cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fine particle deposition to porous beds

[1] We summarize the results of flume experiments examining the transport behavior of dilute suspensions of silt-sized particles carried in an open channel flow over three separate bed types including porous open mesh, glass beads, and small cobbles. In these experiments the time-varying concentration of particles in suspension transport was measured as a function of suspended-particle size and bed shear stress, and analyzed using a 1-D model incorporating simultaneous deposition and entrainment. Rates of fine-particle deposition to the bed are found to approach Stoke's settling velocity in slow flows, but diminish systematically with increasing bed shear stress and mean flow speed. No discernible re-entrainment from the porous beds was observed, indicating that such beds act as an effective sink for fine particles. When our new results are compared to those of related, previously reported experiments examining fine-particle transport over smooth impermeable beds, silt-sized particles display similar behavior with regard to systematic reduction in deposition velocity independent of suspended-silt-particle size or bed porosity. This behavior is tentatively interpreted to reflect the effects of lift in a linear shear flow in excess of submerged weight of individual particles. Our findings compare favorably with values of effective settling velocity of fine particulate organic matter in natural channel flows reported elsewhere.
Cardiovascular effects of oxytocic drugs used post partum

Abstract The almost routine use of oxytocin and/or ergot drugs post partum for the prevention of or the control of postpartum hemorrhage is a widely accepted practice. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that the rapid intravenous administration of single large doses of either oxytocin or ergot preparation may have profound effects upon cardiovascular system. The almost immediate development of profound hypotension following such administration of oxytocin and the relatively longer hypertension following administration of ergonovine and methylergonovine maleate have been demonstrated in human subjects.
Medicaid Fraud: Actions, Actors, and Policy

Health care reform and crime are two current controversial political issues. Combining the two topics, this research examines the criminal acts brought to the attention of Medicaid Fraud Control Units throughout the United States. To address the fraudulent actors and actions involved in Medicaid fraud, 572 incidents of Medicaid fraud reported to the units are analyzed. Also, findings from a survey of unit directors are included to describe the problems the units face battling the fraudulent activities. Findings indicate that various types of fraud are committed by all types of health care providers and societal changes make the task of prosecuting fraud problematic. Implications and recommendations are provided in the conclusion.
PhoneLens: A Low-Cost, Spatially Aware, Mobile-Interaction Device

Large paper sheets are still the most preferred medium used by engineers to inspect remote sites. However, these paper documents are hard to modify and retrieve. This paper presents a novel, spatially aware, mobile system (called PhoneLens) which combines the merits of paper documents and mobile devices. It augments paper documents with digital information. Different from previous approaches, PhoneLens is inexpensive. It includes two infrared LEDs (i.e., light-emitting diodes), one Wiimote, and one Android device. Based on the hardware setting, we developed an efficient spatial-tracking algorithm to record the movement of a mobile device within a large workspace. Our approach is robust and applicable to various scenarios. PhoneLens provides different functions to browse a multivalent document, such as browsing different layers, searching annotations, and zooming. We conducted a controlled study that compared the participants’ performance with PhoneLens against a traditional paper-based method with a multivalent paper document at a significance level of p < 0.05. The following results were obtained from the study: 1) PhoneLens was significantly more efficient than the paper-based method on search and measurement tasks; 2) PhoneLens was rated higher on subjects’ overall experience than the paper-based method; and 3) the usefulness of the training on PhoneLens was positively correlated with subjects’ browsing efficiency.
Statistical identification of encrypted Web browsing traffic

Encryption is often proposed as a tool for protecting the privacy of World Wide Web browsing. However, encryption-particularly as typically implemented in, or in concert with popular Web browsers-does not hide all information about the encrypted plaintext. Specifically, HTTP object count and sizes are often revealed (or at least incompletely concealed). We investigate the identifiability of World Wide Web traffic based on this unconcealed information in a large sample of Web pages, and show that it suffices to identify a significant fraction of them quite reliably. We also suggest some possible countermeasures against the exposure of this kind of information and experimentally evaluate their effectiveness.
Vitamin D assessment in population-based studies: a review of the issues

In the past decade, research on the relation between vitamin D exposure and disease in population-based studies has increased exponentially. These studies have involved measurement of vitamin D exposure by means of several methods: blood assays, self-reported dietary and supplemental intakes, and sunlight exposure questionnaires or diaries. As with all exposure measurements, researchers must consider the validity of their assessment tools for capturing vitamin D exposure. The purpose of this article is to summarize our current understanding of the various approaches to measuring vitamin D status within populations as reviewed at the 2007 Experimental Biology symposium, "Assessment of Vitamin D in Population-Based Studies." In summary, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the accepted biomarker for short-term vitamin D status, but estimates of long-term dietary and supplemental intakes of vitamin D and long-term sunlight exposure may be the most logistically feasible indicators of lifetime vitamin D exposure in population-based studies. Also discussed are issues investigators should consider when analyzing relations between vitamin D exposure and disease outcomes in population-based studies as well as research avenues that need further exploration. The best method for assessing vitamin D status in population-based studies will depend primarily on the research question asked and the critical window of vitamin D exposure hypothesized to be most important.
Aspergillus: a primer for the novice

