cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Including Ecosystem Services in Sustainable Process Design across Multiple Spatial Scales

Abstract This work aims to combine process design, supply chain design (SPD), technology choices, hybrid life cycle assessment (LCA) as well as incorporation of ecosystem services in a comprehensive optimization model. While most work on sustainable supply chains couples process life cycle assessment as an addendum to the optimization model, the Process to Planet – Techno Ecological Synergy (P2P-TES) framework seamlessly integrates the engineering process as well as the supply chain design module into the hybrid LCA matrix structure. Inclusion of process design results in simultaneous optimization of both the production process as well as the supply chain network. Choice of technology options in the life cycle model provide the freedom to supplier to choose between pathway alternatives for promoting sustainability in the supply chain. Additionally, this framework includes the role of ecosystem services at the local process level as well as in all the other scales of the hybrid life cycle model. Inclusion of ecosystem services in the optimization framework results in opportunities where technological systems can harness ecological systems to offset the environmental impacts and verifies if the manufacturing process as well as its entire supply chain network is within the ecological carrying capacity of nature and satisfies a necessary condition for sustainability.
Characterization of peritoneal cells from cats with experimentally-induced feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) using RNA-seq

Laboratory cats were infected with a serotype I cat-passaged field strain of FIP virus (FIPV) and peritoneal cells harvested 2–3 weeks later at onset of lymphopenia, fever and serositis. Comparison peritoneal cells were collected from four healthy laboratory cats by peritoneal lavage and macrophages predominated in both populations. Differential mRNA expression analysis identified 5621 genes as deregulated in peritoneal cells from FIPV infected versus normal cats; 956 genes showed > 2.0 Log2 Fold Change (Log2FC) and 1589 genes showed < −2.0 Log2FC. Eighteen significantly upregulated pathways were identified by InnateDB enrichment analysis. These pathways involved apoptosis, cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, pathogen recognition, Jak-STAT signaling, NK cell mediated cytotoxicity, several chronic infectious diseases, graft versus host disease, allograft rejection and certain autoimmune disorders. Infected peritoneal macrophages were activated M1 type based on pattern of RNA expression. Apoptosis was found to involve large virus-laden peritoneal macrophages more than less mature macrophages, suggesting that macrophage death played a role in virus dissemination. Gene transcripts for MHC I but not II receptors were upregulated, while mRNA for receptors commonly associated with virus attachment and identified in other coronaviruses were either not detected (APN, L-SIGN), not deregulated (DDP-4) or down-regulated (DC-SIGN). However, the mRNA for FcγRIIIA (CD16A/ADCC receptor) was significantly upregulated, supporting entry of virus as an immune complex. Analysis of KEGG associated gene transcripts indicated that Th1 polarization overshadowed Th2 polarization, but the addition of relevant B cell associated genes previously linked to FIP macrophages tended to alter this perception.
Dental anaesthesia for children – effects of a computer-controlled delivery system on pain and heart rate: a randomised clinical trial

Local anaesthesia in dentistry is usually given by conventional injection through a syringe. In this randomised, single-blind, split-mouth clinical study we evaluated the perception of pain and changes in heart rate in children being given dental local anaesthesia using a computer-controlled device compared with that given using a traditional syringe. Participants were in good general health with no contraindications to local anaesthetics. One half of each maxilla was anaesthetised using each technique, the order having been randomly selected according to a computer-generated sequence. The hypothesis was that the controlled anaesthetic flow rate results in virtually imperceptible injections. The outcomes were the perception of pain and the heart rate. Seventy-six children aged from 5-12 years old participated in this study. The mean (SD) pain score of the conventional injection was 5.51 (2.46) and the mean (SD) heart rate was 2.72 (6.76), which were significantly higher than those of the computerised delivery system, which were 4.74 (2.8) and 0.34 (7.3) (p=0.04). More patients anaesthetised with the traditional syringe technique required a second injection (n=21). These results suggest that dental anaesthesia given to children with a computer-controlled delivery system reduced pain better than that given with a conventional syringe.
Aggressive angiomyxoma of scrotum in a man: A case report and literature review of 73 cases of aggressive angiomyxoma in men

Aggressive angiomyxoma is a mesenchymal tumor arising from the pelvis and perineum, classically seen in women and rarely found in men. Due to its rarity, there is a low index of suspicion for diagnosis. We describe an unusual case of aggressive angiomyxoma in a male with intellectual disability. A thorough review of existing 73 cases was also conducted. This report affirms vimentin as the most sensitive marker and S-100 is the most specific marker. Desmin seems to stain positively and negatively in a sporadic fashion, making it less reliable as an immunohistochemical marker. Wide excision is commonly regarded as the treatment for aggressive angiomyxoma in men. To date, there are no established clinical guidelines on the optimal duration of follow-up. Long-term follow-up may be required even up to 10 years to detect local recurrences.
The Gulf Information War| The Gulf Crisis and Narratives of Emotionality in Nepal's English-Language Press

