cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultra High-Speed Single-Shot Electronic Imaging

We present a brief summary of the state of the art of high-bandwidth time-resolved electronic imaging applied to the measurement of single-transient events. A key subsystem of these instruments is the electron-tube based streak camera with a CCD imager readout. The new of streak camera/CCD imagers are evolving into very high-fidelity scientific instruments for the study of single-transient events. The capabilities of these new subsystems are summarized. Several applications of complete instrumentation systems for the time-resolved imaging of ionizing radiation events are presented. These applications range from imaging techniques that convert ionizing radiation to the optical domain through the radiation pumped flourescence of carefully chosen fluor materials to integrated-optic techniques that rely on sophisticated micro-fabrication of optical wave-guide devices. Included are applications of tomography that allow us to efficiently extend the information bandwidth of our measurement systems.
Power System Stability Studies by the Method of Liapunov: II - The Interconnection of Hydro Generating Sets

The second method of Liapunov is used to investigate the optimum settings of certain governor and voltage regulator parameters of interconnected hydro-electric generating sets. The paper considers a 2-machine system with a simplified tie line representation, and a one-machine system including a detailed model of the generator and its interconnection to an infinite bus.
Resolution of the phylogenetic position of the Congo peafowl, Afropavo congensis: a biogeographic and evolutionary enigma

Afropavo congensis, the Congo peafowl, has long fascinated ornithologists because of its uncertain phylogenetic position and unusual geographic distribution. While some researchers have placed Afro...
Price stickers do not alter drug usage

Anaesthetists choose daily among wide varieties of neuromuscular blocking drugs and rapidly acting hypnotic agents. This study sought to determine whether definitive, immediate knowledge of drug cost might influence clinician choices, ultimately reducing the cost of anaesthesia care. Faculty anaesthetists, residents in training, and nurse anaesthetists served as subjects in this prospective, sequential, blinded study of prescribing habits. Weekly inventories of selected neuromuscular blocking and rapidly acting hypnotic agents were performed over 24 wk at a tertiary- care hospital. Supermarket style price stickers plainly indicating the hospital cost of each unit of drug appeared continually for 13 wk following an initial 11 wk control period. Both actual usage data in priced units as well as data normalized by total anaesthesia duration underwent comparison between control and priced periods. The usage of pancuronium, vecuronium, atracurium, mivacurium, succinylcholine, thiopentone, etomidate, and propofol did not differ in the control from the priced periods. Pipecuronium decreased after sticker placement (2 vs 1 viab · wk−1 median, P < 0.05), as did methohexitone (39 ± 9.0 [SD] vs 29 ± 11 syringes · wk−1, P < 0.05). Ketamine usage normalized by total anaesthesia duration increased (P < 0.05) following sticker placement. The weekly cost of all drugs inventoried normalized for caseload did not differ during the measurement periods. Immediate cost awareness, implemented simply as price stickers on drug units, had minimal impact on clinicians’ drug usage in a tertiary care setting.
Partially polarized beams in nonlinear Thomson scattering.

We discuss the electromagnetic potential of partially polarized light, which includes as a special case linearly polarized lasers, and the radiation of free electrons induced by such beams. A classical electrodynamics calculation is performed in order to obtain the low-order harmonic cross sections at low beam intensities. According to the correspondence principle for radiation processes in the Thomson limit, we find agreement between our results and those of quantum electrodynamics. The implications of this correspondence for processes at arbitrary intensities, relativistic electrons, and pulsed beams are also underlined.
Five- to six-coordination in (nitrosyl)iron(II) porphyrinates: effects of binding the sixth ligand.

We report structural and spectroscopic data for a series of six-coordinate (nitrosyl)iron(II) porphyrinates. The structures of three tetraphenylporphyrin complexes [Fe(TPP)(NO)(L)], where L = 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, 1-methylimidazole, 4-methylpiperidine, are reported here to a high degree of precision and allow observation of several previously unobserved structural features. The tight range of bonding parameters for the {FeNO} moiety for these three complexes suggests a canonical representation for six-coordinate systems (Fe−Np = 2.007 A, Fe−N(NO) = 1.753 A, ∠FeNO = 138.5°). Comparison of these data with those obtained previously for five-coordinate systems allows the precise determination of the structural effects of binding a sixth ligand. These include lengthening of the Fe−N(NO) bond and a decrease in the Fe−N−O angle. Several other aspects of the geometry of these systems are also discussed, including the first examples of off-axis tilting of a nitrosyl ligand in a six-coordinate {FeNO}7 heme sys...
Mapping Targetable Sites on Human Telomerase RNA Pseudoknot/Template Domain Using 2′-OMe RNA-interacting Polynucleotide (RIPtide) Microarrays

