cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immune modulation and chronic graft-versus-host disease

As more and more patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic SCT (HSCT) survive the early post-transplant period, the number of individuals at risk for chronic GVHD has grown. Treatment for established cGVHD remains unsatisfactory. No experimental agent has demonstrated superiority to steroids alone in a randomized clinical trial. Distinguishing chronic from acute graft-versus-host disease is a major issue. The importance of achieving clarity in cGVHD diagnosis is critical as efforts are undertaken to understand its pathogenesis and to design definitive trials that can target prevention and/or treatment. Immune tolerance to self-antigens may be broken in cGVHD, giving rise to the autoimmune manifestations of the disorder. Recent attention has focused on CD4+CD25 regulatory T cells and their relationship to cGVHD. Significant enthusiasm has emerged for manipulating Treg either ex vivo or in vivo for clinical benefit. Another immunomodulatory approach to cGVHD might be the targeting of B lymphocytes and the antibodies they produce. As efforts continue to devise strategies to treat and prevent chronic GVHD, it is important to acknowledge the link between cGVHD and freedom from relapse, at least for certain malignancies.
Nuclear physics and ideas of quantum chaos

The field nowadays called “many-body quantum chaos” was started in 1939 with the article by I.I. Gurevich studying the regularities of nuclear spectra. The field has been extensively developed recently, both mathematically and in application to mesoscopic systems and quantum fields. We argue that nuclear physics and the theory of quantum chaos are mutually beneficial. Many ideas of quantum chaos grew up from the factual material of nuclear physics; this enrichment still continues to take place. On the other hand, many phenomena in nuclear structure and reactions, as well as the general problem of statistical physics of finite strongly interacting systems, can be understood much deeper with the help of ideas and methods borrowed from the field of quantum chaos. A brief review of the selected topics related to the recent development is presented.
Nonspecific interactions of a carboxylate-substituted PPE with proteins. A cautionary tale for biosensor applications.

Two carboxylate-substituted, fluorescent (Φ = 0.08), water-soluble poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPE) and a water-soluble model compound were exposed to a series of proteins and bovine serum. While the anionic PPEs do not have any specific binding sites, they form stable complexes with histone, lysozyme, myoglobin, and hemoglobin. The complex formation was evidenced by fluorescence quenching. Bovine serum albumin does not quench the fluorescence of the PPEs but enhances it, probably due to its surfactant character. These results imply that the use of charged conjugated polymers as biosensors, while an attractive proposition, has to take into account strong nonspecific interactions between conjugated polymers and the host of proteins that is found in cells and complex biological fluids.
Taming lupus—a new understanding of pathogenesis is leading to clinical advances

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by the loss of tolerance to nuclear self antigens, the production of pathogenic autoantibodies and damage to multiple organ systems. Over the years, patients with SLE have been managed largely with empiric immunosuppressive therapies, which are associated with substantial toxicities and do not always provide adequate control of the disease. The development of targeted therapies that specifically address disease pathogenesis or progression has lagged, largely because of the complex and heterogeneous nature of the disease, as well as difficulties in designing uniform outcome measures for clinical trials. Recent advances that could improve the treatment of SLE include the identification of genetic variations that influence the risk of developing the disease, an enhanced understanding of innate and adaptive immune activation and regulation of tolerance, dissection of immune cell activation and inflammatory pathways and elucidation of mechanisms and markers of tissue damage. These discoveries, together with improvements in clinical trial design, form a platform from which to launch the development of a new generation of lupus therapies.
CELLULAR PHONES AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS: AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL APPROACH

Using epidemiological case-control design and logistic regression techniques, this study examined the association of cellular phone use in motor vehicles and traffic accident risk. The amount of time per month spent talking on a cellular phone and 18 other driver inattention factors were examined. Data were obtained from: (1) a case group of 100 randomly selected drivers involved in accidents within the past 2 years, and (2) a control group of 100 randomly selected licensed drivers not involved in accidents within the past 10 years. Groups were matched on geographic residence. Approximately 13% (N = 7) of the accident and 9% (N = 7) of the non-accident group reported use of cellular phones while driving. Data was obtained from Department of Motor Vehicles accident reports and survey information from study subjects. We hypothesized that increased use of cellular phones while driving was associated with increased odds of a traffic accident. Results indicated that talking more than 50 minutes per month on cellular phones in a vehicle was associated with a 5.59-fold increased risk in a traffic accident. The combined use of cellular phones and motor and cognitive activities while driving were also associated with increased traffic accident risk. Readers should be cautioned that this study: (1) consists of a small sample, (2) reveals statistical associations and not causal relationships, and (3) does not conclude that talking on cellular phones while driving is inherently dangerous.
Variational approach to sensor fusion using registered range and intensity data

