cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU‐GG‐T‐281: Quality Control in the Fabrication of Scintillating Fiber Probes for Radiotherapy Applications

Purpose: Miniature plastic scintillation detectors(PSDs) and plastic scintillation detector arrays are highly useful in many radiotherapy applications. However, PSDs can show large detector variability between apparently identical detectors. Such variability may impact on the performance of a PSD array. The purpose of this work is to develop a quality control procedure to increase the uniformity of PSDs.Method and Materials: A uniform procedure for fabricatingPSDs was established. A quality control bench was then designed, which comprised a precise positioning mechanism, an ultraviolet LED for stimulating the scintillation light in plastic scintillators and a spectrometer to characterize the relative emission spectra of the PSDs as well as their total light output. The reproducibility of the bench itself was evaluated by measurements of a single detector through numerous mounting, un‐mounting cycles. A batch of 15 PSDs was then built and tested for quality. Results: The quality control bench could be used with an average reproducibility of 0.7%. Stimulation of the plastic scintillators by ultraviolet light produced the same emission spectrum as one obtained from ionizing radiation. Quality control measurements for the 15 PSDs showed no major discrepancies in the relative emission spectrum. However, large variations in total light output were observed. The standard deviation of the total light output was 16%, with a maximum variation of 28%. Of all detectors, 13% had a total light output of 0.85 or less relative to the mean. Conclusion: The precision of a plastic scintillation detector will suffer if its total light output is too low. In this work, we have developed a tight quality control procedure for PSDs that could improve the performances of PSDs and PSD arrays. This procedure can be used to prevent detectors with poor light output from being used. Supported by the NCI (1R01CA120198‐01A2).
Phospholipids, adenylate cyclase, and the heart.

Abstract Phospholipids are necessary components of all hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase systems. We have previously described the preparation of a solubilized myocardial adenylate cyclase which is unresponsive to hormonal stimulation. Phosphatidylserine restored histamine and glucagon activation and phosphatidylinositol restored norepinephrine activation of the solubilized enzyme freed of detergent by DEAE-cellulose chromatography. The possible relationship of phospholipids to calcium transport and hormone-induced adenylate cyclase activation in sarcoplasmic reticulum is discussed.
A Variant of Special Relativity and Long-Distance Astronomy

Abstract The redshift, microwave background, and other observable astronomical features are deduced from two theoretical assumptions: (1) global space-time is a certain variant of Minkowski space, locally indistinguishable in causality and covariance features but globally admitting the full conformal group as symmetries although having a spherical space component; (2) the true energy operator corresponds to a certain generator of this group which is not globally scale-covariant, whereas laboratory frequency measurements are inevitably such and correspond to the conventional energy operator [unk]/i[unk]/[unk]t.
Re‐examining the relationship between cranial deformation and extra‐sutural bone formation

The relationship between cranial deformation and the occurrence of extra-sutural bones remains poorly understood. Scholars are divided about whether or not cranial deformation causes an increased occurrence of these bones, and even those who agree that deformation does have an influence often disagree about which locations on the crania are most impacted. Part of this issue clearly stems from the difficulties in finding appropriate samples from which to test the hypothesis that deformation leads to an increased expression of extra-sutural bones. The present study examines the effects of fronto-occipital and occipital-only deformation on the occurrence of extra-sutural bones through an analysis of 59 deformed and undeformed crania from the Philippines. Relative to the undeformed crania, both deformed samples showed an elevated number of extra-sutural bones. Using two different statistical tests, we identified a significantly higher occurrence of extra-sutural bones at two distinct cranial localities for both the fronto-occipitally deformed crania (coronal suture and asterion) and for those showing only occipital flattening when compared to the undeformed crania (lambdoidal and asterion). However, as our data reveal, individuals with highly elevated occurrences of extra-sutural bones are not necessarily deformed. As such, we argue that deformation practices may have a positive impact on the formation of extra-sutural bones; however, future studies using larger samples of deformed and undeformed crania—ideally from the same site—will be necessary to distinguish between the influence of cranial deformation on extra-sutural bone formation relative to other population factors which may play a role in shaping variation in this feature. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semiconductor Electrochemistry of Particulate Pyrite: Dissolution via Hole and Electron Pathways

Electrochemical and photoelectrochemical experiments were conducted to investigate the pyrite/aqueous interface reaction by using microparticles of synthetic pyrite as electrodes. The potential of the conduction bandedge of pyrite as a function of pH was estimated to be E{sub c} = 0.34--0.059 pH in volts vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE). The open-circuit potential of pyrite electrode in 1 M HNO{sub 3} solution was 0.38 V{sub SCE}. Illumination of pyrite microelectrodes increased both the anodic current and the dissolution rate dramatically but had little effect on the cathodic current and the cathodic dissolution. These results indicate that pyrite, as an n-type semiconductor, dissolves anodically through a hole transfer (valence band) pathway, while cathodic dissolution only involves electron reaction (conduction band).
The effects of epidural catheter location on outcomes in women undergoing gynaecologic surgery with an abdominal incision: A randomised clinical trial

