cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photo-enhanced etching of n-Si

The etch rate ofn-type Si in diluted HF solutions was investigated as a function of the bias voltage applied to the Si/electrolyte interface in the dark and under illumination. It was observed that the etch rate depends very sensitively on the minority carrier flow through this interface. For an illumination intensity of 5.3×1016 photons/cm2 s (γ=550nm) and the depleted Si/electrolyte interface biased slightly (less than 1 V) in reverse, the etch rate is increased by a factor of more than 1000 as compared to the etch rate under open-circuit condition. This effect can be used to create etch patterns during device processing without prior masking the semiconductors. Using the same effect it should be possible to trim the thickness of Si layers on (semi-) insulating substrates for the fabrication of enhancement-mode FETs.
X-linked lymphoproliferative disease

X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is an inherited immune defect caused by germline mutations in SH2D1A (SH2 domain containing gene 1A; also known as DSHP, SAP), a gene that encodes a small adaptor protein expressed in T, NK, and some B cells. The clinical features of XLP are variable and include fulminant infectious mononucleosis, lymphoma, and hypogammaglobulinemia. Studies of the SH2D1A protein revealed important pathways regulating antiviral immunity. By interacting with specific cell-surface receptors, such as 2B4 (CD244), SLAM (CD150), and NTB-A, SH2D1A might regulate important aspects of immune cell function, including NK cell cytotoxicity, T-cell proliferation, and T H 1 cytokine secretion. Abnormalities in SH2D1A amino acid composition and protein expression levels seem to cause aberrant lymphocyte activation, contributing to the dysregulated immune response that characterizes XLP.
Preference for Rocky Habitat by Age-0 Yellow Perch and Alewives

We determined the preference for rocky versus sandy bottom of age-0 alewives (Alosa pseudoharengus) and newly demersal age-0 yellow perch (Perca flavescens). The catch rate of both species in gill nets at rocky sites was approximately four times greater than at sand sites along the Wisconsin shoreline during mid-August through mid-September 2002. For yellow perch the preference for rocky habitat was probably related to shelter and food; diet analysis showed that young perch from rocky habitat primarily consumed amphipods and isopods, prey associated with rocks. The reasons why alewives associate with rocky habitat are not obvious, but may be related to feeding on emerging insects. These results indicate that a preference for rocky habitat by yellow perch, noted earlier for larger and/or reproductive individuals, begins during their first summer. The results also indicate that assessments of age-0 yellow perch and alewife that sample only soft substrates may seriously underestimate abundance.
Individual and Situational Influences on Men’s Responses to Dating and Social Situations

This study employed multilevel modeling to evaluate individual and situational influences on men’s responses to hypothetical dating and social situations. Three hundred and fifty college men completed measures assessing their propensity for sexual aggression and provided written responses to 10 written vignettes, each of which was followed by four statements provided by women that varied in their degree of effectiveness in decreasing victimization risk. Rape-supportive attitudes, poor heterosocial perception, earlier age of first sexual experience, and number of lifetime sexual partners were significant predictors of sexually aggressive responses. The presence of alcohol use, social isolation, relationship intimacy, and less effective responses from the woman involved also were significant predictors of sexually aggressive responses. Certain individual risk factors (i.e., poor heterosocial perception, rape-supportive attitudes) showed a stronger relationship to sexually aggressive responses in the context...
A case for shared instruction cache on chip multiprocessors running OLTP

Due to their large code footprint, OLTP workloads suffer from significant I-cache miss rates on contemporary microprocessors. This paper analyzes the I-stream behavior of an OLTP workload, called the Oracle Database Benchmark (ODB), on Chip-Multiprocessors (CMP). Our results show that, although, the overall code footprint of ODB is large, multiple ODB threads running concurrently on multiple processors tend to access common code segments frequently, thus exhibiting significant constructive sharing. In fact, in a CMP system, an I-cache shared between multiple processors incurs similar miss rate as a dedicated I-cache per processor where the per processor I-cache has the same capacity as the shared I-cache. Based on these observations, this paper makes the case for a shared I-cache organization in a CMP, instead of the traditional approach of using a dedicated I-cache per processor.Furthermore, this paper shows that OLTP code stream exhibits good spatial locality. Adding a simple dedicated Line Buffer per processor can exploit this spatial locality effectively, to reduce latency and bandwidth requirements on the shared cache. The proposed shared I-cache organization results in an improvement of at least 5X in miss rate over a dedicated cache organization, for the same total capacity.
Physiologically generated occlusion.

