cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Explaining the impact of ISO 14001 on emission performance: a dynamic capabilities perspective on process and learning

I draw upon the dynamic capability model to explore how new process standards influence the ability of manufacturing facilities to improve environmental performance by reducing toxic emissions. The process standards studied are the ISO 14001 environmental management standards, in use since 1996. Hypotheses are developed to account for how early adoption of ISO 14001 and experience with the standards influence emission levels. These hypotheses are tested using a large sample of electronics manufacturing facilities and data from 1996 through 2001. Consistent with theoretical expectations, analyses show that being one of the first facilities to adopt ISO 14001 was associated with lower emissions. Further, a separate effect is due to experience: the longer a facility operated under ISO 14001, the lower its emissions. The paper discusses the implications of these results for theory and policy development. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Covariance analysis of a charge carrier device processing algorithm for stellar sensors

This paper addresses the problem of modeling a charge carrier device imager array, develops equations for propagating the signal, and develops equations to propagate the noise. Equations are used for a window processor with a comparator for stellar detection. Finally, a numerical example is presented that shows how the probability of detection varies as a function of the signal-to-noise ratio and charge-transfer inefficiency. Some surprising results are explained.
Dissimilarity and the classification of male singing voices.

Summary Traditionally, timbre has been defined as that perceptual attribute that differentiates two sounds when pitch and loudness are equal, and thus is a measure of dissimilarity. By such a definition, each voice possesses a set of timbres, and the ability to identify any voice or voice category across different pitch-loudness-vowel combinations must be due to an ability to "link" these timbres by abstracting the "timbre transformation," the manner in which timbre subtly changes across pitch and loudness for a specific voice or voice category. Using stimuli produced across the singing range by singers from different voice categories, this study sought to examine how timbre and pitch interact in the perception of dissimilarity in male singing voices. This study also investigated whether or not listener experience affects the perception of timbre as a function of pitch. The resulting multidimensional scaling (MDS) representations showed that for all stimuli and listeners, dimension 1 correlated with pitch, while dimension 2 correlated with spectral centroid and separated vocal stimuli into the categories baritone and tenor. Dimension 3 appeared highly idiosyncratic depending on the nature of the stimuli and on the experience of the listener. Inexperienced listeners appeared to rely more heavily on pitch in making dissimilarity judgments than did experienced listeners. The resulting MDS representations of dissimilarity across pitch provide a glimpse of the timbre transformation of voice categories across pitch.
Psychiatric illness detection: A comparison of osteopaths and M.D.s in private family practice

Abstract The detection of psychiatric illness is increasingly becoming the responsibility of non-psychiatric physicians. As part of a large scale epidemiological survey of psychiatric illness in a metropolitan area, primary care M.D.s and osteopaths were compared for their ability to detect psychiatric illness. Although neither group of physicians detected as much illness as patient self-assessments revealed, osteopaths detected significantly more psychiatric illness than M.D.s. When, however, physician and patient reports of illness were juxtaposed, to determine concordance, M.D.s and osteopaths showed similar degrees of overall accuracy. Osteopaths tended to detect more true positives, while M.D.s detected more true negatives. Different practice and social characteristics were not found to account for practice differences in physician rates of psychiatric illness detection. Osteopaths appeared to be performing at least as effectively as M.D.s in a first line of defence against mental illness.
Stable states and kink dynamics in a system of coupled diode resonators

Abstract We investigate the origin of stable spatially extended waveforms in an open flow system consisting of unidirectionally coupled chaotic oscillators. Results are obtained for an experimental system consisting of coupled diode resonators as well as for a coupled map lattice, a numerical model comprised of logistic maps. Under the conditions studied, spatially coherent or laminar states in both systems are convectively unstable, typically inducing high-dimensional, complex spatio-temporal dynamics. In each system stable spatial waveforms are shown to exist and are stabilized by either anchoring the first oscillator onto specific temporal orbits or by employing periodic boundary conditions. The latter case combined with a reduced drive amplitude also allows for travelling phase-kink solutions which move with constant velocity. This velocity is roughly inversely proportional to the coupling resistance and also depends on the number of kinks present in the system. We show evidence that the stable states of the system are associated with travelling kinks.
Effects of adding concentrates to ad libitum roughage feeding in the dry period.

