cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Power from the Ocean Winds

No one has been willing to try to moor tens of thousands of floating, megawatt-scale windmills above the moderate depths of the continental shelf off the US Atlantic seaboard. The wind averages from 400 to 700 watts per square meter where on land in New England the wind averages only about 150 watts per square meter. William E. Heronemus proposed such a design in 1972. He also proposed that power from thousands of these units could be converted to hydrogen at sea and part of the hydrogen could be put aside for windless periods in expandable storage tanks under the pressure of the deep sea and it would all be conducted ashore by pipeline, either to be used directly or to be converted into electric power stored in fuel cells. Private and Federal land-based windmill projects are discussed. The present rejection of offshore wind power as an important energy resource for the near future stands squarely on DOE's economic perceptions, not on lack of technical feasibility. The commercial costs of these units are important for the prospects of offshore wind power in two ways - they are so much lower than the costs the DOE has been experiencing for itsmore » windmills in gentler winds and the 40-kW windmills will probably soon be in production in at least limited quantities, making it possible to construct a floating offshore demonstration unit using some of these tested turbines. Harvesting the strong offshore winds involves the extra cost of floatation and mooring, but does not require the expensive yaw mechanism that keeps a land-based unit facing the wind.« less
Self-Regulation of Health Behavior: The "take PRIDE" Program

Social cognitive theory, in particular, the construct of self-regulation was the basis for developing an educational program for older adults with heart disease. This paper dis cusses the theoretical principles utilized and describes the program activities based on them. Data from an evaluation conducted with 246 older heart patients who took part in the education are used to illustrate how social cognitive theory constructs operated empirically.
Probing axial orientation of collagen fibers with Brillouin microspectroscopy

Collagen is an important structural component in many biological tissues including bone, teeth, skin, and vascular endothelial layer. Its fibrillar arrangement can produce tissues with distinct anisotropies and is responsible for its unique elastic properties. However, current methods of retrieving orientation of those fibers show low sensitivity to the out-of-plane orientations. In this report, we employed Brillouin microspectroscopy to probe the local sound velocity, which, in its turn, is found to have a strong correlation to the local fibrillar arrangements.
Ontogeny of multiple forms of monoamine oxidase in mouse brain.

Summary MAO activities in mouse brain responsible for deamination of serotonin (5-HT) and p -dimethylaminobenzylamine (DAB) were found to follow different postnatal developmental patterns. MAO activity which deaminated 5-HT reached adult levels 15 days after birth. At this age the capacity of brain to deaminate DAB was only 50% of adult levels and did not develop fully until after the 45th postnatal day. Inhibitor studies with Deprenil and clorgyline indicated that the deamination of the two substrates was due to different forms of MAO and that these forms were similar to type A and type B MAO described previously in rat brain 8 .
Challenges and strategies to improve patient health literacy and competencies

Correspondence: Hayden B Bosworth HSR&D (152), Suite 600 411 west Chapel Hill Street, Duke University Medical Center Durham, NC 27701, USA Tel +1 919 286 6936 Fax +1 919 416 5836 email hayden.bosworth@duke.edu Abstract: Health literacy continues to be a significant public health problem with more than a third of Americans having difficulties understanding basic health information. While a number of factors are associated with health literacy, in light of soaring health care costs, further examination of ways to identify and reduce the impact of poor health literacy are essential. To this end, this review of health literacy includes details on numeracy, summarizes why health literacy is crucial in the health care setting, the impact of poor health literacy, and the correlates of poor health literacy. In addition, ways to identify poor health literacy are discussed and summarized and successful methods in reducing the impact of health literacy are provided. Given that successful management of many acute or chronic health conditions is influenced by patients’ understanding of relevant health information, providing additional support to individuals who have difficulty understanding this information can positively influence health outcomes.
Duality theorem in combinatorial switching

This note states and proves a duality theorem in combinatorial switching. The relationship between AND-OR, majority and threshold logics and the property of self duality in majority logic are indicated on this basis.
Retinal Pigment Epithelial Detachment in Sarcoidosis

Purpose: To report primary retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) detachments in sarcoidosis. Design: Case report. Methods: Clinical findings, fluorescence angiography and optical coherence tomography (OCT) results are presented and discussed. Results: A 54-year-old Hispanic male with biopsy proved sarcoidosis presented with multiple RPE detachment in both eyes. Except for acute iritis, there were no other ocular manifestations of sarcoidosis. Conclusions: Detachments of the RPE may be a rare manifestation of ocular sarcoidosis.
Fourier transform spectral interferometric coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (FTSI-CARS) microscopy