Abstract 1. 1. This technique for physiologically generating occlusion in complete dentures permits the use of varying occlusal schemes, including the conjugated use of carnivorous and herbivorous types of posterior teeth. It further permits the selection of any one of three posterior tooth combinations, each with identical occlusal principles but with slightly different wear potentials: (1) naturally glazed maxillary porcelain teeth opposing plastic mandibular posterior teeth; (2) naturally glazed maxillary porcelain teeth opposing plastic mandibular posterior teeth with a cast gold occlusion; (3) naturally glazed maxillary porcelain teeth opposing plastic mandibular posterior teeth with a cast chrome-cobalt occlusion. 2. 2. It correlates the occlusion for normal masticatory movements to the existing neuromuscular patterns and the temporomandibular joint functions. 3. 3. The physiologically generated paths are especially suited for recording the masticatory and swallowing occlusions, because both are incorporated in the development of the generated paths. 4. 4. The dentures can be inserted when fully equilibrated, with the original glaze of the maxillary porcelain posterior teeth intact and the reciprocating mandibular posterior teeth completely restored and polished.
Geometrically based optimization for extracranial radiosurgery

For static beam conformal intracranial radiosurgery, geometry of the beam arrangement dominates overall dose distribution. Maximizing beam separation in three dimensions decreases beam overlap, thus maximizing dose conformality and gradient outside of the target volume. Webb proposed arrangements of isotropically convergent beams that could be used as the starting point for a radiotherapy optimization process. We have developed an extracranial radiosurgery optimization method by extending Webb's isotropic beam arrangements to deliverable beam arrangements. This method uses an arrangement of N maximally separated converging vectors within the space available for beam delivery. Each bouquet of isotropic beam vectors is generated by a random sampling process that iteratively maximizes beam separation. Next, beam arrangement is optimized for critical structure avoidance while maintaining minimal overlap between beam entrance and exit pathways. This geometrically optimized beam set can then be used as a template for either conformal beam or intensity modulated extracranial radiosurgery. Preliminary results suggest that using this technique with conformal beam planning provides high plan conformality, a steep dose gradient outside of the tumour volume and acceptable critical structure avoidance in the majority of clinical cases.
Implications of breaking mother–young social bonds

Abstract Whereas mammalian mothers and young may retain long-term social affiliations in nature, the management of animals in captivity typically dictates that offspring are abruptly and permanently separated from their mothers at a relatively early age, often prior to the time of natural weaning. For animal breeders, this strategy can enhance the yield of offspring from a breeding population. Morbidity and mortality can also precipitate severance of mother–young bonds. Although it is recognized that early weaning provides nutritional challenges for the young, relatively little attention has been paid to the psychological consequences and long-term impacts of breaking the mother–young bond in non-human mammals. Furthermore, whereas great strides are being made in our understanding of the neurobiological and genetic underpinnings of social bonding, the mechanisms underlying the process of detachment following establishment of a mother–young bond remain relatively unexplored, although parallels can be drawn with processes involved in withdrawal from addictive substances. In this review, we outline mechanisms involved in social bonding. We consider the diversity in extent and duration of mother–young attachment across mammalian lineages and implications for predicting the outcome of severing ties between mothers and young at different times post-partum. We identify characteristics signalling emotional distress resulting from separation of mothers and young and discuss strategies for mitigating separation-induced distress. These include postponement of separation, ensuring high-quality maternal care of young prior to separation, providing bonded individuals with opportunities to separate voluntarily for brief periods prior to permanent separation, use of anti-suck devices prior to separation, allowing a period of partial (fence line) contact prior to full separation, providing substitutes for stimuli previously exchanged between mother and young, providing social buffers, gradual introduction to new housing arrangements, and pharmacological intervention. Areas for future research are proposed, including the use of functional neuroimaging technologies and functional genomics approaches, in combination with behavioural assessments of reinstatement motivation, individual recognition memory and long-term consequences of early separation, to shed further light on the nature of mother–young bonding and detachment in animals.
924-120 The Sick-Euthyroid Syndrome in Acute Myocardial Infarction

The sick-euthyroid syndrome, alterations of thyroid function tests by nonthyroidal illness as manifested by a low free T 3 (FT 3 ) or both a low FT 3 and a low free T 4 (FT 4 ), has been well described in non-cardiac patients admitted to medical intensive care units and has been shown to offer prognostic information. In order to determine whether similar abnormalities are present in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). we studied 658 patients admitted to the Duke Coronary Care Unit (CCU) between 2/92 and 10/93. Only patients with thyroid profiles (FT 3 and FT 4 by Becton Dickinson radioimmunoassay) obtained within 48 hours of a documented Ml were included in this analysis. Clinical data were prospectively obtained through the Duke CCU Database. 434 patients (66%) had a low FT 3 ( l 3 pg/ml) and 131 (20%) had both a low FT 3 and low FT 4 ( l 0.85 ng/dl). The mortality of the groups vs. those without these abnormalities was: low FT 3 14.3% versus 4% (p = 0.0001); both low FT 3 and low FT 4 17.6% vs. 9.1% (p = 0.008). To further delineate the relationship of the sick-euthyroid syndrome in MI, we separately analyzed the thyroid profiles of the most critically ill patients, those with cardiogenic shock (CS). In this analysis. there were 533 patients without CS and 125 patients with CS. The mortality of patients without CS was 3.4%, and in those with CS was 42.4% (p = 0.0001). We found the sickeuthyroid syndrome to be more common in patients with CS than in those without CS: low FT 3 86.4% in patients with CS vs. 61.2% in patients without CS (p = 0.0001), both low FT 3 and low FT 4 in 29.6% with CS vs. 17.6% in those without CS (p = 0.004). The mortality of patients with cardiogenic shock who had a low FT 3 47.2% was higher than in those without a low FT 3 11.8% (p = 0.003). We conclude that the sick-euthyroid syndrome, often manifest as a low free T 3 , is frequent in patients with MI, is more common as patients develop cardiogenic shock, and is associated with a higher mortality.
Organizing for crisis intelligence: Lessons from the Cuban missile crisis

