cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contraceptive effectiveness of two spermicides: a randomized trial.

Abstract Objective: We conducted a multinational randomized trial to determine whether a spermicidal film containing 72 mg of nonoxynol-9 per film was at least as effective in preventing pregnancy as a foaming tablet containing 100 mg of nonoxynol-9 per tablet. Methods: Between September 1995 and July 1997, 765 women aged 18–35 years who had no evidence of subfecundity were randomly assigned to use one of the two spermicides as their only contraceptive method at every coital act for 28 weeks. Participants were asked to keep coital diaries throughout the study period. Pregnancy tests were performed on a scheduled basis. Each participant was followed for 28 weeks or until she stopped considering the spermicide as her primary method of contraception. Results: The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the 6-month probability of pregnancy during typical use of the spermicide was 28.0% in the tablet group and 24.9% in the film group (P = .78, one-tailed test). The study had nearly 75% power to have detected a difference of seven percentage points between groups. Results were almost identical when the analysis included only months when the participants reported use of the spermicide during every coital act. Reported levels of sexual activity and compliance with use of the spermicide were high in both groups. Conclusion: The contraceptive effectiveness of these two spermicidal products appeared similar. Both products were associated with a fairly high risk of pregnancy in this young, highly sexually active population.
Land vehicle navigation

The navigation problem for autonomous land vehicles is formulated mathematically using optimal control theory so that obstacle avoidance, terrain negotiation and goal attainment can be treated within one general framework. A simple example is used to illustrate this approach.
Semantic priming in thought disordered schizophrenic patients

Groups of thought disordered (TD) and non-thought disordered (NTD) schizophrenic patients, unipolar affective patients and normal controls performed a lexical decision task involving the recognition of words immediately preceded (primed) by either an associated or an unrelated word. Significant increments in recognition speed in the associated prime condition were found in all groups, with significantly greater gain by TD schizophrenics than by others. These findings are consistent with network models of associational activation and lend support to an attentional deficit hypothesis for schizophrenic language functioning.
Tryptophan Scanning Mutagenesis to Identify the Residues Involved in Coupling between the Pore and DIII Voltage-Sensor of a Sodium Channel

In response to membrane depolarization, voltage-gated ion channels undergo a structural rearrangement that moves the voltage sensing segments in the electric field and initiates a series of conformational transitions that ultimately opens the channel pore. The mechanism of coupling between the voltage-sensing domain and pore domain remains poorly understood. To characterize the molecular basis of this coupling, we have systematically substituted tryptophan residues in the S4-S5 region (from C-terminus of S4 to N-terminus of S5) and C-terminus of S6 of domain III in the skeletal muscle sodium channel. The effects of these perturbations on the movement of the voltage-sensor were monitored by using a site-specific fluorescent reporter on S4 of domain III using voltage-clamp fluorometry. Conformational changes in the pore were tracked by measuring the inward sodium currents. Our study identifies a number of mutants, which stabilize the voltage-sensors in the activated conformation while destabilizing the open pore conformation relative to the wild type. We suggest that the residues at these positions play an important role in coupling the voltage-sensor of domain III to the pore of the sodium channel.Support: National Institutes of Health, American heart Association and Shaw Scientist Award.
An Assisted Living Facility Curriculum to Introduce Geriatrics to First-Year Medical Students

Many U.S. medical schools have developed curricula in geriatric medicine to address the growing older adult population. At our university, the authors have integrated an assisted living facility (ALF) program into a required first-year clinical skills course. During the 2011 to 2012 academic year, an electronic survey was distributed to 109 first-year medical students prior to and after the program. Eighty-eight percent and 85% of students completed the pre- and postintervention survey, respectively. Students reported a positive attitude toward caring for older adults (92.5% post- vs. 80.2% preintervention), an understanding of the medical and social needs of older adults (89.2% post- vs. 38.5% preintervention), an acquisition of the skills to assess the health of older adults (71% post- vs. 14.5% preintervention), and an understanding of ALFs as nonmedical supportive housing (92.5% post- vs. 70.8% preintervention). The authors’ curriculum offers an innovative method to integrate geriatrics education earl...
Comparative Public Policy of Ozone Layer Protection

(1993). Comparative Public Policy of Ozone Layer Protection. Political Science: Vol. 45, No. 2, pp. 186-197.
Cytogenetic and molecular evidence for cutaneous mosaicism: the ectodermal origin of Blaschko lines.