Most cellular RNAs engage in intrastrand base-pairing that gives rise to complex three-dimensional folds. This self-pairing presents an impediment toward binding of the RNA by nucleic acid-based ligands. An important step in the discovery of RNA-targeting ligands is therefore to identify those regions in a folded RNA that are accessible toward the nucleic acid-based ligand. Because the folding of RNA targets can involve interactions between nonadjacent regions and employ both Watson-Crick and non-Watson-Crick base-pairing, screening of candidate binder ensembles is typically necessary. Microarray-based screening approaches have shown great promise in this regard and have suggested that achieving complete sequence coverage would be a valuable attribute of a next generation system. Here, we report a custom microarray displaying a library of RNA-interacting polynucleotides comprising all possible 2′-OMe RNA sequences from 4- to 8-nucleotides in length. We demonstrate the utility of this array in identifying RNA-interacting polynucleotides that bind tightly and specifically to the highly conserved, functionally essential template/pseudoknot domain of human telomerase RNA and that inhibit telomerase function in vitro.
Alcohol abuse in the U.S. and the U.S.S.R.: Divergence and convergence in policy and ideology

Existence of a major alcoholism problem in the U.S.S.R. is acknowledged by leadership in that nation. Empirical comparison of the scope of alcohol problems in the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. is precluded by an absence of data. Insight is, however, possible through comparison of social reactions to alcohol abuse in the two nations. Divergences in social reactions include strong Soviet emphasis on the linkage between alcohol and crime vs. little concern about this linkage in the U.S.; Soviet attribution of drinking problems to urban and rural under-classes vs. American emphasis on the equal social distribution of drinking problems; and Soviet drinking practices which encourage rapid consumption in public locations vs. American practices emphasizing social drinking in private settings. A major convergence between American and Soviet reactions is in the medicalization of drinking problems, although such a trend is much less complete in the U.S.S.R. where moralistic judgements of alcohol abuse are still considerably evident. A second convergence is in the growth of industrially-based alcoholism programs in the two nations, with strong emphases on treatment of the alcoholic found in both. Both instances of policy convergence may serve dominant political interests in the two nations by drawing attention away from social-structural supports for the misuse of alcohol.
The continuum limit in the quenched approximation

Previous work at 6/g2 = 5.7 with quenched staggered quarks is extended with new calculations at 5.85 and 6.15 on lattices up to 323 × 64. These calculations allow a more detailed study of extrapolation in quark mass, finite volume and lattice spacing than has heretofore been possible. We discuss how closely the quenched spectrum approaches that of the real world.
A model for intramembranous ossification during fracture healing

We have developed a method to study the molecular basis of intramembranous fracture healing. Unlike intramedullary rods that permit rotation of the fractured bone segments, our murine model relies on an external fixation device to provide stabilization. In this study we compare stabilized fracture callus tissues with callus tissues from non-stabilized fractures during the inflammatory, soft callus, hard callus, and remodeling stages of healing. Histological analyses indicate that stabilized fractures heal with virtually no evidence of cartilage whereas non-stabilized fractures produce abundant cartilage at the fracture site. Expression patterns of collagen type IIa (colIIa) and osteocalcin (oc) reveal that mesenchymal cells at the fracture site commit to either a chondrogenic or an osteogenic lineage during the earliest stages of healing. The mechanical environment influences this cell fate decision, since mesenchymal cells in a stabilized fracture express oc and fail to express colIIa. Future studies will use this murine model of intramembranous fracture healing to explore, at a molecular level, how the mechanical environment exerts its influence on healing of a fracture.
a Unifying Set of Probability Transforms for Stochastic Hydrology

: An ordered set of probability sensity functions was derived form transforms of the normal distribution. Variate transforms are based on orders of exponentiation. The set of distributions includes the log-normal. a partial basis for use of these functins in hydrology is demonstrated by establishing some required properties. A concept of mixed samples of zero and nonzero elements forming nonseparable sets of virtual and real elements is introduced to establish a physical lower limit of sampled diata independent of functional bounds.
Truth and existence: The idealism in Sartre's theory of truth

L'A. montre dans un premier temps comment Sartre s'inscrit dans la tradition idealiste kantienne, en l'enrichissant par un idealisme transcendantal fonde sur la liberte de l'homme et par un pragmatisme proche de Wittgenstein. Mais dans un deuxieme temps, l'A. souligne les dangers de l'idealisme sartrien qui, contrairement a celui de Wittgenstein, s'enferme dans un solipsisme qui pose probleme du point de vue de la theorie de la verite
Mass Flux in the Ancient Earth-Moon System and Benign Implications for the Origin of Life on Earth

