cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response of NaI(Tl) to X-rays and electrons

Abstract Measurements of the light output response of NaI(Tl) to X-rays were taken as part of the pre-flight calibrations of the High Energy X-ray Timing Experiment (HEXTE), currently in orbit aboard NASA's Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer. These measurements cover the energy range 12–159 keV. Radionuclides and fluorescent sources were used to provide a coarse sampling of this energy range, and a tunable X-ray monochromator was used to provide a fine scale mapping around the iodine K-edge (33.17 keV), where the light output response of NaI(Tl) varies rapidly with energy. The light output response to X-rays is measured to an accuracy of ± 0.7%. In addition to presenting the results of these X-ray calibrations, we use these data to infer the response of NaI(Tl) to electrons in the energy range 0.1–125 keV. This is done using the procedure of Collinson and Hill [Proc. Phys. Soc. 81 (1963) 883], modified to take into account systematic effects that have been noted in the literature and to improve the model that is used to describe the cascade liberation of electrons that follows the absorption of an X-ray in the crystal. The Collinson and Hill procedure is particularly well suited to work with X-ray data, such as ours, that include detail at energies just above the iodine K-edge; the data here are used to determine the response of NaI(Tl) to low energy electrons, a point of contention in the literature. Our measurements of the electron response extend down to lower energies than have been examined in the past. The light output response to electrons is measured to an accuracy of ±90% at 0.1 keV, ±50% at 1 keV, ±5% at 10 keV, and ±4% at 100 keV.
Structure and kinematics of cometary type I tails.

Abstract A summary of our knowledge concerning the structure and the changes in structure of Type I tails of comets is given. The study of the structure and the structural changes within the “heads” of the tails (coma region) rests nearly exclusively on photographic material of Comet Morehouse 1908. Eddington's paper of 1910 about this comet, based on about 150 Greenwich 30-inch reflector plates is critically reviewed by having this whole material available for a study. Most of Eddington's conclusions, which all support the old “fountain model”, are accepted. Opik's new transverse force, which accelerates the ions slowly to the tail axis, is also accepted. The characteristic kinematical properties of the tail material are qualitatively and partly quantitatively clear. These properties are consistent only with a tail model in which the visible tail rays and streamers represent narrow jets within an otherwise highly diluted ion atmosphere.
Detecting and Removing Inhomogeneities from Long-Term Monthly Sea Level Pressure Time Series

Abstract A method for the detection of and adjustment for multiple discontinuities in pressure time series is presented. The method relies on determining a reference pressure series using improved interpolation techniques and objectively comparing the observed and reference time series. The ability of the method to locate discontinuities in time and to estimate the magnitude of the discontinuity are examined using randomly generated time series with known properties. The sea level pressure time series for Darwin (WMO 94120) is analyzed, and ten discontinuities are noted for the period 1869–1988. These are compared with previous examinations of the Darwin pressure time series.
Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein (CREB) and CAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein β (C/EBPβ) Bind Chimeric DNA Sites with High Affinity†

Basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) proteins are transcription factors that interact selectively with duplex DNA to regulate gene expression. Specifically, the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) interacts with the cAMP response element (CRE) DNA site with high affinity, while it binds the CAAT/enhancer-binding protein (CEBP) DNA site with low affinity. Despite the selectivity of CREB for the CRE site, CREB-dependent transcription is observed via chimeric DNA sites with similarities to both CRE and CEBP sites. Because CRE/CEBP and CEBP/CRE chimeric DNA are relevant for transcription regulation but have not been rigorously characterized, quantitative electrophoretic mobility shift assays were used to characterize the binding affinity and specificity of CREB to the sites. In addition to CREB, C/EBPbeta was tested because chimeric DNA was shown to stabilize CREB-C/EBPbeta heterodimerization. Despite previous work, no CREB-C/EBPbeta heterodimer was observed in the presence of chimeric DNA; only CREB and C/EBPbeta homodimers were seen. The CREB homodimer bound to the chimeric sites with high affinity, demonstrating that the presence of one CRE half-site is sufficient for high-affinity interaction. A comparison of CREB and C/EBPbeta homodimers indicated that they bind the chimeric sites with similar, high affinity. Whereas the CRE and CEBP sites preferentially interact with CREB and C/EBPbeta, respectively, the chimeric sites bind CREB and C/EBPbeta competitively. Because DNA binding correlates with transcription regulation, the results suggest that gene expression from chimeric sites can be altered by small changes in relative bZIP concentrations or bZIP accessory factors.
Spatial genetic structure of lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium, in four fields in Maine.