The idea that skin disorders following Blaschko lines represent genetic mosaicism is widely accepted. It seems likely that the two skin types represent the two different genotypes, but this has been remarkably difficult to prove, most studies showing a mixture of cell types in biopsies from both types of skin. Only for linear epidermolytic hyperkeratosis has it been possible to show mutant cells confined to the abnormal streaks. The hypothesis proposed here to explain this paradox is that disorders following Blaschko lines are due to mutations in genes expressed in epidermal cells (keratinocytes and melanocytes) rather than in dermal fibroblasts. The work on epidermolytic hyperkeratosis used keratinocytes, whereas most studies have used skin fibroblasts. Almost all disorders following Blaschko lines are epidermal: inflammatory, dysplastic, dyskeratotic, appendage-related, or pigmentary, and the remainder can be explained on the basis of epidermal influences on the dermis. If this hypothesis is correct, it points to a useful model system for elucidating the genetic component of common dermatoses sometimes found in Blaschko lines namely eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, and vitiligo.
Asian Salted Noodle Quality: Impact of Amylose Content Adjustments Using Waxy Wheat Flour

ABSTRACT Fourteen flour blends of two natural wild-type wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flours, ‘Nuplains’ and ‘Centura’, blended with one waxy flour sample were characterized and processed to Asian salted noodles. The flour amylose content range was <1–29%. Damaged starch contents were 10.4, 7.0, and 6.6% for the waxy wheat, Nuplains, and Centura, respectively. The waxy flour farinograph water absorption was as high as 79.5%, ≈20% higher than the wild-type flours. Because two types of starch granules (wild-type and waxy) existed in the flour blends, two peaks at 82°C (waxy) and 95°C (wild-type) were found in the RVA pasting curves. Reduced amylose content caused high flour swelling volume and power and low falling number. Significant effects of flour amylose content on noodle processing and textural (eating) qualities were found in the study. Noodle qualities, as reflected in covariate analysis, were not significantly affected by the flour blend's protein content, SDS-sedimentation volume, mixograph dough d...
A cost-effective size standard for fragment analysis that maximizes throughput on five dye set platforms

We describe a simple, cost-effective procedure for the in-house production of a 725 bp size standard that is suitable for use on automatic DNA analyzers. Using an orange fluorescent dye to label fragments of known sizes on the pUC-19 plasmid, our size standard enables the use of all four fluorescent dyes, and thus maximizes throughput on five dye set platforms. Our data suggest this size standard yields qualitatively identical results as those from commercially available size standards at a fraction of the cost.
An Integrated Framework for CBI Screen Design and Layout.

Abstract Screen design decisions are arguably among the most important made by CBI designers in that they represent the external, tangible products of the lesson design and development processes. Yet, many view screen design as largely intuitive and tend to underestimate the importance of screen design decisions. In this paper, screen design is considered from an integrated perspective, based upon the ROPES model for CBI lesson design.
Creation of Low-Coordination Gold Sites on Au(111) Surface by 1,4-phenylene Diisocyanide Adsorption

The adsorption of CO on a saturated overlayer of 1,4-phenylene diisocyanide (PDI) adsorbed on a Au(111) surface at 300 K is studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), density functional theory (DFT) calculations and reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). The PDI forms closed-packed rows of gold-PDI chains by extracting gold atoms from the Au(111) substrate. They are imaged by STM and the structure calculated by DFT. The adsorption of CO is studied on the low-coordination gold sites formed on the PDI-covered surface where it adsorbs exhibiting a CO stretching frequency of 2004 cm−1, consistent with adsorption on an atop site. It is found that CO is stable on heating the sample to ~150 K and is only removed from the surface by heating to ~180 K. Since low-coordination gold atoms are suggested to be the active catalytic sites on supported gold nanoclusters, “embossing” the surface to form similar low-coordination sites using PDI might offer a strategy for tailoring the catalytic activity of gold.
OMVPE of InP-based structures for photonic devices

Summary form only given. An overview of the techniques important for organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy (OMVPE) of InP and related materials was presented. Switching schemes to obtain abrupt interfaces that avoid film decomposition and formation of the intermediate compound InAs and minimize formation of other intermediate compounds such as InAsP were considered. Atmospheric and low-pressure growth of InP compounds were contrasted for the growth of InP-based materials. Techniques that are important for optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEICs) and photonic integrated circuits (PICs) such as epitaxial regrowth and selective area growth were also discussed. >
Seasonal Changes in Whole-body Energy Content and Estimated Consumption Rates of Age 0 Walleye Pollock from Prince William Sound, Alaska

Abstract This study examined the somatic energy content and prey consumption needs of recruiting walleye pollockTheragra chalcogrammain one of Alaska's large estuaries to begin to evaluate the role of this species in the food-web. Age 0 pollock were collected from Prince William Sound in the fall and spring during 2 years. In the fall of 1995, few recruits Changes in WBEC of the 1996 year class was monitored during their first year. On 13 June recently metamorphosed pollock had a SL of 34 (±5) mm and a mean WBEC of 2·7 (±0·2) kJ g−1vs81 (±10) mm and 3·6 (±0·2) kJ g−1on 6 October. Based on these mean values, growth rates for age 0 pollock during their first 119 days were 0·4 mm day−1and 7·8 J g−1 day−1. Modeling changes in body weight, energy content and metabolic demands for both active metabolism and growth allowed prediction of food intake over their first 270 days. Predicted wet wt of fish increased from an initial 0·37 g to a high of 7·6 g. Estimated food intake ranged from 0·21 to 1·29 kJ day−1.
Bureaucracy and Constitutionalism.

