cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dielectric-barrier-discharge plasma-assisted hydrogen diffusion flame. Part 1: Temperature, oxygen, and fuel measurements by one-dimensional fs/ps rotational CARS imaging

Abstract One-dimensional hybrid fs/ps CARS imaging provides single-laser-shot measurements of temperature, oxygen, and hydrogen in a plasma-assisted hydrogen diffusion flame. The coaxial dielectric-barrier-discharge burner collapses the Re ∼50 hydrogen diffusion flame to within ∼5 mm of the burner surface at an applied AC potential of 8.75 kV at 18 kHz, coinciding nicely with the full spatial extent of the 1D CARS measurements. Translating the burner through the measurement volume allowed for measurements at numerous radial locations in increments of 1 mm with a resolution of 140 µm × 30 µm × 600 µm, sufficient to resolve spatial gradients in this unsteady flame. Longer probe delays, required for improved dynamic range in regions of high temperature fluctuations, proved difficult to model as a result of a nontrivial decay in the O2 Raman coherence arising from complexities associated with the triplet ground electronic state of the O2 molecule. Oxygen linewidths were treated empirically using the observed O2 coherence decay in spectra acquired from the product gases of lean, near-adiabatic H2/air flames stabilized on a Hencken flat-flame burner. While still leading to errors up to 10% at worst, the empirically determined Raman linewidth factors eliminated any systematic error in the O2/N2 measurements with probe delay. Temperature measurements in the Hencken Burner flames proved to be insensitive to probe pulse delay, providing robust thermometry. Demonstration of this technique in both the canonical Hencken burner flames and a new DBD burner validates its effectiveness in producing multiple spatially resolved measurements in combustion environments. Measurements in the DBD burner revealed an unsteady, counterflow flattened flame structure near the fuel orifice which became unsteady as the reaction zone curves towards the surface for larger radial positions. Fluctuations in the fuel concentration were largest at the source, as the large, plasma-generated, unsteady external toroidal vortex that dominates the transport in this flame provides enhanced ventilation of the flame surface in close proximity to the fuel tube.
A staggered explicit–implicit finite element formulation for electroactive polymers

Abstract Electroactive polymers such as dielectric elastomers (DEs) have attracted significant attention in recent years. Computational techniques to solve the coupled electromechanical system of equations for this class of materials have universally centered around fully coupled monolithic formulations, which while generating good accuracy requires significant computational expense. However, this has significantly hindered the ability to solve large scale, fully three-dimensional problems involving complex deformations and electromechanical instabilities of DEs. In this work, we provide theoretical basis for the effectiveness and accuracy of staggered explicit–implicit finite element formulations for this class of electromechanically coupled materials, and elicit the simplicity of the resulting staggered formulation. We demonstrate the stability and accuracy of the staggered approach by solving complex electromechanically coupled problems involving electroactive polymers, where we focus on problems involving electromechanical instabilities such as creasing, wrinkling, and bursting drops. In all examples, essentially identical results to the fully monolithic solution are obtained, showing the accuracy of the staggered approach at a significantly reduced computational cost.
The Role of Health in Climate Litigation.

Objectives. To examine how the courts, which play a critical role in shaping public policy, consider public health in climate change and coal-fired power plant lawsuits.Methods. We coded US local, state, and federal court decisions relating to climate change and coal-fired power plants from 1990 to 2016 (n = 873) and qualitatively investigated 139 cases in which litigants raised issues concerning the health impacts of climate change. We also conducted 78 interviews with key litigants, advocates, industry representatives, advising scientists, and legal experts.Results. Health has been a critical consideration in key climate lawsuits, but in a minority of cases. Litigants have presented health arguments most frequently and effectively in terms of airborne exposures. Health impacts have typically been used to gain standing and argue that the evidence for government actions is insufficient.Conclusions. The courts represent a pivotal branch of government in shaping climate policy. Increasing inclusion of healt...
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and fluorinated alternatives in urine and serum by on-line solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), man-made chemicals with variable length carbon chains containing the perfluoroalkyl moiety (CnF2n+1–), are used in many commercial applications. Since 1999–2000, several long-chain PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), have been detected at trace levels in the blood of most participants of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)—representative samples of the U.S. general population—while short-chain PFAS have not. Lower detection frequencies and concentration ranges may reflect lower exposure to short-chain PFAS than to PFOS or PFOA or that, in humans, short-chain PFAS efficiently eliminate in urine. We developed on-line solid phase extraction–HPLC–isotope dilution–MS/MS methods for the quantification in 50 μL of urine or serum of 15 C3-C11 PFAS (C3 only in urine), and three fluorinated alternatives used as PFOA or PFOS replacements: GenX (ammonium salt of 2,3,3,3,-tetrafluoro-2-(1,1,2,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropoxy)-propanoate, also known as HFPO-DA), ADONA (ammonium salt of 4,8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoate), and 9Cl-PF3ONS (9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonate), main component of F53-B. Limit of detection for all analytes was 0.1 ng/mL. To validate the method, we analyzed 50 commercial urine/serum paired samples collected in 2016 from U.S. volunteers with no known exposure to the chemicals. In serum, detection frequency and concentration patterns agreed well with those from NHANES. By contrast, except for perfluorobutanoate, we did not detect long-chain or short-chain PFAS in urine. Also, we did not detect fluorinated alternatives in either urine or serum. Together, these results suggest limited exposure to both short-chain PFAS and select fluorinated alternatives in this convenience population.
Rational Life Plans

