cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Whither Fall Meeting

The international nuclear test monitoring system of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, or CTBT, provides a high level of confidence to verify treaty compliance and detect nuclear explosions, according to a new report. This is with or without additional U.S. national technical means of verification, the report notes. The high level of confidence assumes the full capability of the international monitoring system, which is currently under construction and will eventually include a global network of 337 sensors and laboratories to detect seismic, infrasound, hydroacoustic, and radionuclide signals.
Religion and Reproduction among English Dissenters: Gloucestershire Baptists in the Demographic Revolution

The growth of English Nonconformity during the era of the demographic revolution ( circa 1750–1850) has long been regarded as an impediment to the reconstruction of reproductive behavior. Historical demographers have relied heavily on Church of England registers of baptisms, burials, and marriages, while treating Protestant dissenters from the Church of England secondarily, as a factor of underestimation in the Anglican record. Such treatment suggests that religious culture played no independent role in determining population growth. This assumption seems problematic, however, considering the central role that social historians have assigned evangelical dissent to the emergence of modern English society and the somewhat greater place that religion has occupied in demographic studies of populations in continental Europe, the United States, and the third world.
Gas-Phase Reactions of Hydrocarbons with An+ and AnO+ (An = Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cm): The Active Role of 5f Electrons in Organoprotactinium Chemistry

Activation of small (C1−C4) alkanes and alkenes by bare and oxo-ligated actinide cations (Th+ through Cm+) has been systematically examined using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The reduced reactivities of Pu+, Am+, and Cm+ correlate with the energies for electronic excitation to a 5fn-26d7s configuration, which indicates that their 5f electrons are chemically inert. The reactivity trend identified for the highly reactive early actinide ions, Th+ > Pa+ > U+ > Np+, is interpreted to indicate significant 5f electron participation in organoactinide σ-type bond formation for Pa+. Among the seven studied AnO+ ions, only ThO+, PaO+, and UO+ activated at least one hydrocarbon, with the reactivity of PaO+ being distinctively high. Electronic structure calculations for PaO+ show that its ground state is Pa(5f6d)O+, i.e., with one 5f and one 6d nonbonding electrons available on the metal, and all of its excited states up to 1.8 eV have a 5f orbital occupancy of ≥0.8. The high reactivity...
Stratigraphic analysis system: SAS

Abstract Stratigraphic Analysis System (SAS) is an on-line, interactive data-base analysis system designed for use in a subsurface laboratory. The program is written in FORTRAN and ALGOL W and presently runs under the Michigan Terminal System at the University of Michigan. The SAS system was designed to overcome several problems in geological data-base systems. Both data discontinuities and substring indexing have been considered as well as three-dimensional location of information. The system consists of four procedures; the command processor, the user aid package, the data-set loader and general data processors. The data set is composed of hierarchical records in a one-dimensional array which consists of logical flags to index an internal dictionary. Presently output contains well listings, well displays, data editing and data search capabilities.
Correlation Between Material Characteristics And Field Effectiveness Of Radar Scattering Camouflage Screens

The current lightweight camouflage screening system (LOSS) used by U.S. military forces consists of a color coated polymer containing radar scattering dipoles (flat stock material) attached to a fish-net type substrate. As a general purpose radar scattering camouflage system, the screen is designed to be reflective enough to reduce the radar return from a covered target, but not so reflective that the screen itself becomes a significant target. The screen is produced to specified transmission parameters. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the production specifications, screens with different transmission properties were compared using tactical and instrumentation radar systems.
Parameter instability in aggregate US import demand functions

Abstract The paper examines parameter stability in aggregate US import demand functions for the time period 1972–1990. We identify in particular whether parameter stability depends upon the definitions used to represent the dependent and independent variables. Significant instability is found for 1974/75 in all models tested. For the 1975–1990 period, parameter stability depends on the definition of the relative price term employed in the model. Equations which exclude computer imports tend to have fewer stability problems than non-oil import demand models. We also find that the most stable models generate the best out-of-sample forecasts.
A Replication Bootstrap Analysis of the Structure Underlying Perceptions of Stereotypic Love

Abstract A bootstrap factor analysis was used to test the validity of the Love Relationships Scale by combining the data from earlier studies (Borrello & Thompson, 1987; Thompson & Borrello, 1987a, 1987b) with data from an additional 51 subjects recruited for this study. The results provide insight into the structure underlying perceptions of love relationships and suggest that a g-factor phenomenon involving obsessive thoughts dominates the experience of love. The utility of bootstrap analysis in validity studies is discussed.
On some properties of growth in a synchronized population of Escherichia coli

