cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The cytokinetics of monocytosis in acute salmonella infection in the rat.

The mechanisms responsible for monocytosis occurring in acute Salmonella infection were studied by means of isotopic labeling and autoradiography. Male (Lewis x BN)F(1) hybrid rats (160-180 g) were pulse-labeled with [(3)H]TdR at varying intervals with respect to the time of i.v. injection of about 10(6) living Salmonella enteritidis. The half time for monocytes in the blood was estimated from the exponential decline in the percentage of labeled monocytes. The average generation time for dividing monocyte precursors in bone marrow was estimated by fitting a regression line to the decline in median grain counts (halving-time = T(G)). After an initial fall, the absolute number of blood monocytes rose to a plateau about 2.5 x normal on day 5, suggesting the reimposition of steady state conditions. The half time of monocytes in the blood of infected rats was shortened to 25 h throughout the infection, compared with 61 h estimated in uninfected rats. T(G) was reduced to 15 h (days 1-3) but later reverted to the preinfection level of 34 h (days 4-8). Another early response to infection was the release of immature monocytes into the blood. These cells, however, were too few to offset the initial monocytopenia. Under these conditions, with little or no division of blood monocytes, the sustained monocytosis (days 4-8) must have been due to enlargement of the dividing precursor pool. Excessive loss of monocytes from the blood thus appears to activate a feedback mechanism. However, a more direct stimulating effect on monocyte production by endotoxin could have contributed substantially to the monocytosis.
Insecticide (Carbaryl, 1-napthyl-N-methylcarbamate) effects on a freshwater plankton community: Zooplankton size, biomass, and algal abundance

Natural plankton communities were enclosed in mesocosms and exposed to nine dose levels (0 to 100 μg L−1) of the insecticide Carbaryl. Plankton responses were determined after 4 day in situ incubations. Total Zooplankton biomass and mean individual biomass declined significantly across the range of treatments. Daphnia were not found at concentrations above 20 μg L−1 and all cladocerans were absent at > 50 μg L−1 Carbaryl. In the higher dose treatment, copepods (Skistodiaptomus and Mesocyclops) became extreme dominants. The decline in Zooplankton biomass, and the selective elimination of Daphnia led to increases in algal biomass, especially among small flagellates which are unavailable to the raptorial copepods. Across the range of insecticide dose levels, there was a repartitioning of biomass from Zooplankton to phytoplankton, while total plankton biomass was unchanged.
The stability of core and peripheral networks over time

Abstract This article uses data on ‘network instability’ to show how differences across multiple measurements on the membership of personal networks can yield important insights into the nature of these networks. The data come from a sample of 234 recent widows, aged 59–85, who completed seven interviews about their networks over a 1-year period. We use these data to investigate the stability of both overall networks and individual ties, as well as the linkage between the stability of individual ties and the stability of the network's aggregate properties. We find that instability in these networks is best thought of in terms of an underlying ‘core-periphery’ structure, whereby some network members are likely to be named repeatedly (the core), while others are relatively unlikely to appear in any given elicitation of the network (the periphery). We explore the implications of this core-periphery structure for cross-sectional elicitations of personal networks.
A New Conceptual Model of Nitrogen Saturation Based on Experimental Nitrogen Addition to an Oak Forest

The dominant conceptual model of nitrogen (N) saturation in forests predicts the temporal patterns of key N cycling indicators as an initially N-limited forest is progressively enriched in N. We present the results from a long-term N addition experiment in an oak forest in southeastern New York State, USA, which do not conform to the predictions of the conceptual model in several ways. In contrast to the predictions of the conceptual model, the foliar N concentrations in the N-treated stands of our study increased to about 20% above the levels in the control stands and then remained essentially constant, and nitrogen leaching from the treated stands increased almost immediately after the start of the experiment, prior to the onset of elevated nitrification. Concentrations of N in soil solution of the N-treated stands peaked at over 150-fold greater than the concentrations in the control stands. There were no significant changes in potential net N mineralization. Tree mortality increased in the treated stands, but the tree mortality did not appear to be the primary cause of the excess nitrate leaching. Based on these results and those of other recent studies, we present a new conceptual model of the N saturation process focused on the mass balance of N rather than the temporal dynamics of N cycling indicators. The mass balance is characterized by inputs of N from atmospheric deposition and fertilization, internal sinks in the vegetation and soils, and outputs to leaching and gaseous losses. The key points of the conceptual model are (1) added N can flow simultaneously to all sinks and losses in the system, (2) the fate of the added N and the temporal patterns of flow of N depend on the strength of the sinks and the factors that control them, and (3) the movement of N to the various sinks determines how N saturation is manifested in the ecosystem. We distinguish capacity N saturation, in which the sinks in the vegetation and soil are zero or negative, from kinetic N saturation, in which the sinks are positive but lower than the N input rate. The sink strengths in the vegetation and soil have two components, one due to carbon (C) accumulation in the system and the other due to change in the stoichiometry (C:N ratio) of the pool. Further work quantifying the magnitudes and controlling factors for the N sinks will allow better prediction of the dynamics of N saturation in different types of forested ecosystems.
MoS 2 / TiO 2 nanoparticle composite bulk heterojunction solar cell

