cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-Resolution Absorption Coefficient and Refractive Index Spectra of Pollutant Gases at Millimeter Wavelengths

This paper presents the absorption coefficient and refractive index spectra of pollutant gases at millimeter wavelengths as a function of pressure using the dispersive Fourier transform spectroscopy technique.
The isolation and comparison of multiple forms of CYP2B from untreated and phenobarbital-treated rabbit liver microsomes.

Abstract At low levels of phenobarbital induction two forms of isoenzyme 2 (LM2; CYP2B4) were obtained during purification of cytochrome P450 from rabbit liver microsomes. At high levels of induction only one form (LM2A) was present. Although the two purified forms (LM2A and LM2B) were very similar they differed in: (a) peak elution on CM-Sepharose, (b) wavelength maximum of the reduced P450-CO spectrum, and (c) metabolism of several substrates, where the activities of LM2B ranged from 0.6 to 2.65 times that of LM2A. A third LM2 fraction (2C) was isolated from untreated rabbit liver and, although homogenous on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, appeared to be a mixture of LM2B and a form of P450 LM2 other than LM2A. LM2A was not found in the untreated rabbit liver microsomes. On CM-Sepharose the elution of fraction 2C overlapped that of LM2B. The apparent molecular weight and immunoresponse to anti-LM2A IgG were the same for fraction 2C as for LM2A and LM2B. Peptide mapping using trypsin showed no difference between LM2A and LM2B, but consistently revealed at least one extra band with fraction 2C. After CNBr cleavage and high-pressure liquid chromatography separation of the LM2A and LM2B fragments the peptide beginning with Pro(347) of LM2A (peak 4A) eluted 1 2 min later than that of LM2B (peak 4B) indicating a difference in the fragments, although partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequences and molecular masses were the same. The corresponding CNBr fragment of fraction 2C splits into two peaks (4C:1 and 4C:2) with retention times corresponding to 4B and 4A, respectively. The mass of 4C:1. was the same as that of 4B, while the mass of 4C:2 markedly differed from that of 4A and 4B. Both fragments had the same partial NH2-terminal amino acid sequence as 4A and 4B. After comparing the physicochemical properties as well as catalytic activities of these isolated and purified LM2 forms with the cDNA-expressed forms 2B-B0, 2B-B1, 2B-B2, and 2B-Bx [see R. Ryan et al. (1993) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 304, 454-463], the data suggest that LM2A is the form designated as 2B-B0 (LM2), LM2B is 2B-Bx, and fraction 2C is a mixture containing 2B-B1 and 2B-Bx. This is the first isolation and identification of the three isozymic LM2 proteins from rabbit liver.
SU-FF-J-119: Respiratory Gating with Gantry Mounted Fluoroscopic Imaging

Purpose: To perform respiratory‐gated treatment based on the position of implanted markers in fluoroscopy using a gantry mounted x‐ray imaging system. Method and Material: We have designed hardware and software capable of gated treatment using the position of implanted markers. The system tracks the position of the marker in real‐time using fluoroscopic imaging. Tracking can be done in a single image, for 2D position information, or can be done simultaneously in a pair of orthogonal images, for 3D position information. When the marker is in the treatment window, the linear accelerator is signaled to deliver the beam. A live display of the fluoroscopy is used to initiate tracking, and to verify tracking and gating operation. Results: Gated treatment was performed on a moving phantom, with 3 cm peak‐to‐peak motion and a 4 mm gating window for internal motion. Fluoroscopy was acquired at a rate of 7.5 frames per second. The system latency from image acquisition to gating was roughly estimated to be approximately 50 ms. Gating operation was tested by delivering 4×4 cm open fields, and tracking the position of a 2mm steel marker in fluoroscopy. This initial position of the marker was assigned interactively. Treatment was delivered successfully for each field, despite some image degradation due to scatter from the MV treatment beam. The dosimetry of the gated treatment was measured in film, and compares well with the non‐gated treatment of a static phantom. Conflict of Interest: Research sponsored by Varian Medical Systems.
A new compact aerosol concentrator for use in conjunction with low flow-rate continuous aerosol instrumentation

