cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid toxicity assessment of water-soluble and water-insoluble chemicals using a modified agar plate method

Abstract This paper presents a simple, rapid and sensitive technique for determining the chemical toxicity of both water-soluble and -insoluble compounds by using a direct agar diffusion assay. The procedure involves the use of an effective, yet non-toxic, carrier solvent system (DMSO-glycerol, 80:20, w/w) to dissolve the test chemicals and a 30°C incubation temperature to accelerate bacterial growth on the seeded agar plate. Under optimum conditions, test results are obtainable within a 3–4 h time frame instead of the 18–48 h incubation required by conventional agar plate methods. Twenty-nine chemical compounds (15 organics, 10 inorganics, 4 organometallics), representing a wide range of environmental contaminants, have been evaluated for their toxicity by the present procedure. The toxicity of the test chemicals could be easily demonstrated at concentrations as low as 0.1 μg per spot on the agar plate. A linear relationship between the test toxicant concentration (μg/spot) and the diameter (mm) of the clear inhibition zone on the agar plates was also observed. This indicates that the procedure is a convenient and economical tool in quantitative toxicological studies of chemical compounds. The proposed method appears to be suitable for both toxicity screening and structure-activity studies.
Phase-Locked Image Acquisition In Thermography

Phase-locked detection is a very useful instrumentation technique. It can be used whenever the desired signal is phase-coherent with another reference signal. Very frequently, the reference signal is, or can be derived from, the periodic external stimulus which is responsible for the signal in the first place. Typically the use of a lock-in amplifier can improve the signal-to-noise ratio by several orders of magnitude. We describe a successful implementation of an infrared imaging system in which the images are phase-locked with the periodic thermal radiation used as source of illumination and we also report the application of this phase-locked infrared imaging technique to the detection of microcracks in Cu foils deposited on polyimide substrates.
The association of Waardenburg syndrome and Hirschsprung megacolon

We describe four patients with Waardenburg syndrome and Hirschsprung aganglionic megacolon. In view of pathophysiologic relationships and animal studies, we conclude that the association of these two uncommon disorders is pathophysiologically significant.
Some effects in the middle atmosphere due to lightning

Abstract A brief review is given of some of the electrodynamic responses of the middle atmosphere to lightning. Attention is focused on the precipitation of energetic electrons from the magnetosphere, due to whistler mode electromagnetic waves. The secondary ionisation and bremsstrahlung radiation created, and some of the ways in which such effects can be detected, are also considered. Finally, the possibilities of positive feedback mechanisms operating between the atmosphere and the magnetosphere are investigated.
A note on the prize collecting traveling salesman problem

We study the version of the prize collecting traveling salesman problem, where the objective is to find a tour that visits a subset of vertices such that the length of the tour plus the sum of penalties associated with vertices not in the tour is as small as possible. We present an approximation algorithm with constant bound. The algorithm is based on Christofides' algorithm for the traveling salesman problem as well as a method to round fractional solutions of a linear programming relaxation to integers, feasible for the original problem.
The low-temperature oxidation of calcium by water vapor

The oxidation kinetics of calcium in water vapor have been studied over the temperature range 25–300°C. There is a change in the form of the oxidation kinetics with temperature, from essentially linear at temperatures below 150°C to logarithmic at 300°C. This is coupled with a change in the manner of growth of the oxide layer as well as the chemical composition of the reaction product. In addition, the oxidation rate decreases with temperature, reaching a minimum at about 150°C. At temperatures below 150°C oxidation appears to be a result of the formation of cracks or fissures in the oxide film. Above 150°C no single oxidation mechanism can be deduced.
Ordered Mesoporous Ni Nanowires with Enhanced Hydrogenation Activity Prepared by Electroless Plating on Functionalized SBA-15

Highly ordered mesoporous Ni nanowires were synthesized by Ni electroless plating on the amine-functionalized SBA-15 (NH2−SBA-15) support, followed by removing the silica template with NaOH. The incorporation of amine groups into the pore channels and the subsequent activation of NH2−SBA-15 with PdCl2 acetone solution are essential for generating Pd crystal seeds distributed in the pore channels. As a result, the following Ni electroless plating occurred mainly in pore channels, leading to the formation of ordered Ni nanowires catalyst with high surface area, ordered mesopore arrangement, and higher activity than Raney Ni in liquid-phase p-chloronitrobenzene hydrogenation.
Osmotic Stress-induced Phosphorylation of H2AX by Polo-like-kinase 3 Affects Cell Cycle Progression in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells

Increased concentrations of extracellular solutes affect cell function and fate by stimulating cellular responses, such as evoking MAPK cascades, altering cell cycle progression, and causing apoptosis. Our study results here demonstrate that hyperosmotic stress induced H2AX phosphorylation (γH2AX) by an unrevealed kinase cascade involving polo-like kinase 3 (Plk3) in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells. We found that hyperosmotic stress induced DNA-double strand breaks and increased γH2AX in HCE cells. Phosphorylation of H2AX at serine 139 was catalyzed by hyperosmotic stress-induced activation of Plk3. Plk3 directly interacted with H2AX and was colocalized with γH2AX in the nuclei of hyperosmotic stress-induced cells. Suppression of Plk3 activity by overexpression of a kinase-silencing mutant or by knocking down Plk3 mRNA effectively reduced γH2AX in hyperosmotic stress-induced cells. This was consistent with results that show γH2AX was markedly suppressed in the Plk3−/− knock-out mouse corneal epithelial layer in response to hyperosmotic stimulation. The effect of hyperosmotic stress-activated Plk3 and increased γH2AX in cell cycle progression showed an accumulation of G2/M phase, altered population in G1 and S phases, and increased apoptosis. Our results for the first time reveal that hyperosmotic stress-activated Plk3 elicited γH2AX. This Plk3-mediated activation of γH2AX subsequently regulates the cell cycle progression and cell fate.
La teoría de los bienes en la "política" de Johannes Althusius como base del pensamiento económico liberal

Resumen es: El presente articulo trata sobre la formulacion de un discurso economico liberal por el jurista aleman J. Althusius (1557 - 1638) contenido en su obra Po...
Infallibility versus uniqueness in dare analyses of hazardous waste risk

Abstract Decision Alternative Ratio Evaluation (DARE) analysis is one technique for developing cardinal scale risk ratings of hazardous waste alternatives. Alth
Steady Progress of Colloidal Quantum Dot LED (QLED) Technologies

State of the art colloidal quantum dot LED structures are advancing both the QLED efficiencies and the operating lifetimes. The talk will contrast advantages of DC-driven and AC-driven QLED structures. Article not available.
Effective colorectal cancer education for Asian Americans: a Michigan program.

Asian Americans are among the fastest growing population groups in the USA. Despite the fact that colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer for this group, Asian Americans have low CRC screening rates. An established health promotion program, Healthy Asian Americans Project (HAAP), expanded to include community-based CRC education during 2005–2006. Using Asian-language media, HAAP promoted awareness throughout local Asian Indian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese American communities and recruited men and women over 50 years to attend health fairs at local community/cultural centers. Evaluation data from 304 participants in an evidence-based educational intervention showed significantly increased knowledge and attitudes about the importance of screening. Follow-up conducted between 6 and 12 months showed that 78% of those receiving the educational intervention had been screened in the last 12 months, compared with the 37% who had ever been screened with any of the tests prior to the study. This community-based health promotion program reached underserved populations and the educational intervention improved CRC screening rates. This and similar programs may help lower CRC mortality among Asian Americans.
The Impact of the Korean War on the Cold War

Theories of the cold war that stress the imperatives of the American domestic politico-economic system or the requirements of bipolarity are undermined by the argument that the Korean war strongly influenced international history and indeed brought about most of the characteristics which we associate with the cold war. Without Korea, U.S. policy would have been very different, and there were no events on the horizon which could have been functional substitutes for the war. The international or the American domestic system may have "needed" high defense budgets, the globalization of American commitments, and the militarization of NATO, but these patterns arose only in the wake of Korea. To explain the cold war in terms of such requirements is therefore inadequate.
A study of excited states in 58Cu, 54Co, 50Mn and 46V

Abstract Levels of the doubly odd N = Z nuclei 58 Cu, 54 Co, 50 Mn and 46 V were studied with the (p, nγ) reaction at E p = 7 to 16 MeV. The neutrons were detected in an NE224 scintillator and the γ-rays in coincidence were detected in a Ge(Li) detector. Additional information on the level structure and relative excited state populations was obtained from neutron time-of-flight spectra from the (p, n) reactions and from a triton spectrum from the 46 Ti( 3 He, t) 46 V reaction. Level schemes and restrictions on possible spins based on the γ-ray data are given for each nucleus up to an excitation energy of approximately 2 MeV.
Blastomycosis: organ involvement and etiologic diagnosis. A review of 123 patients from Mississippi

Blastomycosis can only be diagnosed through the identification of the yeasts of Blastomyces dermatitidis in body fluids, tissues, or cultured material. The charts from 123 patients treated for blastomycosis at the University of Mississippi Medical Center from January 1980 through May 2000 were reviewed to determine the role of wet preparation, cytology, histology, and culture in diagnosing this fungal disease. Cytology uncovered the etiologic agent in 56.1% of all cases and in 71.8% of pulmonary cases. Cytology also was the first method to disclose the fungus in 57.7% of pulmonary cases. Sputum was the cytology specimen examined in 51% of the patients. In 69 patients with lung involvement, pulmonary cytology was positive in 97% of cases. Wet preparation was the second method to most commonly uncover the fungus in 37.4% of all cases. Histology was the third method with 32.5% of positive cases. Cultures were positive in 64.2% of all cases but they were the first to detect the fungus in only 3.2% of all patients. There was pulmonary involvement in 87% of patients, cutaneous involvement in 20%, osseous involvement in 15%, and central nervous involvement in 3%. In the medical literature the relative proportion of pulmonary versus disseminated disease clearly increased in series reported after 1959. Proportionally to the pattern of patients admitted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, there is a clear predominance of black males among patients with blastomycosis followed by black females. White females constitute the sex/ethnic group least affected by this fungal disease.
Creating the Final Conversations Scale: A Measure of End-of-Life Relational Communication with Terminally Ill Individuals