A new multiplex CARS (coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering) microscopy technique with a single ultrafast laser pulse is demonstrated. All the pump, Stokes, probe pulses are selected inside a single broadband cavity dumping Ti:Sapphire oscillator laser pulse. The measured CARS signal is a coherent sum of the resonant and non-resonant signals, leading to a complicated vibrational line shape due to the spectral interference. The resonant and non-resonant CARS signals, however, have different symmetries in the time domain due to the causality principle of the vibrationally resonant excitation. A new Fourier Transform Spectral interferometry (FTSI) is developed to extract the full complex quantity of the vibrationally resonant signal against the non-resonant one utilizing the different time symmetry. This method can generate Raman-like vibrational spectrum in a single experimental measurement, which can be readily applied to a vibrational hyperspectral imaging. Current sensitivity, available CARS window and application to hyperspectral vibrational microscopy are discussed.
Kinetic oscillations during the isothermal oxidation of hydrogen on platinum wires

Abstract Sustained oscillations of the reaction rate were observed during the oxidation of hydrogen on a platinum wire whose temperature was maintained constant by a constant-temperature anemometer. The oscillations were usually of the relaxation type and often had more than one peak per cycle. The oscillations were sensitive to changes in the surface temperature and to pretreatment of the wire. Interesting steady-state multiplicity patterns were observed, such as the existence of two different oscillatory states at the same operating conditions. When either argon or helium replaced the nitrogen diluent, the oscillations decayed after some time, and a constant, time-invariant rate was attained.
Ultrasonic characteristics of graphite/epoxy composite material subjected to fatigue and impacts

Fiber-reinforced composites, because of their superior specific strengths and stiffnesses, are used in many aircraft components. However, in this application these composites are subjected not only to fatigue loading, but to occasionally high velocity impact due to the bird injection, hail, dust, and rain. Thus, it is important to evaluate the residual life and degradation due to combined fatigue and impact loadings. Unidirectional graphite epoxy composites (MA8276-Tiger) which are used in the aerospace industry were impacted by a free falling weight at energy levels of 0.567j, 1.134j, and 1.571j [impact energy toughness (j/cm3); 0.12, 0.24, 0.34], respectively. The subsequent changes/degradation in elastic moduli, strength, toughness, and fatigue properties were measured after different number of impacts. It was found that for all energy levels these properties vary linearly with the number of impacts. Furthermore, attenuation changes is not a good ultrasonic parameter for degradation estimation, since it does not incorporate the micro- and macrocracks beyond the impact point. However, these micro- and macrocracks have significant effect on the mechanical properties. In contrast to the attenuation, the stress wave factor, which indicates the efficiency of wave propagation along the specimen, correlates very well with degradation, and it can be used effectively to measure the residual strength after impact. Ultrasonic characteristic on specimens subjected to combined fatigue and impact were also studied. Based on these experiments, it is concluded that the loss in fatigue residual life due to impact loads may be predicted by measuring the effects of the impact load on attenuation and stress wave factor. It was found that the reduction in fatigue life is proportional to sudden changes in attenuation and stress wave factor. Damage accumulation models based on Coffin-Manson equation, was suggested for impact and combined fatigue and impact. It was found that residual properties and fatigue life can be estimated from these models.
Behavioral Effects of Adrenal Medullary Transplants in Non-Human Primates

Small multiple “ribbon” autografts of intact adrenal medulla stereotaxically implanted at several sites throughout the striatum in longtailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) have been shown to contain large amounts of viable glandular tissue as long as eight weeks after transplantation /15/. Variations of technique clearly influence viability/12/. All monkeys were maintained in specially adapted rotometer cages /30/ so that 24-hour measurements of activity and directional bias could be gathered. Lesions induced by intracerebral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine in the substantia nigra produced the expected chronic decrease in percentage of contralateral turning in most of the 24 subjects. Animals that received the longest viable ribbon grafts showed a reversal of this effect back toward base line, whereas monkeys whose grafts left little or no surviving tissue showed no behavioral improvement.
The suppression of macrophage secretion by calcium blockers and adenosine

AbstractIn an effort to examine the effects of calcium blockers and adenosine on superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and nitrite secretions by mouse peritoneal macrophages, we have utilized the phenol red method, the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome c method, and the Griess reagent method to test products after treating periodate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages with verapamil, nifedipine, and adenosine. the results show that after treating the macrophages with chemicals 10 minutes before adding PMA (100 ng/ml), all three chemicals inhibited superoxide (O2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) secretions dose-dependently, yet they failed to suppress macrophage reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) after a 24 hour treatment. On the other hand, calcium blockers, verapamil and nifedipine, could reduce nitrite secretion (NO2), while adenosine did not show the ability to inhibit NO2. This indicates that calcium, as a secondary messenger, is important for the production of ROI and RNI. the re...
Increased susceptibility of fat-laden Zucker-rat hepatocytes to bile acid-induced oncotic necrosis: an in vitro model of steatocholestasis.