What is involved in creating a rational plan for one’s life? This article considers the idea of a “rational life plan” and argues that we should not consider a rational life plan as a blueprint for carrying out one’s purposes and values. Instead, we should think of the task of living one’s life rationally and purposefully as more akin to the project of navigation in unknown terrain, where a few overriding intentions about the intended direction of one’s travel are mixed with timely adjustments to obstacles and opportunities. Rationality in living one’s life involves thoughtful reflection and deliberation about one’s enduring values and purposes, along with incorporation of course corrections as circumstances change.
One Heartfelt Letter to a Friend

This chapter presents Van der Waerden’s letter to a trusted friend, in which he faults himself for teaching in Germany during the German occupation of the Netherlands.
Suboptimal CT angiogram for evaluation of pulmonary embolism: Outcome with VQ scan and clinical follow-up

1666 Objectives Indeterminate CT angiogram (CTA) can occur due to suboptimal opacification of contrast during evaluation pulmonary embolism(PE). In this situation, CTA report typically described no central PE, but peripheral subsegmental PE can not be excluded and recommend VQ scan. The purpose of this study is to evaluate 1.) frequency of this event, in terms of timing of requested VQ scanning, 2.) the outcome of PE based on composite reference control with VQ scan and clinical follow-up for 6 months. Methods Twenty patients who had so-called suboptimal CTA for PE and subsequent VQ scan were retrospectively evaluated for outcomes of VQ scan and clinical follow-up for 6 months.Timing of CT study and VQ scan were evaluated to see when this event occurs most frequently: off-hour vs. on-hour (i.e. 8 AM to 5 PM) interval. Age ranges from 23 to 79 year-old with mean age of 43. Female to male ratio was 16 to 4. 19 patient was from emergency department. Results 1. Outcome of VQ scan and clinical follow-up: None of these patients reported clinical evidence of PE by using composite reference control. 13 CT studies reported no central PE, but recommended VQ scan because of poor bolus, susegmental PE can not be excluded; among these patients, VQ scan was normal in 9, very low probability in 3 and intermediate probability in 1 patient who had a normal follow-up CT and VQ. 7 CT studies reported a questionalble filling defect and recommended VQ scan; it was normal in 5, very low probability in 1, intermediate proabability in 1. Subsequent follow-up on a patient with intermediate probability proved to be a negative for PE. 2. Timing of poor CT bolus: 14 studies were off-hour study-mid night to early in the morning. Conclusions Suboptimal CTA occurs most often during off-hour. There were no clinical and scintigraphical evidence of PE in the patients with indeterminate CTA with concern of subsegmental/peripheral PE. Further investigation of outcome of single isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism is warranted
The Evolution of the Cerebellum in Anthropoid Primates

The cerebellum has traditionally been regarded as a structure involved predominantly, or even exclusively, with motor coordination. However, recent evidence from anatomical tract tracing studies, neuropsychological case studies, and functional neuroimaging experiments has established that ‘the little brain”, as it has been called, is also involved in cognition. Thus, a comparison of the cerebellum across living primates may provide insights into the evolution of both motor and cognitive abilities across the order. This chapter will begin with a review of cerebellar anatomy and function, followed by a summary of comparative data on the primate cerebellum and a discussion of their potential functional and evolutionary significance.
Plasmapheresis for acute attacks in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

The focus of treatment in MS is trending away from interventions for acute relapses, but surprisingly, the opposite is occurring in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Disability in NMOSD results from accumulating damage in the CNS related to individual relapses over the course of the disease. Therefore, acute interventions designed to reduce damage may preserve long-term neurologic function.1,2 The most frequent treatment approach for relapses of NMOSD comprises a schedule of high-dose steroids similar to that adopted in MS, but steroids are only partially effective. Their benefit is most apparent in blunting the extent and severity of the inflammatory response; in fact, only one-third of the patients with NMOSD revert to their previous neurologic status without additional interventions.3 Escalation to plasmapheresis after steroids in NMOSD relapses leads to a return to baseline in up to two-thirds of the patients.3
Concurrent aero-tactile stimulation does not bias perception of VOT for non-initial stops