Aspergillus is a genus of molds named after the morphological structure that bears asexual spores, the aspergillum, which resembles a liturgical device. This genus contains several species of positive or negative economic importance in industry, agriculture and medicine. The majority of aspergilli, including most species of economic importance, are known to reproduce only by asexual spores. Genome projects have been completed for A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, A. niger and A. oryzae; several other species are also being sequenced. The data from these genome projects have been useful in elucidating aspects of phylogeny, the evolution of sexuality and the extent of secondary metabolite diversity. To date, however, the impact on drug discovery, diagnosis of aspergillosis, and our understanding of fungal pathogenesis has been less pronounced.
Effect of hepatotoxic chemicals and hypoxia on hepatic nonparenchymal cells: Impairment of phagocytosis by Kupffer cells and disruption of the endothelium in rat livers perfused with colloidal carbon

Abstract Kupffer cells play an important role in liver function and phagocytosis of foreign particles in the hepatic portal tract. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of several hepatotoxic chemicals (allyl alcohol, ethylhexanol, and menadione) and hypoxia on phagocytic activity of Kupffer cells in perfused rat liver. A recently developed optical method was used to determine rates of phagocytosis of carbon particles by Kupffer cells in periportal and pericentral regions of the liver lobule based on changes in reflected light from the liver surface (te Koppele, J. M., and Thurman, R. G. 1990. Am. J. Physiol. 259 , G814–G821). With all chemicals studied, a rapid (10–30 min) decline in the rate of phagocytosis preceded parenchymal cell death as assessed from release of lactate dehydrogenase. These chemicals impaired parenchymal cell energy status as indicated by inhibition of O 2 uptake and bile flow prior to cell death. Livers swell when they are damaged, a process which increases perfusion pressure and could theoretically damage the endothelium and lead to nonspecific uptake of carbon. In perfusions with a hepatotoxic concentration of allyl alcohol (350 μ m ), carbon particles accumulated in swollen livers after 70 min of perfusion. Histological studies revealed that carbon particles were localized predominantly in periportal regions of the liver lobule in perfusions with all hepatotoxicants studied. When perfusion pressure was elevated to 20 cm H 2 O in the absence of hepatotoxicants, carbon particles detected optically accumulated in upstream regions of the liver lobule (periportal or pericentral regions in perfusions in the anterograde or retrograde directions, respectively). In scanning electron microscopy of nonswollen livers, the endothelium remained intact. In swollen livers, however, the endothelium was disrupted and carbon was detected bound nonspecifically to parenchymal cells. Fifteen minutes after addition of allyl alcohol, bile canaliculi were dilated and endothelial fenestrations were enlarged. After 2 hr of perfusion with allyl alcohol, hepatic ultrastructure was severely disrupted. Thus, it is concluded that perfusion with hepatotoxic chemicals or hypoxia results in a rapid decrease of particle phagocytosis by Kupffer cells followed by changes in endothelial cell ultrastructure.
Nonlinear THz Pump/THz Probe Spectroscopy of n-doped III–V Semiconductors

By utilizing a terahertz (THz) pump/THz probe spectroscopy, the coherent plasma resonances in n-doped III-V semiconductors are clearly demonstrated through the modulations of reflection. The interaction between energetic electrons and the phonon field on the subpicosecond time scale is verified, and it is shown that this interaction applies for acoustic phonon modes. This study provides a unique method to diagnose the overtones of two transverse acoustic phonon responses of semiconductors in a nonlinear regime, and therefore it will contribute to material fingerprinting.
World class people [manager profile]

This article provides a profile of Geoff Glover, the HR manager of Ford at Southampton. Realizing the importance of workers in realizing the company's business objectives, Glover spearheaded the efforts to heavily invest in training their team in the core competencies that underpin 'lean' through the Ford Production System and have put a lot of emphasis on the creation of a 'psychological' contract with employees as a means of driving forward its business objectives. At Ford Southampton, they have realized that excellence is much more than just having the skills of such concepts as lean, TPM and TQM. It is about how people are encouraged and motivated to use these tools to deliver business success.
Photopatterned nanoporous media

We report a direct photopatterning method to produce patterns of thin films containing nanometer-sized pores. A photoacid generator (PAG) was used as a photosensitive agent to initiate the cross-linking reaction of poly(methylsilsesquioxane) (PMSSQ) while an amphiphilic polymeric nanoparticle templates porous structure. Deep UV exposure on the films of PMSSQ/nanoparticle mixtures through a photolithographic mask and subsequent solvent rinsing give well-defined hybrid patterns where the polymeric nanoparticles are entrapped in the cross-linked PMSSQ matrix. The porous structure was generated by subsequent heating the hybrid patterns above the thermal decomposition temperature of the polymeric nanoparticle. Patterns of nanoporous film with controlled hydrophilicity were obtained by a simple UV/ozone treatment which mitigates the intrinsic hydrophobicity of the PMSSQ matrix. The patterned nanoporous films could find a variety of potential applications ranging from ultralow dielectric constant (ULK) materials...
Albumin dialysis for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy

Treatment of hepatic encephalopathy is hampered by the scant therapeutic options available to the practicing physician. Albumin dialysis has been proposed to improve the management of such patients, by removing both water-soluble and protein bound toxins. A recently completed trial of albumin dialysis in patients with severe hepatic encephalopathy offers the opportunity to evaluate the role of such a therapy. Such patients had encephalopathy associated with acute-on-chronic liver failure rather than the result of precipitant-induced changes in mental state. In this entity, improvement in encephalopathy may also require correction of the hemodynamic changes associated with liver failure.
Midgut volvulus presenting with acute chylous peritonitis

Key Clinical message Midgut volvulus can rarely present with acute chylous peritonitis. Common etiologies for chylous ascites need to be excluded before this diagnosis is made. Correction of the volvulus and peritoneal lavage suffice as treatment.
Ganglioside potentiation of NGF-independent trophic agents on sensory ganglia☆

Abstract The ability of gangliosides to potentiate nerve growth factor (NGF)-independent trophic agents was determined by examining the capacity of an exogenous mixture of bovine brain gangliosides (BBG) and the monosialoganglioside GM1 to enhance the neuritogenic action of conditioned media (CM). CM were prepared with cultures of C 6 glioma cells, neonatal rat astroglial cells, rat L 6 myoblasts and chick embryonic skeletal muscle. Chick embryonic (9 day) dorsal root ganglia (DRG) were cultured on collagen-coated surfaces. The nutrient media with serum added or serum-free N 1 medium were supplemented with 50% of one of the CM with or without BBG (150 μg/ml) or GM1 (150 μg/ml). The neuritogenic responses of DRG 48 h in vitro were evaluated microscopically on the basis of neurite length and number. The neurite promoting action of the factor(s) present in the various CM was potentiated by BBG or GM1 and resulted in increased neurite length and number.
Parallel actin bundles and their multiple actin-bundling proteins

Parallel actin bundles are present in a diverse array of structures, where they are critical determinants of cellular shape and physiology. In the past 18 months, new findings have solidified the concept that parallel actin bundles are assembled in cells through the sequential action of multiple actin-bundling proteins and have begun to shed light on the roles played by the individual actin-bundling proteins.
Sequence of the mouse adenovirus serotype-1 DNA encoding the precursor to capsid protein VI

The nucleotide sequence predicted to encode the precursor to virion structural protein VI (preVI) of mouse adenovirus (Ad) serotype-1 (MAV-1) was determined. The 237-amino-acid sequence has 45% identity and 66% similarity to the human Ad serotype-2 preVI sequence. There is a marked conservation at the C terminus, the last eleven residues of which may be necessary for activating the Ad endoproteinase, and at the N terminus, including the consensus endoproteinase cleavage site.
ColPack: Software for graph coloring and related problems in scientific computing

We present a suite of fast and effective algorithms, encapsulated in a software package called ColPack, for a variety of graph coloring and related problems. Many of the coloring problems model partitioning needs arising in compression-based computation of Jacobian and Hessian matrices using Algorithmic Differentiation. Several of the coloring problems also find important applications in many areas outside derivative computation, including frequency assignment in wireless networks, scheduling, facility location, and concurrency discovery and data movement operations in parallel and distributed computing. The presentation in this article includes a high-level description of the various coloring algorithms within a common design framework, a detailed treatment of the theory and efficient implementation of known as well as new vertex ordering techniques upon which the coloring algorithms rely, a discussion of the package's software design, and an illustration of its usage. The article also includes an extensive experimental study of the major algorithms in the package using real-world as well as synthetically generated graphs.
Nonlinear science: toward the next frontiers

Abstract Nonlinear science has erupted in many directions over recent years, with many successes. Two main themes have been found in many different settings-chaos and solitary phenomena. While found initially in simple models, useful for establishing mathematical methods and the behavior of exact limiting cases, their robust features give us assurance that they are generic. The next frontier then is not so much in formalism, but in how to achieve a realistic, eventually utilitarian, representation of an actual biological, material, physical, or chemical system that connects the experimentally significant behavior with its nonlinear properties. An approach is proposed.
The androgen metabolite 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol (3βAdiol) induces breast cancer growth via estrogen receptor: implications for aromatase inhibitor resistance

The aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are used to treat estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast tumors in post-menopausal women, and function by blocking the conversion of adrenal androgens to estrogens by the enzyme CYP19 aromatase. Breast cancer patients receiving AI therapy have circulating estrogen levels below the level of detection; however, androgen concentrations remain unchanged. We were interested in studying the effects of androgens on breast cancer cell proliferation under profound estrogen-deprived conditions. Using in vitro models of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cell growth we show that the androgens testosterone and 5α-dihydrotestosterone induce the growth of MCF-7, T47D and BT-474 cells in the absence of estrogen. Furthermore, we demonstrate that under profound estrogen-deprived conditions these breast cancer cells up-regulate steroidogenic enzymes that can metabolize androgens to estrogens. Lastly, we found that the downstream metabolite of 5α-dihydrotestosterone, 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol (3βAdiol), is estrogenic in breast cancer cells, and induces growth and ER-signaling via activation of ERα. In conclusion, our results show that breast cancer cells deprived of estrogen up-regulate steroidogenic enzymes and metabolize androgens to estrogen-like steroids. The generation of estrogen-like steroids represents a potential mechanism of resistance to aromatase inhibitors.
Gender and age differences in nurses' triage decisions using vignette patients.

