cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GAS EXCHANGE WITH MASS CULTURES OF ALGAE. II. RELIABILITY OF A PHOTOSYNTHETIC GAS EXCHANGER.

Comparisons of oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption by an algal gas exchanger were made over a 3-month period. The data do not represent a continuous test, but they do represent results obtained when identical light intensities, CO2 supply rates, and dilution rates with fresh culture medium had been used for more than 1 day. Steady-state conditions were thus assured, and the agreement in the data was excellent. Under the same experimental conditions, the unit was operated continuously for a 5-day period, and the daily variability in this test was less than in the results obtained from month to month. The variation between the average O2 production during the 5-day test and the average of the tests over a several-month period was less than 3%. It is concluded, therefore, that the reliability of the algae in producing oxygen is sufficient to warrant their use in either submarine or space ship use.
The AβCs of Aβ-cleaving Proteases

The amyloid β-protein (Aβ), which accumulates abnormally in Alzheimer disease (AD), is degraded by a diverse set of proteolytic enzymes. Aβ-cleaving proteases, largely ignored until only recently, are now known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of cerebral Aβ levels and amyloid plaque formation in animal models, and accumulating evidence suggests that defective Aβ proteolysis may be operative in many AD cases. This review summarizes the growing body of evidence supporting the involvement of specific Aβ-cleaving proteases in the etiology and potential treatment of AD. Recognition of the importance of Aβ degradation to the overall economy of Aβ has revised our thinking about the mechanistic basis of AD pathogenesis and identified a novel class of enzymes that may serve as both therapeutic targets and therapeutic agents.
Schopenhauer’s Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art

This essay focuses on Schopenhauer’s aesthetics and philosophy of art, areas of his philosophy which have attracted the most philosophical attention in recent years. After discussing the subjective and objective aspects of aesthetic experience on his account, I shall offer interpretations of Schopenhauer’s theory of the sublime and solution to the problem of tragedy. In addition, I shall touch upon the liveliest interpretive debates concerning his aesthetic theory: the intelligibility of the “Platonic Ideas” as the objects of aesthetic experience and the very possibility of aesthetic experience within Schopenhauer’s system. Another aim of this essay is to suggest how some of Schopenhauer’s aesthetic doctrines may be interpreted in a less metaphysically extravagant way. When understood in this manner, contemporary aestheticians might be inclined to take a closer look at Schopenhauer’s aesthetic theory and philosophy of art, for it is distinctive in the tradition of Western philosophical aesthetics in its attempt to highlight and balance the hedonic and cognitive importance of aesthetic experiences; in its sensitivity both to the aesthetic experience of nature as well as of art; in the high value placed on the experience of music (a higher value than afforded by any previous aesthetic theory); and in the innovative solution to the problem of tragedy it offers.
BUILDING LEADERSHIP CAPACITY OF AN EMERGING GOAT INDUSTRY

Abstract Leadership development has been a primary objective of Extension educators directing Ohio Meat Goat Task Force efforts. Producer members have been instrumental in the formation of the Ohio Meat Goat Marketing Alliance. This group has developed by-laws and articles of incorporation for the purpose of promoting and marketing commercial meat goat producers in Ohio. Nationwide market centers have been accessed through the establishment of graded pool sales. Cooperation between producer networks, industry, and the Department of Agriculture were responsible for establishing a certified livestock grader position. Producers have enhanced the effectiveness of their efforts by partnering with agencies such as the Ohio Cooperative Development Center, Somalia and East African Organization, Jewish Family Services and Institute for Social and Economic Development. Extension educators have developed the Ohio Meat Goat Production and Budgeting Fact Sheet as a guide for establishing this value added enterprise. Extension has designed and conducted regional workshops, seminars, and on-farm tours to transfer knowledge to over 2100 participants. Education, production, and marketing topics are discussed in the Buckeye Meat Goat Newsletter. The website http://www.ohiomarketgoat.com has been developed to enhance the exchange of production and marketing information. The task force has received $63,000 in Research and Extension grants to conduct on going feasibility studies of ethnic markets, Ohio’s processing infrastructure, and development of farmer/consumer cooperatives. On-farm meat goat research encompasses breed comparisons, forage utilization, and developing benchmark data. Progress continues in the ability to market fresh and safe chevon products directly to emerging ethnic and faith based consumer populations to capture the most value. This task force is taking a unique approach to building industry infrastructure by utilizing a social approach to market development within emerging consumer niches. This foundation infrastructure will create value-added opportunities at the rural/urban interface for refugees in our urban centers and small farms in Ohio. Behavioral changes include an increase in farmers producing for emerging markets, an increase in communication abilities between producers and markets, and coordination for consumers, retailers, and producers through functional marketing partnerships that fit the social and ecological paradigm.
Plasma and pulmonary pharmacokinetics of desfuroylceftiofur acetamide after weekly administration of ceftiofur crystalline free acid to adult horses.

