cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retention of an Autologous Endothelial Layer on a Bioprosthetic Valve for the Treatment of Chronic Deep Venous Insufficiency

Abstract Purpose Percutaneous transcatheter implantation of porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) bioprosthetic valves has been reported as a treatment for chronic deep venous insufficiency (CDVI). Endothelial progenitor outgrowth cells (EOCs), isolated from whole ovine blood, were evaluated as a source of in vitro autologous seeding for SIS endothelialization. Retention of the EOC monolayer was evaluated to test the feasibility of delivering an endothelialized SIS valve. Materials and Methods Twenty bioprosthetic venous valves were constructed from SIS sutured onto collapsible square stent frames and were seeded with ovine EOCs in vitro. Retention of the endothelial monolayer through valve loading and delivery (three valves), in vitro flow (three valves), and ex vivo flow (four valves) was evaluated with immunofluorescent staining and histologic analysis compared with paired unmanipulated control valves. In the ex vivo shunt loop, venous blood was pulled from an implanted dialysis catheter, through the valve, and returned to the sheep. Results Immunofluorescent staining of EOCs on the valves after in vitro seeding revealed a confluent monolayer (95.6% ± 2.3% confluent) on each side of the valve. When examined by immunofluorescent staining, the endothelial monolayer remained intact after loading and delivery (97.1% ± 1.7%) and when subjected to flow in the in vitro loop (96.0% ± 3.0%). Histologic analysis of the valves subjected to the ex vivo shunt loop revealed retention of the endothelial monolayer. Conclusions Endothelial monolayers seeded on SIS were retained under loading and delivery, in vitro flow, and ex vivo flow. EOCs are a promising cell source for autologous endothelialization of bioprosthetic valves for the treatment of CDVI.
Convective Evolution and Merger in the FACE Experimental Area: Mesoscale Convection and Boundary Layer Interactions

Abstract This paper investigates the interactions between the various scales of motion and, specifically, the inter-actions between convection and the surface boundary layer in the development of a mesoscale convective system within the Florida Area Cumulus Experiment (FACE) experimental area. Data used in the analysis are from a surface mesonetwork covering a 1500 km2 area which consisted of wind measuring stations, raingages, hygrothermographs, microbarographs and temperature, humidity and pressure transducers. Surface convergence was shown to exist up to 2 h before the development of precipitation over the convergence area within the mesonetwork. Convergence was not being balanced by divergence within the network, which implies mesoscale and/or synoptic-scale forcing. The subsidence warming and drying in the near environment of the mesoscale convective system appeared to play an important role in its evolution from the mature to the dissipating stage. Soundings taken in the near environment of the conv...
Effect of organic capping layers over monodisperse platinum nanoparticles upon activity for ethylene hydrogenation and carbon monoxide oxidation

Abstract The influence of oleylamine (OA), trimethyl tetradecyl ammonium bromide (TTAB), and polyvinlypyrrolidone (PVP) capping agents upon the catalytic properties of Pt/silica catalysts was evaluated. Pt nanoparticles that were 1.5 nm in size were synthesized by the same procedure (ethylene glycol reduction under basic conditions) with the various capping agents added afterward for stabilization. Before examining catalytic properties for ethylene hydrogenation and CO oxidation, the Pt NPs were deposited onto mesoporous silica (SBA-15) supports and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), H2 chemisorption , and elemental analysis (ICP-MS). PVP- and TTAB-capped Pt yielded mass-normalized reaction rates that decreased with increasing pretreatment temperature, and this trend was attributed to the partial coverage of the Pt surface with decomposition products from the organic capping agent. Once normalized to the Pt surface area, similar intrinsic activities were obtained regardless of the pretreatment temperature, which indicated no influence on the nature of the active sites. Consequently, a chemical probe technique using intrinsic activity for ethylene hydrogenation was demonstrated as an acceptable method for estimating the metallic surface areas of Pt. Amine (OA) capping exhibited a detrimental influence on the catalytic properties as severe deactivation and low activity were observed for ethylene hydrogenation and CO oxidation, respectively. These results were consistent with amine groups being strong poisons for Pt surfaces, and revealed the need to consider the effects of capping agents on the catalytic properties.
Facile generation of cell microarrays using vacuum degassing and coverslip sweeping

A simple method to generate cell microarrays with high-percentage well occupancy and well-defined cell confinement is presented. This method uses a synergistic combination of vacuum degassing and coverslip sweeping. The vacuum degassing step dislodges air bubbles from the microwells, which in turn enables the cells to enter the microwells, while the physical sweeping step using a glass coverslip removes the excess cells outside the microwells. This low-cost preparation method provides a simple solution to generating cell microarrays that can be performed in basic research laboratories and point-of-care settings for routine cell-based screening assays.
Gene and cell delivery to the degenerated striatum: status of preclinical efforts in primate models.

SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HAS been achieved in developing restorative neurosurgical strategies for movement disorders on the basis of preclinical gene and cell therapy experiments in primates. Because of the unique similarities between human and primate anatomy and physiology, experiments in primate models are the critical step in translating these innovative neurosurgical treatment concepts into successful human applications. To clarify progress toward this goal, we have examined recent preclinical data regarding the delivery of gene and cell therapy to the lesioned primate stria-tum. Improved behavioral outcomes after in vivo gene transduction, achieved by brain delivery of adeno-associated vectors, have resulted in the initiation of ongoing clinical trials. Cell transplantation experiments are transitioning from the grafting of fetal tissue, which has met with mixed clinical success, to the grafting of expanded neural stem cells, for which preliminary results in primates are encouraging. Careful attention to the surgical delivery parameters for these agents in primate studies, along with the ability to realistically model imaging and behavioral outcomes in these animals, is essential for optimizing the restoration of function for patients. The authors review data obtained from primate models that form the basis for ongoing clinical trials to consider how new preclinical models should be developed to answer questions that arise from experimental clinical data.
Modeling Daily Milk Yield in Holstein Cows Using Time Series Analysis

Abstract Time series analysis of milk yield data collected three times daily was used to create stochastic models for short-term forecasting of milk production. These models can be used in systems for automated registration of daily milk weights. Analyses were carried out on partial or complete lactation yield data from 513 lactations. Time series analysis showed that the exponential smoothing function was most appropriate to model both individual milking and daily yield data. Model parameters were influenced by parity, stage of lactation, occurrence of missed milkings, and treatment for diseases. The model to forecast daily total yield performed equally well as the model to forecast individual-milking yield, since the variance of the residual errors of the forecast daily production was similar to the sum of the variances of the forecast errors of the individual milkings. Average parameter values from heifers and multiparous cows not treated for diseases, and without missing milk weights, were estimated and used to forecast next day milk yield. Average forecast errors preceding disease diagnosis showed a sudden production decline in the case of clinical mastitis and a gradual production decrease in the case of clinical ketosis. Therefore, separate screening tests are needed when screening for these diseases with daily milk weight systems.
Evaluation of the effects of methanol during early pregnancy in the rat

Abstract Recent attention to methanol (MeOH) as a potential alternative fuel prompted an evaluation of the chemical's effects during early pregnancy. Rats were dosed by gavage during Days 1–8 of pregnancy at 0, 1.6, 2.4, or 3.2 g MeOH/kg/day. Groups of animals were killed on Days 9, 11, or 20 of pregnancy, and maternal, embryonic, or fetal parameters were assessed, depending on the stage of pregnancy. The decidual cell response (DCR) technique was also applied to rats treated with MeOH during pseudopregnancy. Reductions in pregnant uterine and implantation site weights seen on Day 9 are the result of MeOH impedance of normal decidualization, as demonstrated by effects on the DCR. An increase in the extravasation of blood at implantation sites seen on Day 9 did not result in an increase in resorptions by Day 20. The 3.2 g/kg/day dose of MeOH produced a reduction in body weight gain by Day 9, which may be considered an indication of non-specific maternal toxicity. No effect on Day 11 or Day 20 embryo-fetal survival, or development was observed.
The proximity effect in utralthin granular Pb films

Abstract We present eletron transport measurement that demonstrate that Pb films that are on the insulating side of the two dimensional superconductor to insulator transitions can be made superconducting by depositing a normal metal, Ag, on them.
FOOD AS A DISCRIMINATIVE STIMULUS

The reinforcing function of food for a hungry animal has been frequently examined in instrumental conditioning studies. There are, however, at least two other characteristics of food that can be noted. First, food, as an unconditioned stimulus, elicits various unconditioned responses. Second, food may purportedly serve a discriminative or signalling function. The eliciting function of food, even in the operant conditioning chamber, has been convincingly reaffirmed by recent research on the autoshaping phenomenon (Brown & Jenkins, 1968; Moore, 1973). However, the discriminative function of food, while occasionally discussed in theoretical accounts of various learning phenomena, e.g., the partial reinforcement extinction effect (Capaldi, 1966), and performance under a fixed-interval schedule and the omission effect (Staddon, 1970, 1974), has been much less researched. As an early step in the examination of the signalling properties of food, the present study attempted to answer the following questions: (a) Will pigeons learn a "go-no go" discrimination in which the positive trials are preceded by food and the negative trials are not preceded by food? (b) Will subsequent presentation of various amounts of food lead to correlated changes in responding, i.e., is it possible to obtain a decremental generalization gradient along the dimension of reinforcement magnitude? (c) Will the generalization gradient obtained after such discrimination learning be steeper than that obtained after no discrimination training?
A parametric study of the behavioral effects of phencyclidine in adult cats

