cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fulminating Subacute Scierosing Panencephalitis: Case Report and Literature Review

We describe a young urban boy with atypically fulminant subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE). He had measles at 3 years of age despite receiving measles immunization in infancy. The literature describing acute SSPE is reviewed and summarized. This report reiterates the need to include SSPE as a diagnostic possibility in acute encephalopathic processes. The dismal prognosis of SSPE further emphasizes the need for measles vaccination and revaccination of all children who are initially immunized at an age of less than 15 months.
Effect of stress on blood coagulation and haematology in rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)

The effect of short-term stress on blood clotting times, cell counts, haematocrits, and blood glucose levels was studied in a hatchery strain and wild type rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri. Blood clotting times declined and thrombocyte counts, haematocrits, and blood glucose levels increased after stress in both strains of trout. The wild type of rainbow trout, however, required less time to recover from the stress than the hatchery strain of rainbow trout. The implications of a stress activated blood coagulation system in fish are discussed.
Spectroscopic measurements of estuarine dissolved organic matter dynamics during a large-scale Mississippi River flood diversion

The Mississippi River Flood of 2011 prompted the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway (BCS) in southeastern Louisiana to protect the City of New Orleans. The BCS diverted approximately 21.9 km(3) of river water into the oligohaline Lake Pontchartrain Estuary over the course of 43 days. We characterized estuarine dissolved organic matter (DOM) dynamics before, during, and after the diversion in order to better understand the biogeochemical dynamics associated with these immense freshwater inflows. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) exhibited a large degree of variability during and after the period of elevated primary productivity that occurred following the diversion. Furthermore, DOC analysis provides limited insight into carbon cycling during these dynamic periods. In order to overcome the limitations of DOC, spectroscopic methods were used to gain insights into chemical composition dynamics. Both ultraviolet visible (A254, A350, SUVA254, spectral slope, and normalized UV/Vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy (excitation emission matrices and fluorescence and biological indices) were used to study the compositional changes of DOM over time. Collectively, our results document a perturbation in DOM chemistry in Lake Pontchartrain due to the diversion and a subsequent return toward pre-diversion conditions. Immediate increases in A350 indicate that BCS freshwater contained elevated concentrations of lignin of terrestrial origin. Ensuing declines in A350, along with changes in the fluorescence and biological indices, indicate that DOM rapidly became more microbial in composition. Our results provide insights into estuarine DOM dynamics relevant to systems receiving flood pulses of freshwater due to either hydrologic manipulation or precipitation events.
Electrical-transport properties in the semimetallic compound LiGa.

The temperature-dependent electrical resistivity above 15 K and the room-temperature Hall coefficient of Li-Ga are presented for five different Li concentrations. The temperature-dependent part of the resistivity is independent of the Li concentration. However, the residual resistivity increases very rapidly with increasing Li concentration. These results suggest that the defects in Li-Ga consist of two types, namely, vacancies on the Li sublattice and Li antisite atoms on the Ga sublattice. An anomaly near 230 K is observed for samples for the Li-deficient phase. This anomaly is associated with the ordering of vacancies on the Li sublattice. Li-Ga is a semimetallic compound with a ''hole'' as the majority carrier.
The Action of Acetylcholine and Epinephrine on the Cellular Membrane Potentials and Contractility of Rat Atrium

Acetylcholine diminished the developed tension of contraction in rat atria; simultaneously there was a slight increase in resting potential, no appreciable change in action potential, a decrease in the rate of conduction, only a minor alteration of the form of contraction, and, most strikingly, a decrease in the duration of the action potential or the area enclosed by it. The rate of repolarization subsequent to the action potential was markedly accelerated. Epinephrine, in general, produced the opposite effects and slowed the repolarization rate as it augmented atrial contraction. Cholinesterase does not seem to play a direct role in cardiac membrane potentials or ion transfer since physostigmine had no effect of its own on the electric manifestations. Certain aspects of the mechanisms involved are discussed.
Regulation of ketone body production from (14C)palmitate in rat liver mitochondria: effects of cyclic nucleotides and unlabeled fatty acids.

N6′, O2′-dibutyryl adenosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphoric acid, but not other cyclic nucleotides stimulates [14C]ketone body production from [14C]palmitate in isolated rat liver mitochondria. Butyrate alone, as well as unlabeled acetate, octanoate and palmitate had similar effects. This redistribution of the oxidative products of [14C]palmitate can best be explained by exceeding the capacity of the Krebs cycle and/or changes in the acetyl coenzyme A/coenzyme A ratio. In contrast to [14C]palmitate, [14C]octanoate oxidation to [14C]O2 and [14C]ketone bodies was inhibited by the addition of unlabeled fatty acids. This suggests that an additional mechanism by which unlabeled fatty acids may stimulate [14C]ketone body production is by enhancing the carnitine-dependent transport of [14C]palmitate into mitochondria.
Hindbrain Glucoprivation Effects on Gastric Vagal Reflex Circuits and Gastric Motility in the Rat Are Suppressed by the Astrocyte Inhibitor Fluorocitrate

