cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Law, Moral Attitudes, and Behavioral Change

The fear of sanction or desire for rewards is the most straightforward way that law influences behavior, but it might not always be the most effective. More indirectly, law can change moral attitudes underlying behaviors, and this mechanism is potentially extremely efficient by being self-enforcing. Law can influence moral attitudes by recharacterizing behavior previously thought of as harmless, by signaling moral approval for behaviors previously thought of as outside the domain of morality, or by developing a general reputation for doing what justice requires and by providing high quality treatment to citizens. Laws sometimes affect moral attitudes in the intended ways, but sometimes they do not. We argue that the success of legal regulation in changing moral attitudes will depend on a number of variables. We focus specifically on: 1) whether the regulation aims to change attitudes which are important to individuals’ cultural identities; 2) whether there is underlying dissensus about the behavior or attitude; 3) whether the law is attempting to change the underlying meaning of behaviors, rather than trying to change the behaviors itself. We examine the influence of law through various mechanisms, including physical architecture, social meaning, attitude change, and consensus. Throughout the discussion of these mechanisms, we focus on factors that lead to success, failure, or even perverse effects.
Potts models with magnetic field: Arithmetic, geometry, and computation

We give a sheaf theoretic interpretation of Potts models with external magnetic field, in terms of constructible sheaves and their Euler characteristics. We show that the polynomial countability question for the hypersurfaces defined by the vanishing of the partition function is affected by changes in the magnetic field: elementary examples suffice to see non-polynomially countable cases that become polynomially countable after a perturbation of the magnetic field. The same recursive formula for the Grothendieck classes, under edge-doubling operations, holds as in the case without magnetic field, but the closed formulae for specific examples like banana graphs differ in the presence of magnetic field. We give examples of computation of the Euler characteristic with compact support, for the set of real zeros, and find a similar exponential growth with the size of the graph. This can be viewed as a measure of topological and algorithmic complexity. We also consider the computational complexity question for evaluations of the polynomial, and show both tractable and NP-hard examples, using dynamic programming.
Dissolution Kinetics of Titanium Pyrochlore Ceramics at 90°C by Single-Pass Flow-Through Experiments

Corrosion resistances of titanium-based ceramics are quantified using single-pass flow-through (SPFT) experiments. The materials tested include simple pyrochlore group (B2Ti2O7, where B=Lu3+ or Gd3+) and compositionally complex pure phase pyrochlore (PY12) or zirconolite- and brannerite-bearing pyrochlore-dominated (BSL3) ceramics. Experiments are conducted at 90°C over a range of pH-buffered conditions with typical duration of experiments in excess of 120 days. Apparent steady-state dissolution rates at pH=2 determined on the Gd2Ti2O7 and Lu2Ti2O7 samples indicate congruent dissolution, with rates of the former (1.3×10-3to 4.3×10-3) slightly faster than the latter (4.4×10−4 to 7.0×10−4g m−2d−1). Rates for PY12 materials into pH=2 solutions are 5.9×10−5 to 8.6×10−5 g m−2 d−1. In contrast, experiments with BSL3 material do not reach steady-state conditions, and appear to undergo rapid physical and chemical corrosion into solution. Dissolution rates of PY12 display a shallow amphoteric behavior, with a minimum (2.7×10−5 g m−2 d−1) near pH values of 7. Dissolution rates display a measurable increase (~10X) with increasing flow-through rate indicating the strong influence that chemical affinity exerts on the system. These results step towards an evaluation of the corrosion mechanism and an evaluation of the long-term performance of Pu-bearing titanate engineered materials in the subsurface.
Investigation on nanocrystalline copper-doped zirconia thin films for optical sensing of carbon monoxide at high temperature

Abstract Nanocrystalline copper-doped zirconia (CDZ; Cu:Zr = 16:84) thin films have been synthesized on long-period fiber gratings (CDZ-LPFG) by a polymeric precursor method. The CDZ-LPFG device was demonstrated to have high sensitivity and good reversibility for low-concentration CO sensing at high temperatures. The CDZ-LPFG responds with red shifts of its resonant wavelength ( λ R ) to CO-containing gases and the λ R shift reverses when it is exposed to air. The optical response of the CDZ-LPFG to CO is due primarily to the CDZ refractive index variations resulted from the reversible redox reactions (i.e. Cu 2+ ⇔ Cu + ) in reducing and oxidizing atmospheres. The magnitude of the λ R shift exhibited a strong dependence on CO concentration in a range from 0 to 1000 ppm that is potentially useful for quantitative measurement.
Effect of antioxidants on enzyme-catalysed biodegradation of carbon nanotubes

