cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agency on the move: revisioning the route to social change.

Throughout the course of everyday life individuals enter into interactions in which an intricate relationship between agency and subordination can be observed: they sometimes act agentively and at other times—via discursive and/or interpersonal processes—their agency is reduced to objectness. Thus, theoretically we can think of constant dynamics of transfer of agency. It is argued that the transfer of agency between persons (or groups) is a fundamental quality of the societal discourses in which all persons are constituted. This transfer of agency occurs constantly throughout social interaction and at different levels of social functioning as individuals live and make meaning of their experiences. In light of this perspective, it is suggested that social change movements that aim to interrupt the transfer of agency and instead fix agency with one person (or one group of people) are inadequate. Rather, these movements can actually subvert their own agenda by producing problematic tensions in discourse and subjectivity. The self-defense movement, a component of the movement to end violence against women, is presented as a case study. The problematic and tension-filled positions and meanings the movement (re)produces for women are explored as an effect of denying any transfer of agency between women and men around issues of violence and gender oppression.
Reflectance- and radiance-based methods for the in-flight absolute calibration of multispectral sensors

Variations reported in the in-flight absolute radiometric calibration of the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) and the Thematic Mapper (TM) on Landsat 4 are reviewed. At short wavelengths these sensors exhibited a gradual reduction in response, while in the midinfrared the TM showed oscillatory variations, according to the results of TM internal calibration. The methodology and results are presented for five reflectance-based calibrations of the Landsat 5 TM at White Sands, NM, in the period July 1984 to November 1985. These show a + or - 2.8 percent standard deviation for the six solar-reflective bands. Analysis and preliminary results of a second, independent calibration method, based on radiance measurements from a helicopter at White Sands, indicate that this is potentially an accurate method for corroborating the results from the reflectance-based method.
Internships in Environmental Interpretation and Environmental Education

(1978). Internships in Environmental Interpretation and Environmental Education. The Journal of Environmental Education: Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 18-28.
A study on the mixing of flour in a motionless Sulzer (Koch) mixer using a radioactive tracer

Abstract This work was concerned with the evaluation of the motionless Sulzer (Koch) mixer for radial mixing of flour. A radioactive tracer technique was employed. The tracer employed, mainly radiosotope 56 Mn, was created by neutron activation with a neutron flux of 1.44 × 10 12 n/cm 2 sec. The method has a high degree of accuracy and the advantage that no physical differences exist between the bulk and tracer materials. The concentration distribution in the radial direction was measured, and the resulting degrees of mixedness of the mixture after passing through the mixer for 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 passes were determined. The degress of mixedness in the radial direction increased with the number of passes. The experimental results were compared to the same mixture passing through an empty column without mixing elements inserted. The comparison indicated that the mixing elements enhanced the mixing process in a predictable way. Finally, a mechanistic model was developed and verified by the experimental results.
Reinforcement analysis and design of mechanical roof bolting systems in horizontally bedded mine roofs

In order to design roof bolting systems safely and economically, it is essential to understand the flexural behaviour of the immediate roof. Based on the strata sequence, the strata in the immediate roof are divided into three types. The flexural behaviour of the three strata types are investigated in terms of the following effects: roof span, horizontal stress, thickness and Young's modulus of the lowest strata.
The Use of Consumer-Satisfaction Surveys by an Air Medical Program

Surveys were distributed to referring and receiving hospitals or to EMS agencies that used the air medical service. The respondents were asked to evaluate the dispatcher's, pilot's and flight crew's professionalism and courteousness on a Likert scale and through written comments. Phase 1 of the survey distribution was discontinued after problems were encountered due to the distribution process. Phase 2 consisted of the air medical program mailing surveys directly to the referring and receiving facilities or to the EMS agencies. In terms of courteousness and professionalism, 90% of the respondents' answers fell within the strongly agree to neutral range. Questions regarding pilots and dispatchers were often left unanswered. Two areas were identified as needing further work on the part of the medical flight crew: follow-up with referring hospitals on patient outcome and identification of flight physicians vs. flight nurses.
Calculating the local-type f NL for slow-roll inflation with a nonvacuum initial state

Single-field slow-roll inflation with a nonvacuum initial state has an enhanced bispectrum in the local limit. We numerically calculate the local-type ${f}_{\mathrm{NL}}$ signal in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) that would be measured for such models (including the full transfer function and 2D projection). The nature of the result depends on several parameters, including the occupation number ${N}_{k}$, the phase angle ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{k}$ between the Bogoliubov parameters, and the slow-roll parameter $ϵ$. In the most conservative case, where one takes ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{k}\ensuremath{\approx}{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{0}k$ (justified by physical reasons discussed within) and $ϵ\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.01$, we find that $0l{f}_{\mathrm{NL}}l1.52(ϵ/0.01)$, which is likely too small to be detected in the CMB. However, if one is willing to allow a constant value for the phase angle ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{k}$ and ${N}_{k}=\mathcal{O}(1)$, ${f}_{\mathrm{NL}}$ can be much larger and/or negative (depending on the choice of ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{k}$), e.g. ${f}_{\mathrm{NL}}\ensuremath{\approx}28(ϵ/0.01)$ or $\ensuremath{-}6.4(ϵ/0.01)$; depending on $ϵ$, these scenarios could be detected by Planck or a future satellite. While we show that these results are not actually a violation of the single-field consistency relation, they do produce a value for ${f}_{\mathrm{NL}}$ that is considerably larger than that usually predicted from single-field inflation.
Extending Bell's Model: How Force Transducer Stiffness Alters Measured Unbinding Forces and Kinetics of Molecular Complexes☆