Summary Introduction Currently, there is no standard location for the placement of epidural catheters in patients undergoing abdominal gynaecologic surgery. Methods Adult women undergoing elective gynaecologic surgery with abdominal incision were prospectively enrolled in a randomised double-blind controlled trial comparing postoperative outcomes for lumbar epidural analgesia (LEA) versus thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). Motor function, proprioception, cold sensation, pain, American Pain Society (APS) Patient Outcome Questionnaire (Modified), Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) and Quality of Recovery 9 (QOR9) were assessed. Results A total of 103 patients enrolled with 88 completing the study. There were no significant differences in demographics, pain scores during hospital stay or nausea/vomiting. Motor blockade was less with TEA compared to LEA but was statistically significant only for right knee extension and flexion and straight leg raise. There was a statistically significant decrease in pruritus with LEA. Subgroup analysis by surgical incision demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in pain scores for TEA for vertical incisions extending above the umbilicus only. Pain scores reported by the patients 7 days after surgery were higher both at rest and maximal for TEA. Conclusions Lower abdominal procedures for gynaecologic surgery do not appear to require TEA for optimal care unless upper abdominal incision is used or catheters will remain in place greater than 24 h.
Experimental evidence for the adaptive evolution of growth rate in the garter snake Thamnophis elegans.

Abstract The western terrestrial garter snake (Thamnophis elegans) varies significantly in individual growth rates and life-history traits (maturation, reproduction, and survival) among adjacent populations in nature. This study focuses on assessing the genetic and environmental components of the substantial among-population variation in growth rates. Litters of neonates from nine populations inhabiting either mountain meadow or lakeshore habitat were reared for one year in a common-garden experiment with two temperature treatments. Diet, frequency of feeding, light exposure, and daytime temperatures were identical for all individuals. The two different nighttime temperatures (20°C and 25°C) were chosen to mirror field differences in nighttime thermoregulatory constraints for mountain-meadow and lakeshore snakes, respectively. Temperature and source habitat interacted to affect first-year growth rate. Neonates from meadow dams grew fastest in the cooler treatment, whereas those from lakeshore dams grew fa...
An improved genetic system for bioengineering buoyant gas vesicle nanoparticles from Haloarchaea.

Background Gas vesicles are hollow, buoyant organelles bounded by a thin and extremely stable protein membrane. They are coded by a cluster of gvp genes in the halophilic archaeon, Halobacterium sp. NRC-1. Using an expression vector containing the entire gvp gene cluster, gas vesicle nanoparticles (GVNPs) have been successfully bioengineered for antigen display by constructing gene fusions between the gvpC gene and coding sequences from bacterial and viral pathogens.
Local-circuit phenotypes of layer 5 neurons in motor-frontal cortex of YFP-H mice

Layer 5 pyramidal neurons comprise an important but heterogeneous group of cortical projection neurons. In motor-frontal cortex, these neurons are centrally involved in the cortical control of movement. Recent studies indicate that local excitatory networks in mouse motor-frontal cortex are dominated by descending pathways from layer 2/3 to 5. However, those pathways were identified in experiments involving unlabeled neurons in wild type mice. Here, to explore the possibility of class-specific connectivity in this descending pathway, we mapped the local sources of excitatory synaptic input to a genetically labeled population of cortical neurons: YFP-positive layer 5 neurons of YFP-H mice. We found, first, that in motor cortex, YFP-positive neurons were distributed in a double blade, consistent with the idea of layer 5B having greater thickness in frontal neocortex. Second, whereas unlabeled neurons in upper layer 5 received their strongest inputs from layer 2, YFP-positive neurons in the upper blade received prominent layer 3 inputs. Third, YFP-positive neurons exhibited distinct electrophysiological properties, including low spike frequency adaptation, as reported previously. Our results with this genetically labeled neuronal population indicate the presence of distinct local-circuit phenotypes among layer 5 pyramidal neurons in mouse motor-frontal cortex, and present a paradigm for investigating local circuit organization in other genetically labeled populations of cortical neurons.
A glial-specific voltage-sensitive Na channel gene maps close to clustered genes for neuronal isoforms on mouse chromosome 2.

Abstract A variety of glial cell types express saxitoxin (STX)-binding voltage-sensitive Na channels (1,2), although the possible role of impulse conduction in these cells is not understood. Gautron et al. (1992) recently identified a 7.5 kb species of mRNA in type 1 astrocytes cultured from rat brain cerebrum that hybridized with a "common" Na channel probe but not with brain isoform-specific cDNA probes. Sequence data from cloned cDNAs demonstrate that it encodes a structurally atypical Na channel isoform. We have prepared a cDNA probe specific for a portion of subunit domain IV of the glial channel and mapped the location of the corresponding gene ( Scn7a ) to mouse chromosome 2. The Scn7a gene mapped 0.9 (±0.9) cM distal to the Gcg locus; the location of the corresponding human gene ( SCN7A ) is predicted to be in the q36-q37 region of chromosome 2. This site lies just outside a cluster of genes for the brain-specific Na channel isoforms RI, RII and RIII which map proximal to Gcg (17). The presence of at least four genes from two distinct Na channel subfamilies suggests that multiple genetic defects for central and peripheral nervous system disorders ultimately may be linked to this area.
94 SYSTOLIC LEFT VENTRICULAR AND AORTIC BLOOD FLOW RE-Q4 SPONSE TO INCREASING SYSTEMIC VASCULAR RESISTANCE