The origin of life on Earth is commonly considered to have been negatively affected by intense impacting in the Hadean, with the potential for the repeated evaporation and sterilization of any ocean. The impact flux is based on scaling from the lunar crater density record, but that record has no tie to any absolute age determination for any identified stratigraphic unit older than approx. 3.9 Ga (Nectaris basin). The flux can be described in terms of mass accretion, and various independent means can be used to estimate the mass flux in different intervals. The critical interval is that between the end of essential crustal formation (approx. 4.4 Ga) and the oldest mare times (approx. 3.8 Ga). The masses of the basin-forming projectiles during Nectarian and early Imbrian times, when the last 15 of the approx.45 identified impact basins formed, can be reasonably estimated as minima. These in sum provide a minimum of 2 x 10(exp 21)g for the mass flux to the Moon during those times. If the interval was 80 million years (Nectaris 3.90 Ga, Orientale 3.82 Ga), then the flux was approx. 2 x 10(exp 13) g/yr over this period. This is higher by more than an order of magnitude than a flux curve that declines continuously and uniformly from lunar accretion to the rate inferred for the older mare plains. This rate cannot be extrapolated back increasingly into pre-Nectarian times, because the Moon would have added masses far in excess of itself in post-crust-formation time. Thus this episode was a distinct and cataclysmic set of events. There are approx. 30 pre-Nectarian basins, and they were probably part of the same cataclysm (starting at approx. 4.0 Ga?) because the crust is fairly intact, the meteoritic contamination of the pre-Nectarian crust is very low, impact melt rocks older than 3.92 Ga are virtually unknown, and ancient volcanic and plutonic rocks have survived this interval. The accretionary flux from approx. 4.4 to approx. 4.0 Ga was comparatively benign. When scaled to Earth, even the late cataclysm does not produce oceane vaporating, globally sterilizing events. The rooted concept that such events took place is based on the extrapolation of a nonexistent lunar record to the Hadean. The Earth from approx. 4.4 to approx. 3.8 Ga was comparatively peaceful, and the impacting itself could have been thermally and hydrothermally beneficial. The origin of life could have taken place at any time between 4.4 and 3.85 Ga, given the current impact constraints, and there is no justification for the claim that life originated (or re-originated) as late as 3.85 Ga in response to the end of hostile impact conditions.
Individuals' Estimates of Group Opinion

(1943). Individuals' Estimates of Group Opinion. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 17, No. 2, pp. 269-274.
Understanding regression failures through test-passing and test-failing code changes

Debugging and isolating changes responsible for regression test failures are some of the most challenging aspects of modern software development. Automatic bug localization techniques reduce the manual effort developers spend examining code, for example, by focusing attention on the minimal subset of recent changes that results in the test failure, or on changes to components with most dependencies or highest churn. We observe that another subset of changes is worth the developers' attention: the complement of the maximal set of changes that does not produce the failure. While for simple, independent source-code changes, existing techniques localize the failure cause to a small subset of those changes, we find that when changes interact, the failure cause is often in our proposed subset and not in the subset existing techniques identify. In studying 45 regression failures in a large, open-source project, we find that for 87% of those failures, the complement of the maximal passing set of changes is different from the minimal failing set of changes, and that for 78% of the failures, our technique identifies relevant changes ignored by existing work. These preliminary results suggest that combining our ideas with existing techniques, as opposed to using either in isolation, can improve the effectiveness of bug localization tools.
Intermediate-Scale Tests of the Gas-Phase Partitioning Tracer Method for Measuring Soil-Water Content

Experiments were conducted in a well-instrumented weighing lysimeter (2.5 by 4 m) to evaluate the efficacy of the gas-phase-partitioning tracer method for measuring soil-water content. The method is based on the use of conservative (nonpartitioning) and water-partitioning tracers, wherein the partitioning tracer transfers into the water, which retards its movement with respect to that of the nonpartitioning tracer. This retardation is a function of the soil-water content. The volumetric soil-water contents estimated from comparative moment analysis of the measured breakthrough curves were compared with values obtained using traditional methods, including gravimetric core analysis, neutron thermalization, time domain reflectometry, and conversion of soil tension. The values obtained from the tracer tests compare favorably with the independently determined values. For the lower soil-water contents (6–7%), the tracer-estimated values were ≅98% of the measured values. For the higher soil-water content (15%), the tracer estimated values were ≅77% of the measured values. These results indicate that the gas-phase partitioning tracer method can provide representative estimates of soil-water content under the relatively ideal conditions employed herein.
Single‐cell protein production by photosynthetic bacteria cultivation in agricultural by‐products

The growth of the nonsulfur photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas gelatinosa was investigated as a possible way to produce single-cell protein from agricultural by-products. Of the various raw materials examined as potential feedstocks, wheat bran infusion was selected as the substrate for mass culture and continuous cultivation studies. Harvested photosynthetic cells contained approximately 65.0% crude protein and 5.1% nucleic acid (RNA). The amino acid content of harvested photosynthetic proteins was comparable with conventional proteins of plant and animal origin.
Environmental Noise and P300-Based Brain-Computer Interface (BCI)

The primary purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the overall effect of simulated environmental noise on the P300 Speller in order to obtain usability and performance data. P300 Speller is a P300-based brain-computer interface (BCI) that allows people with motor disabilities to type characters just by thinking. Two environmental noise simulations (quiet [20–40 dB], and noisy [70–120 dB]) were examined to simulate the effects of real-world noise. Results of the study indicated that although there were differences in accuracy rate and information transfer rate (ITR) between the noise and quiet conditions, the environmental noise factor was not statistically significant. On the other hand, the P300 amplitude was significantly higher in the noisy condition than in the quiet condition. Unlike the common knowledge that BCI applications are generally preferred to be performed in quiet conditions, higher noise levels seem to increase user concentration. The outcomes of this research should have a b...
High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of amoxicillin in human and chinchilla plasma, middle ear fluid and whole blood

