cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Test of an Expanded Version of the Theory of Planned Behavior in Predicting Recycling Behavior on Campus.

Abstract Background: The study and promotion of environmental health behaviors, such as recycling, is an emerging focus in public health. Purpose: This study was designed to examine the determinants of recycling intention on a college campus. Methods: Undergraduate students (N=189) completed a 35-item web-based survey past findings and an expanded version of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Path analytic models were examined with bootstrapping method. Results: The path coefficients revealed that all of the direct paths were statistically significant except the direct path from descriptive norm to behavioral intention. The model explained 49.3% of the variance in recycling intention. The strongest predictors of campus recycling intention were moral obligation and behavioral attitudes. Discussion: The expanded version of the TPB proved to be a sound theoretical framework to study the determinants of recycling on campus. Overall, the model components had a large effect on recycling intention. Translatio...
Development of a fiber optic sensor for measurement of pCO2 in sea water: design criteria and sea trials

Measurement of the partial pressure of CO2 gas in sea water (pCO2) is usually accomplished by gas chromatography or infrared spectrometry. Both techniques require large, complex and power-demanding apparatus. In this paper we explore the possibility of developing small, low-power sensors. We have developed and tested a prototype pCO2 sensor for seawater based upon the fluorescence of a combination of dyes encapsulated within a gas permeable silicone membrane at the tip of a single optical fiber. The optical module (Douglas Instruments) delivers 30 Hz chopped white light to a filter and is passed through a dichroic mirror. This light is then focused on to a 220 μm optical fiber. The fiber, approximately 2 m long, was terminated with a standard coupler equipped with a small silicone nipple. The internal volume of the sensor tip (about 10 μl) was filled with a combination of a fluorescent indicator and two absorbing dyes so as to achieve the required sensitivity. HPTS (hydroxypyrenetrisulfonic acid) was chosen as the fluorescent species; Neutral Red and DNPA (2-(2,4-dinitrophenylazo)-1-naphthol-3,6-disulfonic acid) were selected as absorbers. Illumination at λex = 450 nm yielded fluorescence at λex = 530 nm, and fluoresced light was returned through the same fiber, reflected at 90° by the dichroic mirror, passed through an interference filter and focused on to a sensitive silicon photodiode. Experiments carried out both in the laboratory on standard solutions and at sea show a precision of 3% in the range 400–500 ppm pCO2. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an optical pCO2 sensor for detecting oceanic signals. This technology is complementary to optical detection of pH and points the way towards full characterization of the CO2 system within this measurement framework.
Downward Spirals, Boiled Frogs, and Catastrophes: Examining the Rate of School Decline

The purpose of this study is to determine the validity of common assumptions about the rate at which school decline manifests. From a population of 981 elementary schools in the state of Virginia, the author uses three operational definitions of school decline to identify samples of declining schools: Absolute (n = 217), Relational (n = 510), and Crossing the Line (n = 165). Descriptive data and latent growth model results indicated that catastrophic declines and downward spirals rarely exist. Instead, analyses suggested temporal improvements possibly mask the longitudinal negative trend of declining school performance.
Latin America's response to the debt crisis

The debt crisis has produced the most drastic economic reversal for the economies of Latin America since the worldwide depression of the 1930s. It led to the unexpected efforts of regional governments to work together politically to ameliorate the social and political consequences of the crisis. The international system has witnessed, since 1983, the slow but deliberate effort of Latin American leaders to consolidate the return to democracy in key states of the region (Argentina, Brazil). Regional leaders have also had to deal with the growing social pressures throughout Latin America and the Caribbean in the midst of the economic adjustment process. Latin America's leaders have called for a redefinition of the debt issue. They reject the assertion that debt involves only the private commercial banks and the governments of the hemisphere. The Latin American governments argue that debt is overtly political and must lead to negotiations among the governments of the United States, Western Europe, Japan, and Latin America. It is important to emphasise that the call for political talks about the debt and its consequences have not been accompanied by threats either to declare a unilateral moratorium or to organise a debtors' cartel, although there are those in Latin America who think that this is a desirable course of action. The meetings of the political leaders of the hemisphere have been a model of reasoned and highly concerned analysis. Unfortunately, the response of the members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has been negative. Led by the United States, but with strong support from, among others, the United Kingdom, the industrial countries have indicated that the debt crisis is basically a financial question to be resolved between the creditors-the private commercial banks-and debtors, the governments and the private sector of Latin America. While emergency assistance will be available in the form of 'bridge' loans or special credits, it is not desirable to 'politicise' the crisis by opening
Nonmelanoma skin cancer of the head and neck II: surgical treatment and reconstruction

Surgical treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) is most often straight forward and can be performed as an office-based procedure by non-surgically trained professionals. However, the cases that present to an Otolaryngology practice typically will involve difficult-to-treat lesions around the face and lesions that necessitate an in depth knowledge of how to balance the need for adequate surgical margins with the reconstructive contraints imposed by aesthetic subunits of the face. This article discusses modern concepts of surgical margins for NMSC, including the Moh's micrographic surgical technique, and then reviews the most common reconstructive strategies for difficult-to-treat areas on the face. The goal of this paper is to help the general Otolaryngollogists to understand the basic principles of surgical resection and reconstruction of NMSC lesions on the face.
Triamcinolone acetonide nanoparticles incorporated in thermoreversible gels for age-related macular degeneration.

AbstractAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in the US affecting millions yearly. It is characterized by intraocular neovascularization, inflammation and retinal damage which can be ameliorated through intraocular injections of glucocorticoids. However, the complications that arise from repetitive injections as well as the difficulty posed by targeting the posterior segment of the eye make this interesting territory for the development of novel drug delivery systems (DDS). In the present study, we described the development of a DDS composed of triamcinolone acetonide-encapsulated PEGylated PLGA nanoparticles (NP) incorporated into PLGA–PEG–PLGA thermoreversible gel and its use against VEGF expression characteristic of AMD. We found that the NP with mean size of 208 ± 1.0 nm showed uniform size distribution and exhibited sustained release of the drug. We also demonstrated that the polymer can be injected as a solution and transition to a gel phase based on the bi...
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in the endangered San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis)

A set of ten polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for the endangered San Diego fairy shrimp (Branchinecta sandiegonensis). These loci were amplified on a set of 24 fairy shrimp collected from vernal pools located throughout San Diego County. The loci selected are highly variable across a wide sampling range (3–29 alleles per locus, 3–20 heterozygotes observed). After directly testing for Mendelian inheritance through family screens, eight markers did not show evidence of null alleles. This novel set of microsatellite markers will be useful in future genetic studies to assess intraspecific diversity, population connectivity and mating patterns.
Partial enzymatic elimination and quantification of sarcosine from alanine using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Since sarcosine and d,l-alanine co-elute on reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns and the tandem mass spectrometer cannot differentiate them due to equivalent parent and fragment ions, derivatization is often required for analysis of sarcosine in LC/MS systems. This study offers an alternative to derivatization by employing partial elimination of sarcosine by enzymatic oxidation. The decrease in apparent concentration from the traditionally merged sarcosine–alanine peak associated with the enzymatic elimination has been shown to be proportional to the total sarcosine present (R 2 = 0.9999), allowing for determinations of urinary sarcosine. Sarcosine oxidase was shown to eliminate only sarcosine in the presence of d,l-alanine, and was consequently used as the selective enzyme. This newly developed technique has a method detection limit of 1 μg/L (parts per billion) with a linear range of 3 ppb–1 mg/L (parts per million) in urine matrices. The method was further validated through spiked recoveries of real urine samples, as well as the analysis of 35 real urine samples. The average recoveries for low, middle, and high sarcosine concentration spikes were 111.7, 90.8, and 90.1 %, respectively. In conclusion, this simple enzymatic approach coupled with HPLC/MS/MS is able to resolve sarcosine from d,l-alanine leading to underivatized quantification of sarcosine.
Impact parameter dependent parton distributions and transverse single spin asymmetries

Generalized parton distributions (GPDs) with purely transverse momentum transfer can be interpreted as Fourier transforms of the distribution of partons in impact parameter space. The helicity-flip GPD $E(x,0,-\Dps)$ is related to the distortion of parton distribution functions in impact parameter space if the target is not a helicity eigenstate, but has some transverse polarization. This transverse distortion can be used to develop an intuitive explanation for various transverse single spin asymmetries.
Optimizing Logistics for Balloon-Occluded Retrograde Transvenous Obliteration (BRTO) of Gastric Varices by Doing Away With the Indwelling Balloon: Concept and Techniques

Since the conception of balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (BRTO) of gastric varices 25 years ago, the placement of an indwelling balloon for hours has been central to the BRTO procedure. Numerous variables and variations of the BRTO procedure have been described, including methods to reduce sclerosant, combining percutaneous transhepatic obliteration, varying sclerosant, and using multiple sclerosants within the same procedure. However, the consistent feature of BRTO has always remained the indwelling balloon. Placing an indwelling balloon over hours for the BRTO procedure is a logistical burden that taxes the interventional radiology team and hospital resources. Substituting the balloon with hardware (coils or Amplatzer vascular plugs [AVPs] or both) is technically feasible and its risks most likely correlate with gastrorenal shunt (GRS) size. The current authors use packed 0.018- or 0.035-in coils or both for small gastric variceal systems (GRS size A and B) and AVPs for GRS sizes up to size E (from size A-E). The current authors recommend an indwelling balloon (no hardware substitute) for very large gastric variceal system (GRS size F). Substituting the indwelling balloon for hardware in size F and potentially size E GRS can also be risky. The current article describes the techniques of placing up to 16-mm AVPs through balloon occlusion guide catheters and then deflating the balloon once it has been substituted with the AVPs. In addition, 22-mm AVPs can be placed through sheaths once the balloon occlusion catheters are removed to further augment the 16-mm Amplatzer occlusion. To date, there are no studies describing, let alone evaluating, the clinical feasibility of performing BRTO without indwelling balloons. The described techniques have been successfully performed by the current authors. However, the long-term safety and effectiveness of these techniques is yet to be determined.
Long Timestep Molecular Dynamics on the Graphical Processing Unit

