cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Twin phobia among the Haya of Northwestern Tanzania: Interpreting it within the mimetic theory

Abstract This essay is an attempt to interpret the Haya twins' ceremonies according to the mimetic theory proposed by Rene Girard. 1 It is divided into four parts. The first part is a presentation of the Haya and their cultural relationship to the larger Bantu group of the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa. The second part is a resume of Girard's reflections on twin phobia and the general pattern of the ‘doubles’, which triggers the crisis of distinction in society and thereby the escalation of violence. The third part is a general survey of the phenomenon of twin phobia in Africa. Twins, though a threat, are treated as a blessing and are received with respect and gratitude. But some ethnic groups in Africa brutally eliminate twins for fear that they are a curse. In the fourth and fifth parts this essay describes how twins are received among the Haya. The essay concludes with an evaluation of what this phobia entails, using Girardian mimetic theory.
Spatial Analysis of Morphology in Ertastum eremicum (Polemoniaceae)

Abstract Historically, three varieties or subspecies were recognized within Eriastrum eremicum; these were distinguished by characters such as the number of leaf lobes, the length of the corolla, and the corolla symmetry. This study used traditional multivariate analysis along with spatial and geostatistical analyses of morphometric data to scan for geographic trends in these morphological characters. In addition to the typical form of E. eremicum in the Mojave Desert of California, both multivariate and spatial statistics revealed a distinct group of populations in southwest Utah, and another group in southern Arizona. These results suggest that there are some geographic clusters of similar plant morphology within this species, and that three subspecies should be recognized. Plants from southwest Utah are here placed in Eriastrum eremicum subsp. zionis comb. nov., and plants from Arizona are recognized as Eriastrum eremicum subsp. yageri (M. E. Jones) H. L. Mason.
Stromal Cell–Derived Factor-1 and CXCR4 Interaction Is Critical for Development of Transplant Arteriosclerosis

Background— Posttransplant chronic allograft deterioration associated with development of transplant arteriosclerosis (TA) remains an unresolved problem. Recent studies suggest that the smooth muscle cells (SMCs) constituting the neointima are derived from recipient hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). However, the underlying mechanisms of the process are not yet fully elucidated. Methods and Results— We examined the genes expressed in allografts at different stages of TA development using a mice aortic transplantation model. Genes were analyzed by a differential mRNA display technique. We show that stromal cell–derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) is a critical molecular target for the treatment of TA. During the course of TA, intragraft SDF-1α expression was upregulated with time, and the circulating HSCs expressing its counterreceptor CXCR4 increased in the recipients receiving allografts. CXCR4-positive HSCs, derived from transplant recipients, migrated into allografts via microvessels in the adventitia and then to...
Experimental and theoretical identification of valence energy levels and interface dipole trends for a family of (oligo)phenylene-ethynylenethiols adsorbed on gold

Metal−molecule−metal junctions composed of organic molecular wires formed via self-assembly are of relevance in the empirical evaluation of single-molecule electronics. Key to understanding the effects of these monolayer structures on the transport through single molecules, however, is discerning how the molecular electronic levels evolve under the influence of the metal substrate and intermolecular interactions. We present a joint experimental and computational investigation of the electronic structure and electrostatic properties of a series of self-assembled donor- and acceptor-substituted (oligo)pheneylene-ethynylenethiols (OPEs) on gold. Photoemission spectroscopy is employed to determine the energy-level alignment for these monolayers. Isolated molecule and small cluster calculations are performed to assess changes in geometry, electronic structure, and charge distribution upon chemisorption. The calculated densities of electronic states allow assignment of the higher-lying occupied states mapped by...
Estimating critical region parallelism to guide platform retargeting

Applications of different categories contain varying levels of data instruction, and thread-level parallelism inherently. New processing architectures are increasingly employing varying forms of these parallel execution mechanisms to boost performance. However, existing code assets are limited to sequential expressions of what should be highly parallel algorithms. These applications cannot take advantage of new parallel execution mechanisms unless their codes are retargeted to the new platforms. Automated retargeting compilers do exist, but are not efficient when the new architecture platforms are significantly different. On the other hand, rewriting applications manually is an expensive process, particularly for undocumented legacy applications.This paper presents a lightweight dynamic analysis technique for characterizing the types of parallelism inherent within the critical portions a given program to estimate the potential benefit of retargeting. Current parallelism extraction methods do not analyze the various forms of parallelism and treat the whole code homogenously. Since applications in general contain certain critical code regions which have high contribution towards the overall execution time, analyzing their parallelism gives a clearer insight on the potential of the whole application. The technique is validated on Spec95 and MediaBench benchmarks widely used to evaluate processor performance.
No racial differences in mortality found among Veterans Health Administration out-patients.