Expressed sequence tag - polymerase chain reaction (EST-PCR) molecular markers were used to infer spatial genetic structure of four lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.) fields in Maine. Genetic structure was quanti- fied at three spatial scales: (1) within apparent clones (intrapatch), (2) among clones within a field, and (3) among fields separated by as much as 65 km. Of five ''clones'' or putative individuals examined in the intrapatch study, two showed complete genetic homogeneity within the patch, while three showed some band differences at their edges compared with their interiors. These differences at the edges, however, matched adjacent clones (so-called ''intruders''), from which it was concluded that lowbush blueberry exhibits a fairly tight, phalanx clonal architecture with no evidence of invasive seedling establishment within clones. No significant correlation between genetic and physical distance was found among clones within fields via several statistical approaches. Significant among-field genetic differentiation was found via AMOVA (FPT = 8.4%; p £ 0.01) based upon transect samples across four fields ranging from 12.5 to 65 km apart. Princi- pal component analysis and spatial autocorrelation (SA) corroborated these findings. Significant positive SA was found at the within-field distance class of <350 m, but SA decreased to an insignificant value by the first interfield distance of 12.5 km. A special form of SA analysis was employed to detect ''hotspots'' of genetic similarity between pairs of adjacent clones in two fields. Results indicated that 5 of 23 pairs of clones (21.7%) were genetically similar to each other, while the majority of pairs (18 of 23; 78.3%) showed random, decreasing patterns of genetic similarity. Results are discussed in terms of clonal dynamics including architecture, seedling recruitment, and inferred pollen or seed dispersal distances.
Search for New Very High Temperature Superconductors From an Applications Perspective

Historically, a room-temperature superconductor has been the Holy Grail of research in new superconducting materials. It seemed obvious that such a superconductor would transform the applications of superconductivity, and this is no doubt true. However, in this paper, we examine the physics of high-temperature superconductivity together with the requirements for electric power applications and demonstrate that these two perspectives interact in fundamental ways. Both are necessary to understand the materials space where useful high-temperature superconductors should be sought. Happily, the restricted space of useful high-temperature superconductors coincides with that necessary for the existence of high-temperature superconductivity in and of itself. Based on these ideas, we comment on where one should look for our Holy Gail.
Comparison of different synthetic routes for sulphonation of polyaniline

Abstract Polyanilines containing sulphonic groups covalently bonded to the back bone were synthesized from parent polyaniline via sulphonation of the polymer utilizing differing sulphonation agents and differing means. The sulphonation conditions were studied as a function of several parameters including sulphonation time, starting forms of the precursor polymer, presence of oxidizer [(NH 4 ) 2 S 2 O 8 ] and temperature. The sulphonated polyanilines were characterized by FT i.r., elemental analyses, d.c. conductivity and electrochemical methods. It was found that using fuming sulphuric acid as the sulphonation agent gave both higher conductivity and higher sulphonation level for sulphonated polyaniline than implementation of other sulphonation agents and means.
The dependence of radical termination rates on percent crystallinity in gamma irradiated isotactic polypropylene

Abstract The effect of γ-irradiation on isotactic polypropylene as a function of percent crystallinity is studied. Radical termination rates are shown to be highest in polymers with the lowest percent crystallinity.
Sleep-waking discharge of neurons in the posterior lateral hypothalamus of the albino rat

The sleep-waking discharge patterns of neurons in the posterior lateral hypothalamus (PLH) were investigated in the rat. Previous studies in the cat demonstrated that this region contained neurons that fired tonically at low rates (2-4 Hz) during waking, decreased firing in non-rapid eye-movement (NREM) sleep and nearly ceased firing during rapid eye-movement (REM) sleep. These "REM-off" neurons were proposed to be histaminergic neurons of the tuberomammillary nucleus (TM). Since many anatomical and physiological studies are performed in the rat, we sought to examine the sleep-waking discharge of these neurons in this animal. We found three main types of discharge patterns among PLH neurons. Waking-related neurons decreased their discharge in NREM sleep, and remained at low rates during REM sleep. A subpopulation of these neurons discharged very little during REM sleep (<0.2 Hz) (REM-off neurons). Waking/REM-related neurons decreased their discharge in NREM sleep and returned to waking rates in REM sleep. REM-related neurons decreased their discharge in NREM sleep and increased their discharge during REM sleep higher than waking rates. No NREM-related discharge patterns were recorded. Waking-related and waking/REM-related neurons were similar in location within the PLH and action potential duration. Some REM-off and other waking-related neurons were recorded within the boundaries of the histaminergic TM, however, not all waking-related and REM-off neurons were found within this region. Furthermore, neurons with waking/REM-related and state-indifferent discharge patterns were localized within the TM. These results suggest that waking-related and/or REM-off neurons may not be exclusively histaminergic in rats.
Temperature Dependence of Exchange-Narrowed Magnetic-Resonance Linewidth

