cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Methodological Investigation of the Costs of Carbon Sequestration

Increased attention by policy makers to the threat of global climate change has brought with it considerable attention to the possibility of encouraging the growth of forests as a means of sequestering carbon dioxide. This approach has, in fact, become an explicit element of both U.S. and international climate policies. This paper develops a methodology whereby estimates of the costs of carbon sequestration can be developed on the basis of evidence from observations of landowners' behavior when confronted with the opportunity costs of alternative land uses. The analytical model takes account of silvicultural understanding of the intertemporal linkages between deforestation and carbon emissions, on the one hand and between forestation and carbon sequestration, on the other. The results support the efficacy and potential value of this analytical approach. The paper is intended to be illustrative of how econometric analyses of land use, which already exist for a number of countries, can be used to develop better region-specific estimates of the marginal costs of carbon sequestration.
Concurrent processing with result sharing: model, architecture, and performance analysis

An efficient computing model, called concurrent processing with result sharing, is introduced. An architecture suitable for executing programs under this model is developed. A performance analysis of this architecture based on a queuing network model is presented to investigate the effect of problem dynamics on the speed of problem solving and the resource requirements. The analysis indicates that, for both coarse- and fine-grain computations, as the amount of recomputation increases, the number of function units needed decreases and the delay at the processor element decreases significantly. For fine-grain computation, the bottlenecks at either the matching unit or the instruction store significantly degrade the system performance. This can only be avoided by using a more expensive multiple-ring architecture. >
Modest Impact of a Brief Curricular Intervention on Poor Documentation of Sexual History in University-Based Resident Internal Medicine Clinics

ABSTRACT Introduction Providers need an accurate sexual history for appropriate screening and counseling. While curricula on sexual history taking have been described, the impact of such interventions on resident physician performance of the sexual history remains unknown. Aims Our aims were to assess the rates of documentation of sexual histories, the rates of documentation of specific components of the sexual history, and the impact of a teaching intervention on this documentation by Internal Medicine residents. Methods The study design was a teaching intervention with a pre- and postintervention chart review. Participants included postgraduate years two (PGY-2) and three (PGY-3) Internal Medicine residents (N=25) at two university-based outpatient continuity clinics. Residents received an educational intervention consisting of three 30-minute, case-based sessions in the fall of 2007. Main Outcome Measures We reviewed charts from health-care maintenance visits pre- and postintervention. We analyzed within resident pre- and postrates of sexual history taking and the number of sexual history components documented using paired t -tests. Results In total, we reviewed 369 pre- and 260 postintervention charts. The mean number of charts per resident was 14.8 (range 8–29) pre-intervention and 10.4 (range 3–25) postintervention. The mean documentation rate per resident for one or more components of sexual history pre- and postintervention were 22.5% (standard deviation [SD]=18.1%) and 31.7% (SD=20.4%), respectively, P Conclusion An educational intervention modestly improved documentation of sexual histories by Internal Medicine residents. Future studies should examine the effects of more comprehensive educational interventions and the impact of such interventions on physician behavior or patient care outcomes. Loeb DF, Aagaard EM, Cali SR, and Lee RS. Modest impact of a brief curricular intervention on poor documentation of sexual history in university-based resident internal medicine clinics.
Nanosprings Take Shape

Nanosprings made of piezoelectric materials that change shape in response to applied electric voltage would be of great value in nanotechnology as actuators and sensors. In his Perspective, [Korgel][1] discusses results reported in the same issue by [ Gao et al. ][2] in which crystalline zinc oxide nanosprings have been fabricated with appreciable yield. An unusual mechanism appears to create the coiling: A superlattice defect structure within the material causes the lattice to rotate into a helical shape. The mechanical properties were measured, and future studies will probe the piezoelectric properties of these structures. Moreover, the superlattice rotation mechanism may lend itself to nanospring formation in other materials. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/309/5741/1683 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/309/5741/1700
Multiple waterspouts at Lake Tahoe

At least six waterspouts occurred at a large alpine lake in the western United States over several hours during 26 September 1998. Photographs showing the conditions as well as representative examples of this extremely rare event are presented. Some mechanisms are discussed that may explain the persistence of the convection and the low-level vorticity that gave rise to the waterspouts.
High-Temperature, Oxygen-Resistant Molecular Fluorescence Thermometers:

Four strongly emitting fluorescent molecules have been identified as effective liquid-phase thermometers for use at temperatures as high as 175 C under oxygen-saturated conditions. In each case, the thermometry is based on shifts and/or changes in the shape of the fluorescence emission with temperature. The four molecules and the temperature ranges tested were POPOP [1,4-di(2-(5-phenyloxazoyl)benzene], 25- 150 C; NPO [2-(1-naphthyl)-5-phenyloxazole], 25-173 C; BTBP [ N,N bis(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-3,4,9,10-perylene dicarboximide], 25-173 C; and BPB [benzo(ghi)perylene], 25-171 C. Six other laser dyes were tested and were found to be unsatisfactory.
Local Autonomy and Groundwater District Formation in High-Plains West Texas