Final conversations (FCs) are defined as the communicative interactions, both verbal and nonverbal, that occur between terminally ill patients and relational partners. In this study, the "Final Conversations Scale" was developed and tested. A total of 152 participants that had engaged in final conversations with individuals that were terminally ill completed the newly developed instrument. Factor analysis produced a five-factor structure, including: messages of spirituality/religion; expressions of love; proactive difficult relationship talk; everyday communication; and talk about illness/death. Participants' perceptions of the relational closeness and difficulty with the deceased significantly influenced the individuals' recalled frequency of FCs messages. Practical and scholarly implications focus on the needs of the family members regarding their communication with terminally ill individuals, as well as directions for future research with the FCs Scale.
Psychotomimetic phenalkylamines as serotonin agonists: an SAR analysis.

Abstract The structure-activity relationships of a series of psychotomimetic phenethylamine and phenylisopropylamine analogs were examined using a molecular connectivity analysis. Greater than 90% of the variance in their activity as serotonin agonists in a model system can be explained on this basis.
Incorporation of Label from Acetate and Laurate into the Mannan of Leishmania donovani via the Glyoxylate Cycle

Leishmania donovani promastigotes in late-stationary phase incorporated label from [2-14C]acetate and [1-14C]laurate into the mannose residues of mannan, thus confirming the presence of a functional glyoxylate bypass in these parasitic protozoa. Isolated, washed calls also incorporated label from [2-14C]acetate and [1-14C]laurate into mannan during a 1-hr incubation in buffer. Glucose had no effect on label incorporation into mannan, but glutamate caused over a four-fold increase in incorporation from [2-14C]acetate and a 2.4-fold increase from [1-14C]laurate. Staurosporine, a protein kinase inhibitor that inhibits glutamate and alanine oxidation, did not inhibit label incorporation from [2-14C]acetate into mannan. Hyperosmolality caused about a 33% inhibition of label incorporation into mannan. These results show the glyoxylate cycle and/or the subsequent biosynthetic pathway from fructose-6-phosphate to mannan are subject to regulation.
Comments on the Geomorphic Contexts of Pre-Clovis Sites

Drew (1979) has outlined theoretical and geomorphic considerations for locating pre-Clovis sites in the continental United States. Drew considers archaeological sites in loess, cave, and alluvial sediments to be unacceptable for identification of pre-Clovis occupations. Sites in depressions or playas, common to the High Plains, are concluded to be ideally suited for containing and preserving pre-Clovis sites. However, loess, cave, and alluvial deposits possess attributes conducive to site preservation and interpretation whereas the genesis, stratigraphy, and mineralogy of many High Plains playas pose serious problems for geoarchaeological interpretation. Drew's proposal for prospecting for pre-Clovis sites by machine-testing numerous playas is considered to be physically and financially impractical.
Species richness and stand stability in conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada.

Theoretical and empirical studies have long suggested that stability and complexity are intimately related, but evidence from long-lived systems at large scales is lacking. Stability can either be driven by complex species interactions, or it can be driven by the presence/absence and abundance of a species best able to perform a specific ecosystem function. We use 64 years of stand productivity measures in forest systems composed of four dominant conifer tree species to contrast the effect of species richness and abundance on three stability measures. To perform this contrast, we measured the annual growth increments of >900 trees in mixed and pure forest stands to test three hypotheses: increased species richness will (1) decrease stand variance, (2) increase stand resistance to drought events, and (3) increase stand resilience to drought events. In each case, the alternate hypothesis was that species richness had no effect, but that species composition and abundance within a stand drove variance, resistance, and resilience. In pure stands, the four species demonstrated significant differences in productivity, and in their resistance and resilience to drought events. The two pine species were the most drought resistant and resilient, whereas mountain hemlock was the least resistant and resilient, and red fir was intermediate. For community measures we found a moderately significant (P = 0.08) increase in the community coefficient of variation and a significant (P = 0.03) increase in resilience with increased species richness, but no significant relationship between species richness and community resistance, though the variance in community resistance to drought decreased with species richness. Community resistance to drought was significantly (P = 0.001) correlated to the relative abundance of lodgepole pine, the most resistant species. We propose that resistance is driven by competition for a single limiting resource, with negative diversity effects. In contrast resilience measures the capacity of communities to partition resources in the absence of a single limiting resource, demonstrating positive diversity effects.
A Quantitative Method to Analyze Drosophila Pupal Eye Patterning

