cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An alternative method to develop fibre grating temperature sensors using the fibre loop ringdown scheme

We present a new method to develop fibre Bragg grating (FBG)-based temperature sensors using the fibre grating loop ringdown (FGLRD) technique. With this novel approach, temperature is sensed by measuring the wavelength-dependent optical loss resulting from the temperature variations incurred in the FBG. The sensor incorporates a standard telecommunications diode laser and an inexpensive photodetector and achieves rapid temperature measurements in a time domain (measuring the ringdown time). Apparent advantages of this method over the current FBG-OSA approach include the high measurement resolution and low instrument costs. A temperature sensor (type I) using a standard off-the-shelf single-mode bare FBG as the sensing element has been developed and it achieved an absolute measurement resolution of 0.18 °C (based on 3-σ) limited by the precision of the temperature calibration source used in the experiment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest measurement resolution of an FBG-based temperature sensor using a standard bare FBG. Additionally, the general applicability of the method has also been evaluated by constructing a temperature sensor (type II) using a long period grating. Discussions on the advantages and limitations of the FGLRD method as compared with the current FBG-OSA scheme are presented.
MCP-1 muscles in on pericytes

[Comment on Ma et al, page 987][1]In this issue of Blood , Ma and colleagues demonstrate that TGF-β supports angiogenesis through up-regulation of the MCP-1 chemokine, which stimulates the recruitment of vascular smooth muscle cells or pericytes toward endothelial cells. Angiogenesis, or new blood
Hamiltonian Dynamics of Polygons and Integrability

Abstract We introduce a class of Hamiltonian systems generating motion of polygons in plane and define “geometrical” Hamilton functions depending arbitrarily on distances between the vertices and the areas of the inscribed triangles. The motion preserves the centroid and the moment of inertia if unit masses are assigned to the vertices. Therefore the 3-vertex systems corresponding to the dynamics of triangles are completely integrable. In the case of Hamiltonians depending only on the areas there is an additional integral leading to integrable dynamics of the quadrilaterals. For a particular subclass of such Hamiltonians the total area is also preserved, which results in integrable motion of pentagons. We present several numerical illustrations of the polygon dynamics.
Fate of the excited triplet state of zinc cytochrome c in the presence of iron(III), iron(II), iron-free, and heme-free forms of cytochrome c

Abstract We study, by laser flash photolysis, the mechanism of quenching the triplet state of zinc cytochrome c , 3 Zncyt, by the iron(III), iron(II), iron-free, and heme-free forms of cytochrome c . The method of inserting zinc(II) ion into the heme group in a protein overcomes the difficulties in studying redox reactions between two heme proteins having similar absorption spectra. Quenching of positively charged 3 Zncyt by these positively charged reactants is promoted at high ionic strength, μ =1500 mM, which shields electrostatic charge and weakens protein–protein repulsion. Upon addition of potential quenchers, the rate constant for 3 Zncyt decay becomes higher in the following order: ferrocytochrome c c ≪ferricytochrome c . However, upon addition of as much as 350 μM heme-free cytochrome c , the rate of 3 Zncyt decay remains unchanged. The bimolecular rate constants for the reactions of 3 Zncyt are as follows: (1.5±0.2)×10 4 M −1 s −1 with ferrocytochrome c , (3.3±0.2)×10 4 M −1 s −1 with iron-free cytochrome c , and (5.1±0.3)×10 6 M −1 s −1 with ferricytochrome c . Oxidative quenching of 3 Zncyt by ferricytochrome c is proven by the observed formation of zinc cytochrome c cation radical. Energy transfer is responsible for the weak quenching of 3 Zncyt by iron-free cytochrome c and ferrocytochrome c , as evident in the lack of any observable transient radical-ions Zncyt + and Zncyt − and the good overlap of the emission band of 3 Zncyt with the absorption bands of ferrocytochrome c and iron-free cytochrome c .
An experimental micromechanics measurement technique for submicrometre domains

Orthogonal arrays of dots applied to surfaces can be used to directly measure microscopic strain fields. The spatial and strain resolution are both limited by the size of the dots placed on the surface. Two techniques using the beam of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) have been developed which make possible the placement of very fine dots with diameters of only 0.5 and 0.02 μm, respectively, on the surface of the specimen, allowing local strain measurements on the scale of 0.2–10 μm when specimens are loaded in the SEM. Measurements of strains fields around the tips of growing cracks in both polymers and polymeric composites are presented to illustrate the capabilities of the technique.
The use of imagery in memory by right and left handers

Abstract Right and left handers were given a variety of memory tasks for which imagery ability has been demonstrated to be an important determinant of performance. Results showed no significant relationship between subjects' handedness and the efficiency with which they used imagery in memory.
A Drosophila melanogaster mutant resistant to a chemical analog of juvenile hormone