Classical indices of myocardial performance may be insensitive to changes in myocardial reserve when native afterload is reduced The objective of this study was to examine the response of left ventricular and regional aortic blood flow to changes in systemic vascular resistance(SVR) in a canine model using combined gated pulsed doppler echocardiography(GPDE) and a non-imaging cardiac probe(NICP). SVR was augmented by continuous methoxamine infusion and calculated by standard thermodilution techniques in 5 animals (3-5kg). Aortic blood flow was evaluated by GPDE interrogation of the thoracic aorta. Systolic aortic blood flow was described by the mean velocity and the frequency time integral partitioned into the first and latter two-thirds of systole. The left ventricular ejection rate and stroke volume were measured simultaneously by NICP. Increasing SVR resulted in a pansystolic reduction in the mean ejection rate of the left ventricle and mean systolic aortic flow velocity. A normal reciprocal relationship was present for the first and latter two-thirds of left ventricular and aortic systolic blood flow as measured by percent change of stroke volume. This baseline relationship persisted with increasing SVR. In conclusion, combined GPDE and NICP can provide an effective means to noninvasively evaluate left ventricular performance and regional aortic blood flow changes with augmentation of afterload.
An adaptive dead-zone inverse controller for systems with sandwiched dead-zones

This paper addresses adaptive control of sandwich nonlinear systems having an unknown sandwiched deadzone between the linear dynamic blocks, as illustrated by a hydraulic valve system. An adaptive hybrid control scheme for control of such sandwiched dead-zone systems is developed. The proposed control scheme employs an inner-loop discrete-time feedback design and an outer-loop continuous-time feedback design, combined with an adaptive dead-zone inverse to cancel the dead-zone effect for improving output tracking. Tracking performance of the closed-loop control system is analyzed. Simulation results are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive dead-zone inverse controller.
Kinetic effects of the concentration-dependent stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase from rat lung.

Soluble guanylate cyclase (GTP-pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6.1.2) from rat lung demonstrated concentration-dependent stimulation, that is, an increase in specific activity with increasing enzyme (protein) concentration. This phenomenon persisted through several steps of enzyme purification and was apparently due to the presence of a macromolecular activator, similar in size to the enzyme. Treatment of partially purified enzyme with N-ethylmaleimide destroyed catalytic activity, but did not effect the ability of the preparation to stimulate activity. Kinetic analysis demonstrated that the stimulation was due to an increased V value with no change in the apparent Km value for MnGTP. Stimulation occurred without a time lag, the activator apparently interacting reversibly with the enzyme to increase catalytic capability. Some nonionic detergents of the Triton series inhibited enzyme activity by decreasing the V value, with no change in the Km value, and also decreased concentration-dependent stimulation. However, the two phenomena were not directly related. While the physiological significance of the activator is unclear, its presence affects estimations of recovery during enzyme purification, V determinations, and determinations of the effect of hormone or drug treatment on the activity of tissue extracts.
Effect of carbohydrate refeeding on free fatty acids after a fast in obese diabetic and obese non-diabetic females

Abstract The metabolic effects of refeeding with oral or intravenous carbohydrate were studied in obese women after ten or 14 days of fasting. Seven patients were refed with protein-free fruit juice for a total of 250 g of carbohydrate (1,000 kcal) over ten hours. The juice was sipped continuously throughout this time, causing a drop in free fatty acids (FFA) from 1.07 ± 0.08 to 0.61 ± 0.05 mmol/L ( P P
Life-space mobility predicts nursing home admission over 6 years.

Objective: To explore the association between baseline life-space mobility and nursing home (NH) admission among community-dwelling older adults over 6 years. Methods: Using data from a prospective, observational cohort study consisting of a random sample of 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries ≥ 65 years of age stratified by race (African American and non-Hispanic White), sex, and rural/urban residence. Baseline life-space mobility was assessed during in-home interviews. Participants were contacted by telephone every 6 months to ascertain NH admissions, Life-Space Assessment (LSA) scores, and vital status (living or deceased). Using multivariate logistic regression, the significance and independence of the relationship of life-space mobility with NH admission were examined. Results: Over 6 years, the odds of NH admission increased 2% for every one point lower baseline life-space score independent of previously recognized risk factors. Discussion: The LSA may be a useful tool to identify older adults at risk of N...
Influence of underlying coronary artery disease on the natural history and prognosis of exercise-induced left bundle branch block

