cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributions of contaminant concentration and particle size in fluvial sediment

Abstract The pipet procedure for particle size distribution of fluvial sediment was evaluated to determine if it can also be used as part of an approach for measuring concentration of contaminants on specific particle size fractions (e.g., clay, fine silt, coarse silt, and sand). Actual distributions of particle size and a contaminant (137Cs) were represented by the results of a settling column procedure. These results were compared with results from the pipet procedure. Particle size distribution results were similar for both procedures. To calculate the distribution of contaminant concentration on particle size fractions, two different approaches for analyzing information from the pipet procedure were used. Results from one of these pipet-based analyses compared very well with the distribution of contaminant concentrations measured with the settling column procedure; the other analysis based on the pipet data did not provide good results. The new procedure is especially useful for contaminated sediment applications.
Point: M cells are present in the ventricular myocardium.

Sicouri and Antzelevitch 1 described a subpopulation of cells in the deep subepicardium that displayed distinct electrophysiologic properties. These midmyocardial cells (i.e., M cells) exhibited action potential duration (APD) that was substantially longer than the APD of epicardial or endocardial myocytes (Figure 1), 1 which was attributed to their weaker IKs current but stronger late sodium and sodium/ calcium exchanger currents. The M cell has been proposed to underlie the electrophysiologic basis for transmural dispersion of repolarization (DOR) 1,2 and the T wave of the electrocardiogram. 3 This represented an apparent departure from classic teaching, which stated that APD shortens monotonically in the direction of propagation (i.e., endocardium to epicardium), resulting in a repolarization vector in the opposite direction to depolarization, hence accounting for the upright (concor
An Intercomparison of Measurement Methods for Carbonaceous Aerosol in the Ambient Air in New York City

Measurement methods for fine carbonaceous aerosol were compared under field sampling conditions in Flushing, New York during the period of January and early February 2004. In-situ 5- to 60-minute average PM 2.5 organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), and black carbon (BC) concentrations were obtained by the following methods: Sunset Laboratory field OC/EC analyzer, Rupprecht and Patashnick (R&P) series 5400 ambient carbon particulate monitor, Aerodyne aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) for total organic matter (OM), and a two-wavelength AE-20 Aethalometer. Twenty-four hour averaged PM 2.5 filter measurements for OC and EC were also made with a Speciation Trends Network (STN) sampler. The diurnal variations in OC/EC/BC concentrations peaked during the morning and afternoon rush hours indicating the dominant influence of vehicle emissions. BC/EC slopes are found to range between 0.86 and 1.23 with reasonably high correlations (r > 0.75). Low mixing heights and absence of significant transported carbonaceou...
Novel applications of Tablet PCs to investigate expert cognition in the geosciences

In this paper, we present new methodologies developed to investigate cognitive processes related to perceiving and interpreting Earth phenomena. This area of study, known as geocognition, is an emerging and vital aspect of geoscience. Geocognition gives geoscientists an understanding of how people conceptualize earth processes. For example, geocognition research can be used to generate effective strategies for increasing public scientific literacy in this new era of climate change and energy crisis. We collected spatial visualization and working memory data using a Camtasia add-on for PowerPoint to generate a unique set of static drawings and videos of the drawing process. Analyzing these data provides unique insight into the underlying cognitive processes. For example, quantitative patterns that emerge within a subpopulation of novices or experts show us the common errors and patterns in how objects are drawn, including drawing order and time spent drawing. We believe that these unique data will contribute to the ongoing efforts to generate new understanding of the nature of geoscientific expertise. Highlights? Tablet PCs are invaluable for collecting working memory data. ? Cognitive factors that influence ability in the geosciences are little understood. ? Understanding these cognitive factors is critical to geoscience education. ? Working memory is one of the cognitive factor that plays a large role in domain expertise. ? We present prospective ways in which GIS could be used for analysis of sketches.
The distal arthrogryposes: delineation of new entities--review and nosologic discussion.

We report on 44 patients (18 with additional affected family members), with con genital distal limb contractures identified from a large study of over 350 patients with congenital joint contractures. Fourteen propositi (seven familial cases, seven isolated cases) had a newly recognized form of arthrogryposis, which we have designated distal arthrogryposis type I, with the predominant manifestations of autosomal dominant inheritance; tightly clenched fists at birth, with medially overlapping fingers, ulnar deviation, and camptodactyly in adults; and positional foot deformities. Contractures at other major joints are variable. There are no associated visceral anomalies; intelligence is normal. There can be marked intrafamilial and interfamilial variability. Twenty-two propositi with similar distal contractures had additional findings and were classified into five subcategories of distal arthrogryposis (type IIA-E). Among type II patients cleft palate, cleft lip, small tongue, trismus, ptosis, epicanthal folds, keratoconus, short stature, scoliosis, a unique hand position, and dull normal intelligence were seen. These characteristics were seen in various combinations and patterns and allowed sorting into groups that were the basis for the categorization. The remaining eight propositi were recognized to have previously described conditions with distal contractures and autosomal dominant inheritance, ie, the Freeman-Sheldon syndrome, trismus-pseudocamptodactyly syndrome, congenital contractual arachnodactyly, and familial camptodactyly. Pathogenetically we postulate similar underlying defects of abnormal tendon attachments, attenuation, and absence; careful nosologic comparisons are important for prognostic counseling and habilitative management.
Neuronal-glial contributions to transmitter amino acid metabolism: studies with kainic acid-induced lesions of rat striatum.

