cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-acting reversible contraception and repeat abortion: Rose et al

See related article, page 37 Unintended pregnancies and repeat abortion are pressing issues around he world. Recent figures suggest that n the United States, over 1 million uninended pregnancies per year end in aborion. For the patient, abortion can be a ource of emotional distress, and the surical procedure is associated with small isks for bleeding and infection. Overall, nintended pregnancies and abortion repesent a major public health issue. Therefore, attention has recently turned to the safety, efficacy, and patient acceptability of long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods. These methods include injectable, implantable, and intrauterine devices. This month, Journal Club participants discussed a prospective follow-up study from New Zealand that underscores the value of LARC methods in reducing the rate of repeat abortions. In the original 2008 study, which took place over a 10week period, women were offered free long-acting contraception after abortion— either the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), or the copper multiload Cu375 IUD (Cu-IUD). Implantable devices were not offered. Patients also received intense education and patient counseling about these methods. They were then contacted by phone at 6 weeks and 6 months to assess continuation rates. At the 6-month mark, investigators reached 78% of the women and learned that 81% with a LNG-IUS and 74% with a Cu-IUD had retained them; 71% of DMPA users were continuing use. For the new study, the rate of repeat abortion was ascertained at 24 months by matching National Health Index numbers (a unique identifier for
Reconstructing the climate and the air pollution of Rome during the life of the Trajan Column

Abstract The climate of Rome has been reconstructed on the basis of geophysical factors, documentation taken from latin literature and recent instrumental observations. The daily meteorological statistics, based on their own experience, by Roman writers, gives a clear picture of the climate when the Trajan Column was constructed. Other series that may be related to climatic events, such as the floods of the Tiber, furnish a general overview of the rainy periods in past centuries. Unbroken instrumental records of air temperature, rainfall and wind, taken at the nearby Collegio Romano provide good information on the meteorological situation over the last two centuries. Freeze-thaw cycles are not as frequent today as in the past, and reached a maximum frequency in the mid 19th century. Air pollution in Rome in the past may be considered from the size of the population, the presence of few industrial factories and the occurrence of volcanic eruptions, mainly from nearby Vesuvius, Etna, Stromboli and Vulcano. The surface of the column is covered with an oxalate patina, called ‘scialbatura’, with multiple layering. Two main hypotheses have been proposed for the natural transformation of the marble into oxalate: the biological deterioration due to lichen activity (responsible also for pitting) and chemical reaction of oxalic acid and oxalates present in the atmosphere. Past changes and fluctuations of climate and pollution have been here considered to interpret under a new light these hypotheses, and the critical number of inhabitants for making a lichen-toxic atmosphere and inhibiting the epilithic activity has been deduced. The scialbatura is less soluble (and more resistant) than the original marble; its colour is gray-pink while the Carrara marble is white. The question arises of whether the transformation of the marble into oxalate should be better considered damage (i.e. different colour and chemical composition) or a natural means of conservation. Field observation shows that deterioration of monuments can be reduced by lowering the pollutant concentration to a threshold limit; however, below this limit, lichens can live and chemical weathering (e.g. dissolution, sulphation) may be overwhelmed by biological weathering (e.g. transformation of marble in oxalate, pitting) in a rather uncontrolled way.
A Systems Engineering Process for the Development of Analog Missions for the Vision for Space Exploration

Throughout human exploration of space, analog missions have proven to be a critical aspect in reducing risk while increasing technical and operational experience. In light of the new goals associated with the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE), the prior processes and procedures for analog missions are not adequate to meet the objectives of the VSE. To solve this problem, previous analog work was analyzed to uncover gaps in the current system of creating and running analog missions. Then, a Systems Engineering approach to the design process of analogs was created, which includes outlining the analog, documenting it in NASA’s Analogs Database, using checklists to ensure all elements of the analog are being considered, and creating a quantitative trade study with consistent metrics. A trade study can be used to compare the fidelity of analog missions and to ensure that the analog missions closely match the actual spaceflight mission. Overall, the Systems Engineering approach can be applied to analog missions so that the analog missions meet the objectives of the Vision for Space Exploration through high fidelity, consistency, and collaboration.
Storage Stability (TBA) and Color of MDCM and MDTM Processed with CO2 Cooling

Abstract Mechanically deboned chicken meat and mechanically deboned turkey meat were processed using a commercial deboning system. Meat samples were obtained directly out of the deboning screen after passing through the CO2 cooling chamber with CO2 turned off, and after CO2 cooling. Replicate lots were obtained and packaged in air and under vacuum and stored at —18 C up to three months prior to 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and Hunter Lab coior analyses. TBA numbers increased with storage time and with CO2 cooling for both meats. Highest TBA numbers were obtained for CO2 cooled meat stored for three months. Hunter Lab color values varied with mixing treatment and storage time. Generally Hunter L (darkness) and +aL values (redness) decreased with storage time. Meat mixed without CO2 cooling was lighter in color than meat from either of the other treatments. Procedures used to chill mechanically deboned poultry meat should not be modified, however, based on these data alone because CO2 cooling does have definite microbiological advantages.
Nuances in the Treatment of Malignant Tumors of the Clival and Petroclival Region

