cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The validity of trait, symptom and prototype approaches for describing borderline and antisocial personality disorders

Determining the relative validity of trait, symptom and prototype approaches to rating personality disorders (PDs) is a pressing concern given that each of these approaches has been considered for the DSM-5. However, as of yet, there is limited empirical evidence to guide this decision. In this study, we compared the proposed DSM-5 traits, DSM-IV symptoms and diagnostic prototypes that were initially slated for inclusion in the DSM-5 for assessing antisocial and borderline PDs. Trait and symptom count models converged with one another within diagnoses more than either did with the prototypes but also showed more overlap across diagnoses than the prototypes. The traits generally showed superior criterion validity relative to the symptoms, which were superior to the prototypes, with the exception that symptoms were more valid than traits for predicting externalizing problems. This pattern suggests that traits are the single most effective method for describing antisocial and borderline PDs but that combining traits and symptoms, as currently proposed for the DSM-5, may be the best combination of these three approaches to assessing personality pathology. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Workplace Surveillance and Employee Privacy: Implementing an Effective Computer Use Policy

Organizations face growing liability with regard to employee use of electronic resources. To mitigate the risk of liability, companies must develop and implement a computer-use policy outlining proper use of organizational electronic resources. This paper examines critical aspects of computer use policies, including: clearly explaining reasons for the policy, applying the policy to all employees including all levels of the organization, and indicating zero tolerance for offensive, harassing or discriminating communications. Finally, the paper identifies the implications of a computer usage policy.
Self-improving reactive agents: case studies of reinforcement learning frameworks

The purpose of this work is to investigate and evaluate different reinforcement learning frameworks using connectionist networks. I study four frameworks, which are adopted from the ideas developed by Rich Sutton and his colleagues. The four frameworks are based on two learning procedures: the Temporal Difference methods for solving the credit assignment problem, and the backpropagation algorithm for developing appropriate internal representations. Two of them also involve learning a world model and using it to speed learning. To evaluate their performance, I design a dynamic environment and implement different learning agents, using the different frameworks, to survive in it. The environment is nontrivial and nondeterministic. Surprisingly, all of the agents can learn to survive fairly well in a reasonable time frame. This paper describes the learning agents and their performance, and summarizes the learning algorithms and the lessons I learned from this study. This research was supported by NASA under Contract NAGW-1175. The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the author and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of NASA.
Global health equity.

A physician describes his work with Partners in Health and his public health advocacy work in Haiti and encourages physicians to take health care equity to the global arena. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Williams meets von Karman: Mode coupling and nonlinearity in the fracture of thin plates

The stress field near the tip of a crack in a plate subjected to membrane and bending loads and undergoing large deflections, is investigated by performing an asymptotic analysis in the context of von Karman plate theory. It is demonstrated that the character of the near tip fields is identical to those of the linear plate theory. However, the determination of the crack tip stress intensity factors requires the solution of a large deflection, and hence nonlinear, problem due to the coupling of the membrane and bending modes. This effect is illustrated through the solution of three fracture problems involving plates of simple geometries loaded by pressure, tension and shearing. In two of these problems, the energy release rate is obtained exactly. Nonlinear finite element computations are performed to obtain the stress intensity factors and energy release rate associated with tension, bending and shearing. These results are compared to the theoretical results for energy release rate and stress intensity factors.
Involving children in meal preparation: implications for increasing vegetable intake at home and school

University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. April 2014. Major. Nutrition. Advisor: Marla Reicks, PhD, RD. 1 computer file (PDF); ix, 153 pages, appendices p. 141-153
Sleep Concordance in Couples is Associated with Relationship Characteristics.

Study objectives Coregulation of biological systems is a defining feature of normative attachment in close adult relationships. Sleep is a shared, intimate biological process between couples; however, sleep is usually examined at the individual level. We examined minute-by-minute concordance in couples' actigraphy-defined sleep-wake patterns, and how attachment style and marital satisfaction relate to concordance. Design Couples completed measures of avoidant and anxious attachment styles and relationship functioning and wore wrist actigraphs for 10 days. Minute-by-minute concordance of sleep and wake (i.e., the percentage of epochs in which both partners were asleep, or both were awake) was calculated for each sleep period. Mixed modeling was used to account for measurement occasions across time. Results Percent concordance ranged from 53-88% and was not associated with couples' sleep quality or circadian preference. For wives, neither anxious nor avoidant attachment was associated with sleep-wake concordance. For husbands, anxious attachment style was associated with higher concordance, but was moderated by wives' marital satisfaction. High marital satisfaction in wives was associated with higher concordance, regardless of husbands' attachment style. In couples in which wives reported low satisfaction, concordance was higher when husbands had an anxious attachment style. Avoidant attachment style in husbands was not related to concordance. Conclusions Sleep concordance provides a unique measure of couples' cosleep and varies depending on attachment style and relationship satisfaction.
Isolated hepatic granulomas from mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni contain nerve growth factor.