Fasting and hypoglycemia elicit powerful gastrointestinal contractions. Whereas the relationship between utilizable nutrient and gastric motility is well recognized, the explanation of this phenomenon has remained incomplete. A relatively recent controversial report suggested that astrocytes in the dorsal hindbrain may be the principal detectors of glucoprivic stimuli. Our own studies also show that a subset of astrocytes in the solitary nucleus (NST) is activated by low glucose. It is very likely that information about glucopenia may directly impact gastric control because the hindbrain is also the location of the vago-vagal reflex circuitry regulating gastric motility. Our in vivo single unit neurophysiological recordings in intact rats show fourth ventricular application of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) inhibits NST neurons and activates dorsal motor nucleus (DMN) neurons involved in the gastric accommodation reflex. Additionally, as shown in earlier studies, either systemic insulin or central 2-DG causes an increase in gastric motility. These effects on motility were blocked by fourth ventricle pretreatment with the astrocyte inactivator fluorocitrate. Fluorocitrate administered alone has no effect on gastric-NST or -DMN neuron responsiveness, or on gastric motility. These results suggest that glucoprivation-induced increases in gastric motility are dependent on intact hindbrain astrocytes.
When disaster struck: how pennington biomedical research center supported an entire academic health center

How would you do your job tomorrow if you lost your physical space today? Just this one question probably makes your mind spin in all directions looking for answers. This paper will guide you through the process of starting up an entire campus that was destroyed by a disaster. * SPACE - Should you partner with another university within your city or state for space to replace your physical office space? * INGENUITY - Since Higher Education is not wealthy, can you find creative ways to collaborate? * GOALS - "The Show Must Go On." Can academic programs take a one-year leave of absence? * UNITED - Is the IT Department now responsible for everything since every department uses the web to disseminate information? * Faculty curriculum, syllabus, and grades * Payroll, Business Office, and Budget data systems * Student computers left in dorms * CASH - What funds would you access to set up a school, department, and network if your campus location and surrounding city was severely damaged by a catastrophe? You will need servers, printers, computers, software, and office space. * COMMUNICATION - How do you contact your faculty, students, and staff? Do you have a Crisis Server already setup in an offsite location? * SUPPORT - How large of a skeleton crew is needed during the post-emergency time for startup. These questions will be answered in this paper. The process will start with the initial crisis meeting; take you through the setup of networks, classrooms, and faculty offices; discuss how to support the schools during their time on your campus; and finally talk about the day when they say "I AM READY TO GO HOME!".
Enzymic oxidation of linolenate by Ginkgo leaves: Fractionation and characterization of active fractions

Abstract An aqueous extract of defatted, macerated leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. catalysed the oxidation of linolenate. Extracts prepared from quickly frozen Ginkgo leaves had almost the same activity as the extract from fresh leaves but no trans -2-hexenal was formed. The activity was surprisingly stable at 100° and to acids. However, at pH 12 a marked loss of activity was observed, particularly when the soln was heated, and Pronase, also destroyed most of the activity.
Stability of alkaloid production in flue-cured tobacco

Alkaloid production in flue-cured tobacco (Nicotiano tabacum L.) genotypes must be within an established acceptable level for the genotypes to be released as cultivars. The objectives of this study were to examine the stability of alkaloid production in cultivars and advanced breeding lines relative to standard set in the Regional Minimum Standards Program. Stability of alkaloid production was examined using data from the Regional Farm Test entries (1986-1988) and the North Carolina Official Variety Tests (1979-1989)
Expanding the utility of the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) and initial psychometric support for the Brief-BAES (B-BAES).

Background: The utility of one of the most widely used subjective alcohol assessment tools, the Biphasic Alcohol Effects Scale (BAES) has been somewhat limited based on lack of psychometric studies in large and diverse samples, a range of alcohol doses, the length of the measure, and the original instructional set which precluded baseline measurement and disclosed to subjects that they received alcohol. Methods: The current study investigated the factor structure of the BAES with a modified instructional set at pre-drink baseline and after consumption of various doses of alcohol, in a sample of 190 men and women, heavy and light social drinkers. This study tested the psychometric properties of a brief version of the BAES (Brief-BAES or B-BAES). Results: Results demonstrated robust support of the stimulant and sedative constructs across all conditions, and demonstrated strong psychometric support for the 6-item B-BAES. Discussion: This is the first comprehensive study to expand the utility of the BAES by instructional set, baseline measurement, at various alcohol doses, and by drinking history and sex. In addition, the introduction of the B-BAES may further increase the utility of this scale, particularly in paradigms with repeated measurement or time constraints.
Template-Directed Self-Assembly of 10-μm-Sized Hexagonal Plates

