cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quaternized Poly(4-Vinylpyridine) Coated Activated Carbon: Diffusion Controlled Sorption of Chromium(VI)

Quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) coated activated carbon has been proven to be successful in removal and recovery of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. However, the key component of the mass transfer operations and the diffusion coefficient has not been determined. In this study, adsorption of Cr(VI) was investigated at different initial concentrations. A finite bath diffusion control model with changing bulk concentrations was derived analytically, and a constant related to radius of the absorbent particle and the fractional attainment of adsorption was first introduced into this model. Results indicated that the adsorbent provided fast adsorption kinetics and the modified diffusion-control model fitted the experimental data well. The observed sorption kinetics was consistent with the finite bath diffusion, with an average value of 4.10× 10−6 cm2 ∕s for the product of the distribution coefficient and the effective diffusivity in the adsorption of Cr(VI) on the quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) coated activat...
A VME to FASTBUS interface using finite state machine

Abstract A VME to FASTBUS master interface is described that executes FASTBUS instructions which are set up by a master on the VME segment. The instructions are decoded using finite state machines that run the FASTBUS master protocol and drive a FASTBUS cable segment. All internal data and control paths are implemented using TTL level circuitry. Data is internally buffered by a 64 Kb memory, and it is possible to achieve a transfer speed of 100 ns per 32 bit word.
Radiographic approach to multifocal consolidation

Consolidation in the lung is seen on radiographs or computed tomography (CT) as increased areas of attenuation that obscure the underlying pulmonary vasculature. There are numerous causes of multifocal consolidative opacities. If the symptoms are acute (days to weeks), the most common causes include edema, pneumonia, and hemorrhage. Depending on the patient's history, signs, and symptoms, the less common causes such as radiation pneumonitis or acute eosinophilic syndrome may be considered. If the symptoms are more chronic (weeks to months), the differential may include alveolar proteinosis, neoplasms such as lymphoma or bronchoalveolar cell carcinoma, granulomatous or inflammatory conditions, and lipoid pneumonia. In this article, we review and discuss characteristic radiographic and clinical findings that can aid the radiologist in prioritizing the differential considerations when faced with multifocal parenchymal consolidative disease.
[Comment on “Explosive magnetic reconnection: Puzzle to be solved as the energy supply process for magnetospheric substorms?” by Syun-Ichi Akasofu] Explosive reconnection: Red herring or paradigm lost?

The recent article by Akasofu [1985] is not an accurate statement of the present status of substorm research. Neither is the magnetospheric substorm “almost exclusively discussed in terms of hypothetical explosive reconnection,” nor is it “only recently that the input-output relationship of the magnetosphere has been examined.” The question posed by Akasofu, “Is explosive magnetic reconnection. . .the primary energy supply process for substorms or. . .an unworkable hypothesis,” attacks a straw man of Akasofu's own design. In the process of attacking this straw man, Akasofu confuses the energization of the magnetosphere as a whole with the energization of magnetospheric substorms and ignores the fact that his present model is essentially in complete accord with the original near-tail reconnection model for substorms [cf. McPherron et al, 1973; Russell and McPherron, 1973]. Since Akasofu claims that misdirection in substorm research has been occurring for 2 decades, we briefly review the history of the reconnection model for magnetospheric energization.
Distributional boundary values of harmonic and analytic functions

Abstract A theory for distributional boundary values of harmonic and analytic functions is presented. In this analysis there arise several indicators that measure the growth of these functions near the boundaries. An extension of the Phragmen-Lindelof maximum principle is derived. Furthermore, the algebraic properties of the space of real periodic distributions are studied. By introducing a new product, the harmonic product, the boundary conditions involving harmonic functions are transformed into ordinary differential equations.
‘Ought’ and Reasons for Action

En reponse a l'article de M. H. Kramer et N. E. Simmonds critiquant le recours injustifie au jugement prescriptif du type 'vous devez' dans la theorie de l'action developpee par l'A. («Reasons without reasons: a critique of A. Gewirth's moral philosophy», in «Southern journal of philosophy», 34, 1996, pp. 301-15), l'A. precise le sujet et la nature des raisons de l'action, d'une part, et montre que ses detracteurs reduisent tous les 'devoirs' a des obligations morales, sans laisser de place au 'devoir' conceptuel defini a partir des interets de la personne, d'autre part
Analyzing event-related potentials: the utility of high and low pass filtering in improving the relationship between various amplitude measures and principal components analysis factor scores.