Summary Two experiments were conducted to compare feeding dry cows for 6 wk before calving ad lib. roughage alone or ad lib. roughage plus 8lb of concentrates daily. In one experiment, an equal amount of extra concentrates had been fed in the last part of the preliminary lactation to the cows not fed concentrates during the dry period. The cows used were paired on the basis of their previous lactation. A total of 75 pairs of cows was used in the two experiments. Feeding extra concentrates during the dry period caused a highly significant increase of 302lb of FCM in the first 15 wk of the next lactation. Extra concentrates fed during the last of the lactation did not change body condition before calving and did not stimulate lactation after calving. Cows fed concentrates in the dry period gained 30.5lb more in 35 days than pair-mates not fed grain. They also lost 20.3lb more in 35 days after calving. These differences in weight change were highly significnt. It is postulated that providing extra nutrients to the prepartum dry cow stimulates metabolism, resulting in high initial lactation levels, and that the high lactation level is partly maintained at the expense of the accumulated reserve body tissue.
A Rigorous Derivation of the Coupling of a Kinetic Equation and Burgers' Equation

In this article, we investigate the kinetic/fluid coupling on a toy model, which we obtain rigorously from a hydrodynamical limit. The idea is that at the level of the full kinetic model, the coupling is obvious. We then investigate the coupling obtained when passing into the limit. We show that, especially in presence of a shock stuck on the interface, the coupling involves a kinetic layer known as the Milne problem. Due to this layer, the limit process is quite delicate and some blow-up techniques are needed to ensure its strong convergence.
Antiradiation compounds XXII. Methyl 3-amino-2-phenyldithiopropenoates and 1,1-bis(methylthio)-3-amino-2-phenyl-1-propenes

The title compounds were prepared in the attempt to provide methylthio and bis(methylthio) analogues of the radioprotective pyridinium- and quinolinium-2-dithioacetic acid derivatives in which the methylthio function is attached to an amino group through an aliphatic chain. The methyl 3-amino-2-phenyldithiopropenoates were obtained by the reaction of amines with 4-phenyl-3-methylthio-1,2-dithiolium iodide, and the 1,1-bis(methylthio)-3-amino-2-phenyl-1-propenes were obtained by methylation and reduction of the dithiopropenoates. The methyl dithiopropenoates with aliphatic substituents on the nitrogen gave only fair or poor radiation protection in mice, and one example of the reduced bis(methylthio) derivatives tested was inactive. The precursor 1,2-dithiole-3-thione and its methiodide, predicted to be radiation protective, were found inactive in this test.
A cascading development model for amphibian embryos

The mesodermal tissue of some amphibian gastrula develops into a dorsal-to-ventral sequence of notochord, somite, pronephros, and lateral plate cell types. The cellular proportions regulate with respect to embryo size. The dorsal blastoporal lip appears to function as an organizer for the embryo. The transplantation of a donor lip to the ventral side of a host causes a second, opposed embryo to form and the system commits similar total proportions of cells as do normally developing embryos. Transplantation of donor somite to the ventral side of a host causes a reduction in the proportion of host somite developed. A modified reaction-diffusion system governing embryo development is proposed. Developmental simulations consistent with experimental observations are presented and analyzed. The results suggest that the degree of somite inhibition is positively correlated with the size of the somite transplant. Further predictions are that sufficiently large somite transplants would induce ectopic, ventral pronephros to form and ventral pronephros transplants would inhibit host pronephros development.
ON POWERS OF CERTAIN LINES

Abstract In this paper we answer questions of van Douwen and Pfeffer by showing that the spaces S , S 2 , S 3 , and T , T 2 , T 3 ,... are topologically distinct, where S is the Sorgenfrey line and T is the set of irrational points in S . We obtain analogous results for the Michael line M and present related examples.
Ecological Characteristics of Eucalanoid Copepods of the Eastern Tropical North Pacific Ocean: Adaptations for Life Within a Low Oxygen System

Abstract The eastern tropical North Pacific Ocean (ETNP) is home to one of the largest and most severe mid-water oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). Members of the copepod family Eucalanidae are abundant in this region and display varied vertical distributions throughout the OMZ. This research assessed the diversity of ecological strategies used by these copepods to cope with the presence of the OMZ based on their biochemical, physiological, and behavioral characteristics. Five species of copepods (Eucalanus inermis, Pareucalanus attenuatus, Rhincalanus nasutus, Rhincalanus rostrifrons, and Subeucalanus subtenuis) were collected at the Costa Rica Dome (9°N, 90°W) and Tehuantepec Bowl (13°N, 105°W) during cruises in fall of 2007 and winter of 2008–2009. Adult females of all species were collected and analyzed for water, ash, carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, phosphorus, protein and lipid content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, and survivorship when exposed to prolonged low-oxygen conditions. Four distinct ecological strategies were observed for the five species based on genus. E. inermis, found throughout the OMZ and surface waters, had very high water content (94% of wet weight (WW)), leading to low organic content per unit WW. However, when corrected to ash-free dry weight (AFDW), protein and storage lipid contents of this species had intermediate (46 and 8% of AFDW, respectively) values compared to other species. E. inermis demonstrated high survivorship under low-oxygen conditions (> 90%), and had detectable levels of LDH, indicating an ability to rely on anaerobic pathways. Rhincalanus spp., found primarily in the lower-oxygen subsurface waters, also had detectable LDH activity and high survivorship under low-oxygen conditions (> 85%), but had much higher storage lipid levels (> 37% of AFDW), very low protein levels (28–33% of AFDW), and low water content (87% of WW). S. subtenuis and P. attenuatus are both distributed primarily in surface waters, but showed distinct ecological strategies. S. subtenuis protein levels were very high (67% AFDW), storage lipid levels low (0%), and water content low (87% of WW). They also had very low survivorship under low-oxygen conditions (22%) and no detectable LDH activity. P. attenuatus also did not have detectable LDH activity or large lipid stores. P. attenuatus, however, had much lower protein content (30% AFDW) and higher water content (89% of WW), indicating a distinct ecological strategy. Comparisons of ETNP individuals with conspecifics or congeners from higher-oxygen environments suggest that low protein levels (indicative of lower overall activity) seen in some groups may be an adaptation for survival in lower-oxygen regions.
An Adaptive Data Broadcasting Model in Mobile Information Systems

