cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time-Resolved Solid-State Array Imaging Systems: Developments And Applications

Several optical, single transient data imaging systems have been developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for providing time-, space-, and intensity information of pulsed radiation sources. The basic components of these systems are fast-gated cameras, large-bandwidth transmission lines, large memories, and image processors. Gated MCPI are used with solid-state, one- or two-dimensional array cameras to record individual frames of an optical pulse. The MCP intensifiers are designed to provide large gain (> 10 6 electrons), fast optical shutter (≤1 nsec), low shading (≤10%), high spatial resolution (10 1p/mm at 50% CTF), and high sensitivity in the near UV (420 nm). Several methods are currently investigated to (1) produce faster optical gates without significant irising or reduction in resolution, and (2) to improve spatial resolution. Both photodiode arrays and charge-coupled devices (CCD) are used for the imagers in the solid-state cameras. These cameras are designed to achieve a large dynamic range (500:1), low saturation fluence (≤1.5 erg/cm2 at 420 nm), and small frame time (≤2.5 msec). Several commercially available imaging arrays containing 1035 x 1320, 512 x 512, 488 x 380, 128 x 128, 100 x 100 pixels each, with pixel diode sizes of ≤15μm, are examined for blooming, cross-talk, blemishes, and uniformity. Current investigations are concentrating on large segmented (512 x 512) photodiode arrays with CCD readout. All cameras are designed for fiber-optic or lens coupling. Maximum dynamic range and maximum signal-to-noise is achieved by using 8-, 10-, or 12-bit A/D converters. Large bandwidth fiber-optic transmission lines (720 Mbit/sec) and large memories are used for arrays with > 105 pixels, 10-bit A/D converters and short frame times. A technique known as data compression is applied to take advantage of a 10-bit system using an 8-bit data acquisition arrangement. The advent of large array cameras requires modifications in calibration procedure, data acquisition, and image processing. Gated optical imaging systems are used as a diagnostics on electron beams and plasma-, x-ray-, gamma-ray-, and neutron-sources too provide a snapshot of each event with high spatial resolution.
HLA DQ Gene Dosage and Risk and Severity of Celiac Disease

Background & Aims: Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the small intestine that is strongly associated with certain HLA molecules encoded by DQA and DQB genes. The aim of this study was to examine the role of DQA and DQB alleles in determining the risk for and the age of onset and severity of CD in an American population. Methods: High-resolution class 2 HLA genotyping was performed in a population-based sample (n = 84) of southeastern Minnesota residents with CD and a comparable control group (n = 102) to determine the contribution of DQA and DQB alleles to disease risk. Logistic regression modeling was used to examine the relative and absolute risks of CD. Results: Ninety-seven percent of CD patients carried both of the HLA alleles, DQA1*05 and DQB1*02. Those who carried a second allele of DQB1*02 were 5 times more likely to have CD than those with just one (95% confidence interval, 1.4–18.1). The carriage of 2 copies of DQB1*02 did not predict either an earlier age of onset or severity of disease. Conclusions: Both HLA alleles DQA1*05 and DQB1*02 are associated with a greatly increased risk of CD, although the latter has the greater effect. Carrying 2 copies of DQB1*02 was associated with an even greater risk for disease but did not predict an earlier age of onset and diagnosis or disease severity. Assessing the copy number of the DQB1*02 allele might allow for the stratification of disease risk.
Styloichthys as the oldest coelacanth: Implications for early osteichthyan interrelationships

Synopsis The Early Devonian (Lochkovian) sarcopterygian fish Styloichthys has been interpreted as the immediate sister taxon of the clade comprising both the dipnoan and the tetrapod total groups, but support for this placement is weak. Many derived characters of the lower jaw, braincase and dermal skull align Styloichthys with coelacanths and their bearing on the affinities of this genus is set against the evidence in support of earlier interpretations. A revised cladistic analysis places Styloichthys as the most basal coelacanth, which, if correct, fills conspicuous stratigraphic and morphological gaps in the fossil record of this clade. This analysis also raises questions about the phylogenetic placement of onychodonts and the Early Devonian ‘actinopterygians’ Ligulalepis and Dialipina, indicating that these taxa should be the specific targets of future systematic study.
Proton beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer-is the hype (and the cost) justified?

Although in use for over 40 years, proton beam therapy for prostate cancer has only recently come under public scrutiny, due to its increased cost compared to other forms of treatment. While the last decade has seen a rapid accumulation of evidence to suggest that proton beam therapy is both safe and effective in this disease site, a rigorous comparison to other radiotherapy techniques has not yet been completed. In this review, we provide an in-depth look at the evidence both supporting and questioning proton beam therapy’s future role in the treatment of prostate cancer, with emphasis on its history, physical properties, comparative clinical and cost effectiveness, advances in its delivery and future promise.
Disaster Vulnerabilities How Strong a Push Toward Regionalism and Intergovernmental Cooperation