Previous work has established that puffs of air applied to the skin and timed with listening tasks bias the perception of voicing in onset stops by naive listeners (Gick and Derrick, 2009; Goldenberg et al., 2015). While the primary cue for the voicing contrast in stops is VOT (Lisker and Abramson, 1964), in English aspiration typically functions as a cue foot initially. This study tests the effect of air puffs on perception of voicing for English stops in a non-foot-initial context (“apa/aba”) using VOT continua. Goldenberg et al. (2015) have shown that listeners are sensitive to aero-tactile effects only when these are congruent with the expected contrast (i.e., in VOT but not vowel quality distinctions). Since VOT is generally non-contrastive for English stops that are not foot-initial, air puffs were not expected to affect perception in the current case, and indeed, of 22 participants (11 females; mean age 34.2) tested, 20 showed no effect. Comparison of this null result to the significant bias observed in the earlier (foot-initial context) study extends the finding that, for aero-tactile stimulation to bias perception, the cues must be consistent with those expected in production of the perceived sounds.Previous work has established that puffs of air applied to the skin and timed with listening tasks bias the perception of voicing in onset stops by naive listeners (Gick and Derrick, 2009; Goldenberg et al., 2015). While the primary cue for the voicing contrast in stops is VOT (Lisker and Abramson, 1964), in English aspiration typically functions as a cue foot initially. This study tests the effect of air puffs on perception of voicing for English stops in a non-foot-initial context (“apa/aba”) using VOT continua. Goldenberg et al. (2015) have shown that listeners are sensitive to aero-tactile effects only when these are congruent with the expected contrast (i.e., in VOT but not vowel quality distinctions). Since VOT is generally non-contrastive for English stops that are not foot-initial, air puffs were not expected to affect perception in the current case, and indeed, of 22 participants (11 females; mean age 34.2) tested, 20 showed no effect. Comparison of this null result to the significant bias observ...
Abstract 213: Sarcolemma Genes Related to the Transverse Tubule Structure Are Mostly Not Expressed in Differentiating Human iPSC-derived Cardiomyocytes

Background: Transverse tubules (TT) are tunnel-like extensions of sarcolemma studded with ion channels coupling excitation, through the cytoplasm, to contraction in the sarcomere of matured cardiom...
System of Cable Lines Insulation Control

The article deals with the control of the cable lines insulation. The main problems which inevitably arise during cable lines monitoring with diagnostic equipment designed to work with disconnected lines are indicated. The disadvantages of the currently used devices for cable lines insulation monitoring which react to the zero sequence currents due to possible uncertainty in determining the cause of these currents relating to the weakening of insulation or to asymmetric consumers are presented. It is shown that placing two measuring units of the insulation monitoring system at the beginning and the end of the cable lines provides more reliable and reasonable results for finding the cause of the occurrence of the zero-sequence currents. In addition, the authors consider the use of negative sequence currents to identify the insulation weakening between the phases of the cable lines, as the phase-to-phase damages are comparable in frequency to the appearance of single-phase ones.
Trauma-informed education: Creating and pilot testing a nursing curriculum on trauma-informed care

Abstract Background Trauma is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. Trauma-informed care (TIC) provides a safe and supportive healthcare environment for patients who have experienced trauma. Educating healthcare providers improves knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to TIC. However, nursing programs do not systematically integrate TIC education. Purpose To create, implement, and evaluate nursing content on TIC at the graduate and undergraduate levels at one university. Method A pretest-posttest survey was utilized to assess changes in TIC knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to the delivery of content on trauma and TIC to students in three courses at one large Midwestern university in January 2019. Safety, acceptability, and transferability were also measured. Findings The content improved nursing students' knowledge and skills related to providing TIC. Further, content on TIC is acceptable to both undergraduate and graduate students and is transferrable to non-nursing students. Discussion The current study provides a trauma-informed nursing education model that is safe, appropriate, acceptable, and efficacious.
103 – Legionella metalloendopeptidase

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the structural chemistry and the biological aspect of Legionella metalloendopeptidase. The secretion of the metalloproteinase by Legionella is dependent upon a type II general secretion pathway. Deletion of several of the seven genes in this pathway blocks secretion of the enzyme, and this prevents growth in amoeba but does not prevent killing of macrophages. Prepilin-like proteins are required in the type II pathway and they must first be cleaved by prepilin peptidases. The role of the major secretory protein in Legionnaires' disease is partly clarified by experiments with leukocytes. When PMN cells were stimulated with formyl-leucyl-methionylphenylalanine and opsonized zymosan particles, complete inhibition of Superoxide anion production was produced by protease. Effects on oxidative burst and chemotaxis may contribute to the disease process. Intranasal administration of the protease in guinea pigs produces hemorrhagic pneumonia and there is evidence for collagenolytic but not elastolytic activity. The protease is cytotoxic to neutrophils and monocyte/macrophages and interferes with the binding of natural killer cells to their target cells. The enzyme is neither required for growth of the bacterium within cultured human macrophages nor for killing the cells, as shown by mutations that block protease production.
Effect of aspect ratio on the flow over a wall-mounted hemispherical turret

