cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of the water-soluble fractions of no. 2 fuel oil on the early development of the estuarine fish, Fundulus grandis baird and girard

Abstract Embryos of Fundulus grandis were exposed continuously to 12·5, 25 and 50% dilutions of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of No. 2 fuel oil, corresponding to aqueous petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations of 1·1, 2·2 and 4·4 ppm, respectively, and aqueous naphthalenes concentrations of 0·56, 1·07 and 1·26 ppm, respectively. At different times during development, embryos were examined histologically and compared with unexposed controls. Embryos exposed to 12·5% WSF generally hatched earlier than the controls and most were normal. Some of those exposed to 25% WSF had pathological liver, kidney, lens and epithelial tissues while others appeared normal. None of the embryos exposed to 50% WSF hatched and all had pathological tissues.
Recovery of Proteins from Raw Sweet Whey Using a Solid State Sulfitolysis

A simple, efficient method to recover functional proteins from cheese whey was developed. It involves partial sulfitolysis of disulfide bonds in whey proteins using sodium sulfite and solid state copper carbonate catalyst. About 25 to 40% of the initial disulfide bonds were modified within 15 to 30 min at pH 7.0. When treated whey was adjusted to acidic pH, about 70 to 80% of the whey proteins precipitated below pH 5.0. The protein precipitate contained some copper as protein-copper complex. However, extraction of the precipitate with EDTA at pH 4.5 completely removed the copper. The uncomplexed protein showed a U-shaped pH-solubility profile with 100% solubility below pH 3.0 and above 6.0. About 90% of the proteins precipitated in the pH range 4.0 to 5.0. The method could be used on an industrial scale to recover highly functional and nutritional whey protein for use in a variety of products.
Comparison of the prevalence of the poor metabolizer phenotype for CYP2D6 between 203 Hmong subjects and 280 white subjects residing in Minnesota

Genetic polymorphism of the P450IID6 (CYP2D6) enzyme system can be an important component of the variability in response to drug therapy. Interpopulation differences in the prevalence of deficiencies of drug-metabolizing enzymes may be clinically important in the selection and dosage of drug therapies for patients. Since 1980, the State of Minnesota has had more than a 1000% increase in population of Hmong refugees from Laos. The Hmong are frequently treated in our institution's international clinic with virtually no systematically acquired knowledge about the ability of this relatively ethnically pure population to metabolize commonly used Western medications. To further our knowledge of drug metabolism in this population, we identified the prevalence of the poor metabolizer phenotype for CYP2D6 in a sample population of Hmong subjects and compared this prevalence to that in a sample population of white subjects. Urine collected after ingestion of dextromethorphan in 237 healthy Hmong and 280 healthy white volunteers was analyzed by HPLC. Based on probit plots of the metabolic ratios (dextro-methorphan/dextrorphan), 8.9% of Hmong subjects and 6.1% of white subjects were assigned the poor metabolizer phenotype (difference not significant). Weak associations were found between body surface area and metabolic ratio for both Hmong and white men and between smoking status and metabolic ratio for white subjects only. We conclude that the prevalence of poor metabolizers for the CYP2D6 enzyme system is similar between Hmong subjects and white subjects residing in Minnesota and that an antimode of 0.3 for metabolic ratio appears to be reasonable for the populations studied.
Aggregation and network formation in self-assembly of protein (H3.1) by a coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulation.

Multi-scale aggregation to network formation of interacting proteins (H3.1) are examined by a knowledge-based coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulation as a function of temperature and the number of protein chains, i.e., the concentration of the protein. Self-assembly of corresponding homo-polymers of constitutive residues (Cys, Thr, and Glu) with extreme residue-residue interactions, i.e., attractive (Cys–Cys), neutral (Thr–Thr), and repulsive (Glu–Glu), are also studied for comparison with the native protein. Visual inspections show contrast and similarity in morphological evolutions of protein assembly, aggregation of small aggregates to a ramified network from low to high temperature with the aggregation of a Cys-polymer, and an entangled network of Glu and Thr polymers. Variations in mobility profiles of residues with the concentration of the protein suggest that the segmental characteristic of proteins is altered considerably by the self-assembly from that in its isolated state. The global motion of proteins and Cys polymer chains is enhanced by their interacting network at the low temperature where isolated chains remain quasi-static. Transition from globular to random coil transition, evidenced by the sharp variation in the radius of gyration, of an isolated protein is smeared due to self-assembly of interacting networks of many proteins. Scaling of the structure factor S(q) with the wave vector q provides estimates of effective dimension D of the mass distribution at multiple length scales in self-assembly. Crossover from solid aggregates (D ∼ 3) at low temperature to a ramified fibrous network (D ∼ 2) at high temperature is observed for the protein H3.1 and Cys polymers in contrast to little changes in mass distribution (D ∼ 1.6) of fibrous Glu- and Thr-chain configurations.
Geologic history of the Maurice Ewing Bank of the Falkland Plateau (southwest Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean) based on piston and drill cores

