cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Economic Depression of the Renaissance1

lIT ~~~~~~~~~~I VYW henever a medievalist ventures to talk about the Renaissance, he knows that he will be automatically suspect of bias, even if he utters nothing but praise. How much more suspect when he dares to introduce economic depression in the midst of artistic plenty! At a I954 meeting of the American Historical Association, which I contend was packed with historians of art, my comments on what I then believed (and still believe) to be the basic economic trend of the Renaissance 'elicited a lively discussion', which is a polite understatement of the fact that I narrowly escaped lynching. I am willing to admit that the fault was mine. No doubt I had overstated my case, in an effort to apply an irresistible force of dissent against a seemingly unmovable consensus. Actually, the consensus did not include economic historians. Henri Pirenne, that untiring pathfinder, first expressed some doubts as to the purported continuity of economic growth in the latest thousand years, and spoke of a 'crisis of saturation' in the mid-fourteenth century; but he did not elaborate or pursue the inquiry into the following period.2 Then a handful of scholars, such as Abel, Barbagallo, Perroy, Postan, Schreiner, van Werveke (this alphabetical list does not aim at completeness), came to concurrent conclusions in a number of monographic studies.3 The independent variations on one theme became a quintet in the second volume of the Cambridge Economic History (published 1952, but written as early as I945, by one at least of its contributors). There, four or five writers, without any previous conspiracy, found themselves in agreement: not only the mid-fourteenth century, but a much longer period after it, marked some kind of slackening in the economic expansion of Europe. This slackening, it was later suggested, may also have occurred in China and the rest of the Old World, perhaps not without some relation to the general medical and climatic history of the age.4
State-of-the-Art Evapotranspiration Prediction

This special issue of the Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering focuses on evapotranspiration (ET) and its prediction in the context of irrigated agriculture. Replenishment of ET is the primary purpose of irrigation, and thus ET is a major component in the denominators of equations that establish irrigation water requirements and irrigation diversions. ET represents the component of the irrigation diversion that undergoes a physical phase change, and thus, the one component that physically “disappears” from the liquid water resource. In this regard, accurate quantification of ET is necessary to accurately quantify the disposition and hydrology of the other components of the irrigation diversion. Accurate quantification of diversion components and ultimate water consumption is an absolute necessity in 2005, when our fresh water supplies are stretched, more and more, between inflow stream needs and off-stream usage and consumption, between storage and natural flow, between agriculture and cities, between agriculture and recreation, and among agriculture, environment, and endangered species. The papers in this special issue on ET span a broad range of focus and method of application. The first three papers in this special issue by Allen et al. describe the crop coefficient method as standardized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for predicting ET on a field-by-field basis, and application and testing of that method including application to a large irrigation district in California. This application is one of the first to compare prediction by a crop coefficient-based method with ET from a large irrigated area as determined from an inflow– outflow water balance.
Non-Darcy Effects on Nonparallel Thermal Instability of Horizontal Natural Convection Flow

The non-Darcy effects on the vortex instability of natural convection e ow over a horizontal e at plate embedded in a high-porosity medium are examined. These effects include the form-drag, viscous diffusion, and convective terms in the conservation equations. The instability analysis is conducted by employing the linear theory in conjunction with a nonparallel e ow model, which takes into account both the streamwise and transverse variations of thedisturbanceamplitude functions. Theresulting system of partial differential equations forthedisturbance amplitudefunctionsisconverted to asystemofhomogeneouslinearordinary differentialequationswithhomogeneous boundary conditions by the local nonsimilarity method. This results in an eigenvalue problem that is solved by an implicit e nite difference method. The numerical results indicate that all of the three non-Darcy effects examined in the present study reduce the surface heat transfer rate as compared to the case of pure Darcy e ow. These effects also renderthee ow to become more stable to the vortex mode ofinstability. Representative neutral stability curves and critical Grashof numbers are presented. It is found that the parallel e ow model underpredicts the onset of thermal instability, that is, it provides lower critical Grashof numbers than the nonparallel e ow model.
Beneficial Outcome And Cost Savings With Medical Nutrition Therapy By Registered Dietitians In Hyper- Cholesterolemia

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: The participant will be able to quantify the % reduction in lipids and the cost savings in hypercholesterolemic patients with 3 visits with a registered dietitian over 8 weeks. Reducing high blood cholesterol by lower cost treatment alternatives such as medical nutrition therapy (MNT) by a registered dietitian (RD) may help reduce health care costs. A retrospective medical records review was conducted of 95 hypercholesterolemic male veterans undergoing an 8 week dietary intervention in preparation for a cholesterol lowering clinical trial. Complete information was available on 74 subjects, 32 to 75 years old (60.9±9.9, mean±SD). MNT significantly lowered total cholesterol (TC) 13%, low density lipoprotein (LDL) 15%, triglyceride (TG) 11% and high density lipoprotein (HDL) 4% at 6.78±.71 (range=6 to 8) weeks. Pre and post treatment lipids were: TC 270±33 vs 235±26 (p
PECAM-1 promotes β-catenin accumulation and stimulates endothelial cell proliferation