We investigate hybrid bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cell employing layered transition-metal-dichalcogenide molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) as photon harvesting layer with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) as electron acceptor and poly 3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) as hole conductor. Micro-Raman spectroscopic measurement confirms that MoS 2 coated on porous TiO 2 film consist nanoflakes of monolayer/few layers in the stack. The semiconducting anatase phase of TiO 2 is confirmed by a signature peak at 146 cm−1, with two other peaks at 383 cm−1 and 407 cm−1 corresponding to MoS 2 in the film. The BHJ solar cell having a stacked structure of ITO/TiO 2 /MoS 2 /P3HT/Au showed a short circuit current density of 4.7 mA/cm2, open circuit voltage of 560 mV, and photoconversion efficiency of 1.3% under an illumination of 100 mW/cm2. The external quantum efficiency of the BHJ solar cell confirms that MoS 2 nanoflakes absorb solar photons in a wavelength range of 350 nm ∼ 800 nm. Dark current-voltage characteristics of the BHJ solar cell under low and medium forward bias regions suggest that electron recombination at TiO 2 /MoS 2 /P3HT interfaces limits photovoltaic performance of the device.
Glial glycogen stores affect neuronal survival during glucose deprivation in vitro

Glia perform several energy-dependent functions that may aid neuronal survival under pathological conditions. Glycogen is the major energy reserve in brain, and it is localized almost exclusively to astrocytes. Using murine cortical cell cultures containing both glia and neurons, we examined the effect of altered glial glycogen stores on neuronal survival following glucose deprivation. As previously reported, cultures exposed for several hours to media lacking glucose developed widespread neuronal degeneration without glial degeneration. If glial astrocyte glycogen content was increased to 2-3 times control levels by a 24-h pretreatment with 1 microM insulin or 0.5 mM methionine sulfoximine (MSO), glucose deprivation-induced neuronal degeneration was attenuated. These protective effects were blocked if glycogen levels were reduced back to control levels by a 30-min exposure to 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP or 20 microM norepinephrine prior to glucose deprivation. Astrocyte glycogen stores may be an important factor influencing neuronal survival under conditions of energy substrate limitation.
The Transformation of the Torah in Second Temple Judaism

Abstract While the Torah enjoys central importance in the sectarian scrolls, it is not nearly so central in the Aramaic texts found at Qumran. These texts show familiarity with the stories of Genesis and Exodus, but they treat them as sources for stories and wisdom instruction rather than for prescriptive law. The same is true of Ben Sira. Ancestral laws were very important in the Hellenistic world, but their importance was largely symbolic. Even Ezra seems to have focused primarily on a few issues of symbolic importance. Only after the Maccabean revolt do we begin to get sustained halakic discussion in such books as the Temple Scroll and Jubilees. The increased prominence of halakic disputes went hand in hand with the rise of sectarianism.
Finite-element thermal analysis of laser welding of galvanized high-strength steel in a zero-gap lap joint configuration and its experimental verification

A three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model is applied to predict the temperature evolution in the laser welding of galvanized high-strength steels in a zero-gap lap joint configuration. A rotary Gaussian volumetric heat source model is introduced to simulate the laser energy input. The temperature data measured by thermocouples are used to verify the boundary conditions of the thermal model. The experimentally verified finite element model is then used to predict the weld pool size and the area of vaporized zinc at the faying surface. A feature parameter that represent the ratio of the zinc coated vaporized area to the area of molten pool at the faying surface has been established. The acquired values of the feature parameters could be used to numerically estimate the weld quality with respect to the different laser welding parameters. A series of tensile shear tests for the lap-jointed DP980 steel coupons has been performed correspondingly. The experimental results show that failure load of lap joint of galvanized DP980 steel increases with a lower welding speed or higher laser power. It is found that there is a potential relationship between the area of vaporized zinc at the faying surface of lap joint of galvanized steel and the final weld quality, and a decrease in the welding speed or increase in laser power mitigates to a certain extent the defects caused by zinc vapor in the weld bead.
High-speed analog achromatic intensity modulator

We report what is to our knowledge the first implementation of a broadband analog intensity modulator composed of two chiral smectic liquid-crystal half-wave retarders. A reflection-mode intensity modulator employing a single active device has also demonstrated achromatic transmission. A quantitative theory for chromatic compensation is presented. By optimum selection of liquid-crystal retardance and orientation, intensity transmission is uniform throughout the visible. The chiral smectic liquid-crystal devices used in the implementation are capable of switching in less than 20 μs.
ON THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SUBVISUAL RED ARCS AND THE DST H DECREASE

