Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that about once a day, somewhere in the universe a burst of gamma rays appears as if out of nowhere. It lasts a very short time, no more than a few seconds, and then disappears. The writer points out that during the event, the level of radiation from the gamma-ray bursts is so high that it overwhelms any other gamma rays coming from other cosmic sources. It has also been observed that most gamma-ray bursts have an afterglow in the x-ray, and sometimes even optical, wavelengths ranges. The writer maintains that the research into gamma-ray bursts will continue until their nature is finally understood. The writer concludes that while this research goes on, the accumulated information and the intermediate hypotheses are already helping astronomers and cosmologists to better understand the universe, particularly the time when it was just beginning to form.

Outline:
Definition and Description
Research Goals
History
Analysis
Future Research

From the Paper
"Despite the inconsistent nature of these bursts, some patterns have been identified. One prominent distinction is between long and short bursts, those over 2 seconds and those less than that. Analysis of almost 2,000 gamma-ray bursts recorded by the BATSE device on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory between 1991 and 2000 showed that each falls into one of two groups: the short bursts have closely-spaced high-energy photons; the long bursts' photons appear to have lower energy and are more widely spaced.
"Another pattern that was discovered is related to the degrees of brightening and fading that the bursts exhibit over time in various channels of the measured energy spectra over the life of the burst. This analysis showed that different bursts release their gamma rays at different rates in different energy spectra When plotted, these variations manifested themselves as 5 distinct patterns: flat, crescent (or double-crescent), loop, lobe and island."

Tags:telescope, radiation, universe, black, holes

Abstract
Discusses early development, methods, radiology and traditional x-rays. Covers digital imaging and x-rays, computer tomography scans (CT), positron emission tomograpohy (PET) tomography and gamma rays, and thermography.

From the Paper
"The first imaging techniques developed for medicine, x-rays, were discovered in 1985 by William Roentgen, and they were first used in medicine in 1896 (Lentle and Aldrich, 1997). Early radiology was chiefly concerned with skeletal morphology."

Abstract
This paper discusses privacy concerns that accompany newer airport screening technology that have increased imaging and detection capabilities, specifically the backscatter x-ray machines, and proposes a solution that addresses the objections.

From the Paper
"The events of 9/11 created a new and more urgent need for a security solution at airports to ensure that terrorists cannot enter an airport's sterile concourse or board an airplane in possession of weapons or explosives. An appropriate solution would need to strike a balance between two opposing issues-the effectiveness of the detection devices and procedures used, and the invasion to passengers' privacy involved in using effective detection devices. Although the increased airport security put into place following the events of 9/11 have included more intensive..."

Tags:airport, x-rays, privacy, backscatter, criminology, detection, 9/11

Abstract
GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is known as a "party" or "club" drug and a date-rape drug, also called "Goop." This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes this drug. Specifically, it researches and discusses all aspects and information about this drug, including how the drug is produced, what its side effects are and how it came into existence. The paper also looks at the key geographic areas in the United States where the drug is used and any findings of any scientific research being done on this substance.

From the Paper
"GHB is commonly used in clubs and at rave parties (24 hour overnight parties). It can be mixed into a drink, and the drinker has no idea it is in the drink, because it is odorless and colorless. Some people say it does taste salty, but that is the only giveaway that it might be in a drink. It takes affect very quickly, in as little as fifteen minutes, and can cause many side effects, including nausea, unconsciousness, dizziness, amnesia, visual hallucinations, reduced blood pressure, decreased heart rate, hypnotic effects resembling petit mal epilepsy, convulsions, severe respiratory depression, and coma, and recently is has been found to be extremely addictive. "At rave parties GHB is often mixed with alcohol, which is thought to amplify the effect of GHB as much as 10 times. The combination depresses the central nervous system and the respiratory system simultaneously, with sometimes deadly consequences" (Barshay 01D)."

Tags:sodium, hydroxide, NIDA, MDMA

Abstract
This paper compares the primary, secondary and tertiary premises of Blu-ray and HD DVD to determine which format is superior. The paper discusses how the current format war is only the latest in a string of format battles, most notably the VHS versus Betamax competition, where the generally accepted technically superior Betamax format lost out to the commercially superior VHS format. The paper then discusses how in this current format war, the present market leader is Blu-ray, but present trends show that this dominance is fleeting, and the low cost provider HD DVD may yet prove to be the format selected by the consumer.

From the Paper
"This paper shall compare the current high density video disc format war between Blu-ray and HD DVD. The primary, secondary and tertiary premises of which format is superior as opined by various authorities will be compared. This current format war is only the latest in a string of format battles, most notably the VHS versus Betamax competition. The generally accepted technically superior Betamax format lost out to the commercially superior VHS format. In this current format war, the present market leader is Blu-ray, but present trend show that this dominance is fleeting, and the low cost provider HD DVD may yet prove to be the format selected by..."

