cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nuclear charge distribution in fission: Independent yields of 139Ba and 140Ba from thermal-neutron induced fission of 233U

Abstract Independent yields of 139 Ba and 140 Ba have been measured from thermal-neutron induced fission of 233 U. These nuclides were quickly separated from their cesium precursors and purified radiochemically. Independent yields were calculated from a knowledge of the activities of the nuclides as a function of separation time and the previously measured xenon fractional cumulative yields. The yields, expressed as fractional independent yields, are 0·084±0·007 and 0·27·0·04 for 139 Ba and 140 Ba, respectively. The relation between cumulative yields of 139 Cs, 140 Cs, 139 Xe and 140 Xe is essentially the same for 233 U as for 235 U. An odd-even effect is noted and for the A = 139 chain this effect may be more important than the 83-neutron effect.
CALCULATION OF ENTRAPMENT RATE, INITIAL VALUES, AND TRANSVERSE VELOCITY FOR THE PATANKAR-SPALDING METHOD

Both the successful determination of the entrainment rate and the calculation of initial values are important aspects of the Patankar-Spatding (P-S) method since they are critical for the attainment of accurate solutions. A new scheme for calculating the entrainment rate, which is very stable and nearly problem-independent, is presented. Here, the main x dependence of the entrainment rate is estimated by using global Quantities known at the previous x step; in particular, it is found to vary inversely with the boundary-layer thickness. This estimation is adjusted by a coefficient which varies very slowly with x and which is determined by a fixed-point method. In addition, a method is given which lets the actual PS computer program generate its own initial values with desired accuracy. Finally, a new explicit formula for the transverse velocity is derived; the formula makes it possible to calculate this velocity component in a very simple manner, using only information already available as part of the solu...
Synthetic chemistry: recipes for excess.

The selective production of a particular mirror-image form of a molecule is immensely important to organic synthesis. But techniques to find the right catalysts have traditionally been protracted and fiddly. Help is at hand.
Reaping the Benefits of Information Technology in Organizations A Framework Guiding Appropriation of Group Support Systems

As organizations employ information technologies to facilitate business process redesign and other organizational changes, they are not consistently observing the high levels of group performance t...
Titanium dioxide. A primer on the compound named for the mythical mothers and fathers of earth

There is a growing need for lightweight, durable materials in industry and research. The "classic" materials such as gold, copper, and steel can not fit this new need. Thus, new sets of materials are being used more frequently, and none more so than titanium and its oxides-more specifically, titanium dioxide (TiO/sub 2/). The author discusses the discovery of titanium dioxide and then describes its properties and applications. In particular the author discusses its use in high efficiency dye sensitised solar cells. >
Graft reconstruction to treat disease of the abdominal aorta in patients with colostomies, ileostomies, and abdominal wall urinary stomata.

Abstract Abdominal aortic reconstruction combined with colon or urinary tract operations is generally not acceptable because of a supposed greater incidence of graft infection. Similar fears exist regarding aortic reconstruction in the presence of colostomies, ileostomies, and permanent urinary diversion stomata. In fact, the presence of a colostomy has been reported to be a contraindication for abdominal aortic reconstruction. This report is concerned with vascular operations in 13 such patients with aortic disease referred to us for fear of these complications. Eleven patients had abdominal aortic aneurysms and two had atherosclerotic occlusion of the aorta and iliac arteries. Twelve patients had colostomies, ileostomies, or both and one patient had permanent tube cystostomy. All had good renal function and the disease for which the diversion procedure was performed was either cured or under good control. All patients survived the vascular reconstructive procedures without significant complications and long-term follow-up revealed that late graft infection did not occur. (J VASC SURG 1987;6:240-7.)
Amphetamine disrupts both working and reference memories of rats trained in a radial maze

To assess the effects of amphetamine on working and reference memory rats were trained on a 12-arm radial maze with six arms baited and six arms unbaited until stable performance was achieved. Administration of 2.0 mg/kg d-amphetamine sulfate increased both working and reference memory errors, but only if a 5-min delay was imposed after three successful choices. With no delay this dose had no reliable effect on either working or reference memory. Lower doses (0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg) were ineffective even when a delay was imposed during the test. We suggest that amphetamine heightens arousal, which disrupts accurate retention when the rat's attention to the relevant cues is interrupted, as during a brief delay. Alternative explanations are discussed.
Oxygen measurements at high pressures with vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers

Measurements of oxygen concentration at high pressures (to 10.9 bar) were made using diode-laser absorption of oxygen A-band transitions near 760 nm. The wide current-tuning frequency range (>30 cm-1) of vertical cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) was exploited to enable the first scanned-wavelength demonstration of diode-laser absorption at high pressures; this strategy is more robust than fixed-wavelength strategies, particularly in hostile environments. The wide tuning range and rapid frequency response of the current tuning were further exploited to demonstrate wavelength-modulation absorption spectroscopy in a high-pressure environment. The minimum detectable absorbance demonstrated, ∼1×10-4, corresponds to ∼800 ppm-m oxygen detectivity at room temperature and is limited by etalon noise. The rapid- and wide-frequency tunability of VCSELs should significantly expand the application domain of absorption-based sensors limited in the past by the small current-tuning frequency range (typically <2 cm-1) of conventional edge-emitting diode lasers.
Characterization and comparison of hydrophobic neutral and hydrophobic acid dissolved organic carbon isolated from three municipal landfill leachates