The present investigation sought to determine whether the relationship between event-related potential (ERP) principal components analysis (PCA) factor scores and analogous waveform amplitude measures could be improved by high- and low-pass filtering the waveforms at a suitable cutoff value. Visual oddball ERPs were submitted to a varimax-rotated PCA performed on the variance/covariance matrix. Principal components corresponding to P300 and Slow Wave were obtained. In keeping with the fact that the variance/covariance PCA analyzes sources of variance around the grand mean waveform, the grand mean waveform was subtracted from each of the original waveforms, and baseline-referenced amplitude measurements were then made of P300 and Slow Wave. P300 was measured both as the maximum positive peak between 275 and 425 ms, and as the average amplitude during that interval. Slow Wave was measured as the average amplitude during the interval 400–700 ms. The P300 measurements were then repeated after high-pass filtering the difference waveforms at 2 Hz. Slow Wave measurements were repeated after low-pass filtering at 2 Hz. The value of 2 Hz was chosen as giving a reasonable cutoff based upon estimates of the wavelengths of the two components derived from inspection of their respective factor loading vectors. The correlation between factor scores and amplitude measurements was .94 for unfiltered Slow Wave and actually declined slightly but significantly to .91 when the waveforms were low-pass filtered. It would appear that Slow Wave factor scores emerging from a PCA can be fairly well approximated by a time-band measurement algorithm, and that this approximation is not improved by low-pass filtering. For both filtered and unfiltered measurements of P300, the amplitude/factor score correlation was significantly higher for the time-band method than for the peak method. Further, high-pass filtering at 2 Hz improved the time-band/factor score correlation significantly from .62 to .75. This improvement is probably because the unfiltered measurements were tapping sources of variance due both to the higher frequency P300 component as well as a simultaneously active, lower frequency Slow Wave component. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
An RNA-binding protein homologue that promotes sporulation-specific gene expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Prior studies have shown that S. cerevisiaerim4 mutations cause reduced expression of a sporulation-specific reporter gene and sporulation. We report here that RIM4 (ORF YHL024W) is a putative RNA-binding protein of the RRM class that is expressed at elevated levels early in meiosis. Mutations in the two RRMs reduce or abolish sporulation and, in some cases, cause reduced Rim4p expression. RIM4 is required for expression of early and middle sporulation-specific genes. Unlike other meiotic regulatory genes, RIM4 is required for full gene activation through both the Ime1p and Ime2p pathways. The rim4Δ defect in activation by Ime2p is suppressed by a hyperactive Ime2p derivative. These observations argue that Rim4p may act upstream of Ime2p, perhaps in a nutritional sensing pathway. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Malignant Mixed Mullerian Tumor (MMMT) of the Cervix

Abstract Objectives To characterize the clinical characteristics, therapeutic options, and potential outcomes in patients diagnosed with malignant mixed mullerian tumor (MMMT) of the uterine cervix. Methods Five women ranging in age from 25 to 66 (mean 49.6 years) were diagnosed with MMMT of the cervix and treated at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics between 1986 and 2001. Data were retrospectively analyzed from available charts and pathological reports with particular attention to patient demographics, presenting symptoms, treatment, and follow-up. Results Abnormal vaginal bleeding was a common presenting symptom in all but one patient, in whom an abnormal screening Pap smear was the primary reason for referral. FIGO disease staging at initial diagnosis included two patients with stage IB1 (ages 29 and 66 years), two patients with stage IB2 (ages 25 and 64 years), and one patient with stage IVB (age 64 years) MMMT of the cervix. Organ-confined, early stage lesions (stages IB1 and IB2) responded well to regimens of either surgery alone or surgery plus radiation therapy, with no evidence of recurrent disease at last follow-up 28, 35, 42, and 65 months later, respectively. The lone patient with advanced stage IVB disease, however, was unresponsive to both external beam radiation therapy and ifosfamide chemotherapy, and succumbed to disease within 5 months. Conclusions Cervical MMMT is an uncommon disease, but long-term survival is possible in organ-confined early stage disease with primary therapy.
Rodent pollination of Blakea (Melastomataceae) in a Costa Rican cloud forest

Several species of rodents have been observed visiting the flowers of an undescribed species ofBlakea (Melastomataceae) in a cloud forest in Costa Rica. The rodents drink the copious nectar secreted at the base of the stamens and are dusted with pollen. The first report of pollination by non-flying mammals in the neotropics suggests that this type of pollination may be important where there is little competition with bats.
Red Wine, White Wine, Liquor, Beer, and Risk for Coronary Artery Disease Hospitalization

International comparison data suggest that wine may be more protective against coronary artery disease than beer or liquor. There are potentially protective antioxidants in wine, especially red wine. However, prospective population studies suggest that each beverage type may reduce coronary risk. The role of alcoholic beverage choice in coronary risk remains unresolved. We performed a prospective study of coronary disease hospitalizations among 128,934 adult members of a Northern California prepaid comprehensive health care program. Alcohol data were supplied at health examinations. Using Cox proportional-hazards models with 9 covariates, analyses were performed of the roles of each major beverage type (wine, beer, and liquor) and of drinking only table wine (red, white, or both). Generally, coronary risk traits were most favorable for wine drinkers and least favorable for liquor drinkers. Among 3,931 persons hospitalized for coronary disease, total alcohol drinking was inversely related to risk in both sexes. Uncontrolled for total alcohol, each beverage type showed evidence for coronary protection, weakest for liquor and strongest for beer in men and wine in women. Controlled for total alcohol, these relations were much reduced, and lost statistical significance except for beer in men and both red and white wine (combined) in all persons. We conclude that (1) drinking ethyl alcohol apparently protects against coronary disease, and (2) there may be minor additional benefits associated with drinking both beer and wine, but not especially red wine.
An Ultrastructural Study of Mitosis in a Marine Dinoflagellate: Prorocentrum minimum

