cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of PolSAR Surface Measurements From Underground Chemical Explosions to Recorded and Predicted Surface Ground Motion

The Source Physics Experiment (SPE) Phase I conducted six underground chemical explosions at the same experimental pad with the goal of characterizing underground explosions to enhance the United States (U.S.) ability to detect and discriminate underground nuclear explosions (UNEs). A fully polarimetric synthetic aperture RADAR (PolSAR) collected imagery in VideoSAR mode during the fifth and sixth explosions in the series (SPE-5 and SPE-6). Previously, we reported the prompt PolSAR surface changes cause by SPE-5 and SPE-6 explosions within seconds or minutes of the underground chemical explosions, including a drop of spatial coherence and polarimetric scattering changes. Therein it was hypothesized that surface changes occurred when surface particles experienced upward acceleration greater than 1 g. Because the SPE site was instrumented with surface accelerometers, we explore that hypothesis and report our findings in this article. We equate explosion-caused prompt surface expressions measured by PolSAR to the prompt surface movement measured by accelerometers. We tie these findings to UNE detection by comparing the PolSAR and accelerometer results to empirical ground motion predictions derived from accelerometer recordings of UNEs collected prior to cessation of U.S. nuclear testing. We find the single threshold greater than 1 g hypothesis is not correct for it does not explain the PolSAR results. Our findings show PolSAR surface coherence spatial extent is highly correlated with surface velocity, both measured and predicted, and the resulting surface deformation extent is corroborated by accelerometer records and the predicted lateral spall extent. PolSAR scattering changes measured during SPE-6 are created by the prompt surface displacement being larger than the spall gap.
To oversew or not to oversew in robotic sleeve gastrectomy: a case against oversewing the staple line

The benefits of oversewing the staple lines during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy have been controversial. No study examined the benefit of oversewing the staple lines in robotic sleeve gastrectomy (RSG). This retrospective study aims to examine the difference in immediate postoperative complications, readmissions, reoperations, and emergency room visits between RSG patients with and without oversewn staple lines at a single, large-volume, bariatric center. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 623 patients who underwent RSG between November 1, 2017, and November 1, 2019. Of these, 316 had their staple line oversewn between November 1, 2017, and November 12, 2018, and 307 did not have their staple line oversewn between November 13, 2018, and November 1, 2019. A total of 623 patients underwent RSG, of which 50.7% (n = 316) had their staple line oversewn. The mean length of hospital stay was similar between the two groups. However, the mean operative time was significantly longer in the “oversew” group than “no oversew” group by 7.4 minutes (p < 0.001). Readmission, reoperation, and intervention rates during the 30-day postoperative period were similar between the two groups. However, the percentage of patients requiring outpatient emergency room visits during the 30 days after RSG was significantly higher in the “oversew” group than that of the “no oversew” group. No significant difference in major complications was found between RSG patients with and without oversewn staple lines. Oversewing of the staple line may be associated with increased emergency room visits.
A peer-to-peer service approach in academic libraries

The role of the student worker is expanding in academic libraries. Their unique perspectives add valuable insights to the design and delivery of library services, project development, outreach acti...
The distal femur trochlear groove appears to compensate for tibial deformity but not femoral deformity in an investigation of five-hundred and seventy-nine cadaveric skeletons

The etiology of patellofemoral disorders is multifactorial. Preoperative patellofemoral anatomy evaluation is of great importance in patients undergoing surgery for patellofemoral disorders. Although anatomical risk factors of patellofemoral disorders have been thoroughly investigated in clinical and radiological studies, there are sparse data regarding the association between trochlear dysplasia with other anatomical parameters. This study sought to explore those associations using a large osteological collection. Five-hundred and seventy-nine cadaveric skeletons were obtained from the Hamann–Todd osteological collection. Mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), femoral version, tibial torsion, lateral position of the tibial tubercle, and femoral length were modeled as predictors of medial and lateral flange height of the distal femur trochlea at various degrees of knee flexion. The average age and standard deviation for the 1158 lower extremities analyzed was 55.9 ± 10.2 years. There were 500 males (86%) and 79 females. Increasing MPTA or tibial valgus predicted increasing lateral femoral flange height at 0, 30, and 50 degrees of knee flexion [(standardized beta 0.111, p = 0.01), (standardized beta 0.129, p < 0.001), and (standardized beta 0.186, p < 0.001), respectively]. Increasing internal tibial torsion predicted increased medial flange height at 30 and 50° [(standardized beta − 0.114, p = 0.006), (standardized beta − 0.108, p = 0.006), respectively]. Increased femoral retroversion predicted increasing lateral flange height at 0 and 30 degrees [(standardized beta − 0.105, p = 0.005), (standardized beta − 0.098, p = 0.004), respectively]. To maintain the equilibrium necessary for effective patellar tracking, the depth of trochlear groove appears to effectively compensate for some of the anatomical parameters of the proximal tibia associated with patellofemoral disorders, and appears to be less influenced by femoral alignment. The clinical relevance of these findings warrants further investigation, and emphasizes the importance of carefully assessing the lower limb alignment in the management of patellofemoral disorders.
What is morality

