cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular forms of synthetic polypeptide in blood

Abstract Two different molecular forms of antigen were found in serum following intravenous administration of 125 I-labeled synthetic polypeptide-( l -Glu 60 l -Ala 30 l -Tyr 10 )n-( l -GAT) to rabbits. Analysis of blood serum by gel filtration chromatography demonstrated both intact and fragmented polymer. The intact polymer was immunochemically identical to l -GAT. The fragmented polymer was associated with a serum oligoribonucleoprotein component. This polymer-nucleotide complex consisted of low molecular size ribonucleoprotein and a low molecular size polymer fragment. The elimination of intact polymer from serum was characterized by a corresponding increase in dialyzable polymer- 125 I and a decrease in immunoprecipitable polymer- 125 I in serum. There was no evidence of association of intact or fragmented polymer- 125 I with serum ribonucleoprotein following intravenous administration of the neutral polymer analog [γN(3-hydroxpropylamide)α- l -Glu 60 l -Ala 30 - l -Try 10 ]n. l -GAT and the neutral analog are both immunogenic in rabbits. The significance of polymer charge, cellular localization and catabolism, in relation to formation of tissue or circulating RNA- or oligoribonucleotide-antigen complexes and their role in the immune response, is discussed.
The immersional energetics of thermally degraded spheron 6 surfaces

Abstract the immersion heats of Spheron 6 in a series of n-alcohols, decane, and water have been measured. The black was thermally treated to span the entire range of coverage by oxygenated surface species as well as the intervals where both crystallite modification and graphitization occur. All the polar species are sensitive to the physical and chemical modifications which ocuer whereas the decane is not.
Protectit: trusted distributed services operating on sensitive data

Protecting shared sensitive information is a key requirement for today's distributed applications. Our research uses virtualization technologies to create and maintain trusted data paths across distributed machines, for the services being run and their information exchanges. For trusted data paths, runtime protection methods control what data is visible to which distributed services operating on it, guided by online monitoring that determines the levels of trust inherent in the paths' machines, services, and service actions. This paper presents a key functional element of trusted data paths, which is the ProtectIT interception mechanism for controlling the data exchanges between the different virtual machines running trusted services. ProtectIT can be applied to any communication and/or I/O performed by virtual machines, and because ProtectIT does not require application, middleware, or operating system modifications, it can be used to construct trusted data paths without the knowledge or consent of such entities. Further, since ProtectIT operates in virtual machines isolated from those used by applications, it is not subject to the attacks faced by services exposed to the open Internet. ProtectIT's functionality consists of dynamic protection rules represented as data filters applied to virtual machines' communications. Examples presented in this paper include email services for which ProtectIT's filters control data visibility to mail servers and clients, and unsecured virtual machine communications morphed into secure ones via ProtectIT-based message interception.
The Lord's Resistance Army and African International Relations

ABSTRACT For the past two decades, the Lord's Resistance Army has waged a devastating war against the central government and the local population in northern Uganda. It is estimated that tens of thousands of civilians have been killed or kidnapped so far. In recent years, Lord's Resistance Army forces led by Joseph Kony have moved beyond the confines of northern Uganda, turning what was a relatively localized civil war into a larger regional conflict. Media and scholarly attention to the conflict has been limited, with most coverage typified by sensationalism, focusing on the brutality of the Lord's Resistance Army and its practice of kidnapping children. Western political scientists, particularly working within the field of international relations, have given the conflict short shrift even though it provides an important case for understanding the complexities and contradictions of African international relations. This article focuses on the evolution of the Lord's Resistance Army conflict, with particul...
Commercialising wireless sensor networks technologies

This research examines how Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) developers are commercialising their technologies. Over two dozen WSN pioneers were analysed. The study found that most companies are operated in the paradigm of open innovation, which enables them to shorten the gap between technology development and commercialisation. However, barriers do exist for these companies to build up and strengthen their disruptive footholds. To catch the opportunities brought about by the emerging technology, it is particularly important for WSN developers to synergise their technology and business innovation.
Modeling the transport processes within multichannel molten carbonate fuel cells

Increased concern over the environment degradation due to the emission of green house gases and interest in co-generating electricity and heat have stimulated intensive development of the fuel cell technology. In order to reduce the fuel cell manufacturing costs and to improve its performance, a better understanding of the fuel and oxidant species transport processes within fuel cells is critical. Fuel and oxidant flow distributions through fuel cell channels, usually through distribution manifold, have significant impact on fuel cell performance and efficiency. To this end, this paper presents the effects of the fuel and oxidant flow distributions on multi-channel fuel cell performance using a model of gas flow, heat and mass transfer with the electrochemical reactions for molten carbonate fuel cells.
Using billing and weather data to separate thermostat from insulation effects