Introduction Malignancies of the clivus and petroclival region are mainly chordomas and chondrosarcomas. Although a spectrum of malignancies may present in this area, a finite group of commonly encountered malignant pathologies will be the focus of this review, as they are recognized to be formidable pathologies due to adjacent critical neurovascular structures and challenging surgical approaches. Objectives The objective is to review the literature regarding medical and surgical management of malignant tumors of the clival and petroclival region with a focus on clinical presentation, diagnostic identification, and associated adjuvant therapies. We will also discuss our current treatment paradigm using endoscopic, open, and combined approaches to the skull base. Data Synthesis A literature review was conducted, searching for basic science and clinical evidence from PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Database. The selection criteria encompassed original articles including data from both basic science and clinical literature, case series, case reports, and review articles on the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and management of skull base malignancies in the clival and petroclival region. Conclusions The management of petroclival malignancies requires a multidisciplinary team to deliver the most complete surgical resection, with minimal morbidity, followed by appropriate adjuvant therapy. We advocate the combination of endoscopic and open approaches (traditional or minimally invasive) as required by the particular tumor followed by radiation therapy to optimize oncologic outcomes.
Musculoskeletal: what's different in children? Fell off of pogo stick; sore hand

This 10-year-old male was out jumping on his pogo stick and fell. He didn't think much of it, but then he started to have some pain in his right hand the pain continued. It seemed to be centered around the right wrist. This went on for 2 days and, at the same time, the parents noticed that there was some swelling in the area. As a result, they brought him to our Emergency Care Facility (ECF). The pain was bad enough that he was on some analgesic medication, but it did not completely control the pain.
A Numerical Simulation of Interfacial Slip and its Role in Friction

The transition from static friction to kinetic friction results from the attainment of a point of instability, whereby interfacial slip becomes more energetically favorable than sticking. Such an instability is explored in this work via a plane-strain elastostatic analysis. A rigid pin of prescribed geometry is placed in contact with an elastic slab and translated horizontally under conditions of constant load. An intrinsic static coefficient of friction is prescribed, which limits the ratio of shear stress to contact pressure at each location within the interface. Additionally, the surface of the elastic slab is given a desired undulation to simulate the effects of surface roughness. As the pin is translated horizontally, a lateral reaction force (i.e., friction force) is developed and is observed to grow nearly linearly with increasing lateral displacement. At a critical point, a substantial portion of the interface experiences slip, leading to a large decrease in the friction force and thereby revealing a stick-slip behavior. It is found that the overall (macroscopic) static friction coefficient can be significantly less than the intrinsic friction coefficient and that the presence of even a small amount of roughness can have a large effect on the friction force.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
High-stability temperature control for ST-7/LISA Pathfinder gravitational reference sensor ground verification testing

This article demonstrates experimental results of a thermal control system developed for ST-7 gravitational reference sensor (GRS) ground verification testing which provides thermal stability δT 24 hours. Continuing development of a model predictive feedforward control algorithm will extend performance to <1 mK/√Hz at f < 0.01 mHz and possibly lower, extending LISA coverage of super massive black hole mergers.
INDEX NUMBERS AND THE COMPUTATION OF FACTOR PRODUCTIVITY1

For purposes of analyzing the nature and meaning of index number formulas to be used in the calculation of factor productivity, a distinction is made between interetemporal comparison of factor productivity for a single country and contemporaneous comparison of factor productivity in two different countries. In the former case, the country in question is supposed ideally to be realizing fully its production possibilities, and the concern is seen as appraisal of shifts in such possibilities over time due to the advance of technological knowledge. Following Moorsteen such an advance is taken to be represented by the change in capacity to produce a standard mix of outputs per unit of a standard mix of inputs. Any mix might be standard, but those actually realized at the times in question are of particular interest. The index number formulas to be applied then depend on the assumed shape of the functions representing production possibilities. The conventional practice of aggregating output arithmetically and inputs geometrically, for example, is in order where production possibilities are given by an elaborated Cobb-Douglas function, but achieves only more or less approximate results otherwise. The analysis necessarily bears also on the prices at which inputs and outputs are to be valued. For the case of contemporaneous comparison of different countries, technological knowledge is taken ideally to be the same in the countries considered. Hence the concern is to gauge differences in production efficiency, i.e., realization of production possibilities. With production capacity understood to reflect any shortfall from possibilities, and hence production inefficiency in that sense, the analysis proceeds much as before, but given the fact of inefficiency determination of suitable prices for valuation of inputs and outputs becomes relatively difficult. Alternative expedients, none entirely satisfactory, are explored.
Conversion of 17β-Estradiol to Estrone by Spermatozoa of Dogs and Men

