cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Field Study of Salt Balance of a Land Application System

Wastewater land application is a cost-effective method to treat and dispose wastewater; however, it may cause soil salinization. Salt mass balance and the potential soil salinization caused by the wastewater land application were investigated in the crop root zone in a wastewater land application system at the City of Littlefield, TX, USA from October 7, 2005 to September 28, 2007 using a lysimeter system. This study showed that, after 2 years of wastewater land application, the ranges of soil salinity were still lower than the threshold (8,500 μS/cm) for Bermuda grass assuming a 10% yield reduction. The leached salt mass showed large spatial and temporal variation. The average values of electrical conductivity of the saturated paste extract of the soil samples increased from 1,433 μS/cm in June 2006 to 1,840 μS/cm in June 2007. The average values of the soil sodium adsorption ratio between June 2006 and June 2007 increased from 11 to 14 resulting in a potential risk of soil dispersion and decreasing the soil infiltration rate. Although the measured leaching fractions in nearly all sampling periods, except one, were higher than the leaching requirement, salt accumulations in the root zone were still found with only two exceptions. Since the time required for reaching equilibrium between cumulative salt mass input and cumulative salt mass output varies from 1 year to a few years, or even longer, the long-term investigation is recommended for the study of salt mass balance in the root zone of this wastewater land application system.
Development of an spFRET method to measure structure changes in ion exchange proteins.

Aim: Understanding the mechanism of tightly coupled ion exchange proteins, important effectors of cell volume regulation and other physiologically important transport processes requires means to observe dynamic changes in structure during the transport cycle. As a step towards this goal, we have applied single-pair fluorescence resonance energy transfer to a monomeric bacterial oxalate-formate exchanger (OxlT). Methods: A His-9 tagged OxlT mutant containing two cysteines at positions 17 and 224 was labelled with cyanine dye maleimides (Cy3 donor and Cy5 acceptor) and attached to glass coverslips for measurements of donor and acceptor emission from single molecules, as described (P. Pal et al. Biophys J 89, L11, 2005). Results: Time-series data from 20 spots containing donor and acceptor provided evidence for single-pair energy transfer. From the efficiency of energy transfer, the mean donor-acceptor distance was determined to be 44.2 A. Considering the size of the probes, this is in good agreement with the Ca distance of 39.6 A for the corresponding sites found in the OxlT structural (homology) model (Q. Yang et al. Proc Nati Acad Sci 102, 8513, 2005). Conclusion: These results demonstrate the feasibility of single-pair fluorescence resonance energy transfer to measure distances between known sites in single OxlT molecules. This technique provides a potential means to test models for transport-related conformational changes, as well as to detect real-time structure alterations during the catalytic transport cycle.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis and colorectal carcinoma in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND Controversy persists regarding primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) as a risk factor for colorectal carcinoma in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis. Small sample size and differing endpoints have contributed to variation among reported studies. This large case-control study was conducted to examine the possible association between PSC and colon carcinoma in patients with ulcerative colitis. METHODS From Mayo Clinic records spanning 1976-1994, 171 cases with both ulcerative colitis and colorectal carcinoma and 171 contemporaneous controls with ulcerative colitis but no colorectal neoplasia matched with regard to age, gender, extent, and duration of colitis were identified. The diagnosis of PSC required cholangiographic confirmation. Analysis employed a multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS The prevalence of PSC was similar in cases (18%) and controls (15%) (P = 0.54). The adjusted odds ratio for colorectal carcinoma with PSC was 1.23 (95% confidence interval, 0.62-2.42). CONCLUSIONS Based on this large case-control study, there was no association between PSC and colorectal carcinoma in patients with ulcerative colitis. Cancer 1998;82:822-6. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
A novel run-time MEEF-driven defect disposition extending high resolution contamination inspection to next generation photomask

The advent of device miniaturization necessitates sub-half-micron features delineated on reticles where photomask quality, more so than ever, exerts remarkable yield impact on 65 nm node and below. The introduction of advanced reticles considerably augments the mask error enhancement factor (MEEF) in the non-linear regime ensuing aggressive OPC features. The increased MEEF leads to tightened defect capture criteria, in which many of the previously insignificant defects become of interest and may have substantial yield impact. To provide desired sensitivity, a high resolution inspection is a must; it also effectively monitors mask reliability. However, the productivity of such inspection greatly depends on defect disposition efficacy in sorting out critical defects from the large population detected on contaminated masks [1-3]. Anchoring high resolution reticle inspection, wafer fabs are in a relentless pursuit of optimal defect disposition method to meet the throughput demand. In particular, progressive defects or haze, induced by repeated laser exposure, continue to be a source of reticle degradation threatening device yield. Early detection of these defects to circumvent the printability impact becomes vitally important yet challenging. In addition to its size, the defect criticality also largely depends upon defect optical transmittance, residing surface, its proximity to a printing pattern as well as lithography parameters such as NA and sigma [4-6]. A MEEF-driven lithographic detector named "Litho3" has been designed that can be used run-time during mask inspection to effectively group the critical defects into a single bin based on their potential yield impact. The coordinates of these critical defects, identified by the above Litho3 detector, can then be transferred from reticle to wafer and subsequently subject to printability validation, upon which defective sites can be analyzed thoroughly on reticle or wafer review tools. Such capability reduces inspection cycle time by improving defect disposition efficacy, also assists in determining lithography process window and a further comprehension of defect progression mechanism.
Environmental inequality: Air pollution exposures in California's South Coast Air Basin