Metabolic liver disorders cause chronic liver disease and liver failure in childhood. Many of these disorders share the histologic features of steatosis and cholestasis, or steatocholestasis. In this study we sought to (1) develop an in vitro model of steatocholestasis, (2) determine the mechanisms of cell death in this model, and (3) determine the role of mitochondrial disturbances in this model. Methods: Hepatocytes were isolated from 8-week-old obese (fa/fa) and lean Zucker rats. Cell suspensions were treated with glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDC), after which reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, oncotic necrosis, apoptosis, and ATP content were assessed. Isolated liver mitochondria were exposed to GCDC and analyzed for ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane-permeability transition (MPT), and cytochrome c release. Oncotic necrosis was significantly increased and apoptosis reduced in fa/fa hepatocytes exposed to GCDC compared with that in lean hepatocytes. Necrosis occurred by way of an ROS- and MPT-dependent pathway. Basal and dynamic ATP content did not differ between fa/fa and lean hepatocytes. GCDC stimulated ROS generation, MPT, and cytochrome c release to a similar extent in purified mitochondria from both fa/fa and lean rats. These findings suggest that fat-laden hepatocytes favor a necrotic rather than an apoptotic cell death when exposed to low concentrations of bile acids. The protective effects of antioxidants and MPT blockers suggest novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of steatocholestatic metabolic liver diseases.
Objective speech quality assessment and the RPE-LTP coding algorithm in different noise and language conditions.

The formulation of reliable signal processing algorithms for speech coding and synthesis require the selection of a prior criterion of performance. Though coding efficiency (bits/second) or computational requirements can be used, a final performance measure must always include speech quality. In this paper, three objective speech quality measures are considered with respect to quality assessment for American English, noisy American English, and noise‐free versions of seven languages. The purpose is to determine whether objective quality measures can be used to quantify changes in quality for a given voice coding method, with a known subjective performance level, as background noise or language conditions are changed. The speech coding algorithm chosen is regular‐pulse excitation with long‐term prediction (RPE‐LTP), which has been chosen as the standard voice compression algorithm for the European Digital Mobile Radio system. Three areas are considered for objective quality assessment which include: (i) vocoder performance for American English in a noise‐free environment, (ii) speech quality variation for three additive background noise sources, and (iii) noise‐free performance for seven languages which include English, Japanese, Finnish, German, Hindi, Spanish, and French. It is suggested that although existing objective quality measures will never replace subjective testing, they can be a useful means of assessing changes in performance, identifying areas for improvement in algorithm design, and augmenting subjective quality tests for voice coding/compression algorithms in noise‐free, noisy, and/or non‐English applications.
Albedo of particles in reflection nebulae

The relation between the apparent angular extent of a reflection nebula and the apparent magnitude of its illuminating star was reconsidered under a less restrictive set of assumptions. A computational technique was developed which permits the use of fits to the observed m-log a values to determine the albedo of particles composing reflection nebulae, providing only that a phase function and average optical thickness are assumed. Multiple scattering, anisotropic phase functions, and illumination by the general star field are considered, and the albedo of reflection nebular particles appears to be the same as that for interstellar particles in general. The possibility of continuous fluorescence contributions to the surface brightness is also considered.
Integration and Disintegration on the North American Continent

Although ours is an age of transnational economic and political forces, itis even more an age of intense and intensifying nationalism. In fact, taken as a whole, the twentieth century has been a time of political fragmentation and disintegration. Much of the handiwork of political integration that characterized the nineteenth century has been undone and much else is under severe strain. The empires and multiethnic states that formerly provided order and unity over much of the globe have been destroyed. Once stable societies like Belgium, Canada, and the United States have become subject to severe internal strain. Yet despite the prevalence of this phenomenon, very few political scientists have studied from a systematic perspective the process of political disintegration.
Modeling anisotropic hardening with a stochastic cellular automaton

The Bauschinger effect refers to an observed asymmetry in the forward and reverse loading curves of a metal or an alloy. It is characterized by the reduction of the absolute value of the yield stress in reverse loading, as compared to the maximum stress imposed on the initial, or forward, loading. The Bauschinger effect contributes to the phenomena known as kinematic or anisotropic hardening. Experimental investigations of dispersion hardened systems have shown that materials with strong, non-shearable particles exhibit a large degree of kinematic hardening. In the current work the use of a stochastic cellular automaton is investigated as a tool to model the anisotropic hardening of dispersion hardened alloy. A local rule is implemented that allows a redistribution of stresses from a cell to its neighbors. This response to loading takes place synchronously based on a probabilistic determination and conditions within each cell. Model results are generated for an alloy reinforced with non-shearable and shearable particles.
Computer simulation of Czochralski silicon thermal history and its effect on bulk stacking fault nuclei generation

Abstract A heat transfer finite element analysis is performed to simuaate the whole Czochralski process thermal history of a silicon ingot 150 mm in diameter pulled from an initial nutrient melt of 60 kg. The computed crystal cooling rates are carefully examined to highlight the most meaningful temperature range (1073–1273 K) and its upper dwell-time threshold (150 min), which is critical for stacking fault microdefects generation.
Incorporation on radioactivity into pyridoxal phosphate by Escherichia coli B

