cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution of mercury in the tissues of five species of freshwater fish from Lake Mead, USA.

Total mercury (Hg) concentrations were determined in seven tissues (skeletal muscle, liver, blood, gonad, brain, gill, and heart) of 59 striped bass and four tissues (muscle, liver, blood, and gonad) of 69 largemouth bass, 76 channel catfish, 12 bluegill, and 22 blue tilapia collected from Lake Mead, USA. Mercury levels generally increased according to trophic level and fish length. For striped bass, mean Hg levels (ng g−1, wet mass) were highest in the liver (531), followed by muscle (309), heart (186), gonad (136), brain (77), gill (52), and blood (36). Similarly, Hg levels in the catfish and tilapia were liver > muscle > gonad > blood. In contrast, largemouth bass and bluegill had the highest levels in muscle, followed by liver, gonad, and blood. Generally, Hg levels were strongly correlated among the tissues, especially for blood/muscle and blood/liver. As the body burden of Hg increased, the concentration in blood and organs increased relative to the concentration in muscle. The trend was most pronounced for the liver. These relationships could form the basis of a predictive model and suggest that blood and muscle (plugs) could be useful for a non-lethal measure of Hg concentration and exposure in fish. For the striped bass, elevated Hg levels in the tissues were also correlated with degree of emaciation. Liver-to-muscle ratios were similar to literature values, except for tilapia with an average ratio of ∼1.7, which is higher than generally reported for non-piscivores. Finally, this study demonstrates the usefulness of a solid sampling approach in trace element monitoring, especially as pertaining to in vivo analysis, analysis of a large number of samples and reduction of contamination risk.
Replication of individual DNA molecules under electronic control using a protein nanopore

Nanopores can be used to analyse DNA by monitoring ion currents as individual strands are captured and driven through the pore in single file by an applied voltage. Here, we show that serial replication of individual DNA templates can be achieved by DNA polymerases held at the α-haemolysin nanopore orifice. Replication is blocked in the bulk phase, and is initiated only after the DNA is captured by the nanopore. We used this method, in concert with active voltage control, to observe DNA replication catalysed by bacteriophage T7 DNA polymerase (T7DNAP) and by the Klenow fragment of DNA polymerase I (KF). T7DNAP advanced on a DNA template against an 80-mV load applied across the nanopore, and single nucleotide additions were measured on the millisecond timescale for hundreds of individual DNA molecules in series. Replication by KF was not observed when this enzyme was held on top of the nanopore orifice at an applied potential of 80 mV. Sequential nucleotide additions by KF were observed upon applying controlled voltage reversals.
Budgeting for Contracting in Local Government

While the amount of contracting out seems to be leveling off, the number of larger, long-term contracts seems to be increasing. Such contracts are generally not well described in local budgets. Recent efforts in some cities to shift to more outcome-oriented performance budgeting should push toward more clarity in reporting on major contracts in the budget. This article examines how a handful of major cities handle contracts in their budgets—in some cities contracts are omitted from the budget or all merged into one budget line—and makes some suggestions for improvements.
HREM Microstructural Studies on the Effect of Steam Exposure and Cation Promoters on Vanadium Phosphorus Oxides: New Correlations with n-Butane Oxidation Reaction Chemistry

In situ environmental high-resolution electron microscopy (in situ EHREM) under different gaseous environments and ex situ HREM have been used to directly probe commercially important vanadyl pyrophosphate ((VO)2P2O7) catalysts used in the oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride. These fundamental studies of catalyst−adsorbate interactions have shown that novel microstructural changes occur in vanadyl pyrophosphate catalysts when the catalyst is reduced, partially oxidized, or exposed to N2 and steam environments for extended periods of 100−300 h for the first time. The microstructural changes of vanadyl pyrophosphates are related to the development of extended misfit glide shear plane defects accommodating nonstoichiometry. The complex characteristics of long-term effects of water vapor and the effect of cation promoters of iron and antimony in vanadyl pyrophosphates are explored to improve our understanding of their effects on the catalysts toward n-butane oxidation. Correlations of microstructural ch...
Exploring relationships among IT-enabled sharing capability, supply chain flexibility, and competitive performance

Abstract This research explores the mechanism through which IT infrastructure enables superior firm performance by empirically examining the links among IT-enabled sharing capability, supply chain flexibilities (as measured by a manufacturing firm׳s product development flexibility, production flexibility, logistics flexibility, suppliers׳ flexibility, and the flexibility of the supply base), and competitive performance. This study expands the research on IT׳s impact on competitive performance by focusing on IT-enabled sharing capability and the indirect effect of this capability on firm performance. Most prior research focused on the technical aspects of IT infrastructure and tested direct relationships. In this research, a large-scale survey was used to collect 198 responses from U.S. manufacturers to investigate this framework. Structural Equation Modeling was used to examine and test the measurement and structural models. The results indicated that IT-enabled sharing capability is associated with flexibilities in a manufacturer׳s supply chain, which in turn are associated with the firm׳s competitive performance. This finding suggests that a firm should focus on flexibilities in the supply chain to improve its performance. IT-enabled sharing capability is an antecedent for improving these flexibilities. Longitudinal research, multiple respondents, and techniques for improving response rate should be considered in future research to provide more robust results.
Bioprospecting's representational dilemma

