cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Global supply chain design: A literature review and critique

In this paper, we review decision support models for the design of global supply chains, and assess the fit between the research literature in this area and the practical issues of global supply chain design. The classification scheme for this review is based on ongoing and emerging issues in global supply chain management and includes review dimensions for (1) decisions addressed in the model, (2) performance metrics, (3) the degree to which the model supports integrated decision processes, and (4) globalization considerations. We conclude that although most models resolve a difficult feature associated with globalization, few models address the practical global supply chain design problem in its entirety. We close the paper with recommendations for future research in global supply chain modeling that is both forward-looking and practically oriented.
Residual Stress Measurements in Martensitic Stainless Steel

Residual stresses may be generated in target structural material used in accelerator-driven transmutation. Calibration curves were developed for transmutation target structural materials using positron annihilation spectroscopic (PAS) method. These calibration curves consisted of different line shape parameters (S, T & W) determined by the PAS method on martensitic stainless steel as a function of tensile stress/strain imparted to cylindrical specimens. This paper presents a comparative analysis of residual stresses in these specimens as a function of (S, T & W) determined by the PAS technique. The resultant data showed a consistent pattern in these parameters versus applied stresses ranging between the Yield and the Ultimate tensile strength.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Gallery of Fluid Motion

This article displays winning photographs from the eighth Annual Fluid Mechanics Photo Contest held at the November 1990 meeting of the American Physical Society, Division of Fluid Dynamics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.
Use of radionuclides in the study of contaminant cycling processes

Of all the geochemical boundaries, the sediment-water interface an exert the greatest control on the cycling of many elements in shallow aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers, estuaries and coastal embayments and, to a lesser extent in the deep sea. Across this interface, the gradients in physical properties (i.e. density), in chemical conditions (i.e. pH, pE, ligand concentrations), biota abundance (i.e. fauna and flora living near the interface) are large, thus producing potentially large fluxes. Some of the physical, chemical, biological and sedimentary controls operating at or near these interfaces can be deciphered from the measurements of natural radioisotopes (e.g. U/Th series or cosmic-ray produced), bomb fallout isotopes or, most recently, fallout from the Chernobyl-reactor accident. Commercially available, reactor-produced isotopes are most often used in enclosures to elucidate the coupling of the various processes at the sediment-water interface, while the former are used both as geochronological tools in the sediments and as tracers to measure or calibrate the rates of exchange across this interface of nutrients or trace elements associated with water or particles.
Occlusion of Sano conduit with the Amplatzer vascular plug: a reliable method for staged elimination of accessory pulmonary blood flow in single ventricle palliation.

Background: Staged palliative surgery is often required to regulate pulmonary and systemic blood flow in children with complex congenital heart disease. Accessory sources of pulmonary blood flow have been utilized to provide satisfactory pulmonary blood flow after Glenn anastomosis in select patients. Prolonged exposure to increased flow can lead to elevated pulmonary arterial pressures and volume loading of the ventricle, potentially limiting candidacy for Fontan completion. Objective: To review the feasibility, technique, and outcome of transcatheter closure of the Sano conduit utilizing the Amplatzer Vascular Plug (AVP). Methods: All patients who underwent device closure of the Sano conduit with an AVP were reviewed retrospectively. Patient demographics, indications, procedural details, and patient outcomes were reviewed. Hemodynamic changes before and after occlusion of the Sano conduit were compared. A P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Between 2005 and 2009, 11 male patients underwent Sano occlusion with an AVP. Average weight was 8.8 ± 2.2 kg. The Sano was occluded from both antegrade (n = 6) and retrograde (n = 5) approaches. Arterial saturation and mean pulmonary artery pressure both decreased significantly after Sano occlusion [86.9 ± 4.9% to 82.6 ± 4.9% (P < 0.001) and 14.1 ± 5 mm Hg to 12.8 ± 4 mm Hg (P < 0.05), respectively]. Conduit diameter averaged 3.6 mm (range 3.1–4.4) 13 months after Stage I palliation. The conduit was closed using a 6 mm AVP in nine patients and a 4 mm AVP in the other two. The ratio of AVP size to conduit diameter was 1.5 ± 0.27. There were no procedural complications and all patients at least 2 years of age have undergone Fontan completion. Conclusions: The Sano conduit can be left open in select patients who do not tolerate closure after Glenn anastomosis. It can be closed safely and effectively using the AVP. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Myocytes isolated from rejecting transplanted rat hearts exhibit reduced basal shortening which is reversible by aminoguanidine.

