cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urban sustainability and environmental justice: evaluating the linkages in public planning/policy discourse

Many cities' municipal governments have made some version of “sustainability” an explicit policy goal over the past two decades. Previous research has documented how the operationalisation and conceptualisation of sustainability in urban sustainability plans vary greatly among cities, particularly with respect to environmental justice. This article reports on whether and how large American cities incorporate environmental justice into their urban sustainability indicator projects. Our findings suggest that while there has been an increase in the number of cities incorporating environmental justice elements into sustainability plans since the early 2000s, their conceptualizations and implementations of sustainability remain highly constrained. The paucity of evaluative tools suggests that environmental justice efforts are potentially losing traction in public debate over macro-scale sustainability concerns (e.g. climate change) or the need for regionally competitive environmental amenities (e.g. parks). Th...
Differences between Signaling States of Chemotaxis Receptors Revealed by Hydrogen Exchange Mass Spectrometry

Bacterial chemotaxis receptors provide the sensory input needed to direct swimming towards favorable environments. Ligand binding to the receptor periplasmic domain modulates activation of a kinase CheA bound at the cytoplasmic tip of the receptor. Receptors operate in complexes with CheA and a coupling protein CheW that together form extended arrays in the membrane. Understanding the differences in conformation and dynamics between the kinase-activating and kinase-deactivating signaling states of the receptor will provide insight into the mechanism of transmembrane signaling. We have used hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry to probe the differences between these signaling states of the receptor cytoplasmic domain assembled on membrane vesicles in functional complexes with CheA and CheW. Local exchange measurements reveal several differences between these states, including differences in the exchange pattern (EX1 vs EX2), the fraction undergoing fast exchange (exchanged in 3 minutes), and the fraction that are protected from exchange at long time (16 hours). Preliminary analysis shows that peptides corresponding to the adaptation region undergo EX1 exchange (long-lived unfolded state with complete exchange during each unfolding event) in the kinase-activating state and EX2 exchange (short-lived unfolded state with partial exchange) in the kinase-deactivating state. This suggests the adaptation region is destabilized in the kinase-activating state. Peptides corresponding to the signaling domain cytoplasmic tip of the receptor show greater protection from exchange in the kinase-activating state, which could be due to changes in interactions with CheA and CheW. This hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry approach is a promising means of detecting changes in structure and dynamics of a functional membrane-bound, multi-protein complex.This research supported by GM 47601, GM085288, and a Fellowship to Seena Koshy from the University of Massachusetts as part of the Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program (NRSA T32 GM08515).
What Is the Optimal Medical Therapy for Barrett’s Esophagus?

The development of Barrett’s esophagus (BE) in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is troubling because of its known association with esophageal cancer. When evaluated clinically, pat
Anomalous photoluminescence Stokes shift in CdSe nanoparticle and carbon nanotube hybrids

A very large decrease in the Stokes shift in CdSe nanoparticle (NP) photoluminescence is seen from hybrid materials in which the NPs are attached to single-walled carbon nanotubes after pyridine treatment relative to unbound NPs capped by pyridine. This is observed particularly for very small NPs, for hybrids composed of core-only and core-shell NPs, and for hybrids made with bundles of mixtures of semiconducting and metallic nanotubes or with semiconducting nanotubes only and is likely due to fast F\"orster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the NPs to the nanotubes. A simple model demonstrates the plausibility of the hot luminescence explanation of this decreased Stokes shift.
A Boolean array based algorithm in APL

This paper describes an algorithm for forward chaining in rule-based production expert systems which makes extensive use of array structures and Boolean operations, to which APL lends itself. Additionally, a short introduction is provided for the reader unfamiliar with expert systems.
Modification of tetrabenazine effects following pain-induced aggression in rats

Abstract Pain-elicited aggression was measured in four groups of Wistar rats (five pairs per group) during four electric shock sessions (100 shocks per session, 1.3 mA, 0.5 sec duration). Two groups received injections of tetrabenazine and saline, respectively, 90 min before each session. In the other two groups tetrabenazine and saline injections were alternated before each session, one group starting with tetrabenazine and the other with saline. Tetrabenazine produced marked inhibition of the aggressive response, reducing its frequency to about 10% of saline levels. However, an initial experience of high aggression during a saline session significantly modified the tetrabenazine effects for subsequent injections, suppressing aggression to only about 40% of control values.
Nested Case-Control Studies

The nested case-control study design (or the case-control in a cohort study) is described here and compared with other designs, including the classic case-control and cohort studies and the case-cohort study. In the nested case-control study, cases of a disease that occur in a defined cohort are identified and, for each, a specified number of matched controls is selected from among those in the cohort who have not developed the disease by the time of disease occurrence in the case. For many research questions, the nested case-control design potentially offers impressive reductions in costs and efforts of data collection and analysis compared with the full cohort approach, with relatively minor loss in statistical efficiency. The nested case-control design is particularly advantageous for studies of biologic precursors of disease. To advance its prevention research agenda, NIH might be encouraged to maintain a registry of new and existing cohorts, with an inventory of data collected for each; to foster the development of specimen banks; and to serve as a clearinghouse for information about optimal storage conditions for various types of specimens.
Electromagnetic Properties and Decays of Dirac and Majorana Neutrinos in a General Class of Gauge Theories

