cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High rates of denitrification and nitrate removal in cold seep sediments

We measured denitrification and nitrate removal rates in cold seep sediments from the Gulf of Mexico. Heterotrophic potential denitrification rates were assayed in time-series incubations. Surficial sediments inhabited by Beggiatoa exhibited higher heterotrophic potential denitrification rates (32 μM N reduced day(-1)) than did deeper sediments (11 μM N reduced day(-1)). Nitrate removal rates were high in both sediment horizons. These nitrate removal rates translate into rapid turnover times (<1 day) for the nitrate pool, resulting in a faster turnover for the nitrate pool than for the sulfate pool. Together, these data underscore the rigorous nature of internal nitrogen cycling at cold seeps and the requirement for novel mechanisms to provide nitrate to the sediment microbial community.
Differences in food patterns at breakfast by sociodemographic characteristics among a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States.

Abstract Background. Eating breakfast is considered an important determinant of a healthy lifestyle. This study explores the different food patterns of breakfast for adults aged 18–65 in the United States. Methods. Data are from the 1994–1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals, n = 15,641. Dietary assessment method used was the 24-h recall. Nutrient differences among the breakfast food patterns as well as the sociodemographic characteristics of individuals following each eating pattern are examined. Results. The primary food patterns were based on consumption of eggs (15.3% of adults), ready-to-eat cereals (17.4%), bread (21.7%), cooked cereal (4.4%), fruit and fruit juice (5.5%), and coffee, soft drinks, and high-fat desserts (15.1%). Seventeen and three-tenths percent of the adults skipped breakfast. These food patterns provide remarkably different nutrient profiles adjusting for energy intake. The egg pattern is highest in total fat, lowest in fiber density, and low in iron and calcium density. In contrast, the ready-to-eat cereal pattern is high in fiber, highest in calcium density, and very low in fat. Breakfast food patterns differ markedly by various sociodemographic factors such as gender, ethnicity, and educational level. Conclusion. Different segments of our population consume different types of foods at breakfast, contributing to differences in their nutrient intakes.
Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair, race, and volume in thoracic aneurysm repair.

Background Volume-based disparities in surgical care are often associated with poorer results in African American patients. We examined the effect of treatment patterns and outcomes, by race, for isolated thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). Methods Using Medicare claims (1999-2007), we studied all patients undergoing repair of TAAs, via open surgery or thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR). We studied 30-day mortality and complications by race, procedure type, and hospital volume. Results We studied 12,573 patients who underwent open TAA repair (4% of whom were black) and 2732 patients who underwent TEVAR (8% of whom were black). In open repair, black patients had higher 30-day mortality than white patients (18% vs 10%; P P = .56). For open repair, black patients were more likely to undergo surgery at low-volume hospitals, where overall operative mortality was highest (14% at very low-volume hospitals, 7% at very high-volume hospitals; P P = .328). Multivariable analyses adjusting for age, sex, race, comorbidity, and volume confirmed that increased perioperative mortality was associated with black race for open surgery (OR, 2.0, 95% CI, 1.5-2.5; P P = .721). Conclusions While racial disparities in surgical care have a significant effect on mortality with open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, black patients undergoing TEVAR obtain similar outcomes as white patients. New technology can limit the effect of racial disparities in surgical care.
Abundance of natural regeneration and growth comparisons with planted seedlings 10–13 years after commercial thinning in 50-year-old Douglas-fir, Douglas-fir/western hemlock, Oregon Coast Range

Abstract Post-thinning natural regeneration in the Pacific Northwest of USA was evaluated 13 years after thinning 50-year-old Douglas-fir ( Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco var. menziesii ) stands on a drier, interior Coast Range site (McDonald) and 10 years after thinning 50- to 55-year-old Douglas-fir/western hemlock ( Tsuga heterophylla [Raf.] Sarg.) stands on a moister, coastal site (Blodgett) as part of a long-term study of late-seral habitats following commercial thinning. At each site, thinning varied in residual stand density (ranging from 17 to 34 m 2 /ha) and pattern (uniform thinning or thinning with the incorporation of 0.06- and 0.1-ha gaps). Effects of understory vegetation control were also evaluated. McDonald had minor components of grand fir ( Abies grandis [Dougl. ex D. Don.] Lindl.); Blodgett had substantial overstory stocking of western hemlock. Natural seedling densities and heights of natural and underplanted seedlings were recorded where stands had been thinned to four (McDonald) and three (Blodgett) residual densities. Densities of natural Douglas-fir seedlings ranged from 55 to 980/ha at McDonald (13 years after thinning) and from 887 to 1566/ha at Blodgett (10 years after thinning). Douglas-fir abundance was inversely related to overstory density at McDonald after thinning and was greater at both sites where understory had been chemically controlled. Natural regeneration of grand fir at McDonald was limited by proximity to seed source, but more abundant than Douglas-fir where it occurred. Regeneration of western hemlock 10 years after thinning at Blodgett averaged 44,058–56,845/ha and did not vary across overstory densities or with vegetation control. Heights of hemlock and Douglas-fir regeneration were greatest where overstories were least dense. Hemlock was consistently taller than Douglas-fir at the site (Blodgett) where regeneration of both species occurred. However, Douglas-fir was preferentially browsed, which limited height growth. Canopy gaps did not consistently increase density or height of natural regeneration at either site, but many of the tallest seedlings recorded were found within gaps. Heights and recent height growth rates for western hemlock at Blodgett were similar between natural and planted seedlings. Natural Douglas-fir were shorter than planted Douglas-fir at both sites. Reliance on natural Douglas-fir regeneration in thinned stands provided variable stocking, with uncertain futures where post-thinning overstory basal area exceeded 28 m 2 /ha in 50-year-old stands.
Policy takers or policy makers? The lobbying of global banking regulators

