cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A solvent-extraction scheme for the determination of platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium and gold in platiniferous materials

Abstract The integrated scheme described for the determination of five noble metals, combines solvent extraction procedures with atomic absorption spectrometric finishes. It comprises an initial extraction of gold, a simultaneous extraction of platinum and palladium as iodides, and a subsequent simultaneous extraction and preconcentration of rhodium and indium as their 2-mercaptobenzothiazolϵ complexes. The same solvent, methyl isobutyl ketone, and the same acidity, 6 M, are used throughout the extractions. As large amounts of platinum and palladium can be extracted quantitatively as readily as small amounts, the proposed scheme is applicable to a wide range of platiniferous materials, particularly to those with extremely high Pt + Pd to Rh + Ir ratios.
Thermodynamic analysis of hydrogen production by steam reforming

Abstract This paper presents thermodynamic analysis of hydrogen production by steam reforming. The analysis treats the chemistry at two levels: a global species balance assuming complete reaction and solution of the equilibrium composition at the specified reformer temperature. The global reaction allows for an energy balance that leads to analytical expressions for the thermal efficiency. We use this to determine the maximum efficiency, and to distinguish between various definitions of efficiency. To obtain a more realistic estimate of the efficiency, the chemical equilibrium solution is combined with a system energy balance, which compares the energy required to vaporize and heat the fuel–steam mixture to the reformer temperature with the heat available from combusting the residual fuels in the reformate stream. The equilibrium solutions are compared to experimental measurements of the species and thermal efficiency of reforming diesel fuel, obtained with prototype compact steam reformers. The observed efficiency is significantly lower than the equilibrium prediction, indicating that both incomplete reaction and heat transfer losses reduce the performance.
Characterizing Safflower Germplasm with AFLP Molecular Markers

Characterization of saffl ower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) with molecular markers is needed to enhance germplasm management and utilization. Amplifi ed fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis was completed in saffl ower resulting in 102 unambiguous polymorphic markers. Pairwise distances were calculated for eight diverse populations of 12 plants each, and on bulked leaf tissue of 96 accessions. The 96 accessions represented seven world regions (the Americas, China, East Africa, East Europe, the Mediterranean, South Central Asia, and Southwest Asia). A bootstrap procedure was used to compare mean distances within and between populations and regions. Mean distances within populations, a measurement of population diversity, ranged from 0.005 to 0.315 and differed in 22 of 28 possible comparisons. Regions differed in all pairwise comparisons showing that AFLP markers distinguished saffl ower diversity across broad geographic groups. Correlation of the AFLP distance matrix with a phenotypic data matrix with 16 attributes consisting of oil, meal, and growth characteristics was signifi cant (r = 0.12, P < 0.05) but explained only 1.4% of the variation. This weak correspondence between AFLP and phenotypic data showed that both should be used to fully characterize saffl ower diversity. Amplifi ed fragment length polymorphism markers were useful for characterizing diversity in saffl ower and will be valuable for germplasm management and mapping saffl ower traits. R.C. Johnson and T.J. Kisha, USDA-ARS, Box 646402, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA 99164; M.A. Evans, Dep. of Statistics, Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA 99164. Mention of product names does not represent and endorsement of any product or company by the USDA at the exclusion of other suitable products. Received 1 Dec. 2006. *Corresponding author (rcjohnson@wsu.edu). Abbreviations: AFLP, amplifi ed fragment length polymorphism; AWC, Arizona Wild Composite; GRIN, Germplasm Resources Information Network; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; RAPD, random amplifi ed polymorphic DNA.
Correlation of gene transcription with the time of initiation of chromosome replication in Escherichia coli

Transcriptional levels of the Escherichia coli mioC and gidA genes, which flank the chromosomal origin of replication (oriC) and the dnaA gene, were correlated with the time of initiation of chromosome replication. The transcripts were measured either in dnaC2(ts) mutants that had been aligned for initiation of chromosome replication by a temperature shift or in synchronous cultures of cells obtained using the baby machine technique. In both types of experiments, mioC transcription was inhibited prior to initiation of chromosome replication and resumed several minutes after initiation. Conversely, gidA and dnaA transcription were both inhibited after initiation of replication, coincident with the period of hemimethylation of oriC DNA. It is proposed that mioC transcription prevents initiation of chromosome replication, and must terminate before replication can begin. It is further proposed that the eclipse period between rounds of replication, i.e. the minimum interval between successive initiations, encompasses the time required to methylate GATC sequences in newly replicated oriC plus the time required to terminate mioC transcription. Conversely, the active transcription of gidA and dnaA prior to initiation is consistent with their positive effects on initiation, and their shutdown after initiation could serve to limit premature reinitiation.
Molecular Characterization of Pyruvate Carboxylase Deficiency in Two Consanguineous Families

Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is a biotinylated mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to oxaloacetate. Children with inborn errors of PC metabolism have lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, and mental retardation. The variable severity of the clinical phenotype is dependent on both genetic and environmental factors. Two consanguineous families with moderate forms of PC deficiency were characterized at the biochemical and molecular levels. In both families, the probands were found to have low PC activity (range, 2-25% of control) in blood lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts associated with either diminished or normal protein levels. In the first case, sequencing of patient-specific PC cDNA demonstrated a T to C substitution at nucleotide 434, which causes a valine to alanine change at amino acid residue 145. Direct sequencing of the parents showed that they are heterozygous for this mutation. In the second family, a brother and sister had mental retardation and episodes of severe lactic/ketoacidosis in early childhood. In these cases, a C to T substitution at nucleotide 1351 results in a cysteine for arginine substitution at amino acid residue 451; the parents were also found to be heterozygous for this mutation. In both families, no other mutations were found, and both substitutions occurred in relatively conserved amino acid residues. These mutations, located in the biotin carboxylase domain, provide a unique opportunity to analyze how natural occurring mutations affect PC function.
The effects of acute and repeated clonidine administration on fixed-interval performance in rhesus monkeys.

Abstract The effects of clonidine before, during and after 95 days of chronic administration of 100 μg/kg/day clonidine were investigated in five rhesus monkeys which had been trained to lever press under a fixed interval 5-min schedule of food presentation. The effects of clonidine (3–100 μg/kg) were generally to cause dose-related decreases in rates of responding and quarter-life, and increases in the line slopes of rate-dependency plots. Before chronic treatment, 200 μg/kg of clonidine caused somewhat less response rate suppression than 100 μg/kg. During chronic treatment, one monkey showed some development of tolerance to the rate-suppressant effects and another showed tolerance to the quarter-life effects, but the group as a whole did not show evidence of tolerance development to these effects of clonidine. Following cessation of chronic treatment, no overt signs of dependence were observed, however, some subjects did show disruption of schedule-controlled performance during the first week. In general, however, no consistent evidence for the development of tolerance or dependence to clonidine were observed under these dosing conditions.
Albumin peptide: a molecular marker for trauma/hemorrhagic-shock in rat mesenteric lymph.

Vascular permeability and endothelial cell damage has been shown to occur in rats subjected to trauma with hemorrhagic-shock. Although the factors responsible for the endothelial cell injury are unknown, it has been hypothesized that toxic factors produced in response to hemorrhagic-shock originate in the gut and are absorbed into the mesenteric lymphatics. Consistent with this hypothesis, it has been shown that lymph collected from animals subjected to trauma with hemorrhagic-shock (T/HS) results in a marked decrease in endothelial cell viability both in vitro and in vivo. We therefore compared the lymph collected pre-T/HS to samples collected during, and up to 3 h post-T/HS in order to identify a factor present or increased in post-T/HS lymph. This analysis revealed that a single cationic peptide band was significantly increased in post-T/HS lymph, but not in lymph from control animals subjected to trauma without hemorrhagic-shock (T/SS). This peptide was subsequently identified as the N-terminal 24 amino acids of rat serum albumin (RSA) by mass spectrometry and amino acid sequencing. Although the measured increase in the albumin peptide correlates with detectable shock lymph-induced endothelial cell toxicity, the peptide was not toxic to endothelial cells. We therefore propose that the significant increase in the albumin peptide is a marker for post-T/HS lymph-induced endothelial cell toxicity.
Developing culturally sensitive cancer genetics communication aids for African Americans

The goal of this project was to develop educational materials to communicate genetic health information in a culturally sensitive manner. These materials were designed to communicate information about cancer risk, genetic testing options, and health management options in an African American kindred with a known BRCA1 mutation. Educational materials were pilot-tested in four African American focus groups varying in socioeconomic status and gender. The audiotaped focus groups consisted of presentation of the educational materials, followed by a feedback session led by an African American facilitator. Qualitative analysis of the focus group transcripts identified important themes and the educational materials were revised in response to the participants’ suggestions. The products included a booklet and a flip chart for use in educational sessions. Focus group participants recommended a substantial reduction in technical detail, and recommended that information be personalized and made relevant to the lives of the target population. Other critical themes included the importance of building trust in the medical system and avoiding words and images that have strong negative associations in the African American community. Strategies that were successful included nontechnical images to explain genetic concepts, clip art images to energize and personalize word slides, vibrant color, identifiably African American figures, and the development of themes relevant to many African Americans. The use of these materials in an ongoing study offering BRCA1 counseling and testing to a large, rural Louisiana-based kindred will provide additional feedback about the effectiveness of the culturally tailored genetic educationand counseling materials.
An infrared reflection-absorption study of CO chemisorbed on clean and sulfided Ni(111) — Evidence for local surface interactions

