cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Absorptive Capacity of Different Materials Ordinarily Used for Bedding

Summary Ten pounds of oat, wheat and rye straws cut and whole were soaked from one to two hours in sufficient urine to completely submerge the sacks containing the straws. The same procedure was followed in which well-water was used instead of urine. The materials were allowed to soak for one to two hours and then suspended and allowed to drain until dripping had ceased, after which the content of the sack was emptied into a tub and weighed. The increase in weight of the bedding materials was assumed to be due to the amounts of urine or water retained by the various materials. No appreciable difference in absorptive capacity was noted between cut and whole straws, and straws from different cereals. Such minor differences as are indicated might be due to the completeness of soaking, or draining. The temperature and humidity of the room in which the materials were soaked and allowed to drain were not maintained at the same point, which might result in a difference in weight. That the original moisture content of the materials used for bedding affect the absorptive capacity of the materials is indicated by the sawdust used in the Maryland experiments. The data from the South Dakota Station indicate that the whole cereal straws provide satisfactory litter. Because of the abundance and cheapness of these straws, they can be recommended in preference to any other materials for this area. The manurial value of the cereal straws is also greater than the manurial value of sawdust or shavings, materials ordinarily substituted for cereal straws. The data did not indicate greater absorptive powers for cut straws; therefore, it would not seem advisable to cut cereal straws for bedding except where storage room for straw is at a premium.
Core-collapse supernova explosion simulations

Neutrinos play important roles in the pre-collapse evolution, explosion, and aftermath of core-collapse supernovae. Detected neutrino signals from core-collapse supernovae would provide insight into the explosion mechanism and unknown neutrino mixing parameters. Achieving these goals requires large-scale, multiphysics simulations. For many years, several groups have performed such simulations with increasing realism. Current simulations and plans for future work of the Oak Ridge group are described.
EDC-mediated condensations of 1-chloro-5-hydrazino-9,10-anthracenedione, 1-hydrazino-9,10-anthracenedione, and the corresponding anthrapyrazoles

The EDC-mediated condensation of 1-chloro-5-hydrazino-9,10-anthracenedione afforded an N-1 acyl anthrapyrazole instead of the expected hydrazide. The regiochemistry of the N-acyl substituent was assigned on the basis of an extensive set of NMR experiments, and identification of this isomer suggests a reaction sequence based on initial acylation and subsequent cyclization. In contrast, the parallel reaction of 1-hydrazino-9,10-anthracenedione proceeded to afford the expected hydrazide.
Interpreting image curve from multiframes

Abstract A method of reconstructing the structure of a rigid space curve from multiframes is presented. The problem is formulated as: Does there exist a unique reconstruction of a general smooth space curve from images if the curve is moving constantly in the space? What is the minimum information needed to allow such a reconstruction? The motion here is taken to be general, but rotates about a fixed axis uniformly. The only featured points are the two endpoints of the curve. We first establish a necessary and sufficient condition on the number of frames for determining the motion with only two feature points observable. Also, whether the underlying motion meets the formulation of the problem can be checked from the observables. Next, we show that the ambiguities of matching a given nonfeatured point on the curve in one frame are limited to the intersections of a straight line and the image curve on the other frame. The ambiguities of matching nonfeature points can then be resolved and the reconstruction of the space curve follows readily. Experiments and examples are provided to illustrate each step of the method. Furthermore, we find that conclusions obtained by Yuille and Poggio [8] (generalized ordering constraint) in the case of parallel projection are either special cases of or can be easily derived from this method.
Variable effects of intracoronary nitroglycerin on myocardial blood flow and segmental shortening according to dose and degree of coronary occlusion

Abstract The effects of intracoronary nitroglycerin were determined in 21 open-chest dogs. Six dogs with severe stenosis (25 mm Hg diastolic perfusion pressure) and nine dogs with moderate stenosis (40 mm Hg) received a 12 μg bolus followed by 44 μg/min intracoronary nitroglycerin. In addition, six dogs with moderate stenosis (40 mm Hg) received 5 μg followed by 5 μg/min nitroglycerin. Myocardial blood flow was measured with radioactive microspheres and segment shortening with ultrasonic crystals. At 40 mm Hg, high-dose but not low-dose nitroglycerin raised epicardial blood flow, while at 25 mm Hg nitroglycerin had no effect. Subendocardial blood flow was not affected in any group. Partial occlusion resulted in a decrease in segment shortening in the 25 mm Hg group but not at 40 mm Hg. High-dose nitroglycerin had no effect on shortening at either level of occlusion. Thus, in the presence of coronary vascular reserve, high-dose nitroglycerin may overcome coronary autoregulation. A dose equivalent to one that simulates the amount of nitroglycerin delivered to the coronary circulation by a systemic infusion did not affect myocardial blood flow. In addition, even a large dose of nitroglycerin did not affect segment shortening.
Acupuncture as adjunctive therapy in assisted reproduction: remaining uncertainties