Abstract Environmental inequality is quantified here using linear regression, based on results from a recent mobility-based exposure model for 25,064 individuals in California's South Coast Air Basin [Marshall et al., 2006. Inhalation intake of ambient air pollution in California's South Coast Air Basin. Atmospheric Environment 40, 4381–4392]. For the four primary pollutants studied (benzene, butadiene, chromium particles, and diesel particles), mean exposures are higher than average for people who are nonwhite, are from lower-income households, and live in areas with high population density. For ozone (a secondary pollutant), the reverse holds. Holding constant attributes such as population density and daily travel distance, mean exposure differences between whites and nonwhites are 16–40% among the five pollutants. These findings offer a baseline to compare against future conditions or to evaluate the impact of proposed policies.
Evidence for the role of myoglobin in facilitating oxygen transport

Cyclic voltammetric studies of the heterogeneous electron-transfer reactions of myoglobin under aerobic and anaerobic conditions are reported. Evidence for a role of myoglobin that has not been previously measured directly, namely, facilitation of oxygen transport, is presented. It is suggested that one molecule of oxygen can be contained within the structure of the oxidized form of myoglobin, but is not co-ordinated to the heme iron. Reduced myoglobin binds one molecule of oxygen to the heme iron but no reports have been found that suggest that the oxidized form of myoglobin binds to, or contains a molecule of, oxygen.
Paradoxical effects of the endocannabinoid uptake inhibitor VDM11 on accumbal neural encoding of reward predictive cues.

A growing body of evidence implicates the endocannabinoid (eCB) system in brain reward function. Previous studies show that antagonizing eCB transmission decreases reward-directed behavior and nucleus accumbens (NAc) encoding of reward predictive cues. We therefore hypothesized that elevating eCB levels would uniformly facilitate NAc neural encoding of reward predictive cues and reward-directed behavior. Contrary to our expectations, the eCB transport uptake inhibitor, VDM11, dose-dependently decreased both measures.
Lipid absorption and transport: Sectional analysis of the larval midgut of the corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella☆

The digestion, absorption, and transport of [4-14C]cholesterol and glycerol tri [1-14C]oleate were examined in the midguts of fifth instar larvae of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella. The results indicate that the anterior region of the midgut is the most active zone for the absorption and transport of lipids into the haemolymph. The middle and posterior regions of the midgut appear to serve as temporary storage sites for absorbed lipid. Cholesterol was absorbed into the midgut cells without prior esterification and released into the haemolymph as free sterol. Although absorbed sterol was not esterified in the anterior region of the midgut, a substantial portion was esterified in the middle and posterior regions. Analysis of midgut contents and faeces showed that triolein was hydrolyzed in the lumen. Free fatty acids and unhydrolyzed triolein were the main labelled lipids in the faeces. In the midgut tissue radioactive [14C] from triolein was incorporated into phospholipids and triglycerides. The anterior region had the highest titre of labelled phospholipids, diglycerides and free fatty acids, and the middle and posterior regions had the highest titre of labelled triglycerides. The results suggest that free fatty acids and possibly diglycerides are absorbed. Diglycerides were the major labelled lipid in the haemolymph.
Superpower nuclear minimalism in the post‐cold war era?

With the end of the Cold War and the breakup of the Soviet Union, the strategic environment has fundamentally changed, so it would seem logical to reexamine strategy as well. There are two main schools of nuclear strategic thought: a maximalist school, which emphasizes counterforce superiority and nuclear war-fighting capability, and a MAD-plus school, which emphasizes survivability of an assured destruction capability along with the ability to deliver small, limited nuclear attacks in the event that conflict occurs. The MAD-plus strategy is the more logical of the two strategies, because the maximalist strategy is based on an attempt to conventionalize nuclear weapons which is unrealistic.
On the asymptotic solution to a class of linear integral equations

We consider Fredholm integral equations of the first kind whose kernels are a function of the difference between two points times a large parameter. Conditions on the kernel are stated in terms of a function corresponding to a Wiener–Hopf factorization of the Fourier transform of the kernel. We give the complete asymptotic expansions of the solution to the integral equations.As applications of our results, we consider the steady-state, acoustical scattering of a plane wave by both a hard strip and a soft strip. Our results are uniform with respect to the direction of incidence.
The relation between intrinsic and steady-state stiffnesses in active human muscle