Abstract Methoprene, a chemical analog of juvenile hormone, is toxic when applied to late third-instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster. Using an ethyl methane sulfonate mutagenesis screen, we have selected two noncomplementing mutants, one of which is nearly 100 times more resistant than wild-type to either methoprene or juvenile hormone III topically applied or incorporated into the diet. The mutation, named methoprene-tolerant (Met), also confers resistance to methoprene-induced pseudotumor formation in larvae as well as to juvenile hormone III- or methoprene-induced vitellogenic oocyte development in adult females. Met adults show little or no cross-resistance to four other insecticides. The mutation was mapped by recombination to a location 35.4 on the X-chromosome and uncovered by chromosomes deficient for the region 10C2–10D4. Complementation was observed between Met and a lethal allele of the RNA polymerase II locus, which is also found in this region. Since the Met mutation also confers resistance to methoprene-induced abnormalities in adult cuticle formation, the autonomy of Met expression could be evaluated in flies mosiac for this mutation. Autonomous expression of Met was found both in abdominal cuticle as well as in external male genitalia. The characteristics of Met are consistent with those expected of a mutant having altered juvenile hormone reception in target tissue.
Survival and mutagenic effects of 5-azacytidine in Escherichia coli.

Abstract Survival and mutagenesis caused by 5-azacytidine was studied in Escherichia coli . Survival was partially lexA - and recA -dependent and was decreased by the presence of a DNA (cytosine-5)methyltransferase. The dcm, Msp I, and Eco RII methyltransferase genes all decreased survival. There was no direct relationship between amount of methylase enzyme present and cell survival, but only plasmids containing a methylase gene sensitized cells to 5-azacytidine. Survival was not affected by uvrA, uvrB or umuCD mutations. Induction of sulA::lacZ fusions by 5-azacytidine was inhibited in strains containing elevated levels of DNA methylase. Cells resistant to 5-azacytidine when they contained a plasmid specifying the Eco RII methylase were sensitive if the plasmid specified the complete Eco RII restriction-modification system. The mechanism of cell death in these situations is therefore different. Mutation of the rpoB gene by 5-azacytidine was studied. The mutation rate was decreased by the presence of recA and lexA mutations. Mutation in umuCD had little effect on the mutation rate. The recA430 mutation, which does not support SOS-dependent mutagenesis induced by UV light, does support 5-azacytidine induced mutagenesis. The presence of DNA (cytosine-5)methyltransferase had no effect on the mutation rate caused by 5-azacytidine treatment. The mutagenic and lethal lesions caused by 5-azacytidine in the absence of methylase therefore differ from the lethal lesions that occur in the presence of methylase. The former could be due to the opening of the 5-azacytosine ring in DNA. Cell death in the presence of methylase could be due to tight binding of methylase to azacytosine containing DNA as well as inhibition of induction of the SOS response.
Gelatinase B (MMP-9) modulates joint inflammation and cartilage degradation after overload injury

Osteoarthritis is the leading cause for disability in the U.S. Primary osteoarthritis occurs progressively with age due to a variety of factors, while secondary osteoarthritis is usually the result of a sports or accident-related joint injury. Several recent studies found that degraded matrix in synovial fluid was surged within days after initial injury along with the elevation of matrix degradative enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and aggrecanases [1]. The elevation of degraded matrix could last for up to a decade, although it is not clear whether these degradative events are related to joint inflammation, the chronic presence of which is the hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis and often leads to joint degeneration.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
STRUCTURE OF FUZZY BINARY RELATIONS

The structure of fuzzy binary relations of indifference and preference is studied. The full description of fuzzy equivalence relations in terms of fuzzy partitions is given. All possible logical relations between various transitivity properties of fuzzy preferences are established. These relations permit to choose the notion of a fuzzy quasi-order relation which is an analog of a corresponding crisp relation. The possible approaches to the fuzzy choice are outlined. Finally, the general notion of a relative ‘degree of fuzziness’ is defined in connection with a study of the quantitative description of preservation properties under fuzzy mappings.
On the relationship between neural networks, pattern recognition and intelligence

Abstract This paper concerns the relationship between neural-like computational networks, numerical pattern recognition, and intelligence. Extensive research that proposes the use of neural models for a wide variety of applications has been conducted in the past few years. Sometimes the justification for investigating the potential of neural nets (NNs) is obvious. On the other hand, current enthusiasm for this approach has also led to the use of neural models when the apparent rationale for their use has been justified by what is best described as “feeding frenzy.” In this latter instance there is at times a concomitant lack of concern about many “side issues” connected with algorithms (e.g., complexity, convergence, stability, robustness, and performance validation) that need attention before any computational model becomes part of an operational system. These issues are examined with a view toward guessing how best to integrate and exploit the promise of the neural approach with other efforts aimed at advancing the art and science of pattern recognition and its applications in fielded systems in the next decade. A further purpose of the present paper is to characterize the notions of computational, artificial, and biological intelligence; our hope is that a careful discussion of the relationship between systems that exhibit each of these properties will serve to guide rational expectations and the development of models that exhibit or mimic “human behavior.”
Effects of gender and estradiol treatment on focal brain ischemia

