cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Memories of trauma and organizing: Market women’s susu groups in postconflict Liberia:

This study builds on social-constructionist approaches to organizational memory studies by exploring how traumatic memories reconstruct present-day organizing practices. Using African feminist ethnography, I explored how war memories shaped market women�s informal credit organizations called �susu groups� in postconflict Liberia. Findings show that traumatic memories engender and sustain three organizing practices: idealization, amplification, and contraction. Idealization is the projection of an ideal type of organization after traumatic events have occurred. This practice enables members to suppress a painful past and start anew by collectively reinventing their organization. Amplification is the intensification of certain elements, which become the most important in the organizing process. Amplification can make negative experiences resonate more deeply than positive ones. Contraction is the propensity of organizations to close off from the outside world after trauma. In the case of susu groups, contraction accentuated an existing tendency toward secrecy. The study contributes to intersections of organizational memory studies and trauma and organizing scholarship by showing how memories linger and continue to shape organizations long after trauma.
Photoconductivity in RbI and KI

Abstract A threshold for intrinsic photoconductivity has been observed in RbI and KI at room temperature and lower temperatures. These experiments were carried out with an electrode arrangement quite different from that employed previously by T eegarden and in a considerably cleaner vacuum. Photoconductivity occurs on the short wavelength side of the first exciton band in the region of the shoulder previously ascribed to the onset of band-to-band transitions. Photoconductivity also can occur on the long wavelength side of the first exciton peak when F-centers or other kinds of electron-surplus centers, formed by irradiation with ultraviolet light, are present in the crystals.
SU‐FF‐T‐78: IMRT Treatment Planning for Mantle Fields

Purpose: To develop a method for Mantle field IMRT treatment planning using commercially available equipment. Method and Materials: In this study all plans were created for a Siemens Primus linear accelerator on a Philips Pinnacle Treatment Planning System. A crucial feature of the treatment planning system was the capability to create dose-based regions of interest (ROIs). The Siemens accelerator was chosen for its ability to deliver treatments using magna fields without field-splitting. Patients were CT scanned and the data transferred to the planning system. Traditional mantle fields, including 50% transmission lung blocks, were drawn on the AP/PA digitally reconstructed radiographs. An initial plan with equally weighted AP/PA beams was set up with a homogeneous calculation to a point at mid separation. The 50% isodose curve of the resultant distribution was contoured and converted to a physical target volume. The isodose representing the involved lungs under the partial transmission blocks was also contoured and converted to a second ROI target. The lungs were manually outlined as critical structures. An IMRT plan with DVH-based target objectives was performed and compared with a protocol-based 3D conformal plan. Results: Creation of ROIs using dose contouring was determined to be straightforward and reliable. IMRT optimization using the ensuing ROIs was found to be reproducible and robust. For the case study presented, the 3D plan showed a 37.0% decrease in the ICRU defined conformity index for 100% of the prescribed target dose and an undesirable 63.5% increase in the volume of lung receiving 80% of the prescribed dose. Conclusion: IMRT mantle treatment planning can easily be performed in under an hour using commercially available equipment. Unlike the traditional approach with no defined target, this procedure allows for quantitative plan evaluation using both isodose distributions and dose volume histograms.
Optical recording of the in vivo piriform cortex responses to electrical stimulation of the lateral olfactory tract in the rat

Using a voltage-sensitive styryl dye, optical recordings of the piriform cortex responses to bipolar electrical stimulations of the rat lateral olfactory tract (LOT) were taken. Surgical procedures were performed on Wistar SPF male rats anaesthetized with equithesine. Anaesthesia was continued during the recording. In addition the animals were curarized and artificially ventilated. Piriform cortex was stained with RH795. Cortical fluorescence was recorded with a 124-element photodiode array using epi-illumination while electrical stimulations were delivered to the LOT. Mapping of the piriform activity indicated a very large overlap of the recorded responses. Nevertheless, some differences in location of recorded responses were observed and seemed to correlate with the location of the stimulation electrode on the LOT. The results are discussed in relation to the anatomy and histology of the olfactory bulb projections to the piriform cortex.
Purification and Reconstitution of the Periodic Fibril and Unit Structure of Human Amyloid

Extraction with alkaline sodium glycinate of the periodic fibril and unit structure of human amyloid and subsequent acidification of the extract provided a method for the purification as well as for the reconstitution of the periodic rod and of the unit structure. Guanidine completely solubilized and irreversibly dissociated both the rod and the unit structure of the human amyloid fibril.
Response to Drs. Paterson and Murat

TO THE EDITOR: Our comments (1) concerning the article of Paterson and Murat (2) were specifically focused to respond to the issues discussed by Ours and Richter (3) in their Letter to the Editor concerning our editorial (4). We thank Drs. Paterson and Murat for providing us with the opportunity to further explain some of them.
Model-based condition index for tracking gear wear and fatigue damage