Temperature dependence of exchange-narrowed paramagnetic-resonance linewidths can be inferred by computing second and fourth moments of the resonance line at finite temperature. This procedure is carried out here for two systems in which the moments can be calculated with a minimum amount of approximation: (i) a paramagnet with exchange energy much less than $\mathrm{kT}$ but with Zeeman energy comparable to $\mathrm{kT}$ so that spin ordering takes place solely via a large external field; (ii) an antiferromagnetic linear-chain salt such as Cu${(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_{3})}_{4}$S${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O for which Zeeman energy is negligible but in which short-range order exists because of an exchange-interaction energy of the order of $\mathrm{kT}$. Dipole-dipole and hyperfine couplings are considered as sources of broadening, and the treatment is confined to spin \textonehalf{}. In either case we find the effective exchange frequency to increase as the temperature is lowered; so the line is narrower at a given temperature than would be expected on the basis of second-moment and susceptibility considerations alone. Linewidth measurements by Date on Cu${(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_{3})}_{4}$S${\mathrm{O}}_{4}$\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O seem to give some experimental evidence in support of this conclusion.
Evaluation of Maize Inbred Lines for Resistance to Aspergillus and Fusarium Ear Rot and Mycotoxin Accumulation

Mycotoxin contamination in corn (Zea mays L.) grain is a worldwide threat to safety of both human food and animal feed. A select group of inbred corn lines was evaluated in fi eld trials for ear rot caused by Aspergillus fl and Fusarium verticillioides and mycotoxin accumulation in grain. Our goal was to identify lines resistant to both fungi. In separate tests, 20 inbred lines were inoculated with either A. fl avus or F. verticillioides. Aft er harvest, ears were rated for rot and evaluated for levels of afl atoxin or fumonisin contamination. Inbred line Mp717 exhibited low grain afl atoxin contamination and it also had the lowest levels of fumonisin. Inbred line Mp317 has been shown previously to have low levels of F. verticillioides kernel infection and fumonisin contamination. Mp317 also had low levels of afl atoxin contamination in this study. Area of the ear rotted by F. verticillioides and A. fl avus was signifi cantly correlated to toxin production for both fumonisin (P = 0.0002; r = 0.74) and afl atoxin (P = 0.004; r = 0.61), indicating that inbreds exhibiting afl atoxin resistance may also be good sources of fumonisin resistance. Our method of quantifying ear rot may also be used to rapidly screen lines for A. fl avus resistance and subsequent afl atoxin accumulation in preliminary evaluations.
Computer-aided management of plant tissue culture production.

Abstract The commercial micropropagation industry employs a complex, labor-intensive process for rapid clonal propagation of plant material. Almost equally as complex is the market for the products, rooted and/or unrooted microcuttings, produced by this process. Tools are need to assist in the management of micropropagation operations which will enable better matching of production to fluctuating demands. A lumped parameter discrete-time model of the flow and processing of plant material in a typical micropropagation facility was developed. Software was developed which determines how plant material should be processed to help production more optimally correspond to demand under cultural practice constraints. Techniques for calculating space and labor utilization were incorporated into the software. Results indicate that the methods employed were successful on all but highly fluctuating demand scenarios.
Obstructive and restrictive lung disease and markers of inflammation: data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination.

Although chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and restrictive lung diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States (1–3), a large proportion of the morbidity and mortality is not pulmonary (4). This raises the possibility that lung disease may be an indicator of susceptibility to the development of other diseases or may be associated with systemic inflammation that leads to other diseases (5,6). Previous analyses of the relation between lung function and markers of inflammation (7,8) have not looked at restrictive lung disease separately. We applied spirometric criteria to define obstructive and restrictive lung disease in adults who had pulmonary function measurements obtained as part of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). We then assessed the relation of impaired lung function to circulating levels of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen, adjusting for potential covariates that may also influence these measures.
Locus of Control, Psychopathology, and Weight Gain in Juvenile Anorexia Nervosa.

Based on a hypothesized disturbance in personal control and efficacy in anorexia nervosa, locus of control score in female adolescents with anorexia nervosa was compared to scores obtained from depressed and conduct disorder controls, and to adolescent female standardization norms. Results indicated that (a) as a group, anorectics were significantly more internal than each of the controls; (b) anorectics scoring in a more external direction showed greater denial of illness, fear of weight change, impulse dyscontrol, rigidity of self-imposed controls, use of purgatives and diuretics, and body-image distortion; and (c) more internal anorectics evidenced more rapid weight gain during treatment. Findings were discussed in terms of the psychopathology of anorexia nervosa and the empirical literature relating locus of control to personality functioning and symptom alleviation.
Approaches to academic growth assessment

Background There is much interest in assessing growth in student learning. Assessments of growth have important implications and affect many policy decisions at many levels. Aims In the present article, we review some of the different approaches to measuring growth and examine the implications of their usage. Sample Samples used in research on growth models typically include students enrolled in public schools that primarily serve kindergarten through the 12th grade. Method Definitions of growth and gain are reviewed, and five types of growth models are examined: (1) Student Gain Score Model, (2) The Covariate Adjustment Model, (3) The Student Percentile Gain Model – referred to as single-wave value-added models, (4) Univariate Value-Added Response Models, and (5) Multivariate Value-Added Response Models. Results Modelling approaches are vastly different, whereas Student Gain Models are mathematically and conceptually simple, Multivariate Models are highly complex. Conclusion Educators assessing growth must make critical decisions about measurement. The type of instrument that is selected and the type of analytic techniques selected are of great importance. Growth must be considered from technical, pedagogical, and policy perspectives.
Radiobiologic studies comparing YTTRIUM-90 irradiation and external beam irradiation in vitro