Abstract Infrared Reflection-Absorption Spectroscopy (IRAS) has been used to characterize CO chemisorption on a clean and sulfur-modified Ni(111) surface under both ultrahigh vacuum and high CO pressure conditions. On clean Ni(111) correlations between the observed LEED patterns and the infrared spectra show that for the c(4 × 2) structure with a CO coverage of θco = 0.50, all CO molecules occupy two-fold bridge sites as indicated by a single infrared band and 1910 cm−1. For θco = 0.57, a ( 7 2 × 7 2 )R19.1° structure forms with infrared bands at 2058 cm−1 corresponding to terminally bound CO and at 1925 cm−1 for the bridge-bonded CO. The change in the overlayer structures is accompanied by an abrupt change in the coverage dependence of the bridge-bonded CO frequency for adsorption at 80 K. In studies involving known sulfur coverages on Ni(111). a new sulfur-induced CO state is observed with an infrared band which shifts from 2109 cm −1 to 2103 cm−1 corresponding to increasing sulfur coverage. The sulfur-induced CO state is only populated at 300 K when a high ambient CO pressure is present. The infrared data clearly indicate that the CO and S interact on the Ni surface through a local short-range mechanism: this short range COS interaction model is supported by kinetic studies of CO desorption from the sulfided Ni(111) surface.
Free Energy of Formation of Binary Compounds: An Atlas of Charts for High-Temperature Chemical Calculations

The most important thermodynamic quantity for the practicing chemist is the Gibbs free-energy change, ΔG, which accompanies any reaction. This can be calculated from the standard free energy of formation, ΔGf, of the species involved. Unfortunately, this quantity is found scattered throughout the chemical literature. and presented using many conventions.This book provides a standard reference for chemists, particularly in the field of high temperature chemistry, solid state research, and materials research. The author has assembled in the form of charts and tables published free-energy data for binary compounds of the metals with the gaseous nonmetallic elements hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, fluorine, and chlorine. In addition he has collected new data on the metal bromides, iodides, selenides, and tellurides, as well as on the vaporization of the elements, molecular dissociation of the gaseous elements, and ionization of the elements.Plastic overlays and scales are provided that can be used to read the composition of reacting gases, equilibrium constants, EMF, and other useful thermodynamic quantities directly from the charts. The accompanying text discusses the use of the data for various chemical calculations, while sources and accuracy of the data are discussed in the appendix.
Attention to uninformative features expressed by pigeons in a duration matching-to-sample task

Pigeons were trained on a matching-to-sample task in which they had to respond to a different choice stimulus following the same durations (2 or 10 s) of two different signals. The duration signals consisted of a white light presented from the ceiling and a red light presented from the front wall. Subsequent test performance indicated that matching accuracy declined (1) when the set of choice stimuli following a duration signal differed from the set presented during training, and (2) when the color or location of the duration signal was changed from values used during training. These results are discussed in terms of attention to uninformative features of a visual stimulus.
Laser-Induced Chemical Vapor Deposition on Moving Glass Rods

The feasibility of using pyrolytic Laser-Induced Chemical Vapor Deposition (LCVD) to deposit carbon coatings on moving fused quartz rods have been investigated in this study. This LCVD system uses a CO2 laser to locally heat substrates in open air to create a hot spot. Pyrolysis of hydrocarbon species occurs and subsequently deposits a layer of carbon film onto the substrate surface. The results of this study indicate that the deposition rate of carbon film increases exponentially within the range of laser power, while an increase in traverse velocity of the substrate will also increase the deposition rate until a maximum deposition rate is reached, and further increases in the traverse velocity will decrease the deposition rate. We suspect that this optimal deposition rate is caused by substrate motion, which affects the substrate surface temperature, and consequently the effective surface area available for film deposition.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
The French Experience in Mexico, 1821-1861: A History of Constant Misunderstanding

This is the first scholarly appraisal of relations between France and Mexico from the time Mexico achieved independence until Emperor Napoleon III decided to intervene and place Maximilian on the Mexican throne. Barker shows that economic, political, demographic, and behavioral factors led to chronic friction between the two countries and contributed to the buildup of an ideology of intervention.Originally published in 1979.A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.
Domains of apolipoprotein E involved in the binding to the protein core of biglycan of the vascular extracellular matrix: potential relationship between retention and anti-atherogenic properties of this apolipoprotein.

