cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of optically active flexible polymer films with embedded chain-like arrays of silver nanoparticles

We report a straightforward method for preparation of freestanding transparent polymer film containing 2D silver nanoparticle arrays and possessing polarization-sensitive optical properties.
A search for five month solar induced periodicity in the stratosphere

Recent studies of solar UV spectra and various indices of solar activity indicate a strong period at about 5 months. In the 10.7 cm solar radio flux (F10.7), a conventional index for the solar EUV and UV variabilities, the spectral power of the 5 month period is comparable to the well known 27 day solar period. However, in the solar UV flux at 205 nm, directly measured from the Nimbus-7 SBUV spectrometer, the (spectral) power of the 5 month period is about half that of the 27 day period. This paper examines the possible impact of the 5 month solar period on ozone and temperature at various pressure levels in the stratosphere and discusses the implications of differences in solar forcing at the 27 day and 5 month periods. It is shown that ozone, both in the lower and the upper stratosphere, has a measurable response to solar UV forcing at 27 days. Such a solar response is not observed at 5 month period because of a relatively weaker 5 month solar UV component in the solar signal and a strong interference from dynamical signals associated with planetary wave activity.
Ipilimumab and radiation therapy for melanoma brain metastases

Ipilimumab, an antibody that enhances T-cell activation, may augment immunogenicity of tumor cells that are injured by radiation therapy. We hypothesized that patients with melanoma brain metastasis treated with both ipilimumab and radiotherapy would have improved overall survival, and that the sequence of treatments may affect disease control in the brain. We analyzed the clinical and radiographic records of melanoma patients with brain metastases who were treated with whole brain radiation therapy or stereotactic radiosurgery between 2005 and 2012. The hazard ratios for survival were estimated to assess outcomes as a function of ipilimumab use and radiation type. Seventy patients were identified, 33 of whom received ipilimumab and 37 who did not. The patients who received ipilimumab had a censored median survival of 18.3 months (95% confidence interval 8.1–25.5), compared with 5.3 months (95% confidence interval 4.0–7.6) for patients who did not receive ipilimumab. Ipilimumab and stereotactic radiosurgery were each significant predictors of improved overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.43 and 0.45, with P = 0.005 and 0.008, respectively). Four of 10 evaluable patients (40.0%) who received ipilimumab prior to radiotherapy demonstrated a partial response to radiotherapy, compared with two of 22 evaluable patients (9.1%) who did not receive ipilimumab. Ipilimumab is associated with a significantly reduced risk of death in patients with melanoma brain metastases who underwent radiotherapy, and this finding supports the need for multimodality therapy to optimize patient outcomes. Prospective studies are needed and are underway.
Relative importance of water and nutrients on the growth of coast Douglas fir in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract The Douglas-fir region in northwestern North America is characterized by abundant moisture supply during winter, extended dry periods during the growing-season and significant differences in water availability. Many soils have low fertility and native tree species respond to nitrogen fertilization, especially Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco (coast Douglas fir). Although irrigation of commercial forests in this region is currently impractical, questions arising about the relative importance of water and nutrients were examined using long-term growth data from three studies. At Pack Forest, fertilization within irrigation doubled growth rates, and no positie growth responses were measured from irrigation. Short-term (5 years) irrigation with sewage effluent containing many nutrients resulted in a six-fold increase in biomass production for poplar and three-fold for Douglas fir as compared to irrigation with equal volumes of river water. Volume growth in 12- to 65-year-old stands in southwestern Oregon was increased by fertilization at about 70% of the location; annual gain averaged 2.73 m 3 ha −1 for 5–12 years. Response was not related to annual precipitation, which ranhed from 81 to 279 cm, nor other moisture-related variables. Absolute and relative volume response showed highest correlation with soil carbon: nitrogen ratio. Compared with nutrition, moisture does not seem to be a major limiting factor for growth in the Douglas-fir region of the Pacific northwest.
Ordered and chaotic spiral arms

The stellar flow at the arms of spiral galaxies is qualitatively different among different morphological types. The stars that reinforce the spiral arms can be either participating in an ordered or in a chaotic flow. Ordered flows are associated with normal (non-barred) spiral galaxies. Typically they are described with precessing ellipses corresponding to stable periodic orbits at successive energies (Jacobi constants). On the contrary, the spiral arms in barred-spiral systems may be supported by stars in chaotic motion. The trajectories of these stars are associated with the invariant manifolds of the unstable Lagrangian points (L1,2). Response and orbital models indicate that this kind of spirals either stop at an azimuth smaller than π /2, or present large gaps at about this angle. Chaotic spirals appear in strong bars having (L1,2) close to the ends of the bar. The arms of barred-spiral systems with corotation away from the end of the bar can be either as in the case of normal spirals, or supported by banana-like orbits surrounding the stable Lagrangian points (L4,5). We find also models combining ordered and chaotic flows. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
THE SILENCING THE SELF SCALE: Schemas of Intimacy Associated With Depression in Women

