cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Dormant Commerce Clause as an Ex Ante Rule

Like other anti-discrimination rules, the dormant Commerce Clause principle is supported by second-order principles to control against over-inclusiveness on one side and evasion on the other. First, the rule permits discriminatory state laws when no non-discriminatory means are available to protect a legitimate state interest. One can understand this exception in analogy to the "operational necessity" defense in equal protection law, which permits the racial segregation of prison inmates or the race-conscious selection of personnel in penal institutions, for obvious and compelling reasons. Second, the anti-discrimination principle is buttressed by "anti-sham" rules to protect against brazen evasions of the core principle. The most important of these rules is the bar against state laws that discriminate in purpose or effect. The "balancing" test of Pike v. Bruce Church fame and the "combined effects" doctrine of West Lynn Creamery v. Healy serve the same anti-circumvention purpose. To be sure, some Supreme Court opinions seem to describe those analyses as separate rather than ancillary tests, and the dormant Commerce Clause does not apply to all forms of discrimination. But those sorts of questions arise under (and over) all anti-discrimination principles, such as the Equal Protection Clause or the Privileges and Immunities Clause. So understood, the dormant Commerce Clause is preferable, ex ante, to the following alternatives: (1) no constitutional, judicially enforceable Commerce Clause limitations on state regulation at all; (2) a generalized judicial balancing test; and (3) more restrictive alternatives, such as an "exclusive" interstate commerce clause (the prevailing understanding for much of the nineteenth century) or an "origin principle" (the European model). I consider these in turn.
Case 1: A “Good” Question

Before you start doing clinical research, you must have a question that you want to solve. The question should be of great interest to you and you must have a strong passion to solve it.
Characterization and Sociocultural Predictors of Neuropsychological Test Performance in HIV+ Hispanic Individuals

Hispanic individuals in the U.S. have been disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS, yet little is known regarding the neuropsychological sequelae of HIV within the Hispanic population. This study characterized neuropsychological (NP) test performance of HIV+ English-speaking Hispanic participants (n = 51) and investigated the combined roles of sociocultural factors (e.g., ethnicity, socioeconomic status [SES] proxy, and reading level) on NP test performance among our HIV+ Hispanic and non-Hispanic White participants (n = 49). Results revealed that the pattern of NP impairment in HIV+ Hispanic participants is consistent with the frontal-striatal pattern observed in HIV-associated CNS sequelae, and the overall prevalence of global NP impairment was high compared to previous reports with more ethnically homogeneous, non-Hispanic White cohorts. Multivariate prediction models that considered both sociocultural factors and CD4 count revealed that reading level was the only unique predictor of global NP functioning, learning, and attention/working memory. In contrast, ethnicity was the only unique predictor of abstraction/executive functioning. This study provides support for the use of neuropsychological evaluation in detecting HIV-associated NP impairment among HIV+ Hispanic participants and adds to the growing literature regarding the importance of considering sociocultural factors in the interpretation of NP test performance.
Experimental investigation of detonation initiation by hypervelocity blunt projectiles

Mach 2 to Mach 5. The mixture fill pressure varied from 0.4 b to 7.5 b. The results of the experiments were monitored via pressure transducers mounted on the chamber wall. It was necessary to isolate the experiment from the effects of the launcher, the diaphragm thickness, and the interaction of the projectile bow shock with the test chamber wall. The results indicate that a very distinct boundary exists between immediate detonation initiation by the sphere and no detonation. A simple theory due to Lee and Vasiljev, which equates the energy required to initiate a cylindrical detonation with the work done by the drag force of the projectile, predicts the fill pressure at which a projectile traveling at the CJ velocity will initiate a detonation. The theory fails at projectile velocities below the CJ velocity, however, since it predicts detonations to occur at fill pressures where none are experimentally observed. (Author)
The interactive dynamics of flow and directional solidification in a Hele-Shaw cell Part 1. Experimental investigation of parallel shear flow

It is recognized that flow in the melt can have a profound influence on the dynamics of a solidifying interface and hence on the quality of the solidified material. To better understand the effect of fluid flow on the interface morphological stability and on the cellular and dendritic growth, directional solidification experiments were carried out in a horizontally placed Hele-Shaw cell with and without externally imposed parallel shear flow. The specimen material used was SCN–1.0 Wt% acetone. The experiment shows that the transient parallel flow has a stabilizing effect on the planar interface by damping the existing initial perturbations. The left–right symmetry of crystal cells was broken by the parallel flow, with cells tilting toward the incoming flow direction. The tilting angle increased with the velocity ratio. The secondary dendrites were found to either not appear or appear much later on the downstream side of the crystal cells. The wavelengths of the initial perturbations and of the cellular interface were insensitive to the imposed flow.
Window of opportunity: estrogen as a treatment for ischemic stroke.