(1998). Organizing for crisis intelligence: Lessons from the Cuban missile crisis. Intelligence and National Security: Vol. 13, Intelligence and the Cuban Missile Crisis, pp. 120-149.
VisPorter: facilitating information sharing for collaborative sensemaking on multiple displays

The multiplicity of computing and display devices currently available presents new opportunities for how visual analytics is performed. One of the significant inherent challenges that comes with the use of multiple and varied types of displays for visual analytics is the sharing and subsequent integration of information among different devices. Multiple devices enable analysts to employ and extend visual space for working with visualizations, but this requires users to switch intermittently between activities and foci of interest over different workspaces. We present a visual analytics system, VisPorter, developed for use in a multiple display and device environment, and a user study that explores the usage and benefits of this system. VisPorter enables seamless cross-device activity through lightweight touch interactions, and allows multiple displays and devices to be fluidly connected for sensemaking.
Determining the bubble cap film thickness of bursting bubbles from their acoustic emissions

A study of the sound generated by 2.5 mm radius bubbles bursting on the surface of fresh water is presented. The sound pulses are found to be sensitive to the time interval between the bubble reaching the water surface and bursting. Bubbles that burst within a few 10's of milliseconds behave like a Helmholtz resonator and radiate a swept chirp pulse. Bubbles that persist for 100's of milliseconds or more exhibit more complex acoustic behavior. An analysis of the resonator behavior provides an estimate of the film thickness in reasonable agreement with a fluid drainage model.
Reciprocal interactions between perisynaptic Schwann cells and regenerating nerve terminals at the frog neuromuscular junction.

The perisynaptic Schwann cell (PSC) has gained recent attention with respect to its roles in synaptic function, remodeling, and regeneration at the vertebrate neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Here we test the hypothesis that, following nerve injury, processes extended by PSCs guide regenerating nerve terminals (NTs) in vivo, and that the extension of sprouts by PSCs is triggered by the arrival of regenerating NTs. Frog NMJs were double-stained with a fluorescent dye, FM4-64, for NTs, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-tagged peanut agglutinin (PNA) for PSCs. Identified NMJs were imaged in vivo repeatedly for several months after nerve injury. PSCs sprouted profusely beginning 3-4 weeks after nerve transection and, as reinnervation progressed, regenerating NTs closely followed the preceding PSC sprouts, which could extend tens to hundreds of microns beyond the original synaptic site. The pattern of reinnervation was dictated by PSC sprouts, which could form novel routes joining neighboring junctions or develop into new myelinated axonal pathways. In contrast to mammals, profuse PSC sprouting in frog muscles was not seen in response to axotomy alone, and did not occur at chronically denervated NMJs. Instead, sprouting coincided with the arrival of regenerating NTs. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that in muscle undergoing reinnervation 4 weeks after axotomy, 91% of NMJs bore PSC sprouts, compared to only 6% of NMJs in muscle that was chronically denervated for 4 weeks. These results suggest that reciprocal interactions between regenerating NTs and PSCs govern the process of reinnervation at frog NMJs: regenerating NTs induce PSCs to sprout, and PSC sprouts, in turn, lead and guide the elaboration of NTs.
Multiplexed electrothermal vaporization sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma spectrometry

Abstract A multiplexed electrothermal vaporization (ETV) system for sample introduction into an inductively coupled plasma was designed in an effort to increase sample turn-around time. Tungsten filaments (300 W), originally designed for overhead projectors, were chosen for use as ETVs to avoid the high power requirements associated with other ETV devices, e.g. graphite furnaces (2–3 kW). In short, we have multiplexed the thermal stages have been multiplexed such that a vaporization event can take place every 20 s. This represents a significant increase in the throughput typically associated with ETV-ICPMS, which is normally approximately 20–30 samples/h. Evaluated with respect to common figure of merit criteria, the performance of the multiplexed ETV system is similar to that seen with conventional graphite furnace ETV systems. However, several mass spectral interferences can be introduced by the presence of W into the plasma, which hinder the analysis of certain metals (Hg, Mo, etc.). Thus, other low power vaporizers (e.g. Re, Ta) should be considered for use in future systems.
Accessing data cubes along complex dimensions