Measurements of the responses to oscillatory perturbations of the elbow flexors and extensors in normal adult male human subjects show that these muscles behave much like elastic springs at frequencies above 10 Hz, with a stiffness independent of frequency and a small phase shift between muscle moment and forearm displacement. The stiffness of this 'spring', however, is only 40% to 50% of the muscle stiffness measured at the onset of an oscillatory perturbation. These observations do not support the traditional A.V. Hill model of muscle. >
A heckscher-ohlin-samuelson interpretation of the labor-environmental coalition in Seattle

The coalition of North American labor unions and environmental organizations that joined in Seattle in 1999 is examined in the context of a Heckscher-Ohlin-Samuelson simulation in which a labor abundant developing country, with a comparative advantage in a globally polluting industry but a weak environmental policy, endeavors to export some of the output of that industry to a capital abundant industrialized country but is thwarted by a trade sanction that requires it to adopt the strong environmental policy of the industrialized country as a precondition for trade. Labor unions in the industrialized country and environmental organizations both gain when the developing country complies with the sanctions but lose out when the World Trade Organization overrules the sanctions as barriers to free trade.
Incorporating breast tomosynthesis into radiology residency: Does trainee experience in breast imaging translate into improved performance with this new modality?

Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is a powerful new imaging modality that has the potential to transform breast cancer screening practices. The advantages over mammography include improved sensitivity and specificity as well as the detection of additional invasive cancers. While this modality holds many advantages, the best means of incorporating DBT into radiology training programs is currently not well understood. The initial performance of a trainee in DBT might depend on the amount of previous radiology training, in particular breast imaging experience. In our study, we tested the DBT interpretive skills of radiology trainees with different levels of breast imaging training, but with no prior DBT experience. We recruited 16 radiology trainees to review 60 DBT studies. A fellowship-trained expert breast radiologist reviewed the studies and provided the gold standard interpretations. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the performance of the trainees. Our results show that there is no notable difference in trainee performance in DBT, regardless of the number of years of general radiology experience. These results provide guidance to breast imaging educators as they prepare new curricula to teach DBT. These curricula should provide a base training which will likely be suitable for all trainee levels.
A review of simple formulae for elastic hoop stresses in cylindrical and spherical pressure vessels: What can be used when

Abstract Classical simple formulae for elastic hoop stresses in cylindrical and spherical pressure vessels continue to be used in structural analysis today because they facilitate design procedures. Traditionally such formulae are only applied to thin-walled pressure vessels under internal pressure. There do exist, however, some variations of these formulae that remain simple yet permit wider use. Here, by reviewing various underlying rationales for simple hoop stress formulae, we make a determination of when and how well different formulae apply. For the formulae that do apply to thicker vessels than usually recognized, we give companion results for external pressure.
SUPRAMEATAL TRANSVAGINAL URETHROLYSIS

AbstractPurpose: We describe and assess a method of urethrolysis using a transvaginal suprameatal approach without lateral perforation of the urethropelvic ligament.Materials and Methods: Between March 1993 and December 1997, 32 consecutive women 32 to 79 years old underwent suprameatal transvaginal urethrolysis at 2 institutions. In all cases anti-incontinence surgery was done previously, including a pubovaginal sling procedure in 12, Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedure in 8, Burch colposuspension in 6, modified Pereyra transvaginal urethropexy in 4, and Gittes suspension and anterior repair in 1 each. Of the 32 patients 20 were in urinary retention and 12 had primarily urge and/or irritative voiding symptoms, or urge incontinence. In the patients in urinary retention average maximal detrusor pressure was 41.4 cm. water. In all cases physical examination, cystourethroscopy and video urodynamics were done before suprameatal transvaginal urethrolysis. Obstruction was defined as detrusor pressure greater th...
Biliary complications of orthotopic liver transplantation.

Biliary complications are a common cause of morbidity following orthotopic liver transplantation. Complications involving the biliary tree occur after 6–34% of all liver transplants performed, usually
Immature Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) dive activity in relation to habitat features of the eastern Aleutian Islands

Current flow and bathymetry in the Aleutian Islands define unique habitats that influence prey distribution and foraging behaviour of top-level predators. We explored whether oceanographic features and bathymetry influenced the diving activity of 30 immature sea lions (ages 5–21 months) equipped with satellite-linked depth recorders in the eastern Aleutian Islands (EAI) during 2000–02. Sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll a concentrations were obtained from remote sensing satellite imagery and associated with locations where sea lion diving was recorded. Most locations associated with diving to >4 m were within 10 nautical miles (nm) of shore and associated with onshelf waters 30 nm offshore. Immature sea lions developing into independent foragers in the relatively shallow pass areas of the EAI do so at a time of rapid changes in oceanography and prey availability.
Seeing Is Believing: The Role of Videoconferencing in Distance Learning.