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Yttrium-90 (Y-90) labeled antibody irradiation to 60 Co external beam irradiation in vitro by colony formation assay. Two human colon carcinoma cell lines, LS174T, a high CEA producer, and WiDr, a low CEA producer, were exposed to specific activities of Y-90 labeled murine monoclonal anti-CEA antibody ranging from 2.5 to 30 μCi/ml for a fixed period of time. This resulted in calculated doses of 2.25 to 27 Gy and initial dose rates of 2.5 to 29 cGy/hr. Results were compared to similar doses of Y-90 labeled non-specific antibody, unlabeled specific and non-specific antibody, and 60 Co external beam irradiation. External beam irradiation studies showed that WiDr, compared to LS174T, was more radioresistant with a larger shoulder to the survival curve, indicating a greater capacity for radiation-induced sublethal damage repair. WiDr was also more radioresistant to Y-90 antibody irradiation. When compared to external beam irradiation, Y-90 labeled antibody irradiation resulted in less cell killing by a factor of 2.4 for LS174T and 3.4 for WiDr. Unlabeled antibody had no significant effect on cell survival. Radiation-induced cell cycle delay experiments demonstrated that WiDr had less cell cycle delay (0.9 to 1.0 min/cGy) compared to LS174T (1.2 min/cGy) after single fraction external beam irradiation. Our results indicate that Y-90 low dose-rate irradiation is radiobiologically less effective in vitro than high dose-rate external beam irradiation by a factor of about 2.4 to 3.4. The results also suggest that the magnitude of this difference depends on the cell line's ability to repair sublethal radiation damage and the degree of cell cycle prolongation after irradiation.
Autonomous Formation Flight: Hardware Development

This paper describes the hardware development for an autonomous formation flight research project at West Virginia University. Each aircraft test bed was outfitted with an Inertial Navigation System (INS), GPS receiver and telemetry system tailored to perform the formation flight experiment, This paper provides a detailed summary about the aircraft test-bed, on-board electronic payload, and the various flight testing phases leading to the final 3-aircraft formation demonstration.
Obstructive sleep apnea and atrial fibrillation: understanding the connection

There is a high incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Whether this represents a causative relationship or is merely an association remains to be determined. This review describes the current understanding of pathophysiologic links supporting a causative relationship between OSA and AF. The management of AF with antiarrhythmics, cardioversion and ablation success depends on compliance with OSA treatment. OSA worsens every risk factor resulting in a higher stroke risk in AF patients. Strategies for early screening and compliance with OSA treatment are the need of the hour.
On the particle-size dependence of fatigue-crack propagation thresholds in SiC-particulate-reinforced aluminum-alloy composites: Role of crack closure and crack trapping

Abstract A study has been made of ambient-temperature fatigue-crack propagation behavior in P/M Al-Zn-Mg-Cu metal-matrix composites reinforced with either 15 or 20 vol.% silicon-carbide particulate, with specific emphasis on the role of SiC-particle size on the fatigue-crack growth threshold condition. It is found that measured threshold stress-intensity levels ΔK TH , are a function of both SiC-particle size and volume fraction; however, whereas coarse-particle distribution results in higher ΔK TH values at low load ratios, fine particles give higher threshold at high load ratios. Such behavior is analyzed in terms of the interaction of SiC particles with the crack path, both in terms of the promotion of (roughness-induced) crack closure at low load ratios and by crack trapping by particles. Consideration of the latter mechanism yields a limiting requirement for the intrinsic threshold condition in these materials that the maximum plastic-zone size must exceed the effective mean particle size; this implies that for near-threshold crack advance, the tensile stress in the matrix must exceed the yield strength of the material beyond the particle.
Bayesian Sonar Detection Performance Prediction With Source Position Uncertainty Using SWellEx-96 Vertical Array Data

Predicting sonar detection performance is important for the development of sonar systems. The classical sonar equation cannot accurately predict sonar detection performance because it does not incorporate the effect of ocean environmental and source position uncertainty. We propose an analytical receiver operating characteristic (ROC) expression that characterizes the performance of the optimal Bayesian detector in the presence of ocean environmental and source position uncertainty. The approach is based on a statistical model of the environment and a physical model of acoustic propagation, which translates ocean environmental and source position uncertainty to signal wavefront uncertainty. The analytical ROC expression developed in this paper is verified for source position uncertainty due to source motion using both simulated data and real data collected during the Shallow Water Evaluation Cell Experiment (SWellEx-96). The results showed that the primary effect of source position uncertainty on optimal sonar detection performance is captured by the rank that corresponds to the significant eigenvalues of the signal matrix, an ensemble of replica signal wavefronts (normalized acoustic pressure vector) at the receiving array. The results also showed that the proposed ROC expression provides a realistic detection performance prediction for the Bayesian detector for source position uncertainty using real data. The proposed approach to sonar detection performance prediction is much simpler and faster than those using conventional Monte Carlo approaches
Design and programming of a flexible, cost-effective systolic array cell for digital signal processing