Summary Reasons for performing study Current labelling for the use of ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA) in horses states that 2 i.m. doses must be administered 4 days apart to provide 10 days of therapeutic coverage. A 10 day treatment regimen is not sufficient for the long-term treatment of horses with severe lung consolidation or pleuropneumonia. There are currently no data to guide an appropriate dosing interval when a longer treatment regimen is warranted. Objectives To determine steady-state plasma and pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) concentrations of desfuroylceftiofur acetamide (DCA) after weekly i.m. administration of CCFA to adult horses. Study design Experimental study. Methods Seven adult horses received i.m. CCFA at a dose of 6.6 mg/kg bwt on Day 0, Day 4 and every 7 days thereafter for 3 additional doses. Concentrations of DCA in plasma and PELF were measured at various time intervals. Results After weekly i.m. administration, the mean (± s.d.) steady-state peak DCA concentration in plasma (2.87 ± 1.50 μg/ml) was significantly higher than that in PELF (0.84 ± 0.53 μg/ml). Mean terminal half-lives in plasma (77.5 ± 17.5 h) and PELF (92.8 ± 59.0 h) were not significantly different. Concentrations of DCA in plasma and PELF remained in the therapeutic range for the entire dosing interval. Conclusions After the initial 2-dose regimen 4 days apart, weekly i.m. administration of CCFA was well tolerated and resulted in plasma and PELF DCA concentrations above the minimal inhibitory concentration that inhibits growth of at least 90% of common lower respiratory tract pathogens of horses. Potential relevance Weekly administration of CCFA would appear appropriate when a treatment regimen longer than 10 days is warranted based on clinical signs and disease severity.
Neuromodulation as a last resort option in the treatment of chronic daily headaches in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Objective: To determine the feasibility and efficacy of occipital nerve stimulation (ONS) in patients with refractory headaches secondary to idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Background: IIH is a syndrome characterized by elevated intracranial pressures in the absence of a mass lesion. These patients typically present with chronic and intractable headaches. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion fails in relieving the headache in a significant proportion of this population. ONS has been shown to be effective in medically refractory headaches and to our knowledge, has not been attempted as a therapeutic modality in this population. Methods: Four patients with occipital predominant chronic daily headaches and IIH who failed medical management underwent bilateral ONSs. Octopolar percutaneous electrodes were implanted in the defined area of pain. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used as an outcome measure. Patient demographics and surgical complications were also reviewed in this retrospective study. Following the trial period, all patients had >50% pain reduction resulting in permanent implantation. Results: All 4 patients had an average improvement of their VAS scores by 75%, with 85% spatial coverage and the remainder of the uncovered region being frontal. Sustained benefits were seen up to 3 years of follow-up. One patient had a lead erosion requiring removal followed by delayed re-implantation and another lost treatment efficacy at 2 years resulting in explantation. One patient required CSF diversion due to visual threat during the follow-up period but maintained sustained benefit from her ONS. Conclusions: Bilateral ONS may be a useful treatment option in the management of selected patients with IIH, after standard surgical interventions have been attempted. Bilateral ONS may provide therapeutic option for management of residual headaches in these complicated patients.
Use of symbolic algebra in the calculation of hyperspherical harmonics

A symbolic algebra method for determining democratic hyperspherical harmonics (HH) for three-particle and four-particle systems is given. It is based on a recursion relation that, starting from a complete set of such harmonics for a given value n of the system's grand-canonical angular momentum quantum number, determines a similarly complete set for n + 1. Using this method, all 2.3 million HH for n up to 40 for the three-particle case and all 43.8 million for n up to 30 for the four particle case were determined. The method, details, and results of its implementation are described. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Accounting Policy Changes and Debt Contracts

Prior research provides evidence that firms make accounting choices to avoid violation of debt covenant provisions and the resulting costs of technical default. We extend this research by asking why some firms refrain from making accounting policy changes when faced with costs of technical default. We considered two possible explanations. First, we hypothesise that these defaulting firms may lack the flexibility to make accounting changes. Second, we hypothesise that these defaulting firms may lack incentive to change accounting methods. Results confirm prior research and indicate that defaulting firms make more accounting changes than non‐defaulting firms. The decision by defaulting firms to change or not change accounting methods during the three years ending in the year of a technical default of debt covenants can be explained in part by the ability of the firm and by the incentives of the firm to make a change.
Shifts of long run average cost curves: Theoretical and managerial implications