Abstract Currently available versatile aerosol concentration enrichment systems (VACES) have proven useful for providing elevated levels of ambient particulate matter to human and animal exposures, as well as for the collection of particles in aqueous solutions for in vitro studies. Previous studies have demonstrated that such systems do not significantly alter the physical or chemical properties of the particles. The current VACES configuration consumes significant electrical power for pumping and cooling, and requires attended operation by expert operators. A recent application of the VACES has been to provide a concentrated aerosol stream to continuous particle mass spectrometers in order to increase the spectrometer's hit rate or sensitivity. These instruments usually require low intake flow rates ( 1 l / min ) and often sample unattended, 24 h per day. In order to better meet the requirements of these instruments, a new “mini-VACES” (m-VACES) system with a lower intake flow rate (30 l/min), a lower minor flow rate (1–1.5 l/min) and allowing for more automated operation was designed, built, and tested. The system is a scaled down version of the current VACES design, with many important design improvements. Humidification of the air stream is achieved with a re-designed saturator consisting of a heated, moist absorbent material surrounding the intake flow. Cooling to achieve super saturation, and thus particle growth, is accomplished using a commercially available, solid-state, thermo-electric chiller. Once grown, the aerosol is concentrated using a new, smaller virtual impactor. Particles are then dried to their original size using a diffusion dryer filled with silica gel. Results of the laboratory evaluation include close to predicted enrichment factors for laboratory-generated particles of different composition (ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, adipic acid) as well as ambient aerosols. Particle size distributions measured by an SMPS before and after enrichment and drying show that particle size distributions are not altered. An APS provided data on the size distribution of particles after growth and concentration, but before drying. Filter based and continuous field experiments in which concentrated aerosol was compared to ambient outdoor levels also showed close to predicted enrichment factors for PM 2.5 mass and black carbon, with no significant alteration of the particle size distribution.
1004-54 Correlation of Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging with Histology of Normal and Diseased Pulmonary Arteries

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging of pulmonary arteries may provide useful clinical information to assess the degree of vascular disease. To investigate the feasibility of IVUS to identify the morphological changes associated with pulmonary vascular disease, 21 arterial segments (diameter range 2–6 mm) were obtained at autopsy and formalin fixed. IVUS imaging was performed with a 25 MHz mechanical catheter. Elastin and trichrome stains were used to grade the collagen and elastin content. IVUS and histology (Hist) images were digitized and measured. An intensity index was used to quantitate the IVUS appearance based on the average intensity per pixel and the standard deviation of intensities. Results Based on the histologic appearance, the arterial segments were categorized into normal (n = 6), mild hyperplasia (n = 9), and moderate hyperplasia (n = 6). Although the lumen size was easily identified, IVUS imaging revealed only a single layer appearance despite the presence of intimal hyperplasia. In distinction to coronary and peripheral arteries, IVUS did not identify a 2 or 3 layer appearance in the pulmonary arteries. This homogeneous IVUS pattern was due to the high elastin or collagen content of the intima, media and adventitia. HIST IVUS r p Lumen Perimeter 9.3 ± 2.8 10.4 ± 3.4 0.96 l0.0001 Lumen Area 7.5 ± 5.0 5 ± 6.7 0.97 l0.0001 NL (n = 6) Mild (n = 9) Mod (n = 6) P (ANOVA) Intensity Index 0.58 ± 0.08 0.65 ± 0.11 0.76 ± 0.05 l0.01 Conclusion IVUS accurately measures the lumen size of pulmonary arteries. It is unable to identify the degree of intimal hyperplasia because of the homogenous echogenicity across the different layers of the artery. The echo intensity index may be useful in distinguishing normal from diseased pulmonary arteries.
Does Education Increase Political Participation

The consensus among scholars has long held that educational advancement causes greater political participation. Recent research, however, argues that previous empirical analyses of this relationship cannot be used to draw causal inferences. This recent work strongly suggests that selection mechanisms confound previous results, and it employs propensity score matching to argue that education has no effect. In this article I show how propensity score matching, as recently applied to this question, introduces bias by creating poorly matched treatment and control groups. I analyze the same data, realigning the treatment with theories of political participation, and I use genetic matching to create balanced treatment and control groups. I then subject the results to a variety of tests, providing a stronger foundation for causal inference. The estimates provide consistent evidence that, contrary to recent results, educational advancement increases political participation.
Gene expression-based modeling of human cortical synaptic density

Postnatal cortical synaptic development is characterized by stages of exuberant growth, pruning, and stabilization during adulthood. How gene expression orchestrates these stages of synaptic development is poorly understood. Here we report that synaptic growth-related gene expression alone does not determine cortical synaptic density changes across the human lifespan, but instead, the dynamics of cortical synaptic density can be accurately simulated by a first-order kinetic model of synaptic growth and elimination that incorporates two separate gene expression patterns. Surprisingly, modeling of cortical synaptic density is optimized when genes related to oligodendrocytes are used to determine synaptic elimination rates. Expression of synaptic growth and oligodendrocyte genes varies regionally, resulting in different predictions of synaptic density among cortical regions that concur with previous regional data in humans. Our analysis suggests that modest rates of synaptic growth persist in adulthood, but that this is counterbalanced by increasing rates of synaptic elimination, resulting in stable synaptic number and ongoing synaptic turnover in the human adult cortex. Our approach provides a promising avenue for exploring how complex interactions among genes may contribute to neurobiological phenomena across the human lifespan.
The ranked-set sample sign test

