the transient performance of an integrated manufacturing system consisting of a set of workstations, an inventory system, a loading and an unloading station, linked by a closed-top material handling system, are studied. In this paper, the expected flow time is used as the comparison criteria among all the operational control strategies.
Academic Advising Assessment Practices: Results of a National Study.

Best practices of academic advising assessment involve identification of student learning outcomes, the development and use of multiple measures of student learning, and sound professional judgment to understand the information gathered and to improve student learning. However, the assessment results often come from minimal, narrow, and inconsistent evaluation practices, often based on student satisfaction surveys. Therefore, to generate a picture of the current state of assessment, we surveyed those conducting or deemed responsible for academic advising assessment. Although 80% of survey participants identified academic-advising student learning outcomes, one half assessed the achievement of those outcomes, with most using student surveys. Furthermore, 7% reported employing three or more measures while 60% reported improvements of practice and student learning based on the assessment.
Roll torque and normal force generation in acoustically unstable rocket motors

Roll torque of considerable magnitude is generated in some solid-propellaiit rocket motors during periods of high-intensit y acoustic combustion instability. Forces normal to the motor axis sometimes accompany the roll perturbations. These effects appear to result from nonlinear viscous phenomena (acoustic streaming) that occur in the presence of intense acoustic wave motion in the combustion gases. Direct measurements of the moments and associated vortex flow disturbances originating within the burning cavity verify this theoretical description. Unstable motors using a cylindrical grain perforation geometry are especially subject to roll torque generation. However, similar effects are exhibited in the more complex grain configurations. Star-perforated cavities are capable of producing several levels of roll torque, depending upon the number of star-points. The secondary force effects are sensitive to initial grain temperature and thus can be minimized in some motors by prerun temperature conditioning.
Validation of a quality assessment system for blood gas and electrolyte testing.

Background: A recently-introduced quality assessment system (Intelligent Quality Management: iQM™), was evaluated in routine clinical use at four different hospitals. The iQM technology is designed to replace conventional external liquid controls with software, Process Control (PC) Solutions and Calibration Validation components that continually assess the function of the GEM ® Premier™ 3000 (GEM) analyzer and automatically initiate and document corrective actions. Methods: We validated the performance claims of iQM by monitoring quality control (QC) materials at 4 clinical sites while analyzing approximately 10,550 patient samples. We compared iQM-measured QC values to traditional QC results, evaluating the number and type of error flags for patient samples, and used data from control results to calculate the average time to detect an error (ADT) for each analyte. Results: The calculated ADT was approximately 3 min for all analytes except for sodium (17 min), glucose (11 min), and lactate (5.9 min). Precision of control materials in iQM cartridges was better than from external controls run on traditional analyzers. The iQM system detected errors in 0.46% of actual clinical samples. Conclusions: The findings from our study confirm that (a) iQM precision in a clinical setting is comparable to that found in previous studies done in a research setting, (b) the improved precision of control material on the iQM is likely because the internal control fluids are sealed and not susceptible to exposure from handling, and (c) the system detects and often corrects errors in specific samples that might not be reported by traditional analytical systems. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The future of medical schools and teaching hospitals in the era of managed care

At the 125 U.S. medical schools and their affiliated teaching hospitals, most of the nation's basic and clinical research advances are made, and these translate into topflight medical care and great reductions in health care costs (e.g., $30 billion a year for polio). But these medical schools and t
Nonadiabatic, short-range, intramolecular electron transfer from ruthenium(II) to cobalt(III) complexes.

The activation parameters reported for intramolecular electron-transfer between ruthenium(II) and cobalt(III) complexes have been corrected for the thermodynamic contributions of the entropy change for the reaction ΔS0 to the entropy of activation ΔS*, and it is concluded that these electron-transfers range from adiabatic (pyrazine bridge) to highly nonadiabatic. The electronic factors are about 20 times smaller than for diruthenium mixed-valence complexes. Spanning the metal−metal separation range of 7−14 A over which β = 0.7 A-1, the electron-transfer rates are dominated by the electronic factors, which change three times more with separation than do the nuclear factors.
Effects of Attitude Action Identification on Congruence between Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions toward Social Groups

