cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synchronous Modes of Terrestrial and Marine Productivity in the North Pacific

The primary productivity of adjacent terrestrial and marine ecosystems can display synchronous responses to climate variability. Previous work has shown that this behavior emerges along the California coast where internal modes of climate variability, such as El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), alter jet stream dynamics that influences marine ecosystems through upwelling and terrestrial ecosystems through precipitation. This study assesses whether marine-terrestrial synchrony is a widespread phenomenon across the North Pacific by utilizing satellite-derived Solar-Induced Fluorescence (SIF) and chlorophyll-a as proxies for land and sea productivity, respectively. The results show that terrestrial and marine ecosystems are consistently synchronized across 1000's of kms of the North Pacific coastline. This synchrony emerges because both marine and terrestrial ecosystems respond to climate modes with a similar north-south dipole pattern that is mirrored across the coastal interface. The synchrony is disrupted when PDO and ENSO oppose one another because the terrestrial north-south dipole follows the PDO while the marine pattern follows ENSO. The consequence is marine and terrestrial productivity anomalies that are opposite one another along adjacent regions of the coastline. If ENSO and the PDO have shared low-frequency variance, then synchrony would be the dominant state despite local topographic and trophic diversity along the coastlines. This result suggests that climate proxy stacks that include biotically sensitive marine and terrestrial proxies would have a selective sensitivity to modes such as PDO that drive synchrony. Lastly, the coupling of land and sea productivity may have the effect of generating amplified regional responses of the carbon budget to climate variability by simultaneously enhancing the terrestrial and marine carbon sinks.
Toward fast, low-noise charge-coupled devices for Lynx

Lynx requires large-format x-ray imaging detectors with performance at least as good as the best current-generation devices but with much higher readout rates. We are investigating an advanced charge-coupled device (CCD) detector architecture under development at MIT Lincoln Laboratory for use in the Lynx high-definition x-ray imager and x-ray grating spectrometer instruments. This architecture features a CMOS-compatible detector integrated with parallel CMOS signal processing chains. Fast, low-noise amplifiers and highly parallel signal processing provide the high frame rates required. CMOS-compatibility of the CCD enables low-power charge transfer and signal processing. We report on the performance of CMOS-compatible test CCDs read at pixel rates up to 5.0 Mpix s − 1 (50 times faster than Chandra ACIS CCDs), with transfer clock swings as low as 1.0-V peak-to-peak (power/gate-area comparable to ACIS CCDs at 100 times the parallel transfer rate). We measure read noise of 4.6 electrons RMS at 2.5 MHz and x-ray spectral resolution better than 150-eV full-width at half maximum at 5.9 keV for single-pixel events. We report charge transfer efficiency measurements and demonstrate that buried channel trough implants as narrow as 0.8 μm are effective in improving charge transfer performance. We find that the charge transfer efficiency of these devices drops significantly as detector temperature is reduced from ∼ − 30 ° C to −60 ° C. We point out the potential of previously demonstrated curved-detector fabrication technology for simplifying the design of the Lynx high-definition imager. We discuss the expected detector radiation tolerance at these relatively high transfer rates. Finally, we note that the high pixel “aspect ratio” (depletion depth: pixel size ≈9 ∶ 1) of our test devices is similar to that expected for Lynx detectors and discuss implications of this geometry for x-ray performance and noise requirements.
Steering Gently: Crowd Management with a Non-Confrontational Philosophy

(2019). Steering Gently: Crowd Management with a Non-Confrontational Philosophy. The Design Journal: Vol. 22, Running with Scissors: 13th International Conference of the European Academy of Design, Dundee, 10-12th April, 2019, edited by Louise Valentine, Joanna Bletcher and Leon Cruickshank, pp. 1761-1774.
Fluorogenic detection of protein aggregates in live cells using the AggTag method