This article presents a strategy for the fabrication of ordered microstructures using concepts of design inspired by molecular self-assembly and template-directed synthesis. The self-assembling components are 4-Im-thick hexagonal metal plates having sides 10 Im in length ("hexagons"), and each template consists of a 4-Im-thick circular metal plate surrounding a central cavity, the perimeter of which is complementary in shape to the external edges of a two-dimensional, close-packed array of hexagons. The hexagons and templates (collectively, "pieces") were fabricated via standard procedures and patterned into hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). Templated self-assembly occurs in water through capillary interactions between thin films of a nonpolar liquid adhesive coating the hydrophobic faces of the pieces. The hexagons tile the cavities enclosed by the templates, and the boundaries of the cavities determine the sizes and shapes of the assemblies. Curing the adhesive with ultraviolet light furnishes mechanically stable arrays having well-defined morphologies. By allowing control over the structures of the resulting aggregates, this work represents a step toward the development of practical methods for microfabrication based on self-assembly.
A common denominator in the etiology of adult respiratory distress syndrome

Abstract The initiating factor in ARDS is a matter of controversy. Some investigators relate ARDS development to diffuse pulmonary microemboli after stress ranging from sepsis to non-thoracic and thoracic trauma. Others indicate hyperoxic exposure as the causative agent. This investigation looked for a common factor in ischemia and hyperoxic exposure in lung which could cause the genesis of ARDS. Studies of oxidative phosphorylation, succinate dehydrogenase activity and ATP level were performed on ischemic and 100% O 2 exposed lung. Results in both showed decreased respiration rate below the basal rate, decreased SDH activity, followed by marked decrease in ATP levels in pulmonary tissue. Decrease in respiration (ATP production) capacity and ATP levels in ischemic lung were such that normal cell functions could not be sustained if returned to normal circulation. Hyperbaric O 2 therapy would subsequently decrease energy metabolism in regions of normal circulation and in previously ischemic regions. It is hypothesized that decreased respiration (ATP production) rate, followed by decreased ATP levels insufficient to sustain normal pulmonary cell functions, is the common factor in the etiology of ARDS. New approaches to ventilation therapy utilizing CO 2 and energy related substrates should be tried early to prevent ARDS development.
Human behavior in a strictly determined 3 × 3 matrix game

How do intelligent individuals actually behave in the conflicts of games of strategy? Do they behave as the game theory models require? Here is an experiment which attempts to relate observed behavior in a game situation with what the theory of games says about such behavior. Such experimental work is another step toward the construction of adequate descriptive theories of conflict behavior.
Direct inhibition of G1 cdk kinase activity by MyoD promotes myoblast cell cycle withdrawal and terminal differentiation

MyoD has been proposed to facilitate terminal myoblast differentiation by binding to and inhibiting phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRb). Here we show that MyoD can interact with cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (cdk4) through a conserved 15 amino acid (aa) domain in the C-terminus of MyoD. MyoD, its C-terminus lacking the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) domain, or the 15 aa cdk4-binding domain all inhibit the cdk4-dependent phosphorylation of pRb in vitro. Cellular expression of full-length MyoD or fusion proteins containing either the C-terminus or just the 15 aa cdk4-binding domain of MyoD inhibit cell growth and pRb phosphorylation in vivo. The minimal cdk4-binding domain of MyoD fused to GFP can also induce differentiation of C2C12 muscle cells in growth medium. The defective myogenic phenotype in MyoD-negative BC3H1 cells can be rescued completely only when MyoD contains the cdk4-binding domain. We propose that a regulatory checkpoint in the terminal cell cycle arrest of the myoblast during differentiation involves the modulation of the cyclin D cdk-dependent phosphorylation of pRb through the opposing effects of cyclin D1 and MyoD.
An Efficient Message-Passing Algorithm for Optimizing Decentralized Detection Networks

A promising feature of emerging wireless sensor networks is the opportunity for each spatially-distributed node to measure its local state and transmit only information relevant to effective global decision-making. An equally important design objective, as a result of each node's finite power, is for measurement processing to satisfy explicit constraints on, or perhaps make selective use of, the distributed algorithmic resources. We formulate this multi-objective design problem within the Bayesian decentralized detection paradigm, modeling resource constraints by a directed acyclic network with low-rate, unreliable communication links. Existing team theory establishes when necessary optimality conditions reduce to a convergent iterative algorithm to be executed offline (i.e., before measurements are processed). Even so, this offline algorithm has exponential complexity in the number of nodes, and its distributed implementation assumes a fully-connected communication network. We state conditions under which the offline algorithm admits an efficient message-passing interpretation, featuring linear complexity and a natural distributed implementation. We experiment with a simulated network of binary detectors, applying the message-passing algorithm to optimize the achievable tradeoff between global detection performance and network-wide online communication. The empirical analysis also exposes a design tradeoff between constraining in-network processing to preserve resources (per online measurement) and then having to consume resources (per offline reorganization) to maintain detection performance.
Non-surgical correction of infection-induced struvite uroliths and a vesicourachal diverticulum in an immature dog

Infection-induced struvite urocystoliths and a vesicourachal diverticulum affecting a nine-week-old male mixed breed dog were eliminated with the aid of dietary and antimicrobial therapy. Urocystoliths dissolved within nine days of initiation of medical therapy, while the vesicourachal diverticulum resolved within 39 days of initiation of therapy.
Distributed MEMS phase shifters on silicon using tapered impedance unit cells

