cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Opioid mortality, public health care expenditures, and cross-national homicide rates: findings from 25 OECD countries, 2000–2017

This study assesses the relationship between opioid mortality and homicide rates across 25 member countries of the organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) over time and investigates the role of country-level public health expenditures in this relationship. Fixed effects linear regression is used to assess the longitudinal association between opioid mortality and cross-national homicide rates in 25 OECD countries between 2000 and 2017. Moderation analyses are conducted to assess the interaction between opioid mortality rates and public health expenditures per capita. Study findings revealed a positive bivariate association between opioid mortality and homicide rates. However, this association became null after controlling for public health expenditures. Moderation analyses revealed that there is a strong positive association between opioid mortality and homicide rates when public health expenditures are low, which becomes gradually weaker at higher levels of health expenditures. This study suggests one consequence of the opioid epidemic may be increased homicide rates, and this association is stronger in countries with lower public health expenditures. These findings highlight the potential role of governments to combat the associated harms of rising opioid use through greater investments in public health care.
Contemporary Research on Sex Work

* Researching the World's Oldest Profession: Introduction (Jeffrey T. Parsons) * HIV Seroprevalence and Risk Behaviors Among Transgendered Women Who Exchange Sex in Comparison with Those Who Do Not (Cathy J. Reback, Emilia L. Lombardi, Paul A. Simon, Douglas M. Frye) * The Connections of Mental Health Problems, Violent Life Experiences, and the Social Milieu of the "Stroll" with the HIV Risk Behaviors of Female Street Sex Workers (Hilary L. Surratt, Steven P. Kurtz, Jason C. Weaver, and James A. Inciardi) * Impact of Social and Structural Influence Interventions on Condom Use and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Establishment-Based Female Bar Workers in the Philippines (Donald E. Morisky, Chi Chiao, Judith A. Stein, and Robert Malow) * How Does a "Risk Group" Perceive Risk? Voices of Vietnamese Sex Workers in Cambodia (Joanna Busza,) * Female Sex Trade Workers, Condoms, and the Public-Private Divide (Lois A. Jackson, Barbara Sowinski, Carolyn Bennett, and Devota Ryan) * Racial and Ethnic Segmentation of Female Prostitution in Los Angeles County (Janet Lever, David E. Kanouse, and Sandra H. Berry) * Childhood Sexual Abuse as a Risk Factor for Subsequent Involvement in Sex Work: A Review of Empirical Findings (Evelyn Abramovich) * Managing Risk and Safety on the Job: The Experiences of Canadian Sex Workers (Jacqueline Lewis, Eleanor Maticka-Tyndale, Frances Shaver, and Heather Schramm) * Strategies of Stigma Resistance Among Canadian Gay-Identified Sex Workers (Todd G. Morrison and Bruce W. Whitehead) * Self-Reported Use of Health Services, Contact with Police and Views About Sex Work Organizations Among Male Sex Workers in Cordoba, Argentina (Carlos E. Disogra, Rodrigo Marino, and Victor Minichiello) * Exploring Commercial Sex Encounters in an Urban Community Sample of Gay and Bisexual Men: A Preliminary Report (Juline A. Koken, Jeffrey T. Parsons, Joseph Severino, and David S. Bimbi) * Index * Reference Notes Included
Mechanisms Underlying Context-Dependent VEGF Signaling For Distinct Biological Responses

Publisher Summary Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signal protein produced by cells that stimulates vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. It is part of the system that restores the oxygen supply to tissues when blood circulation is inadequate. VEGF signaling is essential for specification, morphogenesis, differentiation, and homeostasis of vessels during development and in the adult. Furthermore, this signaling pathway is an integral component of pathological angiogenesis during tumor expansion. In fact, decreased levels of VEGF result in suppression of vascular expansion, tumor growth, and metastasis, making anti-angiogenesis an appealing cancer therapy. The VEGFA gene produces diverse proteins. Both decreases and increases in VEGF levels produce significant pathological insults to the vasculature that affect the entire organism. The regulation of VEGF synthesis, secretion, and availability modulates the angiogenic response. VEGF signaling can be induced by two receptor tyrosine kinases, VEGFR1 (flt-1 or FLT-1) and VEGFR2 (flk-1 or KDR). Clinically, the most successful has been the VEGF-neutralizing antibody Bevacizumab/Avastin, which was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for clinical use early in 2004. Other strategies to target the VEGF pathway include soluble VEGFRs (Traps), and receptor tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (RTKI) that target VEGFR2, as well as neutralizing aptomers. Intracrine VEGF is essential for survival pathways that are not entirely redundant, as exogenous VEGF cannot rescue defects in cell survival in the absence of intracellular VEGF. Defining the distinct signaling responses initiated by soluble, bound, and intracrine VEGF remains a challenge and is the focus of ongoing research.
Chapter 11: A Technique for Studying Chemotaxis of Leukocytes in Well-Defined Chemotactic Fields