Protein aggregation is a process that occurs through the self-assembly of misfolded proteins to form soluble oligomers and insoluble aggregates. While there has been significant interest in protein aggregation for neurodegenerative diseases, progress in this field of research has been limited by the lack of effective methods to detect and interrogate these species in live cells. To resolve this issue, we have developed a new imaging method named the AggTag to report on protein aggregation in live cells with fluorescence microscopy. The AggTag method utilizes a genetic fusion of a protein of interest (POI) to a protein tag to conjugate with the AggTag probe, which contains a fluorophore that turns on its fluorescence upon interaction with protein aggregates. Unlike the conventional methods, this method enables one to detect soluble misfolded oligomers that were previously invisible. Furthermore, the AggTag method has been applied for the simultaneous detection of co-aggregation between two different POIs by a dual-color and orthogonal tagging system. This chapter aims to provide step-by-step procedures of the AggTag method for researchers who intend to study aggregation of POIs in mammalian cell lines.
Pharmacokinetics of linezolid for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia in an adult receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Purpose We present a case of a 55-year-old man post right lung transplantation receiving ECMO for treatment of respiratory failure secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia. Summary Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a frequently utilized support therapy for patients with cardiac and/or respiratory failure. Dosing of medications during ECMO can be challenging due to several factors, including sequestration of medications within ECMO circuits, alterations in volume of distribution, and changes in drug clearance. The patient was initiated on empiric antibiotics, then switched to linezolid at a dose of 600 mg every 8 hours. Linezolid plasma concentrations were collected 30 minutes prior to the sixth administered dose and 30 minutes following the 1-hour infusion of the sixth dose, which resulted in values of 0.4 and 1.7 μg/mL, respectively. The ratio of 24-hour area under the curve (AUC0-24) to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), assuming a MIC of 2 μg/mL, was calculated using the extrapolated maximum concentration (1.9 μg/mL) and minimum concentration (0.35 μg/mL), resulting in an AUC0-24/MIC value of 10.8. Due to subtherapeutic linezolid plasma concentrations, ceftaroline was initiated and continued for a total of 18 days. To our knowledge, this is the second report to describe inadequate plasma concentrations of linezolid during ECMO. Conclusion In the case described here, linezolid at a dose of 600 mg every 8 hours did not achieve target plasma concentrations in a patient receiving concomitant venovenous ECMO support.
Wearable alcohol monitors for alcohol use data collection among college students: feasibility and acceptability in a pilot study

Objective: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of using BACtrack Skyn wearable alcohol monitors in a college student population. Method: In September 2019, we enrolled n=5 Indiana University undergraduate students in a study to wear alcohol monitor wristbands continuously over a 5-day period. Concurrently, participants completed daily surveys querying details about their alcohol use in the previous 24 hours. We measured acceptability at endline with the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) scale (min=1, max=5). We measured feasibility with process measures: 1) amount of alcohol monitor data produced, and 2) correlation between drinking events identified by the alcohol monitors and drinking events reported by participants. Result: Participants reported high acceptability of the wearable alcohol monitors with a mean AIM score of 4.3 (range: 3.3 to 5.0). Feasibility of monitor use was high: A total of 589 hours of alcohol use data was collected. All participants were able to successfully use the alcohol monitors, producing a total of 24 out of 25 possible days of alcohol monitoring data. Participants reported a total of 15 drinking events during follow-up and we detected 12 drinking events with the alcohol monitors. The self-reported drinking event start times were highly correlated with the monitor detected event start time (Spearman's rho=0.9, p<0.0001). The self-reported number of drinks during a drinking event was correlated with the area under the curve of each drinking event peak (Pearson's r=0.7, p=0.008). Conclusion: Wearable alcohol monitors are a promising data collection tool for more objective real-time measures of alcohol use in college student populations.
Conversational Agent for Daily Living Assessment Coaching Demo.

Conversational Agent for Daily Living Assessment Coaching (CADLAC) is a multi-modal conversational agent system designed to impersonate “individuals” with various levels of ability in activities of daily living (ADLs: e.g., dressing, bathing, mobility, etc.) for use in training professional assessors how to conduct interviews to determine one’s level of functioning. The system is implemented on the MindMeld platform for conversational AI and features a Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory topic tracker that allows the agent to navigate conversations spanning 18 different ADL domains, a dialogue manager that interfaces with a database of over 10,000 historical ADL assessments, a rule-based Natural Language Generation (NLG) module, and a pre-trained open-domain conversational sub-agent (based on GPT-2) for handling conversation turns outside of the 18 ADL domains. CADLAC is delivered via state-of-the-art web frameworks to handle multiple conversations and users simultaneously and is enabled with voice interface. The paper includes a description of the system design and evaluation of individual components followed by a brief discussion of current limitations and next steps.
Experimental and Computational Investigations into Trivalent Phosphorous-Mediated Radical Thiol Desulfurization

Radical-mediated thiol desulfurization processes using tricoordinate phosphorous reagents are used in a range of applications from small molecule synthesis to peptide modification. A combined experimental and computational examination of the mechanism and kinetics of the radical desulfurization of alkyl thiyl radicals using trivalent phosphorus reagents was performed. Primary alkyl thiols undergo desulfurization between 10^6 to 10^9 M-1s-1 depending on the phosphorus component with either an H-atom transfer step or β-fragmentation of the thiophosphoranyl intermediate may be rate-controlling. While the desulfurization of primary aliphatic thiols showed a marked dependence on the identity of phosphorous reagent used with either a rate-controlling H-atom transfer or -fragmentation, thiols yielding stabilized C-centered radicals showed much less sensitivity. Support for a stepwise S-atom transfer process progressing via a distorted trigonal bipyramidal thiophosphoranyl radical intermediate was obtained from DFT calculated energetics and hyperfine splitting values.
Original contributionKnowledge of hepatitis C screening and management by internal medicine residents: trends over 2 years1