An ultrastructural study on mitosis in the marine dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum is described. Early in mitosis the nuclear membrane invaginates in the area of the Golgi apparatus. Additional membrane-lined channels form within the nucleus as the Golgi apparatus separates and moves toward opposite spindle poles. Microtubules appear within the channels and make contact with distinct kinetochore-like structures on the cytoplasmic side of the channels adjacent to the site of chromosome attachment. By mid-mitosis two or three parallel channels dissect the nucleus perpendicular to the suture plane of the cell. Chromosome separation thus occurs perpendicular to the suture plane. An additional group of microtubules extends posteriorly from the flagellar apparatus towards the nucleus but has no apparent role in mitosis. Mitosis in P. minimum is compared to that of P. micans and to other dinoflagellates.
Gas permeable perspectives

Abstract Over the last 20 years, increasing emphasis (and clinical dependence) has been placed on materialproperties as a means of meeting daily and extended wear contact lens requirements. Oxygen transmissivity remains high on that list of properties. Here, a brief overview of certain expectations and limitations in relation to the oxygen performances of hard and soft materials is given.
Asthma caused by FD&C approved dyes.

Abstract A case of severe intractable asthma due to sensitivity to certain of the FD&C approved dyes, notably Tartrazine (yellow No. 5), is reported. These dyes are commonly used to color drug tablets and capsules, as well as many foods. Required listing of these dyes on drug and food packages might be life-saving.
Extraordinary topaz‐replacement body in the Brewer Mine, South Carolina

Introduction—A large body of massive topaz forms a part of the gold-bearing lode at the Brewer Mine, South Carolina. This gold-mine was opened 100 years ago and merits the distinction of being one of the early gold-discoveries of the Southern Appalachian Region. The Brewer Mine is located near Jefferson, in Chesterfield County, near the northern boundary of South Carolina, and on the eastern edge of the Piedmont Province. The country rock is described by J. T. Pardee and C. F. Park, Jr., (Gold-deposits of the Southern Appalachians, U. S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper, in preparation) as a quartz-sericite schist that locally preserves the structure of a fine-grained, waterlaid tuff, probably a rhyolite,from which it was derived. Exposures of granite that intrude the schist appear on the north and west at distances of a mile to a mile and a half.
Constituents of holacantha emoryi

Abstract Holacantha emoryi Gray, fam. Simaroubaceae, contains glaucarubol, a compound characteristic of the family. Ellagic acid, betulin and (—)-syringaresinol were also isolated.
Artificial sociability: from embodied AI toward new understandings of personhood

Abstract Artificial Intelligence (AI) research projects undertaken with new theories of embodied intelligence and humanoid robots are examined from the perspective not of their impacts on society, but in terms of the ethical and theological implications of their basic assumptions. By way of background, ideas about humanoid robot research in Japan are compared with related Jewish and Christian ideas. Basic descriptions of the MIT projects known as Cog and Kismet are then provided. Description then leads to general and personal analyses of the new spiritual understandings of personhood and sociability that may emerge from interaction with these new technological creations.
Google+ and the Commodification of Cool.

This summer's “make a statement” statement was simple to understand: “I have moved.” Facebook friends and colleagues marked their mass exodus from the social networking giant with these words as th...
An impalement injury to the oropharynx in a paediatric patient—a case report

Impalement injuries of the oral cavity are common in children and potential for serious complications including internal carotid artery thrombosis which may go unrecogonised. We present a patient who suffered a penetrating injury in which an implanted foreign body was not detected despite the persistence of symptoms and repeated clinical examinations. We discuss the role of investigations and highlight the potential sequaele of these injuries with the aim of increasing awareness and so optimising patient management.
Myelopathy after the intrathecal administration of hypertonic saline.

Abstract The neuropathological effects of intrathecally administered hypertonic saline have not been described previously. We report a patient who, within a day of receiving 20 ml of hypertonic (7.5%) saline intrathecally, developed flaccid paraplegia and complete sensory loss below the umbilicus. Subsequently, there was some transitory return of motor and coarse sensory function. The patient died 16 months after the injection. At autopsy, there was peripherally accentuated loss of myelinated fibers within the spinal cord from T12 downward, as well as dense collagenous thickening of the dorsal leptomeninges from T9 to T11. The findings in this case, coupled with observations made by others, serve to emphasize the need for extreme caution whenever planning any form of intrathecal therapy.
The Dark Side of Globalization