The method of ranked-set samples (RSS) as opposed to simple random sampling is discussed. In the ranked-set sampling method, k observations are ranked by an expert then a measurement is taken on the observation designated to have rank j for j = 1,…,k. This is repeated until we have k measurements on the order statistics.We observed k 2 items to get k measurements. This method is effective when observations are inexpensive and measurement is perhaps destructive orinvasive. The properties of the sign test along with the mediam and corresponding confidence interval for the RSS method are developed. It is shown that when it is appropriate, there can bea substantial efficiency gain when using ranked-set sampling. We consider a simple model to described theeffect of imperfect judgment. We also provide a brief comparison of the RSS median to the RSS mean.
Oscilloscope display of picosecond fluctuations in light intensity

Abstract We report a new method for oscilloscope display of picosecond events in analogue form, using coherent pulse-expansion.
Homocysteine supplementation attenuates the unfolded protein response in a murine nutritional model of steatohepatitis

Hyperhomocysteinemia has been correlated with hepatic steatosis and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), yet a causal relationship has not been established. Although methionine and choline are essential components of homocysteine metabolism, the role of homocysteine in the pathogenesis of a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet remains unknown. We explored the effects of homocysteine supplementation on hepatic steatosis and the UPR in mice fed a control or MCD diet. Mice fed the MCD diet developed severe hyperhomocysteinemia and activation of the hepatic UPR. Supplementing the MCD diet with homocysteine attenuated the MCD diet-induced hepatic UPR activation and other injurious effects of the MCD diet including hepatic cholesterol accumulation, weight loss, and plasma ALT elevation. Homocysteine supplementation replenished the MCD diet-induced depletion of hepatic S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). Depleting SAM in HepG2 cells using MAT1α siRNA or cycloleucine resulted in enhanced activation of the UPR upon exposure to thapsigargin. Mice fed a control diet supplemented with homocysteine had a 3-fold elevation in plasma homocysteine level by 2 weeks and 6-fold elevation by 6 weeks but demonstrated no other pathophysiologic change. In summary, we found that homocysteine attenuates MCD diet-induced hepatic UPR activation, likely via repletion of hepatic SAM. Furthermore, homocysteine supplementation alone does not cause hepatic steatosis or UPR activation despite inducing hyperhomocysteinemia. These studies indicate that although hyperhomocysteinemia is often associated with hepatic steatosis and UPR activation, these effects may be a secondary response rather than a direct effect of homocysteine.
Radiation-affected laminar flame propagation

Abstract Increased laminar flame thickness and flame speed under the influence of radiation is shown in terms of an original heat transfer number H= ntp 1+3t 2 /(1−ω) where η = ( κ p κ R ) 1 2 is the weighted nongreyness, κp and κR are the Planck mean and the Rosseland mean of the absorption coefficient, τ = κMδK is optical thickness, κ M = (κ p κ R ) 1 2 the mean absorption, δK the conduction flame thickness, P = 4σT M 3 ( λ δ K ) the Planck number, TM the adiabatic flame temperature, λ the thermal conductivity, and ω the albedo, the ratio of scattering to extinction.
Annual summary of vital statistics--1989.

US infant mortality continued to decline slowly and the provisional 1989 rate, 9.7 per 1000 live births, was the lowest ever recorded. Final 1988 data showed no change in cause of death distribution or in the wide discrepancy between white and black infant mortality. State rates varied from 6.8 in Vermont to 12.6 in Georgia. Worldwide, the US rate of 10.0 was bettered by 21 other countries, with Japan lowest at 4.8. Births increased in number and rate, because of a higher fertility rate and more women in the childbearing years. The birth rate to mothers 17 years of age and younger increased again. The proportion of women who had no or inadequate prenatal care was essentially unchanged. Deaths, crude death rate, and age-adjusted death rate decreased. The excess of births over deaths added almost 1.9 million persons to the US population, the highest rate of natural increase since 1971. The marriage rate was essentially unchanged, whereas the divorce rate decreased slightly, to the lowest level since 1973. With the exception of human immunodeficiency virus infection, homicide, and pulmonary malignancies, rates for most causes of death declined from 1988 to 1989. In comparison with 1940, most declines were substantial, led by pneumonia, down about 80%, and perinatal conditions, down about 75%. The only large-scale increases among major causes in the half century were in two diseases related to cigarette smoking: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, up eightfold, and respiratory cancer, up almost sixfold. Death rates from all other cancers, as a group, decreased by some 20% and from cardiovascular diseases by some 60%. Language: en
Applications of Metal Additive Manufacturing in Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery

Veterinary medicine has undergone a rapid increase in specialization over the last three decades. Veterinarians now routinely perform joint replacement, neurosurgery, limb-sparing surgery, interventional radiology, radiation therapy, and other complex medical procedures. Many procedures involve advanced imaging and surgical planning. Evidence-based medicine has also become part of the modus operandi of veterinary clinicians. Modeling and additive manufacturing can provide individualized or customized therapeutic solutions to support the management of companion animals with complex medical problems. The use of metal additive manufacturing is increasing in veterinary orthopedic surgery. This review describes and discusses current and potential applications of metal additive manufacturing in veterinary orthopedic surgery.
Middle- and Working-Class Black and White Children's Speech During a Picture-Labeling Task