There is an old aphorism that fire is a good servant but a bad master. Something like this aphorism is frequently applied to the appropriate role of the bureaucracy in government. Because bureaucracy is often viewed as tainted with an ineradicable lust for power, it is alleged that, like fire, it needs constant control to prevent its erupting from beneficient servitude into dangerous and tyrannical mastery.The folklore of constitutional theory relegates the bureaucracy to somewhat the same low but necessary estate as Plato does the appetitive element of the soul. In the conventional dichotomy between policy and administration, administration is the Aristotelian slave, properly an instrument of action for the will of another, capable of receiving the commands of reason but incapable of reasoning. The amoral concept of administrative neutrality is the natural complement of the concept of bureaucracy as instrument; for according to this view the seat of reason and conscience resides in the legislature, whatever grudging concession may be made to the claims of the political executive, and a major, if not the major, task of constitutionalism is the maintenance of the supremacy of the legislature over the bureaucracy. The latter's sole constitutional role is one of neutral docility to the wishes of the day's legislative majority.
On the stress concentration at sharp re-entrant corners in plates

Abstract This paper considers the determination of realistic measures for the peak local stresses occurring at sharp re-entrant corners in plates under remote transverse loading, whereby ‘sharp’ is meant zero root radius of curvature. A review of the shortcomings of current related analytical treatments motivates the choice of an experimental approach. The simple experimental method adopted approximates stress concentration factors as the applied far-field stress at fracture in a brittle plate without a stress raiser divided by that for the same plate with a stress raiser. The method is implemented employing a model material, tested on some hole configurations having stress concentration factors known from classical analysis, then applied to a range of single-edge, re-entrant, corner geometries. The results for the first set of specimens demonstrate that the method has adequate reliability, while those for the second furnish working engineering estimates of the stress intensification at sharp re-entrant corners for use in design and failure analysis.
Use of ZnSe as an interlayer for GaAs growth on Si

ZnSe has been used as an interlayer between Si substrates and GaAs layers in molecular beam epitaxial growth of GaAs on Si. It is found that thin GaAs layers are much more uniform and have fewer defects when grown on ZnSe interlayers than when they are grown directly on Si. The growth of GaAs on ZnSe is much more difficult than the more usual reverse sequence, and different growth modes for the epitaxy of GaAs on ZnSe are compared. Deposition of GaAs on ZnSe at room temperature followed by solid phase regrowth led to an epitaxial layer plus a polycrystalline layer. A slow ramping of the substrate temperature during the GaAs epitaxial growth was found to give the best crystal quality.
Responses of Nondiapausing Flesh Flies (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) to Low Rearing Temperatures: Developmental Rate, Cold Tolerance, and Glycerol Concentrations

The developmental rate of the flesh fly Sarcophaga crassipalpis Macquart reared under nondiapause conditions (L:D 15:9) shows a linear response to temperature between 15 and 30°C at all stages except the embryo. Temperatures above 20°C are essential for completion of embryonic development. Thermal constant threshold (T) in this species is 10.0-11.3°C (except embryo, where T = 16.9°C), and 369 degree-days above the threshold are required for completion of a single generation. Generation time is 50.6 d at 20°C and 21 d at 30°C (Ql0 = 2.4). The interval between departure from the larval food source and the onset of pharate adult development shows the greatest response to temperature change, indicating that physiological processes occurring at this time are especially sensitive to temperature regulation. Rearing temperature greatly influences cold tolerance—pharate adults (red-eye stage) reared at 15°C readily survive exposure to −10°C for 2 h while flies reared at 30°C cannot tolerate 1 h at − 10°C. Differences in cold hardiness at various rearing temperatures are correlated with the concentration of glycerol, the major cryoprotectant. Thus, even nondiapausing flesh flies can achieve a moderate level of cold hardiness when reared at low temperature.
Identification and reduction of surgical error using simulation

In recent years, the question of medical errors has received increasing attention. To minimize or avoid errors, it is important to understand both the error itself and the factors leading up to it, as well as the type of error that has been committed. Simulators, which have gained increasing importance in surgical training, can also be useful to "teach" errors, learn from them and develop strategies to avoid them - all of this in a safe environment free from any risk for patients. In this contribution, the nature of errors and their role in simulator training are discussed in detail.
Observation of stellar remnants from recent Supernovae

The current observational situation regarding the presence or absence of collapsed stellar objects associated with supernova remnants is reviewed. The theoretical expectations and observational evidence for the various possible classes of stellar remnants are discussed. The results of searches for these objects in the radio, optical, X-ray and gamma-ray regions of the spectrum are outlined with the conclusion that nine bona fide candidates are currently known. The implications of these results for the origin and evolution of compact objects are summarized.
Remote sensing of structure constant profiles using Tikhonov's regularized Fourier integral method.