Abstract We discuss the electromagnetic properties and decays of Dirac and Majorana neutrinos in a general class of gauge theories. Specific results for the standard SU(2)L × U(1) and a (not necessarily left-right symmetric) SU(2)L × SU(2)R × U(1) theory are analyzed.
Demonstration of 100-Gbit/s DQPSK data exchange between two different wavelength channels using parametric depletion in a highly nonlinear fiber

We report phase-transparent DQPSK data exchange using parametric depletion in a highly nonlinear fiber. 100-Gbit/s DQPSK data exchange is demonstrated with a power penalty less than 5dB. Pump misalignment tolerance (+/−2ps) and input signal power dynamic range (~20dB) are investigated.
General anesthesia for the pediatric patient

Abstract The pediatric patient is not physiologically and anatomically a small adult. Comparisons and specific distinctions are presented with emphasis on the anesthetic management of children in the office. Modifications of the Bain circuit with a nasal inhaler have simplified the problem of waste gas scavenging and assisted ventilation.
Psychiatric drugs and children.

“The medication merry-go-round” by Kathryn Brown (News Focus, 14 March, p. 1646) is an excellent update on the gaps in our knowledge concerning the use of psychotropic medication in treating mental disorders in children. However, little attention is given to the economic conditions driving the use of these drugs. The subcontracting or “carving-out” of children's mental health coverage from general pediatric care to for-profit behavioral health care companies has restricted and distorted epidemiological and clinical data. Much of the information is now “proprietary” and not available. Because the profits of these companies depend on strict control of all expenses except medication, there is an incentive to shift expenses toward the use of psychotropic medications (funded by the traditional pediatric or general health care insurers, rather than the behavioral health care companies). As a consequence, the field of child psychiatry has suffered a serious lack of funding, with pharmaceutical companies gaining major influence through their support of clinical research, medical education, visiting professorships, and so forth. Quality assurance efforts of mental health care that cross the boundaries of the carve-out are minimal and encumbered as the for-profit companies limit availability of data. Such assessments also have a low priority because the findings will likely require additional expenses to resolve. For example, there might be a finding that depressed children are being treated primarily in a pediatrician's office with medications and not gaining access to needed therapy services, or that there is discontinuity of care between the carved-out child psychiatrist and the general pediatrician. To address some of the concerns noted in Brown's article, the economic barriers to child psychiatric research and quality assurance must be addressed.
Perturbation of the secretory network inClosterium acerosum by Na+-selective ionophores

Closterium acerosum possesses a well-defined, mucilage-secretory mechanism consisting of up to 100 Golgi bodies, two distinct vacuolar networks, and an active cytoplasmic-streaming network located in the cell periphery. Five different sodium-affecting agents were applied to actively secreting cells in order to determine the role, if any, of Na+ on this secretory mechanism. Significant effects to the endomembrane system and actin cytoskeleton were noted upon treatment with the Na+-specific ionophores monensin and SQl-Et. In particular, the following alterations were noted: incurling of Golgi cisternae and the formation of circular cisternal profiles at the trans face, swelling of the cis-medial cisternae, and dissociation of the Golgi body from the internal cytoplasm to the peripheral cytoplasmic zones. Immunogold labeling with a mucilage-specific polyclonal antibody reveals that mucilage production is diminished during longer ionophore treatments. Likewise, both the polar and peripheral vacuoles disintegrate into a series of smaller vacuoles. Cytoplasmic streaming ceases and the normal actin network of the peripheral cytoplasm transforms into irregularly spaced fibrillar bundles. Finally, multilaminate structures appear at the plasma membrane. No cytological effects could be observed with the Na+-channel blockers or Na+-current transducers QX-14, tetrodotoxin, or amiloride.
Nitrate and oxidized organic ions in single particle mass spectra during the 1999 Atlanta Supersite Project

[1] We measured the chemical components of 0.35–2.5 μm diameter aerosols with a Particle Analysis by Laser Mass Spectrometry (PALMS) instrument during the Atlanta Supersite Project in August 1999. This paper presents the results for nitrate and oxidized organics. More than 20% of the negative ion spectra of single particles contained nitrate ion peaks. Nitrate peaks showed a clear maximum during the morning at the time of high ambient relative humidity. Nitrate peaks also had a small local maximum during the afternoon when the gas-phase HNO3 concentrations were high. This afternoon maximum was more significant for the particles containing soot/hydrocarbons or aluminosilicate components than for the typical organic/sulfate particles. About 45% of negative spectra contained ions indicative of the oxidized organics. Oxidized organic peaks showed a diurnal variation similar to the nitrate: a morning time maximum during the relative humidity maximum and a small maximum in the afternoon. However, in contrast to the nitrate peaks, the afternoon local maximum of oxidized organic peaks was apparent on the organic/sulfate particles. Both nitrate and oxidized organic peaks had larger ion fractions in particles with higher scattered light intensities.
Geoarchaeology of Johns Bay, Maine