Soluble 170-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity has been demonstrated in human and dog spermatozoa which readily converts 17/3-estradiol to estrone. The following properties of this enzyme system have been partially investigated: substrate specificity, cofactor requirements, and the effect of temperature and pH upon activity. (Endocrinology 75: 616, 1964) ALTHOUGH estrone, 17/3-estradiol and -TJL estriol have been isolated from semen and identified by chemical criteria, the source Received April 27,1964. USPHS Postdoctoral Fellow (GDP-9820C2) and trainee in the Training Institute for Steroid Biochemistry (CRTY-5000). Present address: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112. and physiological function of these estrogens remain unknown (1). In an attempt to obtain some information relating to this problem, the ability of semen to metabolize 17/3estradiol was investigated. Little is known about steroid metabolism by semen. Scott, Baggett and White (2) observed the conversion of testosterone to 4-androstene-3,17dione by semen, and reported no effects of testosterone on oxidative metabolism of spermatozoa. October 1964 NOTES AND COMMENTS 617 TABLE 1. Parameters influencing 17/3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in spermatozoa Experimental conditions Rate of conversion of substrate (in % of complete prep.)
Faraday's Researches and the United States

THE spirit and method of Faraday are as worthy of study as the results that flowed from them. Almost anyone could rehearse his cardinal contributions to present-day understanding of magnetic and electric fields, and could cite his electrochemical researches and his studies of magnetooptic and diamagnetic phenomena. No one ever before covered so wide a field of pure research, or discovered and disclosed such a grand territory of expanding and continuing usefulness. No one ever tapped so many sources from which living water flowed. But for anyone, however closely connected with that particular field of pioneering, to attempt to enlarge upon Faraday's work, seems to be lifting one's self by mere words into a position where the light of Faraday's character warms the writer without of necessity illuminating the rest of the world.
A Simple Multiport Atomic Absorption Burner Head

Since Boling1 described his multiple slot burner, application of this design has been popular in the field. The rnultiport burner head reported here is easy to fabricate, and the cost is only a fraction of the cost of the product that is available commercially. It can be made out of a single slot old burner head or stainless steel tubing of a suitable size.
Demonstration of specific serologic reactivity in human osteosarcoma

Cultured cell lines of osteosarcoma and normal skin fibroblasts were derived from tissues of five patients with localized osteosarcoma. Testing of pretreatment patient sera in an indirect immunofluorescence assay against both autologous normal fibroblasts and autologous osteosarcoma cells showed cytoplasmic staining. Quantitative absorption of patient sera with human fetal cells removed all reactivity against autologous fibroblasts, but fetal-absorbed sera showed cytoplasmic, membrane, and nuclear fluorescence when tested against autologous osteosarcoma. Testing the five patient sera against all five cell lines showed staining of allogeneic fibroblasts and osteosarcoma by nonabsorbed sera. Following fetal absorption, all reactivity against fibroblasts was removed, with the retention of specific staining of all osteosarcoma cell lines by all five patient sera. Additional testing of sera from normal patients, patients with soft tissue sarcomas, and patients with melanoma showed staining of allogeneic cultured fibroblasts and tumor cells derived from a patient with osteosarcoma. All staining against fibroblasts and tumor cells was eliminated by fetal absorption of the allogeneic sera. Results suggested that fetal neoantigens are expressed in cultured normal and malignant cell lines and that such fetal antigens are recognized by natural antibodies. Absorption of antifetal reactivity allowed demonstration of specific serum reactivity against osteosarcoma cells.
Collectionner les saints: hagiographie, identite et compilation dans les collections non-bollandistes (XVIe-XVIIe siecles)

Avant le monument bien connu des Acta sanctorum edites par les Bollandistes, enorme collection de dizaines d'in-folios commencee au dix-septieme siecle par le jesuite Jean Bollandus, de tres nombreuses compilations hagiographiques ont circule, sous les formes et les titres les plus divers. Cette etude ne vise pas a decrire ces multiples editions prenant l'aspect de recits miraculaires, d'anecdotes diverses, de biographies, de calendriers liturgiques, d'histoires de reliques, ou de litanies — autant d'elements propices a la collection. Il s'agit de montrer la richesse conceptuelle de ces compilations pour une reflexion sur la collection. Par exemple, quant a l'objet de la collection, original, il s'agit d' hommes a la poursuite d'une identite trouvee uniquement dans l'imitation d'un modele christique absolu. Ces biographies qui refletent toutes La Reference se retrouvent dans le mode d'ecriture et de compilation des series hagiographiques: il s'agit d'oeuvres ecrites a plusieurs, remaniees, imitees, refondues. L'auteur-editeur est avant tout un collecteur. Parallelement a une rhetorique de l'exemplarite, ces collections sont en perpetuelle reecriture et reedition, et par la meme, en perpetuelle multiplication, a l'image des saints eux-memes, multiplicite en expansion mais formant un seul Corps mystique. En un sens, la collection hagiographique cree ce corps, Corps textuel collectif et symbolique d'une infinite toujours a recenser.
Tephra sources and correlations in Ethiopia: Application of elemental and neodymium isotope data

