cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CRITICAL ILLUMINATION FOR RESPONSE TO FLICKERED LIGHT, WITH DRAGONFLY LARVAE (ANAX), IN RELATION TO AREA OF EYE

Arthropods with large convex eyes provide curves of critical illumination for response as a function of flicker frequency (or of visual acuity) which depart from the probability integral type characteristically found for F - log I with vertebrates. By means of experiments with Anax nymphs in which various parts of the eye have been opaqued it is shown that the special shape of the flicker curve is due to the mechanical disadvantage of the periphery of the eye in the reception of light, which is overcome by higher intensities. It is not due to a fixed spatial pattern of intrinsic individual excitabilities of the ommatidia. Reduction of retinal area decreases F(max.), and increases log I for F/F(max.) = 50 per cent. The direct proportionality of I(m) to P.E.(1I) is independent of area. Certain relations of these facts to the theory of response to flicker have been discussed.
A comparison of reconstruction algorithms for C-arm mammography tomosynthesis.

Digital tomosynthesis is an imaging technique to produce a tomographic image from a series of angular digital images in a manner similar to conventional focal plane tomography. Unlike film focal plane tomography, the acquisition of the data in a C-arm geometry causes the image receptor to be positioned at various angles to the reconstruction tomogram. The digital nature of the data allows for input images to be combined into the desired plane with the flexibility of generating tomograms of many separate planes from a single set of input data. Angular datasets were obtained of a low contrast detectability (LCD) phantom and cadaver breast utilizing a Lorad stereotactic biopsy unit with a coupled source and digital detector in a C-arm configuration. Datasets of 9 and 41 low-dose projections were collected over a 30 deg. angular range. Tomographic images were reconstructed using a Backprojection (BP) algorithm, an Iterative Subtraction (IS) algorithm that allows the partial subtraction of out-of-focus planes, and an Algebraic Reconstruction (AR) algorithm. These were compared with single view digital radiographs. The methods' effectiveness at enhancing visibility of an obscured LCD phantom was quantified in terms of the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), and Signal to Background Ratio (SBR), allmore » normalized to the metric value for the single projection image. The methods' effectiveness at removing ghosting artifacts in a cadaver breast was quantified in terms of the Artifact Spread Function (ASF). The technology proved effective at partially removing out of focus structures and enhancing SNR and SBR. The normalized SNR was highest at 4.85 for the obscured LCD phantom, using nine projections and IS algorithm. The normalized SBR was highest at 23.2 for the obscured LCD phantom, using 41 projections and an AR algorithm. The highest normalized metric values occurred with the obscured phantom. This supports the assertion that the greatest value of tomosynthesis is in imaging fibroglandular breasts. The ASF performance was best with the AR technique and nine projections.« less
An XPS Study of the Interaction of Ultrathin Cu Films with Pd(111)

The interaction of ultrathin Cu films with Pd(111) was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of Cu coverage and annealing temperature were investigated. The XPS data show that at room temperature Cu grows on Pd(111) layer-by-layer without alloying. Furthermore, Cu 2p3/2 core-level shifts as a function of film thickness indicate that the Cu−Pd interactions perturb the electronic properties of two to three layers of Cu atoms. The Cu 2p3/2 binding energy of a Cu monolayer at room temperature was shifted by −0.47 eV relative to a Cu(100) surface. XPS core-level shifts demonstrate that by annealing to temperatures higher than 450 K the Cu overlayer alloys with the Pd substrate. After annealing to 900 K, the Cu 2p3/2 binding energy for 1.0 ML Cu coverage was observed to shift −0.49 eV relative to that of 1 ML Cu/Pd(111). The XPS binding energy shifts are discussed in terms of both initial and final state effects.
He's a lover, not a fighter--smell, sex and civility.

Abstract Efforts continue to dissect the neural basis of complex behaviors such as sex and aggression. A commonality in both these responses is the importance of olfaction. The opportunity presented by genetic ablation of a cation channel (TRP2), expressed selectively by the vomeronasal organ (principally involved in pheromone detection), has given rise to two independent Trp2 −/− mouse strains. These knockout strains show a complete lack of male–male aggression and elevated sexual behavior that is directed at both males and females, an unpredicted and hitherto nonexistent behavioral phenotype in mice. Discerning a meaningful relationship between this phenotype and the neural basis of complex behaviors remains a challenge.
Dancing in the Dark II. Helping and Not‐So‐Helping Hands

: Mothers having difficulty with breastfeeding often find a lack of acknowledgement of the normal ambivalence about many aspects of the early mothering experience. Mothers, who need themselves to be nurtured, instead find people anxious to give advice which is biased by their own experience or dogmas. The “helpers” too easily conclude that what worked for them, or what seems “natural,” is correct for mothers in general. They are quick to make negative judgments about women who do not follow the idealized model.
Susceptibility of isolates of Acinetobacter anitratus and Acinetobacter lwoffii to the bactericidal activity of normal human serum