Abstract The neuroprotection research in the last 2 decades has witnessed a growing interest in the functions of estrogens as neuroprotectants against neurodegenerative diseases including stroke. The neuroprotective action of estrogens has been well demonstrated in both in vitro and in vivo models of ischemic stroke. However, the major conducted clinical trials so far have raised concern for the protective effect of estrogen replacement therapy in postmenopausal women. The discrepancy could be partly due to the mistranslation between the experimental stroke research and clinical trials. While predominant experimental studies tested the protective action of estrogens on ischemic stroke using acute treatment paradigm, the clinical trials have mainly focused on the effect of estrogen replacement therapy on the primary and secondary stroke prevention which has not been adequately addressed in the experimental stroke study. Although the major conducted clinical trials have indicated that estrogen replacement therapy has an adverse effect and raise concern for long term estrogen replacement therapy for stroke prevention, these are not appropriate for assessing the potential effects of acute estrogen treatment on stroke protection. The well established action of estrogen in the neurovascular unit and its potential interaction with recombinant tissue Plasminogen Activator (rtPA) makes it a candidate for the combined therapy with rtPA for the acute treatment of ischemic stroke. On the other hand, the “critical period” and newly emerged “biomarkers window” hypotheses have indicated that many clinical relevant factors have been underestimated in the experimental ischemic stroke research. The development and application of ischemic stroke models that replicate the clinical condition is essential for further evaluation of acute estrogen treatment on ischemic stroke which might provide critical information for future clinical trials. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Hormone Therapy.
Expression and purification of recombinant rat protein disulfide isomerase from Escherichia coli.

Abstract Rat liver protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) catalyzes the oxidative folding of proteins containing disulfide bonds. We have developed an efficient method for its overproduction in Escherichia coli . Using a T7 RNA polymerase expression system, isolated yields of 15–30 mg/liter of recombinant rat PDI are readily obtained. Convenient purification of the enzyme from E. coli lysates involves ion-exchange (DEAE) chromatography combined with zinc chelate chromatography. The recombinant PDI shows catalytic activity identical to that of PDI isolated from bovine liver in both the reduction of insulin and the oxidative folding of ribonuclease A. The enzyme is expressed in E. coli as a soluble, cytoplasmic protein. After complete reduction and denaturation in 6 m guanidinium hydrochloride, PDI regains complete activity within 3 min after removal of the denaturant, implying that disulfide bonds are not essential for the maintenance of PDI tertiary structure. Both the protein isolated from E. coli and the protein isolated from liver contained free cysteine residues (1.8 ± 0.2 and 1.4 ± 0.3 SH/monomer, respectively).
Cost/Benefits of Robotics in Infrastructure and Environmental Renewal

Robotic systems have become common in many manufacturing and production operations because they have proven to be more robust, safe, efficient, accurate, and productive than the processes they replaced. These same attributes are desirable for construction operations associated with infrastructure construction and renewal and are often essential to deal with hazardous conditions commonly encountered in environmental restoration activities. This research developed a methodology for quantifying the cost payoff and provides a method to analyze the productivity of different equipment suites to meet specific civil and environmental engineering site conditions. This paper presents the results of applying the method to automation of full-scale construction equipment for infrastructure renewal and environmental restoration. In addition to the benefits of reduced health risks and potential deaths, use of automated construction equipment can lead to substantial savings through increased productivity and speed of cleanup when human productivity and efficiency are adversely impacted due to encumbrances from protective gear and required safety measures. This research compares traditional, human-operated systems with telerobotic and autonomous systems and provides a set of guidelines for developing future robotic equipment more economically.
Authoring systems: An introduction and assessment

THIS ARTICLE summarizes information about authoring system technology resulting from a recent review of eighty products. Alternative authoring approaches, such as programming languages, authoring languages, and authoring systems are described. Assumptions underlying authoring system development and use concerning productivity, course quality, and course development are examined. Selection procedures and criteria are suggested that are sensitive to the varied authoring needs of different contexts. Finally, trends in software development, evaluation, marketing, and use are presented.
The effects of dietary protein and lipid on growth and body composition of juvenile and sub‐adult red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus (Poey, 1860)