Tags:hd dvd, blu, ray, format war

Abstract
An analysis of Ray Kroc's main acclaimed achievement, the establishment of McDonald's. A study of how he did it and what made him successful. The author explains how he was always a salesman so that when he saw a good business opportunity, he seized the chance to make a good product better and to go the distance with a vision. Not only did Kroc introduce a better fast-food restaurant, he found a better way to run any business through his philosophy of quality, service, cleanliness, and value. Much of his tenacity for success had to do with his vision, but most had to do with his natural salesmanship. The paper concludes that Ray Kroc was a genuine twentieth century innovator and American, second to none in his field, or in nearly any other industry.

From the Paper
"Dining at McDonald's is a wholesome American experience. Nothing better represents the values and image of America than a hamburger, french-fries, and a chocolate shake under the Golden Arches. And no other innovators " with the possible exception of Thomas Alva Edison, Henry Ford, and Bill Gates " in the last one hundred and twenty-five years has a greater impact upon American culture and the global economy than Ray Kroc. He was a visionary and an entrepreneur. Most of all: Ray Kroc was always a salesman: when he saw a good business opportunity, he seized the chance to make a good product better and to go the distance with a vision. But when Ray Kroc opened the first McDonald's 1955, he wasn't a restaurateur or self-made businessman. He was a 52-year-old milkshake salesman. But the day Ray Kroc entered a little restaurant operated by two brothers in San Bernardino, California, it not only changed Kroc's life but it changed the world. Not only did Kroc introduce a better fast-food restaurant, he found a better way to run any business through his philosophy of quality, service, cleanliness, and value. Much of his tenacity for success had to do with his vision, but most had to do with his natural salesmanship; and of salesmanship, Kroc said, "The definition of salesmanship is the gentle art of letting the customer have it your way" (Pepin). Ray Kroc is a genuine American success story from humble beginnings to hamburger titan."

Tags:Ray, Kroc, McDonald's, biography, American, hamburger, Golden, Arches

Abstract
This paper discusses the leadership of New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin during and after Hurricane Katrina. The paper examines Nagin's mayoral career and his personality. The paper studies Nagin within the context of a tranformational leader, asking whether the mayor exhibit those characters. The paper concludes with a discussion of the reasons for his leadership failure in managing the disaster of Hurricane Katrina.

From the Paper
"Mayor Ray Nagin of New Orleans swept into office some three years ago, intent on eliminating corruption in the city, reforming a dramatically underperforming school system, creating new jobs and economic opportunities, and..."

Tags:Ray Nagin, leadership, Hurricane Katrina

Abstract
This paper discusses the Ray Copper Mine in Arizona. Arizona is the largest producer of copper in USA. There are some other states where copper reserves have been discovered but Arizona by far remains the leading copper-producing state accounting for 65 percent of the total US copper-production. Copper and its by-products represent over 80 percent of Arizona's nonfuel mineral value.

Tags:ray, copper, mine

Abstract
This paper discusses cell towers and antennas and questions their safety in the community. The paper confirms that the number of cell sites has increased over the years in proportion to the expanding number of subscribers. These tower structures are erected on various locations such as parks, schools and fire houses. The paper considers if these towers really put us at risk and states that according to the Food and Drug Administration Act, exposure to cellphone radiation on the ground is significantly weaker than exposure on the direct path of the transmitted signal of the antenna. This exposure is several thousand of times less than the minimum safety levels recommended by expert studies. Thus the paper confirms that civilian exposure to cellphone radiation is well within the safety margins.

From the Paper
"Electromagnetic radiation, composed of electric and magnetic energy moving at the speed of light, is the one feared by most people. The electromagnetic spectrum is a wide range of electromagnetic signals ranging from high-frequency x-rays and gamma rays to low-frequency radio waves. Your cellphone's electromagnetic radiation has a 3kHz-300GHz frequency. This falls just after the very low frequency like your computers and before or just the same frequency as your everyday microwave oven. And still the radiation coming from the sun poses more danger than your cellphone."

Tags:radiation, high-frequency, x-rays, gamma, rays, radio, waves

Abstract
This paper explores the chemical structure and clinical uses of technetium-based radio-pharmaceuticals which have since the 1970s, served as the mainstay for every hospital?s nuclear medicine department. Today, fully 85% of all diagnostic scans in American hospitals use 99mTc in some chemical form. It includes a brief overview of several "technetium-essential" and "technetium-tagged" radio-pharmaceuticals, as well as a discussion of current areas of research and development for new technetium drugs.

From the Paper
"Technetium-99m has several physical properties that make it ideal for use in nuclear medicine. Foremost among these is that Tc-99m generally emits only gamma rays. These gamma ray photons are of a high enough energy (140,000 eV) that they can easily pass through dense tissue and exit the body, but can be effectively stopped and detected by a special gamma camera. Other radionuclides generate alpha and/or beta particles, which are diagnostically useless since they lack the penetrating ability to exit the human body. Worse, the ionizing ability of these decay products can damage tissue."

Tags:diagnostic, imaging, drugs, gamma, rays