cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potassium nitrate from nitric acid and potassium chloride

i This study was concerned with the development of a process for the production of potassium nitrate for use as a fertilizer material. The process uses KC1 and 60% HNO3 as the starting materials and the intended co-product is Cl2. From information in the literature it was decided to react the KC1 directly with HNO3 simply by mixing the two rather than using some other scheme such as employing an organic solvent or vaporizing the HNO3 and using a gas-solid reaction. The work was carried out in equipment constructed of glass. The analysis, by gas chromatography, of the gaseous products of the reaction mixed with air was studied. Both gas solid chromatography and gas liquid partition chromatography methods were examined. While none of the gas solid chromatographic methods gave encouraging results several gas liquid partition chromatography system results were en­ couraging. Air, CI2 and N0C1 were separated using a column packed with triacetin on non-acid washed Chromosorb P. This system was used to analyze the gases from a continuous reactor. The reaction of KC1 with 60% HNO3 was first studied in batch equipment. The reactor was kept in a constant temperature bath or in some studies the reaction products were heated to dryness with a flame. The gases were reacted with various reagents in absorbers and these reagents were later analyzed to find the nature of the gases evolved. The gases were found to be CI2 and N0C1. The solid residues were found to contain excessive amounts of chloride ions. For this reason, a batch reaction is not a satisfactory method to produce KNO3. To find if it were possible to fractionally crystallize KNO3 from aqueous nitric acid solutions containing KC1 and KNO3 a study was made of the mutual solubility of these two salts in such solutions. The solubility studies were performed at 0, 16, 30, 45 and 60° C. and various acid-water ratios. Also a study of the solubility of KNO3 in solutions of 0.3 gm HNO3 per gm HgO with controlled amounts of KC1 was carried out at 30° C. These studies showed that the KNO3 solubility in such solutions changed markedly with temperature while the KC1 solubility did not change very much over the range of temperature studied. Therefore, it was found that it was possible to fractionally crystallize KNO3 from aqueous nitric acid solutions containing KC1 and KNO3. To demonstrate the final process, equipment was set up to conI tinuously react KC1 and HNO3, withdraw liquid from the reactor, frac­ tionally crystallize KNO3, and continuously remove the gaseous products. This procedure produced solid KNO3 which contained no solid KC1. The only impurities in the KNO3 were from the mother liquor which adhered to the crystals. The reaction was found to proceed more rapidly as the temperature or the concentration of the reactants was increased.
Identification of an Arabidopsis Locus that Governs Avirulence Gene-Specific Disease Resistance

We are using a molecular genetic approach to identify and characterize plant genes that control resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst). A screen for Arabidopsis mutants that are altered in their ability to express resistance to Pst carrying the bacterial avirulence gene avrRpt2 has been initiated. Four fully susceptible and one partially susceptible mutants have been isolated to date and are now being further characterized. Most progress has been made in the characterization of the fully susceptible mutant D203. Mutant D203 is altered specifically in its ability to recognize bacteria expressing avrRpt2, as it retains resistance to bacteria carrying other avirulence genes. Susceptibility in mutant D203 is due to a defect at a single locus mapping to chromosome 4. Identification of a resistance locus in Arabidopsis with specificity for a single bacterial avirulence gene suggests that this locus, designated RPT2, may control the specific recognition of bacteria expressing avrRpt2. In a second approach we are taking advantage of the natural variation that exists among wild isolates (ecotypes) to study the genetic basis of disease resistance in Arabidopsis. Two ecotypes, Wii-0 and Po-1, that are susceptible to Pst strains expressing avrRpt2 have been identified. Genetic analysis of Wii-0 indicates that this ecotype lacks a functional allele of RPT2, demonstrating that there is natural variation at the RPT2 locus. Genetic analysis of ecotype Po-1 suggests that resistance to Pst strains expressing avrRpt2 may be controlled by more than one locus.
Computational study of decomposition algorithms for mean-risk stochastic linear programs

Mean-risk stochastic programs include a risk measure in the objective to model risk averseness for many problems in science and engineering. This paper reports a computational study of mean-risk two-stage stochastic linear programs with recourse based on absolute semideviation (ASD) and quantile deviation (QDEV). The study was aimed at performing an empirical investigation of decomposition algorithms for stochastic programs with quantile and deviation mean-risk measures; analyzing how the instance solutions vary across different levels of risk; and understanding when it is appropriate to use a given mean-risk measure. Aggregated optimality cut and separate cut subgradient-based algorithms were implemented for each mean-risk model. Both types of algorithms show similar computational performance for ASD whereas the separate cut algorithm outperforms the aggregated cut algorithm for QDEV. The study provides several insights. For example, the results reveal that the risk-neutral approach is still appropriate for most of the standard stochastic programming test instances due to their uniform or normal-like marginal distributions. However, when the distributions are modified, the risk-neutral approach may no longer be appropriate and the risk-averse approach becomes necessary. The results also show that ASD is a more conservative mean-risk measure than QDEV.
The Role of Substance P in Normalizing Stress Response