Attitude Representation Theory (ART) holds that attitude-relevant responses are informed by mental representations of the attitude object, which include the individual’s actions toward that object. Action Identification Theory (AIT) holds that the same action can be identified at multiple levels. Individuals who identify their actions at lower levels have less flexibility in how they perform the action, and thus enact the action less consistently. An integration of ART and AIT suggested that individuals who spontaneously (Experiment 1) or through manipulation (Experiments 2 and 3) identify their attitude-relevant actions toward a social group at lower levels might display less attitude-intention congruence than would individuals who identify their attitude-relevant actions at higher levels. ART and AIT are discussed as having links with each other and with other theories of attitude and judgment processes.
Epidemiology and Management of Depression Following Coronary Heart Disease Diagnosis in Women

Coronary heart disease (CHD) and depression are both highly prevalent in women. Importantly, depression is associated with significantly elevated morbidity and mortality in women with CHD. There are intriguing speculations about biological mechanisms underlying this association, such as endothelial dysfunction, subclinical atherosclerosis, inflammation, and autonomic dysregulation. Social and behavioral mechanisms, such as lack of social support and physical inactivity, have also been shown to play important roles. Unfortunately, many randomized clinical trials of counseling and pharmacologic interventions for depression in patients with CHD have failed to improve cardiovascular outcomes, and in fact have raised the possibility that interventions might be harmful in women. Several recent trials of new treatment strategies, however, have been more effective in improving depressive symptoms and quality of life and deserve further investigation. In this review, we summarize recent findings with regards to the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and management of depression in women diagnosed with CHD.
A Moist Baroclinic Model for Monsoonal Mid-Tropospheric Cyclogenesis

Abstract This study investigates the effect of condensational heating on the formation of a monsoonal mid-tropospheric cyclone (MTC) by applying the heating parameterization of Mak (1982) to the dynamic model of Brode and Mak (1978) except that the beta-effect is also included. It is found that the observed basic baroclinic flow with turning provides a dynamic framework conducive for a MTC-like disturbance to interact with the embedded moist convection. The joint processes give rice to an unstable disturbance that has a large but finite growth rate and an intermediate length scale. The theoretical e-folding time is of the order of one day under a wide range of parametric heating conditions. The key structural features of the observed MTC are reproduced in the most unstable model disturbance. The main influence of the beta-effect is on the phase speed of the model disturbance. In the presence of condensational heating, the beta-effect only has a secondary influence on the growth rate. The moist processes a...
A review of therapeutic prospects of non-viral gene therapy in the retinal pigment epithelium

Ocular gene therapy has been extensively explored in recent years as a therapeutic avenue to target diseases of the cornea, retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy has shown promise in several RPE clinical trials but AAVs have limited payload capacity and potential immunogenicity. Traditionally however, non-viral alternatives have been plagued by low transfection efficiency, short-term expression and low expression levels. Recently, these drawbacks have begun to be overcome by the use of specialty carriers such as polylysine, liposomes, or polyethyleneimines, and by inclusion of suitable DNA elements to enhance gene expression and longevity. Recent advancements in the field have yielded non-viral vectors that have favorable safety profiles, lack immunogenicity, exhibit long-term elevated gene expression, and show efficient transfection in the retina and RPE, making them poised to transition to clinical applications. Here we discuss the advancements in nanotechnology and vector engineering that have improved the prospects for clinical application of non-viral gene therapy in the RPE.
Discourse Processing Effort and Perceptions of Comprehensibility in Nonnative Discourse: The Effect of Ordering and Interpretive Cues Revisited.