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a technique for studying chemotaxis of leukocytes in well-defined chemotactic fields. Chemotaxis of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) has most often been studied using the Boyden chamber technique, which reliably measures the relative degree of response to attractants, but gives no information about the behavior of individual cells in known chemotactic fields. This technique was developed in order to create known concentration distributions with appreciable gradients on microscope slides with good reproducibility with a minimum of equipment and time. The basic method consists of depositing a lateral stripe consisting of a known amount f solution of the chemotactic agent using a calibrated 20-microliter micro pipet across the microscope slide. It is convenient to mark the location of the stripe with a diamond-tipped marker before the stripe is deposited.
Chemistry and Clouds of Jupiter’s Atmosphere: A Galileo Perspective

The chemical processes responsible for the formation of minor trace species and the structure of clouds in Jupiter’s atmosphere are discussed. Comparisons with relevant Galileo Probe and Orbiter measurements give important new insight into chemistry, thermodynamics, and meteorology in the atmosphere. A brief overview of the bulk atmospheric composition is included since it forms the basis for the chemical and cloud formation processes.
Charge transfer into the metastable 2 S level of hydrogen by protons colliding with K and Na

We measure the charge transfer cross section for protons in potassium and sodium with the final state being $\mathrm{H}(2s)+{A}^{+}$. Using a crossed-beam experimental method we look at this cross section as a function of proton beam energy from 500 to 2500 eV. Our results for potassium agree with previous experiments and theories in showing two main peaks in the cross section: one of (3.9 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.5)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at a proton beam energy of 800 eV, and another of (2.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 1.1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at a proton beam energy of 2.5 keV. Our results for sodium show a steadily rising cross section with a value of (7.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2.5)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at a proton beam energy of 2.5 keV in agreement with the prediction of Kubach and Sidis; we do not find the maximum at 700 eV reported by Nagata that agrees with the theory of Kimura, Olson, and Pascale.
Mitochondrial Non-Mendelian Inheritance: Evolutionary Origin and Consequences

Alleles of mitochondrial genes segregate during vegetative (mitotic) divisions as a consequence of the random manner in which mitochondrial genomes are replicated and partitioned at cell division. This is probably an evolutionary relic of their endosymbiotic origin. Uniparental inheritance of mitochondrial genes in humans is a result of oogamy and degradation of paternal mitochondria in the egg, but different mechanisms have evolved in other organisms. Keywords: uniparental inheritance; maternal inheritance; vegetative segregation; inheritance of mitochondrial genes; heteroplasmy
Safe Self-contained Carbon Dioxide-Hydrogen Anaerobic System

An anaerobic system is described which allows the microbiologist or hospital technician ease of operation not previously possible with other systems. Gas cylinders, vacuum pumps, valves, and gauges have been eliminated. A new anaerobic lid was developed that is fitted only with a snap-in rubber gasket, a double stainless-steel gauze flash arrestor, and a catalyst holder. The holder contains a palladium pellet catalyst which is active at room temperature and requires no heat for activation. This system was made specifically for use with a disposable hydrogen-carbon dioxide generator and a disposable methylene blue anaerobic indicator. In addition to ease of operation, this jar incorporates unique safety features which eliminate the possibility of a laboratory explosion. An oxygen-free atmosphere composed primarily of nitrogen and carbon dioxide was quickly achieved within the jar to insure maximal growth.
Chapter 7 Development of general synthetic strategies towards oligocycloalkanes

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a progress report and retrospective on the efforts of researchers toward the synthesis of stereoregular oligocycloalkanes and ter -cyclopentane. The interest in oligocycloalkane structures has been ignited by the publication of two natural products with a stereoregular series of cyclopropane rings. The researchers have been intrigued by the challenge these molecules represent; even more so by the unique conformational properties that such molecules are likely to have. This has applied for a host of other cycloalkane oligomers also. Contention that well-substituted oligocyclopentanes might be receptors for a variety of target molecules is based on extensive molecular mechanics simulations, which suggests that such structures would be conformationally rigid and able to present functionality in a spatially defined manner. In a simple, qualitative analysis, it is expected that in the lowest energy conformer for a dicyclopentane, the torsional angle connecting the two rings should be approximately 180°(or “anti”) because this minimizes the number of gauche butane interactions. A similar qualitative analysis of ter -cyclopentane would predict that its ground-state conformation would be that in which both inter-ring torsional angles are at 180°.
Barbed Bone Points: Tradition and Continuity in Saharan and Sub-Saharan Africa