Forced unbinding of complementary macromolecules such as ligand-receptor complexes can reveal energetic and kinetic details governing physiological processes ranging from cellular adhesion to drug metabolism. Although molecular-level experiments have enabled sampling of individual ligand-receptor complex dissociation events, disparities in measured unbinding force FR among these methods lead to marked variation in inferred binding energetics and kinetics at equilibrium. These discrepancies are documented for even the ubiquitous ligand-receptor pair, biotin-streptavidin. We investigated these disparities and examined atomic-level unbinding trajectories via steered molecular dynamics simulations, as well as via molecular force spectroscopy experiments on biotin-streptavidin. In addition to the well-known loading rate dependence of FR predicted by Bell's model, we find that experimentally accessible parameters such as the effective stiffness of the force transducer k can significantly perturb the energy landscape and the apparent unbinding force of the complex for sufficiently stiff force transducers. Additionally, at least 20% variation in unbinding force can be attributed to minute differences in initial atomic positions among energetically and structurally comparable complexes. For force transducers typical of molecular force spectroscopy experiments and atomistic simulations, this energy barrier perturbation results in extrapolated energetic and kinetic parameters of the complex that depend strongly on k. We present a model that explicitly includes the effect of k on apparent unbinding force of the ligand-receptor complex, and demonstrate that this correction enables prediction of unbinding distances and dissociation rates that are decoupled from the stiffness of actual or simulated molecular linkers.
Core support extraction for learning from initially labeled nonstationary environments using COMPOSE

Learning in nonstationary environments, also called concept drift, requires an algorithm to track and learn from streaming data, drawn from a nonstationary (drifting) distribution. When data arrive continuously, a concept drift algorithm is required to maintain an up-to-date hypothesis that evolves with the changing environment. A more difficult problem that has received less attention, however, is learning from so-called initially labeled nonstationary environments, where the the environment provides only unlabeled data after initialization. Since the labels to such data never become available, learning in such a setting is also referred to as extreme verification latency, where the algorithm must only use unlabeled data to keep the hypothesis current. In this contribution, we analyze COMPOSE, a framework recently proposed for learning in such environments. One of the central processes of COMPOSE is core support extraction, where the algorithm predicts which data instances will be useful and relevant for classification in future time steps. We compare two different options, namely Gaussian mixture model based maximum a posteriori sampling and a-shape compaction, for core support extraction, and analyze their effects on both accuracy and computational complexity of the algorithm. Our findings point to-as is the case in most engineering problems - a trade-off: that a-shapes are more versatile in most situations, but they are far more computationally complex, especially as the dimensionality of the dataset increases. Our proposed GMM procedure allows COMPOSE to operate on datasets of substantially larger dimensionality without affecting its classification performance.
Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in diesel emission particulates

Abstract A preliminary characterization of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in dichloromethane extracts of diesel exhaust particulates is described. Acid-base liquid-liquid partitioning followed by adsorption chromatography was used to isolate the PAH fraction. Compounds were identified primarily by the mass spectra of high-resolution gas chromatographic effluents. Three four-ring PAHs and their alkyl-substituted homologues were the predominant constituents. In addition, ultraviolet spectra of four high performance liquid chromatography-separated PAHs were superimposable with those of reference compounds leading to their unambiguous identification. These results show the advantage of using several complementary techniques for characterization rather than gas chromatrographapy-mass spectrometry alone.
Serum trace element concentrations in children with chronic renal failure.