Association between subvisual red arcs and horizontal component of storm-time disturbance field - magnetic storm and aurora
LOWERED INCIDENCE OF RELAPSE IN IDIOPATHIC NEPHROTIC SYNDROME (INS) AFTER ONE YEAR OF INTERMITTENT PREDNISONE THERAPY

During a 10 year period (1962-1972) 78 patients (1-13 years, 2,:1 male/female) with INS were treated with prednisone at a dose of 60 mg/M2/day for 21 days followed by intermittent therapy (M, T, W) for 1 year. Of the 61 responders, 64% had no relapse, 23% had 1 and 13% had>2 relapses. Biopsy was performed on 43 patients of which 65% were minimal change (nil.)
Explaining what people eat: A review article

In recent anthropological debates concerning food, the contention between materialists/utilitarians and symbolists/structuralists has been vociferous (Ross, 1980; Harris, 1979, 1987; Sahlins, 1978, 1979), but both sides have neglected some important methodological problems and broad issues of explanation. An opportunity to focus on these is afforded by the publication of a new book in which Marvin Harris, the archmaterialist in the debates, puts forth his explanation of various food preferences and avoidances. In reviewing the book here, I first indicate the main cases which Harris considers and I summarize the explanations that he gives for them. The following is then shown: (1) the lack of either empirical or theoretical justification for the general cost/benefit principle which Harris purports to use to explain food habits, (2) the impracticability of the research program implied by the principle, (3) the divergence of some of Harris' own explanations from the principle and their conformity to a contextual mode of explanation, (4) the explanatory fallacy exemplified by Harris' treatment of the case of Hindu beef aversion, and (5) the attention to mechanisms which is required to avert this fallacy when actions and the ideas behind them are explained by their benefits. My concluding remarks concern monism and pluralism in explanation.
Acute Administration of 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol in Man

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D responses to oral doses of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol were measured in healthy volunteers. Peak serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels occurred 4 to 8 hours after doses of 1.5, 5, and 10 mug per kg of body weight. The mean increments above baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations at 4 hours were linear over this dose range. Following a single oral dose, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels fell to 33% of their peak values after one week. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D responses measured by competitive protein-binding radioassay were similar to the serum 3H responses exhibited by three volunteers who received simultaneous oral doses of 3H 25-hydroxycholecalciferol and 14C-cholecalciferol. The appearance of 14C in plasma was slower and less marked compared with 3H, probably reflecting a more rapid plasma clearance of the 14C-cholecalciferol. The disappearance of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol from the circulation of two volunteers following acute intravenous delivery of 1.0 mg of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol was multiphasic over 10 days. 60% of the dose administered remained in the circulation 24 hours after the dose. When analyzed several days after single 10 mug/kg oral doses of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol to 4 volunteers, the mean rate of decline to total serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol was slow (t 1/2 = 22 days). When baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were subtracted, however, the apparent serum half-life of administered 25-hydroxycholecalciferol was 12 days, similar to that reported after tracer doses of 3H-25-hydroxycholecalciferol. The rapid and predictable serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D increases following the oral administration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol suggest its possible therapeutic advantages compared with vitamin D administration.
Artificial Neural Network Prediction of Ascites in Broilers

An artificial neural network was trained to predict the presence or absence of ascites in broiler chickens. The neural network was a three-layer back-propagation neural network with an input layer of 15 neurons (defining 15 physiological variables), a hidden layer of 16 neurons, and an output layer of 2 neurons (the presence or absence of ascites). Male by-products of a breeder pullet line were brooded at 32 and 30 C during Weeks 1 and 2, respectively. The training set for the neural network consisted of data from birds subjected to cool temperatures (18 C) to induce ascites. After training, the predictive ability of the neural network was verified with two new data sets. The second data set was from birds subjected to cool temperatures (18 C). The third data set was from birds subjected to clamping of the pulmonary artery to simulate the physiological processes involved in ascites (the temperature was 24 C). A comparison was made between laboratory diagnostic results and the neural network predicted ascites incidence. The neural network accurately identified the presence or absence of ascites in the first (training) set. Two false positives and one false positive were identified in the second and third verification sets, respectively. The birds identified as false positives were determined to be in the developmental stages of ascites before the occurrence of fluid accumulation. Artificial neural networks were found to effectively identify broilers with and without ascites.
Enhanced Neural Responses to Rule Violation in Children with Autism: A Comparison to Social Exclusion

Abstract The present study aimed to explore the neural correlates of two characteristic deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs): social impairment and restricted, repetitive behavior patterns. To this end, we used comparable experiences of social exclusion and rule violation to probe potentially atypical neural networks in ASD. In children and adolescents with and without ASD, we used the interactive ball-toss game (Cyberball) to elicit social exclusion and a comparable game (Cybershape) to elicit a non-exclusive rule violation. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we identified group differences in brain responses to social exclusion and rule violation. Though both groups reported equal distress following exclusion, the right insula and ventral anterior cingulate cortex were hypoactive during exclusion in children with ASD. In rule violation, right insula and dorsal prefrontal cortex were hyperactive in ASD. Right insula showed a dissociation in activation; it was hypoactive to social exclusion and hyperactive to rule violation in the ASD group. Further probed, different regions of right insula were modulated in each game, highlighting differences in regional specificity for which subsequent analyses revealed differences in patterns of functional connectivity. These results demonstrate neurobiological differences in processing social exclusion and rule violation in children with ASD.
Is there “no such thing as business ethics”?

