cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On polarized frontal structures, type‐1 and quasi‐periodic echoes in midlatitude sporadic E

Sporadic-E (ES) patches in the nighttime midlatitude ionosphere often appear to consist of quasi-periodic (QP) frontal structures, i.e., strips of enhanced conductivity whose cross-sectional dimensions are small compared to their length. Assuming that such ES patches are usually found at an ion-convergent node in a wind-shear profile, we show that the meridional neutral wind at that node would polarize these strips and produce an intense, electrojet-like current accompanied by an electric field strength in excess of 10 mV/m. The validity of this model seems to be supported by its ability to account for several hitherto unexplained phenomena including type-1 and QP radar echoes from nighttime ES patches, and the coupled appearance of altitude-modulated isodensity contours in the F region when frontal structures are present in the E region. While much remains to be done to evaluate the importance of this process, this finding is exciting because it makes plausible the commonplace occurrence of what was previously referred to as anomalous energetics in the midlatitude ionosphere.
Technical Reports: Time-Resolved Activities at the Advanced Photon Source Requiring the Pulsed Structure of the X-ray Beam

Scientific research in the time domain using the pulsed structure of the X-ray beams from a third-generation synchrotron source, such as the Advanced Photon Source (APS), has become a major interest among synchrotron users. The traditional material science, chemistry, and biology communities are getting an early glimpse of the potential impact of fast time-resolved X-ray studies. The scientific disciplines that have benefited from these studies include atomic and molecular physics, biology, chemical science, condensed matter physics, engineering science, environmental science, material science, and nuclear science. Technically, the turn-key-type femtosecond (fs) optical lasers with high peak power, used as pumps in many X-ray pump-probe experiments, have only recently become available.
Applied psychological services

Applied psychology interventions have an important role to play in mental and physical health services with offenders and in reducing re‐offending. There has been a significant growth of the evidence on the effectiveness of specific interventions. Barriers still exist to delivering effective psychological interventions.Psychological interventions also have a key role in comprehensive, accessible services with offenders in relation to long‐term disorders as well as co‐morbid problems. Until 2000 offenders were largely excluded from mainstream health and social care provision. Very significant progress has been made in this respect. The provision of mainstream psychological therapies had until recently lagged behind other areas of health care. As a result, Applied Psychology Group (APG) has developed a new strategy, with a shift of emphasis towards strategic development of psychological interventions ‐ away from a primary focus on psychologists, to psychology and its applications.This paper outlines recent developments designed to ensure delivery of high‐quality psychological interventions in Health and Offender Partnerships.
Microsatellite Markers for Kernel Color Genes in Wheat

The establishment of hard white wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as a viable alternative for growers has been impeded by several factors, one of which is that new hard white wheat cultivars may not be competitive with hard red cultivars. This is due to the fact that most breeding programs devote more resources to hard red wheat, and that the genetics of kernel color makes rapid conversion of red to white kernel color problematic. Three homoeologous loci control kernel color, with red being dominant. A single red allele is suffi cient to cause the kernel to be classifi ed as red. A rapid conversion of red-seeded genotypes to white-seeded types would be facilitated by the use of molecular markers to help select for the recessive alleles for white color. In this experiment, we developed three populations that were segregating at only one of each of three respective color loci, being homozygous recessive at the other two. F 2 plants or recombinant inbred lines were assayed for kernel color and screened with a series of microsatellite markers. Linked microsatellite markers were identifi ed for all loci. A validation experiment was established with a population of 1786 F 2 plants from a cross between a red-seeded line and white-seeded line. The markers were 100% diagnostic for the white-seeded phenotype in this population. Thus, the markers will fi nd utility in backcrossing programs to convert red-seeded wheat to white.
Opposing roles of interferon-gamma on CD4+ T cell-mediated graft-versus-host disease: Effects of conditioning

Although alloreactive T cells are required for the induction of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), other factors can influence outcome in murine models of the disease. Lethal total body irradiation (TBI) conditioning regimens followed by reconstitution with allogeneic lymphohematopoietic cells results in the generation of donor anti-host cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated solid organ (gut, liver, skin) destruction. In contrast, donor anti-host CTL-mediated hematopoietic failure is the primary cause of morbidity following sublethal TBI. To determine the role of interferon (IFN)-gamma in graft-versus-host reactions against hematopoietic and solid organ targets, we used IFN-gamma knockout mice as donors in both lethal TBI and bone marrow transplantation (BMT) rescue and sublethal TBI models. In this report, we show that CD4+ T cells from IFN-gamma knockout (KO) mice resulted in accelerated GVHD after lethal TBI/BMT using a single major histocompatibility class II mismatch model. In marked contrast, the use of these same IFN-gamma KO CD4+ donor cells in combination with sublethal TBI significantly ameliorated GVHD-associated mortality. In these recipients, severe anemia, bone marrow aplasia, and intestinal lesions were observed in the presence but not the absence of donor-derived IFN-gamma. Administration of anti-IFN-gamma antibodies to sublethally irradiated recipients of wild-type donor cells confirmed the role of IFN-gamma depletion in CD4+ T cell-mediated GVHD. In conclusion, the extent of conditioning markedly affects the role of IFN-gamma in GVHD lesions mediated by CD4+ T cells. In models using sublethal TBI, the absence of IFN-gamma is protective from GVHD, whereas in lethal TBI situations, the loss is deleterious.
Frequency, risk factors, and clinical outcomes of left ventricular assist device-associated ventricular thrombus