An integral transform technique, based on Tikhonov’s regularization method, is presented which is useful for the remote sensing of structure constant profiles from noisy log amplitude scintillation data. The inversion technique is shown to consist of two parts, one of which is to determine the average value of the structure constant profile and the other of which is to determine the inhomogeneous portion of the profile. A simple and effective function for regularization which is the core of the inversion technique is given. Numerical examples of the technique are also given.
Aberrant Crossed Corticospinal Facilitation in Muscles Distant from a Spinal Cord Injury

Crossed facilitatory interactions in the corticospinal pathway are impaired in humans with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). The extent to which crossed facilitation is affected in muscles above and below the injury remains unknown. To address this question we tested 51 patients with neurological injuries between C2-T12 and 17 age-matched healthy controls. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation we elicited motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in the resting first dorsal interosseous, biceps brachii, and tibialis anterior muscles when the contralateral side remained at rest or performed 70% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) into index finger abduction, elbow flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion, respectively. By testing MEPs in muscles with motoneurons located at different spinal cord segments we were able to relate the neurological level of injury to be above, at, or below the location of the motoneurons of the muscle tested. We demonstrate that in patients the size of MEPs was increased to a similar extent as in controls in muscles above the injury during 70% of MVC compared to rest. MEPs remained unchanged in muscles at and within 5 segments below the injury during 70% of MVC compared to rest. However, in muscles beyond 5 segments below the injury the size of MEPs increased similar to controls and was aberrantly high, 2-fold above controls, in muscles distant (>15 segments) from the injury. These aberrantly large MEPs were accompanied by larger F-wave amplitudes compared to controls. Thus, our findings support the view that corticospinal degeneration does not spread rostral to the lesion, and highlights the potential of caudal regions distant from an injury to facilitate residual corticospinal output after SCI.
Obesity and gastrointestinal disorders in children.

Obesity in children has become a global pandemic over the past decade. Recent studies have reported an association between obesity and functional gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, obesity is also becoming increasingly recognized at diagnosis of organic gastrointestinal diseases such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. An awareness of all possible complications and associations of obesity by the practicing physician is crucial so as to provide comprehensive care to obese children. This article reviews the current data on the association between obesity and various common gastrointestinal disorders. The possible mechanisms and the clinical significance of this association are also discussed.
A comparative study of central and distributed MPPT architectures for megawatt utility and large scale commercial photovoltaic plants

In this paper different distributed PV architectures are studied from an energy yield perspective. These distributed architectures are applied to massively paralleled thin film plants employing high voltage PV modules, mc-Si plants with long series strings of low voltage modules and plants with medium voltage thin film modules in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the distributed architecture in each case. The effects of partial shading, module mismatch and cable losses are quantified in order to obtain the energy yield for each of the architectures under study. The results of this trade-off study are used to quantify the benefits of a distributed architecture as well as determine the optimal location of the dc/dc converters that perform the MPPT function.
Biological reduction of nitrates in wastewaters from nuclear processing using a fluidized-bed bioreactor

Abstract There are a number of nitrate-containing wastewater sources, as concentrated as 30 wt.%o NO3− and as large as 2000 m3/day, in the nuclear fuel cycle. The biological reduction of nitrate in wastewater to gaseous nitrogen, accompanied by the oxidation of a nutrient carbon source to gaseous carbon dioxide, is an ecologically sound and cost-effective method of treating wastewaters containing nitrates. These nitrate-containing wastewater sources can be successfully biologically denitrified to meet discharge standards in the range of 10 to 20 g N(NO3−/m3 by the use of a fluidized-bed bioreactor. The denitrification bacteria are a mixed culture derived from garden soil; the major strain is Pseudomonas. In the fluidized-bed bioreactor the bacteria are allowed to attach to 0.25- to 0.50-mm-diam coal fluidization particles, which are then fluidized by the upward flow of influent wastewater. Maintaining the bacteria-to-coal weight ratio at approximately 1:10 results in a bioreactor bacteria loading of greater than 20,000 g/m3. This paper describes the results of a biodenitrification R&D program based on the use of fluidized bioreactors capable of operating at nitrate levels up to 7000 g/ m3 and achieving denitrification rates as high as 80 g N(NO3−) per day per liter of empty bioreactor volume.
Binding of thyroid hormone receptor-associated factors to rGH gene 5' flanking sequences.