Abstract The effect of aspect ratio on the flow over a hemispherical turret was investigated using Time Resolved Particle Image Velocimetry (TRPIV) in a water tunnel at a Reynolds number of 33,000, based on the turret diameter (d). The height of the pedestal (h) was varied to obtain four aspect ratios ( A R = h d ) of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2. For all cases, the boundary layer separated upstream of the models to form a classical horseshoe vortex that wrapped around the base of the turret models as it convected downstream. A bifurcation streamline resulted in the formation of a half saddle point near the forward attachment line that divided the flow into inward turning recirculating flow near the end wall, and the outer flow. The vertical displacement of the half saddle point continued to increase with increasing aspect ratio. Spectral analysis and Dynamic Mode Decomposition (DMD) was performed on the velocimetry data that showed existence of multiple peaks whose amplitudes increased with increasing aspect ratio and subharmonic distribution of energy. Results of power spectra were corroborated by DMD analysis which showed the gradual shift in the highest energy modes from high frequencies to lower ones and reduction of decay rates of lower energy modes with increasing aspect ratio. Surface flow visualization tests in the wind tunnel also showed the strong influence of aspect ratio on the near wall flow upstream and in the wake of the models vividly observed from the trajectories of the limiting streamlines.
Thyroid Uptake of [99mTc] Pertechnetate during In Vivo RBC Labeling: Incidental Diagnosis of Hypothyroidism

Increased thyroid activity was incidentally observed during an in vivo labeled Tc-99m blood pool scan and subsequent evaluation resulted in a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Alternate explanations of abnormal thyroid uptake on in vivo labeled blood pool scans were considered and are discussed briefly.
Incorporating verbal defense into problem-based learning

Abstract Introduction The objective of this project was to evaluate the effect of adjusting the solution reporting phase of problem-based learning (PBL) while keeping core components of the pedagogy constant. Methods A PBL course for third year pharmacy students changed delivery of the problem solution from a written format to a verbal defense. Comparisons were made between the written format and verbal defense groups. The primary outcome was the change in the motivation domain of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). Secondary outcomes included evaluation of the learning strategies domain of the MSLQ, changes in MSLQ scores within each group, exam scores, and themes identified using focus groups. Results There was no difference in the change of motivation and learning domains between the groups. However, scores in both groups increased significantly from the beginning to the end of the semester for both motivation and learning. There was no difference in exam scores and facilitator confidence between groups. Themes from focus groups who used the written format were appreciation of PBL outcomes, discomfort with the pedagogy, and disconnect of assessments. Themes from the verbal format group were realism, increased confidence, and comments with course logistics. Conclusions No difference in motivation and learning was observed between the groups, although both groups improved over the course of the semester. Changes to PBL approach within the confines of the pedagogy may not impact motivation and learning.
Information of Use to New Doctorates Interested in Publishing in Marketing Journals

A total of 359 articles from eight marketing journals were surveyed to determine authorship of articles and the employment affiliation of the articles’ author(s). The results suggest that some institutions have faculty who favor publishing in certain journals used in the present study.
The sensitive surface chemistry of Co-free, Ni-rich layered oxides: identifying experimental conditions that influence characterization results

Recent studies have suggested that Co-free, Ni-rich layered cathodes (e.g., doped LiNiO2) can provide promising battery performance for practical applications. However, these layered cathodes suffer from significant surface instability during various stages of the sample history, which generates inherent challenges for achieving stable battery performance and obtaining statistically representative characterization results. To reliably report the surface chemistry of these materials, delicate controls of stepwise sample preparation are required. In this study, we aim to illustrate how the surface chemistry of LiNiO2 based materials changes with various environments, including human exhalation, sample storage, sample preparation, electrochemical cycling, and surface doping. Our results demonstrate that the surface of these materials is highly reactive and prone to alter at various stages of sample handling and characterization. The sensitive surface could impact the interpretation of the surface chemical and structural information, including surface carbonate formation, transition metal reduction and dissolution, and surface reconstruction. Importantly, the heterogeneity of the surface degradation calls for a consolidation of nanoscale, high-resolution characterization and ensemble-averaged methods in order to improve statistical representation. Furthermore, the doping chemistry can effectively mitigate the surface degradation and improve overall battery performance due to the enhanced surface oxygen retention. Our study highlights the necessity of strict measurements through complementary characterization at multiple length scales to eliminate unintentional biased conclusions.
Original contributionSuccessful and sustained treatment of chronic radiation proctitis with antioxidant vitamins E and C