A retrospective, transesophageal study of 51 consecutive patients receiving a left ventricular (LV) assist device (AD) over a 2-year period showed that LVAD-associated LV thrombosis (16%) was predicted by acute myocardial infarction, atrial cannulation, and postimplantation bleeding, and was associated with a fourfold increased risk of stroke compared with patients without thrombosis. LV cannulation, when using short-term LVADs, may decrease the incidence of LV thrombosis, and early transition to Heartmate-LVAD support may improve outcome.
Relationship of calcium nutrition to internal brown spot of potato tubers and sub-apical necrosis of sprouts

Potato tubers from field plots of calcium experiments in 1983 and 1984 were examined for the presence of internal brown spot. Presence of sub-apical necrosis on sprouts was also determined after storage in both years. Peel calcium concentration of 1983 tubers ranged from 0.226% to 0.130%; the range in percentage of these tubers with internal brown spot after 7 months storage was from 5.0% to 42.5%. The incidence of internal brown spot as well as sub-apical necrosis of sprouts was negatively correlated with tuber peel calcium levels (r = −0.754 and r = −0.792, respectively). Peel calcium concentration of 1984 tubers ranged from 0.224% to 0.104%; as in 1983, tuber calcium concentration was negatively correlated with the incidence of internal brown spot and sub-apical necrosis. Sub-apical necrosis of sprouts was present on 86.3% of the 1984 tubers with internal brown spot, and 65.3% of tubers with sub-apical necrosis on sprouts showed internal brown spot symptoms. The presence of sub-apical necrosis on tuber sprouts may serve as an indirect indicator of low calcium concentration in tubers.
Spinophilin Facilitates Dephosphorylation of Doublecortin by PP1 to Mediate Microtubule Bundling at the Axonal Wrist

The axonal shafts of neurons contain bundled microtubules, whereas extending growth cones contain unbundled microtubule filaments, suggesting that localized activation of microtubule-associated proteins (MAP) at the transition zone may bundle these filaments during axonal growth. Dephosphorylation is thought to lead to MAP activation, but specific molecular pathways have remained elusive. We find that Spinophilin, a Protein-phosphatase 1 (PP1) targeting protein, is responsible for the dephosphorylation of the MAP Doublecortin (Dcx) Ser 297 selectively at the "wrist" of growing axons, leading to activation. Loss of activity at the "wrist" is evident as an impaired microtubule cytoskeleton along the shaft. These findings suggest that spatially restricted adaptor-specific MAP reactivation through dephosphorylation is important in organization of the neuronal cytoskeleton.
An analysis of a near-surface crack branching under a rigid indenter

A near surface branching subsurface crack under a rigid cylindrical indenter is analyzed by a complex variable 2-D elasticity formulation. This analysis focuses on the mode II stress intensity factors (SIF) of a straight crack vs. the mode I SIF of a branched crack. The contact portion of the analysis is limited to a Hertzian contact under simple Coloumb friction. The effects of crack depth and length are examined and it is found that for small indenter footprints, as a crack grows parallel to the surface, conditions favor mode I branching toward the surface.
ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OPTIMIZATION OF DEEP DRAWING PROCESS

Abstract In part I of the present work [H. Sattari, R. Ganesan, R. Sedaghati, Analysis and design optimization of deep drawing process. Part 1: Three dimensional finite element and sensitivity analysis, J. Mater. Process. Technol., submitted for publication], a finite element formulation based on a combined Total and Updated Lagrangian approach (TUL) has been developed to calculate the sensitivities in the large elasto-plastic strains in sheet metal forming parts obtained by deep drawing. The present part II deals with the use of multiplicative decomposition of the TUL to improve the efficiency in the analysis and optimum design of blank contours of complicated parts. The TUL exploits the knowledge of the 3D shape of the final workpiece. An iterative scheme is developed to find the original position of each material point in the initial flat blank after which it is possible to estimate the strains and stresses in the final workpiece. The von Mises plasticity is adopted regarding the constitutive equations. In the present work, several developments have been presented: (1) the bending effects are taken into account using shell elements without increasing the number of degrees of freedom per node. (2) Appropriate improvements of resolution algorithms such as the introduction of a relaxation coefficient, a damping factor and a good initial solution are realized. (3) Shape optimization of blank contours is performed using a numerical procedure based on the coupling of the TUL and the sequential quadratic programming method (SQP). The numerical results obtained using the Lagrangian approaches for the benchmark test are compared with existing experimental and numerical results. The optimization procedure is applied to shape optimization of a square blank which is used to produce a cup in deep drawing process. The objective function is defined to minimize the thickness variations.
Trends in the characteristics of the oldest-old: 1940 to 2020