This study examines the Holocene history of a glacially-sculpted Maine embayment using both geological and archaeological data bases. High-resolution seismic profiling, in combination with vibracores and Holocene sea-level curves, were used to develop the Holocene stratigraphy and paleogeographic evolution of Johns Bay and Pemaquid Beach, Maine. These geological databases were, whenever possible, integrated with the Johns Bay archaeological database and general archaeological settlement paradigms for coastal Maine. As sea level has risen from its -65 m lowstand at the beginning of the Holocene, Johns Bay has evolved from a narrow fluvial system, to an estuary, to its present form of an open embayment. Over roughly the last 4000 years, the Pemaquid Beach area has changed from a forested upland, to a bedrock-pinned freshwater wetland, to a pocket barrier fronting a small salt marsh. The barrier continues to migrate over the salt marsh, which is transgressing the freshwater environments. The first evidence of human settlement in Johns Bay is at 4000–5000 yr B.P. Archaeological site distribution around Johns Bay has been examined in light of an estuarine embayment evolution model developed for the Maine coast. Sites are concentrated in zone 1 (the inner embayment). This zone is currently experiencing sediment accumulation. Zone 2 (middle embayment) is undergoing erosion, and zone 3 (outer embayment) has been stripped of sediment. Archaeological sites in these outer areas have been eroded. The Pemaquid Beach area has a history of occupation dating back 4000–5000 years. The last 2000 years of this record is found in stratigraphic context in the Nahanada site. The first 3000 years is represented by a collection of artifacts found out of context on the beach in front of the Nahanada site. The artifacts, dated by morphology, present a time continuum from 4000–5000 yr B.P. until the occupation of the Nahanada site. Thus, it is suggested that the Nahanada site represents the back of a chronologically shingeled settlement area that extended to the 5000 yr B.P. shoreline. Finally, a model for the development of chronologically shingled sites is suggested.
Effects of 1α-hydroxy-vitamin D3 and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 on calcium and phosphorus metabolism in hypoparathyroidism

The effects of 1alpha-OH D3 or 1,25-(OH)2D3 on calcium and phosphorus metabolism have been evaluated in five hypoparathyroid patients to establish the direct effects of these compounds in adult humans, uncomplicated by compensatory changes in parathyroid hormone secretion. Doses of 1-2.5 mug/day in four patients (5 mug/day in a fifth patient on diphenylhydantoin and phenobarbital) caused a marked increase in serum calcium concentration and urinary calcium excretion, without significant changes in renal calcium clearance or urinary hydroxyproline excretion. These results suggest that the correction of hypocalcemia involved primarily a stimulation of intestinal calcium absorption rather than a stimulation of skeletal calcium resorption. Simultaneously, there were increases in urinary phosphorus excretion and variable changes in serum inorganic phosphate concentration. These effects were produced by doses of 1alpha-OH D3 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 which approach the dose needed to prevent rickets, in contrast to the very large doses of vitamin D or 25-OH D3 required for comparable effects in hypoparathyroid patients. The increased relative effectiveness of these one-hydroxylated forms of vitamin D reveals a deficiency of vitamin D one-hydroxylation in hypoparathyroidism. The rapidity of action of 1alpha-OH D3 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 was also striking. Apart from its physiologic implications, the potency of the one-hydroxylated forms of vitamin D offers significant therapeutic advantages in some patients whose hypoparathyroidism is difficult to control with vitamin D itself.
Proton isotonic density differences from 0.8 GeV proton-nucleus elastic scattering

Elastic differential cross sections and analyzing powers for 800 MeV p+ /sup 48/Ca and /sup 54/Fe are analyzed to obtain the isotonic proton density difference. The calculations employ a local, spin-dependent, second order Kerman, McManus, and Thaler optical potential model; care is given to isovector, spin-unsaturated subshell, and phenomenological nuclear medium corrections. The results obtained here are compared with those from electron scattering experiments and theoretical expectations. The results of this analysis provide an overall consistency check on corresponding studies which start with known charge densities and determine neutron isotopic density differences.
Antigen-dependent leukotriene synthesis and histamine release from IgG1 passively-sensitized guinea pig lungs ex vivo: Relationship between serum levels of antigen-specific IgG1 and mediator synthesis/release