The speech of 9 middle-class Black, 9 middle-class White, 9 working-class Black, and 9 working-class White preschool children was examined during a picture labeling task. The groups were found to be similar in levels and forms of labeling. There were class differences and race differences among the children: Middle-class and White children labeled more and provided more information about objects. Existing data from the children's parents indicate that there are many ways in which the groups of children resemble and differ from their parents in their labeling. The present findings demonstrate the influence of social context in shaping children's labeling and the simultaneous influence of the children's independent structuring of their labeling.
The Role and Potential of Imaging in COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a heterogeneous condition of the lungs and body. Techniques in chest imaging and quantitative image analysis provide novel in vivo insight into the disease and potentially examine divergent responses to therapy. This article reviews the strengths and limitations of the leading imaging techniques: computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, and optical coherence tomography. Following an explanation of the technique, each section details some of the useful information obtained with these examinations. Future clinical care and investigation will likely include some combination of these imaging modalities and more standard assessments of disease severity.
On the Spectrum and Pseudoinverse of a Special Bordered Matrix

Abstract The characteristic polynomial of a low rank bordered matrix of special structure is determined by elementary means. This result includes as a special case formula (13) in [A. Farkas, P. Rozsa, Data perturbations of matrices of pairwise comparisons, preprint, 2000] obtained there by the Sherman–Morrison formula. Another application is a simple formula for the pseudoinverse of these bordered matrices.
Indeterminate multi-point impact with friction of agile legged robots

This work presents an analysis of the simultaneous, multiple point impact forces on an agile legged robot. An analytic solution is developed for determining the system's post impact dynamic behavior. A discrete, algebraic model is used with an event-driven function which finds impact events. The indeterminate nature of the system equations of motion encountered at impact is addressed with the implementation of a constraint equation. An algorithm that is based on an analytic approach and an energetic COR is used to resolve the post impact velocities of the system. A simple planar model of a ball is considered for the leg's foot and a simulation is presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
A survey of arthrocentesis and soft-tissue injection procedures performed in primary care practice: effect of resident training and using data to shape curriculum.

Objective. The purpose of this study is (1) to survey graduates of our internal medicine program for use of musculoskeletal (MSK) procedures in primary care practice and assess the influence of participating in a first-year resident arthrocentesis and soft-tissue injection training course on their MSK procedure comfort/utilization; and (2) to use the results to modify our MSK procedure curriculum. Methods. A questionnaire designed to assess numbers of, comfort with, and effect of resident training on MSK procedures in the preceding year was sent to 2002–2006 graduates of the internal medicine training program in outpatient primary care (OPC). Graduates practicing hospital medicine (HM) also received the questionnaire and served as a comparison group. Results. There were 52 responses from this group of 84 graduates (64% response rate). OPC graduates (N = 32) were more comfortable doing procedures than those practicing HM exclusively (N = 20), and performed significantly more procedures in the preceding year (32.9 procedures per OPC/year vs 2.2 for HM). The most common procedures performed were knee joint, subacromial bursa, and trochanteric bursa, comprising > 75% of all procedures performed. A structured resident course in MSK procedures had a significant effect on the OPC physicians. Course participants (N = 17) performed almost twice the number of procedures/year as the nonparticipants (N = 15), were more comfortable with the procedures, and were significantly less likely to refer procedures to other clinicians. Written comments by respondents suggest additional MSK procedure training during and after residency is needed. Conclusion. Our results suggest a structured resident course in MSK procedures has a longterm influence. A progressively more focused approach to training is needed.
Portable Raman explosives detection

Recent advances in portable Raman instruments have dramatically increased their application to emergency response and forensics, as well as homeland defense. This paper reviews the relevant attributes and disadvantages of portable Raman spectroscopy, both essentially and instrumentally, to the task of explosives detection in the field.
Strontium cobaltite coated optical sensors for high temperature carbon dioxide detection

Abstract Carbon dioxide sorption on perovskite type metal oxide, Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ, was studied at high temperatures for the development of a high temperature optical carbon dioxide sensor. When exposed to carbon dioxide in 600–700 °C Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ reacts with carbon dioxide to form Sr0.6Ba0.4CO3. The sorption capacity increases with carbon dioxide pressures. The perovskite structure of the metal oxide after carbon dioxide sorption can be recovered by exposing the material to air at a temperature higher than 680 °C. The sorption rate with temperature and the high temperature sorption mechanism can be described by the homogeneous model. The optical sensor uses Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ as the sensing material and long period fiber gratings as the optical component. The Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3−δ coated long period fiber grating (LPFG) can measure carbon dioxide in the concentration range of 1–30% in air (1 atm total pressure) at 600 and 700 °C. The sensor maintains its functionality after several repeated cycles of carbon dioxide detection at 700 °C.
Boundary layer lubrication: monolayer or multilayer