The Silencing the Self Scale (STSS), derived from a longitudinal study of clinically depressed women, measures specific schemas about how to make and maintain intimacy hypothesized to be associated with depression in women. To assess its psychometric properties, the STSS was administered with the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to three samples of women: college students (n = 63), residents in battered women's shelters (n = 140), and mothers (n = 270) (of 4-month-old infants) who abused cocaine during pregnancy. The STSS had a high degree of internal consistency and test–retest reliability and was significantly correlated with the BDI in all three samples.
CORE-ASSOCIATED NON-DUPLEX SEQUENCES DISTINGUISHING THE GENOMIC AND ANTIGENOMIC SELF-CLEAVING RNAS OF HEPATITIS DELTA VIRUS

The two ribozymes found in hepatitis delta virus RNA form related but non-identical secondary structures and display similar cleavage properties in vitro. Three of the non-duplex elements hypothesized to contribute nucleotides to the catalytic core vary slightly in length between the two ribozymes and the differences are conserved in clinical isolates. Possible functional relationships of the core sequence elements were tested by systematically exchanging sequences between the two ribozymes. It was found that switching two of the elements (L3 and J4/2) from one ribozyme to the other reduced cleavage activity in both. On the other hand, exchanging the third region (J1/4) resulted in enhanced activity for one ribozyme and a smaller increase in activity for the other. Combining exchanges did not reveal any compensatory interactions involving these particular elements nor did a pattern emerge that would suggest an optimal combination of core sequences for a generalized HDV ribozyme. Non-compensatory behavior reinforces the idea that the non-duplex sequences may form sequencespecific contacts with duplex portions of the ribozyme, but, in addition, these data suggest that there may be selective pressures on the ribozyme sequences in the virus that are not reflected in the in vitro self-cleavage assays.
Using self-organizing maps to determine observation threshold limit predictions in highly variant data

A significant data quality challenge for highly variant systems surrounds the limited ability to quantify operationally reasonable limits on the data elements being collected and provide reasonable threshold predictions. In many instances, the number of influences that drive a resulting value or operational range is too large to enable physical sampling for each influencer, or is too complicated to accurately model in an explicit simulation. An alternative method to determine reasonable observation thresholds is to employ an automation algorithm that would emulate a human analyst visually inspecting data for limits. Using the visualization technique of self-organizing maps (SOM) on data having poorly understood relationships, a methodology for determining threshold limits was developed. To illustrate this approach, analysis of environmental influences that drive the abundance of a target indicator species (the pink shrimp, Farfantepenaeus duorarum) provided a real example of applicability. The relationship between salinity and temperature and abundance of F. duorarum is well documented, but the effect of changes in water quality upstream on pink shrimp abundance is not well understood. The highly variant nature surrounding catch of a specific number of organisms in the wild, and the data available from up-stream hydrology measures for salinity and temperature, made this an ideal candidate for the approach to provide a determination about the influence of changes in hydrology on populations of organisms.
Feasibility of capturing circulating tumor cells with a magnetized device

Advancements in technology have led to the ability to tag virtually any cell with magnetic particles so long as the surface protein is known. In theory, these tagged cells may then be identified, imaged, or manipulated by magnetic force. In vitro separation using a magnetized stent and magnetically tagged cells was demonstrated by [1]. The motivation for this work was to investigate the feasibility of a magnetized inferior vena cava (IVC) filter for in vivo separation of metastatic cancer cells from the bloodstream. In use, the device would consist of a standard IVC filter plated with nickel, making it paramagnetic yet still biocompatible. The IVC filter is placed inside the vena cava, as is routinely done for other applications. Permanent magnets, which the patient would wear as an external vest, generate a field and the presence of the magnetized filter within this field can attract magnetic particles to the filter. In particular, our goal was to develop a numerical model that could be used to assess the feasibility and performance of such a device over a range of design space.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Practical methods for approximate geometric pattern matching under rigid motions: (preliminary version)

We present practical methods for approximate geometric pattern matching in d-dimensions along with experimental data regarding the quality of matches and running times of these methods versus those of a branch-and-bound search. Our methods are faster than previous methods but still produce good matches.
Inhibition of soluble TNF signaling in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease prevents pre-plaque amyloid-associated neuropathology

Microglial activation and overproduction of inflammatory mediators in the central nervous system (CNS) have been implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Elevated levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) have been reported in serum and post-mortem brains of patients with AD, but its role in progression of AD is unclear. Using novel engineered dominant negative TNF inhibitors (DN-TNFs) selective for soluble TNF (solTNF), we investigated whether blocking TNF signaling with chronic infusion of the recombinant DN-TNF XENP345 or a single injection of a lentivirus encoding DN-TNF prevented the acceleration of AD-like pathology induced by chronic systemic inflammation in 3xTgAD mice. We found that chronic inhibition of solTNF signaling with either approach decreased the LPS-induced accumulation of 6E10-immunoreactive protein in hippocampus, cortex, and amygdala. Immunohistological and biochemical approaches using a C-terminal APP antibody indicated that a major fraction of the accumulated protein was likely to be C-terminal APP fragments (β-CTF) while a minor fraction consisted of Aβ40 and 42. Genetic inactivation of TNFR1-mediated TNF signaling in 3xTgAD mice yielded similar results. Taken together, our studies indicate that soluble TNF is a critical mediator of the effects of neuroinflammation on early (pre-plaque) pathology in 3xTgAD mice. Targeted inhibition of solTNF in the CNS may slow the appearance of amyloid-associated pathology, cognitive deficits, and potentially the progressive loss of neurons in AD.
Effect of Azosulfamide (Neoprontosil) on Experimental Welchii Infection in Mice