Naive guinea-pigs were passively sensitized with varying amounts of affinity column purified, homologous, anti-ovalbumin IgG1 (anti-OA IgG1) and then examined for a) the capacity of lung tissue to release mediators (histamine and LTB4/LTD4) in response to antigen-challenge ex vivo and b) the attendant circulating levels of anti-OA IgG1. Intraperitoneal administration of anti-OA IgG1 (0.125-0.75 mg/kg) to guinea-pigs facilitated the synthesis of LTB4 (8-25 ng/g lung) and LTD4 (18-80 ng/g) and the release of histamine (1-7 ug/g) from lung tissue after exposure to 10 micrograms/ml of ovalbumin for 20 min ex vivo. Peak levels of mediators were found using 0.5 mg/kg anti-OA IgG1 with an ED50 = 0.35 mg/kg. LTD4/LTB4 synthesis and histamine release were both antigen concentration- and time-dependent, and LT synthesis was observable in non-perfused lungs and in lungs perfused free of blood. Maximum sensitization occurred at 1-2 days post i.p. administration of anti-OA IgG1 and was maintained up to 7 days. Measurement of anti-OA IgG1 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay demonstrated that circulating antibody levels were 2-6 micrograms/ml at the doses which caused sensitization. The level of anti-OA IgG1 found in passively sensitized animals was at least 100-fold less than that found in actively-sensitized guinea-pigs despite the similar magnitude in LTD4/LTB4 synthesized and the amount of histamine released. Using purified antibody, the results demonstrate that in guinea-pigs, IgG1 can play a prominent role in regulating lung LT synthesis and histamine release, and that microgram per ml circulating levels of this antibody are sufficient to sensitize naive lungs.
Endogenous oxidative damage of mtDNA.

Almost a decade ago, based on analytical measurements of the oxidative DNA adduct 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine (oxo8dG), it was reported that mitochondrial DNA suffers greater endogenous oxidative damage than nuclear DNA. The subsequent discovery that somatic deletions of mitochondrial DNA occur in humans, and that they do so to the greatest extent in metabolically active tissues, strengthened the hypothesis that mitochondrial DNA is particularly susceptible to endogenous oxidative attack. This hypothesis was (and is) appealing for a number of reasons. Nevertheless, solid direct support for the hypothesis is lacking. Since the initial measurements, attempts to repeat the observation of greater oxidation of mitochondrial DNA have resulted in a range of measurements that spans over four orders of magnitude. Moreover, this range includes values that are as low as published values for nuclear DNA. In the last 2 years or so, it has become apparent that the quantification of oxidative DNA adducts is prone to artifactual oxidation. We have reported that the analysis of small quantities of DNA may be particularly susceptible to such interference. Because yields of mitochondrial DNA are generally low, a systematic artifact associated with low quantities of DNA may have elevated the apparent level of adduct oxo8dG in mitochondrial DNA relative to nuclear DNA in some studies. Whatever the cause for the experimental variation, the huge disparity between published measurements of oxidative damage makes it impossible to conclude that mitochondrial DNA suffers greater oxidation than nuclear DNA. Despite the present confusion, however, there are reasons to hypothesize that this is indeed the case. We briefly describe methods being developed by a number of workers that are likely to surmount current obstacles and allow the hypothesis to be tested definitively.
Feasibility of estimating cementation rates in a brittle fault zone using Sr/Ca partition coefficients for sedimentary diagenesis

Abstract Cement phases such as calcite or quartz often incorporate trace elements from the parent fluids as they crystallize. Experimental sedimentary diagenesis indicates that trace element partition coefficients reflect rates of cementation. The applicability of these findings to fault zone cementation is examined as we make a preliminary attempt to estimate calcite cementation rate in a brittle fault zone directly from the fault-rock composition data. Samples for this study were collected from the Knoxville outcrop of the Saltville fault in Tennessee. The cementation rates for the fault rock samples range from 1×10−12 to 3×10 −13 m 3 / h per m, in agreement with some experimental rates and the rates reported for samples from the DSDP sites. When applied to a non-responsive pore-system model, these rates result in rapid precipitation sealing indicating the influence exerted by the surface-area/volume ratio of the pore network. We find it feasible to obtain a reasonable range of values for the cementation rate using the trace element partition method. However, the study also indicates the need for relatively accurate values for the trace/carrier element ratio in the fault zone syntectonic pore fluid, and exhumed cement.
Influence of dietary ascorbic acid upon enzymes of sterol biosynthesis in the guinea pig.

Summary The effects of chronic ascorbic acid deficiency and excessive ascorbic acid intake upon sterol metabolism were studied in the guinea pig. Both dietary extremes of ascorbic acid elevated plasma and liver cholesterol and depressed cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activity relative to control values, as previously reported. The active form of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A reductase was significantly reduced in guinea pigs fed inadequate and excessive dietary ascorbate. Total reductase activity in liver and intestinal mucosa was unaffected by ascorbic acid status. These results demonstrate that acceleration of cholesterol biosynthesis does not contribute to the elevation of cholesterol levels observed in guinea pigs fed dietary extremes of ascorbic acid. Depression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase appears to be the specific metabolic defect accounting for disturbances in sterol metabolism in guinea pigs fed low or high amounts of ascorbic acid.
Spin‐label studies of the pH‐induced random coil to α‐helix conformational transition in poly(L‐lysine)

