cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design, testing, and installation of a high-precision hexapod for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope dark energy experiment (HETDEX)

Engineers from The University of Texas at Austin Center for Electromechanics and McDonald Observatory have designed, built, and laboratory tested a high payload capacity, precision hexapod for use on the Hobby-Eberly telescope as part of the HETDEX Wide Field Upgrade (WFU). The hexapod supports the 4200 kg payload which includes the wide field corrector, support structure, and other optical/electronic components. This paper provides a recap of the hexapod actuator mechanical and electrical design including a discussion on the methods used to help determine the actuator travel to prevent the hexapod payload from hitting any adjacent, stationary hardware. The paper describes in detail the tooling and methods used to assemble the full hexapod, including many of the structures and components which are supported on the upper hexapod frame. Additionally, details are provided on the installation of the hexapod onto the new tracker bridge, including design decisions that were made to accommodate the lift capacity of the Hobby- Eberly Telescope dome crane. Laboratory testing results will be presented verifying that the performance goals for the hexapod, including positioning, actuator travel, and speeds have all been achieved. This paper may be of interest to mechanical and electrical engineers responsible for the design and operations of precision hardware on large, ground based telescopes. In summary, the hexapod development cycle from the initial hexapod actuator performance requirements and design, to the deployment and testing on the newly designed HET tracker system is all discussed, including lessons learned through the process.
Parent- and self-ratings of anxiety in children with mental retardation: Agreement levels and test-retest reliability

Abstract This study examined fears in children with and without developmental disabilities. Children assigned to classes designated as developmentally handicapped (D), integrated (or mainstreamed) (1), and regular (R) were assessed. In all, 82 children were tested and retested over a 2-week interval. Self ratings and parent ratings were obtained. Three instruments were used to assess specific fears, social anxiety, social competence, and behavior problems: the Fear Survey Schedule for Children - Revised, the Social Anxiety Scale for Children, and the Child Behavior Rating Form. Correlations between parent and child ratings were fair to good. Child-parent agreement was nonsignificantly higher for children without disabilities and for children with mild handicaps integrated into regular education programs than for children in classes designated as Developmentally Handicapped. Children's test- retest reliabilities were generally higher than those of parents. Children without disabilities showed significantly higher consistency over time than children with disabilities.
Bacterial Oxidation of Methyl Bromide in Mono Lake, California

The oxidation of methyl bromide (MeBr) in the water column of Mono Lake, CA, was studied by measuring the formation of H14CO3 from [14C]MeBr. Potential oxidation was detected throughout the water column, with highest rates occurring in the epilimnion (5−12 m depth). The oxidation of MeBr was eliminated by filter-sterilization, thereby demonstrating the involvement of bacteria. Vertical profiles of MeBr activity differed from those obtained for nitrification and methane oxidation, indicating that MeBr oxidation is not simply a co-oxidation process by either nitrifiers or methanotrophs. Furthermore, specific inhibitors of methane oxidation and/or nitrification (e.g., methyl fluoride, acetylene, allyl sulfide) had no effect upon the rate of MeBr oxidation in live samples. Of a variety of potential electron donors added to Mono Lake water, only trimethylamine resulted in the stimulation of MeBr oxidation. Cumulatively, these results suggest that the oxidation of MeBr in Mono Lake waters is attributable to tri...
Schism on the Left: the Motivations and Impact of Ralph Nader's Candidacy

In the United States there is noticeably less controversy over the third party candidacy of Ralph Nader in this year's election than there has been in the previous two. Nader was blamed by many on the left for the Democratic Party's loss of the 2000 election. He has further provoked the ire of the Democrats by claiming that there is no difference between the Democratic and Republican parties. This article will focus on addressing several of the emergent questions from the Nader candidacies, namely: is there a difference between the two parties in the United States? Did Ralph Nader cost the Democrats the election in 2000? Are citizens better off voting for the ideal candidate or settling for the best candidate who has a chance of victory?
The response of a mixing layer formed between parallel streams to a concomitant excitation at two frequencies

Abstract : Simultaneous excitation of a turbulent mixing layer by two frequencies, a fundamental and a subharmonic, was investigated experimentally. Plane perturbations were introduced to the flow at its origin by a small oscillating flap. The results describe two experiments that differ only in the amplitudes of the imposed perturbations and both are compared to the data acquired while the mixing layer was forced at a single frequency. Conventional statistical quantities such as: mean velocity profiles, widths of the flow, turbulent intensities, spectra, phase-locked velocity and vorticity fields, as well as streak-lines were computed. The rate of spread of the flow under concomitant excitation at the two frequencies was much greater than under a single frequency although it remained dominated by two-dimensional eddies. The Reynolds stresses and turbulence production are associated with the deformation and orientation of the large coherent vortices. When the major axis of the coherent vortices starts leaning forward on the high velocity side of the flow, the production of turbulent energy changes sign (i.e., becomes negative) and it results in thinning the flow in the direction of streaming. It also indicates that energy is extracted from the turbulence to the mean motion. Resonance phenomena play an important role in the evolution of the flow. A vorticity budget showed that the change in mean vorticity was mainly caused by the nonlinear interaction between coherent vorticities. Nevertheless the locally dominant frequency scales the mean growth rate, the inclination and distortion of the mean velocity profiles as well as the phase-locked vorticity contours.
Purification and some properties of rat spleen phospholipase A