OBJECTIVE: Chronic radiation proctitis, a common sequelae of pelvic radiation, is characterized by obliteration of the submucosal vasculature with subsequent ischemia and reperfusion injury. Oxidative stress is thought to be a major mechanism in radiation proctitis. Therefore, antioxidants (vitamins E and C) may be beneficial. METHODS: Twenty consecutive symptomatic outpatients with endoscopically documented radiation proctitis seen in a single gastroenterology clinic were given a combination of vitamin E (400 IU tid) and vitamin C (500 mg tid). Previous radiation therapy was given for prostatic (n = 10) or gynecological (n = 10) malignancies. These patients presented with one or more of the following symptoms: rectal bleeding, rectal pain, diarrhea, or fecal urgency. Using a questionnaire, these symptoms were rated by the patients in terms of their severity (grade 0–4) and frequency (grade 0–4) before and after treatment with vitamins E and C. A symptom index was calculated by the addition of the severity and frequency scores (8 = most symptomatic). The lifestyle impact of the symptoms was also assessed by questionnaire grading from 0 (no effect on daily activity) to 4 (afraid to leave home). Among these 20 patients, 10 patients who received vitamins E and C for 1 yr were assessed again to determine whether their initial responses were sustained. RESULTS: There was a significant (p < 0.05; Wilcoxon rank) improvement in the symptom index (before treatment vs after treatment with vitamins E and C) for bleeding (median score: 4 vs 0), diarrhea (median score: 5 vs 0), and urgency (median score: 6 vs 3). Patients with rectal pain did not improve significantly. Bleeding resolved in four of 11 patients, diarrhea resolved in eight of 16 patients, fecal urgency resolved in three of 16 patients, and rectal pain resolved in two of six patients. Lifestyle improved in 13 patients, including seven patients who reported a return to normal. Two of the patients with no improvement in their daily symptoms also had radiation ileitis. All 10 patients who underwent a second follow-up interview reported sustained improvement in their symptoms 1 yr later. CONCLUSION: A substantial number of patients with radiation proctitis seem to benefit from antioxidant therapy. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial is needed to confirm this open-labeled pilot study.
Application of the Curve-Number Method for Varying Rainfall Amounts

AbstractCalibration studies typically relate the curve number to the rainfall amount; however, this dependence is neglected in the standard application of the curve-number method. This neglect caus...
Integrated Stress Response Couples Mitochondrial Protein Translation With Oxidative Stress Control

Background: The integrated stress response (ISR) is an evolutionarily conserved process to cope with intracellular and extracellular disturbances. Myocardial infarction is a leading cause of death ...
Brachial and carotid hemodynamic response to hot water immersion in men and women.

This study sought to compare the brachial and carotid hemodynamic response to hot water immersion (HWI) between healthy young men and women. Ten women (W) and 11 men (M) (24 ± 4 yr) completed a 60-...
Global Health Systems

• Sustainable, ethical engagement begins with careful listening, cultural sensitivity, and responsiveness to local preferences and conditions. • Few, if any, health systems provide ideal care; there are useful frameworks for improvement. • Health systems built upon economic, social, public health, and primary carebased interventions at the community level have been the most consistently successful. • Some outside efforts to buoy health systems have caused harm. • There is growing access to information on health systems and understanding of routes to successful reform. Chapter 3 Global Health Systems
Common Law Efficiency Under Haphazard Adjudication

Absent efficiency-cultivating judges, is selective litigation alone enough to drive the common law to efficiency? To address this question, the common law is viewed as an evolving network of precedents. Litigants nominate the most inefficient precedents for re-adjudication and judges modify these precedents haphazardly. I show that in equilibrium every precedent achieves and remains above (except when it is being relitigated) a threshold efficiency score. Above the threshold, any score is equally likely. Therefore, despite haphazard adjudication, selective litigation by itself is enough to drive the common law above a threshold efficiency level. However, haphazard adjudication fails to achieve perfect efficiency - the efficiency distribution above the threshold has nonzero width.
Is Critique Theological

One way of understanding the project of critical theory is as a rejection of how we ordinarily understand what there is. How we describe the world, using our everyday concepts, only gets at appearances. Through critical theory, through the process of critique, appearances are shown to be illusory. Therefore, we have a responsibility to critique, following from our responsibility to truthfulness. Critical theory is not committed to a truth behind the appearances, but rather to the rejection of deception – hence a responsibility to truthfulness rather than to truth, as Bernard Williams has put it. Framed in this way, critical theory is at once a philosophical and an ethical project. When the everyday concepts that are subject to scrutiny are understood to be created by the powerful, securing the interests of the powerful, critical theory also becomes a political project, a democratic project. Judith Butler invites us to engage in the process of critique. She argues that what lies behind apparent objects and individuals, what lies behind what she calls “ontology,” is the social world. We are tempted to believe ourselves to be sovereign subjects perceiving discrete objects, but for Butler this view conceals the way that what we find around us and we ourselves supervene on our lives together. In other words, truthfulness resides in our lives together, in the social world, and ignoring that by, for example, affirming the sovereignty of the subject is necessarily false –
Semantic annotation of maps through knowledge provenance