Poly(L-lysine) of various molecular weights between 2700 and 475,000 was spin-labeled. From the electron spin resonance spectra, the degree of freedom of the nitroxide was determined by calculation of the rotational correlation time as the poly(L-lysine) underwent the pH-induced random coil to α-helix conformational transition. In general, the rotational correlation time of the nitroxide increased as the pH was increased, indicating a more restricted environment for the spin label when poly(L-lysine) is deprotonated. For the high-molecular-weight poly(L-lysine) this corresponds to the formation of the α-helix and indicates that the side chain–side chain interaction and decreased segmental motion of the backbone (slightly) restricts the motion of the spin label. For the 2700-molecular-weight poly(L-lysine), previously shown not to assume a helical conformation at high pH, the increase in the rotational correlation time of the spin label indicates that the side chain–side chain interaction takes place after deprotonation but without helix formation. This may indicate that helix formation per se is not needed to produce the observed effect even with the high-molecular-weight polymers. The rotational correlation time of the spin label at a particular pH did not depend on the molecular weight of the poly(L-lysine) over the 200-fold range of molecular weights. This indicates that the rotational correlation time reflects the rotational mobility of the spin label in a localized environment and not the rotational diffusion of the entire macromolecule.
Comments on "On the application of matrix generalized inverses to the design of observers for time-varying and time-invariant linear systems"

In this discussion, several comments on the eigenvalue assignment algorithm in the above paper are made for the purpose of better illustration and clarity.
Combining steady-state and dynamic methods for determining absolute signs of hyperfine interactions: pulsed ENDOR Saturation and Recovery (PESTRE).

Abstract The underlying causes of asymmetric intensities in Davies pulsed ENDOR spectra that are associated with the signs of the hyperfine interaction are reinvestigated. The intensity variations in these asymmetric ENDOR patterns are best described as shifts in an apparent baseline intensity that occurs dynamically following on-resonance ENDOR transitions. We have developed an extremely straightforward multi-sequence protocol that is capable of giving the sign of the hyperfine interaction by probing a single ENDOR transition, without reference to its partner transition. This technique, Pulsed ENDOR Saturation and Recovery (PESTRE) monitors dynamic shifts in the ‘baseline’ following measurements at a single RF frequency (single ENDOR peak), rather than observing anomalous ENDOR intensity differences between the two branches of an ENDOR response. These baseline shifts, referred to as dynamic reference levels (DRLs), can be directly tied to the electron-spin manifold from which that ENDOR transition arises. The application of this protocol is demonstrated on 57Fe ENDOR of a 2Fe–2S ferredoxin. We use the 14N ENDOR transitions of the S = 3/2[Fe(II)NO]2+ center of the non-heme iron enzyme, anthranilate dioxygenase (AntDO) to examine the details of the relaxation model using PESTRE.
The Comparative Safety of Opioids for Nonmalignant Pain in Older Adults

Background Severe nonmalignant pain affects a large proportion of adults. Optimal treatment is not clear, and opioids are an important option for analgesia. However, there is relatively little information about the comparative safety of opioids. Therefore, we sought to compare the safety of opioids commonly used for nonmalignant pain. Methods We devised a propensity-matched cohort analysis that used health care utilization data collected from January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2005. Study participants were Medicare beneficiaries from 2 US states who were new initiators of opioid therapy for nonmalignant pain, including codeine phosphate, hydrocodone bitartrate, oxycodone hydrochloride, propoxyphene hydrochloride, and tramadol hydrochloride; none had a cancer diagnosis, and none were using hospice or nursing home care. Our main outcome measures were incidence rates and rate ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for cardiovascular events, fractures, gastrointestinal events, and several composite end points. Results We matched 6275 subjects in each of the 5 opioid groups. The groups were well matched on baseline characteristics. The risk of cardiovascular events was similar across opioid groups 30 days after the start of opioid therapy, but it was elevated for codeine (RR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.27-2.06) after 180 days. Compared with hydrocodone, after 30 days of opioid exposure the risk of fracture was significantly reduced for tramadol (RR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.16-0.28) and propoxyphene (0.54; 0.44-0.66) users. The risk of gastrointestinal safety events did not differ across opioid groups. All-cause mortality was elevated after 30 days for oxycodone (RR, 2.43; 95% CI, 1.47-4.00) and codeine (2.05; 1.22-3.45) users compared with hydrocodone users. Conclusions The rates of safety events among older adults using opioids for nonmalignant pain vary significantly by agent. Causal inference requires experimental designs, but these results should prompt caution and further study.
A two-field mix variational principle for partially connected composite beams

This paper presents a new beam-column element for the nonlinear analysis of partially connected composite beams. The element is based on a two-field mixed variational principle, where both variables, forces and deformations, are simultaneously approximated within the element. The model neglects uplift and frictional effects. Shear connectors are modeled using a distributed interface element. Two algorithms for the proposed model are presented. Stability of both algorithms is discussed. Numerical examples that clarify the advantages of the proposed model over standard models based on the principle of minimum potential energy, and discuss the different alternatives of the order of interpolation functions are presented. The studies prove the superiority of the mixed model.
State estimation of uncertain nonlinear stochastic systems with general criteria