This paper presents results for one bit distributed coplanar waveguide (CPW) MEMS phase shifters that are designed to operate from 5-40 GHz on high resistivity silicon. The periodically loaded structures use 11 MEMS capacitors interconnected with tapered impedance transmission line. The phase shift of a one bit configuration is approximately 150/spl deg//dB at 25 GHz and 211/spl deg//dB at 35 GHz. The return loss in the up and down state is greater than 10 dB from 10-35 GHz.
Contact lens with integrated inorganic semiconductor devices

Conventional contact lenses are simple polymer structures primarily used for the correction of vision. In this paper, we present a set of microfabrication techniques that allow for integration of various micro-devices onto a contact lens. The integration of function into the structure of a contact lens opens a number of intriguing venues such as incorporation of a semi-transparent display directly on the structure of a contact lens or the inclusion of a bio-sensor directly on the surface of the cornea. We also discuss methods used to render the lens biocompatible for use in a rabbit eye.
Analysis of correlated mutations in HIV-1 protease using spectral clustering

Motivation: The ability of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) protease to develop mutations that confer multi-drug resistance (MDR) has been a major obstacle in designing rational therapies against HIV. Resistance is usually imparted by a cooperative mechanism that can be elucidated by a covariance analysis of sequence data. Identification of such correlated substitutions of amino acids may be obscured by evolutionary noise. Results: HIV-1 protease sequences from patients subjected to different specific treatments (set 1), and from untreated patients (set 2) were subjected to sequence covariance analysis by evaluating the mutual information (MI) between all residue pairs. Spectral clustering of the resulting covariance matrices disclosed two distinctive clusters of correlated residues: the first, observed in set 1 but absent in set 2, contained residues involved in MDR acquisition; and the second, included those residues differentiated in the various HIV-1 protease subtypes, shortly referred to as the phylogenetic cluster. The MDR cluster occupies sites close to the central symmetry axis of the enzyme, which overlap with the global hinge region identified from coarse-grained normal-mode analysis of the enzyme structure. The phylogenetic cluster, on the other hand, occupies solvent-exposed and highly mobile regions. This study demonstrates (i) the possibility of distinguishing between the correlated substitutions resulting from neutral mutations and those induced by MDR upon appropriate clustering analysis of sequence covariance data and (ii) a connection between global dynamics and functional substitution of amino acids. Contact: bahar@ccbb.pitt.edu Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Expression of Foreign DNA Is Associated with Paternal Chromosome Degradation in Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection-Mediated Transgenesis in the Mouse

The efficiency of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)-mediated transgenesis is often limited by poor embryo development. Because our previous work indicated that impairment of embryo development is frequently related to chromosomal abnormalities, we hypothesized that foreign DNA and/or conditions used to enhance integration of the DNA might induce chromosome damage. Therefore, we examined the chromosomes of mouse embryos produced by transgenesis with the EGFP gene. Spermatozoa were processed with three methods that cause membrane disruption: freeze-thawing, Triton X-100, or Triton X-100 followed by a sucrose wash. Membrane-disrupted spermatozoa were mixed with EGFP plasmids and injected into metaphase II oocytes. Three endpoints were evaluated: paternal chromosomes of the zygote, embryo capacity to develop in vitro, and expression of the transgene at the morula/blastocyst stage. In all pretreatments, we observed a significant decrease (approximately 2-fold) in the frequency of normal karyoplates when spermatozoa were incubated with exogenous DNA as compared with the treatment when no DNA was added. As predicted, embryo development was correlated with the integrity of the paternal chromosomes of the zygote. Searching for the possible mechanism of chromosome degradation, we used the ion chelators EGTA and EDTA and found that they neutralize the harmful effect of the transgene and stabilize the paternal chromosomes. In the presence of chelating agents, however, the number of embryos expressing EGFP produced with ICSI-mediated transgenesis decreased significantly. The results suggest that treatment of spermatozoa with exogenous DNA leads to paternal chromosome degradation in the zygote. Furthermore, the mechanisms of disruption of paternal chromosomes and the integration of foreign DNA may be closely related.
Engineering of a novel hybrid enzyme: an anti-inflammatory drug target with triple catalytic activities directly converting arachidonic acid into the inflammatory prostaglandin E2