What are we to make of the claim that we often hear, that there is no such thing as business ethics? This essay first examines two arguments that might be in people's minds in making such a claim — that business is a “game,” and hence the ordinary constraints of morality do not apply, and that one cannot survive in business if one is too “ethical.” The critique of these arguments begins the process of making clear what business ethics is. The paper then proceeds in a more positive vein to define and explain for the sceptic what business ethics is. Everyone must confront the question, what should I do in my business relationships? Business ethics is defined, then, as the effort to develop Socratically one's answer to this question, that is, through the critical examination of alternatives. In the process of explaining this notion, several other senses in which someone might say that there is no such thing as business ethics are explored and the basic distinction between the moral point of view and ethical egoism is introduced.
Metabolism studies of indole derivatives using a staurosporine producer, Streptomyces staurosporeus.

From a tryptophan metabolic study, 3-(hydroxyacetyl)indole, indole-3-carboxaldehyde, and o-aminobenzoic acid were obtained as tryptophan metabolites from a staurosporine (1) producer, Streptomyces staurosporeus. A new tryptamine metabolite, (3aR,8aS)-1-acetyl-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indol-3a-ol (2), was isolated along with Nb-acetyltryptamine using S. staurosporeus fed with tryptamine. The unusual compound 2 was proposed as a further metabolite of Nb-acetyltryptamine through an enzymatic oxidative cyclization. Examination of the metabolites from the feeding of 5- and 6-fluorotryptamines using the same microorganism afforded the two novel compounds 3 and 4 as the 5- and 6-fluoro derivatives of 2. However, 5-hydroxytryptamine failed to generate the 5-hydroxy derivative of 2. Indole-ring-substituted metabolites of staurosporine (1) were not observed.
A comparison of alcohol-positive and alcohol-negative trauma patients.

Objective: Hospital admission for an alcohol-related traumatic injury may offer a "teachable moment" to address a patient's alcohol problem. Although trauma teams provide a number of other health-related services, there may be characteristics of alcohol-positive victims that act as barriers toward providing alcohol counseling. The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics and hospital outcomes of trauma patients who tested positive for alcohol at the time of hospital admission with those who did not. This information is useful for planning interventions and referrals for treatment. Method: The study was a retrospective comparison of alcohol-positive and alcohol-negative patients who were admitted for at least 48 hours to a Level-I trauma center. Data from 1,049 trauma victims (736 male, 742 alcohol-negative) were abstracted from clinical records. Results: Several characteristics were found to be associated with alcohol-related injuries: being male, aged 40 years or less, having a toxicology...
A focal lesion in the falx cerebri: Harbinger of classic stage 4 neuroblastoma in an infant cured despite residual disease after minimal therapy

An asymptomatic 11 weeks old received no treatment after he was classified as having a suspected atypical form of MYCN-nonamplified hyperdiploid stage 4S neuroblastoma (NB), with masses in an adrenal gland, subcutaneous tissues, and the falx cerebri. Within 2 months, however, disease progressed in dura and bone marrow. Two cycles of low-dose chemotherapy achieved a partial response; treatment was discontinued. Complete remission was documented 24 weeks post-cycle 2, and has continued >6 years. The falx cerebri probably does not represent an atypical site for stage 4S NB, but stage 4 NB with favorable biology is sometimes curable with minimal therapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009; 53:1340–1342. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Compact, high-speed hybrid silicon microring lasers for computer interconnects

We investigate scaling of compact, low-threshold hybrid silicon microring lasers to meet the criteria of low power consumption, high-speed modulation and operation in elevated temperature for optical interconnect applications.
Peculiarities of Methane Clathrate Hydrate Formation and Solid-State Deformation, Including Possible Superheating of Water Ice

Slow, constant-volume heating of water ice plus methane gas mixtures forms methane clathrate hydrate by a progressive reaction that occurs at the nascent ice/liquid water interface. As this reaction proceeds, the rate of melting of metastable water ice may be suppressed to allow short-lived superheating of ice to at least 276 kelvin. Plastic flow properties measured on clathrate test specimens are significantly different from those of water ice; under nonhydrostatic stress, methane clathrate undergoes extensive strain hardening and a process of solid-state disproportionation or exsolution at conditions well within its conventional hydrostatic stability field.
Selectivity effects and hydrocarbon‐chain growth during Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