Abstract A general class of discrete-time uncertain nonlinear stochastic systems corrupted by finite energy disturbances and estimation performance criteria are considered. These performance criteria include guaranteed-cost suboptimal versions of estimation objectives like H2, H∞, stochastic passivity, etc. Linear state estimators that satisfy these criteria are presented. A common matrix inequality formulation is used in characterization of estimator design equations.
Dielectric properties for the binary mixture of dimethylsuphoxide and dimethylacetamide with 2-nitrotoluene at microwave frequencies

Abstract The dielectric properties of various organic solvents and binary solvent mixtures at different temperatures over the frequency range of 10 MHz–20 GHz, are investigated using the time domain reflectometry technique, at various temperatures from 15 to 45 °C. These solvent mixtures—dimethylacetamide–2-nitrotoluene and dimethylsulphoxide–2-nitrotoluene as well as pure solvents display a Debye type dispersion. Their frequency-dependent dielectric properties can be summarized by the three parameters in the Debye equation: a static permittivity, permittivity at high frequency and a dielectric relaxation time constant. The free energy of activation for dipolar relaxation process and the Kirkwood correlation factor were determined using these fitting parameters, for these solvent systems at various temperatures. By using these dielectric parameters, the excess permittivity and excess inverse relaxation time is obtained. The static permittivity increases with increase in volume percentage of 2-nitrotoluene in dimethylacetamide as well as dimethylsulphoxide whereas the relaxation time decreases for both the systems.
Effect of Particulate Reinforcement Electroless Plating on Properties of SiC/Fe Composite

SiC particles were coated with copper and nickel respectively through electroless plating process to investigate the plating effect on mechanical properties of SiCp/Fe composites. It shows that tensile strength and final elongation of the composite improve significantly after the plating treatment of SiC particles. Compared with the composite reinforced by uncoated one, the maximum increase of tensile strength is 20.1% reinforced by nickel-coated SiC particles with the particle size of 21μm and volume fraction of 20%. The maximum tensile strength among the SiCp/Fe composites reaches 928.3MPa where the composite is reinforced by nickel-coated SiC particles with the particle size of 13μm and volume fraction of 10%. In contrast with that reinforced by uncoated SiC particles, the highest increment of final elongation is 19.6% reinforced by copper-coated SiC particle with the particle size of 13μm and volume fraction of 20%. Electroless plating on SiC particle surface may effectively prevent the direct contact in the interfaces between the SiC particles which can reduce the risk of micro-crack formation, so as to improve the properties of composite.
Effects of Temperature on Electrolyte Balance and Osmoregulation in the Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) in Fresh and Sea Water

Abstract A study of the effects of temperature and salinity on ionoregulation in the alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus, revealed that concentrations of sodium, potassium, and calcium in plasma and muscle were similar in fish adapted to fresh water and those adapted to sea water. The non-stressed alewife is apparently an excellent ionoregulator in both environments. Acute exposure to cold caused a shift in plasma concentrations of sodium and calcium toward environmental concentrations, i.e., these ions decreased in fresh water and increased in sea water. An ionoregulatory failure due to cold is suggested. High temperatures had little effect on plasma electrolyte levels in fresh water whereas in sea water the concentrations of sodium, potassium, and calcium were elevated. Mortalities of the alewife in the Great Lakes may be caused by osmoregulatory failure induced by acute exposure to cold, but are probably not induced by exposure to elevated temperatures. Fish thermally acclimated in the laboratory or in Lake ...
Treatment failure sites according to irradiation technique and histology in patients with endometrial cancer

Three hundred and seventy-two patients with endometrial cancer treated from 1948 through 1969 and having complete follow-up were reviewed. All patients completed definitive therapy with preoperative irradiation and surgery or irradiation alone and have separated into two main groups: 1) those treated with irradiation by radium alone or 2) those treated with external irradiation plus diminished amounts of radium. Pathology material from each patient was reviewed by one pathologist. Treatment by radium alone led to fewer pelvic failures than did external irradiation plus diminished amounts of radium, when evaluated by stage, grade, and specific histology. Both irradiation modalities led to about the same incidence of failures due to distant metastasis only.
Is This Thing On?: Crowdsourcing Privacy Indicators for Ubiquitous Sensing Platforms

We are approaching an environment where ubiquitous computing devices will constantly accept input via audio and video channels: kiosks that determine demographic information of passersby, gesture controlled home entertainment systems and audio controlled wearable devices are just a few examples. To enforce the principle of least privilege, recent proposals have suggested technical approaches to limit third-party applications to receiving only the data they need, rather than entire audio or video streams. For users to make informed privacy decisions, applications will still need to communicate what data they are accessing and indicators will be needed to communicate this information. We performed several crowdsourcing experiments to examine how potential users might conceptualize and understand privacy indicators on ubiquitous sensing platforms.
Effect of aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin and rubratoxin B on a protozoan, Tetrahymena pyriformis HSM.