The expanding wireless communication technology gives mobile users the capability of accessing data at any time and place. The server fetches the requests and broadcasts the data to the air. The broadcast problem including the plan design is considered. The uniform items are inserted and numbered in predefined order into customized size relations. Under some divisible conditions our approach can guarantee the creation of full broadcast plan (BP) with predefined number of items repetition. A set of algorithms discover the possibilities to get a full BP. Servers now may provide self-monitoring, self-organizing, etc abilities in automatic way. To increase the server broadcasting capabilities for the uniform data a new scheduling algorithm is introduced. The HOL waiting time group (HOL- WTG) scheduler, working as round robin, along with the bandwidth adjustment, provides the service priority, diminishes the waste of bandwidth and minimizes the number of rounds. Simulation experiments are provided.
Understanding Why Patients With COPD Get Readmitted: A Large National Study to Delineate the Medicare Population for the Readmissions Penalty Expansion

Background The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) penalizes hospitals for 30-day readmissions and was extended to COPD in October 2014. There is limited evidence available on readmission risk factors and reasons for readmission to guide hospitals in initiating programs to reduce COPD readmissions. Methods Medicare claims data from 2006 to 2010 in seven states were analyzed, with an index admission for COPD defined by discharge International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes as stipulated in the HRRP guidelines. Rates of index COPD admission and readmission, patient demographics, readmission diagnoses, and use of post-acute care (PAC) were investigated. Results Over the study period, there were 26,798,404 inpatient admissions, of which 3.5% were index COPD admissions. At 30 days, 20.2% were readmitted to the hospital. Respiratory-related diseases accounted for only one-half of the reasons for readmission, and COPD was the most common diagnosis, explaining 27.6% of all readmissions. Patients discharged home without home care were more likely to be readmitted for COPD than patients discharged to PAC (31.1% vs 18.8%, P Conclusions Medicare patients with COPD exacerbations are usually not readmitted for COPD, and these reasons differ depending on PAC use. Readmitted patients are more likely to be dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, suggesting that the addition of COPD to the readmissions penalty may further worsen the disproportionately high penalties seen in safety net hospitals.
Uninterruptible power systems and other power protection equipment for electronic health care systems

The increasing usage of electronic instruments in health care systems invariably leads to some level of dependence on them. In order to maximize the utility of these tools a high degree of reliability is essential. Many of the failures being experienced in systems where electronic instruments are being utilized may be attributed not to a failure of the instrument itself but rather to the poor quality of the commercial power to which they are attached. In order to reduce the effects of power fluctuations and outages, some type of power protection equipment must be installed between the commercial power system and the instrument. This article discusses the types of electronic “noise” present on commercial power lines and the various types of equipment used to reduce its effect on electronic instrumentation. In general, the Uninterruptible Power System (UPS) is shown to be the most effective power buffering element for a health care environment. General terminology associated with specifications of a UPS is defined in the article and attached appendix.
The psychology of dictatorship

Moghaddam's new book, The psychology of dictatorship, calls attention to the questions of how dictatorships come into existence, how they may persist through social changes, what psychological fact...
Osteological corroboration of pathological stress in a population of endangered Florida pumas (Puma concolor coryi)

The Florida panther, Puma concolor coryi, is a subspecies on the verge of extinction. Recent field studies have shown the dwindling population to be suffering from numerous physical problems manifest in their soft tissues. Here we explore the skulls and skeletons of more than 50 P. concolor coryi for corroborative evidence of poor condition such as tooth fracture, arthritis, infection, trauma, and lines of arrested growth (Harris lines). Results are compared with those for an osteological collection of presumed healthy pumas from outside Florida. Although the two samples did not differ significantly in the relative prevalence of most of the pathologies, the Florida cats fractured their teeth more often and exhibited significantly more lines of arrested growth in their long bones. The greater number of teeth broken in life is associated with heavier tooth wear among Florida panthers and a diet depauperate in large prey. The elevated incidence of Harris lines is probably a result of more regular episodes of poor nutrition in the Florida population. Our results demonstrate that the study of osteopathologies is a new tool for the conservation biologist and highlight the value of preserving entire skeletons, as has been done for P. concolor coryi.
Photomodulation spectroscopy of defects in hydrogenated amorphous silicon germanium alloys