OBJECTIVES: Over 2 million people in the United States are infected with hepatitis C, and there has been an explosion in knowledge regarding this disease in the last decade. Internal medicine residents must be able to identify patients at risk for hepatitis C and institute appropriate diagnostic testing and referral of these patients. METHODS: A survey regarding hepatitis C risk factors and the management of hepatitis C patients was administered on three occasions over 15 months (time 0, 1 month, and 15 months) to members of a large university-based internal medicine residency. RESULTS: During the study period 59 residents completed all three surveys. Less than half of the residents (39%) ask patients about hepatitis C risk factors. Only 58% reported that they would refer a hepatitis C antibody positive patient with elevated liver enzymes to a subspecialist on the initial survey. The residents who did not refer patients cited low response rates, high side-effect profiles, and the high cost of therapy as reasons for not referring the patient. There was significant improvement (58% vs 78%, p < 0.01) in the rate of patient referral during the 15-month study period but no substantial improvement in the other knowledge deficits. CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge base of the internal medicine residents about hepatitis C screening and management is suboptimal. New, more effective hepatitis C education programs for internal medicine residents should be initiated.
Correlation of Natural Killer Cell Recognition with ras Oncogene Expression

Recognition and immune surveillance of spontaneous tumors has been attributed to widely diverse populations of lymphocytes, which include macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells.(1) NK or NK-like cells have been proposed as a first line of defense against in vivo tumor growth because they possess attributes that are distinct from cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and are ideally suited to immediate recognition and killing of transformed targets. They exhibit neither major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction nor immunologic memory and, hence, appear more primitive than their CTL couunterparts. However, in vitro studies have demonstrated that NK cells kill a wide variety of neoplastic cells without requiring prior sensitization and can differentiate between tumor and nontumor targets.(2) In addition, in vivo studies have also indicated that NK surveillance may play an important role in regulation of spontaneous tumors.(3)
Variation and distribution in the tree‐frog genus Phyllomedusa in Costa Rica, central America

Resume The frog genus Phyllomedusa is represented in Costa Rica by six species. Analysis of variation in coloration, webbing, and measurements delineates features that distinguish the various forms. The characteristics of the flank pattern in the nominal species P. callidryas and P. helenae, utilized by previous authors to separate them, are shown to be subject to individual and geographic variation. The two forms represent two of many populations within a single species, P. callidryas. Reasons for not using the term subspecies for geographic segments of callidryas are presented. The diagnostic features and the geographic and ecologic distribution of the Costa Rican species, P. annae, P. calcarifer, P. callidryas, P. lemur, P. saltator and P. spurrelli, based on the entire species ranges, are discussed.
Monitoring chemical impacts on cell cultures by means of image analyses

Many chemical processes are involved in the interactions of living cells with their environment; however, monitoring such processes often requires sophisticated analyzers. In this study, a sensing strategy based on imaging techniques has been developed to (i) enable cell discrimination based on their physical appearance such as size and shape and (ii) to build predictive models that relate the measured cell appearance to chemical parameters in their environment. Both goals aim at innovative and straightforward sensing strategies for analyzing cell–environment interactions. Image analyses offer several advantages such as the use of simpler, more robust sensors and the omission of extensive sample/sensor preparations. Imaging can analyze numerous cells and thus gains a culture representative insight rather than a potentially nonrepresentative single-cell response. As a proof-of-principle application, different species of microalgae cells have been exposed to various nutrient conditions. Microalgae are known to sensitively adapt to changing nutrient conditions and could potentially become biological “probes” for chemical shifts in ecosystems. Because of considerable spreads of cell size and shapes within one class, size and shape distributions have been derived from visible images of cell cultures. It is shown that the novel image analyses are capable of discriminating different cell species based on their cell shapes and sizes. It is also demonstrated that in conjunction with the recently introduced, nonlinear multivariate “predictor surfaces”, the nutrient availability has a quantifiable impact on the cell size distributions. In this application, predictor surfaces are somewhat more precise than partial least squares. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling of TCC-based protective devices

Accurate fault location information helps operator and utility personnel to expedite service restoration, reduce outage time, operating cost and customer complaints. The power system automation lab (PSAL) at Texas A & M University has developed three modules to locate faults in radial distribution systems. These modules use a fuzzy logic approach in which each module computes a possibility value for each line section in a distribution system. Possibility values represent the possibility a line section has a fault. By aggregating these possibility values, the final possibility value for each section can be computed. In order to develop an aggregation method and verify the validity of the three modules, data that represent currents and voltages measured at the substation of a radial distribution system during fault conditions are needed. Also system information such as equipment parameters, protective device settings and phase distribution of line sections must be known. Because this information is not publicly available from a real system, generating this data through simulation of a radial distribution system with protective devices is required. One difficulty in this simulation is the lack of models in existing circuit simulation software such as ATP and MATLAB for protective devices controlled by time-current characteristics (TCC). This paper proposes a method to model TCC-based protective devices. SIMULINK and SimPowerSystems (SPS) blockset of MATLAB were used to model the system. S-functions, special type functions that interact with SIMULINK's equation solvers, were used to model the protective device control logic. The IEEE 34-bus test feeder was used to show the validity of the modeling method. The results show the modeling methodology works accurately.
Isolation of mutants and genes involved in cytochromes c biosynthesis in Rhodobacter capsulatus.