Transplanted hearts exhibit depressed contractile function during periods of acute rejection. Myocytes from rejecting hearts also express inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). We hypothesized that an intrinsic defect, due to the increased nitric oxide production by myocytes, is responsible for much of the observed contractile dysfunction. To test our hypothesis, we recorded shortening of myocytes isolated from rejecting (allograft) and non-rejecting (isograft) transplanted rat hearts under control conditions and following exposure to aminoguanidine (an inhibitor of iNOS), or methylene blue (an inhibitor of nitric oxide stimulation of guanylate cyclase). Four days after transplantation, basal shortening was reduced in allograft myocytes compared to isograft myocytes (allografts: 7.0±0.8μm; isografts: 10.7±0.9μm;P<0.05). Allograft myocytes also had higher cGMP levels than isograft myocytes (allografts: 0.58±0.16 pmol/mg protein; isografts: 0.13±0.08 pmol/mg protein;P<0.05). Aminoguanidine (1 mm) had no effect on shortening or cGMP levels in isograft myocytes, whereas aminoguanidine significantly reduced cGMP levels and greatly enhanced shortening of allograft myocytes, such that shortening was now similar in allograft and isograft myocytes. Methylene blue (100μm) also caused a more than three-fold greater increase in shortening of allograft myocytes (+80±15%) than isograft myocytes (+23±6%;P<0.05 from allografts). These results suggest that myocytes isolated from rejecting hearts have a reversible intrinsic contractile depression which is mediated by overstimulation of the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway within the myocytes. This intrinsic contractile dysfunction may be a major factor responsible for the reversible cardiac depression associated with acute rejection of transplanted hearts.
Do statins reduce the risk of contrast-induced acute kidney injury in patients undergoing coronary angiography or percutaneous coronary interventions?

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI), also known as contrast-induced nephropathy, is a common complication of intra-arterial administration of iodinated radiographic contrast medium (IRCM) that may prolong the duration of hospitalization and increase the risk of death [(1,2)][1]. CI-AKI is
Further corrections to the theory of cosmological recombination

Krolik (1989) pointed out that frequency redistribution due to scattering is more important than cosmological expansion in determining the Ly-alpha frequency profile during cosmological recombination, and that its effects substantially modify the rate of recombination. Although the first statement is true, the second statement is not: a basic symmetry of photon scattering leads to identical cancellations which almost completely erase the effects of both coherent and incoherent scattering. Only a small correction due to atomic recoil alters the line profile from the prediction of pure cosmological expansion, so that the pace of cosmological recombination can be well approximated by ignoring Ly-alpha scattering.
Left Atrial Electrokymography in Mitral Insufficiency in Man: A Correlative Study by Angiocardiography and Left Heart Catheterization

The relationship of the left atrial border movements to underlying pressure and volume changes was investigated in individual human subjects with proved mitral insufficiency. Based on these observations, criteria for the recognition of hemodynamically significant mitral insufficiency have been revised. Special emphasis is placed on a rapid inward movement of the atrial wall during the period of early diastolic emptying. Application of these criteria to a group of patients with surgically proved valvular lesions suggests that they are more reliable than those previously described.
The role of ion transport in the regulation of respiration in the Ehrlich mouse ascites-tumor cell.

Abstract 1. 1. When suspensions of Ehrlich mouse ascites-tumor cells are chilled to 2° in media free of K + , the cells gain large amounts of Na + and lose K + . 2. 2. When re-warmed to 23° the net active extrusion of Na + may be totally uncoupled from the net active accumulation of K + . 3. 3. Cell suspensions transitioned from low temperature to 23° in K + -free medium respire at rates only one-sixth the rate of cells normally maintained at 23° with 6 mM K + . Addition of K + to the external medium stimulates respiration. 4. 4. The relation between respiration rate and external K + follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The K m was 0.43 mM and v max was 1.0 μmole O 2 10 7 cells·h. 5. 5. Ouabain inhibited K + -stimulated respiration at a concentration effective against the active transport of Na + and K + . 6. 6. External K + and 2,4-dinitrophenol affect a common source of respiratory intermediate but act at different sites. 7. 7. The hypothesis is proposed that components of oxidative phosphorylation participate in the transport of Na + and K + and that intermediates may communicate between cell membrane and mitochondria.
Evidence of the dose effects of an antitobacco counteradvertising campaign.

Objectives. The objectives were to assess the cumulative effects of exposure to multiple antitobacco advertisements shown over a 22-month period on smoking uptake, and determine if there is evidence of a dose effect and how this effect operates through response to the campaign's major message theme and antitobacco attitudes. Methods. A follow-up telephone survey of persons ages 12–20 years was conducted after 22 months of the Florida “truth” antitobacco media campaign. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios for the likelihood that time-one nonsmokers would remain nonsmokers at time two by levels of confirmed advertisement awareness, self-reported influence of the campaign's message theme, and anti-tobacco industry manipulation attitudes. Separate cohorts are analyzed and controls include gender and time-one susceptibility. Results. The likelihood of nonsmokers remaining nonsmokers increases as the number of ads confirmed, the self-reported influence of the campaign's major message theme, and the level of antitobacco attitudes increases. The pattern to these relationships holds within cohorts of young and older youth and for a cohort that has aged into the early young adult years. Considering all variables simultaneously suggests that ad confirmation operates through its effects on the influence of the message theme and antitobacco industry manipulation attitudes. Conclusions. There is evidence of a dose effect; however, considering only ad confirmation underestimates this. Antitobacco campaigns that target youth can have effects at least through the early young adult ages. The uniqueness of the Florida campaign may limit the generalization of reported results.
Phase I Evaluation of the Safety, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of CP-481,715