Throughout history and from the first stirrings of consciousness in the womb we are exposed to a bewildering array of polypeptides. Often we like the feelings we experience, i. e., they are pleasurable. The child is no longer considered a blank slate on which we program a personality, but a supersensitive being. We can only speculate how the unborn child feels with the adrenaline surge or the endorphins when his or her mother is exposed to danger or adventure.
The Apoptotic Pathway Contributing to the Deletion of Naive CD8 T Cells during the Induction of Peripheral Tolerance to a Cross-Presented Self-Antigen

The maintenance of T cell tolerance in the periphery proceeds through several mechanisms, including anergy, immuno-regulation, and deletion via apoptosis. We examined the mechanism underlying the induction of CD8 T cell peripheral tolerance to a self-Ag expressed on pancreatic islet β-cells. Following adoptive transfer, Ag-specific clone 4 T cells underwent deletion independently of extrinsic death receptors, including Fas, TNFR1, or TNFR2. Additional experiments revealed that the induction of clone 4 T cell apoptosis during peripheral tolerance occurred via an intrinsic death pathway that could be inhibited by overexpression of Bcl-2 or targeted deletion of the proapoptotic molecule, Bim, thereby resulting in accumulation of activated clone 4 T cells. Over-expression of Bcl-2 in clone 4 T cells promoted the development of effector function and insulitis whereas Bim−/− clone 4 cells were not autoaggressive. Examination of the upstream molecular mechanisms contributing to clone 4 T cell apoptosis revealed that it proceeded in a p53, E2F1, and E2F2-independent manner. Taken together, these data reveal that initiation of clone 4 T cell apoptosis during the induction of peripheral tolerance to a cross-presented self-Ag occurs through a Bcl-2-sensitive and at least partially Bim-dependent mechanism.
Columbine and student perceptions of safety: A quasi-experimental study

This study examined the extent to which the Columbine High School shooting that occurred on April 20, 1999 in Littleton, Colorado impacted the perceived safety of female university students in upstate New York. The data for this project were collected for another purpose, but reflect points in time before and after the shooting at Columbine (n=122). Both bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses confirmed the hypothesis that, on average, respondents in the reference group (those students surveyed prior to the shooting) felt considerably safer than respondents in the experimental group (those students surveyed after the shooting). These results, though limited by practical constraints, provide additional support for the position that a media effect exists for sensationalized nonlocal crimes. Notably, the findings also suggest that the media portrayal of Columbine impacted student's perceptions of safety more than their own past victimization experiences.
Learning to Match the Schemas of Data Sources: A Multistrategy Approach

The problem of integrating data from multiple data sources—either on the Internet or within enterprises—has received much attention in the database and AI communities. The focus has been on building data integration systems that provide a uniform query interface to the sources. A key bottleneck in building such systems has been the laborious manual construction of semantic mappings between the query interface and the source schemas. Examples of mappings are “element location maps to address” and “price maps to listed-price”. We propose a multistrategy learning approach to automatically find such mappings. The approach applies multiple learner modules, where each module exploits a different type of information either in the schemas of the sources or in their data, then combines the predictions of the modules using a meta-learner. Learner modules employ a variety of techniques, ranging from Naive Bayes and nearest-neighbor classification to entity recognition and information retrieval. We describe the LSD system, which employs this approach to find semantic mappings. To further improve matching accuracy, LSD exploits domain integrity constraints, user feedback, and nested structures in XML data. We test LSD experimentally on several real-world domains. The experiments validate the utility of multistrategy learning for data integration and show that LSD proposes semantic mappings with a high degree of accuracy.
Evaluation of Liver Fibrosis Using Texture Analysis on Combined-Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Images at 3.0T

Purpose. To noninvasively assess liver fibrosis using combined-contrast-enhanced (CCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and texture analysis. Materials and Methods. In this IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant prospective study, 46 adults with newly diagnosed HCV infection and recent liver biopsy underwent CCE liver MRI following intravenous administration of superparamagnetic iron oxides (ferumoxides) and gadolinium DTPA (gadopentetate dimeglumine). The image texture of the liver was quantified in regions-of-interest by calculating 165 texture features. Liver biopsy specimens were stained with Masson trichrome and assessed qualitatively (METAVIR fibrosis score) and quantitatively (% collagen stained area). Using regularization path algorithm, two texture-based multivariate linear models were constructed, one for quantitative and the other for quantitative histology prediction. The prediction performance of each model was assessed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) and correlation analyses. Results. The texture-based predicted fibrosis score significantly correlated with qualitative (, ) and quantitative (, ) histology. The prediction model for qualitative histology had 0.814–0.976 areas under the curve (AUC), 0.659–1.000 sensitivity, 0.778–0.930 specificity, and 0.674–0.935 accuracy, depending on the binary classification threshold. The prediction model for quantitative histology had 0.742–0.950 AUC, 0.688–1.000 sensitivity, 0.679–0.857 specificity, and 0.696–0.848 accuracy, depending on the binary classification threshold. Conclusion. CCE MRI and texture analysis may permit noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis.
Diagnostic performance of copeptin in patients with acute nontraumatic chest pain: BWH-TIMI ED chest pain study.