Summary—We were unable to protect mice from M.L.D. of Cl. welchii by intramuscular injection of Neoprontosil. The intramuscular injection of washed cells of Clostridium welchii with Neoprontosil in mice led to the development of a fatal infection.
Clothes to Kill For: Uniforms and Politics in Ottoman Armies

Clothing and fashion, even down to colors or accessories, made it easy to visually judge status for subjects of the Ottoman Sultan. Green versus blue turban, hats, or high yellow boots were not simply a matter of personal taste but also a means of clearly stating religion, ethnicity, and class in the pre-nineteenth century Ottoman Empire. Sumptuary laws provided centuries of support for a system that made it possible to visually judge status. This tradition also made change difficult, especially when military reformists sought to graft European-style uniforms onto Muslim soldiery. Violence, some up to the level of regime change, was one result. This article examines resistance to martial fashion in the Ottoman and Egyptian militaries, and also, why nearly a century later, what was once revolutionary chic, morphed into symbols of a reactionary past.
Generalized precursor pattern discovery for biomedical signals

With the advent of low-cost, high-fidelity, and long lasting sensors in recent years, it has become possible to acquire biomedical signals cheaply and remotely over a prolonged period of time. Oftentimes different types of sensors are deployed in the hope of capturing precursor patterns that are highly correlated to a particular clinical episode, such as seizure, congestive heart failure etc. While there have been several studies that successfully identify patterns as reliable precursors for specific medical conditions, most of them require domain-specific knowledge and expertise. The developed algorithms are also unlikely to be applicable to other medical conditions. In this paper we present a generalized algorithm that discovers potential precursor patterns without prior knowledge or domain expertise. The algorithm makes use of wavelet transform and information theory to extract generic features, and it is also classifier agnostic. Based on experiment results using three distinct datasets collected from real-world patients, our algorithm has attained performance comparable to those obtained from previous studies that rely heavily on domain-expert knowledge. Furthermore, the algorithm also discovers non-trivial knowledge in the process.
Evidence that similar point defects cause 1/f noise and radiation-induced-hole trapping in metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors.

We have found that the 1/{ital f}-noise magnitude of unirradiated metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistors correlates strikingly with the radiation-induced-hole trapping efficiency of the oxide ({ital f}{sub OT}). This suggests that the previously unidentified defect that causes 1/{ital f} noise in MOS transistors is linked to the radiation-induced-hole trap, the {ital E}{prime} center,'' or to a direct precursor (likely a simple oxygen vacancy) known to be present in SiO{sub 2} before irradiation. We derive a simple equation that relates the noise and {ital f}{sub OT}.
DISPERSION RELATION FOR THE AXIAL-VECTOR VERTEX AND A SUM RULE FOR THE AXIAL-VECTOR COUPLING-CONSTANT RENORMALIZATION

A dispersion relation for the nucleon axial-vector vertex, in which the subtraction term at infinite nucleon mass is given by the unrenormalized vertex, is derived from the axial current-field commutation relations. Using the hypothesis of partially conserved axial-vector current, a sum rule for the axial-vector coupling-constant renormalization ${g}_{A}$ is obtained in terms of the $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}N$ form factor. In the elastic-unitarity approximation, the sum rule involves the integral over the difference of the ${P}_{11}$ and ${S}_{11}$ phase shifts. Certain experimental phase shifts up to 1-GeV pion kinetic energy give ${g}_{A}\ensuremath{\approx}1.1$. However, because of the lack of consistent experimental data beyond 500 MeV, and also because of the lack of reliable theory to estimate the important contribution from inelastic channels, all we can conclude at the moment is that the sum rule is not inconsistent with the experimental data.
Communication Screening in Older Adults with Vision Loss

25 older adults with vision loss participated in a communication screen which included hearing, speech-language, and a self-assessment of communication. 64% failed at least two of the three screenings, suggesting that routine screening might identify older adults with vision loss who need rehabilitation in communication as a complement to visual rehabilitation.
Effect of salt and osmotic stress upon expression of the ethylene receptor ETR1 in Arabidopsis thaliana

In hormone perception, varying the concentrations of hormone, receptor, or downstream signaling elements can modulate signal transduction. Previous research has demonstrated that ethylene biosynthesis in plants is regulated by abiotic factors. Here we report that exposure of Arabidopsis plants to NaCl reduced expression of the ethylene receptor ETR1. The change in gene expression was reflected at the protein level based on immunoblot analysis. Further analysis supports a general effect of osmotic stress upon the expression level of ETR1. The reduction in ETR1 levels should cause increased sensitivity of the plant to ethylene. These results suggest that plant responses to abiotic stress are modulated by changes in the expression level of ethylene receptors.
Choosing Cesarean Feminism and the politics of childbirth in the United States