The potential of videoconferencing to enrich distance learning needs to be widely recognised as well as the technology embedded in curriculum delivery and in distance learning programmes. The argument is supported by reference to a wide range of case studies from the author's experiences over a period of six years as International Officer with the Western Education and Library Board in Northern Ireland, and to exemplars of good practice from other sources in different parts of the world. As videoconferencing becomes more widely available in schools and in public libraries, it is important that there is a new awareness of its vast potential in order to ensure that this technology is fully exploited for the benefit of learning communities.
The Challenges with Interpreting Cost-Effectiveness Data

from the DOORS Study Group reported the cost- effectiveness of off pump and on pump bypass surgery. We applaud the authors for addressing this ques-tion, as the issue of value (money spent per outcome gained) is a critical question right now in the United States. Having just published a similar paper in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery,
Geographic Information Systems for localized pest predictions1

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provide a means of visualizing and modeling the distribution of plants and pests as well as other important attributes of crop production. GIS uses multiple data bases, with each value referenced to a common coordinate system; data can be combined in the form of thematic maps. With the addition of weather and elevation data at the same resolution and coordinate system, pest development can be monitored and predicted over large areas but with local detail. GIS has been used for predicting phonological development of gypsy moth and other important insect pests. Similar approaches have been used for plant diseases such as potato late blight and apple scab. An important feature of GIS for pest prediction is the ability to assess risk of pest development. Most GIS programs also have a set of tools for spatial analysis of data. Examples of all the features of GIS are illustrated using a GIS that runs on a DOS personal computer.
Composition dependence of the dry etching of MOCVD-grown Al x Ga 1-x As

Ar + ion milling of A1 x Ga 1-x As layers grown by Low Pressure MOCVD, with aluminum compositions from 10 to 80% and for ion energies from 300to 1200 eV is reported in this work. The etch rate decreases with Al composition and increases with ion energy. The ion milling rate was found to depend exponentially on the ion energy, with an activation energy of 0.02 eV. Results are compared with the milling of a GaAs control sample and device layers etched under similar conditions. Etching was also studied as a function of ion angle-of-incidence.
Influence of Transcortin and Albumin on the Rate of Reduction of Progesterone by Human Placental 20α-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase

Purified human placental 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was incubated with progesterone-4-14C in the presence or absence of purified transcortin or albumin. Transcortin inhibited the conversion of progesterone to 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one. As the progesterone concentration was increased, the transcortin inhibition decreased. The trans-cortin inhibition of the enzymatic conversion correlated directly with the binding of progesterone by transcortin. In the absence of trans-cortin, cortisol had no effect on the conversion to 20α-hydroxypregn-4-en-3-one, but cortisol did reduce the transcortin inhibition of the pro-gesterone-4-14C metabolism. The data are interpreted to indicate that progesterone bound to transcortin is not available for the enzymatic reaction. Relatively high concentrations (2–64 mg/3 ml) of human albumin decreased the enzymatic 20α-reduction of progesterone-4-14C while low concentrations (0.1−1.0 mg/3 ml) stimulated this reaction. (Endocrinology 84: 1152, 1969)
Effects of radioprotectors on DNA damage and repair, proteins, and cell-cycle progression

The impetus for investigating the application of phosphorylthioate drugs for use in cancer therapy arose from the early observation by Yuhas and Storer (1969) that these drugs might differentially protect normal as compared to tumor tissue. Recent reports now suggest that these agents may have a more general role with respect to the cancer problem, especially in the area of cancer prevention. Following the initial observation by Milas et al. (1984) that S-2(3-aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioic acid (WR-2721, ethiofos) significantly protected rodents against the induction of tumors by irradiation, a series of reports have appeared in the literature that describe the antimutagenic (Grdina et al., 1985a; Nagy et al., 1986; Nagy and Grdina, 1986), antitransformation (Hill et al., 1986), and the anticarcinogenic properties (Grdina et al., 1985b) of WR-2721 and its corresponding free thiol 2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethanethiol (WR-1065). These studies have helped to stimulate a strong interest in characterizing selected molecular and cellular end points affected by radiation such as DNA damage and repair, effects on proteins, and cell-cycle progression.
Plasma glucose, insulin and lipid responses to high-carbohydrate low-fat diets in normal humans☆