Background The Drosophila pupal eye has become a popular paradigm for understanding morphogenesis and tissue patterning. Correct rearrangement of cells between ommatidia is required to organize the ommatidial array across the eye field. This requires cell movement, cell death, changes to cell-cell adhesion, signaling and fate specification. Methodology We describe a method to quantitatively assess mis-patterning of the Drosophila pupal eye and objectively calculate a ‘mis-patterning score’ characteristic of a specific genotype. This entails step-by-step scoring of specific traits observed in pupal eyes dissected 40–42 hours after puparium formation and subsequent statistical analysis of this data. Significance This method provides an unbiased quantitative score of mis-patterning severity that can be used to compare the impact of different genetic mutations on tissue patterning.
Multifaceted characterization of cell wall decomposition products formed during ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) and dilute acid based pretreatments

Abstract Decomposition products formed/released during ammonia fiber expansion (AFEX) and dilute acid (DA) pretreatment of corn stover (CS) were quantified using robust mass spectrometry based analytical platforms. Ammonolytic cleavage of cell wall ester linkages during AFEX resulted in the formation of acetamide (25 mg/g AFEX CS) and various phenolic amides (15 mg/g AFEX CS) that are effective nutrients for downstream fermentation. After ammonolysis, Maillard reactions with carbonyl-containing intermediates represent the second largest sink for ammonia during AFEX. On the other hand, several carboxylic acids were formed (e.g. 35 mg acetic acid/g DA CS) during DA pretreatment. Formation of furans was 36-fold lower for AFEX compared to DA treatment; while carboxylic acids (e.g. lactic and succinic acids) yield was 100–1000-fold lower during AFEX compared to previous reports using sodium hydroxide as pretreatment reagent.
Non-linear evolution of the elliptical instability in the presence of weak magnetic fields

We investigate whether the elliptical instability is important for tidal dissipation in gaseous planets and stars. In a companion paper, we found that the conventional elliptical instability results in insufficient dissipation because it produces long-lived vortices that then quench further instability. Here, we study whether the addition of a magnetic field prevents those vortices from forming, and hence leads to enhanced dissipation. We present results from magnetohydrodynamic simulations that evolve the elliptical instability in a local patch of a rotating planet or star, in the presence of a weak magnetic field. We find that magnetic fields do indeed prevent vortices from forming, and hence greatly enhance the steady-state dissipation rate. In addition, the resulting turbulence acts as a small-scale dynamo, amplifying the initially weak field. The inferred tidal dissipation is potentially important at short orbital periods. For example, it can circularize hot Jupiters with orbital periods shorter than 2.5 d and synchronize their spins with their orbits out to 6 d. However, it appears unable to account for the hot Jupiters that appear to have been circularized out to 6–10 d orbital periods. It also cannot account for the inferred circularization of many close binary stars.
Lifelong curiosity: Frederick novy and the rat virus

Frederick Novy was a U.S. physician, medical researcher, and microbiologist who devised culture techniques to visualize anaerobic bacteria, parasites, and spirochetes. This essay describes how Novy...
A taxonomic distance applicable to paleontology

Abstract A general Hausdorff-like metric on sets is presented with applications to paleontological “dissimilarity measures.” The distances between taxa represented by living organisms and/or fossil material are obtainable simply and independently of the nature of the characteristics used to define the taxonomic units. In particular, linear independence of the measured anatomical characters is not required.
Measurement of transverse permeability using gaseous and liquid flow

Accurate measurement of transverse permeability is important for processes such as resin film infusion and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. In these liquid composite molding processes the out-of-plane flow is dominant and thus the transverse permeability is needed for flow prediction. This paper introduces an apparatus to measure saturated permeability for fibrous preforms using both gaseous and liquid flow. The setup creates a uniform one-dimensional flow through-the-thickness of the reinforcement by integrating a high permeability layer on the mold surfaces. A wide range of permeability as a function of fiber volume fraction can be measured in one experiment while applying a known load under a hydraulic testing machine. The system has been designed using process simulation. The measurements using the gaseous medium are comparable to the saturated fluid flow results. The measurement system can also be used to measure changes in dry fabric permeability prior to infusion due to debulking or application of binders on the fabric surface.
An electrode for the study of lingual sensitivity

Abstract Simple electrodes are described which can be made inexpensively and with a minimal time expenditure after a short period of practice. They are used as disposable electrodes.
Loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 6 in dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid-induced liver tumors in female B6C3F1 mice.

