cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Efficacy of Polyacrylamide and Related Compounds to Remove Microorganisms and Nutrients from Animal Wastewater

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is an effective flocculent and we hypothesized that it would reduce transport of microorganisms and nutrients in water flowing over and through soil. We measured nutrients, total coliform bacteria, fecal coliform bacteria, fecal streptococci, active and total fungi, and active and total bacteria in water leached through cattle, fish, and swine manure, PAM, PAM + Al(SO 4 ) 3 , or PAM + CaO mixtures, and 25-cm sand columns. In the laboratory study, PAM, PAM + Al(SO 4 ) 3 , and PAM + CaO treatments reduced total coliform bacteria, fecal coliform bacteria, and fecal streptococci by 10-to 1000-fold in water leached through sand columns. Polyacrylamide + Al(SO 4 ) 3 and PAM + CaO treatments reduced the concentration of NH 4 , total P, and PO 4 by 20 to 60% in leachate when cattle and swine manure were applied. In a field study, after water flowed over all three manure sources and then PAM, PAM + Al(SO 4 ) 3 , or PAM + CaO in furrows, total coliform bacteria, fecal coliform bacteria, and fecal streptococci were reduced by 10- to 1000-fold in water flowing 1 and 27 m downstream of the treatments compared with the control treatment. When water flowed over cattle manure and then PAM + Al(SO 4 ) 3 or PAM + CaO, PO 4 concentration was reduced by 50 to 70% and total P concentration was reduced by 0 to 75% in water 27 m downstream of the treatments compared with the PAM alone treatment. Polyacrylamide + Al(SO 4 ) 3 and PAM + CaO should be able to reduce the numbers of enteric microorganisms and nutrient concentration in animal wastewater running off animal confinement areas, reducing the amount of these pollutants entering surface and ground waters.
Cultural and institutional determinants of economic growth: A cross-section analysis

Economic growth rates for the period 1968–1987 are analyzed for ninety countries. Culture, political and economic arrangements, and personal freedoms are statistically significant determinants of growth. Personal freedom is shown to be a normal good whose demand might be affected by cultural influences. Democracies raise personal freedoms,ceteris paribus, and, consequently, grow more quickly than non-democratic regimes. Evidence is found for the convergence hypothesis; other things equal, lower income countries grow more rapidly than higher income countries.
Pleistocene pingo scars in Pennsylvania

Pleistocene open-system pingo scars have been identified within the Ridge and Valley province in central Pennsylvania. The features are elliptical basins, averaging 20 by 50 m in plan and 4 m in depth, bounded by low ramparts. Located beyond the limit of Pleistocene glaciation, they closely resemble features reported as pingo scars in England, and they are dated at 12.8 ka by radiocarbon analysis of their basal fill. These scars are clear evidence of the existence, depth, and continuity of permafrost in the eastern United States at the end of the Pleistocene. They show that perennially frozen ground extended to at least 5 m in some places, at the same time that the ground nearby was unfrozen.
Social adjustment, coping style, and clinical course among DSM‐III‐R community unipolar depressives

The study describes social adjustment and coping style among three DSM-III-R unipolar depression diagnostic groups (pure dystbymia, double depression, and pure major depression). The primary goal was to determine if these variables would discriminate between the groups. Also studied were the clinical course features of the unipolar groups. Data from 106 nontreatntent, community-recruited subjects participating in a DSM-IV mood disorders field trial at Virginia Commonwealth University were used for this study. Results indicated no differences in social adjustment and coping style among the pure dysthymia, double depression, and major depression groups. One exception was the significantly higher GAF scores among the pure dysthymia group. Clinical course differences were found between the two combined dysthymia groups (pure dysthymics and double depressives) when compared to the major depressive group. Dysthymics reported an earlier age of onset and a higher prevalence of insidious onset. Major depressives were able to pinpoint exacerbating stressors precipitating syndromal episodes. Depression 2:36–42 (1994). © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Comparative effectiveness research: Opportunities in surgical oncology

Comparative effectiveness research (CER) is especially applicable to surgical oncology because of the numerous challenges associated with conducting surgical randomized controlled trials, and the opportunity to apply various CER methodologies to answer surgical questions. In this article, several past randomized trials or attempted trials are described to demonstrate challenges related to feasibility, patient selection and generalizability, and timeliness trial results to inform clinical practice. Thus, there is a gap between these "efficacy" studies (ie, randomized trials) and "effectiveness" research, which is performed in a less controlled setting (not randomized) but is able to examine patient outcomes in the "real world." Retrospective analyses and pragmatic trials are other important methods for answering CER questions in surgical oncology, with examples of these studies being conducted in prostate, breast, and rectal cancers. Multiple current initiatives by the American College of Surgeons and the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology continue to expand the infrastructure for CER in surgical oncology.
Struggling Along: The Possibilities for Experience among the Homeless Mentally Ill 886