The chemokine receptor CCR1 is believed to play a role in several inflammatory diseases, primarily by promoting the migration of leukocytes through the endothelial barrier. Thus, a possible strategy for treating inflammatory diseases is inhibition of leukocyte infiltration by antagonising CCR1. Recently, CP-481,715 has been described as a potent and specific antagonist of CCR1. The aims of this study were to assess the safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of CP-481,715 along with drug interactions with ciclosporin. This was a phase I randomised, double-blind, placebocontrolled study with CP-481,715 in 78 healthy male volunteers. Subjects were administered escalating CP-481,715 doses of up to 3000mg with food and after fasting in the single-dose study. In the drug interaction study, which was a single-dose, two-way crossover study, 12 subjects received a 300mg dose of CP-481,715 as a suspension of polymorph A under fasted conditions, both with and without prior administration of ciclosporin. All doses of CP-481,715 were well tolerated, with linear pharmacokinetics up to the 300mg dose. The pharmacodynamic activity of CP-481,715 was detected ex vivo by demonstrating a dose-related and linear increase in the amount of macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, CCL3, required to induce CD11b upregulation. Analysis of vital signs indicated no consistent clinical effects, and statistical analysis of ECG characteristics demonstrated no significant prolongation of the corrected QT interval. A drug-drug interaction study with ciclosporin demonstrated that CP-481,715 clearance was decreased by ciclosporin, consistent with its ability to compete with P-glycoprotein. Phase II studies may be warranted to see if CP-481,715 exhibits efficacy in treating inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or transplant rejection.
A note on the measurable electric charge of spin-1/2 bosons

A heuristic argument is given that the definition of the measurable electric charge of spin-1/2 bosons is not unique in the sense that it is for spin-1/2 fermions. This indicates that such particles, if they exist, would not be charged particles in the classical sense.
DLX2 (TES1), a homeobox gene of the Distal-less family, assigned to conserved regions on human and mouse chromosomes 2.

Abstract Dlx-2 (also called Tes-1 ), a mammalian member of the Distal-less family of homeobox genes, is expressed during murine fetal development in spatially restricted domains of the forebrain. Searching for a candidate neurological mutation that might involve this gene, we have assigned the human and mouse loci to regions of conserved synteny on human chromosome 2, region cen-q33, and mouse chromosome 2 by Southern analysis of somatic cell hybrid lines. An Eco RI dimorphism, discovered in common inbred laboratory strains, was used for recombinant inbred strain mapping. The results place Dlx-2 Tes-1 near the Hox-4 cluster on mouse chromosome 2.
Space Infrared Telescope Facility telescope overview

The Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) will be the first true infrared observatory in space, building upon the technical and scientific experience gained through its two NASA survey-oriented predecessors: the Infrared Astronomical Satellite and the Cosmic Background Explorer. During its minimum five year lifetime, the SIRTF will perform pointed scientific observations at wavelengths from 1.8 to 1200 microns with an increase in sensitivity over previous missions of several orders of magnitude. This paper discusses a candidate design for the SIRTF telescope, encompassing optics, cryostat, and instrument accommodation, which has been undertaken to provide a fulcrum for the development of functional requirements, interface definition, risk assessment and cost. The telescope optics employ a baffled Ritchey-Chretien Cassegrain system with a 1-m class primary mirror, an active secondary mirror, and a stationary facetted tertiary mirror. The optics are embedded in a large superfluid He cryostat designed to maintain the entire telescope-instrument system at temperatures below 3 K.
Development of rf sputtered, Cu-doped ZnTe for use as a contact interface layer to p-CdTe

Cu-doped ZnTe films deposited by rf-magnetron sputtering have been analyzed with the intention to use this material as a contact interface in CdS/CdTe thin-film photovoltaic solar-cell devices. It is observed that unless careful attention is made to the pre-deposition conditioning of the ZnTe target, the electrical resistivity of thin films (∼70 nm) will be significantly higher than that measured on thicker films (∼1.0 μm). It is determined that N contamination of the target during substrate loading is likely responsible for the increased film resistivity. The effect of film composition on the electrical properties is further studied by analyzing films sputtered from targets containing various Cu concentrations. It is determined that, for targets fabricated from stoichiometric ZnTe and metallic Cu, the extent of Zn deficiency in the film is dependent on both sputtering conditions and the amount of metallic Cu in the target. It is observed that the carrier concentration of the film reaches a maximum value of ∼3 × 1020 cm−3 when the concentrations of Te and (Zn+Cu) are nearly equal. For the conditions used, this optimum film stoichiometry results when the concentration of metallic Cu in the target is ≈6 at.%.
Isolation of genetic elements that increase frequencies of plasmid recombinants