Abstract Respiration rate and cell size were measured as a function of time in a population of E. coli B synchronized by a combination of temperature and metabolic shock. The respiration rate per unit cell mass was found not to change during the division bursts, and it is concluded that the extra respiration associated with cell division is less than 10 per cent of that associated with growth. The size measurements indicate that in such a synchronous population there is a decrease in the number of small cells and an increase in the number of abnormally large cells over that found in a logarithmic population. A hypothetical model of the altered growth-division relationships is presented.
Further understanding sexual communication: Honesty, deception, safety, and risk

Individuals aged 15–24 years account for half of all new sexually transmitted infections. Such diseases are preventable, and communication lies at the center of this prevention. One safer sex behavior rooted in communication is the disclosure of one’s sexual history. Consistent with this perspective, and utilizing affection exchange theory (AET), this study focused on one aspect of sexual history discussions by examining the (dis)honesty of individuals’ disclosures of their number of previous sexual partners and associated safer sex behavior/communication. Results indicated that roughly two-thirds of participants correctly identified disclosure of the number of previous sexual partners as a safer sex practice. Yet about 60% of participants had, at some point, acted deceptively with their representation of their number of previous partners, and of those, nearly 20% never disclosed their number of previous partners. Deception about number of previous partners accounted for some differences in safer sex beha...
For contraception try IUDs

In her editorial on migraine with aura and increased risk of ischaemic stroke, Loder suggests that a blanket ban on oestrogen-progestin is hard to justify because …
Bone Oxalate in a Long-Term Hemodialysis Patient Who Ingested High Doses of Vitamin C

We performed a bone biopsy on a patient who had been receiving hemodialysis for 23 years. The bone had oxalate deposition. Previous bone biopsies had shown osteitis fibrosis without oxalate deposition. The osteoid area was increased (11 % of bone area), as was the fibrosis (6.1 % of tissue area) and aluminum deposition (38% of surface). Bone formation rate was normal (259 μ 2 /mm 2 /d). We examined bone biopsies of 22 patients who had been receiving hemodialysis for over 10 years, and none had oxalate deposits. We discovered that our patient had been ingesting 2.6 g/d of vitamin C. The bone oxalate deposition may have been caused by the ingestion of high doses of vitamin C.
Effect of molecular structure and conformational change of proline-containing dipeptides in reversed-phase chromatography

Abstract Peptides that contain proline residues may yield multiple peaks in high-performance liquid chromatography if the proline is not at the N-terminus. The phenomenon is caused by slow kinetics of isomerization that are on the same time-scale as the chromatographic separation with such peptides. In this study, the shape and number of peaks are examined qualitatively in view of the influence of isomerization kinetics on the bandspreading, and as functions of pH, temperature and flow velocity. These effects in the chromatography of alanylproline are shown in detail. Single peaks are obtained for each peptide investigated by proper adjustment of these varible in light of their effect on the pertinent rate and equilibrium constants.
The Development of near Infrared Wheat Quality Models by Locally Weighted Regressions

A large data base of near infrared and protein data was used to examine the utility of a data base regression technique know as LOCAL in the ISI International software package. A total of 2203 samples of wheat from five classes with protein values by combustion analysis comprised the data base. One half of the samples came from hard red spring and hard red winter wheats. The number of samples in the individual classes ranged from 235 for Durum to 694 for hard red spring. These samples were collected over a five year period and represented wheat in commercial trade. Calibrations were determined for each class, the entire data base as a “global” calibration, a data base regression which selected appropriate samples for a unique calibration for each sample and the standard equations of NIR spectroscopy regulatory analysis. Results will be reported which show data base regression technique to be as good as specific calibrations by partial least squares regression for sub-classes of products and precise enough...
Thick plasma gratings using a local photorefractive effect in CdZnTe:In

Diffraction gratings have been encoded in bulk Cd(0.8)Zn(0.2)Te:In samples by near-band-gap excitation. The photoinduced index change is associated with persistent photoconductivity resulting from ionization of DX centers. The gratings have a thickness of 1.7 mm, as evinced by Bragg selectivity during the readout process. Encoded grating are shown to be persistent for sufficiently low temperatures and are not erased by subsequent writing of more gratings.
Fast Meshless Reanalysis Using Combined Approximations, Preconditioned Conjugate Gradient, and Taylor Series