An ethnographic study of a shelter in downtown Boston for people considered homeless and mentally ill documents the way in which the category of “experience,” which many have taken to be universal and natural, is culturally and historically constituted. The residents of the shelter tend not to experience—defined here as an inwardly reflexive process that proceeds, coheres, and transforms through temporally integrative forms—but rather “struggle along” by way of an acutely tactile mode of perception that attends to episodic, temporally finite encounters. The fact that experience in the shelter is only a possibility, not a given, points to the need for a critical phenomenology that would help us to consider how this and other ways of being come about through specific social, cultural, political, and material forces.
Nicotine elimination and tolerance in non-dependent cigarette smokers

Although most smokers are nicotine-dependent, recent studies suggest that some very light smokers (“chippers”, who smoke fewer than five cigarettes per day) may smoke for decades without developing dependence. It was considered that slowed nicotine elimination and/or reduced nicotine tolerance might underlie chippers' ability to maintain smoking at such low levels. To evaluate this hypothesis, we studied the elimination kinetics and pharmacodynamics of nicotine in chippers and matched regular smokers. Plasma nicotine levels and cardiovascular responses were observed for several hours after subjects were administered uniform doses of tobacco smoke. Chippers did show less chronic nicotine tolerance, but only on some response measures. Their rates of nicotine elimination equaled those of regular smokers. This finding, when coupled with other data about chippers' smoking patterns and nicotine absorption, establish that chippers cannot maintain substantial plasma nicotine levels between cigarettes, and thus suggest that attempts to maintain minimal trough levels of nicotine do not underlie chippers' smoking.
Behavioral correlates of physical and neuromotor maturity in adolescents from different environments

The relationship between neuropsychological performance (sequencing and visuospatial processing) and neuromotor and physical maturity was investigated among ninety 14- and 15-year-old boys selected from 3 socioeconomic backgrounds: upper middle class, white collar, and blue collar. Sequencing was measured by the Stroop Word and Color Test and by stability of rhythmic finger tapping; visuospatial processing was measured by a locomotor mazes task. We had predicted that rate of maturation would be correlated positively with sequencing and negatively with visuospatial performance independent of socioeconomic background. The correlations between neuropsychological performance and maturational status were in the directions predicted, but the appearance of these relationships was not independent of socioeconomic status. In the upper middle class group, visuospatial processing was negatively related to physical maturity; in the white collar group, motor sequencing was positively related to physical maturity; and in the blue collar group, all the sequencing measures were positively related to neuromotor maturity.
Personalized one-two punches for lung cancer

Discovery of individualized therapies to address resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) has been hampered by the inability to test drug combinations on patient samples before and after TKI resistance. A recent study published in Science by Crystal et al. describes a methodology for pharmacological screening using a panel of 76 targeted agents and cell lines made directly from patient biopsies.
A new class of transitional blended finite elements for the analysis of solid structures

On decrit une nouvelle classe d'elements finis hybrides de transition permettant de simplifier la generation du maillage en elements finis et d'affinement local du maillage. L'utilisation de ces elements flexibles ne compromet pas la precision numerique
Electrical and electromagnetic methods in areas of complex geology

Abstract In the application of electrical methods in areas of complex geology, two levels of complexity can be recognized. At lower levels of complexity, a fundamental dependence of resistivity on depth can be recognized. In such cases, the profile of resistivity with depth can be studied using various forms of sounding, in which array size, signal frequency, or a combination of both can be used. The complex subsurface structure can then be estimated by comparing a series of soundings. At higher levels of complexity, soundings are severely distorted by the complexity, and this approach is no longer useful. In such a case, it appears that the most effective approach is by observing electric or electromagnetic field behavior at many observation points over the surface of the earth. Examination of the spatial spectra of the field behavior then adds to the interpretability of the data, making interpretation possible.
Seminormality in power series rings

Let R be a commutative unitary ring. Recently, several authors have been interested in the preservation of seminormality in passing from R to the polynomial ring R [X, ,..., X,,J. In this paper we give a proof in the case of power series rings and the proof is both short and applicable in the polynomial setting. The chief difficulty lies in proving that “relative” stability is preserved in passage to the power series ring. We briefly recall the pertinent terminology. If R is a ring, then following Swan [3] we say that R is seminormal if whenever b, c E R satisfy b3 = c2 there is an element a E R such that a2 = b and a3 = c. If R c T are rings, then R is said to be seminormal in T if and only if whenever u E T with u*, a3 E R, it follows that a E R. It can be seen that this is equivalent to saying that whenever (x E T with an, cP+ l,..., E R for some positive integer n, it follows that (r E R. Indeed, if R is seminormal in T and if n is taken to be minimal so that on, on+‘,..., E R, then (u”~‘)“, (c?‘)~ E R unless n = 1, in which case u E R, anyway. We refer the reader to [2, 31 for nice discussions of seminormality. We can now state the theorem.
Suppressor t cells in thymus-reconstituted nude mice: regulation of mitogen-induced transformation.