The bactericidal activity of normal human serum against the Gram-negative coccobacilli Acinetobacter anitratus and Acinetobacter lwoffii was studied; 12% and 84%, respectively, of the tested strains appeared to be sensitive. Thus, serum resistance may be an important factor contributing to the pathogenic potential of A. anitratus strains. Three types of bactericidal action were shown. In the first, the strains were killed when the alternative complement pathway was activated. In the second, some strains required both the classical and alternative pathways. In the third variant, the strains needed either the alternative or classical activation pathway.
System-wide Genomic and Biochemical Comparisons of Sialic Acid Biology Among Primates and Rodents EVIDENCE FOR TWO MODES OF RAPID EVOLUTION

Numerous vertebrate genes are involved in the biology of the oligosaccharide chains attached to glycoconjugates. These genes fall into diverse groups within the conventional Gene Ontology classification. However, they should be evaluated together from functional and evolutionary perspectives in a "biochemical systems" approach, considering each monosaccharide unit's biosynthesis, activation, transport, modification, transfer, recycling, degradation, and recognition. Sialic acid (Sia) residues are monosaccharides at the outer end of glycans on the cell-surface and secreted molecules of vertebrates, mediating recognition by intrinsic or extrinsic (pathogen) receptors. The availability of multiple genome sequences allows a system-wide comparison among primates and rodents of all genes directly involved in Sia biology. Taking this approach, we present further evidence for accelerated evolution in Sia-binding domains of CD33-related Sia-recognizing Ig-like lectins. Other gene classes are more conserved, including those encoding the sialyltransferases that attach Sia residues to glycans. Despite this conservation, tissue sialylation patterns are shown to differ widely among these species, presumably because of rapid evolution of sialyltransferase expression patterns. Analyses of N- and O-glycans of erythrocyte and plasma glycopeptides from these and other mammalian taxa confirmed this phenomenon. Sia modifications on these glycopeptides also appear to be undergoing rapid evolution. This rapid evolution of the sialome presumably results from the ongoing need of organisms to evade microbial pathogens that use Sia residues as receptors. The rapid evolution of Sia-binding domains of the inhibitory CD33-related Sia-recognizing Ig-like lectins is likely to be a secondary consequence, as these inhibitory receptors presumably need to keep up with recognition of the rapidly evolving "self"-sialome.
Effects of Error Correction during Assessment Probes on the Acquisition of Sight Words for Students with Moderate Intellectual Disabilities.

Simultaneous prompting is an errorless learning strategy designed to reduce the number of errors students make; however, research has shown a disparity in the number of errors students make during instructional versus probe trials. This study directly examined the effects of error correction versus no error correction during probe trials on the effectiveness and efficiency of simultaneous prompting on the acquisition of sight words by three middle school students with moderate intellectual disabilities. A single-case adapted alternating treatments (Sindelar, Rosenberg, & Wilson, 1985) embedded in a multiple baseline across word sets design was employed to examine the effects of error correction during probe trials in order to reduce error rates. A functional relation was established for two of the three students for the use of error correction during probe sessions to reduce error rates. Error correction during assessment probes required fewer sessions to criterion, resulted in fewer probe errors, resulted in a higher percentage of correct responding on the next subsequent trial, and required less total probe time. For two of the three students, probes with error correction resulted in a more rapid acquisition rate requiring fewer sessions to criterion.
Magnetic Susceptibility Measurements of Rutile and the Magnéli Phases of the Ti-O System

Magnetic-susceptibility measurements of the Magn\'eli phases of the Ti-O system show a change from weak covalent bond formation, through antiferromagnetic to paramagnetic-like behavior with increasing oxygen concentration. The reciprocal molar susceptibility plotted versus temperature indicates collective electron effects in all phases except Ti${\mathrm{O}}_{1.50}$ and Ti${\mathrm{O}}_{1.67}$. These exhibit noncooperative and cooperative semiconductor-to-metal transitions, respectively.
Understanding Prosody's Role in Reading Acquisition

Many children learning to read go through a phase known as "word calling" during which their oral reading is halting, expressionless, and word-by-word despite a fairly high level of accuracy in word identification. Some children experience considerable difficulty in learning to acquire oral reading fluency, which can be characterized as smooth, expressive production with appropriate phrasing or chunking in accordance with the syntactic structure of the material being read. Research on reading dysfluency has sought to identify the causes of the problem and to suggest successful methods of remediation. Schreiber (1980, 1987) and Read and Schreiber (1982) suggest that the dysfluency problem can at least in part be traced to the word caller's failure to recognize the syntactic structure of sentences in the written medium. The success of one general class of remediation techniques, the method of repeated readings, can in part be seen to follow from the opportunity it affords readers to perceive the syntactic organization of sentences. This article will sketch the basis for these claims.
Application of the tourism life cycle concept in the greater Yellowstone region