This article is about the politically and epistemologically charged endeavor of turning medicinal plants and ‘traditional knowledge’ into pharmaceutical products. In Mexico, where I conducted ethno...
The energy band model for bismuth: Resolution of a theoretical discrepancy

The Lax two-band model contains a term linear in wave vector which is missing in the Abrikosov-Falkovsky model. It is shown that this term is recovered if the Abrikosov-Falkovsky development is carried to second order. It is argued from the results of energy band calculations and from experiment that the term in question is as important as the term second order in wave vector which was introduced by Cohen and by Abrikosov and Falkovsky. From a study of cyclotron resonance and de Haas-van Alphen effect it is concluded which second-order terms in the general Cohen model must be kept in order to obtain agreement with experiment.
Dopamine receptors in subcellular fractions from bovine caudate: enrichment of [3H]spiperone binding in a postsynaptic membrane fraction.

Abstract: Specific binding of tritiated dopamine, spiperone, and N-propylnorapomorphine was examined in subcellular fractions from bovine caudate nucleus. All fractions contained at least two sets of specific binding sites for [3H]spiperone (KD 1aPP= 0.2 nM, KD 2aPP= 2.2 nM), the higher affinity sites accounting for one-third to one-eighth of the total. [3H]Spiperone binding was slightly enriched over the total particulate fraction in P2, P3, SPM, and a crude fraction of synaptic mitochondria. A microsomal subfraction (P3B2) exhibited the highest specific binding capacity obtained, representing a fourfold enrichment over the total particulate fraction. [3H]Dopamine exhibited apparent binding to a single class of high-affinity sites in all fractions examined (KDaPP= 4.0 nM). A greater than twofold enrichment was observed in all fractions except myelin and P3, with a fivefold enrichment in SPM and P3B2. At least two classes of receptors were labeled by [3H]-N-propylnorapomorphine (KD 1aPP= 0.55 nM, KD 2aPP= 20 nM), using 50 nM-spiperone together with 100 nM-dopamine to define nonspecific binding. Although binding to the higher affinity site was displaced by spiperone, and lower affinity binding by dopamine, comparison of receptor densities with values obtained by using [3H]spiperone and [3H]dopamine directly suggested that [3H]-N-propylnorapomorphine labeled additional sites. We have also examined a postsynaptic membrane (PSM) fraction obtained from SPM by successive extraction with salt and EGTA followed by sonication and separation on a density gradient. [3H]Spiperone binding in PSM was enriched two- to threefold over unfractionated SPM with a concomitant decrease in [3H]dopamine binding. The enrichment in spiperone receptors was almost entirely due to an increase in the number of lower affinity binding sites, suggesting that these sites may be associated with the postsynaptic membrane.
“Don't Want No Risk and Don't Want No Problems”: Public Understandings of the Risks and Benefits of Noninvasive Prenatal Testing in the United States

Background: The recent availability of new noninvasive prenatal genetic tests for fetal aneuploidy has raised questions concerning whether and how these new tests will be integrated into prenatal medical care. Among the many factors to be considered are public understandings and preferences about prenatal testing mechanisms and the prospect of fetal aneuploidy. Methods: To address these issues, we conducted a nationwide mixed-method survey of 2,960 adults in the United States to explore justifications for choices among prenatal testing mechanisms. Open responses were qualitatively coded and grouped by theme. Results: Respondents cited accuracy, followed by cost, as the most significant aspects of prenatal testing. Acceptance of testing was predicated on differing valuations of knowledge and on personal and religious beliefs. Trust in the medical establishment, attitudes toward risk, and beliefs about health and illness were also considered relevant. Conclusions: Although a significant portion of the sampl...
Cyclic imides. XII(i). Absorption and fluorescence spectra of 3-benzamidophthalimides

The ultraviolet absorption, fluorescence, and infrared absorption spectra of fifteen 3-benz-amidophthalimides are described. In general, the nature or position of the substituents on the benzamide moiety has little effect on the ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence spectra of these, compounds. The absorption baud at 271 nm is more sensitive to substituent variations than the other two bands (at 227 nm and 341 nm), indicating this band is a composite of bands observed in the spectra of 3-aminophthalimide and the substituted benzamide. The fluorescence of 3-amino-phthalirnide and the 3-benzamidophthalimides is due to the same transitions. The infrared absorption wavenumbers for the amide and imide vibrations of the 3-benzamidophthalimides are characterized.
Small cell carcinoma of the head and neck: the university of Miami experience.