In 2004, the Government Accountability Office reported that in the context of homeland security and disaster management, regional organization is an effective way to improve intergovernmental cooperation and preparedness at the local level. In 2006, the Department of Homeland Security began including risk (vulnerability) calculations in its funding formulas and adopted a regional approach to the distribution of funds to major metropolitan areas. Despite regionalism's theoretical appeal and its popularity as an organizational structure, what makes regionalism work in the context of emergency management/homeland security has not been methodically examined at the first responder level. Our study of local governments in Florida empirically tests the relationship between perceived vulnerabilities (risks) and the effectiveness of regional emergency management organizational structures. We find that certain types of local vulnerabilities, such as population attributes and infrastructure, are more powerful promoters of proregionalism sentiments than others, most notably financial condition.
Unbounded sets of maps and compactification in extension theory

Abstract Suppose that K is a CW-complex. When we say that a space Y is an absolute co-extensor for K , we mean that K is an absolute extensor for Y , i.e., that for every closed subset A of Y and any map f : A → K , there exists a map F : Y → K that extends f . Our main theorem will provide several statements that are equivalent to the condition that whenever K is a CW-complex and X is a space which is the topological sum of a countable collection of compact metrizable spaces each of which is an absolute co-extensor for K , then the Stone-Cech compactification of X is an absolute co-extensor for K .
Coprophilous mite communities as affected by concentration of plastic and glass particles.

The community and trophic structure of mites was examined in cattle manure and their response to treatment of manure with solid-waste particles was investigated. Mites were collected from artificial dung pats exposed to natural colonization in the field for 16 days. The pats were composed of manure alone or manure separately mixed with waste-material particles of four types and concentrations. Mites were the numerically dominant taxon among arthropods in manure. The Prostigmata was the most abundant suborder, mainly represented by the families Pygmephoridae and Ereynetidae. The common families of Mesostigmata were all cosmopolitan. Correlations with other arthropods suggest that Mesostigmata are opportunistic predators, preying upon dipteran larvae, Collembola and other mites, and preyed upon by larger predatory insect larvae. Cryptostigmata and Astigmata were a numerically minor community component. The species composition and abundance upon treatment of manure with polyethylene, polystyrene and glass particles was similar to that of the treatment control, i.e. natural and inert sand. Relatively low concentrations, 5 and 30% (v/v), of particles in manure did not alter the mite communities despite important differences with untreated manure in final moisture content. These findings may be relevant to proposed methods of solid-waste disposal. High particle concentrations of 60 and 90% had detrimental effects to the abundance of mites in manure and were caused by the very low final moisture content and probably nutrient deficiency of these treatments. The persistence of members of the prostigmatid families Tydeidae, Nanorchestidae and Tarsonemidae in the moisture-deficient 90%-concentration treatments supports previous evidence of adaptations to low-water-content habitats.
Chemokine receptor expression by human syncytiotrophoblast.

Abstract Despite their potential importance in placental HIV infection and placental immune function, nothing is known about the expression of chemokine receptors by human syncytiotrophoblast cells. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that primary cultures of term syncytiotrophoblast cells express CCR1, CCR3, CXCR4, and CCR6. Immunohistochemical examination of cryosections of term placental villous tissue confirmed the expression of CCR3, CXCR4, and CCR6 by trophoblast cells. The primary syncytiotrophoblast cultures showed no reactivity with antibodies against CCR5. In the villous tissue sections, CCR5 was detected in stromal cells and blood vessel walls but was not found in trophoblast cells. RT-PCR analysis of RNA extracted from cultured syncytiotrophoblast cells confirmed that the cells express message for CCR1, CCR3, CXCR4, CCR6 and CCR10. No transcripts corresponding to CCR2b, CCR5, or CCR8 were detected. Other experiments showed that exposure of syncytiotrophoblast cells to soluble SDF-1α elicited a calcium mobilization response, consistent with the expression of functional CXCR4. Thus, human syncytiotrophoblast cells express CXCR4, a known co-receptor for TCL-tropic HIV-1 isolates but do not express CCR5, the major co-receptor for M-tropic isolates. In addition to implications for the maternal–fetal transmission of HIV, the expression of chemokine receptors by syncytiotrophoblast cells could be important in other aspects of placental immune function.
Minimizing the Therapy-Related Morbidity in the Rectal Cancer Patient

A decades long challenge for clinicians caring for patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum has been to optimize oncologic outcomes while minimizing both disease- and treatment-associated morbidities. This review summarizes the landmark trials that have defined the current standard of adjuvant care for rectal cancer and ongoing/planned trials that may help shape future standards. The 1980s and 1990s witnessed validation of total mesorectal excision (TME) and 5-fluorouracil (%-FU)-based adjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) as feasible and effective pillars of care for adenocarcinoma of the rectum. The parallel advancements in preoperative staging, colorectal surgery, radiation, and medical oncology during this time culminated in a trial reported by Sauer and colleagues in 2004. Not only did this trial effectively compare preoperative and postoperative adjuvant CRT but it also advocated the use of total mesorectal excision as the standardized resection in all patients. While this trial addressed important issues surrounding preoperative adjuvant CRT and TME, further evolution of rectal cancer treatment will address additional issues, such as the incorporation of the oral 5-fluorouracil prodrug capecitabine (Xeloda) and oxaliplatin in adjuvant programs and development of strategies to individualize treatment based on the location (upper, mid, or distal) and molecular features of rectal cancer. The evolution of these modalities will hopefully enable physicians to individualize care plans so that optimal outcomes may be achieved.
Domestic Thermodynamics or How Not to Burn the Brownies, Explained