Abstract Objective Health care delivery systems that offer equal access to ambulatory care may hold promise for preventing and correcting racial disparities that exist in our health care system as a whole. We examined whether racial differences in mortality rates exist among patients receiving outpatient care within the Veterans Health Administration. Study design and setting This study used data from the 1998 National Survey of Ambulatory Care Patients, a prospective monitoring system of patient outcomes. We used an outpatient care system in the Veterans Health Administration. We followed 25,172 Whites and 3,517 African–Americans for 48 months. The main study outcome measures were unadjusted and adjusted mortality rates over a 48-month period. Results African–Americans had significantly lower unadjusted 48-month mortality rates than Whites (33 vs. 40 deaths per 1,000 person-year, hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.75–0.95). After risk adjustment, the mortality rates became similar for African–Americans and Whites (hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.89–1.09). These findings were consistent across all time points evaluated during the 48-month follow-up. Conclusions The lack of racial differences in mortality in patients receiving ambulatory care in the Veterans Health Administration is reassuring, given the emphasis on equal access within this health care system. This warrants further research to determine whether efforts to improve access in other settings have the potential to reduce racial disparities in health care.
The Effect of a Trithiol and Inorganic Fillers on the Photo-Induced Thermal Frontal Polymerization of a Triacrylate

ABSTRACT: Thermal frontal polymerization is a process in which a localized reactionpropagates through an unstirred system by the coupling of the thermal diffusion andthe Arrhenius kinetics of an exothermic polymerization. A trithiol was found to affectthe front velocity and the time for inducing a front upon exposure to UV light fortrimethylolpropane triacrylate polymerization fronts with either kaolin or calciumcarbonate ﬁller present. The addition of trithiol and ﬁller both decreased the frontvelocity. VV C 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 8091–8096, 2008 Keywords: addition polymerization; frontal polymerization; kinetics (polym.);radical polymerization INTRODUCTION Frontal polymerization is a process in which thereaction propagates directionally through thereaction vessel. To date three main types of fron-tal polymerizations have been reported: thermalfrontal polymerization (TFP), which uses anexternal energy source to initiate the front 1–4 ;photofrontal polymerization in which the localizedreaction is driven by an external UV sourceapplied continuously
Psychosocial factors and recovery in geriatric patients with severe aphasia.

Abstract: An attempt was made to determine the effects of age, sex, education, occupational status, deficit in auditory comprehension, duration of symptoms, pre-illness language proficiency, and current living environment on recovery from severe aphasia. Tests involving pre-reading, writing, understanding, and speaking were administered to 31 subjects with severe expressive-receptive aphasia secondary to a cerebrovascular accident and of at least three months' duration. The tests were made initially and after a time interval ranging between 4 and 36 weeks, with a mean of 17.1 weeks. Comparisons were based on change scores. No significant differences at the .01 level were observed as a function of any of these variables. It was concluded that the environmental variables under study were of little consequence to the learning process and to the improvement of patients who still had severe residual receptive-expressive aphasia three months after a stroke. Such a finding is important to speech clinics dealing with aphasic patients.
Nonthermal galactic emission below 10 megahertz

The Radio Astronomy Explorer 2 (RAE 2) lunar-orbiting satellite has provided measurements of the nonthermal galactic radio emission at frequencies below 10 MHz. Measurements of the emission spectra are presented for the center, anticenter, north polar, and south polar directions at 22 frequencies between 0.25 and 9.18 MHz. Survey maps of the spatial distribution of the observed low-frequency Galactic emission at 1.31, 2.20, 3.93, 4.70, 6.55, and 9.18 MHz are presented. The observations were obtained with the 229-m traveling-wave V antenna on this lunar-orbiting spacecraft. The improved frequency coverage offers additional insights into the structure of the local Galactic neighborhood.
560 STUDIES OF H-Y ANTIGEN IN A 46, XYp- PHENOTYPIC FEMALE WITH TURNER STIGMATA AND UNDIFFERENTIATED GONADS

560 STUDIES OF H-Y ANTIGEN IN A 46, XYp- PHENOTYPIC FEMALE WITH TURNER STIGMATA AND UNDIFFERENTIATED GONADS
The approximate GCD of inexact polynomials

This paper presents an algorithm and its implementation for computing the approximate GCD (greatest common divisor) of multivariate polynomials whose coefficients may be inexact. The method and the companion software appear to be the first practical package with such capabilities. The most significant features of the algorithm are its robustness and accuracy as demonstrated in computational experiments. In addition, two variations of a squarefree factorization method for multivariate polynomials are proposed as an application of the GCD algorithm.
Compressive Stress‐Strain Relationships of Two Puffed Cereals in Bulk