Maps are artifacts often derived from multiple sources of data, e.g., sensors, and processed by multiple methods, e.g., gridding and smoothing algorithms. As a result, complex metadata may be required to describe maps semantically. This paper presents an approach to describe maps by annotating associated provenance. Knowledge provenance can represent a semantic annotation mechanism that is more scalable than direct annotation of map. Semantic annotation of maps through knowledge provenance provides several benefits to end users. For example, a user study is presented showing that scientists with different levels of expertise and background are able to evaluate the quality of maps by analyzing their knowledge provenance information.
Chapter 4 The Nature and Origin of Amphibian Alkaloids

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the nature and origin of amphibian alkaloids. The sructures of amphibian alkaloids were reviewed in detail, most recently in 1993. The distribution of various alkaloids among some 40 species of frogs of the neotropical family Dendrobatidae was presented in 1987. Synthetic efforts leading to amphibian alkaloids were reviewed, most recently in 1986. Since the 1993 review, many more alkaloids have been detected in amphibian skin extracts using gas chromatographic (GC) mass spectral and GC-Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analyses. Structural classes have been defined, and, most importantly, evidence has been obtained that indicates that alkaloid-bearing amphibians—with the exception of the European fire salamander—probably do not synthesize their skin alkaloids, but instead rely on dietary sources and merely efficiently sequester and store for extended periods alkaloids that they obtain from ants, beetles, millipedes, and probably other small arthropods. The amphibian-skin alkaloids thus represent a remarkable instance of a chemical ecology, wherein the amphibian is wholly dependent on dietary arthropods as a source of the alkaloids that comprise the active principles in its defensive skin secretions.
Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-associated vasculitis presenting as Sjögren's syndrome.

A 63-year-old woman, in whom a diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome was initially made, proved to have systemic vasculitis with salivary gland involvement and necrotizing and crescentic glomerulonephritis. Antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) against myeloperoxidase were positive. ANCA-associated vasculitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. A positive finding on immunoassay for ANCA against myeloperoxidase or proteinase 3 may help establish the diagnosis.
Beneficial bacteria and fungi in hydroponic systems: Types and characteristics of hydroponic food production methods

Hydroponic systems have gained worldwide popularity and are increasingly used for various purposes in different geographic areas. The purpose of this review is to present information concerning hydroponic systems, including: the different types and methods of operation; trends, advantages and limitations, the role of beneficial bacteria and fungi in reducing plant disease and improving plant quality and productivity. In order to produce more and improved hydroponic crops, a variety of modified hydroponic systems have been developed, such as: the wick, drip, ebb-flow, water culture, nutrient film technique, aeroponic, and windowfarm systems. According to numerous studies, hydroponics have many advantages over field culture systems, such as: reuse of water, ease in controlling external factors, and a reduction in traditional farming practices (e.g., cultivating, weeding, watering, and tilling). However, several limitations have also been identified in hydroponic culture systems: i.e., high setup cost, rapid pathogen spread, and a need for specialized management knowledge. In addition, many phytopathogens can easily grow in hydroponic systems due to high nutrient concentrations and then they can ruin the entire crop through rapid spreading in water circulation system. Among the various approaches used for controlling pathogens with physical, chemical, and biological methods, we focused on biological controls, especially plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria that are used for biofertilizers, biocontrol agents, and bioremediators. This review intends to provide a better understanding of hydroponics and newly applied systems and the optimization of techniques in existing systems to reduce plant diseases and enhance food quality and quantity.
ESTIMATION OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF AGE AT NATURAL MENOPAUSE FROM PREVALENCE DATA

Nearly 30 [percent] of U.S. women reach menopause (defined as cessation of menstrual periods) as a consequence of an operation. This biases the observable distribution of age at natural menopause. Another problem with estimating this distribution from a cross-sectional study is the clustering of reported age at natural menopause around ages ending in zero and five....This paper discusses the approach of MacMahon and Worcester to this problem and compares it with a competing risks approach. (EXCERPT)
The effect of perturbed heating on the ignition of a combustible solid

Abstract An investigation is made of the situation in which the external heating of a combustible solid is subjected to a small decrease. An integral equation is derived which relates the heating perturbation to the tendency toward thermal runaway leading to ignition. An analysis of the integral equation reveals conditions under which thermal runaway (i) always occur, (ii) never occurs and (iii) is delayed.
The Diagnosis and Management of Epithelial Tumors of the Lacrimal Sac

