cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Real, imaginary, and clutter Gabor filter fusion for detection with reduced false alarms

We fuse the output from our real Gabor function macro de- tection filter with the outputs from a clutter Gabor filter and an imaginary Gabor filter. This fusion reduces false alarm clutter (PFA), while retaining high probability of detection (PD). Initial test results are given for a large set of 34 scenes with 189 targets in six different classes with full 360- deg distortions and contrast differences in the presence of clutter. We find D979/° and FA=°°38 All three new Gabor transform out- puts are achieved on a correlator with different filter functions.
Social capital and community: editor’s introduction

This is a brief examination of this special issues contents with regard to the articles on social capital and community‐based organizations.
On the performance of target detection algorithms for hyperspectral imagery analysis

Target detection is one of the most useful applications of hyperspectral remote sensing. In supervised spectral-analysis based target detection, it is assumed that the spectral signature d of a target to be detected is known a prior. In practice, the signature of a material is varied due to the weather, atmospheric, and background conditions. So it may not exactly match the signature d in a spectral library. In addition, most of pixels in a remote sensing image are mixed pixels. How a target detector handles mixed pixels and detects the target component at the subpixel level is another issue. In this paper, we will investigate the performance of five frequently used target detectors when the prior target spectral information is not precise and targets are embedded at the subpixel level. Detailed computer simulation is performed, based on which preliminary conclusions are drawn. This study is instructive to algorithm selection in practical implementation.
Phase transitions of frustrated XY models on deformed square lattices.

We have studied both analytically and numerically the phase transitions in a novel type of Josephson-junction array in a magnetic field equal to one flux quantum per two lattice cells. The lattice we consider has two lattice constants, \ensuremath{\tau} and 1-\ensuremath{\tau}, in one direction and has one in the other. Monte Carlo simulation and mean-field calculations, as well as analytical arguments are performed which indicate that the phase transition is of the Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) type for \ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\le}${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{c}$\ensuremath{\sim}0.288. The ground-state configuration is found to be helically ordered with U(1) symmetry. In the interval ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{c}$\ensuremath{\le}1/2, the ground state has double discrete degeneracy and the KT transition can be mixed with an Ising-type transition at special values of \ensuremath{\tau}. The variation of the transition temperature with magnetic field is also estimated. The behavior of the deformed square lattice at other field strengths, and in the presence of disorder, is discussed qualitatively.
Probing high order structure of proteins by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry

During the past decade, numerous investigations have demonstrated that the rate at which amide hydrogens located at peptide linkages undergo isotopic exchange is a sensitive probe of the high order structure and dynamics of proteins. The present investigation demonstrates that microbore high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) continuous-flow fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FABMS) can be used to accurately quantify deuterium located at peptide linkages in short segments of large proteins. This result is important because it demonstrates the feasibility of using mass spectrometry as a tool for studying the high order structure and dynamics of large proteins. Following a period of deuterium exchange-in, a protein was placed into slow-exchange conditions and fragmented into peptides with pepsin. The digest was analyzed by continuous-flow HPLC FABMS to determine the molecular weights of the peptides, from which the number of deuterons located at the peptide linkages could be deduced. The HPLC step was used both to fractionate the peptides according to their hydrophobicities and to remove through back-exchange all deuterium except that located at peptide amide linkages. This approach has been applied to α-crystallin, a lens protein composed of two gene products with monomer molecular weights of 20 kDa and an aggregate molecular weight approaching 1000 kDa. Results from this study show that some of the peptide amide hydrogens in αA-crystallin exchange very rapidly (k > 10 h−1) while others exchange very slowly (k < 10−3 h−1). The ability not only to detect that a conformational change has occurred, but also to identify the specific regions within the protein where the change occurred, was demonstrated by measuring changes in the exchange rates within these regions as the deuterium exchange-in temperature was increased from 10 to 80 ° C.
Alpha-omega and beyond industrial view of gas/liquid/solid reactor development

Gas/Liquid/Solid reactors may be the most difficult of all reacting systems to commercialize. Their development requires dealing with virtually all facets of reaction engineering and their underlying core chemical engineering technologies. Kinetics, thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, mixing, thermal requirements, hardware design and economics intertwine within the confines of the reactor and in turn are impacted by ancillary requirements of the entire process system. Laboratory units rarely provide intrinsic kinetics; pilot plants exhibit unique hydrodynamic and mixing characteristics; and commercial units introduce further complexities of scale. This paper seeks to delineate fundamental development and scaleup issues, and to relate them through example to the requirements of gas/liquid/solid reactor R&D.
Effect of Ablation-Induced Roll Torques on Re-entry Vehicles