Abstract Do financial sector groups act as passive policy takers, or do they ‘shape’ the policies to which they are subject? This article responds to this question with three arguments pertaining to the policy shaping power of the financial industry when it comes to international financial standards. First, industry groups confront a number of additional challenges when it comes to lobbying international regulatory bodies, which tend to be more opaque in their decision making and more difficult to hold accountable when they make unpopular decisions. Second, while these groups are sometimes able to shape financial regulatory policy, the extent of this influence is more partial and contingent than most depictions suggest. The third argument advanced is that since the global financial crisis, business groups have had many of their traditional lobbying tools adversely affected, making lobbying a more uphill battle than before. Financial industry groups are able to influence the governance of their own activities and act as ‘policy shapers’ some of the time, but are less strongly positioned in this role than many existing depictions seem to suggest.
An ab initio study of the O-H stretching frequency in tremolite

We have carried out a series of ab initio molecular orbital calculations for a cluster designed to model the OH site environment in tremolite to investigate the forces affecting the O-H stretch frequency in the crystal. The results of our calculations suggest that there are repulsive interactions between the hydrogen atom and silicon and oxygen atoms in the silicate ring adjacent to the OH site in tremolite. From our model calculations, we predict that the O-H stretching frequency of tremolite should first increase, then decrease, with applied pressure. This may affect the variation in H/D fractionation factors involving tremolite and other amphiboles with depth.
The two-stage mutation model in retinal hemangioblastoma.

Background: The two-stage mutation model involving successive inactivation of both alleles of a tumor suppressor gene was originally proposed by Knudson, who analyzed the age incidence curves for unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma, and suggested that hereditary tumors arise by a single somatic event superimposed on a defective genetic background and sporadic tumors by a two-stage somatic process. In this study, the age-incidence curve of patients with retinal hemangioblastoma with and without associated von Hippel-Lindau disease were analyzed. Methods: We reviewed the literature between 1964 and 1998 to find all reported cases of retinal hemangioblastoma and classified patients in a type A group (n=223) when associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease and a type B group (n=30) when not associated with von Hippel-Lindau disease. We analyzed and compared the age incidence of these two groups. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the mean age at diagnosis of retinal hemangiobl...
Trophic support of the developing cochleovestibular ganglion by its peripheral target in vitro does not depend on neuronal cell division.

Abstract A trophic effect on the development of the cochleovestibular ganglion in the presence of its synaptic target tissue, the embryonic otocyst, has been shown in organ cultures. The basis for this trophic effect could be increased neuronal proliferation or enhanced postmitotic survival and differentiation. In order to determine if the trophic effect influenced neuronal proliferation, organ cultures of combined otocyst and cochleovestibular ganglion (embryonic stages 23–24) were grown 14 days in vitro in the continuous presence of [ 3 H]thymidine. Serial sections of the explants made at each stage were assayed for autoradiographic labeling of cell nuclei and for numbers of cochleovestibular ganglion neurons. Expiants were well developed morphologically and contained numbers of ganglionic neurons within the same range as previously reported. Many other well differentiated cell types were also present, including hair cells, supporting cells, other epithelial cells, cartilage, connective tissue, and perineuronal satellite cells. All of these non-neuronal cell types had undergone DNA synthesis in vitro , as evidenced by their heavily labeled nuclei. The cochleovestibular ganglion neurons were the only cell type with unlabeled nuclei, indicating that they had not divided or synthesized DNA during the two-week incubation. Thus all of the identifiable cochleovestibular ganglion neurons must have become postmitotic in the expiants. Since ganglion cell division is still occurring in situ when the neurons are explanted, neuroblasts either failed to divide or failed to produce neuronal progeny in the culture conditions used. Therefore, the dependence of the cochleovestibular ganglion neurons on their normal target tissues most likely reflects a trophic effect on their postmitotic survival and differentiation.
An apparatus for the characterization of warm, dense deuterium with inelastic x-ray scattering