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) binds tyrosine phosphorylated β-catenin and modulates β-catenin localization [J. Immunol. 158 (7) (1997) 3408; J. Cell Sci. 112 (Pt 18) (1999) 3005]. To elucidate functional consequences of this interaction, we studied endothelial cells from PECAM-1 knockout animals and compared them to PECAM-1 expressing endothelial cells [Mol. Biol. Cell 11 (9) (2000) 3109]. We noted an increase in the expression of β-catenin protein in PECAM-1 expressing endothelial cells. Further, by immunofluorescence, β-catenin localized to the cell membrane as well as to the nucleus in PECAM-1 positive endothelial cells, whereas cells not expressing PECAM-1 stained for β-catenin only at the membrane. Additionally, we demonstrate that PECAM-1 lacking the majority of the cytoplasmic domain promotes significantly less accumulation of transcriptionally active β-catenin than full-length PECAM-1. Finally, we note an increased proliferative rate in the PECAM-1 reconstituted cells compared to the endothelial cells lacking PECAM-1. Taken together, our data suggest that PECAM-1, an adhesion molecule, affects cell proliferation via accumulation of transcriptionally active β-catenin.
A critical look at "high-risk" in choosing the proper intervention for patients with carotid bifurcation disease.

Refinements in the technique of carotid endarterectomy have been accompanied by a growing literature calling into question the notion that a broad class of patients is at high-risk for surgery due to clinical comorbidities. Moreover, progress in the percutaneous revascularization of carotid bifurcation disease has highlighted the need for direct comparisons between endarterectomy and stenting across the entire spectrum of perioperative risk. The improved safety of carotid stenting, to some extent due to the advent of cerebral protection devices, has further altered the risk-to-benefit analysis. Lastly, dramatic improvements in medical therapy for the systemic manifestations of atherosclerosis have prompted a reevaluation of carotid revascularization as the standard of care for patients with severe carotid bifurcation stenosis. Endarterectomy and stenting each have unique procedure-specific factors that determine whether a patient is at increased risk for perioperative complications. Determining which patients are at high-risk for these modalities will impact the individualized treatment algorithm. This article examines the anatomical and physiologic conditions that can affect the anticipated outcome of each treatment modality. Ultimately, a tailored approach to each patient’s clinical situation is likely to result in the best outcome following treatment.
The Effects of Benchmarking of Public Works Performance Measures on the Cost-Effectiveness of Service Delivery Evidence From the North Carolina Benchmarking Project

This research is an empirical analysis of the effects of the benchmarking of Efficiency Performance Measures on total costs for six Public Works service delivery areas based on data over the period 1998 to 2011 from municipalities participating in the North Carolina Performance Measurement Project, a well-established and nationally recognized performance measurement and benchmarking system. The results of this research are significant in providing empirical evidence that the benchmarking of Efficiency Performance Measures for the six Public Works service delivery areas had modestly positive impacts on total cost-effectiveness in a significant percentage of these Public Works service delivery areas. The results reflect that management decision-making utilizing performance measures in a benchmarking context, especially in Public Works service delivery areas, can be effective and that performance measurement and benchmarking can achieve identifiable efficiencies and modest improvements in cost-effective outc...
New approach to spin-glass simulations

We present a recursive procedure to calculate the parameters of the recently introduced multicanonical ensemble and explore the appraoch for spin glasses. Temperature depenedence of the energy, the entropy, and other physical quantities are easily calculable and we report results for the zero-temperature limit. Our data provide evidence that the large L increase of the ergodicity time is greatly improved. The multicanonical ensemble seems to open new horizons for simulations of spin glasses and other systems which have to cope with conflicting constraints.
Urban and Rural Ridings and Women in Provincial Politics in Canada: A Research Note on Female MLAs

Several previous studies have noted that women constitute a relatively small proportion of provincial legislators in Canada. Numerous explanations for this phenomenon exist, most of which are identified clearly by Brodie, Bashevkin, Burt and others. In this research note, the authors examine the relationship between the proportion of female legislators and the urban/rural nature of the electoral district. They find that there is a distinct difference in the proportion of female legislators who represent urban districts compared to rural districts. This urban-rural disparity exists regardless of political party affiliation. Moreover, the gap appears to be widening over time.
Metabolism of branched-chain keto acids in neonatal rat liver perfusions.