The results of a re-entry vehicle flight test program to evaluate the roll-producing effect of an ablating tapewrapped carbon phenolic heat shield are presented. Included is a description of the thermal shield construction, which reveals the presence of small aerodynamic surfaces. Exposed by the ablation process during severe reentry environment, these surfaces are capable of producing significant rolling moments. Instrumentation onboard the flight vehicle, designed to evaluate the aerodynamic and thermal response, indicated that the desired flight environment was achieved and that there was sufficient ablation to generate roll torque. A discussion of theoretical methods to predict the rolling moment coefficients is presented, as well as a comparison of the predicted coefficients with flight data. The vehicle was recovered intact, and the postflight inspection is described.
Respiratory symptoms and lung function 8–10 months after community exposure to chlorine gas: a public health intervention and cross-sectional analysis

We implemented a community based interventional health screening for individuals located within one mile of a 54 metric tons release of liquid chlorine following a 16 tanker car train derailment on 6 January, 2005 in Graniteville, South Carolina, USA. Public health intervention occurred 8–10 months after the event, and provided pulmonary function and mental health assessment by primary care providers. Its purpose was to evaluate those exposed to chlorine for evidence of ongoing impairment for medical referral and treatment. We report comparative analysis between self-report of respiratory symptoms via questionnaire and quantitative spirometry results. Health assessments were obtained through respiratory symptom and exposure questionnaires, simple spirometry, and physical exam. Simple spirometry was used as the standard to identify continued breathing problems. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were applied to evaluate the validity of the respiratory questionnaire. We also identified the direction of discrepancy between self-reported respiratory symptoms and spirometry measures. Generalized estimation equations determined prevalence ratios for abnormal spirometry based on the presence of participant persistent respiratory symptoms. Covariate adjustment was made for participant age, sex, race, smoking and educational status. Two hundred fifty-nine people participated in the Graniteville health screening; 53 children (mean age = 11 years, range: <1-16), and 206 adults (mean age = 50 years, range: 18–89). Of these, 220 (85%) performed spirometry maneuvers of acceptable quality. Almost 67% (n = 147) displayed abnormal spirometry, while 50% (n = 110) reported persistent new-onset respiratory symptoms. Moreover, abnormal spirometry was seen in 65 participants (29%) who did not report any discernible breathing problems. This represented a net 16.8% underreporting of symptoms. Sensitivity and specificity of questionnaire self-report of symptoms were low at 55.8% and 61.6%, respectively. Persistent cough (41%) and shortness of breath (39%) were the most frequently reported respiratory symptoms. Eight to ten months after acute chlorine exposure, the Graniteville health screening participants under-reported respiratory symptoms when compared to abnormal spirometry results. Sensitivity and specificity were low, and we determined that relying upon the self-report questionnaire was not adequate to objectively assess the lung health of our population following irritant gas exposure.
Allergenicity of the Madagascar hissing cockroach

Background The Madagascar hissing cockroach ( Gromphadorhina portentosa ) has become popular as a pet and as an educational tool in classrooms, zoos, and museums. Objective To determine whether proteins in G portentosa are allergens and whether these allergens cross-react with those of other cockroach species. Methods Sera from cockroach-sensitive individuals and control subjects were used to probe immunoblots for the presence of circulating IgE that bound to proteins present in extracts of 4 cockroach species. Results Serum from an individual sensitized to G portentosa had circulating IgE that bound to proteins in extracts of all 4 cockroach species. Eight of 15 Blatella germanica -sensitized patients had IgE that bound to proteins in extracts prepared from G portentosa . Rabbit antiserum to Periplaneta americana and to Bla g 1 also contained antibody that bound to proteins in G portentosa extract, demonstrating antigenic cross-reactivity among these cockroach species. Conclusions Allergists, teachers, parents, and patients should be aware that sensitization and allergic reactions to the Madagascar hissing cockroach can occur. Caution should be taken if these exotic cockroaches are used in educational exercises in schools, museums, and zoos to protect predisposed individuals.
Thermal Expansion of Elastic-Plastic Composite Materials.

Abstract : Exact relationships are derived between instantaneous overall thermal stress or strain vectors and instantaneous overall mechanical stifness or compliance, for two binary composite systems in which one of the phases may deform plastically. Also the local instantaneous thermal strain and stress concentration factors are related in an exact way to the corresponding mechanical concentration factors. The results depend on instantaneous thermoelastic constants and volume fractions of the phases. They are found for fibrous composites with two distinct elastically isotropic or transversely isotropic phases, and for any binary composite with elastically isotropic phases. The results indicate that in the plastic range the thermal and mechanical loading effects are coupled even if the phase properties of not depend on changes in temperature. The derivation is based on a novel decomposition procedure which indicates that spatially uniform elastic strain fields can be created in certain heterogeneous media by superposition of uniform phase eigen-strains with local strains caused by piecewise uniform strss fields which are in equilibrium with prescribed surface tractions. The method is extended to discretized microstructures, and also to analysis of moisture absorption and phase transformation effects on overall response and on local fields in the two composite materials. (Author)
X-RAY-INDUCED LUMINESCENCE FROM AIR