The present studies were undertaken to investigate the effects of gender and estrogen treatment on focal cerebral ischemia in male and female rats. Focal ischemia was created by inserting a 3-0 surgical suture through the left cervical internal carotid artery to obstruct the blood flow into the middle cerebral artery (MCA). The MCA was reperfused by removing the suture in 40 min. All rats were sacrificed for measurement of infarct area after 24 h. In the first study, mortalities from MAC occlusion were 12.5% (2/16) each for intact male rats and intact female rats, and 23.5% (4/17) for ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. The coronal infarct area (mean+/-S. E.M.) was 9.5+/-1.0% for intact female rats, 16.6+/-1.6% for intact male rats (p=0.0001 vs. intact female rats), and 16.0+/-1.4% for OVX female rats (p=0.0002 vs. intact female rats). In a second experiment, OVX-female rats were administrated either 17beta-estradiol (E2) or its vehicle, hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPCD), at 40 min after the onset of MCA occlusion. Mortalities were 40% (4/10) for vehicle treated OVX rats and 0% for E2 treated OVX rats. The coronal infarct area (mean+/-S.E.M.) was 19.3+/-1.8% for vehicle treated rats vs. 8.0+/-1. 2% for E2 treated rats (p<0.01). Serum estrogen levels for vehicle treated OVX rats were 14.5+/-1.2% pg/ml vs. 142.7+/-23.6 pg/ml for E2 treated OVX rats (p<0.01). These results strongly suggest that the level of circulating estrogens play an important role in protecting brain tissues against ischemia induced by MCA occlusion.
Synthesis and Properties of Poly(diphenylacetylenes) Having Hydroxyl Groups

Polymerization of several diphenylacetylene derivatives was carried out by using TaCl5−n-Bu4Sn as catalyst. C6H5C≡CC6H4-p-OSi(CH3)2t-Bu (3a) and C6H5C≡CC6H4-m-OSi(CH3)2t-Bu (3b) provided the corresponding polymers (poly(3a), poly(3b)) with high molecular weights in good yields, while p-t-Bu(CH3)2SiOC6H4C≡CC6H4-p-OSi(CH3)2t-Bu (3c), p-t-Bu(CH3)2SiOC6H4C≡CC6H4-m-OSi(CH3)2t-Bu (3d), and m-t-Bu(CH3)2SiOC6H4C≡CC6H4-m-OSi(CH3)2t-Bu (3e) did not satisfactorily. Desilylation of poly(3a) and poly(3b) membranes catalyzed by trifluoroacetic acid yielded poly(diphenylacetylenes) having free hydroxyl groups [poly(4a), poly(4b)], which are the first examples of highly polar group-carrying poly(diphenylacetylenes). Poly(3a) and poly(3b) dissolved in nonpolar solvents such as toluene and chloroform, while poly(4a) and poly(4b) were insoluble in these solvents. According to TGA in air, poly(3a) and poly(3b) were thermally fairly stable among substituted polyacetylenes, and poly(4a) and poly(4b) displayed even higher therm...
Combined methotrexate-PUVA therapy in the treatment of psoriasis

Thirty patients with psoriasis were treated with a 3-week course of methotrexate followed by a combination of PUVA therapy and methotrexate. When lesions cleared to 2 The mean total dose of methotrexate was 93.0 mg (range, 67.5-127.5 mg). The only significant adverse effect seen was prolonged phototoxicity in eight patients. By reducing the total cumulative exposure dose of PUVA therapy, this treatment may reduce long-term side effects.
A multiple criteria model for the location-allocation problem

Abstract This study presents the application of integer goal programming to the facility location and products allocation problem with multiple, competing objectives. The proposed model describes the situation in which a firm evaluates six potential production plant location sites in four states that would serve four distribution centers. The model considers multiple objectives including several qualitative factors of location analysis and cost-related objectives have been considered in the model. The result of the model indicates that integer goal programming is one of the promising techniques which are applicable to the real-world location/allocation problems.
The treatment of meningiomas in childhood

Thirteen cases of meningiomas in the pediatric age group seen at the University of California are reviewed. Four of these patients are alive; one had complete surgical resection of tumor and three had subtotal resection followed by irradiation, with total tumor doses of 4500 to 5500 rads. On the basis of these data, together with our total experience in the treatment of 188 patients with meningiomas, we conclude that patients who have complete surgical resection need no further treatment but patients who have subtotal removal may have recurrences delayed or prevented by the addition of postoperative irradiation to their therapeutic regimens.
Further characterization of [3H]ifenprodil binding to σ receptors in rat brain

This study was undertaken to examine further the pharmacology of [3H]ifenprodil binding in rat brain at 37 degrees C. [3H]Ifenprodil bound specifically to membranes (Kd = 5.09 +/- 0.30 nM; Bmax = 2.36 +/- 0.19 pmol/mg protein). [3H]Ifenprodil binding was potently inhibited by sigma ligands and inhibitors of cytochrome P-450. The levorotatory enantiomers of pentazocine and SKF 10,047 were more potent inhibitors than corresponding dextrorotatory enantiomers. Furthermore, the pharmacological profile of [3H]ifenprodil binding was highly correlated with that of sigma 2 sites, not sigma 1 sites. The results suggest that [3H]ifenprodil labels sigma 2 sites in rat brain at 37 degrees C, and that [3H]ifenprodil would be useful for studying sigma receptor subtypes.
The Effect of Instrumental Timbre on Interval Discrimination