In a data warehouse, data cubes are accessed through their dimensions. If dimensions are numerical, because numerical data can be clustered or sorted, fast access methods such as binary search or B+ trees can be applied. However, complex attributes such as keyword sets of document contents are not easily sorted or clustered. Although it is highly desirable that documents can be searched through their sets of keywords.Signature index is known for its ability to search along complex attributes. We propose a new indexing structure, dimensional signature index (DSI), for fast query processing in data cubes. DSI is particularly suitable for accessing data in data cubes through complex dimensions.Through a mathematical analysis, we found that if one signature index (feature index) is built for each dimension of the data cube, if the size of all feature indices is equal to the size of a large signature index for the entire data cube as a flat file, and if a query execution involves all dimensions of a data cube, the search cost in all these feature indices is the same as the search cost in the large signature index for the entire data cube.The significance of this discovery is that usually a query does not involve all dimensions of a data cube. By making one feature index for each dimension, only those feature indices involved in the query predicates need to be accessed. On average, this represents significant faster query executions than using a large signature file for the entire data cube.The use of DSI scheme does not exclude the use of other fast signature index schemes. Each feature index in DSI can also use any of the previously proposed fast signature indices (S-trees, multi-leveled, frame-sliced, etc.) to achieve even faster access speed.
Aspirin—A national survey III: Determination of impurities in bulk aspirin and aspirin formulations by high-pressure liquid chromatography and spectrophotometry

A quantitative high-pressure liquid chromatographic method, using a reversed-phase column and an aqueous acetic acid-methanol solution as the mobile phase, was employed for the determination of O-acetyl-O-salicylsalicylic acid and O-salicylsalicylic acid in pharmaceutical aspirin preparations. The aspirin was dissolved, filtered, and injected into the chromatograph. The absorbance of the impurities was measured at 254 nm. Acetylsalicylic anhydride was determined by a spectrophotometric method. The aspirin was dissolved in pH 11.3 buffer and extracted with benzene. An aliquot of the benzene was evaporated, and the residue was dissolved in α-benzamidocinnamate-pyridine reagent. The acetylsalicylic anhydride was measured using the difference between the absorbance at 362 and 372 nm. Possible interference of aspirin with the procedure is discussed. Thirty-four bulk aspirin and 172 tablet formulations were examined. Results for O-acetyl-O-salicylsalicylic acid, O-salicylsalicylic acid, and acetylsalicylic anhydride are given.
The Luminal Domain of TGN38 Interacts with Integrin β1 and is Involved in its Trafficking

TGN38 luminal domain (TGN38LD) was expressed in Cos-7 cells to identify potential binding partners. The luminal domain was secreted but, surprisingly, a significant portion bound to the plasma membrane. Cells over-expressing TGN38LD or the full-length molecule detached from the substratum and left footprints positive for TGN38. Unexpectedly, in these cells, TGN38 colocalizes with integrin α5β1 at the Golgi, the cell surface or in the footprints and an increased amount of both integrin subunits on the plasma membrane was observed. Under physiological conditions when TGN38 is not overexpressed, it interacts with integrin β1. This was demonstrated by reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation of integrin β1 and TGN38. Functional analysis reveals that modification of the trafficking of TGN38 results in a parallel change in the distribution of integrin α5β1, leading to the conclusion that TGN38 is involved in the trafficking of integrin β1.
Liquid and gas-phase distributions in a jet with phase change

A two-phase flow high-velocity jet with phase change was studied numerically. The jet is assumed to be created by the two-phase critical flow discharge through a pipe of variable length and attached to a vessel containing the saturated liquid at different stagnation pressures. The jet flow is assumed to be axisymmetric and the modeling of the two-phase flow was accomplished by a nonequilibrium model that accounts for the relative velocity and temperature difference between the phase. The numerical solution of the governing set of balance and conservation equations revealed steep gradients of flow properties in both radial and axial directions. The liquid phase in the jet is shown to remain close to the jet axis, and its velocity increases until it reaches a maximum corresponding to the gas velocity, and thereafter decreases at the same rate as the gas velocity. The effect of decreasing the pipe length is shown to produce a larger disequilibrium in the jet and a double pressure peak in the total pressure distribution. A comparison of the predicted total pressure distribution in the jet with the experimental data of steam-water at different axial locations is demonstrated to be very reasonable.
Management of Fusarium wilt of strawberry

Abstract Fusarium wilt of strawberry was first described in the 1960s in Australia and Japan. Since then the pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae (Fof), has been reported worldwide with the majority of cases being found in the 1990s and 2000s. Many of these recent reports are associated with changes in pre-plant soil fumigation practices. The disease is of significant economic importance because infected plants can collapse and die. Field diagnosis of Fusarium wilt is complicated by the fact that other soilborne diseases exhibit very similar symptoms. Methods for detection of Fof based on molecular criteria have been developed, but none have yet been shown to uniquely identify the strain of F. oxysporum causing Fusarium wilt of strawberry. Management of Fusarium wilt is best achieved through the use of resistant strawberry cultivars. Research indicates that sources of Fof resistance exist in strawberry germplasm, though cultivar reactions may differ depending on the Fof isolate. Pre-plant treatment of infested soil with fumigants remains a useful management tool. In addition, alternative treatments such as steam, solarization, anaerobic soil disinfestation, and the planting of brassicaceae crops are being assessed for their effectiveness in managing the disease. Standard integrated pest management practices of crop rotation with non-hosts, planting of pathogen-free transplants, and sanitation of equipment remain important measures that can reduce the risk of damage from Fusarium wilt.
Widths of the L x-ray lines of the rare-earth elements