Abstract The ability of the neonatal rat to oxidize the branched-chain amino acids leucine and valine and their corresponding keto acids was evaluated. In vivo , about 20% of orally administered labeled amino or keto acids were oxidized in 6 h, after which time little further oxidation occurred. In perfused neonatal liver the amino acids were oxidized at only 5–10% the rate of the keto acids. The oxidation of the keto acids showed a saturable dependence on concentration. The decarboxylation of ketoisocaproate (KIC) had a maximal rate of 40.1 ± 1.6 μmol/h/g liver with an apparent K m of 0.27 ± 0.03 m m and decarboxylation of ketoisovalerate (KIV) had a maximal rate of 37.9 ± 1.9 μmol/h/g liver and an apparent K m of 0.28 ± 0.04 m m . KIC was ketogenic, producing mainly acetoacetate at a maximal rate of 44.5 ± 1.6 μmol/h/g liver with an apparent K m of 0.27 ± 0.03 m m . On the other hand, KIV was not gluconeogenic, although the perfused neonatal liver was able to produce glucose from lactate. During liver perfusion, KIV did not produce measurable quantities of either propionic or β-aminoisobutyric acids, which are possible end products of KIV metabolism. Decanoic acid inhibited the decarboxylation of both keto acids to the same extent with a maximal effect at 0.4 m m fatty acid. At saturating levels, KIC was less ketogenic than decanoate. Inhibition of endogenous fatty acid oxidation by 2-tetradecylglycidic acid had no effect on keto acid oxidation. These data suggest that branched-chain amino acids derived from milk proteins are probably not quantitatively significant sources of either ketone bodies or glucose in the neonatal rat.
Modified supraorbital craniotomy: technical note.

Abstract The authors present a surgical approach that incorporates the frontal sinus and extends a supraorbital craniotomy to include the lateral orbital rim and zygoma. The craniotomy provides wide exposure of the anterior fossa, orbit, ipsilateral middle fossa, and cavernous sinus. The procedure can be performed easily, and the bone flaps can be secured rapidly back into the anatomical position at the time of closure. This modified supraorbital craniotomy is ideal for large benign lesions originating along the sphenoid wing or orbit that expand into the anterior fossa.
Pharmacokinetic modelling of efavirenz, atazanavir, lamivudine and tenofovir in the female genital tract of HIV-infected pre-menopausal women.

Background and Objectives A previously published study of antiretroviral pharmacokinetics in the female genital tract of HIV-infected women demonstrated differing degrees of female genital tract penetration among antiretrovirals. These blood plasma (BP) and cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) data were co-modelled for four antiretrovirals with varying CVF exposures.
Low voltage H2O electrolysis for enhanced hydrogen production

Abstract In this study, we report the ability to split H2O into hydrogen at a reduced voltage by the influence of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and anode tolerance materials. This will improve the energy consumption for the production of hydrogen. Hydrogen is produced at the cathode while the anode electrode is bathed in sulfur dioxide and water to form sulfuric acid by the application of potential in the form of electrical energy. In the presence of SO2, the theoretical equilibrium voltage requirement is 0.19 V, thereby reducing the thermochemical free energy to less than one-sixth of its initial value, that is, from 56 to 9.18 kcal/mole. By using SO2 to scavenge the anode we have in practice reduced the equilibrium voltage to 0.6 V. Based on different electrode configurations, ruthenium oxide (RuO2) electrocatalyst deposited on silicon (Si) electrode exhibited superior performance for the low voltage H2O electrolysis.
The postbellum deflation and its lessons for today

Abstract A number of recent studies examining historical experiences with deflation have called into question the widely-held view that maintains deflation is economically harmful. These studies contend that a broad, historical perspective reveals a more nuanced view of deflation, one that requires taking seriously both malign and benign deflation. This paper builds on these findings by taking an in-depth look at the U.S. experience with deflation during the postbellum period and considers whether it supports the claim that deflation can be benign. This paper also considers the lessons of this deflation experience for monetary policy today.
Sacred Content, Secular Context: A Generative Theory of Religion and Spirituality for Social Work

Although a secular profession, social work practitioners and educators do explore human spirituality, and this is embraced now by the profession as integral to a holistic view of the human being. Social workers in hospice and end-of-life care are on the front line of this shift. Still needed is for the profession to coalesce around a generative theory of religion to inform the discipline. The author proposes that a synthesis of ideas, particularly from anthropologists Ernest Becker and Fredrick Streng, provides a generative theory of religion that advances meaningful interface between diverse religious and spiritual ideations of clients and clinicians alike. This theory of generative death anxiety locates the basic religious urge as response to the human awareness of the ontological condition of mortality, which then becomes expressed existentially in all of its diverse particularities. This approach avoids being overly reductionist, yet does provide categories for clear analysis. It cultivates critical respect for human religiosity and fosters productive and creative incorporation of human spirituality into the practical and pragmatic clinical perspective.
Computers in psychotherapy: An overview

Abstract This paper reviews the literature dealing with the role of computers in psychiatric interviewing, and with the role of the computer as a “patient” or as a “psychotherapist”. The research indicates that computers can present questions to patients in a flexible way, that patients find the interactions acceptable, and that patients are often more willing to reveal personal information to the computer during an initial interview, than to a clinician. The problems associated with the computer as a “patient” or a “therapist” are very complex and only a few demonstrations exist that the computer can simulate these roles under very limited conditions. Future advances will depend upon making explicit the strategies of interaction involved in psychotherapy as well as on the capacity of computers to adequately interpret natural language inputs.
Desert stream channels resembling lunar sinuous rilles.