Past research into multi-modality sensor data fusion has given rise to approaches that can be characterized as heuristical and ad hoc. In this paper we propose a framework for fusing different modalities of registered sensory inputs at the data level by using the calculus of variations. The result is a mathematically rigorous method for improving the data quality, which can subsequently be utilized for fusion at the higher levels. We demonstrate this approach on the problem of estimating the three dimensional scene via the use of simulated noisy range and intensity images. The results indicate that a significant improvement over shape estimation via either shape from shading or shape from ranging alone can be achieved. The applicability of our fusion paradigm to other fusion problems is also discussed.
Neuropathic bladder in ankylosing spondylitiswith spinal diverticula

Cauda equina type of syndrome with neuropathic bladder is a rare but known complication of long-standing ankylosing spondylitis. From 1968 until now, diverticula from the subarachnoid space eroding into the bodies of the lumbosacral vertebrae have been reported in 46 cases of ankylosing spondylitis with cauda equina syndrome and neuropathic bladder. We report 3 cases of neuropathic bladder and ankylosing spondylitis with cauda equina symptoms. In 1 of the 3 patients, these rarely encountered spinal diverticula were demonstrated by computerized tomography (CT) scan. The etiology of these diverticula and their treatment are reviewed.
Homogenization Behaviors of Low Frequency Electromagnetic Casting and Direct Chill Casting 7050 Aluminum Alloy

7050 aluminum alloy ingots were produced by low frequency electromagnetic casting (LFEC) and direct chill casting (DC) respectively. As-cast microstructures and homogenization behaviors of LFEC and DC ingots were investigated experimentally. The optical microscope and DSC analyses shown that the grain size of LFEC ingot was finer and the content of constituents and eutectic structure was less than that of DC ingot. Accordingly, the homogenization behaviors of the LFEC and DC ingots were significantly different. The remnant constituents of LFEC ingot were less in content and smaller in size than that of DC ingot after homogenization at 480°C for various lengths of time. Similar to the dissolving of constituents, the LFEC ingot exhibited faster diffusion kinetics of alloying elements from grain boundary to inner. The concentrations of Cu, Mg and Zn inside grain of LFEC ingot after homogenization for 12 h were 2.4%, 2.2% and 6.5% respectively, but the DC ingots had not reach the level even for 48 h.
Examiining Claims about Procedural Choice: The Use of Floor Waivers in the U.S. House

Congressional theories offer competing explanations of the role of restrictive amendment rules in the U.S. House (Krehbiel 1997; Dion and Huber 1996; Sinclair 1999). But this literature has largely ignored the importance of waivers in the legislative process. Our analysis begins to address this gap by utilizing waivers to test theoretical claims that to this point have only been applied to the amendment portion of special rules. We find waivers are a source of conflict on special rules independent of the restrictive characteristics of the rule. We also find waiver protections can be explained by some of the same determinants of restrictive rules as claimed by informational, distributive, and partisan theories, but that no single explanation covers all types of waivers. In general, we infer from these results that procedural choice is shaped not only by amendment restrictions imposed by special rules, but also by features of waivers that determine which standing rules of the House may apply. By not incorpo...
Effect of Prime-Mover Speed Control Characteristics on Electric Power System Performance

During normal operation the prime-mover speed governors function principally as stabilizers, automatic power-frequency control taking over the job of maintaining tie-line power schedules, frequency, and time. The prime importance of dead band is reemphasized. During disturbances governors affect both frequency drop and relatively long-term power swings, but generation schedules are of equal importance in certain cases.
Computer applications in the humanities: a SNOBOL4 procedure for conflating the variants produced by textual collation

Highly trained humanists who edit literary texts now spend vast amounts of time in what is universally acknowledged to be the necessary but tedious comparison of texts and the sorting and merging of the variants between the editions. The computer has the capability to relieve much of this drudgery and do the job more rapidly and accurately than can humans. A research project in computerized textual comparison is currently underway at Mississippi State University. This paper discusses one phase of this project, a procedure for the computerized production of a report giving the conflated (merged) results of collating (comparing character-by-character) any number of texts. This procedure, which is implemented in the SNOBOL4 programming language, is described and discussed in terms of the overall goals and efforts of the total research project.
Product quality and plant build complexity

This paper assesses the hypothesis that plant build complexity impacts quality, suggests mechanisms to explain how complexity impacts quality, and offers countermeasures to mitigate this impact. We analyse automotive assembly data that supports the proposition that plant build complexity negatively impacts quality. In addition, this paper provides actual automotive assembly line work instructions and shows how they can be represented by the Gilbreths’ fundamental work elements and plant build complexity impacts these work elements. To highlight complexity's adverse impact on quality, we compare the actual work instructions at two automotive assembly line stations–one with very little complexity and one with extreme complexity. We list common automotive assembly quality lapses and describe how they can be caused or exacerbated by complexity. Finally the paper presents practical countermeasures to mitigate complexity's impact on quality. While based on the automotive industry, the lessons apply to all compl...
Syndrome X and Diabetes: What Is the Mystery?