Abstract This article analyzes observed and projected changes in the economic, social, and demographic characteristics of that segment of the American population which is now growing at the fastest rate, namely those persons aged 85 and over, the so-called oldest-old. In addition to the rapid increase in numbers, this population will also be quite different in the future in terms of variables such as marital status, educational attainment, and probable levels of income. Compared with both current and previous cohorts, the oldest-old of the future will have greater levels of education and, in all probability, greater access to pension income. This will be particularly the case among the female segment of the oldest-old, who will continue to comprise the majority of this population.
Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics Associated with Pulmonary Hypertension in African-Americans

Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. It is frequently associated with cardiopulmonary diseases that are prevalent in African Americans (AAs). However, the prevalence or determinants of PH in the AA population is not known. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the prevalence of PH (defined as trans-tricuspid gradient ≥ 35 mm Hg) and associated clinical characteristics in AAs using the Jackson Heart Study cohort (n=3,282) who underwent echocardiography and had a measurable trans-tricuspid regurgitant jet. Echocardiography is frequently used for screening for PH despite its limitations in estimating accurate PA systolic pressures. Overall and age-adjusted gender-specific prevalence were estimated and modified Poisson regression was used to identify independent clinical, spirometric, and echocardiographic characteristics associated with PH. Results The mean age of the study population was 56.1 ± 12.6 years with 67.5% female. The prevalence of PH was 6.8%, with higher prevalence in female AAs (age-adjusted prevalence: Men 4.9%, 95% CI 3.6-6.2%; Women 7.7%, 95% CI 6.6-8.8%). Pulmonary hypertension prevalence increased with age (Prevalence Ratio: 10.0, 95%CI 4.0-25.1, >65 versus <45 years old), presence of obesity, higher pulse pressure, diabetes, obstructive or restrictive spirometry pattern, and severe left heart valvular disease. Also, PH was significantly associated with left atrial size and left ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusions Pulmonary hypertension is prevalent in AAs, more in women than in men. The identified cardiopulmonary risk factors that increase the prevalence of PH may assist in diagnosis and management of these at-risk subjects in the AA population.
Application of pseudo‐trigonometry to Bessel series and integrals of Bessel functions

In this article, an extension of the Laplace transform of Jn (t) to pseudo‐trigonometric function is discussed. We are seeking elementary functions expressed by Bessel series. It is shown that the result is applicable to the solution of the first‐order differential equation. The expression of modified Bessel integral formulas in pseudo‐trigonometric function is also discussed.
Ankle Dislocation without Fracture

Dislocation of the ankle without accompanying malleolar fracture has been regarded as a rare lesion, with few cases reported in the literature. To date, there has been no precedent for accurate descriptions of the mechanisms, optimum treatment, and long-term prognosis of this injury. Our goal was to evaluate these variables by a retrospective review of cases from our institution. We identified eight patients who had sustained ankle dislocation without fracture and were treated at the University of Iowa during the period 1958 to 1986. We interviewed and examined each patient and obtained ankle radiographs at an average of 11.5 years postinjury (range 2 to 24 years). After analyzing our cases and other reported in the literature, we have found that this injury is most common in young people (average age 31 years, range 10 to 73 years) and males (72%), and occurs most frequently in falls, motor vehicle accidents, and sports (86%). Medial displacement occurs most frequently (27%). Disruption of the mortise occurs variably. The most likely mechanism appears to be anterior or posterior extrusion of the talus from the mortise secondary to a force applied to the plantarflexed foot. Final displacement is then determined by the position of the foot and the direction of the force applied. Physical findings are commensurate with the deformity. Neurovascular compromise is uncommon (10%). Closed reduction is almost invariably accomplished easily unless the deformity is accompanied by posterior tibiofibular dislocation. Optimum treatment appears to be immobilization in a short leg cast for 6 weeks with no weightbearing for the first 3 weeks. Long-term follow-up revealed the following. Results were all good to excellent considering the following variables: return to work and sports activities, pain, instability, swelling, and ankle and subtalar joint motion. No patient reported instability and all returned to work and sports participation. We noted mild pain and swelling that was not severe enough to require medication in 25% of patients. Range of motion was normal in all but four patients; none of these lacked more than 10 degrees of motion in any plane. Radiographic abnormalities consisted of minor ligamentous or capsular calcification in all patients, small osteophytes in four patients, and minimal joint space narrowing in one patient. No patient had normal radiographs.
NOTCH1 is required for regeneration of Clara cells during repair of airway injury.

