cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular specifications of a mineral modulation sequence derived from the aragonite-promoting Protein n16

In the nacre layer of the mollusk, proteins play an important role in regulating the morphology and lattice structure of calcium carbonate minerals. However, this process remains elusive due to the fact that we do not understand how protein sequences control the structure and morphology of biominerals. To take us a step further in this direction, we report the molecular structure of a 30 AA N-terminal mineral interactive sequence (n16N) of the aragonite-promoting protein, n16, and contrast these findings to those previously reported for two “calcite-blocker” nacre-associated sequences, AP7N and AP24N. We find that n16N is conformationally labile and adopts a random-coil conformation that possesses short, dispersed extended β-strand segments that are located at the A1−Y2, K5−Y9, Y11−I14, and D21−N25 sequence blocks. Like AP7N and AP24N, Ca(II) ion interactions with n16N alter chain dynamics and local structure, and n16N is adsorbed onto calcite crystals and cannot easily be displaced via differential washi...
The Rise and Fall of the Kikuyu Karing'a Education Association of Kenya, 1929-1952

This study of the Kikuyu Karing'a Education Association (KKEA) has as an underlying theme the successful resistance of an African society to cultural and political colonialism. The KKEA persevered for two decades because it helped meet the educational needs of the Kikuyu people of central Kenya. Furthermore, it was an expression of cultural identity and acted as a vehicle for anti-colonial protest. It emerged in the early 1930s after thousands of Kikuyu boycotted mission schools when the latter decided to ban the practice of female circumcision. Although most returned to the missions, many remained in the newly-formed independent schools. These schools politicized a portion of the Kikuyu population which became, at the very least, sympathetic to indigenous political movements. Hence with the Mau Mau rebellion, in the 1950s, the KKEA was outlawed.
Pusher propeller noise directivity and trends

The effects of pylon wake interaction on far-field propeller noise are studied using a model scale SR-2 propeller in a low-speed anechoic wind tunnel. The variation in the pusher noise penalty with axial angle theta and circumferential angle phi is compared to that of the tractor noise penalty; and the former exhibits minima occurring in the propeller plane and maxima occurring toward the propeller axis. The magnitude of the pusher installation noise penalty decreased with in increase in shaft horsepower and tip Mach number. Directivity comparisons revealed that both a noise reduction and a directivity pattern change resulted when the pylon was moved farther from the propeller. Noise emerging from the wake interaction was distinguished from that of the propeller by means of a modal decomposition.
Global shape recognition of 3-D objects using a differential library storage

Abstract Shape recognition of three-dimensional rigid objects when viewed by a two-dimensional imaging system is discussed. Fourier descriptor features are used that are invariant to scale, translation, and rotation about the viewing axis. A differential library storage method is developed which allows compact storage of the many shapes generated by viewing an object from different aspect angles. Experimental results are presented using aircraft and normalized Fourier descriptors which show the effectiveness of the differential library storage. An automatic shape learning system is also demonstrated.
A tool for collecting provenance data in social media

In recent years, social media sites have provided a large amount of information. Recipients of such information need mechanisms to know more about the received information, including the provenance. Previous research has shown that some attributes related to the received information provide additional context, so that a recipient can assess the amount of value, trust, and validity to be placed in the received information. Personal attributes of a user, including name, location, education, ethnicity, gender, and political and religious affiliations, can be found in social media sites. In this paper, we present a novel web-based tool for collecting the attributes of interest associated with a particular social media user related to the received information. This tool provides a way to combine different attributes available at different social media sites into a single user profile. Using different types of Twitter users, we also evaluate the performance of the tool in terms of number of attribute values collected, validity of these values, and total amount of retrieval time.
Short term wind speed prediction using artificial neural networks

As an alternative to fossil fuels, wind is a plentiful, clean, and renewable natural resource for energy. Essentially, power generation from wind depends on wind speed; thus, wind speed prediction becomes increasingly important for modern wind farm management and supply-demand balancing in the Smart Grid. However, wind speed is generally very difficult to estimate, due to its non-stationary and intermittent nature. In this paper, an approach based on artificial neural network (ANN) is developed. The neural network is trained and tested using data from the National Wind Technology Center. Computer simulation results show that the proposed neural network model can successfully predict wind speed in real-time.
Phosphorylation of Na,K-ATPase by Protein Kinase C at Ser18 Occurs in Intact Cells but Does Not Result in Direct Inhibition of ATP Hydrolysis *