Lunar sinuous rilles and Mojave desert stream channels similarities, discussing presence of terraces
Distinct patterns of p27/KIP 1 gene expression in hepatoblastoma and prognostic implications with correlation before and after chemotherapy.

Over the past 3 years, numerous studies have examined the diagnostic and prognostic significance of p27/Kip1 expression in various tumors. Almost all studies report decreased p27 expression in more aggressive tumors. Information about morphologic changes due to chemotherapy in hepatoblastoma (Hbs) is limited, and so is information about distinct patterns of p27 gene expression. Twenty-nine hepatoblastomas were evaluated for possible prognostic correlation between p27 expression in different histotypes of hepatoblastoma, changes during chemotherapy, and outcome. These observations should prompt prospective randomized studies designed to investigate the predictive role of p27 expression in different Hbs histotypes. Patients were treated according to the Children's Cancer Group and Pediatric Oncology Group protocols, which included initial surgery before chemotherapy wherever possible. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 133 months. The results show that primary well-differentiated fetal tumors without mitotic activity are strongly p27 positive. The embryonal pattern displays a variable p27 protein expression pattern, with focal positivity between completely negative zones; p27 is positive where the mitotic activity is low or absent and negative where the mitogenic activity is high. The vast majority of small undifferentiated cell components are p27 negative. p27 protein expression is downregulated after chemotherapy in the remaining fetal well-differentiated component of Hbs. Although this may imply selection of a more aggressive clone, all patients with this histology were cured in this series. Aggressiveness and ultimate prognosis for incompletely resected tumors after chemotherapy remain indeterminate.
Infrared scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy using an external cavity quantum cascade laser for nanoscale chemical imaging and spectroscopy of explosive residues

Infrared scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) is an apertureless superfocusing technique that uses the antenna properties of a conducting atomic force microscope (AFM) tip to achieve infrared spatial resolution below the diffraction limit. The instrument can be used either in imaging mode, where a fixed wavelength light source is tuned to a molecular resonance and the AFM raster scans an image, or in spectroscopy mode where the AFM is held stationary over a feature of interest and the light frequency is varied to obtain a spectrum. In either case, a strong, stable, coherent infrared source is required. Here we demonstrate the integration of a broadly tunable external cavity quantum cascade laser (ECQCL) into an s-SNOM and use it to obtain infrared spectra of microcrystals of chemicals adsorbed onto gold substrates. Residues of the explosive compound tetryl was deposited onto gold substrates. s-SNOM experiments were performed in the 1260-1400cm-1 tuning range of the ECQCL, corresponding to the N02 symmetric stretch vibrational fingerprint region. Vibrational infrared spectra were collected on individual chemical domains with a collection area of ~500 nm2 and compared to ensemble averaged far-field reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) results.
Long-term variations in North-South asymmetry of solar activity

We present a new set of data on relative sunspot number (total, northern hemisphere, and southern hemisphere), taken for the 37-yr period 1947 to 1983; this constitutes a particularly coherent and consistent set of data, taken by the same observer (Hisako Koyama) using the same observing instrument. These data are combined with earlier data (White and Trotter, 1977) on the variation of sunspot areas for both solar hemispheres from 1874 to 1971. The combined data, covering 110 years and 10 solar cycles, are examined for periodicity in solar activity north-south asymmetry. We show that, in general, northern hemisphere activity, displayed as either An/(An + As) or Rn/(Rn + Rs), peaks about two years after sunspot minimum. This peak is greater during even cycles, pointing to a 22-yr periodicity in north-south asymmetry in solar activity, suggesting that the asymmetry is related to the 22-yr solar magnetic cycle. We demonstrate that the largest and most protracted period of northern-hemisphere activity excess in the last 110 years has occurred from 1959 to 1970; we show that there is a strong correlation between northern activity excess and a cosmic-ray density gradient perpendicular to the ecliptic plane, pointing southward, which is evident in cosmic-ray diurnal variation data from the Embudo underground cosmic-ray telescope.
Observation of conservations laws in diffusion limited aggregation.