Abstract Tourism development in the greater Yellowstone region is examined using the tourism life cycle concept. This concept postulates that, over time, tourism destinations experience known and ordered stages of development. The stages include exploration, involvement, development, consolidation, stagnation, and then a series of choices ranging from rejuvenating to decline. Few empirical assessments of the tourism life cycle concept exist for federally managed resources. Four dimensions provided data for monitoring the tourism life cycle. They are visitation trends, growth of the service economy in the region, host residents’ perceptions of current tourism development, and current biological indicators of the ecosystem. These four sources of information indicate that tourism development in the greater Yellowstone region is more intricate than the life cycle concept would suggest. The information reveals that development is not at a specific stage in the cycle. Development and its attendant impacts on th...
Place of Death and Its Predictors for Local Patients Registered at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

PURPOSE: To help with planning of a palliative care program, we reviewed the place of death of patients who were registered at our comprehensive cancer center and explored factors that predicted death in the hospital versus death at home. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken of local patients who were registered at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and died during the 1997/1998 fiscal year. Data from the institutional tumor registry and from the State of Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics file were collected and analyzed. The main outcome measures were place of death, patient characteristics associated with place of death, and time from registration at the institution to death. RESULTS: Of 1,793 local patients, 251 (14%) died at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; the remaining 86% died elsewhere. A total of 617 (34%) died at home, and 929 (52%) died in an acute hospital setting (including M.D. Anderson). A total of 1,040 (58%) died within 2 years of registration. The risk o...
When is the generalized delta rule a learning rule? a physical analogy

The authors show that under some conditions the weights and threshold obtained under the linear generalized delta rule can be calculated a priori. The analysis is illustrated by a physical analogy. The steady-state weight vector produced by the generalized delta rule can be equated to the center of mass of a collection of particles placed at corners of a hypercube defined by the weights and threshold. The result is a direct mapping from the input and target signals onto the weight-threshold hypercube. >
Adsorption and polymerization of formaldehyde on Cu(100)

The adsorption of formaldehyde (H{sub 2}CO) on clean Cu(100) at 85 K has been studied using electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). For coverages up to (1.06 {+-} 0.22) x 10{sup 15} H{sub 2}CO molecules/cm{sup 2}, formaldehyde spontaneously polymerized to form a monolayer of disordered poly(oxymethylene) (POM), arranged with the chain directions parallel to the surface plane. Thermal decomposition/desorption of the polymer monolayer occurred by three routes, producing peaks in temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) at approximately 177, 200, and 215 K. The lowest temperature peak was exclusively associated with production of H{sub 2} and CO in approximately equal proportions. The two higher temperature peaks were produced by molecular H{sub 2}CO generated via depolymerization of the polymer. The 200 and 215 K features displayed zero- and first-order desorption kinetics, corresponding to estimated activation energies for depolymerization of 75 {+-} 10 and 53.9 {+-} 0.5 kJ/mol, respectively. The presence of two polymer desorption peaks is attributed to chain conformational differences present within the monolayer and has not been previously observed in studies of formaldehyde adsorption on metal surfaces. Large exposures of H{sub 2}CO on this surface formed multilayers of molecular formaldehyde on top of the firstmore » polymer layer. The second layer desorbed at 105 K and subsequent layers at {approximately}100 K.« less
The computer as a teaching tool in ordinary differential equations

Abstract The availability of microcomputers and software makes it feasible to solve differential equations via numerical methods. It is important for students to learn this approach because real-world problems seldom give rise to equations solvable in closed form. Run-times and accuracy are compared for Euler and improved Euler algorithms applied to first order equations. Higher order equations are reduced to systems of first order equations. Runge-Kutta and predictor-corrector methods are discussed briefly.
EFFECTS OF INTRATRACHEAL TUMOR NECROSIS FACTOR-ALPHA PLASMID VECTOR ON LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE LETHALITY AND LUNG INJURY IN MICE

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) causes acute lung injury (ALI) and contributes to inflammation in the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and sepsis, making mechanisms of resistance to LPS critically important in clinical settings. The authors postulated that intratracheal administration of a plasmid (pcDNA3.0-rTNFα) encoding rat tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) would increase resistance of mice to LPS-induced ALI or mortality. They investigated the time course and dose-response for development of LPS-induced ALI in C57/BL6 mice and sought possible protective effects of 100 µg pcDNA3.0-rTNFα intratracheally 1, 2, or 3 weeks before LPS challenge. Lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell counts increased significantly 48 hours after intraperitoneal (IP) LPS challenges. After pcDNA3.0-rTNFα pretreatment, mice challenged with LPS had lower lung/body weight ratios than mice treated with pcDNA3.0; however, other indices of lung injury did not differ. Survival of mic...
Increases in coronary vascular resistance initiated by blockade of CNS GABAergic tone occurs in the hindbrain