Abstract A phospholipid-degrading enzyme, phospholipase A (EC 3.1.1.4), has been purified from rat spleen. This enzyme has the following properties: (1) a specificity for the fatty acid at the 2-position, (2) activation by Ca 2+ , (3) a pH optimum around 7.0, (4) inhibition by various divalent cations such as Mg 2+ , Hg 2+ , Fe 2+ , Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ , (5) an isoelectric pointy around 7.4, (6) a molecular weight of 15 000, (7) inhibition by Triton X-100 and EDTA, (8) sensitivity to inhibition by deoxycholate when phosphatidyicholine is used as substrate, and insensitivity to deoxycholate inhibition when the substrate is phosphatidylethanolamine, (9) increased resistance, in the presence of fat, to heat denaturation of low pH.
The Irony of Marisa Merz

OCTOBER 124, Spring 2008, pp. 157–168 © 2008 October Magazine, Ltd. and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It is difficult to provide a clear idea of the work of Marisa Merz as a whole, for inasmuch as it has been presented to the public only piecemeal, and then only at long intervals, its overall contours are not easily grasped. To be sure, her works have been documented—they have appeared in both individual and group shows since 1966—but such photographs are of limited value, providing only a rough idea of the works in question.1 By its very nature, her work is difficult to capture in photographs—the extremely subtle pieces made of copper wire or nylon threads, for example. Producing photographs that provide a sense of their presentation, their placement in context and in space, is even more difficult. The exhibitions have not been about quantity, that is to say staking out and occupying a given amount of space, but about realizing the experience of space as a quality. And this experience is not something that can be exclusively associated with a single artistic genre such as sculpture. In the work of Merz, it happens that each piece, whatever its nature, is first of all meant to be perceived as a phenomenon in space, one that sets its own parameters rather than deriving them from any particular genre. This means that for exhibition purposes, pictures and objects in space do not align themselves or intersect with central axes, using the space as background. Nor do the works create within a given space an autonomous internal space, as it were, in either the physical or psychological sense—a kind of space that follows its own rules, independent of the architecture, and forces its reality onto the viewer, whether within the shelter of the environment or in arrangements inspired by behaviorism or phenomenology.2 To a certain extent, Merz’s works abide by existing structural boundaries, cozying up against them and underscoring their function as determinants of an actual space. In their reciprocal relationship with the space—that is, in arrangements in which the works
Prediction of wave height based on half-cycle excursion analysis

Abstract This paper presents a method to evaluate statistical properties of half-cycle excursions including extreme values. The probability density function for half-cycle excursions for an arbitrarily given wave spectrum is developed based on the Gaussian assumption. The results of numerical computations carried out using wave data obtained during hurricane Camille show that the half-cycle probability density function agrees well with the histogram constructed from the data. The extreme wave height for design consideration computed with risk parameter 0.01 is approximately 20% greater than the observed extreme height.
Vapor-phase epitaxy of gallium nitride by gallium arc discharge evaporation

Abstract Vapor-phase epitaxy of GaN was performed by combining ammonia with gallium evaporated into an inert gas stream by a DC arc discharge, and letting the mixture pass through a pair of heated graphite susceptors. Growth rates as high as 30 μm/h were achieved. The growth on the top sample was specular in a large area, and was of high quality as characterized by atomic force microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The bottom sample had a high density of macroscopic defects, presumably caused by Ga droplets in the gas phase resulting from the arc evaporation process. The experimental growth rate was found to be less than 1 3 of values predicted in a computer flow dynamic model of the growth system, and Ga–NH3 pre-reactions were implicated as the likely cause of the discrepancy. The growth efficiency, calculated to 2%, could arguably be improved by reducing the reactor growth pressure, and by changing the reactor geometry to avoid Ga condensation on walls. Potential advantages of the described growth technique are cheap source materials of high purity and low equipment costs. Furthermore, since no corrosive gasses were used, hardware corrosion and gas-phase impurities can be reduced.
Treatment of Epidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita with the Humanized Anti-Tac mAb Daclizumab