Abstract Combined elemental and neodymium (Nd) isotope data for proximal and distal pyroclastic deposits from the Ethiopian volcanic province illustrate the utility of these parameters for establishing potential source regions for distal tephra and for correlation of widely-separated distal deposits. In the Ethiopian volcanic province, Nd isotopic compositions and, to some extent, elemental characteristics of volcanic products from distinct geographic/tectonic sub-provinces allow first-order indentification of geochemical domains. These domains are used to target potential source regions for the numerous distal tephra deposits exposed within the fossiliferous sedimentary sequences of the Afar and Omo-Turkana Basins. Pliocene distal deposits from the Hadar and Middle Awash regions of Afar, Ethiopia and the Omo-Turkana region of southern Ethiopia-northern Kenya are examined. Combined elemental and Nd isotope data are consistent with derivation of these tephra from sources within or adjacent to the central sector of the Main Ethiopian Rift or within the central to northern Afar. The data presented in this paper also point to the need for a better understanding of the physical and chemical characteristics of the eruptions giving rise to many of the distal deposits. Until information regarding the range of chemical and isotopic variability in these magmatic systems is available, it is difficult to link a specific set of geochemical characteristics to one particular eruption or vent.
The Subjective Lowering of Pitch

As a question arising out of Mr. Harding's letter (p. 103), it would be interesting to know what is the effect produced by sounding a note loud enough to produce the subjective distortion, while at the same time the note to which it appears to be flattened is sounded more quietly. I suppose discord would be inevitable, but possibly a musical ear would be able to judge whether subjective distortion was prevented in the loud, or produced in the softer, note.
The Action of Potassium on the Atrioventricular Node in Digitalized Patients

1.Eleven patients with heart disease of varied etiology and having sinus rhythm were subjected to potassium infusions resulting in a significant increase in AV conduction time in 72.7 per cent of instances. 2.Although potassium may inhibit the rapid arrhythmias which result from digitalis intoxication, its effect on the AV node is synergistic with digitalis making it contraindicated in those patients who exhibit some from of AV block as the dominant feature of their digitalis intoxication. 3.No correlation was found between the per cent increase in AV conduction time and per cent or absolute increase in plasma potassium concentration. The possible explanation for this is discussed. 4.A good correlation was found to exist between the per cent increase in AV conduction time and the duration of digitalis administration. The relationship to maximum digitalis effect and/or digitalis intoxication is discussed.
Effects of Surface Roughness on Solder Bump Formation by Direct Droplet Deposition

Abstract This paper presents a study of the effects of substrate surface roughness on droplet bouncing during direct solder bumping, a phenomenon that strongly affects the deposition efficiency, as well as the final bump size and shape. A theory was developed to correlate surface roughness to the potential for droplet bouncing. In addition, an experimental study was conducted by depositing Sn microdroplets on Au plated substrates with different surface roughness levels. The population densities and morphologies of the splats collected were analyzed to determine the occurrences of bouncing. The results suggest that a decreass in surface roughness reduces the potential for droplet bouncing.
Cold-cathode counting circuits

IN RECENT years, considerable emphasis has been placed on high-speed counting devices for use in electronic computers and designed to operate at pulse rates of the order of 100 kc, and higher. These of necessity involved hot-cathode electron tubes.
Clustering of wavefront sensor subapertures to improve adaptive optics system performance

This paper presents a discussion of the trade-offs between hilly and partially compensated adaptive optics systems. The key concept explored was the trade-offs to be made between increasing the system sample spacing by enlarging the size of subapertures and the associated decrease in noise levels at the wavefront sensor. A method to counteract the impact of low light levels on adaptive optics system performance without the use of laser beacons was examined. This method involves the notion of “clustering” smaller wavefront sensor subapertures into larger effective wavefront sensor subapertures via software instruction. However, for the modeled 1.6 meter adaptive optics system, no benefit was seen by switching to a clustering scheme.
Novel sensor array based on doped tin oxide nanowires for organic vapor detection

