cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dipenguin contribution to D{sup 0}-{bar D}{sup 0} mixing

We study the impact of the four-quark dipenguin operator on D{sup 0}-{bar D}{sup 0} mixing. It is shown to contribute to the short distance piece at the same order of magnitude as the box diagram. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Evaluating the importance of characterizing soil structure and horizons in parameterizing a hydrologic process model

Incorporating the influence of soil structure and horizons into parameterizations of distributed surface water/groundwater models remains a challenge. Often, only a single soil unit is employed, and soil-hydraulic properties are assigned based on textural classification, without evaluating the potential impact of these simplifications. This study uses a distributed physics-based model to assess the influence of soil horizons and structure on effective parameterization. This paper tests the viability of two established and widely used hydrogeologic methods for simulating runoff and variably saturated flow through layered soils: (1) accounting for vertical heterogeneity by combining hydrostratigraphic units with contrasting hydraulic properties into homogeneous, anisotropic units and (2) use of established pedotransfer functions based on soil texture alone to estimate water retention and conductivity, without accounting for the influence of pedon structures and hysteresis. The viability of this latter method for capturing the seasonal transition from runoff-dominated to evapotranspiration-dominated regimes is also tested here. For cases tested here, event-based simulations using simplified vertical heterogeneity did not capture the state-dependent anisotropy and complex combinations of runoff generation mechanisms resulting from permeability contrasts in layered hillslopes with complex topography. Continuous simulations using pedotransfer functions that do not account for the influence of soil structure and hysteresis generally over-predicted runoff, leading to propagation of substantial water balance errors. Analysis suggests that identifying a dominant hydropedological unit provides the most acceptable simplification of subsurface layering and that modified pedotransfer functions with steeper soil-water retention curves might adequately capture the influence of soil structure and hysteresis on hydrologic response in headwater catchments. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
Abstract 18339: Weight Loss with Low Carbohydrate Diets Improves Flow Induced Vasodilation in Resistance Arteries

Introduction: Obesity is associated with microvascular dysfunction and reduced nitric oxide (NO). We tested the hypothesis that NO-dependent, flow induced vasodilation in microvessels is improved by low carbohydrate diets designed for weight loss. Methods: Obese female adults (BMI = 32.0 ± 0.6 kg/m2, pre & post, n=22) were randomly assigned to a low carbohydrate (LC) diet for weight loss (LCWL, n=11, 500 calorie/day deficit). All meals were prepared for 6 weeks (10% carbohydrate, 30% protein, 60% fat). Resistance arteries (RAs, internal diameter of 16021 μm, n=22) were dissected from gluteal subcutaneous fat biopsies at weeks 0 (pre) and 6 (post). Vessels were cannulated and exposed to pressure gradients (Δ10-Δ100 cmH2O), with or without L-NAME (10-4 M, inhibitor of eNOS), PEG-catalase (PEG-CAT, 500 Units/ml, scavenger of H2O2), indomethacin (INDO, 10-5 M, inhibitor of cyclooxygenase), or pioglitazone (PIOG, 10-5 M, PPARγ agonist) and to papaverine (10-4 M), pre and post LC. NO or H2O2 in RAs was measured...
A technique for monitoring the consistency of package geometry and dielectric constant in the manufacturing process

A method for detecting the variation in geometry among vendors, lots and individual packages is presented. Using this method, the capacitance between two conductors (traces, leads) is measured with the remaining conductors in the package left floating. The package capacitance lies in the range of 1 pF to 400 pF, depending on the geometry of the conductors, and can be measured with an accuracy within 0.05 pF. This permits the study of variations in the capacitance value for the same lead pairs of many packages and different vendors. The standard deviation, calculated from a sample size of 50, is in the range of 1 pF to 7 pF, which indicates that this measurement technique and methodology can be used with state-of-the-art package technology. >
Membrane fluidity effects of estratrienes

Estrogens have demonstrable neuroprotective effects. This fact has lead to the proposed use of estrogens for the prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The exact protective mechanism estrogens provide is not fully understood. In this report, a potential non-genomic mechanism for estratrienes involving alterations in membrane fluidity was studied. Steroids, such as estrogen, are known to be membrane-active and can alter the lipid packing. In this study we used fluorescent methodologies to address the effect of naturally occurring steroids (17alpha and 17beta-estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone) and new estratriene analogs on membrane fluidity using liposomes and HT-22 hippocampal cells. The study's results indicate steroids, based on the estratriene nucleus, can modulate lipid packing as evidenced by (1) decreased membrane fusion events and (2) decreased membrane fluidity. The effects on the membrane were both time and concentration dependent. It was also demonstrated through rational design estratriene analogs can be synthesized with enhanced membrane effects. Finally, in a glutamate-induced toxicity HT-22 model, we also demonstrated cellular protection with the estratriene-based molecules and analogs. The data suggest the plethora of cellular actions of estrogens may relate to or be influenced by membrane effects of the steroid.
SPEC CPU2006 sensitivity to memory page sizes