This study examines the media discourse on the Gulf diplomatic crisis and its effect on one of the most marginalized populations in Qatar: Nepali migrant workers. Although the diplomatic crisis made news headlines across the Middle East, Nepal-based newspapers were the only ones to cover the vulnerable migrant worker population in some detail. In writing about this population, three prominent English-language publications in Nepal, The Kathmandu Post , Republica , and People’s Review , employed emotional storytelling. Drawing on Wahl-Jorgensen’s notion of the “strategic ritual of emotionality,” this study specifically analyzes the use of emotion in the three publications’ news coverage. The study finds that the publications engaged in the ritual of emotionality not by assigning that function to external news sources, as is common in Western newspapers, but mainly through their own journalists and opinion writers who narrated their subjective viewpoints and concerns. This unreserved embrace of emotions and subjectivity in newswriting illuminates a unique, cultural mode of producing journalism.
A Moving Target Defense Control Framework for Cyber-Physical Systems

This paper considers the problem of efficiently and securely controlling cyber-physical systems that are operating in uncertain, and adversarial environments. To mitigate sensor, actuator attacks, and performance loss due to such attacks, we formulate a secure control algorithm that consists of a proactive and a reactive defense mechanism. The proactive mechanism, which is based on the principles of moving target defense, utilizes a stochastic switching structure to dynamically and continuously alter the parameters of the system, while hindering the attacker's ability to conduct successful reconnaissance to the system. The unpredictability of the current actuator and sensor is optimized using an information entropy measure, which is induced by probabilistic switching. The reactive mechanism on the other side, detects potentially attacked components, namely sensors and actuators, by leveraging online data to compute an integral Bellman error. A rigorous mathematical framework is presented to guarantee the stability of the equilibrium point of the closed-loop system, and provide a quantified bound on the performance loss when utilizing both reactive and proactive mechanisms. Simulation results show the efficacy of the proposed approaches on a benchmark aircraft model.
Invariant Manifolds in the Hamiltonian–Hopf Bifurcation

We study the evolution of the stable and unstable manifolds of an equilibrium point of a Hamiltonian system of two degrees of freedom which depends on a parameter $$\nu $$. The eigenvalues of the linearized system are pure imaginary for $$\nu 0$$ (these are the same basic assumptions as found in the Hamiltonian–Hopf bifurcation theorem of the authors). For $$ \nu > 0 $$ the equilibrium has a two-dimensional stable manifold and a two-dimensional unstable manifold, but for $$ \nu < 0 $$ there are no longer stable and unstable manifolds attached to the equilibrium. We study the evolution of these manifolds as the parameter is varied. If the sign of a certain term in the normal form is positive then for small positive $$\nu $$ the stable and unstable manifolds of the system are either identical or must have transverse intersection. Thus, either the system is totally degenerate or the system admits a suspended Smale horseshoe as an invariant set. This happens at the Lagrange equilibrium point $${\mathcal {L}}_4$$ of the restricted three-body problem at the Routh critical value $$\mu _1$$. On the other hand if the sign of this term in the normal form is negative then for $$\nu =0$$ the stable and unstable manifolds persists and then as $$\nu $$ decreases from zero they detach from the equilibrium to follow a hyperbolic periodic solution.
Identifying Opportunities for Collaboration Across the Social Sciences to Reach the 10-10-10: A Multilevel Approach

Background:The national and global strategy to combat HIV, often referred to as the “90-90-90,” aims to diagnose 90% of people living with HIV, get 90% of those diagnosed onto antiretroviral treatment (ART), and achieve viral suppression in 90% of those on ART. The remaining 10-10-10 who will be und
‘Whitelash?’ status threat, anger, and white America: a general strain theory approach

Progress towards racial equality has left many Whites, particularly men, feeling that Whites have replaced Blacks as the principal victims of discrimination. Thus, although Whites’ privileged posit...
A team within a team: relating coaching concepts to professional learning communities in schools.

Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are becoming more commonplace in K–12 education. As PLCs represent a departure from isolation toward a culture of collaboration, physical educators may be i...
Regulatory and Enzymatic Functions of recA Protein in Recombination and Postreplication Repair

Investigations into the genetics of recombination, repair and prophage induction in E. coli, have uncovered a remarkable regulatory system involving the lexA gene product as repressor and the recA gene product. This system normally produces lexA and recA proteins at low constitutive levels. The recA protein is a highly specific, single stranded DNA dependent protease capable of cleaving lexA protein and also phage lambda repressor. Postreplication gaps or other damage that produced single stranded regions in the bacterial DNA, may cause recA protein to bind to the DNA. The resulting increase in protease activity leads to the lexA protein being cleaved and thus turns on the transcription of the genes including recA that are under negative control by lexA.
Role of ICT in Sustainable Agricultural Development—The Case of India