The luminescence due to the absorption of x-rays in air has been studied in the range 600 to 250 m\ensuremath{\mu}. Relatively strong peaks were found at 356, 336, and 314 m\ensuremath{\mu} with lesser peaks at 388, 378, and 373 m\ensuremath{\mu}. This luminescence has been associated with argon present in the atmosphere.
Risk factors for chronic constipation and a possible role of analgesics

Constipation has an estimated prevalence of 15% in the general population. However, the etiopathogenesis of this condition remains relatively obscure. This study sought to identify potentially novel risk factors for chronic constipation. A valid self-report questionnaire was mailed to an age- and gender-stratified random sample of Olmsted County, Minnesota residents aged 30-64 years. A logistic regression model that adjusted for age, gender and somatic symptom score (SSC) was used to identify factors associated with chronic constipation. People reporting symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were excluded. Of the 892 eligible subjects, 653 (73%) returned the survey. Among the 523 subjects not reporting IBS symptoms, chronic constipation was reported by 93 (18%) of the respondents. Chronic constipation was significantly associated with use of acetaminophen [>or=7 tablets per week, OR = 2.7 (1.1-6.6)]; aspirin [OR = 1.7 (1.0-2.7)]; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [OR = 1.8 (1.1-3.0)]; and SSC. No association was detected for age, gender, body mass index, marital status, smoking, alcohol, coffee, education level, food allergy, exposure to pets, stress, emotional support, or water supply. Chronic constipation is associated with use of acetaminophen, aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The explanation of these associations requires further investigation.
Characterization and modeling of emitter-base leakage in high speed SiGe NPNs

Leakage through the base is a common yield detractor in SiGe NPNs. The defects are commonly referred to as dasiapipespsila and are manifested as a current path between emitter and collector independent of base bias. In this article we discuss pipes which have been observed due to retarded base growth. Advanced light/thermally induced voltage alterations (LIVA) and cross section transmission electron microscopy (XTEM) were used to identify these defects, which resulted in leakage paths through the base to the collector. The pipes were found to have resistances ranging 100-200 kOmega, and could be modeled as junction field-effect transistors (JFETs) in which the pipes serve as the channel and the base as the gate electrode. Technology computer-aided design (TCAD) was utilized to model the pipes and provide insight into their behavior. In particular, the higher CE leakage currents of NPNs containing a selective collector implant are explained by changes in the conduction band resulting from the SIC implant. This correlates with observed NPN yield trends.
"Ca2+ funneling": Functional coupling between SOCE, SERCA and IP3 receptors enhances Ca2+ signaling efficiency in activating the Ca2+-activated Cl channels as downstream effectors.

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is a ubiquitous Ca2+ influx pathway leading to a sustained, low amplitude Ca2+ signal that activates multiple physiological process including gene transcription and secretion, and contributes to store refilling. We here describe a novel mechanism, that we call "Ca2+ funneling", which allows efficient activation by SOCE of Calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCl2) in the xenopus oocyte to regulate the cell's membrane potential. When intracellular Ca2+ stores were emptied using ionomycin, a small CaCl2 current is observed. Conversely, when the stores were depleted following injection of IP3 there was a significantly larger CaCl2 activation than with ionomycin (2.5 ± 0.5 nA, n=14 vs 0.08 ± 0.02 nA, n=20). Surprisingly the size of the SOCE current was similar in both conditions, indicating that an equivalent calcium influx was leading to different CaCl2 activation. Ca2+ injection experiments ruled out any change in the CaCl2 sensitivity to Ca2+. The CaCl2 activated by IP3...
Role Strain and Illicit Drug Use: The Moderating Influence of Commitment to Conventional Values

The hypothesized relationships between strain associated with marital/parental/single roles and illicit drug use and commitment to conventionality as a moderating variable of the role strain–drug use relationship were estimated using white Anglo respondents who were interviewed as young adults. Multiple regression analyses indicate that individuals who are married/in long-term relationships and who have children living with them are least likely to use illicit drugs, whereas those who are single and have no children living with them are most likely to use drugs. Moreover, individuals who experience strain associated with marriage, parenthood, or single status are more likely to use illicit drugs only when they are committed to conventional values. The moderating influences of commitment to conventionality are consistent with the contention that individuals who experience role strain and are simultaneously committed to conventionality may find failure in valued social roles more distressing and that use of...
Hard Times in Harmony School District

This case study covers a wide variety of problems that can confront school superintendents and it challenges students to create a coherent and authentic approach to systemic school reform. It may be used in an introductory course in critical issues of the superintendency with the emphasis on identifying issues and trouble areas and arriving at possible solutions. This case also presents a situation that is complicated enough that it may be used in a seminar for advanced doctoral students.
Cerebral Cortex: A Sensorimotor Amalgam in the Marsupialia