SPEC CPU2006 is a compute-intensive industry standard benchmark suite published in August 2006. This paper characterizes the memory access behavior of SPEC CPU2006 running on IBM POWER5+ microprocessors. We measure the maximum and average memory usage of the benchmarks to validate SPEC's memory requirement criteria. This paper also analyzes how different page sizes affect the performance of the benchmarks. The experiment reveals that 64 KB and 16 MB pages improve the performance up to 46.9% and 50.9%, respectively.
Modern Well Testing Analysis Theory and Methods of Remaining Oil Distribution in Waterflooding Reservoir

This paper presents two new methods to analyze remaining oil distribution in high-water-cut reservoir by modern well test interpretations of water injection wells and water breakthrough producers. For water injected wells, after the pressure transient behavior of two phase simultaneous flow in a water injection area is investigated the pseudo skin factor resulted from the two phase flow is determined. Oil/water relative permeability curve can be determined from the factor, combined with mobility from falloff test analysis, then remaining oil distribution can be determined. For water-breakthrough producers, mathematical models of flooding reservoir and their resolution are presented by approximated method of composite reservoir with multiple movable fluid interfaces. An artificial neural network was also build up to get relative permeability curve from well-test data. The two methods are examined by software to get oil distribution in large scale of whole oil field.
PowerPlex® ESX and ESI Systems: A suite of new STR systems designed to meet the changing needs of the DNA-typing community

Abstract With over 6 million profiles currently stored in European databases and the number expected to increase with cross-border data sharing, the likelihood of random matches will undoubtedly increase as well. To improve the overall power of discrimination as well as provide standardization across Europe, the ENFSI and EDNAP committees have made a recommendation to extend the current European Standard Set (ESS) for STR systems. The five-color PowerPlex ® ESX and ESI Systems allow co-amplification and detection of the current commonly tested loci, plus the five new recommended loci. These kits will be offered in multiple formats, including one to detect SE33, to accommodate various requirements or preferences. Additionally, the kits have increased tolerance to common inhibitors and increased sensitivity to obtain full profiles from low-level DNA, and are robust enough to genotype degraded DNA samples through the use of mini STR loci. In this manuscript we present an overview of these systems and data on performance, including sensitivity and resistance to inhibitors. The PowerPlex ® ESX and ESI Systems are useful tools in database sharing and standardization throughout Europe.
Distribution and dispersal history of Eurypterida (Chelicerata)

Abstract The distribution and dispersal histories of Eurypterida are examined in a phylogenetic and palaeogeographic context. It is suggested that all the eurypterid clades originated and had most of their evolutionary history on the palaeocontinents of Laurentia, Baltica, Avalonia, the Rheno–Hercynian Terrane and some presence in Siberia. The Siluro–Devonian Stylonurina and the eurypterine superfamilies Eurypteroidea and Waeringopteroidea are confined in their entirety to these continents. The Late Palaeozoic records of Adelophthalmoidea and Hibbertopteroidea in China, South America and Africa can be explained by ‘rafting’ on the continental plates that amalgamated into the supercontinent Pangaea. However, two clades have distributions that suggest abilities to cross open stretches of ocean; the Silurian and Devonian pterygotoids and some Devonian adelophthalmoids. However, one Silurian mixopteroid and the basal swimming form Onychopterella outside the ‘core-area’ suggest the dispersal patterns are more complicated. The pterygotoids might be the only clade whose members frequently undertook oceanic excursions. Since almost all eurypterid evolution took place in Laurentia, Baltica and Avalonia (and some in the Early Devonian of the Rheno–Hercynian Terrane) prior to the Carboniferous, it is unlikely that many taxonomically rich pre-Carboniferous eurypterid faunas will be encountered outside of these palaeocontinents.
Photo- and radiation-induced CIS-TRANS isomerizations in liquid pyridine

Abstract From results for the sensitization of biacetyl fluorescence in pyridine solutions 1 τ . 1 k = 6·5 dm 3 mol −1 is obtained as the product of lifetime and specific rate of transfer to biacetyl for the lowest excited singlet of liquid pyridine. The photosensitized isomerizations of trans -1,2-diphenylpropene and trans -1,3-pentadiene give χ = 0·056 for the intersystem crossing efficiency in liquid pyridine and 3 τ . 3 k = 50 dm 3 mol −1 as the product for the lowest triplet in liquid pyridine of lifetime and specific rate of transfer to the “low-energy” acceptors. Transfer of singlet excitation to trans -1,2-diphenylpropene was not detectable; such a result suggests the existence in liquid pyridine of an excited singlet state of lower energy than the 1 n π∗ state seen in the absorption spectrum at ≈98 kcal mol −1 (408 kJ/mol). From results for the photosensitized isomerization of trans -2-octene in pyridine, 3 τ . 3 k = 2 dm 3 mol −1 is estimated; such a value indicates that the lowest triplet in liquid pyridine has an energy close to that of the octene triplet [≈81 kcal mol −1 (338 kJ/mol)] and, therefore, below that of the 3 ππ ∗ state seen in the oxygen- perturbed absorption spectrum. The γ-induced isomerizations of trans -1,3-pentadine and the 1,2-diphenylpropenes give 3 G = 2·9 for the total yield of lowest triplets in liquid pyridine and 3 τ . 3 k = 30 dm 3 mol −1 . The values of 3 τ. 3 k for the “low-energy” acceptors in pyridine give, with 3 k = 10 10 dm 3 mol −1 s −1 , 3 = 3–5 ns.
Implementation of the ASTER science standard data product requirements in the EOSDIS system

The advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) is designed to provide a high-resolution map of the Earth in both visible, near-infrared, and thermal spectral regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The ASTER science team has developed standard data product algorithms to permit the estimation of surface radiances and reflectance values, to calculate surface temperatures both over water and land, to provide a color enhanced product with a high degree of surface discriminability, in addition to other functions. The ASTER product generation system (PGS) team is implementing these requirements within the constraints of the EOSDIS system, using a rapid development methodology that emphasizes open lines of communication in a team approach using concurrent engineering techniques. The PGS development environment was structured both to conform to the changing needs of the EOSDIS system and to incorporate experimentation with and modification of the science algorithms as the software was being developed and tested. This challenging environment required a focus on novel methods of requirements tracking, software interface uniformity, toolkit transparency, and platform independence. This approach required a high degree of interoperability of the software development environment, a well as a flexible and highly integrated configuration management and testing approach. In addition in order to validate the PGS software in the operational environment of the EOSDIS, a remote integration testing approach was adopted to provide a rapid convergence of the final integrated system. This paper describes the critical elements in the development and integration of the ASTER PGS system.
Benzodifurans. I. The synthesis of benzo[1,2‐b:5,4‐b]difuran and some methyl analogs

The first parent benzodifuran (XVI) and three di- and trimethylated derivatives have been synthesized and screened for erythemal activity (negative response). Two benzodifurans were prepared from resorcinol and 2-methylresorcinol by acetylation, Fries rearrangement, alkylation of the resulting 4,6-diacetylresorcinols with ethyl bromoacetate, saponification, and then cyclization of the (4,6-diacetyl-1,3-phenylenedioxy)diacetic acids. Another was prepared from the Claisen rearrangement product of 1,3-bis(allyloxy)-2-methylbenzene by acetylation, bromina-tion, and cyclization. Ozonolysis of the Claisen rearrangement product gave additional support to the formulation of o-hydroxyphenylaeetaldehydes as cyclic hemiacetals. The parent benzodifuran was synthesized from 5-formyI-6-hydroxybenzofuran, which was prepared in two steps from 5-bromo-6-methoxybenzofuran. Alkylation of the former with ethyl bromoacetate, saponification, and cyclization furnished benzo[1,2-b.5,4-b ]difuran. The ultraviolet and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the four benzodifurans are compared.
Selective inhibition of HEMA gene expression by photooxidation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Norflurazon (NF), a photobleaching herbicide, inhibits carotenoid biosynthesis. Lack of carotenoid pigments leads to photooxidative damage of chloroplasts. In this study of Arabidopsis thaliana we demonstrate that NF-treated photobleached plants are still able to make 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) the first precursor of porphyrins and tetrapyrroles. ALA is formed in the tRNA-dependent two-step C5-pathway in the chloroplast of plants. The expression of glutamyl-tRNA reductase (GluTR), the first enzyme in the pathway, was severely inhibited by NF, while treatment with this compound did not significantly reduce the levels of the other enzyme, glutamate-l-semialdehyde aminomutase, or of tRNA(Glu), the initial metabolite of the pathway. Extracts of these plants retained the capacity, albeit reduced, to convert exogenously added glutamate to ALA. Thus, the much-reduced level of ALA formation in photobleached plants is due to selective inhibition of GluTR expression.
Developmental regulation of choline sulfatase and aryl sulfatase in Neurospora crassa.

Abstract Regulation of the synthesis of several enzymes of sulfur metabolism in Neurospora is a function of both metabolic regulation and the genetic control exerted by the cys -3 and scon regulatory genes. Additional control mechanisms appear to regulate the synthesis of choline sulfatase and aryl sulfatase in different developmental stages of the life cycle. The metabolic regulation of enzyme synthesis in conidia differs from that which occurs in the mycelial stage. During conidial germination and mycelial outgrowth, the synthesis of these enzymes is not coordinate but begins at different times and occurs at different rates. A rapid and early synthesis of choline sulfatase was observed during conidial germination under derepressing conditions; furthermore, synthesis of the enzyme also occurred for a brief period in germinating conidia even in the presence of repressing levels of sulfate. The results of this study suggest that several enzymes of sulfur metabolism are independently controlled by a developmental system which is superimposed upon the cys -3 regulatory mechanism. It was also found that choline sulfatase undergoes rapid turnover while aryl sulfatase is a stable species.
Spoken dialogue for simulation control and conversational tutoring