This analysis carries out the empirical estimation to study the relation between information technology infrastructure and agriculture production in case of India over the time period 1990–2017 using simple regression and quantile regression. To check further endogeneity issues in the simple regression analysis, it has applied the fully modified least squares estimation technique. The empirical evidence suggests that different information infrastructures impact the agriculture output annually. Coefficients of fixed telephone, fixed Internet and mobile communications exhibit positive and significant relation with the agriculture production. However, our empirical estimation shows that increase in the percentage of individual Internet usages exhibits decline in the agriculture production, which establishes that improvement in Internet penetration is unable to reap benefit for agriculture returns due to the unequal spread. Other control variables like agriculture credit and economic complexity also impact the agriculture output significantly. Our empirical evidence shows that improvements in economic difficulties and agriculture finances have led to the decimating agriculture productivity.
Understanding Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE:To assess how active surveillance for prostate cancer is apportioned across specialties and how testing patterns and transition to treatment vary by specialty.METHODS:We used a 20% national...
Enhancing empathy and understanding of disability by using poetry in research

Research poetry, valuable for its poignancy and creativity in analysing and presenting data, can enhance comprehension of research content, move political policy by drawing on readers’ emotional co...
FOMC policy preferences and economic policy uncertainty

Abstract This paper studies the relationship between the individual monetary policy preferences of Federal Open Market Committee meeting participants and the private sector’s economic policy uncertainty. We find that an increase in economic policy uncertainty is associated with a preference for monetary policy easing, and this effect is in addition to any effect of policy uncertainty on inflation and output gap forecasts. We also show that the results are largely driven by presidents of Federal Reserve Banks, especially non-voting presidents of Federal Reserve Banks.
Apple in my eyes (AIME): liveness detection for mobile security using corneal specular reflections

In this paper, we present a novel software-based face Presentation Attack Detection (PAD) method named "Apple in My Eyes (AIME)" using screen display as a challenge and corneal specular reflections as a response for authenticating the liveness against presentation. To detect face liveness, AIME creates multiple image patterns on the authentication screen as a challenge, then captures meaningful corneal specular reflection responses from user's eyes using the front camera, and analyzes the reflective pattern images using various lightweight Machine Learning (ML) techniques under a subsecond level delay (200 ms). We demonstrate that AIME can detect various attacks, including digital images displayed on the phone or tablet, printed paper images, 2D paper masks, videos, 3D silicon masks, and 3D facial models using VR. AIME liveness detection can be applied for various contactless biometric authentication accurately and efficiently without any costly extra sensors.
Indirect Economic Burden of Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract Objective This study aimed to quantify the indirect costs of sickle cell disease in the United States. Methods Adult patients from a sickle cell disease clinic at an urban academic healthcare system completed an adapted Institute for Medical Technology Assessment Productivity Cost Questionnaire related to the impact of their disorder on absenteeism, presenteeism, ability to contribute through unpaid work outside of employment, and other aspects of life. Additional data were collected from patient records about each participant’s genotype, total hemoglobin level, and pain level. Results Of the 192 individuals, 187 who completed the survey reported experiencing vaso-occlusive crisis pain events during the last year that negatively affected their productivity at work and in daily roles. Three-fourths of respondents reported impairment in their ability to complete everyday tasks, such as caring for children, running errands, doing housework, shopping for groceries, and volunteer (unpaid) work. Only 30% of respondents reported being employed or self-employed. Of those employed, estimated costs of absenteeism and presenteeism attributable to pain events averaged $15 103 per person annually. Estimated total annual losses in unpaid work productivity averaged $3 145 862 for the study respondents and another $2 870 652 for their caregivers. Conclusions Sickle cell disease affected the work productivity, nonwork productivity, and the daily lives of adults seen with the disorder in an academic medical center.
Persons, Situations, Interactions, and the Future of Personality

Professor Hyland addresses two issues in his paper—what the person-situation debate is about and, more significantly, where we go from here. Basic to the author’s position is the suggestion that what is in fact largely a methodological debate has been interpreted as one based on theoretical differences. I believe that this interpretation involves a somewhat artificial distinction and ignores much of the past and current history of the debate.
The Sixth Amendment Lives! A Reply to Professor Jonakait

The spring before last, as I was teaching Criminal Procedure II, which covers defendants' trial rights, I thought that I noticed a trend in the Supreme Court's jurisprudence on the subject. It was couched in relativistic "due process" terms, rather than in the more absolute language dictated by the Sixth Amendment's command that "in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed .. .." I envi-
Comparison of oral and vaginal cytology in response to stilbestrol

Abstract The extragenital effects of estrogen have been studied but not quantitated by previous investigators. Postmenopausal women with atrophic vaginal smears were treated with diethylstilbestrol in 0.1, 1.0, and 5 mg. dose schedules. Serial smears from the vagina, attached gingiva (gum), and buccal (cheek) mucosa were taken. The response to diethylstilbestrol was quantitatively variable but uniformly resulted in an increased cytologic maturation to a peak response within the second to third week of treatment. In postmenopausal women, vaginal and attached gingival smears showed a similar predictable response to exogenous diethylstilbestrol. Buccal smears were not as uniform or predictable.
Spermatogonial stem cell (SSCs) system