Purpose To describe the University of Miami experience in the treatment of small cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Methods and Materials A total of 12 patients with nonmetastatic small cell carcinoma of the head and neck were treated between April 1987 and September 2007. Radiotherapy was the primary local treatment modality for 8 patients. Results Of the 12 patients, 8 had died after a median follow-up of 13 months. The 4 patients who were alive were followed for a median of 14 months. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the proportion of small cell head-and-neck cancer patients surviving to 1 and 2 years was 63% and 26%, respectively. The percentage of patients remaining disease free at 1 and 2 years was 71% and 44%, respectively. The patients with tonsil/parotid gland cancer had significantly greater disease-specific survival compared with the other patients. The median survival time was 30 months in the tonsil/parotid group compared with 15.2 months in the other group (patients with small cell carcinoma of the sinonasal cavity, nasopharynx, and larynx). A total of 4 patients developed recurrence, 3 of whom had a distant failure component. The treatment modality was not associated with a difference in disease-specific survival. The 1-year disease-specific survival rate was 73% in the radiotherapy or radiotherapy/chemotherapy group compared with 67% in the other group. Conclusion Radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy is a reasonable alternative to surgery for patients with small cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Patients with tonsillar or parotid small cell carcinomas did better than other sites. More aggressive treatment might be warranted for patients with sinonasal carcinoma. The outcome, however, continues to be suboptimal, and more effective therapy is needed because most patients had a component of local and distant failure.
Effect of optical force on transmission of plasmonic bowtie antenna

We present a novel opto-mechanical antenna where strong optical force generated between the ends of the antenna can directly affect the optical transmission. Such devices are useful for sensing applications.
TEACHING CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK SKILLS PRIMARILY ONLINE: AN EVALUATION

This article describes an evaluation of the first skills-based clinical course taught in a Council on Social Work Education-accredited, entirely online, MSW program. Students in the online course answered retrospective pretest and posttest questions regarding change in their clinical skills. Researchers compared online students' responses to a standardized course evaluation with student responses on the face-to-face version of the same course. Online students reported significant increase in skills, and their final assignment and course evaluation scores were comparable to students in the face-to-face course, with the exception of instructor availability and facilitation of learning. Implications for teaching skills-based practice classes online are discussed.
Shared-memory performance profiling

This paper describes a new approach to finding performance bottlenecks in shared-memory parallel programs and its embodiment in the Paradyn Parallel Performance Tools running with the Blizzard fine-grain distributed shared memory system. This approach exploits the underlying system's cache coherence protocol to detect data sharing patterns that indicate potential performance bottlenecks and presents performance measurements in a data-centric manner. As a demonstration, Parodyn helped us improve the performance of a new shared-memory application program by a factor of four.
A study of the fixed charge transportation problem

Abstract This investigation evaluates an approximate method of solution developed by M. L. Balinski for the fixed charge transportation problem by means of randomly generating test problems with known solutions. Tabulated results to a large number of test problems show the solutions obtained by the approximation to be only fair. By using a technique developed by the authors to improve the approximation, the optimal solution to virtually all problems tested was obtained.
Genome-wide Studies of Copy Number Variation and Exome Sequencing Identify Rare Variants in BAG3 as a Cause of Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy commonly causes heart failure and is the most frequent precipitating cause of heart transplantation. Familial dilated cardiomyopathy has been shown to be caused by rare variant mutations in more than 30 genes but only ∼35% of its genetic cause has been identified, principally by using linkage-based or candidate gene discovery approaches. In a multigenerational family with autosomal dominant transmission, we employed whole-exome sequencing in a proband and three of his affected family members, and genome-wide copy number variation in the proband and his affected father and unaffected mother. Exome sequencing identified 428 single point variants resulting in missense, nonsense, or splice site changes. Genome-wide copy number analysis identified 51 insertion deletions and 440 copy number variants > 1 kb. Of these, a 8733 bp deletion, encompassing exon 4 of the heat shock protein cochaperone BCL2-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3), was found in seven affected family members and was absent in 355 controls. To establish the relevance of variants in this protein class in genetic DCM, we sequenced the coding exons in BAG3 in 311 other unrelated DCM probands and identified one frameshift, two nonsense, and four missense rare variants absent in 355 control DNAs, four of which were familial and segregated with disease. Knockdown of bag3 in a zebrafish model recapitulated DCM and heart failure. We conclude that new comprehensive genomic approaches have identified rare variants in BAG3 as causative of DCM.
The path(way) less traveled.

In this issue of Blood , Mathewson et al characterized targeting a novel intracellular pathway with an agent known to induce potent antitumor effects but now also appears to potently suppress inflammatory responses by dendritic cells (DCs) and prevent graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). Identifying agents that can suppress GVHD yet not compromise graft-vs-tumor (GVT) effects remains a paramount goal in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). 1
Toward a Science of Power Management

This paper discusses how a formal understanding of energy and computation tradeoffs will open up new areas of investigation and lead to significantly more energy-efficient hardware and software designs while preserving the continued improvement in performance that the emerging applications demand. A formal approach will hopefully lead to energy-management solutions that are not only effective but also easy to implement and validate.
Calcium needs of the elderly to reduce fracture risk.