– Various aspects of amino acid metabolism were studied in striatum of rats with unilateral, kainic acid-induced lesions. Tissue slices were prepared from the lesioned and the contralateral, unlesioned, striatum. The preparations were incubated with a mixture of d-[2-14C]glucose and [3H]acetate in a Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate medium to evaluate oxidative metabolism. Glutamate and aspartate levels were decreased in the slices prepared from the lesioned striata by 35-40% and that of GABA by 75% compared to the levels found in the slices from the contralateral striata; glutamine levels were not different in the two preparations. Glucose utilization was decreased 60% in the slices from the lesioned striatum; this was caused not only by decreased levels of glutamate, aspartate and GABA but also by a decreased rate of labelling of glutamate and aspartate. On the other hand, the metabolism of [3H]acetate was greatly increased. The specific activities of glutamate and aspartate were 4-5-fold higher in the slices from kainic acid-lesioned striata; those of glutamine and GABA were unchanged. Thus, there was a 6-7-fold increase in the ratio of 3H to 14C in the specific activities of glutamate, aspartate and GABA with no change in this ratio in glutamine. The labelling of glutamine relative to that of glutamate, especially from [3H]acetate, suggested that the compartmentation of the glutamate-glutamine system was greatly altered in the kainate-lesioned striatum which now more closely resembled a single compartment system. The activities of lactate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, GABA transaminase and ‘cytoplasmic’ aspartate aminotransferase were decreased in homogenates of lesioned striatum. Succinate dehydrogenase, glutaminase (phosphate-activated) and ‘mitochondrial’ aspartate aminotransferase activities were unchanged whilst that of glutamine synthetase was increased. The results are consistent with hypotheses concerning the assignment of labelled acetate metabolism to glial cells as well as the distribution of the above enzymes between glia, neurones and nerve endings.
Relativistic oscillator strengths for E 1 transitions in the argon isoelectronic sequence

The relativistic electric dipole oscillator strengths in length and velocity forms are calculated for a number of elements in the argon sequence. The transitions studied are $3{p}^{6}\ensuremath{-}3{p}^{5}\mathrm{nd}$ $(n=3, 4)$ and $3{p}^{6}\ensuremath{-}3{p}^{5}4s$. The ground state includes correlation due to the configuration $3{p}^{4}3{d}^{2}$ in computing $p\ensuremath{-}d$ transitions. Relativistic effects on line strengths are found to be important in the $\ensuremath{\Delta}n\ensuremath{\ne}0$ transitions even at low $Z$. The origin of these large relativistic effects for low $Z$ in the $3{p}^{6}\ensuremath{-}3{p}^{5}4l$ transitions are discussed.
The isotope effect and phonons in MgB2

Abstract MgB 2 shows a large isotopic effect coefficient for B and a negligible coefficient for Mg. The total isotope effect is reduced from 0.5, a value that might be expected for a BCS, phonon-mediated, sp superconductor. Recent work reconciling this lower total isotope effect is reviewed with regard to the unique nature of MgB 2 .
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of inhibitors of cathepsin L: Exploiting a unique thiocarbazate chemotype.

Recently, we identified a thiocarbazate that exhibits potent inhibitory activity against human cathepsin L. Since this structure represents a novel chemotype with potential for activity against the entire cysteine protease family, we designed, synthesized and assayed a series of analogs to probe the mechanism of action, as well as the structural requirements for cathepsin L activity. Molecular docking studies using coordinates of a papain-inhibitor complex as a model for cathepsin L provided useful insights.
Modeling subway air flow using CFD

Abstract A more realistic Computational Fluid Dynamics approach has been developed to model air flow in subway tunnels and stations. This modeling incorporates the effects of multi-car trains as they arrive and depart in a network of interconnected stations at realistic speeds. It also includes thermal sources within the stations and a coupling to the street level through inlets and outlets. This new approach is validated against experimental data, and numerical simulations are carried out in realistic subway station geometries. The air flow dynamics in these stations are quantified in terms of their spatial complexity and temporal stability. The air flow dynamics correlate to the dispersion and transport of pollutants though the stations.
ROBOT: a high performance natural language processor for data base query

