cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An estimator of wildlife fatality from observed carcasses

Counts of animal carcasses are often used to estimate fatality caused by disease, environmental accidents (oil spills, radiation leaks), or human structures (power lines, sky scrapers, wind turbines). The need to adjust raw carcass counts for imperfect detectability to produce unbiased estimates of fatality has long been recognized, but the accuracy and precision of some estimators used to make the adjustments have not been evaluated. In this paper, I formalize a conceptual model of fatality and the factors that lead to imperfect detection, primarily removal by scavengers before searches can be carried out and inability of searchers to find all remaining carcasses. I propose an estimator of fatality that adjusts for imperfect detectability. Through simulation I evaluate the statistical properties (bias and precision) of this estimator and two others commonly used to estimate fatality at wind power facilities, when sources and magnitudes of imperfect detectability vary. None of the estimators was always unbiased under all conditions. Bias in the proposed estimator never exceeded ±27% whereas bias in the other two estimators was always negative and exceeded that of the proposed estimator in 98% and 93% of the simulated conditions, respectively. The proposed estimator was relatively robust to variation in sources and magnitudes of imperfect detectability, but was sensitive to distributional assumptions regarding carcass removal rates and searcher efficiency. It offers significant improvement over two current estimators and provides relatively unbiased estimates of fatality that can be applied under a variety of conditions and survey protocols. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Leukotaxine on Cellular Permeability and on Cleavage Development

ConclusionsLeukotaxine, the substance obtained from inflammatory exudates which is capable per se of increasing capillary permeability and of inducing leukocytic migration, markedly augments the permeability of sea urchin ova to water. Furthermore, a considerable number of ova exposed to this substance manifest abnormal cleavage development following their insemination. This appears in the form both of unequal cleavage and of an appreciable retardation in the rate of cell division. Sperms are also inactivated after prolonged exposure to leukotaxine. These various manifestations indicate that leukotaxine induces a certain degree of cellular injury when in contact with the ova or sperms of Arbacia punctulata. These effects on invertebrate eggs coupled with its role in inflammation suggest that leukotaxine may prove of biological significance in the study of cell division and permeability.My thanks are due to Doctor B. Lucke for generous advice during the course of this study.
Rating scale analysis of the Berg Balance Scale.

Abstract Kornetti DL, Fritz SL, Chiu Y-P, Light KE, Velozo CA. Rating scale analysis of the Berg Balance Scale. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:1128–35. Objectives To examine, using Rasch analysis, the rating scale performance of the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and to describe the 45/56 cutoff score in functional terms. Design Retrospective chart review of BBS scores. Rasch rating scale analysis was performed on these data. Setting Outpatient Veterans Affairs medical center. Participants One hundred (99 men, 1 woman) community-dwelling veterans referred for balance deficits (age range, 64–88y). Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measure The BBS. Results Condensing item-rating categories allowed the elimination of underutilized categories and constructed categories that better separated people of differing abilities. Rating pivot points were developed for each item to represent a transition between passing and failing. Following pivot-point development and rating scale rescoring, person and item measures became more evenly distributed across the BBS and resulted in changes in item difficulty order. In our sample, functional indicators of a score of at least 45/56 were a rating of passing the item "tandem stance," as well as passing 2 of the following 3 items: "alternating foot," "standing on one leg," and "look behind." Conclusions Our findings provide direction for improving the rating scale structure for each of the items and establish a connection between the BBS cutoff score of 45/56 and functional ability.
Platinum-iron carbonyl cluster complexes. The synthesis and structural characterizations of Pt3Fe3(CO)15 and Pt5Fe2(CO)12(COD)2

Abstract The reaction of Fe(CO) 5 with Pt(COD) 2 has yielded the products Pt 3 Fe 3 (CO) 15 ( 1 ), 9%, PtFe 2 (CO) 8 (COD) ( 2 ), 3% and Pt 5 Fe 2 (CO) 12 (COD) 2 ( 3 ), 40%. The new compounds 1 and 3 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compound 1 contains a planar raft structure of six metal atoms consisting of a central triangular group of three platinum atoms with Fe(CO) 4 groups bridging each Pt—Pt edge of the cluster. The Pt—Pt distances are significantly shorter than those of the structurally related anions [Pt 3 Fe 3 (CO) 15 ] − and [Pt 3 Fe 3 (CO) 15 ] 2− . Compound 3 contains a tetrahedral cluster of platinum atoms. One edge of the tetrahedron is bridged by a Pt(CO) group and each of the Pt—Pt bonds to this group contains a bridging Fe(CO) 4 group.
Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design by Michael Bayer, Nancy Frank, and Jason Valerius

Michael Bayer, Nancy Frank, and Jason Valerius, Becoming an Urban Planner: A Guide to Careers in Planning and Urban Design (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley, 2010).Becoming an Urban Planner examines the fie...
Resonant Channel Coupling in Electron Scattering by Pyrazine