Abstract A population of glass-wool-adherent splenic cells which could suppress the response of other spleen cell populations to T-cell mitogens was isolated from thymus-reconstituted nude mice. Such adherent cells were characterized as sensitive to anti-Thy 1.2 and complement treatment. Glass-wool-adherent cells from athymic mice do not have suppressor activity to self or normal littermate NAC; however, these mice possess precursor suppressor cells as demonstrated by isolation of glass-wool-adherent T regulatory cells in thymus-grafted nude mice. Such cells are generated in either freshly obtained or in vitro cultured thymus. Evidence for suppressor T cells of host genotype was supported by their sensitivity to host-specific anti-Thy serum treatment as well as their generation in alymphoid thymus grafts. Prior anti-Thy 1.2 treatment of GAC partially removed the suppressor activity: however, macrophages and B lymphocytes were shown not to be secondary regulatory cells or suppressor mediators, thus mature T lymphocytes with low amounts of Thy 1.2 antigen may be responsible for this residual suppression. Further characterization of GAC indicates that active cell growth is required for their regulatory function, as irradiation removed the suppressor activity. This report provides evidence for the presence of a T-lymphocyte subpopulation which has a regulatory function and requires a thymus in the generation of these cells.
Predicting changes in PM exposure over time at U.S. trucking terminals using structural equation modeling techniques.

This study analyzes the temporal variability of occupational and environmental exposures to fine particulate matter in the U.S. trucking industry and tests the predictive ability of a novel multilayer statistical approach to occupational exposure modeling using structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques. For these purposes, elemental carbon mass in PM<1 μm at six U.S. trucking terminals were measured twice during the same season up to 2 years apart, observing concentrations in the indoor loading dock (median EC: period 1 = 0.65 μg/m3; period 2 = 0.94 μg/m3) and outdoor background location (median EC: period 1 = 0.46 μg/m 3 ; period 2 = 0.67 μg/m3), as well as in the truck cabs of local drivers while on the road (median EC: period 1 = 1.09 μg/m3; period 2 = 1.07 μg/m3). There was a general trend toward higher exposures during the second sampling trips; however, these differences were statistically significant in only a few cases and were largely attributable to changes in weather patterns (wind speed, p...
Molecular Compasses and Gyroscopes. II. Synthesis and Characterization of Molecular Rotors with Axially Substituted Bis[2-(9-triptycyl)ethynyl]arenes

We have developed a simple convergent procedure for the synthesis of molecular rotors consisting of a central aromatic group coupled with two axially positioned ethynyltriptycenes. Molecular rotors with 1,4-phenylene (1), 1,4'-1,1'-biphenylene (2), 9,10-anthracenylene (3), and 2,7-pyrenylene (4) groups were prepared by Pd(0)-catalyzed coupling of ethynyl triptycenes with the corresponding dibromoarenes. Although compounds 1-4 were not expected to have free rotation in the solid state, the rotational potentials of 1 and 3 were analyzed by semiempirical methods and the crystal packing of 1 was analyzed to design the structures most likely to yield a functional rotor in the solid state. Semiempirical PM3 calculations predict compounds 1, 2, and 4 to have frictionless internal rotation even at temperatures as low as 25 K, while compound 3 is expected to have a barrier of ca. 4 kcal/mol.
Reply To Comments On “American Geographers' Ranking Of American Geography Journals”

(1985). Reply To Comments On “American Geographers' Ranking Of American Geography Journals”. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 37, No. 1, pp. 62-63.
Therapeutic and prophylactic ethanol lock therapy in patients with bleeding disorders

Obtaining a reliable venous access is a limiting factor for early initiation of clotting factor prophylaxis and immune tolerance induction. To circumvent this issue, central venous access devices (CVADs) are increasingly being used. Catheter-related infections (CRIs) remain the primary complication of insertion of CVAD. Thus, newer strategies for treatment and prevention of CRI are needed. Ethanol lock therapy (ELT) has been used to treat and prevent CRI in non-bleeding disorder patients. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of ELT in treating and preventing CRI in bleeding disorder patients. The medical charts of patients with bleeding disorders who underwent ELT for antimicrobial resistant CRIs were reviewed and data were analysed. ELT was effective in catheter salvage in 87% of patients with antimicrobial resistant CRI by a wide variety of pathogens. Prophylactic therapy with ethanol lock was associated with catheter dysfunction especially in mediports. ELT should be considered prior to removal of catheters in bleeding disorder patients with resistant CRIs. Further studies are needed for using prophylactic ethanol lock in prevention of CRIs in bleeding disorder patients.
Nine polymorphic crystal structures of d(CCGGGCCCGG), d(CCGGGCCm5CGG), d(Cm5CGGGCCm5CGG) and d(CCGGGCC(Br)5CGG) in three different conformations: effects of spermine binding and methylation on the bending and condensation of A-DNA.