Two randomized trials provide suggestive evidence that acupuncture might be an effective adjunctive therapy in assisted reproductive technologies, leading to improved pregnancy rates. However, additional research addressing remaining scientific and methodologic issues is needed before routine use of acupuncture can be recommended.
Light-induced oxidation of cytochrome f in isolated chloroplasts of Pisum sativum

Abstract Photooxidation of cytochrome f has been studied in a number of types of chloroplast preparations from pea leaves. On the basis of the dark reversibility after far-red illumination, the effect of 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and other criteria, it is possible to distinguish three basic types of response according to the type of preparation: (a) high-salt chloroplasts; (b) intact chloroplasts and unswollen chloroplast fragments, and (c) swollen chloroplasts and swollen chloroplast fragments. Types a and b were further characterised by relatively high oxidation of cytochrome f in red light. It is suggested that in type b preparations photooxidation of cytochrome f can be explained by (i) a large component of electron flow through an intermediate pathway between the two photosystems in which a large redox pool is linked through a coupling site to cytochrome f , and (ii) a small component of endogenous cyclic electron flow involving cytochrome f . In high-salt chloroplasts there may be in addition a pool of low molecular weight substance capable of reducing cytochrome f in the dark.
Generation of Uniform Variates from Several Nearly Uniformly Distributed Variables

A very useful result for generating random numbers is that the fractional part of a sum of independent U(0,1) random variables is also a U(0,l) random variable. In this paper we show that a more general result is true: the fractional part of a sum of n independent random variables, one of which is U(0,l), is also U(0,l). Moreover, we show that the fractional part of a sum of independent near-uniform variables is closer in distribution to a U(0,l) variate than each of the component near-uniform variables. These results are used to characterize the uniform distribution and to give some justification for an algorithm of Wichmann and Hill(1982). In addition, we show how the property of “closeness” carries over to the generation of any random variable.
Reassessment of the Raman mechanism for homogeneous linewidths in glasses

Abstract The origin of the anomalous T 2 behavior in the homogeneous optical linewidths of glasses doped with rare earth ions is discussed. It is pointed out that the approximations which are made in the calculation of the Raman linewidth in crystals apply only to very low frequency phonons in glasses. As a consequence in glasses the cross-over to T 7 behavior is expected to occur at a much lower temperature than in crystalline systems with comparable Debye temperatures.
Experimental Equipment for Cooling and Packaging Foam-Spray-Dried Milk in the Absence of Oxygen

Abstract Pilot scale equipment for cooling and packaging dry whole milk in an inert atmosphere immediately after drying has been designed, developed, and tested. Tests have shown that an oxygen level of less than 0.01% in the head space gas of the finished package can be achieved. Liquefied inert gas is used to cool the powder and form a protective blanket in the conveying system, which prevents oxygen absorption. The powder is transferred without exposure to air to a specially designed glove box where it is packaged under an inert atmosphere.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Profile Analysis via Multidimensional Scaling.

This paper describes the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) parameterization of the Profile Analysis via Multidimensional Scaling (PAMS) model to demonstrate validation of profile pattern hypotheses derived from multidimensional scaling (MDS). Profile Analysis via Multidimensional Scaling (PAMS) is an exploratory method for identifying major profiles in a multi-subtest test battery. Major profile patterns are represented as dimensions extracted from a MDS analysis. PAMS represents an individual observed score as a linear combination of dimensions where the dimensions are the most typical profile patterns present in a population. While the PAMS approach was initially developed for exploratory purposes, its results can later be confirmed in a different sample by CFA. Since CFA is often used to verify results from an exploratory factor analysis, the present paper makes the connection between a factor model and the PAMS model, and then illustrates CFA with a simulated example (that was generated by the PAMS m...
Recent trends in mammography utilization in the Medicare population: is there a cause for concern?

Context Recent published reports have shown a decline in the mammography screening rate in women over age 40, but it is not known whether this trend is a reason for concern in the Medicare population. Objective To study recent trends in mammography utilization in the Medicare population and determine how the newer digital mammography may be affecting mammography utilization. Design and Setting The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Physician/Supplier Procedure Summary Master Files for 1996 through 2005 were examined to determine overall trends in mammography utilization, as well as trends in screening vs diagnostic and conventional screen-film vs newer digital examinations. Medicare Limited Datasets for 2002 to 2004 were used to determine 2-year mammography and multiple imaging rates in individual patients. Main Outcome Measure Mammography utilization. Results Overall, the mammography utilization rate increased from 26,646 per 100,000 in 1996 to 39,363 per 100,000 in 2005, a 48% increase. The diagnostic mammography rate decreased by 39% (from 15,314 to 9,301), whereas the rate for screening mammography increased by 166% (from 11,332 to 30,062). Digital mammography increased from 2.2% of all mammography in 2002 to 10.4% in 2005. In both digital and film mammography, screening increased more rapidly than diagnostic mammography. Conclusions The utilization rate of all mammography showed a substantial 48% increase between 1996 and 2005, and an 11% increase in screening mammography was seen between 2000 and 2005. Although the increase in mammography utilization is encouraging, the 2005 rate of 39,363 per 100,000 female Medicare beneficiaries seems to be well below American Cancer Society recommendations.
DIFFERENCES IN COMPREHENSION PROCESSES AS A FUNCTION OF HEMISPHERICITY