Syndrome X describes a combination of clinical phenomena that have been statistically linked to hyperinsulinema in the absence of frank diabetes. Since its original description, Syndrome X has come to represent several phenotypes that have hemodynamic and metabolic effects on the individual, as well as major effects on the development of vascular disease. Further, this syndrome is reaching epidemic proportions, As such, a thorough understanding of this condition is becoming increasingly important for the modern vascular surgeon. The mainstay of therapy revolves around early diagnosis and management with diet changes, exercise, and reduction of cardiovascular risk factors.
Simultaneous determination of gallium and germanium in igneous rocks by neutron activation

Abstract A neutron activation technique for determining gallium and germanium in igneous rocks is described. After irradiation, germanium is separated from interfering activities by extraction with carbon tetrachloride from 9 M HCl solution. Gallium is extracted from 6 M HCl solution into isopropyl ether. Germanium and gallium activities are determined by counting the radionuclides 77 Ge and 72 Ga, respectively. Chemical yields are determined by re-irradiation of separated solutions. About 12 man-hours are necessary to process 6 samples, excluding re-irradiation. Precision of the analysis for both elements is ±2–3% for concentrations encountered in typical igneous rocks. The detection limits for a thermal neutron flux of 4 × 10 12 n cm -2 s -1 are about 0.0005 ppm for gallium and 0.01 ppm for germanium with an error of ±50%.
Effect of Fibrinogen-clotting Enzymes on Secretion of Plasminogen Activators from Cultured Human Endothelial Cells

Abstract Fibrinogen-clotting enzymes purified from snake venoms, ancrod, batroxobin and crotalase induce a fibrinolytic state in the circulation of humans and animals. In vivo, but not in vitro, the enzymes indirectly convert fibrinogen into plasmin-derived degradation products. To explain this effect, we investigated the secretion of plasminogen activators by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells in response to purified snake venom enzymes. The activity of plasminogen activators was measured by a solid-phase 125I-fibrin lysis assay and the type demonstrated by fibrin zymography. Unstimulated primary or passaged cultures secreted activators at a mean rate of 0.183 or 46.6 milliunits/106 cells, respectively. Ancrod, batroxobin and crotalase did not affect biosynthesis and secretion of tissue plasminogen activator and did not induce pro-urokinase from primary cell cultures after 4 h. However, in passaged cells treated for 4 h, ancrod and batroxobin stimulated the secretion of plasminogen activators in a dose-dependent manner. Maximum stimulation by the two enzymes at 3 and 2 u/ml, respectively, was twofold higher than control values. In contrast, crotalase (1 u/ml), and thrombin (1 u/ml) decreased activator secretion to 32 and 11% of control values, respectively. The use of specific antibodies showed that the secreted plasminogen activators were inhibited by 90% using anti-urokinase antibodies and by 10% with anti-tissue plasminogen activator antibodies. Fibrin zymography supported the data and demonstrated that fibrinogen-clotting enzymes affected both extracellular and intracellular pro-urokinase levels. Intracellular plasminogen activators increased in cells treated with crotalase to 130% but decreased with ancrod to 40%, batroxobin to 80% and thrombin to 23%. The data indicated that the effects of the four enzymes on the secretion of plasminogen activators from passaged endothelial cells were independent of their action on fibrinogen. It is concluded that ancrod or batroxobin may activate the fibrinolytic system in vivo by stimulation of vascular endothelial cells to selectively increase pro-urokinase secretion without alteration of tissue plasminogen activator output.
Fluxes of amino acids between the rat and a cestode symbiote

Abstract 1. 1. After intracardial injection, 14 C-cycloleucine or 14 C-α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) rapidly attains a steady-state distribution between host tissues and Hymenolepis diminuta . AIB is accumulated by rat tissues, while cycloleucine is not. 2. 2. Efflux of cycloleucine from Hymenolepis in amino acid mistures resembles that from labeled worms implanted in rats. 3. 3. Feeding of proline to the rat-tapeworm system results in a decrease of worm cycloleucine, while feeding of lysine produces an increase in worm cycloleucine. This is interpreted in terms of demonstrated differences in the cycloleucine absorption systems of Hymenolepis and the rat.
The evolutionary ecology of nut dispersal

A variety of nut-producing plants have mutualistic seed-dispersal interactions with animals (rodents and corvids) that scatter hoard their nuts in the soil. The goals of this review are to summarize the widespread horticultural, botanical, and ecological literature pertaining to nut dispersal inJuglans, Carya, Quercus, Fagus, Castanae, Castanopsis, Lithocarpus, Corylus, Aesculus, andPrunus; to examine the evolutionary histories of these mutualistic interactions; and to identify the traits of nut-bearing plants and nut-dispersing rodents and jays that influence the success of the mutualism. These interactions appear to have originated as early as the Paleocene, about 60 million years ago. Most nuts appear to have evolved from ancestors with wind-dispersed seeds, but the ancestral form of dispersal in almonds (Prunus spp.) was by frugivorous animals that ingested fruit.
The resolution of a paradox: Alexandre de Pontaymeri's response to the Querelle des femmes