This article uses the US debate over elective Cesarean section to re-consider some of the more contentious issues raised in feminist debates about childbirth. Three waves of feminist commentary and...
Aerodynamics of a Covered Trailing Edge Vane: Effects of Blowing Rate, Reynolds Number, and External Turbulence

A covered trailing edge vane was developed by opening a fully loaded incompressible vane to accept an internal flow passage. The internal passage was filled with a high solidity internal cooling scheme. Exit survey measurements were acquired downstream from a large scale low speed linear cascade test section using a 5-hole cone probe at 1/4 axial chord downstream from the vane trailing edge. Exit survey measurements detailed total pressure loss, turning angle and secondary velocities. Exit survey measurements were conducted across a range of blowing rates (25% to 150% design), Reynolds numbers (500,000, 1,000,000 and 2,000,000) and turbulence levels [low (0.7%), grid (8.5%) and aero-combustor (13.5%)]. Losses for a thickened baseline vane (no blowing, same profile) were also acquired across the Reynolds number range and turbulence conditions. Vane midspan pressure and heat transfer distributions were acquired to help document the state of the boundary layers developing on the vane surface. Measurements are presented in terms of total pressure loss contours with secondary velocities and spanwise distributions of circumferentially averaged losses and turning angles. Overall loss values have been compared with measurements taken using the original base vane and a conventional gill slot vane. Comparisons between the base vane and the covered base vane show an incremental increase in total pressure losses of about 0.95% due the thicker trailing edge. Comparisons between the gill slot (pressure side cutback) and the covered trailing edge vane at comparable flow conditions show a much smaller loss penalty. Loss data for the gill slot vane suggest that both separation off the gill slot lip and the discharge of low momentum fluid are responsible for significant incremental losses above the base vane. The covered trailing edge vane has no additional surface with separation losses which penalizes the aerodynamics. Heat transfer rates for the internal cooling scheme are documented in a separate paper [1].Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Monitoring Competition for Success

(1997). Monitoring Competition for Success. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 68, No. 2, pp. 21-28.
Secretory phospholipase A2 enzymes as pharmacological targets for treatment of disease

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) cleave phospholipids preferentially at the sn-2 position, liberating free fatty acids and lysophospholipids. They are classified into six main groups based on size, location, function, substrate specificity and calcium requirement. These classes include secretory PLA2 (sPLA2), cytosolic (cPLA2), Ca2+-independent (iPLA2), platelet activating factor acetylhydrolases (PAF-AH), lysosomal PLA2 (LyPLA2) and adipose specific PLA2 (AdPLA2). It is hypothesized that PLA2 can serve as pharmacological targets for the therapeutic treatment of several diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, immune disorders and cancer. Special emphasis has been placed on inhibitors of sPLA2 isoforms as pharmacological moieties, mostly due to the fact that these enzymes are activated during inflammatory events and because their expression is increased in several diseases. This review focuses on understanding how sPLA2 isoform expression is altered during disease progression and the possible therapeutic interventions to specifically target sPLA2 isoforms, including new approaches using nano-particulate-based strategies.
Scheduling single-gripper gantry robots in tightly coupled serial production lines: Optimum vs. push/pull concept based sequences

An optimum schedule for single-gripper gantry robots serving tightly coupled automated serial production lines with deterministic workstation process times is developed. The schedule's performance in an engine block manufacturing line is measured and compared with pull and push rules. The optimum schedule is developed by analyzing the cycle time formula for two and three-workstation production lines and then by extending the result for the problem of scheduling a production line with multiple workstations. Experimental results indicate that the optimal schedule exhibited much higher effectiveness as the number of stations in the zone served by the gantry robot increases. Superiority of the optimum schedule is demonstrated in all experimental scenarios, yet the superiority is slightly lessened as gantry robot speed or workstation downtime increases. Expected superiority of the pull rule over the push rule is also confirmed.
Diagnostics for penalized least-squares estimators

Abstract Diagnostic methods for a class of penalized least-squares estimators are derived from a Bayesian perspective. The class of estimators considered includes generalized ridge estimators, partial splines and thin plate smoothing splines. The proposed diagnostics include scaled residuals, leverage values and various measures of influence.
Polymeric Nanocomposites Involving a Physical Blend of IR Sensitive Quantum Dots and Carbon Nanotubes for Photodetection

A photodetecting device with enhanced efficiency has been fabricated by using a blend of IR sensitive quantum dots (QDs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Measurements on the facile physical mixtures of PbSe QDs, and CNTs in compatible solvents show quenching of the IR photoluminescence of QDs due to the presence of the CNTs. This effect, verified for QDs with emission at different wavelengths, is envisaged to originate from the electron transfer from QDs adsorbed on the surface of CNTs, similar to that occurring when the QDs are chemically conjugated to CNTs, as reported in the literature. An appreciable increase is observed in the photocurrent of the polymeric photodetector devices (made with P3OT as the polymer host) fabricated with a QDs/CNTs mixture when compared to PbSe:P3OT without CNTs. These studies demonstrate that electron transfer from QDs to CNT is achievable by simple physical mixing, apparently obviating the need of a cumbersome chemical process of conjugation between CNTs and QDs.
A global hypoxia preconditioning model: neuroprotection against seizure-induced specific gravity changes (edema) and brain damage in rats.