Abstract Mutants of the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus that have combined deficiencies in the cytochrome b/c1 complex and other c-type cytochromes have been isolated. These mutants were unable to grow anaerobically in the light or dark but could grow aerobically. Cosmids with R. capsulatus wild-type DNA that complement the mutants have been used to construct genetic and physical maps of the affected genes. Complementation profiles with Tn5 and mini-Mu insertions in these cosmids and subcloned fragments from them indicated that at least three genes (called helA, helB, and helC) are involved in the defects in cytochromes c biosynthesis. The genes are clustered, and helC is transcribed away from helA and helB. Stable insertion mutants in each gene were constructed. It is postulated that helA, helB, and helC are involved in posttranslational processing during cytochromes c synthesis.
Factor Relationship Diagrams

Design of Experiments consists of methodologies and data acquisition plans where specific product or process factors (X's) are manipulated across certain levels in order to understand their impact on critical performance parameters (Y's). However, experimental results are impacted by the choice of the design factors (X's), the design structure, and by decisions on how background and noise variables are managed during the experiment. The Factor Relationship Diagram (FRD) is presented as a visual tool effective in assisting in the planning of DOEs, the evaluation of alternative design plans, and in the interpretation of DOE results. The FRD also provides a visual means of describing the error structure and understanding the implications of restrictions on randomization in a DOE. Keywords: design of experiments; noise variables; background variables; factor relationship diagram; design structure; unit structure; inference space
Suicidal intent/life satisfaction: comparing the life stories of older women

The purpose of this paper is to examine the Maris hypothesis that some people have relevant biographies and life histories that predispose suicidal careers. Using a life history approach, this paper reports differing themes in the lives of two groups of older women recently relocated to a nursing home--those who are satisfied with their lives and those who are not. Twelve women were selected from a sample of 256 by their scores on a life satisfaction index or suicidal intent scale. Seventy-two hours of transcribed life histories were content-analyzed for dominant themes that contributed to either life satisfaction or suicidal intent. Strong overall themes emerged for both groups under the headings of childhood, families, role models, connectedness, confidantes, life involvement, death experience, and memories. However, the most important correlates to contribute to a suicidal career for ideators were dysfunctional families of origin, poor role models, a feeling of isolation, and a pessimistic outlook.
Highway Geometric Design

This part details the process of choosing appropriate geometric features for a highway. Design controls govern key aspects of highway design and are essential for safety and efficiency. The geometric features considered in this part include the basic components that guide horizontal and vertical alignment, including curvature and grades, and elements that form the cross section of the highway, including lanes, shoulders, and medians. Intersections and interchanges are an important part of highway design due to their significant impact on safety performance and operational efficiency.
Critical Role of the Linker Region between Helix D and Strand 2A in Heparin Activation of Antithrombin

Abstract The binding of pentasaccharide heparin to antithrombin induces a conformational change that is transmitted to the reactive center loop and increases the rate of inhibition of factor Xa by ∼300-fold. The mechanism of such transmission is not known. To test the role of residues 134–137, which link helix D to β-sheet A, in this signal transduction, we created variant antithrombins in which we removed amino acids 134–137 stepwise and cumulatively. Although the deletions did not compromise the fundamental ability of antithrombin to bind to heparin or to inhibit target proteinases thrombin and factor Xa, they did largely decouple conformational changes in the heparin-binding site from conformational activation of the reactive center loop. Because the variant with only Ala134removed was as compromised as variants with larger deletions, yet the variant with Ser137 removed was normal, we concluded that the length of the linker is less important than the precise interrelationship between residues in this region and other residues involved in conformational activation of antithrombin.
ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF EXCITATION ENERGY TO TWO PHOTOREACTIONS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS

— From kinetic analysis of the Z-scheme we have derived expressions for fractions of open reaction centers and throughput quantum yield. The fraction of absorbed quanta available to photoreaction II has been treated by the wavelength dependent function, α. However, for purposes of analysis in terms of throughput electron flow it is necessary to introduce a related function, α', for actual processing of excitations by photoreaction II; α' differs from α if the individual quantum yields of the two photoreactions are not equal. ‘Included in our findings are the following. As a close approximation quantum yield is maximum at α’= 0.5 and a symmetrical function of α' around the line α' =0.5. As previously noted, lowering of the apparent equilibrium constant between the photoreactions flattens dependence of quantum yield on α' near α' = 0.5 but also lowers the attainable quantum yield. For any given equilibrium constant the effective fractions of open reaction centers are equal at α' = 0.5 and mirror images of each other around the line α' = 0.5. Slow changes in quantum yield following changes in wavelength (the State 1-State 2 phenomenon) are explainable in terms of changes in α' which also have the effect of flattening dependence of quantum yield on wavelength. We have used these changes to estimate the neutral wavelength for α' = 0.5 as 681–682 nm in Chlorella.
Secondary structure and hybridization accessibility of the hepatitis C virus negative strand RNA 5'-terminus.