Abstract A simple methodology, which uses aggregate utility sales data to measure and decompose residential conservation trends, is demonstrated. The data base is the aggregate natural gas consumption of the nearly one million houses in New Jersey which use gas for heating. The conservation index resulting from the analysis is normalized annual consumption, which adjusts per-household consumption to typical weather conditions. To smooth erratic year-to-year changes, four-year composite analyses are moved forward in time over the period 1970–1982. Dramatic decreases in consumption, totaling 26% since the oil embargo, are evident. A decomposition of the results for the four years following the embargo suggests that over half of this conservation effect is due to changes in interior temperatures, with the policy implication that thermostat setbacks have played a far greater conservation role than have either structural changes through retrofitting or modifications in appliance usage. In more recent years, for which the overall reduction in energy usage is lower, the dominant conservation role appears to have shifted to reductions in temperature-independent, base-level consumption by water heaters and appliances, while the effects of retrofitting remain relatively small.
Role of AP1/NFE2 binding sites in endogenous α-globin gene transcription

High-level α-globin expression depends on cis-acting regulatory sequences located far upstream of the α-globin cluster. Sequences that contain the α-globin positive regulatory element (PRE) activate α-globin expression in transgenic mice. The α-globin PRE contains a pair of composite binding sites for the transcription factors activating protein 1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2 (AP1/NFE2). To determine the role of these binding sites in α-globin gene transcription, we mutated the AP1/NFE2 sites in the α-globin PRE in mice. We replaced the AP1/NFE2 sites with a neomycin resistance gene ( neo ) that is flanked by LoxP sites (floxed). Mice with this mutation exhibited increased embryonic death and α-thalassemia intermedia. Next, we removed the neo gene by Cre-mediated recombination, leaving a single LoxP site in place of the AP1/NFE2 sites. These mice were phenotypically normal. However, α-globin expression, measured by allele-specific RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR), was decreased 25%. We examined the role of the hematopoietic-restricted transcription factor p45Nfe2 in activating expression through these sites and found that it is not required. Thus, we have demonstrated that AP1/NFE2 binding sites in the murine α-globin PRE contribute to long-range α-globin gene activation. The proteins that mediate this effect remain to be determined. (Blood. 2003;102:4223-4228)
Thinking, Learning and Intelligence.

The development of computer technology during the last twenty years has made it possible to cautiously explore the concepts of thinking, learning and intelligence in terms of the computer. This paper investigates similarities and differences between the computer and the human brain in terms of thought processes and develops the theory that the computer can learn, is intelligent and does satisfy educational learning requirements.
Effective bandwidth guaranteed routing schemes for MPLS traffic engineering

In this work, we present online algorithms for dynamic routing bandwidth guaranteed label switched paths (LSPs) where LSP set-up requests (in terms of a pair of ingress and egress routers as well as its bandwidth requirement) arrive one by one and there is no a priori knowledge regarding future LSP set-up requests. In addition, we consider rerouting of LSPs in this work. Rerouting of LSPs has not been well studied in previous work on LSP routing. The need of LSP rerouting arises in a number of ways: occurrence of faults (link and/or node failures), re-optimization of existing LSPs' routes to accommodate traffic fluctuation, requests with higher priorities, and so on. We formulate the bandwidth guaranteed LSP routing with rerouting capability as a multi-commodity flow problem. The solution to this problem is used as the benchmark for comparing other computationally less costly algorithms studied in this paper. Furthermore, to more efficiently utilize the network resources, we propose online routing algorithms which route bandwidth demands over multiple paths at the ingress router to satisfy the customer requests while providing better service survivability. Traffic splitting and distribution over the multiple paths are carefully handled using table-based hashing schemes while the order of packets within a flow is preserved. Preliminary simulations are conducted to show the performance of different design choices and the effectiveness of the rerouting and multi-path routing algorithms in terms of LSP set-up request rejection probability and bandwidth blocking probability.
Use of Randomized Sampling for Analysis of Metabolic Networks

Genome-scale metabolic network reconstructions in microorganisms have been formulated and studied for about 8 years. The constraint-based approach has shown great promise in analyzing the systemic properties of these network reconstructions. Notably, constraint-based models have been used successfully to predict the phenotypic effects of knock-outs and for metabolic engineering. The inherent uncertainty in both parameters and variables of large-scale models is significant and is well suited to study by Monte Carlo sampling of the solution space. These techniques have been applied extensively to the reaction rate (flux) space of networks, with more recent work focusing on dynamic/kinetic properties. Monte Carlo sampling as an analysis tool has many advantages, including the ability to work with missing data, the ability to apply post-processing techniques, and the ability to quantify uncertainty and to optimize experiments to reduce uncertainty. We present an overview of this emerging area of research in systems biology.
GUARDING THE PUBLIC: A STATUTORY ANALYSIS OF STATE REGULATION OF SECURITY GUARDS