The Querelle des femmes was ultimately the victim of its own virulent antagonism. While humanism may have instilled a fresh vigour into the medieval polemic by uncovering new evidence culled from the Ancients and the Church Fathers, as well as from medical and legal sources, such arguments, far from convincing and converting, only strengthened uncompromising attitudes and soon lost the lustre of their novelty. Clearly the debate could not be resolved, if resolution were indeed to be sought, through the further accumulation of examples, but only by a re-examination and reinterpretation of the evidence. This process of re-evaluating historical and contemporary myth and fact suggests that the Renaissance version of the querelle is far from being merely a tedious repetition of familiar assertions. Jean de Marconville, for example, accepts the irrefutable arguments of both feminists and anti-feminists, but by examining them from a new perspective, he is able to marvel at both ‘la bonte’ and ‘la mauvaisete’ of women. At the end of the sixteenth century, Alexandre de Pontaymeri would offer another solution to the long-standing impasse by invalidating one of the principal methods of argumentation long utilized by the detractors of women. Through a revisionist view of history, Pontaymeri's Paradoxe apologique (1594) purports to resolve the querelle and to establish at last woman's rightful role. (pp. 246–256)
Microchemical studies of acid glycosaminoglycans from isolated chondrocytes in suspension.

Acid glycosaminoglycans were studied from isolated chondrocytes in suspension and the extracellular matrix obtained by sequential trypsin and collagenase treatment of 15- to 17-day-old embryonic chick bone. After papain digestion and removal of the nucleic acids by treatment with DNAse and RNAse, the glycosaminoglycans were precipitated by CPC and isolated as their sodium salt. Analyses of the CP-glycosaminoglycan solubility properties with the microfractionation procedure of Antonopouloset al. (1964) showed intracellular glycosaminoglycans of predominantly lower molecular weight and/or charge density than those of extracellular matrix. On micro-zone electrophoresis, only a minor part of the isolated intracellular glycosaminoglycans showed a mobility similar to that of the chondroitin sulphate standards while the major part moved only half the distance of hyaluronic acid and showed broad tailing, indicating a low negative charge. This was considered to be due to loss of a regulatory influence of the removed matrix components upon glycosaminoglycan synthesis and to release of originally synthesized glycosaminoglycans into the medium. For the first time, a small amount of intracellular hyaluronic acid was shown by typical electrophoretic mobility.
SIM Lite Astrometric Observatory Progress Report

The SIM Lite Astrometric Observatory (aka SIM Lite), a micro-arcsecond astrometry space mission, has been developed in response to NASA's indefinite deferral of the SIM PlanetQuest mission. The SIM Lite mission, while significantly more affordable than the SIM PlanetQuest mission concept, still addresses the full breadth of SIM science envisioned by two previous National Research Council (NRC) Astrophysics Decadal Surveys at the most stringent 'Goal' level of astrometric measurement performance envisioned in those surveys. Over the past two years, the project has completed the conceptual design of the SIM Lite mission using only the completed SIM technology; published a 250 page book describing the science and mission design (available at the SIM website: http://sim.jpl.nasa.gov); been subject to an independent cost and technical readiness assessment by the Aerospace Corporation; and submitted a number of information responses to the NRC Astro2010 Decadal Survey. The project also conducted an exoplanet-finding capability double blind study that clearly demonstrated the ability of the mission to survey 60 to 100 nearby sun-like dwarf stars for terrestrial, habitable zone planets in complex planetary systems. Additionally, the project has continued Engineering Risk Reduction activities by building brassboard (form, fit and function to flight) version of key instrument elements and subjecting them to flight qualification environmental and performance testing. This paper summarizes the progress over the last two years and the current state of the SIM Lite project.
Shielding factors from wind-tunnel studies of prismatic structures

Abstract This paper continues my work [1–3] toward developing a set of quantitative descriptors of non-aeroelastic shielding by normalizing wind-tunnel data compiled from multiple sources [3–11]. The normalization technique reduces the data to a set of shielding factors, which simplifies comparison of shielding data collected over a broad range of testing techniques and configurations. The shielding factors for a structure located in the wake of an identical upstream structure have been found to be most sensitive to separation distance building aspect ratio, windflow turbulence characteristics and wind angle of attack. This study begins to quantify the influence of the first three of these variables.
The linker of calmodulin--to helix or not to helix

The linker regions of the central helices of calmodulin and of troponin C are observed to be alpha-helices in crystal and in solution. However, these linkers are predicted to be non-helical by standard algorithms. Further, there is strong evidence that when calmodulin interacts with some of its targets this linker helix bends. The linker appears to be delicately balanced between helical and non-helical conformations. A review of this subject suggests that one can anticipate more unpredicted conformations for the central helices of the score of other proteins that have four EF-hand domains.
American Acupuncture and Efficacy: Meanings and Their Points of Insertion

