cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimization of the simulated countercurrent moving-bed chromatographic reactor for the oxidative coupling of methane

This work deals with the further development and optimization of a simulated countercurrent moving bed chromatographic reactor (SCMCR) for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM). To optimize the adsorptive separation of OCM products from unreacted methane, different adsorbents were selected and tested. Hydrophobic carbon molecular sieve, examined along with other adsorbents (activated charcoal and zeolite with high silica/alumina ratio), appears to be the most suitable choice, both for methane storing and for efficient handling of the OCM separation. Three catalysts, Sm 2 O 3 , Y 1 Ba 2 Zr 3 O 9.5 , and Y 1 Ba 2 Ge 1 O 3.5 have been studied in microcatalytic reactor experiments. The Y 1 Ba 2 Zr 3 O 9.5 catalyst proved to be the best, giving 84% selectivity to C 2 -products at a CH 4 /O 2 ratio of 11 and nearly complete oxygen conversion. A detailed model of the SCMCR employing experimental information about the catalyst and adsorbent properties was developed to analyze the complex cyclic behavior of the SCMCR. It was found that observed methane loss, and therefore decreased conversion, are caused by incomplete desorption of methane in the carrier section of the SCMCR. This effect can be minimized by selecting a better adsorbent. The influence of the switching time and CH 4 /O 2 ratio in the make-up feed, the two most important parameters in this system, on reactor performance was analyzed. It was shown that for the best catalyst (Y 1 Ba 2 Zr 3 O 9.5 ) at optimal operating conditions the SCMCR can give 55% yield for C2 products at 75% methane conversion. Adaptive flow switching and the use of a non-uniform make-up feed appear to be promising methods for further optimization of the SCMCR.
Single molecule height measurements on a membrane protein in nanometer-scale phospholipid bilayer disks

Atomic force microscopy can be used to determine the vertical dimension of biological molecules under native conditions with high resolution. Deformation of soft proteins by the scanning force, however, introduces error in the magnitude of the measurement. In this work, the force-dependent height of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, an integral membrane protein, was measured by atomic force microscopy and analyzed to account for the contribution of deformation to the observed height of the molecule above a model membrane surface. Imaging of single reductase molecules was accomplished by reconstitution into 10 nm diameter phospholipid bilayer particles, which provides a way of adsorbing the protein−phospholipid complex on a surface in the proper orientation. The results show that the height of the reductase is drastically underestimated in contact imaging mode. An analysis of force curves taken on single reductase molecules provides a height that better matches the known dimensions of the protein. This tech...
The Development of the Santa Clara Brief Compassion Scale: An Abbreviation of Sprecher and Fehr’s Compassionate Love Scale

This purpose of this study is to develop a brief version of Sprecher and Fehr’s Compassionate Love Scale (2005). This was accomplished by administering the 21-item scale to college student participants and subsequently selecting five items for a brief version. The five items were selected based on the evaluation of high correlation coefficients between individual item responses and the overall total 21 questions from the original scale, the results of factor analysis, and items that had moderate means and high standard deviations. The correlation between the original and brief version is 0.96, while the internal reliability of the brief version, using Cronbach’s alpha, is 0.90.
A formal total synthesis of PGA2 using the directed Pauson-Khand reaction

Abstract 3,3a,4,6a-Tetrahydro-2-methoxy-2H-cyclopenta[b]furan-4-methanol 1, a key intermediate in the synthesis of PGA 2 2, was prepared via the first example of the use of the directed Pauson-Khand reaction in a natural product synthesis.
Oxygen overvoltage on bright gold—I☆

Abstract Oxygen overvoltage measurements have been made on Au/Au-O and Au/Au2O3 electrodes in oxygen-saturated 2 N sulphuric acid solution. The rate-determining step in the reduction of oxygen on an Au/Au-O electrode is O2(ads) + e ⇌ O2−(ads), with an i0 of 1·3 × 10−11 A/cm2. An Au/Au-O electrode is a poly-electrode system, and the open-circuit corrosion current is 3·6 × 10−8 A/cm2. Oxygen evolution could not be studied on an Au/Au-O electode because the anodization process converts the electrode to an Au/Au2O3 electrode. The Au/Au2O3 electrode is a single electrode system with an E0 of + 1·360 V, and the electrode process is the formation and reduction of Au2O3, Au2O3 + 6H+ + 6e ⇌ 2Au + 3H2O. At high anodic current densities two parallel and independent processes occur—the evolution of the oxygen and the formation of Au2O3. Gold is a poor catalyst for oxygen reactions in acid solutions because the adsorbed oxide films are poor electronic conductors, and the electrode surface is a poor peroxide-decomposing catalyst.
Gender and Sex-Role Behavior in Problem Solving Groups