The compressive stress-strain relationships of two puffed cereals, rice and corn based, in bulk were determined using a Universal Testing Machine. The general sigmoid shape of the relationship could be described by a four parameter empirical model originally developed for cellular solids. Jaggedness could be expressed in terms of an apparent fractal dimension and/or the mean magnitude of the power spectrum determined using the Fast Fourier Transform. Both measures as well as a particular parameter of the empirical model were sensitive indicators of the changes in the stress-strain relationships resulting from exposure to different relative humidities. Although the stress strain relationship, especially of dry samples, had an irregular, irreprodu-cible shape, the magnitude of the two roughness measures was highly reproducible.
New psychotherapeutic drugs

Many new psychotherapeutic drugs are being developed for the major clinical indications for which they might be useful. As usual, we hope not only to obtain better drugs but also to posit hypotheses based on the presumed mode of action of effective drugs. Thus, we have a chance to test the role of serotonin, via the 5HT1A receptor, in anxiety or to test the possible significance of multiple benzodiazepine receptors. Among antidepressant agents, we have a chance to determine the relative roles of norpinephrine and serotonin in the pathogenesis of these disorders. We may also determine whether antidepressant actions involve a number of aminergic neurotransmitters. Among antipsychotic drugs, the importance of dopamine D2 receptor blockade has diminished with the advent of atypical drugs affecting a variety of other receptors. It might also be possible to delineate more clearly the role of serotonin in psychosis. The GABA hypothesis of mania can be tested in a number of ways by current drugs. The role of calcium antagonism remains to be demonstrated. The acetylcholine hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease will be tested further by new compounds under trial. However, it seems increasingly doubtful that current drugs under test will explicate the current hypothesis of the abnormal processing of beta-amyloid precursor protein in that disorder. Thus, we hope, as we have for the past three decades, to be able to use drugs not only to treat, but also to generate hypotheses. It is a kind of bootstrapping enterprise, but our ultimate hope is not only to be better able to treat our patients, but also to better understand their afflictions.
Water-level fluctuations caused by Montana earthquake

The major earthquake of August 17, 1959, near the Montana-Wyoming border had marked effects on water levels and artesian pressures in wells throughout the United States. Preliminary reports from field offices of the U. S. Geological Survey in 21 states show that water-level fluctuations were automatically recorded in 136 observation wells. These wells for which records are available, and the maximum double amplitude of the fluctuations, are listed in Table 1.
Waitlist Mortality Decreases with Increased Use of Extended Criteria Donor Liver Grafts at Adult Liver Transplant Centers

Extended criteria donor (ECD) liver allografts are often allocated to less severely ill liver transplant (LT) candidates who are at a relatively lower risk of pretransplant mortality, but it is not clear that the use of ECD allografts will decrease center waitlist mortality (WLM). Individual patient data from the UNOS OPTN database (2002-2005) were aggregated to obtain center-specific data. Deceased donor allografts with any of the following characteristics were defined as ECDs: from a donor with any of the criteria described by the New York State Department of Health Workgroup; or 12+ h of cold ischemia. Multivariate regression was used to examine the relationship between WLM and ECD, non-ECD and LDLT use after adjusting for candidate severity of illness. A total of 3555 ECD transplants, 11,660 standard criteria donor (SCD) transplants, and 717 LDLTs were performed at 100 centers during this period. The model demonstrated that SCD and ECD LTs were inversely correlated with a center's WLM (beta=-0.242 and -0.221, respectively; p <or= 0.003 for each). LDLTs did not significantly reduce WLM (beta=-0.048, p=0.55). In summary, increasing ECD liver allograft use significantly decreased WLM at US centers. Policies encouraging the increase used of ECDs would further reduce WLM.
The Fine Structure of the Sharp Series Triplet, 2 3 P 0,1,2 - 2 3 S 1 , of Optically Excited Mercury Radiation

Measurements on the fine structure of the sharp series triplet, lines of wavelengths $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\lambda}5461$, 4358 and 4047 were made with two Lummer-Gehrcke plates under two conditions of optical excitation. The first condition of optical excitation was obtained by having mercury vapor only in the resonance tube, giving excitation by absorption of $\ensuremath{\lambda}4358$, the second by having mercury vapor with nitrogen present at a pressure of 2 to 4 mm, giving excitation by absorption of both $\ensuremath{\lambda}4358$ and $\ensuremath{\lambda}4047$. For the first condition of excitation the wave-length differences in milli-angstroms are for $\ensuremath{\lambda}5461$, $d\ensuremath{\lambda}0$; for $\ensuremath{\lambda}4358$, $d\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{-}157$, -107, -20, 0, +30, +46, +183; for $\ensuremath{\lambda}4047$, $d\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{-}116$, -62, -52, 0. For the second condition the wave-length differences are for $\ensuremath{\lambda}5461$, $d\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{-}235$, 0; for $\ensuremath{\lambda}4358$, $d\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{-}107$, -20, 0, +30, +183; for $\ensuremath{\lambda}4047$, $d\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{-}110$, -62, -53, 0. Certain fine structure energy differences of interest in the construction of energy diagrams are pointed out but it was not found possible with the data available to construct a complete energy diagram of the triplet. A comparison of the fine structure observed under the two conditions of optical excitation with one another and with the fine structure of the arc shows striking differences which make it evident that differences in fine structure exist which depend on the method of excitation.
On the cloud absorption anomaly