Abstract Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic factor essential for the development and maintenance of specific neuronal cell populations. In addition, NGF has biological effects on inflammatory cells. The aim of this study was to determine whether NGF is present in chronic inflammation, using isolated hepatic granulomas from mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni as the model. The schistosome granuloma is a complex T-cell-mediated immune response to the egg. Intact granulomas were isolated from the livers of infected mice and examined for the presence of NGF. In homogenized granuloma samples, radioimmunoassay and immunoblotting analyses detected an immunoreactive NGF that had the same molecular mass as that of purified murine NGF (13 kDa). Isolated granulomas cultured in vitro released soluble factor(s) with NGF-like neurite-promoting activity in a rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) bioassay. This activity was partially inhibited by a blocking anti-NGF antibody. There were two potential sources of this NGF-like neurite-promoting activity, either the schistosome egg or the host inflammatory response. Since neither isolated eggs nor soluble egg antigen had neurite-promoting activity, the inflammation was the source of this activity. The inability of the anti-NGF antibody to inhibit completely the granuloma-induced neurite outgrowth in the bioassay signifies that NGF is not the only neurotrophic factor present in these granulomas. The presence of NGF within the granulomas may indicate that NGF has a role in the granulomatous response.
First-in-human cell transplant trials in Parkinson's disease: The need for an improved informed consent process

First-in-human clinical trials of innovative medical procedures, such as cell transplantation for Parkinson's disease, present a variety of ethical challenges. In an era of rapidly developing stem cell technologies likely to be translated into clinical trials over the next few years, it is critical that ethical concerns be fully considered. One important undertaking is ensuring that research participants give free and truly informed consent. This will necessitate adequate disclosure of risks and benefits at a time when these are incompletely defined; ensuring understanding of a complex research protocol when there is significant possibility of therapeutic misconception; and careful determination of capacity for informed consent in patients with a neurodegenerative disorder that is known to affect cognition. Here we call attention to the ethical issues that researchers conducting these types of trials will face when trying to obtain a genuinely informed consent, and we suggest possible solutions.
Optimization and Scale‐Up of Enzymatic Synthesis of Structured Lipids Using RSM

Enzymatic synthesis of structured lipids by transesterification of ethyl caprylate (EC) and soybean oil and sunflower oil (90% oleic acid) in hexane was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Incubation time (IT), molar ratio of ethyl caprylate to total triglycerides (MR), percentage of soybean oil as source of long-chain triglycerides (PS), and long-chain triglyceride concentration (TC) were assumed the most important factors affecting nutritional attributes of structured lipids based on caprylic acid (C8:0) and linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) content. Optimum conditions for synthesis of structured lipids were: IT = 26.4 hr; MR = 8; PS = 75%; TC = 0.58 M. The capryloyl acyl residues in triglyceride predicted by RSM was 67.6 (mol%) and linoleoyl 14.5%. Large scale synthesis was successful. The model was verified experimentally.
Desflurane Slightly Increases the Sweating Threshold but Produces Marked, Nonlinear Decreases in the Vasoconstriction and Shivering Thresholds

BACKGROUND Shivering is rare during general anesthesia. This observation suggests that anesthetics profoundly impair shivering. However, the effects of surgical doses of volatile anesthetics on control of shivering have yet to be evaluated. Furthermore, the effects of desflurane on sweating and thermoregulatory vasoconstriction remain unknown. Accordingly, the authors determined the concentration-dependent effects of desflurane on sweating, vasoconstriction, and shivering. METHODS Nine volunteers each were studied on three randomly ordered days: (1) control (no anesthesia); (2) a target end-tidal desflurane concentration of 0.5 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC; 3.5%); and (3) a target concentration of 0.8 MAC (5.6%). Each day, volunteers were warmed until sweating was induced and subsequently cooled until peripheral vasoconstriction and shivering was observed. Changes in skin temperature were arithmetically compensated using the established linear cutaneous contributions to control of each response. From the calculated thresholds (core temperatures triggering responses at a designated skin temperature of 34 degrees C), the concentration-response relationship was determined. RESULTS Desflurane significantly and linearly increased the sweating threshold from 37.1 +/- 0.3 degrees C on the control day (mean +/- SD), to 37.6 +/- 0.4 degrees C at 0.5 MAC, and to 38.1 +/- 0.3 degrees C at 0.8 MAC. Desflurane significantly, but nonlinearly, reduced the vasoconstriction and shivering thresholds. The sweating-to-vasoconstriction (interthreshold) range thus increased from 0.5 +/- 0.3 degrees C to 2.3 +/- 0.7 degrees C at 0.5 MAC and further to 4.6 +/- 2.0 degrees C at 0.8 MAC. The vasoconstriction-to-shivering range (difference between the respective thresholds) remained between 1.1 and 1.5 degrees C on the three study days. CONCLUSIONS The observed linear increase in the sweating threshold was similar in pattern and magnitude to that produced by most general anesthetics. The approximately 3 degrees C reduction in the vasoconstriction threshold by 0.8 MAC desflurane was similar to that observed previously during isoflurane and propofol anesthesia. However, the threshold was reduced less than expected at 0.5 MAC, suggesting that the dose-response relationship for vasoconstriction is nonlinear. Shivering was induced without difficulty in this study although the response is rare in surgical patients. It is likely that shivering during general anesthesia is rare because thermoregulatory vasoconstriction usually prevents body temperature from decreasing the required additional 1-1.5 degrees C.
Cloning, characterization, and mapping of the mouse homeobox gene Hmx1