Abstract The effects of gender and of three sex-roles (masculine, feminine, and androgynous) on types of behavior as coded by Borgatta and Crowther's (1965) Interaction Process Scores were compared in problem-solving groups, and type of behavior seemed to be affected more frequently by sex-role than by gender. Varimax factors analyses for each sex-role revealed that, while task-orientations, other-orientations, and self-orientations respectively accounted for the largest portions of the variance in behavior, masculines exhibited less self-oriented behavior than others, and other minor differences in specific types of behavior differed in their loadings on factors among sex-roles. These results suggest that a common set of factors may underlie sex-role behavior but that specific behaviors may have different functions among the sex-roles.
Integrated fluidic adaptive zoom lens

An integrated fluidic adaptive zoom lens is demonstrated for what is believed to be the first time. A zoom lens was fabricated using an UV lithographic-galvanic-like process involving soft lithography and wafer bonding. The zooming capability of such a lens was achieved by varying the focal length instead of the distance between the lenses. A zoom ratio of greater than 2 was obtained for devices that are 8 mm thick and have a 20-mm lens diameter. Including the 30-mm image distance, the total physical length of the fluidic zoom lens was less than 43 mm. More-compact systems with a higher zoom ratio can be obtained by reduction of the aperture size.
Statistical debugging with elastic predicates

Traditional debugging and fault localization methods have addressed localization of sources of software failures. While these methods are effective in general, they are not tailored to an important class of software, including simulations and computational models, which employ floating-point computations and continuous stochastic distributions to represent, or support evaluation of, an underlying model. To address this shortcoming, we introduce elastic predicates, a novel approach to predicate-based statistical debugging. Elastic predicates introduce profiling of values assigned to variables within a failing program. These elastic predicates are better predictors of software failure than the static and uniform predicates used in existing techniques such as Cooperative Bug Isolation (CBI). We present experimental results for established fault localization benchmarks and widely used simulations that show improved effectiveness.
Gender Differences in Early Adolescents' Relationship Qualities, Self-Efficacy, and Depression Symptoms.

Relationship qualities and low perceived social self-efficacy might be associated with early adolescents’depression symptoms and with later gender differences in depression prevalence. Gender comparisons in the means, and associations with depression symptoms of self-rated intimate support, conflict, intimate support self-efficacy, and conflict management self-efficacy were examined for predominantly White community-recruited 12-year-olds (114 boys, 109 girls). Perceived low parental intimate support, high conflict with parents, and lower perceived self-efficacy (both types) were related to depression symptoms. Girls reported greater best friend intimate support and less conflict, greater self-efficacy (both types), and stronger conflict-depression associations than did boys. For boys, but not for girls, conflict management self-efficacy contributed unique variance to depression after intimate support and conflict were controlled. Incidentally, sons of fathers with more education reported more paternal in...
Soil water content monitoring using electromagnetic induction

The use of electromagnetic (EM) induction measurements was evaluated to predict water content in the upper 1.50 m of a prototype engineered barrier soil profile designed for waste containment. Water content was monitored with a neutron probe, and bulk soil electrical conductivity was monitored with a Geonics EM38 ground conductivity meter at ten locations at approximately monthly intervals over a three-year period. A simple linear regression model accurately predicted average volumetric water content of the profile at any location at any time (R2=0.80,σ=0.009) and spatially averaged volumetric water content over the entire area at any time (R2=0.99,σ=0.003). Although some temporal drift was present in the model residual values, the impact on predicted water content was negligible. Therefore, once the model is calibrated with the neutron probe over a sufficient range of water contents, further neutron probe measurements may not be necessary. EM induction has several advantages over traditional water conten...
Cerebral revascularization using radial artery grafts for the treatment of complex intracranial aneurysms: techniques and outcomes for 17 patients.

Objective The goal of this report is to illustrate the use of radial artery grafts as bypass conduits in the management of complex intracranial aneurysms and to describe a new "pressure distension technique" to eliminate postoperative vasospasm, which was a common problem early in our experience. Methods This study included a series of 17 patients who were surgically treated between 1994 and January 2001 for complex intracranial aneurysms. Five patients were surgically treated without the pressure distension technique; for 12 patients, the technique was used to reduce postoperative vasospasm. Fourteen of the patients had anterior circulation aneurysms, and three had posterior circulation aneurysms. Five of the patients had undergone previous attempts at direct clipping or excision and reconstruction of the aneurysm in question, and embolization had been performed for one patient with a carotid-cavernous fistula. Thirteen patients underwent permanent revascularization combined with proximal occlusion, trapping, or clipping, and four patients underwent temporary revascularization for cerebral protection during anticipated prolonged occlusion of the parent vessel during aneurysm dissection. Surgical techniques are described, with particular reference to vessel collection and bypass techniques. Results The outcomes for this group of patients, considering the complexity of the aneurysms and their "inoperability," with respect to direct clipping, were satisfactory. The aneurysms were completely obliterated for all patients, and the grafts were patent for all except one patient on postoperative angiograms. There were two deaths, one attributable to systemic sepsis and the other attributable to cardiac arrest during a transbronchial biopsy. The postoperative Glasgow Outcome Scale scores were either better or the same for all other patients, compared with their preoperative scores. Three of the five patients treated before the institution of the pressure distension technique experienced vasospasm of the graft, with two of those patients requiring angioplasty. For one of those patients, angioplasty led to rupture of the graft. Vasospasm was not observed for any of the 12 patients for whom the pressure distension technique was used. We observed no morbidity related to radial artery collection. Conclusion Revascularization techniques are occasionally necessary for the surgical treatment of complicated intracranial aneurysms. The merits of the use of the radial artery as a bypass conduit are discussed. Radial artery grafts should be considered as alternatives to saphenous vein and superficial temporal artery grafts. The problem of vasospasm of the artery has been solved with the pressure distention technique.
The Importance of “Outsiders” in Small Firm Strategic Planning