Abstract A novel sensor array consisting of four types of doped tin oxide nanowires was developed for organic vapor detection. The sensing materials were synthesized into nanowires instead of the traditional thin films to increase the surface-to-volume ratio, and then assembled into sensor units. Four different dopants were used to increase the selectivity of the sensor array, including platinum, copper, indium and nickel. Dynamic and static testing methods were utilized to characterize the performance of the sensor array to eight organic vapors. Results indicated high response of the sensor array in the order of tens of ppb. The investigation on response kinetics revealed fast response/recovery time and good repeatability of the sensor array. A database was compiled from the sensor response of four types of nanowire sensors to different vapor concentration levels. Principle component analysis (PCA) was conducted to reduce the dimensionality of the results and to classify the various organic vapors. PCA plots showed that most of the groups were separable, and hence proved the analyte discrimination capability of the sensor array.
The Method of Synthesis in Ecology

Synthesis of results from different investigations is an important activity for ecologists but when compared with analysis the method of synthesis has received little attention. Ecologists usually proceed intuitively and this can lead to a problem in defining differences between the syntheses made by different scientists. It also leads to criticism from scientists favoring analytical approaches that the construction of general theory is an activity that does not follow the scientific method. We outline a methodology for scientific inference about integrative concepts and the syntheses made in constructing them and illustrate how this can be applied in the development of general theory from investigations into particular ecological systems. The objective is to construct a causal scientific explanation. This has four characteristics. (1) It defines causal and/or organizational processes that describe how systems function. (2) These processes are consistent - under the same conditions they will produce the same effect. (3) A causal scientific explanation provides general information about events of a similar kind. (4) When experiments are possible then a designed manipulation will produce a predictable response. The essential characteristic of making synthesis to construct a causal scientific explanation is that it is progressive and we judge progress made by assessing the coherence of the explanation using six criteria: acceptability of individual propositions including that they have been tested with data, consistency of concept definitions, consistency in the type of concepts used in making the explanation, that ad hoc propositions are not used, that there is economy in the number of propositions used, that the explanation applies to broad questions. We illustrate development of a causal scientific explanation for the concept of long-lived pioneer tree species, show how the coherence of this explanation can be assessed, and how it could be improved.
Stochastical aspects of neuronal dynamics: Fokker-Planck approach

The Stochastical aspects of noise-perturbed neuronal dynamics are studied via the Fokker-Planck equation by considering the Langevin-type relaxational, nonlinear process associated with neuronal states. On the basis of a canonical, stochastically driven, dichotomous state modeling, the equilibrium conditions in the neuronal assembly are analyzed. The markovian structure of the random occurrence of action potentials due to the disturbances (noise) in the neuronal state is considered, and the corresponding solutions relevant to the colored noise spectrum of the disturbance effects are addressed. Stochastical instability (Lyapunov) considerations in solving discrete optimization problems via neural networks are discussed. The bounded estimate(s) of the Stochastical variates involved are presented, and the noise-induced perturbations on the saturated-state neuronal population are elucidated.
Denying postpartum sterilization to women with Emergency Medicaid does not reduce hospital charges

Abstract Background To assess the change in hospital reimbursement resulting from a 2004 policy requiring immigrants with Emergency Medicaid (EM) to pay for sterilization following vaginal delivery, we examined rates of tubal ligation following vaginal [postpartum bilateral tubal ligation (PPBTL)] and cesarean [cesarean section with bilateral tubal ligation (CSBTL)] deliveries, and compared these to a Standard Medicaid (SM) population unaffected by the policy. Study design Records of women who delivered at the Oregon Health and Science University between January 2000 and December 2006 were reviewed. Data examined included insurance, mode of delivery, sterilization and net revenue by delivery type. Results A total of 3612 SM patients and 4220 EM patients delivered in the 5 years before the policy, and 1628 SM patients and 2066 EM patients delivered in the 2 years after the policy. The incidence of PPBTL among EM patients delivering vaginally dropped from 9.9% prepolicy to 0.9% postpolicy (p Conclusion Requiring out-of-pocket payment for sterilization following vaginal delivery in an EM population results in a decrease in PPBTL and an increase in CSBTL, and does not reduce hospital financial losses.
Effect of d-amphetamine on brain protein synthesis.

Abstract The effect of high to lethal doses of d-amphetamine on the incorporation of radiolabeled leucine into brain microsomal protein was studied in mice. High doses of d-amphetamine ranging from 30 to 100 mg/kg significantly inhibited protein synthesis 1 hr after ip injection, whereas smaller doses were ineffective. The addition of d-amphetamine to the microsomal incubation system at concentrations greater than 5 m m likewise inhibited protein synthesis. The in vivo and in vitro inhibitory effect was attributed to a drug-induced alteration of the soluble fraction rather than of the brain microsomes.
Oral health knowledge and attitudes of elementary schoolteachers in Michigan.