Homeobox-containing genes play an important role in development, including positional specification of the body plan and organogenesis. We previously isolated the humanHMX1(H6) gene, a novel homeobox-containing gene of the HMX family, from a human embryonic craniofacial cDNA library. The closely related mouse genesHmx3(Nkx5.1) andHmx2(Nkx5.2) are in the same class as theHMX1gene and are expressed in the craniofacial region of the developing embryo. To provide a resource for further characterization of the humanHMX1gene, we isolated the mouseHmx1genomic clone. We show here the mouseHmx1genomic sequence, its gene mapping, and its expression pattern in the developing mouse embryo. Evidence is presented showing that the three known Hmx genes in the mouse likely play complementary roles in the development of the second arch, retina, sympathetic nerve ganglia, and cranial neural ganglia. Hmx1 may play an important role in the development of craniofacial structures and may interact with Hoxa-2 and Dlx-2 in the second branchial arch.
Response of microbial community structure to environmental forcing in the Arabian Sea

Abstract The effect of environmental forcing on microbial community structure was investigated in the Arabian Sea during four seasonal cruises during 1995: late Northeast Monsoon (January); Spring Intermonsoon (March–April); late Southwest Monsoon (August–September); and early Northeast Monsoon (December). The distributions of picoplankton populations—heterotrophic bacteria (HBac), Prochlorococcus ( Pro ), Synechococcus spp. ( Syn ) and picoeucaryotic algae (Peuc)—were determined by flow cytometric analysis. Seasonal variations in abundance maxima, vertical profiles, integrated abundance (0–200 m), and estimated carbon biomass were contrasted along two transects from the coast of Oman to 1500 km offshore. HBac were numerically dominant in surface waters in all regions (1–3×10 6 cells ml -1 ), with higher maximum abundances in coastal waters than at offshore stations. Conversely, Pro were most abundant at the oligotrophic offshore stations, and 100-fold lower, or absent, at coastal stations, except during the Spring Intermonsoon when abundances were extremely high along the entire southern transect. Syn abundances were highly variable, with no consistent trend between coastal and offshore stations. This variability may be explained by the prevalence of mesoscale eddies, but also could be due to overlapping distributions of multiple Syn populations distinguished by pigment type. Syn with a low phycourobilin (PUB) to phycoerythrobilin (PEB) ratio pigment type were more abundant at coastal stations, whereas Syn with a high PUB : PEB ratio increased in abundance offshore. Average depth profiles for Pro, Syn , and HBac displayed uniform abundance in the surface mixed layer, with a rapid decrease below the surface mixed layer depth; however, during the Spring Intermonsoon most profiles had a peak at the base of the surface mixed layer. Distributions of Peuc typically displayed a subsurface maximum near the base of the surface mixed layer, except during the SW Monsoon when abundance peaked near the surface. This report is the first to describe the seasonal and spatial variation in microbial community structure in the Arabian Sea over a complete monsoon cycle. Overall, the eucaryotic component was more important at coastal stations, and the procaryotic components were predominant at offshore stations. Pro abundance was restricted to warm oligotrophic waters and was inversely related to surface nitrate concentrations; thus, an increase in the % Pro as a fraction of total procaryote abundance was also indicative of oligotrophic conditions. The effects of SW Monsoonal forcing on microbial community structure resulted in an increase of Peuc, but this response was limited to coastal stations. Pro and Syn remained dominant at offshore stations.
Low-altitude meteor trail echoes

[1] We present here the first observations of a new type of meteor echo. These Low-Altitude Trail Echoes (LATE), observed almost exclusively below 90 km altitude using the Jicamarca Research Observatory 50 MHz radar, exhibit very different features and characteristics from the other well studied and reported meteor trails - the specular meteor trails and the Range Spread Trail Echoes. Some of these features include strong altitude dependence, low aspect sensitivity and no gap between the head echo and the trail. Perhaps most importantly, almost 80% of the head echoes below 85 km altitude in our data set exhibit LATE trails. The study of these echoes provides valuable insights into the role of diffusion and plasma instabilities in the formation and evolution of meteor trails.
Fat or fit: The joint effects of physical activity, weight gain, and body size on breast cancer risk