The value of “outsider-based” strategic planning for small firms is empirically examined using a sample of firms engaging in outsider-based planning and two control groups. The effectiveness of sma...
Chemical stability of an ester prodrug of a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist in solid dosage forms

DMP 754 is an ester prodrug of a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor antagonist that undergoes ester and amidine hydrolysis in the presence of excipients. A means for the stabilization of DMP 754 was needed for the formulation of a stable drug product. Incorporation of a pH modifier in the formulation was used to control the microenvironment pH to coincide with that of maximum stability for DMP 754. Stability of tablets and capsules manufactured by (a) trituration process, (b) dry granulation process, and (c) wet granulation process was evaluated in HDPE bottles. Formulations manufactured by the dry and wet granulation processes contained disodium citrate as the pH modifier. Although aqueous wet granulation of a hydrolyzable drug is usually avoided, tablets and capsules manufactured by wet granulation were more stable in this case than those manufactured by the dry granulation process. This was attributed to the more uniform distribution of the pH modifier. Although the compression process resulted in enhanced degradation of the binary blend of DMP 754 and anhydrous lactose, tablets manufactured by the wet granulation process were more stable than capsules manufactured by the same process. Decreasing excipient-to-drug ratio enhanced the stability of tablets manufactured by the wet granulation process.
The Roots/Routes of Academic Freedom and the Role of the Intellectual

The author discusses the roots of academic freedom in the American research university. He begins by discussing the Ross case at Stanford University and suggests that the case revolved around what would be seen today as “hate speech.” He then turns to the more current case of Sami Al-Arian, who was fired from his tenured position at the University of South Florida after he was suspected of being a terrorist. The author argues that the role of the intellectual is being tested today in ways that are new and current, and that however distasteful, it is essential to protect the rights of all academics, even those with whom we disagree.
Sesquiterpene lactones of big sagebrush

Abstract Samples of Artemisia tridentata spp. vaseyana, tridentata and wyomingensis were collected from various locations throughout the state of Montana and the sesquiterpene lactone content of their leaves were analyzed by TLC. The major lactones present in each subspecies (I–VI) were isolated and chemically identified. The results showed a definite chromatographic pattern and a high degree of uniformity for each subspecies within the state of Montana. However, the comparison of these data with the analysis of a few samples obtained from the state of Wyoming failed to substantiate the general applicability of the above pattern to other ecosystems and the correlation of the chemotaxonomy with morphological identification of the plants involved.
Managing technical debt: an industrial case study

Technical debt is the consequence of trade-offs made during software development to ensure speedy releases. The research community lacks rigorously evaluated guidelines to help practitioners characterize, manage and prioritize debt. This paper describes a study conducted with an industrial partner during their implementation of Agile development practices for a large software development division within the company. The report contains our initial findings based on ethnographic observations and semi-structured interviews. The goal is to identify the best practices regarding managing technical debt so that the researchers and the practitioners can further evaluate these practices to extend their knowledge of the technical debt metaphor. We determined that the developers considered their own taxonomy of technical debt based on the type of work they were assigned and their personal understanding of the term. Despite management's high-level categories, the developers mostly considered design debt, testing debt and defect debt. In addition to developers having their own taxonomy, assigning dedicated teams for technical debt reduction and allowing other teams about 20% of time per sprint for debt reduction are good initiatives towards lowering technical debt. While technical debt has become a well-regarded concept in the Agile community, further empirical evaluation is needed to assess how to properly apply the concept for various development organizations.
High‐frequency patterns in abundance of larval Pacific hake, Merluccius productus, and rockfish, Sebastes spp., at a single fixed station off central California