We repeat the numerical experiments for diffusion limited aggregation (DLA) and show that there is a potentially infinite set of conserved quantities for the long time asymptotics. We connect these observations with the exact integrability of the continuum limit of the DLA (quasistatic Stefan problem). The conserved quantities of the Stefan problem (harmonic moments) when discretized are our conserved quantities. These numerical experiments show that the exact integrability of the Stefan problem may be continued beyond the formation of cusps in the moving boundary.
Interspecies interactions that result in Bacillus subtilis forming biofilms are mediated mainly by members of its own genus

Abstract Many different systems of bacterial interactions have been described. However, relatively few studies have explored how interactions between different microorganisms might influence bacterial development. To explore such interspecies interactions, we focused on Bacillus subtilis, which characteristically develops into matrix-producing cannibals before entering sporulation. We investigated whether organisms from the natural environment of B. subtilis—the soil—were able to alter the development of B. subtilis. To test this possibility, we developed a coculture microcolony screen in which we used fluorescent reporters to identify soil bacteria able to induce matrix production in B. subtilis. Most of the bacteria that influence matrix production in B. subtilis are members of the genus Bacillus, suggesting that such interactions may be predominantly with close relatives. The interactions we observed were mediated via two different mechanisms. One resulted in increased expression of matrix genes via the activation of a sensor histidine kinase, KinD. The second was kinase independent and conceivably functions by altering the relative subpopulations of B. subtilis cell types by preferentially killing noncannibals. These two mechanisms were grouped according to the inducing strain's relatedness to B. subtilis. Our results suggest that bacteria preferentially alter their development in response to secreted molecules from closely related bacteria and do so using mechanisms that depend on the phylogenetic relatedness of the interacting bacteria.
High Arctic Benthic Isopods From Fletcher's Ice Island, T-3, With a Description of One New Species, Mirabilicoxa Fletcheri N. Sp

Mirabilicoxa fletcheri n. sp. recueilli dans le Haut Arctique a des profondeurs de 1253 a 1740 metres est decrit. D'autres Isopodes de meme provenance sont identifies et signales.
Analysis of microbial mixtures by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Many different laboratories are currently developing mass-spectrometric techniques to analyze and identify microorganisms. However, minimal work has been done with mixtures of bacteria. To demonstrate that microbial mixtures could be analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), mixed bacterial cultures were analyzed in a double-blind fashion. Nine different bacterial species currently in our MALDI-MS fingerprint library were used to generate 50 different simulated mixed bacterial cultures similar to that done for an initial blind study previously reported (Jarman, K. H.; Cebula, S. T.; Saenz, A. J.; Petersen, C. E.; Valentine, N. B.; Kingsley, M. T.; Wahl, K. L. Anal. Chem. 2000, 72, 1217−1223). The samples were analyzed by MALDI-MS with automated data extraction and analysis algorithms developed in our laboratory. The components present in the sample were identified correctly to the species level in all but one of the samples. However, correctly eliminating closel...
Categories of resistance in plant introductions of wheat resistant to the Russian wheat aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae).

Wheat cultivars previously identified as resistant to the Russian wheat aphid, Diumphis noxia (Mordvilko), in South Africa and in Idaho were evaluated in the greenhouse to determine the categories of resistance in operation. All test entries tested possessed a significant level of tolerance to D. noxia feeding, based on percentage reductions in plant height. Twenty-one days after infestation, D. noxia maintained on the three plant introductions from South Africa displayed reduced reproductive rates indicative of low-level antibiosis. However, none of the test entries reduced overall fecundity during the total (84-d) reproductive period of the experiment. None of the test entries displayed antixenosis.
EHMTI-0244. Optogenetic elicitation of cortical spreading depression in unanesthetized, head-restrained mice

We tested the hypothesis that cortical spreading depression (CSD) could be initiated by optogenetically activating astrocytes in unanesthetized mice. Previously, we demonstrated that depolarizing astrocytes expressing the light-responsive channelrhodopsin-2 receptor (ChR2) elicited CSD in brain slices and in anesthetized mice.
Graph minors. II: Algorithmic aspects of tree-width

We introduce an invariant of graphs called the tree-width, and use it to obtain a polynomially bounded algorithm to test if a graph has a subgraph contractible to H, where H is any fixed planar graph. We also nonconstructively prove the existence of a polynomial algorithm to test if a graph has tree-width ≤ w, for fixed w. Neither of these is a practical algorithm, as the exponents of the polynomials are large. Both algorithms are derived from a polynomial algorithm for the DISJOINT CONNECTING PATHS problem (with the number of paths fixed), for graphs of bounded tree-width.
CHILEAN PORTS: COMMODITY SPECIALIZATION AND POTENTIAL FOR CONTAINERIZATION*