Five adult cats received four doses of phencyclidine to determine the behavioral effects of this compound. On alternate weeks the animals received control injections of saline vehicle. Dose-dependent behavioral changes occurred in three general categories (posture, locomotor activity and stereotyped head movements). In small doses (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg), major postural effects consisted of head and body tremors and loss of hindlimb support. In larger doses (1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg), the postural effects occurred more rapidly and became more severe as animals lost both forelimb and hindlimb support and ultimately became immobile. Small doses of phencyclidine produced decreases in locomotor activity, followed by increases. Larger doses produced initial increases in activity. Increases in head movement stereotypies were produced by all doses of phencyclidine.
A reply to ``a comment on generalized electromagnetism and Dirac algebra''

Rodrigues(‘1 asserts that my claim that it is possible to derive by Hamilton’s principle both the symmetrized dyality invariant Maxwell’s equations and the dyality invariant equations of motion for both electrically and magnetically charged particles,(2) is wrong. In particular, Rodrigues takes issue with my derivation of the forces associated with the cross terms in the equations of motion, i.e., the forces on electric charges due to the fields generated by magnetic charges, and vice versa. Unfortunately, Rodrigues did not follow my argument by which forces associated with the cross terms were obtained; the mathematical development that he presented in his “proof” is not equivalent to the development I employed. Hence, it is not surprising that he was unable to confirm my result. To dispel some of the confusion that Rodrigues has injected into this matter, I repeat my development here with amplifying discussions, detailing essential aspects of it that he overlooked. Reference (2) was evidently too brief on these points.
Synthesis of networks of custom processing elements for real-time physical system emulation

Emulating a physical system in real-time or faster has numerous applications in cyber-physical system design and deployment. For example, testing of a cyber-device's software (e.g., a medical ventilator) can be done via interaction with a real-time digital emulation of the target physical system (e.g., a human's respiratory system). Physical system emulation typically involves iteratively solving thousands of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) that model the physical system. We describe an approach that creates custom processing elements (PEs) specialized to the ODEs of a particular model while maintaining some programmability, targeting implementation on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). We detail the PE micro-architecture and accompanying automated compilation and synthesis techniques. Furthermore, we describe our efforts to use a high-level synthesis approach that incorporates regularity extraction techniques as an alternative FPGA-based solution, and also describe an approach using graphics processing units (GPUs). We perform experiments with five models: a Weibel lung model, a Lutchen lung model, an atrial heart model, a neuron model, and a wave model; each model consists of several thousand ODEs and targets a Xilinx Virtex 6 FPGA. Results of the experiments show that the custom PE approach achieves 4X-9X speedups (average 6.7X) versus our previous general ODE-solver PE approach, and 7X-10X speedups (average 8.7X) versus high-level synthesis, while using approximately the same or fewer FPGA resources. Furthermore, the approach achieves speedups of 18X-32X (average 26X) versus an Nvidia GTX 460 GPU, and average speedups of more than 100X compared to a six-core TI DSP processor or a four-core ARM processor, and 24X versus an Intel I7 quad core processor running at 3.06 GHz. While an FPGA implementation costs about 3X-5X more than the non-FPGA approaches, a speedup/dollar analysis shows 10X improvement versus the next best approach, with the trend of decreasing FPGA costs improving speedup/dollar in the future.
Myanmar's deadly daffodil

Tropical cyclone Nargis wrought havoc in southern Myanmar, with an estimated death toll well above 100,000. Potential future disasters could be alleviated with currently available forecasting skill and effective disaster mitigation plans.
Low-Molecular-Weight Proteins Related to Bence Jones Proteins in Multiple Myeloma

Urinary proteins distinct from Bence Jones proteins, but sharing antigenic determinants, were found in the urine of a number of patients with multiple myeloma. These components were smaller in size and antigenically deficient compared with Bence Jones proteins. They were best detected with antiserums to the homologous Bence Jones proteins and, in some cases, were related to the variable portion of the Bence Jones protein molecule.
New advances in molecular mechanisms and emerging therapeutic targets in alcoholic liver diseases

Alcoholic liver disease is a major health problem in the United States and worldwide. Chronic alcohol consumption can cause steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Significant progress has been made to understand key events and molecular players for the onset and progression of alcoholic liver disease from both experimental and clinical alcohol studies. No successful treatments are currently available for treating alcoholic liver disease; therefore, development of novel pathophysiological-targeted therapies is urgently needed. This review summarizes the recent progress on animal models used to study alcoholic liver disease and the detrimental factors that contribute to alcoholic liver disease pathogenesis including miRNAs, S-adenosylmethionine, Zinc deficiency, cytosolic lipin-1β, IRF3-mediated apoptosis, RIP3-mediated necrosis and hepcidin. In addition, we summarize emerging adaptive protective effects induced by alcohol to attenuate alcohol-induced liver pathogenesis including FoxO3, IL-22, autophagy and nuclear lipin-1α.
Reply to "Comment on the existence proofs of the Wannier-Stark ladder"

