cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Katrina's wake

Residents and community leaders in New Orleans, Louisiana, “the Big Easy,” have long feared the “Big One,” the almost-mythical “ubercane” predicted to one day destroy the city in a torrent of rushing water and violent winds. On the morning of Monday, 29 August 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall as a Category 4 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale, first to the south of New Orleans along the Mississippi delta, and then just to the east of New Orleans near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Only hours earlier, Hurricane Katrina, which weakened before landfall, had possessed sustained winds of 281 kph, with gusts over 321 kph.
Adult Emergence and Sterility of Indianmeal Moths (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Irradiated as Pupae in Dried Fruits and Nuts

Raisins, almonds, and walnuts infested with pupae of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hiibner), were treated with gamma radiation (14.4-92.1 krad). Effects of radiation on adult emergence and reproduction were similar in all commodities. Adult emergence was reduced or eliminated at the two highest doses;adults that did emerge were deformed and unable to mate successfully. Females from pupae irradiated with 26.9- 31.9 krad were completely sterile, whereas this dose only partially sterilized males. F, progeny of irradiated parents showed a high degree of sterility; female progeny were lessaffected than males. Presence of partially sterile males after irradiation with 26.9-31.9 krad does not reduce the potential of this dose for eliminating infestations in dried fruits and nuts because irradiated males are unlikely to mate with untreated unmated females within irradiated products.
Women, Religion, and Insanity in Mary Lamb’s “The Young Mahometan” 1

Mary Lamb’s short story “Margaret Green: or, The Young Mahometan,” in the Lambs’ children’s collection Mrs. Leicester’s School (1809), turns on a girl’s conversion to Islam and her subsequent “delirious” concern for her non‐Mahometan mother’s eternal fate: a religious crisis which has been largely neglected in the criticism. The girl’s delirium corresponds to assertions in treatises of this period that either excessive fear of hell or religious conversion in itself could cause insanity. However, the story also exposes the overuse of labels of madness to discredit “radical” religious views, whether of Muslims or of dissenting Christians. Read in the context of Mary Lamb’s likely exposure via Coleridge to biblical criticism, the story critiques such labels by questioning whether Christianity rests on any firmer historical and rational bases than does Islam. Biographical evidence suggests that the story may register Mary Lamb’s own religious struggles and experiences of mental illness, but she takes no clear...
Theory of many-boson systems in the weak coupling limit

Abstract Generality of the uniform-limit formalism is demonstrated for several typical many-boson model systems in the weak coupling limit.
Polymerization of p-cresol, formaldehyde, and piperazine and structure of monofunctional benzoxazine-derived oligomers

Abstract By using a secondary amine, e g. piperazine, a Mannich base polymer, having similar structure to the traditional polybenzoxazine, is synthesized. Unlike all the reported polybenzoxazines that are colored, the white polymer shows good thermal property that is close to the degradation temperature of the polybenzoxazine derived from difunctional benzoxazine monomers. 31 P NMR spectroscopy in combination with facile phosphorus derivatization and previous model compound studies are utilized to clarify the structures of piperazine-based systems as well as the main chain and end group of traditional polybenzoxazines.
Oxygen Concentration Dynamic Model Through a Diesel Engine Aftertreatment System

This paper presents a control-oriented model describing the dynamics of oxygen concentration through a Diesel engine aftertreatment system that includes a Diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and a Diesel particulate filter (DPF). Exhaust gas oxygen concentration is important for catalysts such as NOx conversion efficiencies of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems and lean NOx traps (LNT). In the presence of low-pressure loop exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), the exhaust gas oxygen concentration after-DPF also influences combustion. Due to the chemical reactions occurring inside DOC and DPF, the exhaust gas oxygen concentration considerably varies through the aftertreatment systems. Directly measuring the exhaust gas oxygen concentrations at different locations through the exhaust gas aftertreatment system is costly and unreliable. A dynamic model is thus needed in order to design model-based observers to estimate the exhaust gas oxygen concentrations at various locations. The oxygen-related reactions within a DOC and a DPF are investigated in this study. A lumped-parameter, control-oriented DOC-DPF oxygen concentration dynamic model was developed by a multi-objective optimization method and validated with experimental data obtained on a medium-duty Diesel engine equipped with full aftertreatment systems. Experimental results show that the model can well capture the oxygen dynamics across the Diesel engine aftertreatment systems.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Location robustness in database-driven white spaces network

The recent FCC ruling has enforced database-driven white spaces network (WSN) in which the database relies on a secondary user (SU) to determine his location to query the database for available spectrum. However, this creates a critical loophole for mounting GPS spoofing attack, which can potentially result in primary user (PU) interference. The adversary attacks SUs' GPS which results in SUs querying the database with false location and obtaining incorrect available spectrum information. In this paper, we examine the impact of a GPS spoofing attack on database-driven WSN, propose a spoofing attack detection mechanism and provide simulation results of the scheme. We also propose an analytical model for the detection mechanism and derive an upper bound for the convergence time of our model. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to examine the impact of a GPS spoofing attack on database-driven WSN and present a detection mechanism for the same.
Compressive Splitting Failure in Fiber Reinforced Unidirectional Composites using Modified Shear Lag Theory