By its very definition, efficacy's meanings remain fluid, their particularities contingent on context. The change seen as significant may occur on a symbolic level or through the removal of physical symptoms. It may address conditions of a social body. Some discussions differentiate between “healing” and “curing.” Many of these meanings surface when examining what efficacy means in the practice of acupuncture in the United States. This complex phenomenon is possible largely because acupuncture draws on the qi paradigm on the one hand, allowing for the most ephemeral dimensions of experience to be included in considerations of efficacy. On the other hand, in the most material sense, acupuncture is also susceptible to being conceptualized as a device, independent of that same paradigm, allowing for the insertion of biomedical models and criteria. Pluralism within acupuncture itself intersects with, and even embodies, the medical pluralism of U.S. culture.
New EM derived from Kullback-Leibler divergence

We introduce a new EM framework in which it is possible not only to optimize the model parameters but also the number of model components. A key feature of our approach is that we use nonparametric density estimation to improve parametric density estimation in the EM framework. While the classical EM algorithm estimates model parameters empirically using the data points themselves, we estimate them using nonparametric density estimates.There exist many possible applications that require optimal adjustment of model components. We present experimental results in two domains. One is polygonal approximation of laser range data, which is an active research topic in robot navigation. The other is grouping of edge pixels to contour boundaries, which still belongs to unsolved problems in computer vision.
Autoradiographic Evidence for the Concurrent Synthesis of Collagen and Chondroitin Sulfates by Chick Sternal Chondrocytes

Autoradiographs obtained from 13-day chick sternal chondrocytes indicate that the incorporation of 3H-proline into collagen, and of Na235SO4 into chondroitin sulfates, are concurrent. Matrix products produced by these cells were identified by their susceptibility to degradation by collagenase and testicular hyaluronidase. Incorporation of the precursors was time dependent, and it was blocked by the addition of puromycin to the culture medium. The labeling patterns of individual chondrocytes show that synthesis of matrix components differs from cell to cell within the sternal population.
The Case for Incompatibilism

1. According to R. J. Wallace in Responsibility and the Moral Sentiments, when we ask whether X is morally responsible for some bad act A, we are asking whether X is blameworthy for A. And when we ask whether X is blameworthy for doing A, we are asking whether it would be morally fair to blame him for it. Within this framework, traditional skeptical theses about responsibility become normative claims about the fair distribution of the moral sentiments. In particular, incompatibilism about responsibility becomes the view that if determinism is true, it is never morally fair to blame people for what they do. One of the main purposes of Wallace's book is to argue against incompatibilism so conceived.
Wagner and the intellectual biography of Alfred Schutz

As the members of this society demonstrate, there are multiple ways to investigate human beings. Each of us may choose the goals, methods, and perspective of one particular discipline such as sociology, history, philosophy or political science. Professor Helmut Wagner has chosen to relate his own work to the life, recommendations, and accomplish ments of Alfred Schutz. Wagner has on several occasions written about Schutz (1983a, 1984a, 1984b), translated his works, and interpreted his importance for the general reader and the philosopher, as well as the sociological specialist. Wagner's pursuit in this direction has been climaxed by the publication of Alfred Schutz: An Intellectual Bio graphy, University of Chicago Press, 1983. It is this book which has served as the basis for the following comments. "The biography of Schutz is relevant for the comprehension of his scholarly life work" (Wagner, 1984b: 107). An intellectual biogra phy, however, as Wagner sees it, differs from most other life stories. The adjective, intellectual, does more than typify the subject. Wagner does not attempt to give a complete picture of Schutz's years on earth. The original manuscript which Wagner tells us had 38 chapters and 2,600 pages was a more complete account. The present volume, a shorter version, is largely confined to a consideration of Schutz's main ideas. Wagner not only summarizes but explores the possible sources of these ideas, their development and influences on Schutz's contem poraries. To forestall misinterpretation, Wagner says in a concluding remark,
Biomass potential of selected grass and legume crops

Optimum management strategies for herbaceous biomass crops must be investigated concurrently with the development of cost-effective conversion processes. The objective here was to evaluate the agronomic feasibility of several combinations of species and management systems for producing herbaceous biomass on sites ranging from good to marginal cropland in the Midwest region of the United States. Of the perennial grasses and legumes investigated, switchgrass showed the most potential as a biomass species. It requires minimum fertilizer inputs for high yield, is very persistent, and is effective in reducing soil erosion. Sorghum double-cropped with winter annual rye was very productive but required more inputs than switchgrass. Interseeding sorghum into perennial grasses was not a viable option, due to its great dependence on environmental variables. Plant composition varied greatly across species but was not greatly affected by environment or management treatments.
The spatial scales and rise times of impulsive solar burst sources