Transnational Organized Crime and International Security: Business as Usual. Edited by Mats Berdal, Monica Serrano. Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2002. 240 pp., $49.95 (ISBN: 1-58826-090-9). Since the end of the Cold War, scholars and practitioners have paid closer attention to transnational issues. Such things as the lowering of border controls in the newly independent states of the former Soviet Union and within the European Union (EU), more persistent international efforts to reduce customs and tariff barriers, the wider availability of communications and information technology, and the pervasive penetration of the Internet into all societies (including those earlier considered to be denied areas) has brought about an increasing flow of goods, services, ideas, and people across national boundaries, as well as new opportunities for trade, cultural exchange, and the potential enhancement of the quality of international life. At the same time, these phenomena have eased the way for the operations of transnational criminal organizations. In fact, this globalization of the world economy and politics has encouraged criminal organizations to become more international in outlook, to flatten their operations, to network, to outsource, and to make alliances with other criminal organizations (see, for example, Passas 1999; Viano 1999). This in turn has made it more difficult for governmental authorities to deal effectively with crime, bound as they are by legislative, bureaucratic, legal, and institutional strictures that complicate their enforcement …
Documentation of predation of a nestling Cerulean Warbler by a Red-bellied Woodpecker

Abstract Red-bellied Woodpeckers (Melanerpes carolinus) feed primarily on arthropods and plant matter, but a growing body of evidence suggests that Red-bellied Woodpeckers may also be a common passerine nest predator. Cerulean Warblers are the fastest declining Neotropical migratory wood warbler in North America. We report our observations of a Red-bellied Woodpecker depredating a nestling Cerulean Warbler (Setophaga cerulea) in Indiana. Further suggesting their status as a recognized nest predator, we also report agonistic behavior of a different Cerulean Warbler pair toward a Red-bellied Woodpecker foraging near the warblers' fledglings. Red-bellied Woodpeckers may be a more common nest predator of Cerulean Warblers than currently recognized, but further research is needed.
Automatic and efficient contrast-based 2-D/3-D fusion for trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)

Abstract Trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a new breakthrough in the field of minimally invasive surgery applied on high-risk patients with aortic valve defects. 2-D X-ray angiographic and fluoroscopic images are typically used to guide TAVI procedures, for which contrast agent needs to be injected from time to time in order to make the anatomy of the aortic root visible under X-ray. Advanced visualization and guidance technology involving patient-specific 3-D models of the aorta can greatly facilitate the relatively complex TAVI procedures by providing a more realistic anatomy of the aortic root and more accurate C-Arm angulation. In this paper, a fully automatic and efficient system for contrast-based 2-D/3-D fusion for TAVI is presented. Contrast agent injection into the aortic root is automatically detected based on histogram analysis and a likelihood ratio test on the X-ray images. A hybrid method is then applied for contrast-based 2-D/3-D registration between the 3-D model and the detected angiographic frame. By integrating the information of aorta segmentation and aortic landmark detection into intensity-based registration, the proposed method combines the merits of intensity-based registration and feature/landmark-based registration. Experiments on 34 clinical data sets from TAVI patients achieve 100% correct detection on the contrast-enhanced frame, and a mean registration error of 0.66 ± 0.47 mm for 2-D/3-D registration. The proposed method is furthermore highly efficient with an average processing time of 2.5 s after the most contrast-enhanced frame is available, demonstrating the efficacy of the proposed method to be adopted in a clinical setup.
Analysis of Nasal Ptosis Correction Using Lower Lateral to Upper Lateral Cartilage Suspension

Objective To evaluate the durability of lower lateral to upper lateral cartilage suspension (LUCS) in the correction of nasal tip ptosis. Methods Patients with extreme nasal tip ptosis who subseque...
Comprehensive study on low-frequency noise characteristics in surface channel SOI CMOSFETs and device design optimization for RF ICs

Low-frequency (LF) noise, a key figure-of-merit to evaluate device technology for RF systems on a chip, is a significant obstacle for CMOS technology, especially for partially depleted (PD) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) CMOS due to the well-known kink-induced noise overshoot. While the dc kink effect can be suppressed by either using body contact technologies or shifting toward fully depleted (FD) operation, the noise overshoot phenomena still resides at high frequency for either FD SOI or poor body-tied (BT) SOI CMOSFETs. In this paper, floating body-induced excess noise in SOI CMOS technology is addressed, including the impact from floating body effect, pre-dc kink operation, and gate overdrive, followed by the proposal of a universal LF excess noise model. As the physical mechanism behind excess noise is identified, this paper concludes with the suggestion of a device design methodology to optimize LF noise in SOI CMOSFET technology.
Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 3rd Annual Laser Capture Microscopy: Cutting Edge Applications

The third annual meeting dedicated to laser microscopy organized by Cambridge Healthtech Institute was held at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston (MA, USA) on May 2–3, 2005 [101]. Since the f...
Nasolabial Dimensions of the Facial Profile at 20 to 37 Weeks’ Gestation on 2- and 3-Dimensional Sonography in Normal Korean Fetuses