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations now play a key role in many areas of theoretical chemistry, biology, physics, and materials science. In many cases, such calculations are significantly limited by the massive amount of computer time needed to perform calculations of interest. Herein, we present long timestep molecular dynamics (LTMD), a method to significantly speed MD simulations. In particular, we discuss new methods to calculate the needed terms in LTMD as well as issues germane to a graphical processing unit (GPU) implementation. The resulting code, implemented in the OpenMM MD library, can achieve a significant 6-fold speed increase, leading to MD simulations on the order of 5 μs/day using implicit solvent models.
The electric field and plasma energization in computer simulations of magnetotail reconnection

Abstract Reconnection in the magnetotail involves structural changes on large spatial and time scales which can, at least up to the present time, be handled only by MHD theory including some kind of resistivity. Numerical MHD simulations of reconnection are able to produce directly results on plasma energization in the form of bulk flow and heating, whereas information on acceleration of selected particles to higher energies can be obtained only in a secondary way by calculating single particle orbits in the self-consistent time dependent magnetic and electric fields following from the MHD simulation. We review and discuss results from numerical MHD codes on bulk and single particle energization and the electric fields governing possible energization.
The solution of Burgers' equation for sinusoidal excitation at the upstream boundary

This paper generates an exact solution to Burgers' nonlinear diffusion equation on a convective stream with sinusoidal excitation applied at the upstream boundary, x = 0. The downstream boundary, effectively at x = 0% is assumed to always be far enough ahead of the convective front at x = Vst that no disturbance is felt there. The Hopf-Cole transformation is applied in achieving the analytical solution, but only after integrating the equation and its conditions in x to avoid a nonlinearity in the transformed upstream boundary condition. A very simple limiting solution valid for high Reynolds number is deduced from the exact solution. This approximate solution is found to be amenable to an elegant geometrical interpretation. This is in a style similar to Burgers' classical interpretation of the solution to the simpler problem for which the excitation is provided through the initial condition. The 'shocks' present in Burgers' classical solution develop with distance downstream of the excitation in the present work. Detailed results confirming the conclusions deduced by inspection of the solution formulae are computed and presented in the form of space-time plots. Evidence of period splitting in the x-variable at lower values of the Reynolds number is found in the numerical computations. This is a characteristic indicative of the onset of aperiodic chaotic response in many nonlinear dynamical systems. However, the computations are from approximate solution formulae valid for high Reynolds number; these formulae imply complete periodicity in time, for all values of the parameters. The correct interpretation is therefore unclear at this time, although the boundary-value problem appears to have the proper structure for chaotic behavior. Figure 1 depicts the motivating physical problem. A blunt-ended body of characteristic length g is placed in an otherwise undisturbed incompressible stream of velocity U. The flow separates from the after comer, forming a gas cavity, the constant pressure, Pc, of which can be presumed to be known in advance; tr denotes the cavitation number. The curvilinear coordinate along the separation streamline is x, originating at the separation point. The streamline extends an indefinite distance downstream, with the interest being the region near the separation point. The problem Reynolds number is ~ = U~/v, v being the fluid kinematic viscosity. Assuming high Reynolds number, the viscous boundary layer shed from the body at the separation point is representable as a vortex sheet coincident with the separation streamline. Under steady flow conditions, the strength of the vortex sheet, ~/, is very simply related to the cavitation number in meeting the dynamic requirement of pressure continuity across the vortex sheet:
A generalized crossed classification credibility model

Abstract In the crossed classification credibility (CCC) model of Dannenburg [Crossed classification credibility models. In: Transactions of the 25th International Congress of Actuaries, Vol. 4, 1995, pp. 1–35], every contract in an insurance portfolio is assumed to be affected by the same number of risk factors. One can, however, imagine situations where this may be a restriction to the model. We thus propose a generalization of the original model where the number of risk factors can vary per contract. This is done by introducing a new category for each risk factor representing the fact of not being affected by the risk factor. The main effect on formulae is that credibility factors are replaced by some other function when used as weights.
Altered acetyl‐coenzyme A carboxylase confers resistance to clethodim, fluazifop and sethoxydim in Setaria faberi and Digitaria sanguinalis