ABSTRACT There is wide variation among states in the type of behavior that disqualifies individuals from becoming a security guard. There is also variation among states with respect to the minimum requirements for becoming a security guard. Roughly one-third of the states require that applicants be either citizens or legal residents of the United States. One half of the states have a minimum age requirement. The most common minimum age for both armed and unarmed security guards is eighteen years; however some states have different age requirements depending upon whether or not the guard is armed. For example, the minimum age in Delaware is twenty for unarmed guards and twenty-one for armed guards. As a general indicator, 66 percent of states regulated private security guard services in some manner in 1981. Presently, 82 percent of states regulate private security at the employee level. This is a positive sign, but it should be reiterated that there is a vast difference between regulation levels among the ...
Quality Assessment of Temperate Zone Deciduous Hardwood Seedlings

Research regarding seedling quality issues has been performed for decades and focused primarily on conifer species, which comprise the greatest proportion of nursery production worldwide. Demand for hardwood seedlings, particularly for conservation purposes, has increased steadily in recent years, emphasizing the need for seedling quality assessment protocols specific to these species. Important differences between conifer (gymnosperm) and hardwood (angiosperm) species require the creation of seedling evaluative programs specific to each group. Variation in phenology and ecological adaptability of hardwood species limits the validity of inferences made between and within genera. Annual cycles of leaf emergence followed by abscission in temperate hardwoods necessitate examination of seasonal variation in indicators of physiological condition that do not require leaf tissue (e.g., mineral nutrition, electrolyte leakage). Also, it is crucial to identify appropriate sampling periods and plant tissues for testing such that test results may be accurately compared. Though certain parameters (e.g., morphological) may be readily used in both conifer and hardwood seedling quality testing programs with little modification, additional refinement is needed to improve predictive capacity for hardwoods across a variety of environments. We review the current state of knowledge regarding seedling quality testing of temperate deciduous hardwood species, discuss limitations in incorporating traditional components of quality testing programs, and set priorities for future study.
Platinum dispersed on silica nanoparticle as electrocatalyst for PEM fuel cell

Abstract Colloidal silica has been employed as a support material to disperse Pt and develop Pt–SiO 2 composites with electrocatalytic properties. The Pt–SiO 2 particles of ratio 1:1 and 2:1 show superior performance towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) as these composite particles form an interconnected particle-network and maximize the available electrochemically active area. Upon increasing the Pt content we observe decreased activity as a result of aggregation of particles. The performance of Pt–SiO 2 composite particles in H 2 -fuel cell are compared with Pt-black catalyst.
Mining Online Book Reviews for Sentimental Clustering

The classification of consumable media by mining relevant text for their identifying features is a subjective process. Previous attempts to perform this type of feature mining have generally been limited in scope due to having limited access to user data. Many of these studies used human domain knowledge to evaluate the accuracy of features extracted using these methods. In this paper, we mine book review text to identify nontrivial features of a set of similar books. We make comparisons between books by looking for books that share characteristics, ultimately performing clustering on the books in our data set. We use the same mining process to identify a corresponding set of characteristics in users. Finally, we evaluate the quality of our methods by examining the correlation between our similarity metric, and user ratings.
Weak grain boundaries in Ni3Al

This study correlates the resistance to intergranular crack initiation with grain boundary character in Ni3Al by comparing the distribution of grain boundary characters at crack initiation sites to that in the general population. Micro-cracks were initiated in Ni3Al by tensile deformation of Ni3Al ribbon/brass bar samples in a pressurized chamber, and the boundary characters were determined using the electron backscattering pattern (EBSP) method. It has been found that low-angle and Σ3 boundaries are strong, and are resistant to crack initiation; all high-angle boundaries, including low-Σ (5 < Σ < 29) boundaries, are similarly prone to crack initiation, and Σ15, Σ21, and Σ29 boundaries are probably some of the weak boundaries in Ni3Al.
Electron and phonon states in an ideal continuous random network model of a − SiO 2 glass

A previously constructed large continuous random network model of amorphous ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2} (a\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{SiO}}_{2})$ glass with 1296 atoms and periodic boundary condition has been relaxed with four different sets of pair potentials under constant pressure. By removing the restriction of the cubic symmetry in the original model, the bond-length and bond-angle distortions can be further reduced, resulting in an ideal fully coordinated random network model for $a\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}.$ On the basis of the calculated vibrational states, it is concluded that the pair potential of Tsuneyuki et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 61, 869, 1988] gives the most realistic results for low-energy excitations. Specific-heat calculations using normal modes of vibration show good agreement with experimental data down to 8 K. Analysis of eigenvector components of the lowest nonzero vibrational mode shows that the low-energy atomic vibration involves the floppy movements of more than ten atoms in a chainlike structure. Thus the low-energy vibration in $a\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ is not associated with localized movement of a few atoms. Implications of this finding for the two-level tunneling model in glasses are then discussed. Using this ideal model structure, a first-principles calculation of electronic and optical properties of $a\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ glass is carried out. The reduction in the bond-length and bond-angle distortions leads to a more uniform distribution of effective charges and a slight reduction in the band gap. It is shown that such a topologically disordered network has sharp valence-band edges in the electronic density of states. The mobility edge at the top of the valence band is estimated to be only 0.06 eV, and there is no evidence for any localization for states at the conduction-band edge. The calculated dielectric function for $a\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ is in reasonable agreement with experimental measurements.
The Des-1 protein, required for central spindle assembly and cytokinesis, is associated with mitochondria along the meiotic spindle apparatus and with the contractile ring during male meiosis in Drosophila melanogaster.

Spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster serves as an excellent model system for the isolation and analysis of genes required in the control of chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. We report here the isolation and molecular characterization of a novel P-element induced allele of the des-1 gene, which leads to male sterility as a consequence of the failure of central spindle assembly in meiotic spermatocytes and the formation of aberrant meiotic end products characteristic of cytokinesis failure. We have raised affinity-purified antibodies against a Des-1 fusion protein, and localized the Des-1 protein in Drosophila spermatocytes. We show that the Des-1 protein is colocalized with mitochondria throughout male meiosis, becoming intimately associated with mitochondria along the spindle apparatus during anaphase and telophase, and with the Nebenkern, or mitochondrial derivative, of the meiotic end products. In addition, a significant association of Des-1 with the contractile ring is observed during anaphase and telophase of meiosis. These observations, together with the presence of six potential transmembrane domains in the Des-1 protein, raise the possibility that Des-1 may act as part of an anchoring mechanism that links membrane-bounded cellular compartments to components of the cytoskeleton.
Recurrence after surgery for equinus foot deformity in children with cerebral palsy: assessment of predisposing factors for recurrence in a long-term follow-up study

Despite the large number of studies on the recurrence after surgery for equinus foot deformity in cerebral palsy (CP) patients, only a few investigations have reported long-term recurrence rates. Furthermore, little is known on the interval between the recurrent surgeries and the factors that lead to early recurrence. This study aimed to assess the overall recurrence after surgery for equinus foot deformity in patients with CP and to assess the factors associated with recurrence. We also aimed to determine the predisposing factors for early recurrence. The medical records of 186 patients (308 feet) were reviewed in order to determine the recurrence after surgery for equinus foot deformity. The type of CP, type of surgery, age at surgery, functional mobility, passive dorsiflexion of the ankle at the last follow-up visit, and subsequent treatment were recorded. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was employed, with the end point defined as reoperation. The mean age at surgery was 6.8 ± 2.5 years (range, 2.2–13.1). With the mean follow-up period of 11.3 years (range, 7.2–17.7), the overall recurrence rate was 43.8%. The recurrence rate was highest among patients with hemiplegia (62.5%). The Kaplan–Meier survival without repeat surgery estimate was shown to be 88.6% at 5 years and 59.6% at 10 years. Among children with hemiplegia and diplegia, the younger children (≤8 years of age) showed a higher rate of recurrence compared with the older children (P = 0.04 and P = 0.01, respectively). In 41 feet (30.4%), reoperations were performed within 5 years after the primary surgery. Early recurrence was most prevalent among children with hemiplegia (50.0%). In children with diplegia and quadriplegia, the younger children underwent the secondary operation later than the older children (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively). Recurrence after surgery for equinus foot deformity is common and the age at surgery has a significant influence on recurrence. Recurrence can occur at any age while the child is still growing; therefore, it is advised to follow those patients until they reach skeletal maturity. Level III, therapeutic study.
α-tocopherol in males of the rotifer Asplanchna sieboldi: Its metabolism and its distribution in the testis and rudimentary gut†

