cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Program in environmental sustainability uses interdisciplinary approach to cross-train students

The Hewlett Program in Environmental Sustainability, an experimental educational pathway for undergraduate students interested in the study of the environment (http://wundow.wustl.edu/hewlett), is now in its third year at Washington University. About 90% of incoming students have stayed with the program through the first year and about 80% through the second year. The program's objectives and implementation closely follow the recommendations presented in a 1998 Boyer Commission Report on emphasizing and improving undergraduate education at research universities (http://notes.cc.sunysb.edu/Pres/boyer/nsf). A clustered, interdisciplinary approach is used for coursework, with key environmental problems viewed from scientific, political, cultural, and ethical perspectives. Courses are taught by instructors who conduct research in environmental areas. The program's multidisciplinary nature is considered a strong draw for faculty involvement, though retaining faculty is still an issue.
The US Survey and the Incidence of Bright Quasars

The bright quasar sample from the US survey (UBQS) comprises 19 quasars with B 0.3. These subsets and others defined by other morphological criteria currently in use confirm the high incidence of bright US survey quasars previously established with the MB criterion alone. The number count data and the redshift distribution for the bright quasars of the UBQS are found to agree with those of the Hamburg ESO (HES) and Edinburgh quasar surveys (EQS). The number counts in the range 15.5 < B < 16.95 from these three quasar samples are consistently higher than those produced from other published quasar samples in the same magnitude range. These results suggest that the UBQS, HES, and EQS approach statistical completeness within the limits of their respective selection criteria. Surface densities from these three quasar samples favor the semiempirical fit of luminosity-dependent luminosity evolution (LDLE) of LaFranca and Cristiani. An observed excess of quasars in the range 0.5 < z ≤ 0.6 is discussed. The apparent overabundance does not appear to be a result of selection effects. The present data will be useful in recalculating the LDLE fit parameters.
Implementation of fortran random number generators on computers with one's complement arithmetic †

Random number generators can be programmed in FORTRAN using several methods on 1's complement machines. We have presented several methods for the SRU 1107–1108 and CDC 6000 and CYBER series, the two most popular that utilize 1's complement arithmetic. We believe the logical mask method to be the most efficient technique based on execution time on both machines. This method requires only a little more than one-half the time of the signed residue method on the SRU 1107–1108 and a little more than two thirds the time of the unsigned residue method on the CDC 6000–CYBER. A fast composite generator in FORTRAN uses the logical mask merhod combined with the FLD function to implement the table approach of MacLaren and Marsaglia (1965). This generator proves to be more than twice as fast as a previous one for the SRU 1108, Marsaglia and Bray (1968)
Modulation of gene expression by auxin

Auxin, a class of plant hormones which affects a wide array of growth and developmental processes including cell elongation and cell division, alters gene expression in a very rapid, selective, and dramatic way. The relative level of some mRNAs decreases several fold, while that of other mRNAs increases many fold. These changes are mediated, at least in some cases, by very fast (within 5-10 min) modulation by auxin of transcription as measured by run-off transcription assays using nuclei isolated from control and auxin-treated tissues. Rapid turnover of mRNAs following auxin treatment also contributes to large changes in steady state concentration in some cases. The data are suggestive of multiple and complex mechanisms of regulation of expression of those genes which have been studied, using cloned cDNAs for direct quantitation of mRNA steady state levels and relative transcription rats. While there is no definitive evidence that auxin-regulated gene expression mediates any of the growth responses effected by auxin, several lines of evidence are supportive of a very close relationship between these processes. The working hypothesis is that there is a causal relationship between the effects of auxin on gene expression and at least some of the physiological and growth responses to auxin.
Comparison Elbow Joint Angles for Male and Female Bat Swings

Hitting has become one of the most studied aspects of the game of baseball. Many studies to date only focus on a specific group of players, like collegiate or major league players, but there have not been any studies comparing the male swing to the female swing. Additionally, most studies look at many different aspects of a swing at distinct times in the swing.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The Extended Mallampati Score and a Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus Are Predictors of Difficult Laryngoscopy in the Morbidly Obese