BACKGROUND: Although physical activity reduces breast cancer risk, issues critical to providing clear public health messages remain to be elucidated. These include the minimum duration and intensity necessary for risk reduction and the optimal time period for occurrence, as well as subgroup effects, particularly with regard to tumor heterogeneity and body size. METHODS: This study investigated the relationship between recreational physical activity (RPA) and breast cancer risk, in addition to characterizing the joint effects of activity level, weight gain, and body size, through use of a population-based sample of 1504 cases (N = 233 in situ, N = 1271 invasive) and 1555 controls (aged 20-98 years) from the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project, in Long Island, New York. RESULTS: A nonlinear dose-response association was observed between breast cancer risk and RPA during the reproductive period and after menopause. Women in the third quartile of activity experienced the greatest benefit with an approximate 30% risk reduction for reproductive (odds ratio = 0.67; 95% confidence interval = 0.48-0.94) and postmenopausal activity (odds ratio = 0.70; 95% confidence interval = 0.52-0.95). Little to no difference was observed regarding intensity of activity or hormone receptor status. Joint assessment of RPA, weight gain, and body size revealed that women with unfavorable energy balance profiles were at increased breast cancer risk. A significant multiplicative interaction was observed between RPA and adult weight gain (P = .033). CONCLUSIONS: RPA at any intensity level during the reproductive and postmenopausal years have the greatest benefit for reducing breast cancer risk. Substantial postmenopausal weight gain may eliminate the benefits of regular activity. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Lyapunov exponents of real–noise–driven nilpotent systems and harmonic oscillators

By means of a homogenization procedure we expand the Lyapunov exponent and rotation number of , perturbed by real noise for the limit case where , and generalize to nilpotent -systems driven by real noise. We discuss mean zero and non-zero mean of the noise and compare with the corresponding white noise driven systems
Psychophysiological assessment: clinical applications for PTSD

Descriptions of anxiety disorders clearly recognize the physiological features of anxiety, yet in most clinical practice and research there is little actual use of physiological measurement. This is unfortunate because a potentially important source of information is thereby unavailable and is likely to result in judgements about emotional experience that are less accurate, complete, and reliable than those that include physiological information. The neglect of physiological measures may result from a variety of concerns regarding test attributes such as reliability, validity, utility, and complexity. Promising results from studies of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) demonstrate that physiological assessment can provide valuable clinical and theoretical insight. Numerous studies have now shown that heightened physiological reactivity to trauma-related cues is highly indicative of a diagnosis of PTSD. Physiological tests have achieved some success in predicting the development and persistence of PTSD, and in predicting and assessing treatment response. Studies of the startle response, aversive conditioning, and brain potentials during cognitive processing have identified several potentially important differences between PTSD patients and controls. This paper provides an overview of psychophysiological findings in PTSD and considers potential clinical applications of psychophysiological assessment for this disorder.
Differences in Emerging-Adult Women's Body Image and Sexuality Outcomes According to BMI and Dating Status

ABSTRACT. Emerging adulthood is a crucial time for the development of body image and sexuality concerns among women. We collected self-reported data from 184 women to determine possible differences according to body mass index (BMI) classification and dating status. Multivariate analyses of variance and follow-up univariate analyses of variance were conducted to determine differences in body image and sexuality outcomes according to both BMI (normal weight vs. overweight) and dating status (dating vs. not dating) as well as interaction effects of BMI and dating status. First, results indicated differences between normal-weight and overweight women for body satisfaction, body self-consciousness, and body image avoidance. Overweight women had lower satisfaction, higher self-consciousness, and more avoidance. Differences were also found between women who were dating and those who were not dating for body satisfaction and self-consciousness: Women not dating had lower satisfaction and higher self-consciousnes...
Hulu in the neighborhood

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are in a constant race to meet the bandwidth demands of their subscribers. Access link upgrades, however, are expensive and take years to deploy. Many ISPs are looking for alternative solutions to reduce the need for continuous and expensive infrastructure expansion. This paper shows that there are many forms of local connectivity and storage in residential environments, and that these resources can be used to relieve the access network load. Making effective use of this local connectivity, however, introduces several challenges that require careful application and protocol design.We present a new system for a neighborhood-assisted video-on-demand service that reduces access link traffic by carefully placing VoD data across the neighborhood. We demonstrate that this approach can reduce the access network traffic that ISPs must provision for by up to 45% while still providing high-quality service.
Effects of Estradiol-17β on the Seminal Vesicle and Ventral Prostate of Immature Castrate Rats

Castration of 3-week-old rats decreased the weight of the seminal vesicle 10% and caused a continued decrease in the weight of the ventral prostate over a week. The 2 accessory sex glands respond differently to administered estradiol. A single injection of 5 μg estradiol 24 hr after castration prevented the regression of the seminal vesicle but accelerated the regression of the prostate. Estradiol stimulated the synthesis of glycogen in the seminal vesicle but not in the prostate. It increased the amount of RNA and the incorporation of 14C-proline into protein in the seminal vesicle. In contrast, estradiol had no effect on the concentration of RNA or protein in the ventral prostate and decreased the incorporation of 3H-cytidine into prostatic RNA. (Endocrinology 83: 1140, 1968)
Ethanol production from pentoses by immobilized microorganisms