Abstract Economists have traditionally employed one of two alternative methods when analyzing economies of scale: The long run average cost curve (LRAC curve) and the production function. Only the production function concept, however, has been extended beyond a static framework for analysis of scale economies in a dynamic setting. This paper will extend the traditional, static LRAC curve concept by developing an appropriate dynamic framework. This framework will then be used to analyze the shifts of LRAC curves through time in three major American industries: steel making, cement manufacturing, and electric power generation. The empirical and theoretical topics explored in this study raise issues of both managerial and theoretical concern. These issues include: the relationship between economic plant life and plant size; the existence of scale biases in previous studies of scale economies and current depreciation practices; the accuracy and use of construction cost indexes; and the effects of technological change over extended periods of time. The dynamic framework developed in this study serves several useful purposes. For example, it constitutes a first step toward the development of theories that fill the void between the static theory of LRAC curves and the theories of increasing, decreasing, and constant cost industries. Furthermore, many questions, such as optimal plant or firm size, should be answered in a dynamic framework if appropriate managerial or anti-trust issues are to be considered. Finally, this dynamic framework shifts the emphasis of studies of scale economies back to costs and the use of this framework should result in improved corporate planning and decision making.
Anonymity and pseudonymity in whistleblowing to the U.S. Office of Research Integrity.

Given the concerns expressed by members of the academic and legal community about whether (and how) to handle anonymous and pseudonymous allegations of scientific misconduct, this paper summaries the experiences of the Office of Research Integrity and its predecessor from 1989 through 1997. Although the record shows that research institutions and the ORI have treated such allegations seriously, the fraction of complainants to the ORI who remain anonymous is small (8% of 986 allegations); few anonymous complaints are sufficiently substantive to be pursued (4% of the 357 formal cases opened in the ORI); and only 1 of these 13 cases resulted in an ORI finding of scientific misconduct.
Ethnoracial differences among outdoor workers in key sun-safety behaviors.

Background Few sun-safety studies have included ethnoracially diverse groups. Comparison across such groups of sun-safety behaviors was the main objective of this analysis. Methods Postal workers (n =2543) self-reported frequency of sunscreen, wide-brim hat, and sunglasses use during the last 5 workdays on 5-point Likert-type scales ranging from “never” to “always.” Responses were dichotomized by “always” versus all other responses. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess the association between ethnicity/race and frequency of each sun safety behavior. The baseline data reported in this paper were collected in the summer of 2001, and the randomized trial was completed in the summer of 2004. Results Ethnicity/race was significantly related to sunscreen and sunglasses use. For both sunscreen and sunglasses, the white group had significantly higher “always” rates than the other four groups (30% vs 14% to 23% and 63% vs 44% to 52%, respectively). Conclusions The results of this study indicated that although non-Latino white employees tended to have higher rates of sun-safety behaviors, the rates of adequate protection of all groups were low.
Automatic image annotation by using relevant keywords extracted from auxiliary text documents

In this paper, a novel algorithm is developed to enable automatic image annotation by aligning web images with their most relevant auxiliary text terms. First, large-scale web pages are crawled and automatic web page segmentation is performed to extract informative images and their most relevant auxiliary text blocks. Second, image clustering is performed to partition the web images into a set of image clusters according to their visual similarity contexts. By grouping the web images according to their common visual properties, the uncertainty of the relatedness between the web images and their auxiliary text terms is significantly reduced. Finally, a relevance re-ranking algorithm is developed to achieve more precise alignment between the web images with their most relevant auxiliary text terms. Our experiments on large-scale web pages have provided very positive results.
A conceptual model of consumer evaluation of recreation service quality

The paper develops a model which is intended to explain the process by which a consumer evaluates recreation service quality. Much of the difficulty in measuring the quality of recreation services can be attributed to their intangibility, heterogeneity, and the inseparability of their production and consumption functions. Dimensions of recreation services are operationalized in the article, and the criteria used by consumers for evaluating recreation service quality are discussed. Recreation service quality is defined as the outcome of a comparison between expectations of a service and what is perceived to be received. Since much of the reported work in the area of service quality has been undertaken in a commercial context, key differences in the public and commercial sectors which may impact consumers' expectations of recreation services are discussed and integrated into the model.
Laboratory Experiments in Fluids and Propulsion Education

The advantages and requirements for propulsion laboratories in engineering schools is discussed. A typical propulsion laboratory set-up suitable for aircraft reciprocating and gas turbine engines is presented. Sample results of engine performance analysis from these laboratories will also be presented.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Marking Salamander Egg Masses with Visible Fluorescent Elastomer: Retention Time and Effect on Embryonic Development