Na,K-ATPase activity has been demonstrated to be regulated by a variety of hormones in different tissues. It is known to be directly phosphorylated on its α-subunit, but the functional effects of protein kinases remain controversial. We have developed a sensitive, antibody-based assay for detection of the level of phosphorylation of the α1-isoform of rat Na,K-ATPase at the serine residue that is most readily phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC)in vitro, Ser18. By stimulation of endogenous PKC and inhibition of phosphatase activity, it was possible to consistently obtain a very high stoichiometry of phosphorylation (close to 0.9) in several types of intact cells. This demonstrates the accessibility and competency of the site for endogenous phosphorylation. The cells used were derived from rat (NRK 52E, C6, L6, and primary cultures of cerebellar granule cells, representing epithelial cells, glia, muscle cells, and neurons). In the presence of the phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A, full phosphorylation was preserved during subsequent assays of enzyme activity in vitro. Assay of the hydrolysis of ATP in NRK and C6 cells, however, indicated that there was no significant effect of phosphorylation on the V max of the Na,K-ATPase or on the apparent affinity for Na+. Any regulatory effect of PKC on sodium pump activity thus must be lost upon disruption or permeabilization of the cells and is not a direct consequence of enzyme alteration by covalent phosphorylation of Ser18.
Ti 1s pre-edge features in rutile: a Bethe-Salpeter calculation

Abstract This work studies Ti K-edge excitations in rutile TiO 2 by considering the X-ray absorption spectrum in a Bethe-Salpeter approach. Results are compared to those obtained by experiment and previous theoretical results found using the Anderson impurity model. This establishes satisfactory agreement between all results.
Induction machine field orientation along airgap and stator flux

Airgap and stator flux field orientation control (FOC) methods are discussed as an alternative to the familiar rotor flux orientation approach. The principal motivation is the relative accessibility of the two alternative fluxes. Motor flux models are developed in a unified manner, and it is shown that inherent coupling between flux and torque exists in the stator and airgap models. Two decoupling methods are presented. Simulation results are given for an airgap oriented control; the performance approaches that of a rotor flux oriented drive. >
Alleged synapomorphy of the M1/I1 eruption pattern in robust australopithecines and Homo: Evidence from high-resolution computed tomography

Ever since Broom and Robinson (1951) published their claim that the eruption pattern of permanent incisors in robust australopithecines was most similar to that of modern man and different from that of gracile australopithecines and apes, the accuracy of this observation has been the subject of periodic debate (e.g., Wallace: Ph.D. thesis, 1972; Dean: Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 67:251-257, 1985; Grine: Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 72:353-359, 1987). Part of the problem is that the developing incisors in one of the specimens most crucial to this argument (SK61) are difficult to visualize clearly by conventional radiographic techniques because of the heavy mineralization in the fossil. This study reanalyzes SK 61 by high-resolution computed tomography in order to contribute to the final resolution of its incisor development. Grine's (op. cit.) assessment of the incisors as the deciduous ones, not the permanent ones, is fully confirmed. This fact, in conjunction with the observation that permanent incisor root formation had only just commenced in this specimen, further weakens the argument of M1/I1 eruption pattern synapomorphy between Homo and robust australopithecines.
Education at the Turn of the Century: A Crucible for Curriculum Change

At the heart of America's educational system in the 19th century was t he t e a c h e r . I l l t r a i n e d , harassed, underpaid, and often immature, it was the teacher who was expected to embody the standa rd v i r t u e s and c o m m u n i t y values and, at the same time, to mete out stern discipline to the unruly and the dull witted. But by the 1890s, 19th-century society, with its reliance on the face-toface community, was clearly in decline, and with the recognition of social change came a radically altered vision of the role of schooling. No longer was the school the direct instrument of a visible and unified community. Rather, it became a mediating institution between t h e family and an increasingly distant and impersonal soc i a l o r d e r , a n i n s t i t u t i o n th rough which the norms and ways of surviving in the new indus t r ia l society would be conveyed. Traditional family life was in decline, but even when it remained stable, it was no longer sufficient to init iate the young into a complex and technological world.
Approximate analytical wave functions for Pr 3

Abstract Approximate analytical self-consistent field wave functions were calculated for Pr 3+ . For the purpose of this work we combined the minimum and the saturated basis set approximations. All the orbital exponents were optimized.
Up-conversion: factors in absolute efficiency