We present an instrument platform for studying shock-compressed deuterium on moderately sized laser facilities. The target is designed for cryogenic liquid deuterium to be compressed with a sub-kJ laser pulse. The x-ray probe is the narrow band 2005 eV Si Ly-α resonance produced by a 200 J laser incident on a Si3N4 foil. Scattered x-ray collection occurs in the backward and forward directions; spectral dispersion with Bragg crystals yields the plasma conditions of density and temperature. Additionally, the shock is probed with velocity interferometry. Combined with the electron density measurements from forward scattering, this allows average ionization state to be inferred. Proof of principle experiments demonstrate the viability of this technique for studies of the ionization of deuterium along the Hugoniot.
Decentralized Estimation and Control in High Precision Spacecraft Formations: Comparison Studies

High-precision formation flying missions can implement very large science instruments, but require a very high level of coordination and control. Two coordination and control architectures are described and evaluated on two small prototypical formation flying missions. The first architecture is based on a decentralized, parallel estimation approach with every spacecraft in the formation maintaining an estimate of the entire formation state. Each spacecraft updates its estimator on the basis of local measurements and communicated information from other spacecraft. The second architecture uses a central spacecraft to maintain the formation estimate and calculate the required control actions for all other spacecraft. Communication is required to convey the measurements and actuation commands between the central spacecraft and the rest of the formation. These case studies illustrate that in the presence of small communication delays and communication channel noise, the decentralized architecture outperforms the centralized one, even in the case where it has fewer communication links.
The outcome from legalizing Sunday packaged alcohol sales on traffic accidents in New Mexico

We attempt to disentangle the effect on alcohol-related accidents and fatal crashes when New Mexico lifted its ban on Sunday packaged alcohol sales on July 1, 1995. Using crash incidents between January 1990 and December 2005, from data maintained by the Division of Government Research in New Mexico, we estimate a negative binomial model that controls for unobservable factors affecting overall accidents. One of these factors is an increase in New Mexico's speed limits in 1996. We find no statistically significant increase in total alcohol-related accidents or alcohol-related fatal crashes on Sundays after the repeal of the ban.
On the phosphorescence rise and decay processes of phenanthrene in EPA at 77°K

Abstract Phosphorescence rise and decay behaviors of phenanthrene have been studied in EPA at 77°K. The rise curves follow exactly an exponential law, and the rate constants obtained from the curves are always larger than or equal to the phosphorescence decay constant, depending on excitation intensity and wavelength. Fluorescence rise curves have been also studied in the same system and found to be time-dependent at t > 0.2 sec after the excitation onset. The results obtained are interpreted in terms of a kinetic model involving a process of the depletion of ground-state molecules caused by excitation to their higher electronic levels, with subsequent population in the lowest excited singlet and triplet states.
Effect of phencyclidines on hippocampal pyramidal cells.

Abstract Phencyclidine (PCP) and several behaviorally active or inactive structural analogs were administered i.v. to urethane-anesthetized rats in order to determine their effects on CA1 pyramidal cell discharges elicited by contralateral CA3 (cCA3) stimulation. PCP and the behaviorally active m -amino derivative ( m -NH 2 PCP) depressed, in a dose-dependent manner, the amplitude of the population spike evoked in CA1 by a cCA3 stimulation (ED 50s: 0.9 mg/kg for PCP, 0.5 mg/kg for m -NH 2 PCP). However, the behaviorally inactive derivatives m -nitro ( m -NO 2 PCP) and PCP methyliodide (PCP CH 3 I) were ineffective up to 10 mg/kg. PCP (0.1–0.3 mg/kg i.v.) also decreased the duration of inhibition of CA1 discharges in a paired-stimulus paradigm; this was in contrast to the effects of thiopental and diazepam. In midcollicular-transected, urethane-anesthetized rats, the inhibitory effect of PCP on cCA3-CA1 transmission was not observed but the drug was still as effective as in intact rats in the paired-stimulus paradigm. In animals subjected to 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the hippocampal noradrenergic innervation (average 85%) decrease in NE content), the potency of PCP in inhibiting cCA3-CA1 transmission was the same as in a group of sham-operated controls. These results suggest the following conclusions: (i) PCP exerts at least 2 separate types of effects in CA1, both of which result from a central action of the drug; (ii) PCP decreases the monosynaptic excitation of CA1 pyramidal cells and this action requires the integrity of brainstem afferents; (iii) PCP may decrease recurrent inhibition or afterhyperpolarization in CA1 via a mechanism which is independent of these connections and, therefore, could result from a direct action of the drug at the level of the hippocampus; (iv) finally, no evidence was found to suggest that the noradrenergic innervation of the hippocampus is critically involved in the action of PCP on CA1 discharges.
The X-ray photoelectron spectra of heterogeneous catalysts: II. The chromia-silica catalyst system

The X-ray photoelectron spectra of a series of chromia-silica catalysts (containing ~8% Cr) have been recorded. The Cr 2p12, 32 and O 1s binding energies have been monitored as a function of calcination temperature, and the change from Cr(VI) to Cr(III) has been followed as the temperature is increased. A dramatic enhancement in the intensity of the Cr 2p peaks at 500 °C is attributed to a dispersion change in which α-Cr2O3 concentrates on the surface of the silica support. Treatment of the catalysts with CO generates chromium sites which possess Cr 2p binding energies lower than those of Cr(III). This observation is consistent with the formation of Cr(II), a species which is probably the active catalyst site. The concentration of Cr(II) decreases upon exposure of the reduced catalyst to NO at 300 °C. These results are discussed in the light of other studies which have been carried out on these catalysts.
Spectroscopy with squeezed light.