An improved version of a single-crystal high-angle goniometer and a NaI scintillation detector were used to measure the widths of the $L {\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1.2}$, $L {\ensuremath{\beta}}_{1\ensuremath{-}4}$, and $L {\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{1}$ x-ray lines of the elements $58\ensuremath{\le}Z\ensuremath{\le}74$ and the widths of the less prominent lines $L {\ensuremath{\beta}}_{15}$, $\mathrm{Ll}$, $L\ensuremath{\eta}$, and $L{\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{1}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ of several elements in the same group. The x-ray spectrum of these elements was produced by bombarding them with an electron beam of constant energy and flux, and a computer program was used to unfold the physical widths of their emission lines. These results, as well as the previously reported values of linewidths of the higher-$Z$ elements, are compared with the most recent theoretical predictions.
Abstinence Social Support: The Impact of Children in Oxford House

The present study compared the characteristics of individuals living with (42 men, 52 women) and without children (561 men, 241 women) residing in a communal-living recovery program called Oxford Houses. Results indicated that men living with children and women living without children had more general social support, compared to men living without children and women living with children. Additionally, women and residents of adult-only houses reported having more drug users in their social networks. However, men and women living with and without children reported similar levels of social support for abstinence. It is suggested that that men in recovery who take care of their children are in situations more advantageous to sustained recovery and have more resources compared to recovering women with children. Women in substance abuse recovery and taking care of children may require additional resources and assistance compared to men.
Bioactive Aromatic Compounds from Leaves and Stems of Vanilla fragrans

Alcoholic extracts of leaves and stems of Vanilla fragrans were fractionated with ethyl acetate and aqueous butanol. All three fractions of ethyl acetate, butanol, and water were screened for toxic bioactivity against mosquito larvae. The results of these experiments showed that the fractions from the ethyl acetate and butanol phases were both active in the bioassay. Bioactivity of the ethyl acetate fraction was found to be much greater than that from the butanol fraction in mosquito larvae toxicity. The water phase appeared to contain no substances that impaired mosquito larval growth. Repeated column chromatography of the ethyl acetate fraction on silica gel led to the isolation of 4-ethoxymethylphenol (1), 4-butoxymethylphenol (2), vanillin (3), 4-hydroxy-2-methoxycinnamaldehyde (4), and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (5). Compounds 4 and 5 were isolated from Vanilla species for the first time and 2 has not been reported to have been found in a natural form. 4-Ethoxymethylphenol (1) was the predominant compound, but 4-butoxymethylphenol (2) showed the strongest toxicity to mosquito larvae. The structures of the compounds were determined on the basis of their mass spectra and (1)H or (13)C NMR data.
Either a CD4+or CD8+T cell function is sufficient for clearance of infectious virus from trigeminal ganglia and establishment of herpes simplex virus type 1 latency in mice

Following ocular infection of normal mice, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) establishes a latent infection in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) with the complete absence of detectable infectious virus. In this study, the role of CD4(+)and CD8(+)T cell dependent immune responses is examined in relation to clearing infectious virus from the TG following HSV-1 ocular challenge. Nude mice, which lack T cells, and MHC(o/o)mice, which lack both MHC class I and MHC class II, were challenged ocularly with wild-type HSV-1. Over 70% of the TG from mice surviving the infection contained infectious virus, indicative of a chronic infection in these TG, rather than a latent infection. No infectious virus was detected in TGs from infected C57BL/6 parental mice. Ocular challenge of CD4(o/o)A(beta(o/o, CD8(o/o)or beta(2)m(o/o)mice resulted in latent rather than chronic infection. Similarly, when C57BL/6 mice were depleted for CD4(+)or CD8(+)T cells from 4 days before ocular challenge to 26 days after ocular challenge, no free virus was detected in TGs of challenged mice. In contrast, when mice were depleted of both their CD4(+)and CD8(+)T cells, over 90% of TGs were positive for free virus, suggesting that the lack of virus clearance was due to the combined lack of both CD4(+)T cells and CD8(+)T cells (i.e. in the presence of either CD4(+)T cells or CD8(+)T cells alone all of the infectious virus was cleared and latency was established).))
Effects of severely limited acquisition training and pretraining on the partial reinforcement effect

Following only five acquisition trials, partial reward produced greater resistance to extinction than consistent reward. This effect was obtained even when the animals were deprived of runway experience and goalbox feedings in pre-training.
On the origin of oscillations in the fusion cross section of 12C + 12C

Abstract It is suggested that a necessary condition for fusion from a particular partial wave be the availability of overlapping compound states of the appropriate angular momentum. A calculation employing this criterion accounts for the magnitude and structure in the 12 C + 12 C fusion excitation function.
Specification and forecasting of scintillations in communication/navigation links: current status and future plans