Abstract The photomodulation of the sub-bandgap optical absorption spectrum was measured for a series of amorphous hydrogenated silicon germanium (a-Si 1−x Ge x :H) alloy specimens. For atomic germanium concentration exceeding 0.10 a single well-defined defect absorption band was observed which was associated with the germanium-related D-center found by electron spin resonance. The absorption peak was displaced by 0.4 eV from the optical gap as the gap varied from 1.65 to 1.0 eV.
Evolution of circular, nonequatorial orbits of Kerr black holes due to gravitational-wave emission. II. Inspiral trajectories and gravitational waveforms

The inspiral of a ``small'' $(\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\sim}1\ensuremath{-}100{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}})$ compact body into a ``large'' $(M\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{5\ensuremath{-}7}{M}_{\ensuremath{\bigodot}})$ black hole is a key source of gravitational radiation for the space-based gravitational-wave observatory LISA. The waves from such inspirals will probe the extreme strong-field nature of the Kerr metric. In this paper, I investigate the properties of a restricted family of such inspirals (the inspiral of circular, inclined orbits) with an eye toward understanding observable properties of the gravitational waves that they generate. Using results previously presented to calculate the effects of radiation reaction, I assemble the inspiral trajectories (assuming that radiation reacts adiabatically, so that over short time scales the trajectory is approximately geodesic) and calculate the wave generated as the compact body spirals in. I do this analysis for several black hole spins, sampling a range that should be indicative of what spins we will encounter in nature. The spin has a very strong impact on the waveform. In particular, when the hole rotates very rapidly, tidal coupling between the inspiraling body and the event horizon has a very strong influence on the inspiral time scale, which in turn has a big impact on the gravitational wave phasing. The gravitational waves themselves are very usefully described as ``multi-voice chirps'': the wave is a sum of ``voices,'' each corresponding to a different harmonic of the fundamental orbital frequencies. Each voice has a rather simple phase evolution. Searching for extreme mass ratio inspirals voice-by-voice may be more effective than searching for the summed waveform all at once.
Biology of the protein kinase C family.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is composed of a family of isozymes that transduce signals of certain hormones, growth factors, lectins, and neurotransmitters. This review addresses the role of PKC in the regulation of cellular proliferation and its disorders. PKC is directly activated in vivo by the second messenger diacylglycecrol, a lipid produced by phospholipase C-catalyzed hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol and polyphosphoinositides. Diacylglycerol activates PKC by reducing the enzyme's requirement for Ca2+. Phorbol ester tumor promoters and related agents potently activate PKC by a mechanism analogous to that of diacylglycerol, providing evidence that PKC activation is a critical event in tumor promotion. However, the role of PKC activation in tumor promotion is not entirely clear. For example, bryostatin is a potent PKC activator that antagonizes phorbol ester-mediated tumor promotion, and mezerein is a second-stage tumor promoter that potently activates PKC. In addition to studies concerned with tumor promotion, studies of oncogene action also indicate a role for PKC in carcinogenesis. A number of plasma membrane-associated oncogene products and related proteins are PKC substrates, and PKC activation leads to induction of the expression of oncogenes that code for nuclear proteins. PKC is implicated in human breast and colon carcinogenesis. tumor-promoting bile acids activate PKC, and PKC expression studies in rat colonic epithelial cells and human breast cancer cells indicate a positive role for PKC in the proliferation of the cells. Altered expression of PKC in human colon and breast tumors indicates that PKC isozymes may be useful markers for these diseases.
Suppression of the Pregnane X Receptor during Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Is Achieved by Down-Regulating Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor-4α and Up-Regulating Liver-Enriched Inhibitory Protein

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is recognized as a common theme in the development of metabolic syndrome and other diseases. Chronic liver diseases develop ER stress and also show decreased capacity of drug metabolism. The pregnane X receptor (PXR) is a master regulator of genes involved in drug elimination. This study was performed to determine whether ER stress condition decreases the expression of PXR and whether the decrease alters the induction of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4). Human primary hepatocytes and HepG2 cell line (human hepatocellular carcinoma) were treated with brefeldin A and thapsigargin, 2 well-established ER stressors. Without exceptions, both stressors significantly decreased the expression of PXR. The decrease led to reduced induction of CYP3A4. Reporter dissection study, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and chromatin immunoprecipitation located in the PXR promoter region 2 adjacent elements recognized by hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α) and cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine enhanced binding proteins (C/EBPs), respectively. Additional studies demonstrated that HNF-4α was down-regulated during ER stress but the expression of C/EBPβ varied depending on a particular form of C/EBPβ. Liver-enriched activator protein (LAP) was down-regulated but liver-enriched inhibitory protein (LIP) was highly induced. Nevertheless, over-expression of HNF-4α or LAP restored the expression of PXR. Interestingly, the very same sequence also responded to interleukin-6 (IL-6), and primary hepatocytes treated with thapsigargin significantly increased the level of IL-6 mRNA. These findings establish a functional interconnection between ER stress and signaling of proinflammatory cytokines in the regulation of PXR expression.
First passage time statistics for some stochastic processes with superimposed shot noise