In response topressurefrom declining underground water reserves and state government demands, West Texas agriculture is organizing under local groundwater conservation districts. The districts use persuasion, education, and access to low-interest loans and grants to encourage water conservation. Little regulatory authority is vested in district managers and, outside of state funds to subsidize irrigation technology, the state has limited influence. This article narrates the creation and operations of West Texas groundwater districts and analyzes the reasonsfor a recent increase in district organizing as well as their success in acquiring state funds for conservation.
Parallel statistical analysis of analog circuits by GPU-accelerated graph-based approach

In this paper, we propose a new parallel statistical analysis method for large analog circuits using determinant decision diagram (DDD) based graph technique based on GPU platforms. DDD-based symbolic analysis technique enables exact symbolic analysis of vary large analog circuits. But we show that DDD-based graph analysis is very amenable for massively threaded based parallel computing based on GPU platforms. We design novel data structures to represent the DDD graphs in the GPUs to enable fast memory access of massive parallel threads for computing the numerical values of DDD graphs. The new method is inspired by inherent data parallelism and simple data independence in the DDD-based numerical evaluation process. Experimental results show that the new evaluation algorithm can achieve about one to two order of magnitudes speedup over the serial CPU based evaluations and 2--3 times speedup over numerical SPICE-based simulation method on some large analog circuits.
Research on Parameters Optimization Algorithm in Support Vector Machine Based on Immune Memory Clone Strategy

The performance of support vector machine (SVM) depends on the selection of model parameters, however, the selection of SVM model parameters more depends on the empirical value. According to the above deficiency, this paper proposed a parameters optimization method of support vector machine based on immune memory clone strategy (IMC). This method can solve the multi-peak model parameters selection problem better which is introduced by n-folded cross-verification and automatic acquire the optimum model parameters. Proved by the simulation results on standard data, this method has higher precision and faster optimization speed. In a word, it can be used as an effective and feasible SVM parameters optimization method.
TUBE-LOCKING OF OVA BY OESTROGENIC SUBSTANCES1

It has been found by Burdick and Pincus (1) that injections of theelin prevent the descent of fertilized ova into the uterus. Since there might be some question whether or not this locking of ova in the tubes is a phenomenon peculiar to theelin, it was thought desirable to compare its effects with those of some other commercial oestrogenic extracts. In this study, we have found that the commercial products Amniotin,2 Progynon and Progynon-B3 will also tube-lock the ova of mice. A series of delayed injections of theelin4 was first run for comparison with the series of injections begun at the time of finding the vaginal plug.
Decreasing broadcast in route discovery using vectors in mobile ad hoc networks

Wireless ad hoc networks routing protocols rely on traditional broadcast (flooding) in route establishment. Many nodes will rebroadcast the packet. Valuable network resources (e.g., battery power) can be consumed in flooding. In this paper, we will propose Vectorized Broadcast Routing (VBR) as an enhancement for LAR scheme 1 to reduce the broadcast. In case of discovery phase failure, VBR will enlarge the broadcast region again around the destination, unlike LAR where the network will be flooded with this request again. Simulation results show that VBR can decrease the number of routing packets by about one-third compared to LAR.
Receipt of mammography among women with intellectual disabilities: medical record data indicate substantial disparities for African American women.

Abstract Background Little information exists on the receipt of mammography by African American women with intellectual disabilities. Given the high rates of mortality from breast cancer among African American women and low screening rates among women with intellectual disabilities, it is important to understand the health screening behavior of this population. Objective We compared rates of mammography receipt among African American and White women with intellectual disabilities ( n = 92) living in community settings in one Southeastern state in the United States. Method Data were collected from women's medical records or abstraction forms obtained from medical practices. Multivariate logistic regressions were modeled for receipt of mammography in one year, one of two years, or both study years (2008– 2009). Covariates included the women's age, living arrangement, severity of impairment, and urban/rural residence location. Results In 2009, 29% of African American women and 59% of White women in the sample received mammograms. Similar disparities were found for receipt of mammography in either 2008 or 2009 and both 2008 and 2009. These disparities persisted after inclusion of model covariates. White women with intellectual disabilities received mammograms at adjusted rates that were nearly three to five times higher than African American women. Conclusion African American women with intellectual disabilities receive mammography at significantly lower rates than White women with intellectual disabilities. Assertive measures to improve the screening rates for African American women with intellectual disabilities are urgently needed.
Building rapport with children: Effects of adults' expected, actual, and perceived behavior.