BACKGROUND Although evidence indicates that women who suffer a myocardial infarction (MI) are less likely than men to be diagnosed based on their presenting symptoms, to receive aggressive treatment, and to survive an acute cardiac event, most studies conducted to date are retrospective chart reviews that examine the triage decision-making practices of physicians. OBJECTIVES This study examined whether emergency department (ED) nurses' triage decisions were different when the nurse was presented with similar cues for MI, but different patient gender. METHOD A nonexperimental, descriptive study was conducted. Five hundred ED nurses were randomly selected to receive a mailed clinical vignette questionnaire. Data analysis included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses. RESULTS ED nurses perceived the middle-aged male vignette patient to be in need of more urgent triage (t = 2.58; df = 207; p = 0.01) and an admission to an intensive care unit bed (chi2 = 10.43; df = 1; p = 0.001) and were more likely to consider a cardiac diagnosis in the male than the age-matched female (chi2= 37.49; df = 1; p < 0.0001) with identical presentation. However, no such differences were noted in the elderly vignette patients. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that gender bias and ageism may account for the disparities in triage decisions for middle-aged women with complaints suggestive of coronary artery disease. Although middle-aged women may have a lower incidence of MIs than middle-aged men, their increased morbidity and mortality warrants its consideration.
The Sacred Depths of Nature

For many of us, the great scientific discoveries of the modern age - the Big Bang, evolution, quantum physics, relativity - point to an existence that is bleak, devoid of meaning, pointless. But in The Sacred Depths of Nature, eminent biologist Ursula Goodenough shows us that the scientific world view need not be a source of despair. Indeed, it can be a wellspring of solace and hope. This eloquent volume reconciles the modern scientific understanding of reality with our timeless spiritual yearnings for reverence and continuity. Looking at topics such as evolution, emotions, sexuality, and death, Goodenough writes with rich, uncluttered detail about the workings of nature in general and of living creatures in particular. Her luminous clarity makes it possible for even non scientists to appreciate that the origins of life and the universe are no less meaningful because of our increasingly scientific understanding of them. At the end of each chapter, Goodenough's spiritual reflections respond to the complexity of nature with vibrant emotional intensity and a sense of reverent wonder. A beautifully written celebration of molecular biology with meditations on the spiritual and religious meaning that can be found at the heart of science, this volume makes an important contribution to the ongoing dialogue between science and religion. This book will engage anyone who was ever mesmerized-or terrified-by the mysteries of existence.
Purchasing power parity-symmetry and proportionality: Evidence from 116 countries

Abstract This paper examines the cointegration property of exchange rates and prices using techniques that have received limited attention in several studies on the validity of the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) hypothesis. It provides comprehensive evidence on the PPP hypothesis using recent monthly data for 1971 through 2011 (i.e., 492 observations). The paper also explores the symmetry and proportionality conditions in PPP. In addition, estimates of the short-run dynamics are obtained for each country, utilizing the error–correction technique. Results from long-run cointegration analysis, short-run dynamics and half-lives, all provide evidence for long-run PPP. The symmetry condition is largely supported, and when imposed on prices, the proportionality condition is supported in a majority of cases.
Effects of crack growth on the load-displacement characteristics of precracked specimens under bending

A critical evaluation of the feasibility of obtaining crack growth parameters from bend tests is presented. First derived are the governing differential equations which characterize the time-history of bend test parameters for a given elastic material exhibiting power law crack growth behavior. A numerical solution scheme is then developed which is capable of solving the initial value problem, thus quantitatively assessing the influence of crack growth on the load-displacement output. The results of this analysis indicate that for high N materials (where N is the exponent in the power law crack growth equation) the flexural test method gives a broad error band in N prediction and hence is not a reliable technique. However, it can be used by a designer to quickly screen the new materials with high N values which are potential candidates fot structural application.
DC Motor Selection for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Using an Infinitely Variable Transmission

Demand for more fuel efficient and less polluting vehicles has motivated development of the electric and hybrid power-trains. Unfortunately, some components used in these vehicles are expensive and complex. This research summarizes DC motor types, DC speed control methods and the use of an Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) to reduce the cost of the vehicle. A safe, low cost and repeatable laboratory setup was designed and documented for educational use. Motor testing revealed that field weakening can be a low-cost speed-control method but has limited range of control and must be supplemented. Additionally it was determined that a mechanical differential can be used as an IVT by varying the speed of the input motors. An innovative concept is presented using one DC motor as a power or traction motor, while another motor acts as a vehicle speed controller. This concept eliminates the need for expensive complex AC motor controllers, improves safety and efficiency, and reduces battery management requirements by lowering the operating voltage of the system.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
A Systemic Approach to the Integration of Interactive Distance Learning into Education and Training.