Five primary epithelial lesions of the lacrimal sac representing a range of epithelial tumors are presented. The benign lesions initially presented without pain or significant mass but with epiphora and a bloody discharge. The malignant lesions presented insidiously, were large, firm masses and displayed overlying skin telangiectasis rather than the diffuse erythema of dacryocystography revealed a sac partially obstructed by a subtotal space-occupying mass in benign tumors and completely obstructed with malignant lesions.
Specific Heat and Thermal Conductivity of Solid Fullerenes

The first model for lattice vibrations of solids was proposed in 1907 by Einstein who applied the quantum concept to the mechanical motion of individual atoms in a crystal lattice which he assumed to be vibrating with random phases.1 He subsequently found that this model was inadequate, its major shortcoming being that it led to a thermal conductivity which disagreed with the observation on crystals both in magnitude and temperature dependence.2 This disagreement was removed by Debye3 and by Born and von Karman4 who demonstrated that in crystalline solids the atoms vibrate collectively as elastic waves.
A Writer's Retreat as a Facilitator for Transformative Learning

Transformational learning is frequently discussed as a desired outcome for students. The authors are five experienced academicians from different disciplines who experienced transformational learni...
Higher Education Communication and Information Systems Policy.

Effective use of new technologies calls for the development of institutional policies in equally new areas of concern.
Balancing the Risk of Eye Irritation from UV‐C with Infection from Bioaerosols

The very aspect (phototoxicity) that makes short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV) radiation an effective germicidal agent also is responsible for the unwanted side effects of erythema (reddening of the skin) and photokeratitis ("welder's flash" or "snow-blindness"). Overexposure to this short-wavelength UV radiation can produce these unwanted side effects from a very mild irritation of the skin and eyes to a rather painful case of photokeratitis. These effects are fortunately transient, as only superficial cells of the eye-the corneal epithelium-and the most superficial layer of the skin-the superficial epidermis-are significantly affected. Normal turnover of these cells soon erase the signs and symptoms of these effects. Radiant energy in the UV-C band has very shallow penetration depths which account for the very superficial nature of any injury to the skin and eyes from excessive exposure, minimum risk of delayed effects and at the same time the strong absorption by bioaerosols. Guidelines for human exposure to UV-C must be applied intelligently so as not to limit germicidal efficacy in upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation.
Intelligent Warning Lights and Driving Safety

This paper describes how flashing lights and beacons on service vehicles like maintenance trucks, tow trucks, delivery and utility service vehicles can make it hard to navigate through work zones. Recommendations for performance specifications are presented based on the ability of these flashing lights adaptation to ambient conditions and situations.
Identification of Tropical and Temperate Maize Populations Having Favorable Alleles for Yield and Other Phenotypic Traits

If tropical germplasm is to be useful in increasing maize (Zea mays L.) grain yield, populations containing favorable alleles not present in elite hybrids need to be identified. Thus, a major objective of this study was to identify tropical and temperate populations containing favorable alleles useful for improving the Corn Belt hybrid FR1064 × LH185 (a commercial hybrid representative of the typical Stiff-Stalk × Lancaster heterotic pattern). A group of tropical populations and hybrids from the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize Project (GEM) crossed to either Mo17 or B73 (temperate maize inbreds) was studied. In addition, a group of temperate accessions was evaluated. Grain yield, flowering date, plant height, ear height, and penetrometer reading were evaluated using Dudley's method for identifying populations with favorable alleles. Only three accessions of 41 had positive and significant relative numbers of favorable alleles for yield. For most accessions, unexpectedly, the estimate of l p ₗμ′ (an estimator of relative number of favorable alleles in the accessions not present in the hybrid to be improved) for yield was negative. Negative l p ₗμ′ values for yield resulted from low true values of l p ₗμ′ combined with low frequencies of favorable alleles in the accession for loci having favorable alleles in one inbred and not the other. None of the accessions were identified as having favorable alleles for lowering ear height or increasing stalk penetrometer resistance. These results suggest Dudley's method may not be useful when frequencies of favorable alleles in the populations being evaluated are very low.
Plasma spraying of alumina: Plasma and particle flow fields

A comprehensive experimental examination of the interaction between a subsonic thermal plasma jet and injected alumine, particles is presented. Measurements of plasma velocity, temperature, and entrained air were obtained from an enthalpy probe and mass spectrometer combination. A diffusive separation, or demixing, of the Ar and He plasma gas was observed. Centerline plasma velocities and temperatures ranged from 1501500 m/s and 2000 to 14,000 K, respectively, in the region between the torch and a typical substrate location of 90 mm. Measurements of particle size, velocity, tempearture and local number density were obtained from a combination laser particle sizing system, Laser doppler velocimeter (LDV), and two-color pyrometer. Centerline temperatures and velocities for the nominally 30 μm particles used were 2400–2800 K and 150–200 m/s, respectively.
Identification of the E. coli dnaJ gene product