In the cerebral cortex of the opossum and the wallaby there Is a complete and coincident overlap of the sensory and the motor representations of the body. Within this sensorimotor area It is not possible to draw the line which in other mammals separates a primarily sensory area from a primarily motor area.
Locality-preserving hashing in multidimensional spaces

We consider localitg-preserving hashing — in which adjacent points in the domain are mapped to adjacent or nearlyadjacent points in the range — when the domain is a ddimensional cube. This problem has applications to highdimensional search and multimedia indexing. We show that simple and natural classes of hash functions are provably good for this problem. We complement this with lower bounds suggesting that our results are essentially the best possible.
Instrumentation of 400-Cycle Aircraft Electric Systems

THE use of 400-cycle alternating current1 as a power source on large aircraft originates the problem of adequate instrumentation at the distribution panel. Load conditions on a d-c system are determined by the simple parameters of voltage and current, whereas those of the a-c system include frequency and active and reactive power, in addition to voltage and current. Specifically, the flight engineer will require the following information for intelligent operation of the system:
Efficient scatter correction using asymmetric kernels

X-ray cone-beam (CB) projection data often contain high amounts of scattered radiation, which must be properly modeled in order to produce accurate computed tomography (CT) reconstructions. A well known correction technique is the scatter kernel superposition (SKS) method that involves deconvolving projection data with kernels derived from pencil beam-generated scatter point-spread functions. The method has the advantages of being practical and computationally efficient but can suffer from inaccuracies. We show that the accuracy of the SKS algorithm can be significantly improved by replacing the symmetric kernels that traditionally have been used with nonstationary asymmetric kernels. We also show these kernels can be well approximated by combinations of stationary kernels thus allowing for efficient implementation of convolution via FFT. To test the new algorithm, Monte Carlo simulations and phantom experiments were performed using a table-top system with geometry and components matching those of the Varian On-Board Imager (OBI). The results show that asymmetric kernels produced substantially improved scatter estimates. For large objects with scatter-to-primary ratios up to 2.0, scatter profiles were estimated to within 10% of measured values. With all corrections applied, including beam hardening and lag, the resulting accuracies of the CBCT reconstructions were within ±25 Hounsfield Units (±2.5%).
Clorgyline treatment elevates cortical serotonin and temporarily disrupts the vibrissae-related pattern in rat somatosensory cortex.

Manipulation of cortical serotonin (5-HT) levels in perinatal rodents produces significant alterations in the development of the layer IV cortical representation of the mystacial vibrissae. Monoamine oxidase A (MAO(A)) knockout mice have highly elevated cortical 5-HT and completely lack barrels in somatosensory cortex (S-I). The present study was undertaken to determine whether the effects on thalamocortical development seen in MAO(A) knockout mice can be replicated in perinatal rats treated with an MAO(A) inhibitor and, second, to determine whether these effects persist with continued treatment or after discontinuation of the drug. Littermates were injected with either clorgyline (5 mg/kg) or sterile saline five times daily. Clorgyline administration from birth to postnatal day (P) 6, 8, or 10 produced increases of 1,589.4 +/- 53.3%, 1660.2 +/- 43.1% and 1,700.5 +/- 84.5 %, respectively, in cortical 5-HT as compared with controls. Serotonin immunocytochemistry, 1,1;-dioctadecyl-3,3,3", 3;-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI) labeling of thalamocortical afferents and Nissl and cytochrome oxidase staining of layer IV cellular aggregates demonstrated that clorgyline treatment from P0 to P6 produced a complete absence of any segmentation of vibrissae-related patches in S-I. However, continued treatment until P8 or P10 did not prevent the appearance of these patches. Animals treated with clorgyline from birth to P6 and killed on P8 or P10 had increases of 546.8 +/- 33.2% and 268.8 +/- 6.3% in cortical 5-HT and they had qualitatively normal vibrissae-related patterns in S-I. These results indicate that clorgyline treatment produces a transient disruption of vibrissae-related patterns, despite the continued presence of elevated cortical 5-HT.
Changes in adipose tissue macrophages and T cells during aging

Adipose tissue historically was believed to be an inert tissue, functioning primarily in the storage of energy and thermal homeostasis. However, recent discoveries point toward a critical role for adipocytes in endocrine function as well as immune regulation. Excess body fat, accumulated through aging and/or a calorie-rich diet, is associated with many chronic metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Within the stromal vascular fraction of adipose tissue, macrophages and T cells accumulate with increasing tissue mass, secreting pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines. In this review we discuss the current understanding of immune cell function in both diet-induced and age-related obesity. In both models of obesity, the classically activated, pro-inflammatory (M1) subtype takes precedence over the alternatively activated, anti-inflammatory (M2) macrophages, causing tissue necrosis and releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-6. Other distinct adipose tissue macrophage subtypes have been identified by surface marker expression and their functions characterized. Adipose tissue T cell recruitment to adipose tissue is also different between aging- and diet-induced obesity. Under both conditions, T cells exhibit restricted T-cell receptor diversity and produce higher levels of pro-inflammatory signals like interferon-γ and granzyme B relative to young or healthy mice. However, numbers of regulatory T cells are dramatically different between the 2 models of obesity. Taken together, these findings suggest models of age- and diet-induced obesity may be more distinct than previously thought, with many questions yet to be resolved in this multidimensional disease.
Structure–activity studies with ring E analogues of methyllycaconitine on bovine adrenal α3β4* nicotinic receptors