During the rise time of an impulsive solar burst of hard X-rays and microwaves, energy release overwhelms losses so that the characteristics of the flare energy release process are best displayed. A sample of 30 bursts was analyzed, and the rise times of the bursts were compared with their source length scales. The result, as in earlier work employing the 'thermal conduction-front' model, is that the burst length scales were linerly proportional to their rise times, and ranged from 5.4 x 10 to the 6th to 3.6 x 10 to the 9th cm. This proportionality places a new and restrictive condition upon the possible energy release processes. The new condition is especially powerful because the proportionality was formerly believed to depend on the thermal source model alone, but now is known to follow from every model in current use.
One‐teacher schools in America

Abstract At the turn of the century some 200,000 one‐teacher schools were in existence in the United States. This number now stands at approximately 380. A study of these schools found them to be staffed with qualified teachers with extensive experience. The teachers are typically female and live near where they teach. Teachers work an average of nine hours a day teaching all subjects including physical education and music. Other activities include custodial duties, driving the school bus, performing secretarial functions, ordering supplies, and lunch supervision. Student enrollment has a present average level of 9.4, a level that helps teachers meet the needs of each student. Low enrollment may also create concern about school closures in the future. Teachers indicate that they use individualized instruction, peer tutoring, and cooperative learning. They have few discipline problems and no violence or drug issues.
Mixed pallet stacking: an overview and summary of the 2010 PerMIS special session

Stacking boxes of various sizes and contents on pallets (i.e. making mixed pallets) is a primary method of preparing goods for shipment from a warehouse to a store or other distant site. A special session of the 2010 PerMIS workshop was held to examine mixed palletizing issues. Papers were presented by end-users, vendors, researchers, and evaluators of palletizing solutions. This paper presents a summary of this session and discusses issues ranging from how to construct pallet build plans to metrics for evaluating these plans to competitions that feature novel palletizing approaches.
Comparison of methods for the detection of coliphages in recreational water at two California, United States beaches.

a b s t r a c t Methods for detection of two fecal indicator viruses, F+ and somatic coliphages, were evaluated for appli- cation to recreational marine water. Marine water samples were collected during the summer of 2007 in Southern California, United States from transects along Avalon Beach (n = 186 samples) and Doheny Beach (n = 101 samples). Coliphage detection methods included EPA method 1601 - two-step enrichment (ENR), EPA method 1602 - single agar layer (SAL), and variations of ENR. Variations included comparison of two incubation times (overnight and 5-h incubation) and two final detection steps (lysis zone assay and a rapid latex agglutination assay). A greater number of samples were positive for somatic and F+ col- iphages by ENR than by SAL (p < 0.01). The standard ENR with overnight incubation and detection by lysis zone assay was the most sensitive method for the detection of F+ and somatic coliphages from marine water, although the method takes up to three days to obtain results. A rapid 5-h enrichment version of ENR also performed well, with more positive samples than SAL, and could be performed in roughly 24 h. Latex agglutination-based detection methods require the least amount of time to perform, although the sensitivity was less than lysis zone-based detection methods. Rapid culture-based enrichment of col- iphages in marine water may be possible by further optimizing culture-based methods for saline water conditions to generate higher viral titers than currently available, as well as increasing the sensitivity of latex agglutination detection methods.
Crystal structural features of the olivine → spinel transition

Comparisons of structural features of olivine (α phase), spinel (γ phase), and the modified spinel (β phase) lead to predictions of possible mechanisms for the olivine → spinel transitions. In the olivine structure, rigid tetrahedral edges and shared octahedral edges form columns of corner-sharing trigonal dipyramids parallel to the a axis. These rigid columns are separated by weaker, unshared octahedral edges which may be stretched to reduce cation-cation repulsion. As a result, olivine has a relatively loose structure and is stable at low pressure. At elevated pressure, olivine transforms to the more compact spinel structure, in which the rigid tetrahedral edges and shared octahedral edges form a three dimensional network instead of aligned columns. These structural differences explain how compressibility and thermal expansion may be taken up mainly by octahedral sites in olivine, but are evenly distributed over both octahedral and tetrahedral sites in spinel. Because the closest packings of oxygens and interstitial cation distributions differ between olivine (h.c.p.) and spinel (c.c.p.), the olivine structure may have to disintegrate during its transformation to spinel, so that the olivine → spinel transition involves processes of nucleation and growth. The migration of atoms across the olivine-spinel interface is thus a complicated process of random walk without a definite path. In the β phase → spinel transition, however, the diffusion of cations may follow a definite path in restricted regions because oxygen closest packings and cation distributions are similar in the two structures. If the oxygen packing remains intact during the β → γ transition, the transformation will be an intracrystalline process leading to domain structure in the spinel product.
Methodology for Deriving Vehicle Activity Parameters from Travel Survey Databases