Abstract This article presents a model for increasing student achievement by training and empowering educators to use telecomputing technologies. Distance teaching and learning are fundamentally different from traditional instruction in that communication between the instructor and students is mediated by technology, as a result of physical separation. Thus, the instructor is not readily able to determine and correct instructional problems during the course of instruction. Distance instruction must be carefully designed to eliminate learning problems as much as possible beforehand. This model for the design and delivery of distance instruction is based on three instructional concepts: systemic design of instruction, systematic design of instruction, and student-centered learning.
Standardizing Perceived Task Difficulty for Studies of Cheating: A Methodological Refinement and Sample Tasks.

Sumwry.-As a contribution to research on cheating (in experiments that investikate ethical action) three "tests" of intellectual competence which permit cheating were standardized for perceived level of difficulty. A vocabulary, remote-associates, and uigram word-making tzsk were rated for perceived difficulty and ranked for relative perceived difficulty by 71 college students. Analyses of variance of the mean rankings and ratings showed that the three tasks are of widely (and significantly) different degrees of perceived difficulty. Moreover, the three tasks occupy nearly equal distances from one another along the dimension of perceived difficulty, permitting classification by experimenters as "easy," "medium," and "very difficult" in false norms provided to subjects. Suggestions for use in cheating studies included manipulations that require credible false-norm feedback as well as those which attempt to assess the clash between perceived difficulty and discrepant instructions concerning level of difficulty. Studies of people's willingness to cheat in academic and experimental situations have taken on increased significance in recent years, since they provide direct assessments of theories of ethical action, moral development, attribution theory, and achievement-motivation theory (Dienstbier, Hillman, Lehnoff, Hillman, & Valkenaar, 1975; Houston, 1977; Karabenick & Srull, 1978; Kelly & Worell, 1978; Nelson, Grinder, & Mutterer, 1969; Smith, Ryan, & Diggins, 1972; SruU 8: Karabenick, 1975). One of the key difficulties in designing an experiment that employs cheating as a dependent variable is devising a task which provides a credible challenge to the subjects' sense of competence, while simultaneously permitting the subjects' personality style to regulate the decision to cheat or not. A collateral difficulty with studies of cheating that are designed to test a particular theory of moral or ethical action is that such studies require multiple tasks that differ in perceived level of difficulty but which objectively are equally easy or equally impossible of accomplishment. Some studies of cheating make no attempt to vary systematically the perceived difficulty of the task, an omission that results in some confusion about the reasons why subjects in fact cheated (Bronzaft, Stuart, & Blum, 1973; Hill & Eaton, 1977; MacKimon, 1938). Other studies focus on the relevant personality-situation interaction, controlling adequately for the risk of detection but do not control for or assess the sub
Effects of morning hypoglycemia on neuroendocrine and metabolic responses to subsequent afternoon hypoglycemia in normal man.

There is general agreement that prior hypoglycemia blunts subsequent hypoglycemic counterregulatory responses. However, there is considerable debate concerning the timing and number of prior hypoglycemic episodes required to cause this blunting effect. The aim of this study was to determine whether one episode of hypoglycemia could modify neuroendocrine, metabolic, and symptom responses to hypoglycemia induced 2 h later. A total of 24 (12 male and 12 female) young, healthy, overnight-fasted subjects participated in a series of glucose clamp studies. A total of 16 individuals underwent 2 randomized studies of either identical 2-h morning and afternoon hyperinsulinemic (490 ± 60 pmol/L) hypoglycemia (2.9 ± 0.1 mmol/L) separated by 2 h or, at least 2 months later, 2-h morning and afternoon hyperinsulinemic (492 ± 45 pmol/L) euglycemia (5.1 ± 0.1 mmol/L). A total of 8 other subjects participated in a single experiment that consisted of 2-h morning hyperinsulinemic (516 ± 60 pmol/L) euglycemia (5.1 ± 0.1 mmol/...
Regulation of electron transport in Photosystem-II fragments by magnesium ions

In Photosystem-II reaction-center particles (TSF-IIa) fractionated from spinach chloroplasts by Triton X-100 treatment, divalent cations appear to regulate electron-transport reactions. Oxidation of cytochrome b-559 after illumination of the particles was accelerated by the presence of Mg2+, whereas photoreduction of 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol (DCIP) by diphenyl carbazide was inhibited, both at a half-effective concentration of Mg2+ of approx. 0.1 mM. The site of regulation was shown to be on the oxidizing side of Photosystem II, near P-680, based on the effects of actinin-light intensity and nature of the electron donors on DCIP photoreduction. Mg2+ was effective in quenching chlorophyll fluorescence in TSF-IIa particles, but the quenching was sensitive to the presence of 3(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. In the reaction-center (core) complex of Photosystem II, where the light-harvesting chlorophyll-protein complex is absent, there seems to be no regulation by Mg2+ on excitation-energy distribution.
Rapid detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigen in human ocular infections.

