cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Climate interacts with soil to produce beta diversity in Californian plant communities

Spatially distinct communities can arise through interactions and feedbacks between abiotic and biotic factors. We suggest that, for plants, patches of infertile soils such as serpentine may support more distinct communities from those in the surrounding non-serpentine matrix in regions where the climate is more productive (i.e., warmer and/or wetter). Where both soil fertility and climatic productivity are high, communities may be dominated by plants with fast-growing functional traits, whereas where either soils or climate impose low productivity, species with stress-tolerant functional traits may predominate. As a result, both species and functional composition may show higher dissimilarity between patch and matrix in productive climates. This pattern may be reinforced by positive feedbacks, in which higher plant growth under favorable climate and soil conditions leads to higher soil fertility, further enhancing plant growth. For 96 pairs of sites across a 200-km latitudinal gradient in California, we ...
Transmission electron microscopy of carbons for lithium intercalation

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a powerful tool which we are applying to study the microstructure of carbonaceous materials that are used as lithium-intercalation electrodes in lithium-ion cells. The results of our study on the relationship between the physicochemical properties of carbon, with strong emphasis on the microstructure observed by TEM, and their capability for electrochemical intercalation of lithium will be summarized. In addition, progress on the fabrication of a microcell for in situ TEM of lithium-intercalation in carbon will be discussed.
Who Proved Haag's Theorem?

In physics literature, there are several different characterizations of Haag's theorem and its consequences for quantum field theory. These different versions of Haag's theorem are due in part to various generalizations and more “rigorous” proofs of Haag's theorem as well as to the fact that many of these proofs were done using different formulations of quantum field theory. As a result, there is confusion about what Haag's theorem is and when it was proved. This paper clears up some of these confusions by examining the history and development of Haag's theorem up to 1959. It is argued that the question of who proved Haag's theorem is tied up with what the theorem is taken to show.
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS FOR ACUTE VERSUS CHRONIC VERTIGO

Optimal management of the dizzy patient depends on an accurate diagnosis and knowledge of medical, surgical, and rehabilitative options. Acute vertigo may represent labyrinthine dysfunction treated with medication or a more serious central nervous system process requiring prompt intervention to avoid long-term disability. Chronic vertigo, however, may require surgical or rehabilitative measures for lasting relief. This article outlines the rationale for treating both groups with a variety of therapeutic options.
Contact charging between surfaces of identical insulating materials in asymmetric geometries

Abstract The charging that occurs when a pair of insulating surfaces of identical chemical composition are rubbed (i.e. triboelectric charging) remains poorly understood. It is believed that asymmetry in contact plays an important role in this charging. To study this phenomenon, we have developed an experimental methodology that asymmetrically rubs two surfaces by contacting a rotating cylinder with a stationary cylinder – the rubbing is asymmetric in that the contacting area is much greater on the rotating cylinder than on the stationary cylinder. We find that the charge transfer occurs with a spatial distribution of charge, in terms of magnitude and polarity, on the contacted area. The direction of the average charge transfer is material dependent: for Teflon–Teflon contact, the surface with the larger contacting area charges positively, but for Nylon–Nylon contact the surface with the larger contacting area charges negatively. This difference is interpreted as being due to a negatively-charged species transferred in the case of Teflon (electrons or negative ions), but a positively-charged species transferred in the case of Nylon (positive ions).
SDFlex: A Framework for the Assessment and Construction of Sustainable Flexible Pavements

Abstract There is a growing recognition that highway construction and maintenance have major environmental impacts. Despite the lack of a clear protocol for designing and constructing an environmen...
Estimating diffusion coefficients for small molecules in polymers and polymer solutions

The diffusion coefficient for small molecules (solvent or monomer) through polymer solutions in the vicinity of the glass transition are known to change by as much as six orders of magnitude with only a small change in polymer concentration. Experimental measurements are difficult in this region and consequently there are data for only a limited number of systems. A rather simple method to estimate these diffusion coefficients for the rubbery, glass transition, and glassy regions as a function of polymer concentration and application temperature is presented. While the method is empirical in nature, it is based on carefully executed experimental studies, sound scaling laws, and agrees extremely well with free volume theories in the rubbery region. The method only requires a knowledge of the pure polymer glass transition temperature in order to estimate the diffusivity of molecules like styrenic and acrylic monomers (molecular weight of approximately 100 g/mol) at any polymer concentration and for temperatures above and below the polymer glass point.
Lack of clinical long-term benefit with the use of a drug eluting stent compared to use of a bare metal stent in saphenous vein grafts.