It is well known that if the formation of hydrocarbons during Fischer–Tropsch synthesis occurs via the condensation polymerization mechanism, there is little hope for selectivity enhancement in the desired range of products. Recent data on low surface area model catalysts, where readsorption is unlikely, have shown that at low conversions, the product distribution obeys the condensation polymerization mechanism and the distribution of products is shifted to lower-molecular-weight hydrocarbons. We have used a computer simulation of the growth of hydrocarbon chains to obtain a picture of the catalyst surface under synthesis conditions. Such an approach could prove useful in distinguishing between various theoretical models. We have applied the simulation to compare the changes in selectivity when readsorption occurs and when it does not. The dynamic behavior of the reacting system which is obtained from the computer results has shown that selectivity to lower-molecular-weight hydrocarbons is a stronger function of the extent of reaction than the incorporation of readsorption into the chain growth mechanism.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury

Drug hepatoxicity can be nonidiosyncratic (predictable), as in the case of acetaminophen, or idiosyncratic (unpredictable). This review article focuses primarily on idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (DILI). New epidemiologic data suggest that approximately 20 new cases of DILI per 100,000 persons occur each year. Idiosyncratic DILI accounts for 11% of the cases of acute liver failure in the United States. Risk factors for DILI include medication dose, drug lipophilicity, and extent of hepatic metabolism. There is mixed evidence to support the role of host factors such as age, sex, and chronic liver disease in the development of DILI. For specifi cd rugs, ag enetic predisposition appears to be ar isk factor for DILI. Suspected cases of idiosyncratic DILI should be categorized as hepatitic, cholestatic, or mixed on the basis of the degree/ratio of abnormalities in the alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase. A careful evaluation for other causes of liver disease should be performed, though a liver biopsy is rarely needed. There is evidence that some patients with DILI may actually have hepatitis E and this diagnosis should be considered. Amoxicillin/clavulanate isoniazid, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are among the most common causes of DILI. Drug discontinuation or dechallenge should lead to an improvement in liver biochemistries in most patients, though a bilirubin value of more than 3 g/dL is associated with mortality of at least 10%. New biomarkers for DILI using proteomics and micro RNA appear promising but require further study. New studies on drugs with potential for causing DILI are reviewed herein, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists, fluoroquinolones, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, statins, and supplements. PubMed was used with search terms of drug induced liver injury OR DILI with filter settings of “English language” and “humans” and custom date range of “January 1, 2000.” The authors also manually searched bibliographies from key references and included seminal references before the year 2000.
Pharmacokinetics of kanamycin in the developing rat

The developing rat is hypersensitive to aminoglycoside ototoxicity during the period of anatomical and functional development of the cochlea. Toxicity is expressed only after a few days of treatment when kanamycin is given during the most sensitive period for production of ototoxicity (postnatal days 11-20). In contrast, when the drug is administered after the 20th postnatal day, the same dose and duration of treatment do not produce an ototoxic effect. Only after prolonged treatment (e.g., > or = 20 days) is there an observed effect. We characterized the pharmacokinetics of kanamycin in the serum of 12- and 25-day-old rats and observed a greater than 2.5-fold increase in elimination half-life in the 12- versus 25-day-old rat. The longer duration half-life of kanamycin in younger rats may explain the hypersensitivity of immature mammals to aminoglycoside ototoxicity.
Some Characteristics of SMPY's "700-800 on SAT-M Before Age 13 Group": Youths Who Reason Extremely Well Mathematically1:

Statistics concerning background characteristics of a remarkable group of 292 youths who reason extremely well mathematically are presented. Identified initially at age 12 or less, they reside all over the United States and in two foreign countries. The sex ratio is 12 boys per 1 girl. The group tends to be quite able verbally, but much more so mathematically. Most of their parents are well educated. Some of these young students are vastly more accelerated in school grade placement than are the majority of the group. Other relevant characteristics are also discussed.
Polypropylene blends with potential as materials for microporous membranes formed by melt processing

Abstract Novel microporous membranes with pore size ranging from 2 to 25 nm were produced from immiscible polypropylene blends via melt processing and post-extrusion treatments. Systems containing polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate as the minor phase components were employed as starting membrane materials at concentrations not exceeding 15 wt%. The blends were first compounded in a co-rotating twin-screw extruder and subsequently extruded through a sheet die to obtain the non-porous precursor films. These were uniaxially drawn (100–500%) with respect to the original dimensions at a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the minor phase to induce a microporous structure and then post-treated at elevated temperatures to stabilize the porous structure, which consisted of uniform microcracks in the order of a few nanometers in width. The effects of dispersed phase concentration and component melt rheology on the solid and microporous blend morphologies are presented. Finite element modeling of the stretching operation in the solid state yielded a successful interpretation of the blend response to uniaxial tension that resulted in microcrack formation. The processes developed in this work may be considered as solventless alternatives to phase inversion manufacturing practices for membranes containing mesopores.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) airborne gamma spectrometry system for environmental and emergency response surveys