Abstract The long-term prognosis of exercise-induced left bundle branch block (BBB) in patients with and without underlying coronary artery disease (GAD) was examined by following 15 patients (7 with normal coronary arteries and 8 with CAD) for an average of 6.6 years (range 2.2 to 11.2). Over the follow-up interval, permanent left BBB developed in 8 of the 1.5 patients. Seven of these 8 had underlying CAD, compared to 0 of 6 patients with normal coronary arteries and normal left ventricular function (p
Some histological effects of ultrasonic waves on cells and tissues of the fish lebistes reticulatus and on the larva of rana sylvatica

Some pathological effects of supersonic waves produced by the piezo-electric oscillator described by Wood and Loomis ('27) are described. Death of fish and frogs was due to haemolysis of erythrocytes within the gill capillaries. Disruption of gill filaments, trauma, and extravasation in the head and gill region and in the peripheral musculature were noted. No effect on the nervous system was apparent histologically. Organisms were not killed in water under hyper- or hyponormal pressures. In these cases no cavitation of gases took place. Isolated frog sartorius muscle in Ringer's was not damaged. Bubbles of gas were easily observed within the muscle cells of the tadpoles when such cells were not more violently disturbed. Such bubbles were abundant in the more fluid muscles of four- or five-day tadpoles, less abundant in 15- to 35-mm. Lebistes, and entirely lacking in adult frog sartorius. Protoplasmic viscosity differences probably explain the gradient. The above-observed intracellular cavitation explains the muscular destruction, the haemolysis, the change in specific gravity of organisms subjected to the wave treatment, and may offer light upon the stimulatory effect of such waves on excitable tissues (compare Harvey, '28).
Cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein is expressed by oligodendrocytes in optic nerve and brain.

Cellular retinaldehyde-binding protein (CRALBP) is abundant in the retinal pigment epithelium and Muller glial cells of the retina, where it forms complexes with endogenous 11-cis-retinoids. We examined the distribution of CRALBP in extra-retinal tissues using polyclonal antibodies (pAb) and monoclonal antibodies (mAb). A protein was detected by immunoblot analysis in extracts of bovine and rat brain and optic nerve but not in several other tissues. This protein had electrophoretic, chromatographic, and retinoid-binding properties identical to those of CRALBP from bovine retina. Comparison of the masses of tryptic peptides and of partial amino acid sequences derived from brain and retinal CRALBP indicated that the two proteins are probably identical. Immunoperoxidase cytochemistry and double labeling immunofluorescence revealed CRALBP(+) cells in brain that resembled oligondendrocytes and not astrocytes, microglial cells, or pinealocytes. In 11-day-old rat brain, approximately 11% of the CRALBP(+) cells were labeled with the Rip antibody, a marker for oligodendroglia. In developing rat optic nerve, the temporal appearance of CRALBP(+) cells corresponded to that of oligodendrocytes and not that of astrocytes. In adult rat and mouse optic nerves, the CRALBP(+) somata showed the same distribution as oligodendrocytes. No endogenous retinoids were associated with CRALBP isolated from dark-dissected adult bovine brain. The results suggest that CRALBP has functions in addition to retinoid metabolism and visual pigment regeneration. GLIA 21:259–268, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/As/GaAs HEMT's under optical illumination

Theoretical and experimental work for the DC and RF performance of depletion mode Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/As/GaAs HEMTs under optical illumination is presented. The photoconductive effect increasing the 2-DEG channel electron concentration and photovoltaic effect in the gate junction are considered. Optical tuning of a 2 GHz HEMT oscillator and optical control of the gain of a 2 to 6 GHz HEMT amplifier are presented and potential applications are described. >
Transcription, chromatin condensation, and gene migration

The binding of fluorescently tagged proteins to tandem DNA arrays has been instrumental in understanding nuclear organization and function. Through the use of more natural tandem DNA arrays, Hu et al. (Hu, Y., I. Kireev, M. Plutz, N. Ashourian, and A.S. Belmont. 2009. J. Cell Biol. 185:87–100) gain new insights into chromatin organization and dynamics, and into the association of splicing factors with active genes.
Flowcytometric DNA ploidy pattern for predicting metastasis of clinical stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumors

The best treatment of patients with clinical Stage I nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumors (NSGCTT) remains controversial. Archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded testicular tumor specimens from 23 patients diagnosed between 1977 and 1988 were available for analysis. All patients had clinical Stage I NSGCTT, and the specimens were prepared using Hedley's technique and propidium iodide staining prior to flow cytometric ploidy analysis. Tumors from 3 patients (13%) were classified as DNA diploid; the remaining 20 tumors had DNA aneuploid patterns. Eleven patients had retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND); 2 (18%) were upstaged to pathologic NSGCTT Stage IIA, and 1 had a subsequent relapse in the contralateral testicle. Among 12 patients in the surveillance protocols, 3 (25%) had tumor recurrence. All patients who were either upstaged to pathologic NSGCTT Stage IIA or had tumor recurrence while under surveillance had DNA aneuploid patterns. The 3 patients with DNA diploid tumor patterns had been in the surveillance protocols. To date, with fifteen months minimum follow-up, none has had tumor recurrence. Such data suggest that flow cytometric DNA ploidy analysis, when used as an adjuvant to more traditional prognostic parameters, may help to identify a group of patients with clinical Stage I NSGCTT at very low risk for recurrence and perhaps well-suited for surveillance management.
The isolation of keratinophilic fungi from soil and wild animals in South Dakota.