Significant differences were found between hemisphericity and cognitive strategies on a comprehensive task. The subjects were 62 undergraduates identified as having preferences of left-hemisphericity, integrated, or right-hemisphericity. The differences were between the reaction times of left- and right-hemisphericity preferences in processing sentences structured as True Negatives and False Negatives.
The developmental basis of worker polymorphism in fire ants

Abstract The fire ant, Solenopsis invicta , has a relatively simple worker caste. Workers show a wide size range but maintain near proportionality over that range. Data on normal and hormonally manipulated growth suggest a developmental mechanism underlying the production of two populations of workers that together form a single, highly skewed size-frequency distribution. The mechanism involves regulation of two sets of critical sizes for metamorphosis. Larvae that reached a large size during the 3rd instar relative to their cohort became major workers. Major workers were much larger than could be predicted by the relationship between larval and pupal sizes of minor workers. Methoprene treatment increased the mean size of workers. The mechanism of these increases differs with timing of application. Treatment during early instars increased size at the moult to the last instar, and this increase was translated into a large pupal size. Treatment during the 4th instar caused a metamorphic delay during which larvae continued to grow. Although worker size can be manipulated with methoprene, it is not clear if juvenile hormone plays any role in resetting critical size. The type of control of size-frequency distributions found in S. invicta may apply to other ant species.
Synthesis of Luminescent Thin-Film CdSe/ZnSe Quantum Dot Composites Using CdSe Quantum Dots Passivated with an Overlayer of ZnSe

Electronic and chemical passivation of CdSe nanocrystals (quantum dots) has been achieved with a thin ZnSe overlayer grown in solution from trioctylphosphine selenide and diethylzinc. Layered particles with a [ZnSe/CdSe] ratio ranging from 0 to ∼5.0 were prepared and characterized by optical absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and X-ray scattering. The overgrown particles were crystalline and displayed band-edge absorption and emission characteristic of the initial CdSe nuclei. Thin-film quantum dot composites incorporating bare and overcoated CdSe nanocrystals in a ZnSe matrix were synthesized by electrospray organometallic chemical vapor deposition (ES-OMCVD). The photoluminescence spectra of the composites with bare CdSe dots were dominated by broad deep-level emission and the photoluminescence yield deteriorated with increasing deposition temperature. In contrast, the composites incorporating the overcoated dots sho...
Infectious Hepatitis in Dialysis Patients

Infectious hepatitis is a major problem for patients with end-stage renal disease and for staff caring for these patients. Initially hepatitis B was the major cause of hepatitis in dialysis patients and staff. Patients had a tendency to develop chronic hepatitis or become chronic carriers of the virus while staff either developed typical acute hepatitis or a primary antibody response. The discovery of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), the screening of transfused blood for HBsAg, and the institution of infection control measures including isolation techniques have resulted in a remarkable decrease in the incidence of this disease. Nonetheless, the problem of infectious hepatitis continues as non-A, non-B hepatitis has become more commonplace among dialysis patients. Unfortunately, no viral markers have been discovered, and blood products remain the major vehicle of transmission. The institution of infection control measures similar to those used to control hepatitis B has probably been effective in controlling the spread of this disease. It is hoped that the discovery of the etiologic agent(s), with the eventual goal of screening blood products and the development of a vaccine, will lead to full control of this disorder.
Swift snowmelt and floods (lahars) caused by great pyroclastic surge at Mount St Helens volcano, Washington, 18 May 1980

The initial explosions at Mount St. Helens, Washington, on the moring of 18 May 1980 developed into a huge pyroclastic surge that generated catastrophic floods off the east and west flanks of the volcano. Near-source surge deposits on the east and west were lithic, sorted, lacking in accretionary lapilli and vesiculated ash, not plastered against upright obstacles, and hot enough to char wood — all attributes of dry pyroclastic surge. Material deposited at the surge base on steep slopes near the volcano transformed into high-concentration lithic pyroclastic flows whose deposits contain charred wood and other features indicating that these flows were hot and dry. Stratigraphy shows that even the tail of the surge had passed the east and west volcano flanks before the geomorphically distinct floods (lahars) arrived. This field evidence undermines hypotheses that the turbulent surge was itself wet and that its heavy components segregated out to transform directly into lahars. Nor is there evidence that meters-thick snow-slab avalanches intimately mixed with the surge to form the floods. The floods must have instead originated by swift snowmelt at the base of a hot and relatively dry turbulent surge. Impacting hot pyroclasts probably transferred downslope momentum to the snow surface and churned snow grains into the surge base. Melting snow and accumulating hot surge debris may have moved initially as thousands of small thin slushflows. As these flows removed the surface snow and pyroclasts, newly uncovered snow was partly melted by the turbulent surge base; this and accumulating hot surge debris in turn began flowing, a self-sustaining process feeding the initial flows. The flows thus grew swiftly over tens of seconds and united downslope into great slushy ejecta-laden sheetfloods. Gravity accelerated the floods to more than 100 km/h as they swept down and off the volcano flanks while the snow component melted to form great debris-rich floods (lahars) channeled into valleys.
An Essential Role for IFN-γ in Regulation of Alloreactive CD8 T Cells Following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