Abstract Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease characterized by IgG anti-basement membrane autoantibodies to collagen VII. Since autoantibody formation in EBA patients is thought to be T-cell-dependent, the degree of T cell activation in three patients (all males, ages 33–44 years) was assessed by quantitation of soluble Tac, a fragment of the α-subunit of the high-affinity IL-2 receptor (CD25). Soluble Tac levels in all patients were elevated [highest random values, 2430, 920, and 560 IU/ml (normal range, 112–502)]. Based on such findings, these patients were treated with the humanized murine monoclonal anti-Tac antibody daclizumab (1 mg/kg, 6–12 iv treatments at 2- to 4-week intervals). All patients had a significant, rapid, and persistent decrease in lymphocyte CD25 expression. Though a moderate decrease in lymphocyte expression of 7G7, an IL-2 receptor epitope not bound by daclizumab, was noted, stable levels of CD3 cells and in vitro saturation studies indicated that daclizumab effectively bound CD25 and did not promote clearance of such cells from peripheral blood. There were no complications and no patient developed antibodies against daclizumab. While no apparent clinical benefit was seen in two patients with dermolytic disease, one patient with inflammatory EBA had a favorable response. While on daclizumab, this patient stopped prednisone, significantly reduced dapsone, and improved clinically. Furthermore, his disease flared when treatment was stopped, and resumption of daclizumab again effected improvement within 2 weeks. Daclizumab therapy is safe and well tolerated in EBA patients. It may be effective as a corticosteroid sparing agent in patients with inflammatory EBA.
Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum

Background: Primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum is a rare form of adenocarcinoma of the large intestine. The purpose of this study was to help better define the natural history of this entity. Methods: The medical records of 3,690 patients with colorectal cancer seen at The Roswell Park Cancer Institute between September 1971 and December 1993 were reviewed. We report on 29 patients with pathologic confirmation of primary signet-ring cell carcinoma. Patient demographics, clinical, and histologic parameters were evaluated. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: There was a nearly equal distribution of primary signet-ring cell carcinoma between the right colon and left colon/rectum. In most cases the tumors were >6 cm, ulcerated, and involved the full thickness of the bowel wall. Nodal or metastatic disease was present in 21 of 29 patients (72%) at the time of diagnosis. Four patients (14%) had synchronous colorectal adenocarcinomas. Twenty-two patients died of disease progression. At the time of death, two patients (9%) had failed in the liver, whereas all 22 patients had peritoneal carcinomatosis. Conclusions: Patients with primary signet-ring cell colorectal carcinoma frequently present with late-stage disease. In 23 of 29 patients, the disease rapidly recurred or progressed. Peritoneal carcinomatosis is the most common pattern of failure.
Colonialism and Landscape: Postcolonial Theory and Applications

Andrew Sluyter. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2002. xi and 267 pp., maps, diags., photos., notes, and index. $27.95 paper (ISBN 0-7425-1560-5). From the opening chapter, entitled “Colonialism...
Estimation of Venous Blood Volume in the Dog by the Indicator-Dilution Method

The indicator-dilution method of determining cardiac output and mean transit times can be employed to estimate indirectly the volume of blood in the larger veins in vivo although it is difficult to define precisely the peripheral anatomic boundaries of the volume so measured. In 12 anesthetized dogs the "venous" blood volume obtained by multiplying cardiac output and mean transit time from femoral vein to right atrium averaged 16.6 ml./Kg., or 18 per cent of total blood volume. Rapid intravenous infusion of dextran solution caused no significant change in the blood volume of the large veins, heart or lungs.
Effect of Al2O3 nanoparticle deposition on flow boiling performance of water in a microchannel

Abstract Flow boiling performance of a Cu microchannel coated with Al2O3 nanoparticle has been investigated experimentally. Experiments were performed in a single microchannel having hydraulic diameter of 672 μm using de-ionized (DI) water as the coolant. Surface morphology of the microchannel was modified by depositing nanoparticles through pool boiling of ethanol based alumina (Al2O3) nanofluid. Flow boiling, along with single-phase convective heat transfer experiments were performed at different mass flux and different inlet sub-cooling. Results from the microchannel with bare surface are used as the reference data. Nanoparticles deposited surface was found effective in enhancing the critical heat flux (CHF); up to 39% enhancement in CHF was observed in this experimental range. However, the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) was observed to be reduced marginally for the nanoparticles coated surface compared with the bare surface.
Temporal Chemical Variability in Acid Sensitive High Elevation Lakes

Chemical indicators suggest that slight, but discernable acidification occurs during smowmelt in some highly sensitive Cascade Mountain Lakes (mean alkalinity 20 ueq L−1). Although some SO4 in the lakes (mean 13 μeq L−1 ) comes from local geologic sources, several considerations suggest that some also comes from atmospheric deposition and anthropogenic sources. If sampling is stratified, the relatively low lake-to-lake and year-to-year variability in chemical constituents demonstrates that these highly sensitive lakes represent excellent indicators of acidification. The contention that precipitation pH >4.6 is needed for protection of sensitive lakes is supported. However, the slight but temporary acidification effect currently detectable during snowmelt, suggests that for adequate protection of these highly sensitive lakes, precipitation pH should be >4.7 to 4.8.
Asymptotic representation of the cycle of Van der Pol's equation for small damping coefficients

Le cycle limite de l'equation de Van der Pol est developpe en serie potentielle selon le coefficient d'amortissement e; les coefficients de la serie sont des sommes trigonometriques finies ayant le temps pour argument. Du fait que ces developpements sont produits sur ordinateur de maniere completement automatique, on a pu les pousser jusqu'a une puissance elevee de e. Aussi, meme pour des valeurs de e aussi, elevees que 1.75, les estimations de l'amplitude et de la periode fournie par les series ne s'ecartent pas de plus de 10−3 des valeurs correctes; ces dernieres ont ete calculees en integrant par series de puissances recurrentes l'equation de Van der Pol et l'equation aux variations qui lui est associee.
An evaluation of the Train the Trainer International Breast Health and Breast Cancer Education: lessons learned.