Abstract We recently identified elements in the C-terminal domain of apolipoprotein E that are critical for the binding of this protein to the protein core of biglycan, a proteoglycan of the vascular extracellular matrix. This binding, ionic in nature, requiring no participation by glycosaminoglycans, suggests that protein–protein interactions may play an important role in the binding of apolipoprotein E to the extracellular matrix. These interactions may represent a potential mechanism for the anti-atherogenic potential of this apolipoprotein by preventing further anchoring to the vascular matrix of pro-atherogenic factors.
Would you like chips with that?: consumer perspectives of RFID

Addresses consumer perspectives of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). States that some consumers put up barriers against new technology, while others welcome innovations. Idengtifies that market leaders can pretty much use this technology as they wish, meaning boom time for consumer product firms and pain for privacy advocates.
Smarter cities through standards-based wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) started as an academic concept and became a commercially relevant technology. This technology will play a key role in creating more instrumented and interconnected urban environments. The resulting smarter cities will have more efficient management of resources and increasing quality of life for the city inhabitants. To enable large-scale deployments of heterogeneous citywide WSNs, it is important to agree on the communication protocols that these networks run. Standardization bodies such as the Internet Engineering Task Force and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers are finalizing different protocols that, once combined, form a complete protocol stack. This protocol stack allows robust and secure communication, as well as seamless integration with the Internet. In this paper, we present the different protocols forming this standards-based stack, as well as the achievable tradeoffs between latency, power efficiency, and throughput. After providing details on the existing applications of WSNs to smarter cities, we discuss what opportunities such standards-based WSNs can offer.
Spontaneous coherent microwave emission and the sawtooth instability in a compact storage ring

Strong evidence for self-excited emission of coherent synchrotron radiation in the microwave spectral region was observed at the Synchrotron Ultraviolet Radiation Facility (SURF III) electron storage ring at the NIST. The microwave emission between 25 and 35 mm was dominated by intense bursts of radiation. The intensity enhancement during these bursts was on the order of 10 000 to 50 000 over the incoherent value. The shape, width, and period of the bursts depend strongly on the operational parameters of the storage ring. Coherent microwave emission was observed only when the beam was unstable, namely, during bunch-length relaxation oscillations. We report on the measurements of the microwave bursts, and correlate the data with signals from a beam monitor electrode and photodiode detector. The coherent enhancement of the radiation intensity is ascribed to spontaneous self-induced microbunching of the electrons within the bunch.
The Effects of Cumulus Moisture Transports on the Simulation of Climate with a General Circulation Model

Abstract A hybrid cumulus parameterization was developed to study the effects of cumulus heat and moisture transports on climate simulations. This parameterization consists of a cumulus mass flux representation of the convective fluxes of heat and moisture, and moist adiabatic adjustment representation of the release of latent heat and the removal of moisture by precipitation processes. This hybrid scheme was implemented and tested in the National Center for Atmospheric Research Community Climate Model. Averages over the last 90 days of 210-day simulations made for January and July with the standard moist-convective adjustment scheme were compared with those obtained with the hybrid scheme. The simulations made with the hybrid parameterization resulted in upper-tropospheric temperatures (p ∼ 300 mb) that were as much as 8°C higher than the standard scheme in the tropics. In addition, the tropospheric water content simulated with the hybrid parameterization was considerably greater than that of the standar...
The importance of energetic particle precipitation on the chemical composition of the middle atmosphere

An assessment is made of the relative contribution of certain classes of energetic particle precipitation to the chemical composition of the middle atmosphere with emphasis placed on the production of odd nitrogen and odd hydrogen species and their subsequent role in the catalytic removal of ozone. Galactic cosmic radiation is an important source of odd nitrogen in the lower stratosphere but since the peak energy deposition occurs below the region where catalytic removal of O3 is most effective, it is questionable whether this mechanism is important in the overall terrestrial ozone budget. The precipitation of energetic solar protons can periodically produce dramatic enhancement in upper stratospheric NO. The long residence time of NO in this region of the atmosphere, where catalytic interaction with O3 is also most effective, mandates that this mechanism be included in future modelling of the global distribution of O3. Throughout the mesosphere the precipitation of energetic electrons from the outer radiation belt (60°≲Λ≲70°) can sporadically act as a major local source of odd hydrogen and odd nitrogen leading to observable O3 depletion. Future satellite studies should be directed at simultaneously measuring the precipitation flux and the concomitant atmosphere modification, and these results should be employed to develop more sophisticated models of this important coupling.
Polar Cap on Europa

Photoelectric observations are reported of two occultations of Jupiter's satellite Europa by the satellite Io. The reductions in the intensity during these events exceeds predicted values by 80% and 55% for the nights of June 17, 1973, and June 24, 1973, respectively. It is concluded that Europa has a bright polar cap extending from the north pole to latitude 30 deg. The light curves for the Europa occultations are presented.
The recovery of polarized apparent temperature distributions of flat scenes from antenna temperature measurements