Abstract A method of testing incorporation of radioactive compounds into pyridoxal phosphate by Escherichia coli is described in detail. The method extracts cells grown under various conditions and uses ion exchange chromatography to separate the pyridoxal phosphate from the bulk of the extract. Reduction to pyridoxol phosphate, rechromatography, hydrolysis to pyridoxol, rechromatography and finally sublimation are used to prepare a pyridoxal phosphate derivative essentially free of contaminating radioactivity. Suitability of different compounds as precursors of pyridoxal phosphate is shown to be easily tested by comparison of the specific activity of the test compound to that of pyridoxal phosphate.
Does N2 fixation amplify the temperature dependence of ecosystem metabolism

Variation in resource supply can cause variation in temperature dependences of metabolic processes (e.g., photosynthesis and respiration). Understanding such divergence is particularly important when using metabolic theory to predict ecosystem responses to climate warming. Few studies, however, have assessed the effect of temperature–resource interactions on metabolic processes, particularly in cases where the supply of limiting resources exhibits temperature dependence. We investigated the responses of biomass accrual, gross primary production (GPP), community respiration (CR), and N2 fixation to warming during biofilm development in a streamside channel experiment. Areal rates of GPP, CR, biomass accrual, and N2 fixation scaled positively with temperature, showing a 32- to 71-fold range across the temperature gradient (~7°–24°C). Areal N2-fixation rates exhibited apparent activation energies (1.5–2.0 eV; 1 eV = ~1.6 × 10−19 J) approximating the activation energy of the nitrogenase reaction. In contrast,...
Relative Activity of Possible Initiating Species Produced from Photolysis of Tetraphenyl and Triphenylbutyl Borates As Measured by Fluorescence Probe Techniques

Fluorescence probe techniques (FPT) have been used to obtain curing profiles for the polymerization of a model monomer, triethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA). A number of new chromophore ammonium salt triphenylbutyl and tetraphenylborates differing only in the structure of the ammonium salt moiety have been used as photoinitiators. The borates were chosen for study so that a comparison of their initiation efficiency would reveal information about the relative activity of possible initiating species produced upon borate photodecomposition. The results support our previous postulate that an α-aminoalkyl radical formed immediately after unimolecular decomposition from the tetraphenylborates is the most effective initiating species and that α-aminoalkyl radicals significantly increase the photoinitiator efficiency of triphenylbutylborates as well. The importance of other radicals to the initiation step is also discussed.
Free is the Best Price: Building Your Collection of Primary Sources with Free, Online, Digital Collections

This session focused on the extensive range of open access, online collections available through the digitization efforts of libraries, museums, and archives. The issues discussed included how librarians can find and evaluate the‐ se collections and improve user access to them by adding them to library collections.
Single and double ionization of helium by the impact of fast charged particles

A survey of the recent literature shows that paradoxes abound in electron- and ion-impact ionization of helium. For example, Schulz et al. [M. Schulz, R. Moshammer, D. Fischer, H. Kollmus, D.H. Madison, S. Jones, J. Ullrich, Nature 422 (2003) 48] found that first-Born and three-body distorted-wave (3DW) theories reproduced their data for single ionization of helium by very fast fully stripped carbon ions in the scattering plane, but not outside the scattering plane. For much slower impacting carbon ions, however, Madison et al. [D.H. Madison, D. Fischer, M. Foster, M. Schulz, R. Moshammer, S. Jones, J. Ullrich, Phys. Rev. Lett. 91 (2003) 253201] found good agreement between 3DW theory and experiment, even outside the scattering plane. This creates a dilemma, since distorted-wave perturbation theories are generally thought to improve with increasing, not decreasing, projectile speed! In this contribution, we will address these and other issues, and suggest possible ways of proceeding.
Receptors for calcium antagonists.

Abstract Calcium antagonists have been divided into 3 different subclasses represented by nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem. These drugs have different pharmacologic effects and are not interchangeable. Previous studies suggested that all calcium antagonists bind to a 170 kd polypeptide (now called the α 2 subunit of the voltage-dependent calcium channel). The apparent molecular weight of this polypeptide characteristically decreased from 170 to 140 kd upon disulfide reduction as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Recent studies demonstrated that calcium antagonists bind to a previously unrecognized 165 kd polypeptide ( α 1 subunit) that does not change its electrophoretic mobility on disulfide reduction. Because of their similar molecular weights, the 2 polypeptides may overlap each other on polyacrylamide gels. The primary structure of both polypeptides clearly shows, however, that they are different from each other and only the α 1 subunit has the features expected of an ion channel.
A broad theoretical approach to the investigation of mesoscopic electron devices

Abstract Nanofabrication technology has matured to a point where it is possible to realize mesoscopic semi-conductor structures with dimensions comparable to the phase coherence length of conducting electrons. Devices based on electron wave phenomena, like quantum interference, must be studied using quantum mechanical methods which are very computationally intensive. We have initially applied a tight-binding Green's function formalism to structures modelled as ideal electron wave-guides, looking at issues related to the realization of three-terminal quantum interference devices and to the more general problem of device interconnection. We also report on a highly efficient two-dimensional algorithm implementation for the self-consistent solution of the coupled Poisson and Schrodinger equations, necessary to investigate subband wavefunctions and energy levels in the cross-section of realistic electron waveguide structures, which we plan to incorporate in the approach.
Applied torque control of friction stir welding using motor current as feedback