ABSTRACT Infrared-to-visible up-conversion processes can be very important in device applications. Nu-merous investigators have evaluated various materials for device potential. The limiting factoris the efficiency of the process. The efficiency depends on many factors with the most importantones being energy transfer and multiphonon transitions.Keywords: up-conversion process, multiphonon transition rates, multiphonon emission rate 1. INTRODUCTION Infrared-to-visible up-conversion processes can be very important in device applications as noted by A. F. Milton in 1972.' Auzel2 and Wright3 have provided excellent reviews ofthe process and numerous investigators have evaluated various materials for device potential. The limitingfactor is the efficiency of the process. The efficiency depends on many factors with the mostimportant ones being energy transfer and multiphonon transitions. 2. MULTIPHONON TRANSITION RATES Weber4 developed a method of comparing the multiphonon transition rates in different ma-terials that is very useful. Reisfeld and her collaborators as well as others8 have used thismethod to evaluate efficient host materials for the up-conversion process. Figure 1, in which theenergy gap between adjacent energy levels for an active ion is plotted versus the multiphononemission rate, illustrates the results from these experiments. Note that the fluoride glass ZBLA,a fluorozirconate glass containing Zirconium, Barium, Lanthanum, and Aluminum and a Bar-
Two mechanisms responsible for marine ecosystem regime shifts from fish landings data off the West Coast of California (WCC)

This investigation focuses on two mechanisms over the North Pacific connecting decadal regime shifts to regional ecosystem impacts. The physical conditions show the impacts of the atmospheric surface wind stress and the sea surface temperature (SST) physical conditions on the fish landings along the west coast of California (WCC) from 1928-2008. The two mechanisms are identified by the two types of wind stress (e.g. westerly-easterly; or cyclonic-anticyclonic) anomaly over the central North Pacific which results in SST anomalies in the WCC. In both mechanism cases, the local warm (cold) SST anomaly leads to the number of fish species rising (falling) in the WCC region. In addition, the wind stress and SST anomaly pattern over the North Pacific is closely related to the intensity of the regime shifts as identified in the fish landings off the WCC.
Effect of chronic hypoxia on adrenoceptor responses of ovine foetal umbilical vessels

1 The effects of chronic hypoxia on α1-adrenoceptor-mediated contractions were investigated in foetal umbilical vessels obtained from near-term (∼140 day gestation) pregnant sheep maintained near sea level (∼300 m) and at high altitude (3820 m) from 30 day gestation. 2 Chronic hypoxia significantly decreased contractile sensitivity of the umbilical vein to noradrenaline (pD2: 6.22±0.19 vs 5.67±0.09) and reduced the maximum response by 43%. Noradrenaline-induced contraction of the umbilical artery was abolished. In contrast, contractions to KCl were not affected by chronic hypoxia. 3 In umbilical vein, the apparent dissociation constant (KA) of noradrenaline to α1-adrenoceptors was increased from 0.54±0.06 μM in control animals to 1.35±0.14 μM in chronically hypoxic animals. In accordance, radioligand binding of agonist showed high and low affinity binding sites for noradrenaline in both normoxic and chronically hypoxic tissues. Addition of GTPγS (100 μM) abolished apparent high affinity binding sites. Whereas proportional binding sites were not changed by chronic hypoxia, the apparent high affinity of noradrenaline was significantly decreased (pKi: 7.80±0.17 vs 7.20±0.16). 4 Chronic hypoxia significantly decreased α1-adrenoceptor density (fmol mg protein−1) in umbilical vein (24.6±3.2 vs 12.3±3.1) and the artery (7.1±0.4 vs 3.1±0.9) with no change in [3H]-prazosin binding affinity. There was a linear correlation of the maximum contractions to noradrenaline and α1-adrenoceptor density. 5 We conclude that chronically hypoxic-induced depression in contractions of ovine foetal umbilical vessels to noradrenaline is mediated predominantly by decreases in α1-adrenoceptor density and the agonist binding affinity. British Journal of Pharmacology (1998) 125, 136–142; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0702022
The influence of summertime fog and overcast clouds on the growth of a coastal Californian pine: a tree-ring study.

The coast of California is home to numerous rare, endemic conifers and other plants that are limited in distribution by drought sensitivity and the summer-dry climate that prevails across most of the state. Ecologists have long assumed that some coastal plant populations survived the early Pleistocene transition to a warmer and drier environment because they benefit from frequent fog and stratus clouds that provide water and shade during the rainless summer. One such population is that of Torrey pine (Pinus torreyana ssp. Insularis) on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park. Here we report that the tree-ring width record from this population indicates strong growth sensitivities to summer fog drip and cloud shading. We quantified the effects of summer cloud cover by comparing ring-width indices to coastal airport cloud-frequency records (1944–2004). For the first time observed, summertime cloud frequency correlated positively with ring-width indices, regardless of whether the effect of rainfall was first removed from the ring-width record. The effect of ground-level fog was strongest in July early mornings (03:00 PST, R2 = 0.262, P < 0.0002). The effect of clouds high enough to provide shade but not fog water was also strongest in July, but climbed steadily throughout the day before becoming strongest in late afternoon (16:00–18:00 PST, R2 = 0.148, P < 0.004). Correlations were substantially stronger in years with higher soil moisture, suggesting that growth response to summer clouds is strongly affected by pre-summer rainfall. A change in the height and/or timing of coastal cloud formation with climate change would likely affect this and other populations of California’s coastal vegetation.
Treatment of Atherosclerotic Renovascular Disease