Hairs and skin scrapings from 224 wild animals representing 30 species were examined for the presence of keratinophilic fungi. Commercial agars and sterile soil plates moistened with water containing cycloheximide were utilized for culturing specimens. Keratinophilic fungi of the generaTrichophyton andChrysosporium were isolated from 26.8% of the specimens. Using the hair baiting technique of Vanbreuseghem, 54 soil samples were screened for keratinophilic fungi. Eighteen (33.3%) of the samples were positive for the genusTrichophyton. Microsporon spp. were not recovered from the animal hairs or soil samples.
Measurements of Gain for Slow Cyclotron Waves on an Annular Electron Beam

Gain was measured for fast and slow waves propagating in a dielectric-loaded T${\mathrm{E}}_{01}$ axi-symmetric waveguide penetrated by an annular electron beam. This measurement is the first reported in the slow-wave regime, where axial velocity modulation dominates the azimuthal bunching. Small-signal gain at 6.0 GHz of over 30 dB, instantaneous bandwidth of 3.7%, and tuning bandwidth of over 11% are reported. In a feedback-amplifier configuration gain of 53 dB, power output of 20 kW, and 10% electronic efficiency are also reported.
Crystal structure of Bifidobacterium Longum phosphoketolase; key enzyme for glucose metabolism in Bifidobacterium

The crystal structure of Bifidobacterium longum phosphoketolase, a thiamine diphosphate (TPP) dependent enzyme, has been determined at 2.2 A resolution. The enzyme is a dimer with the active sites located at the interface between the two identical subunits with molecular mass of 92.5 kDa. The bound TPP is almost completely shielded from solvent except for the catalytically important C2-carbon of the thiazolium ring, which can be accessed by a substrate sugar through a narrow funnel-shaped channel. In silico docking studies of B. longum phosphoketolase with its substrate enable us to propose a model for substrate binding.
The relationship between indigenous pastoralist resource tenure and state tenure in Somalia

Indigenous resource tenure systems in Africa have evolved to meet the constraints and opportunities of often difficult biophysical environments, while facilitating the operation of complex spatial and temporal land use patterns. Traditional systems provide security of tenure in culturally relevant ways that permit adaptation to new circumstances. On the other hand imposed tenure structures in Africa have often not strengthened individual rights and have often blocked indigenous tenure development and adaption in response to new situations.
Experimental design and analysis in software engineering, part 4: choosing an experimental design

In many experiments, we suspect that the experience of the subjects will affect the outcome. One option in the experimental design is to treat experience as a blocking factor, as described in part 2 of this tutorial. To do this, we can assess the experience of the designers in terms of the number of years each has had experience with design. We can match staff with similar experience backgrounds and then assign staff randomly to the different treatments. Thus, if we are investigating design methods A and B, each block will have at least two subjects of approximately equal experience; within each block, the subjects are assigned randomly to methods A and B.
Growth of p-type Si nanotubes by catalytic plasma treatments.

We have demonstrated a new technique to transform bulk materials into one-dimensional nanostructures. We have shown that p-type Si nanotubes (SiNTs) can be grown by a simple dual RF plasma treatment of p-type Si substrates at 500 °C. These SiNTs have diameters of ~50–80 nm with tubular wall thickness of ~10–15 nm. The use of Cu vapor and reactive plasma has enabled the growth of these SiNTs instead of Si nanowires.
An adaptive unscented Kalman filter for tracking sudden stiffness changes

Abstract The paper presents an approach to track sudden changes in stiffness of structural systems exposed to earthquake induced base excitations. Such sudden changes in the stiffness could be caused by abrupt damage of one or more structural members. To track such changes through a Kalman filter approach, the stiffness and damping coefficients of structural members to be tracked need to be a part of the state vector of a state space model. However, such state equations become nonlinear even for an otherwise linear system. The use of the unscented transform-based Kalman filter approach has been considered to effectively deal with such nonlinearities in state estimation. But this approach not intended to track sudden changes is unable to achieve this. Herein, an adaptive Kalman filter scheme is proposed for efficient detection as well as tracking of sudden changes in stiffness values. The approach first identifies the instant of a sudden change, followed by appropriate adjustment of the state covariance matrix for efficient tracking of the states. Numerical examples of structural models with several earthquake inputs with different characteristics are used to show that the proposed scheme can effectively track multiple events of sudden stiffness changes in several structural members occurring at different time instances.
From la bomba to béisbol: sport and the Americanisation of Puerto Rico, 1898–1950

The concept of ‘Manifest Destiny’, which had been of interest to some Americans since the early 1800s, was made a reality by The Spanish-American War 1898. As a consequence of victory the United States gained control of the Philippines and the Island of Puerto Rico. The latter is the focus of this article. Education proved to be an especially useful means for the United States to impose its values upon the resident population. Games and sports were, in many ways, more influential. Within a short time children, youth, and adults were engaging in basketball, volleyball, and other sports for health and, more so, for enjoyment. The close proximity of Puerto Rico to the American mainland facilitated the introduction of baseball, which quickly became the Island’s most popular sport. In 1936 the Cincinnati ‘Reds’ were the first of a long tradition of major league teams that came to the island for Winter League training. Imported sports were of considerable value in bringing Puerto Rico into wider global affairs....
“Novelizing” the stage: Chamber theatre after breen and Bakhtin