New-born males produced by mictic females induced and cultured with emulsified dl-α-tocopherol-5-methyl-H3 were extracted with acetone. A thin-layer chromatogram of the extracted residue was divided into 20 1-cm fractions which were analyzed for radioactivity in a liquid scintillation spectrometer; 100% of the tritium-labeled lipid co-migrated with authentic α-tocopherol. Since known α-tocopherol metabolites have migration characteristics different from α-tocopherol in the chromatography system used, it was concluded that only undegraded α-tocopherol was present in the males. The efficiency of extraction of tritium label from 42 males was 89%, and 132 DPM were recovered from the thin-layer chromatogram. Therefore, each male contained about 5 × 10−16 moles, 0.2 pg, or 107 molecules of α-tocopherol. The distribution of tritium-labeled α-tocopherol in embryonic and new-born males produced by mictic females induced and cultured with emulsified dl-α-tocopherol-5-methyl-H3 was analyzed by autoradiography. Background-corrected mean grain density values showed that, for two different new-born males, the amount of label in the testis was 3.7 and 6.7 times that in the rudimentary gut. Grains over the testis appeared to be randomly distributed while those over the rudimentary gut were primarily over the periphery. A semi-quantitative analysis of mictic females with male embryos in different stages of development showed that only in well differentiated males were grain densities over the testis noticeably greater than those over the rudimentary gut. In younger embryos grains appeared to be randomly distributed over the entire embryo. Grain densities over the rudimentary gut in males about to be born were much lower than those over embryos in earlier stages of development. These results, together with electron micrographs of the testis and rudimentary gut of new-born male Asplanchna and information available on the subcellular distribution of α-tocopherol in vertebrates and plants, suggest that during late development of the male embryo α-tocopherol-rich organelles such as mitochondria are lost from the degenerating tissue from which the rudimentary gut of the new-born male is derived. The results obtained are consistent with the hypothesis that α-tocopherol is essential for spermatogenesis or male fertility in A. sieboldi and that for this reason the species has evolved its requirement of α-tocopherol for mictic female production.
An automated framework for predicting obstructive sleep apnea using a brief, daytime, non-intrusive test procedure

Sleep constitutes a big portion of our lives and is a major part of health and well-being. The vital repair and regeneration tasks carried out during sleep are essential for our physical, mental and emotional health. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that is characterized by repeated pauses in breathing during sleep. These pauses, or apneas, deplete the brain and the rest of the body of oxygen and disrupt the normal sleep cycle. OSA is associated with a number of adverse safety and health consequences, including excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue, which increase the risk for motor vehicle and work-related accidents. OSA also results in an increased risk for hypertension, cardiovascular disease, the development of diabetes and even premature death. The gold standard method for diagnosing OSA patients is polysomnography (PSG). PSG is an overnight sleep test that monitors a participant's biophysical changes (EEG, ECG, etc.) that occur during sleep. Despite its wide use and multi-parametric nature, there are multiple complications associated with that test that make it ineffective as an early-stage diagnosis tool. In this paper, we propose a daytime OSA screening tool that addresses the shortcomings of PSG. The framework consists of a data collection component that acquires information about the subject being tested, and a prediction component that analyzes the collected data and makes a diagnosis.We identify patients' key physiological, psychological and contextual features and apply advanced machine learning algorithms to build effective prediction models that help identify OSA patients in the comfort of their own home. The system was deployed in a pilot sleep apnea study of 16 patients. Results demonstrate the proposed system's great potential in helping sleep specialists in the initial assessment of patients with suspected OSA.
A Standardized Code Blue Team Eliminates Variable Survival from In-hospital Cardiac Arrest

Abstract Background Recent studies suggest that time of day affects survival from in-hospital cardiac arrest. Lower survival rates are observed during nights and on weekends, except in areas with consistent physician care, such as the Emergency Department. Since 1997, our hospital has utilized a standard, hospital-wide "Code Blue Team" (CBT) to respond to cardiac arrests at any time. This team is always led by an emergency physician, and includes specially trained nurses. Objective To assess if time of day or week affects survival from in-hospital cardiac arrest when a trained, consistent, emergency physician-led CBT is implemented. Methods This is an analysis of prospectively collected data on initial survival rates (return of spontaneous circulation >20 min) of all cardiac arrests that were managed by the CBT from 2000 to 2008. Cardiac arrests were also subcategorized based on initial cardiac rhythm. Survival rates were compared according to time of day or week. Results A total of 1692 cardiac arrests were included. There was no significant difference in the overall rate of initial survival between day/evening vs. night hours (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83–1.29), or between weekday vs. weekend hours (OR 1.10, 95% CI 0.85–1.38). This held true for all cardiac rhythms. Conclusion At our institution, there is no significant difference in survival from cardiac arrest when a standardized "Code Blue Team" is utilized, regardless of the time of day or week.
Quantitative Analysis of Sugars in Royal Jelly

THE amount of carbohydrate in royal jelly, determined in terms of total reducing substances, has been investigated. The results are seen in tabular form in a review by Johansson1 and show concentrations of carbohydrate in fresh royal jelly ranging from 8.3 to 29.1 per cent by weight. During one of these investigations2 an additional test was conducted, which was based on selective fermentation procedures, whereby a sample of native royal jelly, having a total reducing sugar concentration of 29.1 per cent (calculated in terms of glucose), was found to have an apparent glucose concentration of 12.2 per cent, a fructose concentration of 15.2 per cent and a concentration of 1.7 per cent for non-fermentable carbohydrates.
The ethics of data collection and analysis

This chapter focuses on ethical issues that can arise in the collection and analysis of data in evaluations. We move beyond common ethical issues in data collection and analysis, such as informed consent and coercion, to address four issues: the application of cost-benefit thinking to judgments about research ethics, the quality of research design as an ethical issue, the need to explore one's data, and the censoring of data.
Three-dimensional motion analysis of an improved head immobilization system for simulation, CT, MRI, and PET imaging