Cyclooxygenase isoform-2 (COX-2) and microsomal prostaglandin E(2) synthase-1 (mPGES-1) are inducible enzymes that become up-regulated in inflammation and some cancers. It has been demonstrated that their coupling reaction of converting arachidonic acid (AA) into prostaglandin (PG) E(2) (PGE(2)) is responsible for inflammation and cancers. Understanding their coupling reactions at the molecular and cellular levels is a key step toward uncovering the pathological processes in inflammation. In this paper, we describe a structure-based enzyme engineering which produced a novel hybrid enzyme that mimics the coupling reactions of the inducible COX-2 and mPGES-1 in the native ER membrane. Based on the hypothesized membrane topologies and structures, the C-terminus of COX-2 was linked to the N-terminus of mPGES-1 through a transmembrane linker to form a hybrid enzyme, COX-2-10aa-mPGES-1. The engineered hybrid enzyme expressed in HEK293 cells exhibited strong triple-catalytic functions in the continuous conversion of AA into PGG(2) (catalytic-step 1), PGH(2) (catalytic-step 2) and PGE(2) (catalytic-step 3), a pro-inflammatory mediator. In addition, the hybrid enzyme was also able to directly convert dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) into PGG(1), PGH(1) and then PGE(1) (an anti-inflammatory mediator). The hybrid enzyme retained similar K(d) and V(max) values to that of the parent enzymes, suggesting that the configuration between COX-2 and mPGES-1 (through the transmembrane domain) could mimic the native conformation and membrane topologies of COX-2 and mPGES-1 in the cells. The results indicated that the quick coupling reaction between the native COX-2 and mPGES-1 (in converting AA into PGE(2)) occurred in a way so that both enzymes are localized near each other in a face-to-face orientation, where the COX-2 C-terminus faces the mPGES-1 N-terminus in the ER membrane. The COX-2-10aa-mPGES-1 hybrid enzyme engineering may be a novel approach in creating inflammation cell and animal models, which are particularly valuable targets for the next generation of NSAID screening.
Nursing Care of the Neonate Receiving High‐Frequency Jet Ventilation

Respiratory distress remains a major source of morbidity and mortality among infants, despite advances in conventional mechanical ventilation over the past 20 years. High-frequency jet ventilation provides an alternative treatment modality for neonates suffering from pulmonary air leak syndromes, such as pulmonary interstitial emphysema and pneumothorax. This new technology presents special challenges to the nurse caring for these critically ill neonates and their families.
Qualia ain’t in the head

Review of Ten Problems of Consciousness: A Representational Theory of the Phenomenal Mind by Michael Tye D.M. Armstrong Department of Philosophy (TM Accepted: June 18, 1996; Published: June 22, 1996 PSYCHE, 2(31), June 1996 http://psyche.cs.monash.edu.au/v2/psyche-2-31-armstrong.html
The changes in small metal cluster size with adsorption Be13Xn, X = H, O, S, Cl and F

The Be-Be and Be-adsorbate distances are optimized for small Be13Xn clusters,s assuming only two independent degrees of freedom. Results for chemisorption into the three-fold hollows are quite similar to those found for small metal clusters on supports. It is predicted that Cl and F will have the same effect on the metal-metal bond lengths, and so will O and S.
[Comment on “There is No Magnestophere nor is there a plasmasphere!”] There is no magnetosphere

Far be it from us to take exception to Tony Fraser-Smith's complaints about the usage of several common space physics phrases (Eos, p. 498, June 18, 1985). If anyone is aptly qualified to discuss nomenclature, it is a phraser-Smith. However, we cannot simply drop these terms retroactively. One cannot simply change the contents of the journals (even though it appears to be possible to change the names of journals retroactively, but that's a different letter.)
Referral Rates for Intervention or Assessment A Meta-Analysis of Racial Differences

This study synthesized the literature on the rates of referral for intervention or assessment of students from three racial groups: Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic. Ten studies, published or unpublished, that presented frequency counts for the population and the referred sample for at least one school district yielded 44 comparisons. For comparisons between African American and Caucasian students, the mean risk ratios comparing the referral rates were significantly different from zero. No significant differences were found between the referral rates of Hispanic students and Caucasian students. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are presented.
Tests of bioaccumulation models for polychlorinated biphenyl compounds: A study of young‐of‐the‐year bluefish in the Hudson River estuary, USA

A field-based study regarding uptake of polychlorinated biphenyl compounds (PCBs) by young-of-the-year (YOY) bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) was initiated to test a steady-state model of bioaccumulation and trophic transfer in a rapidly growing fish. Determination of prey composition as well as size-dependent growth and specific consumption rates for YOY bluefish from separate field and laboratory studies enabled the input of these species-specific parameters into the model. Furthermore, the time and duration of the exposure of YOY bluefish to dissolved PCBs from a well-characterized system (Hudson River, USA) was well known. Patterns of accumulation of individual PCB congeners differed relative to the accumulation of total PCBs, with the greatest net accumulation occurring for the higher-molecular-weight congeners. Comparison of lipid-normalized bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) with the octanol-water partition coefficients of individual PCB congeners revealed bluefish to be above the BAFs predicted by lipid-based equilibrium partitioning, suggesting that uptake from food is an important source of PCBs in YOY bluefish. Comparison of measured BAFs with values predicted by a steady-state, food-chain model showed good first-order agreement.
Purchase Situations and the Level of Importance that Consumers Attach to Services in the Airline Industry