To allow for the initial identification of practical diet formulations for red snapper culture, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding varying levels of dietary protein and lipid on growth and body composition of juvenile and sub-adult red snapper. Twelve diets were formulated to contain varying levels of dietary protein and lipid. In trial 1, juvenile red snapper (initial mean weight 5.9 g) were offered diets with graded levels of dietary protein (32%, 36%, 40%, 44%) and practical energy to protein ratios. In trial 2, juvenile red snapper (initial mean weight 8.64 g) were offered isonitrogenous diets (44% protein) containing graded levels of dietary lipid (8%, 10%, 12%, 14%). Sub-adult fish (initial mean weight 151.5 g) were used in trial 3 and maintained on diets similar to those of trial 1 (32–44% protein). Sub-adult fish (initial mean weight 178.3 g) in trial 4 were offered isonitrogenous diets containing 32% dietary protein and graded levels of dietary lipid (6%, 8%, 10%, 12%). There were no significant differences in growth, feed efficiency ratio (FER) or survival in juvenile fish. Juvenile fish offered 32% dietary protein exhibited a significantly greater (P=0.0497) protein conversion efficiency (PCE) than fish offered a diet containing 44% dietary protein. Juvenile fish in trial 2 also had significantly higher (P=0.005) intraperitoneal fat ratios (IPFRs) at 14% dietary lipid than fish offered diets containing 8–10% dietary lipid, and displayed trends towards greater protein as a percent of whole-body composition at 8–10% dietary lipid. Sub-adult snapper in trials 3 and 4 showed no significant differences in growth, FER or survival. However, in trial 4 there was a general trend towards increased % weight gain (P=0.0615), FER (P=0.0601) and final mean weight (P=0.0596) with increasing levels of dietary lipid. Fish in trial 4 offered 6% dietary lipid also had significantly lower (P=0.0439) IPFR and PCE (P=0.0188) than fish offered 12% dietary lipid. Based on data obtained from these trials, inclusion of dietary protein at levels of 32–36% appears sufficient to support growth. For this level of protein, dietary lipid should be ∼10% in order to meet the energetic demands of the fish and to spare dietary protein for growth.
Probability of Error Measurement for an Interference Resistant Transform Domain Processing Receiver

In this paper, the results of implementing a transform domain processing spread spectrum receiver are presented. Measured probability of error results for single tone interference conditions are compared to analytical results, and the improvement in system performance achievable by using a notch filter to attenuate the narrowband interference is demonstrated. The theoretical and experimental results agree very well. Measured probability of error results are also presented for an adaptive system where the notch filter tracks the center frequency of the interferer.
Role of biomechanics in functional tissue engineering

Functional tissue engineering establishes functional criteria for design and manufacture of the scaffold matrix for repair and replacement. It also provides useful and strategic information in mechanical stimulation of the cells seeded in the matrix before and after surgical placement to enhance the success of tissue engineering. Biomechanics plays an important role in accomplishing these requirements by assessing the in vivo environment and the material properties.
Hispanic Values and Subcultural Research

Consumer research on Hispanics in the United States has been based on presumable cultural differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanics. This article investigates the cultural differences hypothesis by testing for cultural value orientations among Hispanics and Whites, using the Rokeach paradigm. Because values are central to culture, they represent a critical test of this hypothesis. The findings point out differences in values between Hispanics and Whites, which may have important consumer behavior implications.
Deformation mechanisms in a Laves phase

The stress-induced phase transformation between C36 and C15 structures in Fe2Zr is studied by electron microscopy. The nucleus of the transformation is believed to be some pre-existing C15 layers in C36 particles. Microstructural evidence for three mechanisms of growth of a new phase were found: Fault accumulation and rearrangement, moving of individual partial dislocations between two phases, and the migration of microscopic ledges composed of a series of Shockley partials between C36 and C15. Plastic deformation by slip on non-basal planes of C36 caused by indentation is studied.
Globus XIO pipe open driver: enabling GridFTP to leverage standard Unix tools

Scientific research creates substantially large volumes of data throughout the processes of discovery and analysis. Given the necessity for data sharing and data relocation, members of the scientific community are often faced with a productivity loss that correlates with the time cost incurred during the data transfer process. The GridFTP protocol was developed to improve this situation by addressing the performance, reliability, and security limitations of standard FTP and other commonly used data movement tools such as SCP. The Globus implementation of GridFTP is widely used to rapidly and reliably move data between geographically distributed systems. Traditionally, GridFTP performs well for datasets containing large files. When the data is partitioned into many small files, however, it suffers from lower transfer rates. Although the pipelining and concurrency solution in GridFTP provides improved transfer rates for datasets using lots-of-small-files, these solutions cannot be applied in environments that have strict firewall rules. In some cases, tarring the files in a dataset on the fly will help; in other cases, a checksum of the files after they are written to disk is desired. In this paper, we present the Globus XIO Pipe Open Driver which enables GridFTP to leverage the standard Unix tools to perform these tasks. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this functionality through several experiments.
Influence of Modeling and Blade Parameters on the Aeroelastic Stability of a Cantilevered Rotor

A set of equations describing the coupled flap-lag-torsional dynamics of a cantilevered rotor blade in hover is presented. This set of equations is used to evaluate the influence of structural damping, preconing, and offsets on the linearized aeroelastic stability of some representative blade configurations. The sensitivity of the stability boundaries to the assumptions of approximate linear vs exact nonlinear static blade equilibrium position is considered. Finally, results with the distributed torsional representation of blade properties are compared with those obtained when the root torsional model is used.
Zeatin and Zeatin Riboside from a Mycorrhizal Fungus