We tested non-musicians and musicians in an auditory psychophysical experiment to assess the effects of timbre manipulation on pitch-interval discrimination. Both groups were asked to indicate the larger of two presented intervals, comprised of four sequentially presented pitches; the second or fourth stimulus within a trial was either a sinusoidal (or “pure”), flute, piano, or synthetic voice tone, while the remaining three stimuli were all pure tones. The interval-discrimination tasks were administered parametrically to assess performance across varying pitch distances between intervals (“interval-differences”). Irrespective of timbre, musicians displayed a steady improvement across interval-differences, while non-musicians only demonstrated enhanced interval discrimination at an interval-difference of 100 cents (one semitone in Western music). Surprisingly, the best discrimination performance across both groups was observed with pure-tone intervals, followed by intervals containing a piano tone. More specifically, we observed that: 1) timbre changes within a trial affect interval discrimination; and 2) the broad spectral characteristics of an instrumental timbre may influence perceived pitch or interval magnitude and make interval discrimination more difficult.
Structural and dynamic study of the tetramerization region of non-erythroid alpha-spectrin: a frayed helix revealed by site-directed spin labeling electron paramagnetic resonance.

The N-terminal region of α-spectrin is responsible for its association with β-spectrin in a heterodimer to form functional tetramers. Non-erythroid alpha spectrin (αII-spectrin) has significantly higher association affinity with β-spectrin than the homologous erythroid alpha spectrin (αI-spectrin). We have previously determined the solution structure of the N-terminal region of αI-spectrin by NMR methods, but currently no structural information is available for αII-spectrin. We have now used cysteine scanning, spin labeling EPR and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) methods to study the tetramerization region of αII-spectrin. EPR data clearly showed that, in αII-spectrin, the first 9 N-terminal residues were unstructured, followed by an irregular helix (Helix C′), frayed at the N-terminal end, but rigid at the C-terminal end, which merges into the putative triple helical structural domain. The region corresponding to the important unstructured junction region linking Helix C′ to the first structural domain in αI-spectrin was clearly structured. Based on the published model for aligning Helices A′, B′ and C′, important interactions amongst residues in Helix C′ of αI/II-spectrin and Helices A′ and B′ of βI/II-spectrin are identified, suggesting similar coiled coil helical bundling for spectrin I and II in forming tetramers. The differences in affinities are likely due to the differences in the conformation of the junction regions. Equilibrium dissociation constants of spin labeled αII and βI complexes from ITC measurements indicate that residues 15, 19, 37 and 40 are functionally important residues in αII-spectrin. Interestingly, all four corresponding homologous residues in αI-spectrin (residues 24, 28, 46 and 49) have been reported to be clinically significant residues involved in hematological diseases.
Changes in urinary catecholamine excretion after smoking cessation

Excretion levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine were assessed in 17 habitual cigarette smokers while smoking and periodically during 30 days of abstinence to determine whether a pattern of transient change existed, suggestive of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) involvement in tobacco withdrawal. Excretion of all three catecholamines declined 1 day after abstinence but did not return to precessation levels during the rest of the follow-up period. The results suggest that postcessation declines in excretion may be permanent changes caused by loss of tobacco's agonist effects, rather than transient withdrawal phenomena resulting from SNS adaptation to the stimulatory effects of tobacco.
Heterografts as aortocoronary bypass conduits in human beings

Clinical and necropsy observations are described in a man in whom two sheep carotid arterial heterografts were inserted as aortocoronary bypass conduits 30 months before death, and in whom a canine saphenous vein heterograft was inserted several hours before death. All three grafts failed. The lumens of the sheep carotid arterial heterografts had closed by the time of catheterization 6 months after operation; at necropsy both grafts were totally occluded at their coronary and aortic ends and their media and adventitia were infiltrated by granulomatous inflammatory cells. Little information is available regarding the use of heterografts as coronary bypass conduits. Examination of previous reports describing heterografts for vascular reconstruction or bypass in both man and experimental animals and observations in our patient suggest that heterografts are unsatisfactory as aortocoronary bypass conduits.
One loop multiphoton helicity amplitudes.