This paper describes a method that utilizes linear dynamic modeling to track the development of gear wear and tooth fatigue crack. A model is created from the gear meshing vibration signal when the gear is new and then the model is applied to vibration data taken over the gear's lifetime to calculate the prediction error. This error is expected to increase over the lifetime as the evolvement of the faults alters meshing stiffness. The method is evaluated by experimental data collected in two tests where gear wear and gear tooth fatigue cracks grew over time. It was found that the method gave more consistent trend when compared with state-of-the-art.
Caregiving Decisions, Well-Being, and Performance: The Effects of Place and Provider as a Function of Dependent Type and Work-Family Climates

This research investigates relationships between caregiving decisions and work-family outcomes—well-being, performance in work and family roles, and work-family conflict—occurring as a function of ...
Antigen handling in aging II. The role of Kupffer and endothelial cells in antigen processing in fischer 344 rats

Abstract A method has been developed for the purification of Kupffer and endothelial cells from rat liver by collagenase enzyme perfusion followed by centrifugal elutriation. After intravenous injection of a soluble antigen, [3H] azoaniline bovine serum albumin ([3H] BSA), its distribution was studied in isolated cell populations from liver and spleen tissue of two aged groups of male F-344 rats. In young adult rats (6–8 months) both sinusoidal cell types contained the same amount of [3H] BSA; however, in older rats (22–24 months) the amount of antigen in the endothelial cells was significantly decreased. In comparison to the liver, the spleen retained only a small fraction of the injected dose. In order to assess the catabolic properties of both Kupffer and endothelial cells, supernatants obtained from in vitro cell culture were evaluated for both biological and physiochemical properties. Antigen was almost completely degraded by both cell types as determined by gel filtration and did not directly stimulate BSA-primed lymphocytes in vitro; however, these supernatants were shown to enhance the lymphoproliferative response of primed lymphocytes to additional antigen exposure. Kupffer cell receptors, Fc and C3, assayed by direct rosetting, did not vary with age; endothelial cells also possessed Fc receptors that were found to be unchanged with age. These studies are an initial attempt to better define our previous finding of defective antigen handling with aging by use of isolated pure cell populations.
Airflow and hail growth in supercell storms and some implications for hail suppression

Multiple radar and aircraft observations of a damaging supercell hailstorm in northeastern Colorado are synthesized to show that the airflow and hail growth conformed in many respects to earlier models derived by the lead author. Some features that before had to be inferred indirectly are now substantiated and elaborated upon by direct observation. As a result of our increased confidence in certain aspects of the model we have been able to draw implications regarding the feasibility of suppressing hail by different means. The observations indicate that an important stage in the growth of large hail is the entry of hailstone embryos into the edge of an intense updraught. These embryos are grown near the storm's right flank and get carried around the forward flank under the influence of a strong environmental airstream which divides at the stagnation point and flows around on either side of the main updraught. The main updraught itself is characterized by a weak-echo vault and the embryos grow into large hail as they follow a simple up-and-down trajectory over it. The vault takes on added significance in that it is a symptom of inefficiency in the conversion of cloud water to precipitation. Paradoxically it is this very inefficiency that encourages the growth of large hail by minimizing the effects of competition for the available supercooled droplets. Those recirculating embryos that find their way to the edge of the vault via the embryo curtain are seen to compete unfairly by being the first to encounter the undepleted cloud water in the vault. It is difficult to suppress their growth artificially because seeding in the main updraught at economical rates produces particles that rise above the hail growth region before they can have any significant influence on the available water. The existence of a large vault implies that the flow field is so restricting the number of embryos re-entering the main updraught that they may be sweeping up only a small proportion of the overall cloud water. Thus there is a danger that, if a mode of seeding were used which caused additional embryos to re-enter the updraught along with the re-entering natural embryos, this would lead to the production of additional large hailstones. Hence, at least for some storms, doubt is cast on the credibility of the competing embryo hypothesis for hail suppression, according to which the generation of additional embryos by seeding is supposed to promote competition for a restricted amount of cloud water to the extent that none can grow large.
Structure Function Studies at Two Different Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Subtypes

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is involved with regulating the release of neurotransmitter in the synapse. This research focuses on two subtypes of neuronal nAChR, the α6β2 and α4β2 receptors. Subtypes containing the α6 and β2 subunits are found mainly in dopaminergic neurons. The acetylcholine binding site in these subtypes, which sits at the interface of the two subunits, is an important therapeutic target. Expression and activation of a pure population of α6β2 receptors in X. laevis oocytes has previously never been reported. This study used two mutations in the β2 M3-M4 loop and a reporter mutation in the M2 helix of each subunit to successfully express α6β2 receptors. Expression has been optimized, and a method to control subunit stoichiometry has been developed. We then used unnatural amino acid mutagenesis to develop a binding model for acetylcholine and nicotine at the α6-β2 subunit interface. The α4β2 subtype is the most prevalent nAChR subtype found in the brain and is implicated in many neurological disorders. Previous work has established a hydrogen bond interaction between the pyrrolidine nitrogen of nicotine and the carbonyl backbone adjacent to Trp149 in the α4 subunit. N'-methylnicotinium, which has a quaternary amine at the pyrrolidine nitrogen and cannot donate a hydrogen bond, was synthesized in order to probe this hydrogen bond donating interaction. Through a double-mutant cycle analysis utilizing an α-hydroxy acid mutation to perturb the carbonyl backbone hydrogen bond acceptor, we have determined that the hydrogen bonding interaction has a coupling energy of ∼2 kcal/mol.
Hemodynamics of early tubuloglomerular feedback resetting during reduced proximal reabsorption.