Standard CalCOFI (California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations) ichthyoplankton bongo net sampling was conducted every 2 h over 11 days at a single fixed station off central California in February 1995. A conductivity, temperature, and depth cast was completed after each tow to record corresponding hydrographic information. Larval Pacific hake, shortbelly rockfish, and other rockfish were enumerated and length measurements were recorded. Time–depth contours of water density showed a clear boundary, defining the mixed layer along the σ = 25.0 isopycnal, that appeared to fluctuate vertically on a 12-h cycle centered around 50 m depth. Temperature–salinity plots showed a distinctly different pattern in the mixed layer when compared with water below the pycnocline. Length–frequency distributions plotted by survey day indicated a relatively continuous input of small rockfish larvae into the survey area rather than a resident population growing progressively larger each day. Catches of rockfish larvae were much higher in nighttime tows and varied by survey day, but were unaffected by the depth of the 25.0 isopycnal. In contrast, catches of Pacific hake did not vary significantly on a diel basis, but were significantly variable by survey day and were influenced by the depth of the mixed layer. Catches of Pacific hake larvae were significantly higher during warm-saline periods (spicy water), while shortbelly rockfish were significantly less abundant under these conditions. Spectral analysis showed a clear 12-h cycle in the depth of the 25.0 isopycnal and a 24-h cycle in the catches of rockfish larvae, while Pacific hake catches and spiciness of the mixed layer appeared to have lower frequency cycles in excess of 48 h.
Continuing bonds in adaptation to bereavement: introduction.

The role of the continuing bond to the deceased in adjustment to bereavement has been given considerable attention in the bereavement literature. It is increasingly recognized that it is a normative part of adjustment to the loss of a loved one and that it can be adaptive. It may be the case however that a continuing bond to the deceased may also be maladaptive under certain conditions. In this special topic series of articles, the implications of a continuing bond for ajustment to bereavement is addressed. Conceptually and empirically focused papers as well as clinically oriented papers on the continuing bond to the deceased have been included in order to provide the reader with a broad sampling of contemporary work in this area. The aim is to inspire further thinking and research on this topic as well as to promote greater awareness among grief counselors and practitioners on the importance of the continuing bond to the deceased in working with the bereaved.
Development and Validation of Prediction Models for Rice Surface Lipid Content and Color Parameters Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy : A Basis for Predicting Rice Degree of Milling

ABSTRACT Degree of milling (DOM) of rice plays a key role in determining rice quality and value. Therefore, accurate, nondestructive, quick, and automated surface lipid content (SLC) measurement would be useful in a commercial milling environment. This study was undertaken to provide calibration models for commercial use to provide quick and accurate evaluation of milled rice SLC and Hunterlab color parameters (L,a,b) as indications of rice DOM. In all, 960 samples, including seven cultivars from seven southern United States locations, stored for 0, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months, were milled for four durations to obtain samples of varying DOM. The samples were used to develop calibration models of milled rice SLC and L,a,b values. Another sample set (n = 58) was commercially milled and used to validate the developed models. A DA 7200 diode array analyzer was used to scan milled rice samples in wavelength spectra of 950–1,650 nm. SLC and color parameters were measured using a Soxtec system and a HunterLab colorime...
On the nonlocal Boussinesq equation: Multiple-soliton solutions

Abstract In this work we investigate the first-order nonlocal Boussinesq system. We use the simplified form of Hirota’s direct method to determine multiple-soliton solutions for this system.
Voltage-operated calcium channel heterogeneity in pancreatic β cells: Physiopathological implications

Voltage-operated calcium channels play crucial roles in stimulus-secretion coupling in pancreatic β cells. A growing body of evidence indicates that these channels in β cells are heterogeneous. In particular, not all the high-threshold calcium channels expressed belong to the best known L-type. In rat insulinoma cells, for example, L, N, and P/Q-type channels are present, while in human β cells L-type and P/Q-type dominate. Where present, N-type and P/Q-type channels participate, alongside with the dominant L-type, in the control of sugar- or depolarization-induced hormone release. Distinct biophysical properties and selective modulation of the channel subtypes are likely to play important physiological roles. T-type channels are involved in beta cell apoptosis, while calcium channel autoantibodies recognizing high-threshold channels in β cells, have been described both in neurological and diabetic patients. Subtype-selective calcium channel drugs have the potential for being beneficial in beta cell pathological states.
Silvia, T. (2007). Baseball over the air: The national pastime on the radio and in the imagination. Jefferson, NC: McFarland

Baseball and radio have been married since the medium's infancy. It is a marriage made in heaven. Before the days of radio, fans often had to wait until they got the next day's newspaper to find ou...
Dynamics of continuous commensalistic cultures. I: Multiplicity and local stability of steady states and bifurcation analysis