The study reported here extends Tyler and Bro's (1992) investigation of the sources of native speakers' perceptions of incoherence in English text produced by nonnative speakers. Using paper-and-pencil tasks, the original study examined two competing hypotheses: (a) The primary source of interference was the order in which the ideas were presented versus (b) the primary source of interference was mismatches in discourse structuring cues. They found no effect for order of ideas but a strong effect of discourse structuring cues. In the present study, 80 subjects were tested on the same texts as those used in Tyler and Bro (1992) but using microcomputers. Subjects rated the text for comprehensibility and answered three questions concerning the propositional content. The computer format represented a more sensitive measure of subjects' reactions to the text because it did not allow looking back and because it provided information concerning differences in reading time for each manipulation. Once again, the results of the comprehensibility ratings showed a strong effect for miscues and no significant effect for order of ideas. Results of the true/false questions indicated that presence of miscues affected subjects' comprehension of the propositional content but that order of ideas had no discernible effect. Finally, reading time results also showed a strong effect for miscues and a mixed effect for order of ideas, suggesting that order of ideas does make a minor contribution to comprehensibility.
OIL SPILL CONTROL AND ABATEMENT TECHNIQUES USED AT THE S.S. SANSINENA EXPLOSION SITE—A COAST GUARD PERSPECTIVE1

ABSTRACT At 1938 PST on Friday, December 17, 1976, the Liberian tankership Sansinena exploded and burned while taking on ballast at the Union Oil Terminal, Berth 46, Los Angeles harbor, California. In addition to the loss of nine lives and millions of dollars in property damage, approximately 30,000 barrels of oil was spilled onto Los Angeles harbor waters. The majority of this oil sank to the bottom of the harbor and had to be removed mechanically over the following sixteen months utilizing oil removal equipment designed and constructed especially for this spill. Two years after the Sansinena disaster the reconstructed Union Oil Terminal is in full operation, with only an occasional small oil sheen stirred from the bottom by propwash to remind us of the havoc of that December Friday.
Sexually deviant behavior in Klinefelter's syndrome

Summary A comparison between 10 mentally deficient individuals with chromatin-positive Klinefelter's syndrome and a control group of mentally defective males showed a much higher incidence of sexually deviant behavior among those with Klinefelter's syndrome. This difference was statistically significant, with a probability of occurrence by chance of less than 0.0025. A sex chromatin survey on 600 institutionalized male sexual psychopaths showed that 6 or 1.0 per cent were chromatin positive. This incidence, while above that of the general population, may have been brought about by certain social factors tending to favor the commitment of men with the abnormalities found in Klinefelter's syndrome. Recent observations in Klinefelter's syndrome indicate that chromatin testing should be done on boys with mental deficiency or with serious personality or behavioral disturbances, especially in those instances when Mongolism or twinning has occurred in the same sibship.
The fallacy of composition and contractionary devaluations: output effects of real exchange rate shocks in semi-industrialised countries

This paper studies whether intra-developing country price competition has significant effects on the short-run growth of output in developing countries that are specialised in manufactured exports. Regression estimates using the generalised method of moments applied to annual panel data for 17 semi-industrialised countries in 1983-2004 show that these countries exhibit a ‘fallacy of composition’, in the sense that a real depreciation relative to competing developing country exporters increases the home country's growth rate at the expense of its competitors' growth. The results also suggest that real depreciations for these developing countries relative to the industrialised countries are contractionary.
Social class and patients' perceptions of mental illness.

This investigation was specifically concerned with testing the hypothesis that social class differences exist among hospitalized mental patients in their perceptions of the etiology of their illness. Previous studies have reported that higher class patients usually visualize their illness int terms of subjective and interpersonal factors while patients in lower social classes primarily see objective and external causes. These conclusions, however, were based on data gathered on patients' attitudes toward etiology by indirect methodological techniques. In this study, by contrast, a direct method was employed. Patients were asked outright what they believe caused their illness and were permitted to respond in any manner.
Assessment of Steady State PSP and Transient Ir Measurement Techniques for Leading Edge Film Cooling

