cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Energetics and mechanisms of fragment ion formation in the photoionization of normal and deuterated water and ammonia

Abstract Fragment photoion yield curves have been obtained for OH + from H 2 O at 215 and 298 K and for NH 2 + from NH 3 at 160 and 298 K. The results indicate that for both molecules the initial rotational energy is completely available for fragmentation. Appearance potentials, corrected to 0 K, are 18.115±0.008 eV for OH + from H 2 O and 15.768±0.004 eV for NH 2 + from NH 3 . Assuming zero excess energy at threshold, the values 309.0±0.2 and 302.7±0.1 kcal mol −1 are obtained for the standard enthalpies of formation of OH + and NH 2 + , respectively, leading to the derived ionization potentials I (OH) = 12.995±0.009 eV and I (NH 2 ) = 11.17±0.05 eV. The observed yield of OH + from H 2 O deviates markedly from values calculated on the assumption that fragmentation occurs exclusively by predissociation from excited vibrational levels of H 2 O + (B 2 B 2 ), suggesting that Rydberg series converging to these levels play an important role in OH + production. Appearance potentials for OD + , NHD + and ND 2 + are reported.
Novel heat conduction model for bridging different space and time scales.

This exposition describes a novel heat transport model and an underlying unified theory emanating from the physics of the Boltzmann transport equation which acknowledges simultaneously the coexistence of that termed as slow $C$ processes (at low energies) and fast $F$ processes (at high energies) as heat carriers while describing the evolution of heat transport characteristics spanning both spatial scales (characterizing ballistic to diffusive limits), and also time scales (characterizing finite to infinite heat propagation speeds).
Values, Frames, and Persuasion in Presidential Nomination Campaigns

This paper examines the persuasability of rhetorical value framing within a presidential nominating campaign, in an effort to understand how values and value-laden language may provide useful signals in electoral contexts where partisan cues are absent. Relying on a survey-experiment conducted during the 2000 Republican nomination campaign, I evaluate the relative persuasiveness of arguments framed in either individualistic or egalitarian terms. Drawing upon an “active-receiver” model of framing effects, I posit that Republican primary voters respond more readily to candidates when they use individualistic frames than when they use egalitarian frames, because individualism is a more “chronically accessible” value construct for Republicans. Furthermore, I hypothesize that this dynamic is particularly pronounced among more educated respondents, who have been trained to recognize abstract value cues and automatically apply them to applied political contexts. The experimental findings support these hypotheses.
Optimization of pleated filter designs using a finite-element numerical model

A numerical model has been developed to optimize the design of pleated filter panels. In this model, the fluid flow is modeled by a steady laminar flow and the filter media resistance is governed by the Darcy-Lapwood-Brinkman equation. A finite element method with a nine-node Lagrangian element is used to solve the governing equations. For the rectangularly pleated filter panel, the numerical results agree well with the analytical model of Yu and Goulding (1992) and with his experimental data. The pressure drop increases at small pleat count due to increased media face velocity, and at large pleat count due to increased viscous drag in the pleat spacings. Therefore, an optimal pleat count for minimum pressure drop exists at a certain pleat height for each filter media type. The optimization of rectangular pleated filters, e.g., mini-pleated filter panels, has been performed for six commercial filter media. The optimal pleat count is shown to increase with decreasing media permeability of the filter media....
Inappropriate Use of Antibiotics for Acute Asthma in United States Emergency Departments

Objectives: The aim was to examine the use of antibiotics to treat asthma patients in U.S. emergency departments (EDs). The authors sought to investigate inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions by identifying the frequency and predictors of antibiotics prescribed for asthma exacerbations using data from two sources, the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) and the National Emergency Department Safety Study (NEDSS). Methods: The authors used data from NHAMCS and NEDSS to identify the proportion of ED visits for asthma exacerbations that resulted in the prescription of an antibiotic. NHAMCS provided national data from 1993 through 2004, while NEDSS provided data from 63 primarily academic EDs from 2003 through 2006. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression modeling were used to identify variables associated with antibiotic administration. Results: Analysis of NHAMCS data revealed that 22% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 20% to 24%) of acute asthma visits resulted in an antibiotic prescription from 1993 through 2004, with no significant change in prescribing frequency over the 12-year period. NEDSS data from 2003 through 2006 showed that 18% (95% CI = 17% to 19%) of acute asthma cases in academic EDs received an antibiotic. Multivariate modeling of NHAMCS data revealed that African American patients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.6 to 0.97) and patients in urban EDs (OR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.4 to 0.7) were less likely to receive antibiotics for asthma exacerbations than white patients and patients in nonurban EDs, respectively. NHAMCS analysis also found that patients in the South were more likely to receive antibiotics than those in the Northeast (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.1 to 1.9). A NEDSS multivariate model found a similar difference, with African Americans (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.4 to 0.8) and Hispanics (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.4 to 0.8) being less likely than whites to receive an antibiotic. Conclusions: ED treatment of acute asthma with unnecessary antibiotics is likely to contribute to bacterial antibiotic resistance. Interventions are needed to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions and to address disparities in asthma care.
Characterization of the norepinephrine uptake system and the role of norepinephrine in the expression of the adrenergic phenotype by quail neural crest cells in clonal culture.