A programmable systolic array cell for signal processing applications is described. The cell uses two chips: the 16-b NCR45CM16 CMOS multiplier/accumulator (MAC) for arithmetic, and the systolic array controller (SAC) for routing data and controlling the MAC. All major cell resources can operate concurrently. The many practical details of implementing systolic array algorithms on an array of SAC/MAC cells are fully presented. A library of macros for commonly used program segments is described. Key issues are discussed such as programming the MAC, scaling operands, loading RAM, synchronizing cells, delaying data, unloading results, combining the macros into a program, and pipelining a program. Two systolic algorithms are developed: matrix multiplication on a linear array, and matrix multiplication on a two-dimensional array. With a two-dimensional array, a series of pipelined matrix-matrix multiplications uses the MAC every cycle. >
Does retirement planning affect the level of retirement satisfaction

Abstract This paper analyzes the relationship between retirement planning and retirement satisfaction. Do individuals think about and plan for retirement? If they do, do they utilize financial planning services? If they plan, are they more satisfied with retirement than those who did not? Data for 1,781 retired individuals from the first wave of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) are analyzed using an ordered probit model. The results indicate that thinking about retirement and attending planning meetings have a significant positive impact on satisfaction even when income, wealth, marital status and health are included as explanatory variables.
Advances in Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

INTRODUCTION In the past 10 years, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has emerged as a major new form of treatment for a variety of malignant diseases. Indeed, the overall number of autologous transplants registered with the Autologous Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry (ABMTR) in a 5-year period ending in 1994 was 16,561 (1). This exponential growth can be attributed to a variety of new developments, which shall be reviewed below.
Some current findings on brain characteristics of the mathematically gifted adolescent

A number of studies investigating the brain characteristics of mathematically gifted youth indicate that they possess a unique functional organisation as compared to those of average math ability (O'Boyle, et al., 1995). Specifically, data from a variety of behavioural and psychophysiological experiments tend to suggest enhanced processing reliance on the right cerebral hemisphere and heightened interhemispheric communication, as unique functional characteristics of the math gifted brain, with the later providing supplemental processing resources and enhanced cooperation between the cerebral hemispheres. Notably, these brain differences may have important implications for the nature and timing of mathematics instruction.
Using reiterative LFSR based X-masking to increase output compression in presence of unknowns

This paper addresses the problem of increasing unknowns in the output response data by exploring reiterative LFSR reseeding based X-masking. This approach takes advantage of the data correlation in the output response data to enable LFSR encoded masks to be reused for multiple scan slices while guaranteeing that all unknowns are masked and all bits required for fault detection are allowed to propagate to the compactor. This paper also investigates a hybrid approach that combines conventional LFSR reseeding based X-masking with fixed-interval reiterative LFSR X-masking. Experimental results for applying this approach to industrial designs indicate that significant amounts of output compression can be achieved without any pattern count inflation or loss in fault coverage.
A Modern Look at Conformal Mapping Including Multiply Connected Regions

With the advent of large-scale digital computers, numerical solution of the transonic flow equations in two dimensions has proven feasible. In such calculations it is convenient, and often crucial, to map the region of in- terest conformally onto a simple domain so that a simple finite difference system can be employed. This paper updates a well-known airfoil conformal mapping method (Theodorsen and Garrick) with modern techniques, greatly enhancing the mapping speed and accuracy while simplifying the analysis. Also, a powerful new class of conformal transformations is introduced, and applied to a two-element airfoil. N the calculation of transonic flow over airfoils it has proven convenient to map the infinite region of the flow exterior to an airfoil conformally onto a finite region, such as the interior of a circle, as in Sells,l Melnik and Ives,2 Jameson,3 and Bauer, Garabedian, and Korn.4 Such a mapping places a fine grid in the physical plane where needed, while retaining a uniform grid in the (con- formally mapped) computational plane. The gradients of flow properties in the computational plane are smaller than in the physical plane, so that finite difference approximations in the computational plane are more accurate than in the physical plane. This allows the use of a rather coarse grid. It is easier to apply boundary conditions in the mapped plane than it is in the physical plane, as the boundaries are coordinate lines in the mapped plane. The conformal mapping ensures that the nonlinear partial differential equations in the computational plane are only slightly more complicated than those in the physical plane.1'5 To take advantage of the above con- siderations, there is a need for conformal mapping techniques that are simple and rapid. This paper presents a conformal mapping technique which is at least an order of magnitude faster than conventional mapping techniques. In analogy to the fast Fourier transform techniques utilized here, the present work can be considered a "fast conformal mapping." This paper also introduces a powerful new class of con- formal transformations. These new transformations are an extension of the well-known von Karman-Trefftz trans- formation to multiply-conn ected regions, and can be used in the analysis of flow over multielement airfoils. They have the property that any number N of airfoil elements are simultaneously (with one application of the transformation) mapped to TV near circles. One member of this new class of transformations is used in mapping the region exterior to a two-element airfoil onto the region between two concentric circles. By combining the known solution for incompressible flow between two con- centric circles6 with this two-element mapping, we can very simply solve for the inviscid incompressible flow over a two- element air foil.
Iron loading in humans: A risk factor for enhanced morbidity and mortality