The ROBOT project is to develop an English interface to data base management systems (DBMS). Our approach calls for mapping English language questions into a language of data base semantics that is independent of the content of the data base. In this way we work in a "movable miniworld" since the semantic primitives are fixed, but the area of discourse varies with the content of the data base. Thus, by making only dictionary changes we have interfaced a student grade file and employee file and a data dictionary.
Site-specific SIMS backside analysis

Abstract For maximum SIMS depth resolution for any layer in a sample, the depth profile should begin only as far from the layer as necessary to establish a constant implant concentration of the primary ion beam species. Depth resolution and detection limit can be severely degraded if it is necessary to sputter through an over layer having non uniform sputtering properties or containing a high level of the impurity of interest prior to reaching the layer of interest. A SIMS backside analysis method based on mechanical polishing is extended to allow site-specific SIMS backside depth profile analysis. Optical microscopy employing a red filter was used to allow direct viewing of the site to be depth profiled both during polishing and in situ during SIMS analysis. Depth profile analyses were performed on 100 μm ×100 μm device test structures. Sample charging resulting from insulator layers present in these device test structures was alleviated using a modified sample mounting technique. Backside SIMS depth profile analysis using an O2+ primary ion beam having an impact energy of 1.25 keV was used to determine if boron had penetrated a thin SiO2 layer.
Robust receding horizon control for constrained linear fractional transformation parameter-dependent systems

A robust receding horizon control (RHC) scheme is proposed for parameter-dependent linear systems with linear fractional parameter dependency and input–output constraints. The cost function is defined over a moving finite horizon as the quadratic performance for future parameter trajectories. The robust stability of the proposed RHC scheme is guaranteed using a parameter-dependent control Lyapunov function as the terminal penalty term, which is available through off-line synthesis procedure. Moreover, it is shown that the domain of attraction will be enlarged and the controlled performance of the RHC scheme will be gradually improved as the upper bound of performance is monotonically decreasing on-line. Both off-line robust control synthesis and on-line RHC computation are formulated and solved using linear matrix inequality optimisation techniques.
Fecal occult blood testing in a general medical clinic: comparison between guaiac-based and immunochemical-based tests.

Abstract Purpose Guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests are limited by poor patient compliance, and low sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value. Newer immunochemical-based tests are designed to improve accuracy and patient compliance. We compared patient compliance and the test characteristics of these two types of tests. Methods The laboratory outcomes associated with use of different fecal occult blood tests were examined in a Veterans Affairs–based general medicine clinic that was divided into two firms with similar patient and provider characteristics. Tests were ordered for colorectal cancer screening or for symptom evaluation. Patients were given one of the two tests depending on their firm. The completion and positivity rates, time to test completion, completion of diagnostic follow-up, and positive predictive values were compared. Results The percentage of returned test cards was similar between the two groups (47% [1369/2964] for guaiac-based tests vs. 48% [1410/2965] for immunochemical-based tests) as was the positivity rate (9.0% [122/1396] and [128/1410] for both groups). In patients with positive tests who underwent further colon evaluation, the proportion with adenomas was similar between groups (59% [38/64] vs. 58% [40/69]). However, 17% (12/69) with a positive immunochemical-based test had an adenoma >1 cm or a colorectal malignancy, versus 30% (19/64) for guaiac-based tests ( P = 0.09). Conclusion Overall, immunochemical-based and guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests had comparable performance. However, although immunochemical-based testing is reported to be easier for patients than guaiac-based testing, we found that patients were no more likely to return cards for analysis. The similar positive predictive value and additional cost of immunochemical-based tests call into question their utility in general practice.
Urosdeoxycholic acid in primary sclerosing cholangitis: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

Abstract Background and study aims Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease with no proven effective medical therapy. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was proposed as a potential treatment for this disorder. However, several randomised controlled trials reported conflicting results regarding the usefulness of UDCA. The aim of this meta-analysis and systematic review is to investigate the efficacy of UDCA in PSC. Patients and methods Literature review was performed to include randomised controlled trials and non-randomised studies comparing UDCA to a placebo in PSC. The included controlled trials were assigned a quality score. Random effects model was used. Outcomes were measured with Weight Mean Difference, Risk Ratio or Risk Difference. Heterogeneity was measured by I2 measure of inconsistency. Results Seven RCTs satisfied the inclusion criteria with a total number of 553 patients. Low dose UDCA was used in 4 studies, high dose UDCA (17–30 mg/kg) was used in three studies. UDCA did not decrease the risk of mortality compared to placebo (RR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.46–2.35) or the need for liver transplant (RR = 1.22, 95% CI 0.7–2.12). UDCA also had no effect on the clinical symptoms. Liver Function Tests (LFTs) were significantly improved in the UDCA treated patients. UDCA did not decrease the incidence of cholangiocarcinoma. Conclusion UDCA had no beneficial effect on the patients’ survival, liver histology, prevention of cholangiocarcinoma, or improvement of clinical symptoms. High dose UDCA was associated with increased mortality in one of the large randomised trial included in this analysis.
Rapid proton-coupled electron-transfer of hydroquinone through phenylenevinylene bridges.

