cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen contribution of rye–hairy vetch cover crop mixtures to organically grown sweet corn

Organic cropping systems that utilize winter grown cereal–legume cover crop mixtures can increase plant available nitrogen (N) to a subsequent cash crop, but the rate of N release is uncertain due to variations in residue composition and environmental conditions. A study was conducted to evaluate N availability from rye (Secale cereale L.)–hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) cover crop mixtures and to measure the response of organically grown sweet corn (Zea mays L.) to N provided by cover crop mixtures. Nitrogen availability from pure rye, pure hairy vetch, and rye–vetch mixtures was estimated using laboratory incubation with controlled temperature and soil moisture. Sweet corn N response was determined in a 2-year field experiment in western Washington with three cover crop treatments as main plots (50:50 rye–vetch seed mixture planted mid September, planted early October, and none) and four feather meal N rates as subplots (0, 56, 112 and 168 kg available N ha−1). Pure hairy vetch and a 75% rye–25% hairy vetch biomass mixture (R75V25) released similar amounts of N over 70 days in the laboratory incubation. But, the initial release of N from the (R75V25) treatment was nearly 70% lower, which may result in N release that is better timed with crop uptake. Cover crops in the field were dominated by rye and contained 34–76 kg ha−1 total N with C:N ranging from 18 to 27. Although time of planting and management of cover crop quality improved N uptake in sweet corn, cover crops provided only supplemental plant available N in this system.
New molecular ab initio theory based on fragment orbitals: application to two-photon absorbing molecules

A new formulation of ab initio theory is presented that treats a large molecule in terms of wavefunctions of its constituent molecular subunits (to be called fragments). The method aims to achieve near conventional ab initio accuracy but using a truncated set of fragment orbitals with a consequent drastic reduction of computing time and storage requirement.
The electronic factor in the face selection of iron tricarbonyl complexation

Abstract The iron tricarbonyl complexes of 1-(2-adamantylidine)-2-methylenecyclohexane and of the 5-fluroadamantylidene analog have been prepared. Both the syn and anti isomers were obtained in the latter case; the major product has the syn configuration as established by means of X-ray diffraction. The reaction therefore joins several others in which reagents of various types were added to a trigonal center C2 in a adamantanes carrying an electron withdrawing substituent at C5: this attack also, occurs preferentially at the zu face.
Microstructure of Polymers by Tritium Autoradiography

Polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene, containing tritiumlabeled additives and crystallized in thin films, were examined with autoradiographic stripping film. In the structures formed by isotactic polystyrene, tritiated atactic polymer concentrated in specific patterns in the outer regions. Polypropylene spherulites showed marked differences in the distribution of the tritiated additive, dilauryl thiodipropionate, whenever their optical properties also differed. Autoradiographs of polyethylene spherulites containing low molecular weight tritiated polyethylene exhibited concentric ring patterns similar to those observed on viewing the polymer film in a polarizing microscope.
Asthma variability in patients previously treated with β2-agonists alone

Abstract Background According to national asthma guidelines, asthma severity can be classified as intermittent, mild, moderate, or severe on the basis of lung function, symptoms, nighttime awakenings, and exacerbations. Although it is widely believed that patients might not remain consistently in any given severity category over time, few studies have examined this directly. Objective We sought to assess the variability in disease severity-control among patients with persistent asthma who have not yet received an asthma maintenance treatment. Methods We performed an analysis of asthma severity-control over time in placebo-treated patients (n = 85) from 2 randomized, double-blind, 12-week clinical trials in patients with asthma previously receiving β 2 -agonists alone. Asthma severity-control was assessed on the basis of morning percent predicted peak expiratory flow, albuterol use, and symptoms. Results At baseline, all patients met the criteria for moderate or severe persistent asthma (mean FEV 1 of 64% of predicted value or albuterol use and symptoms on 4.7 and 6.0 days per week, respectively). The mean percentage of treatment weeks that patients met all criteria for intermittent, mild, moderate, and severe asthma were 9%, 14%, 71%, and 6%, respectively. On the basis of morning peak expiratory flow, patients were classified as having intermittent-mild, moderate, or severe disease on 52%, 41%, and 7% of days, respectively. With regard to days per week with albuterol use or asthma symptoms, patients spent 59% and 45% of weeks, respectively, in the intermittent and mild categories. Conclusion Asthma control cannot be adequately assessed in many patients by using discrete point-in-time assessments of lung function, short-acting β-agonist use, or asthma symptoms. This might lead to underestimation of disease severity and contribute to inadequate therapy and, ultimately, asthma morbidity.
Error-correcting codes for a T-user binary adder channel

A construction is given which allows error correction of a code for the T-user binary adder channel with two codewords per user. The construction for a noisy channel is generalized to allow a greater freedom in choosing the parameters of the code without decreasing the rate sum. An example which illustrates an efficient decoding algorithm for the noisy channel is given. >
Botulinum Toxin Injections for Achalasia Symptoms Can Approximate The Short Term Efficacy of A Single Pneumatic Dilation: A Survival Analysis Approach

Botulinum toxin injections for achalasia symptoms can approximate the short term efficacy of a single pneumatic dilation: a survival analysis approach
APPLICATIONS OF THE TRANSMISSION MATRIX METHOD TO GAMMA TRANSPORT.