The development of new agents that selectively interact with subtypes of neuronal nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) is of primary importance for the study of physiological processes and pathophysiological conditions involving these receptors. Our laboratory has evidence that simple ring E analogues of methyllycaconitine (MLA) act as antagonists to bovine adrenal alpha3beta4* nAChRs. The following studies were designed to characterize the concentration-response effects of several ring E analogues of MLA in order to assess structural requirements involved with their inhibitory activity on bovine adrenal alpha3beta4* nAChRs. Ring E analogues with various substitutions on the ring E nitrogen were tested for their ability to inhibit nicotinic stimulated adrenal catecholamine release and [3H]epibatidine binding to a bovine adrenal membrane preparation. Several N-alkyl derivatives inhibited secretion with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. The N-phenpropyl analogue was the most potent of the analogues tested (IC50, 11 microM) on adrenal secretion. Competition binding studies suggest a noncompetitive interaction of the analogues with bovine adrenal nAChRs. These studies identify several structural features of ring E analogues of MLA which significantly affect their inhibitory activity on bovine adrenal alpha3beta4* nAChRs.
How the sexes perceive each other: Advantages and disadvantages

Two hundred and forty-seven female and 138 male college students completed a survey that asked them to judge the advantages and disadvantages of being a member of the other sex. Both sexes were found to perceive males to have significantly more advantages and significantly fewer disadvantages than females. Men based their judgments of female advantages to a significantly greater extent upon social considerations than women did for males. The reverse was true for disadvantage responses. Multivariate and univariate analyses of the responses within advantage and disadvantage categories revealed several significant differences between the sexes. These findings revealed a complex pattern as to how each sex perceives the other. Discussion relates these differences to differences between the sexes in life experiences and expectations. Suggestions for further research are offered.
Evaluation of sleep disordered breathing with unattended recording: the Nightwatch System

There is a need for studies to determine how new ambulatory systems compare to traditional polysomnography (PSG). Thirty-four subjects were recorded with the Nightwatch (NW) System (Heathdyne Inc.) at home and then recorded with PSG in the laboratory. NW records were scored automatically using the NW algorithm with manual editing. There were no signaficant difference in mean RDI, AI, number of apneas or hypopneas or oximetry varibles between the systems. Correlations of RDI on the Nightwatch system and laboratory nights were significant (r=0.63). Every case of RDI≥10 on the PSG was also identifid by Nightwatch. Specificity was lower on Nightwatch (66%); however; all three cases of false positives could be explained physiologically, i.e. by body position. Overall the NW system correlated well with traditional PSG for respiratory disturbance.
Jerusalem: Image of Hilary’s Christocentric Eschatology in the Tractatus super Psalmos

Abstract In his lengthy Tractatus super Psalmos, Hilary of Poitiers states only twice that humans are to “live the life of the angels.” Nevertheless, these rare statements seem to undermine both the role of the human body in eschatological life and the christocentrism of Hilary’s soteriology. However, this paper will argue that Hilary’s designation of different eschatological locations for humans and angels—namely in Mt. Zion and Jerusalem, respectively—in the Tractatus super Psalmos demonstrate that Hilary, at least in this later work, believes that while humans will resemble angels in certain aspects, ultimately they will be conformed to Christ whose body is the holy temple or Church of the heavenly Jerusalem, Mt. Zion itself.
Assessing Geographical Variations in Hospital Processes of Care Using Multilevel Item Response Models

With health care reform passing in the United States, much effort is directed toward developing and disseminating comparative information on standardized processes of care for health care providers. We propose the use of Bayesian multilevel item response theory models to estimate hospital quality from multiple process measures and to assess geographical variation in hospital quality. Our approach fully incorporates the nesting structure of measures, patients, hospitals, and various levels of geographical units to provide a summary of hospital quality. A national dataset of patients treated for a heart attack, heart failure, or pneumonia illustrates our methods. We find considerable geographical differences in hospital quality for these conditions with variations across census regions and states accounting for slightly more than 10% of the total variation. Some states performed well for all three conditions (e.g., the respective posterior probabilities of having better than the national average performance was close to 1 in Iowa, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Wisconsin). In contrast, quality of other states varied across conditions (e.g., the corresponding posterior probability was close to 1 in Massachusetts for heart attack and heart failure quality, but less than .5 for pneumonia care). Our framework provides a comprehensive approach to assessment of hospital performance at both regional and national levels, and might be informative for policy development.
Protein kinase C inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor phosphorylation in enterocytes