The population dynamics of continuous mixed cultures with pure commensalism or commensalism plus competitive assimilation are investigated in detail. As many as seven steady states are possible in these systems when the growth processes of the two species are inhibited by the substrates they prey on (self-inhibition). The seven states comprise of a complete washout state, two partial washout states and four coexistence states. A priori information about the number and types of steady states possible for a given set of parameters is obtained by dividing the entire multi-dimensional parameter space into several regions. Up to three steady states can be locally, asymptotically stable in these systems. The conditions under which transition takes place from a stable steady state to an unstable steady state (and vice versa) (static and Hopf bifurcation points) have been identified with the application of static and Hopf bifurcation theories. The necessary and sufficient conditions for existence of periodic solutions have been derived. It is shown that bifurcation to periodic solutions is possible for only two steady states.
Cannibalizing Japanese Media: The Case of Issei Sagawa

Cet article examine le traitement qui a ete fait par les medias japonais, du cas du criminel Issei Sagawa, s'etant livre a du cannibalisme sur sa victime. Pourquoi une telle fascination dans les medias japonais ou ce cas a ete associe a du fetichisme, au point de faire passer Sagawa du role de coupable a celui de victime ? Le meurtre ayant eu lieu en France, l'article examine egalement les differences existant entre les sytemes legaux francais et japonais, puis s'interroge sur la sexualisation du cas Sagawa au japon
Experimental electron-density-distribution study of potassium iron disulfide, a low-dimensional material.

The experimental electron-density distribution of potassium iron disulfide, ${\mathrm{KFeS}}_{2}$, has been determined from high-resolution single-crystal x-ray intensity measurements collected with Ag K\ensuremath{\alpha} radiation to a resolution of (sin\ensuremath{\theta})/\ensuremath{\lambda}=1.30 A${\r{}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. The structure of ${\mathrm{KFeS}}_{2}$ consists of parallel chains of edge-sharing ${\mathrm{FeS}}_{4}$ tetrahedra extending along the c-axis. In addition to the conventional structural parameters, multipole deformation functions and third- and fourth-cumulant anharmonic thermal parameters were included in some least-squares refinements. In all cases, inclusion of anharmonic thermal vibration parameters yielded significantly better fits to the x-ray data. From the experimental multipole population parameters of the iron atom, apparent d-orbital occupancies and the number of unpaired 3${d}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}$ electrons have been estimated within the crystal-field approximation and the assumption that a minimal basis set of atomic d orbitals is adequate for the d electrons. The values obtained for the number of 3${d}_{\ensuremath{\uparrow}}$ electrons from various refinements of the x-ray data agree well with values deduced from previous magnetic-susceptibility measurements and from theoretical calculations. The crystal-field splitting of the iron d orbitals and the ensuing asphericity is clearly evident in the experimental electron-density maps. The electric field gradient at the iron nucleus, calculated from the x-ray multipole parameters due to the slightly distorted (${D}_{2d}$) tetrahedral crystal field, predicts a quadrupole splitting of \ensuremath{\Delta}${E}_{\mathrm{QS}=3.3(10}$) mm/sec, somewhat larger than observed in M\"ossbauer experiments (\ensuremath{\Delta}${E}_{\mathrm{QS}=0.53}$ mm/sec). The major contribution to the electric field gradient comes from the valence-electron distribution, which is consistent with the observed asphericity of electron density around iron.
Mechanism of Calmodulin Inhibition of Cardiac Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Release Channel (Ryanodine Receptor)

The functional effects of calmodulin (CaM) on single cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release channels (ryanodine receptors) (RyR2s) were determined in the presence of two endogenous channel effectors, MgATP and reduced glutathione, using the planar lipid bilayer method. Single-channel activities, number of events, and open and close times were determined at varying cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations. CaM reduced channel open probability at 10 μM Ca2+, CaM was less effective in inhibiting RyR2. CaM decreased mean open times but increased channel events, without significantly affecting mean close times. A series of voltage pulses was applied to the bilayer from +50 to −50 mV and from −50 mV to +50 mV to rapidly increase and decrease open channel-mediated sarcoplasmic reticulum lumenal to cytosolic Ca2+ fluxes. CaM decreased the duration of the open events after the voltage switch from −50 mV to +50 mV. In parallel experiments, a Ca2+-insensitive calmodulin mutant was without effect on RyR2 activity. The results are discussed in terms of a possible role of CaM in the termination of cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release.
Failure of diethylcarbamazine as a provocative test in subperiodic Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis

Abstract The effect of diethylcarbamazine (DEC) on levels of microfilaraemia in 70 patients with subperiodic, Pacific-variant Wuchereria bancrofti infection was studied one hour after oral administration of 5 mg/kg of drug. In contrast to the immediate DEC-induced increase in microfilaraemia which has been previously described in patients with nocturnally periodic filariasis, diethylcarbamazine failed to elicit such a response in patients with subperiodic bancrofti infection. Indeed, one hour after oral DEC the number of circulating micro-filariae was reduced to about 8 % of pre-treatment values.
A dynamic quantity adjustment process in a small open economy, and welfare effects of tariff changes

Abstract Considered an n -good small open economy where the technology is strictly convex and ad valorem tariffs are imposed. In this world it is known that the tariff-utility relationship may be perverse. The fact is known as the Vanek–Bhagwati Paradox. The source of the perversity is found in aggregate income effects. The present paper shows that D-stability of our dynamic system implies non-perverse aggregate income effects, and hence the non-perverse tariff-utility relationship.
Free-radical reactions under diffusional constraints: orientation does matter in hydrogen transfer.