Hemodynamics of early tubuloglomerular feedback resetting during reduced proximal reabsorption. Background Carbonic anhydrase inhibition with benzolamide reduces proximal reabsorption and activates tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF). In rats, TGF activation for 30 to 60 minutes locally suppresses renin secretion and resets TGF rightward to accommodate increased late proximal flow. After 24 hours of TGF activation, there is upward resetting of GFR and increased activity of macula densa nitric oxide synthase I (NOS I). Methods We studied renal hemodynamics during early TGF resetting with attention to the importance of renin suppression and NOS I activation. Left kidney blood flow (RBF, pulse Doppler) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR; inulin clearance or Fick method) were measured before and during benzolamide infusion (5 mg/kg bolus followed by 5 mg/kg/h IV) in Wistar rats concurrently receiving the converting enzyme inhibitor, enalaprilat (0.3 mg/kg/h IV) or NOS-I blocker S-methyl-thiocitrulline (SMTC; 2.7 mg/kg/h IV). Results Activating TGF initially reduced RBF and GFR in all groups as expected. During continuous benzolamide, RBF gradually increased toward baseline in control and enalaprilat-treated rats, but not in NOS I-blocked rats. After the initial decline, GFR did not change further during one hour of benzolamide in any group. Conclusions During one hour of persistent TGF stimulation, RBF increases toward normal, but GFR does not. This requires an overall decrease in renal vascular resistance and a decrease in the ratio of efferent/afferent arteriolar resistance (R E /R A ), implying a major decrease in R E . NOS I, but not angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), is required for RBF to increase during TGF resetting. Although the hemodynamic changes during TGF resetting resemble the response to blocking the renin-angiotensin system, these data fail to show that the increase in RBF during early TGF resetting is mediated by renin suppression.
Two-dose daclizumab induction in pediatric renal transplantation.

: DCZ, an IL-2 receptor antagonist, has been widely used for induction therapy in pediatric and adult solid organ transplantation. Originally, it was recommended as a five-dose regimen; however, fewer doses may be efficacious and less costly for prevention of rejection. There is limited experience with the use of fewer doses in pediatric renal transplantation. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 26 primary pediatric renal transplants performed at a single center between June 2004 and May 2007 receiving induction therapy with two-dose DCZ (1.5 mg/kg preoperatively and day seven post-transplant). Maintenance immunosuppression included tacrolimus, MMF, and prednisone in all patients. Forty-six percent were African American and 92% were deceased-donor transplants. After a mean follow-up of 17.8 ± 7.5 months, acute rejection was noted in 11.5% and graft survival was 92.3%. CMV infection occurred in 11.5%, but no case of BK nephropathy or post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder was observed. Our preliminary results suggest that induction therapy with two-dose DCZ was convenient, economical, and effective in preventing rejection episodes without an increase in adverse events or hospital stay. Larger randomized clinical trials with longer duration of follow-up are needed to more fully validate the use of this regimen in pediatric renal transplantation.
Relative Contributions of the Thymus and the Bursa of Fabricius to the Maturation of the Lymphoreticular System and Immunological Potential in the Chicken

Relative Contributions of the Thymus and the Bursa of Fabricius to the Maturation of the Lymphoreticular System and Immunological Potential in the Chicken
The Dimensions of Stress Scale: Psychometric Properties1

Although cognitive appraisal, situational properties, and attributions are important parts of the stress process, few multidimensional measures are available to examine these constructs simultaneously. This paper investigates the properties of the Dimensions of Stress Scale (DSS). The DSS is a brief self-report questionnaire designed to assess appraisals of personal relevance (salience) and control; stressor properties (novelty, duration, and predictability); and self-attributions (causality). The items were derived theoretically, using the cognitive-phenomenological model of stress and the stress literature. Empirical support for the six dimensions (scales) was generated first on a sample of elderly individuals (n= 269) and then replicated on an independent sample of younger individuals (n= 162). In both investigations, the factor structure of five of the scales was shown to approximate a simple structure. Evidence of internal consistency and content validity was also provided. The scales’ construct validity was supported by their relationships with stressor type (e. g., physical health problems, relationships, work, finances, individuals with indeterminate Western Blots, and caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease), coping, and depressed mood. The DSS should be useful in examining stressful experiences.
Direct observation of hyperfine structure in pi mesic X rays