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate normal nasolabial dimensions using the images of facial profiles in normal Korean fetuses. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of 355 normal fetuses at 14 to 39 weeks' gestation. After the exclusion of inadequate images and inadequate numbers of fetuses at 14 to 19 and 37 to 39 weeks' gestation, the sonographic facial profiles from 222 fetuses at 20 to 37 weeks' gestation were evaluated. Five parameters, nose length, nose protrusion, pronasal-subnasal distance, distance between the upper philtrum and mouth, and distance between the tip of the nose and mouth, were measured and are presented according to gestational age. Data were analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficients and regression analysis. RESULTS There were significant linear correlations between gestational age and nose length (R = 0.390; P < .001), pronasal-subnasal distance (R = 0.415; P < .001), and distance between the upper philtrum and mouth (R = 0.315; P < .001). There were significant quadratic relationships between gestational age and nose protrusion (R(2) = 0.213; P < .001) and distance between the tip of the nose and mouth (R(2) = 0.173; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS We provide preliminary normative nasolabial dimensions of facial profiles at 20 to 37 weeks' gestation in normal Korean fetuses. These data may be of help not only in the understanding of normal nasolabial growth in utero but also in the diagnosis of abnormal facial dimensions.
Enhanced photocatalytic disinfection of indoor air

Abstract A silver ion doped TiO2 based photocatalyst, with improved destruction of airborne microbes, has been developed. The performance of the silver ion doped photocatalyst is demonstrated using a catalyst coated filter in a recirculating air experimental facility. Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, and MS2 Bacteriophage have been used as indexes to demonstrate the high disinfection efficiency of the enhanced photocatalysis process. The microbial destruction performance of the enhanced photocatalyst is found to be an order of magnitude higher than that of a conventional TiO2 photocatalyst. The process of enhanced photocatalysis can thus be used effectively against high concentrations of airborne microorganisms, making it an attractive option as a defense against bio-terrorism.
Combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Contingency Management for Smoking Cessation in Adolescent Smokers: A Preliminary Comparison of Two Different CBT Formats

This pilot study evaluated the optimal format of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to combine with contingency management (CM) in a four-week, high school-based smoking cessation program. Thirty-four adolescent smokers received a standard weekly version of CBT or a frequent brief behavioral intervention. Results indicate a trend toward a higher seven-day point prevalence end-of-treatment abstinence rate and percent days abstinent during treatment in the CBT condition. In addition, significantly more participants in the CBT group completed treatment. These preliminary results suggest that when combined with CM, the standard weekly format of CBT is more acceptable to adolescent smokers.
Parent’s Reports Predict their Child’s Developmental Problems

To document parental reports about their child's delayed development, 180 consecutive parents/guardians of children, ages ranging from 16 to 70 months, were surveyed. Parents reported a mean of 8.28 (SD 4.55) problems. Symptoms most reported were not talking well (79.5%), poor speech (59.8%), immaturity (58.0%), understands poorly (55.4%), bowel/bladder problems (50.9%), seldom plays with others (47.3%), attention (46.4%), eating (43.8%), clumsy-gross motor (40.2%), and clumsy-fine motor (40.2%). There was an association between delayed development and symptoms about eating, bowel-bladder, clumsy fine-motor, not talking well, understands poorly, immature, and seldom plays with others (p<0.05). The presence of language symptoms increased the odds of delayed development by 2.25. Relevant symptoms differed by developmental domains and different groups of items predicted specific delays. Parent reports indicated quantifiable difficulties requiring detailed assessments.
Assessing motion in laparoscopic tools

A laparoscopic test fixture was implemented to quantify motion and control with a surgical instrument, assess tracking skill acquisition, and provide a basis to compare precision and consistency across a variety of test subjects and conditions. A conventional laparoscopic dissector was fitted with a depth sensor, whose analog output is sampled, processed, and stored using a LabView program on a personal computer. Novice users were tested in simple target approach exercises, using both dominant and non-dominant hands over a seven-day period. Analysis of test data indicated no significant difference in overall precision, but significant differences in approach trajectory, especially during retraction. Data also showed significant improvement in time to complete tasks from day one to day seven. The test fixture was seen to be effective in evaluating a variety of facets of instrument movement and control.
Amelioration of the Protein Metabolic Response in Spermidine-Supplemented Trauma Rats

Polyamines are biologically active, small, positively charged ubiquitous compounds that play an important role in initiating adaptive changes in cell proliferation, cell growth, and synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids. The potential for exogenous dietary polyamine to significantly contribute to whole-body growth and health has not been explored. This study evaluates the efficacy of feeding a liquid diet supplemented with 0.05% spermidine in injured rats. Rats traumatized by bilateral femur fracture (n = 12) and pair-fed uninjured controls (n = 12) were starved for 2 days and then refed for 4 days with a liquid diet containing 0.05% spermidine or an isonitrogenous control diet. Daily urine and body weight data were collected. At the end of refeeding, the rats were killed, and blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), muscle, and brain tissue were collected. Spermidine supplementation (0.05%) was found to be tolerated well by the rats and (1) did not affect voluntary food intake by traumatized rats, (2) did not alter the growth rate, (3) increased protein utilization efficiency, and (4) decreased leucine, isoleucine, and valine levels in plasma and muscle. The profound effect of trauma on plasma amino acid metabolism seen in rats fed the basal diet was absent in spermidine-supplemented rats. Depletion of plasma glutamine (GLN) levels due to trauma was significantly less in rats with spermidine supplementation (11% v 33%), indicating a beneficial effect to counteract trauma responses. The results suggest that spermidine supplementation improves protein utilization efficiency and ameliorates trauma effects on amino acid levels.
Barium and Sodium Abundances in the Globular Clusters M15 and M92