Abstract The quality of the child-clinician relationship is important for clinical outcomes, but the early determinants of such relationship quality are not well understood. We examined adults' behaviors and styles, and children's expectancies and perceptions of those behaviors and styles, as determinants of relationship quality. Children (n = 204) in 4th to 6th grade encountered an adult whose behavior (playing with a toy or reading a newspaper) and interpersonal style (autonomy supportive or controlling) either confirmed or violated their expectancies. Adult behavior and style predicted rapport, as did children's expectancies and perceptions. The latter effects were qualified by interactions. Results are discussed with respect to their implications for clinical practice.
The Use of the Impella Device in Patients with Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock

Purpose The use of mechanical circulatory support is a valuable tool for patients in acute cardiogenic shock. There is a particular demand for these devices for postcardiotomy patients who develop cardiogenic shock. The Impella device is a microaxial pump that is used for short term circulatory support. We report the outcome of the Impella device for acute mechanical circulatory support in cardiogenic shock. The primary endpoints include operative mortality. Secondary endpoints include device complications. Methods and Materials We performed a retrospective chart review of 25 consecutive patients who underwent placement of the Impella device for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock from February 6st, 2006 to December 31st, 2010. Charts were evaluated for data relative to patients’ demographics, hemodynamics, operative details, and 30 days outcome. Results Twenty-five consecutive patients were included in the study. The average age was 61.8 ±12 and 72% (18/25) were male. Twenty patients were implanted with the Impella 5.0 and 5 with the Impella 2.5. The indication for placement of the Impella device was postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. The primary procedures included coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (N=18), valvular surgery (N=5), and other procedures such as repair of tetralogy of fallot (N=1) and Ventricular septal defect repair (N=1). The operative mortality was 16% (4/25) and 84% (21/25) recovered their native heart function. The average duration of the Impella support was 3.5±2.1 days (range [1-9]). Four complications were identified (16%), which included device malfunction (N=2), high purge pressure (N=1), and GI bleed (N=1). Conclusions The Impella device yielded very favorable outcomes in patients with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. The operative mortality was low compared to historical data and there were limited complications. The Impella device serves as a vital tool towards supporting critically ill patients after open heart surgery and its easy placement allows for wide applicability.
Application of viscosity solutions of infinite-dimensional Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations to some problems in distributed optimal control

We apply the recently developed Crandall and Lions theory of viscosity solutions for infinite-dimensional Hamilton-Jacobi equations to two problems in distributed control. The first problem is governed by differential-difference equations as dynamics, and the second problem is governed by a nonlinear divergence form parabolic equation. We prove a Pontryagin maximum principle in each case by deriving the Bellman equation and using the fact that the value function is a viscosity supersolution.
Counseling a Couple with AIDS

As AIDS continues to spread, family therapists are increasingly faced with difficult decisions regarding reporting and breach of confidentiality when clients refuse to protectothersfrom infection. Ethical codes of some professional organizations are beginning to address this issue, but most are still ambiguous, and state laws often fail to address the issue directly or may conflict with ethical codes that are often unclear: These complicated issues are discussed, and suggestions are made for making decisions.
Observing the Femtoworld of Molecules: The 1999 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

The Egyptian-born chemist Ahmed H. Zewail of the California Institute of Technology, Pasadena was awarded the 1999 Nobel Prize for Chemistry “for his studies of the transition states of chemical reactions using femtosecond spectroscopy.” Zewail’s career is described from his youth in Egypt to his latest discoveries in the field that he almost single-handedly developed, with extensive quotations from the laureate. The advances in chemical dynamics from the turn of the 20th century to the present are reviewed with emphasis on Zewail’s contributions. Applications and future possibilities for femtochemistry are also considered.
Occurrence of a Crystalline Style in the American Slipper Limpet ( Crepidula Fornicata ) and its Allies

Occurrence of a Crystalline Style in the American Slipper Limpet ( Crepidula Fornicata ) and its Allies
The Design of Multivariate Field Programs

Abstract Development of a methodology for the optimal placement of multivariate sensors as an aid in the design of geophysical field experiments is shown. The optimal placement methodology relies on spatial correlation estimates, interpolation error estimates as provided by a multivariate optimal interpolation scheme, and optimization techniques using nonlinear programming. Atmospheric fields and their associated statistics are simulated by analytic functions to demonstrate the capabilities of the methodology. These include the ability to design new networks, to add sensors optimally to existing networks, and to place restrictions on the region in which sensors can be located by introducing physical and economical constraints on the nonlinear programming problem. It is demonstrated that the mean and variance of the interpolation error for all fields is generally smaller for analyses whose input is derived from optimal sampling locations rather than from subjectively chosen locations.
An empirical investigation of the 1995 Weatherization Assistance Program funding formula