Compressive failure by splitting is studied herein via an analytical model. The use of a shear lag model to determine the stress state at the crack tip and the modeling of the region away from the crack tip by the 3D elasticity equations leads to a simple analytical expression is used to determine the compliance changes for both unsteady crack growth as well as steady state crack growth under compressive loading. Certain modifications to the assumptions used in the classical shear lag model have been made to increase the accuracy of the predictions for the rate of change of compliance with respect to crack length, ^. The present approach leads to closed form expressions for the compressive strength of unidirectional fiber reinforced composites.
Treatment of ischemic stroke in children

Abstract Children often are treated with antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants, and sometimes they are given thrombolytic agents. Without age-specific clinical trials of these agents, we must try to extrapolate from adult stroke trials or from our clinical experience with adults. Heparin, followed by warfarin, is often given to children with sinovenous thrombosis or arterial dissection. Long-term anticoagulation for children with coagulopathy or a high risk of embolism caused by cardiac disease is sensible. Aspirin is used more than other antiplatelet agents in children. Often, it is started empirically in children with an ill-defined but probably substantial risk of additional ischemic stroke. Although it might be reasonable to try a thrombolytic agent in a child with an acute infarction, children tend to present too late. The Stroke Prevention Trial in Sickle Cell Anemia established that periodic blood transfusions reduce the risk of cerebral infarction in children with sickle cell disease and that transcranial Doppler can identify the children at greatest risk of stroke. Additional clinical trials are needed to determine the safety and effectiveness of various drugs in children.
Structure Property Relationships: Asymmetric Oligofluorene−Thiophene Molecules for Organic TFTs

Fluorene−thiophene oligomers show great promise as the active material in p-type organic thin film transistors (TFTs) because of their good performance and good stability under ambient conditions. In this study, a series of fluorene−thiophene co-oligomers were asymmetrically substituted with an alkyl group to probe the effect chemical structure has on their thin film properties. The alkyl groups are n-hexyl, n-octyl, and n-dodecyl, respectively. These oligomers were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis, whereas the thin films of these oligomers were characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and field-effect transistor measurements. We found that the performance of these asymmetric molecules is similar to their symmetric counterparts. Mobilities as high as 0.16 cm2 V-1 s-1 were found for the n-dodecyl-substituted oligomer.
Novel and Facile Approach to the Fabrication of Metal-Patterned Dielectric Substrates

Both native and organic monolayer protected nanometer-sized silver particles were used to metallize patterns printed on glass and polyimide substrates by commercial permanent ink marking pens. The metal particles were selectively fixed onto the inked patterns by direct physical contact; the particles did not adhere to the free substrate surface. The patterns were made highly conductive by sintering or by mechanical buffing. The procedure allows the fabrication of patterned electrical circuits with minimal effort and a resolution of approximately 0.3 mm.
Treatment of infertility in women

Objectives To review causes and risk factors associated with infertility, relevant diagnostic procedures, and available pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment options; to identify common dosing, administration, adverse effects, and key counseling points associated with infertility treatments; and to describe the role of the pharmacist in caring for patients with infertility. Data sources Available clinical literature identified through searches of Medline and review of major textbooks in reproductive medicine. Study selection Studies were selected primarily to reflect current infertility treatment practices in the United States. The specific criteria evaluated included date of the study; date of publication; study population, including diagnosis, baseline characteristics, and nationality; and number of participants. Data synthesis Treatment of infertility often involves the use of both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapy. This article provides an overview of these pharmacologic treatments and provides two tables that outline the key administration and safety concerns with these products. Nonpharmacologic procedures associated with diagnosis and treatment also are outlined. Conclusion Pharmacists are an excellent resource for patients suffering from infertility. First, pharmacists answer questions about administration and safety of these medications. Second, pharmacists discuss available treatment options and assist with referrals to specialists as needed. Third, pharmacists can provide emotional support for patients who may otherwise suffer in silence.
Parametric and jackknife confidence interval estimators for two-factor mating design genetic variance ratios.

Confidence interval estimators have not been defined for dominance to additive genetic variance (θ) and average degree of dominance (δ) for the nested, factorial, and backcross mating designs. The objective of this paper was to describe interval estimators for these parameters. Approximate F random variables were defined for expected mean square (EMS) ratios for linear models with one environmental effect. Approximate 1−α parametric interval estimators were defined for θ and δ using these random variables. Random variables defined for linear models with no environmental effects are not approximately distributed as F random variables because common EMS are involved in the numerators and denominators of the EMS ratios. Delete-one jackknife (jackknife) interval estimators were defined for θ and δ for linear models with zero or one environmental effect(s); In transformed analysis of variance point estimates were used in pseudovalue estimators.
Effect of pentylenetetrazol on the expression of tyrosine hydroxylase mRNA and norepinephrine and dopamine transporter mRNA.