Examination of African barbed bone points recovered from Holocene sites provides a context to interpret three Late Pleistocene occurrences from Katanda and Ishango, Zaire, and White Paintings Shelter, Botswana. In sites dated to ca. 10,000 BP and younger, such artifacts are found widely distributed across the Sahara Desert, the Sahel, the Nile, and the East African Lakes. They are present in both ceramic and aceramic contexts, sometimes associated with domesticates. The almost-universal presence of fish remains indicates a subsistence adaptation which incorporates a riverine/lacustrine component. Typologically these points exhibit sufficient similarity in form and method of manufacture to be subsumed within a single African “tradition.” They are absent at Fayum, where a distinct Natufian form occurs. Specimens dating to ca. 20,000 BP at Ishango, possibly a similar age at White Paintings Shelter, and up to 90,000 BP at Katanda clearly fall within this same African tradition and thus indicate a very long-term continuity which crosses traditionally conceived sub-Saharan cultural boundaries. L'etude des pointes barbelees en os del' Holocene africaine fournit un contexte a l'interpretation de trois gisements du Pleistocene superieure, notamment, Katanda et Ishango (en Republique Democratique du Congo, ex-Zaire), et White Paintings Shelter au Botswana. Cettes pointes ont une distribution etendue a travers le Sahara, le Sahel, le Nil et les grands lacs du rift d'Afrique orientale, notamment sur certains sites datant de 10,000 ans avant notre ere. Ces pointes sont associees avec des types d'industries ceramiques ou aceramiques, avec ou sans squelettes de faune domestiques, mais toujours avec des squelettes de poisson, indiquent une subsistence comportant des ressources lacustres ou riveraines. Sur le plan typologique, cettes pointes presentent une telle ressemblance, soit de forme, soit de manufacture, qu'elles constituent une tradition unique africaine. Au Fayum en Egypte, les formes des pointes rappellent, par contre, plutot les series Natufiennes du Levant. Les pointes barbelees d'Ishango, datant de 20,000 ans environ, celles de White Paintings Shelter, datant probablement de la meme epoque, et celles de Katanda datant au maximum de 90,000 ans BP, appartiennent a la meme tradition africaine, ce qu montre ainsi l'existence d'une continuite de tres longue duree atravers les frontieres culturelles traditionelles.
Gromov-Witten Invariants and Quantum Cohomology of Grassmannians

This is the written version of my five lectures at the Banach Center mini-school on ‘Schubert Varieties’, in Warsaw, Poland, May 18–22, 2003.
Complex Adaptive Systems and Global Capitalism: The Risk of a New Ideology of Global Complexity

Since the foundation of the Santa Fe Institute, the new science of complex adaptive systems (CAS) has seen extraordinary development, breaking with previous, more epistemological, trends in complexity theory. This article makes a critique of CAS as a model of the current global complexity. Its basic model, the cellular automaton, which focuses on the interactive dynamics among components, ignores the nature of any complex system as constructed by the observer/actor and is unable to explain the sociohistorical construction of the agents/subjects (analyzed by Foucault) and the social structure in which they are located (analyzed by Bourdieu), thus being unable to accurately represent the overall social complexity.
Relative stability of the FCC and HCP polymorphs with interacting polymers

Recent work [Mahynski et al., Nat. Commun., 2014, 5, 4472] has demonstrated that the addition of long linear homopolymers thermodynamically biases crystallizing hard-sphere colloids to produce the hexagonal close-packed (HCP) polymorph over the closely related face-centered cubic (FCC) structure when the polymers and colloids are purely repulsive. In this report, we investigate the effects of thermal interactions on each crystal polymorph to explore the possibility of stabilizing the FCC crystal structure over the HCP. We find that the HCP polymorph remains at least as stable as its FCC counterpart across the entire range of interactions we explored, where interactions were quantified by the reduced second virial coefficient, −1.50 0, its tetrahedral voids produce a similar effect when B*2 < 0 (i.e. when energetics dominate). Starting from this, we derive a mean-field expression for the free energy of an infinitely-dilute polymer adsorbed in the crystal phase for nonzero B*2. Our results reveal that co-solute biasing of a single polymorph can still be observed in experimentally realizable scenarios when the colloids and polymers have attractive interactions, and provide a possible explanation for the experimental finding that pure FCC crystals are elusive in these binary mixtures.
Numerical Analysis of a Jack Pine Budworm Outbreak in Various Densities of Jack Pine

A life table study of the jack pine budworm Choristoneura pinus Freeman was superimposed on a stocking level study of dense jack pine in northern Minnesota to assess the relation of budworm numbers to density of stands. The analysis of population changes revealed that the survival rate of large larvae was most closely associated with survival of the whole generation. However, at low insect density small larva survival was more important. Stand density and associated male cone production accounted for a large part of the variation in budworm dispersal and survival rate of small larvae. During the declining phase of the infestation indirect evidence suggests there were changes in population quality associated with reduced male cone production. Above normal humidities and subnormal temperatures occurred during the larval stage the 3rd year when the infestation collapsed. Defoliation intensity was higher in the dense stands. Precommercial thinning from below in dense jack pine stands will maximize larval dispersal loss and minimize male cone production and defoliation.
Evidence on the Fiscal and Macroeconomic Impact of Privatization

This paper empirically investigates the relationship between privatization and measures of fiscal and macroeconomic performance. One of the main findings is that privatization proceeds transferred to the budget tend to be saved. Specifically, they are largely used to reduce domestic financing, with little evidence that they are used to finance a larger deficit. However, by construction, this part of the study is restricted to privatization proceeds transferred to the budget, leaving open the question of what happens to those proceeds not transferred to the budget. The other main finding is that total privatization (as opposed to just the proceeds transferred to the budget) is correlated with an improvement in macroeconomic performance as manifested in higher real GDP growth and lower unemployment. However, this result needs to be interpreted cautiously as the evidence is not sufficient to establish causality.
Comparison of pH, sulfate and nitrate in throughfall and stemflow in yellow-poplar and oak stands in north-central West Virginia