The EPA Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) Program provides airborne ortho-rectified imagery, video, chemical and now radiological information directly to emergency response personnel via a commercial satellite link onboard the aircraft. EPA initiated the ASPECT Gamma Emergency Mapper GEM Project in 2008 to improve its airborne gamma-screening and mapping capability for monitoring any ground-based gamma contamination. This paper will provide an overview of the system, which can be configured to carry six 2"x4"x16" NaI(Tl) detectors and two 3"x3" LaBr3(Ce) detectors or eight 2"x4"x16" NaI(Tl) detectors. The paper will provide an overview of the analysis of gamma radiation spectra, system limitations, and emergency response applications.
Non-A Non-B Hepatitis and the Safety of Intravenous Immune Globulin, pH 4.2: A Retrospective Survey:

. Evidence for transmission of non-A non-B hepatitis (NANB) was sought in 41 patients with primary immune deficiency who were receiving human intravenous immune globulin (IGIV) over periods ranging from 6 to 15 months at a monthly dosage of 400 mg/kg body weight. One lot of a reduced and alkylated IGIV and three lots of a nonmodified preparation stabilized at pH 4.2 were used. No evidence of NANB was found, although transient elevations in serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (alanine aminotransferase) were found in 6 of the patients. The possible causes of the elevated levels in these 6 patients are discussed.
Enhancement of Entanglement in Coupled Quantum Dots via interaction with Squeezed Light

Evolution of entanglement of formation is studied when coupled quantum dots in a zero entangled state are placed in a high-Q cavity and are interacting with field initially in a squeezed-coherent state.
Optimizing Preparation Conditions for Heat‐denatured Whey Protein Solutions to be Used as Cold‐gelling Ingredients

Heat-denatured whey protein solutions are used to make ingredients that gel at low temperatures. This study examines the influence of holding temperature (65 to 90 degrees C), holding time (5 to 30 min), protein concentration (2 to 12 wt%) and pH (3 to 8) on the rheology and appearance of heat-denatured whey protein solutions. The optimum preparation conditions required to produce non-gelled transparent solutions of heat-denatured proteins were established. The rate of cold-gelation after the addition of 200 mM NaCl to the heat-denatured whey protein solutions increased as their initial viscosity increased. It was possible to produce gels with different cold-gelling characteristics by altering the thermal preparation conditions.
Assessing the socioeconomic consequences of climate change on water resources

When dealing with water resources, traditionally three types of information were needed: the future availability of water, the future demand for water, and the consequences that both of these have on the environment. Introducing the possibility of anthropogenic climate change expands the information requirement to include the effects of climate change on the availability of water. The paper reviews the current state of knowledge about these effects and concludes that, given the large uncertainties involved in the availability of water and the even larger uncertainties involved in forecasting socioeconomic demands for water coupled with the relatively short time horizons involved in economically efficient water investments, we cannot predict significant problems for U.S. water resources over the next few decades that are likely to be attributable to the effects of climate change.
Alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor in inflammatory states of humans and laboratory animals

Alpha-1-proteinase inhibitor (A1PI) was examined in various inflammatory conditions in terms of its capacity to inhibit leukocytic proteases and to act as a monitor of the presence of oxidants generated by stimulated leukocytes. Examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with pulmonary inflammatory disease indicated that oxidants are generated in situ in the inflammatory reaction of the lung; the oxidants could potentially injure tissue directly, and, by virtue of the inactivation of A1PI, prevent inhibition of the neutrophil elastase, potentially allowing unencumbered proteolytic attack of the neutrophil elastase on lung structures. Subsequent examination of leukocytic enzymes and oxidants in experimental pulmonary inflammation in animals also demonstrated the generation of oxidants during development of acute pulmonary inflammation and indicated that the neutrophil is the cell mainly responsible for the release of oxidants.
A Simple Approximation to the Average Queue Size in the Time-Dependent M/M/1 Queue

The time-dependent equations for the M/M/1 queue can be reduced to a single equation for the expected queue size, but the equation is dependent on P0(t), the probability of no jobs in the system. An exact equation for the behavior of P0(t) under special conditions is derived and an approximation relating P0(t) to Q(t), the expected queue size at time t, is derived for the case when the change in queue size is slow compared to the service rate. It is found that the approximation affords a significant improvement over the use of a steady state approximation to the time-dependent queue and is simpler to use than the exact equations.
MEMS gyroscope bias drift cancellation using continuous-time mode reversal

A continuous-time mode-reversal technique demonstrates reduction of bias drift of a MEMS pendular gyroscope. The technique relies on continuous excitation of two axes of the gyroscope. Forces required to maintain a particular proof-mass trajectory indicate the angular rate. The individual forcers also contain correlated error terms which can be cancelled with an appropriate linear combination. This technique demonstrates an Allan-deviation improvement from 9 deg/hr to 2 deg/hr on a 3.3kHz MEMS vibratory gyroscope.
Physical design techniques for optimizing RTA-induced variations