While Robert Breen's chamber theatre is known and practiced in colleges and universities across the country, newer paradigms of literary and performance studies have disturbed the ground on which chamber theatre rests. As a result, some directors in interpretation/performance studies have begun to revise chamber theatre in light of recent theory, distancing themselves from some of its basic premises while relying on its techniques to stage whatever texts interest them. This essay attempts to describe and intervene in this revisionist enterprise in two ways: first, by identifying some of the paradoxes or limitations of chamber theatre as a staging idiom; and second, by outlining an approach to chamber theatre based on Bakhtin's theory of the novel.
Stabilizing functionally generated path recording tables.

Recording tables used for the functionally generated path technique are usually complete arch wax bases or unilateral or bilateral acrylic resin tables. At times, bilateral acrylic resin tables made of Duralay (Reliance Dental Mfg. Co., Chicago, Ill.) resin are not sufficiently stable when the patient performs the required occlusal excursive movements. A procedure that enhances stability in bilateral recording tables is the embedding of a long-shank No. 556 straight handpiece bur in both tables.
TAPE-WOUND MAGNET COILS

Abstract A tape-wound coil capable of high power density and of design suitable for application to large magnets is described. The water-cooled coil of moderate size, 6 × 16 × 16 in. attained a power density of 16 900 W per pound of copper. The coil was wound with copper tapes separated by spacers to allow cooling water to pass axially through the coil. Detailed description of the conductor and fabrication is given. Discussion of maximum current density, magnet pressure, leakage currents and monitoring is also presented.
Fetal rhesus monkey lung cells can be grown in serum-free medium for the replication of dengue-2 vaccine virus

Serum-free media were developed to grow diploid fetal rhesus monkey lung (DBS-FRhL-2) cells and to propagate dengue-type 2 virus vaccine strain PR-159 (dengue-2 vaccine virus). Vitamins, amino acids, growth factors, hormones and other organic compounds, and inorganic salts were substituted for fetal bovine serum. The composition of the medium that was optimal for growth of DBS-FRhL-2 cells differed from medium optimal for the propagation of dengue-2 vaccine virus. Insulin, epidermal growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor were required for DBS-FRhL-2 cell proliferation in serum-free medium but were inhibitory for virus propagation. Adenosine, cytidine, guanosine, uridine, and thymidine, each at 0.01 mM concentration, were necessary as medium supplements to obtain a high yield of dengue-2 vaccine virus in DBS-FRhL-2 cells under serum-free conditions. DBS-FRhL-2 cells grown in serum-free medium produced dengue-2 vaccine virus with yields similar to those of cells grown in the presence of serum. Dengue-2 vaccine virus obtained under serum-free conditions retained its phenotypic markers such as temperature sensitivity and small plaque size.
Bound by inequality: The social capital of older Asians and Latinos in Phoenix, Arizona

This paper investigates how every day interactions within senior centers may be conducive to the generation of social capital that seniors can tap into, and how the creation of social capital is shaped by the social positions and physical location of the individuals involved. Based on 22 in-depth interviews and 15 months of field observations at two centers in Phoenix, one serving Asians and the other Latinos, we find that the presence of seniors in socially advantageous positions facilitates the flow of beneficial resources for other seniors. Seeming ethnic differences in the generation of social capital actually stem from the interaction of other forms of capital and the structure of opportunities for different groups, reflecting broader patterns in the reproduction of inequality. These observations may be policy-relevant with regard to the allocation of public resources in the face of fiscal crises.
A CONVERSE TO MAZUR’S INEQUALITY FOR SPLIT CLASSICAL GROUPS

Given a lattice in an isocrystal, Mazur’s inequality states that the Newton point of the isocrystal is less than or equal to the invariant measuring the relative position of the lattice and its transform under Frobenius. Conversely, it is known that any potential invariant allowed by Mazur’s inequality actually arises from some lattice. These can be regarded as statements about the group $GL_n$ . This paper proves an analogous converse theorem for all split classical groups. AMS 2000 Mathematics subject classification: Primary 14L05. Secondary 11S25; 14F30; 20G25
Control system design using low order controllers: constant gain, PI and PID

Considers the problem of designing low order controllers for linear time-invariant plants. Specific controller structures considered are the constant gain, the proportional-integral (PI) and the proportional-integral-derivative (PID). Utilizing the characterization of all stabilizing constant gain, PI and PID controllers obtained in Ho et al. (1996) and their companion paper, a computer-aided search over the space of stabilizing controller parameter values is conducted to determine fixed order controllers that satisfy given design objectives. Both frequency domain performance measures such as the H/sub /spl infin// or H/sub 2/ norms, as well as time-domain performance measures such as settling time and overshoot to a unit step are considered. Simple examples used in this paper show that the earlier results on stabilization using a fixed order controller can form the basis for carrying out optimal designs while keeping the controller order fixed. The results here should have a widespread impact on industrial applications of control theory.
Political economy of youth smoking regulation