Abstract Deposition of sulfate and nitrate with gross precipitation, throughfall, and stemflow was observed at yellow-poplar and oak forest sites in the central Appalachians. For 1987, the sums of throughfall plus stemflow deposition of sulfate were 84.9 kg/ha at the yellow-poplar site and 92.1 kg/ha at the oak site; the corresponding values for nitrate deposition were 27.5 kg/ha and 33.8 kg/ha. The stemflow deposition of sulfate at the oak site was substantially greater than that at the yellow-poplar site. Both throughfall and stemflow were more acidic at the oak site than at the yellow-poplar site. The pH of throughfall shows substantial spatial variation. As the species composition varies with topography, the corresponding effect of forest canopy on throughfall pH and on soil is proposed. Errors of measuring atmospheric deposition in forests are discussed. Atmospheric deposition should be studied in combination with other phenomena which affect forest growth.
Egg breakfast enhances weight loss

To test the hypotheses that an egg breakfast, in contrast to a bagel breakfast matched for energy density and total energy, would enhance weight loss in overweight and obese participants while on a reduced-calorie weight loss diet. Men and women (n=152), age 25–60 years, body mass index (BMI) ⩾25 and ⩽50 kg m−2. Otherwise healthy overweight or obese participants were assigned to Egg (E), Egg Diet (ED), Bagel (B) or Bagel Diet (BD) groups, based on the prescription of either an egg breakfast containing two eggs (340 kcal) or a breakfast containing bagels matched for energy density and total energy, for at least 5 days per week, respectively. The ED and BD groups were suggested a 1000 kcal energy-deficit low-fat diet, whereas the B and E groups were asked not to change their energy intake. After 8 weeks, in comparison to the BD group, the ED group showed a 61% greater reduction in BMI (−0.95±0.82 vs −0.59±0.85, P<0.05), a 65% greater weight loss (−2.63±2.33 vs –1.59±2.38 kg, P<0.05), a 34% greater reduction in waist circumference (P<0.06) and a 16% greater reduction in percent body fat (P=not significant). No significant differences between the E and B groups on the aforementioned variables were obtained. Further, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, did not differ between the groups. The egg breakfast enhances weight loss, when combined with an energy-deficit diet, but does not induce weight loss in a free-living condition. The inclusion of eggs in a weight management program may offer a nutritious supplement to enhance weight loss.
Pulmonary and systemic hemodynamic responses to intravenous prostacyclin in broilers.

The eicosanoid vasodilator prostacyclin (PGI2) reduces resistance to pulmonary blood flow and attenuates pulmonary hypertension in mammals. However, sparse information is available regarding the responsiveness of the avian pulmonary vasculature to PGI2. Accordingly, in 3 experiments we evaluated the pulmonary vascular responses to PGI2 in male broilers. In experiment 1, infusing PGI2 (10 microgram/min) into clinically healthy broilers did not reduce their pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) but did reduce their pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) by lowering their cardiac output. Within 4 min after stopping the PGI2 infusion, the cardiac output and PAP returned to preinfusion levels. In experiment 2, the responses to PGI2 were evaluated after arachidonic acid (AA) had been infused to preconstrict the pulmonary vasculature. The AA infusion (400 microgram/min) consistently triggered dramatic, sustained pulmonary vasoconstriction (increased PVR) and pulmonary hypertension (increased PAP). Concurrent PGI2 infusions did not reduce PVR but did reduce PAP by lowering cardiac output. Within 4 min after stopping the PGI2 infusion, PAP and cardiac output returned to their previous (hypertensive) levels attributable to the ongoing AA infusion. In experiment 3, PGI2 was infused (10 microgram/min) into clinically healthy (PAP less than or equal to 24 mmHg) or subclinically hypertensive (PAP greater than or equal to 27 mmHg) broilers. Throughout this experiment broilers in the hypertensive group had higher PAP values than broilers in the healthy group. The PGI2 infusion reduced PAP in both groups but did not reduce PVR. Instead, the pulmonary hypotensive response to PGI2 infusion was associated with a reduction in cardiac output in both groups. In all 3 experiments PGI2 reduced PAP by reducing cardiac output rather than by reducing PVR. There was no evidence that PGI2 acts as an effective pulmonary vasodilator in broilers regardless of whether their pulmonary vasculature was apparently normal (clinically healthy), had been pharmacologically preconstricted (AA infusion), or initially exhibited the vasoconstriction that is typical of the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension syndrome in broilers (PAP greater than or equal to 27 mmHg). The consistent failure of PGI2 to elicit pulmonary vasodilation in this study suggests fundamental differences in AA metabolism or the etiology of pulmonary hypertension may exist when broilers are compared with mammals.
Hydrogen-1 and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance conformational studies of the His-Pro peptide bond: conformational behavior of TRH†