Multiple design iterations often require repeated stress analyses to be performed as the design is modified slightly. A method is presented that combines the meshless stress analysis method with a reanalysis technique to avoid repeating the time-consuming steps of remeshing and solving for small design changes. An iterative reanalysis method based on the preconditioned conjugate gradient method is introduced and compared to the linear Taylor series, simple iteration, and combined approximations reanalysis methods. The asymptotic running time is presented for each reanalysis method, and accuracy is compared for two example problems: a cantilever beam and a hole-in-plate. Results show the Taylor series to have the fastest run time, followed in order by simple iteration, preconditioned conjugate gradient, and combined approximations. For the two example problems, accuracy of the simple iteration method is poor for design changes greater than 5%. Taylor series accuracy depends greatly on the choice of the design variable, the example problem, and the method for computing the sensitivity. The combined approximations and preconditioned conjugate gradient methods both demonstrate less than 10% error up to a 100% change in height for the cantilever beam and 30% change in radius for the hole-in-plate example.
Meeting report: Sixth International Workshop on Molecular Aspects of Myeloid Stem Cell Development and Leukemia, Annapolis, May 1-4, 2005

It has been 10 years since the first biennial Workshop on Molecular Aspects of Myeloid Stem Cell Development, but the enthusiasm among participants at the most recent workshop remained as high as the first [1]. Once again, this workshop provided an outstanding forum in which new thought-provoking research results were presented, and there was a fostering of both old and new collaborations. The workshop was held at its usual venue, the Historic Inns of Annapolis, Annapolis, MD, May 1–4, 2005. It was organized by Dr. L. Wolff (National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA) and by Drs. S. Ackerman and G. Nucifora (University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA). As in prior workshops, the main focus continued to be the transcriptional regulation of myelopoiesis and its dysregulation in leukemia. However, highlights this year included the addition of a number of exciting new animal models for human leukemias and presentations on hematopoietic stem cells. The meeting’s small size, with a total of 80 global participants, encouraged a great deal of discussion during the scientific sessions and breaks. In the following meeting summary, the authors review highlights of the workshop that should be of particular interest to both basic scientists and clinical investigators working on aspects of normal myelopoiesis, hematopoietic stem cell biology, and mechanisms of leukemogenesis.
Effects of cold and heat on behavior and cerebellar function in goldfish

A similar sequence of behavioral effects was observed for either cooling or heating; most effects occurred on changing temperature of entire fish or of only the cerebellum. On moderate heating or cooling, fish are hyperexcitable, spontaneously hyperactive; on further heating or cooling swimming is uncoordinated; when the subcerebellar structures are heated or cooled, equilibrium is disturbed; on further heating or cooling coma and respiratory failure ensue. Critical temperatures are modifiable by acclimation. The behavioral effects of cerebellectomy are additive with temperature effects on motor centers. Electrical activity of Purkinje neurons changes in the same thermal ranges as behavior. Inhibition via cerebellar interneurons is most sensitive and can be modified by acclimation. Ongoing activity increases with warming up to a blocking temperature; interspike interval histograms show pattern changes during warming. Activation via mossy fibers-granule cells is more sensitive than that via climbing fibers, and antidromic impulses are most resistant. A neuronal model based on inhibitory actions of Purkinje neurons on motor centers and parallel feedback excitatory pathways can explain both behavioral and electrical observations.
Victrex® poly(ethersulfone) (PES) and Victrex® poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK)

Properties of two high performance engineering thermoplastics, amorphous polyethersulfone (PES) and semicrystalline polyetheretherketone (PEEK), are discussed. Both resins can be processed by conventional techniques, compounded with high performance fibers, and have high service temperature (up to 300°C). Due to the amorphous character PES can be dissolved and spray coated into metals.
Electron spin resonance-spin stabilization in enzymatic systems: Detection of semiquinones produced during peroxidatic oxidation of catechols and catecholamines

Abstract The electron spin resonance-spin stabilization technique has been applied in an enzymatic system. This technique, which generates radicals in high steady-state concentration under static conditions, involves the use of limited quantities of enzyme and substrate while allowing facile spectral interpretation. In this work o -semiquinone intermediates produced during peroxidase-catalyzed oxidation of catechols and catecholamines have been detected as their metal complexes with Zn 2+ . No significant effect on the peroxidase activity was found for the concentrations of Zn 2+ ions employed.
Adaptation of light-harvesting pigments to downwelling light and the consequent photosynthetic performance of the eulittoral rockweeds Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus

We compared the effect of habitat and water depth on the light-harvesting pigment content for Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus at two near-shore stations in Long Island Sound (USA). Excised pieces of seaweeds were attached at depth intervals to a vertically buoyed line, and left in situ for 7 days. For comparison, fronds were collected from sun and shade habitats in the littoral zone. The three major antenna (light-harvesting) pigments increased in concentration with depth or shade. Chlorophyll c to a ratios remained stable at about 0.2. Fucoxanthin to chlorophyll a ratios decreased by 20 to 30% with depth or shade. Although pigment composition for the two rockweed species was equivalent, the maximum photosynthetic performance of F. vesiculosus exceeded that of A. nodosum by a factor of 2, while the compensation depths for 4 m-adapted A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus under natural limiting light conditions were equivalent. Plants held at 4 m had higher photosynthetic rates compared with plants held at 0 m, no matter the depth of measurement. Indirect evidence indicates that the enhanced photosynthesis of 4 m-adapted plants is due not only to higher concentrations of antenna pigments but to other physiological factors as well. We conclude that the clearly delineated vertical distribution of these two canopy species, the F. vesiculosus zone over the A. nodosum zone, is not determined by light quantity or quality, but by biotic factors as evidenced by the experiments of Menge which are cited herein.
Limitations of reduced-field irradiated volume and technique in conventional radiation therapy of prostate cancer: implications for conformal 3-D treatment.