Sirs, I read with interest the study by Esfahani et al. [1] on serum trace element levels in children with chronic renal failure. I would like to note the limitations and confounding variables that may have affected the study results and conclusions. First, zinc concentrations were not measured in the spent dialysate. As such, possible zinc losses via the hemodiafilter cannot be ascertained. Second, the use of body mass index (BMI) to compare the nutritional status between the three study groups with the aim of comparing body trace element status is inaccurate. BMI relates a person’s body weight to their height and is not an indication of nutrient reserves. The absence of significant difference in the BMI between different groups does not necessarily translate to similar trace element body stores. Third, it is stated that study results showed “an inverse linear relation between the duration of hemodialysis and serum levels of zinc”. This conclusion does not necessarily indicate that there were more zinc losses with longer duration of hemodialysis as stated in the conclusion “with the severity of the changes increasing with the duration of hemodialysis”. Chronic renal failure patients treated with long-term hemodialysis can be sicker and have poorer dietary intake. Poor nutritional intake may as well be the cause of zinc deficiency. Last, chronic renal failure and uremia can be associated with tissue trace element redistribution. Studies in patients with renal failure requiring intermittent hemodialysis have shown plasma zinc concentrations to be decreased or increased [2–7]. A decrease in serum zinc concentrations due to tissue zinc redistribution occurs during stress as part of the acute phase response and may not necessarily indicate zinc deficiency. Trace element redistribution is mediated by the release of cytokines, especially tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 [8]. Significantly higher serum concentrations of TNF-α and interleukin-2 were found in pediatric chronic hemodialysis patients compared with healthy subjects. Serum concentrations of TNF-α, interleukin-6 and interleukin-2 were comparable before and after the hemodialysis session [9]. This indicates that chronic renal failure patients may have elevated serum cytokine concentrations. In the study by Esfahani et al. [1], serum trace elements were collected before hemodialysis. It is unlikely that timing of trace element collection may have been affected much differently whether sampling occurred before or after the hemodialysis session. Thus, cytokine effects on serum trace element redistribution may have been similar before or after hemodialysis. Although trace element disturbances have been reported in uremia and renal failure patients, the clinical implications of these disturbances and the direct implication of hemodialysis on trace element status remain to be fully elucidated.
Thymic cortical epithelial cells lack full capacity for antigen presentation

SEVERAL recent studies have suggested that interactions between thymocytes and thymic stromal cells are essential for the development and elimination of antigen-reactive T lymphocytes1-4. It is important, therefore, to characterize the stromal cells involved in presentation of antigen in the thymus. In a previous report, we demonstrated, using T-cell hybridomas, that three distinct types of antigen presenting cells in the thymus (cortical epithelial cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells) constitutively expressed self haemoglobin/la complexes5. Here we report that one of these cell types, the cortical epithelial cell, does not induce stimulation of T-lymphocyte clones even though the antigen/la complex required for antigen-specific recognition is present. This lack of response occurs with both TH1 and TH2 clones. Responsiveness of the TH2 clone can be restored by adding the murine lymphokine interleukin-1β to the culture system.
A time-division multiplexer-demultiplexer for duplex video recording and playback

A solid state circuit is described that allows two sources of video information to be multiplexed and recorded by one videotape machine. On playback, the same circuit is used to demultiplex the recorded video signal so that each of the original video channels may be independently viewed on separate television monitors.
Response of growth, photosynthesis, and mineral nutrition of red spruce seedlings to ozone and acidic cloud deposition

Abstract A field exclusion chamber study was established at a high elevation site in the Appalachian Mountains to determine the individual and combined effects of cloud water and ozone on the growth and physiological response of red spruce seedlings. Native seedlings from the study site, Whitetop Mountain, VA (1689 m), and seedlings grown from seed obtained from the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee were used in the study. Three replicates of the chamber treatments consisting of (1) exclusion of clouds and ozone, (2) exposure to ambient ozone with clouds removed, and (3) exposure to both ambient cloud and ozone were used in the study. Except for a statistically significant increase in current year needle biomass of native seedlings in treatments removing clouds or clouds and ozone, treatment effects were minimal. Periodic gas exchange measurements of seedlings taken throughout the growing season indicated that treatment-dependent effects on photosynthesis and respiration of both seedling types were few. Seedlings exposed to cloud moisture appeared to accumulate greater levels of N but not S. Increased nutrient leaching of foliar ions was not consistently observed, and soil exchangeable cations did not differ among treatments. These data do not indicate treatment-induced changes in seedling growth that would serve as primary cause(s) in recently reported red spruce decline at high elevations.
Writing the new ethnography: H. L. (Bud) Goodall, Jr.; Walnut Creek, CA, AltaMira Press, 2000, 224 pages

The new ethnography has emerged as a theoretical and methodological response to the ontological critiques and ethical dilemmas posed by postmodernists in the final quarter of the last millennium. P...
Clinical pharmacology and determinates of response to gefitinib in non-small cell lung cancer

Objective. Provide a review and update of gefitinib (Iressa®), including recent data on mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and possible implications in non-small cell lung cancer patients.Data sources. Primary literature and review articles were researched using Pub-Med. Articles through June 2004 were considered for preparation of the review. All clinical trials with published results and articles reporting EGFR mutations were considered for inclusion by the authors.Conclusions. Gefitinib is a novel EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for treatment of chemo-resistant NSCLC. Response rates of 10-19% have been observed in clinical trials with no improvement when combined with chemotherapy. Currently, gefitinib is used as a single agent for advanced NSCLC that is resistant to chemotherapy. Mutations in EGFR correlating with response to gefitinib have recently been described. Based on these early results, genetic testing of NSCLC patients upon diagnosis could predict response to gef...
Comparison of Anti-Xa Levels in Obese and Non-Obese Pediatric Patients Receiving Treatment Doses of Enoxaparin