In “Modern Moral Philosophy,” Anscombe argued that the moral vocabulary does not correspond to any concept in Aristotelian ethics, that it derives from a confused response to the ethics of divine command, and that it is literally meaningless. This essay contends that Anscombe was wrong. Morality corresponds to Aristotle’s general sense of “justice,” which is complete virtue in relation to others. But Anscombe’s question remains: what is it for an action to be morally wrong, not merely something one should not do? The answer is not that wrongness warrants blame or that an action is wrong when it wrongs another person, but that an action is morally wrong when it is something one should not do that one has no right to do. In the absence of rights, Anscombe’s question has no answer.
Viable Options for Inorganic HTLs: A Closer Look at CuO x

A major facet of improving perovskite solar cell durability is replacing the commonly organic charge transport layers in favor of more robust, inorganic options. Copper oxide has shown great promise, contributing to some of the highest device efficiencies observed when using inorganic hole transport layers (HTLs). However, only an exploratory level of research has been published using this material. A thorough understanding of this oxide and how it interacts with common perovskite cell components is necessary if CuOx is to be of benefit to the field at large. Here, we present the groundwork for this endeavor, with initial characterization data on variously oxidized phases of CuOx, elucidating parameters and conditions required to create optimal, reproducible films, which will then be coupled with a perovskite absorber.
Numerical validation of composite panel impact tests

Abstract Researchers have met the challenge of modeling impact events involving composite targets for a variety of applications in a variety of ways. In this paper, the theory and implementation details of an orthotropic visco-elastic-visco-plastic material model with strain rate dependence are discussed. The model is driven by experimental data from quasi-static as well as high strain rate tests, and the data is used in defining the deformation, damage and failure sub-models. Validation data is generated by shooting a hollow 50 g Al-2024 projectile at different velocities against a flat panel target made of unidirectional composite material in a 16-ply [(0/90/45/-45)2]S layup. Explicit dynamic finite element analyses of four high speed tests involving one contained (projectile rebounded) and three uncontained (projectile penetrated) impact tests show that the developed material model and modeling techniques yield reasonable and acceptable predictions.
Use of tetrahymena and paramecium in studies of exocytosis

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the techniques used for quantitative studies on all three compartments. Emphasis is placed on biochemical and ultrastructural techniques. Procedures for Tetrahymena and Paramecium are described in separate sections; where overlap exists it will be noted. Three cellular compartments are involved in the process of exocytosis: the cell membrane, the secretory vesicles, and the cytosol between them. Each must be primed and ready for the membrane fusion process before exocytosis can occur, and failure in any one will prevent a normal release event. Therefore, it is imperative that each of the three compartments be studied not only independently, but in concert with the other two. This chapter presents the review of population of wild-type Tetrahymena after stimulation with alcian blue. The released mucus results in capsules (straight arrows) surrounding each cell. A cell that has escaped from its capsule (arrowhead) and an empty capsule (curved arrow) can be observed.
Regeneration of Mammalian Skin

Regeneration and repair of tissue injury in mammalian skin is an intricate process in which cellular, biochemical and molecular interactions occur. These interactions are the foundations of new therapeutics designed to facilitate tissue repair. Keywords: wound healing; epithelialization; angiogenesis; growth factors
Effect of wind speed on columnar aerosol optical properties at Midway Island

[1] Aerosol optical properties over Midway Island in the central Pacific Ocean are considered in conjunction with the information on surface wind speed. In general, optical conditions over Midway resemble aerosol found over other maritime locations in the Pacific Ocean (Lanai, Tahiti, and Nauru). The most frequently occurring values of aerosol optical depth at 500-nm wavelength and Angstrom parameter are 0.06 and � 0.40, respectively. Empirical relationships are established between columnar aerosol optical properties and surface wind speed. Increased emission of sea-salt aerosols at greater wind speeds primarily influenced aerosol optical depth at infrared wavelengths. The correlation coefficient between 24 hour average surface wind speed and aerosol optical depth, although not high (0.52 at a 1020 nm wavelength), is statistically significant at a 99% confidence level. Wind speed anticorrelates with the Angstrom parameter owing to an influx of large particles from the surface. Wind speed influences primarily the coarse fraction (radius > 0.5 mm) concentration of the retrieved columnar size distribution (correlation coefficient 0.56). Effective radii of the retrieved fine and coarse modes are found to be independent of wind speed. Average size distributions for various wind speed bins can be very well simulated with the maritime aerosol component model. INDEX TERMS: 0305 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Aerosols and particles (0345, 4801); 0345 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Pollution—urban and regional (0305); 0360 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Transmission and scattering of radiation; 1640 Global Change: Remote sensing; 4548 Oceanography: Physical: Ocean fog and aerosols; KEYWORDS: aerosol optical depth, maritime aerosol, wind speed, atmospheric correction, AERONET Citation: Smirnov, A., B. N. Holben, T. F. Eck, O. Dubovik, and I. Slutsker, Effect of wind speed on columnar aerosol optical properties at Midway Island, J. Geophys. Res., 108(D24), 4802, doi:10.1029/2003JD003879, 2003.
Steady-State Effects of 2,5,2',5'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl on Growth, Photosynthesis, and P Uptake in Selenastrum capricornutum.