Two levels of dietary carbohydrate (40% and 60% of calories) were incorporated into typical U.S. diets and fed for 10 days each to 11 healthy volunteers. Fasting blood samples were drawn on days 8, 9, and 10 of each dietary period and analyzed for glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol concentrations. In addition, plasma glucose, insulin and TG concentrations were determined before, and for 3 hr after the noon meal on days 8 and 10. No differences were observed in fasting plasma glucose, insulin or cholesterol concentrations. However, fasting plasma TG levels were significantly elevated on the 60% carbohydrate diet, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly decreased. Furthermore, the plasma insulin and triglyceride responses to the meal tolerance test during the 60% carbohydrate dietary period were significantly elevated. These results indicate that high-carbohydrate diets lead to changes in insulin, TG, and HDL-cholesterol concentrations which have been associated with an increase in incidence of coronary artery disease.
Measurement of soil water content with a 50-MHz soil dielectric sensor

The Hydra Probe1 ¹Mention of manufacturers is for the convenience of the reader only and implies no endorsement on the part of the author or USDA. is a relatively inexpensive and widely used soil water content (θ, m³ m⁻³) sensor. It measures both the real (eᵣ) and imaginary (eᵢ) components of the complex soil dielectric constant at 50 MHz. Our objectives were to: (i) determine the accuracy and precision of Hydra Probe dielectric measurements, (ii) establish an electrical conductivity limit for Hydra Probe measurements, (iii) document effects of soil type and temperature, and (iv) relate these results to much more thoroughly studied relationships established for time domain reflectometry (TDR). We evaluated Hydra Probe eᵣ measurement precision and accuracy in air, ethanol, butanol, and water. Electrical conductivity effects were established in a series of aqueous KCl solutions. Effects of soil type on calibration were evaluated with four soils. Temperature sensitivity was tested in air, oven-dried, and nearly saturated soil. Each test was performed with three sensors. We found that, in fluids, the sensors were accurate (eᵣ within 0.5), precise (coefficient of variation [CV] 0.142 S m⁻¹ (0.01 M). There was a strong correlation between θ and eᵣ for all soils tested but the θ–eᵣ relationship varied with soil. Deviations of measured θ–eᵣ from the Topp equation increased in magnitude with eᵢ, which may be the key to more general calibrations. Temperature effects on eᵣ were negligible in oven dry soils and different for each soil when nearly saturated. The largest temperature effect relative to 25°C was ±0.03 m³ m⁻³ In general, it appears that differences between Hydra Probe and TDR measurements are related to differences in soil dielectric properties at the measurement frequencies of the two instruments.
The Fall and Rise of US Inequities in Premature Mortality: 1960–2002

Background Debates exist as to whether, as overall population health improves, the absolute and relative magnitude of income- and race/ethnicity-related health disparities necessarily increase—or derease. We accordingly decided to test the hypothesis that health inequities widen—or shrink—in a context of declining mortality rates, by examining annual US mortality data over a 42 year period.
Neuropsychological Effects of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations

Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM's) are developmental, chronic lesions that provide unique information about the human brain and can be a useful model for neuroscientists to study cerebral reorganization and hemodynamics. We review the neuroanatomy, epidemiology, natural history, imaging and treatment of brain AVMs, and provide a model with which to better understand neuropsychological functioning and brain reorganization. We suggest that future studies must exclude ruptured AVMs if they wish to further explain focal neurological/cognitive deficits associated with this neurovascular anomaly.
Accounting for batch reactor uncertainty in the nonlinear MPC of end-use properties

There are significant incentives in controlling the end-use properties in batch reactors to reduce the variability in the final product quality. The presence of model errors and other uncertainties poses a problem in achieving this objective using model-based control. A methodology to account for the model uncertainties in nonlinear model predictive control is presented here. This methodology also allows establishing a trade-off between robustness and optimality in the controller. This is based on determining the uncertainty in the predicted final values of the properties, in the form of elliptical confidence regions. The controller then ensures that the complete confidence region is within the target range for the product. A semiinfinite programming problem is solved to find the input values for the rest of the batch, utilizing techniques that reduce the complexity of the problem. A Parameter Adaptive Extended Kalman Filter is used to estimate the important unmeasured and observable properties. An emulsion polymerization process for styrene is chosen as a case study and the methods developed here are demonstrated on this example process.
A life of its own: The tenuous connection between Thales of Miletus and the study of electrostatic charging

Abstract Thales of Miletus, a Presocratic Greek Philosopher, is often credited with discovering electrostatic charging and carrying out the first experiments or systematic observations of this phenomenon. We examine the original sources from antiquity to uncover Thales' true contributions. Thales is likely to have commented on electrostatics in connection to his philosophical idea that even lifeless things have a share or piece of soul in them, but there is no basis to believe that he discovered, carried out experiments on, or systematically observed electrostatic charging.
Electron-phonon interaction in superconducting Nb

Abstract Acoustic phonon damping in Nb due to superconductivity is accurately measured by the inelastic neutron scattering technique. The phonon line widths can be characterized by the reduced parameters h ω p /2Δ(0) and T/Tc, and are in good qualitative agreement with the calculation by Bobetic based on the BCS theory.
Credible Workers and Deserving Mothers: Crafting the “Mother Tongue” in Welfare Rights Activism, 1967–1972