Rubratoxin B is more inhibitory to the growth ofT. pyriformis than is either aflatoxin B1 or ochratoxin. Only a marginal effect on cell respiration was exerted by these mycotoxins. The presence of the divalent ions, Mg++, Ca++ and Fe++, did not reduce the toxicity of rubratoxin B. A bioassay sensitive to 1 to 5 μg/ml rubratoxin B has been developed employingT. pyriformis.
Comparative studies on the metabolism of shallow-water and deep-sea marine fishes. IV. Patterns of aerobic metabolism in the mesopelagic deep-sea fangtooth fish Anoplogaster cornuta

Measurements have been made of oxygen consumption rates $$\dot v$$ O2 of 10 specimens of the mesopelagic deep-sea fangtooth fish Anoplogaster cornuta. Determinations were made at 1 atm pressure, at temperatures of 3°, 7°, and 10°C, at dissolved oxygen concentrations ranging from near saturation to zero, with the fish swimming at low, controlled speeds. Weight-specific $$\dot v$$ O2 were uniformly low. They showed Q10's of 2.5 and 1.3, respectively, in the temperature ranges 3° to 7°C, and 7° to 10°C, at dissolved oxygen concentrations above 2 ml (standard temperature and presusure, STP)/1. Measurable $$\dot v$$ O2 continued in these fish at dissolved oxygen concentrations down to the lowest levels detectable with our instruments. At 7°C the average critical oxygen tension (P c ) for the entire group was near 35 mm Hg. However, there is a statistically significant positive slope to the regression line relating $$\dot v$$ O2 to P c for individual fish. The physiological and ecological significance of these results is discussed, particularly with reference to thermal effects and to the basis for survival by A. cornuta in the oxygen minimum layers of the eastern Pacific Ocean.
Oncology rehabilitation outcomes over time: a mixed-methods approach.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To evaluate an oncology rehabilitation program over time. DESIGN A cross-sectional, retrospective program evaluation using a mixed-methods approach. SETTING An outpatient oncology rehabilitation program housed in an urban, hospital-based comprehensive cancer center in Alaska. SAMPLE 102 cancer survivors who had completed a 10-week oncology rehabilitation program (mean time since completion was 2.5 years). METHODS Participants completed a mailed, 28-item retrospective survey to collect perceived activity level recalled at various points in time as well as program perceptions. Open-ended questions elicited narrative comments about motivators and barriers. The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) SF-36® was completed before and after the program. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Health-related quality of life, perceived health status, activity level, motivators, barriers, and program perceptions. FINDINGS A small increase in level of activity from precancer to the current time (postrehabilitation) (z = -3.1, p < 0.01) was reported. Most and least helpful motivators emerged from the narrative data, resulting in the shared interpretation of "I have my life back." CONCLUSIONS Program motivators were effective in helping cancer survivors maintain some increased activity and retain positive perceptions well after the completion of the program. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Survivors who complete a rehabilitation program retain a sense of restoration and caring, and some engage in physical activity over time. Adapting the program based on insights into the survivor perspective may assist oncology rehabilitation clinicians to promote optimum physical activity and sustain healthful change.
Software for Hybrid Computation&#8212;Past,Present,and Future

To understand and appreciate the various software requirements for a hybrid computer system one must first understand the environment in which the system is used. It may perhaps also be useful to trace the evolution of the analog computer to the hybrid computer–specifically as hardware developments directed software developments.
Non-communicating human and murine carcinoma cells produce α1 gap junction mRNA

The gap junctional communication capacity of six human carcinoma-derived tumorigenic cell lines (pancreatic, pharyngeal and cervical), two murine carcinoma-derived tumorigenic cell lines (bladder-derived and Ehrlich ascites) and one monkey non-tumorigenic cell line (kidney epithelium) have been compared by the dye-transfer technique. All the tumorigenic cell lines were communication defective, while the non-tumorigenic cell line was not. Moreover, six of the eight tumorigenic cell lines expressed a gap junction transcript coding for the connexin 43 (alpha 1). Finally, gap junction plaques were not detected between tumorigenic cells by immunofluorescence staining. Consequently, these data suggest that communication defects in tumorigenic cells may result from either abnormally low levels of translation of junction mRNA or alterations in the assembly of junction protein into cell surface plaques, and not from failure to produce junction transcripts. Furthermore, since induction of alpha 1 expression has been associated with dedifferentiation processes, the presence of alpha 1 mRNA might be a characteristic property of certain tumorigenic cells that originate from cells that do not normally express alpha 1 mRNA.
The HOMO Nodal Arrangement in Polychromophoric Molecules and Assemblies Controls the Interchromophoric Electronic Coupling

Triptycenes spontaneously assemble into two-dimensional networks in which long-range charge transport is facilitated by the extensive electronic coupling through the triptycene framework (intramolecularly) and by cofacial π-stacking (intermolecularly). While designing and synthesizing next-generation triptycenes containing polyaromatic chromophores, the electronic coupling amongst the chromophores was observed to be highly dependent on the nature and position of the substituents. Herein, we demonstrate using hexaalkoxytriptycenes that the electronic coupling amongst the chromophores is switched on and off by a simple repositioning of the substituents, which alters the nodal arrangement of the HOMOs of the individual chromophores. A visual inspection of the HOMOs can thus provide a ready evaluation of the electronic coupling in polychromophoric molecules/assemblies, and will serve as an important tool for the rational design of modern charge-transport materials.
A Party of Workers or a Party of Intellectuals? Recruitment into Eastern European Communist Parties, 1945-1988