Vehicle activity parameters are key inputs to mobile source emissions modeling. Emission factors are sensitive to these inputs, which vary by geography, time of day, and trip purpose classifications. The state of the practice in emission factor modeling relies heavily on default parameters imbedded in the models. Therefore, there is a need for deriving these inputs for the various geographic regions to provide realistic values. Methods are described for deriving vehicle activity parameters from travel surveys, such as starts distribution, fraction of vehicle miles traveled (VMT), trip length distribution, soak time distributions, and the VMT mix distribution. This methodology is applied for deriving vehicle activity parameters from Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey databases and conducting a sensitivity analysis of the MOBILE6 model with respect to these derived inputs. Inputs derived from travel surveys are compared with MOBILE6 default inputs; wide variations in the inputs are observed. A sensitivity analysis of MOBILE6 related to travel survey inputs reveals that emission factors can vary by as much as 26% when compared with those obtained with default inputs. A statistical analysis has determined that the difference in emission factors is significant enough to warrant the development of locale-specific inputs.
Doppler frequency shift in ocean wave measurements: Frequency downshift of a fixed spectral wave number component by advection of wave orbital velocity

[1] Because the Jacobian connecting wave number to frequency conversion is nonlinear, in the presence of background waves even without a mean current a wave number spectral component does not appear at the expected intrinsic frequency in the frequency spectrum measured by a stationary probe. The advection of the wave number component by the orbital current of background waves produces a net downshift in the encounter frequency. Comparison with laboratory measurements shows that the effect is important in low-wind conditions. As wind speed increases, the frequency downshift due to orbital advection becomes less recognizable.
Evaluation of oral administration of cortisol and metyrapone: the effects on serum cortisol in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri).

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of manipulating dietary levels of cortisol and metyrapone on peripheral concentrations of serum cortisol was examined in rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. 2. 2. Fish were fed 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 mg/kg body weight/day of metyrapone or cortisol for 7 days. All levels of cortisol tested increased peripheral levels of serum cortisol. Feeding a level of 30–40 mg/kg body weight/day of metyrapone depressed serum cortisol. 3. 3. We describe, herein, a noninvasive technique for suppression or stimulation of serum cortisol in rainbow trout.
Digital reconstruction of high-quality daily 4D cone-beam CT images using prior knowledge of anatomy and respiratory motion

Conventional in-room cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) lacks explicit representation of patient respiratory motion and usually has poor image quality and inaccurate CT numbers for target delineation and/or adaptive treatment planning. In-room four-dimensional (4D) CBCT image acquisition is still time consuming and suffers the same issue of poor image quality. To overcome this limitation, we developed a computational framework to digitally synthesize high-quality daily 4D CBCT images using the prior knowledge of motion and appearance learned from the planning 4D CT dataset. A patient-specific respiratory motion model was first constructed from the planning 4D CT images using principal component analysis of displacement vector fields across different respiratory phases. Subsequently, the respiratory motion model as well as the image content of the planning CT was spatially mapped onto the daily CBCT using deformable image registration. The synthesized 4D images possess explicit patient motion while maintaining the geometric accuracy of patient's anatomy at the time of treatment. We validated our model by quantitatively comparing the synthesized 4D CBCT against the 4D CT dataset acquired in the same day from protocol patients undergoing daily in-room CBCT setup and weekly 4D CT for treatment evaluation. Our preliminary results have demonstrated good agreement of contours in different motion phases between the synthesized and acquired scans. Various imaging artifacts were also suppressed and soft-tissue visibility was enhanced.
Evaluation of factors causing reflectance differences between Sun and Shade Leaves

Abstract Shade and sun leaves of Valencia orange [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] were collected to evaluate comparative effects of their leaf chlorophyll concentration, water content, thickness, and mesophyll volume of air on visible light reflectance, specifically the 0.45-, 0.55-, and 0.65-μm wavelength (WLs). The reflectance at the 0.45-, 0.55-, and 0.65-μm WLs of sun leaves but not shade leaves was negatively correlated with total chlorophyll concentration. Reflectance at the 0.45-μm WL was affected by leaf water content for both sun and shade leaves. Sun leaf reflectance at the 0.45-μm WL, but not shade leaf reflectance was affected significantly by leaf mesophyll air volume. The effect of leaf thickness on reflectance was apparently of less importance than that of the chlorophyll content, air volume, and water content. The influence of shade and sun leaves on visible light reflectance/absorptance of at least Valencia orange tree canopies probably should be considered in modeling canopy reflectance and growth.
When genital pain occurs in adolescent boys, what conditions should we be thinking about?

Physicians should first think of the most probable etiologies of penile pain, such as sexually transmitted diseases or trauma. It is important, however, to then consider a broad range of differential diagnoses in each patient with genital pain.
Acridine orange as a fluorescent counterstain with the auramine acid-fast stain.