Summary Populations of Setaria faberi and Digitaria sanguinalis cross-resistant to sethoxydim and fluazifop-P-butyl were identified in a vegetable cropping system in Wisconsin, USA, in 1991 and 1992 respectively. Experiments were conducted with partially purified acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) to determine whether resistance to sethoxydim and other ACCase inhibitors in S. faberi and D. sanguinalis resulted from altered enzyme activity. Based on I50 values (the herbicide dose that inhibited ACCase activity by 50% compared with untreated ACCase), ACCase of the resistant accession of S. faberi was 4.8-, 10.6- and 319-fold resistant to clethodim, fluazifop-P acid and sethoxydim, respectively, compared with that of the susceptible accession. Similarly, ACCase of the resistant accession of D. sanguinalis was 5.8-, 10.3- and 66-fold resistant to clethodim, fluazifop-P acid and sethoxydim respectively. These results indicated that resistance to ACCase inhibitors in these accessions of S. faberi and D. sanguinalis resulted from an altered ACCase enzyme that confers a very high level of resistance to sethoxydim.
Nonperturbative treatment of ionization with excitation of helium by electron impact.

We present cross sections for electron-impact ionization and simultaneous ionization plus excitation of helium by electron impact. The results are obtained from a fully nonperturbative close-coupling formalism using our $B$-spline $R$-matrix approach. A large number of pseudostates in the expansion of the wave function represent the coupling to the ionization continuum. We obtain excellent agreement with the directly measured experimental cross section ratios (Bellm et al., Phys. Rev. A 75, 042704 (2007)) for ionization leaving the residual ${\mathrm{He}}^{+}$ ion in either the $1s$ ground state or the $n=2$ ($2s+2p$) excited states.
Determinants of Small Business Hazard Mitigation

Small businesses are a significant component of local economies, yet previous studies have shown that many small businesses are vulnerable to natural disasters and ill prepared for recovery. If effective programs are to be developed to help reduce the vulnerability of small businesses, a better understanding is needed of the factors that determine when and why small businesses do or do not take mitigation initiatives. This paper reports the results of quantitative analyses of survey data from 230 small businesses in Duval County, Fla. We analyzed three hazard mitigation initiatives: business continuity planning, structural hazard mitigation, and insurance purchase. Common determinants of the three types of mitigation activities include (1) access to expertise, (2) type of business, and (3) perceived exposure of the business location to natural hazards. Recommendations are offered for the content and focus of small business hazard mitigation outreach products and programs provided by local government agencies and for initiatives to support such efforts that can be provided by federal and state agencies.
Reactive transport involving rock-buffered fluids of varying salinity

Abstract There is a large body of evidence which indicates that the concentration of many aqueous components in shallow crustal waters is controlled at least in part by mineral-buffering, even at relatively low temperatures. Variations in temperature, pressure, and the total concentration of anionic charge, as reflected by variations in chlorinity and salinity, influence the relative proportions of dissolved cations in saline subsurface fluids. As salinity increases, the concentrations of rock-buffered divalent cations increase at a much greater rate than the concentration of monovalent cations, giving rise to: (1) the observed progression from Na-Cl to Na-Ca-Cl waters with increasing salinity in shallow crustal waters, and (2) nonlinear relations between the concentrations of individual cations and the concentration of chloride. This nonlinear behavior has the potential to induce water-rock reaction and mass transfer. The results of theoretical mass balance calculations performed to simulate the effects of advective-dispersive mixing of fluids of differing chlorinity on mass transfer in rock-buffered systems indicate that reactive transport should occur in any porous medium where there is a chlorinity gradient, even where molecular diffusion is the sole solute transport mechanism. In the hypothetical systems investigated, the calculated rates of fluid-mineral reaction are low during advection and dispersion when cation concentrations are a continuously fixed function of chloride concentration as a result of rock-buffering. A significantly greater degree of mass transfer could occur where mixing of waters of diverse salinity is conservative and cation concentrations are initially a function of physical mixing without reaction. In theory, large volumes of individual mineral phases could be dissolved or precipitated as a result of such mixing, without the need for the flow-through of large volumes of fluid, as fluid-mineral reactions attempt to rebuffer fluid compositions. Rates of mass transfer here would be dependent both on reaction kinetics and on rates of solute transport between reacting phases.
Calculator Algorithms for Fractions with Community College Students.

Community college courses in arithmetic have proliferated in recent years as a means of preparing students for college study. The content of such courses usually includes whole numbers, common fractions, and percent. Computation algorithms for common fractions have been seen as more difficult than those for decimal fractions (Johnson, 1956). Gaslin (1975) found that ninth-grade students who were taught to convert common fractions to decimal fractions before calculating computed significantly better than students who were taught the traditional common fraction computation algorithms. The present study examined whether calculator algorithms offered an alternative approach to teaching common fraction algorithms for community college students who had not previously mastered the algorithms. It was thought that the calculator algorithms might be shorter and easier to learn since they involved decimal fractions rather than common fractions.
Controlling the morphology of zinc oxide nanorods crystallized from aqueous solutions : The effect of crystal growth modifiers on aspect ratio