Abstract This study investigates the role norepinephrine (NE) may play in regulating the differentiation of quail neural crest cells into sympathoadrenal cells. Cues originating from the embryonic microenvironment are thought to play an important role during development. It is conceivable that NE has a positive regulatory function because adrenergic expression by quail neural crest cells in clonal culture can be inhibited by NE uptake inhibitors such as desipramine (DMI). This possibility is further supported by the notion that in the avian embryo presumptive adrenergic neural crest cells are likely to encounter catecholamines shortly after they have acquired the NE uptake mechanism. Our present data indicate that neural crest cells in clonal culture express a high affinity NE uptake system that can be inhibited by desipramine. As in the embryo, it appears before noticeable levels of catecholamines are accumulated by neural crest cells, as judged by formaldehyde-induced catecholamine fluorescence (FIF). A comparison of the time course of appearance of different adrenergic markers suggests that immunoreactivity against the biosynthetic enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) may appear first, and that it is followed very closely by the appearance of detectable levels of dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) and the NE uptake mechanism. Accumulation of catecholamines (FIF) is observed last. Addition of exogenous NE leads to an increase in adrenergic expression in vitro as judged by an increase in the number of colonies containing FIF-positive cells as well as cells expressing the biosynthetic enzymes TH and DBH. This suggests that exogenous NE can play a positive regulatory role in the differentiation of quail neural crest cells intossympathoadrenal cells.
The correlates of success/failure in brief and intensive family treatment: Implications for family preservation services

One of the major goals of home-based, family preservation services (FPS) is to keep families together, to prevent the placement of children outside their homes. In this paper, child-related and parent-related risk factors for placement were used to discriminate between successful and unsuccessful outcomes for 453 families that participated in brief and intensive homebased family treatment. Families with younger children where parents were having difficulty fulfilling the caretaking role were less likely to experience placement after treatment. In contrast, families with somewhat older and more oppositional youth were more likely to experience placement. The implications for brief and intensive, family-focused interventions are discussed.
Functionalized carbon nanotubes in platinum decoration

Platinum decorated functionalized carbon nanotubes were synthesized by uniformly dispersing functionalized nanotubes followed by chemical reduction of platinum salt solution. Functionalized carbon nanotubes, obtained by potassium permanganate oxidation with the assistance of a phase transfer agent, play an important role in uniform dispersion of nanotubes in a solution as well as platinum nanoparticle formation over the nanotube surface. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were performed to observe the micro- and nanostructure of this nanocomposite.
Differential effects of sham feeding and meal ingestion on ghrelin and pancreatic polypeptide levels: evidence for vagal efferent stimulation mediating ghrelin release.

Abstract Ghrelin has been suggested to function as an appetite-stimulating signal from the gastrointestinal tract to the brain acting through a vagal afferent pathway. Ghrelin levels rise before meals and fall after meal ingestion. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors which regulate ghrelin release into the circulation by determining changes in systemic ghrelin concentrations after sham feeding and meal ingestion. Methods: Fifteen normal subjects underwent sham feeding of a bacon and cheese toasted sandwich. Serial blood samples were obtained before and every 5 min for another 30 min during sham feeding and for 30 min after actual meal ingestion. Radioimmunoassay was used to measure plasma ghrelin and pancreatic polypeptide concentrations. Results: During sham feeding, plasma ghrelin concentration increased from 1730 ± 237 to 1917 ± 269 pg/mL (P < 0.05) and plasma pancreatic polypeptide increased from 417 ± 50 to 841 ± 97 pg/mL (P < 0.01). Subsequent meal ingestion was characterized by an increase in pancreatic polypeptide from 782 ± 88 to 1710 ± 119 pg/mL (P < 0.01), but no significant change in ghrelin levels. Conclusions: Plasma ghrelin and pancreatic polypeptide concentrations increase with sham feeding. This suggests a vagal efferent pathway mediating ghrelin release. In contrast to pancreatic polypeptide which rises with actual meal ingestion, ghrelin levels did not change.
Computationally Efficient Approaches to Characterize the Dynamic Response of Microstructures Under Mechanical Shock