Abstract Paleontologic and sedimentologic analyses of fifty-five piston cores and three drill-core sequences, combined with seismic reflection profiler data, provide the basis for a geologic study of the intermediate-depth Maurice Ewing Bank located at the eastern end of the Falkland (Malvinas) Plateau, southwest Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. Presented is a geologic map and cross-section of older (pre-Pliocene) units sampled beneath a thin veneer (1–2 m) of Plio-Pleistocene siliceous ooze and glacial marine clastics which mantle the plateau. Thirty-four piston cores penetrated pre-Pliocene sediments, the oldest being Campanian in age. A comparison of faunal and floral assemblage characteristics of Cretaceous sediment from opposite sides of the Maurice Ewing Bank shows significant paleoecological differences which suggest that the Falkland Plateau served as an important barrier between water masses in the South Atlantic during this time. During the Tertiary, a relatively high carbonate compensation depth coupled with a significant variation in topography across the bank contributed to marked changes in lithologic facies ranging from coccolith ooze near the apex of the bank to diatom ooze and zeolitic clay on its flanks. Miocene coccolith ooze deposition ceased when the center of high carbonate productivity (and the Miocene Polar Front?) migrated north of the bank in response to deteriorating climatic conditions associated with a severe Late Miocene continental glaciation on the Antarctic continent. Strong bottom currents associated with the Cretaceous boundary event, the Early Miocene opening of the Drake Passage, and the Late Miocene Antarctic glaciation caused scouring and removal of significant volumes of sediment, thus contributing to the complex erosional history of the bank. During the Late Miocene the last and most severe of these events truncated the previously deposited Upper Cretaceous—Miocene sequence of sediments of the bank. The primary erosional agent during the Late Miocene was probably a northerly component of the circum-polar deep water which impinged on the bank from the southwest. Erosion of older pelagic oozes ceased with the deposition of Plio-Pleistocene glacial marine clastics which essentially “armoured” the sediment surface with a protective, erosion-resistant cover. Carbonate deposition in the study area resumed during the latest Pleistocene when the polar front migrated to a mean position near the southern margin of the bank.
Outcome of Continence Procedures in the Pediatric Patient: A Single Institutional Experience

ABSTRACTPurpose: Achieving continence remains a major goal in the treatment of children with neurogenic and/or anatomical voiding dysfunction. We reviewed our experience with continence procedures in pediatric lower urinary tract reconstruction.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of all pediatric patients who underwent continence procedures at our institution since July 1993. We reviewed the diagnosis, type of primary reconstructive procedure, concomitant procedure(s) and initial success rate. In cases of primary failure we noted the type of secondary continence procedure performed and the ultimate success rate. Success was defined as dry intervals of at least 4 hours when the patient was compliant with a catheterization or voiding regimen.Results: Primary continence procedures were performed in 43 cases and secondary procedures were performed in 6 for a total of 49 continence procedures. The diagnoses included myelomeningocele in 22 patients, exstrophy in 12, epispadias in 3, bilateral single ...
Therapy, Long-Term Follow-Up And Mutational Analysis In Persistent Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia Of Infancy (Phhi) 164

Background: PHHI is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) gene and characterized by irregular insulin secretion leading to hypoglycemia. Subjects: 14 patients with PHHI (16 months - 20 years). Interventions: Clinical data of two groups of patients were reviewed: 8 were diagnosed early (< 4 weeks), 6 were diagnosed late (6 - 48 months). Mutational analysis of 8 families was done by restriction digest of PCR-amplified SUR gene fragments. Results: In 8 patients subtotal pancreatectomy was performed whereas 6 responded to conservative treatment (diazoxide). Psychomotor retardation was found in 6 patients, 5 of them belonging to the late diagnosed group. Loss of an MspI restriction site was detected in one allele of the SUR gene in one patient.
Coping Strategies and Adolescents: Learning to Take Care of Self and Stuttering during Treatment

The purpose of this paper is to describe coping in the context of adolescence and stuttering. Adolescents who stutter are a unique group of individuals dealing with an episodic, variable, and chronic disorder during a critical developmental stage in their lives. We provide a brief review of adolescence, coping constructs, coping during adolescence, and coping programs. We highlight the role of the speech-language pathologist is as an advocate/guide assisting adolescents who stutter develop appropriate, adaptive strategies for dealing with everyday stressors and the added potential stress associated with stuttering.
Coccidioidomycosis among scholarship athletes and other college students, Arizona, USA.

To compare coccidioidomycosis case rates among groups of young adults in a disease-endemic region, we reviewed medical charts for serologic testing and coding. Case rates were higher for scholarship athletes than for other students and paralleled 5× more serologic testing. Our findings underscore the need to routinely test patients for coccidioidomycosis.
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury is enhanced in a model of systemic allergy and asthma.