Ta hyperfine quadrupole effects resolved by high resolution gamma ray detector for pi mesic X rays
Gamma Interferon Blocks Gammaherpesvirus Reactivation from Latency

Establishment of latent infection and reactivation from latency are critical aspects of herpesvirus infection and pathogenesis. Interfering with either of these steps in the herpesvirus life cycle may offer a novel strategy for controlling herpesvirus infection and associated disease pathogenesis. Prior studies show that mice deficient in gamma interferon (IFN-γ) or the IFN-γ receptor have elevated numbers of cells reactivating from murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68) latency, produce infectious virus after the establishment of latency, and develop large-vessel vasculitis. Here, we demonstrate that IFN-γ is a powerful inhibitor of reactivation of γHV68 from latency in tissue culture. In vivo, IFN-γ controls viral gene expression during latency. Importantly, depletion of IFN-γ in latently infected mice results in an increased frequency of cells reactivating virus. This demonstrates that IFN-γ is important for immune surveillance that limits reactivation of γHV68 from latency.
Calcium requirements of citrus

(1975). Calcium requirements of citrus. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis: Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 245-260.
The structure of the Plasmodium falciparum EBA175 ligand domain and the molecular basis of host specificity

Erythrocyte-binding antigen 175 (EBA175) is one of the best-characterized Plasmodium falciparum merozoite ligands; the recently solved crystal structure of EBA175 reveals that terminal sialic acids on the erythrocyte glycoprotein glycophorin A are a crucial factor for erythrocyte recognition by EBA175 because they lock into pockets on its surface. Comparison with Plasmodium reichenowi EBA175 indicates that these interactions have a pivotal role in the host-specific adaptations of parasite ligands.
Glycogen synthetase activity of the rat uterus following progesterone stimulation

Abstract Glycogen synthetase activity was determined in the rat uterus following subcutaneous injections on three consecutive days with progesterone (1 mg), estradiol dipropionate (1 μg) or progesterone plus estrogen. The animals were autopsied 24 hr after the last treatment. Total glycogen synthetase activity, assayed in the presence of glucose-6-phosphate, was significantly greater than the uninjected control rats. However, the independent form of glycogen synthetase, assayed in the absence of glucose-6-phosphate, was not increased following any hormone treatment. The possibility that progesterone is not concerned with increasing the more active form of the enzyme (synthetase I) was considered.
The Maine Tidal Power Initiative: transdisciplinary sustainability science research for the responsible development of tidal power

The Maine Tidal Power Initiative (MTPI), an interdisciplinary team of engineers, marine scientists, oceanographers, and social scientists, is using a transdisciplinary sustainability science approach to collect biophysical and social data necessary for understanding interactions between human and natural systems in the context of tidal power development in Maine. MTPI offers a unique opportunity to better understand how group structure and process influence outcomes in transdisciplinary sustainability science research. Through extensive participant observation and semi-structured interviews we: (1) describe MTPI’s organizational structure; (2) examine MTPI’s research approach and engagement with stakeholders from different sectors of society (i.e., industry, government, and the local community); and (3) identify challenges and opportunities for involving different disciplinary expertise and diverse stakeholders in transformational sustainability science research. We found that MTPI’s holistic mission, non-hierarchical structure, and iterative stakeholder engagement process led to important benefits and significant challenges. Positive outcomes include knowledge development, a transferable research framework, shared resources, personal reward, and a greater understanding of the local environment and community. Challenges identified include balancing diverse interests and priorities, maintaining engagement, managing stakeholder relationships, and limited resources. Lessons learned from the process of integrative collaborative research in Maine can offer guidance on what should be considered when carrying out similar transdisciplinary sustainability science projects in other research contexts.
American communism and the united auto workers: New evidence on an old controversy

(1983). American communism and the united auto workers: New evidence on an old controversy. Labor History: Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 404-413.
Severity of Partner and Child Maltreatment: Reliability of Scales Used in America's Largest Child and Family Protection Agency

This paper describes two studies investigating the interrater agreement of severity scales for family maltreatment used in America's largest child and family maltreatment agency: the U.S. military's Family Advocacy Program (FAP). The USAF-FAP Severity Index is a multidimensional rating system for clinicians' evaluations of the severity of seven forms of family maltreatment: partner physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; child physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; and child neglect. The first study evaluated the reliability of the scale as it is used in the field. The second study compared a generalizable sample of clinicians' ratings to an established gold standard of what the ratings should have been. The Severity Index demonstrated fair-to-good levels of reliability, suggesting that with minimal cost, investigating caseworkers can routinely assess, and make fairly reliable ratings of, the severity of seven forms of family maltreatment for each case they investigate.
Platelet Adhesive Dynamics. Part II: High Shear-Induced Transient Aggregation via GPIbα-vWF-GPIbα Bridging