Contemporary calcium intakes in the industrialized nations are substantially lower than those to which human physiology is adapted by evolution. As a result, compensatory adjustment is required lifelong. This adjustment consists of high levels of parathyroid activity, leading to parathyroid hyperplasia, high circulating levels of 1,25(OH)2D and high bone turnover. The capacity of these compensatory mechanisms to provide sufficient calcium to offset daily losses from the body declines with age; hence, increasingly the body tears down bone to access its calcium. As a result, the calcium requirement for skeletal maintenance is said to rise with age. Supplemented intakes to a total in the range of 32.5–42.5 mmol (1300–1700 mg)/day have been shown to arrest age-related bone loss and to reduce fracture risk in individuals 65 and older and intakes of 60 mmol (2400 mg), to restore the setting of the parathyroid glands to young adult values. Intakes at such levels also minimize the expression of other disorders su...
Sensitivity of channel profiles to precipitation properties in mountain ranges

[1] The stream power erosion law, which describes the erosion rate as a function of channel discharge and gradient, has often been used for modeling landscape evolution in regions dominated by fluvial processes. However, most previous studies utilizing the stream power erosion law simply use drainage area as a surrogate for channel discharge. Despite its convenience this simplification has important shortcomings. Specifically, it ignores the effects of precipitation properties on channel discharge and hence erosion rate, and it ignores the interactions between mountain ranges and precipitation properties. By using the stream power erosion law together with the geomorphoclimatic instantaneous unit hydrograph we provide a method for linking the landscape evolution and precipitation properties directly. Our results demonstrate that the channel profile is sensitive not only to the total precipitation but also to precipitation properties like the rainfall frequency, intensity, duration, and their distribution in space. The channel profile is most sensitive to the variation of rainfall intensity and less sensitive to rainfall frequency and duration. Shorter and more intense rainfall could lead to significantly higher erosion rate and flatter channel profiles compared to longer and less intense rainfall. The spatial variation of precipitation can also influence the evolution of channel profile. Even if the total precipitation remains spatially homogeneous, different spatial behavior of rainfall intensity and rainfall duration may lead to different steady state river profiles. The channel profile tends to be flatter under the conditions of increasing rainfall intensity and decreasing rainfall duration with elevation and vice versa.
Inhaled albuterol does not protect against ozone toxicity in nonasthmatic athletes.

Abstract We evaluated the acute prophylactic efficacy of albuterol aerosol in protecting nonasthmatic athletes from the untoward effects of 0.21 ppm ozone (O3) on symptoms, pulmonary function, exercise performance, and post-exposure histamine bronchoprovocation. Fifteen trained competitive cyclists participated in a randomized crossover study consisting of double-blinded inhalations of albuterol (180 μg) and placebo approximately 30 min prior to heavy continuous exercise (minute ventilation, [VE] ≥ 80 L/min) for 60 min, followed by a maximal sprint (peak VE > 140 L/min) until exhaustion. Each subject was exposed randomly to either 0.21 ppm O3 or filtered air (FA) during the four single-blinded exposure sessions. Albuterol pretreatment resulted in modest but significant bronchodilation as compared to placebo. However, albuterol did not prevent O3-induced respiratory symptoms, decrements in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expired volume in one second (FEV1.0), and maximum midexpiratory flow rate (FEF25–...
Evaluation of protective effects of sodium thiosulfate, cysteine, niacinamide and indomethacin on sulfur mustard-treated isolated perfused porcine skin

Abstract Sulfur mustard (bis(2-chloroethyl)sulfide, HD), a bifunctional alkylating agent, causes severe cutaneous injury, including cell death, edema and vesication. However, the mechanisms underlying HD-induced cutaneous toxicity remain undefined. The isolated perfused porcine skin flap (IPPSF) has been utilized to investigate dermal toxic compounds and pharmacological intervention. In this study, 4 compounds with different pharmacological mechanisms were tested for their ability to prevent the dark basal cell formation, vesication and vascular response characteristic of exposure to HD in the IPPSF. Reduction of HD-induced dark basal cells was observed in IPPSFs perfused with sodium thiosulfate and cysteine, which are HD scavengers; niacinamide, a possible NAD+ stabilizer and an inhibitor of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase; or indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, respectively. Treatments with niacinamide and indomethacin, but not sodium thiosulfate or cysteine, resulted in an inhibition of the vascular response in IPPSF exposed to HD. Microvesicles caused by HD were only partially prevented in the indomethacin-perfused IPPSFs. These data suggest that none of these agents alone would be successful antivesicant agents and different mechanisms are involved in production of HD-induced dark basal cells, microvesicles and the vascular response; unfortunately, blocking of the cellular toxicity as evidenced by dark basal cell formation did not prevent vesication, suggesting that other mechanisms must be operative and that there is a multistep, biochemical process that leads to a final lesion.
Aggregate demand curves: Static and dynamic

Abstract The correct treatment of aggregate demand curves has been a topic of debate in recent articles. The present paper defends the conventional derivation and interpretation of the aggregate demand schedule. It shows that the critics have failed to distinguish clearly between aggregate demand curves appropriate for comparative statics analysis and dynamic aggregate demand curves that shift from period to period.
An application of arene-iron chemistry in the synthesis of a novel liquid crystalline polymer