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the site of action in the CNS responsible for producing picrotoxin-induced sympathetic mediated increase in coronary vascular resistance. To do this, plcrotoxin, was administered either into the lateral cerebral ventricle, with the perfusion restricted to the forebrain, or into the fourth ventricle, to perfuse only the hindbrain and spinal cord, in chloraloseanesthetized cats, while monitoring coronary blood flow from the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery, arterial pressure, heart rate and electrocardiogram (ECG). There was no difference between administration into the forebrain and hind-brain in terms of changes in coronary vascular resistance, ECG, arterial pressure and sinus rate when 600 μg of picrotoxin was used. Administration into either area elicited significant increases in coronary vascular resistance, arterial pressure and sinus rate, as well as changes in the ST segment and occasional ventricular tachyarrhythmias. However, a separation of effects was noted between the forebrain and the hindbrain when 200 μg of picrotoxin was administered. Administration of this dose into the forebrain did not significantly alter coronary vascular resistance or the ST segment, although significant increases in arterial pressure and sinus rate occurred in these animals. In contrast, administration of this dose into the hindbrain elicited significant increases in coronary vascular resistance, ST segment, arterial pressure and sinus rate. These results indicate that the most sensitive site for eliciting picrotoxin-induced increase in coronary vascular resistance lies in the hindbrain.
A note on complete sets and transitive closure

It is shown that there is a length-preserving relation that is NP-complete such that the transitive closure of the relation is PSPACE-complete.
Thermal nonlinear absorption and power limiting in waveguides

Power limiting in semiconductor-doped glass waveguides in the cw regime is explained on the basis of thermal effects. From the measurement of the temperature dependence of the refractive index and transmission as a function of wavelength, we show that the change in the absorption coefficient that is due to heating of the bulk-glass substrates at high optical powers accounts for the nonlinear behavior of the waveguides. The power limiting observed in planar waveguides was calculated, and excellent agreement with experiment was obtained. We also report the first measurement to our knowledge of the temperature and spectral dependence of the refractive index of a bulk-glass substrate. These data are useful in interpreting thermal nonlinear effects in the waveguides reported in the literature.
Imaging hemodynamic effects of ET-1 on cerebral blood flow in rats

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor sometimes used in studies of cerebral ischemia. Its ability to create ischemic regions of various sizes with little additional damage has made it a popular tool in evaluating anti-stroke drugs. Despite its emergence in stroke models, it remains poorly characterized. Attempts to do this with Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) or a histological analysis provide good temporal resolution or good spatial resolution respectively, but not both. An imaging modality that provides both temporal and spatial resolution would be able to better characterize the acute and chronic effects of ET-1 on cerebral blood flow. We have used laser speckle contrast imaging to study the effects of ET-1 after topical application on rats. We observed an immediate decrease in blood flow corresponding to the amount of ET-1 used. After the initial decrease, the blood flow slowly increases towards the baseline value with occasional vasospastic responses observed. Future studies involving multi-spectral reflectance imaging combined with the laser speckle contrast analysis would lead to a better understanding of the hemodynamic effects of ET-1.
The β-(phosphatoxy)alkyl radical rearrangement. A stereochemical probe of mechanism

Abstract A stereochemical probe involving phosphate esters derived from 1,3,2-dioxaphospholanes has been employed to probe the mechanism of the β-(phosphatoxy)alkyl radical rearrangement. It is found, in four separate cases, that the reaction proceeds with an excess, although not exclusively, of retention of configuration at phosphorus. The implications for the mechanism of this rearrangement are discussed.
MBE growth of HgCdTe HOT detector heterostructures

ABSTRACT Specially designed mercury cadmium telluride (Hg 1-x Cd x Te) p- -n + heterostructures were grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) on CdTe/Si and CdZnTe (211)B-oriented substrates for infrared photo-detector operation at near room temperature. Growth of this structure requires precise control over the crystal quality, compositional profiles, and donor and acceptor doping levels. The doping levels and density of Shockley-Read-Hall centers in the absorber layer must be low enough to realize the benefits of Auger suppression under non-equilibrium device operation. In order to avoid possible contamination from chemical compounds used in traditional substrate mounting methods, non-contact (In-free) substrate mounting was used to grow the structures. High-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) was implemented to develop a substrate thermocouple temperature ramping curve that maintains a constant epilayer temperature. The structures were characterized by FTIR, x-ray diffraction, and temperature dependant Hall measurements. High operating temperature (HOT) detectors were fabricated on these materials and showed good room-temperature response. Keywords: molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), mercury cadmium telluride, HgCdTe, HOT detectors
‘WOMEN'S SIGNIFICANT SPACES’: RELIGION, SPACE, AND COMMUNITY