Some plasmid DNAs, when maintained in wild-type Escherichia coli strains, form high levels of oligomeric species while others remain primarily monomers1–9. One explanation of this observation is that the plasmids that do not form circular oligomers lack a DNA sequence necessary for the formation or maintenance of circular oligomeric species. Here we describe the isolation of segments of DNA from the E. coli genome and other sources that through a recA+-dependent process: (1) stimulate the conversion of monomeric plasmids to different oligomeric forms, (2) stimulate the conversion of an oligomeric plasmid to a mixture of monomeric and different oligomeric forms, and (3) increase the frequency of recovery of figure-8 molecules. Both cis-acting and trans-acting elements were found. These elements seem to act by stimulating either the frequency of the recombination events that lead to the interconversion of different oligomeric plasmid DNA molecules or some process involved in the maintenance of newly-formed recombinant molecules.
A SiC metallization scheme using an ALD protective layer for harsh environment devices

This paper reports on the development of a silicon carbide (SiC) metallization scheme, capable of surviving high temperatures (450°C) in air for an extended time (>100h). The interfacial reactions between the SiC and the metal contact are mitigated via a carbon diffusion barrier and the whole metallization is protected with a thin alumina layer deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to prevent oxygen penetration and degradation of the carbon barrier layer. A demonstrated lifetime in excess of 100h at 450°C in air is presented and the contact interface is carefully characterized.
DNA-gestützte organische Synthese: die Strategie der Natur zur Steuerung chemischer Reaktivitätübertragen auf synthetische Moleküle

Anders als im Allgemeinen in der Synthesechemie ublich wird in der Natur die chemische Reaktivitat durch die Modulation der effektiven Molaritat hoch verdunnter Reaktanten durch Makromolekul-gestutzte Synthesen gesteuert. Dabei kann die Reaktion komplexer Mischungen in einer einzigen Losung mit Effizienzen und Selektivitaten verlaufen, die in herkommlichen Laborsynthesen nicht erreichbar sind. Die DNA-gestutzte organische Synthese (DTS) bietet einen erstaunlich universellen Weg zur Steuerung der Reaktivitat synthetischer Molekule mithilfe des in der Natur verwirklichten, auf der effektiven Molaritat basierenden Ansatzes. Neueste Entwicklungen haben den Anwendungsbereich und die Moglichkeiten der DTS von ihren Ursprungen als Modell fur prabiotische Nucleinsaurereplikation zu ihrer heutigen Fahigkeit, DNA-Sequenzen in komplexe kleine Molekule und polymere Produkte mehrstufiger organischer Synthesen zu ubersetzen, erweitert. Das Verstandnis der fundamentalen Prinzipien der DTS spielte eine wichtige Rolle bei diesen Entwicklungen. Zu den ersten Anwendungen der DTS zahlen die Nucleinsauredetektion, die Entwicklung synthetischer niedermolekularer Verbindungen und die Entdeckung von Reaktionen mithilfe von Translations-, Selektions- und Amplifikationsmethoden, die zuvor nur fur biologische Substanzen verfugbar waren.
A specialization in information and knowledge management systems for the undergraduate computer science curriculum

The authors described the progress extending the undergraduate computer science (CS) curriculum to include a deep understanding of techniques for information and knowledge management systems (IKMS). In a novel five-course sequence, students build and work with techniques for data mining, information retrieval, and text analysis, and develop a large-scale IKMS project. The authors taught in a hands-on lab setting where students use tools they have built, performing experiments that could extend the field. Hence undergraduates have firsthand knowledge of performing CS research using scientific methods. Second, a rigorous set of evaluation criteria developed in the Psychology Institute was utilized to evaluate how well students learn using our approaches. Ultimately, it is believed that this specialization warrants inclusion as an option in the standard undergraduate CS curriculum.
A multibandwidth probing method for tissue scattering microstructure characterization

In medical ultrasound the normalized second intensity moments of the echo signal can depend on the imaging system resolution cell volume (axial and lateral resolution) in addiction to the scattering microstructure. The authors propose a multibandwidth probing technique in an attempt to separate the two. Theoretical relationships between second intensity moments, (scattering coefficients, scatterer spacing, and its randomness) and the system's cell volume are stablished. Experiments on water filled sponge structures with pore size varying from .5 mm to 2 mm and pig liver tissue are performed. The slope and intercept values from normalized second intensity moments versus (cell volume)/sup -1/ graph are shown to be of diagnostic value in structure characterization.
Evaluation of computational metabolic-pathway predictions for Helicobacter pylori