Background: Small randomized trials have shown short-term improved outcome with drug-eluting stents (DES) over bare metal stent (BMS) in saphenous vein graft (SVG) interventions by reducing in-stent restenosis and target vessel revascularization (TVR). It is not clear, however, if these benefits are maintained long term. The aim of this study is to compare the outcome in a larger cohort of patients undergoing SVG stent implantation with DES or BMS, at 2 years. Methods: From among 250 patients who underwent SVG stenting, 225 patients with available follow-up were selected from data bases at the three participating institutions. One-hundred-six patients had DES (sirolimus, paclitaxel or tacrolimus eluting stent) and 119 patients had any available BMS from April 2002 to December 2006. The primary endpoint was MACE rate, a combination of cardiac death, S-T elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and target lesion revascularization. Secondary end points were the individual components of the primary endpoint. Follow-up was obtained by mailed interviews or telephone calls and review of the hospital chart. Results: The DES and BMS groups had similar age (71 ± 8 years vs. 70 ± 7 years, P = 1.0), diabetes (45% vs. 36%, P = 0.3), history of MI (58% vs. 51%, P = 0.6), EF (44% vs. 47%, P = 0.2) and previous PCI (40% vs. 35%, P = 0.4). Reference vessel diameter (3.15 ± 0.5 mm vs. 3.5 ± 0.5 mm. P = 0.001) and stent size (3.3 ± 0.4 mm vs. 3.9 ± 0.5 mm, P = 0.001) were smaller in the DES group; however, the BMS were longer (24 ± 10 mm vs. 21 ± 6 mm, P = 0.05). At one year there was a trend (P = 0.1) for lower MACE rate in the DES group, but at two years there was no difference in MACE free survival between the DES and BMS groups (81 % vs. 82%, P = 0.9). The death rate was similar (6% each) with three patients having STEMI (two in the DES and one in the BMS). TVR was also similar (14% in each group). Conclusion: In patients undergoing treatment of SVG disease with a stent, the marginal benefit of DES seen at 1 year was lost at 2-year follow-up. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Thiol adsorption on metal oxides: an approach for selective deposition on zinc oxide nanoparticles

We have previously discovered a novel, facile approach to encapsulate ZnO nanorods within thiol complexes. This approach results in a thiol uptake of 30-40% and a 400-500 nm thick thiol-Zn-thiol complex encapsulation layer surrounding ZnO nanorods. By controlling experimental parameters, it is possible to control the thiol deposition, enabling less uptake, which results in a surface monolayer instead of encapsulation. Through this approach, thiol modification of other metal oxide materials, namely TiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , and MgO, has been attempted. FTIR analysis indicates that thiol adsorption occurs only on ZnO; chemisorption of thiols on other nanoparticles is not evident. Ultrahigh vacuum single crystal adsorption studies demonstrate that ZnO(0001) is also more susceptible to thiol monolayer formation, as evidenced by lack of methanethiol adsorption on TiO 2 (110) and MgO(0001). These results indicate that the facile thiol modification approach opens a new avenue for surface modification of multi-component metal oxide materials by enabling selective thiol modification of ZnO. This work has potential applicability for creating multiple ligand-functionalized materials, which could be useful for the design of novel multiplexing sensors and photovoltaics.
Measurement of Health Outcomes: Reliability, Validity and Responsiveness

ABSTRACTWe measure health outcomes to help us make decisions about managing our patients. Outcome measures help us predict which patients will benefit most from a particular intervention and to document whether the patient improves after the intervention is provided. There is a wide range of importa
Reversible H2 storage using a SAPO-34 zeolite layer

Abstract A SAPO-34 zeolite membrane was made essentially impermeable to high-pressure hydrogen at room temperature by adsorbing methanol in the SAPO-34 layer. Hydrogen permeance decreased three orders of magnitude when the methanol feed activity was ∼0.1, and it decreased more than six orders of magnitude when the methanol feed activity was higher than 0.85 at 293 K. The hydrogen permeance at 293 K was below ∼10 −14 mol/m 2 s Pa for at least five days for a H 2 feed pressure of 6.6 MPa. At higher temperatures, methanol desorbed and the H 2 flux increased. The hydrogen permeance could be controlled by the activity of the methanol on the feed side. These results demonstrate that the SAPO-34 membrane had low fluxes through defects, and H 2 flow through these defects was blocked by capillary condensation of methanol at high methanol activities.
Sequence analysis of polypeptides by collision activated dissociation on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer

A new approach to the direct sequencing of oligopeptides in complex mixtures is described. Mixtures of [2H0]/[2H3]-N-acetylated and N, O-permethylated peptides are analyzed by collision activated dissociation on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using isobutane chemical ionization. Analysis of the collision activated dissociation spectra enables peptide sequences to be deduced. Use of electron capture negative chemical ionization for the sequence analysis of neuropeptides at the picomole level is also described.
Interaction between iridium and platinum precursors in the preparation of iridium—platinum catalysts