Abstract This paper examines the links between religion, space, and women's identity development through a study of the traditional Hindu house. It describes how some spaces, such as the prayer room, kitchen, threshold, and courtyard, form the settings for and enable life-cycle rituals, women's rites, and women's communal activities, and became the locus for women's social interaction, networking, self-identity, and community-based identity. This study surfaces the important role of religion in the inter-relationships between people (especially women) and their physical environment through enaction of religion-required activities. It points out the role women play in the sustenance and continuation of many religious practices, particularly the pivotal role of women in the practice of religion in the noninstitutional domestic arena. Through development of the concept of ‘women's significant spaces’, this study points out how these spaces are intimately connected to the contributions of women, the development of their expertise, and the development of the women's community.
Computational verb systems: averbs and adverbials as modifiers of verbs

Abstract In the previous works, verbs were quantitatively modeled as dynamical systems with respect to time and/or space by using their evolving systems ( functions ). In this paper, the relations between verbs and adverbs (adverbials) are modeled from a systematic point of view. Adverbs (adverbials) are viewed as modifiers of verbs by linguistic definitions. Adverbs (adverbials) are characterized by modifying systems ( functions ). Different types of relationships between verbs and adverbs (adverbials) are presented and modeled. Unlike the relations between adverbs and adjectives, which are only static maps, the relations between verbs and adverbs (adverbials) have very rich interpretations in different contexts. In this paper, computational verb systems with adverbs are used to preprocess speech signals for speech recognition. Speech signals are modeled by a verb “speak” with different adverbs such as: “fast”, “slowly” and “normally”. First, a computational verb system is built as the machinself , which uses a verb “hear” to preprocess the input speech signal and find the corresponding adverbs of the “speak” for each speech signal. Then a corresponding adverb (or adverbial) is used to modify “hear” for improving the extraction of characteristics of different speech signals. The comparison of the results of computational verb systems without adverbs (adverbials) and with adverbs (adverbials) is provided.
Sequential morphologic analysis of the nephrotoxicity produced in rats by single doses of chlorozotocin.

Chlorozotocin is a chloroethylnitrosourea antitumor agent that is in clinical trial for a variety of human tumors. Renal failure has been a reported side effect of treatment with several of the chloroethylnitrosoureas, including chlorozotocin. To better understand the pathogenesis of this target organ toxicity, we have studied the nephrotoxicity of a single high, intermediate, or low dose of chlorozotocin in male F344 rats. We report here the sequence of histopathologic changes seen over a 1-10-day (high dose) or 1-28-day (intermediate or low dose) period. The single high dose (40 mg/kg, s.c.) produced an acute cortical necrosis involving the proximal tubules, followed by later necrotic changes in the collecting ducts in the inner medulla. Karyomegaly was noted at 10 days in occasional cells of the papillary collecting ducts and urinary epithelium lining the papilla. A single intermediate dose (25 mg/kg, s.c.) caused a similar but less severe injury of later onset. Proximal tubule injury was less severe and more limited. Necrosis of papillary collecting ducts was not seen; however, karyomegaly was pronounced in cells of the collecting ducts in the inner stripe of the outer medulla and inner medulla, and in the urinary epithelium covering the papilla. No discernible histopathology was present following the low dose (12.5 mg/kg, s.c.) of chlorozotocin. The histopathology was correlated with biochemical parameters. Our findings have possible implications for monitoring the severity of nephrotoxic side effects in patients, as well as provide preliminary evidence that this antineoplastic agent may itself cause preneoplastic changes, a finding with important long term implications.
Chromatin transitions in the fertilizing sperm nucleus of the sea urchin, strongylocentrotus purpuratus

Electron microscopic analysis of fertilization in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, has been carried out in an effort to establish the sequence of events involving dispersion of the paternal chromatin. Subsequent to loss of the nuclear envelope the condensed sperm chromatin begins to disperse under the influence of egg cytoplasmic factors. However, this process does not proceed at a uniform rate as is observed in other species examined to date. Portions of the paternal genome rapidly transform into dispersed chromatin while other adjacent regions disperse at a reduced rate. This variation in the time sequence of dissociation of the paternally derived chromosomes results in a reticulum of electron lucent and electron dense chromatin within the developing male pronucleus. As the paternally derived chromatin is dispersing and migrating centrad, membranous vesicles of maternal origin become aligned along the peripheral aspect of the chromatin. Deposition of a continuous bilaminar nuclear envelope around the dispersing sperm chromatin results in the formation of the definitive male pronucleus. At the time the male pronucleus is formed the paternally derived chromosomes have not completely dispersed and are visualized as a reticulum of condensed and dispersed chromatin. These results indicate that not all the paternally derived chromatin is modified in the same manner during pronuclear development.
Tongue Cooling during Drinking: A Regulator of Water Intake in Rats

Rats that had been deprived of water for 23(1/2) hours were presented with water for 30 minutes per day. As the temperature of the water was increased from 12 degrees to 36 degrees C (body temperature), the total water intake for 30 minutes increased 71 percent. Tongue cooling during drinking appears to suppress drinking in anticipation of extracellular hydration.
USING SPATIAL EQUILIBRIUM MODELS TO ANALYZE TRANSPORTATION RATES: AN APPLICATION TO STEAM COAL IN THE UNITED STATES