Abstract The ionosphere often becomes turbulent and develops electron density irregularities. These irregularities scatter radio waves to cause amplitude and phase scintillation and affect satellite communication and GPS navigation systems. The effects are most intense in the equatorial region, moderate at high latitudes and minimum at middle latitudes. The thermosphere and the ionosphere seem to internally control the generation of irregularities in the equatorial region and its forcing by solar transients is an additional modulating factor. On the other hand, the irregularity generation mechanisms in the high-latitude ionosphere seem to be driven by magnetospheric processes and, therefore, high-latitude scintillations can be tracked by following the trail of energy from the sun in the form of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The development of a global specification and forecast system for scintillation is needed in view of our increased reliance on space-based communication and navigation systems, which are vulnerable to ionospheric scintillation. Such scintillation specification systems are being developed for the equatorial region. An equatorial satellite equipped with an appropriate suite of sensors, capable of detecting ionospheric irregularities and tracking the drivers that control the formation of ionospheric irregularities, has also been planned for the purpose of specifying and forecasting equatorial scintillations. In the polar region, scintillation specification and forecast systems are yet to emerge although modeling and observations of polar cap plasma structures, their convection and associated irregularities have advanced greatly in recent years. Global scintillation observations made during the S-RAMP Space Weather Month in September 1999 are currently being analyzed to study the effects of magnetic storms on communication and navigation systems.
Effect of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia on high density lipoprotein metabolism in pigtail monkeys (Macaca nemestrina).

Abstract Pigtail monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) were used as model animals to study the compositional and metabolic changes induced in high density lipoproteins (HDL) by diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. Feeding a high cholesterol and high saturated fat (HCHF) diet to monkeys for 9 mo increased their plasma cholesterol (fourfold) and phospholipids (twofold) but decreased HDL cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, and proteins to 60%, 65%, 10%, and 50%, respectively, of those in control animals. The two major apolipoproteins of HDL (A-I and A-II) had a 2.4:1 ratio in control animals; this was raised to 4:1 in HCHF-fed animals attributable to a greater decrease in A-II. HDL turnover studies suggested that normal HDL was catabolized faster than HDL from HCHF donors in both normal and HCHF-fed recipients. HCHF-fed recipients, however, catabolized HDL from both normal and HCHF-fed donors more rapidly than that in normal recipients (fractional catabolic rate (FCR) 0.0214 ± 0.0026hr −1 for autologous and 0.0193 ± 0.0013hr −1 for isologous HDL in normal ( n = 3) and 0.0318 ± 0.0046hr −1 for autologous and 0.0325 ± 0.0039hr −1 for isologous HDL in HCHF-fed animals ( n = 3). Apolipoprotein A-I from normal or HCHF-fed animals had identical FCR in normal (0.016hr −1 and 0.0153 ± 0.0006hr −1 ) and a similar FCR in HCHF-fed animals (0.026 ± 0.0006hr −1 ). Although HCHF-fed animals had a higher FCR for apolipoprotein A-I, the synthesis rate for normal and HCHF-fed animals were similar (0.97 ± 0.12 vs. 0.83 ± 0.21 mg/kg −1 hr −1 ). Apolipoprotein A-II was metabolized differently from A-I. Unlike Apolipoprotein A-I, Apolipoprotein A-II from normal donors was catabolized differently from that from HCHF-fed donors in both groups. The HCHF-fed recipients had much lower FCR of their own A-II (0.0097 ± 0.0006hr −1 ) than of normal A-II (0.0333 ± 0.0029hr −1 ). In normal monkeys the synthesis rates for A-I and A-II were identical but in HCHF-fed animals the synthesis rate of A-II was lower by an order of magnitude from that of A-I.
Normative database of judgment of complexity task with functional near infrared spectroscopy – Application for TBI

We construct a normative database for a simple cognitive test which can be useful in evaluating cognitive disability such as mild traumatic brain injury. Our results with fNIRS show activation from the medial frontopolar cortex
Perception of Sexual Violence Against Women in Asian American Communities

Abstract The study was a cross-sectional survey using a convenient sample of 186 respondents to examine the perception of sexual violence against women and help-seeking responses to sexual victimization among four Asian groups; Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian (Cambodian, Laotians, and Vietnamese). The authors examined respondents' perception of the severity of the problem of sexual violence against women for Asian American populations, the perceived relationships between perpetrators and victims, the preferred preventive measures, and help-seeking responses. Findings indicated a split opinion among the four Asian groups regarding the perceived severity of the problem. There was a perceived insignificant role of family members in inflicting sexual violence, a general tendency of not choosing an immediate, confrontative stance against the perpetrator to stop sexual violence, and a preference to utilize help from the private domain in situations of sexual victimization. In addition, findings o...
Determination of the critical exponents of superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O.