Abstract Monometallic catalysts (Pt/Al2O3, Ir/Al2O3) and bimetallic catalysts (Pt-Ir/Al2O3) have been prepared by incipient wetness and wet impregnation procedures. The metal concentration and the pH of the impregnation solution effect the extent of adsorption of catalytic precursors during wet impregnation. At low weight loadings, the adsorption of individual components from the co-impregnation solution can be modeled by considering their individual adsorption behavior from monometallic electrolytes. Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) signatures for catalysts prepared by each method were obtained to assess the impact of preparation method on the reducibility of metallic precursors. Catalysts prepared by incipient wetness show a simple reduction feature whose peak temperature corresponds to neither that of platinum nor iridium. On the other hand, catalysts prepared by wet impregnation show two reduction features. The low-temperature peak has a maximum that coincides with that obtained from catalysts prepared by incipient wetness; the high-temperature peak has a maximum that coincides with that found for reduction of Ir/Al2O3. It is proposed that the spatial template of precursors developed during catalyst preparation is consistent with the TPR results.
Deterability by age

Abstract The most effective use of law enforcement resources for reducing crime has generated significant attention across law enforcement agencies, federal, state, and local decision-making committees as well as many academic disciplines. One of the more spirited discussions revolves around law enforcement agents targeting criminal activity based on a suspect's race and age. While racial profiling has received considerable attention, discussions about age-based patrolling and age-graded penalties have received much less attention. In the current analysis, we test the response, by age, of speeding on roadways (a crime that is often considered to be linked to age) to decreases in the probability of being apprehended. We find that all drivers appear to quasi-uniformly increase their speed in response to the reduced chance of being apprehended. Additionally, more egregious and seasoned offenders tend to be more responsive to fluctuations in law enforcement presence.
Attalea crassispatha, a rare and endemic Haitian palm

The taxonomic history of the poorly known Haitian endemic palmAttalea crassispatha is given. Morphology and pollen morphology are described and illustrated. A discussion is given concerning its position within the Attaleinae. In particular, staminate flower morphology of the subtribe is discussed.
Size-dependent electron chemical potential: Effect on particle charging

Abstract Electrostatic charging of particles of identical composition, but different sizes, is a poorly understood phenomenon that may be of importance in dust storms, generation of lightning, numerous technological applications involving solid particulates, and in the agglomeration of lunar dust and inter-stellar dust clouds. We show that under optical excitation, the relative magnitude of surface to volume de-excitation gives size-dependent electron and hole concentrations. The consequent differences in chemical potentials can lead to charge transfer between particles of different size. The direction of charge transfer, from large to small or vice versa, depends critically on the properties of the materials.
Relative Perioperative Bradycardia Does Not Lead to Adverse Outcomes After Cardiac Transplantation

Since the effects of bradycardia after cardiac transplantation are not known, we tested the hypothesis that perioperative bradycardia would lead to an increase in adverse outcomes after cardiac transplantation. We conducted a retrospective case control study with inclusion criterion of a heart rate (HR) less than 80 bpm during the 1st week after transplantation. Control patients were matched for gender, age and time since transplantation. We identified 34 patients as having perioperative bradycardia out of the 174 who underwent cardiac transplantation between 1994 and 1997. The results demonstrated no significant differences in donor ischemic times (180 vs. 183, p = 0.88), operative surgeon (p = 0.62) or pretransplant cardiac disease (p = 0.81) between groups. Bradycardic patients were more likely to be on pretransplant amiodarone (RR = 20.4, p < 0.001). Perioperative bradycardia did not lead to increases in cellular rejection (p = 0.72) or vasculopathy (p = 0.79). The patients prescribed pretransplant amiodarone (n = 14) had a trend toward delayed time to first rejection episode (31.0 vs. 15.5 days, median, p = 0.07). In conclusion, perioperative bradycardia does not increase adverse outcomes after cardiac transplantation and is associated with pretransplant use of amiodarone. Amiodarone may modify the recipients' immune response by delaying the occurrence of rejection.
Physical properties and hydrolysis kinetics of (μ-oxo)bis [tris(2pyridylmethyl)aminechromium(III)] dimers with complementary sulfate or molybdate bridging ligands

Abstract The complexes [(tmpa)Cr(μ-O)(μ-EO 4 )Cr(tmpa)](ClO 4 ) 2 · n H 2 O (E = S, n = 1; E = Mo, n = 0; tmpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) have been prepared through the displacement of water from [Cr(tmpa)(OH)]2(ClO 4 ) 4 · 4H 2 O by the tetrahedral oxyanions in CH 3 CN solution. Electronic spectra, asymmetric CrOCr stretching frequencies, half-wave Cr(III,IV/III,III) reduction potentials and 1 H NMR features of the O 2− , SO 4 2− and O 2− , MoO 4 2− -bridged dimers are essentially identical to those of [Cr(tmpa)CI] 2 O 2+ , consistent with structures having near-linear CrOCr bridging units and symmetric tmpa chelation placing both apical nitrogen atoms trans to oxyanion oxygen atoms. The title complexes undergo biphasic hydrolysis reactions in the pH 4.80–7.80 interval. The fast phase rate exhibits no pH dependence, while k slow increases with pH in a way that suggests the presence of both protonated and deprotonated reactant species. Since these findings mirror those reported previously for [Cr(tmpa)CI] 2 O 2+ hydrolysis, we propose a closely related mechanism featuring H 2 O-induced ring-opening of the bridging EO 4 2− group in the first step ( k fast ) followed by loss of EO 4 2− from two intermediates, [(EO 4 )(tmpa)CrOCr(tmpa)(H 2 O)] 2+ ( k a ) and [(EO 4 )(tmpa)CrOCr(tmpa)(OH)] + ( k b ), related by a rapid ionization equilibrium ( K a ). Reported k fast , k a , k b and p K a parameters (25.0°C, I = 0.1 M) are 1.7 × 10 −1 , 6.8 × 10 −3 , 7.98 × 10 −2 s −1 , 6.66 (SO 4 2− ) and 1.6 × 10 −1 , 6.4 × 10 −3 , 8.01 × 10 −2 s −1 , 6.76 (MoO 4 2− ), respectively. Our findings for both fast and slow steps in the hydrolysis of Cl − , SO 4 2− and MoO 4 2− are consistent with a pathway in which bond-making to the incoming water ligand and bond-breaking is promoted specifically by a cis -labilizing influence of the oxo bridge.
Electric and electrophoretic inversion of the DNA charge in multivalent electrolytes