Abstract A critical review of some literature on the properties of liquids squeezed between two solid flats is presented. The experimental data are discussed and examined in detail. Although some of the experimental results may be questionable, most of the data appear to be qualitatively valid and cannot all be attributed to dirt or impurities in the liquids or asperities on the flats. The simplest and most satisfactory way of accounting for the observed results is to postulate the existence of a film, the properties of which are far different from those of the bulk liquid. It is found that the best model for such films is an ordered-liquid model in which the wall forces, though not strong enough to bind more than a few layers, induce long-range order in the fluid.
Rheological properties of the mantle lid beneath the Mojave region in southern California

Abstract Recently deformed mantle peridotite xenoliths derived from Moho depths constrain the geothermal gradient, stress magnitude, effective viscosity, and degree of localization in the uppermost mantle within the tectonically active Mojave region of California. Microstructural observations and water content measurements in the xenoliths indicate that upper mantle deformation is accommodated by dislocation creep of modestly hydrated olivine. Differential stress measured in the xenoliths using olivine paleopiezometry is 13–17 MPa, which is at least one order of magnitude less than peak stresses estimated for the gabbroic lower crust and the brittle upper crust. Similarly, the mean effective viscosity of ∼ 3 × 10 19 Pa s for the uppermost mantle is one to two orders of magnitude less than the mean viscosity estimated for the lower crust, consistent with recent models of postseismic relaxation following the Landers (1992) and Hector Mine (1999) earthquakes. These results support a rheological model for the Mojave region in which the peak stress resides in the crust, rather than within the lithospheric mantle (consistent with the ‘creme brulee’ model of lithospheric strength). Temperatures and pressures recorded in the xenoliths indicate a high geothermal gradient of at least ∼30 °C/km, which may explain the regional weakness of the mantle lid. Strain rates calculated for the uppermost mantle using the xenolith data and olivine flow laws for wet dislocation creep are ∼7–70 times faster than bulk strain rates estimated across the central Mojave region from GPS-constrained surface velocities. This suggests that faults at the eastern border of the Eastern California Shear Zone persist through the seismogenic zone and retain their identities as narrow ductile shear zones into the mantle beneath the Moho. The observation that recent deformation is localized into only 10–25% of the rock body may explain why upper mantle seismic anisotropy in the Mojave region is highly oblique to present-day plate boundary motion.
Comments on the derivation of finite-element approximations from conservation principles

Abstract Hyperbolic equations are often derived from conservation principles. We will show in this paper that in those cases, expressing this principles in a natural discrete form provides a procedure for the derivation of finite-element approximations. Likewise, the solution of parabolic equations also satisfy natural conservation principles. The derivation of finite-element approximations from their use will also shown to be feasible.
Toward an Integrated Social Science

As a social scientist working in academia, I personally have witnessed from the 1940s on some planned unification of human disciplines (even involving dynastic intellectual marriages of leading members of departments). But it has been obvious that serious integration within the social sciences is as yet far off. Yet today, at the end of my personal career, I find myself still laboring at what has been termed an interdisciplinary approach. From my days as a graduate student at the University of Chicago in the 1940s I have watched a number of attempts within several universities to bring about some better theoretical and methodological cooperation, if not integration, in the study of what was then termed culture and personality. For my theoretical master's dissertation in anthropology, written in 1948 under Robert Redfield and Lloyd Warner, I had attempted to integrate some central concepts used by sociologist Emile Durkheim with those forwarded by psychoanalyst Abram Kardiner, who was then with anthropologist Ralph Linton at Columbia University attempting to bring psychodynamic insights into the study of child development, culture patterns, and social organization. Elsewhere in the Ivy League of American universities, principally at Harvard and Yale, some psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists were then attempting to unite themselves into new departments such as the Department of Social Relations at Harvard. Most of these efforts have faded away. However, there are as yet extant at Chicago, and some American faculties elsewhere-for example, Harvard and the University of California at Davis and Santa Cruz-some predoctoral interdisciplinary programs, usually called "Human Development," that within a few university settings are attempting to bring about more integrative interdisciplinary training that centers around a variety of topics, such as the social construction of knowledge, childhood socialization, or
Structure of a potent neuromuscular blocking agent: Caracurine-II dimethochloride octahydrate, [C40H44N4O2]2+·2CI−·8H2O

Crystals of this calabash curare alkaloid, space groupP21; havea=12.695(4), A,b=7.424(2) A,c=21.762(6) A,β=98.03(5)°,Z=2,F(000)=884. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least squares toR=0.10. The alkaloid cation, with two-fold molecular symmetry, has a highly fused ring system and is structurally rigid. This determination provides accurate stereochemical parameters for those atoms and groups (N+ centers, aromatic rings, and hydrogen bond acceptors) postulated by various theories as involved in binding to the acetylcholine receptor. In the crystal, layers of alkaloid cations parallel to thebc plane alternate with layers containing two Cl− ions and eight water molecules distributed almost randomly over ten sites. Electrostatic attractions between N+ and Cl− bind the alternating layers together. Each one of the ten sites is, on average, 4.60 A from one or two N+, allowing the two Cl− ions to be disordered. Binding interactions within the alkaloid layers are solely van der Waals attractions. Within each H2O/C1− layer there is a complex hydrogen bond system, including four infinite spirals parallel to theb axis, with an average bonding distance of 2.94 A. There are no hydrogen bonds between layers. The possible relevance to the activity of the alkaloid of its ability to organize large amounts of water is discussed.
Turbulence velocities in the atmosphere of alpha Orionis.