A frequency-tunable source of squeezed light is employed for spectroscopic measurements of atomic cesium. Relative to the usual quantum limit associated with vacuum-state fluctuations, enhanced sensitivity is demonstrated for the detection of Doppler-free resonances in saturation spectroscopy, with an improvement of 3.1 dB directly observed and 3.8 dB inferred after correcting for detector thermal noise.
First Example of Free Radical Ring-Opening Polymerization with Some Characteristics of a Living Polymerization

The first radical ring-opening polymerization of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane in the presence of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy radical (TEMPO) has been achieved with di-tert-butyl peroxide as initiator to afford a chain polyester. The observations of small polydispersities of less than 1.5 at high TEMPO concentrations and linear increases in molecular weight with conversion demonstrate some characters of a “living” polymerization process.
Energy Bands in the Body-Centered Lattice

Slater's method of finding the structure of electronic energy bands in the body-centered lattices is extended so as to satisfy boundary conditions at fourteen points of the polyhedral cell surrounding an atom, instead of eight as in previous applications. Since this requires the use of all the "$d$" spherical harmonics, the method is now applicable to elements which have "$d$" electrons. Greater accuracy is also to be expected for other elements. The expansions of the determinants relating the energy $E$ to $k$, the wave number vector, are given for all symmetry axes, and points, and in part for the symmetry planes. From group theory the places where various bands will stick together, i.e. degeneracies required by symmetry, are also determined.
Pesticides: multiple mechanisms of demasculinization

Many pesticides are known to produce reproductive and developmental effects in chronically exposed non-target organisms, including humans. Recent evidence suggests that demasculinization may be an important mechanism responsible for some of these effects. Some pesticides have been shown to interact with the androgen receptor and to act as antagonists, while others have been shown to interact with the estrogen receptor and function as estrogens in both in vitro and in vivo. Many pesticides can also lower serum androgen levels by altering rates of synthesis or metabolism. Given the ubiquity of pesticides in the environment and the multiple mechanisms whereby they can elicit demasculinizing effects, synergy between such compounds may produce clinical endocrine dysfunction at current human exposure levels.
Understanding the gendered patterns of substance use initiation among adolescents living in rural, central Mexico

Background Little is known about the age of initiation and gender differences in substance use among adolescents in rural, central Mexico.
DroidLegacy: Automated Familial Classification of Android Malware

We present an automated method for extracting familial signatures for Android malware, i.e., signatures that identify malware produced by piggybacking potentially different benign applications with the same (or similar) malicious code. The APK classes that constitute malware code in a repackaged application are separated from the benign code and the Android API calls used by the malicious modules are extracted to create a signature. A piggybacked malicious app can be detected by first decomposing it into loosely coupled modules and then matching the Android API calls called by each of the modules against the signatures of the known malware families. Since the signatures are based on Android API calls, they are related to the core malware behavior, and thus are more resilient to obfuscations.In triage, AV companies need to automatically classify large number of samples so as to optimize assignment of human analysts. They need a system that gives low false negatives even if it is at the cost of higher false positives. Keeping this goal in mind, we fine tuned our system and used standard 10 fold cross validation over a dataset of 1,052 malicious APKs and 48 benign APKs to verify our algorithm. Results show that we have 94% accuracy, 97% precision, and 93% recall when separating benign from malware. We successfully classified our entire malware dataset into 11 families with 98% accuracy, 87% precision, and 94% recall.
InAsSb/InAs: A type-I or a type-II band alignment.

Using first-principles band-structure calculations we have studied the valence-band alignment of InAs/InSb, deducing also the offset at the ${\mathrm{InAs}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Sb}}_{\mathit{x}}$/${\mathrm{InAs}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{y}}$${\mathrm{Sb}}_{\mathit{y}}$ heterostructure. We find the following: (i) Pure InAs/InSb has a ``type-II broken gap'' alignment both with and without strain. (ii) For Sb-rich ${\mathrm{InAs}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Sb}}_{\mathit{x}}$/InSb heterostructures, the unstrained band alignment is type II; both epitaxial strain and CuPt ordering enhance the type-II character in this Sb-rich limit. (iii) For As-rich InAs/${\mathrm{InAs}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Sb}}_{\mathit{x}}$ heterostructures the top of the valence band is always on the alloy layer while the conduction-band minimum can be localized either on the alloy layer (type-I) or on the InAs layer (type-II), depending on the balance between concentration, strain, and degree of ordering/phase separation. In this case, epitaxial strain enhances the type-II character, while ordering enhances the type-I character. Our results are compared with recent experimental observations. We find that the type-I behavior noted for some As-rich InAs/${\mathrm{InAs}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Sb}}_{\mathit{x}}$ interfaces and the type-II behavior noted in other such samples could be explained in terms of the dominance of ordering and strain effects, respectively.
Genome engineering in cattle: recent technological advancements.