We extended the application of a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography assay of amoxicillin developed in this laboratory for human plasma and middle ear fluid (MEF) to other sample matrices including chinchilla plasma or MEF and human and chinchilla whole blood with minor modification and validated the limit of quantitation at 0.25 μg/ml with a 50-μl sample size for human and chinchilla plasmas or MEFs. Amoxicillin and cefadroxil, the internal standard, were extracted from 50 μl of the samples with Bond Elut C18 cartridges. The extract was analyzed on a Keystone MOS Hypersil-1 (C8) column with UV detection at 210 nm. The mobile phase was 6% acetonitrile in 5 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.5 and 5 mM tetrabutylammonium. The within-day coefficients of variation were 2.7–9.9 (n=4) and 1.7–7.2% (n=3) for chinchilla plasma and MEF samples, respectively; 2.8–8.1% (n=3) and 2.9–4.7% (n=3) for human and chinchilla whole blood, respectively. An alternative mobile phase composition for chinchilla plasma and MEF samples reduced the analysis time significantly.
Sphere Support Vector Machines for large classification tasks

This paper introduces Sphere Support Vector Machines (SVMs) as the new fast classification algorithm based on combining a minimal enclosing ball approach, state of the art nearest point problem solvers and probabilistic techniques. The blending of the three significantly speeds up the training phase of SVMs and also attains practically the same accuracy as the other classification models over several large real datasets within the strict validation frame of a double (nested) cross-validation. The results shown are promoting SphereSVM as outstanding alternatives for handling large and ultra-large datasets in a reasonable time without switching to various parallelization schemes for SVM algorithms recently proposed.
Automated regional registration and characterization of corresponding microcalcification clusters on temporal pairs of mammograms for interval change analysis

A computerized regional registration and characterization system for analysis of microcalcification clusters on serial mammograms is being developed in our laboratory. The system consists of two stages. In the first stage, based on the location of a detected cluster on the current mammogram, a regional registration procedure identifies the local area on the prior that may contain the corresponding cluster. A search program is used to detect cluster candidates within the local area. The detected cluster on the current image is then paired with the cluster candidates on the prior image to form true (TP-TP) or false (TP-FP) pairs. Automatically extracted features were used in a newly designed correspondence classifier to reduce the number of false pairs. In the second stage, a temporal classifier, based on both current and prior information, is used if a cluster has been detected on the prior image, and a current classifier, based on current information alone, is used if no prior cluster has been detected. The data set used in this study consisted of 261 serial pairs containing biopsy-proven calcification clusters. An MQSA radiologist identified the corresponding clusters on the mammograms. On the priors, the radiologist rated the subtlety of 30 clusters (out ofmore » the 261 clusters) as 9 or 10 on a scale of 1 (very obvious) to 10 (very subtle). Leave-one-case-out resampling was used for feature selection and classification in both the correspondence and malignant/benign classification schemes. The search program detected 91.2%(238/261) of the clusters on the priors with an average of 0.42 FPs/image. The correspondence classifier identified 86.6%(226/261) of the TP-TP pairs with 20 false matches (0.08 FPs/image) relative to the entire set of 261 image pairs. In the malignant/benign classification stage the temporal classifier achieved a test A{sub z} of 0.81 for the 246 pairs which contained a detection on the prior. In addition, a classifier was designed by using the clusters on the current mammograms only. It achieved a test A{sub z} of 0.72 in classifying the clusters as malignant and benign. The difference between the performance of the temporal classifier and the current classifier was statistically significant (p=0.0014). Our interval change analysis system can detect the corresponding cluster on the prior mammogram with high sensitivity, and classify them with a satisfactory accuracy.« less
Learning-related changes in the levels of protein kinase C βII in rat lateral/basolateral amygdala in vivo and in vitro: effects of conditioning and laterality

Abstract The lateral and basolateral nuclei (LA/BLA) are critically important for classical fear conditioning and the storage of fear memories. These amygdalar nuclei exhibit long-term potentiation (LTP) protein kinase C (PKC) is one of several kinases that may be important for learning in the amygdala. We examined the changes in the PKC βII, induced in the LA/BLA by classical fear conditioning in intact animals and LTP in brain slices. PKC βII levels were compared among groups that received: (a) no tones or shocks; (b) paired tones/shocks; and (c) unpaired tones/shocks. PKC βII levels from the LA/BLA of the right hemisphere were larger in the unpaired group when compared with the paired group. A difference measure ((R−L)/(R+L)) showed the relative levels of PKC βII for the unpaired group to have a right>left relation that was different from both box alone and paired groups (both left>right). PKC βII levels in LA/BLA from slices that showed LTP were increased relative to control slices from the left hemisphere, but uniformly high levels were found in control and LTP slices from the right hemisphere. We conclude that levels of PKC βII in the rat LA/BLA can be increased and possibly activated by learning-related afferent inputs, but the magnitudes of level increases depend upon baseline levels of PKC βII. The relative levels of PKC βII in right and left hemispheres may be a better indicator of learning-related changes in animals experiencing classical fear conditioning.
An investigation of the relationship between total non-methane organic carbon and the sum of speciated hydrocarbons and carbonyls measured by standard GC/FID: measurements in the Los Angeles air basin