The effect of growth modifiers on the morphology of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods crystallized from solution is characterized. During hydrolysis of zinc nitrate at pH = 7.6 and 75 °C, hexagonally prismatic ZnO crystals were grown in the presence of three growth modifiers: poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), sodium poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS), and trisodium citrate. Using statistical analyses of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, crystal dimensions were quantified, and the median aspect ratio (ratio of prism length to width) was determined as a function of modifier concentration. In the absence of growth modifiers, the median crystal aspect ratio was 5.2. The aspect ratio was reduced to 4.7, 2.5, and 0.25 in the presence of, respectively, 67 nmol/L (nM) PDADMAC, 130 nM PSS, and 40 μmol/L (μM) citrate. These effects are explained in terms of both electrostatic and coordinative binding between growth modifier and crystal surface.
Self-neglect in old age

Self-neglect represents a unique set of challenges to society and, in particular, practitioners in healthcare and social agencies. Despite the fact that self-neglect has been recognized for millennia, our ability to understand, prevent and successfully intervene has hardly improved. Self-neglect seems to particularly affect women, increases mortality and imposes a huge cost on society. Ethical challenges arise for the provider attempting to balance patient autonomy, safety and an approach that emphasizes beneficence, which may violate patient wishes. Given expected demographic trends, an increase in the older population, a decline in social service programs, a decline in the economy and less family support, the incidence of self-neglect is likely to increase; however, there have been few advances in the management of this condition.
A method for inferring aerosol properties from satellite data over forested terrain

In this paper the detection of haze using satellite imagery is compared with simultaneous aircraft measurements of haze parameters. The vertical optical depths of the effective pollutants layer are compared with results from the satellite data in the visible and infrared. This comparison indicates that for mainly clear sky conditions the optical depth of the effective pollutants layer as well as the ground aerosol SO−24 concentration may be inferred directly from the bivariate frequency distribution in the visible/infrared domain.
Pathways to Social Complexity and State Formation in the Southern Zambezian Region

Theorists have put forth various anthropological perspectives on the variables leading to social complexity and the emergence of state-level polities. This paper incorporates data from the Zambezian region of Southern Africa in order to contribute to the literature on social evolutionary theory. It traces the cultural trajectories of communities that flourished during the region’s Iron Age within the Shashi-Limpopo Basin, leading to the emergence of the Great Zimbabwe polity. In examining the archaeological record, the authors discuss the emergence of state-like societies, offering a review of current interpretations and explanations for the emergent complexity. Les theoriciens ont emis plusieurs points de vue anthropologiques sur les variables qui conduisent a la complexite sociale et a l’emergence des etats. Cet article est une contribution a la litterature sur la theorie de l’evolution des societes realisee a partir des donnees de la region du Zambeze au sud de l’Afrique. Il retrace les trajectoires culturelles de communautes qui sont apparues au cours de l’age du fer dans le Bassin du Shashi-Limpopo et qui ont conduit a l’emergence de l’etat du Grand Zimbabwe. En s’appuyant sur les donnees archeologiques, les auteurs discutent l’emergence de societes-etats, offrant une revue des dernieres interpretations et explications au sujet des complexites emergentes.
Brachioplasty and concomitant procedures after massive weight loss: a statistical analysis from a prospective registry.

Background A growing number of massive weight loss patients are undergoing brachioplasty. The authors analyzed data from a prospective registry of massive weight loss patients who underwent brachioplasty alone or with concomitant operations to identify statistically significant complications. Methods One hundred one massive weight loss patients underwent brachioplasty. Outcome measures included operative time; time since gastric bypass; need for revision; arm liposuction; and complications such as seroma, dehiscence, hematoma, infection, and nerve injury. Univariate analyses were performed to assess outcome measures. Results One hundred one patients (97 women and four men; mean age, 45.9 +/- 10.1 years; mean body mass index, 29 +/- 3.9) with a mean time since gastric bypass of 28.5 months (range, 7 to 252 months) underwent brachioplasty. Ninety-seven patients (96 percent) had concomitant body contouring procedures; 23.8 percent had concomitant arm liposuction; and 36 patients had complications related to their arms, mostly in the form of a seroma, whereas dehiscence, infection, and hematoma were more prevalent with the concomitant procedures. Patients with a greater change in body mass index had a higher chance of wound infection (odds ratio, 1.1; p = 0.028). Longer operative time was associated with increased rates of surgical complications (p = 0.003; odds ratio, 3.8) at the operative site. There was a trend toward increased complications when arm liposuction was combined with brachioplasty (odds ratio, 2.5; p = 0.05). Conclusions Brachioplasty is a safe and effective method of treating upper arm deformity in the massive weight loss patient. Although patients with greater weight loss are likely to present for longer contouring procedures and are at highest risk for wound-healing complications, these complications occur most frequently in areas other than the arms.
More than a Man in a Monkey Suit: Andy Serkis, Motion Capture, and Digital Realism

With Gollum, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001, 2002, 2003) created one of the most memorable and emotionally complex computer-generated characters to date. In the process, the films ...
Forces of electric origin in the iron arc

A NUMBER of phenomena are present in overhead arc welding, for which no adequate explanation has been possible. Among the questions are: (1) what is the force that causes the molten drop to travel across the arc face from the electrode to the work, (2) why is it that the drop is detached with explosive violence rather than gradually? In an attempt to determine the electric origin of these forces in high current metallic arcs, the magnified image of an arc was projected on a screen by means of a lens. In this manner, relations between the electrical forces, arc currents, and arc lengths were studied.
Mechanism of action of reagents that uncouple oxidative phosphorylation.