This essay explores the use of the mother tongue on the part of poor, primarily black women who were welfare recipient-activists in the late 1960s. In contrast to the “feminine style” described by Campbell as “inductive, even circuitous” and “somewhat tentative” in tone (Campbell, 1986, p. 440), the mother tongue is direct, unequivocal, and at times irreverent or indecorous for the given speaking situation. Recipient-activists used the mother tongue to refute prevailing stereotypes such as the “welfare chiseler” and the “welfare queen.” The study complicates notions of the feminine style by calling attention to the influence of race and class on rhetorical intervention in public policy debates.
Numerical analysis of interfacial two‐dimensional Stokes flow with discontinuous viscosity and variable surface tension

A fluid model of the incompressible Stokes equations in two space dimensions is used to simulate the motion of a droplet boundary separating two fluids with unequal viscosity and variable surface tension. Our theoretical analysis leads to decoupled jump conditions that are used in constructing the numerical algorithm
Surviving to Thriving: Advancing the Institutional Mission

ABSTRACT Academic research libraries can employ several approaches to advance the institutional mission. First, libraries can shift from goals focused on collections and traditional library services and instead align with their campus academic plan and an emphasis on supporting the institution's strategic initiatives. A second approach is for libraries to modify their organizational structures from being function-based on the tasks that traditional libraries performed (e.g., public services, technical services, collection development) and move instead toward organizational units that directly support their university's missions (e.g., undergraduate education; graduate and professional education; research, scholarship, and creative activity; and public engagement). The key is to have library staff engaged in work that contributes to vital institutional outcomes such as student success and faculty research productivity. Academic research libraries should also continue to work towards an assessment program t...
Anthrax: implications for the anesthesiologist

The word “anthrax” is derived from the Greek for coal and refers to the black scab or eschar that forms after skin vesicles dry. It is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive sporulating rod, which primarily infects herbivores. Domesticated animals—mainly farm animals such as sheep, cows, and goats, but also bison—are usually the hosts. Humans contract the disease when handling contaminated hair, wool, or hides (hence, the name woolsorter’s or ragsorter’s disease), or from the flesh of contaminated animals or from manufactured products such as bone meal. Infection is usually through abrasions of the skin. Intentional infection is most likely through aerosol dissemination of the spores. Inhalational anthrax presents as a flu-like disease that rapidly progresses to multiple-organ failure. The mortality rate is high because of delay in diagnosis and the phenomenal rate of multiplication of the organisms within the body. The spores are very stable, are highly resistant in the soil, in chemicals and in sunlight, remain viable for years, and are easy to cultivate. Anthrax, although long known as an endemic disease, has been called the perfect germ for bioterrorism. Not only is it not contagious, thereby protecting perpetrators from a boomerang effect, but the spores are also extremely long lived and available worldwide. The intentional release of anthrax spores in the environment in 2001 resulted in several deaths and widespread public concern. The most fatal manifestation of anthrax is multiple-organ failure from inhalation of spores. These patients have a rapid downhill course that may be reversed and even prevented by early diagnosis and intensive care. Anesthesiologists and intensivists responsible for the care of these critically ill individuals should be aware of the pathophysiology of the disease, treatment options, and risks to healthcare providers.
Effect of mortgage indebtedness on health of U.S. homeowners

This paper examines the effect of excessive mortgage indebtedness on health among homeowners using nine waves of the Health and Retirement Study from 1992 to 2008. Health status is measured by subjective well-being, number of depressive symptoms, and incidence of hypertension. Using average annual state-level home prices as an instrument, we attempt to identify the causal effect in an panel IV framework. Results from the panel IV estimations suggest that having a high mortgage loan to home value (LTV), defined as LTV at or above 80 %, leads to more depressive symptoms and a higher incidence of hypertension, but has no effect on subjective well-being. Since the results from panel estimations did not show that debt affects health, whether the panel IV results demonstrate a causal relationship depends critically on the exclusion assumption.
Dimensionality reduction in software development effort estimation

Abstract During the last decade, an increasing number of researchers have attempted to address the problem of estimating software development effort. Recent empirical evaluations of the effort estimation models developed to date indicate two problems — model complexity and poor portability. A methodology that works on the notion of reduced dimensionality in the choice of a small set of site-relevant variables is presented. We contend that this methodology could incorporate model simplicity and site specificity in current estimation models. The working of our method is demonstrated and tested using the COCOMO data base. The ability of this method to estimate effort of projects within an acceptable relative error range is studied using discriminant analysis.
Tuberous sclerosis evaluated by computerized tomography.