Abstract Simultaneous measurements of total non-methane organic carbon (TNMOC) and speciated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were made with an instrument described in a companion paper. The ratio of the TNMOC to the speciated VOCs measurement indicates the “excess” VOCs that not detected by routine monitoring techniques. Measurements of ambient air were made in West Los Angeles, Burbank and Azusa, CA. Primary pollution sources are gasoline vapor and diesel exhaust were tested as well. These primary sources are, not surprisingly, measured well by the standard speciated analysis, with averages of 5–13% “excess” VOCs. The Burbank site, which is surrounded by freeways and light industry, had only 10–15% excess VOCs, as did UCLA during winter when there is minimal photochemistry. In contrast, averages of between 20% and 45% of the TNMOC was unmeasured by the standard chromatography at the UCLA and Azusa sites during summer. The dominant source of the unmeasured VOCs may be air that has been aged for more than 12 h, possibly for a day or more.
Development of an in situ fiber optic Raman system to monitor hydrothermal vents

The development of a field portable fiber optic Raman system modified from commercially available components that can operate remotely on battery power and withstand the corrosive environment of the hydrothermal vents is discussed. The Raman system is designed for continuous monitoring in the deep-sea environment. A 785 nm diode laser was used in conjunction with a sapphire ball fiber optic Raman probe, single board computer, and a CCD detector. Using the system at ambient conditions the detection limits of SO42−, CO32− and NO3− were determined to be approximately 0.11, 0.36 and 0.12 g l−1 respectively. Mimicking the cold conditions of the sea floor by placing the equipment in a refrigerator yielded slightly worse detection limits of approximately 0.16 g l−1 for SO4−2 and 0.20 g l−1 for NO3−. Addition of minerals commonly found in vent fluid plumes also decreased the detection limits to approximately 0.33 and 0.34 g l−1 respectively for SO4−2 and NO3−.
Fertility attitudes among male Ghanaian government employees.

Most fertility/family planning research in Ghana has focused upon women to the neglect of men. This paper however reports findings from a 1992 survey investigating the perceptions of 484 Ghanaian male government employees on population problems in Ghana attitudes toward abortion and family planning attitudes toward children and attitudes toward family size. The study population was drawn from the government departments of health agriculture education and administration and was of mean age 39.5 years in the range of 21-60. 88.8% were married and 8.7% single. Study findings indicate that the majority of males believe that Ghanas population is too large; they agree that abortion should be legalized and made accessible to any woman who wishes to have abortion but disagree with government interference with the number of children a couple should have; they have a positive attitude toward childbearing; they believe in continued reproduction until the desired proportion of boys and girls are obtained; they do not agree that there should be a relationship between the number of children a couple bears and available family resources; and they believe that an educated man should have as many children as possible even though educational status is found to be inversely related to the number of children ideal number of children and ideal number of female children. The implications of these findings and future research issues are discussed.
SPECTRA AND STRUCTURE OF SMALL RING COMPOUNDS. LXV: CONFORMATIONAL STABILITY, BARRIERS TO INVERSION, AB INITIO CALCULATIONS AND VIBRATIONAL ASSIGNMENT OF CHLOROCYCLOPENTANE

Abstract The infrared (3500–40 cm −1 ) and Raman (3400–20 cm −1 ) spectra of gaseous and solid chlorocyclopentane, c-C 5 H 9 Cl, have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectrum of the liquid has been obtained and qualitative depolarization values were measured. Experimental values for the enthalpy difference between the two stable conformers, i.e. the axial form with lower energy and more stable conformer and the equatorial form, have been determined for both the liquid (120 ±8 cm −1 ; 343 ± 23 cal mol −1 ) and gas (146 ±24 cm −1 ; 417 ± 69 cal mol −1 ) from investigations of the Raman spectra at various temperatures. Vibrational assignments are given for both conformers which are supported by normal coordinate calculations. The conformational stability, enthalpy difference, structural parameters, and fundamental vibrational frequencies, which have been determined experimentally, are compared with those obtained from ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations employing both the RHF/3-21G * and the RHF/6-31G * basis sets. Revised r 0 structural parameters are given based on previously reported microwave rotational constants. These results are compared with those obtained for some similar molecules.
Sedimentational Regimes of the York River, Southeastern Virginia, As Shown by Mass Properties