Uncoupling agents may act by causing conformational transitions in mitochondrial catalytic proteins.
Induction, maintenance, and differentiation of rice callus cultures on ammonium as sole nitrogen source

Rice callus was initiated from cultured anthers and was maintained on medium containing ammonium as sole nitrogen source and supplemented with either a buffer or an organic acid. Plant regeneration also was obtained on this medium, but the morphogenetic capacity of the callus culture declined as rapidly as on a medium containing a mixture of ammonium and nitrate. The results of the studies suggest that organic acids provide an additional function beyond that of buffering the medium during growth on ammonium.
Marketing as Constructive Engagement

Abstract The purpose of this essay is to provoke a more comprehensive, historically accurate, and meaningful definition of marketing. Toward that outcome, the author introduces a framework for marketing that argues for constructive engagement with a complex, conflicted, and increasingly interdependent world in which marketing can and should play an important role. The framework offers a new synthesis commensurate with ideals generally espoused in macromarketing. An illustration based on longitudinal study of Vietnam is shared, with implications for current global affairs and with new directions for meaningful marketing research and practice.
Hexadecapole moment effects in multiple Coulomb excitation

Abstract The effect of the electric hexadecapole moment of the first excited state in 56 Fe, 114 Cd and 152 Sm on the inelastic scattering differential cross section in multiple Coulomb excitation has been investigated and found to be small.
Review essay — administrative delay at the NLRB: Some modest proposals

V. Conclusion The latest edition of Miller’s Appraisal provides an updated glimpse into the inner workings of the NLRB. Miller’s observations are knowledgeable and understandable, and his book is an important contribution for academics, the labor bar, and the Board itself. We hope it spurs further study of the Board’s administration of the Act and exploration of ways to improve it. Miller’s pessimism about potential reforms, short of his proposed abolition of the five-member Board in favor of a new labor and employment division of the federal district courts, goes too far. We have suggested a few changes that would make the Board more efficient without affecting the Board’s substantive mission. Hopefully, with further efforts like Miller’s in the future, the Board will effect a consistent improvement upon its somewhat spotty record of efficiency and will keep the NLRA vibrant well into this new century.
Effect of hot plate temperature on the antinociceptive activity of mixed opioid agonist-antagonist compounds

The effects of four different hot plate temperatures (49.5, 53, 55, and 60°C) on the antinociceptive activity of butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, and morphine were determined. Antinociception, as measured by an increase in percent maximum possible effect (%MPE) derived from time to paw lick in mice increased with dose for all compounds except nalbuphine at all temperatures. Nalbuphine elicited activity (50% MPE) at one dose (3 mg/kg) at 49.5°C. Butorphanol, 10 mg/kg, and pentazocine, 10 mg/kg, produced 100% MPE and 80% MPE at 49.5°C and 53°C, respectively. Only morphine (20 mg/kg) produced 100% MPE at all temperatures. Since every compound exhibited antinociceptive activity at 49.5°C at some dose below toxicity, it is suggested that this is the preferred temperature to screen for mixed opioid compounds.
Polysomnographic values in children 2–9 years old: Additional data and review of the literature

The establishment of normal pediatric polysomnographic parameters is important for both clinical and research interests. Our objectives were to describe respiratory events, paradoxical breathing, periodic limb movements, and sleep architecture of children at the age of peak incidence of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study of 66 children, 2-9 years old, at the Sleep Disorders Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Subjects screened by questionnaire underwent a standard polysomnogram. The percent of total sleep time spent in sleep stages 1, 2, 3, 4, and rapid eye movement (REM) were 4 +/- 3%, 44 +/- 10%, 10 +/- 6%, 22 +/- 8%, and 21 +/- 6%, respectively. The arousal and awakening index was 11.2 +/- 4.3/hr. Respiratory events included a central apnea index of 0.08 +/- 0.14/hr, obstructive apnea index of 0.01 +/- 0.03/hr, and obstructive hypopnea index of 0.3 +/- 0.5/hr. The baseline arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) was 97 +/- 1%, with a nadir of 92 +/- 3%. The index of periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) was 1.3 +/- 2.2/hr. Paradoxical breathing appeared significantly more frequent with piezo crystal effort belts (40 +/- 24% of epochs) than with respiratory inductive plethysmography (1.5 +/- 3% of epochs). We describe the occurrence of hypopneas during sleep, arousals and awakenings, and PLMS. We illustrate how different technologies can vary the apparent amount of paradoxical breathing. We also confirm previous data on the frequency distribution of sleep stages, SpO2, and relative rarity of respiratory events in this age group.
In Situ Conversion of Melanoma Lesions into Autologous Vaccine by Intratumoral Injections of α-gal Glycolipids