Abstract We previously found that CD8 T cells from IFN-γ gene knockout (GKO) donors induce more severe lethal GVHD compared with CD8 T cells from wild-type (WT) donors in fully MHC-mismatched strain combinations. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which IFN-γ inhibits GVHD in a parent → F1 (B6 → B6D2F1) allogeneic HCT (allo-HCT) model. IFN-γ was strongly protective against GVHD in this parent → F1 haplotype-mismatched allo-HCT model. Irradiated B6D2F1 mice that received GKO B6 CD4-depleted splenocytes developed lethal GVHD with severe lung and liver injury, whereas those receiving a similar cell population from WT B6 donors survived long term. Donor CD8 cells showed rapid activation, accelerated cell division, and reduced/delayed activation-induced cell death in allogeneic recipients in which donor cells were incapable of producing IFN-γ. In consequence, the numbers of activated/effector (ie, CD25+, CD62L−, and CD44high) donor CD8 T cells in the recipients of GKO allo-HCT significantly exceeded those in mice receiving WT allo-HCT. These data show that IFN-γ negatively regulates the CD8 T cell response by inhibiting cell division and promoting cell death and suggest that blockade of IFN-γ could augment the severity of GVHD in patients undergoing allo-HCT.
Banded surface flow maintained by convection in a model of the rapidly rotating giant planets

In three-dimensional numerical simulations of a rapidly rotating Boussinesq fluid shell, thermally driven convection in the form of columns parallel to the rotation axis generates an alternately directed mean zonal flow with a cylindrical structure. The mean structure at the outer spherical surface consists of a broad eastward flow at the equator and alternating bands of westward and eastward flows at higher latitudes in both hemispheres. The banded structure persists even though the underlying convective motions are time-dependent. These results, although still far from the actual motions seen on Jupiter and Saturn, provide support for theoretical suggestions that thermal convection can account for the remarkable banded flow structures on these planets.
Inverse Estimation Problem of Determining the Unknown Timewise-varying Strength of a Primer Rapid Heat Source☆

Abstract The research presents an input method to estimate the unknown time-varying strength on the sources of a primer applied at this on-line inverse heat conduction problem. We use the input method to recursively predict both the impulse strength acting on the front of thin copper foil and the transient temperature-time curves from the thin copper foil with the rapid combustion of different charge designs for primers. The input method includes the extended Kalman filter and weighted recursive least squares estimator. The purpose of the extended Kalman filter is to generate the recursive innovation sequence and the weighted recursive least squares estimator is used to identify the unknown time-varying strength. The results of simulation and experiment show that the input method can estimate the unknown time-varying heat flux on-line with more accuracy in the inverse heat conduction problem mode. The test experiments, namely different conductive thickness designs for primers with time-varying heat flux input, are solved to illustrate the effectiveness and good accuracy of the presented method.
Unified theory of resonant excitation of kinetic ballooning modes by energetic ions and alpha particles in tokamaks.

A complete theory of wave-particle interactions is presented whereby both circulating and trapped energetic ions can destabilize kinetic ballooning modes in tokamaks. Four qualitatively different types of resonances, involving wave-precessional drift, wave-transit, wave-bounce, and precessional drift-bounce interactions, are identified, and the destabilization potential of each is assessed. For a characteristic slowing-down distribution function, the dominant interaction is that which taps those resonant ions with the highest energy. Implications of the theory for present and future generation fusion experiments are discussed. 16 refs.
A chemical characterization of wintertime haze in phoenix, Arizona

Abstract Size-fractionated atmospheric particulate matter samples and several gas phase species were measured in Phoenix, Arizona to chemically characterize the wintertime haze which develops during late-night and early-morning hours. These samples were analyzed for a dozen major and minor components including various combustion source tracers, soil related species, carbonaceous material and acid-base species. Organic material, ‘soot’, nitrates, sulfates and crustal material accounted for a majority (~ 90%) of the measured aerosol mass. The gas phase species CO, NO, NO2,O3 and water vapor were also monitored. The results from this 1-month study indicate that the haze is usually due to locally generated material with the automobile being the dominant source. The mixture of sources results in a haze that is apparently a carbon and nitrate rich aerosol. On occasion, imported material containing high levels of sulfate can mix with locally generated material to also impact on air-quality and visibility in the area.
Biomechanic characteristics of patients with spastic and dystonic hypertonia in cerebral palsy.