Abstract Binding of semi-purified rat liver triiodothyronine (T 3 ) nuclear receptor (T 3 -nR) to sequences in the 5′ flanking DNA of rat growth hormone (rGH) has been evaluated by the DNAse-footprinting technique. T 3 -nR was obtained by extraction in 0.3 M KCl and partially purified by column chromatography to 80 pmol/mg T 3 maximal binding capacity (MBC). The T 3 -nR preparation protects the sequence −330 to −314 (5′-CAGTGAACAAACGATG-3′) which may represent a repressor element, the sequence −224 to −192 (5′-CATTGCCCATAAACCTGAGC-3′) which is thought to involve positive T 3 regulation, the sequence −98 to −78 (5′-GCTCCAGCCATGAATAAATG-3′) which may regulate basal expression, and the TATA box area. Although the DNAse footprints occur only with preparations containing functional T 3 -nR, it is uncertain whether each protected zone is due to binding of T 3 -nR or associated proteins. Protection is associated with enhanced DNAse digestion around the protected sites, involves both strands, and does not appear to require T 3 occupancy of the receptor. Only the areas described are protected in the studies, and non-specific proteins such as albumin, core histones, and nuclear extracts without receptor activity, have no effect. A putative consensus enhancer sequence -CCAGAGCCAAGG- conveying T 3 responsivity is suggested on the basis of comparison to sequences in four T 3 responsive genes.
Longitarsus jacobaeae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a flea beetle for the biological control of tansy ragwort 1. Host plant specificity studies.

Adult Longitarsus jacobaeae (Waterhouse) a European flea beetle that is recorded from only tansy ragwort, Senecio jacobaca L. fed on plant foliage; the larvae fed on the root crowns throughout the winter and spring. A strain with nondiapausing adults was reared from S. jacobaca from western Switzerland, and a strain with an adult facultative estival diapause was reared from S. erraticus Bert, in the field and from S. aquaticus Huds. in the laboratory (both new host plant records) at Rome, Italy, and the host plant specificity of the adults and larvae was determined. The adults fed from 54 to 96% as much on S. serra Hook., S. triangularis Hook., S. adonidifolius Lois., S. paludosus L., S. cruentus DC, Cacalia suaveolens L., and Erechtites arguta DC. as on S. jacobaca , but the females laid no more than 60% as many eggs on these species as on S. jacobaca , and some had either a shorter lifespan or a greatly lengthened period of preoviposition. The larvae proved to have a narrow host spectrum. When potted plants were used, adults were obtained only from Emilia coccinea (Sims) Sweet ex G. Don, an annual, and from S. aquaticus Huds., S. erraticus , and S. jacobaca , all biennials in the species section Jacobaea, species subsection Eujacobaei. When the insects were tested with washed root crowns in small containers, adults were produced from S. vulgaris L. and S. crucifolius L., a perennial in the same species section and subsection as S. jacobaca .
A multidisciplinary design project in energy conversion electromagnetics course

This paper presents a work-in-progress on a new multidisciplinary design project for an Energy Conversion Electromagnetics course at Cal Poly State University. The project is intended to strengthen the skills of electrical and mechanical engineering students by performing design tasks in a multidisciplinary environment. Concurrently, this new design project is implemented to fulfill ABET criterion 3d. The content and format of the project will be described in this paper. Assessments planned for the project will also be discussed.
Individual Differences in the Acceptability of Unethical Information Technology Practices: The Case of Machiavellianism and Ethical Ideology

While information technologies present organizations with opportunities to become more competitive, unsettled social norms and lagging legislation guiding the use of these technologies present organizations and individuals with ethical dilemmas. This paper presents two studies investigating the relationship between intellectual property and privacy attitudes, Machiavellianism and Ethical Ideology, and working in R&D and computer literacy in the form of programming experience. In Study 1, Machiavellians believed it was more acceptable to ignore the intellectual property and privacy rights of others. Programmers and R&D workers considered violating intellectual property rights more acceptable. Programmers did not consider violating privacy rights more acceptable, but R&D workers did. Finally, there was an interaction between Machiavellianism, programming and R&D. Machiavellians who also had programming experience or worked in R&D found violations of intellectual property much more acceptable. The effect of Machiavellianism on attitudes toward violations of privacy was enhanced by working in R&D, but not by programming experience. In Study 2, idealists believed it was less acceptable to ignore the intellectual property and privacy rights of others. Relativists found it more acceptable to violate intellectual property rights, though they did not consider it more acceptable to violate privacy rights. Those with programming experience were more accepting of intellectual property rights violations, but not of privacy violations. Finally, programming experience moderated the relationship between idealism, relativism and attitudes toward these unethical information practices. Implications for diminishing unethical behavior among Machiavellians, Relativists, programmers and those in R&D are discussed.
Reliability tradeoffs in personal storage systems

RAID has long been established as an effective way to provide highly reliable disk subsystems. However, reliability in RAID systems comes at the cost of extra disks and somewhat lower performance. In this paper, we examine some mechanisms to reduce this cost in the context of integration with backup processes. These methods are most useful in storage systems where complete data protection or availability is not necessary such as in desktop personal computers, laptops, and other mobile storage devices. We will in particular investigate strategies with disk and flash that trade off between availability and reliability, snapshotting tradeoffs of reliability between time and space, and user directed redundancy.
A GIS-based method for defining snow zones: application to the western United States