Techniques of terrestrial soil mechanics, modified to includein situ sampling using SCUBA gear, have shown differences in sediment mass properties between various reaches of the York River, a coastal plain estuary of southeastern Virginia, which are interpreted as delineating areas of sediment removal and deposition within the estuary.
Microfabricated High-Moment Micrometer-sized MRI Contrast Agents

While chemically synthesized superparamagnetic microparticles have enabled much new research based on MRI-tracking of magnetically labeled cells, signal-to-noise levels still limit the potential range of applications. Here it is shown how, through top-down microfabrication, contrast agent relaxivity can be increased several-fold, which should extend the sensitivity of such cell tracking studies. Microfabricated agents can benefit from both higher magnetic moments and higher uniformity than their chemically synthesized counterparts, implying increased label visibility and more quantitative image analyses. To assess the performance of microfabricated micrometer-sized contrast agent particles, analytic models and numerical simulations are developed and tested against new microfabricated agents described in this paper, as well as against results of previous imaging studies of traditional chemically synthesized microparticle agents. Experimental data showing signal effects of 500-nanometer thick, 2-micrometer diameter, gold-coated iron and gold-coated nickel disks verify the simulations. Additionally, it is suggested that measures of location better than the pixel resolution can be obtained and that these are aided using well-defined contrast agent particles achievable through microfabrication techniques.
Longitudinal, region-specific course of diffusion tensor imaging measures in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract Background Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a promising method for identifying significant cross-sectional differences of white-matter tracts in normal controls (NC) and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD). There have not been many studies establishing its longitudinal utility. Methods Seventy-five participants (25 NC, 25 amnestic MCI, and 25 AD) had 3-Tesla MRI scans and clinical evaluations at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) were analyzed at each time-point and longitudinally in eight a priori –selected areas taken from four regions of interest (ROIs). Results Cross-sectionally, MD values were higher, and FA values lower in the fornix and splenium of the AD group compared with either MCI or NC ( P P Conclusions There were stable, cross-sectional, region-specific differences between the NC and AD groups in both FA and MD at each time-point over 12 months. Longitudinally, MD was a better indicator of change than FA. Significant increases of fornix MD in the MCI group suggest this is an early indicator of progression.
On the dimension of projected polyhedra

We address several basic questions that arise in the use of projection in combinatorial optimization. Central to these is the connection between the dimension of a polyhedron Q and the dimension of its projection on a subspace. We give the exact relationship between the two dimensions. As a byproduct we characterize the relationship between the equality subsystem of a polyhedron and that of its projection. We also derive a necessary and sufficient condition for a face (in particular, a facet) of a polyhedron Q to project into a face (a facet) of the projection of Q, and give a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a 1-1 correspondence between the faces of Q and those of its projection. More generally, we characterize the dimensional relationship between the projection of Q and that of an arbitrary proper face of Q. We also show that the projection of a monotonized polyhedron on a subspace is the monotonization of the projection of the polyhedron on the same subspace.
Drosophila P elements preferentially transpose to replication origins

The P transposable element recently invaded wild Drosophila melanogaster strains worldwide. A single introduced copy can multiply and spread throughout the fly genome in just a few generations, even though its cut-and-paste transposition mechanism does not inherently increase copy number. P element insertions preferentially target the promoters of a subset of genes, but why these sites are hotspots remains unknown. We show that P elements selectively target sites that in tissue-culture cells bind origin recognition complex proteins and function as replication origins. The association of origin recognition complex-binding sites with selected promoters and their absence near clustered differentiation genes may dictate P element site specificity. Inserting at unfired replication origins during S phase may allow P elements to be both repaired and reduplicated, thereby increasing element copy number. The advantage transposons gain by moving from replicated to unreplicated genomic regions may contribute to the association of heterochromatin with late-replicating genomic regions.
Safety and tolerability associated with second-generation antipsychotic polytherapy in bipolar disorder: findings from the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder.

Context Practitioners often combine 2 or more second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) in patients with bipolar disorder, despite an absence of data to support their safety, tolerability, or efficacy. Objective This study sought to evaluate the safety and tolerability of SGA polytherapy compared to SGA monotherapy in bipolar disorder patients receiving open naturalistic treatment in the 22-site Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD). Method A longitudinal cohort of 1,958 patients who were prescribed at least 1 SGA was drawn from 4,035 bipolar patients in STEP-BD recruited between November 1999 and July 2005 and assessed at least quarterly for a mean duration of 21 months. Main outcome measures were the mean quarterly prevalence of adverse events, medical and psychiatric service usage, Global Assessment of Functioning ratings, and percentage of days spent well. Results Almost 10% of patients taking SGAs were prescribed SGA polytherapy. After controlling for illness onset, age, baseline illness severity, and medication load, patients prescribed SGA polytherapy, compared to monotherapy, exhibited more dry mouth (number needed to harm [NNH] = 4), tremor (NNH = 6), sedation (NNH = 8), sexual dysfunction (NNH = 8), and constipation (NNH = 11) and were almost 3 times as likely to incur more psychiatric and medical care; there was no association with greater global functioning scores or percentage of days spent well. Conclusions Although SGA polytherapy was fairly common in bipolar disorder, it was associated with increased side effects and health service use but not with improved clinical status or function. Thus, SGA polytherapy in bipolar disorder may incur important disadvantages without clear benefit, warranting careful consideration before undertaking such interventions.
TCT-247 Incidence and Characterization of Stent Dissections in Women Versus Men: A Report from the Massachusetts General Hospital Optical Coherence Tomography Registry