Upper giant branch members of the Galactic globular clusters M15 and M92 have been surveyed with the WIYN 3.5 m telescope and Hydra multiobject fiber-fed spectrometer. Medium-resolution spectra (R ≡ λ/δλ ~ 20000) in the wavelength range 5740–5980 A were obtained for 31 stars in M15 and 34 stars in M92. The stellar samples range over the top three magnitudes of the cluster color-magnitude diagrams; the faintest of the stars are at or below the luminosity of the horizontal branch. Ca, Ba, and Na abundances have been derived for all stars from the Ca I λ5857.4, the Ba II λ5853.7, and the Na I D λλ5889.9, 5895.9 lines, and Fe, Si, and Ti abundances have also been derived for the coolest, most luminous stars near the cluster red giant branch tips. The Fe metallicities and abundance ratios of the tip giants are in general agreement with literature values for these two clusters. The derived [Ca/H] abundance in M15 is about 0.05 dex larger than in M92, consistent with earlier suggestions of a very small overall metallicity difference between these two clusters. Using the Ca abundance as a surrogate for cluster metallicity, the overall relative abundances of Ba indicated by the [Ba/Ca] ratios are significantly different in M15 and M92: -0.1 and -0.4. The large star-to-star scatter (σ ~ 0.4) in [Na/Ca] at all giant branch positions in both clusters confirms the existence of large proton-capture abundance variations down to stellar luminosities comparable to the horizontal branch.
Whither hospital and academic psychiatry

If psychiatrists are to bring value to the health care team, training a renewable force of such psychiatrists is essential. Have psychiatrists been trained to bring maximal value to the health care team? Is such training being provided now? Given the current health care climate, will sufficient funding be available to train this renewable force optimally? This article addresses these questions from an historical-developmental perspective, identifies current challenges, and outlines opportunities for further growth and development.
The Reference Signal of Geomagnetic Field for MMM Expert Systems

The first step of a methodological approach to the validation of the metal magnetic memory (MMM) method in non-destructive testing (NDT) applications and in systems used for the diagnosis of early stages of material fatigue in mechanical constructions (structural health monitoring, SHM, and prognosis health management, PHM) has been presented in the paper. The study is focused on the properties of the external natural source of magnetisation of the object under MMM examination and the impact of its components. The precise data of the Earth's geomagnetism measurements (from ground stations and satellites) and the revised model of the Earth's magnetism can be applied in order to calibrate high sensitive magnetic field sensors, validate measurement results and extend the functional capacity of the MMM method.
Regulation of inflammation‐associated olfactory neuronal death and regeneration by the type II tumor necrosis factor receptor

Background Olfactory loss is a debilitating symptom of chronic rhinosinusitis. To study the impact of inflammation on the olfactory system, the inducible olfactory inflammation (IOI) transgenic mouse was created in which inflammation can be turned on and off within the olfactory epithelium. In this study, the type II tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor (TNFR2) was knocked out, and the effect on the olfactory loss phenotype was assessed. Methods IOI mice were bred to TNFR2 knockout mice to yield progeny IOI mice lacking the TNFR2 receptor (TNFR2−/−). TNF-α expression was induced within the olfactory epithelium for 6 weeks to generate chronic inflammation. Olfactory function was assayed by electro-olfactogram (EOG), and olfactory tissue was processed for histology and immunohistochemical staining. Results Compared to IOI mice with wild-type TNFR2, IOI mice lacking the TNFR2 demonstrated similar levels of inflammatory infiltration and enlargement of the subepithelial layer. However, IOI-TNFR2−/− mice differed markedly in that the neuronal layer was largely preserved and active progenitor cell proliferation was present. Odorant responses were maintained in the IOI-TNFR2−/− mice, in contrast to IOI mice. Conclusion TNFR2 is the minor receptor for TNF-α, but appears to play an important role in mediating TNF-induced disruption of the olfactory system. This finding suggests that neuronal death and inhibition of proliferation in CRS may be mediated by TNFR2 on olfactory neurons and progenitor cells. Further studies are needed to elucidate the subcellular pathways involved and develop novel therapies for treating olfactory loss in the setting of CRS.
Three Waves of BITs: The Global Diffusion of Foreign Investment Policy

Bilateral investment treaties (BITs), agreements that provide extensive rights and protection to foreign investors, were first adopted in the 1960s, proliferated in the late 1980s and 1990s, especi...
High stakes testing in higher education and employment: Appraising the evidence for validity and fairness.