Abstract The capabilities of immobilized Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lini, Mucor sp., and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in fermenting pentose to ethanol have been compared. S. cerevisiae was found to have the best fermentation rate on d -xylulose of 0.3 g l −1 h −1 . By using a separate isomerase column for converting d -xylose to d -xylulose and a yeast column for converting d -xylulose to ethanol, an ethanol concentration of 32 g l −1 was obtained from 10% d -xylose. The ethanol yield was calculated to be 64% of the theoretical yield .
On the scalability of IEEE 802.11 ad hoc networks

The IEEE 802.11 standards support the peer-to-peer mode Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS), which is an ad hoc network with all its stations within each other's transmission range. In an IBSS, it is important that all stations are synchronized to a common clock. Synchronization is necessary for frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) to ensure that all stations "hop" at the same time; it is also necessary for both FHSS and direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) to perform power management. This paper evaluates the synchronization mechanism, which is a distributed algorithm, specified in the IEEE 802.11 standards. By both analysis and simulation, it is shown that when the number of stations in an IBSS is not very small, there is a non-negligible probability that stations may get out of synchronization. The more stations, the higher probability of asynchronism. Thus, the current IEEE 802.11's synchronization mechanism does not scale; it cannot support a large-scale ad hoc network. To alleviate the asynchronism problem, this paper proposes a simple modification to the current synchronization algorithm. The modified algorithm is shown to work well for large ad hoc networks.
Extracellular ATP activates a P2 receptor in necturus erythrocytes during hypotonic swelling.

We recently reported that ATP is released from Necturus erythrocytes via a conductive pathway during hypotonic swelling and that extracellular ATP potentiates regulatory volume decrease (RVD). This study was designed to determine whether extracellular ATP exerts its effect via a purinoceptor. This was accomplished using three different experimental approaches: 1) hemolysis studies to examine osmotic fragility, 2) a Coulter counter to assess RVD, and 3) the whole-cell patch-clamp technique to measure membrane currents. We found extracellular ATP and ATPγS, two P2 agonists, decreased osmotic fragility, enhanced cell volume recovery in response to hypotonic shock, and increased whole-cell currents. In addition, 2-methylthio-ATP potentiated RVD. In contrast, UTP, α,β-methylene-ATP, and 2′-& 3′-O-(4-benzoyl-benzoyl) adenosine 5′-triphosphate and the P1 agonist adenosine had no effect regardless of experimental approach. Furthermore, the P2 antagonist suramin increased osmotic fragility, inhibited RVD, and reduced whole-cell conductance in swollen cells. Consistent with a previous study that indicated cell swelling activates a K+ conductance, suramin had no effect in the presence of gramicidin (a cationophore used to maintain a high K+ permeability). We also found the P2 antagonist pyridoxal-5-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2′4-disulfonic acid (PPADS) increased osmotic fragility; however, reactive blue 2 and the P1 antagonists caffeine and theophylline had no effect. Our results show that extracellular ATP activated a P2 receptor in Necturus erythrocytes during hypotonic swelling, which in turn potentiated RVD by stimulating K+ efflux. Pharmacological evidence suggested the presence of a P2X receptor subtype.
Deep Subwavelength Terahertz Waveguides Using Gap Magnetic Plasmon

We propose a novel subwavelength terahertz (THz) waveguide based on the magnetic plasmon polariton mode guided by a narrow gap in a negative permeability metamaterial. Deep subwavelength waveguiding (<lambda/10) with group velocities down to c/21.8 is demonstrated in a straight waveguide, a 90 degrees bend, and a splitter. The proposed waveguiding system inherently has no cutoff for any core width and height, paving the way toward the deep subwavelength transport of THz waves for integrated THz device applications.
Pitch-matching accuracy in singers and nonsingers

Summary The present study determined the accuracy and the effect of repeated trials for singers and nonsingers when matching their vocal fundamental frequency to a preset tone near the midpoint of their modal-loft phonational range. Two measures of accuracy were obtained for nine trials for five singers and five age-matched nonsingers: (a) the difference between the target frequency and the first measureable waveform, and (b) the difference between the target and the average of the first five measureable waveforms. The results indicate that singers are more accurate than nonsingers are in their ability to match the first measureable waveform and the mean of the first five measureable waveforms to targets presented aurally. In addition, singers as a group improved from the first three trials to the final three trials in accuracy for both measures, whereas the nonsingers did not demonstrate a group trend toward improvement. The results suggest that singers as a group may rely on their training or experience to perform a pitch-matching task superiorly to nonsingers.
Data collection with a dual-band infrared hyperspectral imager