At 65 nm and below, Rapid Thermal Annealing (RTA) makes a significant contribution to manufacturing process variations, degrading the parametric yield. RTA-induced variability strongly depends on circuit layout patterns, particularly the distribution of the density of the Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) regions. In this work, we investigate a two-step approach to reduce the impact of RTA-induced variations. We first solve a floorplanning problem that aims to reduce the RTA variations by evening out the STI density distribution. Next, we insert dummy polysilicon fills to further improve the uniformity of the STI density. Experimental results show that our floorplanner can reduce the global RTA variations by 39% and the local variations by 29% on average with low overhead compared to a traditional floorplanner, and the proposed dummy fill algorithm can further reduce the RTA variations to negligible amounts. Moreover, when inserting dummy fills, for the layouts obtained by our floorplanner, on average, 24% fewer dummy polysilicon fills are inserted, as compared to the results from a traditional floorplanner.
Estimating Parasitism by Catolaccus grandis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) After Inundative Releases Against the Boll Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Four methods were used to estimate mortality of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, from Catolaccus grandis (Burks) parasitism in 2 locations in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, TX, during 1992 and 1993 after inundative releases of this parasitoid. Percentage of parasitism was calculated from densities of parasitized and healthy hosts (3rd instars and pupae). The graphical method of Southwood and Jepson was used. Densities of emergence holes from cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., floral buds (squares) and bolls by the parasitoid or host were determined. Life table analysis on boll weevil cohorts placed in the field was also used. Estimates of percentage of mortality from C. grandis parasitism ranged from 65 to 95% in 1992 and from 22 to 87% in 1993. Life table analysis and population density data showed evidence of suppression of boll weevil populations during 1992 and 1993 in all fields. Boll weevil survival (from egg to adult) in the control cotton fields ranged from 72.8 to 78.2%. In contrast, boll weevil survival was only 0.5–11.8% in the cotton fields treated with augmentative releases of C. grandis .
Using concept maps as a cross-language resource discovery tool for large documents in digital libraries

Project Gutenburg, the Million Book Project, the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, Amazon's book search service, and the recently announced collaboration of Google and leading libraries, all aim to make available large numbers of book-length objects, in a variety of languages. Traditional approaches to discovering a suitable book for a particular purpose have generally relied on catalog records, sometimes enhanced with abstracts. Full-text searching - popular, e.g., with legal and government documents - and passage retrieval techniques, suitable for encyclopedias and reference works, have not been adequately tested with large collections of large objects.
Correlates of Personal Productivity of Supervisors: Perceptions of American and Japanese Managers

Groups of American and Japanese managers completed a research questionnaire which was developed to collect judgments on the behaviors, skills, and other attributes of supervisors whose personal productivity is very high. Analysis of respondent data indicates that American and Japanese perceptions of personal productivity characteristics are positively correlated and overlap particularly in such skill/behavior areas as planning, motivation, communicating, leadership, efficient use of resources, and decision making. Differences between the two groups with respect to certain style dimensions were also found. Japanese managers endorsed behaviors that were other-oriented and principle-oriented. Examples of the latter deal with strategic and innovative viewpoints, employee selection, and performance monitoring. Typical American responses tended to focus on more instrumental notions of individual supervisory skills: communication; working with people; knowledge of product; belief in his/her own ability to succeed; and, decision-making technique.
Sample size and power calculations in repeated measurement analysis

Controlled clinical trials in neuropsychopharmacology, as in numerous other clinical research domains, tend to employ a conventional parallel-groups design with repeated measurements. The hypothesis of primary interest in the relatively short-term, double-blind trials, concerns the difference between patterns or magnitudes of change from baseline. A simple two-stage approach to the analysis of such data involves calculation of an index or coefficient of change in stage 1 and testing the significance of difference between group means on the derived measure of change in stage 2. This article has the aim of introducing formulas and a computer program for sample size and/or power calculations for such two-stage analyses involving each of three definitions of change, with or without baseline scores entered as a covariate, in the presence of homogeneous or heterogeneous (autoregressive) patterns of correlation among the repeated measurements. Empirical adjustments of sample size for the projected dropout rates are also provided in the computer program.
Skeletal Correlates for Body Mass Estimation in Modern and Fossil Flying Birds