Summary. The positive strand RNA genome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transcribed exclusively from a full-length cytoplasmic replication intermediate, the negative strand RNA. Despite this essential role in hepatocellular infection, the negative strand has not yet been subjected to extensive molecular characterization, and in comparison with the HCV genome and proteome, remains relatively unexplored as a target for antiviral therapy. The highly conserved negative strand terminal sequences, complementary to the positive strand 5′- and 3′-untranslated regions, are believed to contribute structural features essential for the initiation of positive strand synthesis and the maintenance of template integrity. We investigated the solution structure of the HCV negative strand 5′-terminal region by endoribonuclease mapping and thermodynamic modelling of RNA secondary structure. The enzymatic probing data are consistent with structural models featuring a large terminal stem loop (SL), which constitutes a mirror image of the complementary 3′-X region SL I structure. Nucleotide positions within the negative strand accessible to hybridization were mapped by RNase H digestion in the presence of combinatorial oligonucleotide libraries. The hybridization data further support the existence of a terminal SL, and reveal target sites within the negative strand 5′-terminus which may be susceptible to antisense-mediated inhibition.
Response to Dr. Moskovitz.

In our technical note entitled “Wanted and Wanting: Antibody Against Methionine Sulfoxide” [1], we pointed out several errors of fact and unsupportable interpretations of experimental observations that were included in a paper reporting attempts to raise a rabbit polyclonal antiserum specific for methionine sulfoxide [2]. The immunogen employed was a corn protein rich in methionine that had been exposed to hydrogen peroxide to convert many of the methionines to methionine sulfoxide. While we do not know the epitopes recognized by the antiserum, we certainly established that there is no specificity for methionine sulfoxide itself. Dr. Moskovitz, the senior author of that paper, now states in his Letter to the Editor that our conclusion of the lack of specificity “has no merit”. He cites several studies that employed the antiserum and found differences between control and experimental samples. He argues that these studies establish specificity. In fact, the cited studies do not report investigations of specificity; they assume that it is specific for methionine sulfoxide based on the claim made in Moskovitz and colleague’s original report [2]. As pointed out in our note, multiple investigators have failed to produce an antiserum or antibody specific for methionine sulfoxide. Both Dr. Moskovitz and we are members of that group of investigators.
Privacy preservation of aggregates in hidden databases: why and how?

Many websites provide form-like interfaces which allow users to execute search queries on the underlying hidden databases. In this paper, we explain the importance of protecting sensitive aggregate information of hidden databases from being disclosed through individual tuples returned by the search queries. This stands in contrast to the traditional privacy problem where individual tuples must be protected while ensuring access to aggregating information. We propose techniques to thwart bots from sampling the hidden database to infer aggregate information. We present theoretical analysis and extensive experiments to illustrate the effectiveness of our approach.
Growth series for vertex-regular CAT.0/ cube complexes

A cube complex is a regular cell complex X all of whose cells are cubes and such that the intersection of any two cells is a face of both. An edge-path in a cube complex X is a sequence e1; : : : ; en of oriented edges such that the head of ei coincides with the tail of eiC1 for 1 i n 1. The number of edges in an edge-path is called the length of the path. Given two vertices x;x in a cube complex X , we define the distance d.x;x/ to be the minimum length (possibly infinite) of an edge-path connecting x to x . For each vertex x0 in X , we let G.X;x0I t/ denote the corresponding growth series for X . That is,
Sensitive and selective detection of H2S and application in the presence of toluene, benzene, and xylene

Abstract We study the conductometric response to H2S in the range from 0.6 to 100 ppm using nanostructure metal oxide decorated interfaces and demonstrate the highly selective detection of H2S in the presence of the BTEX contaminants toluene, benzene, and xylene. We evaluate the response to H2S of a porous silicon (PS) interface and this interface decorated with TiO2, SnOx, NiO, and AuxO (x ≫ 1) nanostructured deposits. The response of an AuxO decorated interface dominates those of TiO2 and SnOx, which dominate NiO. All of the decorated interfaces show a considerable enhancement of response relative to PS. The observed responses are consistent with the recently developing IHSAB principle and the observed enhancements well exceed those for other analytes. Sensor rejuvenation and the ability to deal with highly humid environments are evaluated. SnOx decorated PS is found to be highly selective for H2S with selectivity ratios well in excess of 104:1 for toluene and benzene, and well in excess of 103:1 for xylene, all of which act as weak bases. The dominance of the response for H2S relative to the BTEX aromatics toluene, benzene, and xylene has important implications for the monitoring of significant contaminants associated with the venting and flaring of natural gas pits as they are present in oil and gas formations.
Rapid determination of radium isotopes by alpha spectrometry