Purpose. To develop an overview of the kinds of disease that can be exacerbated by excessive/misplaced iron; to briefly consider mortality data on iron‐loaded persons; and to summarize methods for the prevention and therapy of iron loading.Design. Literature review.Materials and methods. A survey of clinical and research medical journals of the past decade was carried out. The diseases were categorized by medical specialty and by currently proposed types of iron association.Results. A remarkably diverse assemblage of diseases have been reported to be associated with and/or exacerbated by excessive or misplaced iron in specific tissue sites. Reduced longevity was associated with iron loading in two studies, but not in a third. Behavioral factors, as well as genetic modifiers, have been described that can result in an increase in inhaled, ingested and injected iron.Conclusions. Our present knowledge strongly indicates that methods for the reduction of iron loading could contribute considerably to the improv...
Automated organization design for multi-agent systems

The ability to create effective multi-agent organizations is key to the development of larger, more diverse multi-agent systems. In this article we present KB-ORG: a fully automated, knowledge-based organization designer for multi-agent systems. Organization design is the process that accepts organizational goals, environmental expectations, performance requirements, role characterizations, and agent descriptions and assigns roles to each agent. These long-term roles serve as organizational-control guidelines that are used by each agent in making moment-to-moment operational control decisions. An important aspect of KB-ORG is its efficient, knowledge-informed search process for designing multi-agent organizations. KB-ORG uses both application-level and coordination-level organization design knowledge to explore the combinatorial search space of candidate organizations selectively. KB-ORG also delays making coordination-level organizational decisions until it has explored and elaborated candidate application-level agent roles. This approach significantly reduces the exploration effort required to produce effective designs as compared to modeling and evaluation-based approaches that do not incorporate design expertise. KB-ORG designs are not restricted to a single organization form such as a hierarchy, and the organization designs described here contain both hierarchical and peer-to-peer elements. We use examples from the distributed sensor network (DSN) domain to show how KB-ORG uses situational parameters as well as application-level and coordination-level knowledge to generate organization designs. We also show that KB-ORG designs effective, yet substantially different, organizations when given different organizational requirements and environmental expectations.
Exact two-image structure from motion

For two-image structure from motion, we present a simple, exact expression for a least-squares image-reprojection error for finite motion that depends only on the motion. Optimal estimates of the structure and motion can be computed by minimizing this expression just over the motion parameters. Also, we present a solution to the triangulation problem: an exact, explicit expression for the optimal structure estimate given the motion. We identify a new ambiguity in recovering the structure for known motion. We study the exact error's properties experimentally and demonstrate that it often has several local minima for forward or backward motion estimates. Our experiments also show that the "reflected" local minimum of Oliensis (2001) and Soatto et al. (1998) occurs for large translational motions. Our exact results assume that the camera is calibrated and use a least-squares image-reprojection error that applies most naturally to a spherical imaging surface. We approximately extend our approach to the standard least-squares error in the image plane and uncalibrated cameras. We present an improved version of the Sampson error which gives better results experimentally.
IM-02A scFv-BASED CAR TO REDIRECT T CELLS TO IL13Rα2-POSITIVE PEDIATRIC GLIOMA