One of the most important stem cell systems in the body is the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) system. Although its importance in transmitting genetic information from generation to generation through specialized sperm cells may be obvious, various studies have recently uncovered an ostensible function involving the remarkable plasticity of SSCs. Recent investigations have shown that putative mouse SSCs and human SSCs from the testis of deceased organ donors could be reprogrammed to pluripotency, without the addition of genes. This has prompted the idea that human SSCs may have great potential for cell-based, autologous stem cell therapy(s). The present understanding of SSCs is mostly based on information obtained from rodents and nonhuman primates. The bulk of the human SSC knowledge has derived from Clermont and colleagues who, during the 1960s, showed that two different populations of stem cells existed: the reserve and renewing populations. In light of recent studies using SSCs, characterization of the human spermatogonial population – either by using a panel of antibodies to known stem cell markers (surface, cytoplasmic, and nuclear) or more precisely by utilizing various molecular biology techniques (e.g., gene expression, methylation patterns, miRNA identification) – has become paramount. Investigations focusing on human SSCs will provide essential information that will be crucial for future studies on their biology and plasticity. Keywords: Spermatogonia (Spga); Spermatogonial stem cell (SSC); Germline pluripotent stem cells (gPSCs); Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1); cKIT- Mast/stem cell growth factor receptor (SCFR); Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF); G-protein-coupled receptor 125 (GPR125); Melanoma antigen family A (MAGE-A4); Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP); Ak mouse strain, t-thymoma (Akt); Stem Cell factor (SCF); Creb binding protein (CBP); Sedimentation at unit gravity (STAPUT)
Effects of motorized tourboats on the behavior of nonbreeding American flamingos in Yucatan, Mexico

We assessed the effect of motorized tourboats on the behavior of nonbreeding American flamingos ( Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) in the Celestun Estuary, a Special Biosphere Reserve in Yucatan, Mexico, from November 1994 through February 1995. We measured these effects by comparing activity budgets between flocks of flamingos disturbed and undisturbed by tourboats. Disturbance reduced feeding time from 40% before disturbance to 24% after, a 40% loss. Boat disturbance increased alert behavior by 400%. Tourboats averaged 13 per day and caused a disturbance 75% of the time or 3.3 hours per day. Potential loss of feeding time for individuals was estimated at 13% but is likely much higher on days with excessive numbers of tourboats. Flamingos returned to normal feeding rates (40%) within 20 minutes after disturbance. Most tourists (52%) were from Mexico, followed by Germany (14%), and 88% of Mexican visitors were willing to pay an entrance fee to the Celestun Reserve. Conservation efforts should focus on education of tourboat operators to reduce disturbance to flamingos, education of tourists through a visitor’s center and brochures produced in Spanish and English, and expanded involvement of local people. Evaluamos el efecto de lanchas turisticas motorizadas en el comportamiento de flamencos Americanos ( Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) no reproductivos de Noviembre de 1994 a Febrero de 1995, en la laguna de Celestun, ubicada en una reserva especial de la Biosfera en Yucatan, Mexico. Medimos los efectos a traves de comparaciones de presupuestos de actividad entre bandadas de flamenco perturbadas por las lanchas y no perturbadas. La perturbacion redujo el tiempo dedicado a la alimentacion de un 40% antes de la perturbacion a un 24% despues, representando una disminucion de un 40%. La perturbacion producida por las lanchas incremento el tiempo en posicion alerta en un 400%. Hubo un promedio de 13 lanchas por dia causando las perturbaciones un 75% de las veces o durante 3.3 horas por dia. La perdida potencial de tiempo dedicado a la alimentacion se estimo en un 13%, pero probablemente es mucho mas alta durante dias en que hay un numero excesivo de lanchas. Los flamencos volvieron a niveles de alimentacion normal (40%) dentro de 20 minutos despues de la perturbacion. La mayoria de los turistas fueron mexicanos (52%), seguido por alemanes (14%). Un 88% de los visitantes mexicanos estaban dispuestos a pagar un abono de entrada a la reserva. Las implicaciones para la conservacion enfocan en un programa de educacion para lancheros que presente procedimientos para observar flamencos sin perturbaciones innecesarias, educacion para turistas a traves de un centro de visitantes y folletos en espanol e ingles, ademas de un involucramiento amplio de los habitantes locales a traves de oportunidades tales como las cooperativas de produccion y venta de artesanias.
EROSION OF KAPTON H BY HYPERTHERMAL ATOMIC OXYGEN: DEPENDENCE ON O-ATOM FLUENCE AND SURFACE TEMPERATURE

Organic polymers are susceptible to erosion from reaction with am- bient atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit. We have investigated the linearity of the O-atom fluence dependence of Kapton H erosion and the dependence of Kapton H erosion yield on surface temperature. Sample exposures were performed with a pulsed beam containing hyperthermal O atoms that were generated with a laser detonation source. After exposure, samples were removed from the chamber in which the exposures were done, and postexposure analyses were performed: etch depth (profilometry) and surface topography (atomic force microscopy). A sys- tematic set of exposures, which eroded room-temperature Kapton H from 1.4 to 25 μm, showed that the erosion yield of Kapton H is linearly dependent on O-atom fluence. This result helps validate the use of Kapton H mass loss (or erosion depth) as a linear measure of the O-atom fluence of a materials exposure. The erosion of Kapton H was strongly temperature dependent. At lower temperatures (<100 ◦ C), the erosion yield appeared to be independent of sample temperature. But above 100 ◦ C, the erosion yield exhibited an Arrhenius-like temperature dependence, with an apparent activation energy of 0.31 eV. These observations suggest that O-atom-induced erosion of Kapton H proceeds through direct, nonthermal, gas- surface reactions, and through reactions that depend on the surface temperature.
From the Tamari Lattice to Cambrian Lattices and Beyond