The airways of the mammalian lung are lined with highly specialized epithelial cell types that are the targets of airborne toxicants and injury. Notch signaling plays an important role in the ontogeny of airway epithelial cells, but its contributions to recruitment, expansion or differentiation of resident progenitor/stem cells, and repair and re-establishment of the normal composition of airway epithelium following injury have not been addressed. In this study, the role of a specific Notch receptor, Notch1, was investigated by targeted inactivation in the embryonic lung epithelium using the epithelial-specific Gata5-Cre driver line. Notch1-deficient mice are viable without discernible defects in pulmonary epithelial cell-fate determination and differentiation. However, in an experimental model of airway injury, activity of Notch1 is found to be required for normal repair of the airway epithelium. Absence of Notch1 reduced the ability of a population of cells distinguished by expression of PGP9.5, otherwise a marker of pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, which appears to serve as a reservoir for regeneration of Clara cells. Hairy/enhancer of split-5 (Hes5) and paired-box-containing gene 6 (Pax6) were found to be downstream targets of Notch1. Both Hes5 and Pax6 expressions were significantly increased in association with Clara cell regeneration in wild-type lungs. Ablation of Notch1 reduced Hes5 and Pax6 and inhibited airway epithelial repair. Thus, although dispensable in developmental ontogeny of airway epithelial cells, normal activity of Notch1 is required for repair of the airway epithelium. The signaling pathway by which Notch1 regulates the repair process includes stimulation of Hes5 and Pax6 gene expression. STEM CELLS 2012;30:946–955
Sterols of the brown tide alga Aureococcus anophagefferens

Abstract Aureococcus anophagefferens , an alga responsible for “brown tide”, contains 24-methylenecholesterol as 48% of the free sterols and ( E )- and ( Z )-24-propylidenecholesterol as 32% and 12% respectively. This is the first isolation of appreciable amounts of ( Z )-24-propylidenecholesterol from an alga and suggests that Aureococcus anophagefferens may be the source of the ( Z )-24-propylidenecholesterol isolated from various marine invertebrates. 24-Propylidenecholesterol is proposed to be a chemotaxonomic marker for the Pelagophyceae, a new class of chrysophytes which includes the Sarcinochrysidales.
Aerosol Effects on Idealized Supercell Thunderstorms in Different Environments

AbstractIdealized supercell thunderstorms are simulated with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model at 15 cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) concentrations (100–10 000 cm−3) using four environmental soundings with different low-level relative humidity (RH) and vertical wind shear values. The Morrison microphysics scheme is used with explicit prediction of cloud droplet number concentration and a variable shape parameter for the raindrop size distribution (results from simulations with a fixed shape parameter are also presented). Changes in the microphysical process rates with CCN concentration are negligible beyond CCN ≈ 3000 cm−3. Changes in cold pool characteristics with CCN concentration are nonmonotonic and highly dependent on the environmental conditions. In moist conditions with moderate vertical wind shear, the cold pool area is nearly constant with respect to CCN concentration, while the area is reduced by 84% and 22% in the soundings with dry RH and large vertical wind shear, respectively....
The Utility and Limitations of Current Web-Available Algorithms To Predict Peptides Recognized by CD4 T Cells in Response to Pathogen Infection

The ability to track CD4 T cells elicited in response to pathogen infection or vaccination is critical because of the role these cells play in protective immunity. Coupled with advances in genome sequencing of pathogenic organisms, there is considerable appeal for implementation of computer-based algorithms to predict peptides that bind to the class II molecules, forming the complex recognized by CD4 T cells. Despite recent progress in this area, there is a paucity of data regarding the success of these algorithms in identifying actual pathogen-derived epitopes. In this study, we sought to rigorously evaluate the performance of multiple Web-available algorithms by comparing their predictions with our results—obtained by purely empirical methods for epitope discovery in influenza that used overlapping peptides and cytokine ELISPOTs—for three independent class II molecules. We analyzed the data in different ways, trying to anticipate how an investigator might use these computational tools for epitope discovery. We come to the conclusion that currently available algorithms can indeed facilitate epitope discovery, but all shared a high degree of false-positive and false-negative predictions. Therefore, efficiencies were low. We also found dramatic disparities among algorithms and between predicted IC50 values and true dissociation rates of peptide–MHC class II complexes. We suggest that improved success of predictive algorithms will depend less on changes in computational methods or increased data sets and more on changes in parameters used to “train” the algorithms that factor in elements of T cell repertoire and peptide acquisition by class II molecules.
Survival of Spacecraft-Associated Microorganisms under Simulated Martian UV Irradiation