Abstract As competition in the airline industry intensifies, and consumer demand swings due to the 9/11 event, how airline companies structure their service offerings becomes crucial to survival. This paper examines the level of importance attached by consumers to different elementary services customarily provided by airlines, to determine how this is influenced by consumer purchase situations. It found that reasons for travel, frequency of travel, class of flight, and type of airline used influenced the level of importance attached by consumers to different elements of the service offering. Implications of this finding for redesign of service offering are discussed.
Negative pressure dependence of mass burning rates of H2/CO/O2/diluent flames at low flame temperatures

Abstract Experimental measurements of burning rates, analysis of the key reactions and kinetic pathways, and modeling studies were performed for H2/CO/O2/diluent flames spanning a wide range of conditions: equivalence ratios from 0.85 to 2.5, flame temperatures from 1500 to 1800 K, pressures from 1 to 25 atm, CO fuel fractions from 0 to 0.9, and dilution concentrations of He up to 0.8, Ar up to 0.6, and CO2 up to 0.4. The experimental data show negative pressure dependence of burning rate at high pressure, low flame temperature conditions for all equivalence ratios and CO fractions as high as 0.5. Dilution with CO2 was observed to strengthen the pressure and temperature dependence compared to Ar-diluted flames of the same flame temperature. Simulations were performed to extend the experimentally studied conditions to conditions typical of gas turbine combustion in Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle processes, including preheated mixtures and other diluents such as N2 and H2O. Substantial differences are observed between literature model predictions and the experimental data as well as among model predictions themselves – up to a factor of three at high pressures. The present findings suggest the need for several rate constant modifications of reactions in the current hydrogen models and raise questions about the sufficiency of the set of hydrogen reactions in most recent hydrogen models to predict high pressure flame conditions relevant to controlling NOx emissions in gas turbine combustion. For example, the reaction O + OH + M = HO2 + M is not included in most hydrogen models but is demonstrated here to significantly impact predictions of lean high pressure flames using rates within its uncertainty limits. Further studies are required to reduce uncertainties in third body collision efficiencies for and fall-off behavior of H + O2(+M) = HO2(+M) in both pure and mixed bath gases, in rate constants for HO2 reactions with other radical species at higher temperatures, and in rate constants for reactions such as O + OH + M that become important under the present conditions in order to properly characterize the kinetics and predict global behavior of high-pressure H2 or H2/CO flames.
A role for tropical tropospheric temperature adjustment to El Niño–Southern Oscillation in the seasonality of monsoonal Indonesia precipitation predictability

(1) We describe the seasonality in the variability and predictability of Indonesian monsoonal climate, dominated by the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, and interpret it in light of theories of the development of the global ENSO teleconnection which explain the evolution of the response of the tropical ocean- atmosphere to ENSO's perturbation. High predictability during the dry and transition seasons, which coincide with ENSO growth, is expected from the coherent large-scale response to ENSO's initial perturbation. As the tropical ocean-atmosphere equilibrates to ENSO, and ENSO itself begins to decay, its direct influence diminishes, and regional features associated with the delayed response to ENSO become more prominent. Consistent with this interpretation, in a preliminary observational analysis of station data over Jawa we find that predictability is high during the growth phase of ENSO. We also find that at these regional scales there may be more predictability than previously thought as ENSO decays. Finally, we show that a simple one-tier prediction system, i.e., a system where the evolution of oceanic and atmospheric anomalies is internally consistent, better captures the intrinsic coupled nature of the ENSO teleconnection, compared to a two-tier system where the ocean forces the atmosphere, but does not respond to its feedback.
Synthesis and characterization of macrocyclic vinyl aromatic polymers

ABSTRACT: The synthesis andcharacterization by size exclusionchromatography, liquid chromatog-raphy, NMR, matrix-assisted laserdesorption/ionization, thermal anal-ysis, and other techniques of well-deﬁned and narrow molecular wei-ght distribution macrocyclic poly-styrene (PS), poly(2-vinylpyridine),poly(a-methylstyrene),poly(2-vinyl-naphthalene) (P2VN), and poly(9,9-dimethyl-2-vinylﬂuorene) (PDMVF)containing a single 1,4-benzylidene,methylidene, or 9,10-anthracenyli-dene unit are reviewed. The absorp-tionandemissionspectroscopyofPS, P2VN, and PDMVF is also dis-cussed. VV C 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JPolymSciPartA:PolymChem44:2139–2155,2006 Keywords: anionic polymeriza-tion; cyclization; differential scan-ning calorimetry (DSC); emissionspectroscopy; glass transition; mac-rocyclic polystyrene; macrocyclicpoly (2-vinylpyridine); macrocyclicpolyvinylﬂuorene;macrocyclicpoly-vinyl naphthalene; UV–vis spectro-scopyThieo E. Hogen-Esch obtained his Ph.D. degree (1967) in The Nether-lands from the University of Leiden. His Ph.D. work included the ﬁrstultraviolet–visible spectroscopic evidence for the structure of solvent-separated ion pairs of carbanions and was carried out under the direc-tion of Johannes Smid in the laboratory of the late Michael Szwarc. Hestarted his academic career at the University of Florida (1970–1988)and was promoted to full professor in 1979. He has worked on stereo-chemically and structurally well-deﬁned vinyl homopolymers andblock copolymers using anionic polymerization. He has also workedon the synthesis of water-soluble polymers, including self-assembling,perﬂuorocarbon-modiﬁed polymers. He moved to the University of
Multispectral, hyperspectral, and three-dimensional imaging research at the U.S. Army research laboratory