Dichloroacetic acid (DCA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) are major metabolites of tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE) and are found in chlorinated drinking water. All four chlorinated compounds are liver carcinogens in B6C3F1 mice. It has previously been reported that approximately 20% of hepatic tumors induced by PCE exhibited loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 6, suggesting the presence of a tumor suppressor gene. In the current investigation, we determined whether TCA or DCA also induced LOH on chromosome 6. Liver tumors were initiated in 15 day old female B6C3F1 mice with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and promoted with 20 mmol/l DCA or TCA in their drinking water. Twenty-four and thirty-seven liver tumors promoted by DCA and TCA, respectively, were examined for LOH using 4 polymorphic loci on chromosome 6. Ten of 37 (27%) tumors (7 of 27 carcinomas and 3 of 10 adenomas) promoted by TCA exhibited LOH at least for two loci on chromosome 6. All 10 tumors that exhibited LOH, lost the C57BL/6J allele at both the D6mit9 and D6mit323 loci, while two also lost at least one of the C3H/HeJ alleles. No LOH on chromosome 6 was observed in the 24 liver tumors promoted by DCA. The LOH on chromosome 6 in TCA but not in DCA-promoted tumors supports it as an active metabolite of PCE and demonstrates different pathogenesis at least for some of the DCA and TCA-promoted liver cancer.
Wavelength dependence of the degree of polarization in cloud-free skies: simulations of real environments

The visible and NIR maximum degree of polarization (DoP) of cloud-free skylight depends on many factors, including wavelength, sun zenith angle, surface reflectance, and aerosol properties. For clear-sky environments, radiative transfer models accurately estimate the sky DoP when each of these properties is well constrained. (The model used here was recently compared with full-sky polarization measurements with excellent agreement.) Using coincident Hyperion satellite observations and AERONET retrievals to provide model inputs, we simulate the maximum sky DoP for a variety of locations. Results show large variations in the wavelength dependence of sky polarization across different Earth environments. Therefore, accurate modeling of the sky DoP depends largely upon proper representation of the surface and aerosols in the model. Simple models which do not incorporate accurate aerosol and surface information have limited utility for simulating cloud-free sky DoP.
The role of p38 MAP kinase in hydrogen peroxide mediated endothelial solute permeability.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of p38 MAP kinase activity during hydrogen peroxide mediated increased endothelial solute permeability. We also sought to identify the role of p38 MAP kinase-mediated changes in endothelial cell architecture due to hydrogen peroxide challenge.Methods Hydrogen peroxide mediated permeability of HUVEC was determined with and without inhibition of p38 MAP kinase by SB202190. Hydrogen peroxide mediated rearrangement of the endothelial actin cytoskeleton and junctional proteins occludin and ZO-1 were observed by immunofluorescence microscopy.Results Hydrogen peroxide treatment of endothelial monolayers caused a significant increase in solute permeability over a ninety-minute time period. Oxidant-mediated permeability and phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase was significantly attenuated by SB 202190. Immunofluorescent staining for the tight junctional proteins occludin and ZO-1 demonstrated that oxidant challenge caused a loss of endothelial tigh...
Current Management of Hepatic Trauma

With the shift toward nonoperative management, most hepatic injuries are managed nonoperatively. On the other hand, up to two-thirds of high-grade hepatic injuries require laparotomy; these cases are technically difficult and challenging. Damage-control approaches, understanding of liver anatomy, and advances in technology have dramatically changed the approach to hepatic trauma, with improved outcomes. Anatomic or nonanatomic liver resection is required in 2% to 5% of liver injuries. Mortality with liver injury following resection is 9% with current advances.
Mysteries of morality

Evolutionary theories of morality, beginning with Darwin, have focused on explanations for altruism. More generally, these accounts have concentrated on conscience (self-regulatory mechanisms) to the neglect of condemnation (mechanisms for punishing others). As a result, few theoretical tools are available for understanding the rapidly accumulating data surrounding third-party judgment and punishment. Here we consider the strategic interactions among actors, victims, and third-parties to help illuminate condemnation. We argue that basic differences between the adaptive problems faced by actors and third-parties indicate that actor conscience and third-party condemnation are likely performed by different cognitive mechanisms. Further, we argue that current theories of conscience do not easily explain its experimentally demonstrated insensitivity to consequences. However, these results might be explicable if conscience functions, in part, as a defense system for avoiding third-party punishment. If conscience serves defensive functions, then its computational structure should be closely tailored to the details of condemnation mechanisms. This possibility underscores the need for a better understanding of condemnation, which is important not only in itself but also for explaining the nature of conscience. We outline three evolutionary mysteries of condemnation that require further attention: third-party judgment, moralistic punishment, and moral impartiality.
Multiscale modeling of nanocomposite materials

Composite and nanocomposite materials have the potential to provide significant increases in specific stiffness and specific strength relative to materials used for many engineering structural applications. To facilitate the design and development of nanocomposite materials, structure–property relationships must be established that predict the bulk mechanical response of these materials as a function of the molecular- and micro-structure. Although many multiscale modeling techniques have been developed to predict the mechanical properties of composite materials based on the molecular structure, all of these techniques are limited in terms of their treatment of amorphous molecular structures, time-dependent deformations, molecular behavior detail, and applicability to large deformations. The proper incorporation of these issues into a multiscale framework may provide efficient and accurate tools for establishing structure–property relationships of composite materials made of combinations of polymers, metals, and ceramics. The objective of this chapter is to describe a general framework for multiscale modeling of composite materials. First, the fundamental aspects of efficient and accurate modeling techniques will be discussed. This will be followed by a review of current state-of-the-art modeling approaches. Finally, a specific example will be presented that describes the application of the approach to a specific nanocomposite material system.
Biodegradation of individual and multiple chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons by methane-oxidizing cultures.