Abstract Although marking methods are available for identifying larval and adult amphibians, techniques for egg masses have not been tested. Individual egg masses can be difficult to relocate and monitor because they are similar in appearance and often found within communal aggregations. We evaluated a method of marking spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) egg masses with visible fluorescent elastomer (VIE) and provided the first assessment of an identification technique for this life stage. Laboratory and field experiments tested for effects of VIE on the development of embryos, retention in the jelly matrix and the practicality of this technique in the field. We found no effect of VIE on survival or hatching of embryos, nor on body size and developmental stage of hatchlings compared to unmarked controls. In the laboratory, marks remained intact and identifiable within the jelly matrix until hatching was complete (>35 d). In the field, marks in the outer jelly matrix remained intact for 83% of develo...
CHANGING VIRAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF A HUMAN CELL LINE IN CONTINUOUS CULTIVATION : I. PRODUCTION OF INFECTIVE VIRUS IN A VARIANT OF THE CHANG CONJUNCTIVAL CELL FOLLOWING INFECTION WITH SWINE OR N-WS INFLUENZA VIRUSES

During its serial transfer and cultivation in this laboratory, a human conjunctival cell line (Chang) was observed to change in morphology. Concurrently no change was noted in the susceptibility of the cells to viruses capable of infecting the original cell line. However, it was noted that the derived variant cell line had acquired susceptibility to the induction of cytopathic effects and incomplete virus formation by several strains of influenza viruses. It was then discovered that swine influenza virus and the N-WS strain of influenza A virus could be serially propagated in the derived cell line with production of infective virus. The swine virus required adaptation, but the N-WS strain did not. N-WS and swine influenza viruses multiply with infective virus formation only in the variant conjunctival cell and in no other cell line. Antigenic, cytologic, and virologic evidence is presented that the influenza virus-susceptible variant cell is of human origin and is not a contaminating cell exogenously introduced. Transition of a cell line from complete insusceptibility to susceptibility to virus infection and multiplication has not been described previously.
Endocarditis due to Streptococcus morbillorum.

Summary Two cases of endocarditis due to Streptococcus morbillorum are described. Neither patient had any known history of valvular disease. These are believed to be the first such reported cases in the U.K. In the first case, previous anal surgery and, in the second, drainage of a dental abscess and extraction of a tooth are the likely procedures which initiated endocarditis. The first case is of further interest in that the incriminated strain showed marked tolerance to β -lactam antibiotics. A combination of penicillin with gentamicin was shown to be required in order to give satisfactory bactericidal activity in vitro .
Ultrasonic Lamb wave tomography

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of aerospace structures using traditional methods is a complex, time-consuming process critical to maintaining mission readiness and flight safety. Limited access to corrosion-prone structure and the restricted applicability of available NDE techniques for the detection of hidden corrosion or other damage often compound the challenge. In this paper we discuss our recent work using ultrasonic Lamb wave tomography to address this pressing NDE technology need. Lamb waves are ultrasonic guided waves, which allow large sections of aircraft structures to be rapidly inspected for structural flaws such as disbonds, corrosion and delaminations. Because the velocity of Lamb waves depends on thickness, for example, the travel times of the fundamental Lamb modes can be converted into a thickness map of the inspection region. However, extracting quantitative information from Lamb wave data has always involved highly trained personnel with a detailed knowledge of mechanical waveguide physics. Our work focuses on tomographic reconstruction to produce quantitative maps that can be easily interpreted by technicians or fed directly into structural integrity and lifetime prediction codes. Laboratory measurements discussed here demonstrate that Lamb wave tomography using a square perimeter array of transducers with algebraic reconstruction tomography is appropriate for detecting flaws in aircraft materials. The speed and fidelity of the reconstruction algorithms as well as practical considerations for person-portable array-based systems are discussed in this paper.
Theoretical and experimental study of coupled vibrations of channel beams

Abstract Studies of the free vibrational behavior of channel beams, which are partly constrained along one end or one flange, are of prime importance for structural engineers. In this paper, studies of thin-walled channel beams with different cross-sectional areas and lengths were conducted using theoretical and experimental approaches. The theoretical approach was based on analytical and finite element methods. The experimental approach utilized the methods of laser hologram interferometry. In the studies reported herein, emphasis was placed on dependence of the natural frequencies and the mode shapes on the cross-sectional area, and on determination of the prediction capability of the Timoshenko model considered in the analytical analysis. The results show that lower modes of slender channel beams are characterized by global beam motions and a non-deforming cross-section. More pronounced C-shapes are increasingly influenced by plate deformations in the web and flanges. The Timoshenko theory compares well with experimental data on natural frequencies, but only for slender beams. The results of the finite element analysis generally compare well with experimental data.
The efficacy of pressure relief maneuvers in spinal cord injury patients, a clinical study

Pressure reliefs are recommended to wheelchair bound individuals to control and minimize skin damage. To this date recommendation on duration and intervals between pressure reliefs is not clear. Recent studies have shown a relationship between reduction in tissue perfusion and oxygenation due to pressure and skin pathophysiologic changes. We have developed a fiber-optics probe that allows measurement of oxygenation in addition to perfusion in real time; this low profile probe can be utilized while sitting and during pressure reliefs. We have conducted a clinical trial at the National Rehabilitation Hospital on individual with spinal cord injury. The overriding goal of this project was to develop the evidence base for clinical recommendations on pressure reliefs. Results of the study will be presented.
Endometriosis in association with uterine anomaly.