The steady-state effect of 2,5,2′,5′-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCBP) on the green alga Selenastrum capricornutum was investigated in a P-limited two-stage chemostat system. The partition coefficient of this polychlorinated biphenyl congener was 5.9 × 104 in steady-state cultures. At a cellular TCBP concentration of 12.2 × 10−8 ng · cell−1, growth rate was not affected. However, photosynthetic capacity (Pmax) was significantly enhanced by TCBP (56 × 10−9 μmol of C · cell−1 · h−1 versus 34 × 10−9 μmol of C · cell−1 · h−1 in the control). Photosynthetic efficiency, or the slope of the photosynthesis-irradiance curve, was also significantly higher. There was little difference in the cell chlorophyll a content, and therefore the difference in these photosynthetic characteristics was the same even when they were expressed on a per-chlorophyll a basis. Cell C content was higher in TCBP-containing cells than in TCBP-free cells, but approximately 36% of the C fixed by cells with TCBP was not incorporated as cell C. The maximum P uptake rate was also enhanced by TCBP, but the half-saturation concentration appeared to be unaffected.
THE INFLUENCE OF CULTURE AND DEMOGRAPHY ON CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION: INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY INTO THE PEDAGOGICAL PARADIGM

This paper explores how technology can overcome the negative influences of cultural and demographical differences on classroom participation. The authors propose a theoretically-based, pedagogical paradigm which illustrates how barriers erected by cultural and demographic differences in the classroom can be overcome by utilizing advanced information technology. Finally the influences of classroom participation on various learning objectives are reviewed, propositions are derived from the model, and future research directions are discussed.
The Brief Cognitive Status Examination (BCSE): Comparing Diagnostic Utility and Equating Scores to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

The study purpose was to compare the diagnostic utility of the Brief Cognitive Status Exam (BCSE) to that of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and to develop equated scores to facilitate comparisons. One hundred and eighty-two patients underwent cognitive evaluation and were placed into three groups: dementia (DEM), cognitive impairment, no dementia (CIND), and no cognitive impairment (NCI). One hundred and eighty-two healthy controls from the BCSE standardization sample served as a comparison group. On both measures, the DEM group obtained significantly lower scores than the other two groups, and the CIND group scored significantly lower than the NCI group. The BCSE was more sensitive in all clinical groups, although at extremely low scores, the two tests displayed similar sensitivity. Results indicate the BCSE has diagnostic utility as a cognitive screening measure in a mixed clinical sample and is more sensitive at detecting cognitive impairment, particularly milder levels, than the MMSE.
945-63 Cigarette Smoking, Exercise Capacity, and Chronotropic Incompetence in Men with and without Coronary Artery Disease

Background and Methods To determine the associations between cigarette smoking, exercise capacity. and exercise heart rate response, data on 2323 men who had not undergone prior invasive cardiac procedures and who were referred for symptom-limited treadmill thallium studies were analyzed. Structured interviews yielded data on smoking habits. prior cardiac events, standard coronary risk factors, medication use. and other chronic diseases including lung disease. Aerobic impairment was defined as inability to achieve 85% of the age-predicted exercise capacity in metabolic equivalents (METs). Chronotropic incompetence was defined as failure to achieve 85% of the age-predicted maximum heart rate. Results:There were 385 regular smokers, 909 non-smokers, and 1029 ex-smokers. of whom 653 had quit more than 9 years before I’remote ex-smokers’). Aerobic impairment was present in 24% of non-smokers. 38% of smokers (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.98, 95% CI 1.53–2.56). and 27% of remote ex-smokers (OR = 1.18, 95% CI 0.941.48). These associations remained unchanged even after adjusting for age. thallium abnormalities, and clinical characteristics. Compared to nonsmokers. smokers had an age-adjusted exercise capacity of one MET less (P l 0.0001), irrespective of thallium abnormalities. Chronotropic incompetence was present in 10% of non-smokers, 21% of smokers (OR = 2.52, 95% CI 1.81–3.50), and 14% of remote ex-smokers lOR = 1.53,95% CI 1.12–2.09). These associations remained largely unchanged even after adjusting for age. thallium abnormalities, exercise capacity in METs. and clinical characteristics. Furthermore, age-adjusted heart rates were lower at all levels of sub-maximal exercise in smokers compared to non-smokers (P l 0.02 by ANOVA). In subset analyses of subjects who underwent coronary angiography similar independent associations of smoking with impaired aerobic capacity and chronotropic incompetence were noted, irrespective of the severity of coronary disease. Conclusions:Cigarette smoking is an independent predictor of impaired aerobic capacity and chronotropic incompetence. Smoking cessation may be associated with improvement of these exercise characteristics.
Innate immune defenses in the intestinal tract.