This paper provides an overview of the subject of absorption of solar radiation by water clouds in the earth's atmosphere. the paper summarizes the available evidence which points to disagreements between theoretical and observed values of both cloud absorption and reflection. the importance of these discrepancies, particularly to remote sensing of clouds as well as to studies of cloud physics and earth radiation budgets, is emphasized. Existing cloud absorption and reflection measurements are reviewed and the persistent differences that exist between calculated and measured near-infrared cloud albedos are highlighted. Various explanations for these reflection and absorption discrepancies are discussed and a simple outline of the theory of cloud absorption is provided. This outline is used to examine the large-droplet hypothesis as well as the effects of absorbing aerosol and enhanced water vapour continuum absorption. A further hypothesis regarding the effects of cloud inhomogeneities is also examined. While the theory of cloud absorption is not completely understood, especially with regard to inhomogeneous clouds, the underlying conclusion of this paper points to the need for better measurements of solar radiation in clouds, water vapour absorption and microphysics properties of clouds.
Short‐branch formation via the roedel mechanism in copolymers of ethylene and vinyl acetate

A realistic rotational isomeric state model has been used to estimate the relative probabilities of the formation of various types of short branches in ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymers that are rich in ethylene. Butyl is predicted to be the most common short branch in all of the copolymers examined, although it is less common in the copolymers than in low-density polyethylene. The major factor responsible for the suppression of the R04 backbiting intrachain radical transfer is the increased preference for trans states at the mainchain bonds flanking the attachment site for an isolated acetoxy side chain.
Electrical Characteristics of Doped and Undoped High Dielectric Constant BCTZ Thin Films

Ba1−xCax Ti1-y ZryO3 materials have very high dielectric constant (up to 30,000) in the bulk form. In this paper, we are presenting the electrical and structural characteristics of undoped and 0.4% Mg-doped Ba0.96Ca0.04Ti0.84Zr0.16O3 (BCTZ) thin films on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates. The BCTZ films were deposited by spin on metal-organic decomposition method and annealed at a temperature 600-900°C in oxygen environment. The annealed thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The electrical characteristics of the annealed thin films were analyzed by capacitance–voltage and current–voltage measurements. The as-annealed thin films were post- annealed in nitrogen and oxygen environments and the effect of post-annealing on their electrical characteristics were also presented in conjunction with 0.4% Mg doping effect of BCTZ thin films for possible high dielectric constant material applications.
Modeling L-band radar backscatter of Alaskan boreal forest

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data were acquired over Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest (Alaska) in March 1988 under thawed and frozen conditions. For five stands analyzed, L-band backscatter at 42 degrees -45 degrees incidence angle was 2.7-6.9 dB smaller under frozen than under thawed conditions for white spruce and balsam poplar, with the largest difference at HV and the smallest at HH polarization. The differences were smaller for a stand of small black spruce. The VV-HH phase differences observed by SAR were approximately=0 degrees for all the stands. Ground data were used to parameterize the Santa Barbara canopy backscatter model. For the white spruce and balsam poplar stands under thawed conditions, simulations agreed with the SAR data within the calibration uncertainty. The model underestimated the HH, HV, and VV backscatter for all five stands under frozen conditions, and for the black spruce stand under thawed conditions. The modeled VV-HH phase differences were close to 0 degrees for all the stands except the black spruce stand. The discrepancies in model predictions of backscatter and phase difference were attributed to inadequate surface backscatter modeling. Model results supported the hypothesis that the weaker backscatter from frozen stands was because of the smaller dielectric constant of the frozen trees. >
An accurate velocity estimation algorithm for resource management in next generation wireless systems

Information about a mobile user's velocity is important for efficient resource management and quality of service (QoS) provisioning in next generation (NG) wireless systems. A mobile receiver's velocity spreads the received signal envelope in the frequency domain. This spreading is directly proportional to its velocity. A novel algorithm called VEPSD (velocity estimation using the power spectral density of the received signal envelope) is introduced in this paper that uses the amount of Doppler spread in the received signal envelope to estimate the velocity of a mobile user. The Doppler spread is estimated using the slope of the power spectral density (PSD) of the received signal envelope. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated in both Rayleigh and Rician fading environments. The sensitivity of the estimation error to additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), the estimation interval (effect of finite sample size), the sampling period, Rice factor (K), and the angle of arrival of the line of sight (LOS) component is analyzed and compared with the level crossing rate (LCR) and co-variance based velocity estimators. Also, it is shown that the proposed algorithm, VEPSD, can be used for velocity estimation under non-isotropic scattering and frequency selective fading and is well suited for NG wireless systems.
Regulation of cardiac microRNAs by serum response factor