The growing applications of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) inevitably increase the risk of exposure to this potentially toxic nanomaterial. In an attempt to address this issue, research has been implemented to study the biodegradation of CNTs. In particular, myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme expressed by inflammatory cells of animals including humans, catalyse the degradation of oxidized carbon nanomaterials. While reactive intermediates generated by MPO efficiently degrade oxidized single-walled carbon nanotubes (o-SWCNTs); the exact mechanism of enzyme-catalysed biodegradation remains ambiguous. In this work, we tried to explain enzymatic oxidation in terms of redox potentials by employing competitive substrates for MPO such as chloride, which is oxidized by MPO to form a strong oxidant (hypochlorite), and antioxidants that have lower redox potentials than CNTs. Employing transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the addition of antioxidants, L-ascorbic acid and L-glutathione, with or without chloride significantly mitigates MPO-catalysed biodegradation of o-SWCNTs. This study focuses on a fundamental understanding of the mechanisms of enzymatic biodegradation of CNTs and the impact of antioxidants on these pathways.
Comparison of the penetrability of the egg vestments in follicular oocytes, unfertilized and fertilized ova of the rabbit.

Abstract Mixed populations of rabbit ovulated eggs and follicular oocytes, one labelled with a fluorescent marker, were transferred to the same tubal ampulla of an inseminated recipient female and were then recovered 3 hr later. There was no significant difference in the number spermatozoa penetrating to the perivitelline space or within the substance of the zona pellucida of follicular oocytes (immature or atretic) and mature ovulated ova. In contrast to mature ovulated ova, however, none of the spermatozoa reaching the perivitelline space of vesicular (dictyate) oocytes had attached to or penetrated the vitelline surface to enter the ooplasm. The same approach involving transfer of nonpenetrated eggs together with eggs penetrated previously in a donor female, demonstrated that prior entry of spermatozoa does not reduce the penetrability or receptivity of the rabbit zona pellucida to subsequent spermatozoa. These experiments indicate: (a) that the penetrability of the granulosa cell investment and/or zona pellucida of the rabbit follicular oocyte does not change from the time of antrum formation until the point at which follicular atresia ensures; (b) that between the time of initial LH stimulation and ovulation important changes mediating the onset of the fertizability of the dictyate oocyte of the rabbit probably occur at the vitelline surface; and (c) that in neither a qualitative nor quantitative sense has the demonstrably greater resistance of the rabbit zona pellucida to proteolysis following fertilization any physiological significance for sperm penetration.
Non-Inferential Moral Knowledge

In a series of recent papers, Walter Sinnott-Armstrong has developed a novel argument against moral intuitionism. I suggest a defense on behalf of the intuitionist against Sinnott-Armstrong’s objections. Rather than focus on the main premises of his argument, I instead examine the way in which Sinnott-Armstrong construes the intuitionistic position. I claim that Sinnott-Armstrong’s understanding of intuitionism is mistaken. In particular, I argue that Sinnott-Armstrong mischaracterizes non-inferentiality as it figures in intuitionism. To the extent that Sinnott-Armstrong’s account of intuitionism has been adopted by others uncritically, intuitionists have cause for concern. I develop an alternative, and more accurate, reading of what is non-inferential about intuitionistic moral knowledge. In light of this alternative reading, certain elements of Sinnott-Armstrong’s case against intuitionism are significantly weakened. But perhaps more importantly, this paper helps clarify what circumspect intuitionists mean when they claim that some moral knowledge is non-inferential.
On-line organic-phase enzyme detector

Abstract The utility of flow carbon-fiber enzyme electrodes for on-line biomonitoring of organic streams is illustrated. The enzymes peroxidase and tyrosinase are immobilized by simple adsorption onto an electrochemically pretreated carbon-fiber surface. The resulting detectors respond very rapidly to dynamic changes in the concentration of organic peroxides and phenolic compounds in flowing chloroform and acetonitrile solutions. The flow-injection operation is characterized with high sample throughputs (60 h −1 , good precision (1.1–1.7% R.S.D.) and detection limits of 2–4 × 10 −5 M. The organic-phase enzyme electrode could be combined with various types of analytical flow systems and should allow on-line monitoring of previously inaccessible organic matrices.
DEVELOPMENT OF A SURFACE WASHING AGENT EFFECTIVENESS PROTOCOL

ABSTRACT The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is developing a protocol for testing the effectiveness of surface washing agents (SWAs) in a laboratory setting. The criteria for evaluating SWA effectiveness is based on the amount of crude oil that can be removed from a substrate with a specified amount of test cleaner. For protocol development and testing, acid washed sand was used as the shoreline substrate. Prudhoe Bay Crude, a medium weight EPA/American Petroleum Institute (API) standard reference oil, and three SWAs were tested. Oil was applied to the sand in 2″ x2″ x2″ stainless steel mesh baskets and allowed to weather for a period of time before the SWA was applied. SWA was applied as a neat solution at a product to oil volume ratio of 2:1. The baskets were then submerged in seawater in 1-L beakers and agitated on a rotary shaker table. The effects of testing variables, including substrate hydration, mode of oil application, oil-weathering time, oil-SWA contact time, mixing speed, and mixin...
The future of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata invasion of California: A predictive framework