When controlling friction stir welding, effort must be given to maintaining proper tool shoulder contact with the workpiece in order to achieve consolidation of the parent materials. Axial force co...
Evaluation of retransmission strategies in a local area network environment

We present an evaluation of retransmission strategies over local area networks. Expressions are derived for the expectation and the variance of the transmission time of the go-back-n and the selective repeat protocols in the presence of errors. These are compared to the expressions for blast with full retransmission on error (BFRE) derived by Zwaenepoel [Zwa 85]. We conclude that go-back-n performs almost as well as selective repeat and is very much simpler to implement while BFRE is stable only for a limited range of messages sizes and error rates. We also present a variant of BFRE which optimally checkpoints the transmission of a large message. This is shown to overcome the instability of ordinary BFRE. It has a simple state machine and seems to take full advantage of the low error rates of local area networks. We further investigate go-back-n by generalizing the analysis to an upper layer transport protocol, which is likely to encounter among other things, variable delays due to protocol overhead, multiple connections, process switches and operating system scheduling priorities.
Inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-induced chloride uptake by gamma-BHC and heptachlor epoxide

Abstract 1. 1. A bioassay system was established using the coaxal muscle of the American cockroach to measure the stimulatory effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on 36 Cl − permeability and the antagonistic effect of picrotoxinin. In this system half maximum stimulation by GABA is achieved at 80 μM. 2. 2. This stimulatory action by GABA was found to be antagonized by two cyclodiene-type insecticides, heptachlor epoxide and γ-BHC. Other insecticidal analogs, which do not posses cyclodiene-type neuro-excitant property, failed to show this phenomenon. 3. 3. These results clearly demonstrate that heptachlor and γ-BHC have picrotoxinin-type action.
An algorithm for tracking fluid particles in a spectral simulation of turbulent channel flow

Abstract The ability to follow individual fluid particles dispersing in a turbulent flow and to collect turbulence information along their trajectories is of key importance in many problems of practical and theoretical significance. With the availability of a direct numerical simulation of turbulence such information can be extracted directly from first principles without resorting to questionable assumptions. In this paper an algorithm for tracking fluid particles in a direct numerical simulation of turbulent channel flow is developed and tested. Fluid particle velocities are computed with an interpolation scheme that employs Lagrange polynomials of order 6 in the homogeneous directions of the channel and Chebyshev polynomials in the inhomogeneous normal direction. Errors in computed particle velocities and trajectories are assessed and it is shown that accurate single-particle Lagrangian statistics can be extracted both in the center and in the wall region of the channel.
Separation of extracts from biological tissues into polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, polychlorinated biphenyl and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/polychlorinated dibenzofuran fractions prior to analysis.

Abstract A low-pressure liquid chromatography method is presented for separating polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo- p -dioxins/polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) from biological tissue extracts. After removing lipid from extracts, the PAHs are separated from PCBs and PCDDs/PCDFs on a deactivated 13–24 μm silica gel column. The PCBs are subsequently separated from PCDDs/PCDFs by collecting the first fraction from an automated three column cleanup procedure for PCDDs/PCDFs. The complete method has been used to obtain high recoveries of the three compound classes for analysis by GC-electron capture detection (PCBs) or GC-MS (PAHs and PCDDs/PCDFs).
A comparison of interpreted and abstract versions of mixed-motive games

SITUATIONS CORRESPONDING TO TEN INTERPRETED VERSION DILEMMAS 1. (2, 2) (-5, 5) (5,)-5) (-I,)-1) 2. (3, 3) (-5, 5) (5, -5) (-4, -4) 3. (3, 3) (-4, 4) (4, -4) (-3, -3) 4. (3, 3) (-4, 4) (4,-4) (-2,-2) 5. (4, 4) (5, 5) (5,-5) (-3,-3) 6. (1, 1) (-4, 4) (4, -4) (-3, -3) 7. (4, 4) (-5, 5) (5,-5) (-4,-4) 8. (2, 2) (-3, 3) (3,-3) (-1,-1) 9. (1, 1) (-5, 5) (5,-5) (-1,-1) 10. (2, 2) (-3, 3) (3, -3) (-2,)2) out regard to his attribution of a cooperative or competitive choice to the other (hypothetical) player. The abstract situations are presented in Table 2.
Using persuasive messages to encourage hunters to support regulation of lead shot

Lead shot from hunting adds the toxic metal to environments worldwide. The United States banned lead shot for hunting waterfowl in 1991 and 26 states have lead shot restrictions beyond those mandated for waterfowl hunting. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) was interested in studying hunter attitudes about expanded restrictions on the use of lead shot for hunting small game to understand what communication strategies might increase public support for potential restrictions on lead shot. We mailed messages about lead shot, including 1,200 control messages and 400 of each of 9 treatment messages, and surveys to 4,800 resident small game hunters. We compared attitudes and intentions related to a possible ban among control and treatment groups. Compared to the control message, all treatment messages elicited more positive attitudes and intentions to support a ban. A basic factual message, messages with references to Ducks Unlimited, and a first-person narrative message generated the strongest support for a ban. Results also demonstrated a substantial relationship between the use of lead shot and response to persuasive messages supporting a ban. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Entity relationship models as a tool for data analysis and design