We present computationally efficient models and approaches to simulate the response of microstructures under mechanical shock. These approaches include a Galerkin-based reduced-order model and a hybrid approach utilizing the response of structures to static loads combined with the dynamic shock spectrum of a spring-mass-damper system. To demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of these approaches, we apply them on cantilever and clamped-clamped microbeams, and compare their predictions with analytical and finite-element (FE) results. We conclude that the hybrid approach is computationally efficient and accurate for microstructures behaving linearly in both quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. The hybrid approach enables using simple analytical expressions that can be easily utilized by microelectromechanical system designers to judge the reliability of their devices. We show that reduced-order models are capable of capturing accurately the dynamic behavior of microstructures under shock pulses of various amplitudes (low-g and high-g), damping conditions, structural boundaries, and can capture linear and nonlinear behavior. Our results indicate that modeling the shock force as a quasi-static force for microstructures with low-natural frequencies may lead to erroneous results. High-g loading cases are investigated. Significant increase in the computational cost of simulations is reported when using traditional FE models because of the activation of higher order modes. The developed reduced-order model employing at least six modes is shown to be efficient in such cases. Design parameters are investigated to determine their effect on the shock resistance of microstructures. It is concluded that increasing air damping and tensile residual stresses improves the shock resistance of microstructures. A case study for the response of an optical fiber switch to shock is presented.
Effects of Brown-Headed Cowbird Parasitism on Provisioning Rates of Swainson's Warblers

Abstract We studied the effects of brood parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) and other factors on food provisioning rates of Swainson's Warblers (Limnothlypis swainsonii), a secretive and poorly understood species of conservation concern. We used time-lapse video systems to collect provisioning data at 25 nests, nine of which were parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbirds. We found strong relationships between feeding rate and brood size with increases from 2.0 feeding visits/hr for nests with a single Swainson's Warbler nestling to 3.0/hr for broods of four. We also found an effect of nestling age with 1.9 visits/hr early and 3.2 visits/hr late in the nestling period. The relationships between cowbird parasitism and provisioning were complex. Nests with brood size of one or three that contained a single cowbird nestling had greater provisioning rates (2.5 and 3.3 visits/hr, respectively) than non-parasitized nests (2.0 and 2.6 visits/hr, respectively). Nests with two cowbirds and no Swainson'...
Shape-Programmed Nanofabrication: Understanding the Reactivity of Dichalcogenide Precursors

Dialkyl and diaryl dichalcogenides are highly versatile and modular precursors for the synthesis of colloidal chalcogenide nanocrystals. We have used a series of commercially available dichalcogenide precursors to unveil the molecular basis for the outcome of nanocrystal preparations, more specifically, how precursor molecular structure and reactivity affect the final shape and size of II–VI semiconductor nanocrystals. Dichalcogenide precursors used were diallyl, dibenzyl, di-tert-butyl, diisopropyl, diethyl, dimethyl, and diphenyl disulfides and diethyl, dimethyl, and diphenyl diselenides. We find that the presence of two distinctively reactive C–E and E–E bonds makes the chemistry of these precursors much richer and interesting than that of other conventional precursors such as the more common phosphine chalcogenides. Computational studies (DFT) reveal that the dissociation energy of carbon–chalcogen (C–E) bonds in dichalcogenide precursors (R–E–E–R, E = S or Se) increases in the order (R): diallyl < di...
Seeing Is Believing: Children's Explanations of Commonplace, Magical, and Extraordinary Transformations

Children's magical explanations and beliefs were investigated in 2 studies. In Study 1, we first asked 4- and 5-year-old children to judge the possibility of certain object transformations and to suggest mechanisms that might accomplish them. We then presented several commonplace transformations (e.g., cutting a string) and impossible events (magic tricks). Prior to viewing these transformations, children suggested predominantly physical mechanisms for the events and judged the magical ones to be impossible. After seeing the impossible events, many 4-year-olds explained them as "magic," whereas 5-year-olds explained them as "tricks." In Study 2, we replaced the magic tricks with "extraordinary" events brought about by physical or chemical reactions (e.g., heat causing paint on a toy car to change color). Prior to viewing the "extraordinary" transformations, children judged them to be impossible. After viewing these events, 4-year-olds gave more magical and fewer physical explanations than did 5-year-olds. Follow-up interviews revealed that most 4-year-olds viewed magic as possible under the control of an agent (magician) with special powers, whereas most 5-year-olds viewed magic as tricks that anyone can learn. In a third study, we surveyed parents to assess their perceptions and conceptions of children's beliefs in magic and fantasy figures. Parents perceived their children as beliefs in magic and fantasy figures. Parents perceived their children as believing in a number of magic and fantasy figures and reported encouraging such beliefs to some degree. Taken together, these findings suggest that many 4-year-olds view magic as a plausible mechanism, yet reserve magical explanations for certain real world events which violate their causal expectations.
Experimental Aspects of Multidimensional Solid-State NMR Correlation Spectroscopy

Abstract The experimental parameters critical for the implementation of multidimensional solid-state NMR experiments that incorporate heteronuclear spin exchange at the magic angle are discussed. This family of experiments is exemplified by the three-dimensional experiment that correlates the 1H chemical shift, 1H–15N dipolar coupling, and 15N chemical shift frequencies. The broadening effects of the homonuclear 1H–1H dipolar couplings are suppressed using flip–flop (phase- and frequency-switched) Lee–Goldburg irradiations in both the 1H chemical shift and the 1H–15N dipolar coupling dimensions. The experiments are illustrated using the 1H and 15N chemical shift and dipolar couplings in a single crystal of 15N-acetylleucine.
Ferroelectric polymers for advanced polymeric light-emitting devices