This demonstration shows a flexible tutoring system for studying the effects of different tutoring strategies enhanced by a spoken language interface. The hypothesis is that spoken language increases the effectiveness of automated tutoring. The domain is Navy damage control.
Understanding mechanisms leading to asphalt binder fatigue in the dynamic shear rheometer

Asphalt binder fatigue resistance is important in determining overall pavement fatigue performance. One procedure commonly used to characterise asphalt binder fatigue resistance is the time sweep test, which consists of repeated cyclic loading in the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). Generally, apparent changes in complex modulus and phase angle with respect to number of loading cycles are used to define fatigue performance. Although results from DSR testing have been shown to correlate well with asphalt mixture fatigue performance, the mechanisms responsible for changes in binder properties in the DSR were previously not well understood. Results in this study demonstrate that fracture can explain the changes in loading resistance during fatigue testing in the DSR. Under cyclic torsional loading of cylindrical specimens, fracture manifests as a circumferential crack that starts at the periphery of a sample and propagates inward, reducing the effective sample radius. Digital visualisation of binder specimens ...
Viktor Hamburger (1900-2001). Journey of a neuroembryologist to the end of the millennium and beyond.

Abstract But will there be anyone to remember us in another thousand years? Surely it's not possible that not a single molecule of memory will be found for us, like a yellowing manuscript at the bottom of a forgotten drawer, whose very cataloguing guarantees its eternity even if not a single reader ever discovers it. But will the catalog itself survive? —A.B. Yehoshua, 1998
Two Courts Two Roads: Domestic Rule of Law and Legitimacy of International Courts

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) constitute two prominent international courts. However, there exists considerable variation in states' support for these two institutions. The Rome Statute, which recognizes the jurisdiction of the ICC has been ratified by over half the states in the world; only a third of states accept the compulsory jurisdiction of the ICJ. How are we to understand this variation in state support for these two courts? I argue that there is an inherent link between the quality of a state's domestic legal system (rule of law) and perceived legitimacy of an international court. Empirical analyses of states' support for the ICJ and the ICC show that rule-of-law states lend support to the ICC, a court perceived by the international community as legitimate. Alleged bias of the ICJ has, on the other hand, substantially weakened support for this court among rule-of-law states.
Contrast improvement with balanced diffusion control of PAG and PDB

For semiconductor manufacturing of k1<0.3 half pitch, immersion lithography is still indispensable for process development and production. As the minimum feature size reaches the resolution limit, many resolution enhancement techniques and processes are developed to meet the stringent imaging requirements. Since the optical contrast is not sufficient for low-k1 application, the optimizing conditions for DOF, MEEF, LWR, 2D features, top-view profile, and defect become more challenging than ever for manufacturing. The low-k1 induced poor ADI (after development inspection) end-to-end profile is deleterious to pattern fidelity that may further impact the AEI (after etching inspection). From a previous study, the photo-decomposed base (PDB) has been proven effective in enhancing the resist contrast and improving the DOF from conventional quenchers. In this paper, we study its further improvement on litho performance by controlling the diffusion lengths of the PAG and the PDB. We split the polarity and size of the PAG and PDB to control the diffusion length. The top view profile is improved from rounding to vertical if a longer diffusion length of the PDB is selected. The scattering bar printing window can also be improved in such a condition. If the PAG and the PDB have better matching controls, the MEEF, LWR, CDU, and end-to-end top view profile are improved as shown in Fig.1.
Age and male erectile responsiveness

The purpose of the research was to determine (1) the difference in the rate of penile circumference increase per unit time between a group of young and a group of old normal males when exposed to the same erotic movie and (2) the correlation coefficient between penile shaft temperature increase and penile circumference increase. Ten males aged 19–30 years and ten males aged 48–65 years served as subjects. Each subject placed a thermistor and strain gauge on his penis and both outputs were recorded simultaneously on a two-channel recorder. The younger group responded at an erection rate 5.8 times faster than that of the older group. The correlation coefficient, based on the percent approach to oral temperature (98.6°F) and the percent increase in penile circumference, was 0.75.
GASTRIC SECRETION IN THE ADRENALECTOMIZED RAT

TUERKISCHER and Wertheimer (1945) using a modification of the technique for the study of gastric secretion first reported by Roe and Dyer (1939) found a significant decrease in gastric secretion in adrenal-ectomized rats. They particularly emphasized the point that this decrease in gastric secretion could not be accounted for by the surgical trauma imposed upon the animal. A normal volume of secretion was obtained after bilateral adrenal-enucleation. The decrease in gastric secretion following adrenalectomy could be corrected with adrenal cortical extract but not with desoxycorticosterone acetate or normal saline. It seemed important to attempt to confirm these findings. The results herein reported extend and confirm those published elsewhere (Madden and Ramsburg, 1951).
Kinetic Monte Carlo Simulation of Dynamic Phenomena in thin Film Growth

In this paper we describe the response of a Kinetic Monte Carlo model to time-varying growth conditions. We vary temperature and partial pressure sinusoidally and identify behavior typical of low-dimensional nonlinear systems. In particular, the frequency content of the roughness response is sensitive to the presence of steps in the surface.
By-product lobbying with rival public goods