Abstract We present a method for finding statistical properties of the first passage time to exit an interval of general diffusion processes subject to random delta function impulses. Exact solutions are found for the mean first passage time for Brownian motion. Other special cases, detailed in the text, can also be solved in some generality.
A correlation model of amorphous selenium

Abstract New X-ray diffraction data have been obtained for amorphous selenium. The experiment was designed to achieve maximum diffracted intensity in order to minimize statistical errors, and a new technique was developed which uses the entire diffracted intensity function to estimate the spurious termination error in the Fourier transform. A correlation model which accounts for all of the features of the diffracted X-ray intensity and the radial distribution function has been developed. A new peak at 4.85 A was resolved and this probably arises from a combination of intrachain and interchain distances which appear in the trigonal structure. It was also shown that correlations out to at least 11 A are required to completely describe the short range order in amorphous selenium, and the shoulder on the low angle side of the first diffuse diffraction peak, which has usually been neglected, was found to be produced by correlations in the region of 11 to 13 A. We thus have defined the minimum cluster with a radius of 11 A which is required to describe the structure. Atomic models are also presented in the following paper.
Insight into the active-site structure and function of cytochrome oxidase by analysis of site-directed mutants of bacterial cytochrome aa3 and cytochrome bo

Cytochromeaa 3 ofRhodobacter sphaeroides and cytochromebo ofE. coli are useful models of the more complex cytochromec oxidase of eukaryotes, as demonstrated by the genetic, spectroscopic, and functional studies reviewed here. A summary of site-directed mutants of conserved residues in these two enzymes is presented and discussed in terms of a current model of the structure of the metal centers and evidence for regions of the protein likely to be involved in proton transfer. The model of ligation of the hemea 3 (oro)-CuB center, in which both hemes are bound to helix X of subunit I, has important implications for the pathways and control of electron transfer.
Nonlinear deformation and breakup of stretching liquid bridges

In this paper, the nonlinear dynamics of an axisymmetric liquid bridge held captive between two coaxial, circular, solid disks that are separated at a constant velocity are considered. As the disks are continuously pulled apart, the bridge deforms and ultimately breaks when its length attains a limiting value, producing two drops that are supported on the two disks. The evolution in time of the bridge shape and the rupture of the interface are investigated theoretically and experimentally to quantitatively probe the influence of physical and geometrical parameters on the dynamics. In the computations, a one-dimensional model that is based on the slender jet approximation is used to simulate the dynamic response of the bridge to the continuous uniaxial stretching. The governing system of nonlinear, time-dependent equations is solved numerically by a method of lines that uses the Galerkin/finite element method for discretization in space and an adaptive, implicit finite difference technique for discretization in time. In order to verify the model and computational results, extensive experiments are performed by using an ultra-high-speed video system to monitor the dynamics of liquid bridges with a time resolution of 1/12 th of a millisecond. The computational and experimental results show that as the importance of the inertial force – most easily changed in experiments by changing the stretching velocity – relative to the surface tension force increases but does not become too large and the importance of the viscous force – most easily changed by changing liquid viscosity – relative to the surface tension force increases, the limiting length that a liquid bridge is able to attain before breaking increases. By contrast, increasing the gravitational force – most readily controlled by varying disk radius or liquid density – relative to the surface tension force reduces the limiting bridge length at breakup. Moreover, the manner in which the bridge volume is partitioned between the pendant and sessile drops that result upon breakup is strongly influenced by the magnitudes of viscous, inertial, and gravitational forces relative to surface tension ones. Attention is also paid here to the dynamics of the liquid thread that connects the two portions of the bridge liquid that are pendant from the top moving rod and sessile on the lower stationary rod because the manner in which the thread evolves in time and breaks has important implications for the closely related problem of drop formation from a capillary. Reassuringly, the computations and the experimental measurements are shown to agree well with one another.
Five‐year remissions of metastatic solid teratoma of the ovary

To date, only three 5-year survivors with metastatic solid malignant teratoma of the ovary have been reported. The authors report two additional cases surviving 5 years or greater. In both cases, the embryonal teratomatous elements matured to Grade 0 peritoneal metastases after intensive chemotherapy and surgery with or without radiotherapy. Since only one of the two patients had an objective response to therapy, we speculated that the maturation of the tumor in both patients might be, but is not proven to be, a consequence of chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. Because the prognosis, even in Stage IA solid ovarian teratoma, is so poor, we suggest that all such patients should have 2 years of adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide. Patients with demonstrable metastases should receive the same chemotherapy until either all tumor has regressed or all immature elements have reverted to mature tissue.
Synthesis and DNA cross-linking of a phototriggered FR900482 mitosene progenitor.