We use the solutions to the recursion relations for double-off-shell fermion currents to compute helicity amplitudes for {ital n}-photon scattering and electron-positron annihilation to photons in the massless limit of QED. The form of these solutions is simple enough to allow {ital all} of the integrations to be performed explicitly. For {ital n}-photon scattering, we find that unless {ital n}=4 the amplitudes for the helicity configurations (+++...+) and ({minus}++...+) vanish to one-loop order.
Magma intrusion and deformation predictions: Sensitivities to the Mogi assumptions

[1] Mogi's (1958) magma intrusion model is widely used to predict observed deformation of active volcanoes. The model simulates a small spherical expansion source (SES) embedded in a homogeneous, isotropic, Poisson-solid half-space (HIPSHS). This study computes surface displacement due to SESs at depth using a combination of analytical and finite element models (FEMs), for which the HIPSHS assumptions are not required. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data suggest that Okmok volcano, Alaska, subsided more than a meter owing to lava extrusion during its 1997 eruption. Inverse methods, which use an HIPSHS model, precisely locate an SES at a depth of 3100 m beneath the center of the caldera. A series of alternative model configurations relax the combined suite of HIPSHS assumptions and sequentially isolate the effects of each assumption. Forward modeling predictions are relatively insensitive to topographic effects and layered elastic properties, somewhat sensitive to anisotropic elastic properties and Poisson's ratio, and very sensitive to the presence of weak materials within a caldera. Inverse methods, combined with analytical and FEM-generated impulse response functions, isolate the influence of each HIPSHS assumption on SES depth and pressure estimations. Results are particularly sensitive to a model configuration simulating a weak caldera, for which the estimated SES depth (4500 m) is significantly deeper than the estimate for the HIPSHS model. For deformation data having high signal-to-noise ratios, such as the co-eruption InSAR data for Okmok volcano, both forward and inverse deformation prediction errors attributed to the Mogi (1958) assumptions can greatly exceed observation uncertainties.
Childhood absence epilepsy: behavioral, cognitive, and linguistic comorbidities.

Summary Purpose: Evidence for a poor psychiatric, social, and vocational adult outcome in childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) suggests long-term unmet mental health, social, and vocational needs. This cross-sectional study examined behavioral/emotional, cognitive, and linguistic comorbidities as well as their correlates in children with CAE. Methods: Sixty-nine CAE children aged 9.6 (SD = 2.49) years and 103 age- and gender-matched normal children had semistructured psychiatric interviews, as well as cognitive and linguistic testing. Parents provided demographic, seizure-related, and behavioral information on their children through a semi-structured psychiatric interview and the child behavior checklist (CBCL). Results: Compared to the normal group, 25% of the CAE children had subtle cognitive deficits, 43% linguistic difficulties, 61% a psychiatric diagnosis, particularly attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety disorders, and 30% clinically relevant CBCL broad band scores. The most frequent CBCL narrow band factor scores in the clinical/borderline range were attention and somatic complaints, followed by social and thought problems. Duration of illness, seizure frequency, and antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment were related to the severity of the cognitive, linguistic, and psychiatric comorbidities. Only 23% of the CAE subjects had intervention for these problems. Conclusions: The high rate of impaired behavior, emotions, cognition, and language and low intervention rate should alert clinicians to the need for early identification and treatment of children with CAE, particularly those with longer duration of illness, uncontrolled seizures, and AED treatment.
Agronomic Assessment of Perennial Wheat and Perennial Rye as Cereal Crops

Perennial wheat (Triticum aestivum L. × Th inopyrum spp.) and perennial rye (Secale cereale L. × S. montanum) are novel hybrid species under development as alternatives to annual cereal crops. We conducted a 2-yr fi eld study with a split plot design to evaluate agronomic performance, including yield, phenology, and biomass production, of perennial accessions of wheat and rye, along with annual analogs. Th is is one of the fi rst studies to rigorously compare agronomic performance of 2-yr-old plants to 1-yr-old plants in perennial cereals. Perennial wheat produced 1.0 to 1.6 Mg ha –1 grain yield, 50% of annual wheat (2.7 Mg ha –1 ), while perennial rye produced 1.3 Mg ha –1 , 73% of annual rye (1.8 Mg ha –1 ). Modest yields from perennials relative to annuals refl ected lower harvest index, lower yield per tiller, and less kernel mass. One-year-old and 2-yr-old perennial plants had similar seed yields, yield components, and biomass production, indicating that plant age had little eff ect on these parameters and older plants maintained yield potential. In contrast, phenology did vary with plant age, and showed a shift toward earlier spring growth and later fl owering dates in older perennial plants. Th is illustrates an expanded vegetative period for regrowing plants of these perennial cereals. Th ere appears to be potential for producing an early season forage crop from these cereals, although biomass yields were not high at this site and regrowth was not always reliable. Overall, performance of perennial rye was consistent with a viable new cereal crop. On the other hand, perennial wheat requires further selection for allocation of biomass to grain and vigorous regrowth.
Toward a Normative Model of Rational Argumentation for Critical Accounting Discussions

Abstract This article is based on the premise that the primary goal of a critical discussion in the accounting standard setting due process should be to reach conclusions by means of reasoned arguments. A normative model for achieving this goal is applied to some arguments made in recent accounting standard setting debates in the U.S. The model consists of eight maxims for advancing and defending arguments in a critical discussion in general and five presuppositions for a critical discussion about external financial reporting topics in particular. The normative model provides criteria for evaluating the validity of arguments, but it also is recognized that like all other language games the model does not (and cannot) carry within itself its own legitimation. The article concludes by considering how the standard setting debates can yield not only technical accounting outcomes but also changes in the nature of due process itself.
Does Trade Liberalization Increase Global Pollution