Abstract Hypoxia preconditioning states that a sublethal hypoxia episode will afford neuroprotection against a second challenge in the near future. We describe and discuss a procedure for the development of global hypoxia preconditioning in adult male Wistar rats, using a mildly hypoxic (9% O 2 , 91% N 2 ) atmospheric exposure of 8 h. The persistence of neuroprotection was analyzed using a kainic acid (KA) model of brain injury. Rats were challenged with KA (14 mg/kg, i.p.) on 1–14 days post-hypoxia. The effects of hypoxia preconditioning on seizure score, weight loss, brain edema and histopathology were assessed. Brain edema, predominantly of vasogenic origin, was measured 24 h after KA administration using a reproducible and quantitative method based on the specific gravities of tissue samples. A density gradient column (1.0250–1.0650 g/cm 3 ) comprised of kerosene and bromobenzene was used to assess the presence of edema in regions involved in seizure initiation and propagation that are normally extensively damaged (i.e., piriform cortex and hippocampus). Specific gravities of tissues were calculated through extrapolation with known NaCl standards. We found that hypoxia preconditioning prevented the formation of edema in these brain regions when KA challenge was given 1, 3, and 7, but not 14 days post-hypoxia exposure. Furthermore, neuroprotection was observed in animals that had robust seizures. The described procedure may be used to examine the neuroprotective mechanisms induced by global hypoxia preconditioning against many subsequent challenges reflecting a variety of experimental models of brain injury, and will provide a better understanding of the brain response to hypoxia and stress. Theme J: Disorders of the nervous system Topic: Epilepsy: human studies and animal models
Non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma of the tonsil .A clinicopathologic study of 65 cases

Sixty-five patients presenting to M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute with Stages IE and IIE primary tonsillar lymphoma between 1954 and 1981 were reviewed. All cases were non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, with the majority being diffuse large cell lymphoma (85%). Initial therapy was radiotherapy alone in 54 patients, radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy in 8 patients, and chemotherapy alone in 3 patients. Stage was the most important prognostic factor, with 86% and 41% 5-year survivals for Stages IE and IIE, respectively (P = 0.006). Lymphangiography was crucial in staging patients with clinically positive cervical lymph nodes because 94% of clinically staged IIE patients developed recurrent disease, in comparison with only 50% of lymphangiogram-staged IIE patients. The incidence of large cell lymphoma was so high as to preclude analysis of survival by histologic type. From this limited series, radiotherapy alone would appear to be sufficient initial therapy for Stage IE patients, whereas Stage IIE patients probably benefit from the addition of prophylactic chemotherapy. Relapses were most common in nonirradiated lymph-node-bearing areas, with the majority presenting in the first 2 years following initial therapy. The salvage of relapsing patients has been disappointing, with the best hope residing in combination chemotherapy.
Hydroxyethyl starch 200/0.5 reduces infarct volume after embolic stroke in rats.

We evaluated isovolumic hemodilution with hydroxyethyl starch 200/0.5 in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. This compound avoids the unfavorable viscosity and erythrocyte aggregation abnormalities of low molecular weight dextran during administration over a period of several days.Sprague-Dawley rats, anesthetized with 0.5-1% halothane and 70% N2O, were subjected to silicon cylinder (treated and control groups) or sham (sham group) embolization of the cerebral circulation. Thirty minutes after embolization, the treated group (n = 5) was infused with 11 ml/kg of 10% hydroxyethyl starch 200/0.5, and the control (n = 5) and sham (n = 4) groups were infused with saline for 1 hour. In the treated group, 7.1 ml/kg of blood was withdrawn. After 24 hours, the animals were reanesthetized, and cerebral blood flow was determined with [14C]iodoantipyrine. Alternative brain slices were either incubated with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride for infarct volume determination or frozen for ischemic volume and cereb...
PUBLIC-ATTITUDES ABOUT COYOTES IN NEW-ENGLAND

Abstract A survey of New England residents suggests that achieving an acceptable balance between coyote control and coyote protection is likely to be very difficult. Only 5% of survey respondents felt that coyotes should be eliminated, but when asked if coyotes should be completely protected, 39% agreed, 40% disagreed, and 23% were willing to pay an average of $5.05 per year for coyote protection, while a similar number (19%) were willing to pay an average of $4.20 per year to control coyotes. These contingent valuation results also indicate that coyotes have existence value. Only about 20% of respondents had even seen a coyote, and younger, urban residents in southern New England who do not hunt were most likely to be willing to pay to protect coyotes.
A structural model of the fixed time costs of market work

Abstract We link ATUS 2003–04 to March CPS data and examine market work's effects on non-market activity. In a structural model fixed time costs of work generate a utility-equivalent of 8% of income to be overcome before working becomes optimizing.
Microbial interactions affecting stem-end blue mold decay of 'd'Anjou' pears