Seizure activity has been shown to have differential effects on the terminal content of the monoamines, norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA). Induction of seizure activity reduces the terminal content of NE, while DA levels remain unchanged or slightly elevated. This study examined the effect of the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) on the mRNA expression of regulatory proteins which maintain the terminal content of NE and DA (i.e., synthesis and re-uptake). The areas examined were the noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC) and dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta/ventral tegmentum area (SNpc/VTA) in the rat. In the LC, PTZ increased mRNA expression of the immediate early gene, c-fos, and mRNA expression of the synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and the re-uptake protein, norepinephrine transporter (NET). This effect on TH and NET was observed only 1 day after the administration of PTZ. In contrast, PTZ did not alter the expression of c-fos mRNA in the SNpc/VTA, but reduced the expression of the dopamine transporter (DAT) mRNA. This effect was observed only 1 day after the administration of PTZ. TH mRNA expression in dopaminergic neurons was elevated initially in a manner similar to that observed in the LC. However, the effect of PTZ on TH mRNA expression in dopaminergic neurons was more prolonged (still elevated 3 days later). These results indicate that the chemoconvulsant PTZ has differential effects on the mRNA expression of regulatory systems (TH and neurotransporter proteins) in noradrenergic and dopaminergic neurons.
Electrotonic synapses are formed by fetal rat sympathetic neurons maintained in a chemically-defined culture medium

Abstract Principal neurons from the superior cervical ganglia of rat fetuses were maintained for up to 101 days in dissociated cell cultures in a serum-free, chemically-defined medium; non-neuronal cells were killed by the periodic addition of fluorodeoxyuridine to the medium. Intracellular recordings, obtained at various times between 16th and 98th day in vitro , showed that these neurons could generate substantial (up to 90 mV) action potentials in response to depolarizing current injections; these responses were dependent on tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na + channels, cobalt-sensitive Ca ++ channels, and tetraethylam monium-sensitive K + channels. Action potentials were often followed by prominent, long hyperpolarizing after-potentials (10–15mV, > 150ms); the duration of these after-potentials was reduced by the addition of Co ++ (2–5 mM) to the perfusate. Acetylcholine depolarized these neurons by a hexamethonium-sensitive mechanism. To determine whether sympathetic neurons formed synapses in a defined medium, intracellular recordings were obtained from pairs of neighboring neurons. Synaptic interactions were frequently observed at all times in vitro (up to 60% of all pairs tested). At many synapses, both hyperpolarizing and depolarizing DC potential changes spread from one neuron to another. At other synapses, the spread of DC potential changes could not be directly demonstrated; however, interactions at such synapses were not inhibited by antagonists of several neurotransmitters, by elevation of the Mg ++ /Ca ++ ratio, or by the addition of Co ++ . Thus most, if not all, of the synaptic interactions among sympathetic neurons were electrotonic; such electrical synapses were not observed among dorsal root ganglion neurons maintained in the same medium. These data indicate that, when maintained in a chemically-defined culture medium, sympathetic neurons of rat fetuses express many of the basic membrane properties observed in neurons of superior cervical ganglia recently removed from adult rats. However, fetal sympathetic neurons maintained in this defined medium also differ from their counterparts in vivo ; they adopt a mode of synaptic transmission (electrical) that has not been observed in the sympathetic ganglia of the adult rat. Thus, as late as the 21st embryonic day, not only the choice of neurotransmitter, but also the mode of transmission has not been irrevocably determined in sympathetic neurons.
Hazards of smoking initiation among Asian American and non-Asian adolescents in California: a survival model analysis.

Background. Information about the risk of smoking initiation among whites, African Americans, and Latino Americans has provided an important informa tion base for smoking prevention programs among ado lescents from these ethnic backgrounds. Unfortu nately, there is a lack of such information for Asian Americans, a fast-growing ethnic minority group with much internal diversity. Method. This study used cross-sectional data from 20,482 subjects 12–17 years of age, randomly sampled in California, to describe and compare the risk of smoking initiation for adolescents by age among Asian Ameri can and other non-Asian ethnic groups, using survival analysis. Computer-aided telephone interview tech niques were used in data collection. Result. The risk of early smoking initiation among Asian American adolescents is about a third of that of Caucasians. However, the risk among Asian Americans continues to increase throughout adolescence, while the same risk among Caucasians and African Ameri cans plateaus around 14–15 years of age. Significant differences in the levels and patterns of smoking initia tion among Asian American subgroups were observed, with Chinese Americans showing the lowest risk of smoking initiation and Filipino Americans the highest, Japanese and Korean Americans being in-between. Conclusion. Asian American adolescents may be es pecially at risk of smoking initiation later in adoles cence, even though they are at lower risk early in ado lescence. Smoking prevention programs for Asian Americans should continue throughout adolescence and early adulthood.
The redial population of Paryphostomum segregatum (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) in the snail Biomphalaria glabrata.