Despite epidemiological evidence of cardiovascular complications in asthmatics, the direct contribution of asthmatic pathophysiology to cardiovascular effects is unknown. Considering parallels in underlying pathophysiology, we tested the hypothesis that presence of systemic allergy and asthma worsens the outcome of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Systemic allergy and asthma were created in rabbits by repeated intraperitoneal injections of allergen with adjuvant, followed by an airway challenge in two groups. Nonsensitized animals served as controls. In situ myocardial ischemia-reperfusion was induced in anesthetized animals by a 30-min ligation of a coronary artery, followed by 3 h of reperfusion. Ischemia-reperfusion was done at 24 h after intraperitoneal boost (1 DB) and 7 days (7 DB) after the last intraperitoneal injection and at 24 h (1DAWCH) and 7 days (7DAWCH) after airway challenge. The infarct size (determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, normalized to area at risk) was significantly higher in all sensitized groups compared with control (1DB, 31 ± 4; 7DB, 28.9 ± 2.6; 1DAWCH, 66.1 ± 4.1; 7DAWCH, 28.9 ± 9.2; control, 16.7 ± 3.2; means ± SE; P < 0.01 by ANOVA; n = 6). The 1DAWCH group showed significantly greater infarct than all other groups ( P < 0.05). Myocardial neutrophil infiltration was significantly higher in the sensitized groups compared with control ( P < 0.01). Tissue neutrophil counts showed a strong positive correlation to infarct sizes ( r 2 = 0.9). These observations indicate that the presence of systemic allergy and asthma is associated with increased myocardial neutrophil infiltration during acute ischemia-reperfusion and increased size of the resulting infarct.
Inversion problem including a long-ranged potential in the generalized WKB method

The generalized WKB method is applied to the construction of a potential which has a Coulomb tail. A simple numerical example is used to illustrate the accuracy of the terms to the order h/sup 2/.
Use of grain and seed dielectric properties for moisture measurement

The importance of moisture measurement in grain and seed is discussed, and a brief history of the development of moisture sensing instruments, based on sensing electrical properties of these materials, is presented. Data are presented graphically on the permittivities or dielectric properties of grain and seed showing their variation with frequency, moisture content, temperature, and bulk density, and references are cited for further information. More recent developments on microwave measurements for moisture content and bulk density sensing are briefly described, and numerous studies are cited providing sources of information on these techniques.
Peace Processes under Conditions of Uncertain Sovereignty

This article examines two instances of violent internal rebellion (Ivory Coast and the Philippines) that have escalated in intensity to the level of domestic insurgencies. Each insurgency operates on behalf of a population that has articulated claims of religious and ethnic discrimination by the state. In each case, the parties to the conflict have jointly approved international mediation of their disputes. In one instance, the mediating effort was repudiated by both parties, while in the other, the mediation process achieved significant progress in obtaining an agreement between the parties. The argument herein suggests that this disparity can be explained by examining the pace at which the different mediation teams implemented their effort.
Current view of large scale photonic integrated circuits on indium phosphide

We report on the current state of large-scale and high functionality photonic integrated circuits on the InP platform for transmitters, receivers, and other device applications.
Elastic Stress and Magnetic Field Concentration Near the Vertex of a Soft-Ferromagnetic 2-D Compound Wedge

The problem of the elastic stress and induced magnetic field concentration near the vertex of a compound wedge is modeled and investigated. The wedge is made of two isotropic dielectric soft-ferromagnetic materials and is immersed in a static magnetic field. By using eigenfunction series expansion technique, the components of the magnetoelastic stresses and the disturbed magnetic field near the vertex are determined. It is shown that in that region the magnetic permeability and the applied magnetic field have a strong influence on the elastic and Maxwell stresses concentration. The results are instrumental toward actively controlling the stress concentration intensity via the applied magnetic field.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Finite Element Analysis of Thermomechanical Contact of an Elastomeric O-Ring Seal

This study concerns the development of a finite element model to support design improvements in elastomeric seals subject to high temperature and pressure, such as in aircraft engines. Existing finite element codes familiar to the authors do not couple thermal and mechanical fields, nor do they implement thermomechanical contact models suitable for highly deformable materials. Recently, the authors have introduced a thermohyperelastic constitutive model for near-incompressible elastomers. In two subsequent studies, using the constitutive model, a method has been introduced for finite element analysis of coupled thermomechanical response, including boundary contributions due to large deformation and variable contact. A new thermomechanical contact model has also been introduced to accommodate the softness of elastomers. The method has been implemented in a special purpose code which concerns a seal compressed into a well. Several computations are used to validate the code. Simulations of a seal in an idealized geometry indicate rapid pressure increase with increasing compression and temperature.Copyright © 1997 by ASME
Update on mechanical intervention in acute myocardial infarction.