Spore-forming microbes recovered from spacecraft surfaces and assembly facilities were exposed to simulated Martian UV irradiation. The effects of UVA (315 to 400 nm), UVAB (280 to 400 nm), and the full UV spectrum (200 to 400 nm) on the survival of microorganisms were studied at UV intensities expected to strike the surfaces of Mars. Microbial species isolated from the surfaces of several spacecraft, including Mars Odyssey, X-2000 (avionics), and the International Space Station, and their assembly facilities were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Forty-three Bacillus spore lines were screened, and 19 isolates showed resistance to UVC irradiation (200 to 280 nm) after exposure to 1,000 J m 2 of UVC irradiation at 254 nm using a low-pressure mercury lamp. Spores of Bacillus species isolated from spacecraft-associated surfaces were more resistant than a standard dosimetric strain, Bacillus subtilis 168. In addition, the exposure time required for UVAB irradiation to reduce the viable spore numbers by 90% was 35-fold longer than the exposure time required for the full UV spectrum to do this, confirming that UVC is the primary biocidal bandwidth. Among the Bacillus species tested, spores of a Bacillus pumilus strain showed the greatest resistance to all three UV bandwidths, as well as the total spectrum. The resistance to simulated Mars UV irradiation was strain specific; B. pumilus SAFR-032 exhibited greater resistance than all other strains tested. The isolation of organisms like B. pumilus SAFR-032 and the greater survival of this organism (sixfold) than of the standard dosimetric strains should be considered when the sanitation capabilities of UV irradiation are determined.
Colorectal Carcinoma in the Young A Case Report and Review of the Literature

A case of sigmoid carcinoma in a 16-year-old boy is presented and the topic of colonic carcinoma in the young is reviewed. Although colon carcinoma in the younger patient is uncommon, its prognosis is distinctly worse than in the adult population, because the preponderance of mucinous adenocarcinoma in children and young adults represents a more virulent type of colonic malignancy and because the delay in diagnosis contributes to a more advanced stage of the disease at the time of presentation. When dealing with symptoms potentially referrable to this disease, a thorough diagnostic work-up should ensue.
Content Analysis of Televised Communication Events The Presidential Debates

Content analysis has been included In political communication research less often than would seem useful. Typically, when It is employed manifest content is measured alone, to the exclusion of other varieties of content. This paper advocates more extended treatment of content data. It develops a fourfold scheme for classifying communication content, both verbal and nonverbal, and it illustrates the utility of the scheme in political communication research. Two dimensions underlie the classification scheme: (1) message consciousness and (2) message ambiguity. Illustrative data-gathering and analyses are based on the first 1960 and 1976 televised presidential debates, and on American National Election Study data. Findings suggest a diversity of political communication research hypotheses to be tested and derived from an expanded perspective on content analysis of communication events. On a more general level, the benefits of content analysis in mass communication research are brought to life.
The impact of standardized order sets and intensive clinical case management on outcomes in community-acquired pneumonia.

Background Community-acquired pneumonia is a frequent cause for hospital admission that results in significant costs to the health care system. The length of hospital stay (LOS) affects costs as well as risk for nosocomial medical complications. The purpose of this study was to test whether the addition of intensive clinical case management to clinical guidelines could lead to a reduction in LOS that was not achievable by guidelines alone, while maintaining quality of care. Methods Patients were studied in 3 sequential blocks at a single hospital from November 2002 to February 2005. Block 1 patients (n = 110) were given conventional treatment. For block 2 (n = 119), guidelines and/or standardized order sets (SOSs) were used supported by intensive clinical case management (ICCM) (full variance tracking with concurrent feedback and reminders). The ICCM interventions were conducted by resident physicians. For block 3 (n = 115), all orders were written with guidelines and/or SOSs but without ICCM. Results The mean ± SD time to clinical stability was not significantly different between the groups (block 1, 3.3 ± 1.4 days; block 2, 3.2 ± 1.2 days; and block 3, 3.4 ± 1.3 days). The mean LOS was significantly lower in block 2 (5.3 ± 3.5 days) than in blocks 1 (8.8 ± 4.4 days) ( P P P = .05). Time to change to oral antibiotics was earlier in block 2 (3.7 ± 0.9 days) than in blocks 1 and 3 (5.7 ± 2.4 and 5.0 ± 1.9 days, respectively) ( P P P P P P P = .01), and smoking cessation counseling ( P = .01). There was no significant difference between the blocks in mortality or hospital readmission rate. Conclusions The combined intervention of SOS plus ICCM led to a substantial reduction in LOS while maintaining quality of care. The main effect occurred by reducing the time from clinical stability to discharge, which appeared to be the key “modifiable” process of care adding to a prolonged LOS.
Analysis of Synaptic Distribution within Single Retinal Axonal Arbors after Chronic NMDA Treatment