Purpose of reviewInnate intestinal defenses are important for protection against ingested and commensal microbes. This review highlights recent new insights into innate immune effectors in the intestine.Recent findingsIntestinal epithelial cells, particularly Paneth cells, are the major producers of
Dual transplantation of kidneys from expanded criteria donors: maximizing the use of a scarce resource

Dual transplantation of kidneys from expanded criteria donors: maximizing the use of a scarce resource
Preparation of solid tritium breeding compounds for fusion reactors

Abstract A new approach has been developed to produce high purity, fine grained lithium orthosilicate (Li4SiO4) and lithium metazirconate (Li2ZrO3). This technique is based on an organometallic process 1n which the constituents are mixed in solution, dried to an organometallic complex, and finally calcined to the desired fine grained oxide powder. Using this method, Li2CO3, ZrOCl2· xH2O, and commerical tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) were processed into high purity, fine grained (0.7–1.0 μm) Li2ZrO3 and Li4SiO4 powders respectively.
Surface magnetoplasmon polaritons in truncated semiconductor superlattices

A theoretical investigation has been made of surface magnetoplasmon modes in truncated semiconductor superlattices. The thicknesses of the superlattice layers are assumed sufficiently large that quantum-well effects can be neglected. The materials are characterized by their macroscopic dielectric tensors, and a local theory with retardation is employed. The external magnetic field is taken to be parallel to the surface and perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the polariton. Numerical results are presented for the specific case of a GaAs-${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathrm{x}}$As superlattice. The effect of superlattice structure on the gap in the dispersion curve is examined in detail.
Survival of frozen-thawed human red cells as a function of cooling and warming velocities.

Abstract Human red cells were equilibrated for 30 min at 20 °C in buffered saline containing 2 m glycerol and then frozen to −196 °C at 0.27, 1.7, 59, 180, 480, 600, and 1300 °C/ min and warmed at 0.47, 1, 26, 160, and 550 °C/min. Cells frozen at 600 and 1300 °C/min responded in the classical fashion for cells containing intracellular ice; i.e., survivals were low when warming was slow (
The Sister Anaesthetists of Norwich.

Summary The administration of general anaesthesia in the UK has generally been carried out by medically qualified staff but there have been instances where this has not been the case. This article describes the role of the ‘Sister Anaesthetists’ who made a significant contribution to the delivery of anaesthesia services at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital from the end of the First World War until the introduction of the National Health Service in 1948.
The Naturalistic Fallacy in Ethical Discourse on the Social Determinants of Health

In this commentary, I respond to Preda and Voigt (2015) by arguing that the problems in the literature regarding ethics and the social determinants of health center on the commonality of the natura...
5 PRODUCTION OF TRANSGENIC LIVESTOCK USING A LENTIVIRUS EXPRESSING MULTIPLE SHORT INTERFERING RNAs TARGETING FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE VIRUS

One goal of transgenic livestock production is developing animals with enhanced production characteristics. Transgenic animals with resistance to viral disease could greatly reduce economic losses. The use of short interfering RNA (siRNA) or short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting viral genomes have shown great promise in vitro for both human and animal applications. However, because of the rapid mutation rate, viruses are able to escape single siRNA inhibition. One method to reduce the chances of a functional escape virus is to target its genome with multiple shRNAs simultaneously. The goal of this research project was to produce a recombinant lentiviral vector that expresses three unique shRNAs targeting different regions of the foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) and use it to produce transgenic livestock. In these initial experiments we used the goat as our model system. Previously, we confirmed that three distinct siRNAs individually could reduce the ability of the FMDV virion to replicate in vitro. Based upon these results we produced a recombinant lentiviral vector that utilised three bovine Pol III promoters (7sk, H1, U6-2), each transcribing a different effective shRNA targeting FMDV. In addition, the vector also contained the fluorescent marker zsGreen and an antibiotic resistance gene. The lentiviral vector was co-transfected with pCMV and pMDG into 293T cells to produce replication incompetent retroviral particles. The supernatant was collected and ultra-centrifuged (50 000 × g for 1.5 h) to concentrate the viral particles resulting in a high-titer viral preparation (>109 mL–1 infective viral particles). To produce the transgenic caprine offspring, three embryo donors were superovulated and naturally bred. Nineteen zygotes were surgically collected from the oviduct 24 h after mating. Recombinant lentivirus was microinjected into the zygote perivitelline space. Immediately following the injections, four goat embryos were surgically transferred into the oviduct of each synchronized recipient. Pregnancy was determined by ultrasound at Day 30 in 2 of 5 recipients that received embryos. One pregnancy was carried to term resulting in triplets; 1 live birth, and 2 stillborn. The placenta and tissue sample of the live goat both contained a subpopulation of zsGreen positive cells when analysed with fluorescent microscopy. A fibroblast cell line was derived from the tissue sample and placed under antibiotic selection. Results indicate that only the fluorescent cells also expressed a resistance to antibiotic selection. RNA was collected from the fibroblast cells and mature shRNA production was confirmed using the QuantiMir kit (System Biosystems). Expression of all 3 mature shRNAs was verified in these cells. This data further supports that the entire transgene was integrated into the genome. This is the first report of transgenic livestock produced that expresses multiple shRNAs targeting a viral genome.
Designing Embodiment Design Processes Using a Value-of-Information-Based Approach With Applications for Integrated Product and Materials Design