The objective of this paper is to predict the state-wide invasion patterns and eventual distribution and abundance of the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata in California if current eradication efforts fail. The predictions are based on four assumptions: (1) the medfly is established in the state; (2) existing eradication technologies are inadequate; (3) no new and effective eradication technology will be developed in the near future; and (4) the population will not become extinct due to natural causes. Based on climatic, agricultural and demographic information and historical capture patterns, the invasion is predicted to progress in five stages, the first two of which are already completed: Phase I-Introduction and establishment (in Los Angeles Basin and Bay Area); Phase II-Range expansion within LA Basin and Bay Area; Phase III-Escape from LA Basin/Bay Area and spread along Pacific coast; Phase IV-Colonization of the interior; and Phase V-Invasion completion. The highest medfly populations will probably occur along the south coast region of Los Angeles and San Diego as well as in the southern San Joaquin Valley; high population densities will also likely exist along the central coast region (Santa Barbara to Santa Cruz), in the Bay Area and in the Sacramento Valley. Low populations will exist along the north coast and populations will be rare or absent in Sierra Nevadas and in the northeastern and southeastern interior regions. Generalizations and implications for invasion biology are discussed.
Bypass and flow reduction for complex basilar and vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms.

BACKGROUND Giant aneurysms of the vertebral and basilar arteries are formidable lesions to treat. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients with vertebrobasilar aneurysms treated with extracranial-intracranial bypass and flow reduction. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed a prospective database of aneurysms cases treated between December 1993 and August 2011. RESULTS Eleven patients (8 male, 3 female) with 12 aneurysms were treated. There were 3 basilar apex aneurysms, 2 aneurysms of the basilar trunk, and 7 vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms. There were 5 saccular and 7 fusiform aneurysms. All patients underwent extracranial-intracranial bypass and vessel occlusion. Flow was reversed or reduced by complete (n = 6) or partial occlusion of the basilar artery (n = 3) or by occlusion of the vertebral arteries distal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (n = 3). Postoperatively (mean follow-up, 71.6 months; range, 4-228; median, 49 months), the bypass patency rate was 92.3% (12/13). The perioperative mortality rate for the initial treatment was 18.2% (2/11). In 4 cases, the aneurysms continued to grow and required further treatment; after re-treatment, 3 of these patients died. Of the initial 11 patients, 6 were treated successfully and 5 died. The mean preoperative modified Rankin Scale score was 2.1 (range, 1-3; median, 2). At last follow-up for all patients, the mean modified Rankin Scale score was 3.45 (range, 1-6; median, 3) and 2.5 (range, 1-4; median, 2.5) for the 6 long-term survivors. CONCLUSION Vertebrobasilar aneurysms are challenging lesions with limited microsurgical or endovascular options. Despite aggressive surgical treatment, the long-term outcome remains poor for most patients.
Modulation of gene expression by alloimmune networks following murine heart transplantation

The objective of our study was to analyze gene expression profiles in a complex in vivo model of solid organ transplantation, and to investigate the effects of single-gene deletions on alloimmunity. Using algorithms to generate dendrograms and self-organizing maps, we differentiated the alloimmune profiles of 16 transgenic knockout mouse strains, and identified subsets of genes that correlate with the duration of graft survival and provide candidates for prognostic and diagnostic indicators following transplantation in our model system.
Adsorption of Myxoviruses on Magnetic Iron Oxides

SummaryInfluenza virus will adsorb to powdered magnetic ferric oxide and can be eluted from the iron with appropriate concentrations of sodium phosphate or sodium carbonate. This reaction appears to be a physical adsorption and provides a simple method for concentration and partial purification of viruses.
Primer-free Aptamer selection using a random DNA library

Aptamers are highly structured oligonucleotides (DNA or RNA) that can bind to targets with affinities comparable to antibodies 1. They are identified through an in vitro selection process called Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX) to recognize a wide variety of targets, from small molecules to proteins and other macromolecules 2-4. Aptamers have properties that are well suited for in vivo diagnostic and/or therapeutic applications: Besides good specificity and affinity, they are easily synthesized, survive more rigorous processing conditions, they are poorly immunogenic, and their relatively small size can result in facile penetration of tissues. Aptamers that are identified through the standard SELEX process usually comprise ~80 nucleotides (nt), since they are typically selected from nucleic acid libraries with ~40 nt long randomized regions plus fixed primer sites of ~20 nt on each side. The fixed primer sequences thus can comprise nearly ~50% of the library sequences, and therefore may positively or negatively compromise identification of aptamers in the selection process 3, although bioinformatics approaches suggest that the fixed sequences do not contribute significantly to aptamer structure after selection 5. To address these potential problems, primer sequences have been blocked by complementary oligonucleotides or switched to different sequences midway during the rounds of SELEX 6, or they have been trimmed to 6-9 nt 7, 8. Wen and Gray 9 designed a primer-free genomic SELEX method, in which the primer sequences were completely removed from the library before selection and were then regenerated to allow amplification of the selected genomic fragments. However, to employ the technique, a unique genomic library has to be constructed, which possesses limited diversity, and regeneration after rounds of selection relies on a linear reamplification step. Alternatively, efforts to circumvent problems caused by fixed primer sequences using high efficiency partitioning are met with problems regarding PCR amplification 10. We have developed a primer-free (PF) selection method that significantly simplifies SELEX procedures and effectively eliminates primer-interference problems 11, 12. The protocols work in a straightforward manner. The central random region of the library is purified without extraneous flanking sequences and is bound to a suitable target (for example to a purified protein or complex mixtures such as cell lines). Then the bound sequences are obtained, reunited with flanking sequences, and re-amplified to generate selected sub-libraries. As an example, here we selected aptamers to S100B, a protein marker for melanoma. Binding assays showed Kd s in the 10-7 - 10-8 M range after a few rounds of selection, and we demonstrate that the aptamers function effectively in a sandwich binding format.
A tuneable, switchable dielectric grating