The new HERPCHEK™ (Dupont, No. Billerica, MA) enzyme immunosorbent assay (EIA) was used in a double-blind clinical study for rapid and specific detection of ocular herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. This 4-hour assay can be used to demonstrate conclusively the presence of HSV antigen without culture and thereby rapidly differentiate between HSV and other clinically similar ocular infectious diseases. Ocular samples were collected fron 180 individuals including 30 patients with acute HSV, 90 with latent HSV (ie, currently asymptomatic but with a positive history), 11 with acute or latent varicella zoster virus, 30 with nonherpetic infections (due to adenovirus, Acanthamoeba or bacteria), and 19 normal controls. A clinical diagnosis was made by one of us (DPL) and duplicate tear-film samples obtained by swabbing the conjunctival cul-de-sac and cornea. Coded samples were tested by routine viral culture on Vero cell nonolayers and also™ were run independently in the HERPCHEK test. ™During active HSV infect...
Observational tests for sulfur allotropes on Io

It has been established that, if the Io surface is primarily composed of sulfur allotropes, a change in reflectivity at certain wavelengths should be observable shortly after eclipse reappearance (ER). Four ERs were observed during July and August 1983 with a 61-cm telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, and no posteclipse brightening effects in the filter bands selected for sensitivity to color changes in sulfur were found. The proposed model of the brightness change of elemental sulfur (S8) implies that this material covers less than 50 percent of the Io surface. It is concluded that no significant condensation of optically thick SO2 occurred on the Io surface during the four eclipses.
901-14 Impact of Ionic and Non-ionic Contrast Media on Post-PTCA Ischemic Complications: Results from the EPIC Trial

Previous studies have demonstrated greater thrombogenic properties and higher rates of post-PTCA ischemic complications with use of non-ionic (NI) compared to ionic (I) contrast media. To assess the role of I vs NI contrast media on thrombus formation and ischemic complications, we prospectively evaluated the post-PTCA outcome of 1,930 patients who were enrolled in the EPIC trial. Patients were enrolled if presenting with acute MI (≤7 days), unstable angina, or had high risk angiographic characteristics. Patients received aspirin (325 mg), procedural heparin, and either placebo infusion (n = 637) or a glycoprotein IIB/IIIA receptor antibody, c7E3Fab (n = 1293). I and NI were used in 257 and 380 patients receiving placebo and in 505 and 708 patients receiving c7E3Fab, respectively. More patients receiving NI were enrolled with acute MI (3.5% vs 1.4%), and more patients receiving I had unstable angina (26.1% vs 22.4%). Other baseline and procedural characteristics were similar between patient groups. Outcome Placebo c7E3Fab Ionic (n = 257) Non-ionic (n = 380) Ionic (n = 505) Non-ionic (n = 788) Post-PTCA thrombus (%) 17 18 15 15 Q-wave MI (%) + 1.6 32 0.2 1.4 Emergent CABG (%) + 2.7 4.5 2.0 2.5 Death (%) + 0.4 1.6 0.4 1.4 + in-hospital; MI = myocardial infarction; CABG = coronary bypass surgery After controlling for c7E3Fab randomization by logistic regression, ionic contrast agents were associated with a lower probability of Q-wave MI (odds ratio: 0.32; p = 0.012) and death (odds ratio: 0.27; p = 0.016). These preliminary data suggest that the selection of ionic contrast media during PTCA should strongly be considered.
Identification of nucleotides with identical fluorescent labels based on fluorescence polarization in surfactant solutions.

A solution-phase steady-state polarization-based method for discriminating among the four DNA nucleotides labeled identically with tetramethylrhodamine is described and demonstrated. Labeled nucleotides were dissolved in buffered surfactant solutions. In room temperature 4.5 mM Triton X-100 solutions at neutral pH, the measured steady-state polarizations of tetramethylrhodamine-labeled dATP, dCTP, dGTP and dUTP were 0.261 ± 0.003, 0.112 ± 0.003, 0.288 ± 0.003, and 0.147 ± 0.003, respectively. A blind test of 40 samples showed no errors in classification based on polarization. The reproducibility obtained during this study demonstrates that the four dye-labeled nucleotides can be discriminated with more than 99.8% confidence.
Das Zahlenwahlspiel, die Finanzkrise und mein Geduldigkeitsproblem

Ich stelle hier ein Spiel dar, mit dem die Okonomen seit Jahren experimentieren. Man gewinnt das Spiel, wenn man weis, wie viel Schlaue, Uberschlaue und Uberuberschlaue es gibt. Es ist wichtig, den Grad der „Dummheit“ zu kennen. Ich zeige, dass es etwas mit dem Vorausahnen mehrerer Zuge am Finanzmarkt zu tun hat.
Combined Diffusion-Weighted and Gadolinium-Enhanced MRI Can Accurately Predict the Peritoneal Cancer Index Preoperatively in Patients Being Considered for Cytoreductive Surgical Procedures