Designers are continuously challenged to manage complexity in embodiment design processes (EDPs), in the context of integrated product and materials design. In order to manage complexity in design processes, a systematic strategy to embodiment design process generation and selection is presented in this paper. The strategy is based on a value-of-information-based Process Performance Indicator (PPI). The approach is particularly well-suited for integrated product and materials design, and all other scenarios where knowledge of a truthful, i.e., perfect, design process and bounds of error are not available in the entire design space. The proposed strategy is applied to designing embodiment design processes for photonic crystal waveguides in the context of a next-generation optoelectronic communication system. In this paper, it is shown that the proposed strategy based on the Process Performance Indicator is useful for evaluating the performance of embodiment design processes particularly when accuracy of the prediction or the associated error bounds are not known.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Alligator Mound: Geoarchaeological and Iconographical Interpretations of a Late Prehistoric Effigy Mound in Central Ohio, USA

Alligator Mound is an animal effigy mound in central Ohio, USA. Since Ephraim Squier and Edwin Davis first recorded and mapped it in 1848, many have speculated regarding its age and meaning, but with remarkably little systematic archaeological investigation. Many scholars have assumed the Hopewell culture (c. 100 BC-AD 400) built the mound, based principally on its proximity to the Newark Earthworks. The Hopewell culture, however, is not known to have built other effigy mounds. Limited excavations in 1999 revealed details of mound stratigraphy and recovered charcoal embedded in mound fill near the base of the mound. This charcoal yielded radiocarbon dates that average between AD 1170 and 1270, suggesting that the Late Prehistoric Fort Ancient culture (c. AD 1000-1550) made the mound. This result coincides with dates obtained for Serpent Mound in southern Ohio and suggests that the construction of effigy mounds in eastern North America was restricted to the Late Woodland and Late Prehistoric traditions. Ethnographic and ethnohistoric analogies suggest that the so-called 'Alligator' might actually represent the Underwater Panther and have served as a shrine for invoking the aid of supernatural powers.
Advanced Technique for Tele-operated Surgery Using an Intelligent Head-mount Display System

Recent medical-robotic developments have enabled tele-surgery to become a powerful treatment option when a surgeon is not available locally. But, even though tele-surgery has greatly improved, certain developments regarding the interaction between a surgeon and the remote surgical room is still in need of improvement, especially image display and camera movement. First, the use of two-dimensional imaging during tele-surgery causes a loss in depth perception, orientation and hand-eye disassociation. Likewise, the use of stationary screens can cause neck-strain to a surgeon. Also, the quality of data transmission during the real-time video streaming of a tele-surgery is a high priority issue. To approach these issues, we propose a new head-mounted device that provides a more ergonomic and intuitive feeling to tele-operational surgeons. This device allows them to naturally control the view of the camera via head movement, hence providing a three-dimensional view. And by enabling the head-mount display to provide the remote surgical camera with orientation information, our application-level Quality of Service framework can adjust image quality to prevent excess delay and jitter during robotic tele-surgical video. Thus, our device can provide high quality video, as well as a more natural and ergonomic feeling to performing tele-operated surgery.
Has Modernity Killed Objectivity

The debate over multiculturalism is rooted in two major conflicts over values, the more obvious being the difference between equal opportunity and equality of result, and the less obvious between modernity and objectivity. Of course, if universities merely privilege the appearance of knowledge by calling it "objective," when there is no such thing, then it is no great loss or may even be a gain to de-privilege this false objectivity. A belief in the importance of subjectivity does not necessarily negate the existence of objectivity, that is, the effort to come to a closer, better, less subjective understanding. Subjectivity already has considerable standing in social science. Subjectivism is a necessary aspect of science, social science, and the humanities; it is also a snare if it becomes a substitute for seeking truth. The natural sciences proceed in significant part by way of "impossibility theories" devoted to stating what cannot happen according to known principles.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitability of 125I in the blood of mice fed 125I