We describe the synthesis of two oligo(phenylene vinylene)s (OPVs) with a hydroquinone moiety and a thiol anchor group: 4-(2‘,5‘-dihydroxystyryl)benzyl thioacetate and 4-[4‘-(2‘ ‘,5‘ ‘-dihydroxystyryl)styryl]benzyl thioacetate. Monolayers on gold of these molecules were examined by electrochemical techniques to determine the electron transfer kinetics of the hydroquinone functionality (H2Q) through these delocalized tethers (“molecular wires”) as a function of pH. Between pH 4 and 9, rate constants were ca. 100-fold faster than for the same H2Q functionality confined to the surface via alkane tethers. Also, in this same pH range rate constants were independent of the length of the OPV bridge. These new electroactive molecules in which the hydroquinone functionality is wired to the gold surface by means of OPV tethers should be useful platforms for constructing bioelectronic devices such as biosensors, biofuel cells, and biophotovoltaic cells with a fast response time.
Analytic morphomics corresponds to functional status in older patients.

Background: Older patients account for nearly half of the United States surgical volume, and age alone is insufficient to predict surgical fitness. Various metrics exist for risk stratification, but little work has been done to describe the association between measures. We aimed to determine whether analytic morphomics, a novel objective risk assessment tool, correlates with functional measures currently recommended in the preoperative evaluation of older patients. Materials and methods: We retrospectively identified 184 elective general surgery patients aged >70 y with both a preoperative computed tomography scan and Vulnerable Elderly Surgical Pathways and outcomes Assessment within 90 d of surgery. We used analytic morphomics to calculate trunk muscle size (or total psoas area [TPA]) and univariate logistic regression to assess the relationship between TPA and domains of geriatric function mobility, basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs), and cognitive ability. Results: Greater TPA was inversely correlated with impaired mobility (odds ratio [OR] ¼ 0.46, 95%confidenceinterval [CI] 0.25e0.85,P ¼0.013).Greater TPA was associated with decreased oddsofdeficitinanybasicADLs(OR ¼0.36perstandarddeviationunitincreaseinTPA,95%CI 0.15e0.87,P<0.03)andanyinstrumentalADLs(OR ¼0.53,95%CI0.34e0.81;P<0.005).Finally, patients with larger TPA were less likely to have cognitive difficulty assessed by Mini-Cog scale (OR ¼ 0.55, 95% CI 0.35e0.86, P <0.01). Controlling for age did not change results. Conclusions: Older surgical candidates with greater trunk muscle size, or greater TPA, are less likely to have physical impairment, cognitive difficulty, or decreased ability to perform daily self-care. Further research linking these assessments to clinical outcomes is needed.
The Prediction of Wear in Fluidized Beds

A procedure is formulated to model impact and abrasion wear of surfaces exposed to a fluidized bed. A methodology adapting a single-particle wear model and the kinetic theory of gases to granular flows is used to develop a model accounting for impact wear from all possible particle collisions. Abrasive wear is modeled using a single-particle abrasion model adapted to describe the effects of many abrading particles. Parameters describing granular flow are necessary for evaluation of the resulting wear expressions. They are determined by numerical solution of the conservation equations describing fluidized-bed hydrodynamics. Additional parameters appear in the wear expressions which describe the contact between individual fluidized particles and the wearing surface. These are determined by an optimization procedure which minimizes error between predicted and measured wear rates. The modeling procedure was used to analyze several bubbling and turbulent fluidized bed experiments with single-tube and tube bundle configurations. Quantitative agreement between the measured and predicted wear rates was found, with some exceptions for local wear predictions. This work demonstrates a methodology for wear prediction in fluidized beds.
The Effectiveness of Reason Racer, a Game Designed to Engage Middle School Students in Scientific Argumentation

AbstractReason Racer is an online, rate-based, multiplayer game that applies specific game features in order to engage middle school students in introductory knowledge of and thinking related to scientific argumentation. Game features include rapid and competitive play, timed performance, immediate feedback, and high rates of response across many game-play sessions and science scenarios. The areas of argumentation addressed in the game include understanding a claim, judging evidence about a claim based on type (fact, opinion) and quality, determining the reasoning applied to the claim (authority, theory, or logic), considering counterarguments and rebuttals, and making judgments. These skills have been identified as important by previous research. Students who played the game at least 10 times improved in every aspect of argumentation skill and judgment. Students who played the game also reported an increase in confidence and motivation to engage in science compared to students who did not play the game. ...
Structural Basis of Transcription: Separation of RNA from DNA by RNA Polymerase II

The structure of an RNA polymerase II-transcribing complex has been determined in the posttranslocation state, with a vacancy at the growing end of the RNA-DNA hybrid helix. At the opposite end of the hybrid helix, the RNA separates from the template DNA. This separation of nucleic acid strands is brought about by interaction with a set of proteins loops in a strand/loop network. Formation of the network must occur in the transition from abortive initiation to promoter escape.
Nicotine modifies the activity of ventral tegmental area dopaminergic neurons and hippocampal GABAergic neurons.