Motivations: We seek to determine the accuracy of computational methods for predicting metabolic pathways in sequenced genomes, and to understand the contributions of both the prediction algorithms, and the reference pathway databases used by those algorithms, to the prediction accuracy. Results: The comparisons we performed were as follows. (1) We compared two predictions of the pathway complements of Helicobacter pylori that were computed by an early version of our pathway-prediction algorithm: prediction A used the EcoCyc E. coli pathway DB as the reference database (DB) for prediction, and prediction B used the MetaCyc pathway DB (a superset of EcoCyc) as the reference pathway DB. The MetaCyc-based prediction contained 75% more pathway predictions, but we believe a significant number of those predictions were false positives. (2) We compared two predictions of the pathway complement of H. pylori that used MetaCyc as the reference pathway DB, but that used different algorithms: the original PathoLogic algorithm, and an enhanced version of the algorithm designed to eliminate false-positive pathway predictions. The improved algorithm predicted 30% fewer metabolic pathways than the original algorithm; all of the eliminated pathways are believed to be false-positive predictions. (3) We compared the 98 pathways predicted by the enhanced algorithm with the results of a manual analysis of the pathways of H. pylori. Results: 40 of the computationally predicted pathways were consistent with the manual analysis, 13 pathways are considered false-positive predictions, and four pathways had partially overlapping topologies. Twenty-six predicted pathways were not mentioned in the manual analysis; we believe these are correct predictions by PathoLogic that were not found by the manual analysis. Five pathways from the manual analysis were not found computationally. Agreement between the computational and manual predictions was good overall, with the computational analysis inferring many pathways ∗ To whom correspondence should be addressed. that the manual analysis did not identify. Ultimately the manual analysis is also partially speculative, and therefore is not an absolute measure of correctness. The algorithm is designed to err on the side of more false positives to bring more potential pathways to the user’s attention. The resulting H. pylori pathway DB is freely available at http: //ecocyc.org:1555/HPY/organism-summary?object=HPY. Availability: The Pathway Tools software is freely available to academic users, and is available to commercial users for a fee. Contact pkarp@ai.sri.com for information on obtaining the software.
Effect of H+ and N+ Irradiation on Structure and Permeability of the Polyimide Matrimid®

Abstract This paper presents a comparison of the impact of H+ and N+ ion irradiation on the chemical structure, microstructure, and gas permeation properites of the polyimide, Matrimid®. While irradiation with both ions resulted in evolution of chemical structure with loss of functional groups and crosslink formation, there was greater modification of polyimide structure following N+ irradiation at similar total deposited energy. Irradiation with N+ resulted in simultaneous large increases in permeance and permselectivity at comparatively low ion fluences or irradiation time. For example, irradiation at 4 × 1014 N+/cm2 resulted in a 2.5 fold increase in He permeance with a selectivity of He/CH4 of 340. Much higher H+ fluences were required to achieve similar total deposited energy and combined increases in permeance and permselectivity. The larger modification in chemical structure and gas permeation properties following N+ irradiation was attributed to the relatively large energy loss and damage from the...
Automated Selection and Placement of Single Cells Using Vision-Based Feedback Control

We present a robotic manipulation system for automated selection and transfer of individual living cells to analysis locations. We begin with a commonly used cell transfer technique using glass capillary micropipettes to aspirate and release living cells suspended in liquid growth media. Using vision-based feedback and closed-loop process control, two individual three-axis robotic stages position the micropipette tip in proximity to the cell of interest. The cell is aspirated and the tip is moved to a target location where the cell is dispensed. Computer vision is used to monitor and inspect the success of the dispensing process. In our initial application, the target cell destination is a microwell etched in a fused silica substrate. The system offers a robust and flexible technology for cell selection and manipulation. Applications for this technology include embryonic stem cells transfer, blastomere biopsy, cell patterning, and cell surgery.
A community intervention reduces BMI z-score in children: Shape Up Somerville first year results

Results: At baseline, 44% (n 385), 36% (n 561), and 43% (n 232) of children were above the 85th percentile for BMI z-score in the intervention and the two control communities, respectively. In the intervention community, BMI z-score decreased by 0.1005 (p 0.001, 95% confidence interval, 0.1151 to 0.0859) compared with children in the control communities after controlling for baseline covariates. Discussion: A community-based environmental change intervention decreased BMI z-score in children at high risk for obesity. These results are significant given the obesigenic environmental backdrop against which the intervention occurred. This model demonstrates promise for communities throughout the country confronted with escalating childhood obesity rates.
Advanced multi-component nanostructures designed by dynamic shadowing growth