The intent of this project is to develop antigen-specific T cells as an effective immunotherapy for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive, uniform fatal, primary human brain tumors in children. IL13Rα2 is expressed at a high frequency in DIPG and GBM but not in normal brain, making it is a promising target for CAR T-cell immunotherapy. While other investigators have generated IL13Rα2-targeted CARs using mutated forms of IL13 as CAR binding domains, our studies indicate that these CARs also recognize IL13Rα1, raising significant toxicity concerns. To overcome this limitation we have developed a high affinity IL13Rα2-specific scFv that does not recognize IL13Rα1. The goal of this project was to generate scFv-based IL13Rα2-specific CAR (IL13Rα2-CAR T cells) and evaluate their function. We constructed a panel of IL13Rα2-CARs that contain our IL13Rα2-specific scFv as an ectodomain, a short hinge (SH) or long hinge (LH), a CD28 transmembrane domain, and endodomains that contain signaling domains derived from CD3ζ and co-stimulatory molecules. IL13Rα2-CAR T cells were generated by retroviral transduction. CAR cell surface expression varied depending on used hinge and endodomain. In cytotoxicity assays, IL13Rα2-CAR T cells only killed target cells that expressed IL13Rα2 and not IL13Rα1 confirming specificity. While all IL13Rα2-CAR T cells secreted significant levels of IFNγ in co-culture assays with the IL13Rα2+ glioma cell line U373, only short hinge CAR T cells secreted significant amounts of IL2. In vivo, injection of IL13Rα2.SH.CD28.ζ-CAR T cells into U373-bearing mice resulted in regression of glioma xenografts as judged by bioluminescence imaging. IL13Rα2.LH.CD28.ζ- or IL13Rα2.Δ-CAR T cells had no antitumor effects. In conclusion, for the first time we have generated a CAR that only recognizes IL13Rα2 and not IL13Rα1. Our results warrant further active exploration of IL13Rα2-specific scFv-based CAR T cells for the adoptive immunotherapy of pediatric brain tumors.
The Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in Athletes

Background: The array of symptoms that characterize thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) often lead to a failure or delay in diagnosing this condition in persons who are physically active. Methods: Using the key words and phrases “thoracic outlet syndrome,” “sport,” “exercise,” and “athlete,” the MEDLINE files from 1991 to April 1996 were searched. Articles dating before 1991 were accessed by cross-referencing the more recent articles. Results and Conclusions: TOS results from compression of the neural or vascular structures of the upper extremity at the thoracic outlet. Clinical manifestations can include upper extremity pain, paresthesias, numbness, weakness, fatigability, swelling, discoloration, and Raynaud phenomenon. Four symptom patterns have been described: upper plexus, lower plexus, vascular, and mixed. The lower brachial plexus pattern is the most common. Specific causes of outlet compression include injury to the scalene or scapular suspensory muscles, anomalous fibromuscular bands, cervical ribs, clavicular deformity, and pectoralis minor tendon hypertrophy. The diagnosis of TOS is established on the results of the history and physical examination. Ancillary studies are most helpful to rule out other conditions rather than confirm the diagnosis of TOS. In most cases the initial treatment is nonoperative with an emphasis on rehabilitative exercises for the neck and shoulder girdle. Surgery is indicated for acute vascular insufficiency, progressive neurologic dysfunction, and refractory pain that fails conservative treatment. The surgical technique involves the release or removal of the structures that cause compression and can involve scalene muscle release, first rib resection, cervical rib excision, and resection of fibromuscular bands.
A Blueprint for Effective Recreational Sport Leadership

Leadership is a concept that is often discussed in professional and popular literature, conference presentations, and in-service seminars, but often it remains a misunderstood concept by profession...
Institutional Methods of Meeting Weather Uncertainty in the Great Plains

A DISTINGUISHING characteristic of the Great Plains is the paramount importance of weather for successful farming. One of the principal economic problems of the area concerns the adaptation of the farm firm and of the governmental and other institutional policies affecting it, to variable and uncertain weather. This paper is concerned with those types of institutional action that may serve to alleviate the more serious aspects of weather risk. Over the Great Plains region as a whole, runs of below-average and above-average crop yields of varying length have occurred intermittently. An example of two such sequences-nine years of yields below the average (1932-40), followed by eight years of those above average (1941-48)-is furnished by the series of average wheat yields for the 10 Great Plains States, shown in Table I. There are periods, moreover, when there have been fluctuations below and above average at yearly intervals-note the period from 1919 to 1926. The history of farming in the Plains is too short and our knowledge of weather phenomena too incomplete to enable one to formulate a probability distribution of expected runs of "good "and "poor" crop years.' The risk of adverse yield sequences at least as long as those that have occurred in recent decades must be anticipated, although it is not possible to estimate their distribution, or to attach probability values.2 In terms of Professor Knight's definition of risk and uncertainty, weather is an "uncertainty."3 A second characteristic of weather variability in the Great Plains is the fact that counties in the area differ widely in the extent
Trends and Patterns in the Transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens to Health Care Workers

The key determinants of transmission of bloodborne pathogens are the dose and serum viral concentration of an exposure. This conclusion is supported by data showing that the rate of transmission of hepatitis B virus is elevated if the source patient's viral serum concentration is high and by a comparison of serum concentrations and rates of transmission for hepatitis B virus, HIV, and hepatitis C virus: As the mean serum viral concentration of each of these pathogens increases, the rate of transmission also increases. While there is evidence that the incidence of clinical hepatitis B has declined as a result of vaccine-induced immunity, the prevalence of hospital patients who are HBsAg-positive has actually increased. As the AIDS epidemic evolves and increasing numbers of patients with AIDS are hospitalized, the risk of exposure to HIV and hepatitis B virus can be expected to increase further. Thus, health care workers, many of whom work in an urban setting and are exposed to the blood and body fluids of patients, should be required to receive hepatitis B vaccine. Whereas hepatitis B virus transmission can be prevented by immunization of health care workers, controlling hepatitis C virus and HIV will require efforts to reduce the incidence and dosage of exposures to blood and body fluids. These strategies include the design and use of safe medical devices, targeted interventions based on occupation-specific hazards, the use of gloves and other barriers, and ongoing surveillance and analysis of exposures in the health care setting.
Tobacco Cessation Behaviors Among Older Homeless Adults: Results From the HOPE HOME Study.