Background: We hypothesized that women are more prone to develop coronary dissections during PCI due to potential balloon over-sizing or gender specific plaque or vascular characteristics. To date, such a difference in edge dissection has not been systematically studied. Methods: The MGH OCT Registry is an international registry of patients undergoing PCI. We identified 206 patients (159 men, 47 women) with stable angina or acute coronary syndrome with adequate OCT images for gender specific comparison in areas of non-overlapping stents. Presence of proximal/distal edge dissections, characteristics of dissections, underlying plaque composition at stent borders and luminal diameters were assessed and compared. A multivariate logistic regression model was applied to determine if female gender was independently predictive of coronary dissection after adjusting for clinical and OCT characteristics. Results: Women had smaller mean reference vessel diameter (2.89 mm vs 3.07 mm, p 0.04) when compared to men. No gender difference was observed in age, clinical characteristics, presentation, stents per patient or plaque characteristics. Incidence and characteristics of edge dissections were different in women compared to men (Table1). These data showed that female gender (OR: 2.3, p 0.02) was an independent predictor of coronary dissection. Hypertension (OR: 2.1, p 0.03), plaque calcification at distal edge (OR: 4.6 p 0.02), lipid rich plaque at proximal edge (OR: 3.1 p 0.01) and lipid rich plaque at distal edge (OR: 3.4, p 0.01) were independently associated with the development of stent edge dissection.
How Do States' Safety Net Policies Affect Poverty?

How do state safety net policies affect poverty? Safety net policies can dramatically reduce poverty. A full assessment requires use of a Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) that adds near-cash benefits and tax credits to cash income, deducts necessary expenses, and uses up-to-date, geographically-sensitive poverty thresholds. This analysis implements the SPM in Georgia, Illinois, and Massachusetts to examine the effects of the key safety net programs on poverty. The results show that safety net policies in these three states have substantially different effects on poverty, but federal programs reduce poverty differences across the states.
Observations of deep long-period (DLP) seismic events beneath Aleutian arc volcanoes; 1989-2002

Abstract Between October 12, 1989 and December 31, 2002, the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) located 162 deep long-period (DLP) events beneath 11 volcanic centers in the Aleutian arc. These events generally occur at mid- to lower-crustal depths (10–45 km) and are characterized by emergent phases, extended codas, and a strong spectral peak between 1.0 and 3.0 Hz. Observed wave velocities and particle motions indicate that the dominant phases are P- and S-waves. DLP epicenters often extend over broad areas (5–20 km) surrounding the active volcanoes. The average reduced displacement of Aleutian DLPs is 26.5 cm2 and the largest event has a reduced displacement of 589 cm2 (or ML 2.5). Aleutian DLP events occur both as solitary events and as sequences of events with several occurring over a period of 1–30 min. Within the sequences, individual DLPs are often separated by lower-amplitude volcanic tremor with a similar spectral character. Occasionally, volcano-tectonic earthquakes that locate at similar depths are contained within the DLP sequences. At most, Aleutian volcanoes DLPs appear to loosely surround the main volcanic vent and occur as part of background seismicity. A likely explanation is that they reflect a relatively steady-state process of magma ascent over broad areas in the lower and middle portions of the crust. At Mount Spurr, DLP seismicity was initiated by the 1992 eruptions and then slowly declined until 1997. At Shishaldin Volcano, a short-lived increase in DLP seismicity occurred about 10 months prior to the April 19, 1999 eruption. These observations suggest a link between eruptive activity and magma flux in the mid- to lower-crust and uppermost mantle.
Subjective reports on the effects of the MDMA ('ecstasy') experience in humans

1. The objective of this paper was to provide an understanding of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) use. This investigation provides the subjective effects that were reported by MDMA users. 2. There were a total of (500) humans who participated in this study. 3. Using a survey device, data from users were collected. Symptomatology associated with both the consumption of MDMA and its residual effects are documented. 4. Tables have been constructed to present prevalent psychological and physical side-effects associated with MDMA intake. 5. The results suggest that MDMA has significant implications with various psychological disorders and physical manifestations.
Do Learning Organizations have Strokes of Genius

Do learning organizations have strokes of genius? An empirical study of 34 high technology R&D and manufacturing organizations suggests not. The roots of punctuated equilibrium in organizational learning can be traced to learning activities that occur within organizational subsystems, primarily during R&D. Continuous improvement at the subsystem level contributes significantly to a delayed, rapid surge in organizational performance. Managers coordinate subsystem-level activities to maximize organizational performance by trading off the revenues expected from timely learning against the expected costs. Knowledge accumulated within organizational subsystems can remain hidden from organization-level performance metrics for prolonged periods of time.
Diffusion-Enhanced Luminescence Resonance Energy Transfer in the Cytoplasm of Live Bacterial Cells