Advanced device structures are proposed for high-performance polymeric light emitting diodes based on the ferroelectric, pyroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of the very thin crystalline Langmuir-Blodgett films of P(VDF-TrFE). This ferroelectric incorporated polymeric light emitting diode structure has a capability to lower the barrier height for efficient carrier injection and modulate the balance of the carriers for enhanced quantum efficiency. The barrier height can be reduced up to 1 eV while the tunneling barrier width can be modulated up to 8p. This can be achievable only using the crystalline thin films of P(VDF-TrFE).
Chromosome Congression: The Kinesin-8-Step Path to Alignment

During mitosis, chromosomes must become aligned at the equator of the mitotic spindle before segregation. Recent work suggests that a kinesin-8 motor uses a unique combination of activities to regulate this process.
Sulfonylurea receptors set the maximal open probability, ATP sensitivity and plasma membrane density of KATP channels

KATP channels are heteromultimers of SUR and KIR6.2. C-terminal truncation of KIR6.2 allows surface expression of the pore. KIR6.2deltaC35 channels display approximately 7-fold lower maximal open probability, approximately 35-fold reduced ATP sensitivity, reduced mean open time, a markedly increased transition rate from a burst into a long-lived closed state, and have no counterpart in vivo. SUR1 and SUR2A restore wild-type bursting, ATP sensitivity and increase channel density in the plasma membrane. The high IC50(ATP) of approximately 4 mM for KIR6.2deltaCK185Q channels results from the additive effects of SUR removal and KIR6.2 modification. The results demonstrate allosteric interaction(s) are essential for normal intrinsic activity, ATP inhibition, and trafficking of KATP channels.
Statecraft as Stagecraft: Disneyland and the Rosenberg Executions in The Public Burning

Abstract Robert Coover's encyclopedic critique of McCarthyism in The Public Burning uses stage metaphors to explore the political process building up to the June 1953 executions of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg. Each character plays a role that has been carefully scripted by directors Joe McCarthy and J. Edgar Hoover. President Eisenhower repeatedly utters: “My only concern is in the area of statecraft. […] The effect of the action” (230 and elsewhere, emphasis Coover's). Two major artistic decisions foreground Coover's statecraft as stagecraft: first, his choice to present the executions as an open public spectacle in Times Square and second, his use of Disney to emphasize by exaggeration the staged nature of the trials and executions.
Nonlinear System Identification for Aeroelastic Systems with Application to Experimental Data

Representation and identification of a nonlinear aeroelastic pitch-plunge system as a model of the Nonlinear AutoRegressive, Moving Average eXogenous (NARMAX) class is considered. A nonlinear difference equation describing this aircraft model is derived theoretically and shown to be of the NARMAX form. Identification methods for NARMAX models are applied to aeroelastic dynamics and its properties demonstrated via continuous-time simulations of experimental conditions. Simulation results show that (1) the outputs of the NARMAX model closely match those generated using continuous-time methods, and (2) NARMAX identification methods applied to aeroelastic dynamics provide accurate discrete-time parameter estimates. Application of NARMAX identification to experimental pitch-plunge dynamics data gives a high percent fit for cross-validated data.
Intraductal electrohydraulic lithotripsy by using SpyGlass cholangioscopy through a colonoscope in a patient with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

The endoscopic approach to large bile duct stones may require the use of intraductal electrohydraulic lithotripsy (IEHL) performed under direct cholangioscopic visualization. In patients with Roux-en-Y biliary reconstruction after liver transplantation, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is feasible using long-length endoscopes. We describe successful fragmentation of a large common hepatic duct stone by using cholangioscopy-guided IEHL delivered through a colonoscope in a patient with a Rouxen-Y hepaticojejunostomy.
High-resolution transition zone structures of the Gorda Slab beneath the western United States: Implication for deep water subduction

[1] The current data set from USArray provides an unprecedented opportunity to investigate mantle transition zone structures beneath the western United States. We have made transition zone images with the Common Converted Point (CCP) stacking method. More than 9600 high quality receiver functions were stacked with reference to two different three-dimensional tomography models and a one-dimensional velocity model. Where the Gorda plate passes through the transition zone, the 410 discontinuity has been elevated ∼25 km and the 660 discontinuity has been depressed ∼35 km. We interpret the transition zone topography in terms of mineral physics results in several different ways, noting in particular that recent measurements on the Clapeyron slope for the ringwoodite-to-perovskite phase transition under dry conditions give a phase boundary slope of ∼−1.3 to −0.4 MPa/K. The ∼35 km deflection of the 660 discontinuity observed in the receiver functions seems to be the evidence that the subducted slab can carry abundant water from the surface to the transition zone, and in the transition zone the water in the slab may be fully saturated (e.g. the water content is ∼2.0 wt%). Analyses of the velocity perturbations in the tomography models and the transition zone thickness indicate that the deep water is likely well confined within the subducted slab. We infer that the presence of water in the subducted Gorda slab might have contributed ∼15 km and the thermal anomaly in the slab might have contributed ∼20 km to the depression of the 660 discontinuity.
The effect of pyridoxine deficiency on muscle and liver phosphorylase of two inbred strains of mice