The curve of line-width correlation has been applied to OH lines in the spectrum of alpha Orionis, and the characteristic turbulence and thermal velocities in its atmosphere have been determined. The results imply that the line-formation region for OH absorption in this star is in a state of turbulence, the precise nature of which remains unknown. The characteristic size of the observed turbulent ?eddies,' however, is less than the dimension of the line-formation region in the atmosphere.
Optimization of Annealing Cycles for Electric Output in Outdoor Conditions for Amorphous Silicon Photovoltaic - Thermal Systems

Previous studies with fixed operating temperatures have shown that hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) was a promising absorber layer for solar photovoltaic - thermal (PVT) systems because of a) a low temperature coefficient and b) the opportunity to reverse light induced degradation with thermal annealing. This study further refined the simulation of the optimal dispatch strategy for a-Si:H based PVT by studying annealing cycles and analysis of the degradation at other operating temperatures controlled by the varying ambient temperatures. Four representative case studies were evaluated for the combinations of high and low solar flux and high and low average ambient temperature. Electrically-optimized dispatch strategies are found for a range of PVT thermal insulating effectivenesses. The results showed significantly more electricity generation in all the case study representative regions except for areas dominated by low temperatures and low solar fluxes. These results indicate that a-Si:H PV performance can be improved in most populated regions in the world by integrating it into a PVT device and using spike annealing to reverse light-induced degradation effects. The model presented in this paper uses publicly-available data to implement suitable dispatch strategies and execute virtual performance analysis of PVT for any geographic location in the world.
Predictors of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase in middle-aged and older men: Relationship to leptin and obesity, but not cardiovascular fitness

The effects of long-term endurance exercise training, body composition, and cardiovascular fitness (VO2max) on the activity of adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (AT-LPL) and lipoprotein lipids were examined in 66 healthy age-matched middle-aged and older men (mean +/- SE, 61 +/- 1 years). We compared subcutaneous abdominal (ABD) and gluteal (GLT) heparin-elutable AT-LPL activity in 19 master athletes (VO2max > 40 mL/kg/min) and 20 lean sedentary men (VO2max 27%). Fasting insulin and leptin levels were similar in master athletes and lean sedentary men, but were lower than in obese sedentary men. There were no differences in fasting values for total cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) among the groups, but master athletes had lower triglyceride (TG) values (P < .05) and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and HDL2-C (P < .05) than obese and lean sedentary men. There were no regional (ABD v GLT) differences in the activity of AT-LPL in these groups, but obese sedentary men had higher levels of ABD AT-LPL (2.1 +/- 0.3 nmol/10(6) cells x min) than lean sedentary men (0.8 +/- 0.2) and master athletes (0.5 +/- 0.1, P = .01). Similar results were observed for GLT AT-LPL. Both ABD and GLT AT-LPL activity correlated positively with percent body fat (r = .46 to .54, P < .001), fasting insulin (r = .37 to .45, P < .001), and leptin (r = .61 to .65, P < .0001), but not with VO2max. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, leptin was the main independent predictor of ABD (R2 = .43, P < .0001) and GLT (R2 = .40, P < .0001) AT-LPL activity. Plasma TG correlated positively (r = .32, P < .01) and HDL-C correlated negatively (r = -.32, P = .02) with ABD AT-LPL activity, but these relationships were not significant after controlling for percent body fat or leptin. The results of this study indicate that in healthy middle-aged and older men, the major determinants of AT-LPL activity are obesity and its major associated hormones, leptin and insulin, not cardiovascular fitness, and also suggest that the higher HDL-C levels observed in endurance-trained men are not associated with increased AT-LPL activity.
Finding disease similarity based on implicit semantic similarity