Abstract This paper uses the implications of Samuelson's spatial equilibrium model to analyze transportation rates for steam coal delivered to electric utilities in the United States. The analysis indicates that transportation rates declined in every year but two since railroads were substantially deregulated in 1980. While some utilities may have experienced some rate increases, coal-fired electric utilities as a whole have clearly benefited from lower transportation rates, and economic welfare has increased. The methodology in this study may be used in other instances where reliable data on transportation rates are not available, but data on delivered prices are available.
Rise in frequency of surface melting at Siple Dome through the Holocene: Evidence for increasing marine influence on the climate of West Antarctica

[1] A new melt layer history from Siple Dome, West Antarctica, indicates notable late-Holocene summertime warming. Visual stratigraphic analyses of the 1004-m ice core identified 62 years with melt layers. Melting events began around 11.7 ka, followed by a period of no melting from 8.8–6.6 ka. Melt layer frequency increased from 6.6 ka to the present, with the 1000-year-average melt layer frequency reaching a maximum of 2% at 0.8 ka. We use our millennial-scale archive of melt events as a unique seasonal paleothermometer to elucidate changes in West Antarctic Holocene summer climate. Our calibration suggests the change in melt frequency from 0% to 2% may represent a summer temperature increase of ≥2°C from the middle to late Holocene. This temperature change cannot be explained entirely by local change in ice elevation or summer insolation and is in contrast to East Antarctic climate records, which show peak warmth in the early Holocene followed by stable or decreasing temperature. We interpret the rise in melt frequency as evidence of an increasing marine influence on the Ross Sea sector of West Antarctica. Although the surface elevation of Siple Dome has not changed greatly, the continued lateral retreat of the West Antarctic ice sheet from its Last Glacial Maximum configuration (across the outer continental shelf), and the delayed drawdown in ice thickness from the adjacent coastal Marie Byrd Land region, in conjunction with periods of increased cyclogenesis, perhaps related to variations in ENSO, would allow a moderated maritime climate to more easily reach West Antarctica.
Intranasal application of buffered tripelennamine (pyribenzamine) solution in allergic rhinitis A preliminary report

Abstract 1.1. In eighty-one patients with allergic rhinitis treated with the topical application of buffered Pyribenzamine solution over 90 per cent obtained satisfactory or excellent results. 2.2. Early in the study a 2 per cent solution of Pyribenzamine was used but was soon replaced with a 0.5 per cent solution because the stronger solution caused local discomfort. 3.3. No serious local or general effects were noted. 4.4. Topical therapy was effective when antihistaminic drugs orally administered could not be tolerated because of drowsiness and other distressing symptoms. 5.5. The local effect is temporary and the usual allergic diagnostic and therapeutic measures are necessary.
Use of pharmacologic agents for the primary prevention of osteoporosis among older women with low bone mass

We examined the use of pharmacologic agents for the primary prevention of osteoporosis among older women with osteopenia. We found that these individuals were not managed in concordance with the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) guidelines and that self-perceived osteoporosis risk and lower bone density were strongly associated with receipt of treatment. Although osteoporosis medications are used for the primary prevention of osteoporosis among persons with low bone mass (osteopenia), their use may be discordant with clinical practice guidelines. We studied women 55 years and older participating in the Global Longitudinal Study of Osteoporosis in Women (GLOW). Eligible participants had a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) test performed at the University of Alabama at Birmingham hospital and had an osteopenia diagnosis based on their DXA test results. Participants' demographics, fracture risk factors, and exposure to osteoporosis medications were determined from the GLOW survey. We examined the proportions of women managed in concordance with the National Osteoporosis Foundation 2008 guidelines, and we assessed factors independently associated with osteoporosis treatment decisions. Women with a prior spine or hip fracture were excluded. Among 597 eligible women from GLOW, the mean age ± standard deviation (SD) was 70 ± 7 years. Among all subjects, 309 (52 %) were treated in concordance with the NOF 2008 guidelines. Greater self-perceived osteoporosis risk and lower bone mineral density were significantly and consistently associated with receipt of osteoporosis treatment, both for those considered appropriate and for those considered inappropriate for treatment based on the NOF guidelines. We found significant discordance between NOF 2008 guidelines and pharmacologic management of women with osteopenia. A person's self-perceived osteoporosis risk and bone mineral density were most strongly associated with receipt of osteoporosis medication use among women with low bone mass.
Hepatitis B Vaccination: Current and Evolving Recommendations