Cis/trans isomerism of the His-Pro peptide bond provides a convenient model for the effect of a slow conformational change which may have wider biological significance. Above the imidazole pK, His-Pro is conformationally analogous to the (isosteric) peptide Phe-Pro. Protonation of the imidazole sidechain is associated with a large decrease in the cis/trans ratio. Detailed 1H and 13C n.m.r. analysis suggests the importance of electrostatic/hydrogen bonding interactions between the charged imidazolium sidechain and the proline carboxyl as the basis for this effect. In contrast to a previous report, cis/trans isomerism in TRH is shown to be related to titration of the imidazole sidechain, exhibiting a pK of 6.1.
Rationale for More Aggressive Guidelines for Diabetes Control

Purpose: To summarize the current evidence relevant to extent of control of diabetes, based on glycated hemoglobin levels. Findings: Even though three major studies--the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, the Kumamoto Study, and the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study--have documented a decrease in macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes for every 1.0% reduction in glycated hemoglobin level, patients with diabetes generally continue to have glycated hemoglobin values well above the goal of <7.0% established by the American Diabetes Association. Conclusion: Clear, aggressive guidelines for control of diabetes need to be established and applied in clinical practice.
The Use of Video in Infection Control

Abstract BACKGROUND: Our institution, a 1200-bed teaching hospital in New York City, mobilized in response to the threat of SARS in 2003. PROJECT: The New York-Presbyterian Hospital SARS Task Force decided to develop a videotape that depicts the step-by-step technique for donning and removing the personal protective equipment worn during the care of SARS patients. This videotape was written and performed by hospital staff members, and produced in conjunction with Columbia University, Center for Biomedical Communications. RESULTS: A video format was chosen as the best way to demonstrate visual techniques that are difficult to show via written materials. We wrote a script, built a set to replicate a negative-pressure isolation room, and had staff members from the Department of Epidemiology take prominent roles. The videotape opens with a brief introduction to the global SARS situation in 2002-2003 utilizing a voice-over and graphics. The action then transitions to the set where a narrator provides the necessary explanations. The viewers see the role of the “Observer,” a nurse whose task it is to enforce the SARS policies, and watch a social worker, housekeeper, and physician step through the techniques of donning and removing personal protective gear. LESSONS LEARNED: Through this collaborative effort, our facility has a highly effective tool that educates our staff in the steps required to themselves and their colleagues from a life-threatening illness.
Genitourinary Assessment: An Integral Part of a Complete Physical Examination

This article provides primary care providers, including pediatric nurse practitioners, with a framework for completing a genitourinary assessment. Many primary care providers are reluctant to examine the genitalia of their patients. Routine genital examinations increase diagnostic skills, provide a baseline for future examinations, may improve parent and child compliance with the examination, and may reveal previously undiscovered anomalies or trauma. An assessment of the reproductive and urologic systems should begin with obtaining a focused history from the parent from birth to present. Techniques for performing a focused genitourinary examination will be discussed.
A portable dose equivalent meter based on microdosimetry

Abstract It is generally accepted that the physical basis of the relative biological effectiveness of different radiations is the difference in the spatial distribution of ionization along the charged particle tracks. Thus it is possible to measure physical quantities which may be related to biological damage, and use them to estimate the radiation protection quantity “dose equivalent”. A prototype instrument utilizing a spherical proportional counter and a microcomputer to make such measurements has been developed and tested. The detector is filled with gas at low pressure in order to simulate micrometer diameter volumes of tissue. Energy deposition in these small volumes is a stochastic quantity which depends on charged particle stopping power, path length through the site, energy loss straggling, and energy transport by secondary charged particles (delta rays). It has been suggested that this energy deposition distribution be used as a basis for defining radiation quality factor ( Q ) [1]. However, to the extent that the energy deposition in the site is proportional to the geometric chord length distribution, energy deposition can also be used to determine the linear energy transfer. The mean quality factor can then be calculated on the basis of the current definition. The prototype instrument uses two amplifiers, with gains of 50 and 1000, processing the pulses from a single detector in order to resolve the wide range of energy deposition events produced by neutron and gamma irradiation. Each amplifier is connected to a specially designed analog to digital converter and a 128 channel multichannel analyzer. A microcomputer controls the system and calculates dose and dose equivalent. Test results for a variety of accelerator produced neutron irradiations show that, from 0.1 to 15 MeV, system accuracy is ±0.5 for Q and ± 15% for dose equivalent.
Resistance to alcohol impairment of visual-motor performance. II: Effects for attentional set and self-reported concentration.