Serum response factor (SRF) regulates certain microRNAs that play a role in cardiac and skeletal muscle development. However, the role of SRF in the regulation of microRNA expression and microRNA biogenesis in cardiac hypertrophy has not been well established. In this report, we employed two distinct transgenic mouse models to study the impact of SRF on cardiac microRNA expression and microRNA biogenesis. Cardiac-specific overexpression of SRF (SRF-Tg) led to altered expression of a number of microRNAs. Interestingly, downregulation of miR-1, miR-133a and upregulation of miR-21 occurred by 7 days of age in these mice, long before the onset of cardiac hypertrophy, suggesting that SRF overexpression impacted the expression of microRNAs which contribute to cardiac hypertrophy. Reducing cardiac SRF level using the antisense-SRF transgenic approach (Anti-SRF-Tg) resulted in the expression of miR-1, miR-133a and miR-21 in the opposite direction. Furthermore, we observed that SRF regulates microRNA biogenesis, specifically the transcription of pri-microRNA, thereby affecting the mature microRNA level. The mir-21 promoter sequence is conserved among mouse, rat and human; one SRF binding site was found to be in the mir-21 proximal promoter region of all three species. The mir-21 gene is regulated by SRF and its cofactors, including myocardin and p49/Strap. Our study demonstrates that the downregulation of miR-1, miR-133a, and upregulation of miR-21 can be reversed by one single upstream regulator, SRF. These results may help to develop novel therapeutic interventions targeting microRNA biogenesis.
The Sociology of Adolescence

The study of adolescence has long been dominated by psychologists, beginning with G. Stanley Hall (1904). In the 1980s a great increase in research activity has occurred, culminating in the founding of the Society for Research in Adolescence. Along with that increase in volume has come a major shift in the focus of adolescent research. Whereas most earlier research was limited to the study of individual adolescents carrying out their developmental tasks (Erikson 1968), an increasing proportion of research now places the biological, cognitive, and emotional development of adolescents in a broader social context. The changing orientation of adolescent research is in part a function of the breakdown of traditional barriers between fields. Outstanding developmental psychologists now perceive adolescence as occurring in historical, social, organizational, cultural, and institutional contexts (Bronfenbrenner 1979, Lerner & Foch 1987). Biological determinism has been discredited, and the study of pubertal development is now concerned with the evaluation of physical development by social actors (Brooks-Gunn 1984, Dornbusch et al 1987a). Some of the changes in orientation within the field of adolescent research are a product of contributions by sociologists. Sociologists who have helped to reshape the research agenda include Zena Blau (1981), Orville G. Brim, Jr. (Brim & Kagan 1980), Albert K. Cohen (1955), James S. Coleman (1961, 1987), Glen H. Elder (1974, Elder et al 1985), Joyce Epstein (1981), Howard
Synergistic cytokine-induced nitric oxide production in human alveolar epithelial cells.

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator molecule in regulating normal airway function, as well as in the pathophysiology of inflammatory airway diseases. In addition, cytokines are potent messenger molecules at sites of inflammation. The specific relationship among IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ on iNOS induction and NO synthesis in human alveolar epithelial cells has not been determined. In addition, rigorous methods to determine potential synergistic action between the cytokines have not been employed. We exposed monolayer cultures of A549 cells to a factorial combination of three cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) and three concentrations (0, 5, and 100 ng/mL). TNF-α alone does not induce NO production directly; however, it does have a stimulatory effect on IL-1β-induced NO production. IL-1β and INF-γ both induce NO production alone, yet at different concentration thresholds, and act synergistically when present together. In the presence of all three cytokines, the net effect of NO production exceeds the predicted additive effect of each individual cytokine and the two-way interactions. Several plausible mechanisms of synergy among IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in NO production from human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) are proposed. In order to verify the proposed mechanisms of synergy, future experimental and theoretical studies must address several molecular steps through which the iNOS gene is expressed and regulated, as well as the expression and regulation of enzyme cofactors and substrates.
Site-specific and ontogenetic variations in nutrition of mussels (Bathymodiolus sp.) from the Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent field, Mid- Atlantic Ridge