A three-dimensional multiscale computational model, platelet adhesive dynamics (PAD), is developed and applied in Part I and Part II articles to characterize and quantify key biophysical aspects of GPIbalpha-von-Willebrand-factor (vWF)-mediated interplatelet binding at high shear rates, a necessary and enabling step that initiates shear-induced platelet aggregation. In this article, an adhesive dynamics model of the transient aggregation of two unactivated platelets via GPIbalpha-vWF-GPIbalpha bridging is developed and integrated with the three-dimensional hydrodynamic flow model discussed in Part I. Platelet binding efficiencies predicted by PAD are in good agreement with platelet aggregation behavior observed experimentally, as documented in the literature. Deviations from average vWF ligand size or healthy GPIbalpha-vWF-A1 binding kinetics are observed in simulations to have significant effects on the dynamics of transient platelet aggregation, i.e., the efficiency of platelet aggregation and characteristics of bond failure, in ways that typify diseased conditions. The GPIbalpha-vWF-A1 bond formation rate is predicted to have piecewise linear dependence on the prevailing fluid shear rate, with a sharp transition in fluid shear dependency at 7200 s(-1). Interplatelet bond force-loading is found to be complex and highly nonlinear. These results demonstrate PAD as a powerful predictive modeling tool for elucidating platelet adhesive phenomena under flow.
Random matrices and the convergence of partition function zeros in finite density QCD

We apply the Glasgow method for lattice QCD at finite chemical potential to a schematic random matrix model. In this method the zeros of the partition function are obtained by averaging the coefficients of its expansion in powers of the chemical potential. In this paper we investigate the phase structure by means of Glasgow averaging and demonstrate that the method converges to the correct analytically known result. We conclude that the statistics needed for complete convergence grows exponentially with the size of the system--in our case, the dimension of the Dirac matrix. The use of an unquenched ensemble at {mu}=0 does not give an improvement over a quenched ensemble. We elucidate the phenomenon of a faster convergence of certain zeros of the partition function. The imprecision affecting the coefficients of the polynomial in the chemical potential can be interpeted as the appearance of a spurious phase. This phase dominates in the regions where the exact partition function is exponentially small, introducing additional phase boundaries, and hiding part of the true ones. The zeros along the surviving parts of the true boundaries remain unaffected. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Protein Synthesis and Photosynthetic Recovery in the Resurrection Plant, Selaginella lepidophylla

The effects of inhibition of protein synthesis on whole-plant CO2 exchange and on protein synthesis during hydration of the resurrection plant Selaginella lepidophylla (Hook and Grev.) were examined. Both chloramphenicol and cycloheximide inhibited the redevelopment of photosynthetic capacity which normally occurs within 24 hours of hydration in the light. The inhibitory effect of chloramphenicol was greater than that of cycloheximide. The onset of chloramphenicol inhibition of net photosynthesis occurred only after 12 hours of hydration. Cycloheximide stimulated net CO2 influx early after rehydration and inhibited net CO2 influx after 14 hours of hydration. Total protein synthesis, as measured by l-[35S]methionine incorporation, increased through 24 hours of hydration. Based upon the results obtained with the protein synthesis inhibitors, most protein synthesis within the first 12 hours of hydration was cytoplasm-directed, whereas the rate of organelle-directed protein synthesis remained low until 12 hours of hydration and increased rapidly thereafter. These data suggest that both organelle- and cytoplasm-directed protein synthesis are necessary for full photosynthetic recovery during rehydration of S. lepidophylla.
A Novel System Identification Technique for Improved Wearable Hemodynamics Assessment

Recent advances have led to renewed interest in ballistocardiography (BCG), a noninvasive measure of the small movements of the body due to cardiovascular events. A broad range of platforms have been developed and verified for BCG measurement including beds, chairs, and weighing scales: while the body is coupled to such a platform, the cardiogenic movements are measured. Wearable BCG, measured with an accelerometer affixed to the body, may enable continuous, or more regular, monitoring during the day; however, the signals from such wearable BCGs represent local or distal accelerations of skin and tissue rather than the whole body. In this paper, we propose a novel method to reconstruct the BCG measured with a weighing scale (WS BCG) from a wearable sensor via a training step to remove these local effects. Preliminary validation of this method was performed with 15 subjects: the wearable sensor was placed at three locations on the surface of the body while WS BCG measurements were recorded simultaneously. A regularized system identification approach was used to reconstruct the WS BCG from the wearable BCG. Preliminary results suggest that the relationship between local and central disturbances is highly dependent on both the individual and the location where the accelerometer is placed on the body and that these differences can be resolved via calibration to accurately measure changes in cardiac output and contractility from a wearable sensor. Such measurements could be highly effective, for example, for improved monitoring of heart failure patients at home.
The alkali metal thermal-to-electric converter for Solar System exploration