Abstract In this work the applicability of the transmission matrix method to gamma radiation transport is investigated. The general idea of this concept is that the transmission and reflection properties of a shield can be described by matrices which give the outgoing angular and energy distribution in terms of incoming distributions. The transmission matrix method is employed to calculate energy buildup factors for homogeneous water, lead, and uranium shields of various thicknesses. In addition, two-layer shields made up of lead and water laminae are investigated and energy buildup factors versus fractional composition are calculated. The transmission of secondary gammas produced by thermal neutron capture is also investigated. The analysis involves the approximation of a secondary gamma distributed source by a finite number of infinite plane gamma sources. The total energy transmitted is calculated and plotted versus the number of plane sources required in the approximation.
Effects of water and saline preloads on schedule-induced polydipsia in the rat.

Abstract In Experiment 1, six, food-deprived rats were allowed to establish schedule-induced polydipsia on a fixed-time 1-min food schedule. Intragastric preloads of 5 ml of water did not suppress the amount of water consumed during the sessions. Experiments 2 and 3, found that 10 ml intraperitoneal preloads of water or saline also did not suppress schedule-induced polydipsia. These findings indicate that schedule-induced polydipsia is regulated by nonhomeostatic mechanisms, rather than by osmotic or hypovolemic thirst mechanisms. It is suggested that schedule-induced polydipsia is regulated via some oropharyngeal mechanism.
Octopamine levels relate to male mating tactic expression in the wolf spider Rabidosa punctulata

In the wolf spider Rabidosa punctulata, upon encountering a female, males use one of two distinct strategies: (1) they court the female in an attempt to elicit a mating, or (2) they engage in a direct-mount tactic that involves extensive grappling with the female until a mating is achieved. The latter tactic appears more sexually aggressive, and both tactics come with the risk of being cannibalized. We explored the physiological mechanisms underlying this behavioural variation by assessing the relationship between circulating levels of the biogenic amine octopamine (OA), a neuromodulator suggested to play a role in ‘fight or flight’ responses of arthropods and male mating tactic expression. We predicted, and found support for, a relationship between OA levels and tactic expression, with males adopting the direct-mount tactic expressing higher OA levels than courting males. Male mating tactic and mass also showed a significant interaction, with a negative trend in direct-mounting males and no relationship in courting males. Males had considerably higher levels of OA circulating in their haemolymph than females and female OA level increased with female mass. Our experimental design cannot disentangle cause from effect, but our results are consistent with the hypothesis that OA plays a role in regulating mating tactic expression in R. punctulata.
Growth response and tissue accumulation trends of herbaceous wetland plant species exposed to elevated aqueous mercury levels.

The impacts of elevated aqueous mercury levels (0, 2, and 4 ppm) on the growth status and mercury tissue concentrations of Eleocharis parvula, Saururus cernuus, Juncus effuses, Typha latifolia, and Panicum hemitomon were determined. Both short-term (net CO2 assimilation) and long-term (biomass) indicators of plant growth status suggest that Eleocharis parvula, Saururus cernuus, and Juncus effuses were relatively unimpacted by elevated mercury levels, whereas Typha latifolia and Panicum hemitomon were somewhat impacted at elevated mercury levels. Eleocharis parvula, Panicum hemitomon, and Typha latifolia generally had the greatest overall belowground tissue concentrations of mercury (2 ppm treatment: 7.21, 7.32, and 9.64 ppm respectively; 4 ppm treatment: 16.23, 18.23, and 13.98 ppm, respectively) and aboveground tissue concentrations of mercury (2 ppm treatment: 0.01, 0.04, 0.02; 4 ppm treatment: 0.26; 0.11; 0.17 ppm, respectively). However, the species investigated in this study demonstrated lower levels...
Novel targeted immunotherapy approaches for staphylococcal infection.

Importance of the field: Staphylococcus aureus is a leading human pathogen in the hospital and the community. Many S. aureus strains are resistant to antibiotics, making treatment of S. aureus infections often very complicated. In contrast to many other bacterial pathogens, a working vaccine has never been found for S. aureus despite considerable efforts in academia and pharmaceutical companies.Areas covered in this review: The latest strategies aimed at finding a working vaccine against S. aureus, including active and passive immunization efforts in pre-clinical and clinical stages, and the molecular reasons for why it may be difficult to develop a vaccine are discussed.What the reader will gain: In addition to receiving an overview of current efforts in S. aureus vaccine research, the reader will understand that vaccine development for S. aureus may be difficult owing to the facts that S. aureus is a commensal microorganism and produces toxins that lyse white blood cells, thereby undermining a vaccine's...
Hippocampal responses evoked by stimulation of the prepyriform cortex in the rat