Abstract The authors present a case of tuberous sclerosis that shows the typical intracranial and renal changes which were seen on computerized tomography. We know of no other similar report with both abnormalities shown. These findings include intracranial calcifications, especially subependymal, and multiple heterogeneous renal masses. The latter, angiomyolipomas, are contrast enhancing densities with some low attenuation densities equivalent to fat. We feel that in the appropriate clinical setting computerized tomography can be diagnostic of this affliction.
Eukaryote-Specific Insertion Elements Control Human ARGONAUTE Slicer Activity

We have solved the crystal structure of human ARGONAUTE1 (hAGO1) bound to endogenous 5'-phosphorylated guide RNAs. To identify changes that evolutionarily rendered hAGO1 inactive, we compared our structure with guide-RNA-containing and cleavage-active hAGO2. Aside from mutation of a catalytic tetrad residue, proline residues at positions 670 and 675 in hAGO1 introduce a kink in the cS7 loop, forming a convex surface within the hAGO1 nucleic-acid-binding channel near the inactive catalytic site. We predicted that even upon restoration of the catalytic tetrad, hAGO1-cS7 sterically hinders the placement of a fully paired guide-target RNA duplex into the endonuclease active site. Consistent with this hypothesis, reconstitution of the catalytic tetrad with R805H led to low-level hAGO1 cleavage activity, whereas combining R805H with cS7 substitutions P670S and P675Q substantially augmented hAGO1 activity. Evolutionary amino acid changes to hAGO1 were readily reversible, suggesting that loading of guide RNA and pairing of seed-based miRNA and target RNA constrain its sequence drift.
Recursive conflict resolution for cooperative motion planning in dynamic highway traffic

Automated driving with human-like driving behavior requires the capability of cooperative decision making. In this paper, the authors present a novel method of cooperative decision making in dynamic and structured environments such as highways. Other motorists' intentions are deduced and integrated into a planning framework that allows for reasonable cooperative decision making without the need of inter-vehicle communication. Therefore, and to reduce computational complexity, the authors assume that following vehicles' actions are dominated by their predecessors and use the assumption to formulate a recursive conflict resolution algorithm. Results from simulations and real-world experiments show the functionality of the presented approach.
Uses of electricity in medicine

FROM the moment that experiments with electricity were begun attempts were made to employ it in the healing art. The Romans attempted to use the electric torpedo eel therapeutically. In modern times we may first turn our attention to Paris immediately after our own revolution when Benjamin Franklin was our first genial ambassador to France. He was interested as much in the scientific discoveries of the day as in diplomacy.
Suppression of sexual behavior and localization of [3H] puromycin after intracranial injection in the rat

Bilateral intracranial injections of puromycin (10 micrograms/0.5 microliter vehicle) into the preoptic area (POA) of steroid-primed ovariectomized rats resulted in a significant decrease in the lordosis response when compared to saline treated controls. To determine the extent of puromycin diffusion after intracranial injection, [3H] puromycin was injected into the right POA of ovariectomized rats. Neural regions anterior, posterior and superior to the POA, and the right and left POA were assessed for tritium activity 0.5, 6 and 24 hours after stereotaxic surgery. The activity was primarily located at the injection site or in the injection tract. The highest amount of activity external to the injection site or injection tract was found in the right ventromedial hypothalamus.
Fluid Phase Coagulation Events Have Minimal Impact on Plasma Fibrin Structure

ABSTRACT Reports of altered fibrin structure in clots formed from factor VHI-deficient plasma have raised the possibility that plasma clots mediated by activation of the fluid phase coagulation System might differ from clots formed by the direct addition of thrombin to plasma. In this study, turbidity measurements were used to compare the assembly and structure of clots formed from platelet-poor plasma by either the addition of thrombin or the exposure of recalcifled plasma to glass. When clotted by recalcification, the lag phase before initial increase in turbidity was 10 to 25 times longer than when clotted by the addition of thrombin. Decreasing the ionic strength or increasing the calcium concentration shortened the lag phase. At high calcium concentrations (>25 mM) polymerization was delayed and precipitation was noted. pH had a minimal impact over the range of 7.0 to 7.4. Fibrin Aber mass-length ratios for plasma gels formed by activation of the intrinsic Cascade were virtually identical to those in gels formed by the direct addition of thrombin. These studies indicate that fluid phase coagulation events before the production of thrombin have a minimal impact on plasma fibrin structure.
Scattering of light by dielectric particles: statistical theory

This paper presents a new theoretical approach to the modeling of light scattering by dielectric particles. The new theory is statistical and thermodynamic in its approach, rather than electromagnetic. Constrained maximization of entropy is used to predict the directionality and polarization of scattered light. The results are in a discretized form directly usable in computerized radiative-transfer simulations, thus circumventing the usual generation of the phase function with a Mie code followed by integration over solid angles as required. A considerable saving of computer time is thereby possible.
Energy-efficient connected-coverage in wireless sensor networks