BACKGROUND: The modified Mallampati (MMP) classification is a standard method of oropharyngeal evaluation for predicting difficult laryngoscopy. Previous studies have demonstrated that the predictive value of the MMP is improved when the patient’s craniocervical junction is extended rather than neutral (Extended Mallampati Score, EMS). In the present study, we compared the predictive value of the MMP and EMS in the morbidly obese. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of adult patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) 40 over a 12-mo period comparing the MMP and EMS. The performance of the MMP, EMS, and other commonly used tests was compared for the ability to predict difficult laryngoscopy, defined as a Cormack-Lehane grade of 3 or 4. Positioning and direct laryngoscopic techniques were not standardized. The incidence of difficult laryngoscopy and difficult intubation was compared in patients with BMI or 40. RESULTS: Three-hundred-forty-six patients with a BMI 40 were evaluated with both the MMP and EMS and received direct laryngoscopy. On average, craniocervical extension decreased the MMP class (P 0.0001). Compared to the MMP, the EMS improved specificity and predictive value while maintaining sensitivity. Compared to the MMP and other tests, an EMS class of 3 or 4 and a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus were the only statistically significant predictors of difficult laryngoscopy in the morbidly obese. There was no difference in the incidence of difficult laryngoscopy or intubation in the morbidly obese compared to patients with a BMI 40. CONCLUSIONS: The EMS was superior to the MMP in the prediction of difficult laryngoscopy in the morbidly obese population. A diagnosis of diabetes mellitus also warrants further investigation as a predictor of difficult laryngoscopy in this population. Finally, this study supports previous findings that morbid obesity is not itself a predictor of difficult laryngoscopy or intubation. (Anesth Analg 2008;107:1919‐23)
THE GROWTH OF GROWTH HORMONE TREATED AND NOM TREATED CHILDREN WITH MYELOMENINGOCELE BEFORE AND AFTER TETHERED CORD RELEASE

Children with nryelomeningocele (MM) are very short and respond to treatment (Rx) with recombinant human growth hormone (RHGH) with acceleration of growth rate (GR). This complex patient group frequently has tethering of the spinal cord (TSC) which untreated, may cause scoliosis and loss of neurofunction. The effect of tethered cord release (TCR) on the GR of children with HH alone or with RHGH Rx has not been assessed. We compared short term CR and standard deviation score for stature (SDS) of 13 pre-pubertal children (7 males, 6 females of mean age 6.1 ± 2.5 yrs) with MM, pre end post symptomatic TCR to a MM control group (MC) matched for age, tex and level of lesion who were followed over the seme time period, and did not have TCR. We also compared these two groups to 7 pre-pubertal children (4 males, 3 females of mean age 6.5 ± 2.0 yrs) with MM and GH inadequacy who had TCR and were then treated with RHGH. We evaluated GR from recumbent lengths measured on a horizontal stadiometer. GR was based on annualization of data points approximately 6 months pre and post TCR. For MC, we annualized lengths pre and post 6 months of the age of TCR to match the TCR group. For the RHGH Rx group, annualization of lengths, 10 months pre and post TCR, were used. TSC influences the GR of children with MM. Within the TCR group, GR increased significantly (p<.01). For TCR and TCR & RHGH groups, RHGH provides an increased gain of GR over TCR alone (p<.01). Among the three groups, TCR & RHGH in combination provides the largest gain in GR and SDS. Further study of TCR and RHGH will be necessary to assess their influence on adult stature of this extremely short population.
The autonomic nervous system and some aspects of the use of autonomic drugs in children. Part II

Summary An attempt has been made to review some of the basic physiology and pharmacology of the autonomic nervous system, a frequently forgotten entity in clinical pediatrics. Current knowledge of the anatomical and functional maturation of the autonomic, nervous system has also been summarized in order to indicate that children of various ages may show different responses to autonomic drugs when compared with adults. Controversial areas of therapy and some of the newer drugs with sympathetic activity have also been discussed. Conditions affecting cholinergic nervous systems, such as myasthenia gravis and organophosphate poisoning, have not been included, because there is little that is either new or particularly controversial in their treatment. Coverage of the pharmacology and clinical pharmacology of all autonomic drugs used in pediatric practice was beyond the scope of this review.
Zinc(II) tetraarylporphyrins anchored to TiO2, ZnO, and ZrO2 nanoparticle films through rigid-rod linkers.

A series of six Zn(II) tetraphenylporphyrins (ZnTPP), with a phenyl (P) or oligophenyleneethynylene (OPE = (PE)n) rigid-rod bridge varying in length (9−30 A) and terminated with an isophthalic acid (Ipa) anchoring unit, were prepared as model dyes for the study of sensitization processes on metal oxide semiconductor nanoparticle surfaces (MOn = TiO2, ZnO, and insulating ZrO2). The dyes were designed such that the electronic properties of the central porphyrin chromophore remained consistent throughout the series, with the rigid-rod anchoring unit allowing each porphyrin unit to be located at a fixed distance from the metal oxide nanoparticle surface. Electronic communication between the porphyrin and the rigid-rod unit was not desired. Rigid-rod porphyrins ZnTPP−Ipa, ZnTPP−P−Ipa, ZnTPP−PE−Ipa, ZnTPP−(PE)2−Ipa, ZnTPP−(PE)3−Ipa, and ZnTMP−Ipa (with mesityl substituents on the porphyrin ring) were synthesized using combinations of mixed aldehyde condensations and Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. Their ...
Detection and Quantification of Trace Organic Contaminants in Water Using the FT-IR-Attenuated Total Reflectance Technique

The Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FT-IR-ATR) technique has been used to detect and quantify the following volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in water: 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, styrene, and tetrachloroethylene, among which the first three compounds were investigated at parts per million levels for the first time. Enhancement of the detection was made by (1) coating the ATR crystal with a hydrophobic polymer membrane, (2) optimizing the flow rate of the sample solution, (3) varying polymer membrane thickness, and (4) increasing the number of reflection bounces within the ATR crystal. Our flow rate optimization confirmed a previous finding that turbulent flow is more favorable than laminar flow in detecting the VOCs in water. However, decreases of ATR signal intensity were observed at very high turbulency due to analytes flowing too quickly through and exiting the ATR cell to be adsorbed onto the polymer membrane. The optimal membrane thickness was found...
Cisternal distention in membrane-glycogen complexes of rabbit extraocular muscle.

Arrays of glycogen layers alternating with the double membranes of flattened cisternae were observed in apparently normal muscle. The cisternae of such arrays appeared in both nondistended and evenly distended forms. The distended cisternae retained their structural integrity in contrast to a frequently seen disruption of those that were not distended. Cisternal distention was related to the extent of glycogen deposition on membranes that were partially glycogen-bearing. Randomly organized membrane—glycogen complexes were also seen in which the cisternae consistently appeared in a distended form.
An Overview of Cinema on the Fairgrounds

(1987). An Overview of Cinema on the Fairgrounds. Journal of Popular Film and Television: Vol. 15, The Silent Cinema, pp. 102-108.
A quantitative study of regenerative sprouting by optic axons in goldfish.

Regenerative sprouting by optic axons of goldfish was examined distal to the site of a crush lesion. Normally, optic nerves of large goldfish contain approximately 2 × 105 myelinated axons. The number of axonal processes in the nerve distal to the lesion increases fourfold during the first 3 months postoperatively and then returns toward preoperative numbers after 3 months. The excess number of axonal processes therefore persists several months beyond the return of visual function. The magnitude and time course of regenerative sprouting by goldfish optic axons is similar to that reported for mammalian and nonmammalian peripheral axons.
An experimental analysis of self-persuasion☆

R. F. Skinner has provided a detailed analysis of the limited resources available to the community for training its members thus to "know themselves," and he has described the inescapable inadequacies of the resulting knowledge. One implication of Skinner's analysis is that many of the self-descriptive statements that appear to be exclusively under the discriminative control of private stimulation may remain under the control of the same public events. A descriptive statement, a verbal response that is under the discriminative control of some portion of the environment, is classified as a "tact". Attitude statements in particular have the properties of tacts of the reinforcing effects of a stimulus situation on the individual. A communicator is credible to the extent that his communication is discriminated as a set of tacts, and his credibility is vitited to the extent that he appears to be manding in the form of disguised tacts.
Primary culture of axolotl spinal cord ependymal cells.

Abstract In order to examine the role of ependymal cells in the spinal cord regeneration of urodele amphibians, procedures were established to identify and culture these cells. Cell isolation and culture conditions were determined for ependymal cells from larval and adult axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum). Dissociated cells prepared from intact spinal cords were cultured on fibronectin- or laminin-coated dishes. Dissociated cells attached more rapidly to fibronectin, but attached and spread on both fibronectin and laminin. Essentially pure populations of ependymal cells were obtained by removing 2 week old ependymal outgrowth from lesion sites of adult spinal cords. These ependymal outgrowths attached and grew only on fibronectin-coated dishes. Growth and trophic factors were tested to formulate a medium that would support ependymal cell proliferation. The necessary peptide hormones were PDGF, EGF, and insulin. TGF-beta1 affected the organization of cell outgrowth. Initially, longterm culture required the presence of high levels of axolotl serum. Addition of purified bovine hemaglobin in the culture medium reduced the serum requirement. Outgrowth from expiants was subcultured by transferring groups of cells. Intrinsic markers were used to identify ependymal cells in culture. The ependymal cells have characteristic ring-shaped nucleoli in both intact axolotl spinal cords and in culture. Indirect immunofluorescence examination of intermediate filaments showed that ependymal cells were glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) negative and vimentin positive in culture. Identification of dividing cells was made using 3H-thymidine incorporation and autoradiography, and by the presence of mitotic figures in the cultured cells
Critical issues in the assessment of disability in schizophrenia

Individuals with schizophrenia exhibit functional disability across a wide array of domains. These patients experience impairments in their social competence, vocational aptitude, everyday living skills, and self-care abilities, which in the majority of patients are severe enough to prevent the return to independent living, even after hallmark symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions are remitted. Unfortunately, assessment of the magnitude of disability in individual patients is hindered by several factors, such as reduced capability in the area of self-evaluation and inaccuracies in self-report, as well as the presence of potential contributing variables such as depression and poor self-esteem. Furthermore, additional barriers to recovery exist, such as fear of losing disability payments and factors such as discrimination. Performance-based measures of functioning are new and promising instruments for assessing the competencies of patients and address many of the problems with other methods of asses...
The permanent income hypothesis in an underdeveloped economy