Scaling relationships between skeletal dimensions and body mass in extant birds are often used to estimate body mass in fossil crown-group birds, as well as in stem-group avialans. However, useful statistical measurements for constraining the precision and accuracy of fossil mass estimates are rarely provided, which prevents the quantification of robust upper and lower bound body mass estimates for fossils. Here, we generate thirteen body mass correlations and associated measures of statistical robustness using a sample of 863 extant flying birds. By providing robust body mass regressions with upper- and lower-bound prediction intervals for individual skeletal elements, we address the longstanding problem of body mass estimation for highly fragmentary fossil birds. We demonstrate that the most precise proxy for estimating body mass in the overall dataset, measured both as coefficient determination of ordinary least squares regression and percent prediction error, is the maximum diameter of the coracoid’s humeral articulation facet (the glenoid). We further demonstrate that this result is consistent among the majority of investigated avian orders (10 out of 18). As a result, we suggest that, in the majority of cases, this proxy may provide the most accurate estimates of body mass for volant fossil birds. Additionally, by presenting statistical measurements of body mass prediction error for thirteen different body mass regressions, this study provides a much-needed quantitative framework for the accurate estimation of body mass and associated ecological correlates in fossil birds. The application of these regressions will enhance the precision and robustness of many mass-based inferences in future paleornithological studies.
Comparison of direct-detection 50-Mbps Q-PPM receiver performance for AlGaAs- and Nd-doped laser transmitters

We present a theoretical and experimental performance comparison of a free space direct detection 50 Mbps quaternary pulse position modulation (Q-PPM) communications receiver for Nd:YAG and AlGaAs laser transmitters. Using silicon avalanche photodiodes (APD), we achieved a receiver sensitivity of 2.6 nW (264 incident photons/bit) at 1060 nm and 0.77 nW (59 incident photons/bit) at 810 nm (bit error rate (BER) of 10 exp -6). This is the best sensitivity ever reported for a direct detection receiver at 1060 nm. The experimental results were in good agreement with theoretical predictions.
An ion exchange chromatographic method for the determination of synaptosomal calcium uptake

A simple, rapid method for determining depolarization-induced45Ca influx into synaptosomes is described. Synaptosomes which had been depolarized in the presence of45Ca were applied to a small column of Chelex-100 resin to separate free Ca2+ from that taken up by the tissue. Approximately 70% of the synaptosomal protein applied to the column was recovered in the initial eluate. The magnitude of45Ca uptake was dependent on the amount of Ca2+ in the incubation medium and on the KCl concentration. Calcium influx reached a plateau after 90 sec of incubation at 24°C. The Na+ channel activator veratridine also produced a substantial influx of45Ca, and this effect was blocked by tetrodotoxin. Thus, this ion exchange procedure makes it possible to measure depolarization-induced Ca2+ influx in synaptosomes without subjecting them to high vacuum or centrifugation pressures or to EGTA-containing solutions.
rituals of development: the accelerated Mahaväli development program of Sri Lanka

Modern political rituals—and within that genre, rituals of development—highlight vividly the engagement between culture and politics. This article analyzes a development ritual from Sri Lanka from the multiple perspectives of its planner-participants as well as its audiences. The levels of complicity and conflict that emerge corroborate as well as complicate the notion of the cultural-political dialectic, thereby also expanding the reflexive/comparative task of anthropology.
Infant Botulism: A 30-Year Experience Spanning the Introduction of Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous in the Intensive Care Unit at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles

OBJECTIVE. To report a tertiary care hospital9s 30-year experience with the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of infant botulism in the PICU before and after the availability of Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous. METHODS. This was a retrospective medical chart review of the 67 patients who had received a diagnosis of infant botulism and were admitted to the ICU from 1976 to 2005. The ages on presentation, length of hospital stay, length of ICU stay, length of mechanical ventilation, and type of botulism toxin were recorded and compared for patients who had received Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous and those who had not. On the basis of our results, conclusions were drawn regarding the effect of Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous on the morbidity of infant botulism. RESULTS. Sixty-seven patients’ charts were reviewed; 23 male and 29 female patients did not receive Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous. Of patients who did not receive Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous, the median age at presentation was 71 days, median length of hospital stay was 35 days, ICU stay was 24 days, and duration of mechanical ventilation was 17 days. A total of 40% had type A toxin, and 60% had type B toxin. There was a significant difference between patients with toxin types A and B in length of hospital stay but not length of ICU stay or mechanical ventilation. Patients with type A toxin were significantly older than patients with type B toxin. Fifteen children received Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous. There were statistically significant differences in length of hospital stay, length of ICU stay, and length of mechanical ventilation between patients who received Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous and those who did not. CONCLUSIONS. The use of Botulism Immune Globulin Intravenous significantly decreased the length of ICU stay, length of mechanical ventilation, and overall hospital stay in children with infant botulism.
Experimental Study of Hydrate Crystal Growth from Methane, Carbon Dioxide, and Methane + Propane Mixtures

Gas hydrates are crystalline, icelike solids formed from water contacted with certain light hydrocarbons and other low-molecular-weight, nonpolar substances under high pressure and low temperature. In this study, methane−propane mixture hydrates were made at various conditions. The reaction rates were experimentally measured at each condition. Structure II-type hydrates were formed up to 7580 kPa at around 280 °K from methane containing 3% and 5% propane. The reaction rates for forming hydrates were proportional to the pressure difference between the system pressure and the dissociation pressure. The kinetic model was developed.