Abstract The A-DNA decamer d(CCGGGCCm5CGG) crystallizes in the presence of spermine in three polymorphic forms and with one duplex in the asymmetric unit: hexagonal (P61), unit cell of 55.0 A × 55.0 A × 45.9 A; orthorhombic (P 212121), unit cell of 24.8 A × 44.6 A × 48.0 A; and a second orthorhombic (P212121), unit cell of 23.6 A × 40.8 A × 43.4 A. The reduction in cell volume among the three different forms is accompanied by a large reduction in solvent content (67%versus 40%versus 24%) and a significant reduction in volume per base-pair (2005 A3versus 1325 A3versus 1048 A3). There is also a concomitant increase in the number of bound spermine molecules per duplex (0 versus 1 versus 2) as well as an increase in DNA bending (10°versus 16°versus 31°), which correspond to major groove widths of 8.0 Aversus 4.5 Aversus 1.3 A, respectively. The P 61crystal form, which represents a new space group for A-DNA decamers, supports one of the most hydrated and extended DNA duplexes to date, while the second orthorhombic form supports one of the least-hydrated and most-condensed non-Z-DNA duplexes. The unmethylated analogue d(CCGGGCCCGG), the double-methyl derivative d(Cm5CGGGCCm5CGG) and the bromine derivative d(CCGGGCC(Br)5CGG) also crystallize in at least two of the aforementioned conformations, and all nine crystal structures were determined. We report, in detail, on the three crystal structures of d(CCGGGCCm5CGG) and the effects of methylation and spermine binding on A-DNA conformation.
Nanometric measurement of optical pressure deformation of fluid interface by digital holography

Digital Holographic Microscopy produces quantitative phase analysis of a specimen with excellent optical precision. In the current study, this imaging method has been used to measure induced thermal lensing by optical excitation in the time-resolved regime with excellent agreement to model predictions. We have found that the thermal effect should not be dismissed when pursuing optical radiation pressure experiments, even when the media involved are transparent. We have developed a unified model and simulated methods of decoupling the two effects. The results of this study and simulations suggest that our near term goal of nanometric measurement of an optical pressure induced deformation will prove successful. Precise measurement of this phenomenon can be useful in determining physical properties of interfacial surfaces, such as surface tension, and characterizing physical properties of cellular structures.
Effect of precommercial thinning followed by a fertilization regime on branch diameter in coastal United States Douglas-fir plantations

The effect of precommercial thinning in 6- to 13-year-old Douglas-fir (Pseudostuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco var. menziesii) plantations with and without fertilization with 224 kgha -1 nitrogen (N) as urea on the mean diameter of the largest limb at breast height (DLLBH) was modeled. DLLBH is a simple, nondestructive field measurement related to log knot indices used to measure log quality in product recovery studies. Model (1) succeeded in predicting mean DLLBH (RMSE = 2.80 and radj 2 = 0.84) using only site, initial stocking, and treatment variables. Model (2), which used only mean tree variables, improved on model (1) and was simpler. However, model (3), which used a combination of both groups of variables, produced the best model. Model (4) successfully predicted mean DLLBH using variables that can be measured with light detection and ranging (LIDAR), a high-resolution remote sensing technology. Since the age when the live crown receded above breast height is an important variable in some of the models, model (5) was developed to predict when crown recession above breast height occurs. This study found that mean DLLBH of Douglas-fir plantations can be esti- mated using variables obtained from stand-level growth models or remote sensing, providing a quality indicator that can be easily measured and verified in the field.
Large scale performance measurement of content-based automated image-orientation detection

With the proliferation of digital cameras and self-publishing of photos, automatic detection of image orientation will become an important part of photo management systems. In this paper, we perform a large scale empirical test to determine whether the common techniques to automatically determine a photo's orientation are robust enough to handle the breadth of real-world images. We use a wide variety of features and color-spaces to address this problem. We use test photos gathered from the Web and photo collections, including photos that are in color and black and white, realistic and abstract, and outdoor and indoor. Results show that current methods give satisfactory results on only a small subset of these images.
Activating phosphorylation of the Kin28p subunit of yeast TFIIH by Cak1p.

Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)-activating kinases (CAKs) carry out essential activating phosphorylations of CDKs such as Cdc2 and Cdk2. The catalytic subunit of mammalian CAK, MO15/Cdk7, also functions as a subunit of the general transcription factor TFIIH. However, these functions are split in budding yeast, where Kin28p functions as the kinase subunit of TFIIH and Cak1p functions as a CAK. We show that Kin28p, which is itself a CDK, also contains a site of activating phosphorylation on Thr-162. The kinase activity of a T162A mutant of Kin28p is reduced by ;75 to 80% compared to that of wild-type Kin28p. Moreover, cells containing kin28 T162A and a conditional allele of TFB3 (the ortholog of the mammalian MAT1 protein, an assembly factor for MO15 and cyclin H) are severely compromised and display a significant further reduction in Kin28p activity. This finding provides in vivo support for the previous biochemical observation that MO15-cyclin H complexes can be activated either by activating phosphorylation of MO15 or by binding to MAT1. Finally, we show that Kin28p is no longer phosphorylated on Thr-162 following inactivation of Cak1p in vivo, that Cak1p can phosphorylate Kin28p on Thr-162 in vitro, and that this phosphorylation stimulates the CTD kinase activity of Kin28p. Thus, Kin28p joins Cdc28p, the major cell cycle Cdk in budding yeast, as a physiological Cak1p substrate. These findings indicate that although MO15 and Cak1p constitute different forms of CAK, both control the cell cycle and the phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain of the large subunit of RNA polymerase II by TFIIH.
BRA: a bidirectional routing abstraction for asymmetric mobile ad hoc networks