Abstract After a concise but critical survey of several tests of the permanent income hypothesis (PIH), the authors advance their own test for India using annual data from 1919–1960. It employs Friedman's technique for calculating the permanent value of a variable. Two different specifications of the model are tested, using different values of the consumer's ‘horizon.’ In almost all cases it is found that the marginal propensity to consume out of transitory income is very similar to the marginal propensity to consume out of permanent income. The authors conclude that even a looser variant of the PIH is not valid for India. However, no valid generalization with respect to the appropriate planning horizon can be made, for the PIH was almost equally invalid with a horizon of one, two and two-and-a-half years. The authors briefly discuss the policy implications of their results for the savings efforts in underdeveloped countries.
Feynman propagator in curved spacetime: A momentum-space representation

We obtain a momentum-space representation of the Feynman propagator $G(x,{x}^{\ensuremath{'}})$ for scalar and spin-\textonehalf{} fields propagating in arbitrary curved spacetimes. The construction uses Riemann normal coordinates with origin at the point ${x}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ and is therefore only valid for points $x$ lying in a normal neighborhood of ${x}^{\ensuremath{'}}$. We show that the resulting momentum-space representation is equivalent to the DeWitt-Schwinger propertime representation. Our momentum-space representation permits one to apply momentum-space techniques used in Minkowski space to arbitrary curved spacetimes. The usefulness of this representation in discussing the renormalizability of interacting field theories in curved spacetime is illustrated by an explicit renormalization, to second order in the coupling constant, of a quartically self-interacting scalar field theory in an arbitrary spacetime.
Influence of duty cycle and off time of comparison-tone pulse trains on the measurement of perstimulatory loudness adaptation

An experiment was conducted to determine if duty cycle and off time of tone pulses presented to the comparison ear influence adaptation measured at the opposite (test) ear. Eight subjects were adapted for 5 min to a 1-kHz pure tone at 60 dB SPL. Using a tracking procedure, adaptation was measured under five comparison-signal conditions, each comprised of 1-kHz pulse trains having different on/off times. The on/off times (in milliseconds) were: 200/800 (20% duty cycle); 500/500, 200/200, and 800/800 (50% duty cycle); and 800/200 (80% duty cycle). Adaptation was found to increase as the duty cycle of the comparison tones increased from 20% to 80%. This was evident even when attempts were made to account for the extent to which pulse trains are perceived as softer than continuous signals at the same level (the so-called LOT effect). For the 50%-duty-cycle conditions, similar amounts of adaptation were measured whether the on/off times of the signals were 200, 500, or 800 msec.
The Role of Keratinocyte Differentiation in the Expression of Epitheliotropic Viruses

We have examined the growth of three epitheliotropic viruses in cultures of human epidermal keratinocytes: herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1, adenovirus type 2 (Ad-2), and human papillomavirus (HPV) type 1. Differences were noted in the level of expression of each virus, and these differences may be related to a dependency or lack of dependency on keratinocyte differentiation for complete viral growth. Of the three viruses studied, HSV was the only one to replicate productively in all cells of the culture. Its expression was independent of keratinocyte differentiation. This is unlike Ad-2, which infected all cells in the culture but replicated productively only in the supra- basal cells. Basal keratinocytes were shown to be infected, but for unknown reasons, they appeared in most instances to be nonpermissive for Ad-2 replication. Infected basal keratinocytes became permissive when they reached a suprabasal position. Ad-2 appears to require keratinocyte differentiation for full expression in culture. Following infection with HPV, cultured keratinocytes showed no evidence of productive replication. However, 50 to 250 copies of HPV DNA could be detected in each cell (average) as stable nonintegrated molecules, Viral DNA replication has been shown to occur in the younger cells and not in the older, more differentiated keratinocytes. The failure of HPV to be fully expressed in culture may be related, in part, to incomplete differentiation of the keratinocyte in vitro. The major conclusions of this study are (1) that keratinocyte differentiation is likely to play a role in the expression of some epitheliotropic viruses in culture, and (2) that keratinocyte differentiation may be a factor in the pathogenesis of certain viral diseases of keratinizing epithelia.
Efficient transmission of DoD PKI certificates in tactical networks

The DoD vision of real-time information sharing and net-centric services available to warfighters at the tactical edge is challenged by low-bandwidth and high-latency tactical network links. Secured tactical applications require transmission of digital certificates that contribute a major portion of data in most secure sessions, which further increases response time for users and drains device power. In this paper we present a simple and practical approach to alleviating this problem. We develop a dictionary of data common across DoD PKI certificates to prime general-purpose data compression of certificates, resulting in a significant reduction (about 50%) of certificate sizes. This reduction in message size translates in to faster response times for the users. For example, a mutual authentication of a client and a server over the Iridium satellite link is expected to be sped up by as much as 3 sec. This approach can be added directly to tactical applications with minimal effort, or it can be deployed as part of an intercepting network proxy, completely transparent to applications.
Length of stay and survival times for burned patients