Background Arginine-vasopressin (AVP) is an acute marker of physiologic stress. Copeptin is the C-terminal fragment of vasopressin precursor hormone that is more easily measured than AVP. Studies assessing the utility of copeptin in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) have demonstrated mixed results. Hypothesis The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that copeptin improves diagnostic performance when added to troponin for detecting MI in patients presenting to the emergency department with nontraumatic chest pain. Methods We measured copeptin, local cardiac troponin I (local cTnI), and a contemporary sensitive cardiac troponin I (sensitive cTnI) at presentation and serially in patients who presented with acute chest pain. A copeptin cutoff of 14 pmol/L was utilized. Results MI was diagnosed in 25.7% of patients. Noncoronary acute cardiopulmonary causes of chest pain occurred in 12.8%. Patients with MI had significantly higher copeptin levels than patients with noncardiac chest pain (P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for copeptin was 0.60 (95% confidence interval: 0.54-0.66), significantly less than the AUC for local cTnI (0.92) or sensitive cTnI (0.96). The combination of copeptin with either the local or sensitive troponin assay (c-statistics 0.92 and 0.95, respectively) did not significantly improve the AUC as compared to either troponin assay alone. This finding persisted in the subgroup of early presenters (≤6 hours from symptom onset). Conclusions Copeptin did not improve the diagnostic performance for detecting MI when used alone or in combination with a contemporary sensitive cTnI assay, though our cohort had relatively few early presenters.
Inflammation and macrophage modulation in adipose tissues

The adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ that harbours not only mature and developing adipocytes but also a wide array of immune cells, including macrophages, a key immune cell in determining metabolic functionality. With adipose tissue expansion, M1 pro-inflammatory macrophage infiltration increases, activates other immune cells, and affects lipid trafficking and metabolism, in part via inhibiting mitochondrial function and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS). The pro-inflammatory cytokines produced and released interfere with insulin signalling, while inhibiting M1 macrophage activation improves systemic insulin sensitivity. In healthy adipose tissue, M2 alternative macrophages predominate and associate with enhanced lipid handling and mitochondrial function, anti-inflammatory cytokine production, and inhibition of ROS. The sequence of events leading to macrophage infiltration and activation in adipose tissue remains incompletely understood but lipid handling of both macrophages and adipocytes appears to play a major role.
The Hand and Wrist

Figures 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3 illustrate the surface anatomy of the proximal wrist. The wrist is composed of the distal radius and ulna, which articulate with each other to form the radioulnar joint. The distal radius also articulates with the scaphoid and lunate bones. The distal ulna articulates with the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), which functions much like the meniscus of the knee. The TFCC also has ligamentous attachments to the lunate, capitate, and triquetrum. The distal wrist is composed of the eight carpal bones arranged in two rows. The proximal carpals (scaphoid, lunate, triquetrum, and pisiform) are closely approximated to the radius, while the distal carpals (trapezium, trapezoid, capitate, and hamate) are closely associated with the metacarpal bones. When the wrist deviates radially or dorsiflexes, the scaphoid flexes palmarly, which puts it in a precarious position to be injured when a patient falls, particularly when the patient falls on an outstretched hand. Figure 5.4 shows the basic anatomy of the wrist.
What pre-exam and post-exam quizzes can tell us about test construction

We describe a study of an instructor's ability to write short problems that are effective measures of learning, using the traditional exam which uses formal problems as the standard for comparison. Pre-exam and post-exam quizzes containing short problems were administered in addition to the formal exam. Post-exam quizzes were written after the formal exam was graded, allowing the instructor some insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the students' knowledge, while pre-exam quizzes were written with no a priori knowledge of student capabilities. Correlations and regression analysis were used to compare the pre-exam and post-exam quiz scores with the standard, the formal exam. The results of the analyses suggest that short problems must be carefully written if they are to reflect learning as measured by traditional problem solving exams which use longer problems to measure learning.
The sociopathic police personality: Is it a product of the “Rotten Apple” or the “Rotten Barrel?”