Wireless links are often asymmetric due to heterogeneity in the transmission power of devices, non-uniform environmental noise, and other signal propagation phenomenons. Unfortunately, routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks typically work well only in bidirectional networks. This paper first presents a simulation study quantifying the impact of asymmetric links on network connectivity and routing performance. It then presents a framework called BRA that provides a bidirectional abstraction of the asymmetric network to routing protocols. BRA works by maintaining multi-hop reverse routes for unidirectional links and provides three new abilities: improved connectivity by taking advantage of the unidirectional links, reverse route forwarding of control packets to enable off-the-shelf routing protocols, and detection packet loss on unidirectional links. Extensive simulations of AODV layered on BRA show that packet delivery increases substantially (two-fold in some instances) in asymmetric networks compared to regular AODV, which only routes on bidirectional links.
Influence of pH and route of injection on acute toxicity of tetracycline in mice

Abstract Some LD 50 determinations for tetracycline hydrochloride in mice were carried out over a range of pH values, using both the intraperitoneal and the subcutaneous routes of injection. Depending on the pH of the formulation, either water or a solvent system of water and 60% (v/v) propylene glycol was employed thus ensuring complete solution of the drug at all pH values tested. Higher LD 50 values were obtained with the subcutaneous route than with the intraperitoneal route. With either route of administration, there was a trend toward lowest LD 50 value occurrence at the isoelectric pH of tetracycline. Actual statistical significance was achieved for the intraperitoneal route only when LD 50 values obtained at the isoelectric pH were compared with either of the more acidic pH values.
Peritoneal Dialysis for Management of Pediatric Acute Renal Failure

BackgroundWhile the use of continuous renal replacement therapies in the management of children with acute renal failure (ARF) has increased, the role of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the treatment o...
An Introduction to Semantic Modeling for Logistical Systems

The underlying success of logistics depends on the flow of data for effective management. The primary tool for interpreting the meaning of data includes a significant number and variety of mathematical models. In this article, we introduce Semantic Modeling, a set of computer languages and protocols that allow for the free flow of models within a network. This approach will improve the productivity of logistical modeling in practice. †Winner of the 2004 E. Grosvenor Plowman Award given by the Council of Logistics Management Previously published in the Proceedings of the Logistics Educators’ Conference (Philadelphia 2004)
Three new vinyl acetylenes from the marine red alga laurencia

Abstract The structures of three new halogenated vinyl acetylenes are described which are natural products from various species of the red seaweed Laurencia. The structure of chlorofucin (1) isolated from Laurencia snyderae was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Poiteol (2) was isolated from Laurencia poitei and its structure was also determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. The structure of obtusenyne (3) was based on a combination of chemical and spectral methods. The 13C NMR spectra of these new compounds are presented and assignments made.
Conspecific versus heterospecific gene exchange between populations of Darwin's finches

This study addresses the extent and consequences of gene exchange between populations of Darwin's finches. Four species of ground finches (Geospiza) inhabit the small island of Daphne Major in the centre of the Galapagos archipelago. We undertook a study of microsatellite DNA variation at 16 loci in order to quantify gene flow within species owing to immigration and between species owing to hybridization. A combination of pedigrees of observed breeders and assignments of individuals to populations by the program Structure enabled us to determine the frequency of gene exchange and the island of origin of immigrants in some cases. The relatively large populations of Geospiza fortis and G. scandens receive conspecific immigrants at a rate of less than one per generation. They exchange genes more frequently by rare but repeated hybridization. Effects of heterospecific gene flow from hybridization are not counteracted by lower fitness of the offspring. As a result, the standing genetic variation of the two main resident populations on Daphne Major is enhanced to a greater extent by introgressive hybridization than through breeding with conspecific immigrants. Immigrant G. fuliginosa also breeds with G. fortis. Conspecific immigration was highest in the fourth species, G. magnirostris. This species is much larger than the other three and perhaps for this reason it has not bred with any of them. The source island of most immigrants is probably the neighbouring island of Santa Cruz. Evolutionary change may be inhibited in G. magnirostris by continuing gene flow, but enhanced in G. fortis and G. scandens by introgressive hybridization.
Meanings of the Market: The Free Market in Western Culture

Meanings of the Market: The Free Market in Western Culture. James G. Carrier. ed. New York: New York University Press, 1997.276 pp.
Variation of the Photocurrent Spectra due to Energy Dependent Hole Mobility in Organic Bulk Hetero-junction Solar Cells

A comparison of the photocurrent spectra of organic bulk heterojunction solar cells of various thicknesses is presented. Increasing the thickness of the active layer in both MDMO-PPV /PCBM and P3HT/PCBM solar cells reduces the magnitude of the photocurrent due to the low mobility of the photogenerated holes. Measurements show that the photocurrent reduction is predominately due to a loss in carriers generated at the polymer absorption maximum, while the low energy response is relatively unaffected. In a thick enough sample, the low energy response (1.5-2 eV) dominates, and a photocurrent peak is no longer observed at the main absorption maximum (2.6 eV). The results imply that hole transport is blocked for carriers generated in the polymer at higher energy. Because these holes are generated at the absorption maximum their low mobility could be a major factor limiting solar cell efficiency.
New Estimates of the Solar-Neighborhood Massive Star Birthrate and the Galactic Supernova Rate