This paper considers the political economy of tobacco regulation—that is, the interplay between politics and markets in tobacco regulation. In surveying the interest-group politics of tobacco control, it describes political advantages held by a profitable and concentrated industry engaged in tobacco production. It also considers reasons for the surprising political success of tobacco control advocates over the past decade. The paper considers challenges faced by tobacco control advocates, who face their own obstacles to collective action in promoting effective tobacco regulation. Both public officials and tobacco control advocates face stronger incentives to advocate new legislation than they do to ensure effective implementation of existing regulatory measures. The essay concludes by considering the Master Settlement Agreement, whose detailed implementation remains uncertain after the election of the Bush administration.
The Obesity Epidemic Is a Worldwide Phenomenon

Obesity is not just a disease of developed nations. Obesity levels in some lower-income and transitional countries are as high as or higher than those reported for the United States and other developed countries, and those levels are increasing rapidly. Shifts in diet and activity are consistent with these changes, but little systematic work has been done to understand all the factors contributing to these high levels. The goal of this review is to provide an understanding of the patterns and trends of obesity arounnd the world and some of the major forces affecting these trends. Several nationally representative and nationwide surveys are discussed.
Structural effects on 17O NMR shifts of cyclic phosphine oxides

The 17O NMR chemical shifts of a variety of cyclic phosphine oxides were recorded at natural abundance. The shifts proved to be extremely sensitive to structural effects such as ring size and the presence of γ-interactions. Values were found to cover a 70 ppm range. The most unusual effect was discovered with phosphine oxide groups in the 7-position of the norbornene framework. When the oxygen was anti to the double bond, exceptionally strong deshielding (by as much as 60 ppm) occurred relative to the isomer with syn oxygen. 17O NMR clearly has value as a structural diagnostic technique with phosphine oxides.
PIV measurements in the bottom boundary layer of the coastal ocean

Turbulence measurements were recently performed in the bottom boundary layer of the coastal ocean using a submersible PIV system. The system consisted of two 2 K×2 K digital cameras, operating simultaneously. Optical fibers were used to transmit light from a surface mounted pulsed dye laser to the sample areas. The system was mounted on a seabed platform that allowed the sample areas to be aligned to the current, and measurements to be made up to 10 m above the bed. Sample profiles and time series of mean velocity as well as structure functions are presented. A method to calculate the Reynolds shear stress that is not contaminated by surface wave motion and instrument misalignment is also described.
Thermodynamics of unfolding for turkey ovomucoid third domain: thermal and chemical denaturation.

We have used thermal and chemical denaturation to characterize the thermodynamics of unfolding for turkey ovomucoid third domain (OMTKY3). Thermal denaturation was monitored spectroscopically at a number of wave-lengths and data were subjected to van't Hoff analysis; at pH 2.0, the midpoint of denaturation (Tm) occurs at 58.6 +/- 0.4 degrees C and the enthalpy of unfolding at this temperature (delta Hm) is 40.8 +/- 0.3 kcal/mol. When Tm was perturbed by varying pH and denaturant concentration, the resulting plots of delta Hm versus Tm yield a mean value of 590 +/- 120 cal/(mol.K) for the change in heat capacity upon unfolding (delta Cp). A global fit of the same data to an equation that includes the temperature dependence for the enthalpy of unfolding yielded a value of 640 +/- 110 cal/(mol.K). We also performed a variation of the linear extrapolation method described by Pace and Laurents, which is an independent method for determining delta Cp (Pace, C.N. & Laurents, D., 1989, Biochemistry 28, 2520-2525). First, OMTKY3 was thermally denatured in the presence of a variety of denaturant concentrations. Linear extrapolations were then made from isothermal slices through the transition region of the denaturation curves. When extrapolated free energies of unfolding (delta Gu) were plotted versus temperature, the resulting curve appeared linear; therefore, delta Cp could not be determined. However, the data for delta Gu versus denaturant concentration are linear over an extraordinarily wide range of concentrations. Moreover, extrapolated values of delta Gu in urea are identical to values measured directly.
Efficient anomaly detection using bipartite k-NN graphs

Learning minimum volume sets of an underlying nominal distribution is a very effective approach to anomaly detection. Several approaches to learning minimum volume sets have been proposed in the literature, including the K-point nearest neighbor graph (K-kNNG) algorithm based on the geometric entropy minimization (GEM) principle [4]. The K-kNNG detector, while possessing several desirable characteristics, suffers from high computation complexity, and in [4] a simpler heuristic approximation, the leave-one-out kNNG (L1O-kNNG) was proposed. In this paper, we propose a novel bipartite k-nearest neighbor graph (BP-kNNG) anomaly detection scheme for estimating minimum volume sets. Our bipartite estimator retains all the desirable theoretical properties of the K-kNNG, while being computationally simpler than the K-kNNG and the surrogate L1O-kNNG detectors. We show that BP-kNNG is asymptotically consistent in recovering the p-value of each test point. Experimental results are given that illustrate the superior performance of BP-kNNG as compared to the L1O-kNNG and other state of the art anomaly detection schemes.
A competency-based contract and student assessment for implementing US Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2008 competencies in field education