To determine whether abdominal and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffusion-weighted and dynamic gadolinium-enhanced imaging can be used to accurately calculate the peritoneal cancer index (PCI) before surgery compared to the PCI tabulated at surgery. Thirty-three patients underwent preoperative MRI followed by cytoreductive surgery for primary tumors of the appendix (n = 25), ovary (n = 5), colon (n = 2), and mesothelioma (n = 1). MRIs were retrospectively reviewed to determine the MRI PCI. These scores were then compared to PCI tabulated at surgery. Patients were categorized as having small-volume tumors (PCI 0–9), moderate-volume tumors (PCI 10–20), and large-volume tumors (PCI > 20). The respective anatomic site scores for both MRI and surgery were compared. There was no significant difference between the MRI PCI and surgical PCI for the 33 patients (P = 0.12). MRI correctly predicted the PCI category in 29 (0.88) of 33 patients. Compared to surgical findings, MRI correctly predicted small-volume tumor in 6 of 7 patients, moderate-volume tumor in 3 of 4 patients, and large-volume tumor in 20 of 22 patients. MRI and surgical PCI scores were identical in 8 patients (24%). A difference of <5 was noted in 16 patients (49%) and of 5–10 in 9 patients (27%). Compared to surgical-site findings, MRI depicted 258 truly positive sites of peritoneal tumor, 35 falsely negative sites, 35 falsely positive sites, and 101 truly negative sites, with a corresponding sensitivity of 0.88, specificity of 0.74, and accuracy of 0.84. Combined diffusion-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced peritoneal MRI accurately predicts the PCI before surgery in patients undergoing evaluation for cytoreductive surgery.
Associations of co-mimetic ithomiine butterflies on small spatial and temporal scales in a neotropical rainforest

To test whether ithomiine butterfly species within Mullerian mimetic classes are associated in space and time, we sampled a community of ithomiine butterflies at monthly intervals with traps in the canopy and the understory of four forest habitats: primary, higrade, secondary and edge. A species accumulation curve reached an asymptote at 22 species, suggesting that these species have a greater preference for feeding on fruit juices than other ithomiines known to occur at the study site. Species richness and individual abundance showed marked temporal variation, and there were slight differences in the distribution of species richness and individual abundance among the four habitats. The 22 species sampled in this study were not stratified vertically. The five mimetic colour classes of these butterflies were unequally distributed among the four habitats and over the course of the twelve months. There is suggestive evidence that co-mimic species occurred in the same habitats, and strong evidence that they occurred at the same times. Habitat and temporal effects each contributed approximately 10% to the total mimetic class diversity, with the temporal effect being slightly larger than that of habitat. This study demonstrates that Mullerian co-mimic associations can be measured on a much smaller scale than has been done previously.
Wet oxidation of glucose

Wet oxidation is used to oxidize organic substances at a controlled rate in an aqueous medium at elevated temperatures and pressures. Aqueous glucose solutions were oxidized with pure oxygen at four different temperatures in the range 176.7°C to 260.0°C, and at an oxygen pressure of 2.3 MPa. Three distinct stages of wet oxidation were found — induction, rapid oxidation, and slow oxidation. During the rapid oxidation period the reaction was assumed to be confined to a thin liquid layer next to the gas-liquid interface. The activation energy for the rapid oxidation period was estimated to be 130 ± 20 kJ/mol. Acetic acid was found to accelerate the rate of wet oxidation of glucose only slightly.
Use of cDNA microarray in the search for molecular markers involved in the onset of Alzheimer's disease dementia

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, affecting as many as 4 million older persons and results from abnormal changes in the brain that most likely begin long before cognitive impairment and other clinical symptoms become apparent. Thus, efforts aimed at identifying methods of early detection and diagnosis for improving AD care might be the most appropriate strategy to initiate promising new treatments and/or prevention. We used cDNA microarray technology to investigate the sequence of changes in gene expression in brain that may take place during the transition from normal cognitive functioning through the early stages of impairment to frank AD. We examined the expression of approximately 7,000 genes in the brains of cases at the early stage of AD dementia using reference sample cases characterized by normal cognitive status. Genes that are differentially regulated in early AD cases were identified and were categorized into gene clusters based on similarities in biological functions. This analysis revealed that selected biological processes, including protein and amino acid metabolism, cytoskeleton integrity, and fatty acid metabolism, are involved in early phases of AD dementia. Most notable is the observation that selected genes involved in neurotransmitter release are differentially regulated in the brains of cases at high risk for dimentia. This evidence supports the feasibility and usefulness of cDNA microarray techniques to study sequential changes of distinctive gene-expression patterns in the brain as a function of the progression of AD dementia. The study suggests new means to dissect and classify stages of AD dementia, or neuropathology, at the molecular level. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:471–476, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Low temperature magnetic investigations of NINAZ