Abstract In skeletal muscle of vitamin B 6 -deprived mice, total phosphorylase activity decreased to 36% of the control value. The decrement was similar for muscle phosphorylase a of the C 57 , but not of the I strain, which exhibits negligible amounts (2%) of the active form. Muscle glycogen was depleted in deprived mice ofboth strains, but only after prolonged feeding. Liver phosphorylase did decrease and liver glycogen increased, but only in severely deprived I strain mice. The stability of liver phosphorylase in vitamin B 6 -deficient mice suggests the possibility that pyridoxal 5-phosphate is not a cofactor of the enzyme. Liver glucose 6-phosphatase was not affected by the dietary deficiency in either strain of mice.
Microbial source tracking in a rural watershed dominated by cattle

Antibiotic resistance analysis (ARA), frequency of sampling, and seasonality were evaluated in a rural Virginia watershed dominated by cattle. The selected watershed (Mill Creek) was 3767 ha in size, included two small communities (one sewered and one unsewered), and several farms that when combined contained over 3800 beef and dairy cattle. Monthly monitoring of fecal coliforms at two sampling sites in Mill Creek from January to December, 2001, revealed that the recreational standard (1000 colony forming units, CFUs/100 ml) was exceeded a total of eight times for a 33% violation rate at each site. In addition, stream samples were collected weekly for 4 consecutive weeks during seasonal high flows (March) and seasonal low flows (September-October), plus daily for 7 consecutive days within the weekly schedules for a combined total of 60 stream samples (30 at each of two sites). The recreational standard was exceeded once during seasonal high flow and nine times during seasonal low flow. Microbial source tracking (MST) was performed by ARA to assess the impact of cattle on water quality within the different sampling routines. The resistance patterns of 2880 water isolates and 1158 known source (host-origin) isolates were determined with seven antibiotics at 28 different concentrations. The 1158 isolate database was reduced to 562 unique isolates when clonal ARA patterns were removed. This database of 562 unique isolates had an average rate of correct classification (ARCC) of 95.4%, and several statistical procedures confirmed the library as accurate and representative. Sixty-five percent of 50 challenge-set isolates from sources, but not samples, used in the library were correctly identified. The 562 unique pattern database was used to classify Escherichia coli isolates from water samples into six host source categories. The ARA results showed that cattle were the major source of pollution in the stream and cattle were the dominant source in over 60% of the water samples. Sampling frequency and seasonality had no effect on the MST results, as cattle dominated both seasons and samplings. Deer were a minor contributor in the summer (high water demand), and geese were a minor contributor in the winter when migratory flocks were observed moving through the watershed. An unexpected human allocation was found, especially under seasonal high flow conditions. The exact origin of this human allocation is not known. This project demonstrated that a host-origin library, based on a phenotypic method, could be developed for a well-defined watershed and was both representative of the sources in the watershed and performed reasonably well against a challenge set.
Attitudes toward Women, Sex-Role-Stereotyping and Locus of Control

Profeminist attitudes of 61 undergraduate women, but not of 43 men, were associated with greater internal locus of control. Sex-role-stereotyped individuals scored more external than those not sex-role-stereotyped.
Hodgkin's disease terminating in acute lymphosarcoma cell leukemia. A metabolic study.

A 40-year-old woman with Hodgkin's disease developed clinical signs of acute leukemia during the fourth year of her illness. She had been treated for Hodgkin's disease with supervoltage radiation therapy and extensive cytotoxic drug therapy. Metabolic studies of her abnormal leukocytes, using 14C-labeled glucose and propionate, confirmed the clinical impression that this was a lymphosarcoma cell leukemia. The development of acute leukemia secondary to radiation and cytotoxic therapy was considered, but the possibility that the lymphosarcoma cell leukemia was a terminal transition of the Hodgkin's disease was also raised. These lymphosarcoma cells also had a more rapid rate of incorporation of thymidine-C3H3 into DNA and a higher rate of lipid synthesis from 14C-labeled acetate than those cells recovered from lymphosarcoma cell leukemias studied previously. Leukocytes from this patient and those from another with acute leukemia may exemplify a characteristic metabolic pattern typical of the acute form of lymphosarcoma cell leukemia.
Student Attitudes toward Marketing Mix Activities in the Large Class Environment

Three marketing mix activities found useful in large introductory marketing classes are presented. These activities help create a better learning environment, tend to help students better understand marketing, and lead to better attitudes toward the instructor.
Preclinical Validation of the Heparin-Reactive Peptide p5+14 as a Molecular Imaging Agent for Visceral Amyloidosis