In order to define technical limitations of conventional external beam irradiation for clinically localized prostate cancer, we evaluated the impact of several reduced-field treatment factors, such as reduced-field (RF) irradiated volume, RF technique, photon energy of treatment, and dose on survival endpoints and local control in a retrospective series. Several survival endpoints, such as disease-specific survival, freedom from relapse survival, biochemical no-evidence of disease (bNED) survival, and local control were associated with several treatment variables using univariate and multivariate analyses in 329 patients. Reduced-field technique appeared to predict survival outcome, with patients treated by bilateral 120° arcs faring less well than those treated by full 360° rotational fields. The irradiated volume of the reduced-field was also significantly associated with survival outcome, with patients treated with smaller volumes faring less well. Local failure rates also appeared increased, although not statistically, in patients treated with smaller RF sizes. In an attempt to explain these detected deficiencies, dose-volume histograms for prostate coverage were created for a small sample of patients. The deficiencies related to small reduced-field volume appeared to be largely attributable to poor dosimetric coverage of the prostate. These results underscore the limitations of conventional external beam treatment for prostate carcinoma when conventional techniques are employed, particularly if small reduced fields are used, and further supports the development of improved treatment techniques, such as conformal irradiation, as alternatives. Int. J. Cancer (Radiat. Oncol. Invest.) 90:265–274, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Biomass loss from an anaerobic fluidized bed reactor

The phenomena of biomass loss during reactor startup and steady-state operation of an anaerobic fluidized bed (AFB) reactor using porous media particles and fed with acetic acid are studied. The amount of biomass lost during reactor startup is found to be correlated to both substrate utilization and biogas production. However, the level of biomass lost does not impede reactor startup and a rapid buildup of attached biomass in the reactor is attainable. Under the fluidization conditions commonly found in steady-state AFB reactors, mechanical attrition caused by interparticle collision is unlikely to alter the balance established between bacterial growth and maintenance metabolism.
A Simple Method for Estimating Barotropic Tidal Currents on Continental Margins with Specific Application to the M2 Tide off the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts of the United States

Abstract Theory is developed to describe barotropic tidal currents on “smooth” continental shelves, that is, continental shelves with longshore scales much greater than the shelf width. Two models are considered, one in which sea level don not vary significantly across the shelf and the other in which it does. Both models include longshore gradients and friction (parameterized linearly in velocity). The models were tested by calculating the M2 tidal currents off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States and then comparing the calculated currents to those measured. Results show that theory and observation are in very good agreement as far offshore as 300 km. Along the Atlantic coast, on account of the wide continental shelf, current velocities are typically O(0.10–0.15 m s−1) north of Cape Hatteras and O(0.15–0.28 m s−1) off Savannah, Georgia. Currents rotate anticyclonically and are highly elliptical (ellipticity E ≈ −0.4), with the semi-major axis oriented normal to the coast. Friction is sign...
Effects of bleed-hole geometry and plenum pressure on three-dimensional shock-wave/boundary-layer/bleed interactions

A numerical study was performed to investigate 3D shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions on a flat plate with bleed through one or more circular holes that vent into a plenum. This study was focused on how bleed-hole geometry and pressure ratio across bleed holes affect the bleed rate and the physics of the flow in the vicinity of the holes. The aspects of the bleed-hole geometry investigated include angle of bleed hole and the number of bleed holes. The plenum/freestream pressure ratios investigated range from 0.3 to 1.7. This study is based on the ensemble-averaged, 'full compressible' Navier-Stokes (N-S) equations closed by the Baldwin-Lomax algebraic turbulence model. Solutions to the ensemble-averaged N-S equations were obtained by an implicit finite-volume method using the partially-split, two-factored algorithm of Steger on an overlapping Chimera grid.
Hyperfine structure in the two lowest electronic states of PrO by molecular-beam laser-rf double resonance