Arene–iron chemistry was applied in the synthesis of a novel liquid crystalline polymer. The chemistry, which is based on iron cyclopentadienyl (FeCp) arene complexes, allows sequential nucleophilic substitution of the chlorides from 1,3-dichlorobenzene–FeCp complex and photolytic decomplexation of the products to afford asymmetrical aryl ethers. This methodology provides easy access to novel polyether-esters, and is potentially useful in the synthesis of various functional polyarylates. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Voting technologies and residual ballots in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections

Abstract The accurate counting of ballots is essential for a functional democracy. In recent elections, particularly the exceedingly narrow presidential one in 2000, widespread concerns surfaced that votes were not being counted accurately. This paper examines major voting technologies, their advantages and disadvantages, and the significance of residual ballots (overvotes and undervotes) across U.S. counties in the presidential elections of 2000 and 2004. In the 2000 election, 1.9 million ballots were voided, as were more than 2.3 million in 2004. The analysis explores three fundamental questions: (1) Do voting technologies tend to favor one political party over its rival? (2) Do voting technologies tend to favor one ethnic group over another? (3) Do voting technologies favor urban areas over rural ones? The empirical results consistently deny the existence of any of these biases at the national level, although the possibility of local bias remains an open question. The conclusion links these issues to the on-going debate about voting technology reform.
Anthropogenic 236U at Rocky Flats, Ashtabula river harbor, and Mersey estuary: three case studies by sector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Abstract 236 U (t 1/2 =2.3×10 7 y) is formed as a result of thermal neutron capture by 235 U. In naturally occurring U ores, where a high neutron flux is present from spontaneous fission of 238 U, 236 U/ 238 U atom ratios are ~10 −4 ppm. In the natural Earth’s crust, unaffected by nuclear fallout, these ratios are expected to be on the order of 10 −8 ppm. Reactor-irradiated U, however, exhibits high 236 U/ 238 U atom ratios approaching 10 4 ppm. As a result, the presence of very small quantities of reactor-irradiated U will significantly enhance the ‘background’ 236 U/ 238 U atom ratio. When sufficiently elevated 236 U/ 238 U ratios are present, the determination of 236 U/ 238 U by rapid inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICPMS) methods is attractive. We have used sector ICPMS at medium resolving power (R=3440) to measure 236 U/ 238 U atom ratios with a determination limit of 0.2 ppm. The limiting factors in the measurement are the 235 U 1 H + isobar and background signal at m/z 236 arising from the 238 U + peak tail. Based upon the analysis of replicates and considerations of possible systematic errors, uncertainties of ±5% are found for 236 U/ 238 U atom ratios of 1−100 ppm. This procedure has been demonstrated in studies of anthropogenic 236 U in the environment at three locations: (a) offsite soils from the vicinity of the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology site (Golden, Colorado, USA); (b) sediments from the Ashtabula River (Ohio, USA); and (c) sediments from the Mersey estuary (Liverpool, UK). In each of these three locations, definite plumes of elevated 236 U/ 238 U are identified and characterized. Maximum 236 U/ 238 U atom ratios observed in RFETS-vicinity soils, the Ashtabula River, and the Mersey Estuary are 2.8, 140, and 4.4 ppm, respectively.
Interferometric reflection moire

A new reflection moire technique is introduced in this paper. The basic equations that relate the measurement of slopes to the basic geometric and optical parameters of the system are derived. The sensitivity and accuracy of the method are discussed. Examples of application to the study of silicon wafers and electronic chips are given.
Transition to turbulence under low-pressure turbine conditions.

: In this paper, the topic of laminar to turbulent flow transition, as applied to the design of gas turbines, is discussed. Transition comes about when a flow becomes sufficiently unstable that the orderly vorticity structure of the laminar layer becomes randomly oriented. Vorticity with a streamwise component leads to rapid growth of eddies of a wide range of sizes and eventually to turbulent flow. Under “natural” transition, infinitesimal disturbances of selected frequencies grow. “Bypass transition” is a term coined to describe a similar process, but one driven by strong external disturbances. Transition proceeds so rapidly that the processes associated with “natural” transition seem to be “bypassed.” Because the flow environment in the turbine is disturbed by wakes from upstream airfoils, eddies from combustor flows, jets from film cooling, separation zones on upstream airfoils and steps in the duct walls, transition is of the bypass mode. In this paper, we discuss work that has been done to characterize and model bypass transition, as applied to the turbine environment.
Lignin and extractives derived inhibitors in the 2,3-butanediol fermentation of mannose-rich prehydrolysates