Abstract : We report on the development and application of multispectral infrared imaging technology to problems of interest to the U. S. military. For tactical applications, we show the application of dual-band infrared focal plane arrays to reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. We describe the development of a new dual-band LWIR/LWIR focal plane array for detection of the disturbed soil features associated with buried land mines. We will describe the application of dual-band FPAs in the strategic defense arena by presenting dual-band MWIR/LWIR imagery of commercial launch vehicles that shows the utility of such an FPA for a sensor in a boost phase interceptor. In addition, we describe the development of acousto-optic tunable filters (AOTF) for hyperspectral imaging in the MWIR and LWIR bands. These devices hold the promise of producing hyperspectral infrared imagers that are considerably smaller and lighter than current systems. The AOTF allows completely electronic spectral scanning for fast access to a discrete set of narrow spectral bands. We will discuss ARL,s efforts in developing a novel scanerless laser radar (LADAR) system based on the frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technique. This `flash" LADAR system uses a focal plane array to image the return signals from chirped pulses from a solid state laser to determine both 2D image and range information about a target. This data can then be used to construct a 3-dimensional picture of the target. Keywords: Infrared, Multispectral, AOTF, Hyperspectral, LADAR.
The Political Influence of Churches: The Resourceful Believer

effective representation must always be a central concern in democratic polities. Addressing questions of representation involves institutional structures in part, but much of the responsibility for assuring adequate representation falls to citizens directly. The public must participate through available channels, though not everyone has the resources, interest, and invitation necessary to do so. There is near universal agreement that civil society can subsidize these deficits of crucial participatory ingredients, but researchers have often mischaracterized the problems being addressed and have failed to explore the nature of civil society's solution to sufficient depth. Both of these concerns alter the nature of inquiry into representational deficits. First, while underrepresentation should be conceptualized in part as a problem individuals own through a lack of resources or motivation, it is just as significantly a community-based problem. Even resourceful people can be underrepresented due to extant conditions where they live. Therefore, the question can be recast: how can civil society rectify an imbalance of representation in a community where some people (perhaps independent of their personal resources) are socially marginalized? Second, the groups that assist individuals to acquire the tools necessary to boost political participation may be subject to the same dynamics that produce the community imbalance – some groups may not have the same access to civil society as others. To rectify these critical concerns, this chapter examines how one important institution of civil society, the church, distributes access to one crucial resource needed for political activity: civic skills.
Electrical stimulation in multiple sclerosis.

When electrodes were implanted in the spinal cord of a patient with MS—for dorsal column stimulation to relieve intractable pain—she regained considerable movement in her legs. Subsequently such st...
Multi-focus image fusion using energy of image gradient and gradual boundary smoothing

Existing imaging cameras usually have limited depth of field, so it is not possible to obtain an image in which all the objects are focused. To obtain an all-in-focus image, this paper proposes a multi-focus image fusion algorithm using energy of image gradient and gradual boundary smoothing. The initial fused image is generated using energy of image gradient which determines the sharpest pixels of the source images. Since the energy of image gradient in smooth regions is inaccurate, the sharpest pixels selection is performed on edge regions. The selection of the sharpest pixels in smooth regions is decided by the selection of the nearest edge region. The initial fused image contains visual artifact in boundary region which is fused with one side of the region from first source image and the other side of the region from another source image. To suppress this undesired artifact, the proposed method uses gradual boundary smoothing. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is efficient.
Ribonucleic acid synthesis in the myocardium of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Quantification of transcribing ribonucleic acid polymerases.

Cardiac hypertrophy accompanies the progressive rise in blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The role of endogenous RNA polymerases in this process was examined in nuclei from isolated cardiac myocytes of 20-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive Wistar–Kyoto controls. Both template-engaged (involved in transcription) and free (loosely attached to endogenous template, transcribing only with exogenous templates) RNA polymerases were increased in spontaneously hypertensive rats. In addition, the ratio of RNA polymerases I/II was lower in the spontaneously hypertensive rats for both functional pools of the enzyme. Endogenous transcribing RNA polymerases were quantified by t.l.c. of RNA-hydrolysis products. Increased numbers of enzyme molecules were present in nuclei from spontaneously hypertensive rats, without appreciable change in the rate of polyribonucleotide-chain elongation. These results could not be explained by differences in the activities of contaminating phosphatases or ribonucleases, nor by changes in endogenous nucleoside pools or recoveries of labelled nucleosides. Enhanced myocardial RNA synthesis in the spontaneously hypertensive rats at the stage of established cardiac hypertrophy is associated with increased numbers of RNA polymerase molecules. This increase may, in turn, reflect altered chromatin structure, resulting in increased polymerase binding and/or chain initiation.
Utilizing a structural meta-ontology for family-based quality assurance of the BioPortal ontologies