Pyrolysis of silica-immobilized 1,3-diphenylpropane at 375 °C has been examined in the presence of a series of isomeric (by point of attachment) co-attached hydroaromatic spacer molecules. Under the diffusional constraints, the pyrolysis rate is sensitive to the orientation of the spacer molecule, which must transfer hydrogen to intermediate benzylic radicals on the surface. Spacer molecules possessing a meta-orientation of the benzylic hydrogens with respect to the surface linkage are able to attain a better geometry for the hydrogen transfer on the surface resulting in faster reaction rates.
Digoxin Use in the Elderly

The current extensive use of digoxin in elderly patients with left ventricular failure and sinus rhythm may not be clinically justifiable; in a significant proportion of these patients the frequency of digitalis toxicity may outweight the therapeutic benefits of the drug. When digoxin is used in elderly patients, the specific geriatric pharmacology of the drug must be considered. Clinical benefit should be documented before proceeding to long-term maintenance therapy. In selected elderly patients, withdrawal of digoxin with careful follow-up may be a worthwhile procedure. Studies are needed comparing the relative benefits and toxicities of digoxin versus diuretics in the management of heart failure in the elderly.
Long-term effects of sewage sludge application on sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.)

This study describes the long-term effects of different sewage sludge application rates on vegetative parameters, morphological characteristics, yield, and chemical properties of fruit and leaves of sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) cv. “Kutahya.” A three-year field experiment was set up in a completely randomized block design with six sewage sludge application rates (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5 kg of dry matter per tree) and three replications. One-year-old Kutahya sour cherry trees grafted on Prunus mahaleb rootstock were evaluated. In all application rates, sewage sludge altered vegetative growth parameters, morphological characteristics, and yield. The most effective application rate was 7.5 kg per tree, it increased cumulative yield more than twofold. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that application of sewage sludge to light-textured soil is an effective means for improvement of vegetative growth and yield, and that a single application of sewage sludge sustains its effects for at ...
A novel cloud information agent system with Web service techniques: Example of an energy-saving multi-agent system

This study designed and developed a novel cloud information agent system with Web service techniques. This paper not only explores related technologies for establishing Web service platforms, but also investigates the construction of cloud interactive diagrams using the extremely efficient operating methods towards extensively and seamlessly integrating backend information agent systems in the context of the Internet. Specifically, this paper provides an example of an energy-saving multi-agent system, and produces results regarding the completeness and feasibility of the proposed architecture. This is aimed at building related information agent mechanisms to support energy-saving information processing and decision-making in order to focus on a system design of succinctness, cooperation, modularizing, and easy maintenance, with emphasis on computing power with many Web service techniques. The deep and complete system development, display, and corresponding experiments and comparisons show that the research results are highly successful.
Schizophrenia as a disturbance of cortical sensory maps

Schizophrenia is a disorder characterized by a variety of symptoms, which among others include hallucinations, delusions and passivity experiences. It has been found that individuals with schizophrenia misattribute their own thoughts and actions to an outside agency (source monitoring deficits), which could account for psychotic experiences such as that of hearing voices. In order to explain the source-monitoring deficits as well as psychosis, it has been proposed that mechanisms that enable anticipation and recognition of sensory consequences of one’s own actions are impaired in schizophrenia. Importantly, such mechanisms may require accurate cortical sensory representations such as in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). The establishment and maintenance of cortical sensory representations has been found to utilize a sleep-related brain rhythm known as spindling. Namely, in the perinatal period in humans and animals, and possibly also thereafter, spontaneous activity in the sensory periphery drives spindle activity in the developing cortical sensory areas, which then contributes to the formation of sensory representations that match bodily features. For example, muscle twitch-spindle sequences during sleep facilitate the formation and maintenance of S1 in accordance with the layout of musculature. This process has been proposed to continue throughout the lifespan and may be particularly important during periods of bodily changes (adolescence, menopause). In schizophrenia, the amount of sleep spindle activity is markedly reduced, which would be expected to result in insufficient cortical sensory representations and have relevance for the relative inability of individuals with schizophrenia to accurately recognize self-initiated actions.
K+-stimulated incorporation of 32P from nitrophenyl phosphate into a (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase preparation.