Objective To determine if using actual body weight to dose enoxaparin in obese pediatric patients results in higher anti-Xa levels compared with non-obese pediatric patients. Study design This was a retrospective case-matched study of obese and non-obese pediatric patients receiving treatment doses of enoxaparin in a tertiary care children's hospital. Patients were included if they were initiated on treatment doses of enoxaparin, had appropriate anti-Xa levels drawn, and were between 2 and 18 years of age. Patients with renal insufficiency, hyperbilirubinemia, goal anti-Xa level 1 unit/mL, or receiving mechanical circulatory support were excluded. Obese patients who met study criteria were matched on a 1:1 basis with non-obese patients. Results All baseline characteristics were similar except for body mass index percentile (98.2 ± 2 vs 48.7 ± 15, P P = .028). Over time, obese patients required a lower mean dose to achieve therapeutic anti-Xa levels than non-obese patients (0.81 ± 0.19 vs 1.1 ± 0.4 mg/kg, P = .005). Conclusions The mean initial anti-Xa level was higher in obese pediatric patients compared with non-obese pediatric patients, but a dosage adjustment was not required. Obese patients may need closer monitoring over time to avoid supratherapeutic levels and possible bleeding events.
Applications of in situ pH measurements for inorganic carbon calculations

Abstract This study examines the utility of combining pH measurements with other inorganic carbon parameters for autonomous mooring-based carbon cycle research. Determination of the full suite of inorganic carbon species in the oceans has previously been restricted to ship-based studies. Now with the availability of autonomous sensors for pH and the partial pressure of CO 2 ( p CO 2 ), it is possible to characterize the inorganic carbon system on moorings and other unmanned platforms. The indicator-based pH instrument, SAMI-pH, was deployed with an autonomous equilibrator-infrared p CO 2 system in Monterey Bay, California USA from June to August 2007. The two-month time-series show a high degree of short-term variability, with pH and p CO 2 changing by as much as 0.32 pH units and 240 μatm, respectively, during upwelling periods. The pH and salinity-derived alkalinity (A Tsalin ) were used to calculate the other inorganic carbon parameters, including p CO 2 , total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and CaCO 3 saturation states. The calculated p CO 2 was within 2 μatm of the measured p CO 2 during the first day of the deployment and within 8 μatm over the first month. The DIC calculated from pH–A Tsalin and p CO 2 –A Tsalin were within 5 μmol kg −1 of each other during the first month. However, DIC calculated from pH– p CO 2 differed by ~ 50 μmol kg −1 from the other estimates over the same period, reflecting the sensitivity of the pH– p CO 2 calculation to measurement error. The data continued to diverge during the final month and this difference was likely driven by extensive biofouling. Because of the relative insensitivity of CO 3 2− concentration to these errors, aragonite saturation calculated from the pH– p CO 2 pair was within 0.15 of the pH–A Tsalin values over the entire deployment. These results show that in situ pH, when combined with other CO 2 parameters, can provide valuable insights into both data quality and inorganic carbon cycling.
Acute extraluminal hemorrhage associated with EUS-guided fine needle aspiration: Frequency and clinical significance

Abstract Background: Complications with EUS-guided fine needle aspiration cytology (EUS-guided FNA) are rare and include perforation, infection, pancreatitis, and intraluminal bleeding. To date, the ultrasound appearance and clinical significance of perilesional bleeding during EUS-guided FNA have not been described. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of acute extraluminal hemorrhage associated with EUS-guided FNA. Methods: From September 1998 to October 1999 EUS-guided FNA was performed during 227 of 1104 EUS procedures. Patient follow-up and complications were recorded and retrospectively analyzed. Observations: Three patients were identified with acute extraluminal hemorrhage at the site of the aspiration during EUS (frequency 1.3%: 95% CI [0%, 2.8%]). The bleeding manifested as an expanding echopoor region adjacent to the sampled lesion. No clinically recognizable sequela arose from the bleeding. All patients were treated with a short course of antibiotics and outpatient observation. Preprocedure coagulation and platelet assessment did not predict which patients were at risk for this complication. Conclusion: Acute extraluminal hemorrhage occurring during EUS-guided FNA is a rare complication with a characteristic ultrasound appearance. Recognition of this event might be important to allow the endoscopist to terminate the procedure and thereby minimize the potential for more serious bleeding.
Use of piezoelectric-excited millimeter-sized cantilever sensors to measure albumin interaction with self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiols having different functional headgroups.