The puffball fungus Rhizopogon roseolus produces and releases three cytokinins when it is cultured in liquid media. Two of these compounds have been isolated in crystalline form from such media and were found to have properties identical to those of synthetic zeatin and zeatin riboside.
The Perseus B5 Molecular Cloud Halo: Measurements of Pressure, Temperature, and Composition*

We present GHRS observations of interstellar C I and CO toward three stars located in the direction of the Perseus region near the B5 molecular cloud and discuss these together with published results from a fourth sight line. The column densities of the three fine-structure levels of C I are used together with ground-based optical data and published ultraviolet data to yield several properties of the gas along the stellar sight lines. The selected stars probe gas located in the neutral envelope surrounding the dense molecular cloud. The gas pressure is tightly constrained by our observations, yielding a value of ≈2200 K cm−3 in the vicinity of B5, somewhat higher than in the surrounding interstellar medium. We also present estimates of the kinetic temperature, based on observations of H2 and C2, yielding 20-60 K in the vicinity of B5. Together with the pressure determination, this implies a local gas density of 35-100 cm−3, very close to that which would be implied by the observed H2 column density assuming a filling factor of unity. This result provides additional support to the notion that the gas is part of an extensive, uniform gaseous halo surrounding the B5 cloud. The combination of temperature and pressure suggests that the diffuse gas may be part of a general outflow from the dense molecular cloud.
A two-choice sound localization procedure for detecting lateralized tinnitus in animals

Rats were trained in a two-choice procedure to respond in the direction of left and right sounds. Silent trials, on which no sound was presented and for which the animals received no feedback, were interspersed among the sound trials to determine each animal's natural side preference. Following training, the rats were exposed to a loud tone in the ear opposite their side preference. A shift in responding on the silent trials to the side of the exposed ear indicated that the animals were hearing a sound in that ear (i.e., tinnitus). Simulating lateralized tinnitus by presenting a low-level, continuous sound on one side also caused the rats to shift their responding on the silent trials to that side. Sham exposures indicated that halothane/nitrous oxide anesthesia could reinstate tinnitus in animals that had previously tested positive for it. Exposing rats to loud tones of various frequencies indicated that frequencies near the limits of the rat's hearing range were less likely to cause tinnitus than tones in the midrange.
Assessment of single-fiber fragmentation using scanning acoustic microscopy

Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) was used to obtain the critical fragmentation length of a 7-μm-diameter carbon fiber embedded in an optically transparent epoxy matrix and was subjected to a standard fiber fragmentation test. The SAM-assessed critical fragmentation length of 356 ± 59.5 μm compared favorably with the value 341 ± 52.3 μm obtained independently from commonly used photoelastic techniques. Additionally, the SAM images allowed an assessment of regions of fiber-matrix debond, including the measurement of an average debond of 61.0 ± 11.8 μm along the fiber from the fragment ends, which could not be obtained with photoelastic methods. The application of SAM to the assessment of optically opaque composite materials is explained in this paper.
A Systems Biology Starter Kit for Arenaviruses

Systems biology approaches in virology aim to integrate viral and host biological networks, and thus model the infection process. The growing availability of high-throughput “-omics” techniques and datasets, as well as the ever-increasing sophistication of in silico modeling tools, has resulted in a corresponding rise in the complexity of the analyses that can be performed. The present study seeks to review and organize published evidence regarding virus-host interactions for the arenaviruses, from alterations in the host proteome during infection, to reported protein-protein interactions. In this way, we hope to provide an overview of the interplay between arenaviruses and the host cell, and lay the foundations for complementing current arenavirus research with a systems-level approach.
Arthropod bites manifesting as recurrent bullae in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Background: We report a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) that developed recurrent vesicobullous lesions that histologically demonstrated features of an exaggerated response to an arthropod bite. Objective: Patients with CLL can present with many cutaneous manifestations, including specific and nonspecific lesions. Although rare, patients with CLL can develop an exaggerated response to an arthropod bite. Conclusion: Emphasis needs to be placed on the clinical recognition of arthropod bites as an unusual cutaneous manifestation of CLL, as they provide the physician with both a diagnostic and a therapeutic challenge. Patients often deny being bitten and, thus, the biopsy results conflict with the patient's history. Additionally, as there is no specific treatment, both the patient and physician are faced with a similar dilemma. Although our patient initially responded well to corticosteroids, his lesions significantly improved while being treated with dapsone.
Effects of compression and ischemia on spinal cord evoked potentials