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Antiviral therapy for HBV is a safe and effective strategy for preventing the development of complications of chronic infection, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma; however, treatment is expensive and may be required long-term. Thus, prevention of HBV infection with universal vaccination at birth, and after birth in specific unvaccinated risk groups, is a preferred strategy that confers durable life-long protection against HBV and will eliminate a future reservoir of infected individuals. In addition to the traditional at-risk groups for hepatitis B, patients with diabetes mellitus were recently identified as being at increased risk for HBV infection, and they should also be considered for screening and vaccinated if not immune. This short review summarizes current and evolving recommendations for hepatitis B vaccination.
Liquid salt cooled flexible conversion ratio fast reactor: Neutronic design

Abstract This paper presents the neutronic design of a liquid salt cooled fast reactor with flexible conversion ratio. The main objective of the design is to accommodate interchangeably within the same reactor core alternative transuranic actinides management strategies ranging from pure burning to self-sustainable breeding. Two, the most limiting, core design options with unity and zero conversion ratios are described. Ternary, NaCl-KCl-MgCl 2 salt was chosen as a coolant after a rigorous screening process, due to a combination of favourable neutronic and heat transport properties. Large positive coolant temperature reactivity coefficient was identified as the most significant design challenge. A wide range of strategies aiming at the reduction of the coolant temperature coefficient to assure self-controllability of the core in the most limiting unprotected accidents were explored. However, none of the strategies resulted in sufficient reduction of the coolant temperature coefficient without significantly compromising the core performance characteristics such as power density or cycle length. Therefore, reactivity control devices known as lithium thermal expansion modules were employed instead. This allowed achieving all the design goals for both zero and unity conversion ratio cores. The neutronic feasibility of both designs was demonstrated through calculation of reactivity control and fuel loading requirements, fluence limits, power peaking factors, and reactivity feedback coefficients.
Enhanced evaluation of selective androgen receptor modulators in vivo.

Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are a class of drugs that control the activity of the androgen receptor (AR), which mediates the response to androgens, in a tissue-selective fashion. They are specifically designed to reduce the possible complications that result from the systemic inhibition or activation of AR in patients with diseases that involve androgen signalling. However, there are no ideal in vivo models for evaluating candidate SARMs. Therefore, we created a panel of androgen-responsive genes in clinically relevant AR expressing tissues including prostate, skin, bone, fat, muscle, brain and kidney. We used select genes from this panel to compare transcriptional changes in response to the full agonist dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the SARM bolandiol at 16 h and 6 weeks. We identified several genes in each tissue whose expression at each of these time points correlates with the known tissue-specific effects of these compounds. For example, in the prostate we found four genes whose expression was much lower in animals treated with bolandiol compared with animals treated with DHT for 6 weeks, which correlated well with differences in prostate weight. We demonstrate that adding molecular measurements (androgen-regulated gene expression) to the traditional physiological measurements (tissue weights, etc.) makes the evaluation of potential SARMs more accurate, thorough and perhaps more rapid by allowing measurement of selectivity after only 16 h of drug treatment.
Sputter Epitaxy of Ag and Ni Films

Epitaxial films of silver are grown by sputtering on mica substrates at elevated temperature. A systematic study of samples grown on different substrates and at different temperatures is carried out using X-ray diffraction (θ–2θ and Laue). Both the temperature and substrate play crucial roles for the growth of epitaxial films. The growth of epitaxial Ni on Ag single crystal by sputtering is also reported.
Second Paper: Failure-Survival Automatic Flight Control Systems for Aircraft with Particular Reference to a High Reliability Electrohydraulic Actuator

The author discusses some of the problems of failure-survival automatic flight control systems and suggests some basic ground rules as design criteria.The advantages and disadvantages of some of the main types of system are discussed: duplex, triplex, triple component, duplicate-monitored and quadruplex systems being covered.In particular, a quadruplex actuator is described which has been designed and developed mainly for automatic flight control system applications where a very high degrees of failure-survival capability is required.A detailed failure analysis of the various systems is carried out and the importance of the electrical and hydraulic supply system configurations and failure rates is brought out.
Single- and double-spiral-vortex models for a supercavitating non-symmetric wedge in a jet

The problem of determining the free surface of a jet incident on a rigid wedge and the boundary of a cavity behind the wedge is considered. The single- and double-spiral-vortex models by Tulin are used to describe the flow at the rear part of the cavity. The location of the wedge in the jet and the sides lengths are arbitrary. This circumstance makes the flow domain doubly connected for the single-vortex model while it is simply connected for the double-vortex model. Both models are solved in closed form by the method of conformal mappings. The maps are expressed through the solutions to certain Riemann–Hilbert problems. For the former model, this problem is formulated on a genus-1 Riemann surface. The double-vortex model requires the solution to a standard Riemann–Hilbert problem on a plane. By comparative analysis of the numerical results for the two models, it is found that the drag and lift are practically the same while the jet surface, the cavity boundary at the rear part and the deflection angle of the jet at infinity are different. Also, the problem of determining the parameters for the conformal mapping in the single-vortex model has two solutions. It is shown that one of the solutions leads to a non-physical shape of the cavity and needs to be disregarded.
Reporting bias in the association between age at first alcohol use and heavy episodic drinking.