Abstract Stem-end decay of ‘d’Anjou’ pears caused by Penicillium expansum is the common decay of fruit kept in cold storage for extended periods of time. The succulent thick stems of ‘d’Anjou’ pear are prone to colonization by these fungi. We isolated bacteria and yeasts from surface of pear and apple fruits and evaluated them for their ability to colonize pear stem tissue. Populations of the best bacterial and yeasts colonizers increased by more than 2 log units within 3 d at 24 °C. They were then evaluated in cold storage at 1 °C for their ability to prevent infection of pear stems by a very aggressive strain of P. expansum, and a weakly pathogenic strain of a Penicillium sp. isolated from a pear stem. Only few isolates reduced stem-end decay. Two bacteria, Pseudomonas chlororaphis and Enterobacter sp. promoted fungal infection of the stem and subsequent fruit decay. The abundance of decay promoting bacteria in some years may be responsible for the high incidence of stem-end decay in those years.
Failure of monoethylhexyl phthalate to cause teratogenic effects in offspring of rabbits.

Abstract Female rabbits with an average body weight of 3.9 ± 0.5 kg were artificially inseminated and subsequently injected with varying doses of Na-monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) (1.14, 5.69, or 11.38 mg/kg daily × 13, iv) beginning on the sixth day of gestation. On the 30th day, fetuses were removed by Cesarian section. Sex ratios, fetal weights, and size of litters were unaffected by MEHP regardless of the doses given. The incidence of live fetuses in the two control groups was 94% while in the 1.14 mg/kg dose it was 89%; 5.69 mg/kg, 84%; and 11.38 mg/kg, 77%. MEHP treatment failed to affect the size of the fetuses as measured by crown-rump or transumbilical measurements. The number of corpora lutea and resorptions in MEHP-treated groups was not significantly different from the number in the control groups. A higher maternal death rate was noted in rabbits given the 5.69 and 11.38 mg/kg doses (22 and 33%, respectively). However, there were no differences in the weights of adrenals, liver, kidneys, heart, or lungs of those animals continuing to term when compared to organs from animals in control groups. Skeletal examinations revealed slight variations in the 13th rib, and in the 5th and 6th sternal buttons in fetuses from both the control and MEHP-treated groups. Visceral examination of fetuses failed to reveal any differences between those from phthalate-treated groups and those from control groups.
Fluorinated self-assembled monolayers : composition, structure and interfacial properties

Over the past several years, various fluorinated self-assembled monolayers (F-SAMs) on gold have been used to study the interfacial properties of fluorocarbon interfaces. This review focuses on the structures of selected F-SAMs and describes how the structures relate to various interfacial properties, such as wettability, friction, X-ray induced damage and ion-surface collisions.
On the choice of wavelet in image compression applications

Data decorrelation and energy compaction are the two fundamental characteristics of wavelets that led to wavelet based image compression models. Wavelet transform is not a perfect whitening transform; but it is viewed as an approximation to Karhunen-Loeve transform (KLT). In general, decorrelation does not imply statistical independence. Thus, a wavelet transform results in coefficients which exhibit inter and intra band dependencies. The energy compaction property of a wavelet is reflected in the coding performance, which can be measured by its coding gain. This paper investigates the above two important aspects of bi-orthogonal wavelets in the context of lossy compression. This investigation suggests that simple predictive models are sufficient to capture the dependencies exhibited by the wavelet coefficients. This paper also compares the metrics that measure the performance of bi-orthogonal wavelets in lossy coding schemes.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The influence of food concentration and container volume on life history parameters of Diaptomus dorsalis Marsh from subtropical Florida

Two experiments were conducted with a subtropical calanoid, Diaptomus dorsalis Marsh 1907, to determine the influence of food concentration and the volume of medium per copepod (one copepod in each of several containers of different volumes) on post-embryonic development rates, adult body size, clutch size, survivorship and sex ratio. Low concentrations of food (Chlamydomonas reinhardti) decreased development rates, body size, clutch size and survivorship; the sex ratio did not vary significantly from 1:1. Small container volumes had the same effects as low food concentrations, except that naupliar development time was not affected and survivorship showed greater variability. Because the copepod parameters exhibited maximum responses when food was abundant, even in the smallest container volume, it was concluded that container volume did not directly influence these parameters but exerted its effect through food availability. Larger life history stages were affected more than smaller life history stages by low food levels. In part, this was attributed to a laboratory artifact in which depletion of food by larger animals was greater than by smaller animals and, in part, to a real effect of low food concentration. A possible explanation of this real effect came from comparisons of these results to data from D. dorsalis fed phytoplankton from a Florida lake. The comparisons suggested that nauplii may be more efficient feeders on, or utilizers of, small food items such as Chlamydomonas.
High-Temperature PbTe Thin Films for Use in Cascade Thermoelectric Power Generation