Anyone who has followed a recipe or used a commercial mix for baking brownies has probably experienced that the outer edge portions are burned, hard, and not as desired. This article offers an analysis of the baking process and a solution to the problem of overdone brownies. The process actually is a thermodynamic issue. Professional cooks, bakers, chefs, and baking mix manufacturers as well as the general public may benefit from an understanding of the technical features of the thermodynamics of heat transfer and how temperature rise and burning occurs in food materials.
Is family history related to preventive health behaviors and medical management in breast cancer patients

Introduction.Women diagnosed with breast cancer who also have a family history of the disease are at increased risk of developing additional primary breast or ovarian cancers. We investigated whether a relationship exists between family history and health behaviors in a cross-sectional study of breast cancer survivors. Methods.Participants in the Women’s Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) Study (a randomized trial designed to test the effect of a plant-based diet on breast cancer recurrence) completed baseline questionnaires about their family history and health behaviors. Medical records and self-reports provided treatment data. Participants were defined as having a family history (FH+) if they met specific family history criteria (n=195), and were compared with women having no family history (FH−) of breast cancer (n=1736). Results. The mean age of breast cancer diagnosis was 51.2 years for both groups, but FH+ women were more likely to be diagnosed before age 40. FH+ and FH− women had similar dietary patterns, alcohol intake, exercise patterns, body mass index and smoking histories. However, FH+ women were more likely to have undergone prophylactic contralateral mastectomy (OR=3.6, 95% CI=2.2 – 6.2) and bilateral oophorectomy (OR=1.6; 95% CI=1.0 – 2.3) following diagnosis, adjusted for age and time since diagnosis. The FH+ and FH− groups had similar patterns of use of anti-estrogen medications and frequency of medical follow-up. Conclusions.Breast cancer survivors with a strong family history of breast cancer are more likely to␣undergo surgical preventive measures to reduce their risk of additional cancer, but do not report undertaking more preventive lifestyle behaviors compared to breast cancer survivors without a family history.
Microassay of α-amylase with radioactive substrate

Abstract An assay system for α-amylase which directly measures the hydrolysis of radioactive starch is described. Commercially available preparations of 14C starch were found to be suitable as substrates. The hydrolysis of radioactive substrate was determined to be linear with time and proportional to enzyme concentration over a 100-fold range. This assay is more sensitive than either the dinitrosalicylate or starch-iodine methods.
Sustainability: a household word.

I thank Q. Wang and G. P. Peters et al. (“China's environmental civilian activism” and “Effects of China's economic growth,” Letters, 14 May, p. [824][1]) for responding to my Policy Forum, “China's road to sustainability” (2 April, p. [50][2]). Their Letters reiterated important forces
A Transducer for Simultaneously Measuring Forces Normal to and Parallel to Surfaces

A transducer for measuring interface loads was fabricated, characterized, and demonstrated by measuring coefficient of friction. It is composed of a segmented body supported on normal force and shear force piezoelectric sensors. The transducer can measure forces normal to and parallel to its surface simultaneously. It is suitable for inclusion into tribological interfaces for characterization of friction in laboratory apparatus or monitoring of forces in machines for machine and process control.
Ethics on the laboratory floor

Over the last 10 years – partly as a response to prior difficulties with the introduction of technologies into society – various governmental agencies and corporate entities in the USA and Europe b...
A wearable system that knows who wears it

Body-area networks of pervasive wearable devices are increasingly used for health monitoring, personal assistance, entertainment, and home automation. In an ideal world, a user would simply wear their desired set of devices with no configuration necessary: the devices would discover each other, recognize that they are on the same person, construct a secure communications channel, and recognize the user to which they are attached. In this paper we address a portion of this vision by offering a wearable system that unobtrusively recognizes the person wearing it. Because it can recognize the user, our system can properly label sensor data or personalize interactions.Our recognition method uses bioimpedance, a measurement of how tissue responds when exposed to an electrical current. By collecting bioimpedance samples using a small wearable device we designed, our system can determine that (a)the wearer is indeed the expected person and (b)~the device is physically on the wearer's body. Our recognition method works with 98% balanced-accuracy under a cross-validation of a day's worth of bioimpedance samples from a cohort of 8 volunteer subjects. We also demonstrate that our system continues to recognize a subset of these subjects even several months later. Finally, we measure the energy requirements of our system as implemented on a Nexus~S smart phone and custom-designed module for the Shimmer sensing platform.
TECHNOLOGICAL DRAMAS AND THE POLICE: STATEMENT AND COUNTERSTATEMENT IN ORGANIZATIONAL ANALYSIS*