We have previously shown that a mutation (groPC259) in the E. coli dnaJ gene renders the cell inviable at high temperatures and arrests bacteriophage λ DNA replication at all temperatures (Sunshine et al., 1977). We have isolated λdnaJ ++ transducing phages both by in vitro cloning and by abnormal excision of a λdnaK transducing phage integrated near the dnaJ locus. The dnaJ gene product has been identified on SDS polacrylamide gels after infection of UV-irradiated E. coli cells by λdnaJ ++ derivative phages. It is a polypeptide chain with an apparent molecular weight of 37,000-daltons. This has been verified by the fact that a transducing phage carrying an amber mutation in the dnaJ gene fails to induce the synthesis of the 37,000-dalton polypeptide chain upon infection of sup ++ bacteria, but does so upon infection of supF or supD bacteria.
NUCLEOCYTOPLASMIC EXCHANGES DURING EARLY INTERPHASE

Colloidal gold was injected into the cytoplasm of amebae (Amoeba proteus) approximately 5 min, 1 hr, and 2 hr after cytokinesis. Later, interphase cells were similarly treated. All of the amebae were fixed about 50 min after injection and were examined with the electron microscope in order to determine the distribution of the gold. It was found that for a period of 2 hr after division the uptake of gold by the nuclei was significantly greater than that during late interphase. Correlation of the gold distribution with the morphology of the nuclear envelope indicated that an inverse relationship exists between the rate of incorporation of colloid into the nucleoplasm and the degree of reconstitution of the fibrous lamina ("honeycomb" structure). These data support the view that the fibrous lamina functions in regulating nucleocytoplasmic exchanges.
Presentation of Candida albicans and purified protein derivative soluble antigens by Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human lymphoblastoid B-cell lines

Abstract Cells other than the macrophage can function as antigen-presenting cells (APCs). These class II-bearing accessory cells include dendritic cells, epidermal Langerhans cells, B cells, murine B-cell tumors, and human Epstein-Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (EBV-LCL). We investigated the ability of EBV-LCL to present two soluble antigens, Candida albicans and purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD). The EBV-LCL derived from B cells of two different individuals can present both antigens to bulk cultures of autologous antigen-primed peripheral blood lymphocytes. The responses of PPD-reactive T-cell clones were weaker to PPD when presented by EBV-LCL than by PBL-APCs, with some clones responding only to PPD presented by PBL-APCs. This suggests that EBV-LCL are not equivalent to PEL monocytes in APC function, and that expression of class II major histocompatibility complex antigen is not sufficient in enabling antigen-presenting capability.
Public education and the battle over the nature of social responsibility to the nation's children and schools.

In recent years, allegedly worse schools have been blamed for lack of economic competitiveness and other social problems. Some observers have interpreted the supposed decline of education as a trumpet call to reform public schools. Others believing that public education is mostly beyond repair, have argued that the way to regenerate schooling is to create a market system of education in which parents can choose their children's schools, either public or private, and pay the tuition through vouchers funded by taxes.
Rapid mood change and human odors

We demonstrate an immediate effect of airborne chemicals on human moods. We collected six groups of underarm odors, respectively, from five prepubertal girls, five prepubertal boys, five college women, five college men, five older women, and five older men. In addition, we collected odors from homes of these donors, making them a seventh group of odor. Three hundred and eight odor observers ranked the seven groups of odors of little girls, little boys, college women, college men, older women, older men, and homes by their perceived pleasantness, intensity, perceived masculinity, and age of the donors, among other qualities. On a separate task, the same odor observers assessed their depressive, hostile, and positive moods twice, once before and once a few minutes after they sniffed one of the above seven groups of odors. Exposure to underarm odors for under 2 min led to significant, rapid, and small changes in the nonclinical depressive mood of the odor observers. The mood changes were independent of the observers' perceptions of odor qualities. Odors perceived as unpleasant and intense were as likely to relieve a depressive mood as were pleasant odors.
Ozone as a Sink for Atmospheric Carbon Aerosols Today and Following Nuclear War

In recent years the expected environmental consequences of nuclear war have been expanded to include the global impact of injection of huge quantities of smoke and dust into the atmosphere. Solar heating could cause this smoke cloud to rise to stratospheric heights, increasing local temperatures as much as 100 K. The lofting of carbonaceous soot particles into the stratosphere could cause the total ozone column to be reduced due to: (1) increases in catalytic destruction of ozone; (2) transport of ozone-rich, stratospheric air to regions where it is more quickly photolyzed as the ozone-poor, tropospheric air associated with the smoke cloud pushes into the stratosphere; and, (3) direct reactions of ozone with the carbon aerosols. Ozone reacts with carbon black surfaces to produce an oxygen molecule for every ozone lost. Removal of surface oxides formed in the reaction is the rate-limiting step for further reactions of ozone with the surface. Soot surfaces also react with ozone. This reaction is found to ha...