Abstract A by-product firm uses the profits from the sale of a private good to finance provision of a public good. If the public good exhibits any degree of rivalry, an increase in population will lead to a reduction in the provision of the public good, when the number of by-product firms is constant. An increase in the number of by-product firms raises provision of the public good, if population is constant. When population and the number of by-product firms are increased in the same proportion, the effect on provision of the public good depends upon the degree of rivalry exhibited by the public good.
pA2 and receptor differentiation: A statistical analysis of competitive antagonism

Abstract The pA 2 of a competitive antagonist was defined by Schild as the negative logarithm of the molar concentration of an antagonist which reduces the effect of a dose of agonist to that of half the dose. The relationship of the pA 2 to the dissociation constant, K, of the antagonist-receptor complex is discussed within the framework of competitive theory. Various methods for the determination of pA 2 , and the accuracy and precision of these methods, are presented. Special problems associated with the determination of pA 2 in vivo are also discussed, with particular attention being given to narcotic analgesics and their antagonists.
A Bird, a Crocodile, and the 21st Century Cowrie Shell: Analyzing Ghana’s Currency Change:

Ghana’s currency was redenominated in 2007. The current study explored this transition as an example of change occurring in a cultural context. This was achieved using interviews as a window into the experiences of a sample of 40 Ghanaians who daily live in the aftermath of this change. These findings indicate that the old currency continues to play a very important role in post-redenomination Ghana. Though no longer physically present, the old currency remains an integral part of the daily financial discourse. While participants gave several reasons for this tendency, the “Sankofa—Denkyem” (retrospective adaptability) effect is introduced as a cultural framework that adequately explains the results of this study.
Evaluation of a soil greenhouse gas emission model based on Bayesian inference and MCMC: Parameter identifiability and equifinality

Abstract Identifiability and equifinality are two interrelated concepts in mathematical modeling. The derivation of the Hessian matrix becomes crucial when the condition number is used as a diagnostic indicator for identifiability. The covariance-inverse (CI) method was proposed to derive the Hessian matrix via the inverse matrix of covariance. The covariance matrix is calculated directly from the posterior parameter samples. Compared with two existing methods, i.e., difference quotients (DQ) and quasi-analytical (QA), CI is more efficient and reliable. The CI method was then used for identifiability diagnosis on a soil greenhouse gas emission (SoilGHG) model. The model as a whole was poorly identified, but a reduced model with fewer parameters could become identifiable, which is called “conditionally identifiable” in this paper. The geometric mean condition numbers in terms of sorted singular values of the full Hessian matrix could be adopted as criteria to determine at most how many undetermined parameters might be included in an identifiable or weakly identifiable model. The combinations of parameters that made the model identifiable were also determined by the proposed diagnosis method. We addressed the importance of understanding both identifiability and equifinality in ecosystem modeling.
Managerial Cost Accounting for a Technical Information Center.

Technical information centers have been established in recent years to cope with the “information explosion” problem which confronts the scientific community. These operations are highly analogous to a typical manufacturing firm with functions such as purchasing, production, service, finance, administration, and distribution. Management of a center encounters cost information requirements similar to those found in other enterprises for planning, control, and decision-making purposes. Yet, research indicates that few tangible cost-accounting applications have been attempted in information centers. The purpose of this paper is to describe a research project conducted at a technical information center to test the hypothesis that: A theoretically-sound managerial cost-accounting system can be designed to meet the specific characteristics of a technical information center by revising and innovating systems utilized by other enterprises. A computerized cost system was developed and operated for a three-month period to test this hypothesis. The results of the study indicate that effective managerial cost accounting is possible for a technical information center. Relevant cost information was generated periodically to measure the operating performance of the center's production process. A summary of the data that were reported regularly to management is presented in this paper.
FSH and LH stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase activity: studies with porcine granulosa cells in vitro

Under defined conditions in vitro FSH and LH caused a dose-dependent stimulation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity in granulosa cells isolated from porcine ovarian follicles. In cells from small follicles, FSH was at least twice as potent an inducer of the enzyme activity as LH. The cells from medium-sized follicles were more responsive to both hormones than cells from small follicles. In addition, the cells from medium-sized follicles were approximately equally responsive to maximal FSH and LH stimulation. Incubation of cells from either small follicles or medium-sized follicles with maximum effective doses of LH plus FSH caused no additive effects.
Designated Medical Directors for Emergency Medical Services: Recruitment and Roles.