Great strides in technological advancements have been made in the past decade in cattle genome engineering. First, the success of cloning cattle by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) or chromatin transfer (CT) is a significant advancement that has made obsolete the need for using embryonic stem (ES) cells to conduct cell-mediated genome engineering, whereby site-specific genetic modifications can be conducted in bovine somatic cells via DNA homologous recombination (HR) and whereby genetically engineered cattle can subsequently be produced by animal cloning from the genetically modified cells. With this approach, a chosen bovine genomic locus can be precisely modified in somatic cells, such as to knock out (KO) or knock in (KI) a gene via HR, a gene-targeting strategy that had almost exclusively been used in mouse ES cells. Furthermore, by the creative application of embryonic cloning to rejuvenate somatic cells, cattle genome can be sequentially modified in the same line of somatic cells and complex genetic modifications have been achieved in cattle. Very recently, the development of designer nucleases—such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs) and transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALENs), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9)—has enabled highly efficient and more facile genome engineering in cattle. Most notably, by employing such designer nucleases, genomes can be engineered at single-nucleotide precision; this process is now often referred to as genome or gene editing. The above achievements are a drastic departure from the traditional methods of creating genetically modified cattle, where foreign DNAs are randomly integrated into the animal genome, most often along with the integrations of bacterial or viral DNAs. Here, I review the most recent technological developments in cattle genome engineering by highlighting some of the major achievements in creating genetically engineered cattle for agricultural and biomedical applications.
Hybrid Methods for POS Guessing of Chinese Unknown Words

This paper describes a hybrid model that combines a rule-based model with two statistical models for the task of POS guessing of Chinese unknown words. The rule-based model is sensitive to the type, length, and internal structure of unknown words, and the two statistical models utilize contextual information and the likelihood for a character to appear in a particular position of words of a particular length and POS category. By combining models that use different sources of information, the hybrid model achieves a precision of 89%, a significant improvement over the best result reported in previous studies, which was 69%.
Dependable information infrastructures as complex adaptive systems

Information infrastructures, such as the Internet and Computational Grids, have enabled a networked computing and communication environment. Although many organizations depend on network-centric information operations to support critical missions, existing information infrastructures provide little guarantee of the dependability of network-centric computing and communication. This paper discusses some problems with the dependability of existing information infrastructures, such as stateless or centralized resource management. A Complex Adaptive Systems approach to dependability of futuristic information infrastructures is then presented with emphasis on the detection of emergent states at the regional and global levels of these infrastructures, and the self-synchronized control of such infrastructures in response to emergent states. The key concept underlying our control strategy at the regional or global level is that the two attributes of the Complex Adaptive System in a dynamic environment, accessibility to many states and sensitivity to small perturbation, present us with an opportunity to manipulate the system’s dynamics. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 6: 225–237, 2003
The Role of Demography and Markets in Determining Deforestation Rates Near Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar

The highland forests of Madagascar are home to some of the world's most unique and diverse flora and fauna and to some of its poorest people. This juxtaposition of poverty and biodiversity is continually reinforced by rapid population growth, which results in increasing pressure on the remaining forest habitat in the highland region, and the biodiversity therein. Here we derive a mathematical expression for the subsistence of households to assess the role of markets and household demography on deforestation near Ranomafana National Park. In villages closest to urban rice markets, households were likely to clear less land than our model predicted, presumably because they were purchasing food at market. This effect was offset by the large number of migrant households who cleared significantly more land between 1989–2003 than did residents throughout the region. Deforestation by migrant households typically occurred after a mean time lag of 9 years. Analyses suggest that while local conservation efforts in Madagascar have been successful at reducing the footprint of individual households, large-scale conservation must rely on policies that can reduce the establishment of new households in remaining forested areas.
Reducing a semiarid city’s peak electrical demand using distributed cold thermal energy storage