Ascending and descending spinal cord potentials were recorded during conduction block produced by compression and ischemia to the spinal cord of cats. Dorsally and ventrally applied compression produced proportional changes in both ascending and descending potentials. Results for induced ischemia were much more variable. Although both systems were significantly affected by extreme ischemia, loss of descending activity was not always accompanied by a loss of ascending activity for lesser ischemic insults. This finding was attributed to the variability of the spinal cord vascular supply. It is concluded that monitoring of ascending evoked activity (e.g., somatosensory evoked potentials) would reflect changes in descending spinal cord conduction for compressive and higher magnitude ischemic spinal cord insult. It is also pointed out that lesser degrees of spinal cord ischemia can produce dysfunction in descending systems which may not be detected by monitoring of somatosensory evoked potentials. The significance of the observed relationship between ascending spinal cord and cortical evoked potentials is also discussed.
Peptide mapping of feline immunodeficiency virus by IFN-γ ELISPOT

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) has become an important tool in studying antigen-specific T lymphocyte responses. Soluble peptides can be used to map T-cell epitopes, providing information that is useful in the design and evaluation of vaccines as well as studies of immunopathogenesis. To date, this assay has not been widely utilized in feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) research. We have developed a feline IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay and used it to determine FIV-specific T-cell epitopes recognized by infected cats. A panel of 331 peptides, 15 amino acids in length and overlapping by 10 residues was synthesized. The peptide library spanned the FIV structural (Gag), envelope (Env), reverse transcriptase (RT), and open-reading-frame A (OrfA) proteins. Initially, 34 pools, containing 7-10 peptides each were screened by IFN-gamma ELISPOT against peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from eight cats chronically infected with the NCSU(1) molecular clone of FIV and four uninfected control cats. Individual peptides from pools recognized by FIV+ cats were then evaluated and optimal peptides were combined into pools representing Gag, Env, RT, and OrfA. A higher percentage of FIV infected cats were identified as responders against the peptide pools when using fresh PBMC as compared to cryopreserved PBMC. In vitro restimulation of cryopreserved PBMC with the peptide pools improved the sensitivity of the assay to similar levels as observed from fresh samples. Individual peptides used in the pools were generally found to stimulate CD8+ T-cells more efficiently than CD4+ T-cells. Comparison of the peptide sequences to representative FIV sequences from clades A-D showed conservation was high among Gag and RT peptides, variable among Env peptides and low for OrfA peptides. The IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay and FIV-specific peptide pools we describe here will be useful in assessing cell-mediated responses to experimental FIV vaccines.
Synaptic Vesicles of Inhibitory and Excitatory Terminals in the Cerebellum

Populations of synaptic vesicles within cerebellar terminals considered excitatory or inhibitory on the basis of physiological evidence differ with respect to size and shape. Size rather than shape appears to be the main morphological difference between these populations. Elongation of vesicles is depenident on fixation with aldehyde fixatives, and both size and elongation change with age mainly during maturation.
A study of flow-induced vibrations on cylinders

Abstract The purpose of this experiment is to measure the increased steady drag on cylinders which vibrate due to flow-induced periodic forces in cross flows. Geometric factors and flow characteristics which affect lock-in or wake capture are also identified. Measurements are made for circular cylinders and for square cylinders at 0° and at 45° angles of attack. Results are obtained over a Reynolds number range of 4000–8000. Lock-in occurs for the circular cylinder and for the square cylinder at a 45° angle attack. In both cases a drag increase is measured; however, the drag increase for the circular cylinder is far more amplitude- and frequency-dependent than it is for the square cylinder. Lock-in does not occur for the square cylinder at 0° angle of attack. Instead the flow field causes a twisting motion and a drag decrease is observed. The sharp edge (to define the flow separation point) and the orientation to the flow direction for non-circular shapes are identified as geometric factors important to lock-in. Near-flow field disturbances — specifically the presence of a transition to turbulence point in the near wake and the initial spacing of the vortices in the near wake — are identified as flow field characteristics which strongly affect the drag coefficient.
Breakdown of Functional Connectivity in Frontoparietal Networks Underlies Behavioral Deficits in Spatial Neglect

Spatial neglect is a syndrome following stroke manifesting attentional deficits in perceiving and responding to stimuli in the contralesional field. We examined brain network integrity in patients with neglect by measuring coherent fluctuations of fMRI signals (functional connectivity). Connectivity in two largely separate attention networks located in dorsal and ventral frontoparietal areas was assessed at both acute and chronic stages of recovery. Connectivity in the ventral network, part of which directly lesioned, was diffusely disrupted and showed no recovery. In the structurally intact dorsal network, interhemispheric connectivity in posterior parietal cortex was acutely disrupted but fully recovered. This acute disruption, and disrupted connectivity in specific pathways in the ventral network, strongly correlated with impaired attentional processing across subjects. Lastly, disconnection of the white matter tracts connecting frontal and parietal cortices was associated with more severe neglect and more disrupted functional connectivity. These findings support a network view in understanding neglect.
VARIOUS SEIZURE ACTIVITIES FOLLOWING GAMMA-HYDROXYBUTYRATE.