Information technologies, especially computer-based recordkeeping and dispatching, when introduced into the police organization, are a material resource and a symbolic statement. Such statements can produce counter-statements, thus animating a dialectic, a technological drama that alters social fields (Bourdieu, 1977) and centrally features power and control (Burke, 1968). Ethnographic evidence is used to explore, with examples, four symbolic aspects (or meanings) of information technology. It is suggested that the introduction of information technology is an occasion for a socio-technical drama, or the selective use of messages to convey an impression. The drama is context dependent and plays itself out differentially in the several vertically ordered segments of police organizations. Technology as a symbol can point to one of several referents, each with overt and covert meanings: the regulatory aspects of technology, the modes of adjustment it creates, the reconstitution of technology, and processes of social reintegration. The four are ambivalent clusters that signal positive and negative meanings of “technology” while concealing relevant dissimilarities. These dramas are illustrated and analyzed, and suggestions are made for needed research. Some speculations about the consequences of technological dramas for role change in policing and the place of uncertainty in power relations conclude the paper.
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLANNING ON PRIVATE LANDS: A CASE STUDY OF THE SPATIAL ANALYSIS PROJECT IN THE NORTH CENTRAL UNITED STATES

In 2004, the US Forest Service launched the Spatial Analysis Project (SAP) to determine whether lands enrolled in the Forest Stewardship Program meet state stewardship objectives. Within each state, SAP used an aggregate analysis to categorise all land available for the FSP as — low, medium, or high stewardship potential. We characterized differences in land classified by the SAP in the study area, and determined if states have been effectively enrolling lands in the high category. Results indicate that while states are enrolling high stewardship potential lands (p < 0.0001), prioritising among forest lands is difficult because nearly all of it is classified as high or medium stewardship potential. We suggest prioritising forested areas using ranking criteria that are more closely associated with state forestry priorities, a strategy that could be adapted to increase the impact of limited public forest stewardship resources outside of the region as well.
Effects of performance feedback and extrinsic reward upon high intrinsic motivation

Abstract The effects of extrinsic rewards and feedback regarding task performance upon feelings of competence and strength of intrinsic motivation were examined for a highly intrinsically motivating task. The validity of several dependent measures of strength of intrinsic motivation was also studied. Undergraduates were recruited on a purely voluntary basis to play a complex computer game. Certain subjects were paid $2.00 for playing the game. Measures were obtained of subjects' rate of volunteering to return, actual return behavior, feelings of competence, satisfaction, enjoyment, and task performance. Results indicate that when intrinsic motivation is high, extrinsic rewards either do not affect or enhance intrinsic motivation. Feedback on task performance, has a potent impact upon feelings of competence and hence intrinsic motivation. Self-reports of satisfaction, enjoyment, and volunteering appear suspect as measures of intrinsic motivation.
Differentiating Forms and Functions of Aggression in Emerging Adults: Associations with Hostile Attribution Biases and Normative Beliefs

The purpose of this study was to extend the current literature on forms (i.e., physical and relational) and functions (i.e., proactive and reactive) of participants’ cognitions and beliefs about aggressive behavior. Participants included an ethnically diverse group of emerging adults (N = 165; M = 19.05 years; SD = 1.55) and completed a battery of self-report instruments. Gender differences for subtypes of physical aggression were found. Impulsivity was associated with all subtypes of aggression. Results showed that reactive physical aggression was uniquely associated with hostile attribution biases for instrumental provocation situations. Reactive relational aggression was uniquely associated with hostile attribution biases for relational provocation scenarios. Findings indicated links between self-reported subtypes of aggressive behavior and normative beliefs of aggression. Ways in which this study extends the extant literature are discussed.
Detection and purification of modified leghemoglobins from soybean root nodules

Abstract A new procedure was developed to purify leghemoglobins (Lbs) from Glycine max L. (Merr). root nodules. This procedure resulted in the purification of a hemoprotein fraction, Lbam as detected by ion-exchange-HPLC was found in nodule extracts prepared in the presence of peptidase inhibitors, and was unstable in acidic solutions. Acidic conditions also emhanced proteolysis of Lba by a nodule enriched in peptidases as observed using a denaturing peptide gel developed for this purpose. In contrast, there was little degradation of Lba by endogenous peptidases at pH 8.0. We incorporated these observations into the purification protocol as follows: (1) nodule extracts were first chromatographed on hydroxylapatite at pH 6.8. Greater than 98% of the peptidases bound to the column and the Lbs were recovered in the wash fraction; (2) subsequent ion-exchange chromatography of the wash fraction at pH 8.0 yielded several fractions related to Lba, including Lbam; and (3) The crude Lbam fraction was resolved into four distinct protein bands by isoelectric focusing using a new buffer system and gel formulation. One of these bands exhibited a p I value identical to that of Lba, whereas the other three proteins displayed more acidic p I values of 4.91, 4.87 and 4.85, respectively. All of these purified Lbam proteins had molecular weights indistinguishable from Lba, similar amino acid compositions and possessed a sequence identical to that of Lba in the first 15 residues from the amino-terminal end.
Contribution of Bremsstrahlung Emission from Lyα Clouds to the Microwave Background Fluctuations