Abstract Evidence is presented to show that acridine orange is an effective counterstain when used with the auramine-O acid-fast stain. The non-acid-fast material is stained orange to red and the acid-fast bacilli fluoresce yellow to yellow-green. When 133 sputum specimens were examined by the new method and by other fluorescence acid-fast methods, no significant difference in the number of acid-fast positive smears was found. Furthermore, more acid-fast positive smears were found by fluorescence acid-fast microscopy than by the Ziehl-Neelsen method. Culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium was used as a control on 100 of the specimens.
Fast-neutron cross sections of the even isotopes of molybdenum

Abstract The neutron total and scattering cross sections of 92Mo, 94Mo, 96Mo, 98Mo and 100Mo were experimentally determined. Total neutron cross sections were measured from 0.1 to 1.5 MeV. Neutron elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections were measured from 0.3 to 1.5 MeV. The excitation of states in 94Mo at 879±10 keV, in 96Mo at 786±10 and 1161±20 keV, in 98Mo at 743±10 and 795±10 keV, and in 100Mo at 520±20, 700±10, 1070±20 and 1147±20 keV was observed. The experimental results were interpreted in the context of the optical-statistical model concepts inclusive of resonance width fluctuation, direct excitation, and isotopie-dependent potential effects and statistically assayed for evidence of intermediate resonance structure.
Transformation behaviour of laser processed Fe-5% Cr, Fe-5% Ni and Fe-6% Cr-2% Ni alloys

The effects of rapid cooling, of the order of 104‡ C sec−1, achieved through the laser surface alloying process, on the transformation behaviour of Fe-5% Cr, Fe-5% Ni and Fe-6% Cr-2% Ni alloys have been investigated. The solidification structures and microstructures were characterized by optical and transmission electron microscopy. The significant findings are that Fe-5% Cr alloy undergoes a massive transformation to ferrite while Fe-5% Ni and Fe-6% Cr-2% Ni alloys undergo a transformation to a structure consisting of both ferrite and martensite. The substructures of ferrite and martensite were observed to contain essentially dislocations. These alloys also exhibited two carbide precipitations namely epsilon carbide and cementite. Solidification studies revealed that cellular solidification structures were present in 5% Ni and 6% Cr-2% Ni alloys with a cell spacing of 3 Μm but no solidification structures were observed in 5% Cr alloy. The influence of nature of solute and cooling rate on solidification behaviour, transformation mode and morphology of structures have been discussed.
The consumption of music: Integrating aesthetics and economics

In recent years many micro-economists have become interested in the application of their analytical tools to topics of study that previously had been the domain of other disciplines. Illustratively, the economist has used neo-dassical micro-theory to rationalize crime, discrimination, school drop-outs, etc., and has analyzed the pricing and allocation of labor and housing services. And now, we economists have paid a visit to cultural studies, the arts in particular. The application of (neo-elassical) economic principles to the arts is more than a little forced. The fitting of cultural activities into market structures with attendant discussions of demand and supply does not come as easily as it does for detergents or automobiles. It does not come easy, ~a t is, if we are serious about contributing to the empirical, scientific study of efficiency and equity in the provision and distribution of art within a market-oriented economic system. To properly study the markets for artistic goods, it is necessary to deal with the aesthetic nature of art. The intent of this short paper is to begin the integration of some of the basic concepts of the music and art into the basic neoclassical market structure. This paper is attempted with the conviction that the latter, that is the extra-aesthetic environment in which art activities are pursued and enjoyed, is most powerful, and that rico-classical market analysis provides a much needed organizational (analytical) framework for studying these forces. The specific objectives are threefold: First, it is important to identify for the economist some of the basic ideas related to music, and to follow the progression of philosophic thought on the aesthetic role of music which lead to more descriptive definitions of the artistic good and the aesthetic experience. Second, the basic market structure of musical commodities is explored. Finally, the consumption experience for various forms of music is discussed for the purpose of identifying further the key descriptive reasons for consuming .music which can account for the market separation among various musical foru~ and commodity types. What is Music? The physical basis for the production of music lies in the production of
EPR and ENDOR characterization of the reactive intermediates in the generation of NO by cryoreduced oxy-nitric oxide synthase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus.

Cryoreduction EPR/ENDOR/step-annealing measurements with substrate complexes of oxy-gsNOS (3; gsNOS is nitric oxide synthase from Geobacillus stearothermophilus) confirm that Compound I (6) is the reactive heme species that carries out the gsNOS-catalyzed (Stage I) oxidation of l-arginine to N-hydroxy-l-arginine (NOHA), whereas the active species in the (Stage II) oxidation of NOHA to citrulline and HNO/NO− is the hydroperoxy-ferric form (5). When 3 is reduced by tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), instead of an externally supplied electron, the resulting BH4+ radical oxidizes HNO/NO− to NO. In this report, radiolytic one-electron reduction of 3 and its complexes with Arg, Me-Arg, and NO2Arg was shown by EPR and 1H and 14,15N ENDOR spectroscopies to generate 5; in contrast, during cryoreduction of 3/NOHA, the peroxo-ferric-gsNOS intermediate (4/NOHA) was trapped. During annealing at 145 K, ENDOR shows that 5/Arg and 5/Me-Arg (but not 5/NO2Arg) generate a Stage I primary product species in which the OH group of the...