AMTEC, the Alkali Metal Thermal to Electric Converter, is a direct thermal to electric energy conversion device; it has been demonstrated to perform at high power densities, with open circuit voltages in single electrochemical cells up to 1.6 V and current densities up to 2.0 A/cm/sup 2/. It is a sodium concentration cell which uses a /spl beta/"-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE) tube as a separator between a high pressure region containing liquid sodium at 900-1300 K and a low pressure region containing a condenser at 400-700 K. As a power system, AMTEC is expected to deliver /spl sim/20 W/kg with a 15-20% thermal to electric conversion efficiency. AMTEC has been baselined as the power conversion system for the Ice and Fire missions in NASA's X2000 Program and is being developed as part of the NASA/DoE Advanced Radioisotope Power Systems Program. This paper discusses the basic operating principles of AMTEC as well as the evolution of design and materials selection for power converters for spacecraft in the X2000 program. Life and degradation studies of AMTEC cells and converters are underway at JPL and are considered in this paper.
Development and characterization of single wall carbon nanotube-Nafion composite actuators

Abstract The development and characterization of thin film polymeric actuators has been performed for single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT)–Nafion composite systems. Previous work in our laboratory illustrated that incorporation of highly conductive SWNTs into an ionomeric matrix promoted an actuation response by enhancing the electro-osmotic effect at relatively low doping levels, ∼0.1% (w/w). Further investigation has shown the effects of frequency and applied voltage on the composite bimorph actuator systems. The results indicate a displacement response that is linearly dependent on voltage and inverse to frequency.
Solving radar detection problems using simulation

Simulation is a well-known but often misunderstood method for predicting the detection range of radars. Recent advances in computer software and hardware have made simulation easier to apply and use. Users are putting increased reliance on computer simulation in lieu of more expensive test and evaluation. In this paper, a simulation example is given of a complex radar detection problem which is not solvable using conventional procedures. It is shown how this problem is easily solved using a MATLAB simulation on a personal computer (PC). >
Behavioral Health Care for Adolescents with Poorly Controlled Diabetes via Skype: Does Working Alliance Remain Intact?

Background: Increasingly various technologies are being tested to deliver behavioral health care. Delivering services via videoconferencing shows promise. Given that the patient–provider relationship is a strong predictor of patient adherence to medical regimens, addressing relationship quality when services are not delivered face-to-face is critical. To that end, we compared the therapeutic alliance when behavioral health care was delivered to youth with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and their caregivers in-clinic with the same services delivered via Internet-based videoconferencing (i.e., Skype™). Methods: Seventy-one adolescents with poorly controlled T1DM (hemoglobin A1c ≥9%) and one of their caregivers received up to 10 sessions of a family-based behavioral health intervention previously shown to improve adherence to diabetes regimens and family functioning; 32 were randomized to the Skype condition. Youth and caregivers completed the working alliance inventory (WAI), a 36-item measure of therapeutic alliance, at the end of treatment. Additionally, the number of behavioral health sessions completed was tracked. Results: No significant differences in WAI scores were found for those receiving behavioral health care via Skype versus in-clinic. Youth WAI goal and total scores were significantly associated with the number of sessions completed for those in the clinic group. Conclusion:
Trisomy 16 in a Pigtailed Macaque (M. nemestrina) with Multiple Anomalies and Developmental Delays

A female pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) with unusual physical characteristics, deficits in learning and cognitive tasks, abnormal social behavior, and abnormal reflexes and motor control was followed from birth until 3 years of age and found to have trisomy 16, which is homologous to trisomy 13 in humans. The animal described here showed similar features to cases of trisomy 16 and 18 (human trisomy 13 and 18, respectively) reported previously in nonhuman primates. However, both significant differences and similarities were found when compared with the homologous human trisomy. Evaluation of the genetic components of these disorders as well as systematic developmental evaluation can lead to new insights into the genetic basis of speciation, development, and the underlying differences between humans and their closest living relatives.
Modeling Terrestrial Biogenic Sources of Oxygenated Organic Emissions

In recent years, oxygenated volatile organic chemicals (OVOCs) like acetone have been recognized as important atmospheric con- stituents due to their ability to sequester reactive nitrogen in the form perox- yacetyl nitrate (PAN) and to be a source of hydroxyl radicals (HO x ) in critical regions of the atmosphere. The potential biogenic sources of acetone include terrestrial plant canopies, oxidation of dead plant material, harvest of culti- vated plants, biomass burning, and the oceans. These sources are poorly con-
A Single Contrast Test Procedure

The thesis of this article is that the multitude of procedures for testing hypotheses about mean contrasts often presented in statistical methods textbooks is seemingly unwarranted. Nearly all research situations calling for the study of contrasts can be handled with a single contrast test statistic, that often attributed to R. A. Fisher. By jointly considering a probability value and an eta-squared value and by keeping in mind the total number of contrasts studied, one finds that a single contrast test procedure evolves.
Performance and fuel economy comparative analysis of conventional, hybrid, and fuel cell heavy-duty transit buses