A recent study showed that after feeding 125I-labelled proteins or free 125I to mice, as much as 40% of total radioactivity in the circulation precipitated upon mixing whole blood with 10% trichloroacetic acid. We examined this potential limitation to the use of radiolabelled tracers for studies on intestinal digestion of proteins and protein uptake, and identified its mechanism. BALB/c mice were gavage-fed or injected intravenously (i.v.) with Na125I. Blood obtained at 15 min was added directly to 10% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or was processed to obtain serum or plasma. On mixing with 10% TCA, 25-33% of the radioactivity in whole blood was precipitated; less than 2% of the radioactivity in plasma or serum was precipitated. In vitro studies identified hemoglobin as the primary carrier protein participating in this reaction. If hemoglobin was replaced by methemoglobin or cyanomethemoglobin, then the reaction with 125I did not occur, suggesting that iron in the heme group may be the site for 125I binding and that iron must be in its reduced or ferrous form (Fe2+). The administration of non-radioactive NaI in vivo or its addition to reaction mixtures in vitro completely inhibited the precipitation of 125I by hemoglobin in the presence of TCA. Thus the addition of non-radioactive iodide to TCA stock solutions may effectively prevent non-specific binding of 125I to free hemoglobin released unintentionally during venipuncture or at other stages of blood processing.
Theory and language in landscape analysis, planning, and evaluation

A soft paradigm for landscape analysis is presented. This paradigm focuses on the analysis of function first, and then on structure. The objective is to determine which factors are operationally significant, how these factors bring about change, and how they define the spatial characteristics of landscapes.
SynRGen: an extensible file reference generator

SynRGen, a synthetic file reference generator operating at the system call level, is capable of modeling a wide variety of usage environments. It achieves realism through trace-inspired micromodels and flexibility by combining these micromodels stochastically. A micromodel is a parameterized piece of code that captures the distinctive signature of an application. We have used SynRGen extensively for stress testing the Coda File System. We have also performed a controlled experiment that demonstrates SynRGen's ability to closely emulate real users—within 20% of many key system variables. In this paper we present the rationale, detailed design, and evaluation of SynRGen, and mention its applicability to broader uses such as performance evaluation.
Phased-mission system analysis using Boolean algebraic methods

Most reliability analysis techniques and tools assume that a system is used for a mission consisting of a single phase. However, multiple phases are natural in many missions. The failure rates of components, system configuration, and success criteria may vary from phase to phase. In addition, the duration of a phase may be deterministic or random. Recently, several researchers have addressed the problem of reliability analysis of such systems using a variety of methods. We describe a new technique for phased-mission system reliability analysis based on Boolean algebraic methods. Our technique is computationally efficient and is applicable to a large class of systems for which the failure criterion in each phase can be expressed as a fault tree (or an equivalent representation). Our technique avoids state space explosion that commonly plague Markov chain-based analysis. We develop a phase algebra to account for the effects of variable configurations and success criteria from phase to phase. Our technique yields exact (as opposed to approximate) results. We demonstrate the use of our technique by means of an example and present numerical results to show the effects of mission phases on the system reliability.
Structural-nanomechanical property correlation of shallow water shrimp (Pandalus platyceros) exoskeleton at elevated temperature

This investigation reports the nanomechanical properties of shallow water shrimp exoskeleton at temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 80 °C measured using nanoindentation experiments. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) measurements suggest that the shrimp exoskeleton has the Bouligand structure in its layers, a key characteristic of the crustaceans. The thickness of the layers and packing density are found to be different from that of lobsters and crabs reported earlier in the literature. Mechanical properties at high temperatures are determined using micro materials nanoindentation test set up combined with the hot stage. The properties measured during nanoindentation test are corrected for the creep and thermal drift during the experiments. The reduced modulus values are found to be around 28 GPa at 30 °C that reduces to approximately 24 GPa at 80 °C. The hardness values also decrease from 1.6 GPa at 30 °C to around 1.2 GPa at 80 °C. The indentation size effect is found to be absent at all temperatures. Creep mechanisms of polymers like materials and its temperature dependence are discussed to give more insight into the deformation mechanism.
Stabilized Values of the Generalized Goss Zeta Function

Abstract After a brief review in the first section of the definitions and basic properties of the Riemann and Goss zeta functions, we begin in Section 2 the analysis of the generalized Goss zeta function by examining its stabilization properties. An idea in this section gives rise to the new concept of a stabilized ζ-polynomial , which is the main result of this paper. In Section 3, we give the general form of such polynomials for a certain equivalence class in the domain space.
Bond-order/bond-length and bond-energy/bond-length relations for carbon-oxygen bonds

Abstract A bond-order/bond-length relation for carbon—oxygen bonds based on molecular orbital theory is proposed and compared with a bond-energy/bond-length relation based on thermochemical calculations. A reinterpretation of the electronic structure of furan based on the bond-order/bond-length/bond-energy relations is suggested and discussed.
New findings on the transfer of computing applications among cities

This paper presents a study of the concepts of transferring computer technology among city governments. A sample of cities from a domestic population and an international population are used as the basis of the research. Contrary to expectation, and for both populations, the survey indicated the level of computer applications transfer among cities was found to be low compared to the amount of total application development. It was determined that an important source of transfer information was from “centers” such as the federal government, vendors, and transfer agencies, rather than city to city. International cities that were studied seem to experience a propensity toward centralized control at the national level. These controls often include the transfer of technical information. Further, the types of transfer may vary widely between the domestic vs the international cities. That is, domestic city transfers tend to be operations-oriented, while transfers from national centers tend to be management oriented. In general the study supported prior conclusions concerning the difficulties of transfer. The problem of mismatch and difficulties in modification make transfers very risky. Even so, there are many persons willing to take the risks in order to try to achieve lower costs and to realize the opportunity to obtain sophisticated applications.
Lateral shearing interferometry for high-resolution EUV optical testing