Mannose, the predominant sugar in southern pine water prehydrolysates, has been fermented to 2,3-butanediol by Klebsiella pneumoniae AU-1-d3. Lignin derivatives and extractives soluble in the water prehydrolysates, however, hindered the butanediol fermentation. Treatments with sequential lime-sulfuric acid or mixed bed ion resins facilitated the butanediol fermentation of the water prehydrolysates. Fermentation inhibitors derived from southern pine lignin and extractives were identified.
Exploring Effects of Online Shopping Experiences on Browser Satisfaction and E-tail Performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to empirically identify categories of online shopping experiences and web site functions facilitating these experiences, and to test the effect of those experiences on browser satisfaction, conversion, and online store performance.Design/methodology/approach – Two analytical methods (survey‐based exploratory factor analysis and secondary data‐based regressions) were employed to test the mediating role of browser satisfaction between online shopping experiences and e‐tail performance for 115 top online retailers during 2006‐2008.Findings – In addition to supporting the existence of such parallel in‐store and online experiences as sensory, cognitive, pragmatic, and relational, a new type of online shopping experience (interactive/engagement) was identified. It comprises customer involvement with the online store and with friends and other shoppers via the online store interface. The mediating role of browser satisfaction in increasing sales and traffic to online stores...
Landscape planning and conservation biology: systems thinking revisited.

Both conservation biology and landscape planning are fields enriched by their solid grounding in professional practice and the real world. Practicing conservation biologists know that landscape planning processes affect biodiversity on the ground, and practicing landscape planners know that biodiversity issues can decisively influence acceptance of planned change. Such pragmatic recognition, however, is not enough to advance the fields. Enormous ecological and public benefits could accrue if the two fields were to actively inform and change each other. Their similar aspirations to affect landscape change are shared with very few disciplines, and that should be a powerful incentive for collaboration, but their roots and cultural imperatives are sufficiently different to distract them from each other. Whereas conservation biology starts with inquiry into the relationships between species and habitats, landscape planning starts with questions about human occupancy of places and regions. While conservation biology depends on the cultures of basic and applied sciences, landscape planning depends on the cultures of professions: design, planning, real estate, and law. Whereas conservation biology is accountable to habitat as an outcome, landscape planning is accountable to human quality of life as an outcome. That habitats and quality of life rest on the same substrate of ecological quality is rather obvious to those who begin planning for places by inquiring into their ecological foundations. Even in this time of burgeoning approaches to sustainable design, however, the systemic, multiscale character of ecological functions clashes with the more piecemeal character of professional, political, and market mechanisms for landscape change. Conservation biology and landscape planning could be engaged in a dynamic exchange beyond these differences, in which each refines the definition and effect of the
Frequency and CT findings of recurrent disease after lung transplantation.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency and computed tomographic (CT) findings of recurrence of the primary disease after lung transplantation at six North American lung transplantation centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of 1,394 lung transplant recipients were reviewed to identify patients with recurrent primary disease. Their CT scans and pathologic specimens were reviewed. RESULTS: The frequency of disease recurrence in the six transplantation centers was 1% (15 of 1,394 patients), including six previously reported cases. Sarcoidosis recurred in nine (35%) of 26 transplants and was the most common disease to recur. Three (33%) of nine patients with recurrent sarcoidosis had correlative findings at CT. When present, CT findings were usually different at recurrence compared with pretransplantation CT findings. CONCLUSION: A relatively small percentage of patients are at risk for recurrence of primary disease following lung transplantation. Sarcoidosis is the most common disease to recur.
Advance lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) at diagnosis is a prognostic marker in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): a retrospective review.

Systemic inflammation has been linked with cancer development, cancer cachexia and poor outcome. Advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) was developed to assess degree of systemic inflammation at the time of diagnosis in metastatic non-small cell lung (NSCLC) cancer patients. In a single institution retrospective review 173 patients with metastatic NSCLC diagnosed between Jan 1 2000 and June 30 2011 were included. ALI was calculated as (BMI x Alb / NLR) where BMI = body mass index, Alb = serum albumin, NLR (neutrophil lymphocyte ratio, a marker of systemic inflammation). Patients were divided into low inflammation (ALI ≥ 18) and high inflammation (ALI 18 (P < 0.001). On multi-variate analysis ALI score of <18 (1.42, 95% CI 1.003-2.01) remained significantly associated with worse outcome. ALI (<18) at diagnosis is an independent marker of poor outcome in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Fracture of random short-fiber SMC composite under shear loading

The fracture behavior of a random short-fiber SMC composite subjected to pure-shear (mode-II) loading is investigated. In the experimental phase of the study, a unique pure-shear fracture test is devised to evaluate the shear-fracture toughness of the composite. In the theoretical part of the study, a mechanics analysis based on fracture mechanics concepts and conservation laws of elasticity is used to determine the critical mode-II stress intensification and the associated strain energy release rate at shear failure. The in-plane shear-mode fracture toughnessK IIQ is found to be much lower than the opening-mode fracture toughnessK IQ of the composite. The fundamental mechanics and mechanisms of the shear fracture in theSMC material are discussed.
Effect of Repeated Irrigation with Water Containing Varying Levels of Total Organic Carbon on the Persistence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Baby Spinach