The authors review criticisms commonly leveled against cognitively loaded tests used for employment and higher education admissions decisions, with a focus on largescale databases and meta-analytic evidence. They conclude that (a) tests of developed abilities are generally valid for their intended uses in predicting a wide variety of aspects of short-term and long-term academic and job performance, (b) validity is not an artifact of socioeconomic status, (c) coaching is not a major determinant of test performance, (d) tests do not generally exhibit bias by underpredicting the performance of minority group members, and (e) test-taking motivational mechanisms are not major determinants of test performance in these highstakes settings.
Multiscale content extraction and representation for video indexing

This paper presents a general multiscale framework for extraction and representation of video content. The approach exploits the inherent multiscale nature of many TV and film productions to delineate an input stream effectively and to construct consistent scenes reliably. The method first utilizes basic signal processing techniques, and unsupervised clustering to determine shot boundaries in the video sequence. Similarity comparison using shot representative histograms and clustering to determine shot boundaries in the video sequence. Similarity comparison using shot representative histograms and clustering is then carried out within each shot to automatically select representative key frames. Finally, a model that takes into account the filmic structure of the input stream is discussed and developed to efficiently merge individual shots into coherent, meaningful segments, i.e. scenes.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Estimates of the Generation of Available Potential Energy by Infrared Radiation

Data from the National Meteorological Center and net outgoing infrared radiation (IR) data measured by NOAA satellites for January 1977 are used to compute estimates of the spectral and spatial contributions to the net generation of available potential energy in the Northern Hemisphere due to infrared radiation. Although these estimates are necessarily crude, the results obtained indicate that IR causes destruction of both zonal and eddy available potential energy. The contributions from midlatitudes to the zonal and eddy generation are about -5.0 W/sq m and about -0.6 W/sq m, respectively. The eddy generation is due almost entirely to stationary wavenumbers one and two. Comparison with earlier studies and computation of Newtonian cooling coefficients are discussed.
Challenges to the Functionalism-Positivism and Social Construction Integration: An Essay in Review of Jong Jun’s The Social Construction of Public Administration

Is the integration of the positivist-functionalist and social constructionist views of public administration workable? In The Social Construction of Public Administration: Interpretive and Critical...
Tourette Syndrome in Children: Knowledge and Services

Tourette syndrome (TS), an underdiagnosed motor and verbal tic disorder, has an average onset of 7 years and can lead to multiple educational and psychological problems even before a diagnosis is determined. Clinic social workers can be of tremendous assistance to both child and family in learning what TS is, working effectively with the school system, and resolving intrapersonal and intrafamily problems associated with TS. To do so, they can draw on theory and methodology generated in chronic illness, individual counseling, and family therapy.
Applications of Geometric Theory to Nonlinear Reactor Dynamics

Some basic theorems of the geometric theory of differential equations are reviewed, without proofs, in an attempt to clarify: (a) what relationship exists between the general solution of a set of nonlinenr differential equations and the solution of its linear approximation and under what conditions thin relationship can be used; (b) how the geometric theory can be used to find propenties of boundedness, stability, and periodicity of the solutions of nonlinenr differentinl systems. These theroms are illustuated by means of twothird order examples. The first is the xenon controlled reactor and the second a two-reginn reactor with two temperature coefficients of reactivity. It is shown without involved computatinns or any approximnations that: (a) Xenon controlled reactor--- when the reactivity controlled by xenon is smaller than the prompt xenon yield, the reactor power is always bounded but periodic oscillations may arise. When the reactivity controlled by xenon is greater than the prompt xenon yield the reactor power is unbounded; (b) Twn-region reactor--- this reactor does not admit periodic solutions. When the temperatare coefficients are of opposite sign, conditions are derived for the reactor power to be bounded. (auth)
Effect of Breathing Pure Oxygen on Respiratory Volume in Humans.

SummaryBreathing pure oxygen causes a significant rise in the average resting respiratory volume in normal males.
Heart and Blood Vessels

The fetal myocardium has a distinctive histological appearance that differs from the ­histological appearance of adult myocardium. Familiarity with these differences is important when examining fetal tissues. In addition, there are specific vascular structures, such as the umbilical vein and ductus arteriosus, that represent components of the fetal circulation and are only normally present during gestation and in the early neonatal period. This chapter highlights the histological features of the fetal and neonatal heart, and some of these unique vascular structures during fetal life.
Cut Clutter with 'Checklist-Find': Using Technology to Teach Effective, Efficient Revision