Teachers at elementary schools in two areas (urban and rural) of Michigan were surveyed to determine their sources of information about oral health and their knowledge and attitudes about dental diseases and disease prevention. Questionnaires were completed by 404 teachers (62% response rate). More than 80 percent of respondents from both areas were female. Demographic characteristics that were significantly different between groups included: median ages of urban and rural respondents (P less than .01), median numbers of years in teaching (P less than .01), and median years in residence (P less than .03). Despite these differences, responses to the questionnaire varied little. For both groups, the most frequently cited sources of information about dental health were dentist's office (82%), followed by magazines and books (74%). The teachers considered preventing tooth decay as the most important reason for good oral hygiene. When asked to rank the effectiveness of ten methods of preventing caries in children, teachers ranked efficacious methods such as fluoridated water and pit and fissure sealants lower than making regular dental visits and reducing intake of sugared foods. Asked to rank the most effective method for children to receive fluoride, urban respondents ranked fluoridated water first, while rural respondents ranked this measure third. Findings suggest that teachers' knowledge about oral health and current methods of prevention is incomplete, is inaccurate in some instances, and varies little by geographic area.
The role of various dissolved organic matter forms on chlorpyrifos bioavailability to the estuarine bivalve Mercenaria mercenaria.

Abstract Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is comprised of a myriad of macromolecules with specific physical and chemical properties that may influence the bioavailability of hydrophobic pesticides to animals. This study was conducted to assess the role of various forms of DOM on the uptake and bioconcentration of the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos (CHPY) to the bivalve Mercenaria mercenaria. Bivalves were exposed to DOM-free seawater (30‰) or to seawater containing a single form of DOM. DOM forms included two filtrate fractions of natural salt-marsh sediment DOM (DOM-( In 14C-CHPY uptake and elimination experiments, juvenile bivalves were exposed to uniformly-labeled 14C-CHPY and collected at time intervals during 48 h. The remaining bivalves were transferred to 14C-CHPY-free elimination chambers with bivalve collection at time intervals over 144 h. Total uptake of 14C-CHPY by bivalves in DOM-free seawater was >40% greater than in bivalves exposed to 14C-CHPY in the presence of most DOM forms. These results are consistent with much faster 14C-CHPY uptake rates estimated using a simple two parameter model. After the elimination period, bivalves exposed to DOM-free seawater had 14C-CHPY body residue concentrations between 25% and 86% greater than bivalves in the presence of DOM forms. Experiments with larger bivalves showed that pulse-chase exposures with a 1.5 h exposure period to 14C-CHPY was not long enough to detect differences in 14C-CHPY tissue accumulation efficiencies across treatments. Our findings suggest that natural forms of DOM, at environmentally realistic organic carbon concentrations, reduced pesticide uptake and bioconcentration, consistent with much lower uptake rates relative to bivalves exposed to 14C-CHPY in the absence of DOM. Interestingly, at the tested organic carbon concentrations CD-α and CD-β did not reduce 14C-CHPY bioconcentration in M. mercenaria.
Integration of Nuclear Energy Into Oil Sands Projects

Energy security and greenhouse gas reductions are thought to be two of the most urgent priorities for sustaining and improving the human condition in the future. Few places pit the two goals so directly in opposition to one another as the Alberta oil sands. Here, Canadian natural gas is burned in massive quantities to extract oil from one of North America’s largest native sources of carbon-intensive heavy oil. This conflict need not continue, however; non-emitting nuclear energy can replace natural gas as a fuel source in an economical and more environmentally sound way. This would allow for the continued extraction of transportation fuels without greenhouse gas emissions, while freeing up the natural gas supply for hydrogen feedstock and other valuable applications. Bitumen production in Alberta has expanded dramatically in the past five years as the price of oil has risen to record levels. This paper explores the feasibility and economics of using nuclear energy to power future oil sands production and upgrading activities, and puts forth several nuclear energy application scenarios for providing steam and electricity to in-situ and surface mining operations. This review includes the Enhanced CANDU 6, the Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR) and the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR). Based on reasonable projections of available cost information, nuclear energy used for steam production is expected to be less expensive than steam produced by natural gas at current natural gas prices and under $7/MMBtu (CAD). For electricity production, nuclear becomes competitive with natural gas plants at natural gas prices of $10–13/MMBtu (CAD). Costs of constructing nuclear plants in Alberta are affected by higher local labor costs, which this paper took into account in making these estimates. Although more definitive analysis of construction costs and project economics will be required to confirm these findings, there appears to be sufficient merit in the potential economics to support further study. A single 500MWth PBMR reactor is able to supply high-pressure steam for a 40,000 to 60,000 bpd Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) plant, whereas the CANDU and ACR reactors are unable to produce sufficient steam pressures to be practical in that application. The CANDU, ACR and PBMR reactors have potential for supplying heat and electricity for surface mining operations. The primary environmental benefit of nuclear energy in this application is to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 3.1 million metric tons per year for each 100,000 barrel per day (bpd) bitumen production SAGD facility, or 2.0 million metric tons per year for the replacement of 700MWe of grid electricity with a nuclear power plant. Should carbon emissions be priced, the economic advantages of nuclear energy would be dramatically improved such that with a $50/ton CO2 e at the releases expected for typical projects using natural gas, breakeven gas prices for nuclear drop to less than $3.50/MMBtu, well below the current natural gas price of $10/MMBtu for SADG steam production.© 2008 ASME
A precursor of globin messenger RNA.