We trace the path from the Tamari lattice, via lattice congruences of the weak order, to the definition of Cambrian lattices in the context of finite Coxeter groups, and onward to the construction of Cambrian fans. We then present sortable elements, the key combinatorial tool for studying Cambrian lattices and fans. The chapter concludes with a brief description of the applications of Cambrian lattices and sortable elements to Coxeter-Catalan combinatorics and to cluster algebras.
Terahertz Pioneer: Xi-Cheng Zhang "The Face of THz"

Recounts the life and professional achievements of Xi-Cheng Zhang. An extensive bibliography of his works is included.
Quarantine and Isolation

The act of removing sick individuals away from the rest of society dates back to ancient times. Quarantines have been imposed throughout history to protect a society from infected foreigners or sailors or in response to outbreaks of diseases like yellow fever, cholera, and tuberculosis. The words “quarantine” and “isolation” are often used interchangeably, though they are in fact different. Quarantine confines people who have been exposed to a communicable disease for the disease’s presumed incubation period. Isolation is the practice of isolating an individual known to be contagious, commonly in a health facility, for the duration of the illness.
A vision for spatial-reasoning commodity robots

This work seeks to augment commodity robots to enable service tasks that require global spatial reasoning, e.g., delivery, surveillance, and map maintenance. In addition. We seek to do this as accessibly and inexpensively as possible. To that end we present a design and three prototype platforms that illustrate educational, service-level, and research applications atop the iRobot Create. The prototypes significantly improve the robotic capabilities broadly available at the $500 price range, particularly for pedagogical applications. This work informs a facet of the design space for next-generation commodity robots. Though the prototypes' first audience is likely to be educators, we hope they pique the interest of those who design low-cost consumer and service robots, as well.
Coronary artery fistula presenting as bacterial endocarditis.

Coronary arteryfistula is often considered to be a benign and rare congenital anomaly. It is usually an incidental finding encountered during routine cardiac catheterization. We report a case of a patient presenting with endocarditis involving a large coronary artery fistula connecting an aneurysmal circumflex coronary artery to the coronary sinus. The diagnosis was initially made by echocardiography and confirmed by cardiac catheterization. In addition, we briefly discuss the literature on management of this coronary anomaly.
Knowledge base design for law enforcement

Abstract This paper describes a project involving the development of an expert system for suspect identification in armed robbery incidents. A prototype of the system, named AREST (Armed Robbery Eidetic Suspect Typing), has been completed and is described. The investigative process can be greatly simplified, expedited, and enhanced by the use of expert systems. An expert system can serve as an aid that handles the preliminary crime analysis and, thus, frees the human officer to concentrate on higher-level analysis worthy of his expertise.
Distributed-current-feed and distributed-energy-store railguns

Distributed-type railguns are combinations of power supplies and railguns designed to maintain a nearly constant current in the armature of a railgun and to overcome the accelerator length limitations of simple breech-fed railguns. This limitation arises from the increasing resistance and inductance of the rails with increasing railgun length. The energy efficiency of a railgun system from the primary energy store to the kinetic energy of the projectile can be improved as compared to the simple railgun in some applications. This is accomplished by a reduction of the stored magnetic field energy in the bore of the railgun at the end of a shot and reduction of the resistive losses in the rails. The improved system performance of the distributed railguns over the simple breech-fed railguns is achieved at the expense of greater system complexity. The only distributed-type railguns that have been built to date are distributed-energy-store (DES) railguns. These systems presently use capacitors as the primary energy store, which allows the use of closing switches to initiate current from each of the stores. In this paper a new type of railgun, the distributed-current-feed (DCF) railgun, is presented. The DCF railgun system is a compromise in system complexity and efficiency between the DES railguns and the simple breech-fed railguns. Also, the DCF railgun utilizes closing switches in such a manner as to allow the use of a variety of primary power supplies, including homopolar generators (HPGs), for such electromagnetic propulsion tasks as space launches.
Elemental composition, solubility, and optical properties of Titan's organic haze

Abstract It is found that solid organic material produced by electrical discharge in a simulated Titan atmosphere (10% CH4, 90% N2) has an elemental composition corresponding to C11H11N2. Immersion in liquid ethane followed by filtration indicates that the organic solid is insoluble in ethane and, it is supposed, in methane. An upper limit is placed on the soluble fraction of 0.03% by mass. When the mixing ratio of CH4 is varied from 10 to 100% it is found that the organic solid produced becomes progressively darker in the ultraviolet and violet (0.2–0.4 μm) compared to the visible and near-infrared (0.4–0.75 μm). The optical properties are variable by more than a factor of 2 between experiments. Sedimentation of solid haze material on the surface of Titan represents a comparatively small loss for carbon. For nitrogen, however, the loss rate of 108 N atoms cm−2s−1 in haze material is greater than 10% of the total production of N in the upper atmosphere.
Ablation of the Galnt3 Gene Leads to Low-Circulating Intact Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (Fgf23) Concentrations and Hyperphosphatemia Despite Increased Fgf23 Expression