The “Rotten Apple” theory states that deviant police officers are those who psychological testing fails to screen out. This concept is favored by police administrators because it offers a quick and easy solution to police deviant behavior. However, there is a growing body of literature that suggests that it is the stressful occupation that is policing that is the fertile soil from which police deviant behavior springs otherwise known as the “Rotten Barrel” theory. This article shall explore police deviant behavior from the perspective that it is the “Rotten Barrel” that leads to police deviant behavior.
Neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity identifies a group of gamma‐type retinal ganglion cells in the cat

Ganglion cells within the cat retina have been traditionally grouped by morphological criteria into three major classes: alpha, beta, and gamma. The gamma-type cells have been least well characterized, but the available evidence indicates that this class comprises a relatively heterogeneous population of neurons. In the present study we demonstrate that an antibody for neuropeptide Y (NPY) recognizes a subpopulation of about 2,000 gamma-type ganglion cells. The NPY-immunoreactive (IR) neurons project to the superior colliculus and to the C layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus as demonstrated by retrograde labeling with fluorescent tracers (fluorogold or rhodamine latex microspheres). Virtually all of these cells disappear following lesions of the optic nerve. The NPY-IR ganglion cells were identified as gamma cells on the basis of soma size and dendritic branching patterns. The somas of these neurons are small (8-22 microns in diameter), and each cell is characterized by sparsely branching dendritic processes, usually extending into the middle third of the inner plexiform layer, the physiologically defined ON sublamina. These neurons are distributed across the entire retina, with the highest density at the area centralis. Within local regions of the retina, however, there was no indication that the NPY-IR gamma cells are arrayed in a regular mosaic pattern. These results provide the first evidence that the gamma class of ganglion cells of the cat retina can be subdivided on the basis of immunocytochemical properties.
Rationality at the Brink: The Role of Cognitive Processes in Failures of Deterrence,

Decision makers in international crises seek to reconcile two values: on the one hand, avoiding the loss of prestige and credibility that capitulation would entail and, on the other, avoiding war. These values conflict with each other, in the sense that any policy designed to further one of them will jeopardize the other. Cognitive theory suggests that in ambiguous circumstances a decision maker will suppress uncomfortable value conflicts, conceptualizing his dilemma in such a way that the values appear to be consonant. President Kennedy's process of decision and rationalization in the Cuban missile crisis fits this pattern. He contended that compromise would allay the risk of war in the short run only at the cost of increasing it in the long run. Thus, he saw his policy of no compromise as furthering both the goal of maintaining U.S. prestige and credibility and the goal of avoiding war.
Mechanism of Death in Patients with the Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator

Fifty patients underwent primary implantation of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator between August 1983 and April 1988 and were entered into a long-term surveillance program. There were a total of 14 deaths (28%) in the entire group occurring at a mean of 8.7 months postimplantation. Eleven deaths were cardiac and three were noncardiac (two pneumonia, one leukemia). The group of deceased patients were similar to the survivors in all respects except for a statistically lower ejection fraction (23% vs 32%) at the time of implantation. In addition, 13/14 (93%) of the deceased patients experienced at least one appropriate AICD discharge at a mean of 4.5 months post implantation. Recorded ECGs at the time of death revealed that most of the sudden deaths were due to electromechanical dissociation and not to AICD-treatable arrhythmias. These data suggest therefore that death in AICD patients is usually cardiac, due primarily to low ejection fraction and occurs in patients who have previously received AICD discharges.
Response surface modeling of the composition of AlAsySb1−y alloys grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract We have developed an empirical model of AlAsySb1−y composition during molecular beam epitaxy as a function of growth temperature, growth rate, As2-flux, and Sb2-flux, using response surface methodology. In order to facilitate data collection from a large number of experiments, we have applied desorption mass spectroscopy as an in situ measure of alloy composition. A quadratic model is found to fit the data well, identifying trends and several interactions between growth parameters.
Influence of baseline hemodynamic status and sympathetic activity on the response to nicardipine, a new dihydropyridine, in patients with hypertension or chronic congestive heart failure

We evaluated the immediate hemodynamic response to nicardipine, administered as an intravenous bolus and 30-minute sustaining infusion, in 10 patients with systemic hypertension (HTN) and 10 patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). Baseline systemic vascular resistance and the response to nicardipine for HTN (1968 ± 657 to 905 ± 256 dynes · sec · cm−5) and CHF (2002 ± 988 to 1089 ± 216 ± 99 dynes · sec · cm−5) were virtually identical (P < 0.01). In both groups there was a significant increase of cardiac index in response to afterload reduction: HTN, 2.70 ± 0.46 to 4.47 ± 1.01; CHF, 1.90 ± 0.33 to 2.88 ± 0.80 L/min/m2 (P < 0.01), so that a negative inotropic effect was not evident. In HTN the increase in cardiac index was primarily the result of reflex increase of heart rate (67 ± 16 to 95 ± 25 bpm [P < 0.05]), associated with norepinephrine increase from 402 ± 243 to 744 ± 364 pg/ml (P < 0.001). In CHF the cardiac index increase was caused by a stroke volume index increase (23 ± 4 to 33 ± 9 ml/min; P < 0.01), with no significant change in heart rate or norepinephrine. Thus nicardipine, by means of calcium channel antagonism, induced reversal of vasoconstriction. Differences in the cardiac response identify the importance of characterizing the pathophysiologic status of cardiac impairment to more accurately interpret pharmacologic interventions. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1987) 41, 483–489; doi:10.1038/clpt.1987.62
Literature review—efficacy of various disinfectants against Legionella in water systems