Electromagnetic scattering characteristics of dielectric gratings are examined numerically using the finite-element method. The gratings are created by introducing pressurized dielectric fluid into periodic tubes within a dielectric sheet. A structure is presented which has an extremely narrow stop-band (total power reflection) immediately adjacent to a passband (total transmission). It is shown that the critical bands can be shifted by changing the fluid pressure, at a cost of only slightly less than perfect passband transmission (97%), while the rejection band remains perfect (100%). Thus, a unique tuneable, switchable frequency selective surface can be easily realized. >
Computer assisted measurement of femoral cortex thickening on radiographs

Radiographic features such as femoral cortex thickening have been frequently observed with atypical subtrochanteric fractures. These features may be a valuable finding to help prevent fractures before they happen. The current practice of manual measurement is often subjective and inconsistent. We developed a semi-automatic tool to consistently measure and monitor the progress of femoral cortex thickening on radiographs. By placing two seed points on each side of the femur, the program automatically extracts the periosteal and endosteal layers of the cortical shell by active contour models and B-spline fitting. Several measurements are taken along the femur shaft, including shaft diameter, cortical thickness, and integral area for medial and lateral cortex. The experiment was conducted on 52 patient datasets. The semi-automatic measurements were validated against manual measurements on 52 patients and demonstrated great improvement in consistency and accuracy (p<0.001).
Simple fit for magic-angle magnetoresistance in (TMTSF)2PF6

The angular-dependent magnetoresistance in the Bechgaard salts (TMTSF) 2 X (X = PF 6 , ClO 4 , etc.) is characterized by sharp dips when the field is aligned along lattice vectors. Although magic-angle effects were originally predicted by Lebed, they remain largely unexplained. Here we present detailed interplane transport data and show that a simple model involving conductivity contributions from transfers between neighboring chains, which are individually destroyed by a perpendicular field, fits most c-axis data remarkably well. The fitting illustrates what can be explained by classical transport and what cannot-a dominant term from hopping perpendicular to the current direction. Combined with the observation that the fitting also "works" for a-axis data, this suggests a different interpretation: The quasi-one-dimensional system is insulating and any unnesting transfer makes it metallic.
Refractive errors in low-income preschoolers

Purpose: To estimate the overall prevalence of refractive errors in a study population of low-income preschoolers in San Diego County. Methods: The study sample included 507 preschool children selected from a study population of all 3–5 year-old children in Head Start and San Diego Unified School District preschools (74% Latino). The sample was examined by optometrists in the mobile clinic of the University of California, San Diego, Department of Ophthalmology with retinoscopy under cycloplegia to assess the presence of refractive errors defined as myopia ≥2D in 3–4 year-olds and ≥1D in > 4 year-olds; hyperopia ≥4D in 3–4 year-olds and ≥3D in > 4 year-olds; and astigmatism ≥1.75D in 3–4 year-olds and ≥1.5D in > 4 year-olds. Anisometropia was defined as ≥1.25D difference between the eyes. Emmetropia was defined as refractive errors below these levels. Results: A total of 16% (n = 81 children) (95% confidence interval: 15.4–16.5) met study definitions of refractive errors in at least one eye. Myopia was fou...
Space Telescope performance prediction using the OSAC code.

The Optical Surface Analysis Code (OSAC) is used to predict the optical performance of the Hubble Space Telescope. The analysis is described in detail and compared to previous performance prediction analyses. The mathematical foundations of the various analyses are compared and a description of the mirror data that was used as input is summarized. Finally, the analyses and their results are compared in detail. OSAC is shown to be a valuable tool for separating and analyzing the effects of misalignments, figure errors, and mid and high-frequency statistical mirror surface errors on optical performance and compares well with previous analyses.
Adjustable-voltage hoist drives for cranes

The adjustable-voltage drives for hoist motion of cranes use d-c motors with speed and direction of rotation determined by the generators supplying the power. The drives, only recently made practical for industry from a cost standpoint, have many advantages that should be considered by designers.
Experimental Test of the Pion-Nucleon Forward Dispersion Relations at High Energies