The hyperfine structure (hfs) splittings in the electronic ground state ([Omega] = 3.5, [nu] = 0) and the first excited electronic level (Energy = 220 cm[sup [minus]1], [Omega] = 4.5, [nu] = 0) of [sup 141]PrO have been measured over a broad range of J-values to a precision of about [+-]3 kHz. No perturbations are observed. The levels are represented as states of Pr(III) 4[line integral][sup 2]6s in an axial electric field, and the hyperfine structure resulting from the combined hfs and rotational Hamiltonians is worked out. The contribution due to the interaction between the two states of different [Omega] is found to be important. A single least-squares fit is made of the resulting theoretical expressions to the 166 radiofrequency (rf) measurements in the two states. Efforts are made to identify the contributions analogous to the conventional terms involving b, c, and eqQ. The perturbations in the optical spectra (of systems XVII and of the band at 6,100 [angstrom]) are found to be in the common upper level (as previously reported), as is the [Lambda]-doubling. The hyperfine structure of the upper state is determined to a precision of a few Mhz.
Differentiating between Women in Hard and Soft Science and Engineering Disciplines

The intent of this study was to investigate characteristics that differentiate between women in soft (social, psychological, and life sciences) and hard (engineering, mathematics, computer science,...
Effective motion‐sensitizing magnetization preparation for black blood magnetic resonance imaging of the heart

Purpose To investigate the effectiveness of flow signal suppression of a motion-sensitizing magnetization preparation (MSPREP) sequence and to optimize a 2D MSPREP steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequence for black blood imaging of the heart. Materials and Methods Using a flow phantom, the effect of varying field of speed (FOS), b-value, voxel size, and flow pattern on the flow suppression was investigated. In seven healthy volunteers, black blood images of the heart were obtained at 1.5T with MSPREP-SSFP and double inversion recovery fast spin echo (DIR-FSE) techniques. Myocardium and blood signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and myocardium-to-blood contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured. The optimal FOS that maximized the CNR for MSPREP-SSFP was determined. Results Phantom data demonstrated that the flow suppression was induced primarily by the velocity encoding effect. In humans, FOS = 10–20 cm/s was found to maximize the CNR for short-axis (SA) and four-chamber (4C) views. Compared to DIR-FSE, MSPREP-SSFP provided similar blood SNR efficiency in the SA basal and mid-views and significantly lower blood SNR efficiency in the SA apical (P = 0.02) and 4C (P = 0.01) views, indicating similar or better blood suppression. Conclusion Velocity encoding is the primary flow suppression mechanism of the MSPREP sequence and 2D MSPREP-SSFP black blood imaging of the heart is feasible in healthy subjects. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;28:1092–1100. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The role of Dutch auctions and lotteries in shaping the art market(s) of 17th century Holland

Abstract This article examines institution-formation in the nascent art markets of 17th century Amsterdam and Haarlem in response to external and internal pressures on artists' guilds. In Amsterdam, poor quality imports, often copies, were touted as originals and sold in clandestine Dutch auctions. The deliberate confusion about quality imparted to the market features similar to those of Akerlof's “lemons” model, and a need for quality guarantees gave occasion to dealers. In Haarlem and other towns, demand was viewed as fixed and guilds toughened restrictions on the supply side. Dissenters successfully used lotteries to show that demand can be engendered. Promotion was to become a key feature of later art markets.
Characteristics of whole and scraped swine waste as substrates for contiinuously expanding anaerobic digestion systems

Abstract A study was performed using continuously expanding anaerobic digestion to determine the operating and performance characteristics of two types of swine waste. The two types of manure were a scraped manure, from a sloping concrete floor where the urine fraction of the waste drained into gutters, and a whole waste, collected using a pan under a slatted-floor production facility. There exists a possibility of considerable differences in the methane production capability of these two waste types. Identical runs employing the continuously expanding digestion (CED) technology were made using the two waste types. Operating parameters for both runs were a 70-day cycle time, a 35°C temperature and a Volatile Solids (VS) loading concentration of 81 g of Volatile Solids per liter. The study used 378 liter bench scale reactors which were replicated. Due to the identical operating parameters, the differences noted in methane production between the two waste types can be attributed only to characteristics of the raw waste. The operating characteristics noted include a lower acid level and higher alkalinity and pH levels for the whole waste. Almost identical ammonia levels for the two runs were noted. Performance characteristics are quite different. Whole waste produced a 65·3% VS reduction while the VS reduction for scraped waste was 50·9% and total methane production was 24·4% higher using the whole waste. Gas quality for both waste types was approximately 60% methane while specific methane productivity (liter of CH 4 per gram of Volatile Solids destroyed) was not significantly ( p > 0·05) different between the two waste types.
MAKING PIGS LOCAL: Discerning the Sensory Character of Place