Abstract In this paper we consider a simple duopoly market in which a home firm and a foreign firm use labor to produce an identical product and supply it to the home market. Firms emit pollution as a by-product of production. We show conditions under which international trade liberalization decreases (increases) the global pollution.
Higher algebraic K-theory of admissible abelian categories and localization theorems

Abstract We define admissible abelian categories and compute the K -theory of such categories, with the aim to study and compute the K -groups of noncommutative rings and other noncommutative situations. One of the main results of this dissertation is the localization theorem.
Commonly used herbal medicines in the United States: a review

Herbal medicines are widely used in the United States, with approximately one quarter of adults reporting use of an herb to treat a medical illness within the past year. Herbs contain complicated mixtures of organic chemicals, the levels of which may vary substantially depending upon many factors related to the growth, production, and processing of the herbal product. While many manufacturers attempt to provide products with consistent levels of suspected active ingredients through a process known as standardization, this technique has uncertain effects on the safety and efficacy of the final product. Herbs are considered to be dietary supplements in the United States and therefore are subjected to a very limited form of regulation and oversight. Although herbs are often believed to be "natural" and therefore safe, many dangerous and lethal side effects have recently been reported, including direct toxic effects, allergic reactions, effects from contaminants, and interactions with drugs and other herbs. Of the ten most commonly used herbs in the United States, systematic reviews have concluded that only four are likely to be effective, and there is very limited evidence to evaluate the efficacy of the approximately 20,000 other available herbal products. Because herbs may contain potent bioactive substances and are often marketed to treat specific diseases, many have argued that they should be subject to more stringent regulation, similar to over-the-counter drugs. To improve the safety and consistency of herbs, additional research is needed to define the pharmacology, stability, and bioavailability of these products.
Electron beam phase-space measurement using a high-precision tomography technique

We report a measurement of the multidimensional phase-space density distribution of an electron bunch. The measurement combines the techniques of picosecond slice-emittance measurement and high-resolution tomographic measurement of transverse phase space. This technique should have a significant impact on the development of low emittance beams and their many applications, such as short-wavelength free-electron lasers and laser accelerators. A diagnostic that provides detailed information on the density distribution of the electron bunch in multidimensional phase space is an essential tool for obtaining a small emittance at a reasonable charge and for understanding the physics of emittance growth. We previously reported a measurement of the slice emittance of a picosecond electron beam [J. S. Fraser, R. L. Sheffield, and E. R. Gray, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res., Sect. A 250, 71 (1986).]. The tomographic reconstruction of the phase space was suggested [X. Qiu, K. Batchelor, I. Ben-Zvi, and X. J. Wang, Phys. Rev. Lett. 76, 3723 (1996).] and implemented [C. B. McKee, P. G. O'Shea, and J. M. J. Madey, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res., Sect. A 358, 264 (1995); I. Ben-Zvi, J. X. Qiu, and X. J. Wang, in Proceedings of the Particle Accelerator Conference, Vancouver, 1997 (IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 1997).] using a single quadrupole scan. In the present work we expand the tomographic reconstruction work and combine it with the slice-emittance method. Our present tomographic work pays special attention to the accuracy of the phase-space reconstruction. We use a transport line with nine focusing magnets, and present an analysis and technique aimed at the control of the optical functions and phases. This high-precision phase-space tomography together with the ability to modify the radial charge distribution of the electron beam presents an opportunity to improve the emittance and apply nonlinear radial emittance corrections. Combining the slice emittance and tomography diagnostics leads to an unprecedented visualization of phase-space distributions in five-dimensional phase space and provides an opportunity to perform high-order emittance corrections.
Small-signal gain of Free Electron Laser in a resonator Gaussian mode

We present an analytical expression for the small-signal gain of a Free Electron Laser (FEL) in the presence of a Gaussian mode. To describe the electron beam evolution we use the one-dimensional (1-d) Vlasov equation. Our perturbation result, valid for small values of the parameterq (length of the undulatorL divided by the Rayleigh rangeZ R), can be extrapolated to values ofq≈4÷5.
OOPS: an object-oriented particle simulation class library for distributed architectures

Abstract A general purpose, object-oriented particle simulation (OOPS) library has been developed for use on a variety of system architectures with a uniform high-level interface. This includes the development of library implementations for the CM5, PVM clusters, and the CRI T3D. Codes written on any of these platforms can be ported to other platforms without modifications by utilizing the high-level library. The general character of the library allows application to such diverse areas as plasma physics, suspension flows, vortex simulations, porous media, and materials science.
Opposite changes in rat liver glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase during aging in Sprague-Dawley and Fischer 344 male rats

Abstract The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase per milligram cytosol protein decreases to half of the post-pubertal level by 24 months of age in Sprague-Dawley rats, but increases to double the post-pubertal level by 24 months in Fischer 344 rats. Opposite changes in the isozyme ratios of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the two strains were also observed. These findings support the concept of altered regulation during aging of rats, but show that there is not a constant regulatory effect on liver lipogenic enzymes during mammalian senescence.
Formal Methods for Data-centric Web Services: From Model to Implementation