Author(s): Vijayaraghavan, Maya; Tieu, Lina; Ponath, Claudia; Guzman, David; Kushel, Margot | Abstract: IntroductionTobacco-attributable deaths contribute significantly to the increased mortality observed among homeless adults aged 50 years or more. Little is known about the epidemiology of tobacco use among older homeless individuals. This longitudinal cohort study examines smoking behaviors and factors associated with smoking cessation among homeless individuals aged 50 years or more.MethodsWe recruited a prospective cohort of 350 homeless individuals sampled from the community in Oakland, California. At 6 months follow-up, participants reported their cigarette quit attempts and 30-day abstinence. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine factors associated with making a quit attempt at follow-up, hypothesizing that heavier smokers would be less likely to make a quit attempt.ResultsOf the 272 ever-smokers, 229 (84.2%) were current smokers (quit ratio 15.8). Among current smokers at enrollment who had a follow-up interview at 6 months, 43.6% (n = 71) reported making a quit attempt during the follow-up. Of those who reported making a quit attempt, 14.3% (n = 10) reported 30-day abstinence at follow-up. Among those who had reported making a quit attempt at follow-up, 22.5% had used nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Staying in shelters (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-5.8) was associated with higher odds of making a quit attempt at follow-up. Higher cigarette consumption was associated with lower odds of making a quit attempt (AOR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.8-0.9).ConclusionsIn this study of tobacco use in older homeless adults, rates of quit attempts were similar to that observed in the general population, but successful quitting was lower.ImplicationsThe current study is among the first studies to focus specifically on tobacco use and cessation behaviors among older homeless adults. The high prevalence of smoking and the low rates of successful quitting highlight numerous opportunities to intervene to increase quitting rates among this population. Among these, increasing access to smoke-free living environments and identifying effective cessation therapies will be critical to reducing tobacco-related disease burden among older homeless adults.
Experimental Measurements and Molecular Modeling of the Hydrate Equilibrium as a Function of Water Content for Pressures up to 40 MPa

Accurate determination of hydrate formation conditions and water content of natural gas systems is critical for cryogenic processes used in the production of natural gas liquids (NGL), liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing, and carbon dioxide (CO2) capture. Water content of three natural gas mixtures was measured in this work using a Panametrics moisture analyzer at low temperatures and pressures up to 40 MPa. The statistical associating fluid theory (PC-SAFT) combined with a modified van der Waals and Platteeuw (vdWP) theory was used to model the system phase behavior. The theory was found to be in good agreement with experimental data, thus exhibiting the predictive ability of the proposed model.
Plasticity of the nickel(II) coordination environment in complexes with hemilabile phosphino thioether ligands.

A series of homoligated Ni(II) complexes formed from two phosphino thioether (P,S) chelating ligands has been synthesized and characterized. Interestingly, this included octahedral Ni(II) complexes which, unlike previously characterized d8 Rh(I), Pt(II), and Pd(II) analogues, exhibit in situ exchange processes centered around chloride ligand dissociation. This was verified and studied through the controlled abstraction from and introduction of chloride ions to this system, which showed that these processes proceed through complexes with square pyramidal, tetrahedral, and square planar geometries. These complexes were studied with a variety of characterization methods, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, solution 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy, UV−vis spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. A general set of synthetic procedures that involve the use of coordinating and noncoordinating counteranions, as well as different hemilabile ligands, to mediate geometry transformations are presented.
Libor Market Models

This manuscript reviews standard classes of Libor Market models and discusses their numerical approximation machinery. It gives introduction to non-defaultable, defaultable models, Levy-forced models and affine Libor models.
Impact of Obesity on Uteroplacental Immunology and Placental Pathology

Obesity is a growing problem. Currently 1 in 3 reproductive-age women is obese. This is significant because obesity is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm birth, fetal growth abnormalities, preeclampsia, and stillbirth. Obesity alone increases the risk of stillbirth by threefold, whereas GDM increases this risk to approximately 10-fold. How obesity and GDM affect placental and fetal growth are beginning to be understood, but the underlying pathophysiology leading to bad pregnancy outcomes is essentially unknown. This review will discuss the effects of obesity and GDM on fetoplacental growth, the histopathologic features seen in these placentas, how obesity may affect uterine spiral artery remodeling, and why this leads to placental insufficiency. New insights suggest that abnormal regulation of maternal T cells and uterine natural killer cells may be important in the disease process, but much more research is needed.