This article offers an attempt to characterize the relationship between “taste” and “place” as cultivated and embodied in the production, circulation, and consumption of pasture-raised pork. I focus on the Piedmont region of North Carolina, and offer ethnographic evidence drawn from working with farmers, chefs and restaurant workers, as well as consumers at farmers’ markets to give substance to these discussions. The argument problematizes the category of “local food,” to interrogate the very notion of “place” and its many “tastes” (and other experiential qualities) with respect to the remaking and remapping of food production in the Piedmont. “Local food” is widely celebrated in this region, and pastured pork is a critical index of this “locality”; but here I ask how place itself is constituted, assigned concrete, experiential qualities, and so grasped in social practice. More than an attempt to specify the qualities of “the local” and their relationship with regional foodways, this article is concerned with the process that Lefebvre calls “the production of space.”
From Covenantal Symbol to Institutional Sign: The C Revisions in Passus 16 of Piers Plowman

AbstractJuxtaposing a passage from Patience's sermon against the comparable passage from the C text, the essay contends that Langland's revisions to Patience's sermon both court and challenge the semiotics of late medieval penitential discourse. Patience's revised sermon centering on the “chartre” draws upon the theological and canonistic conception of penance as a semiotic process of mediation between the penitent's inner contrition and divine remission. At the same time, Patience's manner of expounding the “chartre” challenges such a conception by presenting the penitential process as more temporal than semiotic, as more processual than terminal. Undergirding both parts of the essay lies the contention that in the C revisions Langland converts the semiotic register of the canon law into a temporal one in order to present the “chartre” as holding out less certainty about salvation than does the “patente.” This essay refines our knowledge of both the penitential tradition that certain understudied C revis...
lack of prayer: ritual restrictions, social experience, and the anthropology of menstruation among the Tuareg

Menstrual taboos, I argue, can be understood only in relation to other ritual restrictions, ones observed by men as well as women, and have significant implications for our understanding of female ritual roles. Gender imagery in Tuareg menstrual ritual and cosmology is used as a metaphor for relations between participants in wider socioeconomic contexts, and it forms a symbolic medium of conflict and ambiguity for Tuareg men and women. In this article, ritual restrictions are seen as an idiom through which struggles and paradoxes are presented and individual responses to predicaments are encoded. They constitute efforts to control descent and to protect the statuses of both men and women; they represent a reflection on the subject of the differentiation of noble and nomadic values from other, competing values in Tuareg society. The bases of this differentiation do not fall into rigid polarities between male and female, “official” and “unofficial” religion. Ritual restrictions on women serve not to protect Islam or Tuareg men but to preserve the identity and lifestyle of the traditional Tuareg nobility. [gender, religion and systems of thought, Africa]
Communication: Effect of solvophobic block length on critical micelle concentration in model surfactant systems

Experimental measurements of the Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC) in diblock copolymer and molecular surfactant systems have shown a cross-over from the exponential decrease at short chain lengths to a much more shallow decay of the CMC when the solvophobic block length was increased. This effect was observed for a wide variety of surfactants, and has been attributed to the collapse of the solvophobic tail group. In order to study this peculiar effect in more detail, we performed grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations of model surfactants in combination with histogram reweighting to obtain the CMC as a function of solvophobic block length. We found that the CMC decreases exponentially with increasing solvophobic block length; no cross-over to a slower decay has been observed, as also expected based on theoretical considerations. These findings suggest that the experimentally measured CMCs may not be true equilibrium values, but that kinetic effects may be influencing the observed cross-over.
On near‐source earthquake triggering

[1] When one earthquake triggers others nearby, what connects them? Two processes are observed: static stress change from fault offset and dynamic stress changes from passing seismic waves. In the near-source region (r ≤ 50 km for M ∼ 5 sources) both processes may be operating, and since both mechanisms are expected to raise earthquake rates, it is difficult to isolate them. We thus compare explosions with earthquakes because only earthquakes cause significant static stress changes. We find that large explosions at the Nevada Test Site do not trigger earthquakes at rates comparable to similar magnitude earthquakes. Surface waves are associated with regional and long-range dynamic triggering, but we note that surface waves with low enough frequency to penetrate to depths where most aftershocks of the 1992 M = 5.7 Little Skull Mountain main shock occurred (∼12 km) would not have developed significant amplitude within a 50-km radius. We therefore focus on the best candidate phases to cause local dynamic triggering, direct waves that pass through observed near-source aftershock clusters. We examine these phases, which arrived at the nearest (200–270 km) broadband station before the surface wave train and could thus be isolated for study. Direct comparison of spectral amplitudes of presurface wave arrivals shows that M ∼ 5 explosions and earthquakes deliver the same peak dynamic stresses into the near-source crust. We conclude that a static stress change model can readily explain observed aftershock patterns, whereas it is difficult to attribute near-source triggering to a dynamic process because of the dearth of aftershocks near large explosions.
The San Juan Capistrano Meteorite

The San Juan Capistrano chondrite fell on 15 March 1973; the total recovered mass was 56 g. Electron microprobe, chemical and petrographic studies show it to be a member of the H group and of petrologic type 6. Rare gas studies show that only minor radiogenic gas loss has occurred and yield a K-Ar age of 4.6 billion years and a Kr-Kr exposure age of 29 million years.
A single-institution experience with concurrent capecitabine and radiation therapy in gastrointestinal malignancies.