The reception theory for quasi-monochromatic partially polarized emissions is employed to describe the antenna temperature when observing a flat scene from within or above an absorbing/ emitting atmosphere. When the polarization aspects of the antenna and scene are carefully observed, the resulting integral expression for the antenna temperature differs significantly from that reported for polarization invariant temperature distributions. It is observed that the antenna couples to both emitted surface polarizations, and the phase character of the antenna introduces a term involving the product of the polarized and cross-polarized antenna patterns. A matrix approximation of the integral expression is suggested and developed as a means for inverting polarized antenna temperature observations for the underlying partially polarized apparent temperature distributions. The resulting matrix formulation is interpreted and special cases are treated. By means of sample cases, the cross-coupling effect between the antenna and the emitted field polarization vectors is illustrated. When the polarization aspects of the radiometer and the scene are ignored, inversions for the apparent temperature are shown to suffer appreciably even for a highly efficient antenna. The sensitivity of the matrix inversion technique to errors in the measurement vector is also examined.
Noninvasive Visualization of Coronary Artery Endothelial Function in Healthy Subjects and in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

Objectives The goal was to test 2 hypotheses: first, that coronary endothelial function can be measured noninvasively and abnormal function detected using clinical 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and second, that the extent of local coronary artery disease (CAD), in a given patient, is related to the degree of local abnormal coronary endothelial function. Background Abnormal endothelial function mediates the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and predicts cardiovascular events. However, direct measures of coronary endothelial function have required invasive assessment. Methods The MRI was performed in 20 healthy adults and 17 patients with CAD. Cross-sectional coronary area and blood flow were quantified before and during isometric handgrip exercise, an endothelial-dependent stressor. In 10 severe, single-vessel CAD patients, paired endothelial function was measured in the artery with severe stenosis and the contralateral artery with minimal disease. Results In healthy adults, coronary arteries dilated and flow increased with stress. In CAD patients, coronary artery area and blood flow decreased with stress (both p ≤ 0.02). In the paired study, coronary artery area and blood flow failed to increase during exercise in the mildly diseased vessel, but both area (p = 0.01) and blood flow (p = 0.02) decreased significantly in the severely diseased, contralateral artery. Conclusions Endothelial-dependent coronary artery dilation and increased blood flow in healthy subjects, and their absence in CAD patients, can now be directly visualized and quantified noninvasively. Local coronary endothelial function differs between severely and mildly diseased arteries in a given CAD patient. This novel, safe method may offer new insights regarding the importance of local coronary endothelial function and improved risk stratification in patients at risk for and with known CAD.
Critical-point anomaly in the EPR linewidth of two-dimensional antiferromagnets

Abstract Calculations are presented which satisfactorily explain the observed temperature and angular dependence of the EPR linewidth in the two-dimensional antiferromagnets Rb2MnF4 and K2MnF4 near TN. These calculations are based on an earlier theory by Huber for the three-dimensional systems.
Nonclassical symmetries of evolutionary partial differential equations and compatibility

The determining equations for the nonclassical reductions of a general nth order evolutionary partial differential equations is considered. It is shown that requiring compatibility with a first order quasilinear partial differential equation, the determining equations are obtained. Burgers' equation and the KdV equation and generalizations serve as examples illustrating how compatibility leads quickly and easily to the determining equations for their nonclassical symmetries.
Observations from the IDA network of attenuation and splitting during a recent earthquake

The project for the International Deployment of Accelerometers (IDA) is intended to provide very low frequency seismic data for the study of Earth structure and source mechanisms. This article outlines preliminary results on attenuation and splitting derived from IDA recordings of a recent large earthquake.
A Combined Korringa—Kohn—Rostoker—Discrete-Variational Method for the Electronic Structure of Crystals and Molecules with General Potentials

The recently developed discrete-variational method (DVM) for the energy-band problem has been combined with the Korringa---Kohn---Rostoker (KKR) procedure to adapt the latter to treat general one-electron crystal potentials. Orbitals obtained from a KKR calculation for the muffin-tin average of the full Bloch Hamiltonian are used as trial variational functions for treating the complete problem within the framework of the DVM. Non-muffin-tin corrections originating from all regions of the unit cell are explicitly included by diagonalization of the relevant secular matrix in this basis set. This combination of the DVM and KKR methods to a large extent achieves the main advantages of each scheme and promises to comprise an efficient procedure for calculating the electronic structure of crystal compounds. With this method there is no limitation to a single-type basis set; for some purposes, it may be useful to supplement the KKR orbitals with other trial functions. The high accuracy that is achieved allows definitive conclusions to be drawn concerning the effects of the non-muffin-tin corrections on electronic structure. Illustrative results given for an application of the method to paramagnetic nickel demonstrate this point. An extension of the method is described by which the non-muffin-tin potential and charge-density corrections can be included in the multiple-scattering approach to the electronic structure of molecules.
Measuring the Stability of Periodic Attractors Using Perturbation-Induced Transients: Applications to Two Non-Linear Oscillators