Port commodity specialization is primarily influenced by economic functions, but also by unique geographic considerations. A port system's evolution is dependent upon a complex mix of both physical and human factors. A case study of Chilean ports examines their potential for increasing containerized traffic. By applying indices of port commodity specialization and national commodity specialization to maritime transport data, a series of working hypotheses pertinent to specialization is tested. Suggestions are made for developing a port system to accommodate containerization. The results indicate that Chile should support the development of three regional port subsystems.
Vertically aligned carbon nanofiber electrode arrays for nucleic acid detection

We present electrochemical detection of DNA targets that corresponds to Escherichia coli O157:H7 16S rRNA gene using a nanoelectrode array consisting of vertically aligned carbon nanofiber (VACNF) electrodes. Parylene C is used as gap filling ‘matrix’ material to avoid high temperature processing in electrode construction. This easy to deposit film of several micron heights provides a conformal coating between the high aspect ratio VACNFs with negligible pin-holes. The low background currents show the potential of this approach for ultra-sensitive detection. Consistent and reproducible electrochemical-signals are achieved using a simple electrode preparation. This simple, reliable and low-cost approach is a forward step in developing practical sensors for applications like pathogen detection, early cancer diagnosis and environmental monitoring.
A slide filing system for endoscopic teaching purposes

An endoscopic slide filing system is presented which permits slides to be easily filed and retrieved by using a two-digit numerical system, as well as incorporating an alphabetical filing according to the patient's name.
Where is the Interface of the Stratocumulus-Topped PBL?

Abstract Various locally defined (not horizontal mean) interfaces between the stratocumulus-topped PBL and the free atmosphere are investigated using a fine-resolution large-eddy simulation with a vertical grid spacing of about 4 m. The local cloud-top height is found to be always below the height where the maximum gradient of the local sounding occurs, and the maximum-gradient height is always below the interface where PBL air can reach via turbulent motions. The distances between these local interfaces are of significant amount, a few tens of meters on average. Air between the cloud-top and maximum-gradient interfaces is fully turbulent, unsaturated, but rather moist. Air between the maximum-gradient and turbulent-mixing interfaces consists of turbulent motions that are intermittent in space and time. The simulated flow shows no clearly defined interface that separates cloudy, turbulent air mass from clear, nonturbulent air above, even locally.
Nonlinear evolution of de Sitter space instabilities

We investigate the quantum evolution of large black holes that nucleate spontaneously in de Sitter space. By numerical computation in the s-wave and one-loop approximations, we verify claims that such black holes can initially ``anti-evaporate'' instead of shrink. We show, however, that this is a transitory effect. It is followed by an evaporating phase, which we are able to trace until the black holes are small enough to be treated as Schwarzschild. Under generic perturbations, the nucleated geometry is shown to decay into a ring of de Sitter regions connected by evaporating black holes. This confirms that de Sitter space is globally unstable and fragments into disconnected daughter universes.
Planar reflectarray antennas with spherical phase distribution for two-dimensional beam-scanning

Microstrip reflectarrays combine the many favorable features of both reflectors and printed arrays, and create a new generation of high-gain antennas which has low-profile and low-mass features. In addition to these mechanical advantages, they are also quite suitable for applications requiring high-gain beam-scanning. On the other hand, radiometer antennas for earth remote sensing or radio astronomy are required to have two-dimensional beam-scanning capability, with high resolution, low loss, and low cross-polarization features; therefore a reflectarray can be a good choice for the beam-scanning antenna in these systems. Conventionally, the phase distribution on a reflectarray aperture is designed based on the phase compensation of a parabolic reflector. However, for beam-scanning applications these designs show a poor performance. Spherical reflectors on the other hand are quite suitable for wide-angle two-dimensional beam-scanning, and since reflectarray elements can provide any value of phase shift, one can design the reflectarray aperture based on the phase compensation of a comparable spherical reflector. The goal of this work is to study the feasibility of planar reflectarray antennas with spherical phase distribution for beam-scanning applications. First, analytical expressions are derived for the aperture phase distribution of spherical-phase reflectarrays. In the next stage, the restricted aperture approach is used to design spherical-phase reflectarray antennas, and numerical studies are performed to determine the optimal focal of these planar designs. It is revealed that the optimal focal is a function of the scanned beam direction, and the focal length is reduced as the scan angle increases. In addition the beam-scanning performance of the reflectarrays are compared with spherical reflectors with the same subtended angle, and it is shown that for moderately wide scan coverage, a similar performance can be realized with these planar arrays. Moreover, parametric studies on the taper effect of the illuminated aperture, the size of the corresponding sphere, and the scan range are conducted, to characterize the beam scanning performance of these antennas. These studies show that planar reflectarrays with spherical phase distribution can be a suitable choice for a beam scanning radiometer antenna in remote sensing or radio astronomy applications.
Lipid Antioxidants in Plant Tissue