I show that the superconducting phase transition in Y-Ba-Cu-O is describable by the theory of critical exponents. Using measurements on the temperature dependence of the specific heat and susceptability and assuming the dimensionality, I determine all of the critical thermodynamic and static correlation exponents. Two unsuspected symmetries are found. Predictions concerning the magnetic field dependence of the specific heat are consistent with existing measurements. Further predictions concerning the magnetic field dependence of the magnetization and the susceptability are made. The results for dimensionality equal to three are in agreement with BCS theory.
Bitter melon extracts enhance the activity of chemotherapeutic agents through the modulation of multiple drug resistance

Recently, we demonstrated that extracts of bitter melon (BME) can be used as a preventive/therapeutic agent in colon cancers. Here, we determined BME effects on anticancer activity and bioavailability of doxorubicin (DOX) in colon cancer cells. BME enhanced the effect of DOX on cell proliferation and sensitized the cells toward DOX upon pretreatment. Furthermore, there was both increased drug uptake and reduced drug efflux. We also observed a reduction in the expression of multidrug resistance conferring proteins (MDRCP) P-glycoprotein, MRP-2, and BCRP. Further BME suppressed DOX efflux in MDCK cells overexpressing the three efflux proteins individually, suggesting that BME is a potent inhibitor of MDR function. Next, we determined the effect of BME on PXR, a xenobiotic sensing nuclear receptor and a transcription factor that controls the expression of the three MDR genes. BME suppressed PXR promoter activity thereby suppressing its expression. Finally, we determined the effect of AMPK pathway on drug efflux because we have previously demonstrated that BME affects the pathway. However, inhibiting AMPK did not affect drug resistance, suggesting that BME may use different pathways for the anticancer and MDR modulating activities. Together, these results suggest that BME can enhance the bioavailability and efficacy of conventional chemotherapy.
Aging, Development and Social Welfare Strategies

(Social welfare strategies are closely linked to theoretical paradigms which surround the social problems they seek to address. Prevailing theories of social gerontology primarily address aging at micro and mezzo levels of analysis. Correspondingly, most contemporary strategies of social welfare and the aged focus on helping individuals and groups. Nonetheless, important theoretical insights into the social structural interplay of social development, stratification and aging have emerged which have relevance to welfare policymakers and practitioners.]
Efficient Evaluation of Online Course Facilitation: The "Quick Check" Policy Measure

In distance education and online learning, the exponential growth of programs and the need for instructors has forced proper analysis of instructor teaching and learning to the background. To meet ...
Age at menarche and metabolic markers for type 2 diabetes in premenopausal women: the BioCycle Study.

Early age at menarche may represent another indicator of metabolic risk for development of type 2 diabetes.
The mundane ailment and the physical self: Analysis of the social psychology of health and illness

Abstract Using interview data from adult men and women who participated in an ongoing study of self-care, the research focused on the experience of mundane ailments as a promising topic for research in the social psychology of health and illness. Phenomenological analysis of respondents' accounts of everyday ailments generated concepts of ‘the physical self’, which expands interactive or dramaturgical concepts, and ‘the health biography’. These concepts, when linked to analysis of interaction lead to a more dynamic sociology of health, illness, care and cure.
Metallic friction: the influence of atomic adsorbates at submonolayer coverages

An ultra-high vacuum (UHV) tribometer was used to make friction measurements on two single-crystalline Cu(111) surfaces, both modified by the presence of varying coverages of adsorbed atoms. The adsorbates used, sulfur, chlorine, and iodine, all formed hexagonal overlayers at saturation coverage and exhibited diffraction patterns which were used to calibrate the adsorbate coverages in conjunction with Auger electron spectroscopy (sulfur, chlorine) or temperature-programmed desorption measurements (iodine). All sliding measurements exhibited classic stick-slip behavior. The clean surfaces exhibited high static friction coefficients which were reduced only slightly by the atomic adsorbates even at saturation coverage. These results contradict the commonly held notion that friction is very sensitive to trace levels of surface contamination. Apparently saturated monolayers of adsorbed atoms cannot prevent direct metal-metal contact which then dictates the subsequent sliding behavior of the interface.
Complementary and alternative medicine

The use of complementary and alternative medicine in the United States and throughout the world has been experiencing a tremendous resurgence of interest in the past decade. There are myriad varieties of herbal and nonherbal remedies, devices of many types, and mind-body control modalities being used today that were rarely used (at least in the U.S.) 10 years ago. Furthermore, this essentially experimental usage by the general public has occurred outside the medical profession, which has exercised little or no control over the production, medical recommendations, or quality control by the manufactures of these products. Surveys have shown that at least 50% to 75% of the U.S. population are using some form of complementary or alternative medicine at any one time and, moreover, are often reluctant to tell their physicians.
Background and work experience correlates of the ethics and effect of organizational politics

Empirical studies exploring managerial views of organizational politics (OP) are scarce. Furthermore, the literature is replete with inconsistent results regarding the correlates of OP. In this paper, data collected from 302 managers were used to examine the association between seven background and work experience variables and managerial attitudes regarding the ethics, locus, affect of OP on the organization, and the motives behind political maneuvering in the workplace. The results, however, show that association between managers' background and work experience factors and attitudes regarding OP is weak. The results suggest several promising lines of inquiry for future research.
Hypertransposing derivatives of the streptomycete insertion sequence IS493.