I calculate the contribution of bremsstrahlung emission from Lyα absorption clouds to the brightness of the microwave sky. The calculation is based only on the assumption that the clouds below the Lyman limit are in photoionization equilibrium with a UV background radiation and avoids any uncertainty about the clumpiness of the gas. I predict a minimum fluctuation amplitude in the Rayleigh-Jeans regime of ΔT/T = 10-5.5±0.4 J221 1/2 (λ/5 cm)2, which varies over characteristic angular scales ~1''-100'', where λ is the observed wavelength and J221 1/2 is a weighted redshift average of the UV background intensity at the Lyman limit in units of 10-21 ergs cm-2 s-1 Hz-1 sr-1. Detection of this signal can be used to map the intergalactic hydrogen distribution and to calibrate the UV background at high redshifts. Existing VLA observations constrain J221 1/2 101.3±0.4, unless some of the extended flat-spectrum sources that were detected are Lyα absorption systems.
Characterization of an antigen in acute anaphylactic dialysis reactions: ethylene oxide-altered human serum albumin.

Abstract Anaphylactic reactions to dialysis have been associated with antibody to human serum albumin (HSA) that has been reacted with ethylene oxide (ETO). ETO, an agent used to sterilize dialyzers, is a potent alkylator of proteins. We have studied the antigenic characteristics of ETO-HSA. By use of immunoelectrophoresis we have demonstrated differences in electrophoretic mobility between HSA and ETO-HSA. By gel chromatography we have observed an apparent increase in the molecular weight of ETO-HSA as compared to HSA. Antigenic activity of ETO-HSA as determined by the technique of Lidd and Farr is found in all molecular weight fractions. Cutaneous reactivity to ETO-HSA can be transferred to subhuman primates. That reactivity is lost if the sera are heated to 56 °C for 4 hours. Antibody activity to ETO-HSA cannot be inhibited by ETO-glycine or HSA but can partially be inhibited by ETO-polylysine or ETO-ovalbumin. This suggests that antibody is directed against a new antigenic determinant on the ETO-protein moiety, probably an ETO-amino acid determinant like lysine.
ESR modulation-spectrum from a DPPH crystal

Abstract The triple-modulation technique was used to record the ESR modulation-spectrum of a crystal of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazil (DPPH). In addition to the line corresponding to T 2 (= T 1 ) = 78 ns, a much sharper line was observed, which appeared to correspond to the direct spin-lattice relaxation time T 10 =480 ns. Measurement of T 10 may not be possible with other currently available techniques.
Analysis of the volatile organic compounds in seized cocaine hydrochloride

The volatile organic compounds in seized cocaine hydrochloride were analyzed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Two different methods of sampling volatile compounds were investigated. In the first method, 20, 50, and 100 mg samples of seized cocaine hydrochloride were loaded into 2-inch glass tubes. The headspace of each tube was then purged with ultra high purity (UHP) helium and the gas exiting the tube was directed through a cryogenic loop filled with glass beads and maintained at liquid nitrogen temperature. The volatile organic compounds were collected onto the glass beads while the helium gas was vented. The organic compounds were subsequently thermally desorbed onto the column and analyzed by GC/MS. In the second method, 10 mg and 100 mg samples of seized cocaine hydrochloride were loaded into glass tubes fitted with glass frits at one end. UHP helium was purged through each sample and the purge gas containing organic compounds was collected onto a sorbent tube packed with Tenax TA. The concentrated organic compounds were then thermally desorbed onto a 4 m section of a split GC capillary column maintained at -70 degrees C with flow rates of 20-28 ml/min. Flow was returned to 2.8 ml/min during analysis. By sampling the seized samples of cocaine hydrochloride using a cryogenic loop, methanol, methyl ethyl ketone, acetic acid, 2,2,4-trimethyl pentane, 2-methyl pentane, dichloromethane, 2-propanol, and 2-propanol, and 2-propane (acetone) were found in three different seized cocaine hydrochloride samples. The observed quantities of these volatile organic compounds were different for each of the three seized cocaine hydrochloride samples. THe observed quantities of these volatile organic compounds were different for each of the three seized samples labeled A, B, and C. By sampling the seized samples of cocaine hydrochloride using sorbent tubes, cocaine was consistently observed. Although volatile components other than cocaine were observed, the number and amount of volatile components were not consistent with the cryogenic loop results.
Changes in the electrophoretic pattern of hemoglobin in aging swiss mice

Abstract The changes in the amount and the electrophoretic pattern of hemoglobin was examined in the Swiss mice aged 67–675 days. Total hemoglobin content (g/100 ml) in the blood decreased with an increase in the age of the mice and then increased near the end of the life span. Cellulose acetate electrophoresis of hemoglobin resulted in the resolution of 5 bands. Bands 1 (closest to the anode), 2 and 3 accounted for 99% of the total protein. Bands 1, 2 and 4 displayed prominent age-related changes. The amounts of protein associated with bands 2 and 4 decreased while that of band 1 increased with advancing age of the mice.
The SIM astrometric grid