Background. Train the Trainer (TTT) Breast Health and Breast Cancer Education program was a workshop for nurses to improve knowledge about breast health and breast cancer. Methods. The TTT approach used several teaching-learning strategies. A total of 3 programs were held biannually since 2000; 32 nurses represented 20 international countries. Results. In 2000, participants represented developed countries. In 2002 and 2004, participants represented limited resource nations in Africa, Asia, and South America. Formative and summative evaluations using e-mail survey showed that over 1400 patients and families and over 900 nurses and doctors were reached. Conclusions. Findings support viability of international breast health and/or breast cancer education programs.
Narcolepsy and other disorders of excessive sleepiness.

Narcolepsy is a neurologic disorder characterized by abnormal boundary control between wakefulness and sleep, which results in chronic sleepiness and symptoms caused by intrusion of rapid eye movement sleep physiology into wakefulness. Symptoms are potentially disabling and most patients are challenged throughout their lives with psychosocial accompaniments that affect many aspects of life. Recently investigators have made significant progress in understanding the molecular genetics and pathophysiology of narcolepsy. Treatment is directed at control of symptoms through a combination of medication and behavioral changes. Management requires a comprehensive approach including education and emotional support for patients and their families; close monitoring of response to treatment and for emergence of other sleep disorders; and careful follow-up to identify academic, vocational, or safety issues. Future directions for therapy may use specific hypocretin agonists or primary prevention strategies.
Identification and Characterization of Tyrosyl Radical Formation in Mycobacterium tuberculosisCatalase-Peroxidase (KatG)

Abstract The catalytic function of Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase (KatG) and its role in activation of the anti-tuberculosis antibiotic isoniazid were investigated using rapid freeze-quench electron paramagnetic resonance (RFQ-EPR) experiments. The reaction of KatG with peroxyacetic acid was followed as a function of time using x-band EPR at 77 K. A doublet EPR signal appears within 6.4 ms after mixing and at time points through hundreds of milliseconds. Thereafter, a singlet signal develops and finally predominates after 1 s, with a total yield of radical ∼0.5 spin/heme. Simulation of the spectra provided EPR parameters consistent with those for tyrosyl radicals. Changes in the hyperfine splitting and/or line width in spectra forl-3,3-[2H2]tyrosine-labeled, but notl-2,4,5,6,7-[2H5]tryptophan-labeled KatG confirmed this assignment. The initial rate of radical formation was unchanged using a 3-fold or 10-fold excess of peroxyacetic acid, consistent with a rate-determining step involving an intermediate. Although Compound I is likely to be the precursor of tyrosyl radical in KatG, neither its EPR signal nor its reduction to Compound II during formation of the radical(s) could be observed. The tyrosyl radical doublet signal was rapidly quenched by addition of isoniazid and benzoic hydrazide, but not by iproniazid, which binds poorly to KatG.
Weak complementarity and production

Abstract This paper describes how weak complementarity, a common assumption to characterize consumer preferences for recovering measures of willingness to pay for nonmarketed environmental resources, can be used to evaluate the effects of pollution that may affect profits or costs. In such cases, pollution serves as an externality imposed by third parties on production activities.
Autoradiography of dopamine D2 receptors using [3H]YM-09151-2.

Rat brain dopamine D2 receptors were labeled autoradiographically using the potent and selective benzamide, [3H]YM-09151-2. Saturation binding data, quantified from autoradiograms, showed specific binding of [3H]YM-09151-2 to striatal D2 receptors with a KD of 82 pM and Bmax of 0.696 pmol/mg protein. Binding equilibrium occurred within 3 h, and a dissociation constant of 15 pM was obtained in kinetic studies. Antagonist competition curves were monophasic and displayed an order of potency expected for D2 receptors: (+)-butaclamol > (−)-sulpiride > SCH 23390 > mianserin. Competition by dopamine resulted in a shallow, biphasic displacement curve. The distribution of [3H]YM-09151-2 binding sites matched the known pattern for D2 receptors, with dense labeling in striatum, olfactory tubercles and nucleus accumbens, and moderate levels in substantia nigra pars compacta and mamillary nuclei. Much lower levels of non-specific binding were observed than are typically obtained when using [3H]spiperone as the ligand. The coincident high affinity and selectivity of [3H]YM-09151-2 for D2 sites should make this compound a preferred choice for tritium-based D2 autoradiography.
Dissociation of the benzene ion by low energy collisions