The microbial degradation of chlorinated and nonchlorinated methanes, ethanes, and ethanes by a mixed methane-oxidizing culture grown under chemostat and batch conditions is evaluated and compared with that by two pure methanotrophic strains: CAC1 (isolated from the mixed culture) and Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b. With the exception of 1,1-dichloroethylene, the transformation capacity (Tc) for each chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon was generally found to be in inverse proportion to its chlorine content within each aliphatic group (i.e., methanes, ethanes, and ethenes), whereas similar trends were not observed for degradation rate constants. Tc trends were similar for all methane-oxidizing cultures tested. None of the cultures were able to degrade the fully chlorinated aliphatics such as perchloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride. Of the four cultures tested, the chemostat-grown mixed culture exhibited the highest Tc for trichloroethylene, cis-1,2-dichloroethylene, tetrachloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and 1,2-dichloroethane, whereas the pure batch-grown OB3b culture exhibited the highest Tc for all other compounds tested. The product toxicity of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons in a mixture containing multiple compounds was cumulative and predictable when using parameters measured from the degradation of individual compounds. The Tc for each chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon in a mixture (Tcmix) and the total Tc for the mixture (sigma Tcmix) are functions of the individual Tc, the initial substrate concentration (S0), and the first-order rate constant (k/Ks) of each compound in the mixture, indicating the importance of identifying the properties and compositions of all potentially degradable compounds in a contaminant mixture.
3D range imaging sensors

Generalized robotic applications involving vision systems necessitate the development of real time recognition of three dimensional (3-D) surfaces. Range imaging systems collect 3-D coordinate data from object surfaces and can be useful in a wide variety of robotic applications, including shape acquisition, bin picking, assembly, inspection, and robot navigation. Range imaging sensors for such systems are unique imaging devices in that the image data points (pixels) explicitly represent scene surface geometry in a sampled form.
Real-time measurements for adaptive and cognitive radio systems

Adaptive and cognitive radios (CR) have been becoming popular for optimizing mobile radio system transmission and reception. One of the most important elements of the adaptive radio and CR concepts is the ability to measure, sense, learn about, and be aware of parameters related to the radio channel characteristics, availability of spectrum and power, interference and noise temperature, operational environment of radio, user requirements and applications, available networks and infrastructures, local policies, other operating restrictions, and so on. This paper discusses some of the important measurement parameters for enabling adaptive radio and CR systems along with their relationships and impacts on the performance including relevant challenges.
Nonlinear mapping with minimal supervised learning

The problem of interpolating unknown mappings from known mappings is addressed. This problem arises when a large number of mappings must be learned and it is impractical to train the network on all possible mappings. Described is a network model that can learn nonlinear mappings with a minimal amount of supervised training. A combination of supervised and supervised learning is used to train the network. It is shown that the network is able to interpolate mappings on which it has not been previously trained. >
Effect of pancreatic tissue sampling on serum pancreatic enzyme levels in clinically healthy dogs.

Little is known about the potential consequences of pancreatic tissue sampling in dogs. The goal of the present study was to evaluate changes in serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity and canine-specific pancreatic lipase after pancreatic fine-needle aspiration and surgical biopsy in 27 clinically healthy dogs. Presurgical, ultrasound-guided aspiration of the pancreas was performed with the dogs under sedation. Subsequently, all the dogs underwent intraoperative pancreatic fine-needle aspiration and clamshell biopsy. After euthanasia, pancreata were sectioned for histopathologic evaluation. Serum pancreatic enzyme levels were measured at 3 time points: baseline, after ultrasound-guided aspiration, and after intraoperative aspiration and biopsy. No significant differences were detected among mean serum pancreatic lipase values at any point (P. 0.05). Serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity did not change from baseline (18.2 6 2.1 mg/dl; mean 6 standard error) after ultrasound-guided aspiration (13.6 6 2.2 mg/dl) but increased significantly after intraoperative sampling (44.8 6 1.9 mg/dl; P , 0.0005). After surgical biopsy, the 20 dogs that had both ultrasound-guided and intraoperative sampling had a higher mean (SE) serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity (44.8 6 1.9 mg/dl) than the 7 dogs that had only intraoperative samples taken (36.4 6 4.1 mg/dl; P , 0.05). All 27 pancreata were grossly normal before intraoperative sampling. Pancreatic sampling was associated with increased serum trypsin-like immunoreactivity and mild, peracute necrosis, inflammation, hemorrhage, and fibrin deposition. Tissue damage from sampling was not sufficient to cause an elevation in canine-specific pancreatic lipase in the time frame evaluated. Further studies are needed to determine longer-term effects of pancreatic sampling on enzyme levels and clinical outcome.
Increased calcium loading and inotropy without greater cell death in hypoxic rat cardiomyocytes