: Context:Emergency medical services (EMS) agencies rely on medical oversight to support Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in the provision of prehospital care. Most states require EMS agencies to have a designated medical director (DMD), who typically is responsible for the many activities of medical oversight. Purpose: To assess rural-urban differences in obtaining a DMD and in their responsibilities. Methods: A national survey of 1,425 local EMS directors, conducted in 2007. Findings: Rural EMS directors were more likely than urban ones to report DMD recruitment problems, but recruitment barriers were similar, with the most commonly reported barrier being an unwillingness of local physicians to serve. Rural EMS directors reported that their DMDs were less likely to be trained in Emergency Medicine, and were less likely to provide educational support functions such as continuing education. Rural agencies were more likely to get on-line medical direction from their DMD, but were less likely to always get the on-line support they needed. Common barriers to on-line support were typical of rural communication barriers. Conclusions: Existing recommendations for DMD qualifications may be difficult to attain in rural communities. To develop programs that will support medical direction for rural EMS agencies, it is important to learn what physicians identify as the barriers to serving as DMDs, and whether there are alternative and innovative ways to provide an optimal level of medical oversight. Solutions will likely be multi-faceted, as EMS activities and organizational structures are diverse and the responsibilities of the DMD are broad.
VIP innervation: sharp contrast in fetal sheep and baboon adrenal glands suggests differences in developmental regulation.

Immunocytochemical technique and light microscopy were used to ascertain the relationship between vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and tyrosine hydroxylase in fetal sheep and fetal baboon adrenal cortices and medullae at 85% of gestation. VIP immunostaining was extremely robust in fetal sheep adrenal cortical neurofibers and cells while weak in fibers and nonexistent in cells of fetal baboon. Also, tyrosine hydroxylase-immunopositive cells, present throughout the adrenal cortices of both fetal sheep and baboons, were heavily innervated by VIP-immunoreactive neurofibers in fetal sheep, but not in fetal baboons. Adrenal cortical VIP-immunopositive fibers occurred in greater (P<0.05) frequency in fetal sheep than in fetal baboons (14.82±3.10 vs. 0.84±0.26 fibers/field), were larger in diameter (2.93±0.34 vs. 0.93±0.07 μm) and ran for longer distances in the plane of section (127.85±5.16 vs. 74.53±4.93 μm). VIP immunogenicity in cells (ganglion and chromaffin) and fibers was robust in fetal adrenal medulla of sheep while nonexistent in baboons. VIP fibers in fetal sheep medulla were smaller in diameter compared to fetal sheep cortex (1.22±0.13 vs. 2.93±0.34 μm, P<0.05), but not compared to extrinsic nerve fibers (1.30±0.09 μm). We hypothesize that in fetal sheep of this age, medullary neurofibers derive primarily from extrinsic sources while cortical fibers arise from cortical ganglion cells. We conclude that at 85% of gestation the potential for VIP neural control of paracrine (e.g., glucocorticoid/catecholamine) interactions in both adrenal cortex and medulla is much greater in fetal sheep compared to fetal baboons.
Ultrabroadband Low Dispersion Silicon-on-Nitride Waveguide in Mid-Infrared Region

The designed silicon-on-nitride waveguide illustrates an ultrabroadband (~4200 nm) low chromatic dispersion (±0.05 ps/(nm·m)) in mid-infrared wavelength region. This provides a good nonlinear medium for broadband signal processing.
Ethics Education in Social Work: Comparing Outcomes of Graduate Social Work Students

This research presents findings from a study comparing groups of students enrolled in three U.S. graduate social work programs. Each program represents a differing approach to teaching ethics: (a) infusion of ethics content, (b) a required discrete course emphasizing what the authors term a mixed-model approach, and (c) a required discrete ethics course emphasizing a common morality model. It was hypothesized that students taking a discrete course in ethics would demonstrate greater gains in the areas of moral judgment and ethical sensitivity. It was also hypothesized that students taking a discrete course emphasizing the common morality model would demonstrate even greater gains. Findings and implications for social work education are discussed.
CRIS — Computational research infrastructure for science

The challenges facing the scientific community are common and real: conduct relevant and verifiable research in a rapidly changing collaborative landscape with an ever increasing scale of data. It has come to a point where research activities cannot scale at the rate required without improved cyberinfrastructure (CI). In this paper we describe CRIS (The Computational Research Infrastructure for Science), with its primary tenets to provide an easy to use, scalable, and collaborative scientific data management and workflow cyberinfrastructure for scientists lacking extensive computational expertise. Some of the key features of CRIS are: 1) semantic definition of scientific data using domain vocabularies; 2) embedded provenance for all levels of research activity (data, workflows, tools etc.); 3) easy integration of existing heterogeneous data and computational tools on local or remote computers; 4) automatic data quality monitoring for syntactic and domain standards; and 5) shareable yet secure access to research data, computational tools and equipment. CRIS currently has a community of users in Agronomy, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics and Healthcare Engineering at Purdue University (cris.cyber.purdue.edu).
The genetic basis for the meiotic disorder of Coprinus congregatus.