Amyloid is a complex pathologic matrix comprised principally of paracrystalline protein fibrils and heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Systemic amyloid diseases are rare, thus, routine diagnosis is often challenging. The glycosaminoglycans ubiquitously present in amyloid deposits are biochemically and electrochemically distinct from those found in the healthy tissues due to the high degree of sulfation. We have exploited this unique property and evaluated heparin-reactive peptides, such as p5+14, as novel agents for specifically targeting and imaging amyloid. Herein, we demonstrate that radiolabeled p5+14 effectively bound murine AA amyloid in vivo by using molecular imaging. Biotinylated peptide also reacted with the major forms of human amyloid in tissue sections as evidenced immunohistochemically. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that the peptide also binds synthetic amyloid fibrils that lack glycosaminoglycans implying that the dense anionic motif present on heparin is mimicked by the amyloid protein fibril itself. These biochemical and functional data support the translation of radiolabeled peptide p5+14 for the clinical imaging of amyloid in patients.
Patient profiles and outcomes following repair of irreducible and reducible Ventral Wall Hernias

Purpose The belief that irreducible hernias are repaired less successfully and with higher morbidity drives patients to seek elective repair. The aims of this study were threefold. First, this study sought to compare characteristics of patients undergoing irreducible and reducible ventral hernia repair. Second, to compare morbidity rates. Third, to determine which factors, including irreducibility, might be associated with recurrence.
Compartment-specific phosphorylation of phosducin in rods underlies adaptation to various levels of illumination.

Phosducin is a major phosphoprotein of rod photoreceptors that interacts with the Gβγ subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins in its dephosphorylated state. Light promotes dephosphorylation of phosducin; thus, it was proposed that phosducin plays a role in the light adaptation of G protein-mediated visual signaling. Different functions, such as regulation of protein levels and subcellular localization of heterotrimeric G proteins, transcriptional regulation, and modulation of synaptic transmission have also been proposed. Although the molecular basis of phosducin interaction with G proteins is well understood, the physiological significance of light-dependent phosphorylation of phosducin remains largely hypothetical. In this study we quantitatively analyzed light dependence, time course, and subcellular localization of two principal light-regulated phosphorylation sites of phosducin, serine 54 and 71. To obtain physiologically relevant data, our experimental model exploited free-running mice and rats subjected to controlled illumination. We found that in the dark-adapted rods, phosducin phosphorylated at serine 54 is compartmentalized predominantly in the ellipsoid and outer segment compartments. In contrast, phosducin phosphorylated at serine 71 is present in all cellular compartments. The degree of phosducin phosphorylation in the dark appeared to be less than 40%. Dim light within rod operational range triggers massive reversible dephosphorylation of both sites, whereas saturating light dramatically increases phosphorylation of serine 71 in rod outer segment. These results support the role of phosducin in regulating signaling in the rod outer segment compartment and suggest distinct functions for phosphorylation sites 54 and 71.
Diastereoselective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with potassium peroxymonosulfate

Abstract Potassium peroxymonosulfate oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides occurs with high diastereoselectivity.
Simplified Analysis of Contaminant Rejection During Ground- and Surface Water Nanofiltration Under the Information Collection Rule

A simple, closed-form analytical expression based on the homogenous solution diffusion model is derived for contaminant removal during nanofiltration (NF) of ground and surface water. Solute permeation and back-diffusion coefficients were used as fitting parameters to model rejection characteristics of four thin-film composite NF membranes under conditions typical of drinking water NF. Nonlinear fits of the model to experimental data suggests that the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA)'s Information Collection Rule protocol for bench-scale studies could be improved to obtain greater precision of the mass transfer coefficients. The model was found to fit rejection data for several water treatment contaminants including total organic carbon, precursors to total organic halide, four trihalomethanes and nine haloacetic acids containing chlorine and bromine, calcium and total hardness, alkalinity and conductivity. The simplified approach to mass transfer calculations from multisolute systems suggests that feed water recovery has a stronger influence on contaminant rejection than permeate flux. Evidence for coupled transport of divalent inorganic ions is also presented. Even though the model developed does not account for ion coupling and cannot be applied in a purely predictive mode, it can assist in the better design and interpretation of data obtained from site-specific pilot-scale water treatment NF studies conducted in support of plant design.
A report on the oxidative degradation of neutralized carbopol.