The small-angle differential scattering cross sections of protons for pions have been measured to high precision at the Brookhaven AGS. The range of incident momenta was 8-20 GeV/c for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$, and 8-26 GeV/c for ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. The real part of the pion-nucleon forward scattering amplitude was determined by observing its interference with the known Coulomb amplitude. Combining these results with precision measurements of pion-proton total cross sections over this energy range provided a critical test of the predictions of the forward dispersion relations. The results demonstrate the validity of the dispersion relations up to at least 20 GeV/c laboratory momentum. The predictions of charge independence are also verified by comparing these experimental measurements with forward charge-exchange scattering cross sections. Furthermore, if microscopic causality is violated, this occurs at "distances" less than ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}15}$ cm.
A queuing model for designing an optimal three-dimensional maintenance float system

Abstract In this paper, we consider a float system that consists of a single workstation, a repair station of several parallel and identical servers, and an inventory buffer of several standby components serving the workstation. We determine the optimal capacity of inventory buffer (F), the size of repair crew (S), and the mean repair rate (μ) such that the total operations cost is minimized. In particular, by assuming exponential failure and repair, we model the system as a finite birth and death process (an M/M/S/F queue). We develop a generalized optimization algorithm to obtain the optimal combinations of all three variables.
Identification of a pyridoxine (pyridoxamine) 5′-phosphate oxidase from Arabidopsis thaliana

Pyridoxine (pyridoxamine) 5'-phosphate oxidase (PPOX) catalyzes the oxidative conversion of pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate (PMP) or pyridoxine 5'-phosphate (PNP) to pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP). The At5g49970 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana shows homology to PPOX's from a number of organisms including the Saccharomyces cerevisiae PDX3 gene. A cDNA corresponding to putative A. thaliana PPOX (AtPPOX) was obtained using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and primers landing at the start and stop codons of At5g49970. The putative AtPPOX is 530 amino acid long and predicted to contain three distinct parts: a 64 amino acid long N-terminal putative chloroplast transit peptide, followed by a long Yjef_N domain of unknown function and a C-terminal Pyridox_oxidase domain. Recombinant proteins representing the C-terminal domain of AtPPOX and AtPPOX without transit peptide were expressed in E. coli and showed PPOX enzyme activity. The PDX3 knockout yeast deficient in PPOX activity exhibited sensitivity to oxidative stress. Constructs of AtPPOX cDNA of different lengths complemented the PDX3 knockout yeast for oxidative stress. The role of the Yjef_N domain of AtPPOX was not determined, but it shows homology with a number of conserved hypothetical proteins of unknown function.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Cerebral Aqueduct

1.5 Tesla MRI examinations were evaluated for aqueductal configuration, hydrocephalus and flow-related signal void in 70 patients with juxtaaqueductal pathology and in 20 normal controls. In the 70 cases with pathology, the aqueduct was obliterated or distorted in 34, dilated in 3, normal in 29 and not evaluable in 4. A definite flow-related signal void indicated CSF movement within the aqueduct in all normal examinations. Flow-related signal void was absent in some, but not all, patients with aqueductal obliteration and distortion. CSF turbulence can create an intra-aqueductal signal void in the dilated proximal aqueduct, despite more distal obstruction. Thus hydrocephalus related to aqueductal obstruction is frequently, but not always, associated with absence of signal void.
An improved markov random field model for supporting verbose queries

Recent work in supervised learning of term-based retrieval models has shown significantly improved accuracy can often be achieved via better model estimation. In this paper, we show retrieval accuracy with Metzler and Croft's Markov random field (MRF) approach can be similarly improved via supervised learning. While the original MRF method estimates a parameter for each of its three feature classes from data, parameters within each class are set via a uniform weighting scheme adopted from the standard unigram. We conjecture greater MRF retrieval accuracy should be possible by better estimating within-class parameters, particularly for verbose queries employing natural language terms. Retrieval experiments with these queries on three TREC document collections show our improved MRF consistently out-performs both the original MRF and supervised unigram baselines. Additional experiments using blind-feedback and evaluation with optimal weighting demonstrate both the immediate value and further potential of our method.
79-Year-Old Man With Fever, Malaise, and Jaundice

A 79-year-old man from western Wisconsin presented to an outside emergency department in July with a 4-day history of fever and malaise. He denied chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, cough, constipation, diarrhea, and rashes. He had been experiencing nocturia, and his wife noted very dark urine despite the patient remaining hydrated. He denied dysuria, frequent urination, or gross hematuria. His medical history was notable for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The patient was a retired construction worker and enjoyed walking in the woods. He had not traveled outside of Wisconsin or Minnesota for several years. He denied any tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drug use. Electrocardiography (ECG) performed in the emergency department showed atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response and ST depression in leads V4 through V6. Because of the ECG abnormalities and a troponin I level of 0.53 ng/mL (reference range, 0.0-0.4 ng/mL), he was transferred to the cardiology service at our facility.
Generation of multiple ratio scales with a fixed stitnulus attribute