PbTe-based thin films were deposited by thermal evaporation at temperatures ranging from ambient temperature to 430°C on different vicinal GaAs (100) substrates and BaF 2 (111). This materials system is being evaluated as a potential candidate thermoelectric material for a mid-temperature stage in a cascade power generation module. Pure PbTe, PbSe, and multilayer PbTe/PbSe films were investigated. All films deposited on different vicinal GaAs (100) substrates were found to be polycrystalline when deposited at 250°C or lower. A subtle effect of substrate orientation and multilayer periodicity appears to contribute to the more randomly oriented polycrystallinity, which also lowers the thermal conductivity. These results are compared with PbTe epitaxial results on BaF 2 (111).
Pulsed-laser preparation of targets for ion-induced X-ray emission spectroscopy

Abstract A system which incorporates pulsed-laser evaporation of targets within the vacuum environment of a combined ion-induced X-ray emission and Rutherford backscattering spectrometer is described. The results of the application of the method to the analysis of a refractory material and to the production of an oxygen free lanthanide film are presented.
Treatment of Schwannomas with an Oncolytic Recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus in Murine Models of Neurofibromatosis Type 2

Gene therapy for schwannomas was evaluated in two mouse models of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2): (1) a transgenic model in which mice express a dominant mutant form of merlin and spontaneously develop schwannomas, and (2) a xenograft model in which human schwannoma tissue is implanted subcutaneously into immune- compromised mice. In both models, schwannoma volumes were monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and showed strong gadolinium enhancement typical of these tumors in humans. Both types of tumor were positive for the Schwann cell marker S100, and highly infectable with herpes simplex virus (HSV) vectors. Schwannomas were injected with an oncolytic HSV-1 recombinant virus vector, G47Δ, which has deletions in genes for ribonucleotide reductase (ICP6), γ34.5, and ICP47. In the NF2 transgenic model, schwannomas were reduced by more than half their original size by 10 days after infection. In the case of subcutaneous schwannoma xenografts, reduction in size after infection occurred more slowly, w...
Interferometric Studies of Faster than Sound Phenomena. Part I. The Gas Flow around Various Objects in a Free, Homogeneous, Supersonic Air Stream

A small Mach-Zehnder interferometer is used for analysis of the supersonic air flow in a free homogeneous jet of cylindrical symmetry ("open wind tunnel") at Mach number 1.70 and around various simple objects suspended in it. The interferograms obtained can be evaluated because of the axial symmetry of the phenomena, and this process is carried out by integration of the Abel equation. This "open wind tunnel" does not need any windows; however, the working section is rather restricted, especially by the intersection of the head wave of a suspended body under investigation with the free boundary of the jet. Also the turbulent free jet boundary itself is a source of disturbance. The density, pressure, temperature, velocity, and Mach number throughout the air flow have been determined with reasonable accuracy. For suspended cones of 10\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} and 30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} semi-angle the theory of Taylor-Maccoll has been verified---except near the cone tip where a systematic density increase occurred. For a 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} semi-angle cone and a small sphere where a detached curved shock wave appears, no theoretical results exist at present. However, stream and Mach lines were constructed with the help of the measured density distribution and of the conventional equations for compressible fluids, and pressure coefficients on the surface of the objects were calculated. The results show that the rotational effects are small at the present Mach number. The experience obtained with the small interferometer indicates that it is a very valuable instrument in studying supersonic phenomena, and that it will yield accurate quantitative results not obtainable by other methods. Undoubtedly, it can be applied to a modern supersonic wind tunnel, and such investigations are being undertaken with a larger interferometer and associated equipment.
Carbon−Sulfur Bond Activation of Dibenzothiophenes and Phenoxythiin by [Rh(dippe)(μ-H)]2 and [Rh2(dippe)2(μ-Cl)(μ-H)]†

The rhodium dimer [Rh(dippe)(μ-H)]2 (1) reacts with dibenzothiophene to form the C−S cleavage product [Rh2(dippe)2(μ-SC12H9)(μ-H)] (3). Complex 1 also reacts with 4-methyldibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene to form [Rh2(dippe)2(μ-S-MeC12H8)(μ-H)] (4) and [Rh2(dippe)2(μ-S-Me2C12H7)(μ-H)] (6), respectively. Reaction with phenoxythiin forms [Rh2(dippe)2(μ-S-C6H4OC6H5)(μ-H)] (8). In 3, rhodium addition to the ortho C−H bond of the β-ring of the biphenylthiolate substituent does not occur at 100 °C. The crystal structures of [Rh2(dippe)2(μ-Cl)(μ-H)] (2), 4, 6, and 8 indicate that each complex contains a nearly planar Rh2(μ-X)(μ-H) core. The 1H NMR spectra of 3, 4, and 6 suggest that the pyramidal geometry at the sulfur atom is maintained in solution and that sulfur inversion is absent. Unreacted 1 catalyzes H/D exchange between C6D6 and the biphenylate substituent of 3 faster than it cleaves the remaining C−S bond to make free biphenyl. Complex 3 is unreactive toward excess dibenzothiophene, whil...
Optimization of an electrochemical hydrogen-chlorine energy storage system