Dynamic shadowing growth is a simple and powerful nanofabrication technique that combines oblique angle deposition with substrate manipulation in a thin film deposition system, which mainly utilizes self-shadowing effect to form well-aligned nanorod arrays. Many unique nanostructures have been fabricated or designed by properly programming the substrate motions, deposition sources, deposition rates, and shadowing effects in multi-step shadowing growth processes. The formed nanostructures have found many promising applications such as chemical and biological sensors, energy storages, nanomotors, etc., due to their unique characteristics of well-controlled morphologies, structures, and compositions. This review is focused on the design and fabrication of both compositionally and morphologically complex nanostructure arrays by multilayer and co-deposition shadowing growth techniques, and the emphasis will be put on the design and fabrication of multi-component nanostructures with different morphologies.
A method of rate constant measurement in Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance pulsed valve experiments

Rate constant measurements in Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) pulsed valve experiments are complicated by the pressure changes which occur rapidly after the opening of the pulsed valve. A method is described here to overcome that complication. The time-dependent number density n(t) is sampled by determining the total ion signal I(tn) in spectra resulting from pulsing the electron beam on at various delay times tn after opening the valve. The I(tn) are fit to an analytic function to give I(t) which can be integrated to give a kinetic variable comparable to pressure at fixed time or time at fixed pressure. A reactant ion isolated in the cell should disappear exponentially with ∫ tn 0 I(t) dt where the valve opens at time 0 admitting reactant neutral and the reactant ion concentration is sampled at time tn. To obtain the rate constant from such an exponential decay the ionization cross section of the neutral must be known or estimated and the overall sensitivity of the instrument must be known. The latter can be determined by examining a reaction of known rate constant. The procedure is illustrated for the reaction of Re 2 + with cyclohexane. The implications of this treatment for other types of pulsed valve experiments are discussed.
A service management framework for service-oriented enterprises

With a steady pace of adoption of service-oriented architecture, companies have made significant progresses in implementing various kinds of Web services and converting existing applications to service-oriented architecture. As significant number of services have been implemented and put into actual use, many service-oriented enterprises are faced with the problem of how to manage these services in an efficient manner. In this paper, we propose a framework for a more efficient management of these services. In this framework, the creation and maintenance of enterprise solutions are modeled by flows, finite state machines (FSMs) among other formal models. For instance, each enterprise solution would be modeled as composite services that can be described by respective flow and FSM models. These solution models can then be stored, and later retrieved for the execution of these composite services. Furthermore, formal models are also used to maintain and update these service-oriented solutions to improve the efficiency and quality of service management by taking advantage of the underlying service-oriented architecture. In this paper, we first provide a normalized categorization of enterprise services. We then describe the framework for managing services in service-oriented enterprises. We also discuss how this framework can help manage enterprise services more efficiently. Finally, we give a real-world example to illustrate how this framework can be used in practice.
THE EFFECTS OF PATCH SHAPE ON INDIGO BUNTINGS: EVIDENCE FOR AN ECOLOGICAL TRAP

Habitat loss and fragmentation have led to a widespread increase in the proportion of edge habitat in the landscape. Disturbance-dependent bird species are widely assumed to benefit from these edges. However, anthropogenic edges may concentrate nest predators while retaining habitat cues that birds use to select breeding habitat. This may lead birds to mistakenly select dangerous habitat—a phenomenon known as an ''ecological trap.'' We experimentally demonstrated how habitat shape, and thus amount of edge, can adversely affect nest site selection and reproductive success of a disturbance-dependent bird species, the Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea). We did so within a landscape-scale experiment composed of equal-area habitat patches that differed in their amount of edge. Indigo Buntings preferentially selected edgy patches, which contained 50% more edge than more compact rectangular patches. Further, buntings fledged significantly fewer young per pair in edgy patches than in rectangular patches. These results provide the first experimental evidence that edges can function as ecological traps.
Rare Variant Mutations in Pregnancy-Associated or Peripartum Cardiomyopathy

Background— The term peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) describes dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) without known cause that occurs during the last month of pregnancy to 5 months postpartum. A related term, pregnancy-associated cardiomyopathy (PACM), refers to DCM onset earlier in pregnancy. Multiple studies have focused on inflammatory, immunologic, and environmental causes. An alternative hypothesis is that PPCM and PACM result, in part, from a genetic cause. In this study, we sought to test the hypothesis that rare DCM-associated mutations underlie a proportion of PACM or PPCM cases. Methods and Results— A systematic search of our DCM database designed for family-based genetic studies was undertaken for cases associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period; in the identified cases, clinical and molecular genetic data, including exonic and near intron/exon boundaries of DCM genes, were analyzed. Of 4110 women from 520 pedigrees in the Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy Research Project database, we identified...
Bureaucrats or Politicians? Comment