Redial populations of Paryphostomum segregatum were examined in Biomphalaria glabrata. In mature infections the number of rediae was proportional to the size of the snail host. The maximum size of the redial population in snails of similar size remained approximately the same whether the snails were exposed to 1, 10 or 100 miracidia each.
The Effect of Pressure Magnitude on Cutaneous Localization

Resume Selon Ponzo, la variation de la pression de la stimulation tactile n'a aucune influence sur la precision du mouvement localisant. Franz a constate que les pressions legeres ont ete plus precisement localisees que les pressions lourdes. On a fait cette etude dans le but de fournir d'autres donnees sur l'effet de la grandeur de la pression sur l'erreur de la localisation. On a obtenu la variation de pression au moyen d'un stylet specialement construit qui a opere selon le principe d'un ressort compresseur. Le point de stimulation du stylet a eu un diametre de 0,07 mm. On a employe huit sujets dans l'experience. On a etudie des aires de la partie dorsale de la main gauche et de la surface inferieure de l'avant-bras gauche. On a fait des localisations selon la methode tactile-kinesthesique de Weber. On a employe sept pressions differentes: ‘T’, assez legere pour ne pas s'enregistrer sur la balance employee pour le calibrage de l'instrument, 12 gms., 27 gms., 40 gms., 57,5 gms., 67,5 gms., et 300 gms. O...
Influence of dietary trans,trans-linoleate on hematologic and hemostatic properties of rat blood.

Studies of the comparative effects of a semi-synthetic diet containing supplements of corn oil, no fat, linolenate ortrans,trans-linoleate on blood coagulation parameters are reported. In spite of large differences in fatty acid composition of the tissue lipids of the different groups, the only diets that appeared to produce abnormal hematologic and hemostatic properties were those containingtrans,trans-linoleate. These groups of animals showed significant differences from a control group of animals fed Purina rat chow in platelet and fibrinogen concentration, and values for hematocrit and prothrombin time. A positive fibrinolysin test was also obtained in about 50% of the animals fedtrans,trans-linoleate.
The Influence of a Firm's Approach to Innovation on its Ability to Attract Analyst Coverage

Prior research has emphasized the innovative benefits that accrue to firms that draw upon diverse, distant, and distinctive knowledge. However, a firm’s ability to attract the resources needed to develop innovations also depends on the evaluations of outside parties. This paper explores a tension that firms may face when attempting to develop competitive advantage based on knowledge-based resources. Specifically, we examine how a firm’s approach to innovation based on the use of diverse, distant, and distinctive knowledge that is beneficial to its efforts to develop knowledge-based resources may actually complicate its ability to capture value from these resources in financial markets. This may be because such an approach to innovation hinders securities analysts’ efforts to evaluate a firm’s strategy, which may make them less willing to provide a firm with coverage that can ultimately help it attract financial resources. We test these propositions using a longitudinal analysis of archival data on medical...
High Landau levels in a smooth random potential for two-dimensional electrons.

We study the density of two-dimensional electronic states for high Landau levels in a perpendicular magnetic field and smooth random potential. The theory developed applies if the correlation radius of a random potential is larger than the magnetic length. Under this condition the exact summation of the diagram series for all the orders of perturbation theory is performed. The density of states represents a system of Gaussian peaks with the width \ensuremath{\Gamma} decreasing with energy E as ${\mathit{E}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1/4}$. The magnetic-field dependence of the width is \ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremath{\propto} \ensuremath{\surd}B, if the correlation radius is smaller than the classical Larmor radius. In the opposite case \ensuremath{\Gamma} does not depend on B. If the correlation radius is smaller than the magnetic length, the self-consistent Born approximation, generalized to the case of smooth potential, applies.
Estimation of the capillary permeability coefficients of inulin in various tissues of the rabbit.