Abstract While trying to mimic the dose and time course of nicotine as it is obtained by a smoker, we found the following results. The initial arrival of even a low concentration of nicotine increased the firing rate of dopaminergic neurons from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and increased the spontaneous vesicular release of GABA from hippocampal neurons. Longer exposure to nicotine caused variable, but dramatic, desensitization of nicotine receptors and diminished the effects of nicotine. The addictive properties of nicotine as well as its diverse effects on cognitive function could be mediated through differences in activation and desensitization of nicotinic receptors in various areas of the brain.
Positron emission tomography in neurological and psychiatric disorders

Positron emission tomography (PET) has been widely used in the study of neurological and psychiatric disorders. It has been used most extensively in research to determine pathophysiology as well as prognostic and diagnostic information and response to various interventions in different disorders. PET imaging has also been used in the clinical setting, although its use has been primarily to help differentiate or diagnose specific disorders. With the continued development of a large array of radiopharmaceuticals that can evaluate all the components of different neurotransmitter systems (such as serotonin and dopamine), PET imaging will continue to play a key role in research and clinical applications for neurological and psychiatric disorders. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 22, 2–17, 2012 © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ultrastructural imaging and molecular modeling of live bacteria using soft x-ray contact microscopy with nanoseconds laser-plasma radiation

X-ray images of the various live bacteria, such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, and micromolecule such as chromosomal DNA from Escherichis coli, and Lipopolysacchride from Burkholderia cepacia, are obtained with soft x-ray contact microscopy. A compact tabletop type glass laser system is used to produce x-rays from Al, Si, and Au targets. The PMMA photoresists are used to record x-ray images. An AFM (atomic force microscope) is used to reproduce the x-ray images from the developed photoresists. The performance of the 50nm spatial resolutions are achieved and images are able to be discussed on the biological view.
Economic Selection of Plant Cycles and Fuels for Gas Turbines

Energy costs can be reduced in most large process plants by the use of turbines to supply power and heat. Performance characteristics of gas turbines, gas turbine exhaust heat boilers and combined gas-steam turbine cycles, plus the typical heat balance diagrams included in this paper will help the reader visualize economic applications for turbines in different industrial plants. The effect different fuels have on gas turbine maintenance (costs and downtime) and other application parameters are included. The information provided will permit the user to assess his own situation and then select the most economic fuel for a specific gas turbine application.Copyright © 1974 by ASME
Structure of Ba2In2-xVxO5+x phases : Complementarity of diffraction, Raman and absorption techniques

Abstract By combining X-ray and neutron diffraction with Raman and X-ray absorption spectroscopies, the location of vanadium in the structure of the Ba 2 In 2 − x V x O 5 + x solid solution and its local environment was evidenced. Vanadium is spread over the two indium sites of the Brownmillerite structure but its surrounding is tetrahedral. This involves the introduction of oxygen vacancies in the “octahedral” layers of Ba 2 In 2 O 5 and the presence of indium with a six-fold coordination in the “tetrahedral” layers. The number of InO octahedra increases with the substitution rate which explains the stabilisation of cubic forms for substitution rate higher than 0.3.
Resonance transition radiation X-ray lasers

A free electron laser is proposed using a periodic dielectric and helical magnetic field. Periodic synchronism between the electrons and the optical wave is obtained at the period of the dielectric and not at the period of the helical magnetic field. The synchronism condition and the gain of the new device are derived. The effects on the gain of the new device are derived. The effects on the gain from dephasing and beam expansion due to elastic scattering of the electrons in the periodic medium are included in the gain calculation. Examples of the resonance transition radiation laser and klystron are given. Operation at photon energies between 2.5 and 3.5 keV with net gain up to 12% is feasible using high electron-beam energies of 3 and 5 GeV. Moderate (300-MeV) beam energy allows operation between 80 to 110 eV with up to 57% net gain using a klystron design. In both cases, rapid foil heating may limit operation to a single electron-beam pulse. >
Behavior analysis and decision making.

Behavior analysts have developed powerful methodologies to assess central phenomena in areas that have been dominated by cognitive psychologists. Advances in instructional control, stimulus equivalence, choice, rule-governed behavior, matching to sample, and verbal behavior are some of the tools that have been developed in the experimental analysis of behavior. Although the article focuses on the experimental analysis of reasoning, this is but one of the areas in which behavior analysts should have a greater impact on contemporary psychology.
Totontepec mixe stage and event clauses