Endometriosis is frequently a chronic process, which may begin soon after menarche. The process may be enhanced by mechanical obstruction. Theories of retrograde menstruation and metaplasia still remain in vogue. Endometriosis is a cause of both acute and chronic pelvic pain in the adolescent. We present case reports of mullerian lateral wall fusion defects with surgical correction and evidence for resorption of endometriosis. Clinicians must be aware that patients with uterine anomalies may develop extensive endometriosis, which upon creation of an unobstructed outflow tract results in complete resorption. Furthermore, the mechanism of formation of endometriosis in association with an outflow tract obstruction may be very different from that associated with infertility. We recommend consideration of endometriosis and/or a reproductive tract abnormality in the adolescent with persistent pelvic pain.
Requirements and strategies for the retention of automotive product data

This paper discusses the requirements for the retention of automotive product data, the strategies being used to meet the requirements and issues related to these requirements and strategies. For purposes of this paper, data retention refers to the automotive product data that must be kept or retained by the organization for more than one-year after it is completed. Product data must typically be kept for much longer time periods. Automotive product data refers to the Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), Product Data Management (PDM) and Service data used to support Product Design, Engineering, Manufacturing, Customer Service, Corporate Counsel and Governmental Regulation needs. This paper proposes a minimal set of automotive product data which needs to be retained, recommends retention periods for the different types of data being retained, and concludes with a survey of strategies currently being used in the automotive industry for product data retention.
Quantitative Imaging with the MGH Analog Ring Positron Tomograph

Performance of the MGH positron camera, PCR-I, is evaluated at high count rates. System resolution is maintained throughout the operating range of the instrument. The analysis of dead-time losses and random coincidence events is complicated by the analog coding system implemented in PCR-I. However, the system non-idealities can be analyzed, and corrections applied to compensate for them. An experiment demonstrating the efficacy of the count rate corrections is presented.
Influence of crown class and shade tolerance on individual tree development during deciduous forest succession in Connecticut, USA

Abstract Sixty years of individual tree crown class records were used to elucidate the influence of crown class (dominant, codominant, intermediate, or suppressed), shade tolerance (intolerant, midtolerant, or tolerant), and their interactions on the probability of individual tree movement among crown classes. Trees were measured at 10 year intervals between 1927 and 1987, excluding 1947, on 364 nominal 0.01 ha plots. A total of 14 154 individual tree records were used in this analysis. The transition rates among crown classes for 30 year intervals (1927–1957 and 1957–1987) were examined for all combinations of antecedent crown classes and tolerance rankings. The distribution of ingrowth among tolerance rankings was also examined. Mortality rates increased with decreasing crown class for all tolerance rankings, and mortality rates increased with decreasing tolerance. Compared with tolerant trees, midtolerant and intolerant trees had higher rates of ascension into dominant and codominant crown classes and exhibited higher persistence rates in the dominant crown class. These factors suggest that midtolerant and intolerant trees have an advantage over tolerant trees in the higher crown classes, In contrast, tolerant trees had the advantage in suppressed and intermediate crown classes, with lower mortality rates, higher persistence, and higher rates of crown class ascension than for midtolerant or intolerant trees. Crown class stratification was driven by the change in relative advantage of each tolerance ranking among the crown class. Results of this study suggest that the canopy stratum (upper canopy, lower canopy, or mixed) affected by disturbance is as important as disturbance scale, intensity, and frequency in influencing the composition of the suppressed crown class. Because the suppressed crown class is in a constant state of high flux, with fewer than 30% of the suppressed trees remaining in the suppressed crown class for any 30 year period, a small change in the relative persistence or ascension rates among tolerance rankings, whether by a different disturbance or climate regime, could alter the proportion of tolerance rankings in the suppressed crown class and ultimately result in an alternative succession.
Effect of yohimbine on action potentials recorded from isolated canine ventricular myocytes.

Abstract Yohimbine is used extensively as an α 2 -adrenoceptor antagonist. This drug also inhibits sodium channels in the squid axon. In this study we investigated the electrophysiological effects of yohimbine in isolated canine ventricular myocytes. Yohimbine produced a reversible and concentration-dependent decrease in the maximum upstroke velocity and a slight increase in the action potential duration. The maximum upstroke velocity was reduced by over 90% by 10 −4 M yohimbine. It did not effect the resting or plateau potentials in control or isoproterenol-treated cells. Delayed after-depolarizations were also inhibited. These data suggest that yohimbine can produce a local anesthetic effect which is primarily due to inhibition of sodium channels.
Antiparallel EmrE exports drugs by exchanging between asymmetric structures