Psychophysical theories differ in the relative weight given to sensory and cogruuve variables. Two opposing theories are described and tested in an experiment designed to vary a cognitive factor while maintaining a constant sensory factor. The method of magnitude estimation was used with the constant stimulus attribute of line length. The cognitive factor was varied by providing Ss with different feedback concerning the numerical values assigned to the largest and smallest lines in the series. This procedure led to multiple ratio scales for the same stimulus attribute. It is argued that these results support a theory which stresses both cognitive and sensory variables in the explanation of psychophysical functions.
Thermal response of composite panels

The thermochemical and flammability characteristics of laminating resins and composites currently in use and others being considered for use as aircraft interior panels are described. The properties studied included: (1) limiting oxygen index of the composite constituents; (2) fire containment capability of the composite; (3) smoke evolution from the composite; (4) thermogravimetric analysis; (5) composition of the volatile products of thermal degradation; and (6) relative toxicity of the volatile products of pyrolysis. The performance of high-temperature laminating resins such as modified phenolics, polyimides and bismaleimides is compared with the performance of epoxies. The relationship of increased fire safety with the use of polymers with high anaerobic char yield is shown. Processing parameters of the state-of-the-art epoxy resin and the advanced resin composites are detailed.
Induction of single-strand breaks (alkali-labile bonds) in bacterial and phage DNA by near UV (365 nm) radiation.

—Irradiation at 365 nm results in the induction of approximately 2–4 times 10-6 and 1-2times 10-6 single-strand breaks (alkali-labile bonds) per 108 daltons per J m-2 in extracted phage T4 DNA and in Escherichia coli bacterial DNA, respectively. The rate of break induction in DNA of intact phage is approximately one-fourth that for extracted phage DNA. 2-aminoethylisothiouronium bromide-HBr protects against break induction in both phage systems. No breaks are induced in the DNA of bacteria irradiated under anaerobic conditions over the dose range tested. Possible induction mechanisms are suggested. Consideration is given to the relative importance of pyrimidine dimers and single-strand breaks in the bactericidal action of 365 nm radiation.
Evaluation of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry for the Quantitative Determination of Lead in Different Parts of Archeological Human Teeth

The lead content of teeth or tooth-parts has been used as a biomarker of cumulative lead exposure in clinical, epidemiological, environmental, and archaeological studies. Through the application of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, a pilot study of the micrometer-scale distribution and quantification of lead was conducted for two human teeth obtained from an archeological burial site in Manhattan, New York, USA. Lead was highly localized within each tooth, with accumulation in circumpulpal dentine and cementum. The maximum localized lead content in circumpulpal dentine was remarkably high, almost 2000 μg g(-1), compared to the mean enamel and dentine content of about 5 μg g(-1). The maximum lead content in cementum was approximately 700 μg g(-1). The large quantity of cementum found in the teeth suggested that the subjects had hypercementosis (excess cementum formation) of the root, a condition reported to have been prevalent among African-American slave populations. The distribution of lead in these human teeth was remarkably similar to the distribution that we previously reported in the teeth of present-day lead-dosed goats. The data shown demonstrate the feasibility of using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to examine lead exposure in archaeological studies.
Noninvasive Method for Monitoring Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia

Pneumocystis pneumonia remains a leading opportunistic infection associated with AIDS patients, even in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (1). In developing countries, the incidence of infection has increased dramatically, with mortality rates ranging from 20% to 80% (2). An important limitation in its clinical management has been the inability to evaluate therapeutic response or to temporally measure the organism numbers because of the absence of an in vitro culture system. Our laboratory recently showed that the presence of Pneumocystis carinii–specific amplicons obtained from swabs of the oral cavities of nonimmunocompromised adult rats (Rattus norvegicus) was predictive of the development of P. carinii pneumonia after corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression (3). In the present study, we applied the oral swab technique in combination with quantification of organism-specific DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to monitor the progression of infection in the rat model.
Evidence for two pathways for stimulation of collagenolysis in bone

The effect of parathormone (PTH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or interleukin-1 (IL-1) on calcium release and collagen degradation in bone was examinedin vitro using labeled neonatal calvaria of normal mice and also of osteopetrotic microphthalmic (mi/mi) mice that have defective osteoclasts. All three agents stimulated calcium release from normal bone but not from mi/mi bone. PTH stimulated the degradation of both noncalcified and calcified collagen in normal bone as well as the degradation of noncalcified collagen in mi/mi bone. However, LPS and IL-1 only stimulated the degradation of calcified collagen in normal bone. One-half maximal stimulation of noncalcified collagen degradation in normal or mi/mi bone was achieved by about 3 nM PTH compared with about 1 nM PTH for that of calcium release from normal bone. While calcitonin (CT) and leupeptin inhibited calcium release and thereby the degradation of calcified collagen, neither agent inhibited PTH-stimulated noncalcified collagen degradation in normal or mi/mi bone. The data indicate the existence of two pathways that lead to collagen degradation in bone. One is intimately connected with the resorptive process stimulated by a variety of agents, and is probably mediated by osteoclasts. A second mechanism is sensitive only to PTH and appears to be associated with nonosteoclastic cells since it can operate under conditions in which osteoclasts are thought to be inactive or are inhibited.
Effect of Microstructure on Rate of Machining of Ceramics