Many tools have been developed to aid in the systems analysis and design process. These same tools are used in teaching to help students better understand the process. This paper will discuss ways in which one tool, Entity Relationship (ER) models, can be used in teaching data analysis and design. The role of ER models in database design will be reviewed. ER models will be considered as a framework for also dealing with file design. An example of an ER model will be given with a description of how it might be used in discussing file design issues with students.
Recidivism rates among child molesters and rapists: A methodological analysis.

We address the high variability in sex offender recidivism rates by examining several of the critical methodological differences that underlie this variability. We used a dataset on 251 sex offenders (136 rapists and 115 child molesters) who were discharged over a 25-year period to examine changes in recidivism as a function of changes in dispositional definition of reoffense (e.g., arrest or conviction), changes in the domain of criminal offenses that are considered, and changes in the length of exposure time. The data indicate that: (a) both rapists and child molesters remain at risk to reoffend long after their discharge, in some cases 15-20 years after discharge; (b) there was a marked underestimation of recidivism when calculating a simple proportion (%) consisting of those who were known to have reoffended during the follow-up period, and (c) there was a marked underestimation of recidivism when the criterion was based on conviction or imprisonment. Forensic, clinical and policy implications of this high variability are discussed.
Long-term outcomes of the neoaorta after arterial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries.

Background After the arterial switch operation (ASO) for transposition of the great arteries (TGA), the native pulmonary root and valve function in the systemic position, and the long-term risk for neoaortic root dilation and valve regurgitation is currently undefined. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and progression of neoaortic root dilation and neoaortic valve regurgitation in patients with TGA repaired with the ASO. Methods Measurements of the neoaortic annulus, neoaortic root at the level of the sinuses of Valsalva, and the degree of neoaortic regurgitation were assessed by serial transthoracic echocardiograms on 124 patients with TGA at a median follow-up of 7.2 years (range, 1 to 23 years) after the ASO at our institution. Results Neoaortic root dilation with z scores of 2.5 or greater was identified in 66%, and the root diameter z score increased at an average rate of 0.08 per year over time after ASO. Freedom from neoaortic root dilation at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years after ASO was 84%, 67%, 47%, and 32%, respectively. Risk factors for root dilation include history of double-outlet right ventricle (p = 0.003), previous pulmonary artery banding (p = 0.01), and length of follow-up (p = 0.04). Neoaortic valve regurgitation of at least moderate degree was present in 14%. Neoaortic root dilation was a significant risk factor for neoaortic valve regurgitation (p Conclusions Progressive neoaortic root dilation is common in patients with TGA after the ASO. Continued surveillance of this population is required.
Solvent extraction studies of cobalt in aqueous thiocyanate solutions using Aliquat-336

Abstract Cobalt ions in aqueous thiocyanate solution react with Aliquat-336-xylene solution to form anion-association complex which is easily extracted into the organic phase. A typical extraction procedure involves extracting a solution which is 10 ppm in cobalt and 0.06 M , 5 . Stripping of Cobalt from 2% Aliquat-336-Xylene Solutions Strippant Cobalt stripped (%) Na 2 S ( M ) 1.0 18.3 2.0 10.7 Na 2 SO 3 ( M ) 0.1 10.7 0.5 49.6 1.0 52.9 EDA (%) 2.5 76.6 NaOH ( M ) 0.1 4.1 0.5 74.1 1.0 90.8 2.0 76.8 NH 4 OH ( M ) 0.1 24.1 0.5 91.8 1.0 97.5 2.0 99.9 EDTA (M) 0.02 >99.9 0.05 >99.9 0.1 >99.9 EDTA (%) 0.1 >99.9 0.5 >99.9 1.0 >99.9 in thiocyanate with an equal volume of 2% Aliquat-336-xylene. The extraction is complete in less than 15 sec. The procedure is simple and efficient. The extracted cobalt can be stripped back to the aqueous phase using a dilute EDTA solution.
Intrinsic and induced EEG rhythms in severe hypothyroidism secondary to panhypopituitarism. A case report

Abstract Changes in the resting EEG and in the parieto-occipital response evoked by slowly repeated flashes are reported in a case of severe hypothyroidism secondary to panhypopituitarism. Parallel improvements were noted in the resting EEG, in the phenomenon of rhythmic after-discharge induced by photic stimulation, and in the patient's mental status. The electrographic findings support earlier results which suggested that the neuronal mechanisms for generation of intrinsic alpha activity and for the generation of the rhythmic after-discharge to photic stimulation may be similar, although not necessarily identical, in nature.
Interleukin-4 regulates eomesodermin in CD8+ T cell development and differentiation