Abstract Length of hospitalization for burn patients depends on a number of factors-the size and depth of the burn, the age of the patient, whether the patient contracts an infection, the sex of the patient and the policies of the institution providing treatment. A number of these factors combine to give an estimated risk of mortality and length of hospitalization may be estimated from the risk of death. Survival time does not vary as much, but may also be estimated from the risk of death. Length of hospitalization for individual patients is quite variable. Even estimating length of hospitalization from 12 000 cases does not allow a very precise estimate to be made for an individual patient. The approach presented, however, which combines prediction of mortality, length of hospitalization or length of survival from a few demographic and severity variables available at the time of admission, may aid in planning and auditing.
Effect of hypophysectomy on growth hormone receptor gene expression in rat tissues.

Two cDNA probes derived from the nucleic acid sequence for the rabbit GH receptor were used to study RNA samples from normal and hypophysectomized (hypox) rat tissues by Northern analysis. Results obtained with a probe that contained a nucleotide sequence corresponding to part of the extracellular domain of the GH receptor indicated that rat liver, gastrocnemius muscle, and epididymal fat each contain a 4.4-kilobase (kb) message and one or more shorter messages that appear to be homologous to the rabbit GH receptor message. The other probe, which contained a nucleotide sequence that corresponds to the intracellular domain of the GH receptor, detected only one 4.4-kb message in these rat tissues. These results suggest that rat tissues may synthesize several forms of the GH receptor, but only one form that contains a region homologous to the intracellular domain of the rabbit liver GH receptor. Hypophysectomy increased the abundance of the 4.4-kb message 5-fold in muscle and reduced it by a factor of 2 in a...
Survival and Infectivity of Pneumocystis carinii Outside the Mammalian Host.

Air blower prefilters servicing HEPA-filtered Biobubble housing Pneumocystis carinii-infected rats were stored for up to five months at -80 degrees C to room temperature. After storage, 76% of immunosuppressed rats exposed to these prefilters developed P. carinii infections. In contrast, only 4% of control immunosuppressed rats exposed to autoclaved filters had P. carinii infections. These observations indicate that the organism has a dormant form that remains infective for at least several months outside the mammalian host.
Preparing Practicing Engineers for Distance ME Graduate Programs

Practicing Mechanical engineers desire to advance their careers and job satisfaction by pursuing distance graduate degree programs, mainly towards Master’s degrees. The start up stage of such studies is problematic among engineers who stayed away from formal education for a period of years. The structure of the Graduate Program in Mechanical Engineering at Lehigh University and some history of frustrated attempts of distance students is first discussed. Subsequently, the concept of making available a course which will prepare a fraction of distance students by refreshing their memory of some basic skills is presented and the methods of preparing and offering such a course are outlined. Illustrations of the relevant course material and a short discussion of the academic history of distance students who participated in this course are presented.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Thinking in Pixels: An Editing System for Electronic Texts

On-line publication alters the relationship between editor and writer, creating a potentially more collaborative and fluid text. This article explores implications of increased publication options and examines conceptual distinctions among Fixed-Format, Electronic, and Meta-media Editors. We propose a keyboard editing/commenting technique that will work across platforms and software programs and in every mode of electronic communication including simple e-mail. This ASCII based system uses only four symbols in various combinations to convey all of the print editor's marks and also allows the editor or reader to insert comments in the immediate context. The result is increased efficiency and flexibility for writer and editor or teacher and student.
Relativistic effects in the UV photoelectron spectra of group VI diatomic molecules

Abstract The anomalous 2 π 1 2 / 2 π 3 2 intensity ratios observed recently in the photoelectron spectra of S 2 , Se 2 , and Te 2 are shown to arise from spin—orbit coupling in the ground state. An intermediate coupling calculation give good agreement with all observed intensity ratios and predicts a ratio of ≈35 in Po 2 .
Prevalence of suicidality during pregnancy and the postpartum

This review examined the available prevalence estimates of suicidality (suicide deaths, attempts, and ideation including thoughts of self harm) in pregnancy and the postpartum. Studies that used defined community or clinic samples were identified through multiple electronic databases and contacts with primary authors. Definitions of and measurement of suicide deaths, intentional self-harming behavior, suicide attempts, and thoughts of death and self-harm were varied and are described with each study. While suicide deaths and attempts are lower during pregnancy and the postpartum than in the general population of women, when deaths do occur, suicides account for up to 20% of postpartum deaths. Self-harm ideation is more common than attempts or deaths, with thoughts of self-harm during pregnancy and the postpartum ranging from 5 to 14%. The risk for suicidality is significantly elevated among depressed women during the perinatal period, and suicide has been found to be the second or leading cause of death in this depressed population.
Statistical properties of the asymmetric random telegraph signal, with applications to single-channel analysis