Web services allow organizations to capture their human and software-based capabilities as modular software components that are called remotely over a network. In such service-oriented settings, it is important to establish an agreement that sets the obligations of the service provider and the expectations of the service consumer. Since traditional approaches such as Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are loosely defined with respect to data integrity aspects, in previous work, we proposed a formal model for specifying data-centric Web services. The goal is to formally and unambiguously specify the service behavior in terms of its underlying data model and data interactions. In this paper, we present our model and our effort in specifying and verifying data-centric Web services using three state-of-the-art specification languages: JML, Dafny and RESOLVE. Our goal is to study the feasibility of our proposed model and also to pinpoint the challenges and limitations of current specification and verification tools.
Why CO bonds side-on at low coverage and both side-on and upright at high coverage on the Cr(110) surface

An atom superposition and electron delocalization molecular orbital study of CO adsorption on the Cr(110) surface shows a high coordinate lying down orientation is favored. This is a result of the large number of empty d-band energy levels in chromium, which allows the antibonding counterparts to sigma and pi donation bonds to the surface to be empty. When lying down, backbonding to CO pi sup * orbitals is enhanced. Repulsive interactions cause additional CO to stand upright at 1/4 monolyer coverage. The results confirm the recent experimental study of Shinn and Madey.
A Zn(II) ion selective fluorescence sensor that is not affected by Cd(II)

Comparison of sensors sodium-2,6-diamino-(N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetate)-4-methylanisole 1 and sodium-2,6-diamino-(N,N,N′-triacetate)-4-methylanisole 2 reveal that the loss of an acetyl group in 2 leads to a more selective Zn(II) induced fluorescence enhancement and shows no response to any other metal ions including Cd(II). Structural modifications and AM1 calculations indicate that the sensor uses the three acetyl groups and the 3° amino nitrogen for binding the metal ion. AM1 calculations imply a trigonal bipyramidal coordination for Zn(II) with the solvent molecule occupying one of the axial positions.
The U.S. Forest Service and Its Responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act: A Work Design Problem

The U.S. Forest Service’s responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act entail a wide range of activities including scoping, scientific analysis, social and economic analysis, managing public input and involvement, media relations, regulatory analysis, and litigation. These myriad duties raise several important organizational and management questions. First, is the U.S. Forest Service capable of discharging these widely varying tasks with high levels of effectiveness and efficiency? To what extent should these activities be outsourced to private contractors or other providers? For those responsibilities retained in-house, what organizational structure best supports their effective and efficient execution? To address these questions, this article draws on concepts from new institutional economics and insights from the privatization and strategic organizational design literatures.
Theory of organization in nature: pulsating physiological processes

Abstract This paper shows that thermodynamic optimization provides a common theoretical basis for the existence of the finely tuned frequencies of pulsating processes of animals. In respiration and circulation, the minimization of mechanical power consumption subject to finite contact area and mass transfer (metabolic) rate constraints also explains why frequencies decrease as the body size (M) increases. For example, it is shown that the optimal breathing and heartbeat time intervals should increase as M0.24, which is in excellent agreement with experimental data. It is also shown that the breathing and heartbeat time intervals should be of the same order of magnitude. In ejaculation, the maximization of the mechanical power transmitted to the ejected seminal fluid explains the existence of an optimal bursting time interval. The deterministic method of thermodynamic optimization predicts temporal organization in Nature, and extends thermodynamics to the field of biology.
Microstructural evolution of both as-irradiated and subsequently deformed microstructures of 316 L stainless steel irradiated at 30–160 °C at LANSCE

Abstract Specimens of 316 L stainless steel were irradiated to 0.5–10.3 dpa at 30–80 °C with a mixture of 500–800 MeV protons and spallation neutrons at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). Tensile test results of irradiated 316 L reported earlier had showed hardening and embrittlement with increasing irradiation dose, with significant irradiation hardening occurring at a dose of as low as 0.5 dpa. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) examination of the irradiated microstructure of 316 L showed black-spot damage (small loops) and somewhat larger faulted Frank loops to produce the hardening. There was an initial decrease in uniform elongation at low dose levels from 49% (unirradiated) to 30% at 1.1 dpa, followed by a second, rather abrupt contribution to ductility loss at higher doses (∼2.5 dpa) from 21% at 2.5 dpa to 0.5% at 3 dpa. This second drop in ductility was not accompanied by any visible new or enhanced microstructural development. In the current study additional transmission electron microscope investigation was conducted on both as-irradiated and irradiated plus subsequently deformed 316 L in the vicinity of the second abrupt ductility loss (∼2.5 dpa). The steel was observed to deform mainly by twinning and no brittle phases were found in the deformation microstructure. It is proposed that gas accumulation with increasing dpa, especially of hydrogen, may be a contributor to this second abrupt decrease in uniform elongation. Although the retained gas (helium and hydrogen) levels approached ∼0.6 at.% total at the highest exposure level, no discernible cavities were observed.
Control arms in exercise training studies: transitioning from an era of intervention efficacy to one of comparative clinical effectiveness research

despite the widely held recognition that physical activity improves health, a number of clinically relevant scientific questions regarding physical activity require further investigation ([1][1]). In this Viewpoint, we propose that physical activity research transition from determining efficacy,
New Union Organizing: A Test of the Ashenfelter-Pencavel Model of Trade Union Growth