There have been reported outbreaks of Legionnaires' disease at hospitals and industrial facilities, which prompted the development of various preventive measures. For example, Ford has been developing and implementing such a measure at its facilities worldwide to provide technical guidance for controlling Legionella in water systems. One of the key issues for implementing the measure is the selection of a disinfectant(s) and optimum conditions for its use. Therefore, available publications on various disinfectants and disinfection processes used for the inactivation of Legionella bacteria were reviewed. Two disinfection methods were reviewed: chemical and thermal. For chemical methods, disinfectants used were metal ions (copper and silver), oxidizing agents (halogen containing compounds [chlorine, bromine, iodine, chlorine dioxide, chloramines, and halogenated hydantoins], ozone, and hydrogen peroxide), non-oxidizing agents (heterocyclic ketones, guanidines, thiocarbamates, aldehydes, amines, thiocyanates, organo-tin compounds, halogenated amides, and halogenated glycols), and UV light. In general, oxidizing disinfectants were found to be more effective than non-oxidizing ones. Among oxidizing agents, chlorine is known to be effective and widely used. Among non-oxidizing agents, 2,2-dibromo-3-nitropropionamide appears to be the most effective followed by glutaraldehyde. Isothiazolin (known as Kathon), polyhexamethylene biguanide, and 2-bromo-2-nitropropionamide (known as Bronopol) were found to be less effective than glutaraldehyde. Thermal disinfection is effective at > 60 degrees C (140 degrees F).
The impact of donor viral replication at transplant on recipient infections posttransplant: a prospective study.

Background Organ donors are often implicated as the source of posttransplant recipient infection. We prospectively studied kidney and liver donor-recipient pairs to determine if donor viral replication of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and BK polyomavirus (BKV) at transplant was a risk factor for posttransplant recipient infection and disease. Methods Donors and recipients were studied for antibodies against CMV and EBV and for quantitative viral replication of CMV, EBV, and BKV in oral washes, urine, and whole blood pretransplant. Recipient testing continued every 3 months after transplantation. Demographic and clinical data on infections and graft and subject outcomes were obtained. Results The 98 donor-recipient pairs included 15 liver and 83 kidney transplants (18 of whom were children). No donor had detectable CMV replication; therefore, its impact on recipient CMV replication could not be analyzed. Donor EBV replication occurred in 22%, mostly in the oral wash and showed no impact on posttransplant recipient EBV replication (P=0.9) or EBV viremia (P=0.6) in kidney or liver recipients. Donor BKV replication occurred in 17%, mostly in the urine and although not associated with posttransplant recipient urinary BKV replication in recipients, it was associated with BKV viremia (P=0.02), and a significantly shorter time to BKV viremia (P=0.01) in kidney recipients. Conclusion Donor replication of CMV or EBV did not impact posttransplant recipient viral replication in kidney or liver transplants. Donor urinary BKV replication is associated with recipient BKV viremia in kidney transplants.
Correspondence between knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in farm health and safety practices

Farming is one of our nation's most hazardous occupations, affecting the health and safety of our rural population. Through literature review and a brief analysis of a farm family study from Washington State, this article suggests that it is unlikely that farm hazards will be diminished by educating farmers. It argues that changes in behaviors insuring safer practices have questionable correspondence with the introduction of information about farm hazards. The author suggests that there are numerous social structural and political/economic reasons behind the multitude of farm hazards. These reasons require study, comprehension, and societally-based response before individuals can be expected to make radical changes in the way they farm on a daily basis.
Dip coating of titanium ethoxide solutions

Abstract Titania coatings are prepared by dip coating anhydrous titanium ethoxide solutions on glass substrates. Titanium ethoxide reacts with atmospheric water during deposition and drying to form coatings with a variety of microstructures. Transparent gel layers are prepared by coating in dry nitrogen and then exposing the coating to humid atmosphere or using slow withdrawal rates. Hydrated titania particles form in coatings deposited in atmospheres with relative humidity levels greater than ≈ 15%. These coatings are typically composed of agglomerates of small particles (≈0.3 μm); increases in substrate withdrawal rate and Ti ethoxide concentration in the solution bath lead to increases in thickness, particle size and extent of agglomeration. Particle aggregation is prevented by adding hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) to the coating solution before deposition.
Estrogen induces vascular wall dilation : Mediation through kinase signaling to nitric oxide and estrogen receptors α and β

Abstract Estrogen has been shown to affect vascular cell and arterial function in vitro and in vivo. Here we examined the ability of estradiol (E2) to cause rapid arterial dilation of elastic and muscular arteries in vivo and the mechanisms involved. E2 administration caused a rapid increase in the outer wall diameter of both types of arteries in ovariectomized female mice. This resulted from estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated stimulation of nitric oxide production, demonstrated by preinjecting the mice arteries with a soluble inhibitor of nitric oxide (monomethyl l-arginine) and by showing the absence of E2 action in eNOS-/- mice. Rapid activation of both ERK/MAP kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity was found in the E2-exposed arteries, and inhibiting either kinase prevented the vasodilatory action of E2. Kinase activation and vasodilator responses to E2 were absent in either ERα or ERβ knock-out mice, implicating both receptor subtypes as mediating this E2 action. These results indicate that E2 modulation of arterial tonus through plasma membrane ER and rapid signaling could underlie many previously observed actions of estrogen reported to occur in women.
Toward an Africological Pedagogical Approach To African Civilization