Abstract The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is a federal block grant program established in 1976 to assist low-income households in reducing their energy bills and improve their health and safety through a variety of weatherization and related services. The manner in which WAP funding is distributed among states has been a contentious issue since the inception of the program, and in 1995, the Department of Energy developed a new allocation mechanism. The purpose of this paper is to describe the 1995 WAP funding formula and to provide an empirical analysis of alternative formulae. The central tenet of the paper is that it is not possible to define the need for weatherization assistance in a unique manner, and this ambiguity and confusion is one of the primary reasons why a distribution “formula” cannot be derived to satisfy the main stakeholder groups. The purpose of this discussion is not to “refute” or “validate” the WAP funding formula, but rather, to demonstrate the main assumptions implicit in the procedure and to point out methodological issues and the choices and trade-offs inherent in any formula development.
Induced Termination of Fibrillation

Induced Termination of Fibrillation. A previous communication in the Creative Musings section of this Journal summarized additions to the wavelet hypothesis related to the initiation of cardiac fibrillation. That hypothesis is also relevant to the termination of fibrillation, and further additions related to that event are presented in this report. Findings in both reports were obtained with a computer model based on the wavelet hypothesis, and results concerning initiation and termination of fibrillation were closely related. Refractory period (RP) conditions that terminated fibrillation were the inverse of those that increased vulnerability to the initiation of fibrillation. Increased RP range or decreased RP duration increased vulnerability to the initiation of fibrillation and decreased RP range or increased RP duration were capable of terminating fibrillation. Slow propagation increased vulnerability to initiation of fibrillation and acted to sustain fibrillation when instituted during fibrillation. The combination of increased duration and decreased range of RPs was more effective in terminating fibrillation than either alone. The magnitude of increased RP duration or decreased RP range required to terminate fibrillation and the effects of slow propagation on the maintenance of fibrillation depended on RP duration and range present during fibrillation. The findings extend the wavelet hypothesis of the nature of fibrillation to the prediction of conditions required to terminate fibrillation.
The Importance of Ion Binding for Potassium Channel Inactivation and Recovery

Potassium channels control the flow of ions across cell membranes with gating mechanisms involving conformational changes at the intracellular gate and the selectivity filter. Opening of the intracellular gate via external stimuli (activation) results in a transient period of conduction before the selectivity filter undergoes a conformational change, which constricts the permeation pathway (inactivation). When the applied stimulus is removed and the lower gate closes (deactivation), the filter slowly resets to a conductive conformation (recovery from inactivation). Using the KcsA channel as a prototypical model system to examine these issues, a combination of computer simulation (all-atom free energy and potential of mean force computations as well as transition pathway determination using the string method with swarms-of-trajectories) and experiment (electrophysiology and X-ray crystallography) is used to provide new insight into the microscopic mechanism that underlies inactivation and recovery from inactivation. An ion binding event is revealed as a crucial step in resetting the inactive filter during the recovery from inactivation.
The minimum size of a finite subspace partition

Abstract A subspace partition of P = PG ( n , q ) is a collection of subspaces of P whose pairwise intersection is empty. Let σ q ( n , t ) denote the minimum size (i.e., minimum number of subspaces) in a subspace partition of P in which the largest subspace has dimension t. In this paper, we determine the value of σ q ( n , t ) for n ⩽ 2 t + 2 . Moreover, we use the value of σ q ( 2 t + 2 , t ) to find the minimum size of a maximal partial t-spread in PG ( 3 t + 2 , q ) .
Laser scotometry in drusen and pits of the optic nerve head.

Abstract Laser scotometry is an accurate means of detecting dense blind spots. A small low-energy spot is guided across the fundus from nonseeing to seeing areas. Patient responses are recorded on fundus photographs, allowing direct correlation with fundus pathology. Accuracy to less than 1° is feasible. All typical optic nerve drusen tested with this technique had field defects. In cases of optic nerve pits, dense scotomas correlated with the shape of visible nerve fiber defects rather than with the shape of serous retinal detachments.
Ethanol production from banana peels using statistically optimized simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process

Dried and ground banana peel biomass (BP) after hydrothermal sterilization pretreatment was used for ethanol production using simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF). Central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize concentrations of cellulase and pectinase, temperature and time for ethanol production from BP using SSF. Analysis of variance showed a high coefficient of determination (R(2)) value of 0.92 for ethanol production. On the basis of model graphs and numerical optimization, the validation was done in a laboratory batch fermenter with cellulase, pectinase, temperature and time of nine cellulase filter paper unit/gram cellulose (FPU/g-cellulose), 72 international units/gram pectin (IU/g-pectin), 37 °C and 15 h, respectively. The experiment using optimized parameters in batch fermenter not only resulted in higher ethanol concentration than the one predicted by the model equation, but also saved fermentation time. This study demonstrated that both hydrothermal pretreatment and SSF could be successfully carried out in a single vessel, and use of optimized process parameters helped achieve significant ethanol productivity, indicating commercial potential for the process. To the best of our knowledge, ethanol concentration and ethanol productivity of 28.2 g/l and 2.3 g/l/h, respectively from banana peels have not been reported to date.
Intracellular calcium pools and their metabolic dependence in normal versus Simian virus 40-transformed human fibroblasts