Autologous melanoma associated antigens (MAA) on murine melanoma cells can elicit a protective anti-tumor immune response following a variety of vaccine strategies. Most require effective uptake by antigen presenting cells (APC). APC transport and process internalized MAA for activation of anti-tumor T cells. One potential problem with clinical melanoma vaccines against autologous tumors may be that often tumor cells do not express surface markers that label them for uptake by APC. Effective uptake of melanoma cells by APC might be achieved by exploiting the natural anti-Gal antibody which constitutes ~1% of immunoglobulins in humans. This approach has been developed in a syngeneic mouse model using mice capable of producing anti-Gal. Anti-Gal binds specifically to α-gal epitopes (Galα1-3Galβ1-4GlcNAc-R). Injection of glycolipids carrying α-gal epitopes (α-gal glycolipids) into melanoma lesions results in glycolipid insertion into melanoma cell membranes, expression of α-gal epitopes on the tumor cells and binding of anti-Gal to these epitopes. Interaction between the Fc portions of bound anti-Gal and Fcγ receptors on APC induces effective uptake of tumor cells by APC. The resulting anti-MAA immune response can be potent enough to destroy distant micrometastases. A clinical trial is now open testing effects of intratumoral α-gal glycolipid injections in melanoma patients.
From microRNAs to targets: pathway discovery in cell fate transitions

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 22 nt non-coding RNAs that regulate expression of downstream targets by messenger RNA (mRNA) destabilization and translational inhibition. A large number of eukaryotic mRNAs are targeted by miRNAs, with many individual mRNAs being targeted by multiple miRNAs. Further, a single miRNA can target hundreds of mRNAs, making these small RNAs powerful regulators of cell fate decisions. Such regulation by miRNAs has been observed in the maintenance of the embryonic stem cell (ESC) cell cycle and during ESC differentiation. MiRNAs can also promote the dedifferentiation of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells. During this process they target multiple downstream genes, which represent important nodes of key cellular processes. Here, we review these findings and discuss how miRNAs may be used as tools to discover novel pathways that are involved in cell fate transitions using dedifferentiation of somatic cells to induced pluripotent stem cells as a case study.
Development and evaluation of an air quality modeling approach to assess near-field impacts of lead emissions from piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded aviation gasoline

Abstract Since aviation gasoline is now the largest remaining source of lead (Pb) emissions to the air in the United States, there is increased interest by regulatory agencies and the public in assessing the impacts on residents living in close proximity to these sources. An air quality modeling approach using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) American Meteorological Society/Environmental Protection Agency Regulatory Model (AERMOD) was developed and evaluated for estimating atmospheric concentrations of Pb at and near general aviation airports where leaded aviation gasoline (avgas) is used. These detailed procedures were made to accurately characterize emissions and dispersion leading to improved model performance for a pollutant with concentrations that vary rapidly across short distances. The new aspects of this work included a comprehensive Pb emission inventory that incorporated sub-daily time-in-mode (TIM) activity data for piston-engine aircraft, aircraft-induced wake turbulence, plume rise of the aircraft exhaust, and allocation of approach and climb-out emissions to 50-m increments in altitude. To evaluate the modeling approach used here, ambient Pb concentrations were measured upwind and downwind of the Santa Monica Airport (SMO) and compared to modeled air concentrations. Modeling results paired in both time and space with monitoring data showed excellent overall agreement (absolute fractional bias of 0.29 winter, 0.07 summer). The modeling results on individual days show Pb concentration gradients above the urban background concentration of 10 ng m−3 extending downwind up to 900 m from the airport, with a crosswind extent of 400 m. Three-month average modeled concentrations above the background were found to extend to a maximum distance of approximately 450 m beyond the airport property in summer and fall. Modeling results show aircraft engine “run-up” is the most important source contribution to the maximum Pb concentration. Sensitivity analysis shows that engine run-up time, Pb concentration in avgas, and the fraction of piston-engine aircraft that are twin-engine are the most important parameters in determining near-field Pb concentrations. Year-long air quality modeling for 2008 and sensitivity analysis for the maximum 3-month average concentration period suggest the potential for 3-month average Pb concentrations that exceed the current National Ambient Air Quality Standard for Lead (0.15 μg m−3). The modeling methodology used in this analysis is generally transferable to other general aviation single runway airports in coastal environments of which there are over 1700 in the United States. This modeling approach can also be used to evaluate the air quality improvements from various emission reduction measures.
GROWTH AND BEHAVIOR OF POST JUVENILE Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de MAN) IN CLOSE CONFINEMENT