Abstract 1. 1. Electrophysiological characteristics of the hippocampal response to stimulation of the prepyriform cortex and, in a few cases, to stimulation of the olfactory bulb were investigated in rats with chronically implanted electrodes. Two main types of prepyriform-evoked responses were observed: a diphasic response initially positive in the fascia dentata, and a double monophasic response also positive in the fascia dentata. Transition from one type of response to the other occurred with changes in polarity, intensity and rate of stimulation. 2. 2. Latency of the prepyriform-evoked hippocampal response was 10 msec and maximal amplitude was 1–2 mV in the awake animal. Hippocampal responses were elicited more easily during pentobarbital anesthesia than in the awake rat. Latency and amplitude were increased up to 250% and 800%, respectively, during pentobarbital anesthesia, during post-seizure depression and after tentanization (200/sec for 15 sec) of the prepyriform cortex. A close correlation between behavioral depression; i.e., either behavioral sleep or motor quiescence, and increased latency and amplitude of the hippocampal response was observed during pentobarbital anesthesia and post-seizure depression. 3. 3. After tetanization of the prepyriform cortex 3 phases of amplitude changes in response to 2/sec prepyriform stimulation frequently occurred in the awake and in the anesthetized animal: an initial potentiation reaching a maximum in about 1 min, a period of diminution in amplitude after 2–3 min, during which responses often could not be elicited, and a second potentiation lasting for about 5 min and usually greater than the first potentiation. Latency was increased, never decreased, during the post-tetanic phases in the awake animal. After tetanization during pentobarbital sleep latency was decreased toward values seen in the awake animal.
SU‐E‐I‐06: Further Understanding of DLP and DLI as Radiation Dosimetry of Cone‐Beam CT

Purpose: Traditional 100mm pencil‐shaped ion‐chamber cannot be directly applied to dose estimation of cone‐beam CT. IEC recommended adjusting traditional CTDI 100 by nominal beam width and then calculating Dose‐Length‐Product (DLP) by multiplying scan length. An alternative approach is to measure dose in the central scan plane using a small volume ionization chamber. If the scan length is sufficiently long to achieve scattered equilibrium, the dose at the central location asymptotically approaches the equilibrium dose . Patient dose can then be estimated using Dose Line Integral (DLI= x scan length). This study aims to further understand these concepts, their limitations and the relationship. Methods: A phantom study was performed on a Toshiba Aquilion One CT scanner (nominal beam width up to 160mm). Three CT head phantoms were joined to capture all possible scattered radiation. First a 100mm ion‐chamber was used to measure CTDI with variable nominal beam width, from 16mm to 160mm. Adjusted CTDI was calculated according to IEC Standards (IEC 60601‐2‐44.ed3). Then an elongated 300mm ion‐chamber was used for the same measurement. For DLI, a 0.6cc Farmer ion chamber was used to measure the equilibrium dose. Results: With the increase of nominal beam width (from 16mm to 160mm), traditional CTDI 100 significantly underestimated CT radiation dose (12.6mGy vs. 7.5mGy). Adjusted CTDI 100 could account for this underestimation (12.6mGy vs. 11.9mGy) in some extent, though the estimation was still low compared to CTDI 300 measurements (approximately 30%). For measurements with Farmer chamber, the method using multi‐scan with a narrow beam width to reach equilibrium scan length overestimated CT dose by approximately 40%. For the same scan length, DLI overestimated CT dose, compared to DLP calculated by CTDI 300 and CTDI 100 . Conclusion: Both DLP and DLI may be used for dose estimation of cone‐beam CT but cannot be exchanged. A conversion factor is needed for cross comparison.
The Role of Military Expenditures in Pre-Revolutionary Iran's Economic Decline

I told the Shah that if the Army budget were increased we could do little if anything for agriculture, education or public health. He said ‘Very well, then; we’ll have to postpone those things.’ This incident occurred in 1943, a year after the Shah had succeeded his father, and was recounted by A. C. Millspough,1 then financial advisor to the Iranian government. By the 1970s, however, the Iranian government was denying the relevance of the ‘guns versus butter’ trade-off for the country. The Shah viewed the problem differently: ‘What is the use of having an advanced industry in a country which could be brought to its knees when faced with any small asinine event?’ Asked on a subsequent occasion whether the desire for maximum national power implicit in such defence expenditure was compatible with the efforts to achieve maximum economic development, he replied, ‘It is not only compatible but essential. The one is worthless without the other. There is no economic power without military power.’2
Design and implementation of a multiaxial loading capability during heating on an engineering neutron diffractometer.