Neutralized Carbopol 934 gels undergo oxidative degradation when exposed to daylight. This reaction is probably catalyzed by trace metals. EDTA, various nonelectrolyte antioxidants and poly-hydroxy compounds may be used to retard this degradation.
Undesirable facilities and property values: a summary of empirical studies

Abstract Undesirable land uses are expected to impose health or amenity risks on surrounding communities. These risks are expected to be translated economically into negative effects on adjacent property values. These negative effects may be present even when such uses possess offsetting advantages of proximity, such as employment opportunities. The purpose of this study is to summarize empirical studies completed to date that test whether undesirable land uses have observable negative effects on adjacent property values. This information may be useful in assessing minimum valuations of terminating undesirable land uses, such as clean-up of hazardous sites, or compensation necessary to ameliorate the economic impacts of new undesirable uses.
A Simulation-Based Analysis of Motor Unit Number Index (MUNIX) Technique Using Motoneuron Pool and Surface Electromyogram Models

Motor unit number index (MUNIX) measurement has recently achieved increasing attention as a tool to evaluate the progression of motoneuron diseases. In our current study, the sensitivity of the MUNIX technique to changes in motoneuron and muscle properties was explored by a simulation approach utilizing variations on published motoneuron pool and surface electromyogram (EMG) models. Our simulation results indicate that, when keeping motoneuron pool and muscle parameters unchanged and varying the input motor unit numbers to the model, then MUNIX estimates can appropriately characterize changes in motor unit numbers. Such MUNIX estimates are not sensitive to different motor unit recruitment and rate coding strategies used in the model. Furthermore, alterations in motor unit control properties do not have a significant effect on the MUNIX estimates. Neither adjustment of the motor unit recruitment range nor reduction of the motor unit firing rates jeopardizes the MUNIX estimates. The MUNIX estimates closely correlate with the maximum M-wave amplitude. However, if we reduce the amplitude of each motor unit action potential rather than simply reduce motor unit number, then MUNIX estimates substantially underestimate the motor unit numbers in the muscle. These findings suggest that the current MUNIX definition is most suitable for motoneuron diseases that demonstrate secondary evidence of muscle fiber reinnervation. In this regard, when MUNIX is applied, it is of much importance to examine a parallel measurement of motor unit size index (MUSIX), defined as the ratio of the maximum M-wave amplitude to the MUNIX. However, there are potential limitations in the application of the MUNIX methods in atrophied muscle, where it is unclear whether the atrophy is accompanied by loss of motor units or loss of muscle fiber size.
Bringing CBLEs into Classrooms: Experiences with the Betty's Brain System

This paper discusses the Bettypsilas Brain system and our ongoing work on developing a suite of tools that assist students and teachers in classroom learning in science domains. We describe the design and implementation of the system using a client/server architecture, and the initial responses of the teachers to the tools we have developed. Future enhancements and additions to the suite of tools are discussed.
A 7Gb/s 9.3mW 2-Tap Current-Integrating DFE Receiver

A 7Gb/s 2-tap current-integrating DFE implemented in a 90nm CMOS process is presented. Low power dissipation (9.3mW) is achieved by replacing resistively loaded analog current summers with resettable integrators. With 7Gb/s PRBS-7 data, the input sensitivity is 61 mVpp-diff, and the DFE equalizes a 16-inch backplane with 45% horizontal eye opening. The DFE core (integrators, latches, clock buffers) occupies 85 times 65mum2.
Active Control of Flow Separation Over an Airfoil Using Synthetic Jets

We perform large-eddy simulation of turbulent flow separation over an airfoil and evaluate the effectiveness of synthetic jets as a separation control technique.The flow configuration consists of flow over a NACA 0015 airfoil at Reynolds number of 896,000 based on the airfoil chord length and freestream velocity.A small slot across the entire span connected to a cavity inside the airfoil is employed to produce oscillatory synthetic jets.Detailed flow structures inside the synthetic-jet actuator and the synthetic jet/cross-flow interaction are simulated using an unstructured-grid finite-volume large-eddy simulation solver.Simulation results are compared with the experimental data of Gilarranz et al.(J.Fluids Eng.127, pp.377–387 (2005)), and qualitative and quantitative agreements are obtained for both uncontrolled and controlled cases.As in the experiment, the present large-eddy simulation confirms that synthetic-jet actuation effectively delays the onset of flow separation and causes a significant increase in the lift coefficient.Modification of the blade boundary layer due to oscillatory blowing and suction and its role in separation control is discussed.
Campaign Appeals and Legislative Action

I explore the extent to which the campaign appeals made by congressional candidates serve as credible signals about the issues they will pursue in office. My analyses focus on the televised advertisements of 391 House candidates in the 1998, 2000, and 2002 elections and the content of their subsequent legislative activity in the 106th–108th Congresses. I track candidates' and legislators' attention to a set of 18 different issues and show that legislators do indeed follow through on the appeals they make in campaigns. However, the strength of the linkages between campaign appeals and legislative activity varies in a systematic fashion with features of candidates' rhetoric. These findings illustrate the value of extending the study of campaigns to include phenomena that occur after Election Day and of conceiving of the linkages between electoral and legislative politics as a locus for representation.
Lidar detection of fish schools