Discourse structure includes mechanisms that allow the speaker or writer to tell the hearer or reader that certain propositions relate to the discourse as a whole in particular ways. These mechanisms seem to be language specific; they are at any rate difficult to explain to a speaker of another language, as any English speaker who has tangled with the imperfect‐preterite distinction in French or Spanish knows. In Totontepec Mixe of Mexico the stage‐event distinction, which permeates both clause and word grammar, is of this type. Since its characteristics have never been described in the linguistic literature, this paper goes into some detail not only on the discourse implications of the distinction, but on the manner in which it is communicated.
Mass spectrometry of pancuronium bromide and related quaternary ammonium steroids using the moving belt LC/MS interface

Pancuronium and vecuronium are members of a series of quaternary ammonium steroids used as neuromuscular blocking agents in anesthesiology. In this study the mass spectrometric properties of these bromide salts are examined and spectral features which permit their differentiation are evaluated. The relative merits of chemical ionization and fast atom bombardment using the moving belt liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry interface have been investigated. Fragmentation pathways for both ionization methods were determined with deuterium labeling and linked-scan techniques. Cleaner spectra can be obtained via the matrix-free belt introduction system as compared to conventional fast atom bombardment.
Comparison of Bit Synchronization Schemes Using AM and Summed Clocks

This paper considers bit synchronization through the use of a separate clock signal which is either amplitude modulated onto or summed with the data signal. For continuous data transmission, such schemes are known to be inferior, in the sense of efficient use of power, to schemes which derive synchronization directly from the data signal. However, these techniques have application in burst systems such as spacecraft command systems, and in systems where receiver simplicity is more important than power conservation. For systems in which the composite data-clock signal subsequently modulates an RF carrier, it is shown that the summed clock signal performs slightly better than the AM clock signal, and that for both signal types, the optimum allocation of power between data and clock is approximately 9:1.
Cancer in native populations--lessons to be learned.

Abstract Cancer incidence rates among Native Americans have, for the most part, been observed to be significantly lower than the general population. There has been, however, some indication that this is changing. The identification of emerging and changing patterns of cancer incidence in Natives is important in the establishment of cancer education, prevention, and screening programs. The present report attempts to put the Native cancer question into focus through a meta‐analytic literature review; the presentation of a separate investigation of cancer mortality patterns in a single tribal group covering a 30‐year period; and a brief review of cancer survival statistics for Natives. Meta‐analytic results indicate that Native males and females experience a significantly lower incidence of cancer than expected. Females were found to experience an elevated risk of cervical cancer. Similar trends were observed in the separate mortality study. Moreover, mortality data indicate that there has been a trend towar...
Hypothetical model for monitoring microbial growth by using capacitance measurements – a minireview

Microbiological impedance devices are used routinely by food and manufacturing industries, and public health agencies to measure microbial growth and metabolism. In this paper a hypothetical model explaining the effects of microbial growth and metabolism on capacitance at electrode-medium interfaces, that can be supported by fundamental theories and principles of electrochemistry, is presented. This model provides a framework to interpret changes in capacitance during microbial growth and metabolism and can be used to generate and test hypotheses on factors (i.e., temperature, microbial cell density, microbial growth and medium conductivity) contributing to increases or decreases in capacitance.
Aromatic Cotton effects induced by cu(II) coordination.

Abstract Formation of Cu(II) complexes of peptides containing aromatic side chains induces major enhancement of the optical activity of the aromatic transitions. [(Gly-L-Tyr)Cu(II)] shows a peak at 233 mμ, [M] = +62,000°, and a trough at 198 mμ, [M] = −450,000°. Similar Cotton effects are shown by [(Gly-L-Phe)Cu(II)] and [(lysine vasopressin)Cu(II)].
Cavity Size Effects on the Performance of Superstrate Folded Dipole Antennas for 60 GHz Applications

This paper describes a cost-effective approach for an off-chip antenna design and construction that would show the potential for its integration with a 60 GHz SiGe chipset, in a low-cost plastic chip-scale packaging technology or silicon carrier based wafer-scale packaging technology. Obtaining the maximum bandwidth-gain product within a given design constrain is the basic challenge for the design of printed planar antennas. An approach that combines a fused-silica superstrate and an air substrate suitable for flip-chip attachment and packaging are presented, where the antenna is printed on the bottom side of the substrate and suspended in air over the reflecting ground. This solution results in a wide bandwidth of more than 30% and an antenna efficiency of over 90%. The model to hardware correlation is very good, but both show that there exists a gain dip around 60 GHz frequency.
Body Image and its Disorders