Abstract The temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility of the S=1 linear-chain Heisenberg antiferromagnet Ni(C 3 H 10 N 2 ) 2 N 3 (ClO 4 ), known as NINAZ, has been studied from 60 mK to 300 K. Below 1.5 K, a large increase in the susceptibility has been observed in poly-crystalline and powdered samples. Similar to earlier work on NENP, our results are interpreted in terms of the presence of end-chain spins.
Effects of Hot Streak Shape on Rotor Heating in a High-Subsonic Single-Stage Turbine

Experimental data have shown that combustor temperature non-uniformities can lead to the excessive heating of first-stage rotor blades in turbines. This heating of the rotor blades can lead to thermal fatigue and degrade turbine performance. The results of recent studies have shown that variations in the circumferential location (clocking) of the hot streak relative to the first-stage vane airfoils can be used to minimize the adverse effects of the hot streak. The effects of the hot streak/airfoil count ratio on the heating patterns of turbine airfoils have also been evaluated. In the present investigation, three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes simulations have been performed for a single-stage high-pressure turbine operating in high subsonic flow. In addition to a simulation of the baseline turbine, simulations have been performed for circular and elliptical hot streaks of varying sizes in an effort to represent different combustor designs. The predicted results for the baseline simulation show good agreement with the available experimental data. The results of the hot streak simulations indicate: that a) elliptical hot streaks mix more rapidly than circular hot streaks, b) for small hot streak surface area the average rotor temperature is not a strong function of hot streak temperature ratio or shape, and c) hot streaks with larger surface area interact with the secondary flows at the rotor hub endwall, generating an additional high temperature region.
A Foundational Delineation of Poly-time

We show that a function over {0, 1}* is poly-time iff it is computed by an equational program which can be proved to be everywhere converging in constructive second-order logic with set-existence (comprehension) restricted to positive quantifier-free formulas, or alternatively with set-existence for positive existential formulas. These set-existence principles convey an ontology of infinite sets as evolving, not completed, totalities. Our characterization results can consequently be viewed as a foundational justification for identifying poly-time with feasibility.
Conjoint Federalism and Environmental Regulation in the United States

Many of the environmental laws enacted by Congress employ a distinctive blend of national and state authority. In these conjoint arrangements, state authority is not totally preempted, but it is subordinated to national authority if states wish to participate in environmental regulation. Under normal circumstances, national and state authority are deployed concurrently in pursuit of environmental policy objectives. Conjoint arrangements are much more controlling of state action than the stimulative andfacilitative approach to intergovernmental program implementation commonly associated with cooperative federalism. Despite national primacy, in the bargaining that marks implementation processes, state officials may enjoy considerable influence. Although administratively cumbersome and criticized from a variety of perspectives, conjoint arrangements are not the mqajor reasons for a slow rate of improvement in environmental quality. When the various options are considered, there are reasons to conclude that conjoint arrangements are the most realistic means for attacking environmental problems, although questions remain about the appropriate balance of national and state authority in them.
Monotone iterative methods for nonlinear operator equations

We give general affine invariant conditions for the monotone convergence of a class of iterative procedures for solving nonlinear operator equations. The theorems obtained in the paper generalize and unify many known results and provide a convenient framework for studying new iterative procedures
Isolation and Zonal Fractionation of Metaphase Chromosomes from Human Diploid Cells

A simple method for isolating large quantities of human metaphase chromosomes has been developed. Fractionation of chromosomes from peripheral lymphocytes on a large scale is accomplished by velocity sedimentation in an A-XII zonal rotor.
Viscous heating, adiabatic heating and energetic consistency in compressible mantle convection

SUMMARY Although it has been suggested that the total viscous heating, Qv, should be exactly balanced by the total adiabatic heating, Qa, for compressible mantle convection, previous numerical studies show a significant imbalance of up to several percent between Qv and Qa for simple isoviscous compressible convection. The cause of this imbalance and its potential effects on more complicated convective systems remain largely unknown. In this study, we present an analysis to show that total viscous heating and adiabatic heating for compressible mantle convection with anelastic liquid approximation (ALA) and the Adams–Williamson equation of state are balanced out at any instant in time, and that the previously reported imbalance between Qv and Qa for numerical models with a truncated anelastic liquid approximation (TALA) is caused by neglecting the effect of the pressure on the buoyancy force. Although we only consider the Adams–Williamson equation of state in our analysis, our method can be used to check the energetic consistency for other forms of equation of state. We formulate numerical models of compressible mantle convection under both TALA and ALA formulations by modifying the Uzawa algorithm in Citcom code. Our numerical results confirm our analysis on the balance between total viscous heating and total adiabatic heating.
Effect of dielectric film on nonlinear surface mixing

By considering a coupled 3-wave interaction process, the effect of a dielectric film on nonlinear surface mixing has been discussed. It is found that, for very strong pump intensity and properly-chosen material, the film can enhance parametric conversion at the surface of some crystals.