A mask/marker immobilization system for the routine radiation therapy treatment of head and neck disease is described, utilizing a commercially available thermoplastic mesh, indexed and mounted to a rigid frame attached to the therapy couch. Designed to permit CT, MRI, and PET diagnostic scans of the patient to be performed in the simulation and treatment position employing the same mask, the system has been tested in order to demonstrate the reproducibility of immobilization throughout a radical course of irradiation. Three-dimensional analysis of patient position over an 8-week course of daily radiation treatment has been performed for nine patients from digitization of anatomic points identified on orthogonal radiographs. Studies employing weekly simulation indicate that patient treatment position movement can be restricted to 2 mm over the course of treatment. This easily constructed system permits rapid mask formation to be performed on the treatment simulator, resulting in an immobilization device comparable to masks produced with vacuum-forming techniques. Details of motion analysis and central axis CT, MRI, and PET markers are offered.
Asymptomatic small bowel intussusception associated with post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease

A 2-yr-old boy who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation for biliary atresia 6 months prior presented with generalized lymphadenopathy. Physical exam revealed lymphadenopathy only; the patient had no gastrointestinal signs or symptoms. CT was used to evaluate the patient's lymphadenopathy. The findings were consistent with PTLD, and an incidental intussusception causing small bowel obstruction was found. The intussusception was successfully managed expectantly, and the patient's PTLD responded to administration of rituximab. The etiology, diagnosis and management of intussusception is discussed.
Nitrogen doped chalcopyrites as contacts to CdTe photovoltaics

CuInSe2, CuGaSe2, and alloys thereof produced by a hybrid sputtering and evaporation method show evidence of being dopable with nitrogen by the replacement of some of the Ar sputtering gas with N2. This results in a decrease in resistivity of the films with increasing N2 pressure in the sputtering gas. No doping of AgInSe2 or CuAlSe2 has been observed to date following similar methods of deposition. The films are now being tested as back contacts to CdTe solar cells. To date only high resistance contacts have been obtained but more testing and improved CdTe cleaning techniques are required to obtain optimized contacts. The doped chalcopyrites represent potential materials for tunnel junctions for use in CIGS photovoltaics and other devices.
Layering stratigraphy of eastern Coprates and northern Capri Chasmata, Mars

Abstract Distinct competent layers are observed in the slopes of eastern Coprates Chasma, part of the Valles Marineris system on Mars. Our observations indicate that the stratigraphy of Coprates Chasma consists of alternating thin strong layers and thicker sequences of relatively weak layers. The strong, competent layers maintain steeper slopes and play a major role in controlling the overall shape and geomorphology of the chasmata slopes. The topmost competent layer in this area is well preserved and easy to identify in outcrops on the northern rim of Coprates Chasma less than 100 m below the southern Ophir Planum surface. The volume of the topmost emplaced layer is at least 70 km 3 and may be greater than 2100 km 3 if the unit underlies most of Ophir Planum. The broad extent of this layer allows us to measure elevation offsets within the north rim of the chasma and in a freestanding massif within Coprates Chasma where the layer is also observed. Rim outcrop morphology and elevation differences between Ophir and Aurorae Plana may be indicative of the easternmost extent of the topmost competent layer. These observations allow an insight into the depositional processes that formed the stratigraphic stack into which this portion of the Valles Marineris is carved, and they present a picture of some of the last volcanic activity in this area. Furthermore, the elevation offsets within the layer are evidence of significant subsidence of the massif and surrounding material.
Sunscreens and the Prevention of Skin Aging

It has been well established in both human and animal skin that ultraviolet radiation from both ultraviolet B (UVB) (290 nm-320 nm) and ultraviolet A (UVA) (320 nm-420 nm) can produce profound changes in the skin that with recurrent exposure, cause it to become what we recognize as photoaged skin. Experimental studies in animals have confirmed that some sunscreen chemicals are capable of providing protection against ultraviolet-induced photoaging. It is presumed that regular use of these effective sunscreens will also reduce skin aging changes in humans.
AdCom Winter Meeting March 6–7, 2010, Toronto, ON, Canada [AP-S AdCom Minutes]

The attendees introduced themselves, and Bob Nevels welcomed current and new AdCom members and visitors.
Cyclooxygenase as a target for the antiamyloidogenic activities of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in Alzheimer's disease.