Genomics has contributed to a growing collection of gene-function and gene-disease annotations that can be exploited by informatics to study similarity between diseases. This can yield insight into disease etiology, reveal common pathophysiology and/or suggest treatment that can be appropriated from one disease to another. Estimating disease similarity solely on the basis of shared genes can be misleading as variable combinations of genes may be associated with similar diseases, especially for complex diseases. This deficiency can be potentially overcome by looking for common biological processes rather than only explicit gene matches between diseases. The use of semantic similarity between biological processes to estimate disease similarity could enhance the identification and characterization of disease similarity. We present functions to measure similarity between terms in an ontology, and between entities annotated with terms drawn from the ontology, based on both co-occurrence and information content. The similarity measure is shown to outperform other measures used to detect similarity. A manually curated dataset with known disease similarities was used as a benchmark to compare the estimation of disease similarity based on gene-based and Gene Ontology (GO) process-based comparisons. The detection of disease similarity based on semantic similarity between GO Processes (Recall=55%, Precision=60%) performed better than using exact matches between GO Processes (Recall=29%, Precision=58%) or gene overlap (Recall=88% and Precision=16%). The GO-Process based disease similarity scores on an external test set show statistically significant Pearson correlation (0.73) with numeric scores provided by medical residents. GO-Processes associated with similar diseases were found to be significantly regulated in gene expression microarray datasets of related diseases.
Multi-component calibration and analysis in liquid chromatography

Abstract Multi-wavelength detectors offer improved detection capabilities for liquid chromatographic methods, but require improvements in data analysis methodology to utilize all the available information. In this work, various methods for improving the quantitative results obtained from liquid chromatography with full spectrum fluorescence detection were studied. The availability of multi-wavelenght information allows overlapped chromatographic peaks to be resolved. Different approaches were investigated for developing calibration models that use all of the available spectral information, and are compatible with a variety of methods for quantification, including factor analysis, Kalman filtering and rank annihilation. These methods were compared for their ability to resolve overlapped chromatographic peaks and their accuracy in quantification.
Peer social support is associated with recent HIV testing among young black men who have sex with men.

Resiliency factors such as social support have been associated with more frequent HIV testing among MSM. We examined the association between social support and delayed HIV testing in the context of structural discrimination and individual factors among young Black MSM. We combined two independent cross-sectional samples recruited 1 year apart from a venue-based, modified time-location sampling study of young Black MSM aged 18–29 years in the US South. Our subsample (N = 813) was men who self-reported not being HIV positive and who indicated they had one or more male sex partners in the past 2 months. Using a social epidemiology framework we estimated associations of structural (racism and homophobia), social (social support from other Black MSM friends) and individual factors with delayed HIV testing (>6 months ago) using logistic regression. Bivariate analyses demonstrated that individual level variables as well as experiences of racism (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.02–1.41) and homophobia (OR 1.49, 95 % CI 1.02–2.17) were associated with higher risk of delayed HIV testing. Receiving social support from other Black MSM friends was associated with lower risk of delayed HIV testing (OR 0.80, 95 % CI 0.67–0.95). In multivariable models, social support remained significantly associated with lower risk of delayed HIV testing after inclusion of structural and individual level variables. Social support has a positive and robust association with HIV testing among young Black MSM. Whether community building and development of resiliency factors can overcome structural, social, and individual-level barriers to HIV prevention and care for young Black MSM warrants further study.
Mental health status of human rights workers, Kosovo, June 2000

Human rights workers in humanitarian relief settings may be exposed to traumatic events that put them at risk for psychiatric morbidity. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in June 2000 to study the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among 70 expatriate and Kosovar Albanian staff collecting human rights data in Kosovo. Among those surveyed, elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms were found in 17.1, 8.6, and 7.1% respectively. Multiple regression analysis revealed that human rights workers at risk for elevated anxiety symptoms were those who had worked with their organization longer than 6 months, those who had experienced an armed attack, and those who experienced local hostility. Our study indicates that human rights organizations should consider mental health assessment, care, and prevention programs for their staff.
Caution is advised when specifying stainless steel fasteners

Stainless steel fasteners are often chosen to replace carbon steel fasteners in many engineering applications. These fasteners offer some advantages over their carbon steel counterparts—most notably, increased corrosion resistance. However, stainless steel fasteners have a tendency to gall, or cold weld, when in contact with a mating stainless steel fastener of similar composition when the proper precautions are not taken. Galling can vary in severity, and may be only a nuisance when minor, but lead to fastener failure in the extreme. This paper describes the galling of a threaded stainless steel ejector rod from a laser guided training round (LGTR) used by the U.S. Navy. Also presented are the precautions that should have been taken to avoid galling.
The adsorption of nitric oxide on chromia supported on alumina

Abstract Adsorptive properties of chromia supported on alumina have been studied with an electrobalance for NO as an adsorbate. Isotherms are presented in the range from −78 ° to 150 °C for both an oxidized and a reduced surface. The isotherms are of the Freundlich type at pressures between 0.1 and 300 torr. Maximum coverage corresponds to approximately one molecule of NO per atom of chromium in the surface. The adsorption of NO can therefore be used to assess the actual chromia surface in the presence of a support material. Changes in pressure and temperature influence the coverage on an oxidized surface more strongly than on a reduced surface. Kinetic measurements at constant temperature and pressure show a significant difference between an oxidized and a reduced chromia surface. In the first case a uniform decrease of the adsorption rate with time is observed, while in the second case a fast initial adsorption is followed by a much slower process, indicated by a sharp break in the corresponding Elovich curves. The kinetic parameters as well are influenced by temperature more strongly for the oxidized than for the reduced state. An attempt is made to relate these chemisorption results to the catalytic behavior of supported chromia for the reduction of NO.
Mitomycin C: small, fast and deadly (but very selective)