The role of pharmacologic interventions in acute myocardial infarction (i.e., a combination of intravenous nitroglycerin, intravenous beta-blocker, oral aspirin, and intravenous thrombolysis), has become more standardized, whereas the role of mechanical intervention remains to be defined. Mechanical intervention includes percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and coronary artery bypass grafting. The number of carefully controlled, randomized trials is limited, particularly with surgery. Nevertheless, in optimal circumstances, when performed within the first few hours of myocardial infarction, surgery can be beneficial in reducing mortality, especially with anterior location of infarct. Surgery may not prevent reinfarction. However, the results of nonrandomized surgical trials done 10 years ago are difficult to compare with modern-day treatment of myocardial infarction with the availability of new agents and PTCA. Angioplasty can be performed safely in the acute phase of myocardial infarction but may not be the ideal choice for all patients. The results may be more optimal if performed when the patient is stable. Clinical factors associated with favorable and unfavorable outcomes have been identified. Mortality is not significantly affected by early versus late PTCA. Certain selected patients benefit from PTCA, particularly those in cardiogenic shock, in whom PTCA has made a dramatic improvement in outcome. To achieve maximal benefit, intervention should be performed early, within the first hours of symptoms. Further well-designed studies may help clarify the role mechanical techniques will play in future combinations of interventional therapy.
Police Shootings: Psychoanalytic Viewpoints

The author discusses a traumatic event and its impact on the individual, emphasizing the reemergence of earlier traumas. The importance of dealing with these developmental conflicts is emphasized and clinical examples are presented.
Sustainable energy-efficient wireless applications using light

As we step further into the 21st century, the demand for sustainable energy-efficient technology grows higher. The important area of electric lighting, currently dominated by decades-old incandescent and fluorescent sources, is being taken over by white light emitting diodes, which are solid state devices with much greater energy savings. Replacement of current inefficient lighting by these LEDs will result in reduction of global carbon dioxide emissions, a major cause of global warming, among other things. WLEDs hold the potential, in the field of photonics, to be as transformational as the transistor was in electronics. This core device has the potential to revolutionize how we use light, including not only for illumination, but also for communications, sensing, navigation, imaging, and many more applications. In this tutorial we highlight some of the potentials.
Use of Sargramostim (rh-GM-CSF) As Adjunctive Treatment of Fluconazole-Refractory Oropharyngeal Candidiasis in Patients with AIDS: A Pilot Study

AbstractPurpose: Fluconazole-refractory mucosal candidiasis is a significant problem in patients with advanced HIV disease. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is postulated to activate neutrophils, enhance phagocytosis, and increase intracellular killing of Candida species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of sargramostim (rh-GM-CSF) in combination with fluconazole for refractory mucosal candidiasis in patients with AIDS. Method: Patients with mycologically confirmed fluconazole-refractory oropharyngeal candidiasis who failed fluconazole 400 mg/day for a minimum of 7 days were enrolled, continued on fluconazole (400 mg/day), and received sargramostim 2.5 μg/kg/day for a minimum of 2 weeks. Patients were evaluated for clinical signs and symptoms of oropharyngeal candidiasis, and quantitative fungal cultures were taken at baseline and the end of weeks 1 and 2 of therapy. Results: Eleven patients were entered, 3 out of 11 patients were cured, 6 were unchanged, and 2 were w...
Synthesis of Prebiotic Glycerol in Interstellar Ices

Contemporary mechanisms for the spontaneous formation of glycerol have not been able to explain its existence on early Earth. The exogenous origin and delivery of organic molecules to early Earth presents an alternative route to their terrestrial in situ formation since biorelevant molecules like amino acids, carboxylic acids, and alkylphosphonic acids have been recovered from carbonaceous chondrites. Reported herein is the first in situ identification of glycerol, the key building block of all cellular membranes, formed by exposure of methanol-based — interstellar model ices to ionizing radiation in the form of energetic electrons. These results provide compelling evidence that the radiation-induced for- mation of glycerol in low-temperature interstellar model ices is facile. Synthesized on interstellar grains and eventually incor- porated into the "building material" of solar systems, biorel- evant molecules such as glycerol could have been dispensed to habitable planets such as early Earth by comets and meteorites. As the central precursor to lipids, (1) glycerol presents the
An Integrated Approach to Amazon Research: The Amazon Information System

Abstract The Amazon Information System (AIS) developed at Indiana State University/Indiana University is a comprehensive geographic information system that was created to catalog, query, analyze, model, and modify spatial data collected during long term Amazon research and complements new data in a project funded by NASA's Large‐Scale Biosphere Atmosphere Ecology Program (LBA). The AIS incorporates algorithms from sources such as ARC/INFO, ERDAS Imagine, Oracle, STATISTICA, and Visual Basic, and it allows seamless raster and vector data integration. Although the AIS was originally designed for just one of the projects in LBA, NASA requested that it be made available for use in other projects in this program as well. This will enable data to be shared among the various projects in LBA and provide a more synoptic view of the many changes that are occurring in the Amazon Basin. Currently, the system brings together land cover data collected since 1991; particularly involving species level inventories of seco...
BOOK REVIEW: Branded: How the “Certification Revolution” Is Transforming Global Corporations . Michael E. Conroy. 2007. New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island, BC, Canada. Xvi + 335 pp. USD $19.95; CAD $23.95 paperback (ISBN: 978-0-86571-579-0).