Abstract Lebiedowska MK, Gaebler-Spira D, Burns RS, Fisk JR. Biomechanic characteristics of patients with spastic and dystonic hypertonia in cerebral palsy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:875–80. Objective To determine what biomechanic characteristics of knee joint motion and walking show potential to quantitatively differentiate spasticity and dystonia in cerebral palsy (CP). Design Descriptive measurement study. Setting University hospital. Participants Seventeen pediatric and adult patients with CP. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measures We measured the resistance of the knee joint at different velocities and positions, maximum muscle activation during external motion, amplitude of knee tendon reflexes, maximum isometric flexion and extension torques, velocity of walking, and knee kinematics during the gait cycle. Patients were classified into 2 groups (dystonia or spasticity) if at least 2 of 3 physicians agreed that a prominent component of dystonia was present. Results Patients with dystonia had a greater degree of cocontraction and an increased resistance to external motion at slow velocities. The tendon reflexes were almost normal in patients with dystonia, whereas they were increased in patients with spasticity. Muscle strength was more impaired in patients with dystonia, probably as a result of greater muscle cocontraction. They also walked slower, with smaller knee ranges of motion, during the stance phase of walking. Conclusions The measurement of resistance and of muscle activation during passive motion and tendon reflexes shows potential to differentiate dystonia from spasticity in CP patients with a mixed form of hypertonia. More studies are needed to confirm these results.
The Effects of X-irradiation on Mouse Palatal Epithelial Chromosomes

Low levels of X-ray exposure of mouse palatal epithelial cell cultures resulted in increased numbers of chromosomal aberrations. At the lowest level used (1R), aberrations occurred of the type produced by two breaks such as chromatid exchanges, dicentrics, and metacentrics.
China's urban transition.

Abstract Urbanization in China is proceeding rapidly in step with population growth and a structural shift in employment from farming to industrial, commercial, and service jobs. Two additional causal factors drive the recent rapid urbanization. First, policies related to migration and household registration have been relaxed to allow more farmers to move to cities as transient workers. Second, economic reforms have resulted in new rules and regulations that promote foreign investment and trade activities in coastal areas. The results are seen in the emergence of four extended metropolitan regions in coastal areas (Shanghai-Nanjing, Beijing-Tianjin-Tangshan, Canton-Hong Kong, and Dalian-Shenyang). These metro regions have markedly different demographic, employment, migration, and foreign investment patterns from other parts of China. Such patterns presage the likely future form of China's urbanization as the country enters a period of accelerated urbanization.
Localization of Normal Modes and Energy Transport in the Disordered Harmonic Chain

A generalization of the formula for heat current that was given by Matsuda and Ishii is derived which is valid for a wider variety of systems than was the original one. The limits of its applicability are discussed. The expression is evaluated numerically for disor­ dered chains of lengths up to 1000 atoms, with results that substantially support the IF­ assumption of Matsuda and Ishii.
Bolivie: entre changement et inertie. Emploi et protection sociale ces vingt dernières années

Resume. En 2006, avec l'arrivee au pouvoir du Mouvement pour le socialisme d'Evo Morales, la Bolivie entre dans une nouvelle periode de son histoire. C'est une etape de reformes politiques et economiques ayant pour objectif de faire mieux que le modele neoliberal en vigueur dans le pays depuis 1985, et de reorganiser l'Etat conformement a la nouvelle Constitution de 2008. L'auteure analyse l'evolution du regime de l'emploi et de la protection sociale des annees quatre-vingt et quatre-vingt-dix ainsi que les difficultes qui demeurent pour construire une strategie de developpement favorable a l'emploi et a l'egalite.
Optimal program and data locations in computer networks

An optimization procedure for the allocation of program and data files in a computer network is presented. This algorithm takes into account the dependencies between files and programs such as occur in real heterogeneous computer networks. Insights into whether or not to convert programs from one computer to another can also be gained from the model. A search procedure for the file location problem is described, along with an example and a possible application of the model.
Iterative Analog Computation and the Representation of Signals

The advent of iterative analog computers has greatly increased the class of problems that can efficiently be simulated with a hybrid system. The iterative analog computer has placed wide bandwidth analog components under the control of high-speed digital logic. This enables one both to increase the sophistication of the control used for the analog components and to acquire statistically significant samples of the process in a reasonable period of time. An iterative analog computer has been used to investigate methods of increasing the efficiency of signal representation systems by combining analog measurements with digital control and storage. A hybrid system has been developed that is capable of adjusting the exponential basis as well as the coefficients of the representation to minimize the integrated squared error between a signal and its representative. Since the efficiency of the representation depends upon the sampling instant chosen for measurement of the coefficients, methods of detecting this instant were investigated. A detection system has been developed that can adaptively adjust its parameters to correspond to the signal that is being processed. The data presented illustrates the dynamic accuracy of the iterative analog computer, the convergence properties of the optimization procedure, and the statistical properties of the detector when noise is present.
The Phase Transfer Catalysed Preparation of 2-Methyl-2-Trichloromethyl-3-Phenyloxirane