This study maps the geographic extent of intermittent and seasonal snow cover in the western United States using thresholds of 2000–2010 average snow persistence derived from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer snow cover area data from 1 January to 3 July. Results show seasonal snow covers 13% of the region, and intermittent snow covers 25%. The lower elevation boundaries of intermittent and seasonal snow zones increase from north-west to south-east. Intermittent snow is primarily found where average winter land surface temperatures are above freezing, whereas seasonal snow is primarily where winter temperatures are below freezing. However, temperatures at the boundary between intermittent and seasonal snow exhibit high regional variability, with average winter seasonal snow zone temperatures above freezing in west coast mountain ranges. Snow cover extent at peak accumulation is most variable at the upper elevations of the intermittent snow zone, highlighting the sensitivity of this snow zone b...
Projectile neutralization in large-angle back-scattering of slow Fq+, Neq+ and Arq+ incident on RbI(100)

Abstract The scattering of multi-charged ions (MCI) from the [1 0 0] surface of a RbI single crystal has been studied using a 120° back-scattering technique in the keV energy regime. Scattered charge-state distributions were measured as a function of the polar incidence angle and the target azimuthal orientation. Preliminary results indicate that “quasi-binary” collisions associated with scattering from a Rb or I site can be clearly distinguished for each scattered final charge state. The charge-state distribution and the relative Rb/I binary collision yields for scattered ions are found to depend on both the beam incidence angle and the target azimuthal orientation. The preliminary RbI(1 0 0) results are discussed in the context of earlier experimental and theoretical studies of MCI scattering on a Au(1 1 0) surface.
Vibrational analysis of 2-fluoropropane and 2-fluorobutane

Abstract Vibrational spectra were obtained for 2-fluorobutane in the vapor, liquid, and solid states. The S HH and Spy conformers are present in the solid, and the S HH conformer is present in the liquid and in lower concentration in the vapor. Vibrational assignments were made with the aid of normal coordinate calculations that fit thirty-six frequencies of 2-fluoropropane and S HH 2-fluorobutane with an average error of 3.7 cm −1 . Only a few vibrations of 2-fluorobutane seem to be dependent on conformation. The “C—F stretching” frequency cannot be used to distinguish the conformers because of extensive interaction between this coordinate and others.
Gene expression of ND4, a subunit of complex I of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria, is decreased in temporal cortex of brains of Alzheimer's disease patients

Gene expression of mitochondrial DNA-encoded ND4 in brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and age-matched controls was measured using Northern blot. The level of ND4 message in temporal cortex of control subjects was higher than in motor cortex, whereas the level of ND4 gene expression in temporal cortex of AD brains was decreased compared with that in temporal cortex of controls. A control probe showed no difference in expression between the two areas of AD and control brains. These and previous data suggest that neurons vulnerable to AD express higher levels of enzymes of oxidative phosphorylation than do spared neurons, and that this difference may promote selective neuronal vulnerability of AD.
THE URIC ACID AND GLUTATHIONE CONTENT OF THE BLOOD IN DIABETES MELLITUS

THE purpose of this investigation was to determine the possible role of uric acid and glutathione in human diabetes mellitus. This study was prompted by the findings of several workers (cited subsequently) which indicated that these two substances were concerned in experimental diabetes. REVIEW OF LITERATURE In 1943, Dunn, Sheehan, and McLetchie (1) were the first to report that alloxan produced necrosis of the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans with resulting diabetes. Alloxan is structurally related to uric acid. Hidy (2) attempted to find which groups of the alloxan molecule were responsible for its diabetogenic effect. He tried to produce diabetes by using compounds closely related to alloxan structurally. Hidy found that the pyrimidine ring was an essential component for diabetogenic activity and that two nitrogen atoms having different degrees of basicity were also needed. Uric acid fulfills both these qualifications. It seemed highly probable that uric acid could also be used to produce experim...
Graphene shield-enhancement of photosensitive surfaces and devices

It has been argued that the isolation of monolayer graphene is among the most important discoveries in the last half century. Graphene has led to new thinking about how to address persistent challenges faced by traditional material systems. A long-standing problem faced by the particle accelerator community is that of limited lifetime of electron sources. These sources launch the electron beam which is bunched and accelerated to high energies for many different applications, ranging from next generation user facilities for discovery science to directed energy systems for defense and environmental needs. Addressing limited lifetime of electron sources is a complicated problem, but we have made progress toward developing a methodology to use multiple graphene layers as a monolayer ruggedizing shield which does not appreciably disrupt photoemission but does provide a barrier isolation which could increase cathode lifetime. We present key results to date which enable graphene to function as a monolayer shield for sensitive photocathode films.
Functional anatomy and biomechanics of the meniscus