A novel dual-band hyperspectral imaging system has been used to collect field test data for robotics vision applications. The imaging system can collect full scene hyperspectral images in both the long wave infrared (LWIR) band (8-10.5 μm) and the mid-wave infrare (MWIR) band (4-5.25 μm) simultaneously. The imager uses a specially designed Ge diffractive lens with a dual-band 320×240 HgCdTe infrared focal plane array (FPA) cooled with a Sterling cooler. The stacked FPA consists of two layers: the top one sensitive in the MWIR region and the bottom one sensitive in the LWIR region. The diffractive lens is designed to focus a first order, single-color (i.e., 8.0 μm) image in the LWIR onto the bottom layer of the FPA while at the same time focusing a second order single-color (i.e., 4.0 μm) image in the MWIR onto the top layer of the FPA. Images at different wavelengths are acquired by moving the lens along its optical axis. Moving the lens over the entire range during data collection allows sequential collection of spectral images in each band resulting in the collection of two complete image cubes. The focal length of the lens is 75 mm at 9 μm. The spectral resolution of the imager is 0.1 μm at the 9 μm wavelength. In general, 128 narrow wavelength bands are collected in each of the two broad spectral regions. After data collection, the images are processed to remove noise, contributions from unfocused wavelengths, and magnification differences. A description of the imager, data collection, noise removal, post-processing, and analysis are presented.
Ablation front hydrodynamic instability experiments on Nova

Summary form only given, as follows. Our X-ray driven ablation front hydrodynamic instability experiments at Nova span 1988-present, and can be divided into three "generations". Our 1st generation experiments consisted of planar foils with perturbations of the form k=k/sub x/ (1D wave vector) imposed on the drive side of the foil. A variety of drive pulse shapes, foil materials, and perturbation wavelengths and amplitudes were investigated, with growth factors of up to 80 being observed. Our 2nd generation experiments investigated mode-mode interactions with imposed perturbations corresponding to the superposition of modes, k=/spl Sigma/k/sub xi/spl circ//. We have done experiments with two-mode and eight-mode foils. In the linear regime, the modes grow independently with their own respective growth rates. In the nonlinear regime, in addition to the higher harmonics of the preexisting modes, coupled terms k/sub i//spl plusmn/k/sub j/ occur. Our 3rd generation experiments focus on 3D Rayleigh-Taylor growth. We have recently done experiments with an imposed 3D single-mode perturbation of the form k=(k/sub x/,k/sub y/), with k/sub x/=k/sub y/. In the linear regime, this perturbation grows exponentially with wave vector k=(k/sub x//sup 2/+k/sub y//sup 2/)/sup 1/2/ In the nonlinear regime, the perturbations evolve into broad bubbles surrounded on four corners by very dense, localized spikes with "archways" or saddle points in between. Simulations suggest that this 3D square mode grows larger than the corresponding 2D perturbation with the same magnitude wavevector and initial amplitude.
Ceftobiprole: A Novel Broad-Spectrum Antiinfective

Objective: To review the efficacy, safety, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and in vitro microbiology susceptibilities of ceftobiprole, a new broad-spectrum cephalosporin. Data Sources: A PubMed and Internet search (2000-September 2007) was conducted, using the key words ceftobiprole, Ro 63-9141, BAL5788, and BAL9141. Cochrane Library and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (2000-September 2007) were accessed and reference citations from publications identified were reviewed. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language articles identified from the data sources were reviewed. Phase 3 studies were included in the evaluation. Data Synthesis: Two multinational, double-blind, pivotal Phase 3 studies involving more than 1,600 patients have shown ceftobiprole to have in vitro activity against penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas spp., and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In addition, the cure rates associated with ceftobiprole for complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSI) were comparable with those of a single drug or a 2-drug comparator combination. Adverse effects included nausea, vomiting, taste disturbance, headache, and diarrhea. Conclusions: Ceftobiprole is an essential addition to the antimicrobial armamentarium for use against MRSA and/or multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections. Ceftobiprole is approved for the treatment of cSSSI, including diabetic foot infections; however, studies related to the treatment of hospital-acquired and community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization are ongoing. The safety profile is consistent with that of the cephalosporin class of antibiotics. Ceftobiprole will serve as empiric or definitive antimicrobial therapy for resistant gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens. The challenge will be to maintain judicious use through antibiotic stewardship programs and deescalation strategies.
Pathophysiology of periodic EEG complexes in subacute sclerosing panencephalits (SSPE)

Abstract Four patients with SSPE were studied. All night sleep recordings, sensory evoked responses and polygraphic monitoring of muscle activity were carried out. SSPE complexes showed a 15 msec asynchrony between the two hemispheres. The complexes also appeared earlier in the parieto-occipital than in the fronto-central regions. The four stages of sleep described by Dement and Kleitman (1957) could not be identified. Sleep was characterized by periods of spindles and low voltage fast activity and periods of slow waves. Only in one patient was REM sleep observed. A statistically significant increase in the frequency of SSPE complexes was seen during sleep. No clear-cut relationship was noted between EEG and movements. Myoclonic jerks preceded SSPE discharges in one case, but followed them in another. Visual and auditory evoked responses were observed in two patients. Visual responses could be recorded between complexes as well as during complexes. Continuous focal spikes and slow waves in the right frontal region were present in one patient. Spikes were occasionally depressed before SSPE discharges. It is suggested that a severe impairment of cortical-subcortical structures in necessary for the appearance of SSPE complexes.
Statistical Modeling of Daily Water Temperature Attributes on the Sacramento River