Small multidrug resistance transporters provide an ideal system to study the minimal requirements for active transport. EmrE is one such transporter in Escherichia coli. It exports a broad class of polyaromatic cation substrates, thus conferring resistance to drug compounds matching this chemical description. However, a great deal of controversy has surrounded the topology of the EmrE homodimer. Here we show that asymmetric antiparallel EmrE exchanges between inward- and outward-facing states that are identical except that they have opposite orientation in the membrane. We quantitatively measure the global conformational exchange between these two states for substrate-bound EmrE in bicelles using solution NMR dynamics experiments. Forster resonance energy transfer reveals that the monomers within each dimer are antiparallel, and paramagnetic relaxation enhancement NMR experiments demonstrate differential water accessibility of the two monomers within each dimer. Our experiments reveal a 'dynamic symmetry' that reconciles the asymmetric EmrE structure with the functional symmetry of residues in the active site.
Insertion of Lithium Ions into Carbon Nanotubes: An Ab Initio Study

Theoretical investigations have been carried out to explore the possibilities of Li+ ion intercalation or insertion through the side-wall or through the cap region of carbon nanotubes. Hartree−Fock(HF), MP2 and density functional (DFT) theories with minimal to extended basis sets were used to examine simple models of 5, 6, 7, and eight-membered-rings. The barrier to insert Li+ ion through these rings depends on the ring size. Insertion is easier as the ring size increases. Lithium ion favors two positions: (a) inside the tube close to the wall, and (b) outside of the tube. Energetic information is provided using simple models with different diameters. Movement of the cation(s) within a single-wall tube, in interstitial zone and within multiwall tube, are also studied and discussed.
Research notes and communications. Toward the development of a planning scale: An example from the banking industry

The study dealt with the degree of formal planning undertaken by the commercial banking industry during 1969, 1972, 1975, and 1978. The study found that the Guttman scaling method can be used to develop a corporate planning scale. An outline of the steps in the construction of a Guttman planning scale is presented. Future research into the relationship between formal planning efforts and organizational performance might incorporate this approach.
Integration of dynamic multi-response systems using the product of normalised squared-bias and variance

The quality loss function developed by Taguchi for smaller-the-better and nominal-the-best characteristics can be decomposed into two components: variance and bias. For the larger-the-better characteristics with an infinite target, a decomposition of this nature is not straightforward. However, the decomposition for the larger-the-better characteristic is possible when a finite target is considered. This research proposes decomposing all three types of characteristics in the same way for similarity and equality among characteristics for multi-response cases. The two components of quality loss are utilised to formulate a metric called the product of normalised squared-bias and variance. This metric can in turn be employed to simultaneously improve both the dynamic and the static multiple responses of a system. An example is also provided to demonstrate the proposed methodology in a dynamic multi-response system.
A perturbation expansion for correlation functions via the Wigner distribution

Abstract We compute the coordinate correlation 1 2 q ( t ) q ( o ) + q ( o ) q ( t )> the Wigner phase space distribution, for a system with Hamiltonian H = H 0 + λ H 1, where the canonical ensemble Wigner distribution corresponding to H 0 is known exactly. Perturbation expansions in powers of λ, for the correlation function and the Wigner distribution, are developed. By avoiding an expansion in powers of ħ, we obtain results whose validity is not restricted to the near-classical regime, in contrast to the Wigner-Kirkwood approach. We illustrate our results by application to the one-dimensional anharmonic oscillator, and the relation to other perturbation methods (Lindstedt-Poincare, Green's Function) is explored. By virtue of the fluctuation-dissipation theorem, it is anticipated that such results will also be useful for the investigation of transport problems.
Diurnal cycle of core temperature in huddling, week-old rat pups

Abstract Lean Zucker rat pups were reared at 25°C on four staggered 12:12 light:dark cycles with lights on at 0100, 0700, 1300 or 1900 hr. Core temperature (Tc) of 5- to 8-day-old pups was measured repeatedly at the rearing temperature of 25°C between 0700 and 1900 hr using a procedure that minimally interfered with spontaneous nursing cycles and huddling of the pups. Tc of litters measured 30 to 60 min after the mother spontaneously left the nest was low and variable (32.2–35.4°C) during the first few hours after lights-on, but was uniformly high and much less variable (35.5–36.5°C) around the time of lights-off. Pup Tc was phase-advanced to the nocturnal elevation of maternal Tc, and lagged several hours behind the diurnal elevation of nursing activity. Cyclic variations in Tc of pups huddling in the nest thus reflect a diurnal rhythm in the ability and/or drive for body temperature defense that is independent of heat derived from the mother during nursing.
Compounding the error.

Do inadequate supervision and excessive work schedules of resident physicians seriously threaten the quality of patient care in teaching hospitals? A New York State commission has implicitly answer...
Isolating causal effects through experimental changes in parent-child interaction.