Abstract Several changes to the world’s electrical power systems and grids threaten to require massive infrastructure investment and cost to power utilities, especially increasing population and electrical energy demands, especially peak summertime air conditioning demands, and mismatches between timing of supply and demand due to increases in renewable energy and/or large demands from new technologies. Existing power grid systems are generally under-utilized with low load factors during most times of day and year, but demand strains capacity during peak hours. Brownouts and other grid failures are projected to become more common as peak demands approach grid capacities, with negative economic and public health consequences resulting. Meanwhile a financial barrier exists for the financing of grid improvements, because utility revenues are proportional to total power sales, whereas utility costs are driven largely by capital and maintenance for the fixed infrastructure. An alternative to active demand management or electrical energy storage is to shift thermal demands to off-peak hours, allowing the utility’s power grid to meet much larger total demands using a fixed capacity. Thermal energy storage is a mature, energy-efficient, and possibly cost-effective technology that can be applied to buildings of all sizes, and is particularly well-suited to shift afternoon peak cooling demands to off-peak hours in hot summertime months. This simple technology, if distributed widely, can make a dramatic impact on power grid load factors in hot cities. This paper utilizes a utility-scale model of the Phoenix metropolitan area to simulate the air conditioning portion of the electrical demand during a summertime heat wave. The electrical demand by air conditioning during peak hours is incrementally shifted to off-peak hours using distributed thermal storage technology. The aggregated thermal storage capacity and operating hours required to reduce the peak load by incremental fractions are established, along with the size of the gross electrical energy cost savings potentially realized by electrical power consumers during heat wave events, at current electricity prices.
Performance Screens for School Improvement The Case of Teacher Tenure Reform in New York City

Tenure is intended to protect teachers with demonstrated teaching skills against arbitrary or capricious dismissal. Critics of typical tenure processes argue that tenure assessments are superficial and rarely discern whether teachers in fact have the requisite teaching skills. A recent reform of the tenure process in New York City provides an unusual opportunity to learn about the role of tenure in teachers’ career outcomes. We find the reform led to many fewer teachers receiving tenure. Those not receiving tenure typically had their probationary periods extended to allow them an opportunity to demonstrate teaching effectiveness. These “extended” teachers were much more likely to leave their schools and be replaced by a teacher who was judged to be more effective.
Social Science and Salvation: Risk Society as Mythical Discourse

Dominant perspectives on science and technology fail to come to terms with the continuing role of culture and mythology in mediating perceptions and moral evaluations of technology and its impacts. The need for such an un derstanding is demonstrated in a critique of Ulrich Beck's important „Risk Society" thesis. Failure to acknowledge a me diating cultural variable influencing the time-lag in risk perception leads Beck to theorizing which deconstructs on close inspection. A similar flaw leaves the contending theory of Mary Douglas and Aaron Wildavsky unable to explain the so cial distribution of risk consciousness except through recourse to residual and ad hoc explanations. As a solution to these problems the paper proposes a late-Durkheimian theory of discourses on technology and risk. This argues that technol ogy is coded as sacred or profane and is narrated as bringing salvation or damnation. This theory is then applied in a re reading of Beck's Risk Society as an environmentalist manifesto replete with apocalyptic imagery.
Effect of Curing Conditions and Plasticizer Level on the Release of Highly Lipophilic Drug from Coated Multiparticulate Drug Delivery System

The study aimed to investigate the effect of triethyl citrate (TEC) plasticizer level (10, 15, and 20%), curing temperature (40, 50, and 60°C) and time (0 to 168h) on the release of a highly lipophilic drug bumetanide from pellets coated with methacrylate ester copolymer (Eudragit RS). Bumetanide was layered onto sugar pellets followed by coating with 6% Eudragit RS with and without hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) seal coat using Wurster Fluid Bed equipment. Coated pellets were stored for 3 months at room temperature and the release was tested in USP purified water. At 10% TEC level, increasing curing time and temperature lead to slower drug release. At 15 and 20% TEC levels, curing initially decreased drug release followed by increase in the release at longer curing time and higher temperature. Drug release from coated pellets plasticized with 15% TEC and completely cured followed zero order kinetic models. At plasticizer level of 20%, bumetanide release from the completely cured pellets was better...
Europa radiation environment and monitoring

A summary of the radiation environment and requirements of a Europa Orbiter mission as well as a system-level design for a radiation monitoring facility instrument is presented. The current understanding of the various species of ionizing radiation present at Europa is compiled, offering insight into the aspects relevant for instrument engineering. We argue that the unique and complex nature of the Europa radiation environment both precipitates a need for its further understanding and presents a challenge for its quantification. A review of the use of RadFET sensors is presented for the purpose of highlighting its suitability for a Europa radiation monitor and providing context for the utilization of a radiation monitor on a Europa Orbiter. Finally, new designs are presented for a RadFET facility instrument which utilizes existing scientific instrument interfaces to achieve total dose quantification with a mass and power allocation that does not significantly impact the spacecraft.
Ectopic expression of the maize homeobox gene Liguleless3 alters cell fates in the leaf