The acid-precipitated (AP) and acid-soluble (AS) fractions of the combined hydrophobic neutral and hydrophobic acid dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were isolated from leachate collected from three municipal landfills of different age and redox conditions. The AP and the AS combined hydrophobic neutral and hydrophobic acid DOC comprised 6-15% and 51-66%, respectively, of the leachate nonpurgable organic carbon. Elemental analysis, infra-red spectroscopy, 13C CP-MAS nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and dipolar dephasing experiments, and thermochemolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry results showed that the AP and AS fractions of hydrophobic neutral and hydrophobic acid DOC are highly aliphatic, with linear and branching moieties, and less oxidized than most terrestrial and aquatic humic substances. Very little, if any, polysaccharide or cellulose, lignin, or cutin components comprise these fractions. It is hypothesized that a majority of the organic carbon in these fractions originates highly branched, cyclic aliphatic organic compounds.
Development of a low stress, silicon-rich silicon nitride film for micromachined sensor applications

Wet etch processes are important for the production of MEMS devices. Sacrificial oxides are often used to help define polysilicon structures, and these films are often etched using solutions containing hydrofluoric acid. One important consideration is the use of an etch stop which is resistant to HF. In this study, a silicon-rich silicon nitride film was developed for this purpose. Process parameters such as DCS:NH3 ratio, pressure and temperature have ben varied in order to create a film that has a low wet etch rate, good cross-wafer and cross-load uniformity, and low conductivity for good isolation resistance. The film is also designed to have a low tensile stress, which should minimize etch rate and also minimize wafer curvature, which is beneficial for subsequent photo steps. Finally, film characterization using the index of refraction as the primary process control is discussed.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Drawover anaesthetic systems

Summary The factors that determine the inspired oxygen concentration delivered by drawover anaesthetic systems were studied in the laboratory and in anaesthetised patients. The inspired oxygen concentration is dependent upon oxygen flow, reservoir volume and total ventilation; respiratory rate and inspiration: expiration ratio have a small influence. A reservoir of at least of 1 m corrugated tube (internal volume 415 ml) makes optimal use of a 4 litres/minute oxygen flow. Delivery of a safe inspired oxygen concentration can be ensured with economical oxygen flows.
Individualized Positive Behavior Support in School Settings A Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis examined school-based intervention research based on functional behavioral assessment (FBA) to determine the effectiveness of key individualized positive behavior support (IPBS) practices in school settings. In all, 83 studies representing 145 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Intervention, maintenance, and generalization effects were measured by computing the percentage of nonoverlapping data points (PND). Overall, FBA-based interventions were found to be equally effective across diverse student populations and educational settings, including inclusive classrooms. In terms of key IPBS practices, results indicated that team decision making during intervention planning led to significantly larger PNDs. Descriptive analysis revealed that there has been an increase in the use of IPBS practices in school-based FBA-based intervention research; however, some deficiencies were noted. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.
The action of synthetic surfactants on membranes of tumor cells: I. Morphological observations

Abstract The morphological effects of surfactants on EA cells precede sequentially and include: 1, blebbing of cell membrane (coincident to dye uptake by the cells); 2, gradual loss of cytoplasmic fragments; 3, the appearance of free nuclei followed by nuclear lysis and 4, nucleic acid extraction. The surfactants differ in effectiveness of producing the above changes on EA cells: Anionic (SLS) > nonionic (DM-710) > cationic (LPC) surfactants.
High-Throughput Screening of the Virulence Regulator VirF: A Novel Antibacterial Target for Shigellosis

Shigella flexneri is a human enteropathogen that infects about 165 million people and claims more than 1 million lives per year worldwide. Although shigellosis has been considered a disease of the "Third World," like many other contagious diseases, it does occur in developed countries. The emergence of drug and multidrug-resistant strains of Shigella emphasizes the need for novel antibiotic development. VirF, an AraC-type transcriptional regulator, is responsible for the expression of all downstream virulence factors that control intracellular invasion and cell-to-cell spread of Shigella. Gene knockout studies have validated that inhibition of VirF expression is sufficient to block the normal life cycle of Shigella in the host and thereby increase susceptibility to the host immune system. The authors have developed a high-throughput, cell-based assay to monitor inhibition of VirF using beta-galactosidase as a reporter protein. Using an avirulent strain of Shigella, they have screened libraries containing approximately 42,000 small molecules. Following confirmation and dose-response analysis, they have identified 7 compounds that demonstrate VirF inhibition in vivo >or=55% in comparison with the controls and little general antibacterial activity (measured by cell growth, OD(600)). The authors are in the process of confirming these "hits" in several secondary assays to assess the mechanism of action.
SELECTION AND HYBRIDIZATION IN QUAHOG CLAMS (Mercenaria spp.)1