Familial tumoral calcinosis is characterized by ectopic calcifications and hyperphosphatemia. The disease is caused by inactivating mutations in fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), Klotho (KL), and uridine diphosphate-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 3 (GALNT3). In vitro studies indicate that GALNT3 O-glycosylates a phosphaturic hormone, FGF23, and prevents its proteolytic processing, thereby allowing secretion of intact FGF23. In this study we generated mice lacking the Galnt3 gene, which developed hyperphosphatemia without apparent calcifications. In response to hyperphosphatemia, Galnt3-deficient mice had markedly increased Fgf23 expression in bone. However, compared with wild-type and heterozygous littermates, homozygous mice had only about half of circulating intact Fgf23 levels and higher levels of C-terminal Fgf23 fragments in bone. Galnt3-deficient mice also exhibited an inappropriately normal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D level and decreased alkaline phosphatase activity. Furthermore, renal expression of sodium-phosphate cotransporters and Kl were elevated in Galnt3-deficient mice. Interestingly, there were sex-specific phenotypes; only Galnt3-deficient males showed growth retardation, infertility, and significantly increased bone mineral density. In summary, ablation of Galnt3 impaired secretion of intact Fgf23, leading to decreased circulating Fgf23 and hyperphosphatemia, despite increased Fgf23 expression. Our findings indicate that Galnt3-deficient mice have a biochemical phenotype of tumoral calcinosis and provide in vivo evidence that Galnt3 plays an essential role in proper secretion of Fgf23 in mice.
Conformational transformations in the protein lattice of phage P22 procapsids

During the packaging of double-stranded DNA by bacterial viruses, the precursor procapsid loses its internal core of scaffolding protein and undergoes a substantial expansion to form the mature virion. Here we show that upon heating, purified P22 procapsids release their scaffolding protein subunits, and the coat protein lattice expands in the absence of any other cellular or viral components. Following these processes by differential scanning calorimetry revealed four different transitions that correlated with structural transitions in the coat protein shells. Exit of scaffolding protein from the procapsid occurred reversibly and just above physiological temperature. Expansion of the procapsid lattice, which was exothermic, occurred after the release of scaffolding protein. Partial denaturation of coat subunits within the intact shell structure was detected prior to the major endothermic event. This major endotherm occurred above 80 degrees C and represents particle breakage and irreversible coat protein denaturation. The results indicate that the coat subunits are designed to form a metastable precursor lattice, which appears to be separated from the mature lattice by a kinetic barrier.
Steady-state kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed copolymerization on primers.

The theory of the steady-state kinetics of irreversible enzyme-catalyzed homopolymerization and copolymerization on primers has been developed. The rate law for homopolymerization is of the Michaelis-Menten form, but the kinetic parameters depend on primer concentration. Copolymerization has been treated for two monomers considering both terminal and penultimate effects and for four monomers considering terminal effects. The composition equations and conditional probabilities for monomer succession are identical for enzymatic and nonenzymatic processes, because the steady-state approximation is used in both cases. The reactivity ratios and steady-state velocities are different, however. Examination of published results for AU and UG copolymers synthesized by polynucleotide phosphorylase permits evaluation of reactivity ratios for the AU copolymer and indicates that penultimate effects may be operative in both cases.
The relationship between a history of depression and adherence to a multicomponent smoking-cessation program☆

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a history of depression in female smokers (age 18-65) who did not self-report any current depression was associated with adherence to a multisession, multicomponent smoking-cessation program. Participants in a 13-week cognitive-behavioral group program plus random assignment to nicotine gum, appetite suppressant gum, or placebo chewing gum were grouped by depressive-history and compared on attendance, average expired carbon monoxide after planned cessation, and number of pieces of gum chewed. No significant differences between the depressive history (yes/no) subgroups were found on any of the three measures of adherence. The power to detect a significant difference (alpha = 0.05) was calculated to be 0.89. Group cognitive-behavioral treatment appears to be the basis of an effective smoking-cessation program for women with a history of depression who are not currently depressed.
The Central American Isthmus: Implications for Intraspecific Phylogeny and Biogeography of a Pantropical Green Alga

An intraspecific phylogenetic study was undertaken to resolve the evolutionary relationship of isolates of the green alga Phyllodictyon anastomosans (Harv.) Kraft et Wynne that occur on Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the Central American Isthmus. Patterns of vicariance related to the emergence of the Central American Isthmus were evident, but numerous examples of recent trans-oceanic and trans-isthmian dispersal obscured the underlying pattern. This study, one of the first studies to assess the impact of the emergence of the Central American Isthmus in seaweed phylogeography, provided an ideal opportunity to estimate the rate of sequence evolution using a single time point. Using this newly calibrated molecular clock the timing of an historical introduction across the isthmus is shown to be concordant with a shallow water breach of the isthmus dated at approximately 2.3–2.0 million years ago. This work contributes to a growing body of literature that suggests marine algae are fairly successful at dispersing over long distances in recent times.
Nucleosides. 145. Synthesis of 2,5′-Anhydro-2-Thiouridine and its Conversion to 3′-O-Acetyl-2,2′-Anhydro-5′-Chloro-5′-Deoxy-2-Thiouridine. Studies Directed Toward the Synthesis of 2′-Deoxy-2′-Substituted arabino Nucleosides (7)