Film cooling is commonly used on the leading edge of turbine blades to protect the blade surface from hot mainstream gases in the turbine. Obtaining detailed film cooling effectiveness distributions on the leading edge can be challenging. This paper considers two measurement techniques which can be applied to the leading edge (modeled by a cylinder) to obtain detailed distributions of the film effectiveness. A steady state pressure sensitive paint (PSP) technique and a transient infrared (IR) thermography technique are used to obtain detailed film cooling effectiveness distributions on the cylinder. The cylinder, 7.62 cm in diameter, is placed in a low speed wind tunnel, with the mainstream flow having a Reynolds number of 100,900 (based on the cylinder diameter). The cylinder has two rows of film cooling holes located at ±15° from the cylinder’s stagnation line. The pitch-to-diameter ratio of the film holes is 4, and holes are inclined 30° in spanwise direction. PSP continues to show promise for film cooling effectiveness measurements. Detailed distributions can be obtained near the film cooling holes because this technique relies on mass transfer rather than heat transfer. In order to reduce the error caused by conduction in heat transfer experiments, transient measurement techniques are favorable. Transient IR measurements are taken, and film cooling effectiveness is determined on the cylinder’s surface. Although the effect of conduction is reduced with the transient IR technique (compared to a steady state heat transfer experiment), heat conduction through the cylinder has not been eliminated (or even minimized). Without correction, the results obtained from transient heat transfer experiments must be used cautiously. For this reason, PSP is developing a niche within the gas turbine community for detailed film cooling effectiveness measurements.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
1558 EFFECT OF ELEVATED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE OH DISTRIBUTION OF CARDIAC OUTPUT IN YOUNG LAMBS

1558 EFFECT OF ELEVATED INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE OH DISTRIBUTION OF CARDIAC OUTPUT IN YOUNG LAMBS
Differential effects of pioglitazone on advanced atherosclerotic lesions.

This Correspondence relates to Atherosclerosis in LDLR-knockout Mice in Inhibited, but not Reversed, by the PPARy Ligand Pioglitazone (Am J Pathol 2009 174:2007–2014).
The Cream Plug

Summary The cream plugs contain a high percentage of fat and microscopic examination shows that the fat has coalesced into irregular masses. The fundamental cause of cream plug formation is the presence in the cream of large fat globules which will rise rapidly into a dense layer and coalesce. This rising and coalescing of these fat globules is most rapid at higher storage temperatures because of the fact that the serum through which the globules must rise is less viscous. The prevention of cream plug formation, therefore, resolves itself into handling the milk and cream in such a manner that partial churning is avoided, or if this is impossible, reducing the size of the fat globules by either emulsifying or homogenizing at low pressures. Storing the cream at proper storage temperatures is helpful in preventing the formation of the cream plugs, but this is beyond the control of the milk dealer after it leaves his plant and, therefore, should not be relied upon to any great extent.
High-Pressure Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Promethazine Plasma Levels in the Dog After Oral, Intramuscular, and Intravenous Dosage

Plasma levels of promethazine were determined using a high-pressure liquid chromatographic procedure incorporating a fixed wavelength (254 nm) UV detector, following single 50-mg intravenous, intramuscular, and oral doses to two male dogs. Initial plasma promethazine concentrations following intravenous doses were 556 and 535 ng/ml in the two dogs. The subsequent decline in drug levels were satisfactorily described by a triexponential function. Peak promethazine levels of 76 and 64 ng/ml were obtained 0.5 hr following intramuscular doses. Peak levels for the oral doses were 10.6 and 11.0 ng/ml occurring 2 hr after dosing. The apparent biological half-life of promethazine, obtained from only 2-3 data points, varied from 8.5 to 27.7 hr. Areas under the promethazine plasma curves, compared to values obtained from intravenous doses between 0 and 24 hr, indicated that systemic availability of intact drug was 55-73% following intramuscular injection and 8.3-9.5% following oral administration.
Relation of oxygen to photoreactivation of bacteria after ultraviolet radiation.

SummaryMolecular oxygen is not essential for the photoreactivation of E. coli after inactivation by ultraviolet radiation, demonstrating that photodynamic action is not involved.Vegetative cells from young cultures of Bacillus cereus show no appreciable photoreactivation.
Constituent redistribution in U–Pu–Zr fuel during irradiation

Abstract The thermo-migration fluxes of U, Pu and Zr in U–Pu–Zr metallic alloy fuel during irradiation in the Experimental Breeder Reactor II (EBR-II) were calculated using the constituent redistribution profiles measured in postirradiation examinations. Based on these fluxes, the diffusion coefficients, and the sums of heat of transport and enthalpy of solution for the γ, γ+ζ and δ+ζ phases in U–Pu–Zr were obtained. Using these data, the predicted concentration redistribution profiles are consistent with the measurements. The effect of minor actinide (Am and Np) addition was also examined. Am migration generally followed that of Zr with local precipitation, while Np behaved similarly to Pu.
Melanin Imaging Using Nonlinear Pump-Probe Microscopy in Fixed Tissue Samples