The birthrate of stars of masses ≥10 M⊙ is estimated from a sample of just over 400 O3–B2 dwarfs within 1.5 kpc of the Sun and the result extrapolated to estimate the Galactic supernova rate contributed by such stars. The solar-neighborhood Galactic-plane massive star birthrate is estimated at ~176 stars kpc-3 Myr-1. On the basis of a model in which the Galactic stellar density distribution comprises a "disk+central hole" like that of the dust infrared emission (as proposed by Drimmel and Spergel), the Galactic supernova rate is estimated at probably not less than ~1 nor more than ~2 per century and the number of O3–B2 dwarfs within the solar circle at ~200,000.
Gastric operations in obesity surgery

Gastric restriction surgery for obesity began in 1966 with the empirical use of gastric bypass, an analogue of Billroth H gastric resection (an operation that had the unwanted effect of causing patients with duodenal ulcer to remain below their desired weight). In order to simplify gastric restriction operations for severe obesity and to decrease their side effects, increase their safety, and improve lifelong weight control, the operation used today — vertical banded gastroplasty with a 5-cm circumference collar and a measured pouch averaging 13 ml — has evolved.
Evaluation of linear measurements of implant sites based on head orientation during acquisition: An ex vivo study using cone-beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE This study evaluated the effect of various head orientations during cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) image acquisition on linear measurements of potential implant sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS Six dry human skulls with a total of 28 implant sites were evaluated for seven different head orientations. The scans were acquired using a Hitachi CB-MercuRay CBCT machine. The scanned volumes were reconstructed. Horizontal and vertical measurements were made and were compared to measurements made after simulating the head position to corrected head angulations. Data was analyzed using a two-way ANOVA test. RESULTS Statistical analysis revealed a significant interaction between the mean errors in vertical measurements with a marked difference observed at the extension head position (P<0.05). Statistical analysis failed to yield any significant interaction between the mean errors in horizontal measurements at various head positions. CONCLUSION Head orientation could significantly affect the vertical measurements in CBCT scans. The main head position influencing the measurements is extension.
Sources of nitrous oxide in soils

Research to identify sources of nitrous oxide (N2O) in soils has indicated that most, if not all, of the N2O evolved from soils is produced by biological processes and that little, if any, is produced by chemical processes such as chemodenitrification. Early workers assumed that denitrification was the only biological process responsible for N2O production in soils and that essentially all of the N2O evolved from soils was produced through reduction of nitrate by denitrifying microorganisms under anaerobic conditions. It is now well established, however, that nitrifying microorganisms contribute significantly to emissions of N2O from soils and that most of the N2O evolved from aerobic soils treated with ammonium or ammonium-yielding fertilizers such as urea is produced during oxidation of ammonium to nitrate by these microorganisms. Support for the conclusion that chemoautotrophic nitrifiers such as Nitrosomonas europaea contribute significantly to production of N2O in soils treated with N fertilizers has been provided by studies showing that N2O emissions from such soils can be greatly reduced through addition of nitrification inhibitors such as nitrapyrin, which retard oxidation of ammonium by chemoautotrophic nitrifiers but do not retard reduction of nitrate by denitrifying microorganisms.
Broadband Plasma-Sprayed Anti-reflection Coating for Millimeter-Wave Astrophysics Experiments

We have developed a plasma-sprayed anti-reflection (AR) coating technology for millimeter-wave astrophysics experiments with cryogenic optics which achieves minimal dissipative loss and broad bandwidth and is easily and accurately applied. Plasma spraying is a coating process through which melted or heated materials are sprayed onto a substrate. The dielectric constants of the plasma-sprayed coatings were tuned between 2.7 and 7.9 by mixing hollow ceramic microspheres with alumina powder as the base material and varying the plasma energy of the spray. By spraying low loss ceramic materials with a tunable dielectric constant, we can apply multiple layers of AR coating for broadband millimeter-wave detection. At 300 K, we achieved a fractional bandwidth of 106 over 90% transmission using a three-layer AR coating. Applying ceramic coatings on ceramic lenses offers an additional benefit of preventing cryogenic delamination of the coatings. We report on methodology of coating application and measurement of uniformity, repeatability, transmission property, and cryogenic adhesion performance.
County Managership Proposed in Texas

The regular session of the Texas legislature which began in January of this year had before it a proposal for a constitutional amendment to permit counties to adopt the county manager plan of government. The resolution providing for submitting the question to the voters at the regular election in 1932 passed the House by the required two-thirds majority, but failed in the Senate by a single vote. The amendment would have empowered counties having a population of over 60,000, on a favorable vote of their qualified voters, to draw up home-rule charters for themselves. On a two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature, all other counties were to have the same privilege. The amendment also carried a grant of power to cities and counties to consolidate the two governments. To carry out the latter provision, the rural and urban votes were to be counted separately; and a majority of the urban and a two-thirds majority of the rural votes were required. The larger majority required in the rural sections was a concession to the natural antipathy to a “one-man government” found among rural voters.
The regulation and function of the Id proteins in lymphocyte development