AbstractThe Sacramento River is the largest river in California, and an important source of water for agricultural, municipal, and industrial users. Input to the Sacramento River comes from Shasta Lake and is controlled by operators of Shasta Dam, who are challenged with meeting the competing needs of these users while also maintaining a cold water habitat for Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed winter-run Chinook salmon. The cold water habitat goals are constrained by the volume of cold water storage in the lake, which operators attempt to selectively deploy throughout the critical late summer/fall window. To make informed decisions about the release of this limited cold water resource, skillful forecasts of downstream water temperature attributes at the seasonal time scale are crucial. To this end, we offer a generalized linear modeling (GLM) framework with a local polynomial method for function estimation, to provide predictions of a range of daily water temperature attributes (maximum daily water temp...
On the convergence of Lion's identification method with random inputs

An interesting identification scheme for scalar-input-scalar-output linear systems, proposed by Lion in [1], is investigated for a wide class of random inputs. The inputs include the class of functions u(t) = \Sigma k_{i}\bar{u}_{i}(t) , where \{\bar{u}_{1}(t),..,\bar{u}_{k}(t)\} is a Markov process which is asymptotically stationary. An invariant set theorem for random systems [2] is used to prove convergence (in probability) of the identification algorithm proposed in [1]. Indeed, in view of the power of the deterministic invariant set theorem, it is of great interest to study methods of useful application of the stochastic analogy. One of the main contributions is the illustration of its potential power, via the vehicle of the identification problem.
Effect of primary coil size on eddy current decay resistivity measurements

Abstract Primary coil dimensions can influence the accuracy of resistivity measurements made by the eddy current decay (ECD) method. Experimental results revealed that when the length of a 22.5 mm i.d. primary coil is changed from 60 to 20 mm, the corresponding measured values of resistivity increase by 4–5%. The effect occurs when there is an insubstantial background field at the sample ends. ECD measurement accuracy is better than 1% when the primary coil length to inside diameter ratio is larger than 2.2 and the sample diameter is 44% or less of the primary coil i.d. The investigation included measurements at room temperature, 77 K and 4.2 K on samples having residual resistivity ratios of 153, 340, 1010 and 7790.
The revolutionary rhetoric of Olympe de Gouges

This article analyzes the writings of Olympe de Gouges in the context of her inscription in Revolutionary discourse. It begins with her anti-slavery playThe Slavery of Blacks, which appeals for the legitimation of both women and blacks; follows her early political pamphlets culminating in the extraordinary “Declaration of the Rights of Woman” (1791), an appeal for full civil and political rights for women (and disenfranchised men), and concludes with the desperate, accusatory letters to Robespierre and the pamphlet “The Three Urns,” which led her to the guillotine. Through a reading of her rhetoric, the article shows the stages of her writing and how she was increasingly marginalized and silenced by a discourse that finally excluded women from the public sphere.
Activation of orexin neurons by acute nicotine.

The hypothalamus is a prominent central site of action of nicotine but the phenotype of nicotine-sensitive neurons in this region has not been fully described. Hypothalamic orexin neurons are important regulators of state-dependent behavior, arousal and feeding. Here, we treated rats with acute nicotine and quantitated Fos expression as a marker of neuronal activation. Nicotine increased the percentage of orexin neurons expressing Fos without a significant effect on non-orexin neurons. This effect was attenuated by the nicotinic antagonists mecamylamine and dihydro-beta-erythroidine, implicating α4β2-containing nicotinic receptors. The orexin system is likely to play an important role in the coordination of physiological and behavioral responses to acute nicotine treatment.
Spin-orbit coupling in AlGaN/AlN/GaN heterostructures with a polarization induced two-dimensional electron gas

Spin-orbit coupling is investigated by magnetoconductivity measurements in wurtzite AlxGa1-xN/AlN/GaN heterostructures with a polarization induced two-dimensional electron gas with different Al concentrations ranging from x = 0.1 to 0.35. By employing the persistent photoconductivity effect and by gating we are able to vary the carrier density of the samples in a controllable manner from 0.8 ×10 12 cm -2 to 10.6 ×10 12 cm -2 . The samples are characterized using magnetoresistance measurements. To characterize the spin-orbit interaction we measured quantum corrections to conductance at low magnetic fields. All the samples we studied exhibit a weak antilocalization feature at liquid He temperatures. The zero-field electron spin-splitting energies extracted from the weak antilocalization measurements are found to scale with the Fermi wavevector k F as 2( ακ F + γκ F 3 ) with effective linear and cubic spin-orbit parameters of -α= 5.01×10 −13 eV • m and γ= 1.6 ×10 −31 eV •m 3 , respectively. The linear spin-orbit coupling arises from both the bulk inversion asymmetry of the crystal and the structural inversion asymmetry of the heterostructure whereas the cubic spinorbit coupling parameter is purely due to the bulk inversion asymmetry of the wurtzite crystal. We also extracted phase coherence times from the amplitude of the weak antilocalization feature. The measured phase coherence times ranged from 3-40 ps and were in agreement with the theory of decoherence based on electron-electron interactions.
Contextual theories and indicators in world politics