Abstract The asymmetric random telegraph signal has unequal transition probabilities in the up and down directions. This signal, with and without filtering by a single-time-constant filter, is used in modeling ionic channels in nerve membrane. Formulas are derived for the distribution of number of jumps in an interval, probability density functions of pulse duration, autocorrelation, spectral density, Kolmogorov and Fokker-Planck-Kolmogorov equations, transition-probability functions, and the steady-state probability density function for the filtered signal. This collection of results includes both previously published formulas, here presented in most general form and in uniform notation, and some new results not previously published. These formulas are of use in analyzing records of single channels in nerve membrane.
Tracer study of sediment-water interactions in estuaries

Rates of sediment bioturbation and advective exchange of water across the sediment-water interface in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island were studied by radioactive tracer experiments. The ‘biological pumping rate’ of water across the interface (0.7 ± 0.3 cm3 cm−2 day−1) was calculated from a two box model in which the decrease in 22Na concentration in water overlying a box core was ascribed to animal pumping of water across the sediment-water interface. The ‘diffusion coefficient’ of solid sediment was determined to be 3 ± 1 × 10−7 cm2 s−1 from the depth distribution at the end of the experiment of 141Ce tagged microspheres and 59Fe (which was quantitatively scavenged onto particles at the start of the experiment). The pore water profile determined for 54Mn in the cores was similar to stable Mn profiles previously determined for the site. Of the radioisotopes added to the water overlying the box core, nearly 100% of the Na and 50% of Sr remained in solution, while only 10% of the Ba, Mn, and Hg and < 1% of the Cd, Zn, and Fe remained in solution when the experiments were terminated.
Biphasic Ngn3 expression in the developing pancreas.

Ngn3 is a bHLH transcription factor critical for the specification of endocrine cells in the pancreatic Islets of Langerhans. Previous studies in mouse embryos have reported transient expression of Ngn3 in scattered cells within the developing pancreatic epithelium during midgestation (Schwitzgebel et al. [2000] Development 127:3533–3542). Specifically, these Ngn3-expressing cells have been shown to be progenitor cells fated to give rise to islet endocrine cells (Gradwohl et al. [2000] Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 97:1607–1611). Here, we characterize the expression of Ngn3 transcripts and protein throughout pancreatic development. Interestingly, we identify and define a dramatic and previously unnoticed gap in developmental Ngn3 expression. We show that both Ngn3 transcript and protein expression occur in two distinct temporal waves, the first occurring early from approximately E8.5 to E11.0, and the second initiating at approximately E12.0. Strikingly, this observed biphasic expression correlates with the “first” and “second” transitions, which encompass two distinct waves of embryonic endocrine differentiation. In addition, our studies demonstrate that Ngn3 transcripts are markedly more widespread in the pancreatic epithelium than NGN3 protein, indicating that post-transcriptional regulation is likely to play a critical role during endocrine differentiation. Developmental Dynamics 237:3270–3279, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
System modeling and optimal design of a Mars-roving vehicle

The problem of systematically determining the optimal design for an unmanned Mars-roving vehicle is considered. A system model, identifying all feasible designs, is generated by consideration of the physical constraints on the design parameters, and the requirement that the system be deliverable to the Mars surface. An expression which evaluates system performance relative to mission goals is developed. The model and objective function together allow simulation of the effects of design trade-offs upon system performance for all feasible designs. Nonlinear programming techniques are utilized to identify the optimal design.
Lateralized Cognitive Style and Self-Description

A scale of hemispheric preference in cognitive style was related to self-report measures of emotional functioning, with the hypothesis that persons who rely on cognition characteristic of one hemisphere may also manifest emotional characteristics of that hemisphere. In two studies, university students characterizing themselves as preferring a cognitive style representative of right hemisphere processes endorsed more positive emotional orientations. This finding may suggest a more optimistic attitude, but may also reflect a tendency to deny negative traits; a right hemispheric cognitive style was associated with a positive self-report bias. These observations in normals have interesting parallels to the changes in emotional orientation and self-description bias that follow lateralized brain lesions or temporal lobe epilepsy.
The drag coefficient of a stationary sphere on boundary of similar spheres

(1972). The drag coefficient of a stationary sphere on boundary of similar spheres. La Houille Blanche: Vol. 58, No. 1, pp. 17-22.
Synthesis of an oligothymidylate containing boranophosphate linkages

Abstract An oligothmidylate containing boranophosphates was synthesized via silylation of H-phosphonate linkages followed by boranation. These compounds formed duplexes having reduced stability with complementary RNA/DNA and stimulated RNase H activity.
A proposal: Evolution of PCNA's role as a marker of newly replicated DNA