To test whether contractile function in “hypoxic” myocytes treated with high glucose (19.5 mM) can be improved by increasing intracellular Ca2+ without accelerating cell contracture or death, we ch...
Uniform Separation and a Theorem of Katětov

: In 1951, Katětov, in an article appearing in Fundamenta Mathematica, showed that each bounded uniformly continuous real-valued function defined on a subspace (YY) of a uniform space (X,), can be extended to all of X so as to be uniformly continuous without increase in sup norm. The original proof made use of an intertwining lemma that tends to obscure the proof and its motivation. We define the notions of uniformly separated sets and functionally uniformly separated sets. It then follows from a classical and folklore theorem that two sets are uniformly separated iff they are functionally uniformly separated. Furthermore, it turns out that two sets are uniformly separated in Y iff they are uniformly separated in X. This allows us to apply an elementary Urysohn extension procedure argument to prove Katětov's theorem.
Sensitivity of point defects in one dimensional nanocircuits

When tailored to contain a single resistive defect, one dimensional nanocircuits can realize high dynamic range, high bandwidth transduction of single molecule chemical events. The physical mechanisms behind this sensitive transduction, however, remain poorly understood. Here, we complement ongoing sensing measurements with scanning probe characterization of the electronic properties of defects. The high sensitivity of defect sites is directly probed, and is found to be in excellent agreement with a finite element model containing realistic device parameters for the defect sites. The model illuminates the most likely sensing mechanisms of these single molecule circuits, and fully supports the premise that further tailoring of the defect sites could enable the chemically selective interrogation of a wide range of complex molecular interactions.
Adhesion of charged powders on metal surface in powder coating process

Substrate-particle adhesion of electrostatically charged, nonconducting particles deposited on electrically grounded conducting substrates is examined. Glass microspheres of diameters ranging from 25.5 to 74.1 mu m charged by corona and tribocharging were deposited, in a monolayer, on a conducting stannic-oxide coated surface of glass plates (NESA). The total adhesive force, (the vector sum of the electrostatic, van der Waals, and gravitational forces) was measured by observing the removal of particles by applying a known electric field between the particle coated surface and a clean surface of a second NESA glass, placed parallel to it at a distance of 0.0125 m. The charge decay rate or the effective relaxation time constant was found to increase with time. A physical model of the adhesion of charged powder paints deposited on a grounded conducting substrate is presented to analyze the role of the electrostatic and van der Waals forces on spherical polymer particles with uniform unipolar surface charge density, deposited in a multilayer film. The model shows that, for obtaining a desired film thickness in an electrostatic powder coating process, there is an optimum particle size distribution, and as film thickness increases, the accumulated surface charge prevents deposition of small particles, and the powder film continues to increase allowing deposition of particles of successively larger size. >
Squelch systems&#8212;New designs for high performance

This paper describes a new approach to a noise operated squelch utilizing a desensitizing loop to sustain operation over short fades. This feature also provides a sharp demarkation between the operate and non-operate condition and minimizes "squelch tail". Another factor contributing to high performance is the use of an audio frequency desensitization input which prevents audio talk down during conditions of high modulation. The circuit is additionally stabilized to operate over the temperature range of -30°C to +80°C. In addition to the above, the paper describes one approach made to secure a squelch circuit capable of operation at high levels of quieting. Such operation is desirable for installations employing more than one base station receiver and using some means of selecting the receiver with the highest signal-to-noise ratio or where the range of operation is deliberately reduced for the sake of improved transmission quality at the fringes.
Predictive Skills of Seasonal to Annual Rainfall Variations in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands: Canonical Correlation Analysis and Multivariate Principal Component Regression Approaches