Abstract There was been little or no direct inquiry into the feasibility of nonbiological processes for attenuating alcohol effects. In an initial study, we found that an instructional set (to concentrate) presented at each trial facilitated visual-motor performance among moderately intoxicated subjects. We extended this work in the present study by varying density of the Set presentation across trials, by varying Set onset and offset, and by assessing self-reported concentration levels. After dosing, subjects participated in two pairs of performance trials separated by a rest period. Six groups of subjects differed with respect to the number and sequence of Set presentations received across the postbeverage trials. We found that more Set presentations yielded better performance. Also, onset of Set presentation led to improved or sustained performance, whereas offset led to diminished performance. Finally, consistent with the possibility that concentration serves as a mediating variable, self-reported concentration correlated with performance. Implications of the obtained effects are discussed in the context of tolerance research and practical cosiderations.
An experimental study on nitrification biofilm performances using a series reactor system

Total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentration is often a key limiting water quality parameter in intensive aquaculture systems. Removing ammonia through biological filtration is thus the first objective in recirculating aquaculture system design. In this study, the performance characteristics of a steady-state nitrification biofilm were explored using a series of reactors. Four nitrification kinetics parameters were estimated using the data collected from the experimental system, including minimum TAN concentration, half saturation constant, maximum TAN removal rate and maximum specific bacterial growth rate. Experimental data showed that a minimum TAN concentration was needed to support a steady-state nitrification biofilm. For the temperature of 27.2°C, the mean minimum TAN concentration was 0.07 mg/l. For a single substrate-limiting factor, the relationship between TAN removal rate (R) and TAN concentration (S) was represented by an empirical equation [R=1859(S−0.07)/(S+1.93)]. The characteristics of nitrite oxidation were also demonstrated by the experiment system. The results of this study will help to better understand the characteristics of nitrification biofilters applied in recirculating aquaculture systems.
152 BLOOD FLOW IN THE ASCENDING AND THE DESCENDING AORTA IN TERM NEWBORN INFANTS

The combination of 2-dimensional real-time and pulsed Doppler echocardiography provides a noninvasive method of measuring blood flow and has been used to study blood flow at the lower thoracic level of the descending aorta (DA) in the human fetus. Using these techniques, we evaluated the proportion of cardiac output distributed through the DA in 13 term newborn infants (mean±SEM BW 3551±95 g, GA 40.1±0.3 w). Blood flow velocity was measured using a 3.5 MHz, range gated, pulsed Doppler velocity meter with the transducer positioned in the suprasternal notch. Blood flow in the ascending aorta (AA) was measured at the aortic root level and descending flow below the isthmus. The internal diameter of the AA was assessed at the level of the aortic valve using M-mode echocardiography and the diameter of the DA in the posterior atrioventricular groove with the use of the 2-D long axis view. Blood flow in the AA was 789±42 ml/min and in the DA 499±26 ml/min indicating that 63.5% of the left ventricular output is distributed through the DA. The mean blood flow velocity was comparable at both sites, whereas the mean diameter of the DA was 19% smaller than the diameter of the AA. In healthy term newborn infants approx. 2/3 of cardiac output is directed to the DA and 1/3 to brachial and carotid arteries. The changes in aortic blood flow are correlated with the changes in aortic diameter.
Substrate engineering for high efficiency thin film solar cells

The design considerations for a spectra modifying, light scattering layer for amorphous silicon solar cells were investigated. Efficient commercially available phosphors absorb one near IR photon and one near UV photon and emit one photon in the visible spectrum. Thereby such phosphors offer the possibility to convert two poorly utilized portions of the solar spectrum to photons that are converted to electric energy with high quantum efficiency in amorphous silicon-based solar cells. Large band gap, conductive, a-SiC:H and a-SiN:H are attractive matrices for phosphors as scattered light and emitted photons are thereby directed towards the underlying solar cell structure.
Using an active pixel sensor in a vertex detector

Research has shown that Active Pixel CMOS sensors can detect charged particles. We have been studying whether this process can be used in a collider environment. In particular, we studied the effect of radiation with 55 MeV protons. These results show that a fluence of about 2 x 10{sup 12} protons/cm{sup 2} reduces the signal by a factor of two while the noise increases by 25%. A measurement 6 months after exposure shows that the silicon lattice naturally repairs itself. Heating the silicon to 100 C reduced the shot noise and increased the collected charge. CMOS sensors have a reduced signal to noise ratio per pixel because charge diffuses to neighboring pixels. We have constructed a photogate to see if this structure can collect more charge per pixel. Results show that a photogate does collect charge in fewer pixels, but it takes about 15 ms to collect all of the electrons produced by a pulse of light.
Fuel handling system availability — How good must it be?

Abstract The Fuel Handling System (FHS), which is to serve the continuous demand for the insertion of new fuel into the reactors and the discharge of irradiated fuel, must have a certain minimum availability. The criteria and analysis to determine what this minimum availability must be for the proposed Darlington Nuclear Generating Station is described.
Constraining carbonaceous aerosol sources in a receptor model by including 14C data with redox species, organic tracers, and elemental/organic carbon measurements

Abstract Sources of carbonaceous PM2.5 were quantified in downtown Cleveland, OH and Chippewa Lake, OH located ∼40 miles southwest of Cleveland during the Cleveland Multiple Air Pollutant Study (CMAPS). PM2.5 filter samples were collected daily during July–August 2009 and February 2010 to establish the seasonal emission patterns from local and regional sources. Radiocarbon (14C), redox species (NOx, SO2 and ozone), 28 primary and secondary organic aerosol tracers, elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) measurements were analyzed using the EPA Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model to apportion carbonaceous aerosol sources. Five sources were identified at each site: mobile sources, fossil fuel combustion from fuels containing sulfur, local biomass combustion, other combustion (regional biomass, waste, meat, coal), and secondary organic aerosol (SOA). 14C data were incorporated in the PMF analysis as a novel method to obtain the modern carbon fraction (fmod) of each source individually which aided all factor interpretations. SOA was the principal carbon source during summer as shown by the PMF analysis and a separate tracer based mass fraction method while biomass burning and other combustion sources were dominant in winter. Elevated levels of EC and fossilized carbon in downtown Cleveland are primarily attributed to increased mobile source and coal combustion emissions.
Atomic layer controlled deposition of SiO2 and Al2O3 using ABAB… binary reaction sequence chemistry