The effect of microstructure on the machinability of a variety of ceramics was studied. The machining difficulty, i.e. the inverse of sawing or grinding rate at constant force, increased with decreasing porosity and grain size. For materials with nonuniform distributions of grain size or porosity, machining rates were controlled by the smaller grains and the least porous regions. The grain-size dependence of the machining difficulty was generally greater for harder materials. The effect of porosity on machining difficulty generally followed the same trend as its effect on other mechanical properties. The results obtained were interpreted in terms of the Petch relation, which provided a rationale for the occurrence of flaw sizes independent of grain size. The results also indicate that theories of the machinability of ceramics must include the effects of compressive strength and, especially, hardness.
Distilling Knowledge: Alchemy, Chemistry, and the Scientific Revolution. By Bruce T. Moran. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. 2005. Pp. 210. $24.95. ISBN 0-674-01495-2.

Bruce Moran's new book forms part of Harvard University Press's series “New Histories of Science, Technology, and Medicine.” The series is aimed at a general readership rather than a specialized academic market, although its volumes can also serve as basic introductions to scholars in other specialties who need a quick entree into their fields. In the present instance, however, the location of the precise problematic that the book addresses is historiographically rather complex for such a task.
Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meats Containing Sodium Levulinate, Sodium Lactate, or a Combination of Sodium Lactate and Sodium Diacetate

This study investigated the use of sodium levulinate to prevent outgrowth of Listeria monocytogenes in refrigerated ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products. Turkey breast roll and bologna were formulated to contain 1%, 2%, or 3% (w/w) sodium levulinate, 2% sodium lactate, a 2% combination of sodium lactate and sodium diacetate (1.875% sodium lactate and 0.125% sodium diacetate), or no antimicrobial (control). Samples of the RTE products were sliced, inoculated with 10(2) to 10(3) CFU/cm(2) of a 5-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes, vacuum packaged, and stored at refrigeration temperature for 0 to 12 wk. Counts reached 10(8) CFU/cm(2) on control turkey roll product after 8 wk, and over 10(7) CFU/cm(2) on control bologna after 12 wk. Addition of 2% or more sodium levulinate to turkey roll and 1% or more sodium levulinate to bologna completely prevented growth of L. monocytogenes during 12 wk of refrigerated storage. A consumer taste panel with pathogen-free samples found no differences in the overall liking among the preparations of turkey roll or among preparations of bologna. These results show that sodium levulinate is at least as effective at inhibiting outgrowth of L. monocytogenes in RTE meat products as the current industry standards of lactate or lactate and diacetate, and levulinate addition does not alter the overall liking of the RTE meat products.
Radiations from Radioactive Indium (116)

The energy of the gamma-radiation emitted by indium (116) with the 54-minute period has been studied with a large hydrogen-filled cloud chamber. The indium was activated by slow neutrons from a cyclotron. The investigation used both the Compton recoil electrons from a carbon radiator of 35 mg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ surface density and the photoelectrons ejected from a lead sheet of 20 mg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ surface density. The recoil electrons from the carbon radiator indicate that the gamma-radiation is complex and that the spectrum can be resolved into three lines of 1.02, 1.40, and 1.85\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 Mev energy, the relative intensities of these lines being 1, 1, and \textonequarter{}, respectively. The momentum distribution of the photoelectrons emitted from the lead radiator indicates that there are three low energy gamma-ray lines. These lines have energies of 0.17, 0.36, and 0.57\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 Mev and each has a relative intensity of about 1/7 compared with the 1.02-Mev line. The beta-ray spectrum of the 54-minute period has been investigated and the upper limit of the energy found to be 0.84\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 Mev. A measurement of the ratio of the beta-rays to the gamma-rays shows definitely that more than one quantum is emitted per electron. A level scheme is proposed which is in good agreement with all the data.
Evoked potential estimates of visual accommodation in infants

Abstract Pattern reversal visually evoked potentials (VEPs) were recorded from infants between 2 and 5 months of age in order to measure their accommodative performance over a 9 diopter range (10–150 cm). Accommodation was stimulated by placing minus spherical lenses of increasing power in front of the infant's eyes and by changing the infant's distance from the stimulus. VEP latency measurements indicated that the infant's ability to maintain a zone of clear vision changes with age and pattern element size. For large checks (60 min arc), most 2- to 4-month old infants were able to maintain clear vision over the range of 9 diopters. When small checks (15 min arc) were used, the majority of 4- to 5-month old infants were unable by VEP measures to accommodate beyond 5–6 diopters. This decline in the infant's zone of clear vision with decreasing check size is due primarily to the relatively large depth of focus and poor visual resolution of the infant eye. In a small group of infants, accommodation was assessed both electrophysiologically by VEP recording and behaviorally using a preferential looking technique. Results indicated better accommodation by VEP estimates than by behavioral measures.
Orally Administered Nanocurcumin to Attenuate Morphine Tolerance: Comparison between Negatively Charged PLGA and Partially and Fully PEGylated Nanoparticles