Next generation EUV optical systems are moving to higher resolution optics to accommodate the smaller length scales targeted by the semiconductor industry. As the numerical apertures (NA) of the optics become larger, it becomes increasingly difficult to characterize aberrations, which broaden the point-spread function and thus limit the ultimate resolution of an optical system. Lateral shearing interferometry (LSI) provides an attractive alternative to conventional interferometric techniques such as point diffraction interferometry due to its experimental simplicity, stability, relaxed coherence requirements, and its ability to scale to high numerical apertures. In this paper we present an analytical solution to the LSI interferogram in various NA regimes. We demonstrate that systematic aberrations present in high NA interferograms due to grating distortion of the diffracted order angular spectrum are measurable and must be compensated for in the reconstruction algorithm.
New Clavulina species from the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana

Five new species of Clavulina (Clavulinaceae, Cantharellales, Basidiomycota) are described from the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana, occurring in rain forests dominated by the ectomycorrhizal tree Dicymbe corymbosa (Caesalpiniaceae). These clavarioid fungi have simple (i.e., unbranching) basidiomata, which is a relatively uncommon phenotypic feature for the genus Clavulina. Macromorphological, micromorphological, and habitat data are provided for each taxon, and nuclear ribosomal DNA sequences of the 28S subunit and internal transcribed spacer region were obtained for each holotype collection.
Type II supernovae: analysis of the observed spectra from 8 to 15 months following the explosion.

A study of the spectra of two Type II supernovae, showing a slow decrease in their light curve after Tapprox. =100 days, has been made. For these supernovae, at t>100 days, the envelope is shown to be ionized by radiation from a central source, probably a pulsar. A Tentative model of such an envelope is derived.
Insularity and oil spill response in Grand Isle

Insularity–isolation from immigration compounded by physical and cultural barriers—can create obstacles to effective oil spill response. It results in miscommunication and misunderstanding that arise between the external organizations responding to the oil spill and the community. The community’s past disaster experience and its perception of external entities shape the understanding of outsiders involved in oil spill response. Locals perceive external organizations to be motivated by money and to lack expertise. Locals consider themselves to be self-reliant. Local knowledge tends to be excluded and information transfer is difficult. The strained relationship between the community and the interacting entities addressed as the effects of insularity needs to be improved with mediators and time investment.
Reduction of the temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition with sustained temperature increase

The degree to which microbial communities adjust their decomposition of soil carbon over time in response to long-term increases in temperature is one of the key uncertainties in our modeling of the responses of terrestrial ecosystems to warming. To better understand changes in temperature sensitivity of soil microbial communities to long-term increases in soil temperature, we incubated 27 soils for one year with both short-term and long-term manipulations of temperature. In response to increasing temperature short-term from 20 to 30 °C, respiration rates increased more than threefold on average across soils. Yet, in response to long-term increases in temperature, respiration rates increased approximately half as much as they did to short-term increases in temperature. Short-term Q10 of recalcitrant C correlated positively with long-term Q10 measured between 10 and 20 °C, yet there was no relationship between short-term Q10 and long-term Q10 between 20 and 30 °C. In all, under laboratory conditions, it is clear that there is reduction in the temperature sensitivity of decomposition to long-term increases in temperature that disassociate short- and long-term responses of microbial decomposition to temperature. Determining the fate of soil organic matter to increased temperature will not only require further research on the controls and mechanisms of these patterns, but also require models to incorporate responses to both short-term and long-term increases in temperature.
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids of Liatris punctata and its root parasite, Castilleja integra

Abstract Pyrrolizidine alkaloids were found in the parasitic plant Castilleja integra and these were traced to the root host plant Liatris punctata . In addition to known alkaloids, a new pyrrolizidine alkaloid, punctanecine, was found and shown to be 7-angelyl-9-viridiflorylhastanecine.
Relationship of putative nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the suprachiasmatic nucleus to levels of pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity in the normally cycling female, the male, and the ovariectomized rat.