An additional proof of the relationship that Zak questions is presented. A physical interpretation of this relationship is given. The distinctions between a Bloch electron and a free electron are stressed.
Stimulated pulmonary cell hyperplasia underlies resistance to α-naphthylthiourea

The rodenticide alpha-naphthylthiourea (ANTU) causes pulmonary edema and pleural effusion that leads to death via pulmonary insufficiency. Rats become resistant to the lethal effect of ANTU if they are first exposed to a small, nonlethal dose of ANTU. Young rats are also resistant to ANTU. The mechanism by which rats develop resistance by a prior, small dose exposure has yet to be determined. Growth factor induced-pulmonary hyperplasia has been demonstrated to attenuate ANTU-induced lung leak. We hypothesized that a small dose of ANTU protects against a large dose through pulmonary cell hyperplasia induced by the protective dose. Furthermore, we hypothesized that this hyperplasia is associated with altered transcription of growth factors. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (175-225 g) were treated with a low dose of ANTU (5 mg ANTU/kg; ANTU(L)) 24 h before challenge with a 100% lethal dose of ANTU (70 mg ANTU/kg; ANTU(H)) resulting in 100% protection against the lethal effect of ANTU(H). ANTU(L) protection against ANTU(H) lasted for 5 days, slowly phased out, all being lost by day 20. Injury was assessed by estimating pulmonary vascular permeability and through histopathological examination. ANTU(H) alone resulted in an increase in pulmonary edema leading to animal death. However, injury was prevented if the rats were first treated with ANTU(L). There was a stimulation of pulmonary cell hyperplasia in the lungs of ANTU(L) treated rats as measured by [3H]-thymidine and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Treatment with the antimitotic agent colchicine abolished ANTU(L)-induced resistance to ANTU(H). ANTU resistant rats were also resistant to the lethal effect of paraquat. Paraquat is not taken up by pneumocytes if they are undergoing hyperplasia. ANTU(L) administration resulted in an up regulation of gene transcription for keratinocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, keratinocyte growth factor receptor and epidermal growth factor receptor as determined through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A significant increase in transforming growth factor-alpha was not observed. These findings collectively suggest that ANTU(L)-induced pulmonary cell hyperplasia underlies resistance to ANTU(H). Furthermore, the stimulation of hyperplasia may be due to altered growth factor and growth factor receptor expressions.
Antinociceptive effects of [D-Ala2]deltorphin II, a highly selective δ agonist invivo

Abstract The present study has characterized the antinociceptive actions of [D-Ala2]deltorphin II following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration in the mouse tail-flick test. [D-Ala2]deltorphin II produced dose- and time-related antinociception, with maximal effects at +10 min and significant antinociception which lasted for 40–60 min. [D-Ala2]deltorphin II was 13-fold more potent than i.c.v. [D-Pen2, D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE), a second highly selective δ agonist, and approximately equipotent with i.c.v. morphine in producing antinociception. The antinociceptive effects of i.c.v. [D-Ala2]deltorphin II and DPDPE, but not those of morphine, were antagonized by the selective δ antagonist, ICI 174,864. In contrast, pretreatment with the non-equilibrium μ antagonist, β-funaltrexamine blocked morphine antinociception, but failed to antagonize [D-Ala2]deltorphin II and DPDPE antinociception. These data indicate that [D-Ala2]deltorphin II produced its antinociceptive effects at a supraspinal δ receptor. [D-Ala2]deltorphin II appears to be the most appropriate δ opioid agonist currently available for studies in vivo and support the involvement of δ receptors in supraspinal antinociception.
Multivariate assessment of therapy outcome research

Abstract The purpose of the present paper is to show how multivariate analysis of variance is appropriate for therapy research and to discuss and illustrate some differences among multiple comparisons procedures for multivariate experimental data.
Self-affirmation theory and cigarette smoking warning images.

Abstract Introduction The present study examined self-affirmation theory, cigarette smoking, and health-related images depicting adverse effects of smoking. Previous research examining self-affirmation and negative health-related images has shown that individuals who engage in a self-affirmation activity are more receptive to messages when compared to those who do not affirm. We were interested in examining the extent to which self-affirmation would reduce defensive responding to negative health images related to cigarette smoking. Methods Participants included 203 daily smokers who were undergraduate students at a large southern university. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires and were then randomly assigned to one of four conditions (non-smoking image control, smoking image control, low affirmation, and high affirmation). Analyses evaluated the effectiveness of affirmation condition as it related to defensive responding. Results Results indicated that both affirmation conditions were effective in reducing defensive responding for those at greatest risk (heavier smokers) and those more resistant to health benefits associated with quitting. Conclusions Findings are discussed in terms of potential public health implications as well as the role defensive responding plays in the evaluation and processing of negative health messages.
Layered V205 Xerogels: Host-Guest Chemistry and Conductive-Polymers.