Abstract Halftimes for inulin distribution were obtained in heart, lung, skeletal muscle, diaphragm, small intestine, and ear of the nephrectomized rabbit. The technique employed infusion of 5% inulin in Ringers into a vein near the heart with serial sampling from the pulmonary artery, carotid artery, and tissues. From these samples the time-dependent volumes of distribution on the tissues were estimated. The halftimes for inulin distribution could then be used to estimate capillary permeability coefficients. Literature values for capillary area were used for most of the tissues. In the case of the heart and ear, we used our own data obtained by microscopic examination of tissue sections. Since perfusion could in some cases limit the transport rate, halftimes were estimated for all of the tissues based on the concept of flow-limited distribution kinetics. In some cases, diffusion in the extracellular space could limit the inulin uptake rate so that estimates for diffusion-limited halftimes were also made. These estimates could then be compared with the measured halftimes to see which process seemed to fit the data best. In most cases capillary permeability appeared to be the rate-limiting step, and the estimates of this parameter ranged from 0.12 × 10−5 cm sec−1 for skeletal muscle capillaries to 0.59 × 10−1 for the capillaries in the ear. The values obtained for heart and lung capillaries compared well with those obtained in this laboratory using isolated Ringer perfused organs.
Effect of Mesoscale Eddies on Subtropical Mode Water Variability from the Kuroshio Extension System Study (KESS)

Abstract Forty-eight profiling floats have been deployed in the Kuroshio Extension (KE) region since May 2004 as part of the Kuroshio Extension System Study (KESS) project. By combining the float temperature–salinity measurements with satellite altimetry data, this study investigates the role played by mesoscale eddies in controlling the property changes in North Pacific Subtropical Mode Water (STMW). Following a 3-yr period of low eddy activity in 2002–04, the KE showed a transition to a high eddy kinetic energy state in 2005. This transition is the result of delayed oceanic response to the 2002 shift in the basin-scale surface wind forcing in connection with the Pacific decadal oscillation. The high eddy kinetic energy state of the KE is characterized by successive shedding of strong cold-core rings into the recirculation gyre, resulting from the interaction of the KE jet with the Shatsky Rise or the preexisting cutoff rings. By transporting northern-origin, high-potential-vorticity (PV) KE water into t...
Plasma biomarker of dietary phytosterol intake.

Background Dietary phytosterols, plant sterols structurally similar to cholesterol, reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption and have many other potentially beneficial biological effects in humans. Due to limited information on phytosterol levels in foods, however, it is difficult to quantify habitual dietary phytosterol intake (DPI). Therefore, we sought to identify a plasma biomarker of DPI.
Effect of PO Administered Gabapentin on Chronic Lameness in Horses

Abstract Gabapentin has been used to treat chronic pain in people and small animals. To date, no study has reported its use in horses for the treatment of chronic painful conditions. The clinical effectiveness of gabapentin as an analgesic in horses with chronic lameness was evaluated in a double-blinded crossover study. Six horses with chronic lameness referable to musculoskeletal pathology were randomly assigned to one of three treatments: 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight of gabapentin, and placebo administered PO three times daily for 14 days. All horses received each treatment separated by a 2-week interval. Complete blood count and serum biochemistry were performed before and after each treatment. Lameness was evaluated subjectively by blinded observers before, during, and after each treatment period. The data were analyzed using the general linear model for repeated-measures analysis of variance. A P value of
Nonlinear sensory cortex response to simultaneous tactile stimuli in writer's cramp

Writer's cramp is a task-specific dystonia that leads to involuntary hand postures during writing. Abnormalities of sensory processing may play a pathophysiological role in this disorder. Electrophysiology studies in a monkey model of focal dystonia have revealed de-differentiation of sensory maps and the existence of single cells in hand regions of area 3b with enlarged receptive fields that extend to the surfaces of more than one digit. These changes may lead to abnormal processing of simultaneous sensory inputs. To study abnormal processing of simultaneous sensory information in adult humans with writer's cramp, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare the response in primary sensory cortex with simultaneous tactile stimulation of the index and middle finger, with the response to stimulation of each finger alone. We tested five patients with writer's cramp and seven unaffected (normal) subjects. In the normal subjects, a linear combination of the activation patterns for individual finger stimulation predicts the pattern of activity for combined stimulation with 12% error. In writer's cramp patients, the linear combination predicted the combined stimulation pattern with 30% error. Results indicate a nonlinear interaction between the sensory cortical response to individual finger stimulation in writer's cramp. This altered interaction may contribute to the motor abnormalities.
Wives’ Work Hours and Marital Dissolution: Differential Effects across Marital Duration

In this article, I ask: Does the effect of wives’ work hours on marital dissolution change across marital duration? Using the first two waves of the National Survey of Families and Households (NSFH), I find only weak evidence that wives’ work hours are associated with higher marital dissolution. The effect, however, is more positive and significant among long-term marriages. In addition, this study also tests whether couples’ gender ideology and marital interaction explain this differential effect of wives’ work hours. The results suggest that couples’ gender ideology does not account for this differential effect of wives’ work hours. The more positive effect among long-term marriages, however, is reduced to insignificance as soon as a marital interaction measure is introduced into the model. This study contributes to broader research in two ways. Despite the weak effect of wives’ work hours on marital dissolution, the buffering effect of marital duration challenges the prior assumption that the effect of wives’ work hours is invariant across marital duration. Second, this study suggests that the more positive effect of wives’ work hours on marital dissolution among long-term marriages can be attributed to couples’ marital interaction in these marriages becoming more important in mediating the effect of wives’ work hours. Given these results, this study suggests that future research should consider the buffering effect of marital duration in understanding the determinants of marital dissolution.
WE‐E‐134‐03: Ultrasonic Tissue Characterization of Parotid‐Gland Injury Following Head‐And‐Neck Radiotherapy Using Nakagami‐Parameter Imaging: A Feasibility Study