Helix-loop-helix (HLH) proteins are essential factors for lymphocyte development and function. One class of HLH proteins, the E-proteins, regulate many aspects of lymphocyte maturation, survival, proliferation, and differentiation. E-proteins are negatively regulated by another class of HLH proteins known as the Id proteins. The Id proteins function as dominant negative inhibitors of E-proteins by inhibiting their ability to bind DNA. Here we discuss the function and regulation of the Id proteins in lymphocyte development.
Increased central reactive oxygen species mediate the attenuated baroreflex function in heart failure

AIM:To determine the effect of reactive oxygen species on the baroreflex and to investigate the intracellular mechanism responsible for baroreflex dysfunction in the heart failure state.METHODS:In the rat model of cardiomyocytes infarct induced heart failure,baroreflex function was evaluated by measuring the relationship between renal sympathetic nerve activity(RSNA)responses and change of blood pressure by intravenous injection of nitroglycerin and phenylephrine.Alteration in baroreflex function was measured under the different reactive oxygen species(ROS)level induced by intracerebroventricular administration of several chemicals.RESULTS:(1)The range of RSNA response,average slope and maximum gain of baroreflex function curve were(92.2±9.9) mmHg,(0.07%±0.01%)/mmHg and(1.20%±0.10%)/mmHg,respectively,in CHF rats,which were significantly lower than those in sham rats(65.6±7.4) mmHg,(0.13%±0.02%)/mmHg and(3.00%± 0.20%)/mmHg(P0.01).The minimum RSNA of baroreflex curve was higher in CHF rats than that in sham rat[(21.6%±4.8%)vs(7.5%±2.1%),P0.01].(2)Intracerebroventricular(icv)infusion of superoxide scavenger tempol and NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin significantly improved the blunted baroreflex in CHF rats.On contrast,icv administration of superoxide dismutase inhibitor diethyldithiocarbamate(DETC)decreased baroreflex function in sham rats.(3)The superoxide production in the hypothalamus of CHF rats was higher than that in sham rats[(73.9±9.8)RLU·5min-1·mg-1vs(40.6±7.1)RLU·5min-1·mg-1,P0.01].(4)Protein expression of NADPH oxidase subunits gp91phox in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus were increased by 1.3 fold in CHF rats than that in sham rats.CONCLUSION:Elevated intracellular ROS in the hypothalamus plays an important role in the attenuation of baroreflex function in the heart failure state and results from upregulation of NADPH oxidase protein expression.
Study on the Optimum Angle in Grid-connected PV Power Plants

As the large-scale grid-connected PVpower project directly affects the generating capacity,howto choose the optimum angle has important significance.This paper analyzed revenue and cost changes of the PV power plants with different angles,built cost-benefit model,effectively solved the problem of choosing optimum angle in the large-scale PV power plants fromthe entire life cycle benefits maximizing perspective.At last verified the validity of the model through actual project,and performed the sensitivity analysis with changes in land prices,the result turned out that with the land price improving,the economy of entire project was better with smaller angels.
Persistent Empiric COPD Diagnosis and Treatment After Pulmonary Function Test Showed No Obstruction

BACKGROUND: Health-care providers often diagnose and empirically treat COPD without a confirmative pulmonary function test (PFT) or even despite a PFT that is not diagnostic of obstructive lung disease. We hypothesized that a portion of patients continue to carry a persistent empiric COPD diagnosis and receive treatment with bronchodilators and inhaled steroids after a PFT shows no obstruction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed single PFT sessions with both spirometry and plethysmography in 1,805 subjects. We included subjects who had a normal PFT or a restrictive ventilatory defect. Persistent empiric COPD diagnosis and treatment were defined when subjects with normal PFTs or a restrictive ventilatory defect continued to carry a health-care provider COPD diagnosis or receive treatment with bronchodilators and/or inhaled glucocorticoids, respectively, after a PFT showed no obstruction. RESULTS: One quarter of subjects with FEV1/FVC ≥ lower limit of the normal range had nonspecific PFT abnormalities. We included 473 subjects with normal PFTs and 382 with a restrictive ventilatory defect ( n = 855). Persistent empiric COPD diagnosis (60 of 855, 7% prevalence) was associated with current (odds ratio [OR] = 44.7, P < .001) and former smoking (OR = 17.3, P < .001) and older age (OR = 1.03/y, P = .005). Persistent empiric treatment (208 of 855, 24%) was associated with empiric COPD diagnosis (OR = 24.6, P < .001), female sex (OR = 1.75, P = .002), current (OR = 2.04, P = 0.040) and former smoking (OR = 1.53, P = 0.029), interstitial lung disease (OR = 2.09, P = .001), other respiratory diagnosis (OR = 3.17, P < .001), and obstructive sleep apnea (OR = 1.79, P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Persistent empiric COPD diagnosis was 7%, but persistent empiric treatment was common.
Vascular Complications of Transurethral Incision of Post-Traumatic Urethral Strictures