Counterion-induced inversion of the DNA charge was characterized through extensive molecular dynamics simulations. We observed reversal of the DNA motion in an external electric field upon increasing the concentration of trivalent or quadrivalent counterions. In the case of a divalent electrolyte, inversion of the DNA's electric charge was observed at high concentrations of the electrolyte but not reversal of the DNA' electrophoretic motion. We demonstrate that inversion of the DNA's electrophoretic mobility results from a complex interplay of electrostatics and hydrodynamics.
Qualification Strategy for FAST-Pipe™ for High Pressure Gas Pipelines

Because major reserves for natural gas are often remotely located from potential market, its transportation requires larger diameter pipes operating at high pressures. In order to reduce cost, high strength steels (≥ X80) have been advanced to reduce the wall thickness of the pipeline and thus lower materials, transportation and construction costs. However, producing large diameter high pressure pipelines of these steels creates significant challenges that can only be met by very few steel suppliers. This paper presents the qualification results of an alternative technology that will reduce cost even more than high strength steels while using conventional steel such as X70. This technology, which is designated as Fiber Augmented Steel Technology Pipe (FAST-Pipe™), involves hoop winding dry glass fibers over conventional steel pipes (e.g. X70) to provide the required high pressure capacity. The steel thickness is selected to mainly satisfy axial and bending load requirements. Following a proof-of-concept of the FAST-Pipe™, a detailed qualification program was developed based on a decision and risk analysis strategy that incorporates key elements of the industry technology qualification guidelines (DNV RP A203 and API 17N). The qualification program involved addressing fifteen design, construction and operational parameters. The paper presents the FAST-Pipe™ concept, discusses its advantages and summarizes the results of its qualification program.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Environmental and water decision-making in a changing climate

Understanding and responding to the impacts of climate variability and change on water and environmental systems requires analysis, modeling methodologies, and tools that accommodate incomplete knowledge and uncertainty that themselves evolve over time. The broad scope of this problem necessitates a multidimensional dialogue among research and policy groups that span disciplinary boundaries. Integration of this knowledge is required to develop adaptive capacity (i.e., necessary knowledge, preparedness, and reliable decision-making capacity to act by all partners in the information chain) and resilience. In this context, resilience can be taken to mean the degree to which the environmental system can absorb both abrupt and gradual changes and build capacity for learning and adaptation.
Multiple Myeloma: The Role of Transplant and Novel Treatment Strategies

Multiple myeloma will be diagnosed in over 14,000 new patients over the next year. While myeloma is rarely curable, recent advances have improved the care and outlook for most patients. Recent progress has been made on the molecular characterization of myeloma, cytogenetics, prognosis, and supportive care. Randomized trials have proven the efficacy of high-dose therapy supported by autologous transplantation. Reduced-intensity allogeneic transplantation, associated with much less morbidity and mortality than standard myeloablative transplantation, can now be offered to more myeloma patients. And finally, a greater understanding of the pathophysiology of myeloma development and progression, growth, and survival have led to the development and clinical use of several novel therapeutics. This review will discuss recent improvements in therapies for myeloma focusing on transplantation and novel targeted therapies.
The Health Care Proxy and the Living Will

American medicine is awash in forms: insurance forms, disability forms, informed-consent forms, and forms for various examinations, to name just a few. Forms can help make the practice of medicine ...
Cat heart acetylcholine: Unilateral vagotomy studies with pyrolysis-mass fragmentography

Abstract The distribution of acetylcholine (ACh) in the cat heart was investigated by pyrolysis-gas chromatography (PGC) and pyrolysis-mass fragmentography (PMF) techniques. The hearts were dissected into various regions and homogenized in the presence of butyrycholine (or propionylcholine) as internal standard. The choline esters were isolated and analyzed by PGC or by PMF (at m/e 58). A pattern of distribution for ACh was found to be the same as I have previously described (1,2). Some cats were subjected to either a right or a left unilateral cervical vagotomy 4 weeks before removal and analysis of heart tissue. Hearts from unilateral (right or left) vagotomized cats did not differ from controls in the ACh content of any heart area examined. These results are consistent with the idea that intact parasympathetic neurons may compensate for the denervation following unilateral vagotomy.
C2 Swan band laser-induced fluorescence and chemiluminescence in low-pressure hydrocarbon flames