Abstract The size of pulse-labeled globin messenger RNA nucleotide sequences was investigated, to determine whether newly transcribed globin mRNA molecules are larger than steady-state globin mRNA. Molecular hybridization techniques were used to compare directly the sedimentation of steady-state (unlabeled) and pulse-labeled (radioactive) globin mRNA sequences in the same analytical sucrose gradient. In gradients containing 98% formamide, radioactive globin mRNA sequences from mouse fetal liver cells labeled for 15 to 20 minutes with [ 3 H]uridine sediment in a broad band with a peak at approximately 14 S, while steady-state globin mRNA sediments at 10 S. The large radioactive RNA can be recovered from one gradient and recentrifuged in a second gradient, in which it again sediments in a broad band with a peak at 14 S. The large radioactive RNA is cleaved to 10 S during a 75-minute “chase” with either actinomycin D or unlabeled uridine plus cytidine. The estimated half-life of the precursor is 45 minutes or less under these conditions. A covalent RNA precursor larger than 18 S with a similar turnover rate is not observed.
Negative refraction and left-handed behavior in two-dimensional photonic crystals

We systematically examine the conditions of obtaining left-handed (LH) behavior in photonic crystals. Detailed studies of the phase and group velocities as well as the phase ${n}_{p}$ and group ${n}_{g}$ refractive indices are given. The existence of negative refraction does not guarantee the existence of negative index of refraction and so LH behavior. A wedge type of experiment is suggested, which can unambiguously distinguinsh between cases of negative refraction that occur when left-handed behavior is present from cases that show negative refraction without LH behavior.
Genetic selection for benzodiazepine ataxia produces functional changes in the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor chloride channel complex

The γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor-operated chloride channel complex was evaluated in mice selected for differential sensitivity to the ataxic effects of diazepam (diazepam-sensitive (DS) and diazepam-resistant (DR) lines). The ataxic effects of several drugs purported to produce some of their actions through the benzodiazepine-GABA receptor complex were examined using the rotarod test. The duration of impairment produced by diazepam, ethanol, 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazol[5,4-C]pyridine-3-ol (THIP) and phenobarbital was greater in the diazepam-sensitive than in the diazepam-resistant mice. In contrast, pentobarbital produced an equivalent duration of ataxia in the two lines. Muscimol-stimulated36Cl− influx and the binding of [35S]t-butylbiclclophosphorothionate (TBPS) and [3H]flunitrazepam were measured using isolated membrane vesicles (microsacs). Depolarization-dependent45Ca2+ uptake was measured in whole brain synaptosomes. Muscimol was a more potent stimulator of36Cl− flux in the DS compared to the DR mice, although no difference betweet the lines was found in muscimol-stimulation of [3H]flunitrazepam binding. Flunitrazepam augmented the muscimol-stimulated36Cl− uptake in the DS but not in the DR mice. However, no differences between the lines of mice were found in either density or affinity of [3H]flunitrazepam binding sites. Similarly, no differences in either the density or affinity of [35S]TBPS binding sites was found. Ethanol (10–45 mM) potontiated the muscimol-stimulation of36Cl− in DS, with no effect in DR mice. However, ethanol inhibition of [35S]TBPS binding was equivalent in the two lines of mice. Pentobarbital produced an equal potentiation of the muscimol-stimulated36Cl− flux in the two lines, but phenobarbital potentiated the muscimol-induced36Cl− influx slightly more in DS mice. Potassium-stimulated uptake of45Ca2+ was larger in DS mice, but no difference between the lines was seen in diazepam inhibition of depolarization-dependent45Ca2+ uptake. These findings demonstrate differences between the DS and DR mice in the GABA receptor-operated chloride channel function that closely parallel the behavioral differences in ataxia and may represent the neurochemical mechanisms underlying genetic differences in benzodiazepine sensitivity.
Primate Rituals: The Function of Greetings between Male Guinea Baboons