Michael E. Conroy is a fascinating individual. He spent over twenty years as a professor of economics at the University of Texas–Austin, a dozen years as program officer for several foundations (Fo...
Mechanisms for suppression of interleukin-6 expression in peritoneal macrophages from docosahexaenoic acid-fed mice

Consumption of the trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) induces interleukin-6 (IL-6)-dependent IgA nephropathy (IgAN) in mice. This effect can be prevented by feeding long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) found in fish oil. The purpose of this study was to identify the signal transduction pathways by which DON up-regulates IL-6 in the peritoneal macrophage and how consumption of fish oil enriched with the n-3 PUFA docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) suppresses these processes. Incubation with DON induced IL-6 expression in naive macrophages maximally at 3 h. Knockdown of the transcription factor cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) or pharmacologic inhibition of the CREB kinases Akt1/2, MSK1 and RSK1 down-regulated this expression. Inhibition of double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) suppressed not only IL-6 expression but also phosphorylation of CREB and its upstream kinases, Akt1, MSK1 and RSK1. Phosphorylations of PKR, CREB kinases and CREB were markedly impaired in peritoneal macrophages isolated from mice that consumed DHA-enriched fish oil for 6 to 8 weeks. DHA's effects were not explainable by increased activity of protein phosphatase 1 and 2A since both were suppressed in mice consuming the DHA diet. Although cells cultured directly with DHA expressed less IL-6 compared to cells cultured with arachidonic acid (AA), neither fatty acid treatment affected DON-induced protein phosphorylation. Furthermore, DHA and AA similarly inhibited cell-free protein kinase activity. These data suggest that DON-induced IL-6 expression is CREB mediated and PKR dependent, and that requisite kinase activities for these pathways were suppressed in macrophages from mice fed DHA for an extended period.
Aggressively voltage overscaled adaptive RF systems using error control at the bit and symbol levels

Voltage overscaling for power reduction in RF systems has been limited by the need to maintain sufficient overscaling guard bands to ensure that minimum signal quality requirements of the end to end communication link are met. In this paper, we propose error control mechanisms at the symbol (probabilistic symbol remapping) and bit levels (code based correction and feedback) that allow more aggressive voltage overscaling than is possible otherwise. Error control feedback is used to continuously monitor and control the tuning knobs of the front end RF circuitry to trade off signal quality vs. power consumption. Real time image and voice data is used to demonstrate this concept. Significant power savings is achieved using the proposed scheme while maintaining minimum signal quality as required by the wireless communication link.
AKR signal increases caused by triggering

This paper presents a study of the amplitude increases which accompany the triggering of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) by Type-III solar radio bursts. IMP-8 data were used to determine the signal increases observed during one-hour periods before and after Type-III bursts at 100 kHz, 178 kHz and 500 kHz and these were compared with similar observations when the Type-III bursts were absent. The results indicate that between 8 to 16% of the Type-III bursts caused statistically significant intensity increases and that infrequent large signal increases of sometimes 20 dB or more tended to characterize the triggered AKR, rather than a large proportion of small increases.
Independence and Dependence

A stochastic process is commonly used as a model in studying the behavior of a random system through time. It will be convenient for us to take the stochastic process {xt} as discrete in time t = …, - 1, 0, 1, …. Processes of independent random variables are the simplest and most completely understood, It is, however, clear that these axe extremely limited in scope as models and one must have recourse to dependent processes (the random variables xt not independent) in order to have any power in description. For simplicity, let us further restrict ourselves to processes that are stable through time, stationary processes. For such processes the probabilities of events shifted through time remain the same, that is, the probability
Value Orientations in Heterosexual Relationships

It is often suggested that men and women have divergent orientations toward love relationships. A questionnaire study of 130 university students demonstrated that their values about romantic relationships comprise two distinct, orthogonal dimensions reflecting concerns with intimacy and with independence. However, results challenge the stereotype that whereas women are more concerned with close-knit attachments, men are more eager to maintain personal autonomy. In actuality, no sex differences were found in attachment values, and women gave significantly more importance than did men to equal sharing and maintaining their personal autonomy. Also examined were individual and dyadic correlates of these value dimensions. Results suggest that dimensions of attachment and egalitarian autonomy provide a useful way to conceptualize individual differences in orientations toward love relationships.
Moral and Religious Convictions and Intentions to Vote in the 2008 Presidential Election