SUMMARY The antioxidant activities of several flavone glycosides and cinnamic acids were determined in lipid-aqueous systems. Flavone glycosides, except rutin, possessed approximately the same antioxidant activity as their respective aglycone. Rutin was not as effective as its corresponding aglycone, quercetin. Quercetin derivatives were the only glycosides isolated from green onions, green-pepper pods, green-pepper seeds, and potato peels. Green-onion tops also possessed a glycoside of myricetin. Caffeic acid was an effective antioxidant hut chlorogenic acid had no antioxidant activity.
Vector preference for hosts differing in infection status: sharpshooter movement and Xylella fastidiosa transmission

1. Epidemiological theory predicts that vector preference for hosts differing in infection status (i.e. healthy or infected) affects disease dynamics. 2. Numerous studies have documented strong vector preference for or discrimination against infected hosts. However, the significance of these behaviours for pathogen transmission and spread has been poorly described. 3. We conducted a series of choice assays to evaluate orientation preference, feeding preference, and movement rates of an important group of vectors, the sharpshooter leafhoppers, based on host infection status for the generalist plant pathogen, Xylella fastidiosa Wells et al. 4. Sharpshooters did not discriminate between healthy versus infected-but-asymptomatic grapevines, but they oriented preferentially to healthy grapevines more frequently than either symptomatic vines or those artificially coloured to mimic disease symptoms. 5. In a field trial three sharpshooter species showed different movement rates and preferences for feeding site, but all species exhibited similar and significant preference for healthy hosts. 6. Although there was no significant difference in acquisition efficiency among vector species, those individuals that spent more time on healthy hosts tended to be less likely to acquire the pathogen. 7. These results suggest that sharpshooters discriminate against infected grapevines, which are likely to be of poorer quality, with visual cues playing a role in host selection. Preference by these vectors may affect pathogen acquisition, which could affect disease spread in the field.
Telemetry Application in the Glass Industry

Telemetry technique and presently available equipment may be utilized to optimize information retrieval speed and to minimize the total cost of information. An example of equipment is presented with basic theory of operation. Specific applications are discussed in the areas of pressure, temperature, and strain measurement. Technique is reviewed in terms of antenna placement and heat shielding of the telemetry package. By use of the systems approach to information retrieval, telemetry technique can be of value to the glass industry where other methods of measurement are not optimum or applicable.
Preparing Middle Level Preservice Teachers to Integrate Mathematics and Science: Problems and Possibilities

Many members of the mathematics and science education community believe that the integration of mathematics and science enhances students' understanding of both subjects. Despite this belief, attempts to integrate these subjects have frequently been unsuccessful. This study examines the development and implementation of a team-taught integrated middle level mathematics and science methods course. The data presented in this study were collected from three groups of preservice teachers who were enrolled in a grades 5–8 middle level teacher certification program in Connecticut from 1998–2000. The data analysis indicates that preservice teachers appreciated the emphasis on integration used in the course, but at the same time when concepts did not integrate easily they were frustrated. Despite this frustration, the preservice teachers' understanding of integration was enhanced as a result of the course.
Use of chemical mutagenesis for the isolation of food grade β-galactosidase overproducing mutants of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and Streptococcus thermophilus

Abstract A classical chemical mutagenesis protocol was evaluated for increasing β-galactosidase production by probiotic bacteria to improve their potential to treat symptoms of lactose malabsorption in humans. Two Bifidobacterium species ( B. breve and B. longum ) and one strain each of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus were tested by a single exposure to two chemical mutagens, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). To screen for β-galactosidase (β-gal) overproducing mutants, optimized EMS and MNNGmutant pots for each strain were plated on BHI agar containing 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal). Colonies that exhibited a blue color were selected for quantitative β-gal activities using the o-nitrophenyl-β-galactoside (ONPG) assay. Seventy-five mutants were obtained out of more than 2million colonies screened and showed increased β-galactosidase activities compared with the wild-type strains. EMS gave a higher frequency of β-gal overproducing mutants than MNNG for three of the four strains, S. thermophilus, B. breve , and B. longum , whereas the frequency of L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus β-gal mutants was similar with both mutagens. The highest β-gal increases, when induced during growth in lactose, for mutants of each culture were 137% for L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus ; 104% for S. thermophilus ; 70% for B. breve ; and 222% for B. longum mutants. This food-grade classical approach has the ability to moderately increase β-gal concentrations in probiotic cultures to improve their potential for treating the symptoms of lactose malabsorption in humans.
Clinical practice guidelines: Opportunities and implications.