Abstract Sequential ABAB… surface chemical reactions can be employed for atomic layer controlled deposition. We have examined the binary reactions SiCl 4 +2H 2 O⋌SiO 2 +4HCl for SiO 2 deposition and 2Al(CH 3 ) 3 +3H 2 O ⋌ Al 2 O 3 + 6CH 4 for Al 2 O 3 deposition. Each binary reaction (A + B ⋌ products) was performed sequentially by individual exposures to the A reactant and then the B reactant. If each surface reaction is self-limiting, repetitive ABAB… cycling may produce layer-by-layer controlled growth. For example, the individual “A” and “B” surface reactions for SiO 2 deposition can be described by (A) Si–OH + SiCl 4 ⋌ Si–O–SiCl 3 + HCl, (B) Si–Cl + H 2 O ⋌ Si-OH + HCl. We have studied ABAB… binary reaction sequences for SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 deposition using laser-induced thermal desorption, temperature-programmed desorption and Auger electron spectroscopy techniques on single-crystal Si(100) surfaces. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques were also employed to examine these binary reaction schemes on high surface area SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 samples. Controlled deposition of SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 was demonstrated and optimized utilizing the above techniques. Under the appropriate conditions, each surface reaction was self-terminating and atomic layer controlled growth was a direct consequence of the binary reaction sequence chemistry.
Sliding motion of anchored rigid block under random base excitations

Abstract The sliding motion of an anchored rigid block, subjected to combined horizontal and vertical base excitations is investigated. Modeling the excitations as Gaussian white noises, the stationary probability density of the total energy of the motion is obtained by solving the associated Fokker-Planck equation. The stationary probability density of the displacement amplitude then follows through a simple transformation. Statistical moments for the first-excursion time, at which the total energy exceeds a pre-set critical value, are also obtained by solving the Pontryagin type equations numerically.
Domain‐concept association rules mining for large‐scale and complex cellular manufacturing tasks

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a novel domain‐concept association rules (DCAR) mining algorithm that offers solutions to complex cell formation problems, which consist of a non‐binary machine‐component (MC) matrix and production factors for fast and accurate decision support.Design/methodology/approach – The DCAR algorithm first identifies the domain‐concept from the demand history and then performs association rule mining to find associations among machines. After that, the algorithm forms machine‐cells with a series of inclusion and exclusion processes to minimize inter‐cell material movement and intra‐cell void element costs as well as to maximize the grouping efficacy with the constraints of bill of material (BOM) and the maximum number of machines allowed for each cell.Findings – The DCAR algorithm delivers either comparable or better results than the existing approaches using known binary datasets. The paper demonstrates that the DCAR can obtain satisfying machine‐cells with produ...
1030-14 Influence of Pressure Overload and ACE Inhibitor Therapy on Constitutive Protein mRNA Expression in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

Constitutive protein mRNA is utilized as an index for target protein mRNA expression in experimental models. It is assumed that constitutive protein mRNA expression is not altered by disease states or pharmacologic intervention. We evaluated whether pressure overload, or long term angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, would alter the expression of two constitutive protein mRNA's: cyclophilin and G3PDH. 16 wk spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated with enalapril (10 mg/kg; n = 9), or placebo (n = 15), for 12 wks, compared to Wistar Kyoto normal controls (n = 18). Terminal hemodynamics were performed following therapy, with aortic flow (mean: MAF, mlfmin). pressure (mean: MAp, mmHg), and heart rate (HR, bpm). Systemic arterial resistance (SAR, units) was derived from digitized waveforms. Myocardial function was assessed by left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP, mmHg), and contractility (+dp/dt). Hemodynamics were followed by harvest of left ventricle (LV), and kidney (K) tissue, which were stored at –80°C. Total RNA was extracted, and dot blot analysis of cyclophilin and G3PDH mRNA was performed. Each probe mRNA was quantified by densitometry, and expressed as a relative density ratio of cyclophilin/G3PDH (C/G). Renal tissue ACE levels (activity units) were utilized to document ACE inhibition, and were 2.5 ± 1.3 (normal). 1.8 ± 0.8 (placebo SHR). and 1.0 ± 0.3 (enalapril SHR, p = 0.05, compared to placebo). Analysis of variance was performed and mean values are as given below: HR MAP MAF SAR LVED +DP/DT C/G-LV C/G-K Placebo SHR 410 149 † 108 † 1.47 † 9.4 † 16812 † 1.43 1.60 Enalapril SHR 407 92 145 0.67 2.3 8933 1.78 138 Normal 299 80 181 0.46 1.7 12341 1.73 1.52 † P l 0.05: placebo vs enalapril Thus, severe pressure overload does not alter LV and K cyclophilin and G3PDH mRNA expression in the SHR, although age-dependent changes of mRNA expression were not evaluated in this study. Furthermore, long term ACE inhibition did not alter their expression in a systematic manner.
DCABB: A distributed control architecture for branch and bound calculations