Interleukin (IL)-4 is a cytokine classically associated with CD4(+) T helper type 2 differentiation, but has been recently shown to also be required for the development of CD8(+) innate-like lymphocytes. CD8(+) innate-like lymphocytes are non-conventional lymphocytes that exhibit characteristics typically associated with memory CD8(+) T cells, including expression of the T-box transcription factor Eomesodermin (Eomes). Here we investigate the signaling pathways required for IL-4 induction of Eomes and CD8(+) innate-like lymphocyte markers in murine CD8SP thymocytes and peripheral CD8(+) T cells. We demonstrate that IL-4 is sufficient to drive Eomes expression and the CD8(+) innate-like lymphocyte phenotype through cooperation between STAT6- and Akt-dependent pathways. Furthermore, we show that while IL-4 has little effect on the induction of Eomes in the setting of robust T cell receptor (TCR) activation, this cytokine promotes Eomes in the setting of attenuated TCR stimulation in mature CD8(+) T cells suggesting that cytokine signaling pathways may direct cell fate when TCR signals are limiting.
Is Carotid Endarterectomy Appropiate for Asymptomatic Stenosis?: Yes

W ITH THE publication of the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis Study (ACAS) results in 1995, much controversy again arose over whether to offer carotid endarterectomy (CE) to asymptomatic patients with severe carotid stenosis. In 1985, when laying the ground work for this trial, the investigators had hoped to end much of the controversy and settle what was then felt to be a simple but important question: Is CE helpful or harmful to asymptomatic patients harboring carotid lesions of hemodynamic significance? To my thinking, 3 basic conclusions came from that work: First, that skilled surgeons could perform CE with a 5-year morbidity and mortality rate that was less than half of that obtained with the best medical management alone. Second, the absolute risk of stroke and death with medical management was only 2.3% per year, which was less than half that predicted from historical data available at the time. Finally, conventional cerebral arteriography was dangerous in these high-risk patients, resulting in a complication rate that nearly doubled the 1.5% morbidity and mortality rate of the surgical procedure alone. These results, however, rather than ending controversy, have fueled more questions and concerns. If CE is of relative benefit to patients, is the statistical benefit of avoiding nondisabling stroke worth the overall cost and risk of the procedure? Can the low surgical morbidity rate achieved by ACAS surgeons be reproduced in community hospitals throughout the country, and if so, should patients routinely be screened for carotid stenosis as a matter of public health policy? How should good candidates for this procedure be selected? When, in the course of treating a patient with severe and progressive carotid stenosis, should surgery first be considered? Theanswers to these latterquestions are unlikely to be found by further subgroup analysis of the ACAS data or by more, randomized controlled trials.Norshould theybe.The answerslieinunderstandingtheterms of ACAS and in the state of equipoise that must be achieved in the care of an individual patient, not in populationsofpeopleconsideredforsecondary prevention of stroke. Important factorsthatneedtobeweighedinclude humanones.Toelucidatethese, Ipropose7questions that shouldbeasked before an asymptomatic patient is considered for CE. These questions can best be remembered by using the acronym C-A-R-O-T-I-D.
Fire performance under full scale test conditions— A state transition model

This paper concerns the measurement of fire performance under experimental fire conditions resembling actual fire conditions. A new method of analyzing and reporting the results of these experiments, a State Transition Model, is introduced. Distinct states are chosen for the analysis of fire growth experiments and their duration provides a new experimental data. Three pre-flashover states are defined as follows: J ≡The period of time from the beginning of the experiment to ignition of the specimen K ≡The period of time from ignition of the specimen until flames touch the ceiling, and L ≡The period of time from when the flames first touch the ceiling until full involvement (flashover) occurs. These states are components of the State Transition Model, and histograms and cumulative distribution functions (CDF) of the state durations then provide a graphical representation of fire performance. Examples are chosen to illustrate the method. Traditional cellulosic and cementitious walls and ceilings are compared to plastic materials in the same configuration.
Uncloaking a cryptic, threatened rail with molecular markers: origins, connectivity and demography of a recently-discovered population.

The threatened California Black Rail lives under dense marsh vegetation, is rarely observed, flies weakly and has a highly disjunct distribution. The largest population of rails is found in 8–10 large wetlands in San Francisco Bay (SF Bay), but a population was recently discovered in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains (Foothills), within a wetland network comprised of over 200 small marshes. Using microsatellite and mitochondrial analyses, our objectives were to determine the origins, connectivity and demography of this recently-discovered population. Analyses of individuals from the Foothills (n = 31), SF Bay (n = 31), the Imperial Valley (n = 6) and the East Coast (n = 3), combined with rigorous power evaluations, provided valuable insights into past history and current dynamics of the species in Northern California that challenge conventional wisdom about the species. The Foothills and SF Bay populations have diverged strongly from the Imperial Valley population, even more strongly than from individuals of the East Coast subspecies. The data also suggest a historical presence of the species in the Foothills. The SF Bay and Foothills populations had similar estimated effective population size over the areas sampled and appeared linked by a strongly asymmetrical migration pattern, with a greater probability of movement from the Foothills to SF Bay than vice versa. Random mating was inferred in the Foothills, but local substructure among marshes and inbreeding were detected in SF Bay, suggesting different dispersal patterns within each location. The unexpected dimensions of Black Rail demography and population structure suggested by these analyses and their potential importance for management are discussed.
First Observation of Charge Reduction and Desorption Kinetics of Multiply Protonated Peptides Soft Landed onto Self-Assembled Monolayer Surfaces