Abstract A phase transfer catalyst has been used to prepare the title compound and other highly chlorinated compounds from phenylpropanone and carbon tetrachloride.
All-metal transformer core for a low aspect ratio tokamak

A novel concept for incorporating an iron core transformer within a axisymmetric toroidal plasma containment device with a high neutron flux is described. This design enables conceptual design of low aspect ratio devices which employ standard transformer-driven plasma startup by using all-metal high resistance inserts between the toroidal field windings. This design avoids the inherent problems of a multi-turn air core transformer which will inevitably suffer from strong neutron bombardment and hence lose the integrity of its insulation, both through long term material degradation and short term neutron induced conductivity. A full 3-dimensional model of the concept has been developed within the MAXWELL program and the resultant loop voltage calculated. The utility of the result is found to be dependent on the resistivity of the high resistance inserts. Useful loop voltage time histories have been obtained using expected resistivities.
Reovirus genomes from plant-feeding insects represent a newly discovered lineage within the family Reoviridae

A complex set of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) was isolated from threecornered alfalfa hopper (Spissistilus festinus), a plant-feeding hemipteran pest. A subset of these dsRNAs constitute the genome of a new reovirus, provisionally designated Spissistilus festinus reovirus (SpFRV). SpFRV was present in threecornered alfalfa hopper populations in the San Joaquin Valley of California, with incidence ranging from 10% to 60% in 24 of 25 sample sets analyzed. The 10 dsRNA segments of SpFRV were completely sequenced and shown to share conserved terminal sequences (5'-AGAGA and CGAUGUUGU-3') of the positive-sense strand that are distinct from known species of the family Reoviridae. Comparisons of the RNA directed RNA polymerase (RdRp) indicated SpFRV is most closely related (39.1% amino acid identity) to another new reovirus infecting the angulate leafhopper (Acinopterus angulatus) and provisionally designated Acinopterus angulatus reovirus (AcARV). The RdRp of both viruses was distantly related to Raspberry latent virus RdRp at 27.0% (SpFRV) and 30.0% (AcARV) or Rice ragged stunt virus RdRp at 26.2% (SpFRV) and 29.0% (AcARV) amino acid identity. RdRp phylogeny confirmed that SpFRV and AcARV are sister taxa sharing a most recent common ancestor. SpFRV segment 6 encodes a protein containing two NTP binding motifs that are conserved in homologs of reoviruses in the subfamily Spinareovirinae. The protein encoded by SpFRV segment 4 was identified as a guanylyltransferase homolog. SpFRV segments 1, 3, and 10 encode homologs of reovirus structural proteins. No homologs were identified for proteins encoded by SpFRV segments 5, 7, 8, and 9. Collectively, the low level of sequence identity with other reoviruses, similar segment terminal sequences, RdRp phylogeny, and host taxa indicate that SpFRV and AcARV may be considered members of a proposed new genus of the family Reoviridae (subfamily Spinareovirinae), with SpFRV assigned as the type species.
Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients report increased pain at five years compared with two years after surgical treatment.

Study design A multicenter study of changes in Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) outcome measures after surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Objective To evaluate changes in patient determined outcome measures between 2 and 5 years after AIS surgery. Summary of background data Current surgical procedures have been shown to improve subjective measures in patients with AIS. At 2-year follow-up, AIS patients reported significant improvement in all 4 preoperative domains of the SRS questionnaire. In addition, the major Cobb angle was shown to be negatively correlated with preoperative scores in the pain, general self-image, and general function domains. Five-year SRS scores have not been evaluated previously. Methods A multicenter, prospectively generated database was used to obtain perioperative, radiographic, and SRS-24 outcomes data. The inclusion criteria were: a diagnosis of AIS, surgical treatment (anterior, posterior, or combined), a comprehensive set of radiographic measures, and completed preoperative, 2-year, and 5-year SRS questionnaires. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare changes in patient responses for each of the 7 outcome domains. Univariate analysis of variance was used to compare the change in pain score at 5 years to the level of the lowest instrumented vertebrae and surgical approach. A correlation analysis was used to determine the association between changes in any of the radiographic variables and changes in SRS scores. The data were checked for normality and equal variances, and the level of significance was set at P Results Forty-nine patients (42 women, 7 men; 14.2 +/- 2.1 year old; 5.4 +/- 0.6 years follow-up) met the inclusion criteria for this study. Thirty-seven of 49 (76%) of these patients underwent an open or thoracoscopic anterior procedure. SRS-24 scores improved significantly in 3 of the 4 preoperative domains at the 2-year visit. At 5 years postop, a statistically significant decrease in the pain score (4.2 +/- 0.6 to 3.9 +/- 0.9, P = 0.003) and a trend toward worsening scores in 4 other domains was observed; however, Patient Satisfaction scores remained unchanged. Lowest instrumented vertebrae and surgical approach could not be correlated to changes in the pain score. In addition, no correlation was found between changes in any of the 21 radiographic measures evaluated and changes in SRS scores. Conclusion There was a statistically significant increase in reported pain from 2 to 5 years after surgical treatment; however, the etiology of worsening pain scores could not be elucidated. Given continued patient satisfaction, the clinical relevance of this small reduction remains unknown. Nevertheless, this observation deserves further evaluation and must be considered in relation to the natural history of this disease.
Effects of tobacco smoking on topographic EEG and Stroop test in smoking deprived smokers.