Lucky Strike mussels (Bathymodiolus sp.) support two metabolically distinct (methanotrophic and thiotrophic) prokaryotic endosymbionts in their gills. Differences in source inorganic carbon isotope ratios and in carbon fixation pathways between these two symbionts typically result in organic carbon with distinctive d 13 C values. Site-specific differences in isotopic compositions of host mussels may therefore reflect differences in sulfide and methane availability. Large differences in mean carbon and nitrogen isotopic compositions were observed in adult mussels collected from two chemically distinct vents at Lucky Strike (Sintra: d 13 C 52 21.3‰, d 15 N 52 4.5‰; Eiffel Tower: d 13 C 52 30.7‰, d 15 N 52 10.5‰). These values are consistent with the hypothesis that Sintra mussels are more dependent on methanotrophy than are Eiffel Tower mussels. Relative abundances of the two types of endosymbionts in mussel gill tissues (Sintra: mean 5 15% methanotrophs; Eiffel Tower: mean 5 6% methanotrophs) provide further support of this hypothesis, suggesting that Lucky Strike mussels express a nutritional response to environmental variations. Within sites, there were small but significant correlations between isotopic composition and mussel size over the shell lengths of 15‐80 mm, but these shifts are so small that they are attributable to factors other than ontogenetic shifts in nutritional strategy. In contrast, large nitrogen isotope differences were observed between larval and adult stages. Based on d 15 N values, mussel larvae appear to rely very little on photosynthetically derived organic material. Observations of the demersal nature of mussel larvae and isotopic similarities between Sintra and Eiffel Tower larvae and Sintra adults suggest that the potential of stable isotopes as useful tracers of larval sources within the Lucky Strike vent field should be considered.
Measurement of the electromagnetic properties of a conductor-backed material using a waveguide-iris technique

Summary form only given. Magnetic radar-absorbing materials (MagRAM) are often applied to the conducting surfaces of air vehicles to reduce radar cross-section. To ensure proper aircraft design, the electromagnetic properties of these materials must be accurately characterized. Unfortunately, certain spray applications for MagRAM produce a coating that is inseparable from the PEC backing and thus it is crucial that the absorber be characterized while still attached to the conductor backing. Rectangular waveguide methods are popular for measuring the electromagnetic properties of materials because of ease of sample preparation, high signal strength, and wide bandwidth. Typically a sample is placed into the cross-section of the guide and the transmission and reflection coefficients are measured, providing the two necessary data to find both the permittivity (e) and permeability (μ) of the sample. If the sample is conductor-backed, and occupies the entire cross-section, a transmission measurement is not available, and thus a method must be found for providing two sufficiently different reflection measurements. The technique proposed here is to place a waveguide iris in front of the sample, exposing the sample to a spectrum of evanescent modes. By measuring the reflection coefficient with and without an iris, or using two different irises, or with the sample paced into two positions behind a single iris, the necessary two data may be obtained to determine e and μ. In this paper, a mode-matching approach is used to determine the theoretical response of a sample placed behind a waveguide iris. This response may be used in a root-searching algorithm to determine e and μ using measurements of the reflection coefficient. Monte Carlo techniques will be used to characterize the sensitivity of the technique to typical measurement uncertainties, thereby providing a basis for the design of the waveguide applicator. Measured results will be presented using commercially-available absorbers to establish the efficacy of the technique.
Shape-based cortical surface segmentation for visualization brain mapping.

We describe a knowledge-based approach to cortical surface segmentation that uses learned knowledge of the overall shape and range of variation of the cortex (excluding the detailed gyri and sulci) to guide the search for the grey-CSF boundary in a structural MRI image volume. The shape knowledge is represented by a radial surface model, which is a type of geometric constraint network (GCN) that we hypothesize can represent shape by networks of locally interacting constraints. The shape model is used in a protocol for visualization-based mapping of cortical stimulation mapping (CSM) sites onto the brain surface, prior to integration with other mapping modalities or as input to existing surface analysis and reconfiguration programs. Example results are presented for CSM data related to language organization in the cortex, but the methods should be applicable to other situations where a realistic visualization of the brain surface, as seen at neurosurgery, is desired.
An Evaluation of Empirical Bayes’s Estimation of Value-Added Teacher Performance Measures:

Empirical Bayes’s (EB) estimation has become a popular procedure used to calculate teacher value added, often as a way to make imprecise estimates more reliable. In this article, we review the theo...
Viral vector-induced amygdala NPY overexpression reverses increased alcohol intake caused by repeated deprivations in Wistar rats

Acute administration of neuropeptide Y (NPY) modulates alcohol intake in genetic and chemical models of high intake, while leaving intake unaffected during ‘normal’ or baseline conditions. In non-selected, normal rat lines, alcohol consumption can be increased by prolonged exposure to alcohol, and it is unclear what effect a constitutive increase in NPY function will have on alcohol intake. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects on alcohol intake of an inducible, constitutive overexpression of NPY, one of the most abundant neuropeptides in the central nervous system. A liquid diet was used in combination with repeated alcohol deprivation sessions to increase alcohol intake in normal Wistar rats. We then examined the effect of NPY overexpression in the amygdala on excessive alcohol intake produced by prolonged exposure to alcohol and alcohol deprivation. Repeated withdrawal increased alcohol consumption in a 24-h continuous access two-bottle choice model. Both the number of withdrawals as well as the length of the withdrawal periods affected alcohol consumption with an increased intake resulting from multiple withdrawals and the alcohol deprivation effect being enhanced by longer periods of abstinence. The increase in intake following repeated abstinence was blunted by intra-amygdala administration of a Sindbis viral vector containing NPY cDNA. Amygdala NPY overexpression also was demonstrated to be anxiolytic in the open field test. Repeated withdrawal in combination with a history of alcohol consumption significantly elevated alcohol intake, and the amygdala may mediate the transition to high-drinking states in this model.
Tracking the Euro's Progress