The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) is fundamentally a one-dimensional instrument with a 15-degree field-of-regard. Mission objectives require a global reference grid of thousands of well-understood stars with positions known to 4 microarcseconds which will be used to establish the instrument baseline vector during scientific observations. This accuracy will be achieved by frequently observing a set of stars throughout the mission and performing a global fit of the observations to determine position, proper motion and parallax for each star. Each star will be observed approximately 200 times with about 6.5 stars per single instrument field on the sky. We describe the nature of the reference grid, the candidate objects, and the results of simulations demonstrating grid performance, including estimates of the grid robustness when including effects such as instrument drift and possible contamination of the grid star sample by undetected binaries.
The bending stiffness of laminated composite material I-beams

Abstract The bending behavior of graphite-epoxy I-beams was examined. The beams used in this study were made of T 300 934 graphite-epoxy with three different layups. Short-beam shear tests, using three-point bending, were used. The shear-deflection and bending-deflection contributions were separated using Timoshenko Beam Theory. The equivalent bending stiffness was obtained from the deflection due to bending. The bending stiffness was calculated in two ways: using a method based on lamination theory, and using a transformed-section method developed especially for composites. A comparison of analytical and experimental results indicates that both methods are accurate tools for predicting the bending stiffness of composite material beams.
Compensation Contracts: Do Agency Theory Assumptions Predict Negotiated Agreements?

This study examined how the ability to monitor an agent's actions and environmental munificence affect compensation contracts in principal-agent dyads. In a laboratory experiment, we tested predict...
Comparison of incidence of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae disease among children before and after introduction of conjugated pneumococcal vaccine.

Objectives: The objective was to determine whether there has been a significant decrease in the incidence of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae disease in the Louisville, KY, area since heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine was introduced in the winter of 1999-2000. A secondary objective was to collect demographic data regarding invasive S. pneumoniae disease in the Louisville, KY, area during the 1997-2002 period. Methods: Data on cases of invasive S. pneumoniae disease (defined by a positive culture for S. pneumoniae from the blood, pleural fluid or cerebrospinal fluid) were collected from the microbiology laboratories and medical records departments of all hospitals that treat children in the Louisville area, for 1997-2002. Trends in case rates for all cases of invasive S. pneumoniae disease from 1999 to 2002 were observed, and demographic and other factors regarding this illness were recorded for each patient. Results: The trend for rates of invasive pneumococcal disease showed a significant decrease during the study period for all ages combined ( P < 0.001), for children younger than 2 years of age (P = 0.002) and for children 2 to 5 years of age (P = 0.002). The mean age for children was 2.22 years, with a male/female ratio of 1.8:1. The most common final diagnoses for the patients were bacteremia without focus, pneumonia and meningitis. Forty-eight percent of the organisms were resistant to penicillin. There was a significantly higher rate of resistance to penicillin among S. pneumoniae strains that caused cerebrospinal fluid infection than among strains that caused non-cerebrospinal fluid infection (P < 0.001). The case fatality rate was 2.6%. Conclusion: Case rates for invasive S. pneumoniae disease among children decreased significantly in the 2-year period after introduction of the heptavalent S. pneumonia protein conjugate vaccine into this community.
The Development of Curriculum for Girls in Saudi Arabia

This paper illustrates the development of curriculum for girls in Saudi Arabia and how it has changed and been challenged over time. Several factors have played important roles on impeding girls’ education. Society was the main impediment, as it used to refuse any change and fight that change. Girls in Saudi Arabia are segregated from boys in different schools, but in the past, they also had to take different subjects and curriculum that what boys were studying. There are three major challenges that girls’ education faced until they were given the same quality of education that boys received. The first challenge started during King Faisal’s era when girls were allowed to go to public schools but under different directors than boys’ institutions. The second time was in 2002, when the girls’ education was moved under the Ministry of Education. The last challenge began with King Abdullah’s project for developing education, whereupon girls received the same quality of education as men.
Effect of storage at 3 C on the proteinase enzyme systems of slow and fast strains of lactic streptococci.

Abstract The ability of stored cells to grow in casein medium or to produce acid in milk at 22C was retarded following storage at 3C. Although the number of viable cells remained constant, their proteinase activity also decreased with storage. The proteinase activity of the particulate and soluble fractions from disrupted cells of two slow acid-producing cultures ( Streptococcus lactis HI and Streptococcus cremoris KH) decreased with storage at 3C. The proteinase activity of the particulate fractions of two fast acid-producing cultures ( S. lactis AC-1 and S. cremoris US-3) was also labile to storage at 3C, but the activity of their soluble fractions was unaffected by storage.
Surgical aspects of intestinal tuberculosis in children: Our experience