A gripping capability was designed, implemented, and tested for in situ neutron diffraction measurements during multiaxial loading and heating on the VULCAN engineering materials diffractometer at the spallation neutron source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The proposed capability allowed for the acquisition of neutron spectra during tension, compression, torsion, and/or complex loading paths at elevated temperatures. The design consisted of age-hardened, Inconel® 718 grips with direct attachment to the existing MTS load frame having axial and torsional capacities of 100 kN and 400 N·m, respectively. Internal cooling passages were incorporated into the gripping system for fast cooling rates during high temperature experiments up to ∼1000 K. The specimen mounting couplers combined a threaded and hexed end-connection for ease of sample installation/removal without introducing any unwanted loads. Instrumentation of this capability is documented in this work along with various performance parameters. The gripping system was utilized to investigate deformation in NiTi shape memory alloys under various loading/control modes (e.g., isothermal, isobaric, and cyclic), and preliminary results are presented. The measurements facilitated the quantification of the texture, internal strain, and phase fraction evolution in NiTi shape memory alloys under various loading/control modes.
Acetyl-DL-phenylalanine beta-naphthyl esterase activity in human muscle disease.

Abstract Human skeletal muscle homogenates were found to contain an esterase that catalyzes the hydrolysis at neutral pH of acetyl- dl -phenylalanine β-naphthyl ester, a known low molecular weight substrate for chymotrypsin-like enzymes. The muscle enzyme was inhibited by phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride but not by ethylenediamine tetraacetate and p -hydroxymercuribenzoate. When the levels in patients were compared with controls, significant increases in muscle esterase levels were observed in patients with muscular dystrophies, polymyositis, and certain denervating diseases. These results suggest the possibility that this esterase may be involved in the muscle wasting process in human muscle diseases. Serum acetyl- dl -phenylalanine β-naphthyl esterase levels were normal in patients with Duchenne dystrophy and polymyositis.
Proteomic analysis of microglial contribution to mouse strain–dependent dopaminergic neurotoxicity

Although the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unknown, it appears that microglial activation is associated with enhanced neurodegeneration in animal models of PD as well as in PD patients. Experimentally, C57BL/6 and SWR/J mice demonstrate striking differences in the extent of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurodegeneration induced by a parkinsonian toxicant 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in microglial activation between these two strains of mice could provide insight into the variability seen in toxicant induced neuronal death, and subsequently to use a high-throughput proteomic method, combining stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) with liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry, to compare the microglial proteomes of C57BL/6 and SWR/J mice after stimulation with a classical microglial activator, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found that DAergic neurotoxicity induced by LPS in a primary neuron–microglia coculture was twofold greater with microglia isolated from the brains of C57BL/6 mice compared with that of SWR/J mice. Upon proteomic analysis we found that, out of over 1000 proteins identified and quantified, 400 displayed a significant difference in their relative abundance between these two murine strains. Several proteins, which had relatively higher levels in C57BL/6 mice, have previously been implicated in LPS-mediated microglial activation, including those involved in the COX-2 pathway and in prostaglandin E-2 (PGE2) production. To validate our proteomic results we confirmed the increased expression level of iNOS in C57BL/6 vs. SWR/J microglia with semiquantitative Western blot. Further analysis of our proteomic discovery data will likely reveal numerous novel proteins involved in inflammation-mediated neurotoxicity in PD. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
FDTD solutions for the distribution of radiation from dipoles embedded in dielectric particles

The finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is used to simulate the electromagnetic radiation emitted by an infinitesimal electric dipole embedded in a small particle with an arbitrary shape and internal composition. The far-field pattern of the radiation pertaining to dipoles embedded in a host particle is highly sensitive to the particle shape. Thus, it is possible to discriminate host particles according to their radiation patterns. The method reported here is also applicable to the study of induced Raman scattering and fluorescence phenomena and the detection of biological agents.
Axigluons and Heavy Quarkonia

Abstract We consider the production of axigluons (A), massive octet gauge bosons present in all chiral color models, in the decays V Q → Ag, where V Q = 3 S 1 ( Q Q ) and g is a gluon. We find that such decays, if kinematically allowed, can easily dominate the annihilation decays of heavy 3 S 1 quarkonia. We also consider the decays of axigluons into light quarkonia ( J / ψ ϒ ) plus gluon as a possible signal of light axigluon production. The effects of axigluon exchange on quarkonium spin-splittings are also briefly discussed.
The effect of initial lease periods on price discovery in laboratory tradable fishing allowance markets

Abstract Newly established tradable fishing allowance markets are often accompanied by a period of high price volatility. These fluctuations complicate capital investment decisions and play a significant role in determining outcomes for the traders involved. This paper reports an evaluation of two market design features that may reduce volatility during price discovery: a uniform price auction, in which all trades within a period take place at the same price, and an initial lease period, which prohibits permanent allowance transfers at the beginning of the program. We find that initial lease periods effectively reduce volatility once permanent trading is introduced.
Associative sources and agents for zero-input publishing

This paper presents an associative agent that allows seamless navigation from one's own personal space to third-party associative sources, as well as the personal spaces of other users. The agent provides users with access to a dynamically growing list of information sources, all of which follow a common associative sources API that we have defined. The agent also allows users act as sources themselves and take part in peer-to peer knowledge sharing.
A statistical selection approach to binomial models