Processivity clamps that hold DNA polymerases to DNA for processivity were the first proteins known to encircle the DNA duplex. At the time, polymerase processivity was thought to be the only function of ring shaped processivity clamps. But studies from many laboratories have identified numerous proteins that bind and function with sliding clamps. Among these processes are mismatch repair and nucleosome assembly. Interestingly, there exist polymerases that are highly processive and do not require clamps. Hence, DNA polymerase processivity does not intrinsically require that sliding clamps evolved for this purpose. We propose that polymerases evolved to require clamps as a way of ensuring that clamps are deposited on newly replicated DNA. These clamps are then used on the newly replicated daughter strands, for processes important to genomic integrity, such as mismatch repair and the assembly of nucleosomes to maintain epigenetic states of replicating cells during development.
Health risk analysis of volcanic SO2 hazard on Vulcano Island (Italy)

Since the last eruption of the Fossa crater in 1888–1890, intense volcanic degassing has been remaining on Vulcano Island of Sicily (Italy). Toxic sulfur dioxide (SO2) of the solfataric action in this area represents, when inhaled, a permanent natural hazard harming humans. Approximately 500 permanent residents live and 15,000 tourists visit during the summer time the Porto village in the North of Vulcano Island. A cross-disciplinary fuzzy logic risk assessment has been conducted to evaluate health risks of human individuals exposed to higher SO2-concentrations C over certain exposure times t. The simple approach, based on fuzzy set theory, explains health risks semantically by words rather than by numbers. Advantages of this approach are, first, experts, non-experts, decision makers, or the public are able to understand and communicate risk degrees by words without using numbers. Second, in comparison to other risk definitions, the risk is not equal to the vulnerability; it is based on the hazard (SO2-gas clouds) and vulnerability (health effects) in combination. Third, risk levels can be still estimated even when limited or no statistical information is available, e.g., high SO2-concentrations or long exposure times. Moreover, human health risks were determined for C−t-scenarios based on threshold values of the European Union and the World Health Organization. Independently, two additional methods were used to determine the proportions of the population who are exposed to levels of SO2 at which health effects may be expected and also safety zones for civil protection around the degassing fields. In conclusion, SO2-gas concentrations in many parts of Vulcano Island go beyond the proclaimed alert threshold of the European Union and the World Health Organization. For example, the results show that sensitive individuals, such as asthmatics, young children, or elderly people, should not be exposed at any time to the degassing areas in Porto di Levante and at the NE-rim of the Fossa crater. In contrast, healthy non-sensitive individuals should be exposed less than 10 min to the SO2-clouds at these degassing areas, while hiking on the crater rim.
Pendulaser carbon dioxide resurfacing laser versus electrodesiccation with curettage in the treatment of isolated, recalcitrant psoriatic plaques

Abstract Background: Treatment of recalcitrant psoriatic plaques located on certain areas of the body remains problematic despite the many therapeutic options available. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of Pendulaser carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) resurfacing laser to that of electrodesiccation with curettage in the treatment of recalcitrant psoriatic plaques. Methods: A single psoriatic plaque was divided into thirds, one part treated with CO 2 resurfacing laser, another with electrodesiccation and curettage, and the third left untreated. The psoriatic epidermis and papillary dermis were removed by the two treatment modalities. Results: CO 2 resurfacing laser and electrodesiccation with curettage produced similar therapeutic effects in terms of improvement of psoriasis and were significantly better than the control 4 months later, but not at 6 months. Conclusion: For limited recalcitrant psoriatic plaques, CO 2 resurfacing laser and electrodesiccation with curettage may provide an alternative short-term treatment; however, caution must be exercised and the moderately high risk of scarring carefully weighed against the potential benefits. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2000;42:660-6.)
Global Restructuring, Transmigration and Mexican Rural Women Who Stay Behind: Accommodating, Contesting and Transcending Ideologies

In a time when globalization has escalated the migration of groups of people there is still little known of the families and communities that stay behind. Based on over five years of ethnographic research with campesinas (rural Mexican women) in a highly migratory part of Central Mexico, this article examines the manner in which campesinas who stay behind as their husbands migrate are implicated in global processes. As a result of the movement of spouses to and from the United States new ideas, capital, bodies, and information are introduced that alter the roles and perspectives of women who stay behind. From a gendered glocal framework that links global and local processes and considers power relations stretched across various spaces and amongst gender relations, the author examines how women learn to accommodate, contest, and transcend their transmigrant state and changing ideologies. Women's integration in a non-governmental organization, reliance on family networks and cultural traditions, among other...
Pharmacokinetics of Clindamycin in Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta caretta) after a Single Intravenous, Intramuscular, or Oral Dose