Purpose: Radiotherapy (RT) is an important modality in the multidisciplinary approach to treating head‐and‐neck malignancies. However, xerostomia (dry mouth), secondary to parotid‐gland injury, is a distressing side‐effect affecting up to 90% of patients post head‐and‐neck RT. The purpose of this study is to develop an ultrasonic tissue characterization technique based on Nakagami‐parameter imaging to evaluate parotid‐gland injury. Methods: A preliminary clinical study was conducted with 12 post‐RT patients and 12 healthy volunteers. Each participant underwent one ultrasound study in which ultrasound scans were performed in the longitudinal, i.e. vertical, orientation on the bilateral parotids. For the 12 patients, the mean radiation dose to the parotid glands was 37.7 ± 9.5 Gy, and the mean follow‐up time was 16.3 ± 4.8 months. All enrolled patients experienced grade 1 or 2 late salivary‐gland toxicity (RTOG/EORTC morbidity scale). The normal parotid glands served as the control group. From Nakagami imaging, Nakagami scaling and shape parameters were computed from the RF data to quantify radiation‐induced parotid‐gland changes. Results: Significant differences in Nakagami parameters were observed between the normal and post‐RT parotid glands. The mean Nakagami scaling parameter values were (3.77 ± 1.70)10E8 for the normal parotid glands, and (2.77 ± 1.69)10E8 for the irradiated parotid glands (p<0.001). The mean Nakagami shape parameter values were 2.16 ± 0.95 for the normal parotid glands, and 1.29 ± 0.68 for the irradiated parotid glands (p<0.001). Radiation‐induced parotid‐gland injury appears to be associated with decreased Nakagami parameters. Conclusion: In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of using Nakagami parameters to evaluate parotid‐gland injury. Nakagami imaging, which complements conventional B‐mode imaging, has the potential of providing key imaging signatures for ultrasonic characterization of radiation‐induced changes in the parotid glands. This imaging method may be useful as we try to address xerostomia in patients following radiotherapy for head‐and‐neck malignancies.
Dielectric constant of a composite inhomogeneous medium

We derive an expression for the effective dielectric constant of a composite medium considering the contributions from both the electric and the magnetic dipole terms. We show that the form of the size distribution of small metallic particles determines the value of the volume fraction at which a sharp increase in ac absorption of a composite material occurs. Depending on the width and mode radius of the size distribution, the effective dielectric constant of a composite medium can be increased by several orders of magnitude.
The Handbook of Alternative Investment Strategies

WINTER 1999 T he editors of this book, Thomas Schneeweis and Joseph F. Pescatore, have collected various pieces on issues related to the benefits and strategies of the alternative investment. They provide the reader with a fairly comprehensive and informative overview of an important part of the most relevant empirical literature in the area. This book draws together articles demonstrating that managed futures, hedge funds, and other alternative investment strategies provide direct exposure to return patterns obtained from international financial and non-financial asset sectors not available from traditional stock and bond portfolios. While it is impossible in any single book to convey all the details of the benefits of managed futures, hedge funds, and a wide range of other alternative investment strategies, it should be clear to any reader of this book that academic evidence has shown that alternative investments potentially provide a means to 1) reduce portfolio volatility, 2) enhance portfolio returns in economic environments in which traditional stock and bond investments offer limited opportunities or produce losses, and 3) participate in a wide variety of new financial strategies and markets not available in traditional stock and bond portfolios. More precisely, the book contains six sections with twenty-two articles. I, especially, like the structure/organization of this book. For example, each section begins with an introduction part that briefly addresses the main issues and reviews articles contained in the section. Readers are also easily referred to a list of readings and books listed in the comprehensive bibliography and summary of selected articles in the many Exhibits in each section. In the first section, three papers introduce the theoretical basis and empirical evidence surrounding alternative investments. Authors in this section provide empirical evidence on the potential benefits of alternative investments in diversified investors’ portfolios and the theoretical and empirical bases for enlarging investors’ choice to include alternative investments. In the second section, eight articles represent the strategies and benefits on managed futures. The authors offer information on the existence of suitable investment benchmarks, the creation of managed futures portfolios through both passive and active manager choice, and the risk and return performance of managed futures. In the third section, four articles address some of the myths of investment in hedge funds, as well as to address some of the important issues in implementing a hedge fund investment strategy. The first article focuses on the selection of a suitable set of benchmarks for use in evaluating manager performance. In the next article, the question of efficient approaches to designing a hedge fund portfolio is addressed, using both Book Review
Effects of predator odors on feeding in the mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa)