Previous studies indicate that although normal and Simian virus (SV40)-transformed WI38 human fibroblasts have similar levels of intracellular Ca++ on a per mg protein basis, their ability to maintain this intracellular Ca++ against a low concentration of extracellular Ca++ differs markedly. The transformed but not the normal cells rapidly lose Ca++ when exposed to low extracellular Ca++, suggesting Ca++ transport and/or sequestration differ in the two cell types. In this study we have extended our investigations of Ca++ metabolism in the two cell types. We observe that normal WI38 cells, when exposed to metabolic inhibitors to deplete intracellular ATP, undergo a twofold increase in intracellular Ca++ levels. Under similar conditions and over the same time course, no comparable change in Ca++ level is observed in the SV40-transformed cell, despite the extensive depletion of ATP. 45Ca++ desaturation curves indicate that the bulk of the net increase in cell Ca++ following ATP depletion of the normal WI38 cell comes to reside in a slowly exchanging Ca++ pool. The data also indicate that glycolysis, and not oxidative phosphorylation, drives the active extrusion of Ca++ from these cells, an observation consistent with previous studies on the Na+-K+ pump in other cell types. Finally, the data indicate that in these cells mitochondria do not appear to be the major subcellular organelle responsible for regulation of at least the two cellular Ca++ pools measurable using isotope desaturation analysis. This is based on the inability of the respiratory inhibitor rotenone to alter significantly the size of either of these Ca++ pools. These pools compose 80-90% of total cell Ca++ in both cell types.
Construction of Early and Midlife Work Trajectories in Women and Their Association With Birth Weight

Objectives. We derived trajectories of the substantive complexity (SC) of work across mid-adult life in women and determined their association with term birth weight. SC is a concept that encompasses decision latitude, active learning, and ability to use and expand one’s abilities at work.Methods. Using occupational data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 and O*NET work variables, we used growth mixture modeling (GMM) to construct longitudinal trajectories of work SC from the ages of 18 to 34 years. The association between work trajectories and birth weight of infants born to study participants was modeled using generalized estimating equations, adjusting for education, income, and relevant covariates.Results. GMM yielded a 5-class solution for work trajectories in women. Higher work trajectories were associated with higher term birth weight and were robust to the inclusion of both education and income. A work trajectory that showed a sharp rise after age 24 years was associated with mark...
Goals for and lessons from a computer literacy course

The primary component of most computer literacy courses has been learning to use a computer. However, a detailed treatment of societal issues, including the view of humans as machines, is equally important. Some difficulties of implementing a literacy course are also discussed.
Exploring the Link between Inquiry Paradigm and the Process of Collaboration.

Case studies of long-term collaborators here test the links between inquiry paradigm or worldview and the practical aspects of the conduct of scholarly inquiry. The findings reveal that differences in ontological and epistemological assumptions do not always translate into practical differences in collaboration, while those who share the same inquiry paradigm can also have substantial differences in working methods. The article concludes that multiple models exist of effective collaboration.
Practical applications of trace minerals for dairy cattle

Trace minerals have critical roles in the key interrelated systems of immune function, oxidative metabolism, and energy metabolism in ruminants. To date, the primary trace elements of interest in diets for dairy cattle have included Zn, Cu, Mn, and Se although data also support potentially important roles of Cr, Co, and Fe in diets. Trace minerals such as Zn, Cu, Mn, and Se are essential with classically defined roles as components of key antioxidant enzymes and proteins. Available evidence indicates that these trace minerals can modulate aspects of oxidative metabolism and immune function in dairy cattle, particularly during the transition period and early lactation. Chromium has been shown to influence both immune function and energy metabolism of cattle; dairy cows fed Cr during the transition period and early lactation have evidence of improved immune function, increased milk production, and decreased cytological endometritis. Factors that complicate trace mineral nutrition at the farm level include the existence of a large number of antagonisms affecting bioavailability of individual trace minerals and uncertainty in terms of requirements under all physiological and management conditions; therefore, determining the optimum level and source of trace minerals under each specific situation continues to be a challenge. Typical factorial approaches to determine requirements for dairy cattle do not account for nuances in biological function observed with supplementation with various forms and amounts of trace minerals. Trace mineral nutrition modulates production, health, and reproduction in cattle although both formal meta-analysis and informal survey of the literature reveal substantial heterogeneity of response in these outcome variables. The industry has largely moved away from oxide-based programs toward sulfate-based programs; however, some evidence favors shifting supplementation strategies further toward more bioavailable forms of inorganic and organic trace minerals. Furthermore, opportunities for specific modulation of aspects of health, milk production, and reproduction through supplementation strategies for diets of transition dairy cows are attractive because of the known dynamics of energy metabolism, immune function, and oxidative metabolism during this timeframe.
Comparative Ultrastructure of Arthropod Transporting Epithelia