During the period from 1972–1975, northern (M. mercenaria) and southern (M. campechiensis) quahog clams, original parents from Maine to Louisiana, were reared, including F1 and F2 hybrids and backcrosses, to determine what crosses gave the best growth rate. Limited selection was done by crossing faster growing laboratory-reared clams, along with some progeny testing. During the four-year study, 46 crosses were reared through to termination size. Southern quahogs have a faster growth rate in this area than northerns and the best growth rates were the F1 hybrid between the two species that were backcrossed with the southern. The clams with the best growth rates reached minimum commercial size in 30–40% less time than in previous observations in the area. It is not known whether a strain can be produced with a certified fast growth rate that is genetically stable.
Expression of nerve-muscle topography during development

Previous studies have indicated that in 2 muscles of the adult rat, the anterior serratus and the diaphragm, the rostrocaudal axis of the motoneuron pool projects topographically onto the rostrocaudal axis of the muscle. In the present work we have asked whether this orderly topography emerges as a function of postnatal synaptic rearrangement or whether this pattern is already established at birth. The anterior serratus muscle was studied over the period ranging from embryonic day 17 through postnatal day 30. Using 2 criteria of topography, average segmental innervation and average target field of cervical roots C6 and C7, we found that a topographic distribution of the motoneuron pool is already present prior to birth and maintained throughout the postnatal period. Moreover, both C6 and C7 form an orderly map over the surface of the serratus in the embryo, and the topography is sharpened during postnatal periods. The diaphragm also is topographically innervated at birth and undergoes a comparable sharpening of the projection map postnatally. We conclude that the topographic projection of motoneurons is established prior to birth in these muscles, and postnatal synaptic rearrangement serves to sharpen the topographic map toward the adult pattern. These results also suggest that the pursuit of basic mechanisms underlying topography should be directed toward initial embryonic nerve-muscle contacts.
Evanescent Field Sensor using Silicon-on-Insulator Photonic Wires

A silicon-on-insulator based evanescent field sensor using silicon photonic wire waveguides is reported. The unique properties of high index contrast, submicron structures are exploited to enhance electric field magnitude and localization near the sensor surface. The evanescent field sensor is demonstrated in a Mach Zehnder configuration.
Lipoprotein Particles and Incident Type 2 Diabetes in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE In the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), we evaluated associations of baseline levels of a lipoprotein-based insulin resistance (IR) index (LP-IR), IR-related lipoprotein particles, mean particle sizes, and lipids, with incident type 2 diabetes, independent of confounders, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Among 5,314 adults aged 45–84 years without baseline diabetes or cardiovascular disease, 656 cases of diabetes were identified during a mean follow-up of 7.7 years. Lipoprotein particle concentrations, size, and LP-IR were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of stored baseline plasma. Potential effect modification, by race/ethnicity, sex, baseline use of lipid-lowering medications or hormone therapy, or glucose strata ( RESULTS Higher levels of LP-IR, large VLDL particles (VLDL-P), small LDL particles, triglycerides (TG), and TG–to–HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and lower levels of large HDL particles, smaller HDL and LDL size, and larger VLDL size were significantly associated with incident diabetes adjusted for confounders and glucose or insulin. These also were similar by race/ethnicity, sex, and treatment group. Associations were similar for LP-IR, large VLDL-P, mean VLDL size, TG, and TG–to–HDL-C ratio; they persisted for LP-IR, large VLDL-P, or mean VLDL size adjusted for HOMA-IR or TG–to–HDL-C ratio and glucose but not for the TG–to–HDL-C ratio adjusted for LP-IR or for HOMA-IR or insulin if adjusted for LP-IR and glucose. CONCLUSIONS Among ethnically diverse men and women, LP-IR, large VLDL-P, large VLDL size, TG, and TG–to–HDL-C ratio were associated with incident diabetes independent of established risk factors, glucose, insulin, or HOMA-IR, as well as the use of lipid-lowering medications or hormone therapy.
Learning faith: Language socialization in a community of Hasidic Jews

Despite a growing body of cross-cultural ethnographic research in religious enclave communities, we know little about the everyday discursive practices by which women caregivers socialize children to morally reject much of contemporary society. This article draws on ethnographic and linguistic research conducted in a Brooklyn (New York) neighborhood from 1995 through 1997 to discuss how Hasidic women caregivers rehearse a particular stance to faith with young children by examining socialization routines in which Hasidic children display culturally unacceptable ways of speaking: questioning, requesting or challenging authority figures. An unusual consistency of message across a range of socialization contexts supports caregivers' (mothers' and teachers') efforts to teach their children the morality of communal hierarchies of authority and difference. Hasidic women encourage their children to "fit in" to communal hierarchies of age, gender, and religious practice and to reject what they present as "Gentile" ways of behaving and communicating. When children make certain requests, ask
The 2 nd harmonic signal in vapor-cell atomic clocks