Retrograde or antegrade transurethral incision of urethral strictures that have formed after complete rupture of the membranous urethra has been advocated to restore urethral continuity. With this technique we encountered vascular complications in 2 patients, which consisted of opening of a patent vessel entrapped in the fibrous tissue of the stricture. The opened vein in 1 patient healed without bleeding. The opened artery in the other patient did not heal with catheter drainage and pressure dressings, resulting in recurrent severe hemorrhage that necessitated stage 1 urethroplasty with ligation of the artery. The entrapment of a patent vessel in fibrous scar tissue resulting from complete urethral rupture is believed to be responsible for these complications.
MO‐DE‐202‐01: Image‐Guided Focused Ultrasound Surgery and Therapy

At least three major trends in surgical intervention have emerged over the last decade: a move toward more minimally invasive (or non-invasive) approach to the surgical target; the development of high-precision treatment delivery techniques; and the increasing role of multi-modality intraoperative imaging in support of such procedures. This symposium includes invited presentations on recent advances in each of these areas and the emerging role for medical physics research in the development and translation of high-precision interventional techniques. The four speakers are: (1)Keyvan Farahani, “Image-guided focused ultrasound surgery and therapy” (2)Jeffrey H. Siewerdsen, “Advances in image registration and reconstruction for image-guided neurosurgery” (3)Tina Kapur, “Image-guided surgery and interventions in the advanced multimodality image-guided operating (AMIGO) suite” (4)Raj Shekhar, “Multimodality image-guided interventions: Multimodality for the rest of us” Learning Objectives: 1.Understand the principles and applications of HIFU in surgical ablation. 2.Learn about recent advances in 3D–2D and 3D deformable image registration in support of surgical safety and precision. 3.Learn about recent advances in model-based 3D image reconstruction in application to intraoperative 3D imaging. 4.Understand the multi-modality imaging technologies and clinical applications investigated in the AMIGO suite. 5.Understand the emerging need and techniques to implement multi-modality image guidance in surgical applications such as neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, vascular surgery, and interventional radiology. Research supported by the NIH and Siemens Healthcare.; J. Siewerdsen; Grant Support - National Institutes of Health; Grant Support - Siemens Healthcare; Grant Support - Carestream Health; Advisory Board - Carestream Health; Licensing Agreement - Carestream Health; Licensing Agreement - Elekta Oncology.; T. Kapur, P41EB015898; R. Shekhar, Funding: R42CA137886 and R41CA192504 Disclosure and CoI: IGI Technologies, small-business partner on the grants
Some Pertinent Remarks on Histology of the Breast

Dr. Helen Ingleby, a long-time colleague and a superb pathologist, often remarked that “a thorough knowledge of breast pathology is a sine qua non for interpretation of breast films.” Forty-odd years of experience with mammography-pathology correlation attest to the wisdom of her observation.
Brain Activity During Reading

PET was used to study the functional anatomy of reading in the intact brain of subjects examined at the Hammersmith Hospital, London, and other centers.
Surgical Aspects of Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain remains a common complaint in children and accounts for a frequent number of surgical consultations. Rapid, accurate diagnosis of abdominal pain in children reduces the morbidity of common causes of pediatric abdominal pain. Clinical evaluation may help identify which children with abdominal pain should undergo immediate surgical consultation and which children with equivocal presentations should undergo further diagnostic evaluation The important clues provided by a thorough history and physical examination along with an understanding of the multiple sources of abdominal pain and the formulation of a limited differential diagnosis is crucial for the pediatric patient presenting with either acute, subacute, or chronic abdominal pain (Fig. 21.1). A number of conditions may cause abdominal pain and may lead to a specialist referral. This chapter deals with common sources of abdominal pain among pediatric patients, their etiology and management in primary/emergency care. Indications for referral will be highlighted.
THE INFRARED SPECTRUM OF N2O3

Abstract The infrared spectrum of a mixture of N 2 O 3 and N 2 O 4 has been studied in the liquid phase from 2 to 25 μ and in the solid phase from 2 to 35 μ, both at low temperatures. By comparing this spectrum with that of pure N 2 O 4 in the same phases, absorption bands belonging to N 2 O 3 have been identified. A tentative assignment of all but three of the fundamental vibrations in N 2 O 3 is presented.
Xplor-NIH for molecular structure determination from NMR and other data sources

Xplor-NIH is a popular software package for biomolecular structure determination from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and other data sources. Here, some of Xplor-NIH's most useful data-associated energy terms are reviewed, including newer alternative options for using residual dipolar coupling data in structure calculations. Further, we discuss new developments in the implementation of strict symmetry for the calculation of symmetric homo-oligomers, and in the representation of the system as an ensemble of structures to account for motional effects. Finally, the different available force fields are presented, among other Xplor-NIH capabilities.