Pump-probe microscopy is uniquely suited to visualize differences in melanin chemistry in biological tissue. We discuss its application to a number of medical contexts, from diagnosing melanoma to research in neurodegenerative diseases.
Individual change in the midst of social and political change

Abstract Scholarship about rapid social and political change, especially in the Third World since 1945, often fails to consider adequately the role of the individual man or woman. This article assesses the work of Daniel Lerner, Lucian Pye, David McClelland, M. N. Srinivas, Clyde Mitchell, Alex Inkeles, and David Smith. Despite their notable contributions, these scholars sometimes made assumptions that are open to challenge. One was that change was unidirectional. Another was that personality is unitary. The primacy of the state was a third. The correct view is more complex. This new model must account for how syncretic men and women respond to diverse situations with a limited variety of concepts of self. It must point to the conflicting sets of principles and values they call upon in an environment of conflict as states and other social organizations contend.
Source of Aromatic Compounds in Maple Sirup Flavora

SUMMARY A sugar-free maple flavor concentrate made by extracting maple sirup with chloroform has been found to contain vanillin, syringaldehyde, and dihydroconiferyl alcohol, aromatic compounds related to lignin. When a chloroform extract of the sap of the maple tree is subjected to alkaline hydrolysis and nitrobenzene oxidation, the amounts of vanillin and syringaldehyde increase. The amount of dihydroconiferyl alcohol in this sap extract increases upon alkaline hydrolysis and then decreases upon subsequent nitrobenzene oxidation. Nitrobenzene oxidation of lignin-like material in the sap yields vanillin as the chief reaction product.
The Residential Mortgage Supply Function of Commercial Banks

The paper develops a residential supply function for approved fixed-rate mortgages in US commercial banks as a first step to explain differences in origination patterns among groups of borrowers. It models the lender's decision to offer the borrower a risk-adjusted loan bundle relative to the terms on the credit application. The model includes multiple dependent variables that are risk-adjusted simultaneously to reflect accurately the loan officer's decision. Canonical correlation factor analysis is used to capture the lender's simultaneous decision. The loan-price ratio and contract interest rate are the most important variables in the lender supply function.
Substrate specific activation by glucose 6-phosphate of the dephosphorylation of muscle glycogen synthase.

Abstract The activation of glycogen synthase by insulin is in many instances stimulated by the presence of extracellular glucose. Previous observations in cell extracts, glycogen pellets and other crude systems suggest that this stimulation may be due to an increase in glucose 6-phosphate, which activates the dephosphorylation of glycogen synthase by protein phosphatases. Using purified rabbit muscle glycogen synthase D adn protein phosphateses 1 and 2A, the types responsible for the activation of muscle synthase, it was found that glucose 6-phosphate, at low, physiological concentrations, stimulated the dephosphorylation of glycogen synthase. Both types of phosphatase were stimulated to the same extent when acting on glycogen synthase. The dephosphorylation of other protein substrates of the phosphatases was either not affected or inhibited by glucose 6-phosphate. It appears that the stimulatory effect of glucose 6-phosphate at physiological concentrations is apparently specific for glycogen synthase, and most likely due to an allosteric configuration change of this enzyme which facilitates its dephosphorylation. In addition, the effects of other reported modulators of glycogen synthase dephosphorylation, AMP, ATP and Mg2+, were studied in this ‘in vitro’ system.
We should not manipulate the genome of domestic hogs.

We can approach the ethical question of whether we ought to use genetic engineering to change domestic hogs from two directions: first, treating the hogs as nothing but means to human ends and, second, considering the well-being of the hogs to be morally relevant. In both of these approaches we can employ a common-sense conception of ethics, that a major goal of morality is to minimize suffering and otherwise make life in this world happier and more fulfilling.