With the growing demand from the world community to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and after a decade of intense research, hybrid electric vehicles (HEV's) appear more viable and necessary than ever before. HEV's offer unprecedented possibilities to achieve higher fuel economy particularly if a proper hybrid configuration is employed. This paper presents performance and fuel economy comparative analysis and simulations of parallel and series hybrid as well as fuel cell transit buses. Simulations were performed for the various heavy-duty buses using the Advisor software. A typical conventional bus has also been simulated and analyzed to compare the results. The base configurations from the conventional bus were then scaled to find the performance characteristics of many combinations of fuel converter, power storage, and electric motor. Results show a magnificent improvement in the fuel economy especially in the parallel configuration.
Older Poor Parents who Lost an Adult Child to Aids in Togo, West Africa: A Qualitative Study

This study analyzes the difficulties that poor parents faced when they lost an adult child to AIDS in Togo. The death of a child is believed to be more distressful to parents compared to the death of a spouse. Evidence also suggests that parental grief is more lasting and may be the most complicated form of grief. Furthermore, the roles played by the deceased child in the lives of the parents also affect the parental grieving process. For instance, in low income regions where parents tend to be socio-economically challenged and where filial obligations are culturally expected, losing an adult child who provided material and financial assistance to parents will be more disastrous. Four kinds of difficulties were identified: financial and social difficulty, psychological difficulty, caregiving difficulty, and disclosure difficulty. The socioeconomic status of the parents made these issues all the more taxing, as respondents were grieving not only the loss of their children to AIDS but also the loss of finan...
Congenital smooth muscle hamartoma: a case report.

SUMMARY We describe a case of congenital smooth muscle hamartoma with hypertrichosis and pseudo-Darier's sign, and suggest that it is a clinicohistopathological entity distinct from Becker's naevus.
Non-existence of invariant circles

The dynamical system associated to the difference equationhas been studied numerically by several authors. On the basis of numerical evidence, they conclude that there exists a number k0 ≈ 0.97 such that there are homotopically non-trivial invariant circles for |k|≤k0 and there are none for |k|>k0. In this note, we give a simple rigorous proof that there are none for |k|>.
Expert simulation system based on a relational database

Describes the design and early implementation of a life-cycle oriented simulation environment based on a commercial relational database. The modules and database that make up the environment are discussed. The rationale for such a system and the current state-of-the-art are presented. >
Consumer perception and attitude toward mobile communication

Mobile phones, mobile internet access, and mobile commerce are growing much faster than their fixed counterparts. A projected number of hand-held (mobile) devices will exceed the number of stationary terminals in the world in the next few years. Nevertheless, people are unlikely to buy things using a mobile phone if there is no immediate benefit; they are likely to wait until they get to a PC, with better interface. However, successful e-commerce and solutions do not simply translate into successful mobile solutions by adding a mobile interface. Those m-commerce applications that generate significant revenue will be those specifically developed around the mobile experience; those that understand how the customer interacts with their device, the type of things the customer wants to buy, and when they want to buy them. This paper attempts to describe the fast-growing trend for tools to access the internet that will be more popular in the future than the predominant use of personal computers at the present time. A survey was conducted to understand consumer attitudes toward mobile communication and factors that would contribute to adaptation and success of this emerging technology. The outcome of this research could provide a productive strategy for managerial decision-making in this emerging wireless environment.
The Influence of the Earth's Rotation on Mountain Wave Drag

Abstract The two-dimensional flow of a stratified rotating fluid over a ridge is considered using the linear theory model of Queney (1947). A general expression for the wave drag, or alternatively the vertical flux of angular momentum, is derived. As progressively wider mountains are considered, the wave drag decreases and the flow becomes more nearly geostrophic. With typical wind speeds, many mountain ranges, for example, the Alps, Andes and the Scandinavian mountains, have a drag between 0.1 and 0.9 of their f = 0 drag value and thus fall into the mesoscale category where the Coriolis force is important but not dominant.
ATP release through pannexon channels.

Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) serves as a signal for diverse physiological functions, including spread of calcium waves between astrocytes, control of vascular oxygen supply and control of ciliary beat in the airways. ATP can be released from cells by various mechanisms. This review focuses on channel-mediated ATP release and its main enabler, Pannexin1 (Panx1). Six subunits of Panx1 form a plasma membrane channel termed ‘pannexon’. Depending on the mode of stimulation, the pannexon has large conductance (500 pS) and unselective permeability to molecules less than 1.5 kD or is a small (50 pS), chloride-selective channel. Most physiological and pathological stimuli induce the large channel conformation, whereas the small conformation so far has only been observed with exclusive voltage activation of the channel. The interaction between pannexons and ATP is intimate. The pannexon is not only the conduit for ATP, permitting ATP efflux from cells down its concentration gradient, but the pannexon is also modulated by ATP. The channel can be activated by ATP through both ionotropic P2X as well as metabotropic P2Y purinergic receptors. In the absence of a control mechanism, this positive feedback loop would lead to cell death owing to the linkage of purinergic receptors with apoptotic processes. A control mechanism preventing excessive activation of the purinergic receptors is provided by ATP binding (with low affinity) to the Panx1 protein and gating the channel shut.
Optimizing risk-adjusted outcome measures: a moving target.: Invited Commentary on: Variability of NSQIP assessed surgical quality based on age and disease process