A “pale-mushroom” phenotype in the fungus Coprinus congregatus has previously been reported to be caused by a cytoplasmic, infectious agent that inhibits the formation of synaptonemal complexes. After a period of 5 years of successful extraction of infectious material from carrier homokaryons, infectivity has now been lost and even cytoplasmic contact through somatic fusions no longer transmits the pale phenotype. In attempts to obtain new carrier homokaryons, a genetic analysis has been done. This study demonstrates that the pale phenotype in this species is primarily determined by a nuclear gene, symbolized pal−. The pale phenotype appears predictably when the dikaryon is homoallelic for the pal− allele. Homoallelic wild type (pal+) and heteroallelic dikaryons display the dark phenotype. The former infectious nature of the pale phenotype and the current anomalous behavior of one homokaryon is discussed in the context that the pale phenotype may involve both a nuclear gene and a cytoplasmic element under some conditions.
Recapture studies of the harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex owyheei Cole, using a fluorescent marking technique

. 1 Mark—recapture sampling must be stratified because populations of foragers and defenders are partitioned by trunk trails and order of emergence respectively. 2 Foragers and defenders form overlapping subsets of the total colony population, each of which is correlated with total colony population size. 3 Foragers and defenders have an average life expectancy of approximately 2 weeks. 4 The fluorescent marking procedure did not significantly affect harvester ant mortality and only temporarily affected their behaviour. 5 Combinations and mixtures of fluorescent ink allow at least eight groups in a colony to be distinctly marked for periods exceeding 4 months.
The most reactive third-row transition metal: Guided ion beam and theoretical studies of the activation of methane by Ir+

Abstract The potential energy surface for activation of methane by the third-row transition metal cation, Ir+, is studied experimentally by examining the kinetic energy dependence of reactions of Ir+ with methane, IrCH2+ with H2 and D2, and collision-induced dissociation of IrCH2+ with Xe using guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometry. A flow tube ion source produces Ir+ in its electronic ground state term and primarily in the ground spin–orbit level. We find that dehydrogenation to form IrCH2+ + H2 is exothermic, efficient, and the only process observed at low energies for reaction of Ir+ with methane, whereas IrH+ dominates the product spectrum at higher energies. We also observe the IrH2+ product, which provides evidence that methane activation proceeds via a dihydride (H)2IrCH2+ intermediate. The kinetic energy dependences of the cross sections for several endothermic reactions are analyzed to give 0 K bond dissociation energies (in eV) of D0(Ir+–2H) > 5.09 ± 0.07, D0(Ir+–C) = 6.59 ± 0.05, D0(Ir+–CH) = 6.91 ± 0.23, and D0(Ir+–CH3) = 3.25 ± 0.18. D0(Ir+–CH2) = 4.92 ± 0.03 eV is determined by measuring the forward and reverse reaction rates for I r + + C H 4 ⇌ IrC H 2 + + H 2 at thermal energy. Ab initio calculations at the B3LYP/HW+/6-311++G(3df,3p) level performed here show reasonable agreement with the experimental bond energies and with the few previous experimental and theoretical values available. Theory also provides the electronic structures of the product species as well as intermediates and transition states along the reactive potential energy surfaces. We also compare this third-row transition metal system with the first-row and second-row congeners, Co+ and Rh+. Differences in reactivity and mechanisms can be explained by the lanthanide contraction and relativistic effects that alter the relative size of the valence s and d orbitals.
Effects of atmospheres on bonding characteristics of silver and alumina

Joints prepared using the silver–copper oxide based reactive air brazing (RAB) technique are known to experience a significant decrease in joint strength when exposed to a high-temperature reducing environment. To investigate the effects of ambient atmosphere on the bonding characteristics of ceramic joints brazed with Ag–CuO filler metals, alumina joints prepared using a series of Ag–CuO compositions were exposed to a reducing hydrogen atmosphere and re-oxidized in air at 800 °C. As previously reported, joints exposed only to hydrogen revealed significant reduction in flexural strength and exhibited interfacial de-bonding between the filler metal and the alumina substrate. In the case of the joints brazed with a filler metal containing a high copper content, 8 mol% CuO, the formation of interfacial porosity caused by the reduction of interfacial oxide phases led to an extremely weak interface, which was not recovered after subsequent reoxidation in air at 800 °C. However, no such microstructural change or formation of interfacial porosity was observed in joints brazed with filler metals containing no or low copper content and the substrate/filler metal interface remained intact even though interfacial strength was found to be relatively weak. Subsequent reoxidation of these joints resulted in the recovery of interfacial strength and flexural strength. The results clearly indicate that interfacial adhesion in this type of braze filler metal is significantly influenced by the oxidizing/reducing characteristics of the surrounding atmosphere during high-temperature exposure. XPS analysis conducted on the in situ fractured surfaces of as-brazed and hydrogen-treated samples prepared using a filler metal with 2 mol% CuO indicates that it is the concentration of oxygen in the silver matrix which is critical to the level of bond strength between silver and alumina. This was confirmed by exposing an equivalent set of joining specimens to an inert atmosphere at high temperature, which subsequently also displayed low flexural strengths and de-bonding along the silver/alumina interface.
Cardiac toxicity of some echinocandin antifungals.