Abstract Purpose: We report our clinical experience with 32 patients receiving concurrent irradiation and capecitabine. Methods and Materials: Medical records of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies treated with radiation and capecitabine therapy were reviewed. Results: The population consisted of 20 males and 12 females, with a median age of 67.5 years (45–84 years) and adequate hepatic and bone marrow function. Histology was adenocarcinoma in all patients, except two with esophageal squamous carcinoma. Twenty-one patients received the regimen as adjuvant therapy, three received preoperative therapy, and 8 patients received therapy for palliation. The median dose of capecitabine was 1600 mg/m 2 /day (1200–2500 mg/m 2 /day) orally for 5 days per week for the duration of radiation therapy. Thirty patients received a total dose ranging from 45 Gy to 64 Gy over 4–6 weeks. Two previously radiated patients received total doses of 29.9 Gy and 46 Gy. Grade 3/4 toxicities observed were neutropenia in 3 patients and diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, fatigue, and myocardial infarction in 1 patient each. No treatment-related mortality was observed. Twenty of 21 patients (95.2%) who received adjuvant therapy continue to be in complete remission. Four of 11 (36%) evaluable patients demonstrated a response. Conclusion: Concurrent capecitabine and radiation were very well tolerated and warrant further investigation in prospective trials.
Addressing diverse user preferences in SQL-query-result navigation

Database queries are often exploratory and users often find their queries return too many answers, many of them irrelevant. Existing work either categorizes or ranks the results to help users locate interesting results. The success of both approaches depends on the utilization of user preferences. However, most existing work assumes that all users have the same user preferences, but in real life different users often have different preferences. This paper proposes a two-step solution to address the diversity issue of user preferences for the categorization approach. The proposed solution does not require explicit user involvement. The first step analyzes query history of all users in the system offline and generates a set of clusters over the data, each corresponding to one type of user preferences. When user asks a query, the second step presents to the user a navigational tree over clusters generated in the first step such that the user can easily select the subset of clusters matching his needs. The user then can browse, rank, or categorize the results in selected clusters. The navigational tree is automatically constructed using a cost-based algorithm which considers the cost of visiting both intermediate nodes and leaf nodes in the tree. An empirical study demonstrates the benefits of our approach.
Ohmic and neutral beam heated detached plasmas on TFTR

Abstract Detached plasmas have been proposed as a means of distributing power losses uniformly on walls in ITER and other reactor scenarios. Ohmically and neutral beam injection (NBI) heated detached plasma studies are being carried out on TFTR in order to help determine the practicality of this concept. NBI heated detached plasmas with up to 8.5 MW of beam power have been maintained detached for up to 300 ms. A confinement related delay in the radiated power is observed at low beam power. H-mode-like events have been observed for several beam heated detached plasmas and radiative emissivities as high as 0.8 MW/m 3 have been realized. These results are especially of interest to ITER and other reactor design studies.
Quantitative coronary angiography using image recovery techniques for background estimation in unsubtracted images.