The optimal risk-adjustment tool to measure quality of surgical care would control for patient comorbidities, complexity of operations, physician and hospital case mix, and specialty-specific conditions. This ideal tool would help to produce generalizable and disease-specific risk-adjusted measurements of mortality, surgical site infection rates, and other surgical outcomes. Unfortunately no such risk adjustment tool exists. However, the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) is in a position to develop this tool in its continuous efforts to provide risk-adjusted performance data that participating sites can use to improve the quality of care delivered to surgical patients [1].
Respiratory sinus arrhythmia in the denervated human heart

We performed this study to test whether the denervated human heart has the ability to manifest respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). With the use of a highly sensitive spectral analysis technique (cross correlation) to define beat-to-beat coupling between respiratory frequency and heart rate period (R-R) and hence RSA, we compared the effects of patterned breathing at defined respiratory frequency and tidal volumes (VT), Valsalva and Mueller maneuvers, single deep breaths, and unpatterned spontaneous breathing on RSA in 12 normal volunteers and 8 cardiac allograft transplant recipients. In normal subjects R-R changes closely followed changes in respiratory frequency (P less than 0.001) but were little affected by changes in VT. On the R-R spectrum, an oscillation peak synchronous with respiration was found in heart transplant patients. However, the average magnitude of the respiration-related oscillations was 1.7-7.9% that seen in normal subjects and was proportionally more influenced by changes in VT. Changes in R-R induced by Valsalva and Mueller maneuvers were 3.8 and 4.9% of those seen in normal subjects, respectively, whereas changes in R-R induced by single deep breaths were 14.3% of those seen in normal subjects. The magnitude of RSA was not related to time since the heart transplantation, neither was it related to patient age or sex. Thus the heart has the intrinsic ability to vary heart rate in synchrony with ventilation, consistent with the hypothesis that changes, or rate of changes, in myocardial wall stretch might alter intrinsic heart rate independent of autonomic tone.
Overhearing Part of a Conversation: Shutts as a Moment in a Long Dialogue

Phillips Petroleum v. Shutts, the topic of a recent symposium, looks backwards as well as forwards. In its backwards-looking aspect Shutts suggests what federal diversity jurisdiction might have become. In its forward-looking aspect Shutts suggests the problems that will arise under the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005. This essay uses Shutts to sketch a new role for diversity jurisdiction, and it uses Shutts' facts to explain how we might begin to resolve the issues that CAFA will create.
Quantum Interference in the Field Ionization of Rydberg Atoms

We excite ultracold rubidium atoms in a magneto-optical trap to a coherent superposition of the three $|{m}_{j}|$ sublevels of the $37{d}_{5/2}$ Rydberg state. After some delay, during which the relative phases of the superposition components can evolve, we apply an electric field pulse to ionize the Rydberg electron and send it to a detector. The electron traverses many avoided crossings in the Stark levels as it ionizes. The net effect of the transitions at these crossings is to mix the amplitudes of the initial superposition into the same final states at ionization. Similar to a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, the three initial superposition components have multiple paths by which they can arrive at ionization and, since the phases of those paths differ, we observe quantum beats as a function of the delay time between excitation and initiation of the ionization pulse. We present a fully quantum-mechanical calculation of the electron's path to ionization and the resulting interference pattern.
Present Situation Analysis on Health Risk Behaviors among Adolescents in Daxing District of Beijing

[Objective]To understand the present situation and epidemic trend of health risk behaviors among adolescents in Daxing district of Beijing,provided the scientific basis for health department,education department and schools to make relevant policies and intervention measures.[Methods]An anonymous questionnaire was conducted among 1980 students chosen from 9 middle schools in Daxing district of Beijing by stratified cluster sampling method.[Results]In the past 7 days,28.64% of students have had dinner in western-style fast food restaurants.In the past 30 days,36.31% of students have rule-breaking behavior in bicycle riding and 61.97% have rule-breaking behavior in walking.In the past 12 months,16.46% of students have intentionally hurt themselves,15.81% has suicidal tendencies,and 35.61% had smoking history.36.15% of drinking students started drinking before 14 years old.In the past 12 months,13.99% of students have watched pornographic books or audio-visual products,6.78% of high school students have had sex.Health risk behaviors existed widely among adolescents in Daxing district of Beijing.There were significant differences in the incidence rates of health risk behaviors between different sex and grades students.[Conclusion]The relevant departments should pay attention to risk behaviors of adolescents,carry out the school health education on the basis of life skills timely and effectively,train the health behavior among adolescents,so as to improve their overall health level.