The 2nd harmonic signal has been recognized for some time as a “status-of-health” indicator for Rb clocks. Unfortunately, while the 2nd harmonic signal can provide qualitative assessments of clock-signal health, at present there is no analytic theory capable of connecting the 2nd harmonic to various parameters of interest. In large part, the difficulty lies in the fact that clocks operate in a regime where none of the standard approximations for solving field/matter interaction problems apply, in particular the Quasi-Static Approximation (QSA) which arguably has the greatest intuitive appeal. Here, we describe our first set of studies examining the validity of the QSA under conditions where the Rabi frequency, the field's modulation frequency, and the atom's dephasing rate are all nearly equal. Specifically, we examine the QSA's prediction of the 2nd harmonic signal amplitude as a function of microwave power. Our results suggest that the QSA can have utility for understanding the relative change in the 2nd harmonic signal with microwave power, and therefore potential quantitative utility for understanding a Rb clock's status-of-health.
Recent Advances in the Application of Computational Mechanics to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

During the last 30 years, research into the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular disease has had to employ a multidisciplinary approach involving a wide range of subject areas, from molecular and cell biology to computational mechanics and experimental solid and fluid mechanics. In general, research was driven by the need to provide answers to questions of critical importance for disease management. Ongoing improvements in the spatial resolution of medical imaging equipment coupled to an exponential growth in the capacity, flexibility, and speed of computational techniques have provided a valuable opportunity for numerical simulations and complex experimental techniques to make a contribution to improving the diagnosis and clinical management of many forms of cardiovascular disease. This paper contains a review of recent progress in the numerical simulation of cardiovascular mechanics, focusing on three particular areas: patient-specific modeling and the optimization of surgery in pediatric cardiology, evaluating the risk of rupture in aortic aneurysms, and noninvasive characterization of intraventricular flow in the management of heart failure.
Polarization in low coherence interferometry

The polarization mismatch of the sample and reference arms in optical fiber based low coherence interferometry has critical effect on its depth resolution when the light source is partially polarized: When the polarization states of the two arms are matched the measured point spread function (PSF) is almost identical to the theoretical prediction; When their polarization states are mismatched the PSF can be so distorted that the depth resolution is degraded to several times of the theoretical value. When the source light is polarized the depth resolution becomes independent of the polarization mismatch.
Schwarz, Wallace, and Rissanen : Intertwining themes in theories of model selection

Summary Investigators interested in model order estimation have tended to divide themselves into widely separated camps; this survey of the contributions of Schwarz, Wallace, Rissanen, and their coworkers attempts to build bridges between the various viewpoints, illuminating connections which may have previously gone unnoticed and clarifying misconceptions which seem to have propagated in the applied literature. Our tour begins with Schwarz's approximation of Bayesian integrals via Laplace's method. We then introduce the concepts underlying Rissanen's minimum description length principle via a Bayesian scenario with a known prior; this provides the groundwork for understanding his more complex non-Bayesian MDL which employs a “universal” encoding of the integers. Rissanen's method of parameter truncation is contrasted with that employed in various versions of Wallace's minimum message length criteria. Rissanen's more recent notion of stochastic complexity is outlined in terms of Bernardo's information-theoretic derivation of the Jeffreys prior. Resume Il existe deux courants d'idees tres differents en recberche sur I' ordre de modeles.Ce papier est une revue des contributions de Schwarz, Wallace, Rissanen, et de leurs collaborateurs, Son but est de rapprocher leurs points de vue, d' etablir de nouvelles connexions entre certains problemes, et de corriger certaines interpretations erronees qui sont apparues dans la literature appliquee. Notre revue commence par I' approximation d' integrales Bayesiennes au moyen de la methode de Lapace,etudiee par Schwarz. Nous introduisons ensuite le principe de longueur descriptive minimale de Rissanen dans le cadre d' un scenario d' estimation Bayesienne. Ceci permet une nouvelle interpretation de ses methodes d' estimation basees sur un codage “univasel” des entiers nabuels. Nous comparons la technique de parametres de Rissanen avec cellcs qu'utilisc Wallace daar sa mtOaic du crib de longueur minimale d'un mtssage. Nous tcrminons cette etude par une presentation de la notion de complexite stochastique de Rissanen et ses connexions avec la distribution de Jeffreys, dont Bernardo a presente une derivation basee sur la theorie de l'infaamation.
Subspecific Variation: An Alternative Biogeographic Hypothesis Explaining Variation in Coat Color and Cranial Morphology in Lagothrix lugens (Primates: Atelidae)

In this study, I examined the skull morphology of three color phases of the Colombian Woolly Monkey Lagothrix lugens (Primates: Atelidae). Collecting localities of museum specimens were investigated through GIS-based modeling techniques to test for geographical and ecological patterns in L. lugens populations. Statistical analyses conducted on 28 craniomandibular measurements, in combination with the assessment of discrete characters, indicated that L. lugens consists of three geographic groups. The morphotype from the highlands of the Central Cordillera (>2,000 m altitude) matches in all characters the original description of L. lugens. There is a distinct morphotype from the lowlands of the northern Amazon (Department of Caqueta) and another from the piedmonts of the eastern versant of the Colombian Andes and the isolated mountains of the Serrania de la Macarena, herein recognized as new subspecies. The presence of an intermediate form between highland and lowland divergent lineages is also interpreted as indication of effective hybridization in a narrow contact zone at the Macizo de Garzon in the southernmost range of the Eastern Cordillera.
Testing the nutrition hypothesis for the adaptive nature of insect galls: does a non‐adapted herbivore perform better in galls?