The bond-testing hypothesis suggests that social animals can obtain honest information about the quality of their dyadic relationships by exchanging costly, high-risksignals (Zahavi & Zahavi 1997). We evaluated this hypothesis by investigating whether adult male baboons use intense greeting interactions to test the quality and strength of their social bonds. Intense greetings involve intimate and risky behaviors such as embracing and the diddling of the penis and/or scrotum. Data were collected on a colony of 40 Guinea baboons (Papio papio )a t the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago. Fifteen adult male baboons were focally observed for 30-min sessions over a 6-mo period, resulting in 195 h of observation. We assessed the quality of male–male relationships using measures of affiliation, aggression, and social tolerance. As predicted by the bond-testing hypothesis, dyads with strong social bonds exchanged a higher frequency of intense greetings than did pairs with poor relationships. We found no support for the competing hypotheses, that suggest that greetings have an aggressive or submissive function or are used as a form of post-conflict reconciliatory behavior. Neither dominance relationships nor contextual variables were predictive of intense greeting patterns. We suggest that by imposing on his partner, a male baboon is able to obtain reliable information about this individual’s current willingness to cooperate and invest in the relationship.
Distributed optimal cooperative tracking control of multiple autonomous robots

This paper presents a unified distributed optimal control approach for multiple autonomous robots' cooperative tracking as well as obstacle avoidance. An inverse optimal control strategy is employed to design cost functions such that three cooperative control objectives including cooperative tracking, obstacle avoidance, and control effort minimization, can be addressed in one optimal control design process. The optimal control law of each robot can be obtained in a closed-form and only depends on the local information from the neighbors, rather than all robots' information. Three simulation scenarios, rendezvous to a pre-specified point, tracking a straight line reference with a constant velocity, and tracking a circular trajectory, demonstrate the desired cooperative tracking behaviors as well as obstacle avoidance capability.
Synthesis of new thioether transition metal complexes of 2-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3-dithiepin and 2-[bis(ethylthio)methylene]-1,3-dithiepin

Several new Pt(II) and Pd(II) compounds of the type LMX 2 are reported where L can be one of three new organosulfur molecules which contain the tetrathioethylene unit. Those are: 2-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3-dithiepin ( 1 ), 2-(1,5-dihydro-2,4-benzodithiepin-3-ylidene)-1,3-dithiepin ( 2 ) and 2-[bis(ethylthio)methylene]-1,3-dithiepin ( 3 ). Electrochemical characterizations, electronic and infrared studies, and 1 H and 13 C spectra are reported for these compounds. In addition, a single crystal X-ray structure was determined for cis -2-[bis(ethylthio)methylene]-1,3-dithiepin dichloropalladium(II). This structure belonged to the space P 2 1 / n with a = 9.671(3), b = 16.360(6), c = 10.550(3) A, β = 114.83(2)°, V = 1515.8(8) A 3 , μ obs = 1.90, and μ calc = 1.930. The structure refined routinely to R = 3.3.
Treatment of nondetects in multivariate analysis of groundwater geochemistry data

Abstract Principal components analysis (PCA) is used to evaluate similarities in the trace element chemistry of groundwaters. Many of the trace elements, however, occur at concentrations below the detection limits (DL), which presents problems for statistical analyses. Since the optimal methods for dealing with the ‘ In this study, a new approach was developed to determine the best substitution methods when dealing with the ‘DL’ values for a given data set. Monte Carlo simulation experiments, using a mixture multivariate model, were performed to test the effects of substitution of the ‘ When ‘
Chemotherapy response is an important predictor of local recurrence in Ewing sarcoma.

BACKGROUND. Local recurrence in Ewing sarcoma is associated with a poor prognosis. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors that predict local recurrence after surgical treatment of the primary tumor. METHODS. Between 1990 and 2001, 64 patients underwent surgical resection of Ewing sarcoma. Surgical margins were assessed histologically and radiologically. Response to preoperative chemotherapy was determined by detailed specimen mapping. Local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) was calculated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Multivariate analysis was performed with the Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS. A number of factors were found to be associated with local recurrence on univariate analysis. Patients with a good response to chemotherapy (≥90% tumor necrosis), had superior LRFS at 5 years (86% vs 51%, P = .015). Central site of disease was associated with an increased rate of recurrence. The LRFS at 5 years was 50% for the chest wall, 74% for pelvic/scapular, and 86% for extremity tumors (P = .083). Positive surgical margin was not a strong predictor of recurrence (P = .72). A critical analysis of minimal surgical margin based on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans also failed to reveal an association between margin and local recurrence. In multivariate analysis, the 2 independent predictors of local recurrence were histological response to chemotherapy and central site of disease. CONCLUSION. Local recurrence after surgical resection is a complex phenomenon. An important predictive factor is the response to chemotherapy. In the current study, this seems to have the largest impact. Central site of disease may be a second independent predictive factor. Cancer 2007;109:603–611. © 2006 American Cancer Society.