Abstract Laser-induced fluorescence from the excitation of the C2(d-a) 2 , 0 band at 438 nm is used to determine spatial profiles and relative lower state concentrations in several low-pressure hydrocarbon–air premixed flames, to determine the fuel-rich flame kinetics. Quenching loss rate constants are derived from the measured fluorescence decay rates. Quantitative Swan band chemiluminescence intensities, coupled with computer modeling of the flame kinetics and excited state loss rates, lead to recommended values of rate constants for the excited C 2 ( d ) -state chemiluminescence production kinetics.
A Method for Selective Deposition of Copper Nanoparticles on Silicon Surfaces

A one-step process for copper nanopatterning on a silicon surface is reported. The patterns were formed by selective copper electroless deposition from a diluted HF/Cu 2+ solution on defect sites on the silicon surfaces introduced by nanomechanical scratching. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses show that copper particles were deposited preferentially on well-defined defect sites with high selectivity. The experiment demonstrated here shows a new one-step approach for metallic nanopatterning formation on a silicon surface.
Diffusion Profile of Human Insulin Through Polycarbonate Membrane

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the diffusion of human insulin through polycarbonate membrane, a common mechanical support used in cell culture studies. The pore size of the polycarbonate membranes, the presence of collagen on the surface of the membrane, and the pH of the medium affected the diffusion of insulin through the membrane. Minimum diffusion occured at pH near the isoelectric point of insulin (5.3). The larger the pore size of the polycarbonate membrane the higher the amount diffused. The transfer rate of insulin was slower when membranes were coated with collagen.
Evaluation of alternative alloys to type III gold for use in fixed prosthodontics

Alternative alloys to type III gold were evaluated for use in fixed prosthodontics. Full and three-quarter crowns made from various base metal alloys were ranked in terms of casting fit by a team of ten judges. Nonprecious metal castings were judged inferior to castings made from precious and semiprecious alloys.
Chromium and cattle nutrition

Until recently, practical diets fed to cattle were assumed to provide sufficient chromium to meet requirements. Recent research now suggests that in some situations practical diets may not contain adequate chromium to maximize certain biological processes in ruminants. Supplementation of chromium has increased blood glucose clearance rates following intravenous infusions of glucose and/or insulin in some studies with calves. However, one experiment with lactating cows indicated that supplemental chromium decreased sensitivity to insulin. Differences in responses may reflect the energy balance of the animal. Early in lactation, cows are in a negative energy balance, whereas growing calves are in a positive energy balance. Supplemental chromium has increased milk production in first lactation cows. Gain and feed efficiency have been increased by supplementation of chromium in some experiments, but not in others. Lipid metabolism also has been affected by supplemental chromium. Lower concentrations of blood ketone bodies have been observed in cows supplemented with chromium. Chromium supplementation has not altered backfat thickness or increased lean composition of beef carcasses. Several forms of supplemental chromium have been investigated in cattle diets, including chromium nicotinic acid complex, chromium tripicolinate, high chromium yeast, amino acid-chelated chromium, and chromium chloride. Responses have varied between sources in the few studies where different supplemental sources have been compared. Presently, no supplemental chromium sources are approved for addition to cattle diets. One problem is that little is known regarding the bioavailability of chromium in feeds commonly used in cattle diets. Further research is needed to determine when supplementation of chromium will impact cattle performance. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 12:141–147, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Potential temperature, oxygen and circulation of bottom water in the Southern Ocean*

Abstract The circulation of bottom and near-bottom water can be determined in a qualitative manner by inspecting parameter distributions. Bottom potential temperature and oxygen (which show a definite relation in the t p -O 2 diagram) are very useful for this purpose in the portion of the Southern Ocean dealt with in this paper (20°W westward to 170°W and south of 50°S). Observations used are deeper than 3000 m and within 300 m of the bottom. There are two areas of cold water ( A cold-water tongue in the Bellingshausen Basin is bounded by a band of warm water on its northwest and northeast sides. It is probable that this loop of warm water represents a strong bottom current from the southwest Pacific Basin which overflows the East-Pacific Ridge in the vicinity of a fracture zone. The flow within the cold-water tongue is moderate in its southwestern sections and weak in the southeast. Bottom photographic current evidence is in agreement with the circulation patterns as found from the potential temperature and oxygen distributions. The circulation found by relating the parameter distribution to velocity field is only in relative terms. Direct current measurements are needed to determine volume transport.
Widespread Alterations of α-Synuclein in Multiple System Atrophy

Glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCI) are the hallmark of multiple system atrophy (MSA), a rare movement disorder frequently associated with autonomic dysfunction. In this study of 21 cases of MSA, GCI were consistently immunoreactive for α-synuclein and double-immunostained for ubiquitin and oligodendroglial markers, but not glial fibrillary acidic protein. No statistically significant difference was found in the density of GCI in various brain regions in the two forms of MSA, striatonigral degeneration (SND) and olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA). Postmortem brain samples from 9 cases of MSA were fractionated according to solubility in buffer, Triton-X 100, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and formic acid, and α-synuclein immunoreactivity was measured in Western blots. Total α-synuclein immunoreactivity was increased in MSA compared to controls, with no statistically significant difference between SND and OPCA. Most of the increase was due to α-synuclein in SDS fractions. In controls this fraction had little or no immunoreactivity. In 7 cases and 4 controls correlations were investigated between quantitative neuropathology and biochemical properties of α-synuclein. Surprisingly, the amount of SDS-soluble α-synuclein correlated poorly with the number of GCI in adjacent sections. Furthermore, areas with few or no GCI unexpectedly had abundant SDS-soluble α-synuclein. These findings provide evidence that modifications of α-synuclein in MSA may be more widespread than obvious histopathology. Moreover, these alterations may constitute a biochemical signature for the synucleinopathies.
Mode Choice, Transport Pricing, and Urban Form

The paper examines, within the framework of the standard von Thunen type model with no congestion, the market equilibrium urban form under a regime of commuters who use both the auto and the transit modes, but with no transfers, for their journey to work. There is an extension, however, in that households are assumed to be operating under both an income constraint and a time constraint. The rent and density gradients are obtained in closed forms.Comparative statics are performed, and some policies regarding parking fees, pricing, and investment in the two modes are tested. It is shown that the city may consist of three rings, where the residential location of the user of one mode is split by the residences of the users of the second mode.
National leadership for children and youth with serious emotional disturbance: Progress and prospects

Despite the federal mandate to identify and provide appropriate educational and related services to children and youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED), the national profile portrays exceptionally low rates of identification; unacceptably low rates of school completion; high rates of placement in segregated environments; evidence that economic and demographic factors substantially affect identification, placement, and school completion; and a mixed, although mostly discouraging picture of outcomes after leaving the educational system. Recent national leadership, comprised of strategic planning, research, and demonstration initiatives has attained considerable momentum and is intended to improve outcomes for children with SED. Significant changes are anticipated as a result of the upcoming reauthorization of the statute governing special education and related services. These changes reflect a 20 year perspective regarding the benefits and shortcomings of current eligibility criteria and discretionary initiatives for improving outcomes for children with disabilities. The manner in which these changes may affect prospects for better serving children with SED is discussed.
Patterson distributions and native protein crystallography.

MEGAMOLECULAR crystals such as the crystals of native proteins confront X-ray crystallography with a new situation, since the structure of the molecules is unknown. We suggest that a systematic study of what may be called the language of structure factors may be a useful, even a necessary, preliminary to the interpretation of the intensity maps of crystals containing megamolecules of unknown structure. A preliminary study of this nature has therefore been undertaken1. The purpose of this note is to describe one by-product of this work which may be of interest in view of the great prominence given to the Patterson diagrams of protein crystals, namely, a method of evaluating the Patterson distribution of a given distribution.
Effects of warning signals and fixation point offsets on the latencies of pro- versus antisaccades: implications for an interpretation of the gap effect

The present study was designed to evaluate whether fixation point offsets have the same effects on the average latencies of prosaccades (responses towards target) and antisaccades (responses away from target). Gap and overlap conditions were run with and without an acoustic warning signal. The ‘gap effect’ was taken to be the difference in mean reaction time between gap and overlap trials. This effect was dramatically reduced by the presentation of the warning signal. Without this signal, fixation offsets can serve as warning signals themselves, which artifactually inflates the magnitude of the gap effect. The warning effect of fixation offsets was equivalent for pro and antisaccades. A significant gap effect is still evident with the acoustic warning signal; however, in this case it is associated primarily with prosaccades. These results replicate and extend our previous work demonstrating that, if their warning effects are controlled, the facilitatory effects of fixation point offsets are response dependent, and suggesting the existence of a component process (fixation release) which is closely linked with the processing architecture underlying target-directed saccades.
The transport, biosynthesis and biochemical actions of taurine in a genetic epilepsy.