Abstract Transposons derived from the Streptomyces lividans insertion sequence IS493 are useful for the genetic analysis and manipulation of a number of Streptomyces spp. Tn5099-10, an IS493 derivative that contains a spontaneous deletion terminating in the left inverted repeat (IR-L), transposed at a 1000-fold higher frequency in Streptomyces griseofuscus, and at a tenfold higher frequency in Streptomyces fradiae, than the IS493 derivatives, Tn5096 and Tn5099. The IR-L from Tn5099-20 was used to construct a cassette which hypertransposes from plasmids containing the transposon genes, ORFA and ORFB, outside of the inverted repeats. The target sequences of two Tn5099-10 insertions conformed to the consensus target sequence of the other IS493 derivatives, gNCaNTgNNy (where lower-case letters indicate that other nt have been observed at this position and N is any nt). Transposition mutant libraries of S. griseofuscus and S. fradiae can be easily prepared in broth culture by using the hypertransposing elements and a temperature-sensitive delivery plasmid.
Using iPodLinux in an introductory OS course

This paper describes a proof of concept for introducing iPods and iPodLinux into a one-semester introductory undergraduate operating systems course. iPodLinux is a version of the Linux operating system modified to run on iPods. We added a project to our course in which the students modified the iPodLinux kernel, and we supplemented lectures by discussing specifics of the Linux implementation as they relate to general operating systems concepts. We feel the course was much improved by these additions, with no substantive omission of regular material. Student response was very enthusiastic, and we feel the new material enhanced their course experience by providing a component that was empowering and helped to further improve their knowledge and skills.
Effects of transducer flushness on fluctuating surface pressure measurements

The installation flushness of pressure transducers has been found to strongly influence the quality of fluctuating surface pressure data in supersonic-attached turbulent boundary-layer flow. A systematic investigation of the effects of flushness on surface pressure fluctuations beneath a 4-in.-thick boundary layer was conducted in a supersonic wind tunnel at Mach numbers of 1.68, 2.0, and 2.5. Flushness effects on transducer signal amplitude, power spectral density, coherence, and narrowband convection velocity was evaluated. Results show that a very slightly protruding transducer produces adverse effects on the desired pressure fluctuation measurements, whereas a submerged transducer produces small effects. Indications are that a more viable method for enhancing the uniformity and spatial correlation of fluctuating surface pressure data can be achieved by deliberately submerging transducers beneath a surface orifice about 0.010 in. deep.
Prolific Research in Communication Studies: Retrospective and Prospective Views

This study investigated research productivity in communication studies during the period of 2002 to 2006. The study found that 31 individuals had nine or more articles published in those five years. By creating a cumulative list, the study found that 63 active researchers had at least 25 articles published during their careers. The cumulative list was compared with the original list of productive scholars, published in 1989. Only 8 individuals were on both lists. This study found trends related to “changing of the guard,” indicating that some programs remained productive, and other new programs developed.
The DNA of the democratic South Africa: ancestral maps, family trees, genealogical fictions

This article focuses on the discourse of popular science – and particularly that of genetics and evolution – as it has been used in the democratic South Africa to develop and articulate a shared ‘African’ national identity. Analysing speeches by politicians and academics, as well as sites of popular culture ranging from television shows to the Maropeng centre at the Cradle of Humankind, I explore how a new ‘evolutionary family narrative’, in which all humans are understood to have an African ‘mother’, has been harnessed in an attempt to guarantee ‘belonging’ to citizens of all races. I further show how this specific genetic family narrative is one of a larger network of ‘genealogical fictions’ that have been fabricated and produced in part for the purpose of redefining the national community in the post-apartheid era, and which tend to reiterate the basic tropes of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century nation-building projects in the new millennium. Finally, I analyse two novels – Zoe Wicomb's David's S...
STABILITY CONDITIONS FOR PROPAGATION OF A SYSTEM OF CRACKS IN A BRITTLE SOLID

In one proposed geothermal energy scheme [1,2], a large vertical main crack is produced in a hot dry rock mass by hydraulic fracture. To be able to remove heat from rock mass which is remote from the crack face, it is necessary to induce by cooling a secondary crack system normal to the wall of the main crack. Significant heat removal is possible only if the opening of secondary cracks is sufficient to allow rapid water circulation in them. The crack opening is wider, the larger is the spacing of cracks. The rate ~ of beat removal from secondary cracks by non-turbulent water circulation is roughly proportional to wS/h, where w = width of cracks and h = their spacing; w is, in turn, proportional to h, and so ~ ,h ~. Likewise, crack spacing is of importance when dealing with shrinkage cracks in reinforced concrete, for the opening of such cracks has a decisive effect on the rate of corrosion of the embedded steel reinforcement and on the shear transfer capability of aggregate interlock on rough crack surfaces. Other problems in which crack spacing is of interest include the vertical cracking of lava beds extruded and solidified at ocean floor [3], as well as cracking of mud flats and permafrost soils caused by drying [4,3].