Detailed investigation of the three low-energy resonances seen in electron scattering by the diazabenzene molecule pyrazine reveals that the first two are nearly pure single-channel shape resonances, but the third is, as long suspected, heavily mixed with core-excited resonances built on low-lying triplet states. Such resonant channel coupling is likely to be widespread in pi-ring molecules, including the nucleobases of DNA and RNA, where it may form a pathway for radiation damage.
1393 A nursing assessment of rehabilitation needs following treatment for cancer

Rehabilitation needs in individuals with cancer have long been a Cinderella area of care, despite the fact that cancer can cause physical changes, disruption of daily activities, psychological issues, communication and relationship problems and social concerns. This research study used both qualitative and quantitative methodology in a triangulation approach to explore the level of physical and psychosocial adjustment which patients undergo on completion of a radical course of anticancer therapy. Respondents were assessed using a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Thirty-four respondents participated in the study. The median age was 59 years (range 21–78). All the respondents had been treated with radiotherapy and 9 had received adjuvant chemotherapy. The four most frequently reported problems on the questionnaire were tiredness, lack of energy, pain and difficulty sleeping. At interview the most frequently reported problems were tiredness, pain, depressed mood and difficulty sleeping. There was little alteration in these symptoms over time. Of the two assessment methods, the questionnaire appeared to be the most sensitive in detecting particular problems, although important information was gathered from both sources. Rehabilitation has been defined as the restoration of the individual to the optimal level of ability within the needs and desires of the individual and his or her family and commensurate with the limitations imposed by the disease and its treatment. Despite excellent treatment this study has identified that patients have ongoing needs which can be easily assessed using a questionnaire approach. These needs will be reviewed and the importance of rehabilitation assessment emphasized.
Quality of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during paediatric resuscitation training: time to stop the blind leading the blind.

Abstract Aims Recent evidence suggested that the quality of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during adult advanced life support training was suboptimal. This study aimed to assess the CPR quality of a paediatric resuscitation training programme, and to determine whether it was sufficiently addressed by the trainee team leaders during training. Methods CPR quality of 20 consecutive resuscitation scenario training sessions was audited prospectively using a pre-designed proforma. A consultant intensivist and a senior nurse who were also Advanced Paediatric Life Support (APLS) instructors assessed the CPR quality which included ventilation frequency, chest compression rate and depth, and any unnecessary interruption in chest compressions. Team leaders’ response to CPR quality and elective change of compression rescuer during training were also recorded. Results Airway patency was not assessed in 13 sessions while ventilation rate was too fast in 18 sessions. Target compression rate was not achieved in only 1 session. The median chest compression rate was 115 beats/min. Chest compressions were too shallow in 10 sessions and were interrupted unnecessarily in 13 sessions. More than 50% of training sessions did not have elective change of the compression rescuer. 19 team leaders failed to address CPR quality during training despite all team leaders being certified APLS providers. Conclusions The quality of CPR performance was suboptimal during paediatric resuscitation training and team leaders-in-training had little awareness of this inadequacy. Detailed CPR quality assessment and feedback should be integrated into paediatric resuscitation training to ensure optimal performance in real life resuscitations.
United States acting to conserve tuna stocks.

The News of the Week story “Protecting the last great tuna stocks” (C. Pala, 29 May, p. [1133][1]) contains errors regarding the position and actions of the United States with respect to tuna conservation in the Pacific Ocean. In particular, the United States does not claim any exemption from
Internalizing Agricultural Nitrogen Pollution Externalities: A Case Study

Alternative policies to achieve a specified nitrogen pollution standard in subsurface irrigation return flows are compared. A system of effluent charges against emitters was the lowest cost and the amount of agricultural commodities produced was less than the alternative policy considered.
Some Characteristics of Unsteady Two- and Three-Dimensional Reversed Boundary-Layer Flows

The purpose of this investigation is to study some of the characteristics of unsteady two- and three-dimensional boundary-layer flows with flow reversal. The primary focus of the study will be the time development of the flow-reversal region due to adverse pressure gradients, and differences between two- and three-dimensional flows. Some other features which have been investigated are the following: (a) determination of the existence of steady solutions with flow reversal; (b) development of a generalized coordinate transformation to remove singularities due to leading edges and impulsive starting; and (c) development of a numerical method for integrating the two-and three-dimensional equations in flow-reversed regions. Since these topics cover a very large range of material, the three-dimensional investigations have been limited to flows along a line of symmetry where the influence of three-dimensionality is felt through the cross-flow derivative. However, the addition of cross flow does exert a very substantial influence on the structure of the boundary layer, as will be seen in this paper.
Quantitation of pH-induced Aggregation in Binary Protein Mixtures by Dielectric Spectroscopy

This paper presents a quantitative approach for measuring pH-controlled protein aggregation using dielectric spectroscopy. The technique is demonstrated through two aggregation experiments, the first between β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) and hen lysozyme (HENL) and the second between bovine serum albumin (BSA) and HENL. In both experiments, the formation of aggregates is strongly dependent on the solution pH and is clearly indicated by a decrease in the measured permittivity when the second protein is added. A quantifiable lower-bound on the ratio of proteins involved in the aggregation process is obtained from the permittivity spectra. Lower-bound aggregation ratios of 83 % for β-Lg/HENL at pH 6.0 and 48 % for BSA/HENL at pH 9.2 were consistent with turbidity measurements made on the same solutions.
keV photon emission from light nonthermal dark matter

We propose a possible explanation for the recent claim of an excess at 3.5 keV in the x-ray spectrum within a minimal extension of the standard model that explains dark matter and baryon abundance of the Universe. The dark matter mass in this model is $\mathcal{O}(\text{GeV})$ and its relic density has a nonthermal origin. The model includes two colored scalars of $\mathcal{O}(\text{TeV})$ mass (${X}_{1,2}$), and two singlet fermions that are almost degenerate in mass with the proton (${N}_{1,2}$). The heavier fermion ${N}_{2}$ undergoes radiative decay to the lighter one ${N}_{1}$ that is absolutely stable. Radiative decay with a lifetime $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{23}$ seconds can account for the claimed 3.5 keV line, which requires couplings $\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}--{10}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ between ${X}_{1,2}$, ${N}_{1,2}$ and the up-type quarks. The model also gives rise to potentially detectable monojet, dijet, and monotop signals at the LHC.
Bound and free acid in aluminum soap prepared by precipitation

Abstract In aluminum stearate precipitated from aqueous solution there are present: 1. (1) Free fatty acid, readily dissolved to form solutions of concentration up to that of the saturated solution of the fatty acid itself. 2. (2) Loosely bound or sorbed fatty acid, amounting to about 0.6 mole/g.-at. of aluminum which may without difficulty be dissolved out of the soap to form solutions of concentration below that of the fully saturated solution of the fatty acid. 3. (3) Firmly bound fatty acid, resistant to solvent, amounting to approximately 2 moles/g.-at. of aluminum, leaving the composition of the distearate Al(OH)Str 2 . Hydrolysis of aluminum soap by moist acetone may be repressed by the presence of dissolved fatty acid.
Midway-Wilcox Deltaic Mass: ABSTRACT

The lithologic unit previously considered to be of Sabine (Wilcox) age in the Sabine uplift area of Louisiana is divisible on the outcrop into the conformable beds carrying Wilcox fossils and upper Midway fossils. The Midway fauna occurs throughout several hundred feet of section above the typical Midway shale reflection on electrical logs. Isopach maps and cross sections developed from electrical logs and paleontological reports of deep test wells from east Texas to southern Alabama show that during the time of deposition of the marine Midway and Wilcox of Texas and Alabama, a great deltaic mass, reaching a thickness in excess of 3,000 feet, was accumulating in the Mississippi Embayment of eastern Louisiana and central Mississippi. The presence of interpretable fossil as emblages appearing in beds which interfinger with the deltaic mass along its northwestern margin is important in determining the age of the mass and in field mapping in the Sabine uplift area. End_of_Article - Last_Page 941------------
Sputtering of ice by low-energy ions

Abstract We measured the total sputtering yield Y of amorphous water ice at 80 K for 0.35–4 keV He and Ar ions. We found that Y depends linearly on the elastic stopping cross section at low energies as predicted by the standard linear cascade theory of sputtering. As the energy increases, a quadratic dependence with the electronic stopping cross section arises due to cooperative effects between excitations produced by the projectile. We also studied how sputtering depends on the projectile incidence angle and found that Y follows a cos − f ( θ ) dependence with f = 1.45 ± 0.05 for 2 keV He + and f = 1.78 ± 0.08 for 2 keV Ar + . Measurements of Y for 2 keV ions vs. ice temperature between 30 and 140 K show the same temperature dependence as that reported previously for high-energy ions. We introduce a general formula to calculate Y below 100 keV once the ice temperature, projectile type, energy and angle of incidence are known. This formula can be used for modeling the production of extended neutral atmospheres around astrophysical icy bodies subject to ion bombardment.
Spatiotemporal heterogeneity of CNS radial glial cells and their transition to restricted precursors.

Abstract Radial glia are among the first cells that develop in the embryonic central nervous system. They are progenitors of glia and neurons but their relationship with restricted precursors that are also derived from neuroepithelia is unclear. To clarify this issue, we analyzed expression of cell type specific markers (BLBP for radial glia, 5A5/E-NCAM for neuronal precursors and A2B5 for glial precursors) on cortical radial glia in vivo and their progeny in vitro. Clones of cortical cells initially expressing only BLBP gave rise to cells that were A2B5+ and eventually lost BLBP expression in vitro. BLBP is expressed in the rat neuroepithelium as early as E12.5 when there is little or no staining for A2B5 and 5A5. In E13.5–15.5 forebrain, A2B5 is spatially restricted co-localizing with a subset of the BLBP+ radial glia. Analysis of cells isolated acutely from embryonic cortices confirmed that BLBP expression could appear without, or together with, A2B5 or 5A5. The numbers of BLBP+/5A5+ cells decreased during neurogenesis while the numbers of BLBP+/A2B5+ cells remained high through the beginning of gliogenesis. The combined results demonstrate that spatially restricted subpopulations of radial glia along the dorsal–ventral axis acquire different markers for neuronal or glial precursors during CNS development.
Influence of Plasticizer Type and Coat Level on Surelease® Film Properties

Two commercially available formulations of aqueous ethylcellulose dispersion differing in their plasticizer, i.e., Surelease/E-7-7050 containing dibutyl sebacate (DBS) and Surelease/E-7-7060 containing glyceryl tricaprylate/caprate (GTC), were evaluated and compared for their film properties as a function of polymeric coat level. Ibuprofen tablets were coated at 1, 2, 3, and 5% w/w levels using each Surelease formulation, and the coated tablets were evaluated for their drug release characteristics, coat reflectivity (gloss), surface texture, Brinell hardness, and elastic modulus. The drug release was dependent on the coat level and followed Hixson–Crowell cube-root model at 1% coat level. However, at ≥2% coat levels, the release from tablets coated with GTC plasticized formulation appeared to be best described by non-Fickian release mechanism and that from tablets coated with DBS plasticized formulation appeared to follow apparent zero-order release mechanism. At equal coat levels, tablets coated with GTC...
Treatment of Hand and Wrist Injuries

Evaluation of the hand and wrist requires a thorough understanding of the anatomic alignment of various bones, tendons, and ligaments along with the physiologic function in order to make an accurate diagnosis that portends appropriate healing and function while minimizing future disability. This article provides the latest research-based evidence of important trends in the treatment and rehabilitation of hand and wrist injuries.
On the convergence of wired and wireless access network architectures

Abstract Wired and wireless access networks continue to evolve toward higher-capacity, multi-service systems. Recent wireless broadband networks such as 3G LTE and WiMax provide a general-purpose IP platform with over-the-top services at the application layer, which is similar to the design of wired IP platform networks. This paper examines whether wired and wireless access networks are likely to converge on a common architecture, or if not, whether wireless networks are likely to converge on a common wireless architecture. We conclude that the answer to both questions is No. We identify fundamental and persistent differences between wired and wireless networking that will propel wired and wireless access network architectures on divergent evolutionary paths. Whereas we expect wired broadband access networks to continue to evolve toward a common general-purpose platform architecture, we expect wireless networks to remain heterogeneous. The inherent scarcity of radio frequency spectrum emerges as the key reason for this prediction. We examine the implications of divergent evolutionary paths for market structure and regulatory policy.
Integration and translation: driving stem cell therapies toward the clinic.

Alan Trounson, PhD, is President of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine in San Francisco, California. Prior to joining CIRM in January 2008, Dr Trounson was Professor of Stem Cell Sciences and Director of the Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories at Monash University, where he retains the title of Emeritus Professor. Dr Trounson founded the National Biotechnology Centre of Excellence – ‘Australian Stem Cell Centre’. He held various positions at Monash University beginning in 1977 and was appointed Director of the Centre for Early Human Development in 1985. He was awarded a Personal Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology/Pediatrics in 1991, and in 2003 was awarded a Personal Chair as Professor of Stem Cell Sciences. A Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and an Honorary Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr Trounson was awarded an honorary doctorate by the faculty of medicine at the University of Brussels. He has ...
Calculator for Mutual Information Between a Discrete and a Continuous Data Set

Mutual information (MI) is in many ways an ideal statistic for detecting relationships between two data sets. MI is easy to calculate when both data sets are discrete, but not when one or both data sets are real-valued. An accurate method for calculating MI between two real-valued data sets was previously developed (Kraskov et al. 2004). We present an accurate method for calculating MI between one discrete data set and one real-valued data set. For example, this calculator can quantify the correlation between base methylation (a discrete variable) and gene expression level (real-valued), or the effect of a clinical procedure (boolean; discrete) on patient survival time (real-valued). We use our calculator in the context of nanopore sequencing where DNA is drawn through a MspA pore protein.Kraskov, A., Stogbauer, H., & Grassberger, P. (2004). Estimating mutual information. Physical Review E, 69(6), 066138.
Translation at the checkpoint

This article provides an overview of the contemporary theoretical and artistic landscape related to the material borders of state sovereignty. It opens by exploring Palestinian multimedia artist Khaled Jarrar’s At the Checkpoint (2007, 2009), an exhibition of photographs physically installed at the Howarra and Qalandia checkpoints in the West Bank. With reference to the aesthetic refunctioning in Jarrar’s work of such sites of control, the article draws a distinction between the “harder borders” that literary cartography often ignores in favour of the “soft, hospitable border” of flows, migrations and hybridity. Assessing Antoni Muntadas’s conceptual art projects On Translation: Warning (1999) and On Translation: Die Stadt (1999–2004), Claire Denis’s films Nenette et Boni (1996), Beau Travail (1999) and L’Intrus (2004), and various Palestinian cultural texts, I argue that by foregrounding the laws of linguistic circulation and mobility, such works also inscribe the possibility of a multilingual, translati...
Outcomes of substance use disorder treatment in suicidal and nonsuicidal male patients.

Objective: Numerous studies report high rates of substance-related problems and psychopathology in substance use disorder (SUD) patients with a history of a suicide attempt. However, little is known about the response of suicidal SUD patients to treatment. This study examined the treatment outcomes of suicidal and nonsuicidal SUD patients who were followed for 5 years. Method: A total of 2099 male SUD patients were recruited from 15 Department of Veterans Affairs residential alcohol and drug treatment programs and were assessed at four points (treatment entry, discharge, and 1 and 5 years later). Approximately 7% (n = 156) of the patients reported a suicide attempt in the 3 months prior to the start of treatment. Results: Although patients with a recent suicide attempt reported severe patterns of alcohol use and elevated psychiatric symptoms at baseline, they showed significant improvements in both of these domains at discharge from residential treatment, and these improvements were still evident at 1-yea...
The antibody-capture [35S]GTPγS scintillation proximity assay: a powerful emerging technique for analysis of GPCR pharmacology

disrupted in PSD-95 mutant mice. Curr. Biol. 13, 321–328 6 Tao, Y-X. et al. (2003) ImpairedNMDA receptor-mediated postsynaptic function and blunted NMDA receptor-dependent persistent pain in mice lacking postsynaptic density-93 protein. J. Neurosci. 23, 6703–6712 7 Tao, F. et al. (2001) Knockdown of PSD-95/SAP90 delays the development of neuropathic pain in rats. NeuroReport 12, 3251–3255 8 Tao, F. et al. (2003) Role of postsynaptic density protein-95 in the maintenance of perpherial nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain in rats. Neuroscience 117, 731–739 9 Tao, Y-X. et al. (2000) Expression of PSD-95/SAP90 is critical for NMDA receptor-mediated thermal hyperalgesia in the spinal cord. Neuroscience 98, 201–206 10 Zhang, B. et al. (2003) Effect of knock down of spinal cord PSD-93/ chapsin-110 on persistent pain induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant and peripheral nerve injury. Pain 106, 187–196 11 Garner, C.C. et al. (2000) PDZ domains in synapse assembly and signalling. Trends Cell Biol. 10, 274–280 12 Hunt, S.P. et al. (1992) The organization of biochemically characterized sensory neurons. In Sensory neurons, diversity, development, and plasticity (Scott, S.A., ed.), pp. 60–76, Oxford University Press 13 Boyce, S. et al. (1999) Selective NMDA NR2B antagonists induce antinociception without motor dysfunction: correlation with restricted localization of NR2B subunit in dorsal horn. Neuropharmacology 38, 611–623 14 Luque, J.M. et al. (1994) Alternatively spliced isoforms of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 are differentially distributed within the rat spinal cord. Neuroscience 63, 629–635 15 Wenthold, R.J. et al. (2003) Trafficking of NMDA receptors.Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. Toxicol. 43, 335–358 16 McGee, A.W. et al. (2001) PSD-93 knock-out mice reveal that neuronal MAGUKs are not required for development or function of parallel fiber synapses in cerebellum. J. Neurosci. 21, 3085–3091 17 Garthwaite, J. and Boulton, C.L. (1995) Nitric oxide signaling in the central nervous system. Annu. Rev. Physiol. 57, 683–706 18 Niethammer, M. et al. (1996) Interaction between the C terminus of NMDA receptor subunits and multiple membranes of the PSD-95 family of membrane-associated guanylate kinase. J. Neurosci. 16, 2157–2163 19 Yoon, Y.W. et al. (1998) Nitric oxide mediates behavioral signs of neuropathic pain inanexperimental ratmodel.NeuroReport9, 367–372 20 Luo, Z.D. et al. (1999) Neuronal nitric oxide synthase mRNA upregulation in rat sensory neurons after spinal nerve ligation: lack of a role in allodynia development. J. Neurosci. 19, 9201–9208 21 Gardoni, F. et al. (1999) AlphaCaMKII binding to the C-terminal tail of NMDA receptor subunit NR2A and its modulation by autophosphorylation. FEBS Lett. 456, 394–398 22 Komiyama, N.H. et al. (2002) SynGAP regulates ERK/MAPK signaling, synaptic plasticity, and learning in the complex with postsynaptic density 95 and NMDA receptor. J. Neurosci. 22, 9721–9732
Effects of natural polymer acetylation on the anaerobic bioconversion to methane and carbon dioxide

The successful production of novel biodegradable plastic copolymers incorporating both synthetic plastic formulations, such as polystyrene, and naturally occurring biodegradable polymer components, such as cellulose, starch, or xylan, requires stable chemical bonding between these polymers. Modification of the natural polymers through acetylation of the available hydroxyl groups permits the formation of appropriate film-forming plastic copolymers. However, modification of natural polymers has been demonstrated to result in decreased attack by microbial catalysts. For this study, the abundant natural polymers cellulose, starch, and xylan were substituted with acetate to various degrees, and the effect of this modification on the anaerobic biodegradation was assessed using the biochemical methane potential (BMP) protocol. Significant reduction in anaerobic biodegradability resulted with all polymers at substitution levels of between 1.2-1.7. For the xylan acetate series, the trends for anaerobic biodegradation were in good agreement with reduced enzymatic hydyolysis using commercially available xylanase preparations.
Shifting Voices, Oppositional Discourse, and New Visions for Communication Studies

This address, delivered at ICA's 50th anniversary conference, calls on the association to take stock of where we are and how we should come together. It reviews 3 periods in the field's recent past: fermentation, fragmentation, and legitimation. Then, drawing from several of Bahktin's notions of dialogue, it summons scholars to come together by engaging in alternative modes of discourse - ones that center on multiple and shifting voices and oppositional discourse. It advocates using the construct of voice rather than paradigms, theories, and academic divisions, to develop complementary ways of understanding. In particular, it calls on the field to take inventory of multiple and shifting voices in reviews and critiques of the literature, to connect with each other through exploring shifting concepts and theories, and to engage in joint actions in ways that embrace and preserve differences.
Hot Isostatic Pressing of Ceramic Waste From Spent Nuclear Fuel

Argonne National Laboratory has developed a process to immobilize waste salt containing fission products, uranium, and transuranic elements as chlorides in a glass-bonded ceramic waste form. This salt was generated in the electrorefining operation used in electrometallurgical treatment of spent Experimental Breeder Reactor-II fuel. The ceramic waste process culminated with a hot isostatic pressing operation. This paper reviews the installation and operation of a hot isostatic press in a radioactive environment. Processing conditions for the hot isostatic press are presented for non-irradiated material and irradiated material. Sufficient testing was performed to demonstrate that a hot isostatic press could be used as the final step of the processing of ceramic waste for the electrometallurgical spent fuel treatment process.
PVT properties of concentrated electrolytes. VI. The speed of sound and apparent molal compressibilities of NaCl, Na2SO4, MgCl2, and MgSO4 solutions from 0 to 100°C

The sound velocities of aqueous NaCl, Na2SO4, MgCl2, and MgSO4 solutions were measured from 25 to 95°C in 10o intervals from dilute to saturated solutions. The results were combined with our earlier data and fitted to functions of molality and temperature to within ±0.4 m-sec−1. The adiabatic compressibilities βS were calculated from sound speeds and used to calculate the adiabatic apparent molal compressibilities ξφ. Isothermal compressibilities β and isothermal apparent molal compressibilities χφ were calculated from βS using literature values for the expansibilities and heat capacities. The values of χφ were extrapolated to infinite dilution using the Debye-Huckel limiting law to determine partial molal compressibilities. The apparent molal compressibilities were fitted to Pitzer's equations. The Pitzer parameters for the concentration dependence of χφ were determined as a function of temperature. Correlations of χφ and Vφ at various temperatures were found for the electrolytes.
Relaxation phenomena in a system of two harmonic oscillators

We study the process by which quantum correlations are created when an interaction Hamiltonian is repeatedly applied to a system of two harmonic oscillators for some characteristic time interval. We show that, for the case where the oscillator frequencies are equal, the initial Maxwell-Boltzmann distributions of the uncoupled parts evolve to a new Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution through a series of transient Maxwell-Boltzmann distributions, or quasistationary, nonequilibrium states. Further, we discuss why the equilibrium reached when the two oscillator frequencies are unequal is not a thermal one. All the calculations are exact and the results are obtained through an iterative process, without using perturbation theory.
Comments on ‘‘Linear waves and instabilities on magnetically insulated gap’’

A comment on linear waves and instabilities on magnetically insulated gap is presented. (AIP)
Ultrasound guided interscalene block is a safe technique in neck breathers

Abstract Regional anaesthesia is challenging in surgical patients with anatomical abnormalities. Patients who have undergone total laryngectomy have a permanent tracheostomy, and these individuals are termed as neck breathers. These patients have distorted anatomy due to radiation and chemotherapy. We are report the successful management of a neck breather with distorted neck anatomy for surgery of the arm with an ultrasound guided interscalene block.
The effect of ethanol on the production of lactate, triglycerides, phospholipids, and free fatty acids in the perfused human placenta

Abstract Eighteen fresh term placentas from normal deliveries were perfused to determine the biochemical response of the human placenta in the absence and presence of ethanol. The production rates were generally increased by ethanol administration; lactate, 22%; triglycerides, 49%; sphingomyelin, 362%; lecithin, 67%; lipid phosphorus, 780%; free fatty acids, 897%. Only the changes in lipid phosphorus and free fatty acids were significantly different (p
Comparison of midline and off-midline lingual vibrotactile threshold responses in men and women

Lingual vibrotactile thresholds were obtained from 10 young adult men and 10 young adult women on three different lingual test sites at a frequency of 250 Hz. The lingual test sites chosen for study were: (1) the dorsal midline of the anterior portion of the tongue, (2) a point halfway between the dorsal midline and the right upper lateral border of the tongue, and (3) a point halfway between the dorsal midline and the left upper lateral border of the tongue. Results showed that thresholds obtained on the dorsal midline of the tongue were not statistically significantly different for the men and women, but thresholds obtained off midline in either direction were statistically significantly different for the two groups of subjects. Compared with the midline thresholds, the off-midline thresholds were seen to become higher for the male subjects, but they were seen to become lower for the female subjects. Implications of these results for future testing are discussed, and further research dealing with off-midline lingual vibrotactile measurement is recommended.
Identification and regional distribution of a type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase in mouse brain

Abstract A calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase was partially purified from mouse brain cytosol and compared to a type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase II) previously purified from rat brain. The purification (approximately 200-fold) was followed by the ability of the kinase to phosphorylate the high molecular weight microtubule-associated protein, MAP-2. Approximately 40% of the mouse brain kinase was soluble, and it contained two subunits of 50 kD and 58–60 kD. Both subunits bound [125I]calmodulin in a calcium-dependent manner and demonstrated calmodulin-dependent autophosphorylation. The subunits from whole brain were present in a molar ratio of 3 1 . The apparent Km values of the kinase for ATP and calmodulin were 17 μM and 55 nM respectively. The time course, substrate specificity, and subunit phosphopeptide maps were comparable to CaM kinase II from rat brain. Regional distribution studies indicate that the enzyme activity was enriched in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and corpus striatum, whereas activity in cerebellum and pons/medulla was approximately 10-fold lower. All of these characteristics were shared with the rat brain enzyme, indicating that the kinase in mouse brain was a type II calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase. The mouse may be useful for examining the neuronal localization of CaM kinase II in different brain regions, since this model offers a variety of genetic mutants with well-defined lesions in specific neuronal populations.
Wavelet-based vibration sensor data compression technique for civil infrastructure condition monitoring

Civil infrastructure condition monitoring generates large volumes of sensor data. Huge data size impedes fast and reliable distribution of sensor data, especially for wireless sensor networks. Vibration sensor data plays an important role in many useful structural health monitoring methods. This paper presents a vibration sensor data compression technique based on the lifting scheme wavelet transform (LSWT). Real sensor data from a nine-story building as well as a steel truss bridge was used to examine the compression performance of the LSWT-based vibration sensor data compression technique. It is found that the LSWT-based vibration sensor data compression technique can achieve a very high compression ratio while retaining the basic waveform properties of original sensor data. Additionally, LSWT has a feature that supports progressive compression and thus allows for multiresolution data transmission and retrieval.
Entrance channel interference effect in the neutron decay of 2 + analogue resonances

Abstract The angular distributions of the decay neutrons populating 1 2 − , 3 2 − and 1 2 − states of 91Nb and 95Tc resulting from the s- and d-wave proton induced Jπ = 2+ analogue resonances are investigated. The experimental angular distributions show the interference effect arising from the coherence between the partial waves involved in the resonance. The analysis of the observation shows that it is necessary and sufficient that the interference be between the s 1 2 and d 5 2 partial waves in the entrance channel. The ratios of the spectroscopic factors and the relative signs of the reduced width amplitudes for the s 1 2 and d 5 2 protons are deduced from the data. The ratios of the spectroscopic factors agree with the (d, p) results.
Broadband near-field radiative thermal emitter/absorber based on hyperbolic metamaterials: Direct numerical simulation by the Wiener chaos expansion method

In the near field, radiative heat transfer can exceed the prediction from Planck's law by several orders of magnitude, when the interacting materials support surface polaritons in the infrared range. However, if the emitter and absorber are made from two different materials, which support surface polariton resonances at different frequencies, the mismatch between surface polariton resonance frequencies will drastically reduce near-field radiative heat transfer. Here, we present a broadband near-field thermal emitter/absorber based on hyperbolic metamaterials, which can significantly enhance near-field radiative heat transfer with infrared surface-polariton-resonance materials and maintain the monochromatic characteristic of heat transfer. Instead of using an effective medium approximation, we perform a direct numerical simulation to accurately investigate the heat transfer mechanisms of metamaterials based on the Wiener chaos expansion method.
Behavioral medicine and the management of HIV/AIDS.

Psychosocial treatment studies provide a method for conducting causal investigations within a clinical environment. They can also inform about relations between psychosocial or biobehavioral processes on the one hand, and disease on the other. Our studies conducted on HIV-positive (HIV+) homosexual men indicate that a group-based cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) intervention can decrease distress, buffer the psychological and immunological sequelae of HIV+ serostatus notification, and improve surveillance of herpes viruses. Decreased dysphoria induced by CBSM appears to be a significant mediator of control over cellular immunity. Poor HIV+ African American women, as well as more affluent gay men, benefit from group-based CBSM, but important gender and sociocultural differences must be taken into account in developing protocols. Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), coupled with good health behavior, can contain HIV/AIDS in most instances. In contrast, poor HAART adherence coupled with poor health behavior (e.g., unprotected sex) can lead to drug resistance and infection of partners with virulent mutated strains. Thus, now more than ever, behavioral medicine approaches to management and secondary prevention of HIV/AIDS are needed.
DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF COMPUTER-ADMINISTERED ANALYTICAL QUESTIONS FOR THE GRADUATE RECORD EXAMINATIONS GENERAL TEST