Abstract The dissociation of C6H6+ ions in collision with gases such as argon and nitrogen was examined in the centre-of-mass energy range of 0–20 eV using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. For ions produced in an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source, the energy thresholds were dependent on target thickness and consistent with a two-step dissociation process at low energies via an excited state. For ions produced in an electron impact source, the dissociation cross-section at low collision energies depended strongly on the electron energy used to produce the ions, again indicating the importance of long-lived ions with some internal energy of excitation. Threshold energies for ground-state ions were determined from measurements on ions produced in the APCI source dissociating at low target thicknesses under single collision conditions.
Development of cerebellar connectivity in human fetal brains revealed by high angular resolution diffusion tractography

High angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) tractography has provided insights into major white matter pathways and cortical development in the human fetal cerebrum. Our objective in this study was to further apply HARDI tracography to the developing human cerebellum ranging from fetal to adult stages, to outline in broad strokes the 3-dimensional development of white matter and local gray matter organization in the cerebellum. We imaged intact fixed fetal cerebellum specimens at 17 gestational weeks (W), 21W, 31W, 36W, and 38W along with an adult cerebellum for comparison. At the earliest gestational age studied (17W), coherent pathways that formed the superior, middle, and inferior cerebellar peduncles were already detected, but pathways between deep cerebellar nuclei and the cortex were not observed until after 38W. At 36-38W, we identified emerging regional specification of the middle cerebellar peduncle. In the cerebellar cortex, we observed disappearance of radial organization in the sagittal orientation during the studied developmental stages similar to our previous observations in developing cerebral cortex. In contrast, in the axial orientation, cerebellar cortical pathways emerged first sparsely (31W) and then with increased prominence at 36-38W with pathways detected both in the radial and tangential directions to the cortical surface. The cerebellar vermis first contained only pathways tangential to the long axes of folia (17-21W), but pathways parallel to the long axes of folia emerged between 21 and 31W. Our results show the potential for HARDI tractography to image developing human cerebellar connectivity.
Amorphous, hydrous, ferric phosphatic dermal granules in Molpadia (Holothuroidea): Physical and chemical characterization and ecologic implications of the bioinorganic fraction

The bioinorganic fraction of the dermal granules of Molpadia intermedia from a wide variety of habitats has been studied by chemical analysis, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, visible and infrared spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility. It was found to have many similarities to polynuclear iron(III) proteins. Silica was found to be an integral component of the granules. The proportions of the major elements, P and Si, were found to vary with habitat as well as the minor elements, Ca and Mg, whereas the Fe content remained relatively constant. Models are proposed for the microstructure of the granules and the processes of their growth.
Use of an implantable pleural catheter for trapped lung syndrome in patients with malignant pleural effusion.

Study objectives We describe a series of patients with symptomatic, refractory malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and underlying trapped lung syndrome who underwent placement of a small-bore, flexible indwelling pleural catheter for home drainage of recurrent MPE. Design The medical records of 11 consecutive patients who underwent pleural catheter placement for MPE with trapped lung syndrome were reviewed retrospectively. Setting Patients were evaluated and followed up in the Pulmonary Outpatient Practice at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Patients Nine men and two women with underlying malignancies including lung cancer, lymphoma, and mesothelioma underwent pleural catheter placement. Interventions Thirteen pleural catheters were placed in 11 patients, all under local anesthesia. Patients received detailed instructions for drainage and catheter care. They were reevaluated weekly for the first 2 weeks, and then as clinically indicated. Patients typically performed pleural drainage at home up to 1,000 mL two or three times weekly. Measurements and results All patients reported symptomatic benefit, defined as improved dyspnea and exercise tolerance, except for one patient. In 10 patients, the pleural catheters remained in place until death, for 15 to 234 days. The mean length of placement was 115 days. One patient required revision after catheter occlusion. Other complications included catheter infection, localized skin breakdown, and possible cellulitis. Conclusion We have described a series of patients with MPE and trapped lung syndrome for whom placement of a permanent pleural catheter provided a convenient, effective alternative to the procedures currently in use. Our patients reported good symptomatic relief following catheter placement with few major complications.
Synthesis and characterization of reactive PEO–PMCL polymersomes

Targeted drug delivery offers the possibility to greatly improve treatment outcomes for diseases such as cancer by enhancing specificity, thus minimizing detrimental side effects from off target delivery. Polymer vesicles, or polymersomes, have been shown to be a promising delivery vehicle capable of encapsulating a variety of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs in a nanoscale, long-circulating carrier. We have synthesized and thoroughly characterized the end-functionalized and amphiphilic diblock polymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(γ-methyl-e-caprolactone). This block copolymer self-assembles in water to form polymersomes containing the vinyl sulfone electrophile at the poly(ethylene oxide) corona terminus. Following polymersome self-assembly, this functional group underwent efficient, site-selective attachment to a thiol-containing targeting peptide by a conjugate addition reaction under mild conditions and did not react with targeting peptides lacking a thiol. The vesicle morphology was unaltered following peptide addition. This work develops a versatile platform for the targeted delivery of therapeutics.
Detecting population decline of birds using long-term monitoring data