The properties of vanadium oxide xerogels are reviewed with respect to guest-host chemistry, redox chemistry and electrical charge transport. The insertion chemistry of several conductive and insulating polymers and alkali ions. The physical properties of the resulting materials is discussed.
Major issues in regional economic cooperation in Africa

One of the most serious difficulties facing the African nations in their attempts to develop their economies stems from the excessive political and economic fragmentation of the African continent. Most of the African nations are too small to provide them with an adequate basis for economic and social progress. To overcome this difficulty, close economic cooperation and eventual integration of various African nations has been frequently suggested.
Hedonic theory, bid rents, and willingness-to-pay: Some extensions of Ellickson's results

Abstract An alternative to Ellickson's multinomial logit model of household bids for dwelling units is derived by making use of observable information on the price paid by the winning bidder. The alternative specification makes it possible to estimate willingness-to-pay for housing attributes, which cannot be obtained from Ellickson's model. Some methodological issues arising from Ellickson's method of grouping households are also examined.
Non-genomic and genomic effects of steroids on neural activity

Steroid hormones are recognized as producing their major long-term effects on cell structure and function via intracellular receptors acting on the expression of genes. There is now increasing evidence that steroids also affect the surface of cells and alter ion permeability, as well as release of neurohormones and neurotransmitters. Progesterone appears to be one of the most active of the steroids, and its naturally produced metabolites and some synthetic analogs show activities that are different from the parent steroid. Other steroids, such as estrogens and adrenal steroids and their naturally produced and synthetic analogs, also show membrane effects. Bruce McEwen reviews evidence that synergistic interactions occur between non-genomic and genomic actions of steroids.
The role of masculinity in a prognostic predictor of heart attack severity.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States for both men and women. Men, however, are more likely that women to suffer from CHD at all ages. While previous research has linked Type A behavior to CHD, investigators have failed to note the role traditional masculinity plays in the development of that behavior pattern and in the development of other psychosocial risk factors for CHD. In the present study, 90 postmyocardial infarction patients were interviewed shortly before hospital discharge. The masculinity-CHD relationship was hypothesized to be mediated by masculinity's link to Type A behavior, poor health practices, and impaired social networks. Masculinity, along with these mediating variables, was then expected to be related to the Peel prognostic indicator of heart attack severity. Results indicated that negative or extreme masculinity was related to each of the mediating variables and to heart attack severity, but the effect of masculinity on heart attack severity was not mediated by Type A behavior, poor health practices, or impaired social networks.
Long term behavior of phase separation; Computations with the non-homogeneous, time dependent cluster variation method

Abstract Time-dependent computations on the phase separation between two kinds of molecules are performed by means of the Path Probability Method (PPM). The PPM is solved in both the mean field and pair approximations. This is the first application of the PPM to an inhomogeneous, non-stationary system and it is found that the resulting differential equations are relatively easy to solve using a stiff integration technique. The PPM allows for a realistic kinetic process using an activation process for the migration of the particles through substitutional vacancies. No phenomenological constants (as in the Cahn-Hilliard theories) have been introduced and, in fact, the PPM enables one to calculate these constants. The following results are obtained. In the MF approximation, the behavior of the Fourier components of the concentration difference between the two kinds of particles inside the unstable region follows, but only for short times, the Cahn-Hilliard theory; albeit with an upward curvature in ωk/k2 versus k2 for large k. For intermediate times, the vacancies provide a coupling between the different k-modes. The above two stages are strongly dependent on the choice of the initial fluctuation. At the beginning of the next stage, a wavelike pattern develops which does not depend strongly on the initial fluctuation. This last stage is characterized by alternate periods of slow and rapid changes. During the periods of slow change, molecules diffuse away from the energy-wise, most unfavorable layers. This diffusion becomes progressively more rapid, until finally, a layer has disappeared. This process is repeated until equilibrium is attained. The complete process of phase separation is closely analogous with calculations performed by de Fontaine and Langlois using completely different theories. Neglecting the influence of the vacancies, it is shown that the spinodal line near Tc in the MF approximation is the same in both PPM and the CVM. At a reduced temperature of 0.8, it is found that the spinodals, in both the approximations considered here, do not differ significantly from the spinodals calculated from the equilibrium theory.
Tribological properties of unidirectional polyphenylene sulfide-carbon fiber laminate composites

Abstract The effect of carbon fiber orientation on the friction-wear properties of uniaxial polyphenylene sulfide matrix-carbon fiber composites has been investigated by means of mechanical wear testing, microscopy and phenomenological models. Qualitative conclusions have been reached to explain the experimental findings, utilizing a semiempirical wear rate equation and mechanomolecular friction theory.
Analysis of field tracers for reservoir description