The evolution of the euro since its inception has appeared inexplicable. This paper develops a monetary model of the euro/US dollar exchange rate to track the progress of the currency, both before and after Stage 3 EMU. The relationship between the exchange rate, money stocks, GDP, interest and inflation rates, and prices is identified. The observed patterns of behaviour during the 1990s are used to predict the euro's value up to mid-2000; a consistent finding is that the euro is over-predicted by 23–30%. This finding is robust to the use of alternative sample periods and alternative estimation methodologies, as long as each of the variables is treated as endogenous. This monetary model does not give much weight to factors such as productivity. However, the past evolution of European exchange rates suggests that productivity trends are indeed important. Some estimates suggest that an annual one percentage point in the intercountry differential in tradable-nontradable productivity causes a 0.85'1.7% real appreciation of a currency.
Creep Deformation of Titanium Aluminides with TiB2

Creep deformation of as-forged and heat-treated titanium aluminides, Ti-48Al with 5 and 10% volume fraction of TiB 2 , has been studied under tension in the temperature range of 649°-871°C to determine the rate-controlling mechanism. Microstructure of these alloys correspond to a mixture of equiaxed grains of γ and lamellar regions containing eutectoid γ+α 2 . Data indicate that with increase in load, stress exponent increases from one to seven. The activation energy for creep varies from 340kJ/mol to 455kJ/mol in the temperature range investigated. Creep data of these alloys were analyzed using several theoretical models.
Livin’ Large with Levees: Lessons Learned and Lost

The use of levees for flood control has a long history in the United States in part because their relatively low construction costs and general effectiveness in protecting low-lying areas are politically expedient. Consequently, there are thousands of counties and communities relying on levees as their primary flood protection measure. However, levees can also promote floodplain development, placing more property at risk, and they have negative hydrological and environmental consequences. In addition, failures occur when design standards are exceeded or because of poor maintenance, leading to catastrophic losses. Recognizing these limitations, the Association of State Floodplain Managers has issued 25 recommendations regarding the use of levees, three of which are evaluated here in the context of Yuba County, California, a county that has experienced three major flood events in the last 25 years due to levee breaks. Faced with ongoing development pressures and suburban sprawl from Sacramento, Yuba County has permitted several new residential areas in the flood-prone land, in anticipation of levee certification. The county's levee strategy demonstrates the county is going beyond what is currently required for official certification of its levees. However, it is clear that additional measures need to be taken in order for the risk to be fully acknowledged and managed.
On the free surface oscillations of Lake Ontario

Standard l-h readings of water level are shown to be unsuitable for determining the periods of seiches of Lake Ontario due to contamination by high-frequency noise (aliasing). During an extensive study of the physical limnology of Lake Ontario, readings of water level at 17 tidal gauges and at 5-min intervals were used to form smoothed 30-min estimates of water level. Spectral analyses of these data revealed that numerically calculated periods by the finite element method were within several percent of observed periods and that computed distriblltions of amulitutle and Dhuse of the four lowest gravitational modes generally agreed with field data.
Meaningful Use of an Electronic Health Record in the New York City Jail System

Use of electronic health records (EHRs) is an important innovation for patients in jails and prisons. Efforts to incentivize health information technology, including the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, are generally aimed at community providers; however, recent regulation changes allow participation of jail health providers. In the New York City jail system, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene oversees care delivery and was able to participate in and earn incentives through the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. Despite the challenges of this program and other health information innovations, participation by correctional health services can generate financial assistance and useful frameworks to guide these efforts. Policymakers will need to consider the specific challenges of implementing these programs in correctional settings.
Warriors in Politics: Hindu Nationalism, Violence, and the Shiv Sena in India. By Sikata Banerjee. Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2000. 207p. $62.00.

These two books are about two powerful regional political forces in India-the Shiv Sena of Maharashtra (with a focus on the city of Mumbai) and the Dravidianist parties of Tamil Nadu. Many readers of this journal may know these places by their older names: Mumbai is Bombay, and the state of Tamil Nadu and its capital city were once known as Madras. Both books, not coincidentally, have much to say about the rise of Hindu nationalism in India, which is perhaps the most dramatic change in the Indian political landscape in recent years. That, indeed, is the central theme of Banerjee's book, which investigates the Hindu-Muslim riots in Mumbai in 1993. Banerjee argues that the politics of Hindu nationalism provides the context for the riots. In Mumbai, the major political force articulating a Hindu nationalist agenda is the Shiv Sena (literally, the warriors of Shivaji, a legendary Maharastrian Hindu hero).
Disorders of cognitive and emotional development in children of mothers with substance abuse and psychiatric disorders