Abrupt population change in birds may be caused by various factors. When such events occur, it is important to understand the population-level impact on the species. We applied a change point analysis with Markov chain Monte Carlo using long-term population count data to address this question. We first investigated the method with a simple Poisson model using synthetic data sets for different population decline scenarios and number of observations. Estimated change points were particularly accurate when a large decline in counts occurred. Accuracy and precision of posterior change magnitude tended to increase when actual change magnitude became larger. We applied the method to two cases using data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey: epidemic mortality of Florida scrub-jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) in central Florida and population decline of American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) in Maryland and Virginia after West Nile virus emergence. The Florida scrub-jay case study indicated that the estimated change point was accurate compared with that reported by local monitoring. A Poisson-log model that included observer and year variability resulted in better fit to the data than a simple Poisson model. The American crow case study showed that the method detected change points towards the end of observational data, but not all change point parameters converged, which may suggest that a population decline did not occur or was small for some survey routes we analyzed. Our study demonstrates the utility of change point analysis to examine abrupt population change. Data from systematic long-term monitoring can be a basis of such an analysis.
Statistical Modeling of a Pharmacokinetic System

Abstract The aim of the article is to investigate the drug concentration behavior in a three-compartment open pharmacokinetic model which describes the disposition of an antibiotic drug used in Lyme disease, coumermycin A 1. We study a system of random differential equations representing this model. The three rate constants that are used in the system of differential equations are simulated using the trivariate truncated normal probability distribution. The initial values of the rate constants that are used in the simulation are calculated from the pharmacokinetic profile of coumermycin A 1 determined in four human subjects based on the serum level data obtained from the report of a clinical study. The extensive numerical solutions for the system of random differential equations under different combinations of the covariance structure and the initial conditions are developed. Numerical comparisons of the deterministic characterizations of the drug concentration as a function of time of the individual comp...
Ab Initio Kinetics for Decomposition/Isomerization Reactions of C2H5O Radicals

Radical reactions: The ground-state potential energy surface of the C(2)H(5)O system is investigated by ab initio methods using optimized geometries. The rate constants for the unimolecular isomerization and decomposition reactions of the three isomeric radicals (see picture) are calculated by microcanonical transition-state theory at 200-3000 K, varying the pressures of the diluents.The ground-state potential energy surface of the C(2)H(5)O system, including the decomposition and isomerization of the ethoxy (CH(3)CH(2)O), 1-hydroxyethyl (CH(3)CHOH), and 2-hydroxyethyl (CH(2)CH(2)OH) radicals, is computed by the modified Gaussian-2 (G2M) and CCSD(T)/6-311+G(3df,2p) methods by using the geometries optimized at the B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) level of theory. These detailed reaction pathways are used to calculate the rate constants for the unimolecular isomerization and decomposition reactions of the three radicals by the microcanonical transition-state theory and Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) theory in the temperature range of 200-3000 K at varying pressures of He and other diluents. The predicted rate constants are in reasonable agreement with the available experimental data. In addition, the predicted heats of formation of the three isomeric radicals are compared with available experimental and theoretical values.
Multihopping and waveband assignment in limited reconfigurable WDM networks

We compare the performance of various transponder waveband assignment algorithms when multihopping is done by OEO conversions in a limited reconfigurable network. We propose an algorithm to find a multihopped route with minimum OEO conversions.
On fractional Brownian motion limits in one dimen- sional nearest-neighbor symmetric simple exclusion

A well-known result with respect to the one dimensional nearest-neigh- bor symmetric simple exclusion process is the convergence to fractional Brownian motion with Hurst parameter 1/4, in the sense of finite-dimensional distributions, of the subdiffusively rescaled current across the origin, and the subdiffusively rescaled tagged particle position. The purpose of this note is to improve this convergence to a functional central limit theorem, with respect to the uniform topology, and so complete the solution to a conjecture in the literature with respect to simple exclusion processes.
Correlation length and fractal dimension interpretation from seismic data using variograms and power spectra