A large number of epidemiological studies have addressed the possible protective effect of anti-inflammatory drug use with regard to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The most convincing of these studies – th
Chopping up gunk

Atomism, the view that indivisible atoms are the basic building blocks of physical reality, has a distinguished history. But it might not be true. The history of physical science certainly gives many of us pause. Every time some class of objects appeared to be the entities that Newton had described as “solid, massy, hard, impenetrable, movable Particles” out of which “God in the Beginning formed Matter” (Newton, 1952, 400), further research revealed that these objects were divisible after all. One might be tempted to see that history as confirming Leibniz’ dismissal of atomism as a “youthful prejudice” .1 Perhaps material objects and their parts are always divisible. There are no extended atoms; nor are there point particles which compose material beings.2 When first presented with this hypothesis, our imaginations are quickly drawn to picturing the process whereby a quantity of such matter – call it gunk -is chopped up into smaller and smaller pieces. Prima facie, there is nothing problematic here: insofar as such a process continues without end, the initial quantity gets resolves into smaller and smaller chunks with no limit to the diminution. But suppose this process is packed into an hour, as imagined by Jose Bernadete in his 1964 monograph Infinity:
Automatic analysis of flow visualization images

Image processing of flow visualization pictures is an effective technique to obtain full-field velocity information in a wide variety of fluid mechanics problems. This report describes the development of an image processing algorithm which employs automatic analysis of the flow visualization images to establish local, instantaneous velocity information. The automatic method utilizes gradient operators and curve fitting techniques to extract the valid flow streaks. It is demonstrated how this technique may be used to determine local velocity vectors for a variety of flow visualization images. The analysis is accurate and fast.
State Capacity, Scalar Politics, and the Geographic Study of Civil Wars

Since the end of the Cold War in 1991, the most dramatic development in the nature of conflict is the shift from international to civil wars (O'Loughlin and Raleigh 2008:494). Indeed, according to ...
Motivation and communication theory

This article postulates a series of tests to be passed by all information gaining admittance to the human cognitive system, and describes in general terms the consequences for motivation.
Investigation of Cylindrical Pin-Fin Heat Sink Thermal Performance at High Altitude

Heat sinks with cross airflow are commonly used for enhancing the cooling of electronic components. When using heat sinks in avionics applications, the primary heat transfer challenges are due to low air densities, which occur when operating at high altitudes, and space and mass constraints. Because of the spatial constraints, heat sinks with a large surface area per unit volume are advantageous. In general, cylindrical pin-fin heat sinks offer such characteristics. The Nusselt number is used as an indication of the thermal performance of the heat sink for a given Reynolds number. At high altitude, we expect the Reynolds number (based on the fin diameter and maximum velocity, Red,max ) to be smaller than 1000. Empirical correlations for the Nusselt number of cylindrical pin-fin heat sinks are available in the literature; however, these correlations were obtained for larger values of Red,max . The objective of this work is to correlate the Nusselt number and the friction factor of an in-line cylindrical pin-fin heat sink with its non-dimensional geometric parameters, and the airflow Reynolds number. The emphasis is on Red,max range between 25 and 1000, which allows the evaluation of the thermal performance of the heat sink for altitudes up to 70,000 feet. The results are obtained using three-dimensional numerical simulations with the commercial CFD software Flotherm. The numerical model is validated against experimental data. The results show that for a given Red,max, the average Nusselt number and friction factor are independent of the altitude for a given heat sink configuration. However, for a given air inlet velocity, an important drop in the average Nusselt number is observed as the altitude increases due to the reduction in air density. The effect of the variation of the fin span-wise and stream-wise pitches, as well as height is also studied.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Movement of Auxin in Coleoptiles of Zea mays L. during Geotropic Stimulation.

The theory of Cholodny and Went (20) attributes the tropic curvatures of growing plants to an unequal distribution of auxin caused by lateral movement of auxin in stimulated organs. The work of Dolk (3) with tips and isolated sections of coleoptiles of Avena sativa and Zea mnays provided strong support for this theory as applied to geotropism. Subsequently, other workers found an unequal distribution of auxin resulting from geotropic stimulation of organs other than coleoptiles. (See reviews by Went and Thimann (20) and Anker (1).)
Alienation or Empowerment? Law and Strategies for Social Change

Most treatments of the civil rights movement of the 1960s include a discussion of the landmark Supreme Court desegregation case of Brown v. Board of Education.' The underlying assumption in this ritual invocation is that political strategies based on or including legal reform are an effective means of bringing about social change. Brown is a symbol of the efficacy of legal reform. The classic interpretation of this symbol was given by Richard Kluger when he wrote: "[Brown] meant that blacks had suddenly been redefined; black bodies had suddenly been reborn under a new law. Blacks' value as human beings had been changed overnight by the declaration of the nation's highest court."2 Thus, we are meant to believe that legislatively or judicially established legal rights are powerful forces of social reform that make important, direct, and lasting differences in the everyday lives of society's disadvantaged.
Development of an Electro-Rheological Fluidic Actuator and Haptic Systems for Vehicular Instrument Control