Alesina and Tabellini (2007) investigate the normative criteria for allocating policy tasks to bureaucrats versus politicians. While they establish criteria with respect to a number of parameters, they do not give a criterion with respect to the degree of imperfect monitoring. We establish an unambiguous criterion about imperfect monitoring. (JEL D72, D73)
Weak solutions of one inverse problem in geometric optics

We consider the problem of recovering a closed convex reflecting surface such that for a given point source of light (inside the convex body bounded by the surface) the reflected directions cover a unit sphere with prespecified in advance density. In analytic formulation, the problem leads to an equation of Monge-Ampere type on a unit sphere. We formulate the problem in terms of certain associated measures and establish the existence of weak solutions. Bibliography: 11 titles.
Aldehyde‐forming fatty acyl‐CoA reductase from cyanobacteria: expression, purification and characterization of the recombinant enzyme

Long-chain acyl-CoA reductases (ACRs) catalyze a key step in the biosynthesis of hydrocarbon waxes. As such they are attractive as components in engineered metabolic pathways for 'drop in' biofuels. Most ACR enzymes are integral membrane proteins, but a cytosolic ACR was recently discovered in cyanobacteria. The ACR from Synechococcus elongatus was overexpressed in Escherichia coli, purified and characterized. The enzyme was specific for NADPH and catalyzed the reduction of fatty acyl-CoA esters to the corresponding aldehydes, rather than alcohols. Stearoyl-CoA was the most effective substrate, being reduced more rapidly than either longer or shorter chain acyl-CoAs. ACR required divalent metal ions, e.g. Mg(2+), for activity and was stimulated ~ 10-fold by K(+). The enzyme was inactivated by iodoacetamide and was acylated on incubation with stearoyl-CoA, suggesting that reduction occurs through an enzyme-thioester intermediate. Consistent with this, steady state kinetic analysis indicates that the enzyme operates by a 'ping-pong' mechanism with kcat = 0.36 ± 0.023 min(-1), K(m)(stearoyl-CoA) = 31.9 ± 4.2 μM and K(m)(NADPH) = 35.6 ± 4.9 μM. The slow turnover number measured for ACR poses a challenge for its use in biofuel applications where highly efficient enzymes are needed.
Treatment of Lung Cancer in Older Patients

Lung cancer is a disease of older persons. It is the most common cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States. A comprehensive evaluation of medical comorbidities and functional status is important in all patients but perhaps more so in older adults, and it should be included in the assessment of older patients who have lung cancer. Age, per se, should not be a limiting factor to treatment, because a large body of evidence demonstrates that fit older patients who have lung cancer can safely undergo the same treatments as their younger counterparts with equally good results.
High-time resolution measurements of black carbon particles in the exhaust emissions of a diesel engine during acceleration, deceleration and cruise conditions

Black carbon (BC) is a major constituent of diesel-engine exhaust emissions. Aethalometer® was used in the measurements of the BC concentrations (with time resolution of 5 s) in the exhaust of a truck model 1995 Dodge RAM 2500 diesel pick-up equipped with an oxidation catalyst. The measurements were made from a chassis dynamometer during the acceleration, deceleration and cruise (constant speed) modes of the hot start of the MEC01 test cycle (version 7.0). Exhaust particles were collected in parallel on quartz fiber filters for elemental carbon (EC) and organic carbon (OC) measurement by the thermal-optical reflectance (TOR) method, and on Teflon® filters for gravimetric total particle mass (PM). Rapid acceleration was accompanied by corresponding instantaneous increases in BC emissions. Under wide open throttle acceleration (WOT), Aethalometer® BC concentrations peaked at 1.2 mg m-3, but reduced to only 0.03 mg m-3 under cruise conditions at 20 mph. These results show that it is possible to measure speciated diesel particulate emissions essentially in real time as a function of engine load and other operating conditions.
Advances in synthetic peptide immuno-regulatory epitopes

Synthetic peptide immuno-regulatory epitopes (SPIRE) represent a new class of therapeutics for allergen immunotherapy that offer the potential to suppress the IgE-mediated allergic disease process through induction of T-cell tolerance. These synthetic T-cell-tolerizing peptides have been designed to induce immunologic tolerance via binding to MHC class II molecules on antigen presenting cells, with subsequent upregulation of regulatory T-cells.
THEORY AND MEASUREMENT OF VISUAL MECHANISMS : IV. CRITICAL INTENSITIES FOR VISUAL FLICKER, MONOCULAR AND BINOCULAR.