1. The nutrition hypothesis for the adaptive nature of galls states that gall-inducing insects control the nutrient levels in galls to their own benefit. Although the nutrition hypothesis is widely accepted, there have been few empirical tests of this idea. 2. A novel method is presented for testing the nutrition hypothesis that links manipulation of gall nutrient levels by the gall inducer to herbivore performance. The effects of adaptation and nutritional advantage are separated by using a herbivore that is adapted to a host plant susceptible to galling but one which never enters the gall environment. 3. Hellinsia glenni (Cashatt), a plume moth (Pterophoridae) and one of its host plants provide an excellent system for testing the nutrition hypothesis because H. glenni larvae feed internally on the relatively nutrient-poor stems of a goldenrod, Solidago gigantea, but do not venture into the nutrient-rich galls induced on that plant by a tephritid fly, Eurosta solidaginis. The nutrition hypothesis was tested by transplanting early-instar H. glenni larvae into galls and stems of S. gigantea to determine if the larvae transplanted to galls would perform better compared with those larvae transplanted to stems. 4. The results support the nutrition hypothesis for the adaptive nature of galls. Hellinsia glenni achieved greater final mass in the gall environment compared with the final mass larvae achieved in the stem environment. There was also evidence that the quality of gall tissue is controlled by the gall inducer, which has not been previously demonstrated for mature E. solidaginis galls.
Unreported collisions with post-and-beam guardrails in Connecticut, Iowa, and North Carolina

Presented are the results of an in-service performance evaluation of four guardrail systems: the G1 cable guardrail, the G2 weak-post W-beam guardrail, and the G4(1S) and G4(1W) strong-post W-beam guardrails. The study was focused particularly on estimating the number of un-reported collisions and the true distribution of vehicle occupant injuries. The data were collected in portions of Connecticut, Iowa, and North Carolina during a 24-month data collection effort from 1997 to 1999. The collision performance was measured in terms of collision characteristics, occupant injury, and barrier damage. Unreported collisions were counted in all three areas by periodically inspecting guardrails in a specific control section. Because this type of data collection is both time-consuming and sensitive to methodology and human error, its use is not recommended for future in-service evaluation studies. Instead, the use of rates of injury-producing collisions per million vehicle kilometers traveled past the guardrail or ...
Oxcarbazepine in children with nocturnal frontal-lobe epilepsy.

Nocturnal frontal-lobe epilepsy is characterized by paroxysmal arousals, motor seizures with dystonic or hyperkinetic features, and episodic nocturnal wanderings. Carbamazepine is effective for seizure control in some of these patients, but seizures may be refractory to multiple antiepileptic drugs. We report on eight children between ages 4-16 years with nocturnal frontal-lobe epilepsy who had a dramatic response to oxcarbazepine at standard recommended doses, some of whom were refractory to previous antiepileptic medications. Brain magnetic resonance imaging, routine electroencephalogram, and prolonged, continuous video-electroencephalogram telemetry were performed in all children. Nocturnal frontal-lobe epilepsy was diagnosed by demonstrating ictal electroencephalogram changes originating from the frontal lobes. The children were followed for response of seizures to oxcarbazepine, side effects, and routine blood tests, including serum 10-monohydroxide derivative levels. The mean oxcarbazepine dose was 30.4 mg/kg/day ± 11.7 (mean ± SD); the mean 10-monohydroxide level was 23.1 μg/mL ± 8.6 (mean ± SD). Seizures improved within 4 days of oxcarbazepine initiation in six children, whereas two children required higher doses. Their follow-up has ranged from 12 to 24 months, without seizure recurrence or serious side effects. Our patients demonstrate the efficacy of oxcarbazepine for nocturnal hyperkinetic seizures in children with nocturnal frontal-lobe epilepsy.
Lipschitzian Multifunctions and a Lipschitzian Inverse Mapping Theorem

We introduce a new class of multifunctions whose graphs under certain "kernel inverting" matrices, are locally equal to the graphs of Lipschitzian (single-valued) mappings. We characterize the existence of Lipschitzian localizations of these multifunctions in terms of a natural condition on a generalized Jacobian mapping. One corollary to our main result is a Lipschitzian inverse mapping theorem for the broad class of "max hypomonotone" multifunctions. We apply our theoretical results to the sensitivity analysis of solution mappings associated with parameterized optimization problems. In particular, we obtain new characterizations of the Lipschitzian stability of stationary points and Karush-Kuhn-Tucker pairs associated with parameterized nonlinear programs.
The Asta-Ja management capacity-building framework (Asta-Ja MCBF) for sustainable development in Nepal