Abstract The meniscus is no longer considered the evolutionary remnant in the knee joint.Rather, it is now well established as an important structure that is integral to the complex biomechanics and proper functioning of the knee. The medial and lateral menisci form two crescent-shaped wedges of fibrocartilage between the femoral condyles and tibial plateaus.The knee joint biomechanics are based on a complex interaction of these intra-articular structures. The functions ascribed to the menisci include load transmission, shock absorption, stability, proprioception, joint lubrication, and joint nutrition. Load transmission generally is accepted as one of its primary functions. The menisci transmit a portion of the axial forces across the knee joint by converting this load into “hoop stresses.” This is accomplished by their unique shape, composition, and anatomic attachments. The menisci are relatively mobile structures and their motion during knee flexion also is determined by their shape and soft tissue attachments/constraints. Preservation of the meniscal functions is essential, and the authors review the basic anatomic and biomechanical concepts necessary to understand techniques for repair and restoration of these functions.
Transient responses of North-American grasslands to changes in climate

Our objective was to evaluate the transient responses of grasslands in the central grassland region of North America to changes in climate. We used an individual plant-based gap dynamics simulation model (STEPPE-GP) linked with a soil water model (SOILWAT) to evaluate the effects of changes in climate on the composition and structure of grassland vegetation. Five functional types of plants were simulated based upon lifeform, physiology, and rooting distribution with depth. C3 and C4 perennial grasses with either a shallow or deep rooting distribution, and deeply rooted C3 shrubs were simulated under current climatic conditions and under a GFDL climate change scenario for nine sites representative of the temperature and precipitation regimes in the grassland region. Although vegetation at the sites responded differently to climate change, shifts in functional types occurred within 40 years of the start of the climate change. C4 grasses increased in dominance or importance at all sites with a change in climate, primarily as a result of increases in temperature in all months at all sites. The coolest sites that arc currently dominated by C3 grasses were predicted to shift to a dominance by C4 grasses, whereas sites that are currently dominated by C4 grasses had an increase in importance of this functional type with a change in climate. Current annual temperature was the best predictor of changes in C3 biomass, and C3 and C4 biomass combined; current annual precipitation was the best predictor of changes in C4 biomass. These predicted shifts in dominance and importance of C3 versus C4 grasses would have important implications for the management of natural grasslands as well as the cultivation of crops in the central grassland region.
Emerging participatory approaches to ergonomic interventions in the construction industry

The Central Artery/Third Harbor Tunnel (CA/T) construction project in Boston is the largest and most costly highway construction project ever undertaken in the United States. The Construction Occupational Health Project (COHP) of the Work Environment Department at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell was established to conduct exposure assessment and to develop, introduce, and evaluate interventions in the areas of ergonomics and industrial hygiene on the CA/T project. For both political and practical reasons, COHP is using a participatory approach to intervention in the construction industry. The research process is employing participation at all the levels of the construction hierarchy in the form of various advisory groups. These advisory groups have been formed from existing joint labor-management advisory committees and are presently engaged in two participatory intervention activities: (1) evaluations of intervention ideas, and (2) comparisons of safety systems.
Adsorption and decomposition of SiH4 on Pd(111)

Abstract SiH4 adsorption and decomposition on Pd(1 1 1) has been studied using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). SiH4 was found to adsorb dissociatively on Pd(1 1 1) at 150 K, resulting in SiHX species populating the Pd(1 1 1) surface. Spectroscopic data indicate that the primary SiHX species on the surface is SiH3, possibly mixed with smaller amounts of SiH2. HREELS data show the majority of surface SiHX species dissociate by approximately 250 K. TPD experiments show only H2 desorption; however, the kinetics of H2 desorption are clearly affected by SiH4 coverage. AES confirms the presence of Si on the Pd(1 1 1) surface above 250 K and shows complete diffusion of Si into the Pd bulk above 950 K. A slight broadening of the Si AES peak may indicate the presence of a Pd silicide above 500 K.
The effect of rocket launches on the ionosphere

A summary is provided of the known theoretical and observational aspects of 'inadvertent' rocket-exhaust effects upon the ionosphere. The atmospheric regions susceptible to rocket exhaust effects are examined. The major perturbations occur in those regions where the sun's radiation causes partial ionization to occur. These regions include the D, E, F1, and F2 regions of the ionosphere. It is found that the dominant cause of atmospheric perturbations due to rocket exhaust rests in the variety of chemical reactions that can occur between the exhaust material (usually molecular species, e.g., H2O, H2, CO2) and the neutral and ionized components of the atmosphere. The observational evidence for artificially-induced ionospheric modifications is discussed and a description is presented of physical processes responsible for ionospheric holes. Attention is given to scientific and technological interest in artificially-created ionospheric holes, and to the large-scale, artificially-induced depletion of the earth's ionosphere which could be monitored in connection with the launch of NASA's third High Energy Astrophysical Observatory.
Power Spectra Of Turbulence-Induced Wave-Front Errors