The body image is not a body organ, a psychological picture, or a little-person-in-the-head. It is best described in terms of the functions it serves and the levels at which it is experienced. The body functions as a sensory register, an instrument for action, a source of drives, a stimulus to the self and others, a private world, and an expressive instrument. The four levels of body experience are schemata, self, fantasy, and concept. A complete description of a body image disorder identifies the source of the disorder and its effects on the functions and levels of experience. Behavioral treatment for body image disorder may develop basic sensory-motor capacities, teach specific skills, promote interpersonal relations with others having similar problems, or use traditional psychotherapeutic techniques, depending upon the needs of the individual patient.
The impact of eszopiclone on sleep and cognition in patients with schizophrenia and insomnia: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract Background Insomnia is frequent in schizophrenia and may contribute to cognitive impairment as well as overuse of weight inducing sedative antipsychotics. We investigated the effects of eszopiclone on sleep and cognition for patients with schizophrenia-related insomnia in a double-blind placebo controlled study, followed by a two-week, single-blind placebo phase. Methods Thirty-nine clinically stable outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and insomnia were randomized to either 3 mg eszopiclone ( n = 20) or placebo ( n = 19). Primary outcome measure was change in Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) over 8 weeks. Secondary outcome measure was change in MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MATRICS). Sleep diaries, psychiatric symptoms, and quality of life were also monitored. Results ISI significantly improved more in eszopiclone (mean = − 10.7, 95% CI = − 13.2; − 8.2) than in placebo (mean = − 6.9, 95% CI = − 9.5; − 4.3) with a between-group difference of − 3.8 (95% CI = − 7.5; − 0.2). MATRICS score change did not differ between groups. On further analysis there was a significant improvement in the working memory test, letter–number span component of MATRICS (mean = 9.8 ± 9.2, z = − 2.00, p = 0.045) only for subjects with schizophrenia on eszopiclone. There were improvements in sleep diary items in both groups with no between-group differences. Psychiatric symptoms remained stable. Discontinuation rates were similar. Sleep remained improved during single-blind placebo phase after eszopiclone was stopped, but the working memory improvement in patients with schizophrenia was not durable. Conclusions Eszopiclone stands as a safe and effective alternative for the treatment of insomnia in patients with schizophrenia. Its effects on cognition require further study.
ADAM (Attrition Damage Assessment Model

ADAM is a computer routine designed to do a Monte Carlo simulation of a one-sided air battle. ADAM requires as input plans for bombing missions (including targets) the initial condition of defense installations (missile sites, radar sites, and fighter bases) and bomber bases, and parameters determining aircraft characteristics and weapon effectiveness. Time is broken into short intervals (15 minutes as presently coded), and during each time interval ADAM carries out the action called for by the plans and computes the consequences, thus setting up a new set of conditions for the next time period. During this cycle the functions performed include: (1) flight following—the movement of aircraft is directed in accordance with the route specifications; fuel consumption, altitude, and distance traveled are computed; airborne operations such as refueling, air release of deception devices, the dropping of bombs, and communication of mission results are carried out; (2) attrition—radar detection of bombers and attacks by fighters and missiles are simulated; (3) targeting—designated ground zeros for bombs dropped over target are selected and the amount of information obtained by reconnaissance missions is determined; (4) damage—blast damage to bomber bases and defense installations is computed, as well as their restricted operation as a result of radioactive fallout from ground bursts. The output from ADAM consists of the final status of bomber bases and defense installations, a time history of all bombing missions, counters (these include such quantities as the number of aircraft killed by missiles or fighters, the number of bases and defense installations destroyed or rendered inoperable because of radiation), the actual ground zeros (from bomb drops at target points or attrited bombers), and the fighter engagements. A strike of 312 bombers against 71 bomber bases and 1158 defense installations takes about 15 minutes of 704 time.
Erosion rates during rapid deglaciation in Icy Bay, Alaska

[1] Contemporary glacial erosion rates based on sediment yields in southeast Alaska merit considerable attention because they are unsurpassed worldwide, and they significantly exceed long-term exhumation rates in the region. Two issues are likely to contribute to these high rates: contemporary sediment yields in fjords (1) have generally been overestimated by failing to account for the considerable input of subaerially derived material and (2) are exceptionally high because tidewater glaciers in southeast Alaska have been anomalously dynamic and erosive during the past century of rapid retreat. To investigate these influences and to quantify the rate at which Tyndall Glacier erodes its basin we present seismic data defining the volume of sediments in Taan Fjord, Icy Bay. We subtract the contribution of subaerially derived sediments from the fjord sediment package to determine the sediment yield directly from Tyndall Glacier during the most recent period of retreat: 1962–1999. Using a numerical model of proglacial glacimarine sedimentation, we then calculate the annual sediment yield from, and the corresponding erosion rate of, Tyndall Glacier during this period, which averages 28 ± 5 mma−1. A strong correlation emerges between glacial retreat rates and glacial sediment yields, implying that most contemporary sediment yield data from retreating tidewater glaciers may correspond to contemporary erosion rates that are a factor of 3.5 ± 1.5 higher than in the long term. Hence we estimate the long-term erosion rate for Tyndall Glacier to be 9 ± 2 mma−1.
Single-phase islanding detection based on phase-locked loop stability