Capacity-building is essential to sustainable environmental and natural resources management and fast-paced socio-economic transformation. Capacity-building requires the involved commitment of individuals, community organisations, private businesses, academic institutions, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders. As population and the corresponding demand on environmental and natural resources has increased, the need for sustainable resources management capacity-building has become critical in Nepal. This paper underscores environmental and natural resources capacity-building as an approach to achieving sustainable resource management and socio-economic transformation of Nepal. It also views capacity-building as an ongoing process even as the nation prospers socially and economically.
Creation of problem-dependent Doppler-broadened cross sections in the KENO Monte Carlo code

In this paper, we introduce a quick method for improving the accuracy of Monte Carlo simulations by generating one- and two-dimensional cross sections at a user-defined temperature before performing transport calculations. A finite difference method is used to Doppler-broaden cross sections to the desired temperature, and unit-base interpolation is done to generate the probability distributions for double differential two-dimensional thermal moderator cross sections at any arbitrarily user-defined temperature. The accuracy of these methods is tested using a variety of contrived problems. In addition, various benchmarks at elevated temperatures are modeled, and results are compared with benchmark results. Lastly, the problem-dependent cross sections are observed to produce eigenvalue estimates that are closer to the benchmark results than those without the problem-dependent cross sections.
Core-Level Photoemission Spectroscopy : Kinetics of Cluster Formation During Femtosecond Laser Ablation

We report, to our knowledge, the first use of pump-probe photoemission spectroscopy to study core-level dynamics during a laser-driven phase transition. Synchrotron x-rays probe the kinetics of cluster formation during the initial moments of femtosecond laser ablation.
glpx Gene in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Is Required for In Vitro Gluconeogenic Growth and In Vivo Survival

Several enzymes involved in central carbon metabolism and gluconeogenesisplay a critical role in survival and pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). The only known functional fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) in Mtb is encoded by the glpX gene and belongs to the Class II sub-family of FBPase. We describe herein the generation of a ΔglpX strain using homologous recombination. Although the growth profile of ΔglpX is comparable to that of wild type Mtb when grown on the standard enrichment media, its growth is dysgonic with individual gluconeogenic substrates such as oleic acid, glycerol and acetate. In mice lung CFU titers of ΔglpX were 2–3 log10 lower than the wild-type Mtb strain. The results indicate that glpX gene encodes a functional FBPase and is essential for both in vitro and in vivo growth and survival of Mtb. Loss of glpX results in significant reduction of FBPase activity but not complete abolition. These findings verify that the glpX encoded FBPase II in Mtb can be a potential target for drug discovery.
In the Name of God, Amen: Language in Last Wills and Testaments

This Article undertakes a rhetorical analysis of the genre of Wills to uncover five characteristics of the genre of Wills.
An auditory colliculothalamocortical brain slice preparation in mouse.

Key questions about the thalamus are still unanswered in part because of the inability to stimulate its inputs while monitoring cortical output. To address this, we employed flavoprotein autofluore...
Nucleation and growth kinetics of analcime from precursor Na-clinoptilolite

The kinetics and mechanism of analcime formation from precursor Na-clinoptilolite (Cpt-Na) and Na-mordenite (Mor-Na) were investigated from 125–225 °C, pressures up to 34.5 MPa, and pH = 9.2–10.7. By using batch and flow-through experimental methodologies, compositions of solids and solutions were monitored to track reaction progress, determine rates of analcime nucleation and growth, and evaluate the rate dependency of these processes on aqueous supersaturation. Analcime formation proceeds via a clinoptilolite (or mordenite) dissolution→analcime nucleation→analcime growth sequence. Synthetic analcime crystals are similar in morphology (trapezohedron to cubic trapezohedron) and composition (Si/Al = 2.1–2.7) to sedimentary analcimes formed during the low-grade alteration of crustal rocks, evidence that the experimental reaction mechanism is similar to that in natural environments. Rates of analcime nucleation were approximated by evaluating the time-dependence of the size and number of particles and range between 109.80 and 1011.88 per h per cm3 at 150° and 225 °C, respectively. The nucleation rate is a function of temperature and degree of supersaturation: ln rate = 56.76 – 15978.9/ T + 2.99 × 10−4·Δ G r, where Δ G r is the free energy change of analcime precipitation and T is temperature in Kelvins. This rate equation is consistent with an apparent activation energy of analcime nucleation ( E a,n) of 132.8 ± 8.3 kJ/mol. Although conditions were thermodynamically favorable for analcime formation at 125 °C, nucleation was not detected after 144 hours. These data suggest that diagenetic timing of the clinoptilolite to analcime transformation is principally controlled by kinetics rather than by thermodynamic equilibrium. Rates of analcime growth were estimated by measuring particle size distributions. Average growth rates ranged from 0.15 μm/h at 150 °C to 0.396 μm/h at 225 °C, and are consistent with an apparent activation energy of analcime growth ( E a,g) of 77.1 ± 9.4 kJ/mol. These nucleation and growth parameters are combined to successfully model the evolution of analcime particle size distributions. The experimental methods developed in this study demonstrate the use of hydrothermal flow-through methods in the study of zeolite transformations.
Serum Levels of Interleukin-17 and Interluekin-8 in Children with Asthma and Their Relationship