The synthesis and biochemical reactivity of the first photoactivated mitosene-based DNA interstrand cross-linking agent is described.
Variability of methacholine bronchoprovocation and the effect of inhaled corticosteroids in mild asthma.

Background The methacholine challenge test quantifies airway hyper-responsiveness, which is measured by the provocative concentration of methacholine causing a 20% decrease in forced expiration volume in 1 second (PC20). The dose–response effect of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) on PC20 has been inconsistent and within-patient variability of PC20 is not well established.
Robust Estimation of a Location Parameter

This paper contains a new approach toward a theory of robust estimation; it treats in detail the asymptotic theory of estimating a location parameter for contaminated normal distributions, and exhibits estimators—intermediaries between sample mean and sample median—that are asymptotically most robust (in a sense to be specified) among all translation invariant estimators. For the general background, see Tukey (1960) (p. 448 ff.)
Letter by Kirchoff-Torres and Labovitz Regarding Article, “Lifelong Rupture Risk of Intracranial Aneurysms Depends on Risk Factors: A Prospective Finnish Cohort Study”

We read with interest the article by Dr Korja et al1 about the lifelong natural history of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) in 118 Finnish patients but worry that the results may be overgeneralized. UIAs discovered because another aneurysm ruptured are likely different from UIAs found for other reasons. The authors report a lifetime risk of aneurysm rupture of 29%, with annual rupture rate per patient of 1.6% and per aneurysm of 1.2%. Of patients with UIAs <7 mm at baseline, 25% had subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in follow-up, and the majority of these had grown to ≥7 mm by the time of rupture. …
Shallow subsurface temperature surveys in the basin and range province, U.S.A.—I. Review and evaluation

Abstract Temperature surveys at depths of 1–2 m have had varying success in geothermal exploration in the Basin and Range province. The most successful surveys have identified patterns of near-surface thermal-fluid flow within areas of less than 2 km 2 . Results have been less consistent in larger areas where zones of hydrothermal upflow are less well known, nongeothermal perturbing factors are significant and lateral variations in shallow subsurface temperature are small. Nongeothermal perturbations can be minimized by use of mean annual temperatures instead of synoptic temperatures, by physically based simulation of ground temperatures or by statistical modeling.
Role of the Fas/FasL system in a model of RSV infection in mechanically ventilated mice.

Infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children can progress to respiratory distress and acute lung injury necessitating mechanical ventilation (MV). MV enhances apoptosis and inflamma...
Predictors of consumer trust: likelihood to pay online

Purpose – Using data relating to eBay transactions, investigates the economic, demographic, and geographic factors affecting willingness to pay for purchases online.Design/methodology/approach – Carries out regression analysis of 3,386 eBay transactions, over a two‐year period, reported by two American sellers operating on the United States eBay site. In all auctions examined, consumers had the option of making payment online or by various traditional payment methods.Findings – Analysis identifies several variables as reasonable predictors of the chosen payment method, including the value of the transaction, the buyer's gender, rural versus urban residence, and several other characteristics of the community in which the buyer lives.Research limitations/implications – The general demographic, geographic, and economic variables of consumers can be used by researchers and planners to predict consumers' willingness to make online payments. The effect of income demands further investigation. Factors not identi...
Regulation of cAMP by phosphodiesterases in erythrocytes.

Abstract The erythrocyte, a cell responsible for carrying and delivering oxygen in the body, has often been regarded as simply a vehicle for the circulation of hemoglobin. However, it has become evident that this cell also participates in the regulation of vascular caliber in the microcirculation via release of the potent vasodilator, adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The regulated release of ATP from erythrocytes occurs via a defined signaling pathway and requires increases in cyclic 3’,5’- adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). It is well recognized that cAMP is a critical second messenger in diverse signaling pathways. In all cells increases in cAMP are localized and regulated by the activity of phosphodiesterases (PDEs). In erythrocytes activation of either β adrenergic receptors (β 2 AR) or the prostacyclin receptor (IPR) results in increases in cAMP and ATP release. Receptor-mediated increases in cAMP are tightly regulated by distinct PDEs associated with each signaling pathway as shown by the finding that selective inhibitors of the PDEs localized to each pathway potentiate both increases in cAMP and ATP release. Here we review the profile of PDEs identified in erythrocytes, their association with specific signaling pathways and their role in the regulation of ATP release from these cells. Understanding the contribution of PDEs to the control of ATP release from erythrocytes identifies this cell as a potential target for the development of drugs for the treatment of vascular disease.
Modulation of visual cortex inhibition during reticular evoked arousal.