A wide variety of factors from individual personality to world system structure have been investigated as “causes of war.” These levels of analysis have remained relatively isolated and unrelated. A theory of context is developed for interpreting and integrating various levels of analysis into one coherent model. The implications for indicator construction, research design and theorizing of the concept of context are discussed using examples from the literature on international conflict.
MORAL AMBITIONS OF GRACE: The Paradox of Compassion and Accountability in Evangelical Faith‐Based Activism

Based on fieldwork in Knoxville, Tennessee, I analyze the ethical dilemmas of conservative evangelical Protestants engaged in faith-based activism and social outreach, especially dilemmas stemming from the theological paradox of compassion and accountability. Evangelicals who minister to the poor and distressed must reconcile romanticized notions of pure sacrificial giving with an ideology of personal responsibility inherent in their concept of accountability. Socially engaged evangelicals struggle with competing moral ambitions and religious imperatives that derive meaning from an overarching rubric of Christian evangelism, in which gifts of divine grace are seen as creating reciprocal obligations as well as insurmountable debt on the part of recipients. The outreach efforts of suburban churchgoers are further complicated by unequal power dynamics between charitable givers and charity recipients. While exploring the complexities of a vernacular theology through which socially engaged evangelicals wrestle with these issues, I discuss theoretical and political implications of the case study, including the role of activism in shaping religious identities and the resurgence of religious conservatism in U.S. civil society and public culture.
Cardiac Output Response to Exercise in Patients with Inferior Vena Caval Ligation

Studies were carried out to determine whether hemodynamic alterations may follow inferior vena caval (IVC) ligation. Five patients, aged 29 to 49 years, who had been operated upon 2 to 5 years previously, and five normal controls, aged 39 to 44 years, were studied at rest and during graded submaximal treadmill exercise. There were no significant differences in heart rate, right atrial pressure, brachial arterial pressure, oxygen consumption, or cardiac output between the patients and normals in the supine rest and head-up tilt positions. During treadmill exercise the heart rate and oxygen consumption were comparable in the two groups, but the cardiac output response was definitely diminished in the patient group. This was reflected in the exercise factor, that is, the increase in cardiac output per 100 ml increase in oxygen consumption. The mean exercise factor was 406 ml for the patient group and 726 ml for the controls, a significant difference (P < 0.001). It is concluded that the cardiac output respon...
Secondary structure of mouse and rabbit α- and β-globin mRNAs: Differential accessibility of α and β initiator AUG codons towards nucleases

Abstract The nucleotide sequence from the 5′ terminus inward of one third of mouse α- and β maj -globin messenger RNAs has been established. In addition, using 5′ 32 P end-labeled mRNAs as substrates and S1 and T1 nucleases as probes for single-stranded regions, the secondary structures of mouse and rabbit α- and β-globin mRNAs have been analyzed. Our results indicate that the AUG initiator codon in both mouse and rabbit β-globin mRNA is quite susceptible to cleavage with S1 and T1 nucleases, suggesting that it resides in a single-stranded exposed region. In contrast, the initiator AUG in the α-globin mRNA of both species is inaccessible to cleavage, indicating that it is either buried by tertiary structure or is base-paired. Since the rate of initiation of protein synthesis with β-globin mRNA in rabbit reticulocyte is 30–40% faster than for α-globin mRNA, these results imply a possible correlation between the differential rates of initiation with these two mRNAs and the accessibility of the respective AUG initiator codons.
A Search for Ultra-Narrowband Signals of Extraterrestrial Origin

Nearly 200 nearby stars similar to the sun were observed at the 21-centimeter neutral hydrogen wavelength (in the heliocentric frame) with a bandwidth of 1 kilohertz and a resolution of 0.015 hertz, using the Arecibo 305-meter antenna. At this resolution the effects of terrestrial interference are so slight that the detection limit of 4 x 10–27 watt per square meter was set by receiver noise alone. No evidence of artificial signals was found.
Anaphora and Relativization in Child Second Language Acquisition.

The focus of this study is the development of control over anaphoric reference and relativization by children learning ESL in a pull-out classroom employing little overt grammar instruction. Twenty-three children aged 6.5–14 representing ESL proficiency levels 3–5 on the Bilingual Syntax Measure (BSM)were given paper-and-pencil tests to determine comprehension of anaphoric (reflexive and pronominal)reference in English; in addition, they were tested on both comprehension and production of restrictive relative clause types (SS, SO, OO, and OS)in English. Scores were higher on reflexives than on pronominals, with length of residence significant in ambiguous references. Relative clause interpretation varied significantly with proficiency level, but production was not predictable from general proficiency except at BSM level 5, and then only on SO and SS relativization. Transfer from the L1 was minimal. It is concluded that exposure and overall L2 proficiency, rather than age or L1 background, are the most significant factors in the development of these generally untaught and untested “late-learned” rules.