Force-feedback methanisms have been designed to simplify and enahance the human-vehicle interface. The increase in secondary controls within vehicle cockpits has created a desire for a simpler, more efficient human-vehicle interface. Haptic system, or systems that interact with the operator’s sense of touch, can be used to consolidate various controls into fever, haptic feedback control devices, so that information can be transmitted to the operator and the operator can change control settings without requiring the driver’s visual attention. In this paper an Electro-Rheological Fluid (ERF) based actuator and mechanisms are presented that provide haptic feedback. ERSs are fluids that change their viscosity in response to an electric field. Using the electrically controlled rheological properties of ERFs, haptic devices have been developed that can resist human operator forces in a controlled and tunable fashion. The design of an ERF-based actuator and its application to a haptic knob and haptic joystick is presented. The analytical model is given, analyses are performed, and experimental systems and data are presented for the actuator. Conceptual methods for the application to the haptic devices are presented.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Appalachian Songcatcher: Olive Dame Campbell and the Scotch-Irish Ballad

The discovery of old English song ballads in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky at the turn of the twentieth century has been the subject of fascination by geographers, folklorists and historians for the past century. The recent release of two dramatic films, O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Touchstone Pictures) and Songcatcher (Rigas Entertainment) in 2001 has used the Appalachian ballad as a basis for the film narrative and revived interest in American folk music and the roots of the English ballad tradition in the Kentucky mountains.
Monte Carlo simulation for analysis of the optimum value distribution in stochastic mathematical programs

Abstract This paper shows how simulation can be used to quickly solve an otherwise complex mathematical problem of derivation of the optimum value distribution function in stochastic mathematical programs. Two software packages (LINDO and UNIFIT II) are used along with a FORTRAN code in simulating and analyzing a given linear program with stochastic coefficients. Two previously analytically solved problems are resolved using simulation to show that simulation is indeed an effective method of solution.
Wikipedia as Rational Discourse: An Illustration of the Emancipatory Potential of Information Systems

Critical social theorists often emphasize the control and surveillance aspects of information systems, building upon a characterization of information technology as a tool for increased rationalization. The emancipatory potential of information systems is often overlooked. In this paper, we apply the Habermasian ideal of rational discourse to Wikipedia as an illustration of the emancipatory potential of information systems. We conclude that Wikipedia does embody an approximation of rational discourse, while several challenges remain
UHF phased-array measurements in snow

The installation and operation of large, horizontal, UHF phased-array antennas in arctic regions is challenged by severe environmental conditions. It can be shown that large and moderate snowfall can impact the operation of exposed dipole array elements, and can reduce aperture efficiency. Reflection coefficients, measured at the antenna terminal of an embedded array element, can vary drastically as a function of snow depth and density. In this paper, we describe several measurements that show embedded-array-element impedance variations as a function of snow height. Measured results are presented for an array operating from 400 MHz to 470 MHz.
Variation in Meaning of Pain Descriptors for Different Headache Types as Revealed by Psychophysical Scaling

SYNOPSIS Tursky's (1976) set of pain descriptors for the intensity and reactivity dimensions were psychophysically scaled by patients with either tension, migraine, combined migraine and tension or cluster headaches and by a group of non-headache sufferers. The reactivity descriptors consistently discriminated headache from non-headache subjects and tended to be aligned consistent with the severity of the pain experienced in the various kinds of headaches.
Gravity and global symmetries.

There exists a widely held notion that gravitational effects can strongly violate global symmetries. If this is correct, it may lead to many important consequences. We argue, in particular, that nonperturbative gravitational effects in the axion theory lead to a strong violation of CP invariance unless they are suppressed by an extremely small factor g\ensuremath{\lesssim}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}82}$. One could hope that this problem disappears if one represents the global symmetry of a pseudoscalar axion field as a gauge symmetry of the Ogievetsky-Polubarinov-Kalb-Ramond antisymmetric tensor field. We show, however, that this gauge symmetry does not protect the axion mass from quantum corrections. The amplitude of gravitational effects violating global symmetries could be strongly suppressed by ${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{S}}$, where S is the action of a wormhole which may absorb the global charge. Unfortunately, in a wide variety of theories based on the Einstein theory of gravity the action appears to be fairly small, S\ensuremath{\sim}10. However, we find that the existence of wormholes and the value of their action are extremely sensitive to the structure of space on the nearly Planckian scale. We consider several examples (Kaluza-Klein theory, conformal anomaly, ${\mathit{R}}^{2}$ terms) which show that modifications of the Einstein theory on the length scale l\ensuremath{\lesssim}10${\mathit{M}}_{\mathit{P}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ may strongly suppress violation of global symmetries. We find also that in string theory there exists an additional suppression of topology change by the factor ${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}8\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}2}$/${\mathit{g}}^{2}$. This effect is strong enough to save the axion theory for the natural values of the stringy gauge coupling constant.