Comparison of monocular and binocular critical flash intensities for recognition of flicker, using a centrally fixated square image subtending ca. 6.13 degrees on a side (white light), shows that for the cone segment of the response contour the inflection point of the probability integral correlating flash frequency F (for symmetrical flicker) and log mean critical flash intensity I(m) is with the binocular measurements exactly intermediate between those for each eye separately. This does not mean that in general the data are intermediate; they are not; the binocular asymptotic F(max.) agrees with or lies above the greater one of the two uniocular curves. The entire contour must be considered for valid intercomparisons, as is also true if homologous curves for different observers are to be compared. For the measurements in the predominantly rod region the binocular data are more or less intermediate. The rod curves result, however, from the integrative interplay of rod and cone effects for which the intrinsic curves overlap. The resultant rod curve as measured is determined by the partial inhibition of rod effects by cone effects, and by the summation of the remaining rod contributions with those labelled cone in origin. It is pointed out that in this respect, as in others, it is desirable to consider the roles of retinal area, and location, from the standpoint of integration of neural effects. These phenomena are essentially independent of the light-time fraction and of the spectral (lambda) quality of the light used. For binocular, as for uniocular excitation, the normal probability summation provides an efficient general description, under diverse conditions of size and location of retinal image, wave-length composition of light, light-time cycle-fraction, and kind of animal. It is pointed out that this is the only function abstractly likely to exhibit this kind of efficiency. That a summation of veritable effects independently generated by simultaneous, symmetrical uniocular excitation does occur in the recognition of flicker is specifically demonstrated by the fact that for a given mean critical flash intensity the associated variation is lower for binocular than for either or the average of the single-eyed presentations,-and in the ratio not statistically different from 1:1.41; the relative scatter of the binocular indices of dispersion is also reduced below the uniocular. Since the mean variation of the critical intensity is statistically in a constant ratio to I(m), in appropriately homogeneous series, independent for example of the brightness level and of the light-time fraction, this signifies an essential doubling of the effectiveness (potential) of each of the elements concerned in the discrimination of flicker when binocular excitation is concerned, although the total number of these elements is only slightly or not at all affected. The potential in question is not exclusively correlated with subjective brightness-at-fusion, which is, however, increased with binocular regard.
Computer science fairy tales

Storytelling is a pedagogical tool that has been used in the humanities and in childhood education for years. Stories can also be used to introduce computer science topics as well. The use of metaphors in stories makes concepts more interesting, fun, and memorable. In addition, stories can make technical concepts more concrete and attractive to students who are traditionally turned-off by computing. This article gives many examples of stories that can be told in computing classes and analyzes the advantages and possible pitfalls of using them. All stories can be found on the author's website, http://facstaff.elon.edu/sduvall2
Sirt1 in cerebral ischemia

Cerebral ischemia is among the leading causes of death worldwide. It is characterized by a lack of blood flow to the brain that results in cell death and damage, ultimately causing motor, sensory, and cognitive impairments. Today, clinical treatment of cerebral ischemia, mostly stroke and cardiac arrest, is limited and new neuroprotective therapies are desperately needed. The Sirtuin family of oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacylases has been shown to govern several processes within the central nervous system as well as to possess neuroprotective properties in a variety of pathological conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and Huntington's Disease, among others. Recently, Sirt1 in particular has been identified as a mediator of cerebral ischemia, with potential as a possible therapeutic target. To gather studies relevant to this topic, we used PubMed and previous reviews to locate, select, and resynthesize the lines of evidence presented here. In this review, we will first describe some functions of Sirt1 in the brain, mainly neurodevelopment, learning and memory, and metabolic regulation. Second, we will discuss the experimental evidence that has implicated Sirt1 as a key protein in the regulation of cerebral ischemia as well as a potential target for the induction of ischemic tolerance.
Follicle response to exogenous gonadotropins: an estrogen-mediated phenomenon.

The study aimed to determine the earliest stage of rat follicular development in which response to exogenous gonadotrophin occurs and the reason for the lack of response before this stage. Age-related changes in ovarian morphology in rats receiving graded doses of pregnant mares serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) were investigated. PMSG was injected subcutaneously in the back of the neck. Groups of rats (8 per group) 3 5 7 10 14 and 18 days old were injected and sacrificed 72 hours later. Doses ranged from 1 to 125 I.U. At 3 days none of the dosages brought an ovarian weight increase. However in animals treated at 7 10 14 or 18 days of age ovarian weight increased significantly (p less than .02) in a dose-related manner the response generally being maximal at 25 I.U. The overall finding was that ovarian weight increased in response to the exogenous gonadotrophin by Days 5-8 and showed a distinct age-related increase. In animals injected on Day 5 and sacrificed on Day 8 an epithelioid theca layer could be found accompanied by a follicular diameter increase antrum formation and corpus luteum development. The failure of follicle-growth stimulation in response to PMSG prior to 6 days of age may relate to the inability of an undifferentiated theca interna to secrete adequate supplies of estrogen. In a related experiment 100 mcg of diethylstilbestrol (DES) were administered daily for 3 days to groups of 8 animals 3 5 7 and 10 days old. Uterine weights were compared in animals treated with 1% BSA saline 25 I.U. of PMSG and the DES. In every age group DES markedly increased uterine weights over control values; PMSG had an effect beginning only at 6 days of age.