Operating characteristics are studied for slippage and equi-spaced parametric configurations. Tables and graphs relating to selection probabilities and expected subset size are presented as well as examples for illustrating their use. Also, a new rule i..
Perceived protein needs and measured protein intake in collegiate male athletes: an observational study

Protein needs for athletes are likely higher than those for the general population. However, athletes may perceive their protein needs to be excessively high. The purpose of this research was to compare collegiate athletes' perceived protein needs and measured protein intake to the recommended protein intake (RDI) for healthy adults (i.e. 0.8 g/kg/d) and to the maximum beneficial level for strength-trained athletes (i.e. 2.0 g/kg/day). Perceived protein needs were quantified in 42 strength-trained collegiate male athletes by using a survey that asked the athletes to provide their perception about protein needs in specific quantitative terms (i.e. g/kg/d). Perceived protein needs were also determined by having the athletes select a daylong menu that they perceived to have adequate protein content from a collection of 5 isoenergetic menus, which differed in terms of protein content. Actual protein intake was quantified using 3-day food records and nutrient analysis. Single sample t-tests were used to compare protein intake and perceived protein needs to 0.8 g/kg/day and 2.0 g/kg/day. When asked to provide, in quantitative terms, protein needs for athletes, 67% of the athletes indicated "do not know." Of the remaining 33% of athletes, all gave values greater than 2.0 g/kg/d (mean 21.5 ± 11.2 g/kg/d, p = 0.14 vs. 2.0 g/kg/d). Based on the menu selection method for determining perceived protein needs, the athletes indicated that their protein needs were 2.4 ± 0.2 g/kg/d, which was greater than the RDI for protein (p < 0.0001) and tended to be greater than the maximally beneficial protein intake of 2.0 g/kg/d (p = 0.13). Measured protein intake was 2.0 ± 0.1 g/kg/d, which was greater than the RDI (p < 0.0001) but not different from the maximally beneficial protein intake of 2.0 g/kg/d (p = 0.84). Male collegiate athletes recognize that their protein needs are higher than that of the general population and consume significantly more protein than recommended in the RDI. However, it also appears that athletes are not aware of objective recommendations for protein intake and may perceive their needs to be excessively high. This study highlights the need for nutrition education in collegiate athletes, in particular nutrition education on macronutrient distribution and protein needs.
Trace elements in fine particulate matter within a community in western Riverside County, CA: focus on residential sites and a local high school

Measurements of mass concentrations of 35 trace elements (TEs) and of total fine particulate matter (PM2.5) were conducted at 20 residences and six high school rooms in Mira Loma, California, from September 2001 to January 2002. Sulfur (S) and silicon (Si) were the most abundant TEs measured (excluding a residence with heavy smokers). On average, total TE concentrations were lower indoors relative to outdoors; the proportion of TEs in total PM2.5 was also lower indoors relative to outdoors. Among indoor sites, TE concentrations were found to be lower inside the schoolrooms relative to inside the residences. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was found to contribute significantly to elevated levels of total TE inside residences; however, concentrations of carcinogenic TEs were not significantly different between residences with and without smokers. Potassium (K) and chlorine (Cl) were the most abundant species in a residence with frequent indoor smokers. Combustion-related elements were more enriched inside the residences relative to crustal elements. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Isotope dilution models of uptake and remineralization of ammonium by marine plankton1

The utility of 15N isotope dilution models for the calculation of uptake and remineralization of NH4+ by marine phytoplankton was examined in light of model limitations when applied to field data either when ambient NH4+ levels border on our limit of detection or when there is no statistically significant difference between ambient NH,+ at the beginning and end of an incubation. Through specific examples of field and laboratory data we show that the limitations are a function both of analytical error inherent in the methodology and of changes in rates of uptake and remineralization over the course of a given experiment. WC propose modifications to the existing models of NH,+ uptake and remineralization which overcome some of these limitations. The results show that uptake rates have been traditionally underestimated by a factor of =2 in routine 15N uptake methodology and that regeneration of NH4-’ over relatively brief periods can supply the daily nitrogen requirements of the phytoplankton when there are no losses from the system. Marine phytoplankton living in nitrogen-impoverished waters may be able to exploit a patchy nutrient distribution, since phytoplankton in both laboratory cultures and field assemblages can utilize NH4+ rapidly when it is delivered to the medium in pulse fashion. For example, N-deprived phytoplankton cells grown in NH4+-limited continuous cultures can assimilate this nutrient at rates much faster than their growth rate when exposed to uptake-saturating NH,+ concentrations for 5-min periods (McCarthy and Goldman 1979). Field assemblages can also utilize NH4+ rapidly and efficiently during the initial minutes of 2-h incubations following even trace additions of substrates (Glibert and Goldman 1981). A corollary to the hypothesis of phytoplankton exploitation of nutrient microenvironments is that enough nitrogen to meet the phytoplankton demand must
Effect of heterogeneous mechanisms during reburning of nitrogen oxide