Abstract A multiple-well, multiple-tracer project has been successfully simulated using a comprehensive three-dimensional, chemical flood, compositional simulator developed at the University of Texas. Several modelling capabilities were taken advantage of in the course of this study including many factors, such as transverse dispersion, variable well rates, areal permeability variation, and mobile oil, which cannot be handled by streamline models commonly used to model field-wide tracer flow. This study illustrates the potential of accurate reservoir simulation to be used as a tool to incorporate various field data for reservoir description purposes. Both areal and vertical variations of permeability and oil saturation were determined as well as both longitudinal and transverse dispersivities. This was a highly successful use of compositional simulation for this purpose which, although it relied most heavily on interwell tracer data, also made use of core and log data and opens the door for more completely integrated efforts along these lines. All of these aspects, taken together, clearly demonstrate the advantages and practicality of the use of a compositional chemical simulator, based upon accurate, higher-order finite differences and extremely fast vector processing, to do field scale interwell tracer analysis quantitatively.
Is Board Certification Necessary for School Health Educators

: Voluntary certification through the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards currently is being promoted as a mechanism for achieving higher quality instruction in the nation's schools as well as raising the prestige of the teaching profession. This article examines controversies surrounding this movement, including the Board's decision that a teacher's eligibility to be “board certified” in school health does not depend on prior completion of a health education major. The National Board of Professional Teaching Standards believes their assessment approach will be superior to current quality controls. An analysis of existing certification, accreditation, and external review mechanisms, however, does not support this view. Policy formation strategies to ensure continued viability of Certified Health Education Specialist certification mechanisms are offered.
Systematics, Taxonomy, and the New Flora of the Bahamian Archipelago

A history of botanical exploration in the Bahama Archipelago is given, and is presented in three sections. The first section begins with the earliest botanical collections in 1700 by Thomas Walker and describes, in chronological order, botanical collections made up to 1920, when Britton and Millspaugh published the first Bahama flora. The second section chronicles botanical research in the archipelago after 1920, up until the publication by Correll and Correll of the Flora of the Bahama Archipelago in 1982. The third section describes plant research in the archipelago between 1982 and the present day. Following a brief rationale for the need for a new flora, the present research toward the flora is discussed, and an example of changes in the flora since 1982 is presented, with changes in the fern flora tabulated.
History, global distribution, and nutritional importance of citrus fruits

Abstract: Although the mysteries of its history and origin remain unsolved, worldwide cultivation and high-demand production for citrus fruit (genus Citrus in family Rutaceae) make it stand high among fruit crops. Growth of the citrus industry, including rapid development of the processing technology of frozen concentrated orange juice after World War II, has greatly expanded with international trade and steadily increased consumption of citrus fruits and their products during the past several decades. Characterized by the distinct aroma and delicious taste, citrus fruits have been recognized as an important food and integrated as part of our daily diet, playing key roles in supplying energy and nutrients and in health promotion. With low protein and very little fat content, citrus fruits supply mainly carbohydrates, such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose. Fresh citrus fruits are also a good source of dietary fiber, which is associated with gastrointestinal disease prevention and lowered circulating cholesterol. In addition to vitamin C, which is the most abundant nutrient, the fruits are a source of B vitamins (thiamin, pyridoxine, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and folate), and contribute phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and limonoids. These biological constituents are of vital importance in human health improvement due to their antioxidant properties, ability to be converted to vitamin A (for example, β-cryptoxanthin), and purported protection from various chronic diseases.
Deliberately Small Reactors and the Second Nuclear Era

Abstract Smaller sized nuclear reactors were instrumental during the pioneering days of commercial nuclear power to facilitate the development and demonstration of early reactor technologies and to establish operational experience for the fledgling nuclear power industry. As the U.S. embarks on its “second nuclear era,” the question becomes: Will smaller sized plants have a significant role in meeting the nation's needs for electricity and other energy demands? A brief review of our nuclear history is presented relative to plant size considerations, followed by a review of several commonly cited benefits of small reactors. Several “deliberately small” designs currently being developed in the U.S. are briefly described, as well as some of the technical and institutional challenges faced by these designs. Deliberately small reactors offer substantial benefits in safety, security, operational flexibilities and economics, and they are well positioned to figure prominently in the second nuclear era.
Crystallisation kinetics of Fe80B20 glass

Abstract Differential scanning calorimetry is used to determine the crystallisation rate, dx dt , on annealing Fe80B20 glass. Crystalline spherulites nucleate randomly in position and orientation, and grow shaped as prolate ellipsoids. It is shown that the Avrami expression relating actual and extended transformed volumes is not strictly valid in this case, but taking it to be a good approximation, and using the experimental Avrami exponent of 3, a simple model for the crystallisation is developed. This assumes an isokinetic reaction with a constant number of nuclei (quenched-in), active instantly, and a time-independent growth rate at any temperature. The model successfully predicts dx dt vs T (temperature) on continuous heating, including the effects of pre-annealing. From the fit of experimental and calculated dx dt vs T curves the number of nuclei per unit volume, N, is determined. The values (∼ 1018 m−3) are in excellent agreement with direct observation. N is proportional to the inverse square of the quench rate, implying that transient nucleation is important and that the nuclei were produced homogeneously during the quench. The tenth of the ribbon next to the wheel on quenching has no quenched-in nuclei, perhaps due to the nature of the fluid flow during production.
Glucanase activity in coleoptiles of Avena.