The current research investigated whether people’s issue-specific moral and religious convictions had distinct or redundant effects on their intentions to vote in the 2008 presidential election. Participants reported their levels of moral and religious conviction about the issue that they perceived as most important to the 2008 presidential election and their intentions to vote. Results indicated that stronger issue-specific moral convictions and weaker issue-specific religious convictions were associated with increased intentions to vote. In short, people’s moral and religious convictions had distinct and dissimilar effects on their intentions to vote in the 2008 presidential election. President George Washington declared in his farewell address, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensablesupports.Invainwouldthatmanclaimthetributeofpatriotism,who should labor to subvert these...firmest props of the duties of men and citizens.” In thisboldproclamation,thefirstpresidentoftheUnitedStatesassertedthatmorality and religion were and should remain at the center of political life. Consistent with President Washington’s assertion, people’s moral and religious beliefs do indeed influence their political beliefs and behaviors. For example, people who reported that their candidate preferences or positions on hot-button political issues
ARTHUR HALLAM’S SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPH AND TENNYSON’S ELEGIAC TRACE

Blanche Warre Cornish's 1921–22 tripartite memoir, “Memories of Tennyson,” begins in 1869 when she meets the poet by way of her parents’ friendship with Tennyson's neighbor, the photographer Julia Margaret Cameron (145) (Figure 1). The photograph that Cornish recalls as “psychophotography” is one instance of a trend in Victorian England of spirit photography that was first practiced around 1872 after it was imported from America, where William Mumler had developed it (Tucker 68; Doyle 2: 128). Reactions to these spirit photographs took various forms: while some viewers regarded them as a credible medium for communication with the dead, their detractors saw them as deliberate acts of deception. Others employed photography's spectral qualities for entertainment, such as the London Stereoscopic Company that had marketed photographs of angels, fairies, and ghosts for their customers’ amusement in the 1860s (Cheroux 45–53). By the time the “shadowy figure of a man” appears beside Arthur Hallam's erstwhile fiance, Mrs. Jesse, Tennyson's sister, the practice had been subject to public intrigue and scandal as a part of broader and contentious Victorian debates about the status of photography as art or document. The already surreal qualities of Cornish's anecdote are amplified by Tennyson's question, “Is that Arthur?,” which entertains the possibility of Hallam being present in a visible, spectral form while unrecognized by his beloved friend.
To avoid or deter: interactions among defensive and escape strategies in sabellid worms

Numerous studies demonstrate how sessile marine organisms utilize chemical, structural, and nutritional deterrents to persist in predator-rich environments. Little is known, however, about how mobile, more behaviorally complex species minimize predation by integrating avoidance and deterrence strategies. We investigated this using sabellid polychaete worms from the Caribbean and temperate western Atlantic. Sabellids extend their feather-like radioles beyond their protective tubes for feeding and respiration; the body remains inside the tube and the radioles retract when threatened. We used co-occurring consumers to determine the palatability of radioles and bodies for each of the eight species tested. In addition, we examined chemical or structural traits affecting palatability and evaluated predator escape traits, such as tube strength, speed of radiole retraction, completeness of retraction, and sensitivity to a nearby disturbance. All species had unpalatable radioles that were chemically or structurally defended, but only two species had unpalatable bodies. Thus, most species allocated defenses to tissues that were most exposed to predation. The two species with chemically defended bodies, Bispira brunnea and Bispira variegata, relied less on behavioral escapes than the other species. Their tubes were weak, they did not retract until disturbances were very close, and B. brunnea retracted slowly and incompletely even when touched. Other species generally had stronger tubes and/or retracted when disturbances were farther away. This trade-off of deterrence versus escape even occurred within a single species when populations differed in palatability. Populations of B.variegata from North Carolina and Georgia were chemically deterrent to both temperate and tropical consumers, while populations from Panama and Florida were palatable. The more palatable Panama population retracted in response to distant movement, while the unpalatable North Carolina population did not retract until nearly touched. Thus, most species utilize a combination of predator avoidance and deterrence strategies, but more deterrent populations of species utilized avoidance less.
Maximum entropy identification and min-max optimal prediction

The authors consider the problem of worst case prediction of stationary discrete time stochastic processes. For certain classes of models and predictor, there is a uniformly optimal solution to the prediction problem. This solution is unique, and the uniform optimality is related to the principle of maximum entropy. An example is provided for which the min-max solution is not equal to the max-min solution. >
Generalized X-ray and neutron crystallographic analysis: more accurate and complete structures for biological macromolecules

X-ray and neutron crystallographic techniques provide complementary information on the structure and function of biological macromolecules. X-ray and neutron (XN) crystallo­graphic data have been combined in a joint structure-refinement procedure that has been developed using recent advances in modern computational methodologies, including cross-validated maximum-likelihood target functions with gradient-based optimization and simulated annealing. The XN approach for complete (including hydrogen) macromolecular structure analysis provides more accurate and complete structures, as demonstrated for diisopropyl fluorophosphatase, photoactive yellow protein and human aldose reductase. Furthermore, this method has several practical advantages, including the easier determination of the orientation of water molecules, hydroxyl groups and some amino-acid side chains.
Analysis and compensation of numerical dispersion in the FDTD method for layered, anisotropic media