An efficient analytical method for the determination of low-levels of226Ra and224Ra by alpha spectrometry is described. A cation exchange column was used to separate the analyte from other constituents in the sample (1–50 mL). After preconcentration and separation, the radium was electrodeposited onto a stainless steel disc from a solution of ammonium oxalate and hydrochloric acid. The electrodeposition was accomplished by the addition of platinum in microgram amounts. Linear responses were greater than two orders of magnitude. Detection limits of the procedure, taken as three times the standard deviation of several reagent blank analyses, were (1.8±0.3)×10−4 Bq and (2.9±0.3)×10−4 Bq for226Ra and224Ra, respectively. Recoveries of226Ra and224Ra ranged from 90% to 100% when samples of drinking water, well water, and dissolved bones were analyzed. Precision was calculated to be less than 5% for the determination of226Ra. Matrix effects were studied for salts of barium, magnesium, iron, and calcium.
Vitrectomy in the management of peripheral uveitis

The natural history of peripheral uveitis may eventually lead to indications for vitreous surgery. Over a 7-year period, a consecutive series of 12 eyes in nine patients with peripheral uveitis underwent vitreous surgery. Indications for surgery included persistent dense vitreous inflammation, vitreous hemorrhage, traction retinal detachment (RD), and epiretinal membrane formation. Patients were followed for an average of 22 months. Six eyes (50%) required further surgery after the development of RD, recurrent vitreous hemorrhage, or cataract formation. The preoperative finding most frequently associated with postoperative complications was the presence of active neovascularization of the vitreous base. Final visual acuity ranged from 20/30 to 20/100 showing an average improvement of 5 Snellen lines. Persistent cystoid macular edema significantly limited visual improvement in five patients. Patients undergoing vitreous surgery for management of peripheral uveitis may show a significant degree of visual improvement though multiple operations may be required. Control of active neovascularization is an important factor in limiting postoperative complications and the need for further surgery.
The Suspension of Large Bubbles Near the Sea Surface by Turbulence and Their Role in Absorbing Forward-Scattered Sound

There is anecdotal evidence that under conditions of moderate to high wind speeds (8-15 m ·s- 1), clouds of bubbles entrained in the near-surface layer by breaking waves can create a benign underwater communications channel through the resonant absorption of forward-scattered sound, reducing reverberation times and the occurrence of high-intensity, Doppler-shifted arrivals. Current models for the effects of bubbles on surface-interacting sound show two effects: refraction of low-frequency sound due to reductions in sound speed near the surface and resonant absorption at higher frequencies. These models include uncertainty in the numbers and sizes of the largest bubbles present in the near-surface layer, and their dependence on wind speed. This uncertainty makes quantitative prediction of bubble effects in the underwater acoustic communications band of workhorse frequencies (10-30 kHz) difficult. The model calculations presented here show that resonant absorption associated with the largest bubbles is strongly frequency and wind-speed dependent. The frequency dependence can be explained by the concept of a bubble escape radius; this being the radius of a bubble for which turbulent fluid velocity fluctuations and bubble terminal velocity in the upper ocean boundary layer balance. Bubbles smaller than the escape radius tend to remain trapped by fluid turbulence while larger bubbles are lost to the surface through buoyant degassing. Calculation of the escape radius provides a means of estimating the lowest frequency at which resonant absorption can be expected for a given wind speed. Initial estimates suggest that resonant absorption at 10 kHz begins at 10-m wind speeds of around 8 ms -1, and significant surface bounce losses at frequencies lower than this are expected in the range of wind speeds 13-20 m·s- 1.
Reduction to Practice of a Towed Ocean Profiling System

Various towed devices are utilized in the practice of oceanographic research. The precision of measuring the physical characteristics of the ocean (such as water velocity, temperature, conductivity, etc.) is determined to a great extent by the fixity of the movement in the vertical plane and the velocity of the instrument carrier. During agitation of the ocean surface, the motion of the towing vessel is transmitted (by the tow cable) as a perturbation to the towed unit. This affects the precision of the measurements and limits the feasibility of their execution. This report describes the design, construction, and field use of a Towed Instrument Platform designed to be towed behind a ship. The unique towing arrangement provides a method for soft coupling the instrument platform to the tow cable and results in significant reduction in platform motion. The Towed Instrument Platform is decoupled from rapid vertical ship motions by a pulley tether attachment above the tow cable depressor. In addition, the unique towing arrangement provides for profiling about the neutral position between the slack tethers. Measurements of platform motion were accomplished using three linear accelerometers, three angular accelerometers, two pendulums and a pressure transducer assembled in a motion monitoring package located in one of the hulls of the catamaran like platform. Actively controlled surfaces on the bow and stern planes connecting the two hulls served to modify the platforms depth and attitude. A pressure transducer in the streamlined depressor served as a reference to compare large-scale motions. A significant reduction in platform motion was demonstrated with certainty.
Industrial relations in Canada: a search for accommodation