Background: Unexplained cardiovascular decompensation has been observed during central venous administration of some echinocandins. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess cardiac toxicity associated with the echinocandins. Methods: Isolated rat hearts (Langendorff model) were perfused with anidulafungin (ANID), caspofungin (CASP), or micafungin (MICA) at exposures of 1, 4, and 10 times therapeutic concentrations. Changes in left ventricular contractility with experimental exposure were compared to control, and histologic and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examinations of tissue were performed. Results: Mean concentrations of ANID (10 – 80 µg/ml) and CASP (6 – 48 µg/ml) were associated with significant decreases in contractility (-77.1 ± 9.4% and -40.6 ± 15.6%, respectively; p < 0.05). MICA was associated with an increase in contractility (13.6 ± 2.8%, p = NS). On TEM, samples exposed to ANID and CASP had enlarged mitochondria and disintegrating myofibrils. Samples exposed to MICA showe...
An Example of an Investment Model That Makes Something Out of Nothing (Sort of): Implications for Building Applied Mathematical Models

Two related and under-studied components of modeling are: a) the process by which simplifying assumptions are derived; and b) the process by which tests of model validity are designed. This case study illustrates these processes for two simple investment models: a) a version of the model supporting classical portfolio theory; and b) a version of a mean-reverting model consistent with some of the tenets of behavioral finance. We perform a simulation that demonstrates that the traditional method of empirically assessing the performance of value investment strategies is underpowered. Indeed, the simulation illustrates in a narrow technical sense how to make something out of nothing; namely, how to generate increased returns while reducing risk. Analyzing the mechanism underpinning this counter-intuitive result helps to illustrate the close and sometimes unexpected relationship between the substantial assumptions made about the systems being modeled, the mathematical assumptions used to build models of those systems, and the structure of the experiments used to assess the performance of those models.
Influencing generative design through continuous evaluation: Associating costs with the coffeemaker shape grammar

A grammatical approach to product design is demonstrated. In particular, shape grammars are shown to be especially useful for products that are differentiated primarily on the basis of form yet driven by function; they allow products to be designed as a sequence of well-defined steps. However, it is not always clear how to choose the sequence of rules that should be applied to generate the final shape. In this paper we demonstrate that at each stage during the process, partial designs of the final product can be used to provide feedback to the designer based on specific design objectives and thus suggest possible rule choices. We take advantage of the shape grammar for the generation of coffeemakers introduced by Agarwal and Cagan, and associate with the grammar rules expressions that model manufacturing costs. With each application of a shape grammar rule, an understanding of the overall cost of manufacturing the product is incrementally improved. Thus, at each stage of the design process the designer has an indication of what the overall cost of the product will be and how the selection of one grammar rule over another influences the final cost. Once the complete product is generated, an appraisal of its manufacturing cost is given to the designer. This evaluation methodology helps the designer understand the implications of decisions made early on in the design process. We have also verified the accuracy of this approach through the costs of some commercially available coffeemakers, generated by this method, which are comparable to the costs for those designs listed in the literature.
Correlative studies of serum digitalis levels and the arrhythmias of digitalis intoxication

Correlative studies of serum digoxin levels, cardiac rhythm and related clinical laboratory data were carried out in 114 patients. Seventy-three patients who presented with 79 episodes of arrhythmias typical of digitalis intoxication could be separated into a normokalemic group of 55 patients whose serum digoxin level was 3.68 ± 0.17 ng/ml (mean ± standard error of the mean), and a hypokalemic group of 24 with a mean serum digoxin level of 1.13 ± 0.04 ng/ml (P < 0.001). Of 45 consecutive normokalemic patients with a high serum digoxin level (more than 2 mg/ml) who underwent serial studies, 17 had arrhythmias. Serial studies in 10 hypokalemic patients revealed an inconsistent relation between presence of arrhythmia and serum digoxin level. During repletion of serum potassium in seven of these patients with an arrhythmia, the arrhythmia disappeared without a significant change in serum digoxin level in four patients. A group of seven patients had 16 episodes of serum digoxin level greater than 2.2 ng/ml, but an arrhythmia occurred during only 3 of these episodes. A sharp border between toxic and therapeutic serum digoxin values was not found in these groups of study patients. The serum digoxin level at which arrhythmias occurred appeared to be variable for both groups and individual patients. However, correlative studies utilizing serum digoxin levels can define existing thresholds for therapeutic and toxic effects and may often be more useful than isolated observations.
Immune modulation by epidermal cell products: Possible role of ETAF in inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases

Recent studies have indicated that the epidermis plays an important role in the modulation of immunologic reactions. The factors involved in these processes include not only Langerhans cells but also keratinocyte products. One of these products, ETAF (Epidermal cell derived Thymocyte Activating Factor), which is similar to the macrophage derived product interleukin 1 (IL-1), is reviewed. Speculations as to its possible role in skin diseases are presented.
Suppression of evoked IPSPs by arachidonic acid and prostaglandin F2α

Abstract Arachidonic acid (AA) and certain prostagladins appear to antagonize GABA A receptors in synaptoneurosomes [18]. We report here that perfusing hippocampal slices with AA or prstaglandin F 2α diminishes evoked IPSP conductance and increases CA1 pyramidal cell input resistance. The effects of the two compounds were similar, though not identical, in time course, magnitude, and response to washout. These findings suggest that high levels of AA and its metabolites may bias neurons towards excitation.