Abstract The presence of five different β-glucanases has been investigated in coleoptiles of Avena with the use of specific substrates. A high activity of β-1,3-glucanase is found associated with the coleoptiles. With regard to β-1,4-glucanase activity a strong activity of exo -cellulase which splits glucose (or cellobiose) from the end of the cellulose chain, and which was determined by the glucose formed, is definitely present in all cases investigated. The activity of endo -cellulase which causes random chain breakage and was determined by the CMC viscosity method is much less pronounced or practically lacking. β-Glucosidase activity, as determined by the splitting of cellobiose, is present. β-1,6-Glucanase activity is present, but β-1,2-glucanase activity is absent. Coleoptile cell walls can serve as substrates for purified preparations of at least the first three of these enzymes. Since the enzymes are associated with the cell wall fraction of homogenized coleoptiles, this may explain the capacity for autolysis of the cell wall material. Experiments with digitonin-treated pellets suggest that the enzymes are present in particulate form.
Consistency and Change in Lincoln's Rhetoric about Equality

On the surface, Abraham Lincoln seemed to say inconsistent things about racial equality both before and during his presidency – sometimes asserting that all men were created equal, sometimes asserting that the white and black races could not be equal. Careful analysis, however, reveals an underlying consistency, even though Lincoln adapted his message to his specific audiences. Lincoln believed in the equality of all with regard to economic rights, which he associated with the right to upward mobility. He did not support social and political equality between the races, however. His 1857 Springfield speech and 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates are explored to how he carefully balanced these two positions. He carried this delicate balance into the presidency, although he increasingly made rhetorical space for the possibility of emancipation, and then (after that occurred) space for at least a limited right of suffrage for black Americans.
Ultralow-light level saturation spectroscopy and EIT using a tapered fiber in a hot vapor cell

We present an experimental approach to study low light level absorption in a tapered optical fiber embedded in a rubidium atomic vapor medium. Our initial measurements demonstrates the potential of the system to realize extremely low light level quantum interference effects in the ultra small mode volume of the thin fiber, which is promising for many practical integrated device applications. The measurement shows saturated probe absorption using a low optical power of only ten nanowatt. Efforts are underway to use the fiber in a cloud of trapped rubidium atoms, which will circumvent the transit time limit for demonstrating a low photon optical switch via quantum interference.
Fibrinogen survival and fibrinolysis in acute leukemia

Fibrinogen survival using 125I-labelled homologous fibrinogen was studied in 17 adults with acute leukemia. Five patients in complete remission had normal fibrinogen survival and turnover rate. Five of 6 patients undergoing induction therapy and 4 of 6 in relapse had shortened fibrinogen survival; the turnover rate was increased in all 12 patients. Nine of 12 patients with active disease had elevated levels of fibrinogen degradation products in the serum. Serial coagulation studies did not support the diagnosis of overt disseminated intravascular coagulation. There was no correlation between the morphological type of leukemia, chemotherapy, the presence of fever and sepsis, or liver dysfunction and fibrinogen survival. Other possible causes of the accelerated fibrinogen turnover in patients with active disease are discussed.
Association of Vision Loss in Glaucoma and Age-Related Macular Degeneration with IADL Disability

Purpose. To determine if glaucoma and/or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are associated with disability in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).
Recording performance of an inductive-write, wide-shielded MR readback head with a dual layer perpendicular disk

The authors report on vertical recording with a dual-shielded MR (magnetoresistive) element and a piggyback inductive write head designed for longitudinal recording. Readback from the dual-layer rigid disk is characterized by a step-function isolated pulse. The authors evaluate the performance of this system as seen by a channel that consists of peak-detect circuitry preceded by an electronic differentiator. The head-disk-filter system is compared to a system composed of the same head and a low-noise longitudinal thin-film disk. Results include isolated pulse amplitude and shape, media noise, and overwrite. Also included are error-rate results showing the off-track capability. It is shown that, when using the same head, vertical appears marginally better at best. Including the differentiator, vertical shows a slightly improved resolution. This equalization, however, brings the signal-to-noise to similar levels between both technologies. Vertical has superior writability, with a 30-dB overwrite advantage on a thicker, higher-coercivity disk. However, the 50-dB overwrite of longitudinal is more than sufficient. Neither technology should have an advantage in off-track capability, this being determined by the independence of the read and write heads. Due to its unique off-track pickup, vertical recording has more constraints in head design. Ultimately, the advantage, if any, of MR on vertical will be found by developed heads specifically for this purpose and detection schemes that work more efficiently with a step-function pulse. >
Field evaluation of plant odor and pheromonal combinations for attracting plum curculios.