Abstract In this paper a combined analytical, numerical and experimental approach is used to study the behavior of small, perturbation-induced transients superimposed on a periodic steady state. The behavior of these transients is monitored in terms of characteristic multipliers as a control parameter is changed and instability is approached. Two non-linear mechanical oscillators are used which exemplify the application of these concepts to physical systems.
Viewing lava safely: an epidemiology of hiker injury and illness in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Objective To report the injuries and illnesses encountered by wilderness hikers in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park attempting to hike to active lava flows and to investigate the roles that demographics, prior hiking experience, hiking behavior, and preparedness play in hiker vulnerability to injury and illness. Methods During an 8-week period, daily on-site exit interviews of lava hikers were conducted by a uniformed park ranger and park volunteer. Information about the hiker's home residence, wilderness hiking experience, preparedness, health status, and health problems encountered during the hike was collected from a total of 804 hikers. Results A high rate of injury and illness was found among the study population. Scrapes and abrasions (59%), blisters (51%), and muscle strains and sprains (47%) were the most common injuries. Dehydration (77%) and respiratory irritation (46%) were the most common illnesses. Lower extremities were the most common site of injuries, and beginning hikers were the most vulnerable to injury and illness. Many hikers were inexperienced tourists willing to disregard warning signs and enter high-risk areas. Conclusions Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is one of 22 US national park units with volcanic resources. The injuries and illnesses reported by the study group identify the impact that this type of environment can have on the safety of wilderness users in areas with similar resources. Recreating in remote and severe areas has inherent risks, but the high rate of injuries and illnesses sustained by the hikers of this study can potentially be reduced through the development of more direct risk management methods.
Structure of the hydrated (1014) surface of rhodochrosite (MnCO3).

The three-dimensional structure of the hydrated (1014) surface of MnCO3 at 90% relative humidity and 295 K is determined from measurements of X-ray scattering along ten crystal-truncation rods (CTRs). The scattering data provide both vertical and lateral information about the interfacial structure. The model that best fits the scattering data is a surface having a first layer of manganese carbonate and an overlayer of oxygen (as water). Within the measurement uncertainty, the overlayer of oxygen (Ow) and the first-layer of manganese (Mn1) have equal occupancies of 0.84. The Mn1−Ow distance between these layers is 2.59 ± 0.04 A. The overlayer O atoms are displaced laterally by 0.157 A in the x- and 0.626 A in the y-direction relative to the first-layer Mn atoms. The first-layer carbonate groups tilt by −4.2 ± 2.1° in phi (toward the surface plane) and −2.6 ± 1.2° in chi (an axis perpendicular to phi). The second-layer carbonate groups do not tilt, at least within measurement uncertainty. The spacing betwe...
Characterization of a fluorescence assay to monitor changes in the aqueous volume of lipid vesicles

Abstract The fluorescent compound, 4′,5′-bis[N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl]fluorescein (calcein) has been characterized for use in lipid vesicle studies. Particularly useful is its reaction with Co2+, which results in fluorescence quenching. This is accompanied by about a 10-nm blue shift in the uv absorbance bands and a small reduction in the visible absorbance band. For vesicle studies, Co2+ may be combined with citrate, which does not significantly hinder calcein quenching by Co2+. It does augment the absorbance of the metal ion. No significant interaction of citrate·Co2+ with phosphatidylserine vesicles was observed. Zn2+ is capable of displacing Co2+ and restoring calcein fluorescence. Fluorescence quenching due to formation of the calcein·Co2+ complex can also be reversed with EDTA. Thus, calcein is the basis of some simple reactions which can be used to assay changes in the aqueous volume of lipid vesicles.
Microphotonic millimetre-wave receiver architecture

A new microphotonic millimetre-wave receiver architecture with direct electrical-to-optical conversion is presented. The receiver uses high-Q RF and microphotonic electro-optic resonators which are operated in simultaneous resonance. Numerical simulations indicate that efficient modulation of an optical carrier at RF in the millimetre-wave range can be realised.
Malmberg-Penning and Minimum-B trap compatibility: the advantages of higher-order multipole traps

Abstract The ATHENA and ATRAP collaborations have recently created large numbers of untrapped anti-hydrogen atoms. The most commonly suggested scheme for trapping the anti-hydrogen is to use a Minimum-B trap. Unfortunately, the Minimum-B fields are very likely to destroy the confinement of the anti-hydrogen constituents, the positrons and anti-protons, which are themselves held in double-well Malmberg–Penning traps. The reasons for the loss of confinement, and modifications to the Minimum-B trap that may alleviate this problem, are discussed in this paper.
Interactions between Mineral Dust, Climate, and Ocean Ecosystems

New, sophisticated instrumentation and improvements in computer models have expanded enormously our understanding of how dust transport impacts climate and biological processes in the oceans. For example, the nutrients and harmful substances contained in dust can affect the development of microalgae in the ocean. The initial composition of dust and its chemical transformations during transport determine the way dust interacts with ocean ecosystems and, more generally, with clouds and the climate as a whole. These new developments open the door for future research initiatives that will require the collaboration of scientists from several disciplines to fully understand the effects of dust in the atmosphere and ocean ecosystems.
Chromatic border perception: the role of red- and green-sensitive cones.