Consumption of food by Aplodontia rufa from bowls scented with control odors, secretion from anal glands of minks ( Mustela vison ) or urine from minks, bobcats ( Felis rufus ) and coyotes ( Canis latrans ) was studied. In two-choice control tests, subjects indiscriminately consumed apple from unscented bowls and from bowls scented with urine from an unfamiliar herbivore ( Cavia porcellus ), or with butyric acid. During two-choice tests offering apple from bowls scented with secretion from anal glands of minks and from bowls scented with butyric acid, significantly less apple was consumed from bowls containing mink scent. In two-choice tests in which apple was offered from bowls scented with urine from either mink, bobcat, coyote, or domestic dog, all predator urines reduced feeding. Habituation was studied by measuring consumption of dry pellets during continuous exposure to coyote urine for 5 days. Significantly less chow was consumed from bowls scented with coyote urine than from control bowls, indicating a lack of habituation to the predator scent. We conclude that predator scents act as natural repellents. The responsiveness to scents from several sympatric predators as well as from domestic dogs suggest an innate reaction to a signal, which is common to carnivores. The utility of predator scents in the control of browsing damage by mountain beavers should be explored.
The real-algebraic structure of Scott's model of intuitionistic analysis

On etudie les conditions vraies, dans le modele topologique de Scott de l'analyse intuitionniste a l'aide d'un algorithme. On donne des applications
Mechanical and morphological anisotropy in injection molding of thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyesters

Abstract Relationships among mechanical properties, degree of molecular orientation and molding conditions are investigated in injection molded plaques fabricated from a 4,4′-dihydroxy-α-methylstilbene (DHαMS)-based thermotropic liquid crystalline copolyester. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) patterns reveal bimodal orientation states at most locations in the plaques. One population aligns roughly along the anticipated flow direction while a separate population is generated as a result of transverse stretching associated with diverging streamlines during mold filling. Micro-tensile bars are cut from the plaques both parallel and perpendicular to the filling direction to assess anisotropy in properties. Enhanced molecular orientation and properties ‘in-shear’ are observed for thinner plaques fabricated at relatively low mold temperatures and melt temperatures slightly above the nominal melting point of the polymer. Injection fill speed is not found to have a significant effect on anisotropy in tensile strength/stiffness. Mechanical properties such as tensile modulus and fracture stress are found to obey a ‘universal’ correlation with X-ray measurements of molecular orientation projected onto the axis of the testing specimens. These results suggest that even in the presence of complex, spatially heterogeneous orientation states, simple average measures of orientation can provide a robust means of anticipating macroscopic properties.
LRET Investigations of Conformational Changes in the Ligand Binding Domain of a Functional AMPA Receptor

The structural investigations using the soluble ligand binding domain of the AMPA subtype of the glutamate receptor have provided invaluable insight into the mechanistic pathway by which agonist binding to this extracellular domain mediates the formation of cation-selective channels in this protein. These structures, however, are in the absence of the transmembrane segments, the primary functional component of the protein. Here, we have used a modified luminescence resonance energy transfer based method to obtain distance changes due to agonist binding in the ligand binding domain in the presence of the transmembrane segments. These distance changes show that the cleft closure conformational change observed in the isolated ligand binding domain upon binding agonist is conserved in the receptor with the channel segments, thus establishing that the isolated ligand binding domain is a good model of the domain in the receptor containing the transmembrane segments.
A Guide to the History of Pennsylvania

Introduction The Historical Literature Indian Pennsylvania Early Settlement and Peacetime Politics, 1680-1750 Revolutionary Pennsylvania, 1760-1790 Democratic Pennsylvania, 1790-1850 Pennsylvania and the American Civil War Industrial Pennsylvania, 1876-1919 Modern Pennsylvania, 1919-1990 Research Collections Archives and Manuscript Repositories College/University Archives Corporate Archives Historical Libraries/Societies Public Repositories Subject/Theme Collections Index
Evaluation of Monitoring for Metabolic Effects in Children Treated With Second Generation Antipsychotics in a Pediatric Clinic

OBJECTIVES The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the frequency of recommended metabolic monitoring and follow-up in pediatric patients on second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) medications from a pediatric clinic. METHODS A retrospective review of electronic medical records of all patients on antipsychotics from an academic medical center pediatric clinic was conducted. Inclusion criteria required patients to be established members of the pediatric clinic, < 19 years of age, and on ≥ 1 SGA for at least 1 year, regardless of medical diagnosis. Data collection consisted of patient demographic information and frequency of family history, vital signs, and recommended laboratory monitoring. RESULTS A total of 67 patients on antipsychotics were identified. After the application of inclusion criteria, 32 patients qualified for review. The average age was 13.5 ± 4 years and gender distribution included 72% males. Only 4 (13%) patients had documented baseline monitoring that included weight, blood pre...
The role of organic phosphates in modulating the oxygenation behavior of eel hemoglobin.