The kinetics of charge reduction and desorption of different species produced by soft-landing of mass-selected ions was studied using in situ secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR MS). The improved SIMS capability described in this work utilizes an in-line 8 keV Cs+ ion gun and allows us to interrogate the surface both during the ion deposition and after the deposition is terminated. As a model system doubly protonated ions of Gramicidin S were deposited onto a fluorinated self-assembled monolayer (FSAM) surface. Our results demonstrate for the first time that various peptide-related peaks in FT-ICR SIMS spectra follow very different kinetics. We obtained unique kinetics signatures for doubly protonated, singly protonated and neutral peptides retained on the surface and followed their evolution as a function of time. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with a kinetic model that takes into account charge reduction and thermal desorption of different species from the surface.
Novel roles for palmitoylation of Ras in IL-1β-induced nitric oxide release and caspase 3 activation in insulin-secreting β cells

Abstract We recently demonstrated that functional inactivation of H-Ras results in significant reduction in interleukin 1β (IL-1β)-mediated effects on isolated β cells. Since palmitoylation of Ras has been implicated in its membrane targeting, we examined the contributory roles of palmitoylation of Ras in IL-1β-induced nitric oxide (NO) release and subsequent activation of caspases. Preincubation of HIT-T15 or INS-1 cells with cerulenin (CER, 134 μM; 3 hr), an inhibitor of protein palmitoylation, significantly reduced (−95%) IL-1β-induced NO release from these cells. 2-Bromopalmitate, a structurally distinct inhibitor of protein palmitoylation, but not 2-hydroxymyristic acid, an inhibitor of protein myristoylation, also reduced (−67%) IL-1β-induced NO release from HIT cells. IL-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression was markedly attenuated by CER. Further, CER markedly reduced incorporation of [ 3 H ]palmitate into H-Ras and caused significant accumulation of Ras in the cytosolic fraction. CER-treatment also prevented IL-1β-induced activation of caspase 3 in these cells. Moreover, N -monomethyl- l -arginine, a known inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase, markedly inhibited IL-induced activation of caspase 3, thus establishing a link between IL-induced NO release and caspase 3 activation. Depletion of membrane-bound cholesterol using methyl-β-cyclodextrin, which also disrupts caveolar organization within the plasma membrane, abolished IL-1β-induced NO release suggesting that IL-1β-mediated Ras-dependent signaling in these cells involves the intermediacy of caveolae and their key constituents (e.g. caveolin-1) in isolated β cells. Confocal light microscopic evidence indicated significant colocalization of Ras with caveolin-1. Taken together, our data provide the first evidence to indicate that palmitoylation of Ras is essential for IL-1β-induced cytotoxic effects on the islet β cell.
Discriminating among single locus models using small pedigrees.

Simulated small pedigrees (2 parents, 4 offspring) were used to illustrate the applications and limitations of a “model choice” approach designed to detect genetic heterogeneity in familial diseases. While it is possible to identify groups of pedigrees which have different genetic causes for quantitative phenotypic trait(s), theoretical limitations on discriminating between 4 single locus models exist for certain pedigree structures. These limitations originate from the overlapping phenotypic predictions of the various genetic models. Such limitations must be carefully considered in the design of genetic studies. Studies aimed at detecting genetic heterogeneity in familial diseases should limit the different genetic models being considered and tailor the sampling strategy to avoid collecting pedigrees which are non-informative for certain comparisons.
The Troy Davis Effect: Does Information on Wrongful Convictions Affect Death Penalty Opinions?

Following the Supreme Court's use of social science research in Furman v. Georgia, numerous studies have examined the factors affecting support for the death penalty. Although it is known that the death penalty continues to have strong support in the United States, it remains unclear how the rise in media coverage of wrongful convictions and the increasing number of Hispanics in the United States will affect opinions of and support for the death penalty. Using a sample of students at a predominantly Hispanic university, this study explores the effect of exposure to information on wrongful convictions on opinions about the death penalty.
Conservation properties of numerical integration methods for systems of ordinary differential equations

If a system of ordinary differential equations represents a property conserving system that can be expressed linearly (e.g., conservation of mass), it is then desirable that the numerical integration method used conserve the same quantity. It is shown that both linear multistep methods and Runge-Kutta methods are 'conservative' and that Newton-type methods used to solve the implicit equations preserve the inherent conservation of the numerical method. It is further shown that a method used by several authors is not conservative.