Drought and flooding are recurrent and serious problems in the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands (USAPI). Given the agricultural and water-dependent characteristics of the USAPI economies, accurate forecasts of seasonal to interseasonal rainfall variations have the potential to provide important information for decision makers involved in resource management issues and response strategies related to drought and flood events. Climatology of rainfall and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) cycle in the USAPI and the response of OLR to the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are addressed. Boxplot and harmonic analyses indicate that the annual cycles in rainfall and OLR are generally strong in USAPI except those stations close to the equator. Northern USAPI have positive (negative) OLR anomalies during El Nino (La Nina) winters. Two statistical models, canonical correlation analysis (CCA) and a relatively new method called multivariate Principal Component Regression (PCR), are employed to forecast rainfall variations in 10 USAPI stations. Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the Pacific Ocean are used as predictors for both models. The results of this study indicate that both models are potentially useful in predicting seasonal rainfall variations in the USAPI region, especially in winter (DJF) and spring (MAM). CCA cross validation shows that at one and two seasons lead JFM is the most accurately forecast period in the northern USAPI stations, with average skills of 0.53 and 0.41, respectively. However, the authors' analysis indicates a problem of lower predictive skill in summer (JJA) and fall (SON). One reason might be associated with the so-called spring barrier in predictive skill in the tropical ocean-atmosphere system. Another reason might be associated with the tropical cyclone activity during these seasons. Predictions using the PCR model yield similar predictive skill. Though simpler than He and Barnston's model in term of the number of predictor variables used, the authors' CCA and PCR provide comparable skills.
Idiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head associated with a pituitary tumor. Report of a case.

We are reporting the case of a patient who had osteonecrosis of the femoral head and who was then found to have a pituitary adenoma. We suggets that the two lesions may be associated rather than merely coincidental
Fertility and Family Time Allocation

Small children, especially infants, are very time intensive. Consequently, as total household time in child care increases after a birth, the time spent in other activities (market work, housework, leisure) must decline. While several studies have examined the relationship between fertility and female labor supply, the relationships between fertility and mothers' non-market time allocation and the market and non-market time allocation of fathers and older children have received little attention. Using data from Cebu Island, Philippines, which include detailed information on the time allocation of all household members, the average time spent in child care, market work, housework, and leisure by mothers, fathers, and older children in nuclear families is estimated. Because the data set is longitudinal, including a baseline survey before the birth of the sample child and four postnatal surveys which include data on time allocation, the relationship between the birth of the sample child and time allocation can be estimated. The total sample of nuclear is divided into four groups based on household composition before the birth of the sample child: 1) households with no previous children, 2) households with only young children (under age 6), 3) households with both young and older children, and 4) households with only older children. Comparing the estimates of the effects of the sample child on time allocation across these four groups indicates if the time costs of children differ by birth order and birth spacing. By examining the estimations for all household members together, a more complete picture of how the birth of an additional child affects family time allocation can be constructed. These overall results provide insight into which household members bear the time costs of additional children.
GAPs Compliance Costs for North Carolina Fresh Produce Producers

The certification of fresh produce producers in Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) has become a common requirement by wholesale and retail buyers. The Food Safety Modernization Act has provisions for the adoption of traceability systems by farms with fresh produce. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides guidance for GAPs, but some requirements within these documents, such as traceability, are changing rapidly. Several traceability systems are currently being used by produce producers, and range from professional systems to farmer created systems. This study focuses on two; FoodLogiQÂ® and farmer created traceability. A focus group composed of various produce farming operations has been tasked to shed light on the challenges produce producers face in implementing traceability systems. Implementation of a sophisticated, professional system requires a large monetary commitment from the producer. The following figures are estimates producers provided specifically for this study. Initial costs using a FoodLogiQÂ® system is priced at $5,000-$7,500, and requires additional software such as FAMOUS to handle the operations accounting needs at a cost of $40,000- $50,000. Yearly subscription/maintenance fees of $1,200-$8,500 will also be necessary costs for the producer. Survey questions addressed to the focus group aimed at evaluating two main areas; cost of adoption and managerial time with adoption. Results show a distinct difference between small producers (gross sales of $100,000 per year) and large producers (gross sales of $500,000 or greater per year). Small operations feel the burden of adoption with the initial technology costs (e.g. field scanner, label printer, software). Larger operations noted that the heaviest burden of implementation comes in the added cost of personnel. Participants were asked to place a value on survey questions using a 1-3 scale with 1 being no additional cost, 2 minimal additional cost, and 3 significant additional cost. As a result, producers indicated a field scanner (2.3), printing case labels (2.5), and additional office personnel (2.5) as the most costly. Participants were asked to evaluate how implementing a traceability system will affect their management time. Average response yielded between minimal additional time and significant additional time (2.7). The results of the study will provide guidance to producers, farm organizations and policy makers on the costs and potential structural changes occurring as a result of GAPs adoption.
Solvent Effects on Intramolecular Charge Transfer Dynamics in a Fullerene Derivative

We present a real-time time-dependent density functional theory (RT-TDDFT) investigation of exciton dynamics in a C60 derivative, including solvent effects in the real-time time-dependent polarizable continuum model (RT-TDPCM). Dynamical simulations are carried out to gauge the ability of solvents to enhance ligand-to-fullerene charge transfer following photoexcitation. Solvent stabilization of charge transfer states and solute–solvent interactions lead to nonintuitive changes in electron–hole dynamics. An amplification factor of 1.5 in the molecular dipole oscillation, a measure of charge transfer, is achieved by inclusion of a time-dependent solvent environment.