The semidominant mutation Liguleless3-O (Lg3-O) causes a blade-to-sheath transformation at the midrib region of the maize (Zea mays L.) leaf. We isolated a full-length lg3 cDNA containing a knotted1-like family homeobox. Six Lg3-O partial revertant alleles caused by insertion of a Mutator (Mu) transposon and two deletion derivatives were isolated and used to verify that our knotted1-like cDNA corresponds to the LG3 message. In wild-type plants the LG3 mRNA is expressed in apical regions but is not expressed in leaves. In mutant plants harboring any of three dominant lg3 alleles (Lg3-O, -Mlg, and -347), LG3 mRNA is expressed in leaf sheath tissue, indicating that the Lg3 phenotype is due to ectopic expression of the gene. The Lg3-O revertant alleles represent two classes of Lg3 phenotypes that correlate well with the level of ectopic Lg3 expression. High levels of ectopic LG3 mRNA expression results in a severe Lg3 phenotype, whereas weak ectopic Lg3 expression results in a mild Lg3 phenotype. We propose that ectopic Lg3 expression early in leaf development causes the blade-to-sheath transformation, but the level of expression determines the extent of the transformation.
Mutual Grooming in Human Dyadic Relationships: An Ethological Perspective

Despite its widespread practice among primates writ large, social scientists have given mutual grooming among humans little attention. This research provides an important first step in describing mutual grooming among humans. A scale was developed to measure self-reported giving and receiving of grooming. In Study 1, 184 female and 94 male participants first indicated their closest emotional relationship (for example, romantic partner, best friend, etcetera). They then completed the grooming measure pertaining to that emotionally close target person. Finally, they completed indices of relationship trust, relationship satisfaction, and parental/familial affection. Individuals who focused on their romantic partners (N = 134) reported more mutual grooming than individuals who focused on other types of relationships. Relationship satisfaction, previous experience of familial affection, and trust were positively correlated with mutual grooming for romantically involved individuals. Study 2 (N = 71 heterosexual couples) explored psychological correlates of mutual grooming within romantic dyads. Individuals with more promiscuous attitudes and those who scored high on the anxiety subscale of an adult attachment style measure reported grooming their partners most frequently. Findings were consistent with several proposed functions of grooming: (a) potential parental-investment indicator, (b) developing trust, and (c) courtship/flirtation—all of which play roles in pair-bonding. At first glance, humans may not appear to groom each other with the same fervor as other primates. However, we posit that humans are, in actuality, groomers par excellence.
Activation of p55 Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Receptor-1 Coupled to Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Factor 2 Stimulates Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 Expression by Modulating a Thapsigargin-Sensitive Pathway in Human Tracheal Smooth Muscle Cells

Tumor necrosis factor-a (TNFa) stimulates the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) by activating the transcription factor nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) in human airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. This study characterizes the receptor involved as well as critical downstream signaling events mediating cytokine-induced NF-kB activation and ICAM-1 expression. TNFa stimulation for 1 to 4 h induced ICAM-1 expression in human ASM cells. This rapid TNFa-induced ICAM-1 expression enhanced T-lymphocyte adhesion to ASM cells, which was inhibited by anti-ICAM-1 antibodies. Using immunostaining, we demonstrated that TNFa receptors TNFR1 and TNFR2 are expressed on native human tracheal smooth muscle. Treatment of cells with htr-9, an antibody that specifically activates TNFR1, also stimulated expression of ICAM-1 mRNA and protein. Utr-1, a blocking antibody to TNFR2, did not affect TNFa-mediated ICAM-1 expression. Both TNFa and htr-9 increased luciferase activity in ASM cells transfected with a NF-kB reporter plasmid. Overexpression of a dominant negative TNF receptor-associated factor 2 construct, lacking the NH2-terminal RING finger, completely abrogated both TNFaand htr-9-mediated increases in NF-kB reporter activity. Thapsigargin, an agent that depletes intracellular calcium stores, abrogated both cytokine-mediated NF-kB-dependent ICAM-1 mRNA transcription and protein expression but had no effect on IkB degradation. In addition, chelating cytosolic calcium with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N9,N9-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester also inhibited cytokine TNFa-induced ICAM-1 expression. These data suggest that TNFR1, through a TNF receptor-associated factor 2-NF-kB signaling pathway, mediates TNFa-induced expression of ICAM-1 on ASM cells by involving a thapsigargin-sensitive signaling pathway. Smooth muscle plays a central role in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases, including atherosclerosis and asthma. Although the primary function of smooth muscle was thought to regulate vascular and airway resistance through contraction, recent evidence suggests that smooth muscle has other important functions in health and disease. The synthetic function of smooth muscle, which includes cytokine and growth factor secretion and cell adhesion molecule expres
Position limits for cash‐settled derivative contracts

Cash settlement of derivative contracts makes them susceptible to manipulation by traders who expect to close large positions upon final settlement. Cash settlement also increases underlying volatility when hedgers unwind their hedges if they have no incentives to control their trading costs. Limits on the positions that traders can carry into final settlement can be used to mitigate associated economic inefficiencies when surveillance is insufficient. This article develops a model that regulators can use to set these limits that is based upon microstructure theory. The empirical findings indicate that existing position limits are largely inconsistent with those suggested by the model. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 25:945–965, 2005
Extracellular Signal-Regulated Protein Kinase Activation Is Required for Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor-Dependent Long-Term Depression in Hippocampal Area CA1