This article introduces a competency-based integrated learning contract and student assessment for social work field education. Historically, learning contracts and student assessments have often been two separate documents and could appear unconnected. In addition, individually developed student learning objectives could lack consistency across placement settings. The proposed learning contract seeks to remedy these limitations and was created based on field supervisors’, field students’, social work faculty feedback, and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2008 competencies. This article describes how the instrument was developed, pilot-tested, and then fine-tuned. The contract provides significant direction for field student learning while still allowing for individual student created competencies. The learning contract and student assessment tool itself is provided for ease of implementing and adapting to other field programs.
Measurement of compliance with hand hygiene

Compliance with hand hygiene is widely recognized as the most important factor in preventing transmission of infection to patients in health care settings. However, there is no standardized method for measuring compliance. The three major methods used are direct observation, self-report and indirect measurement of hand hygiene product usage. This review discusses the methods of compliance monitoring and the advantages and drawbacks of each.
Random advection of chemically reacting species

In the absence of molecular diffusion there exists a space-independent transformation which transforms the probability density of dynamically passive scalars undergoing chemical reaction and advection into the probability density of scalar fields undergoing advection alone. In two well-known limits the equation for the probability density of non-reacting scalars is linear and parabolic in physical space. In such cases it is shown that the equation for the probability density of reacting scalars is likewise linear and parabolic in physical space, although hyperbolic in concentration space. The general solution of such an equation is obtained and the particular case of a second-order, decaying, single-species reaction is displayed.
Responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic: lessons from the case of Eritrea

This paper discusses the political response to HIV/AIDS in Eritrea, a country where the epidemic appears to have stabilized at an average prevalence rate of around 3%. It shows that Eritrea has mobilized an effective multisectoral response to cope with the epidemic and its impact under conditions of full-scale war followed by a still-fragile postconflict situation, compounded by recurring drought and economic decline. As one key factor for successful policy action, the commitment of a centralized government with the capacity to implement its decisions and mobilize other stakeholders is identified. Another important factor might be the high level of social cohesion prevalent within Eritrean society.
Amino acid fortification of a low-protein corn and soybean meal diet for chicks.

Abstract Seven experiments were conducted to investigate whether a 19% CP corn and soybean meal (CS) diet could be fortified properly with amino acids (AA) to produce performance in 1- to 3-wk-old chicks equal to that obtained with a 23% CP, CS diet supplemented with Met. In one experiment, the assay was carried out to 6 wk of age. During 4- to 6-wk posthatching, the positive control was a 20% CP, CS diet with added Met and the low-protein diet was a 16% CP, CS diet fortified with limiting AA. The two most limiting AA in the low-protein diet (19% CP) were found to be Met and Lys. Arginine, Val, and Thr were observed to be limiting as well. Weight gain and feed efficiency were substantially increased and body fat content decreased when the low-protein diet was supplemented with the five limiting AA and amino nitrogen in the form of Glu. Addition of potassium had no effect on performance of chicks fed the AA-fortified, low-protein diet. With all trials considered together, chicks fed the low-protein diet fortified with the five limiting AA and Glu gained at the same rate with similar feed efficiency and had estimated body fat levels comparable to birds fed the 23% CP, positive control diet. From 3 to 6 wk of age, chicks fed the AA-fortified, 16% CP diet had growth performance similar to chicks fed the 20% CP, positive control diet.
Fertilization in a sea urchin is not only a water column process: effects of water flow on fertilization near a spawing female

Fertilization efficiency in free-spawning invertebrates in the marine environment depends on the complex interaction between biological and physical factors. Experimental evi- dence indicates that in some taxa, a considerable amount of fertilization may take place on the substrate and within flow structures in close proximity to a spawning female. Gametes can be retained on a spawning animal, resulting in their slow release over relatively long periods of time, and retained eggs can be fertilized before they are released into the water column. Hydrodynamic conditions are likely to influence both the retention of gametes and their subsequent mixing in the water column as well as the relative importance of fertilization in the water column and in other locations near spawning animals. Here, fertilization in the broadcast-spawning sea urchin Strongy - locentrotus droebachiensis was explored over a range of flow velocities (u- = 2 to 15 cm s �1 ) to determine the effect of velocity on fertilization and the relative contribution of different locations (aboral surface of the female, water column, wake, and the substrate behind the female) to overall fertilization. As velocity increased, the percentage of eggs fertilized declined in all locations. At all velocities, more eggs were fertilized on the aboral surface than in the water column. Further, as velocity increased, the relative contribution of the aboral surface to overall fertilization increased. These results highlight the importance of considering the interaction of hydrodynamics, organism morphology, and gamete properties in studies of fertilization in broadcast-spawning invertebrates.