NO reduction through heterogeneous mechanisms is a major concern when coal or lignite is used as reburning fuel. Reburning was simulated in an alumina flow reactor operated with a synthetic flue gas at a stoichiometric ratio of 1.1, at 1,100 C and with a residence time of approximately 0.2 s. Reburning fuels used include methane, one bituminous coal, two lignites, chars derived from the bituminous coal and two lignites, and the bituminous coal char impregnated with CaO. Reburning with chars indicates that heterogeneous mechanisms are more important than homogeneous mechanisms when lignites are used. This high reactivity renders lignite char an even more effective reburning fuel than the parent lignite, while char from the bituminous coal produces little activities at stoichiometric ratios above 0.75. Bituminous coal char impregnated with CaO demonstrates higher NO reduction efficiency than the original char. Effects of SR on NO reductions imply that oxygen atoms, required for the NO and HCN conversions in homogeneous mechanisms, are not required in heterogeneous mechanisms. In fact, they inhibit the surface NO reduction. The first-level kinetic analysis indicates that the surface area is not the only contributor to a remarkable increase in NO reduction of lignite char, and chars ofmore » different origins seem to follow different mechanisms or to have different controlling steps in the overall reaction scheme.« less
Spectroscopic Determination of the Ring-Twisting Potential Energy Function of 1,3-Cyclohexadiene and Comparison with Ab Initio Calculations

The high-temperature vapor-phase Raman spectrum of 1,3-cyclohexadiene shows nine transitions resulting from the ν19 (A2) twisting mode (labeled according to C2v symmetry). Ab initio calculations predict barriers in the 1197−1593 cm-1 range. Far-infrared absorption bands confirm five of these transitions. A one-dimensional potential energy function with a barrier of 1132 cm-1 does an excellent job of fitting the data. Other Raman and infrared combination bands also verify the assignments and provide information on the vibrational coupling. The twisting angles were determined to be 9.1° and 30.1°. Vibrational frequencies calculated by ab initio methods generally give good agreement with all of the experimental values.
Mesocoelium malayanum sp.n. (Digenea: Brachycoeliidae) in a frog, Rana macrodon Dumeril and Bibron 1941, from Malaysia

Mesocoelium malayanum sp. n. is described from the frog Rana macrodon, in Malaysia. Elongate body, broader anteriorly, measuring 1.900 (1.679-2.070) mm long by 0.404 (0.380-0.437) wide, tegument aspinose oral sucker 0.212 (0.200-0.228) by 0.202 (9.191-0.205), acetabulum 0.141 (0.132-0.150) by 0.139 (0.123-0.146), prepharynx present, oesophagus 0.115 (0.096-0.137), caeca reaching posterior 1/3 of body, anterior testis 0.097 (0.087-0.110) by 0.091 (0.087-0.100) dorsal to acetabulum, posterior testis 0.094 (0.087-0.101) by 0.092 (0.091-0.100), cirrus pouch 0.121 (0.111-0.130) by 0.047 (0.041-0.055), genital pore at left of midline of oesophagus just anterior to intestinal bifurcation, ovary 0.110 (0.091-0.127) by 0.089 (0.085-0.096) on left of body and posterior to acetabulum, vitelline glands with single follicles extending from intestinal bifurcation to ends of caeca, excretory vesicle I-shaped and eggs 0.040 (0.037-0.046) by 0.023 (0.022-0.024). Although morphologically related to M. maroccanum and M. meggitti, M. malayanum is considered to be a new species.
The Effect of IGV Wake Impingement on a Rotor Boundary Layer

This paper examines the response of a rotor boundary layer on a rotor blade to an impinging wake of an Inlet Guide Vane (IGV) located upstream of this blade. High resolution two-dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements are conducted in a refractive index matched facility that provides an unobstructed view of the entire flow field. Analysis of data obtained at several rotor phases enables us to examine the changes in the boundary layer structure as the rotor blade dissects the impinging wake. We focus on the suction side boundary layer near the trailing edge of the blade, in regions with adverse pressure gradients. The results show that during wake impingement the boundary layer becomes significantly thinner, and has a more stable profile compared to other phases at the same location. We measure the phase-averaged momentum and displacement thicknesses, and show that they indeed decrease in the regions impinged by the wake. In an attempt to explain this trend, we examine different terms in the integral momentum equation that can be determined from planar PIV data. The results show that the phase-averaged unsteady term is a primary contributor to the decrease in momentum thickness within the impinging wake, and that the terms involving Reynolds stresses are small. Curvature effects play a significant role in the analysis. The estimated Coriolis force is small but not negligible.
Chrysler, GM and the Future of Chapter 11