Mitomycin C, an important antitumor drug and antibiotic, has an extraordinary ability to crosslink DNA with high efficiency and absolute specificity for the sequence CpG. Recent results have shown how mitomycin C crosslinks DNA, and why the sequence specificity is so complete. This new understanding may allow the design of agents that mimic mitomycin C's economy of structure and can crosslink other sequences.
Analysis of unsectioned specimens: 2D and tomographic PIXE with STIM

Abstract Two techniques for quantitative analysis of heterogeneous thick specimens are reviewed. First, a measurement of the total zinc content in the abdomen of a fly is reported. The calculation used to determine the uncertainty in this measurement is detailed. STIM measurements at two different angles were used to determine the possible range of the X-ray production cross section and the X-ray attenuation factors. The abdomen content of zinc was determined to be 0.022( + 0.009, −0.006) (μg. Second, a PIXE-STIM mutomographic determination of metal concentrations in the sting of a scorpion is reviewed. STIM tomography was used to determine the X-ray production cross sections and the X-ray attenuation factors for points inside of the specimen. Details of how this information was then used for reconstructions of PIXE tomographic data are given. Finally, 2D PIXE measurements on a thick section of this sting are reported. On this section the measured concentration of zinc reached 22(± 3)% of dry mass, in satisfactory agreement with the results from tomography, 25(± 3)%.
Update in Geriatrics

The articles in this Update in Geriatrics came from a review of approximately 30 peer-reviewed journals during 2005. The selected articles are important clinical research studies that pertain to el...
Antimicrobial Effect of Guava on Escherichia Coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium in Liquid Medium

This study investigated the antimicrobial effects of guava against E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in liquid medium. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum lethal concentration (MLC) values for each bacterial strain were recorded. In addition, the growth of the individual strain and a combined mixture of the strains in liquid medium over time were assessed. Guava was found to inhibit the growth of all tested strains. The MIC ranged from 200 to 700 μL/mL and the MLC was at least 500 μL/mL. The minimum effective guava extract concentration needed to show significant growth inhibition was 5%. Without guava extract, bacterial population levels reached 7.0–8.0 log CFU/mL. The addition of guava extract caused significant growth inhibition, resulting in bacterial populations remaining within 3.0 log CFU/mL during the incubation. These results indicate guava could be used as a potential effective antimicrobial agent that can be used to ensure food safety.
Factors influencing low-temperature photo-assisted OMVPE growth of ZnSe

The influence of temperature and ultraviolet (UV) light intensity on the optical characteristics of low-temperature, photo-assisted OMVPE growth of ZnSe on GaAs substrates has been studied. The epitaxial ZnSe was grown using the sources DMSe, DMZn and DMCd, with growth temperature varied from 360 to 400°C. We found that the UV intensity strongly influenced the optical quality of the epitaxial ZnSe layer. More intense near band-edge emission (NBE) is observed when the temperature is reduced from 400 to 360°C. The deep-level emissions (DLE) show a threshold-like dependence on UV light intensity for a given temperature. Beyond the threshold value of UV intensity the surface morphology improves and deep-level emissions are suppressed. Also, the UV threshold decreases with increasing growth temperature. The resulting ratio of near band-edge to deep-level emission intensity suggests the use of lower growth temperature and high UV intensity for blue-green light-emitting devices. The effect of cadmium doping on the optical properties of ZnSe was also investigated. Cadmium doping is found to improve the NBE/DLE photoluminescence intensity ratio, and this improvement is more pronounced at higher growth temperature.
Training child and adolescent psychiatrists for systems of care.

force on community-based systems of care has developed guidelines for residency programs to use in implementing educational experiences and promoting competencies that are needed to function in systems of care (2). This document begins by describing the characteristics of communitybased systems of care, including basic principles, levels of care, and the roles of child and adolescent psychiatrists. Included are guidelines that address specific knowledge, skills, attitudes, clinical and didactic curricula, supervision and mentorship, and interdisciplinary training. The task force also made recommendations on evaluating curriculum implementation. Another set of guidelines was developed through the Pennsylvania CASSP Training and Technical Institute (3). These guidelines specify child, family, and community core competencies that involve the basic knowledge and skills needed to use system-of-care principles in practice. A training program’s response The impetus to review our training program’s emphasis on systems of care came from multiple areas. First, faculty members who were interested in systems issues became involved in the emerging field of children’s mental health systems of care. These faculty members and state mental health officials began working on a grant application for the newly emerging CASSP under the auspices of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS).