cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Missing organic carbon in Eocene marine sediments: Is metabolism the biological feedback that maintains end-member climates?

[1] Ocean chemistry is affected by pCO2 in the atmosphere by increasing the dissolution of solid calcium carbonate and elevating the dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations in seawater. Positive feedbacks between the ocean and atmosphere can maintain high atmospheric pCO2 and affect global climate. We report evidence for changes in the oceanic carbon cycle from the first high-quality organic carbon (Corg) data set of Eocene sediments beneath the equatorial Pacific upwelling region (Leg 199 of the Ocean Drilling Program). Eocene Corg mass accumulation rates (MARs) are 10 times lower than Holocene rates, even though expected Corg MARs estimated from biogenic-barium MARs (an indicator of biological production) equal or exceed modern fluxes. What happened to the missing Corg? Recent advances in ecology and biochemical kinetics show that the metabolism of nearly all animals, marine and terrestrial, is positively correlated by first principles to environmental temperatures. The approximately 10°C abyssal temperature difference from Eocene to Holocene should have radically reduced pelagic Corg burial, as we observe. We propose that higher basal metabolism and nutrient utilization/recycling rates in the Eocene water column and surface sediments precluded Corg sediment burial in the pelagic ocean. Increased rates of metabolism, nutrient utilization, and lowered Corg sedimentation caused by increased temperature may have acted as a biological feedback to maintain high atmospheric pCO2 and hothouse climates. Conversely, these same parameters would reverse sign to maintain low pCO2 when temperatures decrease, thereby maintaining “icehouse” conditions during cold climate regimes.
Antiproton proton annihilations at 1.6–2.2 GeV/c into final states with a K1o meson

Abstract Antiproton proton annihilations into final states containing at least one K1o meson have been studied in a 150 000 picture bubble chamber experiment. The experiment covered six incident antiproton momenta in the range 1.6–2.2 GeV/c. Cross sections at each incident momentum are determined for the more abundantly produced final states, and momentum averaged cross sections are determined for some rarer final states, including K 0 K 0 and K 0 K 0 K + K − . Copious resonance production, including double resonance production, is observed, and percentage contributions of different resonance channels are evaluated. Cross sections and resonance fractions are compared with results of other experiments at antiproton momenta in the range 0.7–3.7 GeV/c.
The glass ceiling in local government: A case study

Barriers to women's progress in senior management are often referred to as ‘the glass ceiling ‘. This research investigated these barriers in one local authority where an equal opportunities policy was well established. Interviews with employees in six departments focused on perceptions of and experiences of women in senior management. This study provides some evidence that change has taken place and staff in some departments suggest that a new climate of working relations has been fostered through policies and training. This change continues to be mainly limited to non‐management grades. This research questions why there are so few women in senior management in the local authority and raises issues about their experiences.
Functional analysis of advanced metering infrastructure in smart grid

Today, smart grid has been widely discussed in worldwide. As advanced metering infrastructure is one of main technologies of smart grid, its structure and functions of each component is represented. In terms of basic features of smart grid, some key capabilities that advanced metering infrastructure should possess are analyzed, and its impacts on power grid networks as well. Combining current research situation of power utility information acquisition system in china, this paper provides reference for building smart grid of user side on the basis of these preliminary analyses.
Pigment gallstone pathogenesis: slime production by biliary bacteria is more important than beta-glucuronidase production

Pigment stones are thought to form as a result of deconjugation of bilirubin by bacterial beta-glucuronidase, which results in precipitation of calcium bilirubinate. Calcium bilirubinate is then aggregated into stones by an anionic glycoprotein. Slime (glycocalyx), an anionic glycoprotein produced by bacteria causing foreign body infections, has been implicated in the formation of the precipitate that blocks biliary stents. We previously showed that bacteria are present within the pigment portions of gallstones and postulated a bacterial role in pigment stone formation through beta-glucuronidase or slime production. Ninety-one biliary bacterial isolates from 61 patients and 12 control stool organisms were tested for their production of beta-glucuronidase and slime. The average slime production was 42 for biliary bacteria and 2.5 for stool bacteria (P 3). In contrast, only 38% of biliary bacteria produced beta-glucuronidase. Eighty-two percent of all patients, 90% of patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones, 100% of patients with primary CBD stones, and 93% of patients with biliary tubes had one or more bacterial species in their stones that produced slime. By comparison, only 47% of all patients, 60% of patients with CBD stones, 62% of patients with primary CBD stones, and 50% of patients with biliary tubes had one or more bacteria that produced beta-glucuronidase. Most biliary bacteria produced slime, and slime production correlated better than beta-glucuronidase production did with stone formation and the presence of biliary tubes or stents. Patients with primary CBD stones and biliary tubes had the highest incidence of slime production. These findings suggest that bacterial slime is important in gallstone formation and the blockage of biliary tubes.
Satellited 4q identified in amniotic fluid cells

Extra material was identified on the distal long arm of a chromosome 4 in an amniotic fluid specimen sampled at 16.6 weeks of gestational age. There was no visible loss of material from chromosome 4, and no evidence for a balanced rearrangement. The primary counseling issue in this case was advanced maternal age. Ultrasound findings were normal, and family history was unremarkable. The identical 4qs chromosome was observed in cells from a paternal peripheral blood specimen and appeared to be an unbalanced rearrangement. This extra material was NOR positive in lymphocytes from the father, but was negative in the fetal amniocytes. Father's relatives were studied to verify the familial origin of this anomaly. In situ hybridization with both exon and intron sequences of ribosomal DNA demonstrated that ribosomal DNA is present at the terminus of the 4qs chromosome in the fetus, father, and paternal grandmother. This satellited 4q might have been derived from a translocation event that resulted in very little or no loss from the 4q and no specific phenotype. This derivative chromosome 4 has been inherited through at least 3 generations of phenotypically normal individuals.
Application of boundary element method to reservoir engineering problems

Abstract This paper presents the theory of the Boundary Integral Equation Method in general and discusses the application of this method in problems related to reservoir engineering. Integral equation methods have existed for quite some time in the mathematical literature but have been popularized only recently in engineering applications within such divers field as aeronautics, heat transfer, elasticity and groundwater hydrology. Reservoir engineering applications of this method are starting to be realized. The usefulness of the methodology lies in the fact that the solutions obtained are highly accurate and do not suffer from the usual drawbacks of the other domain type numerical schemes. Also complex reservoir geometries with multiple wells can be handled with ease due to the good boundary conformance obtained with the elements. Such desirable features are realized because the analytical nature of the solution is preserved due to the use of free space Green's function of the governing differential operator as the weighting function in the weighted residual approach. A collocation type method is used for the solution of the resulting integral equations. Also, since the method is a boundary procedure, the dimensions of the problem are reduced by one. This reduction in dimensionality is obtained in cases where there are no distributed sources/sinks in the problems domain and the initial conditions are homogeneous. The potential applications in reservoir engineering include rapid generation of streamlines and isochrones for steady-state single phase flow problems. Front tracking in the steady-state case can be done quickly and effectively for multi-well situations with arbitrarily shaped boundaries and a variety of boundary conditions. Application to pressure transient testing of arbitrary shaped, multi-well multi-rate reservoirs is also possible, under two different approaches. Both the above applications are demonstrated with a variety of examples, some of which are difficult to solve by analytical means.
Unitary and reciprocal expansions in the theory of light scattering from a grating

Abstract We present a method of obtaining coupled integral equations for the scattering of scalar waves from a rough surface of a medium characterized by a dielectric constant ϵ. These equations, obtained by applying Rayleigh's method, are useful for generating approximate solutions which are both unitary and reciprocal. We examine in particular the scattering of p and s polarized electromagnetic waves from a one-dimensional profile.
Recruiting for Diversity in Law Enforcement: An Evaluation of Practices Used by State and Local Agencies

This study analyzes several law enforcement agencies to (a) determine levels of representation of racial minorities in the law enforcement profession and (b) identify the marketing strategies being used during recruitment campaigns to locate, attract, and hire racial minorities to sworn positions. Responders answered questions regarding levels and areas of marketing techniques, sources of community outreach, recruit eligibility requirements, and other factors considered during recruiting campaigns. Results indicate low levels of informational distribution to, and contact with, critical core constituencies and institutions in minority communities. These findings may have implications for the numbers of minorities who are eventually hired for law enforcement positions.
Maximizing performance by retiming and clock skew scheduling

The application of retiming and clock skew scheduling for improving the operating speed of synchronous circuits under setup and hold constraints is investigated in this paper. It is shown that when both long and short paths are considered, circuits optimized by the simultaneous application of retiming and clock scheduling can achieve shorter clock periods than optimized circuits generated by applying either of the two techniques separately. A mixed-integer linear programming formulation and an efficient heuristic are given for the problem of simultaneous retiming and clock skew scheduling under setup and hold constraints. Experiments with benchmark circuits demonstrate the efficiency of this heuristic and the effectiveness of the combined optimization. All of the test circuits show improvement. For more than half of them, the maximum operating speed increases by more than 21% over the optimized circuits obtained by applying retiming or clock skew scheduling separately.
Seamless authentication and mobility across heterogeneous networks using federated identity systems

With the increasing demand for mobile data services and increased availability of multimode devices with multiple wireless interfaces, seamless mobility and service continuity across heterogeneous networks has become a differentiating service for Operators to offer users an enhanced mobile experience. In recent years, the Federated Identity Management (IdM) standards and technologies have rapidly evolved to address security, user experience, and privacy needs from an application layer perspective or as seen from the end user. As a result of these Federated IdM activities, a Single Sign-On (SSO) concept has been created in which a user may use a single set of authentication credentials to gain access to multiple independent Application Services. This paper provides an overview of the various layers of security in a communications protocol stack and then presents an approach to achieve seamless mobility across heterogeneous networks based on Federated Identity systems. By leveraging a pre-established application layer security association, access layer authentication and setup of a secure channel in an on-demand, automated and seamless manner may be carried out whilst roaming across disparate networks.
Developmental impact on trans-acting dosage effects in maize aneuploids.

Summary: The reduction in vigor or viability caused by aneuploidy may be the result of trans-acting dosage effects that reduce gene expression. To investigate the molecular and developmental parameters of aneuploid syndromes, the expression of sucrose synthase1 (sus1) and shrunken1 (sh1) was studied in 2-week-old plants. Expression of sus1 and sh1 was first investigated in euploids, where it was found that both transcripts varied in a diurnal fashion. Chromosome arm number can be varied in a series from one to three doses in maize. In the 14 aneuploid dosage series examined, most caused changes in sus1 and sh1 RNA levels that were both gene and tissue specific. Results were compared to previous data from embryo and endosperm tissue. More dosage effects were detected and the magnitude of RNA level modulation was greater in 2-week-old plant tissue. These findings suggest that the molecular consequences of aneuploidy might become more severe as development progresses. genesis 31:64–71, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Counting Chromosomes: Not as Easy as 1, 2, 3

Mammalian cells must count their X chromosomes to determine whether to initiate X chromosome inactivation. A region that may be important for X chromosome counting has been identified, but the puzzle pieces still do not quite fit.
Bifurcation theory and radial solutions to elliptic boundary value problems

Abstract Using basic tools from general bifurcation theory we explain, through three well-known problems, how to establish the existence of multiple radial solutions to elliptic boundary value problems.
Effects of Anesthesia on Urodynamic Studies in the Primate Model

AbstractPurpose: To elucidate the effect of anesthesia on bladder function and urodynamic studies by performing controlled comparisons of the effects of 2 anesthetics on urodynamics in a primate model.Materials and Methods: Cystometrograms were performed in 4 awake adult female Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) via implantable transducer for continuous monitoring and compared with cystometrograms obtained under anesthetic agents. A total of 183 cystometric studies was performed (48 in the awake group, 74 under ketamine anesthesia and 61 under flurane anesthesia.Results: Maximum detrusor contraction pressure [Pdet(max)] was significantly lower under flurane than under ketamine anesthesia (33.1 plus/minus 2.5 versus 49.1 plus/minus 8.1 cm. H2 O). In the awake state Pdet(max) (47.7 plus/minus 25.2 cm. H2 O) was equal to that obtained under ketamine anesthesia. Cystometric bladder capacity was significantly larger under flurane (101.5 plus/minus 81.8 ml.) than under ketamine (70.3 plus/minus 56.1 ml.) anesthesi...
Protein kinase C activates the respiratory burst of fertilization, but not cortical granule exocytosis, in ionophore-stimulated sea urchin eggs.

Abstract In a “respiratory burst”, fertilized sea urchin eggs consume oxygen to produce H2O2 as an extracellular oxidant to crosslink their protective surface envelopes. The egg generates H2O2 via a NADPH-specific oxidase that requires protein kinase C for activation. To further study the physiological regulation of the respiratory burst and cortical granule exocytosis, we have measured azide-insensitive oxygen uptake and fertilization envelope assembly in ionophore-stimulated eggs. Procaine, trifluoperazine, staurosporine, and H-7, which inhibit protein kinase C by different mechanisms, suppressed egg oxygen consumption without affecting fertilization envelope assembly. In contrast, both exocytosis and oxygen uptake were blocked in N-ethylmaleimide-treated eggs. When the eggs were stimulated with ionophore in Na-free artificial seawater, which prevents the increase in pHi, oxidase activity was inhibited. This effect was reversed by elevation of cytoplasmic pH with the membrane-permeant base NH4Cl. We conclude that protein kinase C was not involved in the events downstream from the ionophore-dependent elevation of Ca2+ which induced cortical granule exocytosis. However, the respiratory burst was inhibited despite the increase in Ca2+ that triggered exocytosis. The likely target for inhibition of the burst was protein kinase C. Cytoplasmic alkalinization was necessary for optimal rates of H2O2 synthesis, further implicating pHi as a regulator of the egg oxidase.
Inhibition of diazepam binding by tryptophan derivatives including melatonin and its brain metabolite N-acetyl-5-methoxy kynurenamine

Abstract The presence of specific binding sites for the benzodiazepines in brain has generated the hypothesis that an endogenous ligand for this receptor exists. In the present report a series of tryptophan derivatives were tested for their ability to inhibit [3H] diazepam binding to rat brain synaptosomal membranes. Of the derivatives tested melatonin and its brain metabolite N-acetyl 5-methoxy kynurenamine (AMK) were found to be the most potent. Melatonin and AMK display respective Ki values for the inhibition of diazepam binding of 415 μM and 49 μM. Melatonin is therefore twice as potent as inosine or hypoxanthine and AMK about 20-fold more potent. Both compounds display competitive inhibition kinetics and do not inhibit binding of a variety of other neurotransmitters to their respective receptors. The data suggest that these or similar agents may serve as endogenous modulators of the benzodiazepine receptor.
Noise in hydrogenated amorphous silicon resistors

Abstract Measurements are reported on the noise in hydrogenated amorphous silicon resistors. At zero bias the device can be represented by a resistance R and a leaky capacitor C in parallel. With bias there is excess noise varying as the square of the voltage, as expected for resistance fluctuation noise, but saturating at high voltage. The excess noise is of the form const/ (1 + ω2τ21) and can approximately be represented as white noise flowing into the RC parallel circuit. Any 1/f noise, if present, is completely masked by the latter noise source. The device characteristic shows space charge limited behavior, but the noise at high voltage cannot be fully described by the theory of Zijlstra and Driedonks for such devices.
Adherence to treatment guidelines in two primary care populations with gout

Published guidelines for the treatment of gout aim to improve the evidenced-based management of this disorder. Unfortunately, several studies suggest that these guidelines are not routinely followed in clinical practice. Limited data exist comparing different groups of primary care providers regarding compliance with published gout guidelines. We conducted a retrospective study comparing two different general internal medicine (IM) practices and evaluated compliance with these guidelines. All patients with a billing code for gout seen in two large IM clinics (Clinic A, an inner-city urban clinic, and Clinic B, a suburban clinic) between January 2004 and December 2007 were selected for chart review. Patients referred to a rheumatologist for management of gout were excluded. The care received by these patients for gout was compared to recommendations from published guidelines, with the primary outcome assessing the percentage of patients who received at least yearly monitoring of serum uric acid (SUA) levels. In both clinics, yearly monitoring of SUA levels occurred in approximately one quarter of the patients with gout (Clinic A 27.5% vs. Clinic B 28.9%, P = 0.87). Compared to SUA, renal function was monitored more frequently in each of the groups. Listed indications for antihyperuricemic therapy were similar between groups, although gouty flares were reported more frequently in clinic B (P = 0.005). In this retrospective review of gout management in two IM clinics, general care for patients with this condition did not differ significantly. However, overall compliance with recommendations from published guidelines was low.
Impact of a multileaf collimator on treatment morbidity in localized carcinoma of the prostate

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of variable multileaf collimation, three-dimensional treatment planning, and computer-controlled conformal radiation therapy of prostate cancer. Methods and Materials: Two hundred and forty-five patients with locally advanced prostate cancer have completed treatment over a 9-year time span using a multileaf collimator and conformal treatment techniques on the University of Washington cyclotron. All patients had three-dimensional treatment planning with computed tomography scans in the treatment position, and had treatment fields individually shaped to the target volume with a continuously variable multileaf collimator. Treatment was delivered under computer control with network transfer of the multileaf collimator settings from the treatment planning computer to the cyclotron control system. Results: The multileaf collimator combined with three-dimensional treatment planning results in elegant dose distributions. These neutron dose distributions resulted in a reduced local/regional tumor failure rate with no increase in complications when compared to control treatment with photons in a randomized trial. Neutron treatment delivered at other institutions without conformal beam shaping resulted in the same improvement in local-regional tumor control rates, but was associated with a significantly higher normal tissue complication rate than seen with conformal neutron beam delivery techniques (grade 3 and 4 cumulative late normal tissue toxicity rates of 39% vs. 10%, p = 0.0007). Conclusions: Conformal treatment of prostate cancer using a multileaf collimated neutron beam results in increased local/regional tumor control rates with low normal tissue toxicities. This experience is directly applicable to the conformal treatment of prostate cancer with photons.
AIDS and the use of injected drugs.

More than 50 countries have reported HIV infected persons who use illegal intravenous (IV) drugs. Another 30 countries have citizens using them. 33% of US AIDS cases acquired HIV by injecting illegal drugs. The political commitment to implement HIV prevention efforts in the IV drug community is wanting even though some health care providers in North America Europe and Australia have demonstrated that these efforts stem the epidemic in this community. Indeed lack of political commitment is the greatest obstacle to reducing the spread of HIV. AIDS manifests itself differently in IV drug users tend to experience more morbidity and mortality from bacterial infections. Many IV drug users travel often therefore transmitting HIV to other IV drug communities where it spreads very rapidly. Use of shooting galleries where needles and syringes are rented account for this rapid transmission. Contrary to popular opinion IV drug users are able to assimilate HIV prevention information received via the mass media and informal communication networks. For example 80% of IV drug users in New York City practice risk reduction behavior. Evidence shows that the most effective AIDS prevention programs are those that involve drug users in design and implementation. Such programs should provide the means for behavioral change however including treatment for users (e.g. methadone) and access to sterile injection equipment and condoms. They should offer IV drug users a choice on which way they want to reduce their risk. Once HIV infection becomes well established in a community however these programs face considerable difficulties in curbing HIV transmission. Few studies have been done on how to keep people from starting IV drug use.
ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF TEMPEH AS COMPARED TO TOCOPHEROL

SUMMARY –The antioxidant potential of tempeh to preserve tocopherol-stripped corn oil was studied. Different levels of tempeh were mixed into corn oil, and incubated at 37°C for a maximum of 6 wk. Peroxide values were determined biweekly. Results showed that tempeh can prevent lipid oxidation. Corn oil containing 50% tempeh showed higher antioxidant potential than those containing 25% tempeh, 0.01%α-tocopherol, or 0.03%α-tocopherol. This study substantiates the antioxidant potential of tempeh and suggests its use with other foodstuffs to help preserve the lipids contained therein.
Gastric pneumatosis following nasogastric tube placement: a case report with literature review.

We report a case of gastric emphysema following placement of nasogastric (NG) tube. Gas in the wall of the stomach is a rare finding seen in various clinical situations. The reported cases fall into two different categories: “gastric emphysema” and “emphysematous gastritis”. Differentiating these two entities is important, as the first one is usually a benign condition, but the second one carries a poor prognosis.
Experimentally induced changes in glutamotransferase activity in embryonic tissue.

Abstract Glutamotransferase activity in the retina of chick embryos at different stages of development was assayed in freshly isolated tissue and, after cultivation in vitro , as organ cultures, cell aggregates, and cell cultures. In the embryo, specific activity of this enzyme is low until the 16th day of development, then rises rapidly. In cultures of retinal tissue from early embryos there is a rapid, sharp, and continuous increase in the specific activity of glutamotransferase. The values reached greatly exceed those attained in vivo in embryos of comparable age. There is a similar continuous increase in specific activity of this enzyme in aggregates of retina cells from early embryos. In cell cultures, the rise is slight and this low level persists upon prolonged cultivation, owing, perhaps, to the presence of cell clusters. Under the conditions studied, the rate of increase in specific activity in retina cultures depended on the age of donor embryo. No increase in activity was obtained in two other tissues examined under identical in vitro conditions. Some of the implications and possibilities suggested by these findings are mentioned.
The Evolution of FDA Policy on Silicone Breast Implants: A Case Study of Politics, Bureaucracy, and Business in the Process of Decision-Making

The central issue facing federal regulation of breast implants is that while such devices are not functionally necessary or needed for survival, the side effects may be harmful and have not been proven unharmful. The Medical Device Amendments of 1976 appear to require such evidence prior to the FDA permitting the unrestricted marketing of these devices. However, only recently have such requirements been imposed by the FDA. The author examines the FDA's decision-making process, particularly as applied to silicone breast implants, and the factors that appears to have affected such decisions. In pursuing this study, the activities of a number of interest-group actors, as well as congressional responses and the role of federal bureaucratic actors, were examined. In 1992, the FDA established a regulatory protocol that effectively withdrew most silicone breast implants from the market for the purpose of breast augmentation and allows for the monitoring of the impact of new implants on women's health. This increase concern for determining the safety of breast implants is due to a number of factors, which are examined in this article.
Calcite growth and the inhibiting effect of iron(III)

Calcite growth and the inhibiting effect of ferric ions on this growth was investigated over a range of solution conditions: the pH's, 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0; the temperatures, 15, 25 and 35°C; the initial supersaturation range, 2 to 13; all at an alkalinity of 0.15M, an ionic strength of 0.15M, and in contact with a gas phase of constant CO2 partial pressure. A free drift, seeded growth technique was used. In the absence of iron, the growth rate was found to depend linearly on the calcium concentration, with an activation energy of 11 kcal/mol. The inhibiting effect of iron was quantified by comparing the growth rate constants measured in the presence and absence of iron. Comparison at the different pH's, temperatures, and supersaturations showed that the concentration of iron needed for almost complete calcite growth inhibition depends primarily on supersaturation. Ferric ions are very effective calcite growth inhibitors. A 1μM total ferric ion concentration was sufficient to completely inhibit calcite growth in solutions at supersaturations smaller than 4.
Preference for mirror-image stimulation in finches (Passer domesticus domesticus) and parakeets (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Abstract When given a continuous choice both finches and parakeets were observed to spend appreciably more time in front of their own reflection in a mirror than in front of another bird, food, or a blank piece of cardboard. The preference for mirrors not only persisted over days, but showed a tendency to increase in both species. An attempt to explain these data in terms of what are considered to be unique psychological properties of mirror-image stimulation was presented.
Decay constants of heavy-light pseudoscalar mesons in the Fermilab formalism

Abstract We present new results from the Fermilab weak matrix-element project. The decay constants of heavy-light pseudoscalar mesons are calculated using the Fermilab formalism for heavy quarks and a tadpole-improved SW action for light quarks. Improvement allows the bottom quark to be simulated directly on the lattice removing the need for large extrapolations. The dependence on the lattice spacing is discussed for 5.7 ≤ β ≤ 6.1.
Photoionization of naphthalene clusters via excimer formation

Abstract The excimer formation that occurs subsequent to excitation of the naphthalene trimer and tetramer has been probed by mass-selective pump—probe photoionization spectroscopy. The excimer is identified as a strongly bound dimer core, surrounded by ground-state naphthalene molecules. We show direct evidence that these clusters ionize with high efficiency via excimer formation. The ionization enhancement is explained by large Franck—Condon factors for the ionizing transition from the excimer state.
Minimax estimation of linear functionals under squared error loss

Abstract Under a very general setting, we consider the problem of estimating a linear functional of an unknown vector in a Hilbert space from indirect data contaminated by noise. We then discuss two situations in detail: estimating the signal function in the fractional Brownian motion model and the regression model with correlated errors. In the fractional Brownian motion model, we observe the process which is the sum of a fractional Brownian motion with Hurst index between ( 1 2 , 1 ) and a drift function that is determined by the signal function. In the regression model with correlated errors, we assume that the errors have long memory. For both estimation problems, we obtain the asymptotic rate for the minimax affine risks over certain types of parameter spaces. In each case, we also show that the minimax affine risk is bounded by 1.25 times the minimax risk.
Kaleidoscope of Language Learning

we have students. Often we have disagreements among professionals concerning most effective methodologies or materials or technologies for in struction. However, some significant issues appear to stay with us unresolved decade after decade. In May of 2007 the Executive Council of the MLA released the document "Foreign Languages and Higher Education: New Structures for a Changed World," based on the work of an ad hoc committee on foreign languages, which had been appointed by the council in 2004 to study the mat ter. This document points at agenda items that continue to present themselves in the areas of pol icy, research, institutional organization, curricu lum, and pedagogy. In this document before the Modern Language Journal readership, "Transform ing Collegiate Foreign Language Departments," the committee made specific recommendations in the areas of research, coalition building, advo cacy, and configuration of foreign language de partments in American colleges and universities. The numerous institutions of higher education present many models of language departments in terms of organizational structure, curriculum, size, faculty, institutional requirements, finances, administrative support, technological sophistica tion, pedagogical emphases, and student out comes. The kaleidoscope of settings thus provides an infinite number of variations and possibilities for language learning. Having spent the last 4 decades primarily in the community college en vironment, my view is necessarily formed by the colors and patterns of the 2-year college setting. Change does not have to be large and dramatic in order to effect a difference in the environ ment. One click of the wheel of a kaleidoscope can produce a fantastic new image with a great modification in impact for the viewer. Likewise, a single change in a department can make a dra matic difference to the faculty and students in that institution.
Far-infrared and submillimeter brightness temperatures of the giant planets

The brightness temperatures of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune in the range 35 to 1000 micron. The effective temperatures derived from the measurements, supplemented by shorter wavelength Voyager data for Jupiter and Saturn, are 126.8 + or - 4.5 K, 93.4 + or - 3.3 K, 58.3 + or - 2.0 K, and 60.3 + or - 2.0 K, respectively. The implications of the measurements for bolometric output and for atmospheric structure and composition are discussed. The temperature spectrum of Jupiter shows a strong peak at approx. 350 microns followed by a deep valley at approx. 450 to 500 microns. Spectra derived from model atmospheres qualitatively reproduced these features but do not fit the data closely.
Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of nucleoside and nucleotide adducts of chemical carcinogens

Abstract The xenon fast atom bombardment mass spectra of the N-acetylfluorenyl derivative of both mono and dinucleotides are characterized by the protonated molecular ion. Fragmentation resulting in cleavage of the glycosidic bond provides structural information.
Operational Performance of Sustainable Measures in Public Buildings

AbstractBuildings in the United States account for 40% of the national annual energy consumption, 39% of carbon footprint, and 13% of water consumption. To minimize these negative environmental impacts and improve life-cycle cost performance, an increasing number of public and private owners are requiring that their existing and new buildings incorporate more sustainable building measures. Despite the recent increase in the use of these sustainable building measures, there is a pressing need to explore their actual operational performance. This paper presents the findings of a recent study that evaluated the performance of sustainable measures in public buildings, such as rest areas, including energy efficient fluorescent and LED lights, solar photovoltaic systems and water heaters, daylight tubes, geothermal heat pumps, wind power technology, motion-activated lighting, double-pane glass, energy-efficient hand dryers, water-conserving fixtures, rain gardens, and graywater systems. The study conducted a co...
Change of Conductivity with Salt Content, Solvent Composition, and Temperature for Electrolytes of LiPF6 in Ethylene Carbonate-Ethyl Methyl Carbonate

We measured the electrolytic conductivities of the electrolytes of LiPF 6 in ethylene carbonate-ethyl methyl carbonate at different salt contents, solvent compositions, and temperatures in the ranges of their practical values. To these data, we fitted a fourth degree trivariate polynomial and obtained a close fit. We then plotted this function as surface and contour plots in the coordinates of salt content and solvent composition for a series of temperatures. These plots showed the change of conductivity with the simultaneous changes of salt content and solvent composition and the influence of temperature on this change, thus mapping the locations for the optimal combinations of salt content and solvent composition for maximum conductivity of the electrolytes at desired temperatures. Here we also discuss and interpret qualitatively the trends found in the change of conductivity with salt content, solvent composition, and temperature, based on the dependency on the same variables of these three factors: the number of dissociated ions in the electrolyte, the dielectric constant of the solvent, and the viscosity of the electrolyte.
Surface-tension suppression of lamellar swelling on solid substrates

Abstract Multilayers of charged lipids immersed in distilled water swell to whatever dilution allowed them by the available volume of solvent. Multilayers of the same lipids on a solid surface will imbibe only a small amount of water from a vapor, even from a 100% relative-humidity vapor. We argue that the essential difference is in the extra work needed to create a vapor/multilayer interface. For stiff, tightly packed multilayers, this interfacial energy is an additive constant of little consequence. But, in liquid water, multilayers swell to a softness where thermal excitation creates a rippled surface; the surface energy goes as the contour area not as the flat area of projected surface. The contour area grows as the multilayer swells. Vapor/liquid surface tension creates a “hard” surface that quells ripples and, usually, pulls the multilayer back to tighter packing. Tension can act to enhance direct attractive bilayer-bilayer forces such as weak van der Waals interactions to create new energy minima at very close spacings. These new energy minima might explain the limited swelling of charged lipids on substrates. What is remarkable is the long range and the strength of surface-tension perturbation on layered systems. In our statistical-thermodynamic formulation, bilayer motion is treated as the sum of undulations or waves that can pervade the entire multilayer. Disturbance of the surface can reach inward to distances comparable to the lateral extent of the multilayers. We use measured osmotic compressibility and bending rigidity to reveal the qualitative difference in affinity for water of multilayers in liquids and those on substrates exposed to vapors of the same chemical potential.
Spuriously Elevated Serum Chloride Values Caused by Pyridostigmine Bromide

The unusual complication of a spurious elevation of the serum chloride value developed during pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) treatment. REPORT OF A CASE A 77-year-old man with myasthenia gravis was admitted to The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center because of respiratory difficulty. He had been taking 1,260 mg of pyridostigmine bromide daily for six months. He did not take any other medication containing bromide. Multiple determinations of his serum electrolyte values with the use of a standard ion-selective electrode technique (Stat/Ion) indicated chloride values of 119 to 157 mEq/L with corresponding anion gaps of —8 to —47. The ion-selective electrode was checked and was functioning properly. An electrolyte determination using the same technique before the patient received pyridostigmine bromide had given normal values. His serum was analyzed for halides with specific colorimetric techniques. The actual chloride level was 109 mEq/L and the bromide value was 2.1 mEq/L. The ion-selective electrode indicated
Perturbation theory for groups and lattices

Abstract A generalization of a theorem of Dan Voiculescu on perturbations of separable C ∗ -algebras is proved. This is applied to solve two problems relating to the perturbation theory of unitary group representations, and of commutative subspace lattices. The latter generalizes a theorem of Niels Toft Andersen on compact perturbations of nests.
On the structure of attractors for discrete, periodically forced systems with application to population models

Abstract This work discusses the effects of periodic forcing on attracting cycles and more complicated attractors for autonomous systems of nonlinear difference equations. Results indicate that an attractor for a periodically forced dynamical system may inherit structure from an attractor of the autonomous (unforced) system and also from the periodicity of the forcing. In particular, a method is presented which shows that if the amplitude of the k-periodic forcing is small enough then the attractor for the forced system is the union of k homeomorphic subsets. Examples from population biology and genetics indicate that each subset is also homeomorphic to the attractor of the original autonomous dynamical system.
Biodistribution of PLGA and PLGA/chitosan nanoparticles after repeat-dose oral delivery in F344 rats for 7 days

Aim: To quantify in vivo the biodistribution of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) and PLGA/chitosan nanoparticles (PLGA/Chi NPs) and assess if the positive charge of chitosan significantly enhances nanoparticle absorption in the GI tract. Material & methods: PLGA and PLGA/Chi NPs covalently linked to tetramethylrhodamine-5-isothiocyanate (TRITC) were orally administered to F344 rats for 7 days, and the biodistribution of fluorescent NPs was analyzed in different organs. Results: The highest amount of particles (% total dose/g) was detected for both treatments in the spleen, followed by intestine and kidney, and then by liver, lung, heart and brain, with no significant difference between PLGA and PLGA/Chi NPs. Conclusion: Only a small percentage of orally delivered NPs was detected in the analyzed organs. The positive charge conferred by chitosan was not sufficient to improve the absorption of the PLGA/Chi NPs over that of PLGA NPs.
The 1910 Royal Institute of British Architects’ Conference: a focus for international town planning?

The 1910 International Town Planning Conference is rightly seen as a major moment in the development of modern urban design. It drew together more than 1,000 architects and planners from across the world. At first sight, the conference consequently appears to provide further evidence for the importance of transnational town planning networks in this period. This article, by contrast, highlights the domestic agendas which underwrote the event. It shows that the conference was considerably less successful and less international than has previously been argued. It thus stresses the limitations of the town planning movement: underscoring the continued importance of national differences and national debates.
Reaction of Carbon Monoxide with Graphitic Carbon at 450° C.

PUBLISHED investigations of researches on the reaction of carbon monoxide with carbonaceous solids have been concerned with the Boudouard reaction, 2CO ⇄ C + CO2. Many measurements have been reported above 500° C. in which range the rate of reaction is appreciable and the resultant partial pressure of carbon dioxide is measurable. Below 500° C. the observed partial pressure of carbon dioxide is so low that it cannot be differentiated experimentally from that normally expected on outgassing such materials, although the equilibrium values for the carbon dioxide are higher than those above 500° C.
Developing Just Monetary Arrangements

International monetary arrangements–the practices and rules governing the creation, distribution, and management of money and credit in the world economy–have received little attention from philosophers concerned with international distributive justice. A convincing account of international distributive justice requires a description of how these arrangements should function. International monetary arrangements currently appear to have consequences that are incompatible with a global egalitarian conception of distributive justice. There are at least three categories of questions– relating respectively to money supply, exchange rates, and debt–that can be raised in the international context. First, who should have control over key monetary decisions, such as how much, and on what terms, money and credit are being supplied within each monetary zone? Should this control belong to the citizens of a given monetary zone and their representatives alone? How should the benefits arising from the ability to create money be distributed internationally? Second, should the stability of exchange rates be a goal and, if so, how should the responsibility for maintaining stability be apportioned? When adjustment of exchange rates is required, who should bear the burdens associated with such adjustment? Third, what arrangements should govern the accumulation and discharge of debt in the international setting? In what respects should debt contracted by states be governed by different rules than debt contracted by private agents? What forms of conditionality may be imposed by creditors, such as international institutions, governments, or private lenders, as part of a just framework of international borrowing and repayment? These questions exemplify rather than exhaust the dilemmas that arise with regard to international monetary arrangements. Global egalitarians should imagine the alternative forms that such arrangements can take as elements of a realistic utopia.