This paper provides an event-history analysis of recruitment into the Communist Party between 1945 and 1988 in Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, and the Czech and Slovak Socialist Republics. Despite evidence that gender discrimination in Party recruitment processes eased in some of these countries, women remained significantly less likely than men to enter the political arena via the Communist Party across the region. The findings also indicate that class background and parents' political affiliation figured less prominently in Party recruitment processes in Eastern Europe over time. Prior incumbency in a position of authority, including that of supervisor, not only had a positive effect on the odds of joining the Party but was greater than the effect of prior professional status, indicating that professionals were not especially likely to join the Party in Eastern Europe despite open efforts to recruit technically trained personnel. Education, however, had a large and stable effect on Party recruitment, with the absence of change in the coefficients for education across time suggesting that communist authorities imposed educational criteria on new recruits from their first years in power. Overall, the findings indicate the existence of two paths of entry into the Communist Parties of Eastern Europe, one through educational institutions and the other up the vertical chain of command within the workplace.
A cloud-base quasi-balance constraint for parameterized convection : Application to the kain-fritsch cumulus scheme

Abstract A quasi balance with respect to parcel buoyancy at cloud base between destabilizing processes and convection is imposed as a constraint on convective cloud-base mass flux in a modified version of the Kain–Fritsch cumulus parameterization. Supporting evidence is presented for this treatment, showing a cloud-base quasi balance (CBQ) on a time scale of approximately 1–3 h in explicit simulations of deep convection over the U.S. Great Plains and over the tropical Pacific Ocean with the Naval Research Laboratory’s Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS).1 With the exception of the smaller of two convective events in the Great Plains simulation, a CBQ is still observed upon restriction of the data analysis to instances where the available buoyant energy (ABE) exceeds a threshold value of 1000 J kg−1. This observation is consistent with the view that feedbacks between convection and cloud-base parcel buoyancy can control the rate of convection on shorter time scales than those asso...
Ignitability of Some Upholstery Fabrics With and Without Backcoating

Time to ignition of fifteen samples of upholstery fabrics under various levels of radiant heat flux was determined, using an ignita bility test method at the University of San Francisco. The cotton and rayon fabrics exhibited the shortest times to ignition. Fabric weight and backcoating did not appear to have a significant effect in this limited study.
Induction of ectopic olfactory structures and bone morphogenetic protein inhibition by Rossy, a group XII secreted phospholipase A2.

The secreted phospholipases A2 (sPLA2s) comprise a family of small secreted proteins with the ability to catalyze the generation of bioactive lipids through glycophospholipid hydrolysis. Recently, a large number of receptor proteins and extracellular binding partners for the sPLA2s have been identified, suggesting that these secreted factors might exert a subset of their broad spectrum of biological activities independently of their enzymatic activity. Here, we describe an activity for the sPLA2 group XII (sPLA2-gXII) gene during Xenopus laevis early development. In the ectoderm, sPLA2-gXII acts as a neural inducer by blocking bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Gain of function in embryos leads to ectopic neurogenesis and to the specification of ectopic olfactory sensory structures, including olfactory bulb and sensory epithelia. This activity is conserved in the Drosophila melanogaster, Xenopus, and mammalian orthologs and appears to be independent of the lipid hydrolytic activity. Because of its effect on olfactory neurogenesis, we have renamed this gene Rossy, in homage to the Spanish actress Rossy de Palma. We present evidence that Rossy/sPLA2-gXII can inhibit the transcriptional activation of BMP direct-target gene reporters in Xenopus and mouse P19 embryonic carcinoma cells through the loss of DNA-binding activity of activated Smad1/4 complexes. Collectively, these data represent the first evidence for signaling cross talk between a secreted phospholipase A2 and the BMP/transforming growth factor β pathways and identify Rossy/sPLA2-gXII as the only factor thus far described which is sufficient to induce anterior sensory neural structures during vertebrate development.
Performance Evaluation of Novel DSA Scheme that Combines Polling Method with Random Access Method

Ubiquitous wireless networks and wireless sensor networks, which consist of access points and a number of wireless terminals with simple functions, provide users with a wide range of applications such as environment monitoring and traffic surveillance. In these networks, even though each terminal sends only small data amounts at comparatively long transmission intervals, traffic loads are significant due to the very large number of terminals. The access point must be capable of accommodating the great many wireless terminals, while providing high throughput performance. This can be achieved by employing DSA, a typical centralized media access control scheme, since it has high resource utilization efficiency. In this paper, we propose a novel DSA scheme that employs both a polling-based method and a random access method; it improves throughput by using the feature that most terminals tend to send data periodically. In this scheme, the access point polls the terminals to decrease the random accesses made by the terminals as much as possible. Simulations verify that the proposed scheme offers better throughput performance than the conventional scheme.