Densitometry measurements have been performed previously using subtracted images. However, digital subtraction angiography(DSA) in coronary angiography is highly susceptible to misregistration artifacts due to the temporal separation of background and target images. Misregistration artifacts due to respiration and patient motion occur frequently, and organ motion is unavoidable. Quantitative densitometric techniques would be more clinically feasible if they could be implemented using unsubtracted images. The goal of this study is to evaluate image recovery techniques for densitometry measurements using unsubtracted images. A humanoid phantom and eight swine ( 25 – 35 kg ) were used to evaluate the accuracy and precision of the following image recovery techniques: Local averaging (LA), morphological filtering (MF), linear interpolation (LI), and curvature-driven diffusion image inpainting (CDD). Images of iodinated vessel phantoms placed over the heart of the humanoid phantom or swine were acquired. In addition, coronary angiograms were obtained after power injections of a nonionic iodinated contrast solution in an in vivo swine study. Background signals were estimated and removed with LA, MF, LI, and CDD. Iodine masses in the vessel phantoms were quantified and compared to known amounts. Moreover, the total iodine in left anterior descending arteries was measured and compared with DSAmeasurements. In the humanoid phantom study, the average root mean square errors associated with quantifying iodine mass using LA and MF were approximately 6% and 9%, respectively. The corresponding average root mean square errors associated with quantifying iodine mass using LI and CDD were both approximately 3%. In the in vivo swine study, the root mean square errors associated with quantifying iodine in the vessel phantoms with LA and MF were approximately 5% and 12%, respectively. The corresponding average root mean square errors using LI and CDD were both 3%. The standard deviations in the differences between measured iodine mass in left anterior descending arteries using DSA and LA, MF, LI, or CDD were calculated. The standard deviations in the DSA-LA and DSA-MF differences (both ∼ 21 mg ) were approximately a factor of 3 greater than that of the DSA-LI and DSA-CDD differences (both ∼ 7 mg ). Local averaging and morphological filtering were considered inadequate for use in quantitative densitometry. Linear interpolation and curvature-driven diffusion image inpainting were found to be effective techniques for use with densitometry in quantifying iodine mass in vitro and in vivo. They can be used with unsubtracted images to estimate background anatomical signals and obtain accurate densitometry results. The high level of accuracy and precision in quantification associated with using LI and CDD suggests the potential of these techniques in applications where background mask images are difficult to obtain, such as lumen volume and blood flow quantification using coronary arteriography.
Permeability and compressibility of wax-coated sands

Wax-coated sands are synthetic soils that have the potential to generate many new geotechnical applications in addition to synthetic horseracing tracks and sport fields. Compared to natural sands, wax-coated sands are hydrophobic and display superior, but not yet well-understood, mechanical and hydraulic properties. Based on a series of laboratory tests, this study investigates the effects of wax content on the permeability and compressibility of wax-coated sand. Laboratory results show that wax contents up to 6% may triple permeability and double compressibility. Simplified physical models are developed to analyse the experimental results and describe the effect of wax coating on permeability and compressibility. These models imply that the increase in permeability results from the aggregation of smaller sand particles caused by the wax tackiness, which generates larger interstices. The smaller particles attach to other particles and render the sand coarser. The wax coating also softens the contact betwe...
479 THE INCIDENCE OF DRUG USAGE IN LACTATING MOTHERS

To identify incidence and patterns of medication usage 134 breastfeeding mothers were surveyed 4-6 weeks after discharge from hospital. 96% were using one or more meds; 55% were self-medicated, non-Rx items, & 41% were physician prescribed. 64% of those breastfeeding had completed one or more yrs. of college although ed. level was not correlated with predictions of med. usage patterns. A significant (p<.025) level of women with high school or less ed. had stopped breastfeeding within 4 wks. after their infant's birth. Less than 50% of the pediatricians knew the mother was taking any med. even though significant #'s of meds. for which adverse effect has been reported for the breastfeeding infant were being utilized & despite availability of safer alternatives. Of health professionals involved, only 22% of obstetricians, 19% of pediatricians, & 9% of pharmacists discussed med. with the mother. By category incidence of med. usage was: vitamins 50%, analgesics 20%, iron preparations 10%, laxatives 5%, antacids 2%. Info. supplied by manufacturers in their product labelling about drug excretion into breast milk was poor or non-existing; for many meds which were being utilized, published info did suggest that significant doses could be ingested by the breastfeeding infant. The study indicates the need for additional drug excretion info & health professional counseling for breastfeeding mothers to avoid potential adverse reactions for their infants.
Joint image reconstruction for breast tumor diagnosis using both structural and functional information

We explore structural-prior-guided optical image reconstructions using a clinical population presenting breast lesions. We extend our algorithm with addition of tumor priors. This results in dramatic improvement in optical contrast of malignancy.
Heme oxygenase-1 and acute kidney injury.

Purpose of reviewHeme oxygenase activity, possessed by an inducible heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and a constitutive isoform (HO-2), catalyzes the conversion of heme to biliverdin, liberates iron, and generates carbon monoxide. First shown in acute kidney injury (AKI), HO-1 is now recognized as a protecta
Measuring work disability: what can administrative data tell us about patient outcomes?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the association between administrative measures of work disability and self-reported work, pain, and functional status. Methods: We conducted baseline and follow-up interviews to assess pain, functional status, work status, and demographic factors in workers with low back injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, and upper and lower extremity fractures. Administrative measures of work disability were obtained from the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Results: Pain intensity and impairment levels were lowest in those who had not received any disability payments, somewhat higher for those who were no longer receiving time loss benefits, and highest for workers receiving time loss payments at the time of interview. Conclusions: Administrative measures of work disability are significantly associated with self-reported outcomes and can be an efficient tool for tracking and evaluating outcomes of medical treatments, surgical procedures, and occupational health programs.