Abstract The solution of large combinatorial optimization problems is becoming increasingly important in diverse areas of chemical engineering such as batch process design and scheduling, molecular simulation, and process control. Branch and bound is a well established framework that is at the core of existing methods for rigorously solving hard combinatorial optimization problems. Parallel and distributed computers offer great promise in reducing the execution times of branch and bound computations. However, the time and effort needed to parallelize algorithms exacerbates the already arduous task of algorithm development. This has prevented the routine use of parallel and distributed computers in solving combinatorial optimization problems. In this paper we discuss the development of a tool that is aimed at reducing the burden associated with designing and implementing branch and bound algorithms in a distributed environment. The design goal of DCABB is to automate the implementation aspects of the distributed algorithm without imposing rigid protocol formats that restrict the customizability of the algorithm. Algorithm flexibility is achieved by allowing user written modules to customize various components of a branch and bound algorithm. The tool consists of a programmer interface and a runtime environment. Since the tool is aimed towards a network environment, workload balancing, processor connectivity and robustness of the system with respect to machine and/or network failures are important issues. We report computational results to show the viability of the DCABB parallelization paradigm.
Instability of two-layer creeping flow in a channel with parallel-sided walls

The evolution of the interface between two viscous fluid layers in a two-dimensional horizontal channel confined between two parallel walls is considered in the limit of Stokes flow. The motion is generated either by the translation of the walls, in a shear-driven or plane-Couette mode, or by an axial pressure gradient, in a plane-Poiseuille mode. Linear stability analysis for infinitesimal perturbations and fluids with matched densities shows that when the viscosities of the fluids are different and the Reynolds number is sufficiently high, the flow is unstable. At vanishing Reynolds number, the flow is stable when the surface tension has a non-zero value, and neutrally stable when the surface tension vanishes. We investigate the behaviour of the interface subject to finite-amplitude two-dimensional perturbations by solving the equations of Stokes flow using a boundary-integral method. Integral equations for the interfacial velocity are formulated for the three modular cases of shear-driven, pressure-driven, and gravity-driven flow, and numerical computations are performed for the first two modes. The results show that disturbances of sufficiently large amplitude may cause permanent interfacial deformation in which the interface folds, develops elongated fingers, or supports slowly evolving travelling waves. Smaller amplitude disturbances decay, sometimes after a transient period of interfacial folding. The ratio of the viscosities of the two fluids plays an important role in determining the morphology of the emerging interfacial patterns, but the parabolicity of the unperturbed velocity profile does not affect the character of the motion. Increasing the contrast in the viscosities of the two fluids, while keeping the channel capillary number fixed, destabilizes the interfaces; re-examining the flow in terms of an alternative capillary number that is defined with respect to the velocity drop across the more-viscous layer shows that this is a reasonable behaviour. Comparing the numerical results with the predictions of a lubrication-flow model shows that, in the absence of inertia, the simplified approach can only describe a limited range of motions, and that the physical relevance of the steadily travelling waves predicted by long-wave theories must be accepted with a certain degree of reservation.
Characterization of capacitation, cryoinjury, and the role of seminal plasma in porcine sperm

Capacitation is a biochemical pathway sperm must undergo to be able to fertilize an oocyte, whereas cryoinjury is cryopreservation-induced biophysical damage which renders sperm immediately capable of fertilization. Similarities between capacitation and cryoinjury have not been fully elucidated. The present study attempted to characterize both processes, including the role of seminal plasma (SP). Merocyanine-540 staining detected an increase (P < 0.01) in plasma membrane disorder from 60.5% in in vitro capacitated sperm to 91.4% in cryopreserved sperm, with no effect of SP. After cryopreservation, 42.8% of sperm displayed phosphatidylserine on the outer leaflet compared to 13.6% of in vitro capacitated sperm (P < 0.01), as assessed by annexin-V staining (SP decreased phosphatidylserine inversion in both populations). Lipid raft-associated glycolipid GM(1) movement increased throughout the entire sperm membrane in cryopreserved sperm, although SP did not affect lipid raft movement in these sperm. Cryopreserved and in vitro capacitated sperm had a similar intensity of tyrosine phosphorylation (although SP reduced this intensity). In in vitro capacitated sperm, 67.5% underwent an ionophore induced acrosome reaction with 91.3% reacting in cryopreserved sperm. In both cases, SP reduced (P < 0.01) the percentage of acrosome-reacted sperm to 1.0 and 7.8%, respectively. Cryopreservation appeared to damage sperm, resulting in marked increases in membrane disorder, cholesterol efflux, and percent of capacitated sperm. In both capacitated and cryoinjured sperm, the addition of SP appeared to attenuate some of these events.