Activation of group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) induces long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission that relies on dendritic protein synthesis. We investigated the signal transduction pathways required for mGluR-LTD to identify candidate mechanisms for mGluR regulation of synaptic protein synthesis. Our results demonstrate a role for extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), a subclass of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), in mGluR-LTD in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus. Inhibitors of the upstream kinase of ERK, MAP/ERK kinase significantly reduce mGluR-LTD induced by the group 1 agonist dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) and synaptic stimulation but do not affect NMDA receptor-dependent LTD. In contrast, inhibitors of p38 MAPK were ineffective against DHPG-induced LTD. Consistent with the role of ERK in mGluR-LTD, we observed that DHPG treatment of hippocampal slices (isolated CA1), at concentrations that induce LTD, results in a robust phosphorylation of ERK but not of p38 MAPK. These results point to ERK as an important regulator of mGluR-LTD and a potential mechanism for mGluR regulation of synaptic protein synthesis.
Drainage of collections associated with hernia mesh: is it worthwhile?

Purpose Synthetic mesh has revolutionized abdominal wall hernia repair. However, mesh infections present a clinical problem because the standard practice of surgical excision is fraught with increased morbidity. Here, single-institutional outcomes in managing mesh-related collections via percutaneous drainage are retrospectively reviewed to assess its effectiveness. Materials and Methods A total of 21 patients underwent drainage of perimesh collections. Three types of mesh were employed: polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; n = 5), polypropylene ( n = 14), and porcine dermal collagen ( n = 3). One patient received both polypropylene and PTFE. Drainage was performed with ultrasound guidance ( n = 19) or surgical drain exchange ( n = 2). Mesh type, culture results, fluid collection size, and location were analyzed with respect to need for mesh excision. Results Sixteen of 21 patients (76%) were successfully treated with drainage. One required additional surgical capsulectomy; the mesh was salvaged. Four required mesh excision because of recurrent infection ( n = 2) or lack of improvement of clinical course ( n = 2). Recurrent infection occurred in six patients, with mesh salvage via conservative management or new drainage in four. Fluid cultures were positive in 68% of patients ( n = 13), with Staphylococcus aureus the most common organism. Cultures did not predict mesh excision ( P = .26). The PTFE excision rate trended higher compared with polypropylene (40% vs 14%; P = .27). No porcine dermal collagen mesh was excised. Neither fluid collection size nor location predicted mesh excision. Mean follow-up was 319 days (range, 6–1,406 d). Conclusions Percutaneous drainage of suspected mesh-related abscess is effective. The use of PTFE mesh trended toward a higher excision rate.
Ethical issues related to managed care: an in-depth discussion of an occupational therapy case study.

What are the ethical responsibilities of occupational therapists when managed care plans override their clinical judgment and deny reimbursement for needed assessment or therapy? Using an example from a true case, this article presents an analysis of the ethical problems experienced in managed care when explicit business goals are in conflict with the humanistic commitments of our field. Strategies for ethical action are recommended, including: good communication with the case manager, effective advocacy for the patient, consultation with ethics resources, and advocacy at the policy-making level. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: getinfo@haworth.com].
Do growth yield efficiencies differ between soil microbial communities differing in fungal : bacterial ratios? reality check and methodological issues

Abstract Soil communities dominated by fungi such as those of no-tillage (NT) agroecosystems are often associated with greater soil organic matter (SOM) storage. This has been attributed in part to fungi having a higher growth yield efficiency (GYE) compared to bacteria. That is, for each unit of substrate C utilized, fungi invest a greater proportion into biomass and metabolite production than do bacteria. The assumption of higher fungal efficiency may be unfounded because results from studies in which fungal and bacterial efficiencies have been characterized are equivocal and because few studies have measured microbial GYE directly. In this study, we measured microbial GYE in agricultural soils by following 13C-labeled glucose loss, total CO2–C, and 13CO2–C evolution at 2 h intervals for 20 h in two experiments (differing in N amendment levels) in which the fungal:bacterial biomass ratios (F:B) were manipulated. No differences in efficiency were observed for communities with high versus low F:B in soils with or without added inorganic N. When calculated using 13CO2–C (in contrast to total CO2–C) evolution, growth yield efficiencies of soils having high and low F:B were 0.69±0.01 and 0.70±0.01, respectively. When soils were amended with N, soils with high and low F:B had growth yield efficiencies of 0.78±0.01 and 0.76±0.01, respectively. Our experiments do not support the widely held assumption that soil fungi have greater growth efficiency than soil bacteria. Thus, claims of greater fungal efficiency may be unsubstantiated and should be evoked cautiously when explaining the mechanisms underlying greater C storage and slower C turnover in fungal-dominated soils.