The general organization of arthropod epithelia is compared to that of vertebrates. It is suggested that although ciliated epithelia, stratified epithelia and in some cases continuous muscle sheaths do not occur in arthropods, they have certain analogous structures which carry out the same functions. For example, the arthropod cuticle is compared to the squamous layer of vertebrate stratified epithelia, and complex arthropod basement membranes are compared to the muscle and connective tissue sheaths of certain vertebrate epithelia. The cellular organization of transporting epithelial cells is then discussed, with particular reference to elaboration of plasma membranes, and similarities and differences between vertebrates and arthropods, and between insects and crustaceans are pointed out. Specializations peculiar to insect cells are described, including the insertion of mitochondria into apical membrane microvilli, and the presence along this membrane of small particles called portasomes believed to be involved in active transport. Finally, it is shown that in the midgut of theinsect Manduca sexta , distinct ultrastructural changes accompany loss of potassium transport activity during a larval molt and in the prepupal stage. The ultrastructural changes which occur include a proliferation of the basement membrane and muscle tissue underlying the epithelium, and a change in the morphology of the potassium transporting goblet cells. Possible correlations between ultrastructural changes and loss of transport activity are discussed.
Cellular location of proteins related to iron absorption and transport

K562 erythroleukemia cells and IEC6 rat cells were examined using confocal microscopy and antibodies raised against DMT-1 (Nramp-2, DCT-1), transferrin receptor (CD71), beta(3) integrin (CD61), mobilferrin (calreticulin), and Hephaestin. The cellular location of each of these proteins was identified by immunofluorescence in both saponin-permeabilized and non-permeabilized cells. Fluorescent reactivity was observed on or near the cell surface of each of these proteins, suggesting that they might participate in surface membrane transport of iron. Fluorescence was observed in the region of the cytoplasm with each antibody to include beta(3) integrin and transferrin receptor. It was pronounced in cells incubated with mobilferrin, Hephaestin, and DMT-1 antibodies. Speckled nuclear fluorescence was observed in cells incubated with anti-DMT-1. While these observations are descriptive, they demonstrate that there are significant concentrations of DMT-1, mobilferrin, and Hephaestin in the cytoplasmic region of cells. This suggests that there may be intracellular roles for these proteins in addition to their serving to transit iron across the cell surface membrane.
Effect of osmotic stress on serum corticoid and plasma glucose levels in the duck (Anas platyrynchos).

Abstract Fifteen minutes after a single intraperitoneal injection of hypertonic saline into freshwater-maintained and saltwater-treated young mallard ducks, serum corticoid levels were approximately four times greater than in birds injected with isotonic saline, and five times greater than in uninjected controls. With increasing time postinjection, the serum corticoid levels in the salt stressed birds gradually decreased until, by 180 min, they were no longer significantly higher than in the birds administered isotonic saline. Plasma glucose levels were not altered dramatically by the stress, although some significant differences among the treatment groups were discerned. These data indicate that serum corticoid levels are elevated following the initiation of osmotic stress in the mallard duck. In addition, correlative studies indicate that glucocorticoids are taken up and apparently competitively bound by the nasal salt gland, and thus that they may be exerting a direct effect on the function of this gland.
Dislocation-crack interaction

Abstract In this paper, recent developments in the understanding of the dislocation-crack interaction and its relationship to the phenomena of crack tip deformation and fracture toughness are reviewed. An enhanced research activity in this area began with successful observations of the behavior of crack tip dislocations by various techniques, namely etch pits technique, X-ray topography and transmision electron microscopy. The advantages and limitations of these techniques are compared and the information obtained from these experiments are discussed. The results show that dislocations are emitted from a crack tip when the applied stress is sufficiently high. During crack propagation, dislocations are also generated from other bulk sources and the number of these dislocations relative to those from the crack tip may be an important parameter. The elastic theory of the interaction between dislocations and a crack is presented by considering the force on the dislocations. The theory is applied to derive a dislocation emission condition, which may be expressed in terms of a critical stress intensity factor. It is concluded that the dislocations emitted from a crack tip are repelled from the crack tip and this repulsive interaction is responsible for the formation of a dislocation-free zone. These dislocations shield the crack tip from the applied stress and hence contribute to an increase in the fracture toughness. The physical origin of the dislocation-free zone lies in the presence of a barrier to dislocation emission from the crack tip. One of the barriers to dislocation emission is the image stress. With the dislocation-free zone, the crack tip can maintain a finite stress intensity factor following crack tip deformation. The lattice theories of dislocation-crack interaction indicate that the results are consistent with those of the continuum theory.
Mandatory Versus Voluntary Prison Education and Academic Achievement