Introduction and summary, 304. — The Ashenfelter-Pencavel model, 305. — Testing the Ashenfelter-Pencavel model, 307.
LC‐MS in Metabonomics: Optimization of Experimental Conditions for the Analysis of Metabolites in Human Urine

Abstract The analysis of metabolic pathways for dysfunction has been used for many years in the scientific and medical community to determine overall health. Metabonomics (metabolomics), the global profiling of metabolites, has experienced a rekindling of interest due, in part, to advances in analytical instrumentation for conducting measurements and informatics available for interpretation of the data acquired in this area of biomedical research. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS) based approaches are two primary analytical methods of choice for conducting metabonomic measurements. To overcome the complexity and wide dynamic range of concentrations of metabolites present in biological samples, a common practice is to couple online an analytical separation, typically high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with the mass spectrometer. Hence, of critical importance are not only the MS acquisition parameters, but also optimization of those variables that impact th...
Spider Colonization of Agroecosystems: Mode and Source

The means by which spiders arrive in newly cultivated fields were investigated in east Tennessee study plots through collections of cursorial and aerial immigrants into a garden system; through experimental manipulations of garden plots to distinguish between aerial and cursorial immigrants; and through censuses of the spider faunas of garden plots and of neighboring habitats in various stages of succession. The familial compositions of the aerial dispersers and cursorial dispersers differed significantly. Further, the majority of the spiders entering the garden plots arrived via ballooning (passive dispersal on air currents). Mark-recapture experiment results indicate that bordering habitats can contribute spiders if these are physiognomically similar. However, ≍50% of the spider species found in our garden plots were not found in nearby “natural habitats.” This represents a minimum estimate of the contribution of long-distance immigration. These data indicate that spider immigration into agricultural systems is not dependent on a neighboring reservoir (natural habitat).
Quality control procedures in the preparation of 2-deoxy-D-[1-11C] glucose radiopharmaceutical

Preparation and quality control of 2-deoxy-D-[1-11C] glucose (11C-2DG, 1) have been accomplished by a combination of cation-exchange and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to give the radiopharmaceutical in greater than 99% radiochemical purity and an overall 25-35% radiochemical yield in 45-50 min. Quality control procedures utilizing GC and HPLC have been developed to determine not only chemical and radiochemical purity of the final product, but also to examine the reactants used and the products formed during the preparation of 1.
Slit camera focal spot measurement errors in mammography

Mammography x-ray tube focal spot sizes are routinely measured during acceptance testing and annual performance audits. The National Electrical Manufactures Association (NEMA) recommends the slit camera for this purpose. Investigated were the effect of slit rotational misalignment, tilt misalignment, image film density, film and screen-film image receptors, microscope magnification and reticule accuracy, and observer variation on slit camera focal spot measurements. Our results indicate that small rotational misalignment (< 5 degrees) and tilt misalignment (< 3 degrees) introduce insignificant error. Measured focal spot size increased slightly with image optical density, indicating that for consistent results the image optical density variations should be minimized. Also desirable for accurate field measurements is a high power microscope (25-50x) and a reticule with divisions of < or = 0.02 mm. Screen-film imaging consistently resulted in a slightly smaller measured focal spot size than direct film. The greatest source of error was due to observer variation. Of interest is that reader variability showed a consistent pattern and variation between two measurements by the same observer was much smaller than between observer variation, suggesting that standardized criteria should be established and a method of reader training developed. The length of the focal spot is defined at a reference axis angle specified by the mammography unit manufacturer. Presented is a tabulation of the focal spot geometry and reference axis angles for the majority of mammography units currently and recently marketed in North America.
Effects of alkali halides on the thermal decompositions of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(2‐hydroxy ethyl methacrylate)

The effects of alkali halides on the nonoxidative thermal degradations of poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) are described. The magnitudes of the effects of various alkali halides on polymer thermal degradations were found to depend on the salt and the polymer. Mass spectrometric analysis of volatiles evolved during polymer degradation detected alkyl halides formed by reactions between the salts and polymers. Compared to poly(methyl methacrylate), more alkyl halide was evolved from samples containing alkali halides and poly(2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate). To varying degrees, salts also catalyzed ester decomposition reactions for this polymer. Infrared spectroscopic analysis results showed that carboxylate salts, carbonate, and carbon monoxide were formed by heating polymer/salt mixtures.
Konrad Hochedlinger: ISSCR Outstanding Young Investigator for 2009

The inaugural ISSCR Outstanding Young Investigator Award was awarded to Konrad Hochedlinger in recognition of exceptional achievements in the early part of his independent stem cell research career.