Abstract In an attempt to introduce a substituent at C-2′ in the “up” arabino configuration directly by nucleophilic displacement reaction of a preformed pyrimidine ribonucleoside, we synthesized 2,5′-anhydro-5′-deoxy-2-thiouridine (6) in three steps from uridine. Compound 6 was converted into the 3′-O-acetyl derivative 7. Upon treatment of 7 with triflyl chloride in methylene chloride in the presence of triethylamine and p-dimethylaminopyridine, 2,2′-anhydro-1-(3-O-acetyl-5-chloro-2,5-dideoxy-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-2-thiouracil (9) was obtained as the only isolable product. Obviously, the intermediate 3′-O-acetyl-2,5′-anhydro-2′-O-triflyl-2-thiouridine (8) was attacked by the chloride nucleophile at C-5′ first giving the 2′-O-triflyl-2-thiouridine intermediate from which 9 was formed by intramolecular nucleopilic reaction.
A new substrate holder for liquid-phase epitaxy by the dipping method and its application to Hg1-xCdxTe

Abstract This paper describes a substrate holder for liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE) by the dipping method and its use on Hg 1- x Cd x Te LPE. The holder consists of a shaft, a pivotable plate, and a paddle that is fed through the shaft. This holder automatically places the substrate in a horizontal position during dipping and in a vertical position during withdrawal ensuring uniform film growth and good melt drainage. The holder has been successfully used on the liquid-phase epitaxy of Hg 1- x Cd x Te and excellent results were obtained.
Molecular oxygen densities in the mesosphere at Fort Churchill

Abstract The transmission of solar radiation to ultra-violet photodetectors in a rocket was used to obtain O 2 densities in the mesosphere. Densities between 70 and 86 km were lower by a factor of 1·8 in early spring than in midsummer. A temperature minimum of 186°K was observed at 83 to 85 km in March. Dissociation appeared to begin near 86 km in July and 96 km in March.
Effect of rocker soles on plantar pressures.

Abstract Brown D, Wertsch JJ, Harris GF, Klein J, Janisse D. Effect of rocker soles on plantar pressures. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2004;85:81-6. Objective To examine the effect of different types of rocker soles on plantar pressures. Design In-shoe plantar pressures were measured in subjects without deformity with baseline shoes and 3 types of rockers: toe-only, negative heel, and double. Setting Medical college. Participants Forty healthy patients (20 men, 20 women) without foot deformity. Interventions Plantar pressures were recorded over a 212-hour test period with over 400 steps analyzed for each type of rocker sole. Peak pressures, pressure-time integral (PTI), and sensor contact duration were computed for each step Main outcome measures Peak plantar pressure PTI, and contact duration were compared for each rocker with a baseline shoe. Results Significant reduction ( P Conclusion This study lends scientific credence to the prescription of rocker soles for patients who need forefoot pressure reduction, such as in diabetic neuropathy and possible ulceration.
Processing and property evaluation of aluminum matrix superconducting materials

Abstract The structure morphology and superconducting properties of 60 wt.% commercial aluminum / 40 wt.% YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6+x composites were investigated as a function of processing parameters. It was found that the resistivity versus temperature profile of these composites was that of a superconductor. In addition to a superconducting transition temperature around 90 K, an additional partial transition around 120 K was noted.
A case study in implementing CQI in a nursing education program.

This article presents a case study of the implementation of a continuous quality improvement (CQI) effort in a school of nursing. By using the process of CQI reported in the literature and used in clinical settings, the school has transformed its governance and structure to address issues of faculty, student, administrative, and staff performance and satisfaction, curriculum development, and organizational change. An annual "Report Card" monitors all CQI-related activities and provides structure for the feedback and change that are integral to the process.
Nonlinear variants of the improved Boussinesq equation with compact and noncompact structures

Variants of the improved Boussinesq equation with positive and negative exponents are investigated. It is formally shown that these nonlinear variants give rise to compact and non-compact physical structures, where compactons, solitons, solitary patterns and periodic solutions are developed. The presented sine/cosine ansatz is reliable.
Is the first urinary infection in childhood a definite indication for radiological examination

The need for X-ray investigations of the urinary tract at the time of the first proven urinary infection, even in older girls, is stressed. This policy is the best way to detect chronic pyelonephritis and congenital anomalies of the urinary tract and provide timely and appropriate treatment. These conclusions are supported by personal experience (see case description), and the incidence of congenital anomalies encountered during an 11 year period in our children's hospital. There were 957 concecutive cases with X-ray studies of the urinary tract (IVP and MCU). A considerable proportion (30%) were older children (4–13 years) having supravesical obstruction defined when the X-ray studies were performed at the first urinary infection. The proportion of abnormalities rose to 66% when the investigations were done after recurrent infections, which may contribute to the development and progression of disease.
Delayed MDCT imaging results in increased enhancement in patients with head and neck neoplasms.