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is an important proliferative signal in the gastrointestinal tract. The EGF receptor (EGFr), which transduces the mitogenic stimulus to the cell, may be regulated by a number of factors including extracellular matrix, cell-cell contact, and other peptides. As protein kinase C (PK-C) has been shown to phosphorylate and down-regulate the EGFr in certain tumor cell lines, we propose that PK-C, an important regulatory enzyme, modulates the phosphorylation of the EGFr in the IEC 6 rat enterocyte cell line. IEC 6 cells were cultured in dishes with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium, (DMEM)/5% fetal bovine serum (FBS), which was changed to DMEM/1% FBS 24 hr prior to all experiments. Cells (three dishes per group) were treated with the PK-C activating phorbol ester phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) (100 nM) or vehicle for 1 hr and challenged with EGF (50 ng/ml) or vehicle for 15 min. Cell lysates were then prepared. EGFr tyrosine phosphorylation was determined by immunoprecipitating the EGFr and immunoblotting with an antibody against phosphotyrosine. EGFr apparent molecular weight was assessed in the same lysates by Western blot with an anti-EGFr antibody. Blots were analyzed by computer densitometry. Data are expressed as mean +/- SEM; n = 3 with P value determined by t test. Exposure of cells to PMA resulted in a decrease in the EGF-stimulated EGFr phosphotyrosine content from 96 +/- 5 U in control to 66 +/- 6 U in PMA (P < 0.01). The amount of receptor did not change, 43 +/- 3 U in control vs 44 +/- 3 U in PMA (P = 0.44). Further, exposure to PMA in the absence of EGF caused a gel shift of the EGFr band consistent with a nontyrosine phosphorylation of the protein. We demonstrate that activation of PK-C results in a modification of the EGFr coincident with inhibition of EGF-stimulated receptor tyrosine kinase activity. These data support a role for PK-C in the regulation of EGFr function and hence modulation of mitogenic signals in enterocytes.
A General Chemistry Experiment to Predict and Measure Functional-Group Stretching Frequencies

An experiment suitable for first-year students is reported. In this activity, students use a molecular modeling program to compute infrared spectra for a series of molecules. From the data obtained, students generate a group frequency chart and use it to identify unknowns. This provides students with an introduction to vibrational spectroscopy and the use of molecular modeling.
Comparison of sizes of pellet patterns fired with different lots of 0.410 gauge no. 4 shotshells

Four different lots of 0.410 gauge No. 4 shotshells manufactured by the same firm and having identical specifications were test fired at various ranges to determine the consistency of performance between lots. Five rounds from each lot were fired at ranges of 4.6, 6.1, 7.6 and 9.1 m (15, 20, 25 and 30 ft, respectively). The sizes of patterns were then measured by calculating the square root of the area of the smallest rectangle (A) that fully enclosed each pellet pattern. The mean and standard deviation of A were calculated for each five shot series. The z statistic was then calculated for paired lots of shotshells at each range of fire to test the hypothesis that the means of A for each lot were identical. The findings indicate that two lots of ammunition manufactured within days of one another show similar ballistic performances while those manufactured months apart have very different ballistic performances.
Ethnicity and Farm Entry Behavior

The persistence of ethnic traits in both the visible agricultural landscape and the practices of established farmers in the United States has been well documented but not unchallenged. One limitation of most studies is that they have focused on relatively special populations of farmers who could be expected to have unusually strong ethnic identity. It has not been clear that ethnic background could serve as a useful variable in explaining variation in farmers' behavior in the general farm population. The present study examines the role of ethnicity in a large random sample of recent entrants into dairy farming in Wisconsin. In particular, we provide some confirmation that the farm operator's ethnic identity can be linked to differences in entry paths, current farm characteristics, and cultural beliefs in our sample. We also suggest that ethnicity plays a stronger role in affecting the resources and opportunities available to young farmers than the strategic decisions made to employ these assets.
Unique Challenges Facing Female Athletes in Urban High Schools

Although the passage of Title IX secured equity of treatment and opportunity for female high school athletes in the United States, little research has examined the social well-being of girls who participate in sports during high school. The current survey study investigated how 9th grade sports participation relates to perceived gender discrimination from peers and adults at school over four time points spanning 10th through 12th grade. The ethnically diverse sample (46.6 % Hispanic/Latina/Mexican-American, 14.1 % Asian-American/Pacific Islander, 12.8 % African-American/Black, 11.5 % European-American/White, 15.1 % Other/Mixed) consisted of 384 girls in the southwestern United States. Results of growth modeling showed that 9th grade athletes (n = 309) perceived greater gender discrimination relative to girls who were not involved in sports (n = 75), and accelerated in peer gender discrimination compared to non-athletes. Athletes and non-athletes did not differ in perceived gender discrimination from adults at school. Analyses conducted separately within each ethnic group revealed that ethnic groups did not differ in patterns of gender discrimination. These findings suggest that girls who play sports may experience differential treatment from their peers. Future directions and policy implications are discussed.
A History and Sociology of the Willowbrook State School