Abstract Where the perception of borders is concerned, the normal visual system is found to be tritanopic. The strength of a border depends on the relative activity of only R and G cones, no matter what the B cones are doing. Since normal color vision depends on the activity of all three cone types, chromatic border strength alone cannot be used as an index of color differences. Borders produced by spatial luminance steps or chromatic steps appear similar, except that Mach-type lateral inhibitory mechanisms, which enhance the visibility of low-contrast luminance borders, are unnecessary to predict chromatic border strength. Two functions are presented, using only the responses of R and G cones, which provide a way of expressing chromatic border strength in terms of either a subjective rating scale or a luminance step that appears to be equivalent in its distinctness.
Coastal Bermudagrass Hay and Silage at Two Stages of Maturity, Fed with Two Concentrate Levels to Lactating Cows

Summary Coastal Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), harvested at prehead and full-head stages as hay and silage, was fed with two levels of concentrates to 48 cows in a 2 3 factorial trial. Direct-cut silage, preserved with 100lb of ground corn per ton, was slightly more valuable for milk production than artificially dried hay. Cows fed prehead-stage forage produced 2lb more milk per day with a higher protein content than those fed Coastal Bermudagrass cut in the full-head stage. Cows given grain at the rate of 1 to 2lb of FCM produced 4lb more milk per day of a higher SNF and protein percentage, than those fed at the 1:4 ratio. Milk fat content was not affected by any of the treatments. Forage dry matter consumption was low, with an average of 1.48lb per hundredweight of body weight per day. Cows fed hay, prehead-stage forage, and the lower level of concentrates ate more than those fed silage, more mature forage, and the higher level of concentrates, respectively (P
Sterol carrier protein-2/sterol carrier protein-x expression differentially alters fatty acid metabolism in L cell fibroblasts

Sterol carrier protein-2 (SCP-2) and SCP-x are ubiquitous proteins found in all mammalian tissues. Although both proteins interact with fatty acids, their relative contributions to the uptake, oxidation, and esterification of straight-chain (palmitic) and branched-chain (phytanic) fatty acids in living cells has not been resolved. Therefore, the effects of each gene product on fatty acid metabolism was individually examined. Based on the following, SCP-2 and SCP-x did not enhance the uptake/translocation of fatty acids across the plasma membrane into the cell: i) a 2-fold increase in phytanic and palmitic acid uptake was observed at long incubation times in SCP-2- and SCP-x-expressing cells, but no differences were observed at initial time points; ii) uptake of 2-bromo-palmitate, a nonoxidizable, poorly metabolizable fatty acid analog, was unaffected by SCP-2 or SCP-x overexpression; and iii) SCP-2 and SCP-x expression did not increase targeting of radiolabeled phytanic and palmitic acid to the unesterified fatty acid pool. Moreover, SCP-2 and SCP-x expression enhanced fatty acid uptake by stimulating the intracellular metabolism via fatty acid oxidation and esterification. In summary, these data showed for the first time that SCP-2 and SCP-x stimulate oxidation and esterification of branched-chain as well as straight-chain fatty acids in intact cells.
Electroencephalographic Analysis During Stuttering and Nonstuttering

Thirteen male stuttering subjects were paired with thirteen male nonstuttering subjects by age, handedness, and stuttering pattern. Stuttered speech from nonstutterers was obtained by training them...
Fiducial intervals for the magnitude of a complex-valued quantity

This paper discusses a fiducial approach for constructing uncertainty intervals for the distance between k normal means and the origin. When k = 2 this distance is equivalent to the magnitude of a complex-valued quantity. A simulation study was conducted to assess the frequentist performance of the proposed fiducial intervals and to compare their performance with the methods from the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement and from Supplement 1 to the 'Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement'—Propagation of Distributions using a Monte Carlo Method. Our results indicate that the fiducial intervals generally outperform the GUM and GUM Supplement 1 methods with respect to frequentist coverage probabilities. Computer programs for calculating the fiducial intervals, written using open-source software, are listed.
Final-year-of life pacemaker recipients.