Abstract These studies demonstrate that 0·7–1·0 gm/kg of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) induces 2 1/2 c/s electrical epileptiform activity which progresses to spiking with short polyphasic bursts followed by electrical silence. Spontaneous and induced myoclonic jerks appear as the interval of electrical silence lengthens between bursts. Grand mal seizures are induced by tactile and/or auditory stimulation. The occurrence of epileptiform activity and in particular grand mal seizures following GHB suggests that a re-appraisal of the clinical usefulness of this drug is in order.
Establishing homogeneity in studies of forest succession

Abstract Objective multivariate analysis techniques are used to establish between area uniformity in order to justify the use of substitution of space for time as a valid inferential approach to studying plant succession. Based on vegetational data and non-vegetational data (i.e. site), collected on the San Bernardino National Forest, CA, U.S.A., cluster analysis is used to group similar study areas. Principal component analysis is used to assess the influence of variable redundancy on cluster membership; discriminate function analysis assesses cluster integrity and suggests possible driving forces for succession. For this study area the results of the multivariate analysis techniques indicate that the best classification is based on raw, non-vegetational data and the respective clusters should form the basis for inferring vegetation change.
Brain single-photon emission computed tomography for behavior disorders in children

Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the brain has been used to define functional abnormalities in two groups of childhood behavior disorders: (1) a "primary" category in which there is exclusie or precominant presentation with cognitive and/or behavioral dysfunction and (2) encephalopathies, often defined etiologically at the biochemical or molecular level, in which clinical expression includes, but is not confined to, neural dysfunction. Radiopharmaceuticals available for such studies are manifold, but those used to date have been predominantly perfusion agents, eg, Xenon-133 ( 133 Xe) and technetium-99m ( 99m Tc) hexamethylpropylene amine oxime, and studies with [ 99m Tc]bicisate are eagerly awaited. Xenon-133 studies require that the patient be in the field of view of the detector while the tracer is administered. This renders it difficult for a subject to perform cognitive and other exercises while being imaged, because the environment is quite foreign. On the other hand, the 99m Tc-labeled perfusion agents permit a scintigraphic "snapshot" of regional cerebral blood flow during a behavioral event without having to have the patient under the imaging instrument. Thus, one can separate the administration of the radiotracer, which can be done under more controlled and physiological conditions, from the actual imaging. In addition, greater spatial resolution is achieved with the technetium-based agents. Currently, multidetector or dedicated annular crystal-type cameras are the preferred brain SPECT devices, and they are essential to applications such as cortical "activation mapping" or tomographic detection of receptor systems. Close attention to technical detail and standardization of the child's behavioral environment during the investigation are critical to a successful study. The relative advantages and disadvantages of qualitative versus semiquantitative analysis of imaging date are reviewed. Among primary behavioral disorders, 133 Xe SPECT studies in attention deficit disorder-hyperactivity (ADHD) have suggested a pattern of hypoperfusion of striatal and periventricular structures with sensorimotor cortical hyperfusion. This pattern is consistent with some neurophysiological models of the disorder. In cerebral palsy, perfusional abnormalities have paralleled clinical deficits and may offer information to help predict outcome. The important field of childhood affective disorders (schizophrenia, junveile autism, depression, etc) remains largely unstudied with SPECT. Finally, representative examples of the use of SPECT to study perfusion in encephalopathies with behavioral expression (phenylketonuria, MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and strokelike episodes) syndrome, Wilson's disease, etc) are given.
Education for Vocation in Public Life USA1

Abstract: The Lutheran sensibility is that life is a paradox, a dialectical tension, in the midst of which one must act and live. This sensibility informs an open and dialectical educational model for liberal arts education, which encourages a dynamic interaction of faith and learning. It supports a vocational understanding of public life that cultivates critical analysis while seeking to encourage citizenship for the common good.
Imaging And Coupling In Parallel Multimode Dielectric Slab Waveguides

An extension of a recently developed hybrid technique for computing beam propagation in multimode dielectric waveguides is used to treat coupling between two identical parallel slab waveguides. Propagation on these slabs can be described by system (or normal) modes, which are symmetric or antisymmetric combinations of single slab modes. These two groups of modes possess slightly different self-imaging properties which can eventually result in virtually complete power transfer from one guide to the other. Whether or not the resulting beam in the second guide is well-focused depends on the relation of the coupling distance to the self-imaging distance, as well as the properties of the beam itself.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Distribution and factors associated with predominance of Salmonella enterica serovars in humans and animals using multi-locus sequence typing in Qatar