Abstract To study an enzyme-phosphate intermediate in the K+-phosphatase activity of an ATPase preparation, acidic pH's were chosen, where lessened discrimination between substrates indicated preferential slowing of dephosphorylation. At pH 5, KCl stimulated the incorporation of 32P from nitrophenyl phosphate, and this increment in labeling was sensitive to ouabain, disappeared on brief incubations at pH 7.5, and was largely insensitive to hydroxylamine. NaCl also stimulated labeling, but best at neutral pH, and, like Na+-stimulated labeling with 32P-ATP, was sensitive to hydroxylamine. Insofar as the K+-phosphatase reflects the terminal steps of the ATPase, the data suggest a K+-activated transfer to the hydrolytic site after the initial Na+-activated formation of an acyl phosphate.
Enhancement of Two-Photon Absorption-Induced Florescence in Semiconductor Quantum Dots by Gold Nanoparticles

Surface plasmon meditated fluorescence is studied in semiconductor and metal nanoparticle composite structures. A 10x enhancement in two-photon absorption-induced fluorescence is observed when the spacing between CdSe/ZnS quantum dot and Au nanoparticle layers is 10nm.
One-Dimensional Constrained Coulomb Structure Control with Charge Saturations

A Coulomb structure is a cluster of free-flying satellites which maintains its shape through inter-vehicle electrostatic forces. These Coulomb forces are generated using on-board charge emission devices. This paper investigates the 1-D restricted motion of a 3-craft cluster. Two charge feedback strategies are discussed where the charge saturation limitation is considered. First a continuous formation shape feedback control strategy is presented. Next a saturated control strategy is developed to arrest any relative velocities of the Coulomb structure. If the structure can be brought to rest, then the continuous charge control can be engaged to achieve the desired virtual structure. The saturated feedback control is developed using Lyapunov's direct method and can control the separation rates between the satellites by changing the signs of the three saturated charge products. Implementable real-charge solutions are ensured through scaling the Lyapunov function rate. The control is shown to be Lyapunov stable. Because of the limitations of the control charge magnitudes, certain initial conditions will not lead to the desired zero relative motion rates. Conditions under which the relative motion of the Coulomb structure can be stabilized are analyzed through investigating the total energy of the system in the symmetric motion assumption. The general convergence areas are illustrated numerically in various state planes. Simulations demonstrate the performance of the control.
High resolution measurements on the infrared absorption spectrum of HBr

Abstract Wavelengths of 39 lines in the 1-0 band, 43 lines in the 2-0 band, and 27 lines in the 3-1 band of HBr 81 were precisely measured. From these lines and Gordy's microwave data very accurate molecular constants for HBr 81 were obtained. Isotope differences of HBr 79 HBr 81 for the same three bands were also measured and were shown to agree with the values calculated from mass spectroscopic data.
The indirect effects of tipping policies on patronage intentions through perceived expensiveness, fairness, and quality

Abstract Many service firms allow their employees to be directly compensated by customers via the institution of tipping despite the fact this practice exposes firms to substantial risks, such as collusion between employees and customers against the firm. This paper examines a potential reason businesses may accept these risks. Specifically, it reports on a study finding that voluntary tipping policies increase potential demand by reducing perceived expensiveness, increasing perceived tipping policy fairness, and increasing a-priori expectations of service quality.
Peaked density profiles in circular-limiter H modes on the TFTR Tokamak

Circular-limiter {ital H} modes are obtained on the TFTR tokamak during high-power neutral-beam heating. The transition is usually from the supershot to the {ital H} mode rather than the usual {ital L} to {ital H} transition, and thus is obtained in a low-recycling environment with core fueling mainly from the heating beams. As a result, the density and pressure profiles are highly peaked at the center. The global confinement time {tau}{sub {ital E}} is enhanced over {ital L}-mode scaling by up to {approx}2.5 times. The onset of edge-localized MHD modes shortly after the {ital H}-mode transition appears to limit {tau}{sub {ital E}}. Limiter {ital H} modes of up to 1.5 s duration have been realized.
Cloud computing for environment-friendly data centers

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the carbon footprint and utilization rates in a data center. The long-term goal of this work is to give data center administrators an enhanced perspective of data center operations to allow for more energy efficient operation, to lower the carbon footprint, and to promote green data centers. Previous literature shows that low utilization rates in data centers are due to the forecasting of demand to meet spikes in data center use. This management policy has led to many servers running idle the majority of the time which is a waste of resources. We argue that a majority of the data centers should be down sized through decommissioning of phantom servers, virtualization, and shifting spikes in demand to a cloud provider. We use data from the operations of a mid-to-large scale data center in a university. We deploy data mining techniques of decision trees and case-based reasoning to conduct analysis for decision support in cloud computing at data centers. We provide recommendations based on a literature search and our own work. This paper describes our work in progress in the area of developing green data centers.
Entropy in the Canadian Economics Profession: Sampling Consensus on the Major Issues