The attractiveness of different synthetic host odors and a synthetic aggregation pheromone (grandisoic acid [GA]) to overwintered adult plum curculios (PCs), Conotrachelus nenuphar(Herbst) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), was examined using two types of traps (sticky panels and black pyramids) placed in border areas surrounding an unsprayed section of an apple orchard in Massachusetts. In 2001, we evaluated the response of PCs to three synthetic fruit volatiles (benzaldehyde [BEN], ethyl isovalerate [EIV], and limonene [LIM]) assessed alone and in combination with GA, as well as the response to GA alone and a no-odor (control) treatment. BEN was the only host volatile that synergized the response of PCs to GA for both trap types. For both trap types, GA was as attractive to PCs as a single component as when in combination with either EIV or LIM. In 2002, four release rates of BEN (0, 2.5, 10, and 40 mg/day) and two release rates of GA (1 and 2 mg/day) were evaluated for attractiveness to PCs using panel and pyramid traps. For panel traps, an increase in amount of GA released (from 1 to 2 mg/day) was associated with a 35% increase in captures. However, PC captures by pyramid traps were similar regardless of the amount of GA released. For panel traps, 10 and 40 mg/day of BEN were the most attractive release rates regardless of the amount of GA released. For pyramid traps baited with GA, PC captures were enhanced by the presence of BEN, regardless of release rate. In 2003, GA at 1 mg/day + BEN at 80 mg/day of release did not enhance PC captures by panel traps relative to lower release rates of BEN. Pyramid traps releasing GA at 1 mg/day performed best when baited with BEN at 10 mg/day of release; a release rate of 80 mg/day of BEN decreased the attractiveness of the binary combination of BEN + GA. Combined results suggest that BEN at 10 mg/day + GA at 1 mg/day of release constitutes an attractive lure that may improve the effectiveness of monitoring traps for PCs.
A Laser Microphotometer for Determining Uniformity of Particulate Deposits on Membrane Filters

An apparatus for determining the uniformity of a layer of fine particles deposited on a membrane filter is described. A transmission scan of a laser beam across the filter deposit is a measure of the uniformity of the deposit layer. Quantitative estimates, with an accuracy of approximately 10%, of areal densities are inferred by calibration against reference deposits of ground orchard leaves on membrane filters.
Anterior mediastinal masses in children

Anterior mediastinal masses may present life-threatening challenges for the anesthesiologist, particularly in children. Children with symptoms referable to the respiratory involvement may present with dyspnea, orthopnea, or pleuritic chest pain. Those with symptoms referable to cardiovascular involvement may present with syncope, shortness of breath with exertion and in certain positions, and swelling in the face. Chest x-rays, CAT scans, and echocardiography are commonly used to investigate these masses. The more common tumors in the anterior mediastinum are known by the four “T”s: thymoma, teratoma, thyroid, and terrible lymphoma. T-cell lymphomas represent the most rapid growing tumors with a doubling time of 12 hours. These tumors may invaginate or compress adjacent structures, such as the trachea, causing tracheomalacia and tracheal narrowing and/or may compress the pulmonary artery and right atrium, infiltrate the pericardium, and restrict the superior vena cava, thereby compromising cardiac output. The key strategy when planning these cases is to consider the type of anesthetic, spontaneous ventilation, and the position of the child. Local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia is suitable. Local anesthesia with sedation may be used in cooperative older children. General anesthesia should be accompanied by spontaneous ventilation. Muscle relaxants are proscribed. Children may not tolerate the supine position, especially after induction of anesthesia; turning the child to the left decubitus or prone position restores ventilation and cardiac output. The key strategy to restore cardiorespiratory homeostasis when the anesthetized child with an anterior mediastinal tumor begins to deteriorate is to turn them to the lateral decubitus or prone position.
Megatrends Affecting Agriculture: Implications for Agricultural Economics

U.S. agriculture has always been susceptible to changes occurring within the agricultural sector and in other sectors of the economy. But one would be hard-pressed to identify another time in the history of U.S. agriculture when there are so many changes occurring so rapidly with such large potential effects. Naisbitt refers to changes which are critical restructurings as megatrends. This paper is concerned with the megatrends most affecting U.S. agriculture and their relevancy to agricultural economics. The identification of major trends affecting U.S. agriculture is largely judgmental. Furthermore, there are numerous ways in which trends in specific factors may be aggregated into broader and more encompassing megatrends. In this paper the following five megatrends are considered to be the most critical ones affecting U.S. agriculture: 1. Changes in the domestic consumption of food and agricultural products-a shift from animal to plant products. 2. Macroism and internationalism-domestic and international economic interdependencies of U.S. agriculture. 3. Technological change-accelerated dynamics in an economy in transition from an industrial to an informational economy. 4. Structural change-largeness and fewness of farms and agribusiness firms. 5. Environmentalism-concerns about re-