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major health problem in resource-constrained countries. Intestinal TB is especially notorious as a number of cases have to be dealt surgically, which too have morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to identify various presentations of intestinal TB necessitating surgical intervention, their management, complications, and outcome in our hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out at the Department of Paediatric Surgery, The Children's Hospital and The Institute of Child Health Lahore, Pakistan, from December 2007 to January 2010. The information about the demography, clinical presentations, investigations, management performed, complications encountered, and outcome of patients with intestinal TB were reviewed. Results: There were a total of 18 patients with intestinal TB who were managed surgically during this period. Five were male and 13 female patients (M : F 1 : 2.6). Mean age of presentation was 8.3 years. Clinical presentations were acute peritonitis in 7 patients, pneumoperitoneum in 5 patients, complete intestinal obstruction in 4 patients, pain in right iliac fossa in 2 patients, and irreducible inguinal hernia in 1 patient. Four patients had concurrent pulmonary TB. Surgical interventions included primary repair of perforation in one, repair of perforation with diversion ileostomy in 8, and merely peritoneal drainage (haemodynamically unstable patients) in 3 patients. The post-operative complications were high output ileostomy in 3, faecal fistula in 1, wound dehiscence in 3, wound infection 5, and prolonged ileus in 1 patient. In three patients stoma was reversed during the same admission. There was one expiry in our study. Conclusion: Acute peritonitis, intestinal obstruction and intestinal perforation are the main clinical presentations requiring surgical interventions. Optimal surgical strategy should be adopted to avoid such pitfalls in the management.
Robust non-vad implementation of Multichannel Wiener filter for binaural noise reduction

Binaural noise-reduction techniques based on Multichannel Wiener filter (MWF) are promising candidates to be used in binaural hearing aids. The real-time implementation of the existing MWF methods involves different challenges, e.g. the robustness against errors in the estimation of the second-order statistics. A typical approach in MWF to estimate these statistics has been the use of a voice activity detector (VAD). But a VAD-based estimation is not particularly suitable for low SNR scenarios, or to track the noise statistics in non-stationary environments during voiced segments. This paper proposes a non-VAD statistics estimation and a method to adapt the trade-off parameter in a well-known MWF method, SDW-MWF. The performance of the proposed implementation is analyzed under realistic scenarios. The proposed method outperforms a VAD-based implementation, is robust under low-SNR and non-stationary environments, and provides good speech quality.
Crystal growth of monoclinic Eu2O3 from molten NaF

High purity monoclinic Eu2O3 single crystals were grown from the molten solvent NaF by convective mass transport. Four-week runs produced transparent acicular crystals up to 0.2 x 0.2 x 5 mm in size with well-developed [101] and 01 prism 0609 0812 V faces. Mass spectrometric analysis indicated a crystal purity of >99.99%, with <3 ppm Na, 3 ppm F, and 1 ppm Pt as the pertinent impurities.
Novel piezoelectric transducers to monitor head-disk interactions

As the flying heights of air bearing sliders are reduced to improve magnetic recording linear density, mechanical tolerances on the head-disk interface become more critical and real time measurement of wear-out phenomena becomes essential. We have developed novel piezoelectric techniques for monitoring contacts and mechanical resonances in the head-disk assembly. The techniques are real time and nondestructive, allowing use at the component level or in a fully assembled unit. Two sensor types will be described and data will be given for tests in which these sensors have been used to monitor flexure and suspension resonances, air bearing resonances, head-disk contacts, and disk roughness.
The satisfaction process: Computational aspects of extended filters

Abstract A previous paper, using the concepts of extended topology, described basic properties of the satisficing process. This process was shown to be a unique form of decision-making which arises from the inherent structure of the decision-making context. This paper continues that theme, but with an emphasis on the computational aspects of extended filter theory and satisficing. In particular, it quantifies the “filtering” capabilities of a filter by three measures: 1. (1) the ambiguity of a filter; 2. (2) the discrimination of a filter; and 3. (3) the resolution of a filter. In addition it characterizes two forms of universal filter bases and establishes a distance measure (a metric) between filters.
Native American Tattoos: Identity and Spirituality in Contemporary America

Influences from counterculture movements and tattooing traditions from around the world have transformed the North American tattoo experience. Consultants' narratives reveal a desire to align with a primal human essence, seen as somehow lost through the process of civilization. Images are intentionally chosen to seek connection with people considered to embody a simpler, truer form of human life; what scholars routinely refer to as the “primitive,” or the Other. In the cases under consideration, an effort is made to connect to a particular so-called primitive, that is, the American Indian. Thus, the current renaissance of tattoo as fine art provides an occasion to reconsider American fascination with “playing Indian” and all things Indian.
Lifting properties of some universal orthogonal representations

If G→O(V) is an orthogonal representation of the group G, then a double cover of G is determined from the natural cover of the orthogonal group: {±1}→pin(V)→O(V). If χ is the character of G afforded by V, let h(χ) denote the element in the Schur multiplier of G determined by this double cover of G. Relations satisfied by this invariant are determined by making use of some properties of the standard embeddings of GL(V) and PGL(V) in O(V⊗V) and O(V⊗V) respectively. In particular, h(χ+χ)=h(χχ)=1 for any character χ.
Problem drinking: Rural and urban trends in America, 1995/1997 to 2003