Activation of the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptor has been implicated in structural synaptic plasticity in many developing sensory systems. In the frog retinotectal system, chronic exposure of the optic tectum to NMDA, which decreases the effectiveness of NMDA receptors (Debski et al., 1991), results in the pruning of the branches of retinal terminal arbors (Cline and Constantine-Paton, 1990). However, it is difficult from these studies to relate the involvement of NMDA receptors to changes in synapse distribution. In this study, we have developed an EM sampling procedure to quantitatively compare the amount and the distribution of synaptic contact within single retinal arbors. We report that within each retinal arbor, synaptic contact gradually increases from the main branches to the end branches of the arbor. Chronic NMDA treatment, however, significantly reduces the total amount of synaptic contact within each arbor. This reduced synaptic contact appears to be due to the pruning of the end branches, and the synapses these branches bear. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that NMDA receptor is an integral part of the mechanism that stabilizes coactive synapses, and that maintenance of an axonal branch requires a minimum density of synapses that are correlated with converging neighbors.
Information sharing across private databases

Literature on information integration across databases tacitly assumes that the data in each database can be revealed to the other databases. However, there is an increasing need for sharing information across autonomous entities in such a way that no information apart from the answer to the query is revealed. We formalize the notion of minimal information sharing across private databases, and develop protocols for intersection, equijoin, intersection size, and equijoin size. We also show how new applications can be built using the proposed protocols.
Time-reversal radar imaging through periodic structures

Time-reversal radar imaging takes advantage of concepts based on time-reversed wave propagation to improve object resolution when these objects are located in a complex environment [1–3]. There exists a multitude of propagation paths, making their imaging difficult. However, multipath can also be used to enhance the object location and shape. In the case of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging, multipath can also increase the effective aperture without additional spatial samples.
Cellular bases of neocortical activation: modulation of neural oscillations by the nucleus basalis and endogenous acetylcholine

In the mammalian neocortex, the EEG reflects the state of behavioral arousal. The EEG undergoes a transformation, known as activation, during the transition from sleep to waking. Abundant evidence indicates the involvement of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) in EEG activation; however, the cellular basis of this involvement remains unclear. We have used electrophysiological techniques with in vivo and in vitro preparations to demonstrate actions of endogenous ACh on neurons in auditory neocortex. In vivo stimulation of the nucleus basalis (NB), a primary source of neocortical ACh, (1) elicited EEG activation via cortical muscarinic receptors, (2) depolarized cortical neurons, and (3) produced a change in subthreshold membrane potential fluctuations from large-amplitude, slow (1-5 Hz) oscillations to low-amplitude, fast (20-40 Hz) oscillations. The NB-mediated change in pattern of membrane potential fluctuations resulted in a shift of spike discharge pattern from phasic to tonic. Stimulation of afferents in the in vitro neocortex elicited cholinergic actions on putative layer 5 pyramidal neurons. Acting via muscarinic receptors, endogenous ACh (1) reduced slow, rhythmic burst discharge and facilitated higher-frequency, single-spike discharge in burst-generating neurons, and (2) facilitated the appearance and magnitude of intrinsic membrane potential oscillations. These in vivo and in vitro observations suggest that neocortical activation results from muscarinic modulation of intrinsic neural oscillations and firing modes. Rhythmic-bursting pyramidal neurons in layer 5 may act as cortical pacemakers; if so, then modifying their discharge characteristics could alter local cortical networks. Larger, intercortical networks could also be modified, due to the widespread projections of NB neurons. Thus, NB cholinergic neurons may play a critical role in producing different states of neocortical function.
Modeling of the thermal degradation of structural wood members exposed to fire

SUMMARY To accurately predict the structural performance of a wood member, knowledge is required of the rate at which it chars and the temperature distribution in the residual load-bearing section. The charring rate and temperature distribution can be calculated with a model that predicts the thermal degradation or pyrolysis of wood exposed to a high-temperature environment. More than 50 wood pyrolysis models have been developed since World War II. They range from simple analytical expressions to complex systems of coupled partial differential equations that describe the heat and mass transfer through wood and char. This paper presents a brief overview of the aforementioned models and provides a more detailed description of a new model. This model is referred to by the acronym CROW (Charring Rate Of Wood). Although the intent was to keep CROW as simple as possible, the model accounts for the four major factors that affect the thermal degradation of wood: dry density of the wood; moisture content of the wood; lignin content of the wood; char contraction. The predictive capability of CROW was evaluated on the basis of ASTM E 119 furnace data obtained for a Douglas fir glulam beam tested under different loads. CROW predictions, with some adjustment for moisture effects, are in reasonable agreement with the measurements. The model will be most useful to predict performance of wood members exposed under thermal conditions that deviate from the standard fire (natural or parametric fires) and/or members that are protected by a membrane. Copyright # 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An investigation of dust lead sampling locations and children's blood lead levels.