We previously found that a 17-amino acid lanthanide-binding tag (LBT) expressed as a fusion with a cytoplasmic protein in E. coli takes up Tb3+ in live cells (Biochemistry 50, 6789, 2011). The protein is called DAL after its three domains: dihydrofolate reductase, ankyrin repeats, and LBT. We expressed DAL with a C-terminal 6X-His-tag to create a transition metal binding site for an acceptor of luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) from the Tb3+ donor on the LBT. Cu2+ added outside the cells appeared to be transported into the cytoplasm, where it quenched the luminescence of DAL-His-tag similarly to purified DAL-His-tag in free solution. When we expressed DAL lacking a His-tag, we also observed Cu2+ quenching of luminescence, and removal of the highly charged ankyrin domains did not alter Cu2+ quenching. The quenching mechanism is likely to be LRET, because Cu+, which lacks spectral overlap with Tb3+, does not quench DAL luminescence. We conclude that the energy transfer probably occurs by a diffusion-enchanced mechanism. In the small volume of a bacterial cell, freely diffusing donors and acceptors are likely to come in contact during the excited state lifetime of Tb3+ (2 msec). This suggests a possible method for measuring association-dissociation equilibria of large macromolecuar complexes in live bacterial cells. Protein monomers labeled with LRET acceptors (e.g. GFP or FlAsH-tags) can quench DAL donors by diffusional LRET. When associated into a few large assemblies, the acceptors will have much slower diffusion and their locations will no longer be distributed throughout the cytoplasm. We expect that after large assemblies form, diffusion-enhanced LRET will greatly decrease. We plan to test this on E. coli assemblies such as the fiber-forming enzyme CTP synthase, and the ethanolamine utilization microcompartment.
A novel 3D in vitro culture model to study stromal-epithelial interactions in the mammary gland.

Stromal–epithelial interactions mediate mammary gland development and the formation and progression of breast cancer. To study these interactions in vitro, the development of defined three-dimensio...
First Measurement of Excited States in the Very Proton Rich Nucleus 24 Si and the Consequences for 22 Na Nucleosynthesis in Novae

The ${}^{28}\mathrm{Si}(\ensuremath{\alpha}{,}^{8}\mathrm{He}{)}^{24}\mathrm{Si}$ reaction has been used to measure the energies of the first two excited states in ${}^{24}$Si. The excitation energies were found to be $1.879\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.011$ and $3.441\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010\mathrm{MeV}$. These data allow for the first time the calculation of the stellar reaction rate of ${}^{23}\mathrm{Al}(p,\ensuremath{\gamma}{)}^{24}\mathrm{Si}$ on the basis of experimental information. This reaction is of considerable interest, since it might lead to a decrease of the ${}^{22}$Na production in nova explosions, and solve the discrepancy between the ${}^{22}$Na yield predictions of nova models and recent COMPTEL observations. We show, however, that the temperatures and densities required for a significantly reduced ${}^{22}$Na yield are not reached in current nova models.
Population characteristics and the modulation of the renin-angiotensin system in the treatment of hypertension

Clinical evidence supports the concept that there are racial differences in response to antihypertensive drugs. The high frequency of dietary salt sensitivity and low plasma renin activity (PRA) in hypertensives of African-American descent has been suggested by some to be the critical factor which explains this difference. Evaluation of the antihypertensive response of African-Americans to diuretics and calcium channel blockers compared to other drugs suggest that they may have an advantage in controlling blood pressure (BP). However, these comparative clinical trials have not assessed dietary salt consumption, the salt sensitivity status of the participants, nor have they explored full titration dosages of the comparative drugs. For these reasons, there is insufficient information to state with certainty whether some drugs may be more effective than others as monotherapy in controlling BP in hypertensives of African-American descent.
A system for electronic disease reporting and management

The collection and reporting of communicable disease information has long been a problem for public health officials. In April 1998, the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), under contract to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), began work on a "Electronic Laboratory Surveillance System" (ELS) to gather and report such data. The aim of ELS was to determine the extent/spread of problems and minimize consequences through rapid reporting and dissemination of critical information. ELS was completely redesigned to be more user friendly and incorporate new direct-access functions to enable better follow-up of communicable disease reports. This article looks at the evolution of the ELS from a limited system to one that can play a critical role in identifying and linking bioterrorism events.
African American Males in Special Education: Their Attitudes and Perceptions Toward High School Counselors and School Counseling Services

Drawing on a larger study, this article is based on the findings of individual interviews and biographical questionnaires conducted with 10 African American males in special education. These students attended two low-performing, urban high schools located in the midwestern part of the United States. Using critical race theory as the theoretical framework, this article focuses on these students' perceptions of school counselors and their attitudes toward school counseling services. Implications, based on the findings, are given to school counselors.