The California lettuce and leafy greens industry has adopted the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA), which allows for 126 most-probable-number (MPN) Escherichia coli per 100 ml in irrigation water. Repeat irrigation of baby spinach plants with water containing E. coli O157:H7 and different levels of total organic carbon (TOC) was used to determine the epiphytic survival of E. coli O157:H7. Three irrigation treatments (0 ppm of TOC, 12 or 15 ppm of TOC, and 120 or 150 ppm of TOC) were prepared with bovine manure containing E. coli O157:H7 at either low (0 to 1 log CFU/100 ml) or high (5 to 6 log CFU/100 ml) populations, and sprayed onto baby spinach plants in growth chambers by using a fine-mist airbrush. MPN and direct plating techniques were used to determine the E. coli O157:H7 populations on the aerial plant tissue. Plants irrigated with high E. coli O157:H7 populations, regardless of TOC levels, showed a 3-log reduction within the first 24 h. Low levels of E. coli O157:H7 were observed for up to 16 days on all TOC treatments, ranging from 76.4 MPN per plant (day 1) to 0.40 MPN per plant (day 16). No viable cells were detected on spinach tissue 24 h after irrigation with water containing fewer than 126 CFU/100 ml E. coli O157:H7. Under growth chamber conditions in this study, E. coli O157:H7 populations in irrigation water that complies with the LGMA standards will not persist for more than 24 h when applied onto foliar surfaces of spinach plants.
Retention Is Not an Abstract Notion: The Effect of Wages and Caretaking

ABSTRACT Understanding retention in any profession is dependent on thorough workforce studies. Here, wages and caretaking, and the interaction of the two, were examined to understand retention of social workers. Respondents were 785 Master of social work alumni from the mid-South. Differences among three groups were studied: those working, those who have left the workforce, and those who had left but may return. Of the respondents, 92% thought an above average income was important; 48% of households included children; and 21% reported caretaking others. Wage was not a reason to leave social work but caretaking was. Moreover, caretaking and financial responsibility may be a reason not to return.
Evidence for clustering of hepatitis B virus infection in families of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Family members of 13 patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HB,Ag) positive primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) were tested for the presence of hepatitis B virus-associated antigens and antibodies. Of the 122 members examined, circulating HB,Ag was detected in 47 (39%), antibody to HB,Ag (anti-HB,) was found in 37 (30%), and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HB,) alone was present in 13 (11%). The relatives with the highest frequency of HB,Ag positivity were the offspring of the propositus, followed by the nieces and nephews and the grandchildren. Anti-HB, and anti-HB, were detected most often in the spouses and non-blood relatives. Evidence for past and present hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was more frequently found in the Asian family members when compared to the non-Asians. The e antigen (HB,Ag) was present in 38% of the HB,Ag positive individuals, including four with PHC; antibody to HB,Ag (anti-HB,) was rarely detected. These results indicate that clustering of HBV infection was commonly present in family members of patients with PHC. The HB,Ag positive individuals may be major contributors to the endemic pool of the virus, and may themselves be potential cases of chronic active type B hepatitis, cirrhosis, and PHC.
Adherence to dual-method contraceptive use.

Abstract Background Patient characteristics associated with adherence to dual-method contraceptive use are not known. Study Design Project PROTECT was a 24-month-long randomized trial designed to promote the use of dual methods of contraception using an individualized computer-based intervention or enhanced standard care counseling intervention. We analyzed 463 women with follow-up data and examined sustained dual-method use (reported at 2+ interviews). Results While 32% initiated dual-method contraceptive use, only 9% reported sustained use. Education increased (RR adj =4.42; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19���16.42), substance abuse decreased (adjusted relative risk [RR adj ]=0.49; 95% CI 0.24���0.97), no contraceptive use at baseline decreased (RR adj =0.32; 95% CI 0.11���0.92) and contraceptive stage of change increased (RR adj =5.04; 95% CI 1.09���23.4) adherence to dual-method use. Conclusion To effectively prevent sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies, dual-method use must be consistent and sustained. Future interventions to promote dual-method use should focus on high-risk groups and additional dual-method combinations (e.g., barrier plus intrauterine devices or implants).
Revisiting the Cape Cod bacteria injection experiment using a stochastic modeling approach.

Bromide and resting-cell bacteria tracer tests conducted in a sandy aquifer at the U.S. Geological Survey Cape Cod site in 1987 were reinterpreted using a three-dimensional stochastic approach. Bac...
Measurements of the thicknesses of auroral structures.

Abstract Using an image orthicon television system, measurements have been made of the thicknesses of 581 auroral structures appearing in the magnetic zenith over College, Alaska during 5 nights in 1966 and 1967. Assuming a lower border height of 100 km for all structures, the thickness values ranged from the instrumental limit at 70 m to 4440 m, the median thickness being 230 m. Rayed auroral structures were found to be thinner than homogeneous structures, and all types exhibited a strong tendency to become thinner as their brightness increased.
Measured comparison of the inversion periods for polarimetric and conventional thermal long-wave IR (LWIR) imagery