In this paper, we describe a new modality of measuring human serum albumin (HSA) adsorption continuously on CH3-, COOH-, and OH-terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of C11-alkanethiols and the direct quantification of the adsorbed amount. A gold-coated piezoelectric-excited millimeter-sized cantilever (PEMC) sensor of 6-mm2 sensing area was fabricated, where resonant frequency decreases upon mass increase. The resonant frequency in air of the detection peak was 45.5 ± 0.01 kHz. SAMs of C11-thiols (in absolute ethanol) with different end groups was prepared on the PEMC sensor and then exposed to buffer solution containing HSA at 10 μg/mL. The resonant frequency decreased exponentially and reached a steady-state value within 30 min. The decrease in resonant frequency indicates that the mass of the sensor increased due to HSA adsorption onto the SAM layer. The frequency change obtained for the HSA adsorption on CH3-, COOH-, and OH-terminated SAM were 520.8 ± 8.6 (n = 3), 290.4 ± 6.1 (n = 2), and 210.6...
In-situ measurement of electric fields at individual grain boundaries in TiO2

Abstract Scanning probe microscopies have been used to characterize the variations in local electric fields near individual grain boundaries in TiO2. In-situ measurements of electric field gradients across a grain boundary with a lateral in-plane applied bias were made with atomic force microscopy. The dependence of field variations near the boundaries on applied voltage has been quantified and compared with theory. The effects of measured enhancement due to variations in cantilever deflection are considered explicitly.
The effectiveness of context before, after, and around a missing word

The probability of correctly guessing a missing word was measured using lour different kinds of context: all words before the missing word (forward context), all words after the missing word (backward context), all words before and the one word after the missing word (surround context), and just the one word after the missing word. The probability of correctly guessing a missing word was greater with the forward than with the backward context. The probability of guessing correctly with the surround context was much greater than would be predicted from the independent combination of its forward and one word after components. The results provide evidence that expectations are formed continuously during comprehension, but not in a strict word-by-word order. Implications for information theory are noted.
Restricted Lower Bounds in the Statistical Theory of Electronic Energies

The so-called quasiclassical approximations are shown to give, in a certain restricted sense, lower bounds to energy eigenvalues. Variational calculations of the energies of hydrogenlike atoms are carried out as an illustration.
Towards comprehensive characterization of Cs-137 Seeds using PRESAGE® dosimetry with optical tomography.

We describe a method to directly measure the radial dose and anisotropy functions of brachytherapy sources using polyurethane based dosimeters read out with optical CT. We measured the radial dose and anisotropy functions for a Cs-137 source using a PRESAGE® dosimeter (9.5cm diameter, 9.2cm height) with a 0.35cm channel drilled for source placement. The dosimeter was immersed in water and irradiated to 5.3Gy at 1cm. Pre- and post-irradiation optical CT scans were acquired with the Duke Large field of view Optical CT Scanner (DLOS) and dose was reconstructed with 0.5mm isotropic voxel size. The measured radial dose factor matched the published fit to within 3% for radii between 0.5–3.0cm, and the anisotropy function matched to within 4% except for θ near 0° and 180° and radii >3cm. Further improvements in measurement accuracy may be achieved by optimizing dose, using the high dynamic range scanning capability of DLOS, and irradiating multiple dosimeters. Initial simulations indicate an 8 fold increase in dose is possible while still allowing sufficient light transmission during optical CT. A more comprehensive measurement may be achieved by increasing dosimeter size and flipping the source orientation between irradiations.
Desensitization of myocardial beta-adrenergic receptors during cardiopulmonary bypass. Evidence for early uncoupling and late downregulation.

BACKGROUNDCardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), a process routinely used during cardiac surgery, is a potent stimulant to the release of endogenous catecholamines. Hence, we tested the hypothesis that CPB results in myocardial beta-adrenergic receptor (beta AR) desensitization.METHODS AND RESULTSWe obtained canine transmyocardial left ventricular biopsies before, during (155 minutes), and after CPB (pre-CPB, CPB, and post-CPB, respectively) and determined beta AR density, proportion of beta 1AR to beta 2AR, and beta AR coupling capacity to adenylyl cyclase. Beta AR density was stable at 112 +/- 14 fmol/mg (pre-CPB) and 103 +/- 9 fmol/mg (CPB) but decreased post-CPB to 84 +/- 7 fmol/mg. The ratio of beta 1AR to beta 2AR (determined by two-site fit for [125I]-iodocyanopindolol competition binding with the beta 1AR selective antagonist ICI89.406) remained constant throughout (60 +/- 3: 40 +/- 3 pre-CPB, 55 +/- 3: 44 +/- 3 CPB, and 61 +/- 2: 39 +/- 2 post-CPB), revealing that both beta 1AR and beta 2AR subtypes were ...
Sexual reproduction and recombination in the aflatoxin-producing fungus Aspergillus parasiticus

The fungal phylum Ascomycota comprises a large proportion of species with no known sexual stage, despite high genetic variability in field populations. One such asexual species, Aspergillus parasiticus ,i s a potent producer of carcinogenic and hepatotoxic aflatoxins, polyketide-derived secondary metabolites that contaminate a wide variety of agricultural crops. In this study, individuals of A. parasiticus from a population showing an evolutionary history of recombination were examined for sexual reproduction. Crosses between strains with opposite mating-type genes MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 resulted in the development of ascospore-bearing ascocarps embedded within stromata. Sexually compatible strains belonged to different vegetative compatibility groups. Recombination through the independent assortment of chromosomes 3 and 6 was detected using loci for mating type, aflatoxin gene cluster, and a proteinencoding gene. Our discovery of the sexual stage in A. parasiticus has important implications for current biological control strategies using nontoxigenic strains to reduce aflatoxin contamination in crops.
Public Radio and Television in America: A Political History