We have formulated hydrophobic curcurmin [1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione] into stable nanoparticle suspensions (nanocurcumin) to overcome its relatively low bioavailability, high rate of metabolism, and rapid elimination and clearance from the body. Employing the curcumin nanoformulations as the platform, we discovered that curcumin has the potential to alleviate morphine tolerance. The two types of stable polymeric nanoparticles, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactic acid) (PEG-b-PLA), and the hybrid of the two were generated using flash nanoprecipitation integrated with spray drying. The optimized formulations have high drug loading (>45%), small particles size with narrow distribution, and controlled surface properties. Mice behavioral studies (tail-flick and hot-plate tests) were conducted to verify the effects of nanocurcumin on attenuating morphine tolerance. Significant analgesia was observed in mice during both tail-flick and hot...
On the mechanism of production of the neutron component of the cosmic radiation

Experiments have been performed on the neutron component of the cosmic radiation, with a system of B${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$ proportional counters embedded in paraffin, capable of recording neutrons in the energy range between \ensuremath{\sim}2 and \ensuremath{\sim}15 Mev. The neutron rate recorded with such a detector is due to both neutrons locally produced inside the detector and neutrons produced outside the detector, i.e., in the surroundings and in the atmosphere.
Peer-Planned Social Activities for Preventing Alcohol Use among Young Adolescents.

The Project Northland peer participation program tested the feasibility of involving students in the planning and promotion of alcohol-free social activities for their peers and to determine whether such participation was associated with reduced alcohol use. The peer program was offered in 20 northeastern Minnesota schools when the study cohort was in seventh grade; students completed a survey in the beginning of sixth grade and at the end of sixth grade and seventh grade. Nearly 50% of the study cohort participated in the program. At the end of seventh grade, after controlling for confounders, an association was observed between student involvement with planning activities and a lower rate of alcohol use. This association was strongest among students who had reported alcohol use at the beginning of sixth grade. This cohort study suggests adolescent involvement in planning their own alcohol-free activities may be an efficacious strategy to prevent or reduce the prevalence of alcohol use among youth. Future studies are warranted to evaluate this association using experimental research designs.
Mathematical tolerance verification of N-sided prisms using Fourier analysis

The tolerance evaluation of complex forms including prisms has not been studied at any length in literature. This paper investigates the possibility of applying a model that uses Fourier series analysis to verify the form in prisms. In doing so, two unique features are highlighted: the study of prisms for form evaluation, and the application of Fourier methods for form metrology. Experimentation on square, rectangular, and hexagonal prisms was conducted to determine the efficiency of the model. The model was analyzed applying 10,000 harmonics that were used to compare the values of the measured prism against the proposed model. Results from this experiment show that the model is consistent when measuring prisms at different sample sizes.
A paradoxical Pareto frontier in the cake-cutting context

Abstract We construct two finitely-additive measures that have all the properties required by discrete cake-cutting procedures, but for which the only Pareto optimal allocations can be cryptically described as the ones in which the whole cake is given to one of the players. This allows us to conclude that there is no discrete cake-cutting scheme for two players that will ensure a Pareto optimal, envy-free allocation.
Light irradiance and spectral distribution effects on microalgal bioreactors

The irradiance and light spectral distribution affect the growth and productivity of microalgal cultures. In extensive open pond cultures, the light control has limited options, mainly the culture depth. In photobioreactors, besides the culture depth, the light source, configuration of the reactor, light pathway, and flow rate can be used to control the characteristics of the light available to the cultures. The change of light conditions can also be used to modify the composition of the microalgal biomass produced to optimize the production of bioproducts of interest. Additionally, in mixed cultures, the species composition can be influenced by the light quantity and quality. Determining the effect of the light quantity and quality in photosynthetic cultures will help to develop strategies to optimize the production of biomass, lipids, pigments, proteins, and other compounds of interest in photosynthetic microorganisms. Information obtained from bench scale cultures can rarely be applied directly to large-scale bioreactors. Nonetheless, determining the kinetic parameters of microalgal cultures at bench scale will reduce the time needed to optimize the cultures in photobioreactors. In this work, a review of the main factors is presented, along with specific examples of the effect of light quality and quantity in cultures with single and multiple species. Additionally, some models to predict the effect of light on microalgal productivity are discussed.
Giant CPP-magnetoresistance of Ni/Ag multilayers

Abstract The first measurements are presented of the Giant Magnetoresistance (MR) of Ni/Ag multilayers with Current Flow Perpendicular to the layer planes (CPP-MR). As previously seen in Co/Ag and Co/Cu multilayers, at 4.2K the CPP-MR is typically much larger than the more usual Giant MR with Current flow In the layer Planes (CIP-MR). Both the CPP-MR and the CIP-MR for Ni/Ag are smaller than those for equivalent Co/Ag and Co/Cu multilayers.