Here the author reviews recent trends and the emerging issues in Canadian industrial relations. The focus is on union organization, the changing economic, labour market and public policy environment, and the key issues facing unions and management. He argues that both unions and management must continue to seek accommodation to survive in the competitive world of the 1990s.
Synthesis and Permeation Properties of SAPO-34 Tubular Membranes

A SAPO-34 membrane was prepared on an alumina tubular support. This membrane appears to exhibit molecular sieving properties with permeances that decrease as the kinetic diameter increases. The room-temperature permeances of H2 and n-C4H10 were 2.4 × 10-8 and 1.9 × 10-10 mol/(m2 s Pa), respectively, and the permeances were in the order H2 > CO2 > N2 > CH4 > n-C4H10. As the temperature increased, the single gas permeances of H2 and N2 exhibited minima, whereas the permeance of CO2 decreased and that of CH4 increased. As the pressure increased with a constant pressure drop across the membrane, the permeances of H2, CO2, N2, and CH4 decreased. The H2/CH4, CO2/CH4, H2/N2, and CO2/N2 ideal selectivities at 300 K and 270 kPa feed pressure with a 138 kPa pressure drop were 25, 19, 7.4, and 5.7, respectively, and these selectivities decreased with increasing temperature and increased with increasing pressure. The ideal selectivity of N2/CH4 was 3.4 at the same conditions and decreased with increasing temperature ...
Effects of Single Metal-Ion Doping on the Visible-Light Photoreactivity of TiO2

Titanium dioxide (M-TiO2), which was doped with 13 different metal ions (i.e., silver (Ag+), rubidium (Rb+), nickel (Ni2+), cobalt (Co2+), copper (Cu2+), vanadium (V3+), ruthenium (Ru3+), iron (Fe3+), osmium (Os3+), yttrium (Y3+), lanthanum (La3+), platinum (Pt4+, Pt2+), and chromium (Cr3+, Cr6+)) at doping levels ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 at. %, was synthesized by standard sol−gel methods and characterized by X-ray diffraction, BET surface area measurement, SEM, and UV−vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Doping with Pt(IV/II), Cr(III), V(III), and Fe(III) resulted in a lower anatase to rutile phase transformation (A−R phase transformation) temperature for the resultant TiO2 particles, while doping with Ru(III) inhibited the A−R phase transformation. Metal-ion doping also resulted in a red shift of the photophysical response of TiO2 that was reflected in an extended absorption in the visible region between 400 and 700 nm. In contrast, doping with Ag(I), Rb(I), Y(III), and La(III) did not result in a red s...
Mixing matrix estimation using discriminative clustering for blind source separation

Mixing matrix estimation in instantaneous blind source separation (BSS) can be performed by exploiting the sparsity and disjoint orthogonality of source signals. As a result, approaches for estimating the unknown mixing process typically employ clustering algorithms on the mixtures in a parametric domain, where the signals can be sparsely represented. In this paper, we propose two algorithms to perform discriminative clustering of the mixture signals for estimating the mixing matrix. For the case of overdetermined BSS, we develop an algorithm to perform linear discriminant analysis based on similarity measures and combine it with K-hyperline clustering. Furthermore, we propose to perform discriminative clustering in a high-dimensional feature space obtained by an implicit mapping, using the kernel trick, for the case of underdetermined source separation. Using simulations on synthetic data, we demonstrate the improvements in mixing matrix estimation performance obtained using the proposed algorithms in comparison to other clustering methods. Finally we perform mixing matrix estimation from speech mixtures, by clustering single source points in the time-frequency domain, and show that the proposed algorithms achieve higher signal to interference ratio when compared to other baseline algorithms.
Jamie: One Child's Journey from Oral to Written Language.

Abstract This case study is a report of one preliterate child's retelling of a story, which she heard in its complete form during the first session and then retold each week for eight weeks. The sessions were audiotaped and transcripts analyzed for changes in the quality and nature of the child's retellings. The child nearly doubled the amount of information she told, and the quality of her retelling improved dramatically. Retellings were brief during the first two sessions, but then shifted to a storytelling approach. During the last two sessions, the child attempted to read large parts of the text. The results suggest that a child who is read to at home can use a repeated retelling activity and can eventually render the story so close to the actual text that an advance into reading may occur.
Intranasal clonidine as a premedicant: three cases with unique indications.