Active islanding detection schemes are useful to avoid energizing local power systems during fault and grid failure conditions. These types of islanding conditions not only lead to unsafe and unreliable power delivery to the loads and grid, but can cause damage to equipment as well as raising safety concerns for workers and users. This work presents a method of active islanding detection for single-phase converter systems via the stability of a controller's phase-locked loop. This method inherently detects islanding conditions without applying perturbations at the converter output to test for islanding conditions—as other active methods do—thus avoiding the injection of distortions into the grid. Analytical, simulated and experimental results are presented for verification of the proposed method.
Aspects of the Spelling Process: Evidence from a Case of Acquired Dysgraphia

Within the last decade, we have witnessed a radical change in the approach to the study of acquired spelling disorders (dysgraphias). Researchers have shifted their attention from classification schemes that describe global characteristics (e.g., agraphia without alexia) to more detailed and explicit accounts of how the spelling system is organized and the possible forms its dissolution may take (see Newcombe & Marshall, 1980; Shallice, 1981; Beauvois & Derouesne, 1981; Bub & Kertesz, 1982; Hatfield & Patterson, 1983, 1984; Caramazza, Miceli, & Villa, 1986; Goodman & Caramazza, 1986; Patterson, in press; Ellis, 1982, in press).
A Longitudinal Analysis of an Out-of-School Science Experience.

A phenomenological approach was used to investigate the longitudinal recollections of participants of an out-of-school science program. The experience was a field trip to the Shenandoah National Park (USA) conducted in the fall of 2004. The science topic was geologic history and features related to the Shenandoah Valley. Two major themes relating to the participants' long term recollection of the out-of-school science field trip were identified after the interview data was analyzed. First, recollections were highly influenced by actions taken by the students, and, second, program content / subject matter were retained by all of the students to varying degrees. The interactive experiences that aided in memory retrieval from this study closely relates to the interactive experiences associated with memory and learning theory associated with the psychological domain. This linkage and its impact on how students learn in out-of-school science experiences are discussed.
Wave forecasting in Prince William Sound (Alaska)

There is an established need for accurate ocean weather predictions in many coastal regions, and we have begun to address this problem for various coastal domains in the Gulf of Maine, the Gulf of Alaska, and the Gulf of Mexico. Prince William Sound (PWS) in Gulf of Alaska, for instance, has been the site of a catastrophic oil spill, and the PWS Oil Spill Recovery Institute has placed much emphasis on environmental prediction to assist mariners. The aim of this paper is to assess the influence of available wind data on the prediction of wave heights in PWS. For this purpose, global (low resolution) as well as the local (high resolution) wind-fields are compared to the available buoy data and subsequently used to drive a state-of-the-art wave model, SWAN. The model results, in hind-cast mode, are compared for a period of 16 days using all available wind-fields (local as well as global); while in forecast mode, forecast skill is evaluated with respect to the available buoy data.
Virtuoso: Narrowing the Semantic Gap in Virtual Machine Introspection

Introspection has featured prominently in many recent security solutions, such as virtual machine-based intrusion detection, forensic memory analysis, and low-artifact malware analysis. Widespread adoption of these approaches, however, has been hampered by the semantic gap: in order to extract meaningful information about the current state of a virtual machine, detailed knowledge of the guest operating system's inner workings is required. In this paper, we present a novel approach for automatically creating introspection tools for security applications with minimal human effort. By analyzing dynamic traces of small, in-guest programs that compute the desired introspection information, we can produce new programs that retrieve the same information from outside the guest virtual machine. We demonstrate the efficacy of our techniques by automatically generating 17 programs that retrieve security information across 3 different operating systems, and show that their functionality is unaffected by the compromise of the guest system. Our technique allows introspection tools to be effortlessly generated for multiple platforms, and enables the development of rich introspection-based security applications.
Quantitation of Residual Dimethylsulfoxide in a Drug Substance (Bisnafide) by Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method is developed in which low-wavelength ultraviolet detection is used to determine trace levels of residual dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in an antineoplastic agent, bisnafide (DMP 840 drug substance). The method is sensitive and free from interferences with a linearity for DMSO over a wide range of concentrations (0.219-3.288 μg/mL). The detection limit is approximately 0.051 μg/mL based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 and a 200-pL injection, and the limit of quantitation is approximately 0.219 μg/mL (relative standard deviation, 4.8%).
Isotropic Free-stream Turbulence Promotes Anisotropy in a Turbulent Boundary Layer

The study of how external conditions affect turbulent boundary layers is important since such effects are often present in common engineering applications. Earlier investigations on surface roughness have shown its effect on the mean velocity and Reynolds stress profiles. Similarly, the effects of free-stream turbulence have been well documented [1, 2, 3]. However, the results available until now are limited to low Reynolds numbers. Hence, the aim of this investigation is to study the effects of high free-stream turbulence on rough surface turbulent boundary layers, at relatively high Reynolds numbers. This investigation focused on the penetration mechanisms of free-stream turbulence into the boundary layer, identifying the length scales that dominate these mechanisms and studying the effects on the resulting turbulence anisotropy [4]. These effects will also be studied in turbulent boundary layers subject to favorable pressure gradients.