Abstract We have investigated the transport, biosynthesis and turnover of taurine in genetically seizure-susceptible (SS) and seizure-resistant (SR) rats. In SS rats, the rate of taurine uptake into the brain was half the rate in SR rats. As no difference was found in biosynthesis of taurine, these results imply a slower turnover of taurine in SS brain. The effect of taurine on the decarboxylation of glutamate in brain homogenates was determined. In homogenates of SR brains, taurine had no effect but in SS preparations taurine increased the rate of decarboxylation by 20%. Increased decarboxylation of glutamate may be one basis for the prolonged anticonvulsant action of taurine in the SS rat.
Managing the Left Atrial Appendage in the Era of Minimally Invasive Surgery

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice with greater than 2.2 million people in the United States being affected. Oral anticoagulant therapy has been used to reduce risk of stroke in patients with nonvalvular AF who are at a high risk of thromboembolism. Alternative treatment strategies to prevent thromboembolism have been tested in patients with AF. This article examines the history of left atrial appendage occlusion and the efficacy of the various surgical techniques and provides a brief overview of the minimally invasive surgical strategy adopted to manage the left atrial appendage.
Structure of a Herpesvirus-Encoded Cysteine Protease Reveals a Unique Class of Deubiquitinating Enzymes

All members of the herpesviridae contain within their large tegument protein a cysteine protease module that displays deubiquitinating activity. We report the crystal structure of the cysteine protease domain of murine cytomegalovirus M48 (M48(USP)) in a complex with a ubiquitin (Ub)-based suicide substrate. M48(USP) adopts a papain-like fold, with the active-site cysteine forming a thioether linkage to the suicide substrate. The Ub core participates in an extensive hydrophobic interaction with an exposed beta hairpin loop of M48(USP). This Ub binding mode contributes to Ub specificity and is distinct from that observed in other deubiquitinating enzymes. Both the arrangement of active-site residues and the architecture of the interface with Ub lead us to classify this domain as the founding member of a previously unknown class of deubiquitinating enzymes.
Ultrastructure of Axial Vascular and Coelomic Organs in Comasterid Featherstars (Echinodermata: Crinoidea)

Abstract The spongy body of Davidaster rubiginosa, D. discoidea, and Comactinia meridionalis, is an axial haemal plexus consisting of two structurally similar, but positionally distinct, regions: an oral circumesophageal part and an aboral part which lies lateral to the axial organ. The axial organ is a large axial blood vessel which is infiltrated by hollow cellular tubes lined with monociliated epithelial cells. The spongy body plexus is a tangle of small blood vessels overlain by podocytes and myocytes. The spongy body and the axial organ are situated in the axial coelom, which is confluent with the perivisceral coelom, the water vascular system, and the parietal canals. The parietal canals open to the exterior via ciliated tegmenal ducts and surface pores. The crinoid spongy body is morphologically similar to the axial gland of asteroids, ophiuroids, and echinoids (AOE). Although the axial glands of these three classes of echinoderms are mutually homologous structures, the homology of the crinoid spongy body and the AOE axial gland is questionable because of differences in organization and developmental origin. Alternatively, the crinoid spongy body may be homologous to asteroid gastric haemal tufts, which are podocyte-covered blood vessels suspended in the perivisceral coelom. The functional organization of the spongy body suggests a filtration nephridium and predicts an excretory function. An alternative hypothesis is that the spongy body is a site of nutrient transfer from the blood vascular system to the perivisceral coelom.
Neural network for image segmentation

Image analysis is an important requirement of many artificial intelligence systems. Though great effort has been devoted to inventing efficient algorithms for image analysis, there is still much work to be done. It is natural to turn to mammalian vision systems for guidance because they are the best known performers of visual tasks. The pulse- coupled neural network (PCNN) model of the cat visual cortex has proven to have interesting properties for image processing. This article describes the PCNN application to the processing of images of heterogeneous materials; specifically PCNN is applied to image denoising and image segmentation. Our results show that PCNNs do well at segmentation if we perform image smoothing prior to segmentation. We use PCNN for obth smoothing and segmentation. Combining smoothing and segmentation enable us to eliminate PCNN sensitivity to the setting of the various PCNN parameters whose optimal selection can be difficult and can vary even for the same problem. This approach makes image processing based on PCNN more automatic in our application and also results in better segmentation.
Cellular interactions: scanning electron microscopy of human thymus-derived rosette-forming lymphocytes.

Abstract Scanning electron microscopy was used to study morphologic features of the surface of human T-lymphocytes which were incubated with sheep red blood cells without antibody or complement and then separated into rosette forming cells and nonrosette forming cells. Microvilli, 1800–2300 A in diameter and of variable length, were demonstrated on the surface of all lymphocytes. Microvilli formed the attachment with sheep red blood cells suggesting that the receptor sites for this interaction are located on the microvilli. Microvilli on some rosette forming lymphocytes were unequally distributed with the higher density being adjacent to the red blood cells. Rosette forming cells had far more microvilli than did nonrosette forming cells.
Comparison of techniques for modeling uncertainty in a signal detection task

A simulation study was performed to compare the performances of signal detection models based on Bayesian, Dempster-Shafer, and fuzzy set theories. The models combined two different parameters calculated from each waveform. The models were applied to a set of brainstem auditory evoked potential waveforms, and the effects of errors in estimates of waveform parameters were evaluated. With correct parameter estimates, all the models gave similar classification results, and the nonBayesian detectors were able to provide good estimates of the Bayesian log likelihood ratio. The nonBayesian detectors were more robust than the Bayesian detector when parameter statistics were in error. While the generality of these results is limited because of the structured nature of the simulation, they give empirical support to the validity of nonBayesian methods to combine evidence in situations in which Bayesian methods are not appropriate. >
Ethnic media, community media and participatory culture