Introduction The Politics of Public Radio and Television PART ONE: PROLOGUE, 1914-1945 The Public Origins of American Broadcasting The Defeat of the Broadcast Reform Movement of the 1930s PART TWO: PUBLIC RADIO Pacifica Radio The Vision of Lewis K Hill The Spread of Community Radio and Pacifica's Institutional Crisis National Public Radio The Vision of William H Siemering Public Radio From Supplemental to Primary Service PART THREE: PUBLIC TELEVISION The Foundation Years The Government Years The Corporate Years PART FOUR: COMMUNITY TELEVISION Public Access The Vision of George Stoney The Struggle over the Future of Community TV PART FIVE: CONCLUSION The Mystification of the Public Sphere in the History of American Broadcasting The Attack of the Right and the Future of Public Radio and Television
The Use of 24-Crown-8's in the Solvent Extraction of CsNO3 and Sr(NO3)2

Abstract The feasibility of a solvent extraction process for removing strontium and cesium from acidic high activity nuclear waste is shown. Both strontium and cesium can be extracted from an aqueous HNO3 phase containing the metal nitrates into an organic phase containing kerosene or CCl4 as a diluent and complexing agents dissolved in the diluent. The most promising results obtained thus far have required the use of a mixture of three metal complexing agents: tributyl phosphate, di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid, and 4,4′(5′)-di-tert-butylbenzo-24-crown-8. The highest distribution coefficients obtained (organic/aqueous) were 1.45 ± 0.05 for Cs+ and 200 for Sr2+. The extraction is reversible and is strongly dependent on the pH of the aqueous phase. The metal can be removed from the organic phase by lowering the pH to 1, while raising the pH above 3 causes the metal to return to the organic phase. The utility of this extraction technique for nuclear processing will depend on the radiation stability of the c...
Drug photosensitivity, idiopathic photodermatoses, and sunscreens

Photosensitization may be defined as a process in which a reaction to normally innocuous radiation is induced by the introduction of a specific radiation-absorbing substance (the photosensitizer) that causes another component (the substrate) to be changed by the radiation. This review focuses on photosensitization produced by exogenous chemicals. Idiopathic photodermatoses, including polymorphous light eruption and its variants, solar urticaria and chronic actinic dermatitis, are also discussed. Clinical recognition patterns of the photodermatoses are stressed as well as several diagnostic procedures available for confirmation of the condition. Finally, descriptions, therapeutic uses, and adverse reactions of sunscreens are provided.
Analysis of the production and transaction costs of forest carbon offset projects in the USA.

Abstract Forest carbon offset project implementation costs, comprised of both production and transaction costs, could present an important barrier to private landowner participation in carbon offset markets. These costs likewise represent a largely undocumented component of forest carbon offset potential. Using a custom spreadsheet model and accounting tool, this study examines the implementation costs of different forest offset project types operating in different forest types under different accounting and sampling methodologies. Sensitivity results are summarized concisely through response surface regression analysis to illustrate the relative effect of project-specific variables on total implementation costs. Results suggest that transaction costs may represent a relatively small percentage of total project implementation costs – generally less than 25% of the total. Results also show that carbon accounting methods, specifically the method used to establish project baseline, may be among the most important factors in driving implementation costs on a per-ton-of-carbon-sequestered basis, dramatically increasing variability in both transaction and production costs. This suggests that accounting could be a large driver in the financial viability of forest offset projects, with transaction costs likely being of largest concern to those projects at the margin.
The effect of foot position on the modified clinical test of sensory interaction and balance.

Abstract Wrisley DM, Whitney SL. The effect of foot position on the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:335–8. Objectives To determine whether there was a difference in the timed scores on a modified version of the Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIB) with the feet apart versus feet together and to correlate modified CTSIB scores with Sensory Organization Test (SOT) scores. Design Prospective correlational study. Setting Outpatient clinic. Participants Thirty patients (mean age, 58±17y) with vestibular dysfunction who were undergoing vestibular therapy. Interventions Subjects completed the modified CTSIB with their feet together and feet apart at the end of a vestibular therapy session. Subjects also completed the SOT on the same day. Main outcome measures Modified CTSIB scores (feet together, feet apart) and SOT scores. Results Modified CTSIB scores were slightly lower when performed with feet together as compared with feet apart. However, no statistically significant difference existed between scores on the modified CTSIB with feet together versus feet apart using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P Conclusions Scores on the modified CTSIB performed with the feet together did not differ from scores on the modified CTSIB performed with the feet apart. In persons with vestibular disorders, the CTSIB done with the feet together correlated more closely with the SOT.
Comparison of body temperature in cats using a veterinary infrared thermometer and a digital rectal thermometer.