Recent modeling techniques for fluid flow in a reservoir or an aquifer require characterizing the statistics of the spatial variability of physical properties such as porosity or reflectivity. The major interest of such modeling is in horizontal variations. We acquired a nontraditional seismic survey and analyzed it for the statistical parameters of correlation length and fractal dimension. Variograms and power spectra can extract these parameters from migrated sections. Statistical parameters are valuable for newly established hydrogeologic modeling techniques, with their definition greatly increasing the understanding of the aquifer under study. Applying similar techniques may also prove valuable for reservoir exploitation in the petroleum industry. We acquired our survey on top of a bench of an open-pit diatomite quarry and extracted the statistical parameters for an exposed vertical face. The imaged zone of interest is therefore physically accessible to future permeability studies that could validate our interpreted parameters. We can interpret horizontal, but not vertical, correlation lengths and fractal dimensions from either variograms or power spectra of our migrated seismic images. The horizontal correlation length and fractal dimension extracted from the seismic variograms match those extracted from photographs taken of the quarry face.
An Analysis of Manufacturer‐Retailer Supply Chain Coordination in Cooperative Advertising*

In the literature of cooperative (co-op) advertising, the focus of the research is on a relationship in which a manufacturer is the leader and retailers are followers. This relationship implies the dominance of the manufacturer over retailers. Recent market trends have shown a shift in power from manufacturers to retailers. Retailers, as a result, may now possess equal or even greater power than a manufacturer in some instances when it comes to retailing. Based on this new market phenomenon, we intend to explore the role of co-op advertising in a manufacturer-retailer supply chain through brand name investments, local advertising expenditures, and sharing rules of advertising expenses. Two co-op advertising models are developed and compared. The first co-op advertising model is based on the traditional leader-follower relationship of a manufacturer and a retailer. The second model incorporates partnership into co-op advertising coordination. Business examples and managerial implications of the models have been discussed. A cooperative bargaining technique is utilized to implement the partnership co-op advertising model.
Domínios de saúde e raça nas medidas genéricas de qualidade de vida associada à saúde na literatura dos Estados Unidos

Race differences in health have been extensively analyzed and documented in the literature, especially between African Americans or blacks and whites in the United States. Despite the vast literature in the area, the majority of studies that explore the relationship between race and health use outcomes such as selfrated health, mortality or morbidity, and disability, but very few use Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) measures and their domains or dimensions. This narrative review aims to provide a better understanding of the relationship between race and health domains that are commonly used in preference-based HRQoL measures. We investigated the literature on race, physical health, mental health, pain and discomfort, cognition, neurologic spectrum domains, dexterity, ambulation, vitality and social functioning domains. We conducted a literature search and review using the key words race and the health domain of interest, using medical and social sciences databases, such as MEDLINE/Pubmed, Web of Science, and the Google Scholar portal.The majority of the studies identified in the literature show that African Americans or blacks in the United States tend to have lower scores than whites throughout a variety of health domains found in preference-based HRQoL measures. This review also emphasizes the scarcity of studies that investigate some health domains, such as social functioning, dexterity, vitality and neurologic spectrum domains, and therefore we identify the need for more studies focusing on race and measures that address such domains.
Colovenous fistula complicating diverticulitis: CT and radiographic findings

We report a case of colovenous fistula to the inferior mesenteric vein complicating diverticulitis and mimicking coloureteral fistula. This is the second reported case of venous intravasaation of barium complicating diverticulitis that mimicks coloureteral fistula. Radiographic features and characteristics differentiating these two entities are presented.
Production of Specific Antibodies Against Diethylistilbestrol

Abstract Specific antibodies against diethylstibestrol (DES) were obtained from one ewe immunized against DES-Succinate-human serum albumin conjugate. Using tritiated DES as a tracer, a radioimmunoassay for DES was developed. The senstivity of the standard curve was between 0.25 and 0.5 ng, using a mass of tracer of about 0.5 ng. The antiserum did not cross react with any naturally occurring steroid tested. After oral administration of 10 mgm of DES to a male subject, plasma DES measured after ether extraction reached peak levels of 18.4 and 18.6 ng/ml of plasma 1 and 2 hours later. Plasma DES was still detectable 10 hours after administration. Proof of the validity of this assay for the measurement of DES in cattle would require testing the interference of many plant nonsteroidal estrogen chemically related to DES.
Innovative Operating Modes And Techniques For The Spaceborne Imaging Radar-C Instrument

The operation of the spaceborne imaging radar-C (SIR-C) is discussed. The SIR-C instrument has been designed to obtain simultaneous multifrequency and simultaneous multipolarization radar images from a low earth orbit. It is a multiparameter imaging radar which will be flown during at least two different seasons. The instrument has been designed to operate in innovative modes such as the squint alignment mode, the extended aperture mode, the scansar mode, and the interferometry mode. The instrument has been designed to demonstrate innovative engineering techniques such as beam nulling for echo tracking, pulse-repetition frquency hopping for Doppler centroid tracking, generating the frequency step chirp for radar parameter flexibility, block floating point quantizing for data rate compression, and elevation beamwidth broadening for increasing the swath illumination.
Dietary salt intake activates MAP kinases in the rat kidney