Summary Clonidine is experiencing increasing use in the pediatric population as a sedative and analgesic because of its central α2-adrenergic agonism. We report three cases of preoperative use of intranasal clonidine in pediatric patients, all for different indications. One patient was treated for preoperative agitation and hallucinations associated with oral midazolam. One patient was given clonidine as a premedicant. The third patient was treated for preoperative agitation and hypertension. All three patients had subjective resolution of indicated symptoms and none experienced adverse outcomes.
From Dialogue to Action: Consciousness-Raising with Academic Mothers

In this article, the authors argue that facilitated dialogues with academic mothers can provide space for consciousness-raising, validation, co-mentoring, and taking action. Stemming from the authors’ experiences of negotiating motherhood in the academy, and their facilitation of a book discussion about academic motherhood through a faculty professional development opportunity, the authors chronicle their experience and describe how dialogue evolved into a site for validation of academic mothers’ feelings and frustrations, for making visible the multiple roles academic mothers are balancing, and for the need to create advocacy and support for academic mothers.
Broadband Mode-locked Kerr Combs Based on Soft Excitation of Microresonator Dark Solitons

Mode-interaction-aided soft excitation of dark solitons in normal dispersion nonlinear microresonators is proved both experimentally and in simulation for the first time, resulting in dark pulse mode-locked broadband Kerr combs. OCIS codes: (140.4780) Optical resonators; (190.5530) Pulse propagation and temporal solitons;
Minimum weight design of helicopter rotor blades with frequency constraints

The minimum weight design of helicopter rotor blades subject to constraints on fundamental coupled flap-lag natural frequencies has been studied in this paper. A constraint has also been imposed on the minimum value of the blade autorotational inertia to ensure that the blade has sufficient inertia to autorotate in case of an engine failure. The program CAMRAD has been used for the blade modal analysis and the program CONMIN has been used for the optimization. In addition, a linear approximation analysis involving Taylor series expansion has been used to reduce the analysis effort. The procedure contains a sensitivity analysis which consists of analytical derivatives of the objective function and the autorotational inertia constraint and central finite difference derivatives of the frequency constraints. Optimum designs have been obtained for blades in vacuum with both rectangular and tapered box beam structures. Design variables include taper ratio, nonstructural segment weights and box beam dimensions. The paper shows that even when starting with an acceptable baseline design, a significant amount of weight reduction is possible while satisfying all the constraints for blades with rectangular and tapered box beams.
A new species of the tremellaceous genus stypella

Stypella variabilis sp.nov., isolated from dead fern leaves in Hawaii, was cultured on agar media and on sterilized dead fern parts on agar. The new species produces both gloeocystidia and minute colourless to light tan, soft gelatinous papillate fruiting bodies with sporulating basidia. The fruiting bodies soon anastomose into continuous masses. The majority of basidia are 4-celled, although some are 2-celled and a few 1-celled. S. variabilis differs from the other three known species in its sizes of gloeocystidia, basidia, and basidiospores as well as its numerous variations in basidial development.
Survival Time and Weight Loss in Goldfish (Carassius Auratus)

Goldfish in Experiment 1 were placed on terminal deprivation when they reached 2, 3, 4, or 16 mo. Fish that were 4-mo.-old showed the greatest median survival time (2 mo.). Large fish lost a smalle...
Simulation of incompressible turbulent flows

Revue des simulations d'ecoulements turbulents. Modeles de turbulence avec moyenne de Reynolds. Traitement des ecoulements geometriquement complexes. Les lois de conservation et leur interaction avec les methodes numeriques. Methodes de discretisation. Techniques de resolution. Autres approches du calcul des ecoulements turbulents
The minimum-energy structure of nanometer-scale gold clusters

We report results of experiments in which gold clusters with controlled diameters ranging from 1nm to 20nm are grown in a gas aggregation reactor and are subsequently melted and slowly cooled in the gas phase. These clusters are soft landed on thin carbon films and their structure determined by means of HRTEM. All of the clusters down to the smallest whose lattice fringes could be resolved (N≈405) are single fcc crystals. MD calculations using an EAM potential for gold predict that the fcc motif seen in these experiments may indeed be the minimum-energy structure for gold clusters containing more than a few hundred atoms.
Location of HLA-A,B,C Antigens in Dendritic Cells of Normal Human Skin: An Immunoelectron Microscopic Study

The distribution of the major histocompatibility antigens HLA A,B,C, (HLA) on dendritic cells of normal human skin was studied by immunoelectron microscopy and a 4-step immunoperoxidase technique utilizing monoclonal antibodies Light microscopy revealed peripheral staining for HLA of epidermal and pilar infundibular keratinocytes. In the epidermis, the staining was present from the basal layer to the upper stratum spinosum. In the follicles below the level of the infundibulum, HLA was detected only on rare intraepithelial dendritic cells. These dendritic cells could not be identified in th epidermis due to the HLA staining of the surrounding keratinocytes. Similar cells stained diffusely with anti-T6 antibody; the keratinocytes did not, Immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated. (1) the presence o HLA staining of keratinocyte membranes from the stratum basalis to the level of the upper stratum spinosum and in the pilar infundibulum, (2) the possible absence of HLA on melanocytes, (3) the presence of focal HLA staining of the membranes of epidermal and follicular dendritic cells that contained Birbeck granules and were, therefore, Langerhans cells, (4) dendritic mono-nuclear cells within the follicular epithelium, which although devoid of Birbeck granules, exhibited similar reactivity with anti HLA antibody. These findings suggest that HLA antigens are present on the membranes of Langerhans cells, but are not demonstrable on melanocytes in normal human skin.