Several recent studies document the rapid growth and success of ethnic or minority media in, for example, North America and Western Europe. Scholars in the field tend to attribute this trend as an ...
Fuzzy function learning with covariance ellipsoids

It is shown how first- and second-order statistics can estimate fuzzy rules and sets from input-output data. The fuzzy system approximates the function by covering its graph with fuzzy patches in the input-output state space. The neural quantizer system uses unsupervised competitive learning to estimate the local centroids and covariances of pattern classes. The covariance matrix of each random quantization vector defines an ellipsoid around the centroid of the pattern class. The ellipsoids define fuzzy patches or rules that cover the graph of the function. Regions of sparse data give rise to large ellipsoids or less certain rules. The approximation error falls as the number of patches grows. Ellipsoidal covariance learning estimates the control surface for a car velocity controller. >
Carnivalesque Protest and the Humorless State

Despite the long and generally humorless history of statecraft, institutional forms of oppression have periodically been defeated, transformed, or at least temporarily checked by carnivalesque forms of public protest. After reviewing the political features of carnival and the carnivalesque, along with several historical and contemporary examples of carnivalesque political performances, this essay explores the possibilities for progressive public transgression and the interrelationships among carnivalesque protest, critical democratic citizenship, and state health.
Status Review of California2s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) 2011- August 2012

Author(s): Yeh, Sonia; Witcover, Julie | Abstract: California’s low-carbon fuel market is growing.nRegulated parties in the State’s LCFS exceeded the requirements for 2011 and Q1 of 2012 by a substantial margin.nBased on available data, average compliance cost in August 2012 is $13/MT CO2e, adding about 0.1 cents per gallon to the production cost of gasoline. Summer drought increased costs of corn ethanol, but the full impact of the drought on CA-LCFS compliance and compliance costs will not be known for some time.We find that regulated parties in the California LCFS (CA-LCFS) exceeded the standard in 2011 and the first quarter (Q1) of 2012 by a substantial margin. Companies achieve compliance when credits equal deficits. Regulated parties generated 1.58 million credits (metric tonnes CO2e reduction) in the first 15 months, nearly double the amount of deficits (0.78 million), for a net surplus of 0.80 million credits to exceed the required reduction level by about 0.8 million metric tonnes CO2e. Companies relied on ethanol to generate 86% of the credits. The CI of ethanol fuels used to generate CA-LCFS credits in 2011 and first quarter of 2012 averaged around 84 gCO2e/MJ, compared to baseline values of 95.6 for gasoline.Because no central trading mechanism exists, we used available information on actual trades, bids, and offers in August 2012 to estimate that CA-LCFS carbon credits were valued at $10-18/metric tonne (MT) CO2e, with an average of $13/MT CO2e. At this price ($13/MT CO2e) and given the 2012 requirement of 0.5% CI reduction, companies who choose to meet their obligation purely by purchasing CA-LCFS credits for compliance would incur an added cost of about 0.1 cents per gallon of gasoline produced.The special topic addressed in this review is the effect of the 2012 U.S. summer drought. We find that poor yields due to extreme drought in the Midwestern U.S. raised corn prices about 60% from mid-June through August, causing ethanol prices to rise about 60 cents per gallon. The actual impacts of the drought on this year’s CA-LCFS compliance and on other food/fuel prices are not yet clear. Even with current higher corn prices, corn ethanol is still less expensive than gasoline on a per gallon basis and considerable amounts are being exported. Given that companies have until March 31, 2013 to acquire additional credits to meet 2012 compliance requirements, and corn and sugarcane ethanol markets are still adjusting to the drought's effects, it is too soon to gauge the drought’s overall impact on CA-LCFS compliance and compliance cost.We will continue periodic publication of the LCFS Status Review and provide in-depth analysis on critical issues associated with the performance of the CA-LCFS as more data become available.
Chronicity in Mental Illness: Does “Nursing Core” Maintain It?

Sometimes I ain't so sho who's got ere a right to say when a man is crazy and when he ain't. Sometimes I think it ain't none of us pure crazy and ain't none of us pure sane until the balance of us talks him that-a-way. It's like it ain't so much what a fellow does but it's the way the majority of folks is looking at him when he does it.
Xylene isomerization and disproportionation over lanthanum Y catalyst

Abstract Xylenes have been converted using a LaY zeolite catalyst at a temperature, 350 °C, where transalkylation, as well as isomerization, occurs. The relative rates of the isomerization reactions were calculated using the Wei-Prater method. Relative selectivities calculated from the relative rates (Wei-Prater) agree very well with those calculated from rates obtained by extrapolation to low conversions. The trimethylbenzenes obtained at low conversions are those expected from methyl-group-directing influence for the ortho-xylene and para-xylene reactants; however, with meta-xylene an equilibrium trimethylbenzene composition was obtained even at very low conversions. The results are consistent with a series reaction path for the isomerization reaction.