Abstract The effects of stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation on inhibition of visual cortex neurons by optic radiation stimulation was studied in locally anesthetized acute cats. If reticular stimulation excited a visual cortex unit an enhancement of subsequent optic radiation evoked inhibition was observed. This occurred for 50–400 msec following reticular stimulation and was maximal at 200 msec. For some cells, reticular stimulation initially inhibited spontaneous discharge. For these units a shortened duration of optic radiation evoked inhibition was often observed when that stimulus was placed during the reticular evoked inhibition. A hypothesis is presented to account for these effects.
Adsorption of thallium(I) ions on titania particle surfaces in aqueous media

A description is given of the modification of the adsorption of Tl(I) on a titania (Degussa P-25) surface by the presence of organic or inorganic co-additives in aqueous suspensions. The addition of oxalate, formate, acetate and phosphate anions (the latter at low levels below ~0.03 M) increased Tl(I) adsorption while the phosphate anion (at levels > ~0.03 M) inhibited Tl(I) adsorption. A surface complexation model comprising the titania surface sites, the anchor co-additives and bound Tl(I) species was invoked to explain the adsorption enhancement observed. The data presented build upon and complement those acquired earlier showing how metal ion adsorption on a TiO2 surface is strongly influenced by co-additives in the aqueous medium.
Impedance matrix localization based fast multipole acceleration

A technique for applying the impedance matrix localization (IML) method in conjunction with the fast multipole method (FMM), termed the hybrid IML-FMM, is presented. This technique significantly reduces the matrix-vector multiplication time in the iterative solution of the method of moment equations arising from the integral-equation-based analysis of two-dimensional electromagnetic scattering phenomena. The reduction in computational time is accomplished through an IML-based sparsification of the FMM far-field transformation matrices. Numerical experiments illustrate the effect of various IML-FMM truncation parameters on the sparsity obtainable, the corresponding reduction in matrix-vector multiplication time, and the solution accuracy.
Using density functional theory to postulate a mechanism for zinc sulfide formation in a CVD reactor

Abstract Zinc sulfide has a large band gap and is widely used in optical devices, laser domes, and reflective windows. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the method of choice for producing zinc sulfide from zinc vapor and hydrogen sulfide on a large scale. Here, high quality, crystallinity, and low cost are desired. As such the ability to control the CVD reaction is very important and requires the CVD reaction mechanism which is not well known. This has motivated the study of the reaction mechanism in this paper. Specifically, the reaction between zinc vapor and hydrogen sulfide in a CVD reactor has been studied using ab initio and density functional calculations. Geometry optimizations were performed using the Becke three parameter and the Lee Yang Parr functional (B3LYP)/6-31G(d) and B3LYP/6-311+G(d, p) for reactants, transition structures, intermediate complexes, and products. Enthalpy and free energy of the reaction were estimated using B3LYP/6-31G(d), B3LYP/6-311+G(d, p), Gaussian G1, Gaussian G2, and G2MP2. The rate constant in the gas phase reaction was calculated using the transition state theory (TST) and was subsequently used in a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model including momentum, mass, and energy balance. In this paper, two different pathways have been proposed for this reaction, namely a pathway that involves one transition state, and a second pathway involving two intermediate complexes and two transition states. The calculated rate constants using the proposed pathways were employed in a simulation of the deposition process. The calculated deposition rate is in excellent agreement with experimental data for the same reactor configuration. This suggests that molecular modeling is a powerful surrogate for experiments.
Indium phosphide nanostructures on hydrogenated silicon formed on metallic and dielectric substrates

Indium phosphide nanostructures grown on hydrogenated silicon films are studied. The hydrogenated silicon films were deposited on various metallic and dielectric substrate surfaces, then indium phosphide nanostructures were grown on the hydrogenated silicon films. The hydrogenated silicon films and the indium phosphide nanostructures were examined to assess their structural, chemical and optical properties.
Estradiol regulates estrogen receptor mRNA STABILITY

Previous studies suggest that post-transcriptional events play an important role in estrogen-induced loss of estrogen receptor expression. The present study shows that treatment of MCF-7 cells with estradiol resulted in a six-fold decrease in estrogen receptor mRNA half-life from 4 h in control cells to 40 min in estradiol treated cells. To determine the role of protein synthesis in the regulation of estrogen receptor mRNA stability, several translational inhibitors were utilized. Pactamycin and puromycin, which prevent ribosome association with mRNA, inhibited the effect of estradiol on receptor mRNA stability, whereas cycloheximide, which has no effect on ribosome association with mRNA, had no effect on estradiol regulation of estrogen receptor mRNA stability. In control cells, the total cellular content of estrogen receptor mRNA was associated with high molecular weight polyribosomes. Treatment with estradiol resulted in a 70% decrease in estrogen receptor mRNA associated with polyribosomes but had no effect on the polyribosome distribution of estrogen receptor mRNA. In an in vitro degradation assay, polyribosomes isolated from estradiol-treated cells degraded ER mRNA faster than polyribosomes isolated from control cells. The nuclease activity associated with the polysome fraction appeared to be Mg2+ independent and inhibited by RNasin. Freeze-thawing and heating at 90 degrees C for 10 min resulted in the loss of nuclease activity. These studies suggest that an estrogen-regulated nuclease activity associated with ribosomes alters the stability of estrogen receptor mRNA.
Magnetic fields associated with the brain’s response to infrequent events