Graphical abstractDisplay Omitted We introduce a structural meta-ontology for classifying ontologies according to their structure.The benefits of a structural meta-ontology for ontology quality assurance are illustrated.A structural meta-ontology is derived to classify the ontologies in the NCBO BioPortal.The structural meta-ontology enables family-based quality assurance of ontologies. An Abstraction Network is a compact summary of an ontology's structure and content. In previous research, we showed that Abstraction Networks support quality assurance (QA) of biomedical ontologies. The development of an Abstraction Network and its associated QA methodologies, however, is a labor-intensive process that previously was applicable only to one ontology at a time. To improve the efficiency of the Abstraction-Network-based QA methodology, we introduced a QA framework that uses uniform Abstraction Network derivation techniques and QA methodologies that are applicable to whole families of structurally similar ontologies. For the family-based framework to be successful, it is necessary to develop a method for classifying ontologies into structurally similar families. We now describe a structural meta-ontology that classifies ontologies according to certain structural features that are commonly used in the modeling of ontologies (e.g., object properties) and that are important for Abstraction Network derivation. Each class of the structural meta-ontology represents a family of ontologies with identical structural features, indicating which types of Abstraction Networks and QA methodologies are potentially applicable to all of the ontologies in the family. We derive a collection of 81 families, corresponding to classes of the structural meta-ontology, that enable a flexible, streamlined family-based QA methodology, offering multiple choices for classifying an ontology. The structure of 373 ontologies from the NCBO BioPortal is analyzed and each ontology is classified into multiple families modeled by the structural meta-ontology.
Effect of Superacidic Side Chain Structures on High Conductivity Aromatic Polymer Fuel Cell Membranes

Proton-conducting superacidic polymer membranes with different fluoroalkyl sulfonate pendants attached to aromatic polymer backbones were synthesized via C–H functionalization and Suzuki coupling reactions. Variation in the chemical structures of the pendant acidic sulfonate moieties and their effects on membrane properties including water uptake, ion exchange capacity, morphology, and proton conductivity were systemically investigated. Membranes containing the short −OCF2SO3H pendant (PSU-S5) showed a smaller hydrophilic domain size and lower proton conductivity than those containing the longer pendants −OCF2CF2SO3H (PSU-S1) and −SCF2CF2SO3H (PSU-S4), likely due to the short chain’s less favorable aggregation and lower acidity. Polymer electrolyte membranes with unique branched fluoroalkyl sulfonate pendants (PSU-S6) gave larger ionic domain sizes, more uniform hydrophilic channels, and higher proton conductivity than samples with analogous linear pendant chains (PSU-S1), indicating that branched sulfona...
Safety of vaginal microbial transfer in infants delivered by caesarean, and expected health outcomes.

Cunnington and colleagues recently acknowledged that birth by caesarean delivery is associated with increased risk of metabolic and immune diseases.1 This risk is also increased by alterations of the microbiota during early development in these neonates.2 3 The authors state that “vaginal seeding” might restore the microbiota of such infants and decrease the risk of disease, but that its health benefits are unproven. …
Proliferations Of The Epithelium Induced By Sudan III, Scharlach Roth, And Paraffin; And The Effects Of Roentgen Irradiation Upon The Same

Ever since the cause of cancer has been a matter of consideration, experimenters have attempted, by various means, to induce cancer in animals, hoping to open the way to ascertain the etiology. Basing their operations, generally, upon some feature in the history presented by persons or animals afflicted with carcinomata, such agencies as direct trauma, heat, electric current, Roentgen irradiation, corrosive chemicals, etc., have been made use of, in efforts to produce a neoplasm of carcinomatous nature. The results of these experiments have been practically uniformly negative. Based somewhat upon such experimentation, several theories regarding the etiology of cancer have been set forth. These, in their turn, have had the sanction and approval of pathologists in general, only to yield at last under the more diligent and painstaking investigation on the part of their supporters as well as of their opponents. The outcome of the discussions has brought about a practical discarding of the theory of parasitic relationship to cancer, and a wavering division of pathologists between Ribbert's and Cohnheim's theories, with a few advocates of some minor theories and modifications. No phase of medical research is receiving more attention than the etiology of new growths, and none is more undetermined. Nearly three years ago Bernard Fischer^ gave a renewed impetus to experimental investigation into this question by reporting a series of experiments conducted by himself. It is not necessary to review the details of his operations since these are generally familiar. Suffice it to say that, following the subcutaneous injections of certain dyes, in oil, he secured a marked proliferation of epithelium which he considered to resemble the squamous-celled carcinoma in all essentials. He attributed to the dye-oil a property of attracting the epithelium from the surface into the deeper tissues. The active element he named "attraxin," and thereupon he asserted the attraxin theory. Following Fischer's report a great many laboratory workers set out to duplicate * Received for publication January 28, 1909.