Background: Given the weight placed on retrospective reports of age at first drink in studies of later drinking-related outcomes, it is critical that its reliability be established and possible sources of systematic bias be identified. The overall aim of the current study is to explore the possibility that the estimated magnitude of association between early age at first drink and problem alcohol use may be inflated in studies using retrospectively reported age at alcohol use onset. Methods: The sample was comprised of 1,716 participants in the Missouri Adolescent Female Twin Study who reported an age at first drink in at least 2 waves of data collection (an average of 4 years apart). Difference in reported age at first drink at Time 2 versus Time 1 was categorized as 2 or more years younger, within 1 year (consistent), or 2 or more years older. The strength of the association between age at first drink and peak frequency of heavy episodic drinking (HED) at Time 1 was compared with that at Time 2. The association between reporting pattern and peak frequency of HED was also examined. Results: A strong association between age at first drink and HED was found for both reports, but it was significantly greater at Time 2. Just over one-third of participants had a 2 year or greater difference in reported age at first drink. The majority of inconsistent reporters gave an older age at Time 2 and individuals with this pattern of reporting engaged in HED less frequently than consistent reporters. Conclusions: The low rate of HED in individuals reporting an older age at first drink at Time 2 suggests that the upward shift in reported age at first drink among early initiates is most pronounced for light drinkers. Heavy drinkers may therefore be overrepresented among early onset users in retrospective studies, leading to inflated estimates of the association between early age at initiation and alcohol misuse. Language: en
The legal orthopedia of human dignity: Thinking with Axel Honneth

This article develops a constructivist, non-metaphysical, non-essentialist conception of human dignity using Jeremy Waldron, Michael Rosen, Ernst Bloch, Jurgen Habermas and Axel Honneth. This const...
Quantification of PCV2 capsid transcript in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro

The presence of PCV2 DNA or spliced capsid mRNA (Cap mRNA) for viral replication was assessed following addition of PCV2 to resting or concanavalin A (ConA) stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Real-time PCR or real-time RT-PCR assays were used to measure viral DNA or Cap mRNA, respectively. The study demonstrated that PCV2 replication increased in infected PBMCs over time. Replication within infected PBMCs was significantly (P<0.05) increased when PBMCs were stimulated with ConA, compared to unstimulated PBMCs. The data showed a strong correlation between the level of PCV2 Cap mRNA and the level of viral DNA in the ConA stimulated PBMCs. Replication of PCV2 was also assessed in T lymphocyte- and monocyte/macrophage-enriched or monocyte/macrophage-depleted PBMC populations which had been stimulated with ConA for 3 days. It was demonstrated that the enriched T lymphocytes and the monocyte/macrophage-depleted PBMCs had significantly higher Cap mRNA and viral DNA levels (P<0.05) compared to the monocyte/macrophage-enriched population, indicating that in addition to monocytes/macrophages, PCV2 replicates in lymphocytes, particularly T lymphocytes following stimulation. These results suggest that the presence of activated T lymphocytes may play an important role in PCV2 replication and potentially the development of clinical disease.
Conjunctival Involvement in Paraneoplastic Pemphigus

Paraneoplastic pemphigus is a recently described autoimmune inflammatory mucocutaneous disease associated with an underlying neoplasm. Although histopathologic and direct immunofluorescence findings of involved skin and mucous membranes are consistent with pemphigus vulgaris, indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation study results are unique. We treated two patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and paraneoplastic pemphigus. Both patients had bilateral bulbar conjunctival hyperemia and diffuse papillary tarsal conjunctival reactions. One patient had sloughing of conjunctival epithelium and the other had tarsal conjunctival cicatrization and forniceal shortening. Histopathologic findings of conjunctivae obtained from both patients were consistent with pemphigus vulgaris. Diffuse deposition of IgG and C3 in the intercellular substance of the conjunctival epithelium was demonstrated by direct immunofluorescence. Indirect immunofluorescence testing disclosed binding of autoantibodies to rodent bladder and intestinal epithelium. Immunoprecipitation disclosed antibodies reactive to Desmoplakin I (250 kd), bullous pemphigoid (230 kd), Desmoplakin II (210 kd) and 190-kd proteins. Ophthalmologists and pathologists should be aware of the conjunctival changes in paraneoplastic pemphigus.
Global Stabilization of an Inverted 3D Pendulum including Control Saturation Effects

This paper continues the development of asymptotic stabilization results for a 3D pendulum. The main results provide almost global asymptotic stabilization of the inverted equilibrium of the 3D pendulum, taking into account saturation of the control moment vector. Control saturation is accommodated by a novel feedback structure that is based on the special geometric features of the 3D pendulum, namely that the attitude representation lies in a compact manifold. The analysis is based on construction of a Lyapunov function for the closed-loop that explicitly involves the saturation. Several different controller forms are presented and evaluated through simulation examples