A distinction is made between functionaland intentionalcontrol in parent-child interaction. These concepts are drawn, respectively, from operant and cognitive models of interaction process. Experimental evidence is presented that cognitive factors such as expectations or hypotheses indeed affect the relations between parents and their own children. This necessitates a further distinction between long-termand short-termcausal effects: Since changes in parents' expectations for their children may lag behind actual changes in children's behavior, short-term effects inferred from observations of ongoing interactions may not reflect the long-term dynamics of the relationship.
Screening Mammography & Breast Cancer Mortality: Meta-Analysis of Quasi-Experimental Studies

Background The magnitude of the benefit associated with screening has been debated. We present a meta-analysis of quasi-experimental studies on the effects of mammography screening. Methods We searched MEDLINE/PubMed and Embase for articles published through January 31, 2013. Studies were included if they reported: 1) a population-wide breast cancer screening program using mammography with 5+ years of data post-implementation; 2) a comparison group with equal access to therapies; and 3) breast cancer mortality. Studies excluded were: RCTs, case-control, or simulation studies. We defined quasi-experimental as studies that compared either geographical, historical or birth cohorts with a screening program to an equivalent cohort without a screening program. Meta-analyses were conducted in Stata using the metan command, random effects. Meta-analyses were conducted separately for ages screened: under 50, 50 to 69 and over 70 and weighted by population and person-years. Results Among 4,903 published papers that were retrieved, 19 studies matched eligibility criteria. Birth cohort studies reported a significant benefit for women screened <age 50, but not for women screened ages 50–69. Significant reductions in breast cancer mortality were observed in historical comparisons. For geographical comparisons, there was a significant 20% reduction in mortality for women <age 50 and a significant 21–22% reduction for women ages 50–69. Studies that tested the interaction of geographical and historical comparisons produced a pooled, significant 13–17% reduction in incident breast cancer mortality for women ages 50–69, but the effects in most individual studies were non-significant. All studies of women ages 70+ were non-significant. Conclusions Mammography screening may have modest effects on cancer mortality between the ages of 50 and 69 and non-significant effects for women older than age 70. Results are consistent with meta-analyses of RCTs. Effects on total mortality could not be assessed because of the limited number of studies.
Bismuth superconducting wires and their applications

Abstract The combination of a bismuth high T c phase ( T c = 110 K) and powder-in-tube processing technology enables the fabrication of superconducting wires with high critical current density, mass producibility and flexibility. The maximum critical current density in liquid nitrogen reached 53 700 A cm −2 in zero magnetic field, 42 300 A cm −2 at 0.1 T and 12 000 A cm −2 at 1 T. J c and J c − B enhancements were obtained with finely dispersed non-superconducting phases and clean grain boundaries. Various prototypes were made to clarify their feasibility, such as 114 m long wires ( J c ≈ 10 000 A cm −2 at 77.3 K), large current conductors ( I c = 2300 A at 77.3 K), a 0.21 T coil at 77.3 K, a 20.35 T coil at 20.3 K and a 23.37 T coil at 4.2 K.
Laryngoptosis, An Easily Detectable Sign of Pulmonary Emphysema

In male patients, the clinical recognition of pulmonary emphysema is facilitated by the presence of an abnormal shortening of the distance between the visible or palpable lower edge of the thyroid cartilage and the upper edge (incisure) of the manubrium sterni. This phenomenon may be designated as “laryngoptosis.” It is usually accompanied by a protrusion of the relaxed and shortened sternocleidomastoid muscles.
The Crystal Curtain: A Postscript on Europe’s North-South Divide

The European Union’s sovereign debt and banking crisis has made apparent a gnawing gap between the northern and southern parts of Europe. Over the course of this past half decade, this divide has been brought into the public debate through a myriad of perspectives, from social trust to competitiveness. Yet, the governance sources of the divide are underestimated in policy practices and misrepresented in the political discourse. A governance approach can help clarify why the pursuit of convergence underpinning EU crisis-resolution mechanisms has become a contributing factor, rather than a prospective solution to the North-South gap. In doing so, governance also forms the basis for recommendations to policymakers in both halves of the continent, especially when confronted with the challenge of populist Euroscepticism.
Extended retro-inverso analogs of somatostatin.