BACKGROUND: Older persons who have initial cardiac pacemakers implanted during their final year of life have not been characterized as a group, which makes it difficult to evaluate the suitability of some of their health services utilizations. OBJECTIVE: To help determine how prudently pacemakers are used in this group, we assessed its pacemaker candidates from the perspective of health and ability to perform physical activities of daily living. DESIGN: A retrospective, population-based, cross-sectional study. SETTING: The 1993 National Mortality Followback Survey. PARTICIPANTS: An estimated 1,647,955 persons aged 65 years or older who died in the US in 1993. MEASUREMENTS: Demographic and cause-of-death frequencies obtained by analyzing age, sex, race, and underlying cause-of-death variables in the survey. For persons who had initial pacemakers implanted during their last year of life, we determined the percent of persons, within 10-year age groups, who had no difficulty at any time during their final year of life performing 11 specific physical activities of daily living (e.g., climbing stairs, preparing meals, bathing). These data were obtained from negative responses to questions that asked if the decedents, at any time during their last year of life, had difficulty performing the specific activities. RESULTS: Of the estimated 78,941 persons aged 65 years or older with a pacemaker who died in the US in 1993, 14,158 (18%) had their first pacemaker implanted during their last year of life. Estimated median survival of the final-year-of-life recipients of pacemakers after pacemaker implantation was 5 months. Compared with the general older population that died in 1993, the final-year-of-life recipients of pacemakers group had higher percentages of persons who died of acute disorders (49% vs 19%) and who lived alone in a private home (47% vs 20%), and a lower percentage of persons with Alzheimer's disease (1% vs 7%). The age-stratified means of the percentages of final-year-of-life recipients of pacemakers who had no difficulty performing each physical activity of daily living were all greater than 50. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that older persons who had initial pacemakers implanted during their final year of life and who died in 1993 were not terminally ill, inactive pacemaker candidates, in general, but relatively independent, physically functional candidates who frequently died abruptly. The physical, mental, and life expectancy factors recommended for consideration by expert guidelines for the implantation of cardiac pacemakers were generally applied to persons in this subgroup.
Maternal Alcohol Use during Pregnancy, Birth Weight and Early Behavioral Outcomes

Aims: To examine the effect of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy on infant behavioral outcomes and birth weight, and to investigate the differential susceptibility of infant behavioral outcomes and birth weight to prenatal alcohol exposure. Methods: Data on children born to women taking part in the United States National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) ( n = 1618) were analyzed using the sibling fixed-effects model, which helps adjust for maternal, genetic and social confounders when examining effects of pre-natal exposure to possible toxins such as alcohol. Mothers were classified as non-drinkers, light-to-moderate drinkers and heavy drinkers according to their frequency of alcohol use during pregnancy. Infants' behavioral outcomes were assessed using the modified Rothbart Infant Behavior Questionnaire in the NLSY, which measures three dimensions of behavioral outcomes: positive mood, fearfulness and difficultness. Results: Estimates from the model indicated that drinking during pregnancy was positively associated with infant difficultness, but not with positive mood or fearfulness. Further analysis by frequency of alcohol use suggested that both light-to-moderate and heavy drinking were associated with an increase in infant difficultness. Additionally, while low-to-moderate drinking during pregnancy was associated with infant difficultness, drinking at this level was not associated with low birth weight. Conclusion: The findings suggest that maternal alcohol use during pregnancy is a risk factor for infant behavioral outcomes, after taking into account many confounding factors. Infant behavioral outcomes appear to be more vulnerable to light-to-moderate levels of alcohol use during pregnancy than birth weight is.
Oceanographic variability in the southern Gulf of California over the past 400 years: Evidence from faunal and isotopic records from planktic foraminifera

Abstract Oceanographic conditions during the past four centuries–sea surface temperature (SST) centennial and decadal variability, and changes in the water column structure–were reconstructed in high resolution from foraminiferal assemblages and stable isotope analyses completed on laminated sediments from two multicores (MC15, 415 m depth and MC26, 600 m depth) from the southern Gulf of California (eastern subtropical Pacific). Total abundance counts and oxygen isotopic analyses were performed on two planktonic species, Globigerina bulloides (a proxy for winter SST) and Pulleniatina obliquiloculata (a proxy for late fall subsurface water temperature). Multidecadal oscillations in δ18O values are considered to result primarily from extratropical forcing–sea level pressure anomalies in the north Pacific–via northwesterly winds weakening/strengthening in association with changes in the average position and intensity of the Aleutian Low. The downcore evolution of both biological proxies revealed an increase in SST since the 1600s, reflecting a gradual decline in upwelling activity during this period. This temperature trend implies a long-term change that cannot be explained by the same mechanisms associated with the multidecadal oceanographic variability. We proposed that the progressive warming of the surface waters is linked to a general northward shift of the ITZC resulted from increased solar irradiation, which accounts for larger net surface shortwave fluxes, affecting regional heating patterns and consequently the sensitive regional climate.