Although they caused great controversy, the Chrysler and GM bankruptcies broke no new ground. They invoked procedures that are commonly observed in modern Chapter 11 reorganization cases. Government involvement did not distort the bankruptcy process; it instead exposed the reality that Chapter 11 offers secured creditors - especially those that supply financing during the bankruptcy case - control over the fate of distressed firms. Because the federal government supplied financing in the Chrysler and GM cases, it possessed the creditor control normally exercised by private lenders. The Treasury Department found itself with virtually the same, unchecked power that the FDIC exercises with respect to failing banks. The Chrysler and GM bankruptcies are cautionary tales about Chapter 11, not about government intervention. It may be time to entertain longstanding proposals for reforming the reorganization process.
Effect of Temperature and Humidity on Formaldehyde Emissions in Temporary Housing Units

The effect of temperature and humidity on formaldehyde emissions from samples collected from temporary housing units (THUs) was studied. The THUs were supplied by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to families that lost their homes in Louisiana and Mississippi during the Hurricane Katrina and Rita disasters. On the basis of a previous study, four of the composite wood surface materials that dominated contributions to indoor formaldehyde were selected to analyze the effects of temperature and humidity on the emission factors. Humidity equilibration experiments were carried out on two of the samples to determine how long the samples take to equilibrate with the surrounding environmental conditions. Small chamber experiments were then conducted to measure emission factors for the four surface materials at various temperature and humidity conditions. The samples were analyzed for formaldehyde via high-performance liquid chromatography. The experiments showed that increases in temperature or humidity contributed to an increase in emission factors. A linear regression model was built using the natural log of the percent relative humidity (RH) and inverse of temperature (in K) as independent variables and the natural log of emission factors as the dependent variable. The coefficients for the inverse of temperature and log RH with log emission factor were found to be statistically significant for all of the samples at the 95% confidence level. This study should assist in retrospectively estimating indoor formaldehyde exposure of occupants of THUs.
RABBIT: an intelligent database assistant

We have designed and implemented an intelligent database assistant to aid the user in formulating a query. The system, named RABBIT, relies upon a new paradigm for retrieval, retrieval by reformulation, based on a psychological theory of human remembering. To make a query, the user interactively constructs a description of his target item(s) by criticizing successive example (and counterexample) instances. One of the key innovations in RABBIT is that instances from the database are presented to the user from a well-defined perspective inferred from the user's query description and the structure of the knowledge base. Among other things, this constructed perspective prevents the user from creating semantically improper query descriptions. RABBIT particularily facilitates users who approach a database with only a vague idea of what it is that they want and who thus, need to be guided in the (re)formulation of their queries. RABBIT is also of substantial value to casual users who have limited knowledge of a given database or who must deal with a multitude of databases.
Spinosad for Treatment of Head Lice Infestation

Objective:To review the pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, clinical trials, and safety profile of spinosad 0.9% topical lotion, a recently approved pediculicide for treatment of head lice infestation.Data Sources:English-language articles indexed in MEDLINE (1948-May 2011), Toxline, Google Scholar, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1970-May 2011), and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (1981-May 2011) were identified, using the search terms spinosad, head lice, and pediculosis capitis.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Available English-language articles were reviewed.Data Synthesis:In the studies that were reviewed, the percentage of patients who were lice free 14 days after the last treatment was significantly higher in the spinosad groups compared to the permethrin groups (84.6% vs 44.9% and 86.7% vs 42.9%, respectively; p < 0.001 for both studies). Additionally, the proportion of all primary and nonprimary participants determined to be lice free following only 1 treatment wit...
Beating the bubble: using kinematic triggering in the bubble lens for acquiring small, dense targets

We present the Bubble Lens, a new target acquisition technique that remedies the limitations of the Bubble Cursor to increase the speed and accuracy of acquiring small, dense targets--precisely those targets for which the Bubble Cursor degenerates to a point cursor. When targets are large and sparse, the Bubble Lens behaves like the Bubble Cursor. But when targets are small and dense, the Bubble Lens automatically magnifies nearby targets, making them larger in both visual- and motor-space. Importantly, magnification is not governed by an explicit user-invoked mode-switch. Rather, magnification is activated through kinematic triggering, a technique that continuously examines an unfolding velocity profile to automatically trigger mode changes based on observed features. In a first study, we found the Bubble Cursor performed poorly when targets had an effective size smaller than 10 pixels. Using this threshold for the Bubble Lens in a second study, we found that the Bubble Lens significantly outperformed the Bubble Cursor, decreasing movement time by 10.2% and error rates by 37.9%, making the Bubble Lens the fastest current pointing technique.
A Case of Lobular Panniculitis in Dermatomyositis Patient

Panniculitis is an inflammation of subcutaneous fat tissue, and found in variety of clinical setting, like erythema nodosum, lupus or other connective tissue diseases. Panniculitis, as a clinical feature of dermatomyositis, is rare and should be included in one of the sign to be differentiated. We present a 77-year-old female dermatomyositis patient who showed a clinically and histologically evident lobular panniculitis, and successfully treated with oral prednisolone.
Combinatorial optimization problems in self-assembly