Direct measurement of fish populations in the open ocean is difficult at best. Ship-based technologies, such as trolling and acoustic sounding, are limited in coverage by the speed of the surface ship. Current airborne techniques, such as photography and direct visual observation, are not very quantitative and are limited in depth coverage to the top few meters, depending on conditions. The author is developing lidar to provide an airborne technology that will provide quantitative information about fish schools to depths of a few tens of meters. A Q-switched, frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser provides 15-nsec pulses of 532-nm light. The backscattered return is collected by a telescope, detected, and digitized. The digitized signal is processed to separate fish-school returns from returns from other scatters in the water. Lidar observations of fish schools have been made from a ship and from aircraft. Fish reflectivity has been measured in a sea-water tank in order to convert lidar return into quantitative biomass statistics. Work is currently being done on algorithms for automatic detection and classification of schools.
A statistical complement to deterministic algorithms for the retrieval of aerosol optical thickness from radiance data

As a complement to the conventional deterministic geophysical algorithms, we consider a faster, but less accurate approach: training regression models to predict aerosol optical thickness (AOT) from radiance data. In our study, neural networks trained on a global data set are employed as a global retrieval method. Inverse distance spatial interpolation and region-specific neural networks trained on restricted, localized areas provide local models. We then develop two integrated statistical methods: local error correction of global retrievals and an optimal weighted average of global and local components. The algorithms are evaluated on the problem of deriving AOT from raw radiances observed by the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) instrument onboard NASA's Terra satellite. Integrated statistical approaches were clearly superior to global and local models alone. The best compromise between speed and accuracy was obtained through the weighted averaging of global neural networks and spatial interpolation. The results show that, while much faster, statistical retrievals can be quite comparable in accuracy to the far more computationally demanding deterministic methods. Differences in quality vary with season and model complexity.
The social support networks of gay men with AIDS

Twenty-five gay men with AIDS were interviewed about their social support networks and completed a measure of psychological well-being. The networks were primarily composed of gay, male friends and usually contained one other person with AIDS (PWA). Network characteristics most highly correlated with psychological well-being included the degree to which the PWA felt he reciprocated support to network members, amount of emotional and informational support received, number of close relationships, and percentage of friends—versus relatives —in his network. Friends and fellow PWAs tended to be the greatest sources of fun and relaxation. Fellow PWAs offered the greatest opportunity for reciprocity and were highly rated as sources of informational support. In contrast, professional helpers provided high informational support but little opportunity to reciprocate. All categories of network members were rated as providing fairly high levels of emotional support. The findings demonstrate the value of social network assessment in identifying PWAs at risk for psychological problems.
A Reevaluation of the Climax Cloud Seeding Experiments Using NOAA Published Data

Abstract Some significant differences exist between the precipitation amounts for Climax 2NW (a station situated near the center of the target area in the Climax I and Climax II cloud seeding experiments) that have been used in previous analyses of the Climax experiments and NOAA published values for this station. Some of the interpolated 500 mb temperature assignments used in previous analyses also differ in category (i.e., ≥ − 20°C or < − 20°C) from those derived from NOAA sounding data. Using the NOAA data for precipitation at Climax 2NW, and the same control stations and series of statistical tests (which, in order of increased sophistication, are the seed/no-seed single, double and covariate ratios) used by the Climax Experimenters, the following results are obtained for interpolated 500 mb temperatures ≥ − 20°C at Climax 2NW. For the exploratory Climax I experiments: seed/no-seed single, double and covariate ratios of 1.65, 1.14 and 1.25, respectively (compared to seed/no-seed single and double rati...
FORAGING AMONG FECES: FOOD AVAILABILITY AFFECTS PARASITISM OF PEROMYSCUS LEUCOPUS BY BAYLISASCARIS PROCYONIS

Baylisascaris procyonis is a parasitic nematode of raccoons (Procyon lotor) capable of infecting many species of small vertebrates as intermediate hosts. In these hosts, migrating larvae often cause fatal or severe central nervous system (CNS) disease. Previous research suggested that intermediate hosts become infected with B. procyonis while visiting raccoon latrines. We tested effects of ambient availability of food and duration of exposure on dynamics of transmission of B. procyonis to white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus )i n a factorial design within enclosures containing artificially constructed raccoon latrines. Fifty percent of experimental mice acquired B. procyonis infections and 43% of infected mice developed CNS disease. Visitation to latrines was marginally greater (P 5 0.095) for mice subjected to low availability of ambient food. The mean number of larvae per mouse was greater (P 5 0.001) in low food group after exposures of 14‐28 days. Probability of infection varied predictably as a function of duration of exposure ( P 5 0.005), and probability of CNS disease varied predictably as a function of level of ambient food available (P 5 0.023). We conclude that transmission of B. procyonis occurs at raccoon latrines and that increased visitation to latrines and duration of residence in close proximity to a latrine, both increase probability of mortality due to CNS disease, especially when individuals are stressed by reduced resources or poor habitat.
Infectious Disease Externalities

In the presence of infectious diseases, people's actions have consequences for others but not ones that they take into account in making their choices. These externalities arise for individuals' decisions about both prevention and therapy and condition the design of government interventions. Subsidies are one form of intervention but may be constrained by circumstances to be less than optimal.