Background and Objectives-Salmonella enterica is one of the most commonly reported causes of bacterial foodborne illness around the world. Many factors, including food of animal sources, play a role in the predominance of certain serovars. The occurrence of S. enterica serovars varies between different geographical regions and data on their occurrence in Qatar is lacking. Knowledge on the occurrence of zoonotic serovars and associated factors will help to design cost-effective risk mitigation strategies. This risk of salmonellosis has been exacerbated by the ease of travel around the world, increase in world trade of food and animal items, and continued migration of people. Qatar is one of the countries where the factors that exacerbate the risk of foodborne diseases intersect. We carried out a combination of epidemiologic and molecular studies to investigate the distribution of S. enterica serovars in this highly diverse population, and to identify the factors that play a role in the predominance of a pa...
Vibrational frequencies and structural determination of methylthiogermane

Abstract The vibrational frequencies and the corresponding normal mode assignments of methylthiogermane (CH 3 SGeH 3 ) are examined theoretically using the gaussian 98 set of quantum chemistry codes. All normal modes were successfully assigned to one of the 11 types of motion predicted by a group theoretical analysis (C–H stretch, Ge–H stretch, C–S stretch, Ge–S stretch, H–C–H bend, H–Ge–H bend, Ge–S–C bend, CH 3 rock, CH 3 twist, GeH 3 rock, and GeH 3 twist). Theoretical infrared and Raman intensities are reported.
Reconstruction of the human median nerve in the forearm with the Neurotube

Reconstruction of the median nerve in the forearm traditionally has required multiple interfascicular interposition autologous nerve grafts. Recovery of two-point discrimination, even in young adults, has been reported rarely. Two patients, aged 43 and 61, are reported with 5-year follow-up of median nerve reconstruction in the distal forearm in which multiple interposition bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid conduits (Neurotube) were used to bridge the 3-cm nerve defects. Four separate 2.3-mm diameter, 4.0-cm long conduits were used in each patient. Sensory re-education was used for rehabilitation. Each patient recovered two-point discrimination with good localization in the thumb, index, and middle finger by 2 years after the nerve reconstruction. Both patients recovered abductor pollicis brevis function.
Data processing using neural networks

Abstract Layered, feed-forward neural networks are powerful tools particularly suited to the analysis of non-linear, multivariate data. In this paper, some problems in multivariate calibration and pattern recognition are used to compare the performance of these neural networks, as trained by back-propagation, with some more well-established chemometric techniques. Simulated data sets are used to probe the capabilities of neural networks in applications where the chemometric methods are known to excel, and to fail. Results obtained from these studies support the conclusion that results obtained from application of layered, feed-forward networks are competitive with those obtained from traditional chemometric methods.
Disclinations in a homogenously deformed nematic elastomer

We consider a nematic elastomer which has been cross-linked in an isotropic state. As an application, we consider the time-independent, isochoric, homogeneous deformation of a right circular cylinder wherein each circular cross section of the specimen is deformed into an ellipse. We explore the possibility of the existence of disclinations when the molecular conformation is uniaxial. Numerical solution of the governing boundary-value problem indicates the presence of an isotropic core (the disclination core) of material surrounding the cylinder axis in which the polymeric chains are shaped as spherical coils. The isotropic core is bounded by a narrow transition layer across which the molecular conformation changes from spherical to uniaxial. The material thereby becomes anisotropic away from the disclination. The anisotropic regions show a markedly different distribution for the free energy. This distribution of energy determines the radius of the core to be on the order of 10−2 μm. This work is a first step toward gaining an understanding of the existence of defective states in homogenous deformed nematic elastomers.
Evolution of RFIC Handset PAs

Because PAs used in cell phone handsets operate with a battery supply, a high PAE is essential for battery life. It is also important for thermal management on the handset. Linearity is critical for 3G applications or beyond. In addition, cost, size, and reliability are also very important to consider. Higher and higher on-chip integration using various semiconductor technologies is the key to make handset PAs smaller and more cost-effective, enabling more features on the phones. III-V compound technologies are still dominant in today's handset market due to their superior performance such as PAE, linearity, and ruggedness. Most of the handset PAs using III-V compound technologies are delivered in an over molded multichip module (MCM) package. The physical integration inside the MCM for a GSM PA is shown in Figure 18 and one for a WCDMA PA is shown in Figure 19. Silicon-CMOS technologies are playing catch-up. Further performance improvement and more novel design approaches are needed to displace the dominance of the III-V compound technologies. Silicon-based technologies provide a good solution for single chip integration. Silicon-CMOS multimode/multiband hand-set PAs may provide phone vendors with the lowest cost, smallest size, and most functionality. The PA may eventually be integrated with transceiver and baseband chips to further reduce size and cost.
Effects of cardiac oscillations on acinar gas mixing during pulmonary edema.