A mathematical model is presented for the optimization of the hydrogen-chlorine energy storage system. Numerical calculations have been made for a 20 MW plant being operated with a cycle of 10 h charge and 10h discharge. Optimal operating parameters, such as electrolyte concentration, cell temperature and current densities, are determined to minimize the investment of capital equipment.
Conservation genetics in aquatic species: General approaches and case studies in fishes and springsnails of arid lands

Many aquatic species have become endangered because of the elimination and fragmentation of their habitat, human alteration of the environment, and introduced species. New applications and insights from genetic studies of endangered species are being used to formulate management plans to prevent extinction of endangered taxa. Here we discuss three applications of genetic techniques to the conservation of endangered aquatic species in the desert Southwest, USA. First, we discuss estimation of long-term effective population size in three endangered big-river fishes, bonytail chub (Gila elegans), humpback chub (G. cypha) and razorback suckers (Xyrauchen texanus), of the lower Colorado River. For all three species, the current census number is much smaller than the estimated effective population size in which these species evolved. Second, we discuss the determination of species, ESUs, and MUs in the endangered Sonoran topminnow. Molecular genetic data show that the Gila and Yaqui topminnows are different species. Experimental examination of pre-mating and post-mating reproductive isolation demonstrates that some reproductive isolation has already developed between these two species. Finally, springsnails (Pyrgulopsis) of the lower Colorado River basin exist only in remote and isolated springs. Examination of molecular variation generally supports the morphological designation of 16 different species, although a few species have several ESUs. There does not appear to be a correlation of genetic and geographic distance between species, suggesting that they are quite old. These genetic studies provide insight into the conservation of these rare aquatic species. Although mitigating ecological factors may be most significant in preventing extinction, genetic studies can provide the evolutionary context for endangered species and identify what units are most in need of conservation.
Comparison of complications after bone removal from lateral and medial plates of the anterior ileum for mandibular augmentation

Abstract 6 patients whose mandibles were to be augmented with autogenous bone were divided into 2 groups of 3 patients each. In one group, autogenous donor bone was harvested from the medial plate of the anterior ileum, whereas in the second group bone was harvested from the lateral plate. Although some clinicians have asserted that there is less morbidity when bone is harvested from the medial plate, no difference between the 2 groups was noted in the length of hospitalization, amount of blood loss during surgery, incidence of seroma development, or need for a cane or walker. The decision to remove bone from the lateral or medial plates should be based on surgical access rather than incidence of complications.
Plasma phospholipid transfer protein, cholesteryl ester transfer protein and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase in end-stage renal disease (ESRD)

Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) results in accelerated atherosclerosis that is primarily caused by inflammation, oxidative stress and impaired triglyceride and HDLmetabolisms.Severalplasmaproteinsincludingphospholipid transfer protein (PTLP), cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) affect HDL metabolism. PLTP transfers phospholipids and free cholesterol from triglyceride-rich lipoproteins to HDL, phospholipids between HDL particles and facilitates cholesterol efflux from cells. CETP catalyzes the transferofcholesterylestersfromHDLtoLDLinexchange for triglycerides, and LCAT catalyzes esterification of free cholesterol on the surface of HDL. Given the role of these proteinsintheregulationofHDLmetabolism,weexamined the effect of ESRD on plasma PLTL, CETP and LCAT. Methods. A group of 21 stable ESRD patients maintained on haemodialysis and a group of 21 age-matched normal control individuals were included in the study. Plasma apolipoprotein A-1, PLTP, CETP and LCAT levels were measured. Results. Plasma triglyceride concentration was elevated and plasma HDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1 and LCAT concentrations were significantly reduced, whereas plasma PLTP and CETP concentrations and activities were unchanged in the ESRD patients. Conclusions. These findings point to acquired LCAT and Apo A-1 deficiencies and tend to exclude dysregulation of PLTP or CETP in the pathogenesis of HDL abnormalities in haemodialysis patients.
Sampling Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Related Semivolatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air

This paper summarizes the sampling and analysis methods used to collect and quantify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and PAH derivatives in indoor and outdoor air at 33 homes heated in two cities, Columbus OH and Azusa CA. Two new samplers were developed far these studies: one with a flow rate of 200 l/min to collect material for bioassay and chemical analysis and a similar one with a flow rate of 20 l/min to collect samples for chemical analysis only. Both samplers simultaneously collect semivolatile organic compounds in the particulate and vapor phases. Both are quiet, transportable, and operate entirely within the sampled environment. The samplers' field performance was evaluated; that of the 20 l/min sampler is discussed in detail. Some typical data and findings from the studies are presented.
Control and stabilization of nonholonomic dynamic systems

A class of inherently nonlinear control problems has been identified, the nonlinear features arising directly from physical assumptions about constraints on the motion of a mechanical system. Models are presented for mechanical systems with nonholonomic constraints represented both by differential-algebraic equations and by reduced state equations. Control issues for this class of systems are studied and a number of fundamental results are derived. Although a single equilibrium solution cannot be asymptotically stabilized using continuous state feedback, a general procedure for constructing a piecewise analytic state feedback which achieves the desired result is suggested. >