Clinical practice guidelines have been defined as systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances. They are intended to improve the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of care. While particular guidelines may be challenged on the grounds that they are not inclusive of all effective treatment strategies or are too difficult or too expensive to implement, there is evidence that guidelines can influence clinical decision-making in ways that improve treatment outcomes and sometimes also in ways that reduce costs. Guidelines are viewed by policymakers as an important factor in rational decision-making about payment practices and other policy issues, but they can provoke controversies among providers and researchers.
People, clouds, and interaction for information access

Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA) currently has nineteen research groups that cover various areas in computer science. The Web InTelligence (WIT) Group, led by Chin-Yew Lin, is a recent spin-off from the Natural Language Computing Group, and tackles problems in sentiment analysis, expert and social search, social question answering and summarisation, user intent/activity recognition and prediction, assisting inarticulate users, and information access evaluation. In this talk, I will try to illustrate current strategies and future visions of the WIT group by discussing human-human interaction, computer-computer interaction, human-computer interaction and "evaluation evolution," each in turn.
UNSATCHEM: Unsaturated Water and Solute Transport Model with Equilibrium and Kinetic Chemistry

Numerous models have been developed for predicting major ion chemistry in the soil zone and in recharge to groundwater. Soils that contain CaCO 3 are prevalent in arid and semiarid regions, as well as in humid and temperate regions that have been glaciated or contain carbonate bedrock. Under these conditions, carbonate-solution reactions and ion exchange are the dominant chemical processes. In this model we couple one-dimensional unsaturated water and solute transport with a major ion chemistry routine and plant water uptake. The model has several unique features, including expressions relating reductions in hydraulic conductivity to chemical factors, prediction of CO 2 partial pressure in the root zone based on a CO 2 production-multiphase transport submodel, kinetic expressions for silicate weathering, calcite precipitation-dissolution, and dolomite dissolution, representation of B adsorption using the constant capacitance model, a new method for predicting cation-exchange selectivity, the option to use Pitzer ion interaction expressions for high ionic strength, and a plant growth submodel that includes water, salinity, and O 2 stress. The chemical submodel considers equilibrium ion exchange, as well as various equilibrium and kinetic expressions for precipitation and dissolution of soil minerals, including gypsum, Mg carbonates, and sepiolite. The use of a predictive submodel for CO 2 production and transport allows for the calculation of CO 2 concentrations with depth and time. This enables us to avoid the assumption of constant CO 2 distribution or constant pH required by previous models. Use of kinetic expressions for carbonate chemistry allows a more realistic simulation of soil and groundwater solution composition as well as simulations of carbonate redistribution and climatic change with time.
A vehicle threat detection system using correlation analysis and synthesized x-ray images

The goal of the proposed research is to automate the vehicle threat detection w ith X-ray images when a vehicle crosses the country border or the gateway of a secured facility (military base). The proposed detection system requires two inputs: probe images (from X-ray machine) and gallery images (from database). For each vehicle, the gallery images include the X-ray images of fully-loaded (with typical cargo) and unloaded (empty) vehicle. The proposed system produces two types of outputs for threat detection: the detected anomalies and the synthesized images (e.g., grayscale fusion, color fusion, and differential images). The anomalies are automatica lly detected with the block-wise correlation analysis between two temporally aligned images (probe versus gallery). The locations of detected anomalies can be marked with small rectangles on the probe X-ray images. The several side-view images can be combined into one fused image in gray scale and in colors (color fusion) that provides more comprehensive information to the operator. The fused images are suitable for human analysis and decision. We analyzed a set of vehicle X-ray images, which consists of 4 images generated from AS&E OmniView Gantry
Nitrogen loading alters seagrass ecosystem structure and support of higher trophic levels

1. Anthropogenic-derived nutrient inputs to coastal environments have increased dramatically worldwide in the latter half of the 20th century and are altering coastal ecosystems. We evaluated the effects of nitrogen loading on changes in macrophyte community structure and the associated fauna of a north temperate estuary. We found that a shift in primary producers from eelgrass to macroalgae in response to increased nutrient loading alters habitat physical and chemical structure and food webs. As nitrogen load increased we found increased macroalgal biomass, decreased eelgrass shoot density and biomass, decreased fish and decapod abundance and biomass, and decreased fish diversity. 2. The central importance of macroalgae in altering eelgrass ecosystem support of higher trophic levels is evident in the response of the ecosystem when this component was manipulated. Removal of macroalgae increased eelgrass abundance and water column and benthic boundary layer O2 concentrations. These changes in the physical and chemical structure of the ecosystem with lower macroalgal biomass resulted in higher fish and decapod abundance and biomass. 3. Both a 15N tracer experiment and the growth of fishes indicated that little of the macroalgal production was immediately transferred to secondary consumers. δ15N values indicated that the most abundant fishes were not using a grazing food web based on macroalgae. Fish tended to grow better and have a greater survivorship in eelgrass compared to macroalgal habitats. 4. Watershed-derived nutrient loading has caused increased macroalgal biomass and degradation and loss of eelgrass habitat, thus reducing the capacity of estuaries to support nekton. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.