In this work, we investigate the effects of numerical dispersion in the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) algorithm for layered, anisotropic media. We first derive numerical dispersion relations for diagonally anisotropic media (corresponding to an FDTD reference frame coinciding with the principal axes of a biaxial media). In addition, we incorporate the discretization effects on the reflection and transmission coefficients in layered media. We then apply this analysis to minimize the numerical dispersion error of Huygens' plane-wave sources in layered, uniaxial media. For usual discretization sizes, a typical reduction of the scattered field error on the order of 30 dB is demonstrated.
Reconfigurable split ring resonator array loaded waveguide for insitu tuning

Two linear arrays of split ring resonators (SRR) with broad side coupling and various relative positions are investigated for controllable wave transmission in a rectangular waveguide. Each array is designed to have a different unit size of SRRs. A rectangular waveguide with a cutoff frequency of 3.2 GHz shows an additional stopband between 3.4 GHz and 4.8 GHz when a five element SRR array with a unit SRR dimension of 18mm by 18 mm and a pitch of 25mm is loaded. The other five element array with a unit dimension of 10mm by 10mm and a pitch of 25mm is inserted adjacent to the first array with a broad side coupling resulting in another stopband between 5 GHz and 6.5 GHz, where the coupling gap between two arrays is approximately 3mm (120mil) and the dielectric constant is 2.55. The center frequency of the stopband is tunable depending on the degree of alignment between those two arrays. One of the SRR arrays has a piece of magnet attached to its edge, and in-situ tuning is achieved by moving it by a ferrite (or a permanent magent) from outside of the waveguide. The tuning results of numerical simulation show good agreement with those of measurement.
Spatial patterning and population structure of a common woodland herb, Trillium erectum, in primary and post-logging secondary forests

Abstract We investigated the population age structure and spatial patterning of a common understory perennial, Trillium erectum var. album, in primary and post-logging secondary (industrially logged in the early 1900s) cove forests of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Within each of 8 T. erectum populations (4 in primary forest and 4 in secondary forest), we mapped the locations of all T. erectum plants in a 10 m × 10 m plot located within the center of each population. We recorded the height and life stage of each plant and excavated a randomly selected subset for age determination. Trillium erectum populations in primary forests displayed a somewhat stronger and more consistent spatial structure than those found in secondary forests. However, aside from being on-average younger due to a higher concentration of juveniles, age structures of secondary forest populations were similar to those of primary forests and both forest types had similar maximum plant ages. Our results, when considered with the life history of the species, suggest that logging did not eliminate T. erectum from secondary forests. Rather, residual plants and patches of plants that survived logging provided the propagules needed to expand and reestablish populations following logging. This relatively rapid recovery stands in stark contrast to the slow recovery observed by others in post-agricultural secondary forest. When considered in the context of other studies of post-disturbance recovery in secondary forests, our results suggest that the full history of a site must be carefully considered when examining the impacts of disturbance on forest perennial herbs.
On Bootstrap Iteration for Coverage Correction in Confidence Intervals

Abstract Iterated bootstrap procedures may be used to reduce error in many statistical problems. We discuss their use in constructing confidence intervals with accurate coverage and show that bootstrap coverage correction produces improvements in coverage accuracy of order n −1/2 in one-sided intervals, but of order n −1 in two-sided intervals. Explicit formulas are provided for the dominant term in coverage error after iteration in each case. These results are used to compare various iterated bootstrap intervals and to assess the effect of bootstrap iteration on other indicators of interval performance, such as position of critical points and length of interval. We show that, for one-sided intervals, the coverage-correction algorithm yields critical points that are second-order correct. This is not the case for two-sided intervals, where second-order correctness is not crucial in obtaining high-order coverage accuracy. We also show that the asymptotic mean increase in length between the original and cove...
Thoracic extruded disc mimicking spinal cord tumor.

Abstract Background context: Thoracic disc herniation is a rare condition. Distinguishing between a herniated disc and tumor for a lesion found at the thoracic level can be a diagnostic challenge. Purpose: To describe a case of thoracic disc herniation that mimicked a spinal cord tumor. Study design/setting: Case report and review of the literature. Patient sample: Case report. Outcome measures: Report of postoperative symptoms. Methods/description: A 54-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with progressively worsening weakness in both lower extremities, increased numbness of both lower extremities, pain radiating into his groin bilaterally and left foot drop. During a recent visit to his family physician, the patient's legs gave out and he collapsed. Physical examination revealed markedly increased tone in both extremities. Magnetic resonance images at T11–12 showed signal abnormality in the anterior extradural space, which extended posterior and inferior to the disc level to the left of midline. An extramedullary lesion found in the posterior spinal canal showed a low signal on T1 image and a high but heterogeneous signal on T2-weighted images. Preoperative diagnosis was neoplasm. A bilateral decompressive laminectomy was performed under operative magnification and ultrasonography. A large extruded disc was found that migrated from the ventral aspect around the thecal sac and into the dorsal aspect, which compressed the sac to the right. The extradural lesion was dissected off the surrounding thecal sac. Postoperatively, the patient underwent rehabilitation and is able to walk with only minimal weakness of both legs. Conclusions: Determining the diagnosis for thoracic spinal lesions, either disc herniation or tumor, is a diagnostic challenge.
The need for frank discussions about weight