For most applications, simplified models may be used to describe the power spectra of quantities affected by atmospheric turbulence. The atmospheric model consists of a layered structure of wind velocity and turbulence strength, which is found to adequately approximate the usual measured data. Power spectra of such quantities as log-amplitude, phase, phase-difference, arrival angle, and arrival-angle difference, are derived for a single turbulence layer located at an arbitrary position along the path. The individual spectra are appropriately scaled and added together to form a composite spectrum. In one example, of the arrival-angle spectrum, we see that the high frequency asymptotic dependence is no fixed power-law, but may be almost anything, depending on the wind and turbulence distribution.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On Rembus (Colpodes) brunneus MacLeay (Coleoptera: Carabidae, Platynini): redescription and relationships

The use of the generic name Colpodes MacLeay, 1825, is reviewed, along with characteristics previously attributed to the genus by various authors of Carabidae. The single known specimen of the type species, Rembus (Colpodes) brunneus MacLeay, is designated as lectotype, redescribed and figured. Based on comprehensive character analysis, including external anatomical, male genitalic, and female genitalic and reproductive tract characters, application of the generic-level name Colpodes is restricted to a clade of Javanese species also including Colpodes brittoni Louwerens and C. latus Louwerens. In order to further nomenclatural stability within Platynini, Colpodes should best be considered a subgeneric component of an expanded genus Platynus Bonelli, 1810.
A confidence-based approach to the self-validation, fusion and reconstruction of quasi-redundant sensor data

Often is the case in industrial applications that multiple sensors are used to measure similar quantities. These sensors may not be truly redundant in that they are not placed to measure exactly the same parameter. However, these parameters may be very well correlated. In this paper, we address three aspects of dealing with data from such quasi-redundant sensors. Specifically, we (1) employ fuzzy logic rules for self-validation and self-confidence; (2) exploit the near linear relationship between sensors for reconstructing missing or low-confidence data; and (3) fuse this data to determine a single measure and a qualitative value for its reliability. The methodology presented is illustrated on experimental temperature data from a cupola iron-melting furnace.
Toward a New Countermovement: A Framework for Interpreting the Contradictory Interventions of Migrant Civil Society Organizations in Urban Labor Markets

Low-wage migrant workers in the United States confront a perilous labor market, where wages are low, the risk of injury on the job is high, and the fear of apprehension by immigration authorities is widespread. There is increasing empirical evidence that civil society organizations are becoming involved in mediating labor-market problems, but work remains to be done in developing a robust theoretical conception of why such organizations are involved in this arena and how we might evaluate the impacts of their interventions. This paper presents a framework for interpreting the role of migrant civil society organizations as labor-market intermediaries, by extending Karl Polanyi's theory of the ‘double movement’ and more recent writing to neoliberalism and precarious work. On the basis of data collected from migrant nonprofit organizations in Chicago, I theorize migrant civil society organizations as part of the creation of a new countermovement that protects the interests of both workers and employers from ...
Degradation Action of the Anaerobic Bacteria and Oxygen to the Polymer

Oxygen could prohibit anaerobic bacterium in the produced water and degrade the polymer molecular chains. Aiming at problems making up aerobic polymer solution by the produced water in Daqing Oil Field, some evaluations were done on the viscosity characteristics of polymer solution and bactericide in anaerobic and aerobic environments. Reasonable aerobic concentration of the produced water was obtained. The experimental results indicate that the viscosity of polymer solution confected by the produced water in the aerobic environment is higher than that of the polymer solution confected by the produced water in the anaerobic environment, and the reasonable aerobic concentration is about 6 mg·L−1. The bactericide has sterilization ability in anaerobic and aerobic environments, but the sterilization effect is better in the aerobic environment.
Quantitative Statistical Methods for Image Quality Assessment

Quantitative measures of image quality and reliability are critical for both qualitative interpretation and quantitative analysis of medical images. While, in theory, it is possible to analyze reconstructed images by means of Monte Carlo simulations using a large number of noise realizations, the associated computational burden makes this approach impractical. Additionally, this approach is less meaningful in clinical scenarios, where multiple noise realizations are generally unavailable. The practical alternative is to compute closed-form analytical expressions for image quality measures. The objective of this paper is to review statistical analysis techniques that enable us to compute two key metrics: resolution (determined from the local impulse response) and covariance. The underlying methods include fixed-point approaches, which compute these metrics at a fixed point (the unique and stable solution) independent of the iterative algorithm employed, and iteration-based approaches, which yield results that are dependent on the algorithm, initialization, and number of iterations. We also explore extensions of some of these methods to a range of special contexts, including dynamic and motion-compensated image reconstruction. While most of the discussed techniques were developed for emission tomography, the general methods are extensible to other imaging modalities as well. In addition to enabling image characterization, these analysis techniques allow us to control and enhance imaging system performance. We review practical applications where performance improvement is achieved by applying these ideas to the contexts of both hardware (optimizing scanner design) and image reconstruction (designing regularization functions that produce uniform resolution or maximize task-specific figures of merit).