Objective: To determine serum levels of interluekin-17(IL-17) and interluekin-8(IL-8) in children with asthma and analyze their relationship,and so as to explore the roles of IL-17 and IL-8 in immune pathogenesis of asthma.Methods: Serum levels of IL-17 and IL-8 in 50 asthma children and 30 healthy children were detected respectively with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The correlation of serum IL-17 with IL-8 were analyzed.Results: The serum levels of IL-17 and IL-8 in children with asthma(6.48,7.98 pg/ml,and 23.45,25.73 pg/ml) were higher than those of control group(5.95,5.54 pg/ml,and 22.94,5.41 pg/ml) respectively,and the differences were significant(t=2.156,P﹤0.05,and t=2.463,P﹤0.05).The linear analysis showed that there was no correlation between serum levels of IL-17 and IL-8 in children with asthma(P0.05).Conclusions: IL-17 and IL-8 may be involved in the immune pathogenesis of asthma in children.
Cerebrovascular occlusive disease in childhood.

It is clear that for many disorders involving the CNS in children, cerebrovascular occlusion with stroke or strokelike episodes may be an important part of their pathophysiology. In contrast to adults, no single entity is responsible for the majority of strokes in children. The incidence of childhood cerebrovascular occlusive disease is likely much higher than is recorded in the literature if one takes into account conditions in which vascular occlusion plays a significant but secondary role. In some disorders, the occlusive process is often produced by the therapy used to treat the underlying primary disorder (e.g., radiation injury) and often accounts for the greatest morbidity and mortality to the patient. Imaging plays an important role in the detection and follow-up of cerebrovascular occlusive disease in children. A better understanding by the radiologist of the full range of conditions that may be complicated by stroke is important if we are to play a role in early diagnosis and to help guide specific therapy aimed at preventing a recurrence of the event. Imaging has become complex; however, a combination of anatomic and functional imaging is essential in the appropriate workup and management of all children with cerebrovascular occlusive disease.
Effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol and bile acids on the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in Hep G2 cells

The effect of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-OH-cholesterol) and chenodeoxycholic (CDC) acid on apoprotein secretion, low-density lipoprotein receptor activity, and [3H]triacylglycerol secretion in Hep G2 cells was studied. Both 25-OH-cholesterol and CDC acid increased the secretion of apolipoprotein (apo) E by Hep G2 cells. The secretion of apo A-I was slightly lowered (less than 10% disease). The maximal increase in apo E secretion was observed in culture medium containing 2 micrograms of 25-OH-cholesterol/ml or 10 micrograms of CDC acid/ml plus 10% fetal calf serum. Cholesterol, 7-OH-cholesterol and other bile acids were ineffective in inducing increases in apo E secretion. Another cholesterol synthesis inhibitor, mevinolin, was also ineffective in generating an increase in apoprotein secretion. The data indicated a specific interaction between 25-OH-cholesterol or CDC acid and apo E secretion in Hep G2 cells. Cholesterol synthesis, as measured by the incorporation of [14C]acetic acid into sterols, was repressed in Hep G2 cells in the presence of 25-OH-cholesterol (17% of control value). CDC acid, on the other hand, increased [14C]acetic acid incorporation (156% of control value). The number of LDL receptors in Hep G2 cells was decreased after incubation with 25-OH-cholesterol (62% of control value), but increased significantly after incubation with CDC acid (149% of control value). The secretion of [3H]triacylglycerol by Hep G2 cells incubated with 25-OH-cholesterol was greatly increased (248% of control value). On the contrary, CDC acid did not cause any increase in [3H]triacylglycerol secretion. The above results suggest that 25-OH-cholesterol and CDC acid have different effects on lipid metabolism in Hep G2 cells. The mRNA levels of apo E increased in cells preincubated with 25-OH-cholesterol and CDC acid, which suggested that the increase in apo E secretion is at least partly due to an increase in synthesis.
Health in the Batey Libertad: a physician's impressions.

North American physicians and other health professionals, as well as those training for health care careers, are gaining unique experience in a remote comer of the Dominican Republic. At the same time, they are providing a wide range of services to people who are underserved or unserved by indigenous medical systems. Personal experiences—ome frustrating, some rewarding—re recounted.
Extraperitoneal Bladder Rupture Without Pelvic Fracture

We report 3 cases of extraperitoneal bladder rupture in the absence of pelvic girdle disruption. The existence of this injury suggests that a mechanism other than that classically described for an extraperitoneal rupture is present. An etiology analogous to an intraperitoneal bladder rupture is proposed. It is suggested that in some patients this alternative mechanism is responsible for the bladder injury even in the presence of a coexisting pelvic fracture.
Gestures and Kinesics

Kinesics is the study of body movement. This entry discusses some of the early work that provided a foundation for the study of kinesics, along with contemporary work that examines how kinesic behaviors express emotion and send relational messages related to intimacy and dominance in interpersonal interaction. Keywords: gestures; kinesics; nonverbal communication
Urban African American Adolescent Parents: Their Perceptions of Sex, Love, Intimacy, Pregnancy, and Parenting