Macrobrachium rosenbergii is under examination in various parts of the world as a potential culture animal. Unfortunately, M. rosenbergii does not aggregate and has been reported to be aggressive and cannibalistic. The suitability of the animal for intensive culture in closed systems has not been established. In this study experiments have been carried out on growth rate, molting frequency, and incidence of cannibalism among equal age grouped and isolated M. rosenbergii of different sex and size with and without shelters and with and without removal of the second periopods. In groups, more aggressive males and females grow faster than less aggressive males and females. In isolation, males, on the average, grow faster for a longer period and thus get bigger. Molting frequency does not appear to be directly related to growth rate, but rather growth rate is related to food consumption, regardless of the molting frequency. Comparing equal age animals of different size, small animals molt more frequently than large animals but grow more slowly. The incidence of cannibalism is high. Cannibalism invariably follows attacks made on animals undergoing molt. The larger an animal the greater the chance of a kill, but small animals will attack larger animals and two or more animals may attack a single animal. Shelters which can be defended can reduce the incidence of cannibalism.
DDT and the decline of free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) at Carlsbad Cavern, New Mexico.

DDT is believed to have caused the population of Brazilian free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis mexicana) at Carlsbad Cavern to decline severely after 1936. Nevertheless, previous data supporting this hypothesis are limited to a single study from 1974, which indicated that 20% of young free-tails from the cavern may have died of DDE poisoning during their first southward migration. In this study I compared organochlorine residues among samples of free-tails collected in Carlsbad Cavern in 1930, 1956, 1965, 1973, and 1988. Samples of skin cut from dry museum specimens were chemically analyzed, except for the 1973 data, which were derived from analyses of whole bats minus gastrointestinal tracts. Accumulated residue levels of DDT compounds in bats from 1965 and 1956 exceeded those in 1973 bats by ≈ 4.8 times and ≈ 2.7 times, respectively. This suggests that lethal effects of DDT compounds were substantially greater in the 1950s and 1960s than in the 1970s. Residues in 1988 bats resembled those for 1973 bats. It is concluded that DDT played a major role in this severe population decline. These results can be applied by management personnel in evaluating the present and future status of this population regarding persisting organochlorine insecticides as well as other agricultural chemicals now in use. The case of the Carlsbad colony is discussed relative to the general issue of other bat population declines.
BENEFIT POTENTIAL OF CONTINUOUS CLIMB AND DESCENT OPERATIONS

This report describes the analysis of radar track data from the 34 Operational Evolution Partnership (OEP) airports within the continental United States with a particular focus on a measurement of the vertical continuity of operations within the terminal areas surrounding these airports and the benefits that may be realized by implementing Area Navigation (RNAV) procedures with vertical guidance at the airports. It provides a performance baseline of climb and descent operations characterizing the extent to which departures and arrivals currently involve level flight segments at the airports. It presents the modeling methodology used to estimate operator benefits that can be expected to result from improving the continuity of climb and descent operations. The analysis of the terminal radar data shows that operator benefits of $380 million annually and associated reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) emission gases of 850,000 metric tons annually may be possible at OEP airports by improving climb and descent continuities at key terminal altitudes.
A specific and versatile genome walking technique

We describe here a nested PCR-based strategy for genome walking to extend a known sequence region to its uncharacterized flanking regions. This technique involves the use of a partially degenerate primer as a walker primer and a set of nested specific primers to perform two to three successive rounds of nested PCR. To increase the success rate of genome walking, four different walker primers were designed to allow the setup of parallel reactions. This technique was applied to amplify flanking sequences of known genomic loci of two highly divergent photosynthetic organisms, Rhodobacter capsulatus and Heliophilum fasciatum. Specific products were preferentially amplified using this strategy, which were verified using DNA sequencing. The extremely high success rate of extension of genomic regions in these two organisms suggests that this technique can be applied to a wide range of genomes.
DIETHYLDITHIOCARBAMATE PROTECTION AGAINST CISPLATIN NEPHROTOXICITY: ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM

ABSTRACTThis investigation elucidates the role of antioxidant system in cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity and the nephroprotection with diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC). Male Wistar rats were injected with 1) cisplatin; 2) cisplatin + DDTC and 3) vehicle control. Rats were sacrificed three days post-treatment and the corticomedullary junction of the kidney was isolated and were analyzed for GSH, GSSG, SOD, CAT, and GSH.Px. Serum creatinine increased (500% of control) following cisplatin administration which decreased to 200% of control with DDTC. Cisplatin treated rats showed depletion of GSH levels, while cisplatin + DDTC injected rats had GSH values similar to controls. SOD and GSH.Px activities were found to be 63 and 40% of control following cisplatin administration which increased to 109 and 75% of control with DDTC respectively. Our findings suggest that cisplatin nephrotoxicity is mediated by impaired activities of SOD and GSH-Px enzymes and by GSH depletion. The protective mechanism of DDTC against ci...