Abstract Clindamycin is a lincosamide antibiotic that is used to treat infections caused by Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in multiple species. In monogastric mammalian species, clindamycin is well absorbed via all routes and has pharmacokinetic properties that support once- or twice-daily administration. It has been used to treat sea turtles with contaminated fractures and deep lacerations. However, lacking pharmacokinetic information in sea turtles, dosage regimens have been empirically derived or extrapolated from mammals. To assess current empiric dose recommendations (5 mg/kg q 24 h; 2.5–5 mg/kg kg q 12–24 h) in achieving appropriate plasma concentrations of sufficient duration, a pharmacokinetic study was performed in loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta). Pilot study results indicated that at a dose of 5 mg/kg, plasma concentrations of clindamycin were below a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.5 μg/ml soon after injection. Therefore, the clindamycin dose was increased to 10 mg/...
Thermal analysis of ground dolomite, confirmation of results using an X-ray powder diffraction methodology

Abstract Grinding is one of the most widely used unit processes in industry. The application of grinding to the pharmaceutical industry is investigated in detail. The process of grinding finds wide application because it leads to surface activation and particle size reduction. This objective is achieved by the application of energy. A lot of the applied energy is dissipated as heat. A number of pharmaceutical solids are known to be heat labile. Thus, the milling operation is a high-energy process, which could lead to detrimental effects on the structural pattern of the material being ground. This could be either due to the heat involved in the milling process or simply because of the high-energy impact of the milling medium. To investigate if grinding had detrimental effects, a detailed study was carried out using dolomite as the material to be ground. The unit cell of dolomite remained intact even after 24 h of grinding in a high-energy vibrating mill. This fact was confirmed using an X-ray powder diffraction methodology. It was found that although grinding did not deform the structural pattern of the dolomitic unit cell, a strain was however introduced in the structure. This strain appeared as a third peak in both the DTG and OTA curves This indicated the possible hazards of prolonged grinding and use of high-energy grinding equipment on the material exposed to the grinding process.
On the growth of transverse waves in anisotropic elastic materials

Es wird gezeigt, dass die Amplituden ebener, transversaler Beschleunigungswellen, bei Fortpflanzung in einem anisotropischen und hyperelastischen Korper, entweder sich unendlich erweitern, oder bis auf Null abklingen konnen, je nach den Eigenschaften des Elastizitats-Tensors zweiter Ordnung; auch wird weiterhin gezeigt, dass das Verhalten gewisser Komponenten der Unstetigkeits-Begleiterscheinungen dritter Ordnung tatsachlich verknupft ist mit dem Verhalten der primaren transversalen Wellen.
THE WORLD BANK AT THE MILLENNIUM

In the aftermath of World War II and in the wake of the Great Depression (surely one of the underlying causes of the war itself),^ the countries of the world created three international institutions designed to facilitate economic cooperation: the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). GATT (which has since evolved into the World Trade Organisation) was to work on lowering trade barriers among nations and on preventing the beggar-thy-neighbour trade policies that were seen as a contributing factor to the breadth and depth of the Great Depression. The IMF was to provide liquidity and to sustain the international payments system (the gold standard that was reinstituted after the War). And the IBRD, known more generally as the World Bank, was primarily to facilitate the reconstruction of war-damaged Europe, and then to reach beyond that to aid in the development of what later became known as the Third World.^ It is now more than fifty years since the creation of these institutions. Over that half-century, they have evolved enormously, especially in response to changing economic circumstances and changing needs. The 1971 abandonment of the gold standard by the United States (and subsequently by the rest of the world) clearly necessitated a change in the functioning and perhaps in the very role of the IMF. The collapse of the Soviet Union posed a new set of challenges to the international institutions - namely facilitating the transition of the former Communist countries to a market economy. The fiftieth anniversary of the Bretton Woods institutions (IMF and World Bank) was marked by criticism from a vocal international group dedicated to the notion that 'Fifty Years Is Enough', reflecting a view among certain groups that these institutions had done as least as much or more harm than good. As the World Bank has * The views presented here are solely those of the author and not those of any institution with which he is or has heen affiliated. The author would like to acknowledge the helpful comments and assistance
Low Density Parity Check Codes over Half-duplex Relay Channels

We describe coded cooperation strategies for half-duplex relay channels based on low density parity check (LDPC) codes. In addition to designing practical coding schemes and developing appropriate receiver structures, we also exploit the use of average mutual information to characterize and analyze the convergence behavior of the LDPC coded relay systems. Both the convergence analysis and simulation results show that the LDPC coded relay system can approach the theoretical information rates very closely (0.8 ~ 1.1 dB) over half-duplex relay channels, and their performance is superior to other alternatives, including, the use of turbo codes. Furthermore, we consider the optimization of the time-division parameters and the bit allocation strategies
Fetal brain volumetry through MRI volumetric reconstruction and segmentation.

Purpose Fetal MRI volumetry is a useful technique but it is limited by a dependency upon motion-free scans, tedious manual segmentation, and spatial inaccuracy due to thick-slice scans. An image processing pipeline that addresses these limitations was developed and tested.