This paper addresses the target coverage problem inWireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). Communication and sensing consume energy, therefore, efficient power management can extend network lifetime. In this paper, we consider a large number of sensors randomly deployed to monitor a number of targets. Each target may be redundantly covered by multiple sensors. To conserve energy, we organise sensors in sets activated sucessively. In this paper, we introduce the Connected Set Covers (CSC) problem that has as objective finding a maximum number of set covers such that each sensor node to be activated is connected to the Base Station (BS). A sensor can participate in multiple sensor sets, but the total energy spent in all sets is constrained by the initial energy reserves. We show that the CSC problem is NP-complete and we propose three solutions: an Integer Programming (IP)-based solution, a greedy approach and a distributed and localised heuristic. Simulation results that validate our approaches are also presented.
Elemental abundances of the B and A stars Gamma Geminorum, 7 Sextantis, HR 4817, and HR 5780

Fine analyses of the B and A stars, Gamma Geminorum, 7 Sextantis, HR 4817, and HR 5780 are performed. Although the data cover rather limited spectral regions, still useful results were obtained. The data were mostly obtained at the KPNO coude feed telescope with CCD TI No. 3, camera 5, and grating A. The He/H ratio of HR 4817 confirms the similarity of many abundance values with those of the peculiar Mn star 53 Tauri. For the most part Gamma Gem, 7 Sex, and HR 5780 have derived abundances similar to those of other normal sharp-lined stars of similar effective temperature.
Ion beam studies of events typical of soft errors in semiconductor memories

Abstract A fast ion microbeam has been used to study phenomena associated with soft errors in semiconductor memories. A spatially small beam with a fast blanking system is used to study both alpha particle and heavy ion strikes. The heavy ion strikes are typical of the recoil from cosmic-ray-generated neutrons. Charge collection and static RAM error-rate experiments are discussed.
Role of adenine phosphoribosyltransferase in adenine uptake in wild-type and APRT − mutants of CHO

Adenine uptake in cultured Chinese hamster fibroblasts showed biphasic saturation kinetics. The transport system was highly specific for adenine and was competitively inhibited by adenosine. Utilizing mutant clones of Chinese hamster fibroblasts that have either reduced or negligible adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) activity, we found that (1) adenine was not accumulated against a concentration gradient in the absence of APRT activity and (2) after rapid initial uptake equal to that of the parent the rates of adenine accumulation found for the mutants correlated strongly with their residual APRT activities. Furthermore, using either artificially depressed phosphoribosylpyrophosphate pool size and APRT activities or the mutants with decreased APRT activity, we found that adenine transport was independent of phosphorylation by APRT. These studies suggest that adenine is transported as the free base by facilitated diffusion and is subsequently phosphorylated by APRT.
Prostaglandin E2-regulated cervical ripening: analysis of proteoglycan expression in the rat cervix.

Objective Prostaglandins reduce cervical resistance by reorganizing collagen fibrils. Proteoglycans are involved in collagen fibril organization and structure. We evaluated the changes in proteoglycan composition induced by prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ). Study Design Prostaglandins were administered intravaginally to induce cervical ripening in timed pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats. Changes in proteoglycan messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression were measured using reverse transcription (RT-PCR) for core protein. Fluorophore assisted carbohydrate gel electrophoresis (FACE) was used to evaluate proteoglycan glycosaminoglycan composition along with size exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results No change in core protein mRNA expression was detected after PGE 2 treatment. Total glycosaminoglycan (GAG) decreased more than 20% after PGE 2 ( P = .02). FACE demonstrated a shift in disaccharide subunit composition after PGE 2 , with a decrease in 4-sulfated disaccharides ( P = .02). HPLC confirmed a decrease in total GAG ( P = .04). Conclusion Although there was no change in core protein mRNA expression, alterations in GAG composition was detected after PGE 2 . The decrease in sulfated GAG could decrease electrostatic interactions that would weaken interfibrillar interactions. These findings would be consistent with a decline in cervical resistance.
Two-dimensional Simulations of FU Orionis Disk Outbursts

We have developed time-dependent models of FU Ori accretion outbursts to explore the physical properties of protostellar disks. Our two-dimensional, axisymmetric models incorporate full vertical structure with a new treatment of the radiative boundary condition for the disk photosphere. We find that FU Ori-type outbursts can be explained by a slow accumulation of matter due to gravitational instability. Eventually, this triggers the magnetorotational instability, which leads to rapid accretion. The thermal instability is triggered in the inner disk, but this instability is not necessary for the outburst. An accurate disk vertical structure, including convection, is important for understanding the outburst behavior. Large convective eddies develop at the transition region between the thermal instability high-low states in the inner disk. The models are in agreement with Spitzer IRS spectra and also with peak accretion rates and decay timescales of observed outbursts, though some objects show faster rise timescale. We also propose that convection may account for the observed mild-supersonic turbulence and the short-timescale variations of FU Orionis objects.