Abstract The effects of guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) on the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin from the American eel, Anguilla rostrata , were determined. GTP was shown to reduce the oxygen affinity of the pigment to a greater extent than did ATP. The combination of GTP, ATP and NaCl simulating the intraerythrocytic concentrations of salt water and freshwater eels decreased the oxygen affinity more than did either of the individual phosphates suggesting a possible synergistic behavior of the compounds. The interactions between the intraerythrocytic phosphates and ions and ambient salinity are discussed.
Prevalence and Context of Verbal Aggression in Children's Television Programming

This study examines the prevalence and context of verbal aggression in children's television programming. In all, 256 episodes of children's programming from cable and broadcast television were examined. About 18 acts of verbal aggression per hour were found, most of which were insults and name calling. While positive outcomes outnumbered negative ones, most acts had a neutral outcome. Of the positive outcomes, audience laughter, characteristic of sitcoms, was the most common. Characters modeling verbally aggressive behaviors were typically teenagers, Caucasian, average in appearance and status, and major characters who showed little remorse for their actions. In raw numbers, male characters were more verbally aggressive than females; however, proportionately that discrepancy disappears, but female characters were more likely than expected to be victims and to engage in indirect verbal aggression. Implications based on social learning theory are discussed.
Compassionate Love as a Predictor of Reduced HIV Disease Progression and Transmission Risk.

Objectives. This study examined if compassionate love (CL) predicts HIV disease progression and transmission risk. Scientific study of CL emerged with Underwood’s working model of other-centered CL, defining five criteria: free choice, cognitive understanding, valuing/empowering, openness/receptivity for spirituality, and response of the heart. Method. This 10-year cohort study collected 6-monthly interviews/essays on coping with HIV and trauma of 177 people with HIV in South Florida. Secondary qualitative content analysis on other-centered CL inductively added the component of CL towards self. Deductively, we coded the presence of the five criteria of CL and rated the benefit of CL for the recipient on a 6-point Likert scale. Growth-curve modeling (reduced to 4 years due to cohort effects) investigated if CL predicts CD4 slope (HIV disease progression) and cumulative viral load detection (transmission risk). Results. Valuing/empowering and cognitive understanding were the essential criteria for CL to confer long-term benefits. CL had a higher benefit for recipients if given out of free choice. High scores of CL towards self were reciprocal with receiving (93%) and giving (77%) other-centered CL. Conversely, those rated low on CL towards self were least likely to score high on receiving (38%) and giving (49%) other-centered CL. Growth-curve modeling showed that CL towards self predicted 4-year cumulative undetectable viral load (independent from sociocultural differences, substance use disorder, baseline CD4 and viral load). Those high versus low on CL self were 2.25 times more likely to have undetectable viral load at baseline and 1.49 times more likely to maintain undetectable viral load over time. CL towards self predicted CD4 preservation after controlling for differences in CL giving. Conclusions. CL towards self is potentially the seed of being expressive and receptive of CL. Health care professionals prepared to walk the extra mile for those who neglect and isolate themselves may break a vicious circle since those lacking CL self were least likely to receive CL from others. Future studies should examine whether any enhancement of CL towards self may translate into slower disease progression and reduction of transmission risk.
Nucleotide and deduced protein sequences of the class D tetracycline resistance determinant: relationship to other antimicrobial transport proteins.

Abstract The nucleotide sequence of the plasmid pRA1 gene encoding the TetA(D) tetracycline/H+ antiporter was determined. The deduced amino acid sequence was compared with those of other antimicrobial and antiseptic transporters. The deduced product of tetA(D) is a 41.1-kDa protein consisting of 394 amino acids comprising 12 membrane-spanning domains. Three classes of amino acid motifs found in TetA(D) are highly conserved in other transporters, implying that they participate in structures necessary for substrate recognition, binding, or translocation. A common mechanism of transport is suggested, with subtle sequence variations accounting for varied substrate specificities, modes of transport, and directions of transport.
International Students: Challenges of Adjustment to University Life in the U.S.

Learning a new culture and learning in a new culture which may have different beliefs and values can be difficult. Even though international students are subject to the same stresses of academic and personal life as their U.S. counterparts, these stresses are compounded by being in an unfamiliar culture and surrounded by challenges of communication and language. Language is the most frequently reported barrier to adjusting to U.S. university life, followed by financial difficulties and problems adapting to the culture. In the U.S., the university strategy should include both international and multicultural themes and reflect the great diversity of ethnic, racial, and national groups. Educators must encompass both the U.S. and international students in promoting understanding about diversity--commonalities as well as differences, strengths as well as weaknesses, and values as well as practices. The cultural diversity of the U.S. society can be used to appreciate and understand diversity in the world (Scott, 1994).