OBJECTIVE.: Studies examining trends in problem alcohol use for U.S. adults residing in rural locations are lacking. This study examines recent trends in heavy and binge drinking in urban counties and three types of rural counties. METHODS.: Random-digit telephone survey of adults aged 18 years or older residing in states participating in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, in the years 1995/1997 (n = 247,255), 1999/2001 (n = 362,077) and 2003 (n = 257,659). Analyses were performed in 2006. RESULTS.: Metropolitan counties experienced higher prevalence of heavy and binge drinking than rural counties in all years, and all geographic areas showed upward trends in both drinking behaviors. Trends in heavy drinking were sharper in rural counties (3.8% to 5.4% compared with 4.9% to 6.0% in metro counties). Metropolitan and rural counties overall saw similar increases in binge drinking, however, the greatest increase occurred in remote micropolitan counties (12.7% to 15.7%). CONCLUSION.: Heavy and binge drinking are problems that continue to increase in rural areas nationwide. Because of the difficulties inherent in accessing and administering substance abuse treatment in rural areas, special attention should be given to tailoring alcohol abuse interventions to the needs of rural residents.
TOWARDS A NON‐POSSESSIVE CONCEPT OF KNOWLEDGE: ON THE RELATION BETWEEN REASON AND LOVE IN AQUINAS AND BALTHASAR1

Because of the consistent emphasis he places on the supremacy of love, Hans Urs von Balthasar has occasionally been thought to incline toward a problematic irrationalism. This essay addresses this charge through a comparison of Aquinas and Balthasar on the question of the relationship between intellect and will. It is argued that the superiority of intellect over will generally attributed to Aquinas itself leads paradoxically to irrationalism whenever the object exceeds the soul, and that Balthasar's insistence on the supremacy of love—precisely because it integrates will and intellect and thereby makes the intellectual act structurally ecstatic—in fact allows us to avoid such an irrationalism.
A distinct first replication cycle of DNA introduced in mammalian cells

Many mutation events in microsatellite DNA sequences were traced to the first embryonic divisions. It was not known what makes the first replication cycles of embryonic DNA different from subsequent replication cycles. Here we demonstrate that an unusual replication mode is involved in the first cycle of replication of DNA introduced in mammalian cells. This alternative replication starts at random positions, and occurs before the chromatin is fully assembled. It is detected in various cell lines and primary cells. The presence of single-stranded regions increases the efficiency of this alternative replication mode. The alternative replication cannot progress through the A/T-rich FRA16B fragile site, while the regular replication mode is not affected by it. A/T-rich microsatellites are associated with the majority of chromosomal breakpoints in cancer. We suggest that the alternative replication mode may be initiated at the regions with immature chromatin structure in embryonic and cancer cells resulting in increased genomic instability. This work demonstrates, for the first time, differences in the replication progression during the first and subsequent replication cycles in mammalian cells.
Using the Internet to recruit employees: Comparing the effects of usability expectations and objective technological characteristics on Internet recruitment outcomes

Abstract Research shows that technological characteristics influence important outcomes of Internet recruitment, such as organizational attractiveness perceptions. This is thought to be the result of more positive perceptions about the technology. However, few studies acknowledge the role of pre-use cognitions on post-use technology perceptions and recruitment outcomes. In this study, we argue that objective technological characteristics do indeed influence organizational attractiveness perceptions by making technology perceptions more positive. However, we also argue that pre-use expectations have a stronger indirect effect on organizational attractiveness perceptions because they make the technology seem even more usable. Bootstrapped indirect effects results from 354 role-playing job seekers show that both objective technological characteristics and usability expectations relate to attractiveness perceptions indirectly through post-use technology perceptions. However, the indirect effect of expectations was significantly more positive than the effect of objective technological characteristics. Our results show that job seekers’ expectations play a significant role in determining subsequent recruitment outcomes. These findings support contingency theories of media/technology use and suggest that organizations may want to consider the applicant pool’s pre-use technology beliefs when designing recruitment strategies.
Fluorescent imaging in a glioma model in vivo.

Background and Objective Nile blue dyes have been shown to have affinity for tumor tissue as compared to surrounding normal tissue and to be relatively non-toxic. We have employed EtNBA, a lipophilic, fluorescent benzophenoxazine dye, in a murine model to image subcutaneous and intracranial U-87 glioma implants. Study Design/Materials and Methods The imaging system used to detect fluorescence consists of a SIT video camera fitted with a zoom microscope-magnifying lens. The tumor was illuminated with a 632.8-nm diffuse beam from a helium–neon laser. The video image was processed using a Sony image processor to give real-time pseudocolor and enhanced black and white images. Results Following subcutaneous injection of the dye at doses of 2.5–5.0 mg/kg bw, we observed a gradual increase of the fluorescent signal from the tumor which peaked 1–3 hours post-injection with variable selectivity (typically 4:1) for tumor to normal surrounding tissues permitting the clear demarcation of the tumor. Conclusions The present in vivo study demonstrates that EtNBA is a safe and effective photodiagnostic agent, able to demarcate U87-MG solid tumors in mice on a real-time basis at a concentration of 2.5–5.0 mg/kg 1–3 hours after administration. Lasers Surg. Med. 29:11–17, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.