An extended retro-inverso modification was introduced at the central six residues of the somatostatin molecule, the region of internal enzymatic degradations. The synthesis of the analog [Ala4,g-Phe6-r-D-Phe7-r-D-Trp8-r-D-Lys9-r-D-Thr10-m-R,S-Phe11]-somatostatin required a unique strategy accommodating the unusual structure. Side-chain protection based on the t-butyl group in combination with Fmoc and Nps α-amino protection was employed. The key component containing the gem-diaminoalkyl residue was generated by an iodobenzene bistrifluoroacetate-mediated reaction. The separation of diastereomers of the cyclic tetradecapeptide in highly pure form was accomplished by high-performance liguid chromatography on a semipreparative scale. The analogs exhibited very low potency in the growth hormone inhibition test in vitro. This is interpreted as the consequence of the complex structural changes created by the extended retro-inverso modification.
Mycorrhizal infection of wild oats: maternal effects on offspring growth and reproduction

The objective of this study was to determine whether infection of Avena fatua L. plants by the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith could influence the vigor of the offspring generation. Two experiments demonstrated that mycorrhizal infection of the maternal generation had slight but persistent positive effects on offspring leaf expansion in the early stages of growth. In two other experiments, mycorrhizal infection of mother plants had several long lasting effects on their offspring. Offspring produced by mycorrhizal mother plants had greater leaf areas, shoot and root nutrient contents and root:shoot ratios compared to those produced by non-mycorrhizal mother plants. Moreover, mycorrhizal infection of mother plants significantly reduced the weight of individual seeds produced by offspring plants while it increased the P concentrations of the seeds and the number of seeds per spikelet produced by offspring plants. The effects of mycorrhizal infections of maternal plants on the vigor and performance of offspring plants were associated with higher seed phosphorus contents but generally lighter seeds. The results suggest that mycorrhizal infection may influence plant fitness by increasing offspring vigor and offspring reproductive success in addition to previously reported increases in maternal fecundity.
Generalized Embedding Schemes

Covering projections are used to provide a logical foundation for the generalized embedding schemes which describe embeddings of graphs on closed surfaces that are not necessarily orientable. Criteria are provided to resolve the question of when such schemes describe the same embedding, and when that embedding is orientable. The schemes are then applied to derive some interpolation-type theorems for embeddings on closed surfaces.
Characterization of a grain size refinement process in cast uranium

Abstract The refinement of coarse grains in cast uranium can lead to wrought-like properties. In this study, a β-quenched process is coupled with a shock-loading technique and α-annealing to manipulate uranium's grain size and the resulting microstructures have been characterized. Neutron powder diffraction has been used to evaluate the residual strain accumulated from the thermo-mechanical treatments. Optical microscopy and electron backscattering (EBSD) in scanning electron microscopy have been employed to evaluate the grain size variation and the nature of deformation mechanisms, respectively. Large strain anisotropy at the lattice level was observed on shock-loaded specimens. The final stress relief annealing did not eliminate all the residual strain. Slip and twinning were observed optically on the shocked specimens while EBSD indicates that although {130}, {172}, and {112} deformation twins were identified, an unusual type of twinning ‘{176}’/ was found to be dominant. It is believed that the magnitude of energy applied favored the occurrence of the {176} twin in the polycrystalline uranium. Average grain size of cast uranium underwent a significant reduction to ∼92 μm at the end of the process. The overall results indicate the shock-loading approach as a promising step toward controlling cast uranium grain size and thus its mechanical properties.
Thermally induced conformational changes in fibrin film.

Abstract Fibrin film is prepared by compaction in one dimension of a fibrin clot (pH 6.3, ionic strength 0.15, fibrin concentration about 0.5%) by expulsion of fluid to reach a fibrin concentration of about 15%. Strips of film, equilibrated in the same buffer with very slowly increasing temperature, shrink in length in a narrow temperature range, as reported in 1962 by Loeb and Scheraga. The transition temperature was found to be 54 ± 2°C independently of whether the film was unligated or ligated (cross-linked) by Factor XIIIa and whether the film had previously undergone stretching with about 50% stress relaxation at a relative length of 1.23 to 1.44 and subsequent stress-free retraction. The percentage of linear shrinkage in buffer was about 32%. The transition corresponds to that observed calorimetrically by Mihalyi and Donovan in both fibrinogen and fibrin and by Medved' and Privalov in fibrinogen, localized in the D fragment. It is attributed to unfolding of structures in the D domain.
Lateral comparisons using Fishman's skeletal maturation assessment.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess lateral differences between ossification events and stages of bone development in the hands and wrists utilizing Fishman's skeletal maturation indicators (SMIs). Materials and Methods: The skeletal ages of 125 subjects, aged 8 to 20 years, were determined with left and right hand-wrist radiographs using Fishman's SMI assessment. Each subject was also given the Edinburgh Handedness Questionnaire to assess handedness. The skeletal ages of both hand-wrist radiographs were analyzed against each other, handedness, chronologic age, and gender. Results: There were no significant differences overall in right and left SMI scores (P = .70); 79% of all patients showed no difference in right and left SMI scores, regardless of handedness, gender, or age. However, when patients were categorized based on clinical levels of SMI score for the right hand-wrist, there was a significant difference (P = .01) between the SMI 1-3 group and the SMI 11 group. Subjects in the SMI 1-3 group were...