A retrospective study was designed using 1990-1991 educational records from the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. The sample consisted of 100% of the participants enrolled in the prison literacy program. The study was designed to test the following hypothesis: An association does exist between the method of participation (mandatory or voluntary) in a prison literacy program and academic achievement. The independent variables of sex, race, age, education level, IQ, and type of participant (mandatory or voluntary) were controlled. Adjusted odds ratios were used to show the relationship between the independent variables and voluntary participation. Multiple logistic regression was used as the model-building procedure to calculate the odds ratio along with the 95% confidence interval for the association between voluntary participation and academic achievement in a prison literacy program. Results failed to indicate significant differences in academic achievement when participants in the program w...
Vibrio vulnificus septicemia and leg ulcer

Vibrio vulnificus is a gram-negative bacteria that can cause septicemia, wound infection, or a self-limiting diarrhea. This infection typically presents as an extremely virulent infection in patients with underlying liver disease 1 to 2 days after exposure. We report a case of V vulnificus septicemia, cellulitis, and leg ulceration in a patient who had symptoms develop after exposure to brackish water (19 days before admission) or after ingestion of raw oysters (10 days before admission). The longest incubation period previously reported is 6 days. The diagnosis was made from identification of the bacteria from blood cultures. No organisms were seen or grown in culture from the skin biopsy specimen, which showed epidermal necrosis and dermal and subcutaneous neutrophilic abscess. We review 13 cases of V vulnificus septicemia and leg ulcers and their approximate incubation time.
Web-based digital education opportunities

Presentation et evaluation de sites web specialises dans l'education, tels que SmartPlanet, Learn.com, Internet Classroom Assistant, ecollege.com...
Magnetoluminescent Light Switches – Dual Modality in DNA Detection

The synthesis and properties of two responsive magnetoluminescent iron oxide nanoparticles for dual detection of DNA by MRI and luminescence spectroscopy are presented. These magnetoluminescent agents consist of iron oxide nanoparticles conjugated with metallointercalators via a polyethylene glycol linker. Two metallointercalators were investigated: Ru(bpy′)(phen)(dppz), which turns on upon DNA intercalation, and Eu-DOTA-Phen, which turns off. The characteristic light-switch responses of the metallointercalators are not affected by the iron oxide nanoparticles; upon binding to DNA the luminescence of the ruthenium complexes increases by ca. 20-fold, whereas that of the europium complex is >95% quenched. Additionally, the 17–20 nm magnetite cores, having permeable PEG coatings and stable dopamide anchors, render the two constructs efficient responsive contrast agents for MRI with unbound longitudinal and transverse relaxivities of 12.4–9.2 and 135–128 mM–1Fes–1, respectively. Intercalation of the metal com...
Infrared Spectroscopy with an Atomic Force Microscope

An atomic force microscope (AFM) has been used to measure the modulated photothermal displacement of a surface, thus acting as a local detector. This was demonstrated with Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and filter spectrometers focused on various samples. Similarly, surface layers were removed by an AFM and analyzed by the photothermal deformation of the coated cantilever. This work shows that the AFM can function as both an infrared detector and a precise surface separation device for spectroscopic analysis. The AFM combined with an FT-IR has the potential to enhance the sensitivity, selectivity, and spatial resolution of infrared spectroscopy. Index Headings: Atomic force microscope; Infrared; Fourier transform; Photothermal.
Urologic complications of radiation therapy for gynecologic malignancies

Urinary symptoms are not well correlated with histologic bladder alterations from irradiation. The most common sequelae of bladder irradiation are acute, chronic and hemorrhagic cystitis and vesicovaginal fistula. Urodynamic evaluation of the bladder function postirradiation revealed a reduction in peak flow rate, volume at first desire to void, bladder capacity and bladder compliance. An increase in the volume of residual urine was noted. Most of these variables returned to normal values 6 months after the completion of irradiation. Most studies have found no significant correlation between measured irradiation doses to a specific point and bladder complications. When only external irradiation is given, bladder complications are not observed until a bladder dose of 60 Gy is delivered. Complications are noted with a dose of 55 Gy if such a dose is largely contributed by intracavitary therapy. The contribution of brachytherapy to bladder complications acquires significance with an external dose of 40 Gy or lower.
A study of neutron irradiation damage in iron by electron-transmission microscopy☆