This study explored the hypothesis that dietary salt promoted changes in renal expression of TGF-beta1 and NOS3 by modulating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained for four days on formulated diets that contained 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, or 8.0% NaCl. An increase in salt intake to greater than or equal to 3.0% NaCl increased kinase activities of p38 MAPK and p42/44 MAPK, but not p46/54 JNK/SAPK, in the cortex and outer and inner medulla. Associated with this increased activity was a relative increase in the phosphorylated forms of the transcription factors ATF-2 and Elk-1. Compared with rats on 0.3% NaCl diet, glomerular preparations from rats on 8.0% NaCl diet contained more NOS3 and produced greater amounts of total and active TGF-beta1 and NOx. PD-098059, a MEK1 inhibitor, and SB-203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPKalpha-gamma, diminished NOS3 expression and production of TGF-beta1 and NOx. TEA, administered intravenously 5 min before harvesting kidneys of rats on the 8.0% NaCl diet, decreased activities of both p38 MAPK and p42/44 MAPK, compared with vehicle-treated animals. Thus, an increase in dietary salt activated through a TEA-sensitive pathway the p38 MAPK and p42/44 MAPK signaling cascades, which promoted the increase in glomerular TGF-beta1 and NOS3 expression.
The Effects of Al Particle Size on the Burning Rate and Residual Oxide in Aluminized Propellants

The effect was examined of aluminum particle size and of bimodal Al particle size on the burning rate of propellants and the particle size distribution of residual product Al2O3. It is shown that major modification of the burning rate and product size can be achieved by replacement of 20% of the conventional Al by 0.1µm Al. These effects result from the presence of an intense near surface Al flame when 0.1µm fine Al is present.
Compiler-assisted multiple instruction rollback recovery using a read buffer

Multiple instruction rollback (MIR) is a technique that has been implemented in mainframe computers to provide rapid recovery from transient processor failures. Hardware-based MIR designs eliminate rollback data hazards by providing data redundancy implemented in hardware. Compiler-based MIR designs have also been developed which remove rollback data hazards directly with data-flow transformations. This paper describes compiler-assisted techniques to achieve multiple instruction rollback recovery. We observe that some data hazards resulting from instruction rollback can be resolved efficiently by providing an operand read buffer while others are resolved more efficiently with compiler transformations. The compiler-assisted scheme presented consists of hardware that is less complex than shadow files, history files, history buffers, or delayed write buffers, while experimental evaluation indicates performance improvement over compiler-based schemes. >
Therapy of murine tumors with p53 wild-type and mutant sequence peptide-based vaccines.

The BALB/c Meth A sarcoma carries a p53 missense mutation at codon 234, which occurs in a peptide, termed 234CM, capable of being presented to cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) by H-2Kd molecules (Noguchi, Y., E.C. Richards, Y.-T. Chen, and L.J. Old. 1994. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 91:3171-3175). Immunization of BALB/c mice with bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DC), generated in the presence of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 4, and prepulsed with the Meth A p53 mutant peptide, induced CTL that specifically recognized peptide-pulsed P815 cells, as well as Meth A cells naturally expressing this epitope. Immunization with this vaccine also protected naive mice from a subsequent tumor challenge, and it inhibited tumor growth in mice bearing day 7 subcutaneous Meth A tumors. We additionally determined that immunization of BALB/c mice with DC pulsed with the p53 peptide containing the wild-type residue at position 234, 234CW, induced peptide-specific CTL that reacted against several methylcholanthrene-induced BALB/c sarcomas, including CMS4 sarcoma, and rejection of CMS4 sarcoma in vaccination and therapy (day 7) protocols. These results support the efficacy of DC-based, p53-derived peptide vaccines for the immunotherapy of cancer. The translational potential of this strategy is enhanced by previous reports showing that DC can readily be generated from human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
Enhancing genome investigations in the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus via BAC library construction and characterization.

Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) is a major species in the Culex pipiens complex and an important vector for several human pathogens including West Nile virus and parasitic filarial nematodes causing lymphatic filariasis. It is common throughout tropical and subtropical regions and is among the most geographically widespread mosquito species. Although the complete genome sequence is now available, additional genomic tools are needed to improve the sequence assembly. We constructed a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library using the pIndigoBAC536 vector and Hin dIII partially digested DNA isolated from Cx. quinquefasciatus pupae, Johannesburg strain (NDJ). Insert size was estimated by Not I digestion and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of 82 randomly selected clones. To estimate genome coverage, each 384-well plate was pooled for screening with 29 simple sequence repeat (SSR) and five gene markers. The NDJ library consists of 55,296 clones arrayed in 144 384-well microplates. Fragment insert size ranged from 50 to 190 kb in length (mean = 106 kb). Based on a mean insert size of 106 kb and a genome size of 579 Mbp, the BAC library provides ~10.1-fold coverage of the Cx. quinquefasciatus genome. PCR screening of BAC DNA plate pools for SSR loci from the genetic linkage map and for four genes associated with reproductive diapause in Culex pipiens resulted in a mean of 9.0 positive plate pools per locus. The NDJ library represents an excellent resource for genome assembly enhancement and characterization in Culex pipiens complex mosquitoes.