The purpose of this study was to determine if the temperatures obtained using a veterinary infrared (IR) thermometer agreed with a digital rectal thermometer in a group of research cats, half of which had transient fevers. The thermometers were weakly correlated (r=0.62). The mean difference was 0.13°F (0.07°C), and the limits of agreement were 2.6°F (1.43°C) and −2.5°F (−1.36°C), which were unacceptable for clinical purposes. The results of this study indicate that, while the IR thermometer was easy to use, it cannot be used interchangeably with the rectal thermometer.
Aerodynamic tower shake force analysis for VAWT

Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWT) are subjected to blade lift forces which vary continuously in both magnitude and direction. These blade lift forces are transmitted via the blade support arms to the tower. The resulting tower force vector is a composite of: a downwind and a crosswind average force component, rotating force vectors, and force vectors oscillating in the crosswind direction. The frequency of the rotating and oscillating forces are multiples of the product of Bw, where B is the number of blades used and ..omega.. is the rotor angular velocity. The magnitude of the largest tower shake force vector is of the same order as the average downwind force component, and may represent a serious design constraint in the calculation of the required tower stiffness. A closed-form solution for the tower force vectors has been derived, by introducing a suitable wind interference model. It shows that the magnitude of the largest tower shake force vector, using a threebladed rotor, is four times smaller than a two-bladed rotor. The Betz limit and the optimum tip speed ratio as a function of solidity has been derived by comparison with two semicylindrical actuators in series.
Reversible Hydrogen Storage by NaAlH4 Confined within a Titanium-Functionalized MOF-74(Mg) Nanoreactor

We demonstrate that NaAlH4 confined within the nanopores of a titanium-functionalized metal–organic framework (MOF) template MOF-74(Mg) can reversibly store hydrogen with minimal loss of capacity. Hydride-infiltrated samples were synthesized by melt infiltration, achieving loadings up to 21 wt %. MOF-74(Mg) possesses one-dimensional, 12 A channels lined with Mg atoms having open coordination sites, which can serve as sites for Ti catalyst stabilization. MOF-74(Mg) is stable under repeated hydrogen desorption and hydride regeneration cycles, allowing it to serve as a “nanoreactor”. Confining NaAlH4 within these pores alters the decomposition pathway by eliminating the stable intermediate Na3AlH6 phase observed during bulk decomposition and proceeding directly to NaH, Al, and H2, in agreement with theory. The onset of hydrogen desorption for both Ti-doped and undoped nano-NaAlH4@MOF-74(Mg) is ∼50 °C, nearly 100 °C lower than bulk NaAlH4. However, the presence of titanium is not necessary for this increase i...
Association of cord blood methylation fractions at imprinted insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), plasma IGF2, and birth weight.

Purpose Altered methylation at Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2) regulatory regions has previously been associated with obesity, and several malignancies including colon, esophageal, and prostate adenocarcinomas, presumably via changes in expression and/or loss of imprinting, but the functional significance of these DNA methylation marks have not been demonstrated in humans. We examined associations among DNA methylation at IGF2 differentially methylated regions (DMRs), circulating IGF2 protein concentrations in umbilical cord blood (UCB) and birth weight in newborns.
The Effect of α-Tocopherol on Monocyte Proatherogenic Activity

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Westernized populations. The monocyte is a crucial cell in the genesis of the atherosclerotic lesion and is present during all stages of atherosclerosis. alpha-Tocopherol (AT) is the most active component of the vitamin E family and is the principal and most potent lipid-soluble antioxidant in plasma and LDL. With regard to monocyte function, AT supplementation (1200 IU/d) has been shown to decrease release of reactive oxygen species, lipid oxidation, release of cytokines such as interleukin-1ss (IL-1ss) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and decrease adhesion of monocytes to human endothelium. The mechanism of inhibition of superoxide and lipid oxidation by monocytes appears to be via inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC), the decrease in IL-1ss and TNF-alpha release by inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase and the inhibition of monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion via decrease in adhesion molecules on monocytes, CD11b and VLA-4 and by decreasing DNA-binding activity of nuclear transcription factor kappaB. Thus, in addition to the decrease in oxidative stress resulting from AT supplementation, as evidenced by decreased F(2)-isoprostanes and LDL oxidizability, AT is anti-inflammatory and exerts beneficial antiatherogenic effects on cells crucial in atherogenesis such as monocytes.
Falls and fear of falling: burden, beliefs and behaviours