We have examined the nocturnal increase in pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) activity in the rat and the decrease in activity of this enzyme as a result of exposure of the rats to light during the nocturnal period. In females with normal ovulatory cycles and ovariectomized females, levels of the enzyme were similar during the dark (695 +/- 70 pmol/min/gland vs. 590 +/- 68) or after 20 min of lights on at night (107 +/- 5 vs. 105 +/- 8). Carbachol, a cholinergic agonist, was injected at 2400 hr (EST) into the lateral ventricle of orbitally enucleated rats. The agonist simulated the lights on effect in both intact and ovariectomized rats. Highly purified fractions of alpha-bungarotoxin, a nicotinic cholinergic antagonist were injected into either the third ventricle or bilaterally adjacent to the SCN in intact females, intact males, or ovariectomized rats. These injections had no effect on either the nighttime increase or the lights on inhibition of SNAT. This study makes the following observations: 1) As was previously demonstrated [Illnerova, H. Endocrinol. Exp. 9:141-148, 1975], ovariectomy affects neither the daytime (light period) nor nighttime (dark period) activity of pineal SNAT. This study extends previous work by demonstrating that ovariectomy also has no effect on the lights on at night decrease of SNAT activity. 2) This study confirms that intraventricular infusion of carbachol decreases the nocturnal pineal SNAT activity [Zatz, M., and Brownstein, M.J. Brain Res. 213:438-442, 1981]. 3) This study does not confirm the report that the nicotinic cholinergic antagonist alpha-bungarotoxin prevents the loss of nocturnal SNAT activity induced by turning lights on at night [Zatz, M., and Brownstein, M.J. Brain Res. 213:438-442, 1981].
Connexin43 enhances the expression of osteoarthritis-associated genes in synovial fibroblasts in culture.

Background: Recent work has shown that the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) is upregulated in cells of the joint during osteoarthritis (OA). Here we examined if the OA-associated increase in Cx43 expression impacts the function of synovial fibroblasts by contributing to the production of catabolic and inflammatory factors that exacerbate joint destruction in arthritic disease. Methods: Using rabbit and human synovial fibroblast cell lines, we examined the effects of Cx43 overexpression and Cx43 siRNA-mediated knockdown on the gene expression of OA-associated matrix metalloproteinases (MMP1 and MMP13), aggrecanases (ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5), and inflammatory factors (IL1, IL6 and PTGS2) by quantitative real time RT-PCR. We examined collagenase activity in conditioned media of cultured synovial cells following Cx43 overexpression. Lastly, we assessed the interplay between Cx43 and the NFκB cascade by western blotting and gene expression studies. Results: Increasing Cx43 expression enhanced the gene expression of MMP1, MMP13, ADAMTS4, ADAMTS5, IL1, IL6 and PTGS2 and increased the secretion of collagenases into conditioned media of cultured synovial fibroblasts. Conversely, knockdown of Cx43 decreased expression of many of these catabolic and inflammatory genes. Modulation of Cx43 expression altered the phosphorylation of the NFκB subunit, p65, and inhibition of NFκ Bw ith chemical inhibitors blocked the effects of increased Cx43 expression on the mRNA levels of a subset of these catabolic and inflammatory genes. Conclusions: Increasing or decreasing Cx43 expression alone was sufficient to alter the levels of catabolic and inflammatory genes expressed by synovial cells. The NFκB cascade mediated the effect of Cx43 on the expression of a subset of these OA-associated genes. As such, Cx43 may be involved in joint pathology during OA, and targeting Cx43 expression or function may be a viable therapeutic strategy to attenuate the catabolic and inflammatory environment of the joint during OA.
MSW Programs: Gatekeepers to the Field of Developmental Disabilities.

This article presents qualitative insights into the roles of master of social work programs in developing student practice interests in working with people with developmental disabilities (DD). Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 24 MSW social workers practicing in the field of DD in the northeastern United States. Participants discussed personal and professional rewards of practice with people with DD, what they want MSW students to know about working with people with DD, current opportunities in the DD field, their MSW coursework and fieldwork experiences, and ways MSW programs could further develop student interest in working with people with DD. Implications of the findings for MSW programs are discussed.
Beta-endorphin-(1-27) antagonizes beta-endorphin-induced hypothermia in mice.

Abstract The effects of beta-endorphin and beta-endorphin-(1–27) on the body temperature of mice was studied at an ambient temperature of 10°C. Intracerebroventricular injection of beta-endorphin (0.25–4 μg) and beta-endorphin-(1–27) (0.61 to 10 μg) caused a dose-related hypothermia. The duration of hypothermia induced by beta-endorphin-(1–27) was shorter than that induced by beta-endorphin. The hypothermia induced by 2 μg of beta-endorphin was attenuated by 5 μg of beta-endorphin-(1–27). Our results indicated that beta-endorphin-(1–27) is a partial agonist which produces a small degree of hypothermia and an antagonist which blocks the beta-endorphin-induced hypothermia.
Effective Band Structure of Random Alloys

Random substitutional A(x)B(1-x) alloys lack formal translational symmetry and thus cannot be described by the language of band-structure dispersion E(k(→)). Yet, many alloy experiments are interpreted phenomenologically precisely by constructs derived from wave vector k(→), e.g., effective masses or van Hove singularities. Here we use large supercells with randomly distributed A and B atoms, whereby many different local environments are allowed to coexist, and transform the eigenstates into an effective band structure (EBS) in the primitive cell using a spectral decomposition. The resulting EBS reveals the extent to which band characteristics are preserved or lost at different compositions, band indices, and k(→) points, showing in (In,Ga)N the rapid disintegration of the valence band Bloch character and in Ga(N,P) the appearance of a pinned impurity band.