This study examined the perceptions of twenty-two urban African American adolescent mothers and six adolescent fathers (across seven grade levels and a general education equivalency program) regarding sex, love, intimacy, pregnancy, and parenting. Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data. Demographic and personal history information was also obtained. Inductive data analysis using constant comparison methods was employed to identify patterns and themes within and across gender groups.
Optical and X-ray induced luminescence from Eu3+ doped La2Zr2O7 nanoparticles

Abstract Nanocrystalline complex oxide scintillators have emerged for use in X-ray and gamma-ray detection in recent years. Here the doping concentration dependence of europium-doped lanthanum zirconate (La2Zr2O7:xmol%Eu3+, x = 1 to 35) nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optically and X-ray excited luminescence. Spectroscopic methods revealed a gradual increase in disorder from the ordered pyrochlore structure to the defect fluorite structure as the Eu3+ concentration increases. They showed red luminescence under charge transfer band (258 nm), and Eu3+ 4f-4f bands (322, 394 and 465 nm) excitation with optical intensity dependent on the Eu3+ doping concentration and not quenching up to 5% Eu3+ doping concentration. The quantum yield of the red emission was found to depend on the Eu3+ doping concentration and excitation wavelength. Moreover, these La2Zr2O7:x%Eu3+ NPs demonstrated an atypical Eu3+ related scintillating response with a red emission under high-energy X-ray excitation with the scintillation intensity also depending on the Eu3+ doping concentration. Finally, the irradiation damage behavior induced by the excitation source was representatively examined for the La2Zr2O7:5%Eu3+ NPs. It is expected that the current study will pave the way for future research of nanoscintillators.
Library of radioisotope identifier spectra

We have measured spectra with good statistics from many common industrial and medical radioisotopes by using a variety of commercially available radioisotope identifiers and have assembled them into a comprehensive computer library. The identifiers used included the ORTEC Detective and ORTEC Detective EX, Target identiFINDER (LaBr 3 and NaI), SAIC Exploranium GR-135, and Thermo Electron Interceptor. A library of spectra is useful, for example, when an identifier algorithm is unable to correctly identify the isotope(s) present with high confidence, and manual analysis is therefore required. An identifier may not be able to correctly identify an isotope because of problems like unresolved peaks, pileup, backscatter peaks, Compton edges, and incorrect calibration, and we discuss and compare some of these features in specific identifiers. Sources in our library include 133Ba, 109Cd, 57Co, 60Co, 134Cs, 137Cs, 152Eu, 154Eu, 153Gd, 166mHo, 131I, 177mLu, 54Mn, 22Na, 226Ra, 113Sn, 228Th, 88Y, and 65Zn, but new sources and identifiers are continually added as they become available. The library contains measurement parameters such as the calibration parameters, run time, live time, source strength, and source-to-detector distance. Spectra are saved in the international standard format. SPE, which can be read by many commercial multichannel analyzer software programs. Spectra from the library can be visually compared with an unknown spectrum using these software programs to manually identify the radioisotope. This library of spectra is expected to become a valuable asset for the identifier community.
Facet Joint Violation During Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Placement: A Comparison of Two Techniques.

STUDY DESIGN A comparative study of facet joint violation (FJV) using two percutaneous surgical techniques. OBJECTIVE To compare the rate of iatrogenic FJV and medial pedicle wall breach between two methods of percutaneous pedicle screw instrumentation in the thoracic and lumbar spine. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Variable iatrogenic damage to the facet joints has been reported to occur with percutaneous pedicle screw techniques, compared with the open approach, which has been associated with adjacent segment disease. Technical variations of percutaneous pedicle screw placement may pose different risks to the facet joint. METHODS Attending spine surgeons percutaneously placed pedicle screws in seven human cadaveric spines from T2 to L5. At each level, screws were instrumented on one side using the 9 or 3 o'clock reference point of the pedicle on the posteroanterior view with a lateral-to-medial trajectory (LMT) and on the contralateral side using the center of the pedicle with an owl's eye trajectory (OET). Postoperative screw placement was assessed with computed tomography and then open cadaveric dissection. Outcome measures included FJV and medial pedicle wall breach. RESULTS Overall, 17 of 105 screws placed with an LMT versus 49 of 105 screws placed with an OET violated or abutted the facet joint (P <0.0001). This significant difference was observed at the thoracic (T2-T10), thoracolumbar (T11-L1), and lumbar (L2-L5) levels (P = 0.003, 0.035, and 0.018, respectively). Medial pedicle wall breach occurred with 11 LMT screws and seven OET screws (P = 0.077), and no breach was considered critical. CONCLUSION A significantly higher FJV rate was observed using the OET versus the LMT in the thoracic, thoracolumbar, and lumbar spine. No statistically significant differences in medial pedicle wall breach occurred between the techniques. Thus, the LMT of minimally invasive pedicle screw fixation may reduce iatrogenic damage to the facet joints. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Antecedents of Organizational Citizenship Behaviors: Examining the Incremental Validity of Self-Interest and Prosocial Motives:

Although research has established that self-interest and prosocial motives between benefactors and recipients increases organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs), less is known about the extent t...