AimsThe aim of this study was to investigate whether the mother's substance abuse, psychiatric problems and socioeconomic situation are related to 1) disorders of psychological development, 2) beha...
The Insect as a Physiological Battery

The differential grasshopper is capable of producing sufficient electrical power to operate a 130- to 210-μw micro transmitter. A voltage-independent transmitter is required to stabilize frequency.
An Evaluation of Dynamic Stall Onset Prediction Methods for Rotorcraft Airfoil Design

The ability of three different methods to predict lift, drag, and pitching moment coefficients of rotorcraft airfoils at the onset of dynamic stall is explored. Analysis tools with distinct levels of complexity are compared: the Leishman-Beddoes semi-empirical dynamic stall model, an interactive unsteady boundary layer method, and a computational fluid dynamics solver. These tools are assessed for possible application during design studies. Sinusoidal pitch, as well as constant pitch-rate oscillations are considered on several different airfoils. The results are compared with wind tunnel data, when available.
Nanosecond Structural Transformation of Magnetic thin Films: PtMnSb, Structure and Magnetic Properties

We report on the phase transformation of amorphous PtMnSb thin films induced by laser annealing in the nanosecond time regime. Structural and magnetic transformations are investigated by TEM, XRD, AFM and in-situ MOKE and VSM. We have established that a minimum laser fluence is required to crystallize the amorphous films and thus, to induce magnetic activity. The transformation kinetics vs number of irradiation pulses reveals that the magnetically active C1b phase is formed via an intermediate phase, namely, tetragonal-PtMn. We have also established that the thin film crystallization induced by the nanosecond laser annealing proceeds via nucleation rather than grain growth. Measurement of the lattice parameter of the C1b-PtMnSb produced by the laser quenching (LQ) indicates an essentially unstrained structure with a =6.17 A vs a =6.201 A reported for the bulk. Nevertheless, we observe the generation of large surface undulations upon laser annealing and suggest that this is the mechanism for stress relaxation concomitant with the large volumetric changes involved in the phase transformation. In addition, we observe decrements in saturation moments and Curie temperatures which are attributed to the nanocrystalline nature of the LQ specimens.
Electron scattering at surfaces and grain boundaries in Cu thin films and wires

The electron scattering at surfaces, interfaces, and grain boundaries is investigated using polycrystalline and single-crystal Cu thin films and nanowires. The experimental data is described by a Fuchs--Sondheimer (FS) and Mayadas--Shatzkes (MS) model that is extended to account for the large variation in the specific resistivity of different grain boundaries as well as distinct top and bottom surfaces with different scattering specularity $p$. Textured polycrystalline Cu(111) thin films with thickness $d$ $=$ 25--50 nm are deposited on a stack of 7.5-nm Ta on SiO${}_{2}$/Si(001). Subsequent annealing results in small-grain (SG) thin films with an average grain size $\overline{D}$ that increases from 90 to 120 nm with increasing $d$. Corresponding large-grain (LG) thin films with $\overline{D}$ $=$ 160--220 nm are obtained by depositing 100--200-nm-thick films, followed by an in-situ anneal and a subsequent etch to match the thickness of the SG samples. Nanowires are fabricated from the SG and LG thin films using a subtractive patterning process, yielding wire widths of 75--350 nm. Single-crystal and LG layers exhibit a 18--22$%$ and 10--15$%$ lower resistivity than SG layers, respectively. The resistivity decrease from SG to LG Cu nanowires is 7--9$%$. The thickness and grain size dependence of the resistivity of polycrystalline and single-crystal Cu layers is well described by an exact version of the existing FS $+$ MS model but is distinct from the commonly used approximation, which introduces an error that increases with decreasing layer thickness from 6.5$%$ for $d$ $=$ 50 nm to 17$%$ for $d$ $=$ 20 nm. The case of nanowires requires the FS $+$ MS model to be extended to account for variation in the grain boundary reflection coefficient $R$, which effectively increases the overall resistivity by, for example, 16$%$ for 50 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} 45 nm${}^{2}$ wires. The overall data from single and polycrystalline Cu layers and wires yields $R$ $=$ 0.25 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.05, and $p$ $=$ 0 at Cu-air and Cu-Ta interfaces.
Consideration of techniques to mitigate the unauthorized 3D printing production of keys

The illicit production of 3D printed keys based on remote-sensed imagery is problematic as it allows a would-be intruder to access a secured facility without the attack attempt being as obviously detectable as conventional techniques. This paper considers the problem from multiple perspectives. First, it looks at different attack types and considers the prospective attack from a digital information perspective. Second, based on this, techniques for securing keys are considered. Third, the design of keys is considered from the perspective of making them more difficult to duplicate using visible light sensing and 3D printing. Policy and legal considerations are discussed.