Within academic circles, subjects such as African civilization, African philosophy, African religion, and so forth have continued to evoke controversial questions about their legitimacy and historical groundedness even in the face of what looks like an explosion in scholarship pertaining to the African world. This article accomplishes two broad objectives: (1) it presents a case study of such controversies, particularly as they relate to the subject of African civilization, and (2) it makes a case for an Africological pedagogical approach to African civilization. First, the article takes a synoptic look at the nature and sources of the conceptual and also the ideological challenges that, historically, have been mounted against subjects such as African civilization, African philosophy and African religion. It then counterbalances this with a survey of the kinds of arguments and data that proponents of those subjects have put forward over the years. The article contends that although debates and questions on any subject or issue are a normal and nourishing part of academic life, the cynicism that apparently persists in certain sections of the academy toward Africa and the subject of civilization/ philosophy serves as a useful key to unlocking the impact of hegemonic intellectualism. Critical questions examined by the article include the following: What is the most appropriate place for African civilization in an Africological curriculum? What is the role of African civilization in the larger American university curriculum?
Crayfish stretch receptor and motor unit behavior during abdominal extensions

Using flexible suction electrodes, recordings were made of sensory and motor nerve activity in a nerve innervating slow extensor muscles in the first abdominal segment of a suspended crayfish. When a rigid stop was placed above the abdomen to hinder free extension during a “platform-drop” response, the following was observed: These observations provide evidence that the tonic MRO functions as a length-error detector in a servo system designed to provide load-compensating feedback during normal postural extensions in the crayfish.
Prioritization of evidence-based preventive health services during periodic health examinations.

Background Delivery of preventive services sometimes falls short of guideline recommendations. Purpose To evaluate the multilevel factors associated with evidence-based preventive service delivery during periodic health examinations (PHEs). Methods Primary care physicians were recruited from an integrated delivery system in southeast Michigan. Audio recordings of PHE office visits conducted from 2007 to 2009 were used to ascertain physician recommendation for or delivery of 19 guideline-recommended preventive services. Alternating logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with service delivery. Data analyses were completed in 2011. Results Among 484 PHE visits to 64 general internal medicine and family physicians by insured patients aged 50–80 years, there were 2662 services for which patients were due; 54% were recommended or delivered. Regression analyses indicated that the likelihood of service delivery decreased with patient age and with each concern the patient raised, and it increased with increasing BMI and with each additional minute after the scheduled appointment time the physician first presented. The likelihood was greater with patient–physician gender concordance and less if the physician used the electronic medical record in the exam room or had seen the patient in the past 12 months. Conclusions A combination of patient, patient-physician relationship, and visit contextual factors are associated with preventive service delivery. Additional studies are warranted to understand the complex interplay of factors that support and compromise preventive service delivery.
Heterotic string in an arbitrary background field

An expression for the light-cone gauge action for the first-quantized heterotic string in the presence of arbitrary background gauge, gravitational, and antisymmetric tensor fields is derived. The result is a two-dimensional local field theory with N=1/2 supersymmetry. The constraints imposed on the background fields in order to make this theory one-loop finite are derived. These constraints are identical to the equations of motion for the massless fields at the linearized level. Finally, it is shown that if there is no background antisymmetric tensor field, and if the gauge connection is set equal to the spin connection, the effective action is that of an N=1 supersymmetric nonlinear and N=2 supersymmetric Georgi-Glashow models the occurrence of the fermion fractionization is the necessity; the ignorance of it results in the inconsistency in the perturbative calculation of the mass splittings among the members of the supermultiplets. The notable feature of our result is that the degeneracy due to the Jackiw-Rebbi zero mode is not independent of the one required by the supersymmetry, suggesting a nontrivial structure in embedding the topology of Higgs fields into supersymmetric gauge theories.
Impact of the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Abstract The "impact" of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was evaluated by bibliometric analysis. This technique considers the average frequency with which journal authors refer to articles published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The impact of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was compared with that of journals most commonly referred to within Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as with that of journals read most commonly by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery subscribers, such as the Annals of Plastic Surgery and the Journal of Hand Surgery (both American and British editions). The impact factor for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was at least twice as great as for any other journal related to this surgical subspecialty. With regard to other surgical subspecialties, while the impact factor for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery was less than that of the Journal of Neurosurgery, Journal of Urology, and Journal of Ophthalmology, it was greater than those for orthopedics, otolaryngology, hand surgery, and dermatologic surgery.
The ultimate question: why do axons degenerate? A tribute to the work and mentorship of John W. Griffin, MD

Axonal degeneration is a common pathological feature of neurodegenerative diseases. The underlying mechanisms for axonal degeneration, as well as for day to day maintenance of axonal integrity are just now coming to light. This short review outlines some of the historical landmarks in axonal degeneration research, focusing on the contributions of the late John W. Griffin. The importance of axonal degeneration in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders of the central and peripheral nervous systems is emphasized.
Digital vision system for three-dimensional model acquisition

A digital vision system and the computational algorithms used by the system for three-dimensional (3D) model acquisition are described. The system is named Stonybrook VIsion System (SVIS). The system can acquire the 3D model (which includes the 3D shape and the corresponding image texture) of a simple object within a 300 mm X 300 mm X 300 mm volume placed about 600 mm from the system. SVIS integrates Image Focus Analysis (IFA) and Stereo Image Analysis (SIA) techniques for 3D shape and image texture recovery. First, 4 to 8 partial 3D models of the object are obtained from 4 to 8 views of the object. The partial models are then integrated to obtain a complete model of the object. The complete model is displayed using a 3D graphics rendering software (Apple's QuickDraw). Experimental results on several objects are presented.
A Program to Compute Point-Biserial Coefficients of Correlation.

This paper describes a computer program which provides point-biserial coefficients of correlation and comprehensive response analyses for tests, questionnaires, and rating scales. The program, which is written in ANSI standard FORTRAN, can be executed with as few as three control cards. Data with missing observations, and more than one data deck can be analyzed at one time.
ALTERED MONONUCLEAR CELL IMMUNE RESPONSE IN WOMEN EXPOSED TO DES IN UTERO

In utero diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure results in long term reproductive consequences. Preliminary evidence suggests a link between prenatal DES exposure and long term alterations in the immune system. To further test this hypothesis, we compared the phytohemaglutinin (PHA) and concavlin A (con A) induced blastogenic response of mononuclear cell in prenatally exposed women (n=13) to age matched non DES exposed women (n=9). 15 ml. of whole blood obtained during the early follicular phase of cycling women were heparinized, diluted 1:2, layered over ficoll-paqun density gradient. The mononuclear cells were washed X 3 (10%, R.P.M.I. 1640). Aliquots (final cone, of 5 × 105ml). Either PHA (7.5ug-1ug/ml) or Con-A were added to each well. After 48 hours of incubation at 37° C the cells were pulsed with 1 Cμ-thymidine(H-Td), reincubated for 18 hours, harvested, counted, and a geometric mean of 3 determinations obtained. Results: Decreasing H-Td proliferation responses paralleled declining mitogen concentrations both with PHA and Con-A. Con-A showed no significantly different response in cells from DES subjects compared to controls. In contrast, PHA responses were greater in DES subjects (p<.005 2 way ANOVA). These data indicate long lasting effects on the immune system in DES exposed women. Such lasting effects on the immune system may be accounted for by a genomic mechanism altering the cellular responses in daughter cells throughout the reproductive years.
Micro-grid system based on renewable power generation units

Micro-grid system is currently a conceptual solution to fulfill the commitment of reliable power delivery for future power systems. Renewable power sources such as wind and hydro offer the best potential for emission free power for future micro-grid systems. This paper presents a micro-grid system based on wind and hydro power sources and addresses issues related to operation, control, and stability of the system. The micro-grid system investigated in this paper represents a case study in Newfoundland, Canada. It consists of a small hydro generation unit and a wind farm that contains nine variablespeed, double-fed induction generator based wind turbines. Using Matlab/Simulink, the system is modeled and simulated to identify the technical issues involved in the operation of a micro-grid system based on renewable power generation units. The operational modes, technical challenges and a brief outline of conceptual approaches to addressing some of the technical issues are presented for further investigation.
A deterministic approach to rate-compatible fountain communication

This paper considers a scenario in which a transmitter wishes to communicate n symbols (Galois field elements) to an arbitrary number of receivers. Each receiver knows some of the original n symbols, and we desire a transmission that allows each receiver to learn the entire n-symbol message from the fewest possible transmitted symbols. Specifically, we assume that receiver i knows ki of the original n symbols (and their respective indices in the information vector). The value ki and the values of the indices are unknown to the transmitter. With the proposed rate-compatible transmission scheme, each receiver i can recover the original n symbols after receiving the first n — ki transmitted symbols, the smallest number of symbols for which this is theoretically possible. The proposed scheme is based on the properties of maximum distance separable codes. A low complexity decoder implementation essentially performs Berlekamp-Massey erasure decoding of an affine shift of a Reed-Solomon code.
Special directions in the brillouin zone

Abstract We develop the concept of special directions in the momentum space of a crystal. These directions reduce the three-dimensional integration of a periodic function to a small number of one-dimensional integrals. In particular, the calculation of the electronic spectrum in disordered alloys can be simplified. The volumes enclosed by the Fermi surfaces of many Cu-based alloys are determined to approximately 1 per cent accuracy by the measurement of their radii along a single special direction.
Location-aware gang graffiti acquisition and browsing on a mobile device