ABSTRACT We report the results of a multi-day diurnal study in which radiometrically calibrated polarimetric and conventional thermal imagery is recorded in the LWIR to identify/compare the respective time periods in which minimum target contrast is achieved, e.g., thermal inversion periods are typi cally experienced during dusk an d dawn. Imagery is recorded with a polarimetric IR sensor employing a 324x256 microbolometer array using a spinning achromatic retarder to perform the polarimetric filtering. The im ages used in this study include the S 0 , normalized S 1 , and normalized S 2 Stokes images and the degree of linear polarization (DOLP) images of a scene containing military vehicles and the natural background. In addition, relevant meteorological parameters measured during the test period include air temperature, ambient loading in the LWIR, relative humidity, and cloud cover, height and density. The data shows that the chief factors affecting polarimetric contrast are the amount of thermal emission from the objects in the scene and the abundance of LWIR sources in the optical background. In addition, we found that contrast between targets and background within polarimetric images often remains relatively high during periods of low thermal contrast. Keywords: Polarimetric imaging, thermal imaging, microbolometer, target contrast, inversion periods
The ν1 + ν5 Band of HCCN: Determination of the ν5 Vibrational Energy

Abstract The high-resolution infrared spectrum of HCCN in the region 3323–3383 cm−1 was observed by infrared kinetic spectroscopy. The band observed is assigned as ν1 + ν5 of the quasilinear molecule HCCN with its origin at 3355.500(2) cm−1. Combining this number with the band origin of the previously investigated ν1 + ν5 − ν5 spectrum, the energy of the lowest excited state with angular momentum about the a axis, ν5, is determined to be 128.907(2) cm−1. This value is lower than the results obtained by means of relative intensity measurements on the millimeter-wave spectra (145 ± 15 cm−1) or from similar relative intensity measurements on the IR spectra (187 ± 20 cm−1). The present value of the energy of ν5 predicts a barrier to linearity of 300 cm−1 similar to 280 cm−1 obtained from the corresponding band of DCCN and comparable to 277 cm−1 from the quantum chemistry calculation by Seidl and Schaefer [J. Chem. Phys. 96, 4449–4452 (1992)].
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SOCIAL PATHOLOGY? CONCEPTUAL FASHIONS AND THE SOCIOLOGY OF DEVIANCE

Social scientific concepts go in and out of fashion. Social pathology was once a popular title for undergraduate sociology courses and textbooks, but it fell out of favor about fifty years ago. Similarly, there is evidence that fewer contemporary sociologists are using the concept of deviance in their analyses. This article sketches a natural history of sociological concepts that denote categories of troubling conditions; it argues that such concepts pose definitional problems that make them pedagogically helpful but analytically problematic.
Depressive symptoms among Vietnamese-American college students.

Fifty Vietnamese-American college students completed questionnaires measuring depressive symptoms, stressful life events, and acculturation to Vietnamese society versus U.S. society. In contrast to the findings of earlier studies, in which attention was limited to depressive symptoms specific to traditional Vietnamese culture, no gains in reliability or validity were apparent when analyses were limited to these symptoms. Acculturation to U.S. society was positively associated with increased reports of depressive symptoms, as was the occurrence of stressful life events. Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of the changing nature of the Vietnamese-American population.
The Political Limits to Nongovernmental Organizations in Jordan

Abstract Nongovermental organizations (NGOs) are frequently touted as important actors in democratization. Yet despite the proliferation of NGOs since the advent of political liberalization and democratization in Jordan, they remain circumscribed by the realities of continued state power. Because the political transition was informed by a desire to perpetuate regime survival in the midst of economic crisis, NGOs continue to experience political limits to their activities. The regime primarily relies upon three strategies to control the NGO community: (a) administrative repression and oversight; (b) civil society “infiltration” through royal nongovernmental organizations and other government NGOs; and (c) centralization through the General Union of Voluntary Societies.
Stuck with Virtue in Our Pro-Life Future

Callahan is wrong to be pro-death, but he’s right to say that to live well—or for society to have a real future—we have to care about more than mere life. Futile attempts to stop the pursuit of extreme personal prolongevity are contrary to our rights-based way of life. It’s also contrary to human love and dignity to regard the old as a threat.
Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis and other visceral changes associated with acute encephalopathy

Three children whose clinical diagnoses were acute encephalitis were found atpostmortem examination to have acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis in addition to the cerebral lesion. The clinical and pathologic manifestations had many similarities to other cases of degenerative visceral changes described with encephalopathy. This syndrome and its variations may represent a generalized reaction to a virus infection, the intensity being dependent on the host-immune response.
Cellular transformation by the HTLV-I Tax protein, a jack-of-all-trades.

The human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) is an oncogenic retrovirus that is responsible for adult T-cell leukemia and a neurological disease, HTLV-I-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis. HTLV-I encodes an oncogenic protein, Tax, which affects a variety of cellular functions prompting it to be referred to as a jack-of-all trades. The ability of Tax to both transcriptionally regulate cellular gene expression and to functionally inactivate proteins involved in cell-cycle progression and DNA repair provide the basis for Tax-mediated transformation and leukemogenesis. This review will concentrate on the effects of Tax on the dysregulation of the G1/S and G2/M checkpoints as well as the suppression of DNA damage repair leading to cellular transformation.