Abstract We used a previously reported technique (Mackenzie et al., J. Appl. Physiol. 68:2013–2018, 1990) to measure the effects of severe pulmonary edema on acinar cardiogenic gas mixing in anesthetized dogs. We also tested how increases in lung volume affected gas mixing in healthy lungs and during pulmonary edema. Cardiogenic gas mixing was evaluated by measurement of the rate of washout of xenon133 injected into an occluded pulmonary artery during apnea. The rate constant of xenon133 washout was 0.40 min−1 ( ±0.06 SE ) in the healthy lung at functional residual capacity. It decreased ( P ) to 0.08 min−1 ( ±0.03 ) when lung volume was raised 500 ml. Pulmonary edema was induced by injection of oleic acid (0.06mg·kg−1) into the right atrium over a 4-min period; clinical signs of severe pulmonary edema were present after 90 min. The rate constant for xenon133 washout ( 0.07±0.03 min −1 ) was less than in the healthy lung ( P ), and was not changed after lung volume was increased ( P>0.05 ). We conclude that, in the presence of severe pulmonary edema: (1) acinar resistance is increased and/or magnitude of cardiogenic oscillations is decreased; and (2) salutary effects of increased lung volume are not due to enhancement of cardiogenic gas mixing.
Management of pancreatic pseudocysts.

Abstract Background: Operative internal drainage has been standard treatment for chronic unresolved pancreatic pseudocysts (PPs). Recently, percutaneous external drainage (PED) has become the primary mode of treatment at many medical centers. Study Design: A retrospective chart review was performed of 96 patients with PPs who were managed between 1987 and 1996. Longterm followup information was obtained by telephone and mail questionnaire. Results: Twenty-seven patients underwent computed tomographic (CT)-guided PED. PP resolution occurred in 17 patients. Clinical deterioration or secondary infection mandated urgent pancreatic debridement in 7 (26%) patients and cystgastrostomy in 2 (7%) patients. There was one hospital death in this group. Thirty-two patients underwent cystgastrostomy or cystjejunostomy (n = 21), distal pancreatectomy (n = 8), pancreatic debridement and external drainage (n = 2), or cystectomy (n = 1). Two (6%) patients required postoperative pancreatic debridement for failure of resolution and peritonitis and two patients underwent PED of abscess. There was one hospital death in the expectantly managed group of 37 patients. Median followup of 3 years (range, 0.5–9.3 years) in 66 patients revealed that 6, 3, and 4 patients of PED, surgery, and expectantly managed groups, respectively, had radiologic evidence of recurrent PPs. Conclusions: Operative management for PPs appears to be superior to CT-guided PED. Although the later was often successful, it required major salvage procedures in one third of the patients. An expectant management protocol may be suitable for selected patients.
Tracking Petroleum Refinery Emission Events Using Lanthanum and Lanthanides as Elemental Markers for PM2.5

Fine particulate matter levels at four air sampling stations in the Houston, TX area are apportioned to quantify the impact of emissions from a local refinery during a reported emission event. Through quantification of lanthanum and lanthanides using a recently developed analytical technique, the impacts of emissions from fluidized-bed catalytic cracking (FCC) units are quantitatively tracked across the Houston region. The results show a significant (33-106-fold) increase in contributions of FCC emissions to PM2.5 compared with background levels associated with routine operation. This impact from industrial emissions to ambient air quality occurs simultaneously with a larger, regional haze episode that lead to elevated PM2.5 concentrations throughout the entire region. By focusing on detailed chemical analysis of unique maker metals (lanthanum and lanthanides), the impact of emissions from the FCC unit was tracked from the local refinery that reported the emission event to a site approximately 50 km downwind, illustrating the strength of the analytical method to isolate an important source during a regional haze episode not related to the emission event. While this source apportionment technique could separate contributions from FCC emissions, improved time-resolved sampling is proposed to more precisely quantify the impacts of transient emission events on ambient PM2.5.
Consumer Acceptance of Prerigor Pressurized Versus Conventionally Processed Utility Grade Beef

Consumer tests of institutional prerigor pressurized and conventionally aged shoulder clods and/or inner chucks from utility grade cows were tested in a local soup kitchen, college women's cooperative living group and a university catering or banquet food service. The 318 member panels evaluated the prerigor pressurized beef as being more acceptable than conventionally processed beef. Differences in degree of acceptability at each location may be due to method of preparation.
Optimal design of composite structures for strength and stiffness: An inverse homogenization approach

We introduce a rigorously based numerical method for compliance minimization problems in the presence of pointwise stress constraints. The method is based on new multiscale quantities that measure the amplification of the local stress due to the microstructure. The design method is illustrated for two different kinds of problems. The first identifies suitably graded distributions of fibers inside shaft cross sections that impart sufficient overall stiffness while at the same time adequately control the amplitude of the local stress at each point. The second set of problems are carried out in the context of plane strain. In this study, we recover a novel class of designs made from locally layered media for minimum compliance subject to pointwise stress constraints. The stress-constrained designs place the more compliant material in the neighborhood of stress concentrators associated with abrupt changes in boundary loading and reentrant corners.