Objectives:this study estimated the frequency of recent falls and prevalence of fear of falling among adults aged 65 and older. Design: a cross-sectional, list-assisted random digit dialling telephone survey of US adults from 2001 to 2003. Subjects: 1,709 adults aged 65 or older who spoke either English or Spanish. Methods: prevalence estimates were calculated for recent falls, fall injuries, fear of falling and fall prevention beliefs and behaviours. Results: an estimated 3.5 million, or 9.6%, of older adults reported falling at least once in the past 3 months. About 36.2% of all older adults said that they were moderately or very afraid of falling. Few older adults who fell in the past 3 months reported making any changes to prevent future falls. Conclusions: the high prevalence of falls and fear of falling among US older adults is of concern. Both can result in adverse health outcomes including decreased quality of life, functional limitations, restricted activity and depression. Older adults’ fear of falling and their reluctance to adopt behaviours that could prevent future falls should be considered when designing fall prevention programmes.
Low‐Temperature Control of Twins and Abnormal Grain Growth in BaTiO3

The microstructure of polycrystalline barium titanate (BaTiO3) thin films processed with a liquid-phase can be controlled by the crystallographic orientation of the underlying sapphire substrate. During postdeposition crystallization, the tendency for {111} twin nucleation, which drives subsequent abnormal grain growth, depends upon the specific sapphire facet. Specifically, tilting away from the close-packed c-plane modifies the orientation, morphology, and relative amount of an interfacial BaAl2O4 second phase. These factors control the density of twin formation, and thus overall grain size of the crystallized BaTiO3. As the substrate orientation transitions from c-plane, to r-plane, to a-plane, the twin density is reduced, the average grain size decreases systematically from 270 to 130 nm, and the grain structure becomes overall more homogeneous. This twinning mechanism and abnormal grain growth occur by 900°C, several hundred degrees lower than reported previously.
Can changes in health related quality of life scores predict survival in stages III and IV colorectal cancer

Several studies have demonstrated the predictive significance on survival of baseline quality of life (QoL) in colorectal cancer (CRC) with little information on the impact of changes in QoL scores on prognosis in CRC. We investigated whether changes in QoL during treatment could predict survival in CRC. We evaluated 396 stages III-IV CRC patients available for a minimum follow-up of 3 months. QoL was evaluated at baseline and after 3 months of treatment using EORTC QLQ-C30. Cox regression evaluated the prognostic significance of baseline, 3-month and changes in QoL scores after adjusting for age, gender and stage at diagnosis. After adjusting for covariates, every 10-point increase in both baseline appetite loss and global QoL score was associated with a 7% increased risk of death with HR = 1.07 (95% CI, 1.01-1.14; P = 0.02) and (HR = 0.93 (95% CI, 0.87-0.98; P = 0.01) respectively. A lower risk of death was associated with a 10-point improvement in physical function at 3 months (HR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.78-0.94; P = 0.001). Surprisingly, a higher risk of death was associated with a 10-point improvement in social function at 3 months (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02-1.13; P = 0.008). This study provides preliminary evidence to indicate that CRC patients whose physical function improves within 3 months of treatment have a significantly increased probability of survival. These findings should be used in clinical practice to systematically address QoL-related problems of CRC patients throughout their treatment course.
Organic Photovoltaic Cells Based on Continuously Graded Donor–Acceptor Heterojunctions

We demonstrate enhanced organic photovoltaic cell (OPV) efficiency through the use of continuously graded donor-acceptor (D-A) heterojunctions. Device performance is a strong function of both D-A grading and overall composition ratio. The use of a tunable gradient permits an increase in the D-A interface area for high-exciton diffusion efficiency relative to a planar heterojunction, while also improving the charge collection efficiency relative to a uniform mixture. Using the archetypical D-A pair of copper phthalocyanine and C60, a power conversion efficiency of ηP = (2.1 ± 0.1)% is realized under 100 mW/cm2 simulated AM1.5G solar illumination for a graded heterojunction. This represents an improvement in ηP of ~60% relative to a planar heterojunction OPV and ~20% compared to a uniformly mixed heterojunction OPV.
Egg environments have large effects on embryonic development, but have minimal consequences for hatchling phenotypes in an invasive lizard

Plastic responses of embryos to developmental environments can shape phenotypes in ways that impact fitness. The mechanisms by which developmental conditions affect offspring phenotypes vary substantially among taxa and are poorly understood in most systems. In this study, we evaluate the effects of thermal and hydric conditions on patterns of egg water uptake, embryonic development and yolk metabolism in embryos of the lizard Anolis sagrei to gain insights into how these factors shape morphological variation in hatchlings. Our 3 × 2 experimental design (3 thermal and 2 hydric conditions) revealed that developmental temperature has strong effects on rates of development and yolk metabolism, but the impacts of moisture were minimal. Increased water uptake by eggs under relatively wet conditions resulted in larger hatchlings with less internalized residual yolk than hatchlings from dry-incubated eggs. However, the relatively small phenotypic differences among treatments may have small fitness consequences. These results demonstrate that embryos of A. sagrei can tolerate a broad range of environmental conditions without substantial impacts on critical morphological traits. Such embryonic tolerances may facilitate colonization and establishment in novel environments. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2012, 105, 25–41.