Book Review Editor: David HamiltonA History and Sociology of the Willowbrook State School must be understood in the context of the asylums that were built across the United States (US) in the early...
Synthesis of new perfluorotertiary amines containing geminal pentafluorosulfanyl, SF5, groups

Abstract The perfluorinated tertiary amines (SF 5 ) 2 NCF 3 [1], (SF 5 ) 2 NC 2 F 5 , and (SF 5 ) 2 NC 3 F 7 have been prepared by the following scheme. Their overall yields were found to decrease markedly with respect to increases in the length of the perfluoro- alkyl chain. In fact, attempts to prepare (SF 5 ) 2 NC 4 F 9 have been unsuccessful thus far. The N -chloroamines were also reacted with simple olefins to give a variety of addition products such as SF 5 N(CF 3 )CH 2 CH 2 Cl, SF 5 N(CF 3 )CF 2 CF 2 Cl, SF 5 N(C 2 F 5 )CH 2 CH 2 Cl, and SF 5 N(C 4 F 9 )CH 2 CH 2 Cl.
Let's ChronoSync: Decentralized dataset state synchronization in Named Data Networking

In supporting many distributed applications, such as group text messaging, file sharing, and joint editing, a basic requirement is the efficient and robust synchronization of knowledge about the dataset such as text messages, changes to the shared folder, or document edits. We propose ChronoSync protocol, which exploits the features of the Named Data Networking architecture to efficiently synchronize the state of a dataset among a distributed group of users. Using appropriate naming rules, ChronoSync summarizes the state of a dataset in a condensed cryptographic digest form and exchange it among the distributed parties. Differences of the dataset can be inferred from the digests and disseminated efficiently to all parties. With the complete and up-to-date knowledge of the dataset changes, applications can decide whether or when to fetch which pieces of the data. We implemented ChronoSync as a C++ library and developed two distributed application prototypes based on it. We show through simulations that ChronoSync is effective and efficient in synchronization dataset state, and is robust against packet losses and network partitions.
Globular Protein Ultraviolet Circular Dichroic Spectra. Calculation from Crystal Structures via the Dipole Interaction Model

The dipole interaction model is used to calculate ultraviolet circular dichroic spectra of 16 globular proteins with various amounts of helix, sheet, and disordered regions. Structures for the calculations are based on crystal coordinates taken from the Brookhaven Protein Data Bank. Calculations for “reassembled fragment” models of the proteins reproduce the main features of observed solution CD spectra in the region of the amide π−π* transition near 200 nm. The predicted spectra for helix and sheet regions show considerable variation in magnitudes and wavelengths of the CD peaks, and a still wider variation is predicted for the disordered regions. A comparison of reassembled-molecule spectra with weighted averages of the spectra of the component fragments shows that deviations from additivity of the component spectra are generally small. The implications of these findings for attempts to resolve observed CD spectra in terms of a small number of components are discussed.
Hippocampal N-Acetylaspartate in Neocortical Epilepsy and Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Previous magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies have shown that N-acetylaspartate (NAA) is reduced not only in the ipsilateral but also in the contralateral hippocampus of many patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE). The reason for the contralateral damage is not clear. To test whether the hippocampus is also damaged if the focus is outside the hippocampus, we have measured patients with neocortical epilepsy (NE). Therefore, the goals of this study were to determine if hippocampal NAA is reduced in NE and if hippocampal NAA discriminates NE from mTLE. MRS imaging (MRSI) studies were performed on 10 NE patients and compared with MRSI results in 23 unilateral mTLE patients and 16 controls. The results show that, in contrast to mTLE, NAA was not reduced in the hippocampus of NE patients, neither ipsilateral nor contralateral to the seizure focus. These results suggest that repeated seizures do not cause secondary damage to the hippocampus. The absence of spectroscopic differences in NE may help to distinguish NE from mTLE.
Vaccine preparedness--are we ready for the next influenza pandemic?