The objective of this study is to provide guidance on where to collect dust lead wipe samples in homes to best characterize the risk of a resident child having a blood lead level at or above the CDC level of concern (10 μg/dl). In 1998, the Milwaukee Health Department enrolled 72 children living in pre-1950 buildings: 34 had elevated (i.e., ≥10 μg/dl) blood lead levels (EBL); and 38 had non-elevated blood lead levels (non-EBL). This study explored dust lead sampling locations by examining loading differences between homes where children with EBL and non-EBL lived. Floor, windowsill, and window trough samples were collected in the living room, kitchen, bathroom, and child's bedroom and play area. Floor samples were collected at four locations: room entry; center of the room; under a window; and against the wall opposite the window (perimeter). Geometric mean floor dust lead levels were generally two to three times higher in homes of EBL children than homes of non-EBL children. Sampling the floor at the room entry or center is preferable to sampling under the window or from the perimeter of the room. When the central floor average was used, the room combinations that had the greatest differences between homes of EBL children and non-EBL children all included a sample from the child's bedroom and excluded the bathroom. When the entry floor average was used, the greatest differences also excluded bathrooms, but otherwise included a mix of all of the other rooms. Window samples did not distinguish where children with EBLs versus non-EBLs resided. This paper is based on Milwaukee alone, so generalizing results to other locations should be done with caution.
Comparison of the effects of pressor and depressor agents and influences on pulmonary and systemic pressures of normotensive and hypertensive subjects

Abstract The comparative effects on the systemic and pulmonary arterial and capillary pressures of various pressor and depressor agents, including angiotonin, and psychogenic pressor influences have been studied. These measurements have been made on eleven patients with normal blood pressures and eleven patients with essential hypertension. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, Methedrine, ephedrine and angiotonin produced an elevation of systemic, pulmonary arterial, and pulmonary capillary pressures. The PA m -PC m gradient was not significantly changed as a result of any of the agents used. We interpret this to be due to either pulmonary vascular constriction beyond the tip of the catheter, pulmonary venous constriction, or both, rather than to an increased pulmonary blood volume secondary to left ventricular failure. We particularly wish to emphasize that angiotonin elevates the pulmonary artery and capillary pressures. It is further emphasized that pulmonary artery pressure in essential hypertension is normal. Pitressin does not cause an elevation of pulmonary artery pressure in either normotensive or hypertensive patients. All the depressor agents used caused a decrease in the systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures in both normotensive and hypertensive subjects. With the exception of Pitressin, the systemic and pulmonary arterial systems reacted similarly to both pressor and depressor drugs. The data presented do not support the concept that essential hypertension is due to angiotonin or epinephrine-like substances. The possibility that a humoral substance may cause essential hypertension is supported by the effects of Pitressin which causes selective elevation of systemic arterial pressure. The selective systemic hypertension produced under hypnosis is consistent with a possible central neurogenic mechanism for producing essential hypertension.
the politics of appropriateness and appropriation: recontextualizing women's dance in urban Senegal

Recontextualized in various settings, the dances and poems that women perform in urban Senegal reveal a struggle over shifting notions of appropriateness. Set apart from everyday practice, they are occasions for reflexive awareness, not only for dancers and their audiences, but also for the ethnographer, particularly in the role of participant-performer. [dance, gender, performance, hegemony, reflexivity, Senegal]
Selective sparing of NADPH-diaphorase neurons in neonatal hypoxia-ischemia

Excitatory amino acids have been implicated in ischemic neuronal injury. To test this hypothesis in neonatal hypoxia-ischemia, lesions of the cortex and striatum were induced in 7-day-old rats by unilaterally ligating their carotid arteries and subjecting them to hypoxic conditions for 2 hours. Brains examined 1 week later demonstrated, within the regions of ischemic damage, a striking preservation of neurons that stained histochemically for nicotinamide adenine dinu-cleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) activity. Concentrations of the neuropeptides somatostatin and neuropeptide Y, which colocalize in neurons containing NADPH-d, were unaffected in the areas of ischemic damage. The same pattern of injury with sparing of NADPH-d-reactive neurons was reproduced by focal microinfusion of the excitotoxin quinolinic acid, an endogenous N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) agonist, into the striatum. These results support the hypothesis that neonatal hypoxic-ischemic injury is mediated through excitatory transmitters acting at the NMDA receptor and that the NADPH-d-reactive neurons in the neonate are resistant to excitotoxic damage. This pattern of cell vulnerability is unique to the developing striatum and may relate to the distinct pathological appearance of the basal ganglia that follows neonatal asphyxia.
Feedforward and dynamic uncoupling control of linear multivariable systems

A modified V-form method is presented for the feedback dynamic uncoupling and feedforward control analysis of linear constant coefficient multivariable systems with the control objective of making two or more outputs invariant. Suitable feedback control degrees of freedom remain for a subsequent and independent primary feedback control analysis of each uncoupled subsystem. This method is also compared with the alternative structural analysis method of the authors.
A methyl bromide quarantine treatment to control codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on nectarines packed in shipping containers for export to Japan and effect on fruit attributes.

Codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.), eggs ( n = 25,594) on ‘Royal Giant’ nectarines, Prunes sp., packed in styrene cup trays in Bliss-style, single wall, corrugated fiberboard shipping containers (one cup tray per container) did not survive a fumigation quarantine treatment (48 g/m3 methyl bromide, 2 h at ≥21°C,50% load) currently used to treat nectarines in field bins for export to Japan. Fumigation of nectarines in shipping containers did not affect fruit weight loss, soluble solids or tit ratable acidity after 5 wk in storage (0-1°C). Total carotenoid content was significantly lower in fumigated fruit than unfumigated control fruit after 1, 2, 3, and 5 wk of storage. Preconditioning (17 h at 21°C) cooled fruit (≈2°C) before fumigation and storage (1 wk at 0-1°C) resulted in a significantly lower carotenoid content than untreated fruit, which may be related to delayed ripening that would extend shelf life. We propose that fumigation of nectarines in shipping containers is a practical and efficacious method to disinfest nectarines of potential codling moth infestations for export to Japan.
History and Breeding Ecology of the American White Pelican at Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Montana

Abstract The American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) has been breeding at Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in northeastern Montana since 1939. We compiled information on the history and ecology of this breeding colony from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) reports and narratives filed at Medicine Lake NWR. Nesting by American White Pelicans first occurred in 1939, and the recent 10-yr average size (1993-2002) is about 4,000 breeding pairs. Since 1990, the mean number of young fledged pair-1 was 0.51 ± 0.07 (SE, N = 56). Low temperatures, hailstorms, predation, and botulism have killed >50% of young pelicans in some years. American White Pelicans banded at Medicine Lake migrated south, mostly within the Central Flyway. They wintered predominately in Texas, Louisiana and Mexico. Protection of the Medicine Lake colony is important because the breeding colony is the largest in Montana and an important contributor to the eastern metapopulation.
Behavioral risk factors for injury among rural adolescents

This 3-year, longitudinal, prospective study examined behavioral risk factors for medically attended injuries among a cohort of 758 rural students from Maryland's Eastern Shore region who were 12-14 years of age in 1987. Students were surveyed annually in the eighth, ninth, and tenth grades with a self-administered questionnaire. Information was obtained on the number of injuries experienced, risk-taking behaviors, delinquency, alcohol and drug use, physical exercise and sports, parental supervision, and work experience. Information on the parents' education was obtained from a parental interview. Slightly more than half (53.5%) of the students reported having experienced one or more injuries in the eighth grade as compared with one-third of the students in ninth grade, and 38% of those in the tenth grade. Poisson regression analyses were conducted to examine the association of eighth grade variables with ninth grade injuries and ninth grade variables with tenth grade injuries. Results from these analyses indicated that, in addition to sex and race, a high degree of risk taking, frequent cruising, and having high and low parental supervision in the eighth grade significantly increased the number of injuries in ninth grade. In the tenth grade, risk taking continued to be associated with injuries. In addition, students who reported disciplinary problems in school, working 1-10 hours per week, drinking on 1-2 days during the past month, lifetime use of marijuana equal to 1-5 occasions, and involvement in sports experienced greater numbers of injuries in the tenth grade. Language: en
Reconsidering the Developmental View of Advising: Have We Come a Long Way?

Since Burns Crookston argued that advising could be both a teaching and a developmental activity, advising as a field has been quick to assume those roles. But, frankly, Crookston never discussed how the relationship between developmental theory and advising was to be made. More importantly, he never outlined the teaching activity that he claimed was associated with a developmental view of advising. Although the field has been quick to adopt Crookston's vocabulary-most visibly his idea of the shared responsibility between advisors and studentswith hindsight it is fiction to claim that in his article Crookston provided either a solid basis or a good direction to think about a developmental view of advising as teaching, let alone put it into practice.
Fighting Over the Conservative Banner

Whither Conservatism? That was the question posed to a group of scholars, including Carl T. Bogus, author of Buckley: William F. Buckley Jr. and the Rise of American Conservatism (Bloomsbury Press), at a conference co-sponsored by the University of Texas School of Law and the American Society for Political and Legal Philosophy. In this paper, Professor Bogus argues that conservatism has long been an uneasy alliance among three distinct groups: libertarians, neoconservatives, and religious (or social) conservatives. The glue that held the alliance together is weakening. As the groups drift apart and compete, they are becoming more strident and extreme. Each seeks to become the dominant philosophy of the right. Each seeks to claim the conservative banner, that is, the right to present itself as the one, true, and genuine conservatism. Conservatism is indeed in flux, and its future definition depends on the outcome of this struggle.