Three new computer-administered items types for the analytical scale of the Graduate Record Examination General Test were developed and evaluated. One item type was a free-response version of the current analytical reasoning item type. The second item type was a somewhat constrained free-response version of the pattern identification (or number series) item type in which the student had to state the rule that generated the series. The third item type used the computer to administer yes/no analysis of explanations questions with a limited branching strategy. The computer tests were administered at four ETS regional offices to a sample of students who had previously taken the GRE General Test. Scores from the regular GRE administration and the special computer administration were matched for a sample of 349 students. A number of test administration design issues were identified, including the need to provide adequate practice exercises, design of an interface comfortable for computer-literate students, and problems with item-level timing. The pattern identification items were too difficult (or the practice was inadequate), but the other items appeared to function well. There was no evidence that the open-ended analytical reasoning items were measuring anything beyond what is measured by the current multiple-choice version of these items.
In vitro secretory patterns of human chorionic gonadotrophin, placental lactogen and pregnancy-specific β1-glycoprotein

Summary The control of secretion of the placental hormones human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) and human placental lactogen (hPL), and the trophoblastic protein pregnancy-specific β -glycoprotein (SP 1 ), is not well understood. During pregnancy, the hCG concentrations peak in the first trimester then decrease, while hPL and SP 1 increase steadily throughout gestation. In order to determine whether the discordance between hCG secretion and that of hPL and SP 1 observed in vivo also occur in vitro, we cultured placental explants with and without dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) and theophylline. Between 5 and 12 explants were used for each treatment in each experiment. The concentration of the proteins secreted into the media each day was measured by specific radioimmunoassays. The quantities of hPL and SP 1 secreted per day declined in a parallel fashion after 24 hours under both basal and dbcAMP-stimulated conditions. The hCG output progressively decreased in the unstimulated cultures until 48 hours, at which time an increase in hCG secretion was observed. The dbcAMP-stimulated placentae significantly increased their hCG output at both 48 and 72 hours. These data show that hCG secretion is regulated differently from that of hPL and SP 1 . The results do not negate the possibility that term placental tissue may contain an inhibitor of hCG release that is removed by experimental manipulation in vitro.
To share and share alike: The basic ground rules for inter-institutional data sharing

This chapter proposes a set of general policies or ground rules that data exchanges may want to consider in establishing and guiding their activities.
Effect of in vitro generation of oxygen free radicals on T cell function in young and old rats

T cells from young (6 months) and old (24 months) male Fischer 344 rats were isolated and exposed to three different oxidative stress conditions: (a) reactive oxygen species generated by xanthine-xanthine oxidase (X/XO), (b) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and (c) hyperthermia (43 degrees C for 1 h). After oxidative stress treatment, the induction of proliferation and IL-2 production by concanavalin A (Con A) was measured. Exposure of T cells to X/XO or H2O2 resulted in suppression of proliferation and IL-2 expression, and the suppressive effect was more pronounced in T cells from young rats than in T cells from old rats. Similarly, hyperthermia caused inhibition of proliferation and IL-2 expression in T cells from young and old rats. Addition of antioxidant to cultured cells only slightly attenuated the effects of X/XO and H2O2 on T cell function; however, antioxidant had no effect on heat shock-mediated inhibition of proliferation in young or old rats. Because IL-2 plays a crucial role in T cell proliferation and because the transcription factor NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cell) plays a major role in the regulation of IL-2 transcription, the induction of NFAT as well as NF-KB and AP-1 DNA binding activities in nuclear extracts of the X/XO-treated and untreated control cells was measured using a gel shift assay. The ability of nuclear extracts to bind NFAT or NF-KB oligonucleotide decreased in the X/XO-treated cells from young and old rats compared to the untreated controls. Therefore, these data imply that reactive oxygen species generated by the X/XO system alter the distal step of mitogen-mediated signal transduction, i.e., transcription factors that regulate IL-2 transcription.
Radiologic assessment of emphysema for lung volume reduction surgery.

Radiologic imaging is vital to determining whether lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is a potential therapeutic option for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The importance of imaging in patient selection for LVRS has been emphasized by numerous studies relating preoperative imaging features to postoperative outcomes. This article reviews the radiologic features assessed in the LVRS evaluation, summarizes the relationships between preoperative radiologic features and postoperative outcomes, and addresses the limitations of imaging in guiding patient selection.
The human retina and retinal pigment epithelium are abundant sources of vitronectin mRNA.

Vitronectin (Vn), a multifunctional plasma protein synthesized primarily in the liver, is often present as a component of the extracellular plaques and deposits that accompany various age-related human diseases. Recently, we reported that Vn is also a prominent molecular constituent of drusen, the extracellular deposits associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (1). The cellular source(s) of the Vn in drusen, as well as in these other plaques and deposits, remains uncertain. In this study, we used real-time quantitative RT-PCR to measure the relative levels of Vn mRNA in the cells and tissues that lie in close proximity to drusen. The results confirm that the human liver is an abundant source of Vn mRNA. Levels of Vn mRNA in kidney, lung, and fetal or adult brain are <3% of those in liver. Remarkably, mean Vn mRNA levels in the neural retina significantly exceed those in brain and represent close to 40% of the Vn mRNA value measured in human liver. Substantial levels of Vn mRNA are also present in the adjacent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). These results identify the neural retina, for the first time, as an abundant source of Vn mRNA. They also suggest that both the neural retina and RPE are potent biosynthetic sources of Vn in humans, and potentially significant local contributors to the Vn that accumulates in drusen.