Self-assembly is the ubiquitous process by which simple objects autonomously assemble into intricate complexes. It has been suggested that intricate self-assembly processes will ultimately be used in circuit fabrication, nano-robotics, DNA computation, and amorphous computing. In this paper, we study two combinatorial optimization problems related to efficient self-assembly of shapes in the Tile Assembly Model of self-assembly proposed by Rothemund and Winfree [18]. The first is the Minimum Tile Set Problem, where the goal is to find the smallest tile system that uniquely produces a given shape. The second is the Tile Concentrations Problem, where the goal is to decide on the relative concentrations of different types of tiles so that a tile system assembles as quickly as possible. The first problem is akin to finding optimum program size, and the second to finding optimum running time for a "program" to assemble the shape.Self-assembly is the ubiquitous process by which simple objects autonomously assemble into intricate complexes. It has been suggested that intricate self-assembly processes will ultimately be used in circuit fabrication, nano-robotics, DNA computation, and amorphous computing. In this paper, we study two combinatorial optimization problems related to efficient self-assembly of shapes in the Tile Assembly Model of self-assembly proposed by Rothemund and Winfree [18]. The first is the Minimum Tile Set Problem, where the goal is to find the smallest tile system that uniquely produces a given shape. The second is the Tile Concentrations Problem, where the goal is to decide on the relative concentrations of different types of tiles so that a tile system assembles as quickly as possible. The first problem is akin to finding optimum program size, and the second to finding optimum running time for a "program" to assemble the shape.We prove that the first problem is NP-complete in general, and polynomial time solvable on trees and squares. In order to prove that the problem is in NP, we present a polynomial time algorithm to verify whether a given tile system uniquely produces a given shape. This algorithm is analogous to a program verifier for traditional computational systems, and may well be of independent interest. For the second problem, we present a polynomial time $O(\log n)$-approximation algorithm that works for a large class of tile systems that we call partial order systems.
Insulin increases vascular smooth muscle recovery from intracellular calcium loads.

Insulin has previously been shown to attenuate vasoconstrictor responses to pressor agonists and accelerate vascular smooth muscle relaxation and vascular smooth muscle Ca2+ efflux. To further determine the role of insulin in regulating vascular smooth muscle Ca2+, quiescent A7r5 cultured vascular smooth muscle cells and human vascular smooth muscle cells were incubated with or without 10(-7) or 10(-8) M insulin for 1 hour and then loaded with fura 2-AM; intracellular Ca2+ responses to and rates of recovery from angiotensin II (200 nM) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) (10 microM) were studied fluorometrically in stirred suspension. Insulin (10(-7) M) caused an increase in the peak intracellular Ca2+ response to angiotensin II (peak/baseline x 100 = 469 +/- 96 versus 288 +/- 74, P < .05) and a decrease in the peak Ca2+ response to vasopressin (288 +/- 50 versus 389 +/- 33, P < .025). However, insulin also caused a marked increase in the rate of intracellular Ca2+ recovery to baseline after stimulation with both angiotensin II (77.3 +/- 13.8 versus 30.6 +/- 6 nM/min, P < .03) and vasopressin (P < .05), such that the cumulative exposure to elevated intracellular Ca2+ after stimulation with either agonist (ie, area under the intracellular Ca2+ curve) was reduced with insulin treatment. Insulin (10(-8)) caused small but still significant effects on all parameters in the A7r5 cells. Insulin also caused comparable effects on Ca2+ recovery in the human cells but was without significant effect on peak Ca2+ responses to AVP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Case for Applying Subnanosecond High-Intensity, Electrical Pulses to Biological Cells

In this paper, model analysis into the time-dependent transmembrane potential at the outer cell membrane is presented, for applied high-intensity electric pulses having durations in the nanosecond range or smaller. It is argued that the frequency-dependent dielectric response of cell membranes could be used to advantage for stronger bioeffects by employing shorter pulses. Our model calculations predict faster transmembrane voltages and larger electroporation densities for a given external energy with pulse durations in the subnanosecond regime. This temporal regime would be used, for example, in the electrotherapy of mixed cell ensembles having different dielectric response properties.
Issues to Be Addressed and Hopefully Resolved in the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy Versus Stenting Trial 2

The superiority of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) plus best medical treatment (BMT) over BMT alone for the management of patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis is based on randomized controlled trials that recruited patients up to 30 years ago. Best medical treatment has improved considerably since that time with respect to stroke prevention. Furthermore, a new carotid intervention has emerged during the last 2 decades and has gradually become established, that is, carotid artery stenting (CAS). Consequently, the efficacy of current BMT alone needs to be compared not only with CEA plus BMT but also with CAS plus BMT to determine which strategy achieves the optimal stroke prevention rates. This article highlights the purpose of the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stenting Trial (CREST) 2 and discusses the issues that CREST-2 will hopefully provide answers to.