Abstract 1. 1. Quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure human brain electrical changes produced by tobacco deprivation and smoking. Sixteen scalp cortical recording sites monitored regional changes in brain activity. 2. 2. The quantitative EEG was subdivided into delta, theta, alpha 1 , alpha 2 , beta 1 and beta 2 bands for topographic mapping. A demanding version of the Stroop test was used to determine tobacco smoking effects on attention. The version used was more difficult than that used in previously reported studies. 3. 3. Healthy drug and substance free adult male and female volunteers were divided into nonsmoker (n = 7) and smoker (n = 7) groups according to their smoking status. They were instructed to abstain from tobacco products for at least 12 hr overnight before the next morning's experiment. 4. 4. EEG was recorded before and after smoking either a fake placebo cigarette for nonsmokers or the cigarette of their choice for smokers. Subjects were also asked to perform the Stroop test before and after smoking the placebo or tobacco cigarette. 5. 5. The results showed that tobacco smoking significantly depressed delta and increased alpha 2 and beta 1 activity and slightly increased the Stroop effect. Although smoking one cigarette stimulated brain electrical activity of smoking deprived smokers, it did not improve performance on a difficult Stroop test.
Laboratory Tire Wear Simulation Derived from Computer Modeling of Suspension Dynamics

Abstract A method for determining the effect of suspension dynamics on tire wear has been developed. Typical city cycle maneuvers are defined by instrumented vehicle testing and data in the form of forward velocities and steer angles are used as an input to an ADAMS computer model of the vehicle. A simulation of the maneuvers generates a tire's operating environment in the form of normal load, slip, and camber variations, which contain all the subtle effects of the vehicle's suspension, steering, and handling characteristics. A cyclic repetition of the tire's operating environment is constructed and used to control an MTS Flat‐Trac machine. In this way, accelerated tire wear can be generated in the laboratory which is directly related to the design features of the vehicle's suspension and steering systems.
Nitrogen balance during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been used as a support system for neonates with pulmonary failure since 1975. During ECMO, thermal regulation, pulmonary gas exchange, and cardiac output can be partially or nearly completely provided by the circuit. The presumed resultant decrease in energy requirement has prompted the question of whether infants are in a catabolic or anabolic state of metabolism while on ECMO. Directly measuring the metabolic rate in babies on ECMO is difficult. However, studying the nitrogen balance in these infants may suggest an answer. Nitrogen balance was studied in 21 neonates spanning a single ECMO team's experience at two institutions. Children were studied at the Ochsner Clinic from 1986 to 1990 and at the University of Chicago Wyler Children's Hospital from 1990 to the present. The infants received total parenteral nutrition (TPN) as their only nutritional source during the entire ECMO course. During this time, 24-h urine collections were analyzed for urea nitrogen (UUN). The daily nitrogen balance was calculated by subtracting nitrogen output (estimated as the UUN) from nitrogen input (the measured amino acid content of the intravenous feeding). Fecal losses were not included in the nitrogen output since the infants were not enterally fed and rarely had stools while on ECMO. The kilojoules (1 kilocalorie = 4.2 kilojoules) and protein provided by the parenteral nutrition varied. Nitrogen intake exceeded nitrogen output by ECMO day 2 (the initial nitrogen balance determination). Infants receiving as little as 0.4 g/kg protein and 168 kJ/kg daily remained in positive nitrogen balance.
Joint Pricing-Production Decisions in Supply Chains of Complementary Products with Uncertain Demand

Consider n manufacturers, each producing a different product and selling it to a market, either directly or through a common retailer. The n products are perfectly complementary in the sense that they are always sold and consumed jointly or in sets of one unit of each. Demand for the products during a selling season is both price sensitive and uncertain. Each of the n manufacturers faces the problem of choosing a production quantity and a selling price for his product. Two settings are considered, regarding the decision sequence of the n manufacturers: They are either simultaneous or sequential. The retailer, when present, employs a consignment-sales contract with revenue sharing to bind her relationship with the manufacturers and to extract profit for herself. Using a multiplicative demand model in this paper, we fully characterize individual firms' decisions in equilibria, under each of the two game settings, and derive closed-form performance measures, both for the channel and for individual channel members. These closed-form solutions allow us to explore the effects of channel structure and parameters on firms' decisions and performance that lead to conclusions of managerial interest.
A 1q42 deletion involving DISC1, DISC2, and TSNAX in an autism spectrum disorder.