Objective: Using multidetector computed tomography, we compared the utility of a spilt bolus technique and the impact of performing delayed imaging compared with immediate imaging on tumor enhancement. Methods: Thirty-seven patients with masses of the extracranial head and neck were imaged. An initial contrast bolus (50 cm 3 ) was administered over 30 seconds (1.67 cm 3 /s) and an initial (immediate) imaging acquisition followed. Ninety seconds after completion of the initial bolus, a second bolus of 75 cm 3 (2.5 cm 3 /s) was administered and a second (delayed) acquisition obtained concurrently. Mean tumor enhancement in immediate and delayed imaging was calculated and analyzed using the paired t test. Results: Mean enhancement was 68.3 +21.0 Hounsfield units (HU) and 91.4 + 27.4 HU (n = 37) for immediate and delayed imaging groups, respectively. The mean difference between the initial and delayed enhancement was 23.1 HU (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The delayed imaging technique used resulted in a statistically significant increase in enhancement relative to immediate imaging.
Homogeneous Nucleation in a Critical Binary Fluid Mixture

We have studied homogeneous nucleation in a binary fluid mixture near the critical point for a temperature range $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}l\ensuremath{\epsilon}l2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, where $\ensuremath{\epsilon}=\frac{({T}_{c}\ensuremath{-}T)}{{T}_{c}}$. We find that the measured degree of critical supercooling is in good agreement with the predictions of a nucleation theory with a nonclassical free energy proposed by Sarkies and Frankel. A slight difference between the temperature dependence of the nucleation curve and that of the coexistence curve is also observed.
Sustained-Release Implants of Chemical Carcinogens in the Canine Tracheobronchial Tree

A proved carcinogen, benzo[a]pyrene (BP), was incorporated into liquid silicone rubber polymer which was then vulcanized into solid form. Discs of BP polymer containing 9.05 to 12.12% BP were sutured into the trachea and right main bronchi of 10 dogs which were observed for 3 to 8 months. The discs were either in contact with the endobronchial surface of the mucosa or placed into submucosal pockets. All discs that were implanted submucosally remain in place. Only 2 discs implanted by the fixation method were extruded. The pocket implants of BP polymer caused ulceration and erosion of the mucosa; these changes did not occur from discs of polymer without carcinogen. To date these implants have induced squamous metaplasia with atypical changes. A method for sustained-release implantation of carcinogens in the canine tracheobronchial tree has been developed.
Antioxidant properties of flavonol glycosides from tea.

AbstractWe have determined the antioxidant activity of the major flavonols found in tea: a monoglycoside, a diglycoside and two triglycosides of kaempferol and three monoglycosides, a diglycoside and two triglycosides of quercetin. The Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and inhibition of iron/ascorbate-induced lipid peroxidation of phosphatidyl choline vesicles were measured. In the aqueous phase TEAC assay, the quercetin monoglycosides and diglycoside were approximately half as effective as quercetin aglycone. The quercetin triglycosides were much less effective than the mono-glycosides and the diglycoside. The kaempferol glycosides were 32–9% less effective in the aqueous phase antioxidant assay compared to the kaempferol aglycone. Quercetin monoglycosides and diglycoside were potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation, in contrast to the triglycoside which was much less effective. All the kaempferol glycosides were significantly less potent inhibitors of lipid peroxidation compared to the kaemp...
Sucrose Supplementation and Feed of Dairy Cows in Early Lactation

Abstract Based on results from previous 14-d sequential elimination trials, which indicated that cows in early lactation preferred a sucrose-sweetened diet, a 12-wk lactation trial was conducted to evaluate further the effects of sucrose supplementation. Twenty-four cows (16 multiparous Jerseys and 8 primiparous Holsteins) were assigned at parturition to a control or sucrose-sweetened (1.5% of dietary DM) TMR in a randomized complete block design. The diet included 10% corn silage, 30% alfalfa haylage, and 60% concentrate based on corn and soybean meal on a DM basis and was fed to ensure 10% orts. An additional 2.3 kg of alfalfa hay were fed for the first 5 d postpartum. Covariant-adjusted (BW on the day of parturition) mean DMI, milk yields, 3.5% FCM yields, and percentages of milk fat, milk protein, and SNF were unaffected by treatment and averaged 19.0 and 19.1 kg/d, 28.4 and 29.3 kg/d. 28.4 and 28.4 kg/d, and 3.40 and 3.30%, 3.51 and 3.28%, and 8.4 and 8.3%, respectively, for cows on control and sucrose-supplemented diets. In the absence of a choice of diets, sucrose at 1.5% of dietary DM did not enhance mean DMI over the first 12 wk postpartum; however, a transient increase in consumption of the sucrose-supplemented diet may have occurred over the a 2-wk period after parturition. Variation in feed consumption during early lactation suggests that additional data are needed to examine this potential effect.