We have studied the magnetic field produced by the brain when attending to a variety of rare events. The temporal character of the response to a rare auditory stimulus is reported. The magnetic field appears to offer a useful new probe of endogeneous activity in the human brain.
Large scale gene expression analysis of cholesterol-loaded macrophages

We conducted large scale gene expression analysis of the response of macrophages to exposure to oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL). Much of the vessel wall lesion of atherosclerosis is composed of macrophages that have become engorged with cholesterol. These resulting "foam cells" contribute to the progression of vascular disease through several pathways. As a potential model of foam cell formation, we treated THP-1 cells with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate to differentiate them into a macrophage-like phenotype and subsequently treated them with oxidized low density lipoprotein for various time periods. RNA from Ox-LDL treated and time-matched control untreated cells was hybridized to microarrays containing 9808 human genes. 268 genes were found to be at least 2-fold regulated at one or more time points. These regulation patterns were classified into seven clusters of expression profiles. The data is discussed in terms of the overall pattern of gene expression, the thematic classification of the responding genes, and the clustering of functional groups in distinct expression patterns. The magnitude and the temporal patterns of gene expression identified known and novel molecular components of the cellular response that are implicated in the growth, survival, migratory, inflammatory, and matrix remodeling activity of vessel wall macrophages. In particular, the role of nuclear receptors in mediating the gene expression modulation by Ox-LDL is highlighted.
Bangladesh in 2009: The peril within

The year 2009 heralded an auspicious beginning for Bangladesh because national elections were held after a two-year period of the non-democratic caretaker government. The enthusiasm of returning to democracy was soon marred by an unprecedented event during which military officials were massacred by the Bangladesh Rifles in a mystifying mutiny that stunned the nation. Bangladesh9s economy was also negatively affected by the global downturn, and environmental degradation in the country continues.
Finding preferred subsets of Pareto optimal solutions

Multi-objective optimization algorithms can generate large sets of Pareto optimal (non-dominated) solutions. Identifying the best solutions across a very large number of Pareto optimal solutions can be a challenge. Therefore it is useful for the decision-maker to be able to obtain a small set of preferred Pareto optimal solutions. This paper analyzes a discrete optimization problem introduced to obtain optimal subsets of solutions from large sets of Pareto optimal solutions. This discrete optimization problem is proven to be NP-hard. Two exact algorithms and five heuristics are presented to address this problem. Five test problems are used to compare the performances of these algorithms and heuristics. The results suggest that preferred subset of Pareto optimal solutions can be efficiently obtained using the heuristics, while for smaller problems, exact algorithms can be applied.
Tubes for dielectric heating at 915 megacycles

Dielectric heating can be much faster at microwave frequencies. Because leakage radiation is large enough to interfere with communications, heating is best done at assigned frequencies. The bands at 915 and 2,450 megacycles are most useful. An industrial magnetron oscillator generates 5 kw at 915 megacycles. The tube and associated control circuits are described. Apparatus for heating dinners and plastics has been constructed using this tube. Experimental magnetrons give 30 kw at 1,000 megacycles.
Effects of Manure and Water Applications on 1,3-Dichloropropene and Chloropicrin Emissions in a Field Trial

Minimizing fumigant emissions is required for meeting air-quality standards. Application of organic materials to surface soil has been effective in reducing fumigant emissions during laboratory tests, but the potential to reduce emissions in the field has not been adequately evaluated. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of incorporated composted manure with or without water applications on fumigant emissions and the potential impact on pest control efficacy under field conditions. Treatments included a bare-soil control, composted dairy manure at 12.4 and 24.7 Mg ha(-1), postfumigation intermittent water seals (11 mm water irrigated immediately following fumigation and 4 mm at 12, 24, and 48 h), and incorporation of manure at 12.4 Mg ha(-1) combined with the water seals or a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) tarp. Telone C35 was shank-applied at 553 kg ha(-1), and emissions of 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and chloropicrin (CP) were monitored for 10 days. The results indicate that there was no significant difference in emission peak flux and cumulative emission loss between the control and the 12.4 Mg ha(-1) manure treatment. The higher manure rate (24.7 Mg ha(-1)) resulted in lower emission flux and cumulative emission loss than 12.4 Mg ha(-1), although the differences were only significant for CP. In contrast, the water treatments with or without manure incorporation significantly reduced peak emission rates (80% reduction) and cumulative emission loss ( approximately 50% reduction). The manure + HDPE treatment resulted in the lowest CP emissions but slightly higher 1,3-D emissions than the water treatments. Reductions in peak emission from water treatments can be important in reducing the potential acute exposure risks to workers and bystanders. This research demonstrated that incorporation of composted manure alone did not reduce fumigant emissions and effective emission reduction with manure amendment may require higher application rates and/or more effective materials than those used in this study.