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders have impairments in social, communicative, and behavior development that are often accompanied by abnormalities in cognitive functioning, learning, attention, and sensory processing. In this report, we describe a 3-year-old male child with an autism spectrum disorder who carries a 2 Mb deletion of chromosome 1q42. Array comparative genome hybridization revealed that this deletion involves at least three genes—DISC1, DISC2, and TSNAX—which have been found to be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders and are likely to play key roles in normal CNS development. Further studies revealed that the deletion was inherited from his unaffected mother. This suggests that other genetic and/or environmental factors, some of which may be sex specific, may modify the phenotypic effects of this deletion. While this case provides evidence for the potential role of DISC1, DISC2, and TSNAX in the development of autism spectrum disorders, it is equally clear that caution must be taken when providing families with prognostic information and genetic counseling regarding such deletions. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An outline for a software maintenance course

The author briefly discusses the course structure for the graduate software maintenance course offered at Arizona State University. Introduction to software maintenance, forms of maintenance, reverse engineering and re-engineering, maintenance models, and maintenance personnel are the topics examined. >
The Extreme Right and Its Media in Italy

Various factors are at the origin of the resurgence of racist, neo-fascist and neo-nazi movements and parties in Europe. Fast-paced social and cultural changes due to globalization of economics and communications; intensification of migration fluxes from former Soviet republics, North African countries, and the Balkans, into Western Europe; the process of European unification and expansion; and the crisis of traditional systems of political representation, have nourished, since the early 1990s, the re-birth of far right movements and parties. No longer at the margins of the political system, the galaxy of extreme right parties includes Le Front National in France, the NPD Nationaldemokraten in Germany, Democracia National in Spain, the Austrian Fpo Liberal Party, and many others. Racism, xenophobia, homophobia, anti-Semitism, Fascism or Nazism, and nationalism, are the main characteristics of these political formations. Italy is no exception. Indeed various observers are concerned that the number of Fascist groups and parties is growing and they are acquiring more visibility. Although there is a vast literature on the evolution of the far right especially in the last decade, there is still little analytical and historical information on how far right groups and movements use contemporary communication technologies to their advantage. In this paper, I look at how some representative far right groups (including the youth oriented Blocco Studentesco and La Destra) use their websites to promote a sense of community and belonging, spread information, create a network among sympathizers and militants, reinforce their already strong presence in the streets and the neighborhoods, and promote an image that is militant but friendly, portraying fascism as a benevolent, pro-social force.
Stem cell applications in military medicine.

There are many similarities between health issues affecting military and civilian patient populations, with the exception of the relatively small but vital segment of active soldiers who experience high-energy blast injuries during combat. A rising incidence of major injuries from explosive devices in recent campaigns has further complicated treatment and recovery, highlighting the need for tissue regenerative options and intensifying interest in the possible role of stem cells for military medicine. In this review we outline the array of tissue-specific injuries typically seen in modern combat - as well as address a few complications unique to soldiers - and discuss the state of current stem cell research in addressing each area. Embryonic, induced-pluripotent and adult stem cell sources are defined, along with advantages and disadvantages unique to each cell type. More detailed stem cell sources are described in the context of each tissue of interest, including neural, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal and sensory tissues, with brief discussion of their potential role in regenerative medicine moving forward. Additional commentary is given to military stem cell applications aside from regenerative medicine, such as blood pharming, immunomodulation and drug screening, with an overview of stem cell banking and the unique opportunity provided by the military and civilian overlap of stem cell research.
Metoclopramide Stimulates Prolactin Secretion in Man

Abstract Serum prolactin concentrations increased approximately 6-fold after oral or intravenous administration of 10 mg of metoclopramide to adult men. Prolactin remained significantly elevated up to 9 h after oral metoclopramide and for at least 2 h after iv metoclopramide. Bethanechol did not increase serum prolactin, and atropine did not inhibit metoclopramide-induced prolactin elevation, suggesting that the cholinergic-like properties of metoclopramide were not responsible for the observed prolactin responses. Pre-treatment with 500 mg L-dopa inhibited the early metoclopramide-induced prolactin increase, which is consistent with the possibility that metoclopramide acts by inhibiting dopamine-mediated hypothalamic secretion of prolactin inhibitory factor. As a potent stimulus of prolactin release, metoclopramide may be useful in clinical investigation of hypothalamic-pituitary function.