It is widely assumed that economists differ with each other on virtually every issue of relevance to their profession. Indeed, this supposed phenomenon is at the core of numerous jokes at their expense. Careful research, however, does not bear out this popular perception. To be sure, there is a great diversity within this academic discipline concerning matters of values and ethics. But the same could be said with regard to the political opinions of other professionals. In any case, when it comes to matters of technical expertise, that is, positive economics as opposed to normative economics, the evidence shows much less divergence on the view of Canadian practitioners. On the whole economists in Canada were found to be quite appreciative of the role of the price system as a means of allocating resources and determining outcomes. For example, only 3.8 per cent of the sample disagreed with the view that 'Tariffs and import quotas reduce general economic welfare,' and only 4.7 per cent did not concur with the statement that 'A ceiling on rents reduces the quantity and quality of housing available'.
Extending software defined network principles to include optical transport

Software defined networks are based on the principle of a centralized control plane separated from the network forwarding or switching plane that it controls. The switching plane can be heterogeneous, composed of network elements from multiple vendors, and it can provide distinct services with different characteristics, configurations, and control at the packet and/or optical layers. Abstracting the control plane from the network elements allows network-platform- specific characteristics and differences that do not affect services to be hidden. In addition, software defined networking (SDN) is based on the principle that applications can request needed resources from the network via interfaces to the control plane. Through these interfaces, applications can dynamically request network resources or network information that may span disparate technologies. For instance, the application layer can dynamically request and obtain network resources at the packet flow, circuit, or even optical level based on application layer requirements. Current SDN implementations focus on Ethernet switching primarily for data center resource optimization. This article reviews the benefits and challenges of extending SDN concepts to various transport network architectures that include optical wavelength and fiber switches, circuit switches, and sub-wavelength optical burst switches. Control plane implementations for optical networks are more complex since they must account for physical constraints including optical signal reachability, bandwidth availability and granularity, light path routing, and light path reconfiguration speed. The longterm goal is to apply SDN concepts across multi-layer multivendor networks in order to support a unified control structure.
Helper-Dependent Adenovirus Is Superior to First-Generation Adenovirus for Expressing Transgenes in Atherosclerosis-Prone Arteries

Objective— Vascular gene transfer is a powerful tool for investigating and treating vascular diseases; however, its utility is limited by brevity of transgene expression and vector-associated inflammation. Helper-dependent adenovirus (HDAd), an advanced-generation adenovirus that lacks all viral genes, is superior to first-generation adenovirus (FGAd) in normal rabbit arteries. We compared HDAd to FGAd in arteries of cholesterol-fed rabbits, a model of early atherogenesis in which transgene expression might be decreased, and inflammation increased. Methods and Results— Carotid arteries of chow- and cholesterol-fed rabbits were infused with FGAd, HDAd, or medium. HDAd expressed a transgene at least as well in arteries of cholesterol-fed rabbits as in arteries of chow-fed rabbits and expressed more durably than FGAd. In arteries of cholesterol-fed rabbits, HDAd stimulated less intimal growth, lipid deposition, and inflammation than FGAd. Neither vector affected phenylephrine-induced contraction or nitroprusside-mediated relaxation; however, both vectors decreased maximal acetylcholine-stimulated vasorelaxation. The relative absence of intimal growth in HDAd arteries could interfere with the utility of this model for testing atheroprotective genes; however, both coinfusion of FGAd and extension of cholesterol feeding yielded larger intimal lesions, on which atheroprotective genes could be tested. Conclusion— HDAd is superior to FGAd for expression of transgenes in atherosclerosis-prone arteries.
A maximum likelihood method for estimating the parameters of a search model

During case interpretation the radiologist searches a patient's image for possible lesions and marks and rates any perceived suspicious regions. A model is described for the mark-rating pairs generated in such interpretations, which is closely paralleled by the free-response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) paradigm. The search model has parameters quantifying perceived lesion signal-to-noise-ratio, the observer's ability to avoid making non-lesion localizations, and the observer's ability to find lesions. A method for estimating the model parameters from the observer's FROC or receiver operating characteristic (ROC) data and a preliminary validation of the procedure are described. Since search is a fundamental aspect of many activities in both human and machine vision, the ability to model and estimate the parameters of the search model from observer data may have considerable significance.
Seasonal Movement of Dolly Varden and Cutthroat Trout with Respect to Stream Discharge in a Second-Order Stream in Southeast Alaska

Abstract The relationship between the movement of small (<150-mm) Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma and cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii and stream discharge is not well known in streams of southeast Alaska. We measured movement in a small headwater stream using passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags and stationary antennas to record time and date of movement. Fish with PIT tags were detected by transceivers and stationary antennas in the stream. The date and time of detection at an antenna were matched with stream discharge (m3/s) at the same date and time. Most Dolly Varden moved upstream during late summer and early fall. Most cutthroat trout movement was in May, and movement declined through the summer. Few fish moved during the winter. Most fish moved within a narrow discharge range, with a few moving at higher discharges. More than 97% of fish from both species were detected as moving upstream at discharges below the 5% exceedance level during the 4-year period of discharge measurements. Dolly Va...