In this paper we describe a mobile-based system that allows first responders to identify and track gang graffiti by combining the use of image analysis and location-based-services. The gang graffiti image and metadata (geoposition, date and time) obtained automatically are transferred to a server and uploaded to a database of graffiti images. The database can then be queried with the matched results sent back to the mobile device where the user can then review the results and provide extra inputs to refine the information.
Settling the thymus: immigration requirements

Thymus settling by precursor cells is essential for the production of T cells, yet the immigration requirements are poorly defined. P-selectin and CC chemokine receptor-9 (CCR9) are involved, and settling is favored when existing residents have moved on. A new study strengthens the correlation between niche emptying and the induction of thymic P-selectin and CCR9 ligand, and provides evidence for feedback from the periphery to thymic P-selectin expression via sphingosine-1-phosphate.
Ideal diode equation for organic heterojunctions. II. The role of polaron pair recombination

In paper I [N. C. Giebink, G. P. Wiederrecht, M. R. Wasielewski, and S. R. Forrest, Phys. Rev. B 82, 155305 (2010)], we proposed that current transport in a donor-acceptor heterojunction (HJ) depends on the balance of polaron pair (PP) dissociation and recombination. Here, we directly investigate these processes in archetype planar copper phthalocyanine $(\text{CuPc})/{\text{C}}_{60}$ and boron subpthalocyanine chloride $(\text{SubPc})/{\text{C}}_{60}$ HJs. Using intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (IMPS) along with emission from interfacial $\text{Pc}/{\text{C}}_{60}$ exciplex states, we monitor the geminate PP density at the HJ as a function of bias and illumination intensity. We find that the $\text{SubPc}/{\text{C}}_{60}$ PP density is limited by the dynamics of dissociation, where it increases from short circuit, and peaks at open circuit. In contrast, that of $\text{CuPc}/{\text{C}}_{60}$ is dominated by faster recombination kinetics and declines monotonically over the same voltage domain. We conclude that the PP recombination rate depends on electric field, and propose a simple expression that qualitatively explains the observed exciplex luminescence and IMPS behavior for these HJs. Our results provide insight into polaron pair recombination, which governs the current-voltage characteristics of organic heterojunctions in the dark and under illumination.
ATLANTA'S ROLE AS AN INFORMATION CENTER: INTERMETROPOLITAN SPATIAL LINKS

Atlanta has emerged in the 1980s as a major second-order command and control center within the US economy and demonstrates considerable dominance within the Southeast. Federal Express Corporation data permit examination of Atlanta's national and regional command and control functions. The concepts of information genesis, hierarchy of control, and spatial independence of information receipt clarify Atlanta's place within the specialized information network. Atlanta occupies an advantageous position within the intermetropolitan information network from which much of the Southeast's economic activity is organized.
On the interpretation of small-angle x-ray solution scattering from spherical viruses.

We have found that small-angle X-ray solution scattering from spherical viruses may sometimes give information about surface organization. Experimental data for two viruses (wild cucumber mosaic virus and polyoma virus) are analysed, and it is shown that in each case the differences between the observed scattering curve and that expected from a solid sphere of uniform density may be accounted for by deviations from spherical symmetry. An analysis in terms of icosahedral harmonics shows how the clustering pattern of the coat protein may be deduced.
Optimal goodness-of-fit tests for normality against skewness and kurtosis alternatives

Abstract Three test statistics for the composite goodness-of-fit hypothesis of normality are presented. The proposed statistics are sums of squared L-statistics, and under the null hypothesis converge in distribution to Chi-squared random variables. Further, the test procedures are asymptotically optimal for sequences of local skewness and/or kurtic alternative to the null hypothesis. The results of a simulation study indicate that the asymptotic critical values for the test procedures provide a useful approximation in samples as small as 25, and that the procedures compare favorably to existing tests in small samples.
Inactivation of Salmonella serovars by Pseudomonas chlororaphis and Pseudomonas fluorescens strains on tomatoes

Salmonella enterica and its serovars have been associated with pathogen contamination of tomatoes with numerous outbreaks of salmonellosis. To improve food safety, pathogen control is of immediate concern. The aim of this research was to assess the populations of natural microflora (aerobic mesophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts and moulds and Pseudomonas species) on tomatoes, and evaluate the efficacy of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf) and Pseudomonas chlororaphis (Pc) for inactivation of Salmonella on tomatoes. Microflora were determined on sanitised and unsanitised produce and enumerated on Plate Count Agar, de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe medium, Potato Dextrose Agar and Pseudomonas Agar F media. The efficacy of Pc and Pf for inactivation of S. enterica serovars Montevideo, Typhimurium and Poona was determined on spot-inoculated tomato stem scars. The effects of storage time on bacterial populations were also investigated. On unsanitised tomatoes, lactic acid bacteria, Pseudomonas sp., aerobic mesop...