Abstract Bulk specimens of annealed irons containing 0.001 wt. % C and 0.003 wt. % C were examined by electron-transmission microscopy before and after fast-neutron ( E > 1.45 MeV irradiation at 30–90°C to integrated fluxes in the range, 2 × 10 18 nvt to 2 × 10 20 nvt, and after post-irradiation heating at 260–600°C. Irradiation produced no detectable changes in the structure of the 0.003 wt. % C iron. Irradiation to 2 × 10 20 nvt produced dark spots in the 0.001 wt. % C iron. Post-irradiation heating at 300°C or higher caused formation of spots in the 0.003 wt. % C iron irradiated to 1 × 10 18 nvt or higher. Heating at 350°C or higher caused the spots in both irons to grow and form dislocation loops. With increasing time at temperature, the total loop area increased to a maximum and then decreased. Loop growth is ascribed to migration and aggregation of a radiation defect consisting of carbon atoms or other interstitial atoms strongly bound to Frenkel defects and having an activation energy of diffusion of approximately 39,000 cal/mole. Loop shrinkage is ascribed to migration of these defects to sinks at which the defects are annihilated. Evidence of interaction between moving dislocations and the defects before and after aggregation into visible structures by heat treatment indicated that the defects are capable of affecting the mechanical properties. However, variations in the concentration of loop-forming defects with integrated flux and concentration of interstitial impurities were not consistent with the corresponding variations in the increase in yield stress produced by the irradiations.
Disclosure of HIV-Positive Status to Latino Gay Men's Social Networks

This study explored disclosure of serostatus in a sample of 155 HIV-positive Latino gay men from New York City and Washington, DC. We examined rates of disclosure to different members of the social network: mothers, fathers, close friends, and primary sexual partners. There were high rates of disclosure of HIV-positive serostatus to main partners and closest friends and lower rates to fathers and mothers. We examined the role of 3 contextual target-dependent factors (emotional closeness to target, anticipated reactions from target, and target's knowledge of sexual orientation), as well as acculturation and time since diagnosis. Three separate logistic regression models were performed to predict disclosure of HIV-positive status to 3 targets: mothers, fathers, and closest friends. We found that disclosure was not a generalized tendency, but rather different factors were influential depending on the target. Whether the target was aware of participant's sexual orientation was associated with disclosure in all 3 models. Greater emotional closeness also predicted disclosure to mother and father; greater U.S. acculturation was associated with disclosure to father and marginally to mother. A longer time since diagnosis was associated with disclosure to the closest friend. These findings highlight the importance of taking into account roles and relationships, and their effect on disclosure.
Achieving Broad Substrate Specificity in Damage Recognition by Binding Accessible Nondamaged DNA

The structure of the Rad4/Rad23 protein, shown in a recent issue of Nature (Min and Pavletich, 2007), reveals how structurally diverse lesions are recognized in eukaryotic nucleotide excision repair: by probing for accessible nondamaged DNA opposite the lesion.
The Cepheid instability strip and the calibration of the primary distance scale

This study examines the possibility of galaxy-to-galaxy differences in the long-period Cepheid distributions of external galaxies. A simple theoretical framework is created and linear pulsation calculations are performed to model these distribu­ tions. The sturdy nature of the Cepheid period-luminosity (P-L) relation is affirmed, but both analytic arguments and the linear model grids point to potential systematic errors reaching up to a few tenths of a magnitude if the Cepheids in the calibrating and target galaxies have different distributions. We also point out some difficulties posed for stellar pulsation and evolution theory by the long-period Cepheids we have studied: the theoretical blue edge seems too hot and/or the inferred masses too large to account for the observed stars. Preliminary observa­ tional evidence is presented which marginally indicates the existence of two some­ what different types of distribution of long-period Cepheids in external galaxies, but further data are needed before this can be confirmed.
Phase stability in ion nitrided titanium

The Ti-N phase system has been subjected to several modifications over the last two decades. The most recent version of the phase system, (Figure 1) has been published by Wriedt and Murray [1]. One of the major changes in the phase system when compared to previous studies [2,3] is the presence of a third nitride phase, Ti2N x (6'), which appears at mid-composition between the two previously confirmed nitrides, TiN (6) and Ti2N (~). The Ti2N x has a body centered tetragonal crystal structure, and is stable at temperatures below 800 °C. The perusal of nitriding literature [4-6] shows that little attention has been paid to this phase, although in many cases both TiN and Ti2N were successfully identified to exist at the nitrided surface. Metin and Inal [7] studied the nitriding kinetics and layer structure in ion nitrided titanium at the temperature range of 800-1080 °C. Their data consistently showed a two layered structure consisting of TiN and Ti2N forming at the nitrided surface. This observation is consistent with the phase diagram, since Ti2N x (6') is only stable below 800 °C. This study is essentially an extension of this previous work [7] to evaluate the stability and growth of Ti2N x during nitriding.
PLIC: bridging the gap between streamlines and LIC

This paper explores mapping strategies for generating LIC-like images from streamlines and streamline-like images from LIC. The main contribution of this paper is a technique which we call pseudo-LIC or PLIC. By adjusting a small set of key parameters, PLIC can generate flow visualizations that span the spectrum of streamline-like to LIC-like images. Among the advantages of PLIC are: image quality comparable with LIC, performance speedup over LIC, use of a template texture that is independent of the size of the flow field, handles the problem of multiple streamlines occupying the same pixel in image space, reduced aliasing, applicability to time varying data sets, and variable speed animation.