Writing legal documents with plain English is difficult, and the “checklist-find” revision strategy enables legal writers to identify and revise common plain English and grammar weaknesses in their legal documents by using their word processors’ “find” functions — Control F on PCs and Command F on Macs — to locate clutter words on a predesigned, personalized checklist. Even seasoned legal writers face many challenges when trying to write plainly. First, legal writers are often busy people working under tight deadlines. Second, they often must make difficult ideas understandable to as broad an audience as possible in as plain a fashion as possible. Third, they face the formidable task of cutting the overgrowth of legalese that strangles even the simplest concepts in legal writing. The checklist-find technique is simple — you do not have to be a grammarian or a techno-wizard to use this technique or to teach others to use it — and it uses tools that students already have at their disposal. Early in their legal writing careers, law students are not likely able to self-identify weaknesses in their writing. They are, however, likely to have used Control F to find specific terms in a document. Accordingly, checklist-find helps our students, who are technologically savvy or “digital natives,” to employ technology to their advantage to both maximize their learning and to process lots of new information, thereby lightening their “cognitive loads.”
The Analysis of the Result of Country Gangu’s Tuberculosis Phlegm Smear Direct Microscopic Exam During 2005 to 2009

OBJECTIVES To understand the situation of County Gangu’s TB prevalence and sputum smear, to strengthen the management of sputum smear quality and to improve the sputum smear’s positive rate. METHODS Statistical analysis of County Gangu during 2005—2009 tuberculosis sputum smears. RESULTS During these five years, there have been total 7 031 cases of sputum smear. The rate of newly diagnosed sputum examination is 86.90%. Smear-positive TB cases are 1 320, total Smear-positive rate is 18.77%. The positive rate of male is 88.97% and this of women is 63.27%; the group of those positive rate within the age of 20 is 45.88%, groups section of the positive rate over 20 is 80.13%, for over 40 years of age groups section of the positive rate is 90.63% and 60 years of positive rate 76.50%. purulent sputum positive 45.61% bloody sputum positive rate 31.58%, mucus and phlegm 13.26% positive rate, sample of sputum positive rate 0.36%, morning sputum positive rate 95.91% positive sputum, evening 90.61% instant sputum positive rate 49.36%, the mountain village of positive rate 91.32%; positive rate, Arakawa-Ku Township is 63.62%. CONCLUSIONS Strengthening work commitment and high professionalism, sputum specimen collection, do a smear quality control of acid-fast bacilli is the key to increase positive rate. Strengthening rural areas, particularly in remote and isolated village of tuberculosis prevention and control.
Assessing Acid-Base Imbalances Through Laboratory Parameters

The problem is to differentiate the acute from the chronic, the respiratory from the metabolic, and the pure from the mixed acid-base disorder. Appreciation of the interdependence of hydrogen ion concentration, serum bicarbonate, and pCO2, expressible in a simple equation, facilitates the task. In most patients with a pure disorder, a change in one parameter will result in a distinctive and proportionate change in another.
Endothelin-A receptor antagonist prevents acute hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in the rat.

Exposure to hypoxia is associated with increased pulmonary artery pressure and plasma endothelin-1(ET-1) levels and with selective enhancement in ET-1 peptide and mRNA and endothelin-A (ETA) recept...
Extraction of Pesticides from Environmental Samples by Steam Distillation

Extraction de plusieurs pesticides d'echantillons de sol, de tissus vegetaux et d'air. Ce procede necessite de faibles quantites de solvant organique et supprime le nettoyage de l'extrait. Il est apparemment limite aux pesticides assez polaires, stables a la vapeur ou a la chaleur
Electrical characterisation of short gate In0.60Ga0.40As/In0.36Al0.64As0.84Sb0.16 high electron mobility transistors on InP substrate

An investigation into the DC and RF performance of MBE-grown In/sub 0.36/Al/sub 0.64/As/sub 0.84/Sb/sub 0.16//In/sub 0.52/Al/sub 0.48/As/In/sub 0.60/Ga/sub 0.40/As HEMTS on InP substrate is presented. A composite InAlAsSb Schottky barrier is used to enhance the carrier confinement in the channel. Devices exhibit a drain current of 850 mA/mm, an extrinsic g/sub m/ of 1.22 S/mm and an f/sub /spl tau// of 240 GHz. This is the highest f/sub /spl tau// to date for an InAlAsSb barrier HEMT.
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF BENECKEA PARAHAEMOLYTICA: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Eighty-six strains which were isolated from cases of gastroenteritis and had the general properties of the genus Beneckea were submitted to an extensive nutritional, physiological, and morphological characterization. The results indicated that this collection of strains, which included the type strain of Beneckea parahaemolytica, was phenotypically homogeneous and distinguishable from the other known species of Beneckea by multiple, unrelated, phenotypic traits. When grown in liquid medium, strains of B. parahaemolytica had single, sheathed, polar flagella; when grown on solid medium, these strains had unsheathed, peritrichous flagella in addition to the sheathed, polar flagellum. Additional traits of use for differentiation of this species from the remaining species of the genus Beneckea were the ability of B. parahaemolytica to grow at 40 C, utilize d-galactose, l-leucine, l-histidine, and putrescine and the inability to utilize sucrose, dl-β-hydroxy-butyrate or give a positive Voges-Proskauer reaction....