Two recent articles in The BMJ have confirmed my suspicions that we are losing our sense of direction in medicine. McCartney implies that we should not share stories about patients.1 Shah says “ask him if it is OK to talk about his weight” in assessing the risk of diabetes.2 I often see patients with …
Assessing Health Care Reform: Changes to Reduce the Complexity of the Application Process for Individuals With Disabilities

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expanded eligibility for subsidized health insurance, and this has the potential to substantially increase health insurance coverage among persons with disabilities. The increase will depend, at least in part, on the complexity of the application process. To facilitate access, the ACA streamlined the application process for subsidized coverage; however, this did not include disability-based coverage. This article analyzes and describes the application process, identifies complexities, and defines steps to reduce complexities. The following application complexities were identified: (a) the need for applicants to apply separately for cash assistance and subsidized coverage, (b) the need for applicants to determine whether to pursue a disability-based Medicaid determination, and (c) the absence of a way for persons to self-identify their disability on the streamlined paper application form. The analysis indicates that the application process for subsidized coverage is complex an...
Preserved extent of Jurassic flood basalt in the South Georgia Rift: A new interpretation of the J horizon

At the end of the Triassic, ∼200 m.y. ago, the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP), one of the largest igneous provinces in the world, was emplaced within a very short period of time. The flows, sills, and dikes that mark the event are predominantly preserved in Triassic rift basins along the Atlantic margins. Conventional wisdom implies that the areally largest of the CAMP flows is preserved in the South Georgia Rift, a Triassic rift basin buried beneath the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The extent of this flow has been mapped on the basis of a prominent seismic reflection referred to as the J horizon. This seismic horizon has been used as a time marker for estimating the end of rifting in the southern United States and the beginning of seafloor spreading. Reanalysis of existing well and seismic data, however, shows that the extent of the flood basalt is limited to a few areas, and that the J horizon coincides with the base of the Coastal Plain. This reopens the question of how the CAMP relates to the rift-drift transition of eastern North America.
Autonomous Multi -Agent Robotics for Inspection and Repair of Propulsion Systems

Research is underway at the NASA Glenn Researc h Center to develop and demonstrate the core technologies required to enable new and revolutionary approaches to engine diagnostics. One such effort investigates the use of multi -agent robots for autonomous search and inspection of propulsion systems. In t his envisioned application, on -wing engine inspections will be performed by groups of miniature mobile inspection devices that will traverse the interior surfaces of engine components in a coordinated, comprehensive search and inspection for damage. The cu rrent effort consists of several parallel activities that include: investigation into a range of algorithms for cooperative search, coverage completeness and obstacle avoidance; development of 3 -D graphical simulation software that will serve as a virtual test -bed to facilitate the testing and validation of the control algorithms; and development of demonstration robots that will allow the integration of control algorithms onto hardware. These activities will culminate in a proof -of -concept demonstration in which inspection robots will work together in a coordinated fashion to search for "damage" targets in a hardware test -bed environment. This demonstration will validate the feasibility of using multi -agent robotics to perform cooperative inspections in app lications such as on -wing in situ turbine engine maintenance .
Italian-American Fiction: A Third Generation Renaissance

Rudolph Vecoli, Professor of History at the University of Minnesota, presented a paper at the conference in which he referred to the ItalianAmerican novel as being in "the adolescent stage ..." and that "there is reason to believe that it is attaining maturity." Vecoli presented a chronology of Italian-American novels published up through 1969: "4 were published in the 'twenties;' 9 in the 'thirties;''18 in the 'forties;' only 4 in the 'fifties;' and 10 in the 'sixties ...."' (Cammett 10) Vecoli's research raised the question, "Why aren't there more ItalianAmerican novelists?"
Lamellar Assembly of Cadmium Selenide Nanoclusters into Quantum Belts

Here, we elucidate a double-lamellar-template pathway for the formation of CdSe quantum belts. The lamellar templates form initially by dissolution of the CdX2 precursors in the n-octylamine solvent. Exposure of the precursor templates to selenourea at room temperature ultimately affords (CdSe)13 nanoclusters entrained within the double-lamellar templates. Upon heating, the nanoclusters are transformed to CdSe quantum belts having widths, lengths, and thicknesses that are predetermined by the dimensions within the templates. This template synthesis is responsible for the excellent optical properties exhibited by the quantum belts. We propose that the templated-growth pathway is responsible for the formation of the various flat, colloidal nanocrystals recently discovered, including nanoribbons, nanoplatelets, nanosheets, and nanodisks.