The quest for a fully immunogenic vaccine against influenza H5N1 viruses has gone on for more than 10 years. Dr. Peter Wright writes that with tissue-culture–grown vaccine, the production schedule could be altered to permit incorporation of late-emerging threats.
Learning from experience through reflection

Abstract Given the fast pace of change confronting managers today, it is critical that they develop capacities to learn from current work situations and adapt this learning to new situations. This need is driven by elaborate techniques and new processes that emerge regularly—initiatives that often require corporate-wide behavioral changes beginning at the top of the organization. In the midst of these time-consuming and expensive initiatives lies the simple and time-tested tool of reflection. To use it effectively, managers need only recognize that it has value, then create an amazingly small amount of time and structure for it to take place. With this process, managers take responsibility for their own learning—a responsibility that is, in some cases, too quickly turned over to workshop leaders, university professors, or consultants. No matter how qualified these educational providers may be, it is unlikely that any of them could create case studies with greater relevance or challenge than a manager's own work experiences.
Continuum robots and underactuated grasping

Abstract. We discuss the capabilities of continuum (continuous backbone) robot structures in the performance of under-actuated grasping. Continuum robots offer the potential of robust grasps over a wide variety of object classes, due to their ability to adapt their shape to interact with the environment via non-local continuum contact conditions. Furthermore, this capability can be achieved with simple, low degree of freedom hardware. However, there are practical issues which currently limit the application of continuum robots to grasping. We discuss these issues and illustrate via an experimental continuum grasping case study. This paper was presented at the IFToMM/ASME International Workshop on Underactuated Grasping (UG2010), 19 August 2010, Montreal, Canada.
Volunteers' Motivations: Findings from a National Survey:

The present investigation used responses to Independent Sector's 1992 national survey of giving and volunteering in the United States to address several questions about the motivations of volunteers. Drawing on the functional approach to volunteers' motivations, and its operationalization in the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI), relations between motivations and various aspects of volunteer behavior were examined, along with associations of motivations and demographic variables. Analyses revealed that current volunteers and nonvolunteers differed on motivations; people with different volunteering histories revealed different motivational patterns; unique combinations of motivations were associated with different types of volunteering activities; and motivational differences were associated with different demographic groups. The implications of these findings for understanding the nature and function of the motivations to volunteer, and the applications to the practice of volunteerism, are discussed.
Phenology-based temporal mixture analysis for estimating large-scale impervious surface distributions

Along with rapid urbanization, the prevalence of urban impervious surfaces, a major biophysical component of urbanized areas, has increased concurrently. As a key indicator of environmental quality and urbanization intensity, the accurate estimation of impervious surfaces is essential. To address this problem, numerous automated estimation approaches have been developed in the past several decades. Among these approaches, spectral mixture analysis SMA is an especially powerful and widely used technique. Although SMA has proved valuable in impervious surface estimation, the issues of seasonal sensitivity and spectral confusion have not been successfully addressed. In particular, impervious surface estimation is likely to be sensitive to seasonal variations, largely due to the shadowing effects of vegetation canopy during summer and confusion between impervious surfaces and soil during winter. In this study, we developed two temporal mixture analysis methods: phenology-based temporal mixture analysis PTMA and phenology-based multi-endmember temporal mixture analysis PMETMA, to quantify impervious surface areal fractions using multi-temporal MODIS NDVI data. Specifically, 1 year-continuous MODIS NDVI series were employed to address seasonal sensitivity and spectral confusion issues. Furthermore, the estimated results were compared to TMAs that applied only to summer and winter data. The results indicate that both PTMA and PMETMA perform well for estimating the percentage of impervious surface areas. Moreover, a comparative analysis indicates that PMETMA performs slightly better than PTMA root mean square error RMSE of 7.27%, SE of 3.25%, and MAE of 4.03% and much better than summer TMA and winter TMA, with a RMSE of 7.54%, an SE of 2.13%, an MAE of 3.36%, and an R2 of 0.7623.
Electrical Instabilities and 1/f Noise in Organic Pentacene Thin Film Transistors

We report on the influence of Bias-Temperature Stress (BTS) on the pentacene Thin Film Transistors (TFTs) electrical characteristics and on their 1/f noise level. The gate BTS primarily affects the TFT threshold voltage, leaving both mobility and sub-threshold slope values almost unchanged. The degree of the threshold voltage shift induced by the positive or negative BTS depends on the TFT design and the BTS parameters. The current-voltage characteristics time dependence of the organic TFTs, subjected to the BTS, resembles that for amorphous-Si TFTs. The results of the 1/f noise measurements in the organic TFTs allowed us to conclude that the gate BTS primarily affects the TFT contact regions, resulting in the increase of both the contact noise and the contact resistance.
The nature and origin of the fluid in the fetal lamb lung

Studies on fetal lambs near term with intact placental circulation have demonstrated a significant chemical gradient for hydrogen ion, total carbon dioxide, chloride, and lactic acid between the tracheal fluid and the fetal blood. It seems clear that the tracheal fluid is formed in the fetal lung either as the result of ultrafiltration with selective reabsorption or ultrafiltration with selective secretion. Since the glottis is probably open at all times except during swallowing, the tracheal fluid must move into the pharynx where it is readily swallowed or passes out through the nose and mouth into the amniotic cavity. A fetal lamb was studied that had no eyes, nose, or mouth and thus no communication between the trachea and amniotic cavity. The tracheal fluid in this lamb was similar to that of normal lambs.