If the treatment of renal-artery stenoses can improve blood pressure and renal function,1 why have clinical trials of renal-artery stenting failed to reduce the rates of renal and cardiovascular events?2–4 The answer is found by examining the design and results of the Cardiovascular Outcomes in Renal Atherosclerotic Lesions (CORAL) trial, now reported in the Journal, 4 which concludes that implanting stents for moderately severe obstructive renovascular disease is no better than medical therapy alone in preventing the primary end point of death from cardiovascular or renal causes, myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, progression of renal failure, or the . . .
A computational method for fitting Richardson equations of arms races

Several mathematical models have been developed for describing international arms races, military conflicts, and other interactions between nations. A crucial question is whether or not such equations can be fitted to actual data. If the answer is in the affirmative, then there are tremendous opportunities for prediction and planning. We present a mathematical and computational method for estimating not only parameters in dynamical models of armament races, but also a complete set of unknown initial conditions. Computational results show the comple feasibility of the quasilinearization method, but further investigation is needed to determine capabilities and limitations of this new approach.
Laparoscopic Versus Open Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection: a Cost Analysis

ABSTRACTPurpose: Laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection is significantly less morbid than open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection but it is generally more costly due to longer operative time and disposable equipment. In response to budgetary pressure at our large county hospital we identified the cost components of laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection that could be targeted to decrease procedure costs before expanding our laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection program.Materials and Methods: A comprehensive literature review of open and laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was performed and certain parameters were abstracted, including operative time and equipment, hospital stay, perioperative complications and surgical success rates. Using these data the projected overall cost and individual cost centers at our institution were compared for open and laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection. Decision tree analysis models were devised to estim...
Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Partially Oxidized Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite Surfaces and of Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) can be obtained from an electrochemically oxidized highly oriented pyrolytic graphite electrode or a graphene oxide suspension in an aqueous solution containing 0.1 M NaClO(4), phosphate buffer (PBS) (pH = 7.0) and 13 mM tri-n-propylamine. Single ECL events from individual graphene oxide nanosheets can be observed. The observation of ECL in such systems may lead to the development of a new class of carbon-based nanomaterials for potentially highly sensitive analytical applications.
Pharmacodynamic analysis of ceftriaxone, gatifloxacin, and levofloxacin against Streptococcus pneumoniae with the use of Monte Carlo simulation

Study Objective. To evaluate the pharmacodynamics of four intravenous antimicrobial regimens—ceftriaxone 1 g, gatifloxacin 400 mg, levofloxacin 500 mg, and levofloxacin 750 mg, each every 24 hours—against recent Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates. Design. Pharmacodynamic analysis using Monte Carlo simulation. Data Source. The Surveillance Network (TSN) 2002 database. Measurements and Main Results: Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates (7866 isolates) were stratified according to penicillin susceptibilities as follows: susceptible (4593), intermediate (1986), and resistant (1287). Risk analysis software was used to simulate 10,000 patients by integrating published pharmacokinetic parameters, their variability, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions TSN database. Probability of target attainment was determined for percentage of time above the MIC (%T>MIC) from 0–100% for ceftriaxone and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC):MIC ratio from 0–150 for the fluoroquinolones. For ceftriaxone, probability of target attainment remained 90% or greater against the three isolate groups until a %T>MIC of 70% or greater, and it remained 90% or greater against susceptible and intermediate isolates over the entire interval (%T>MIC 0–100%). For levofloxacin 500 mg, probability of target attainment was 90% at an AUC:MIC ≥ 30, but the curve declined sharply with further increases in pharmacodynamic target. Levofloxacin 750 mg achieved a probability of target attainment of 99% at an AUC:MIC ratio ≥ 30; the probability remained approximately 90% until a target of 70 or greater, when it declined steeply. Gatifloxacin demonstrated a high probability (99%) of target attainment at an AUC:MIC ratio ≥ 30, and it remained above 90% until a target of 70. Conclusion. Ceftriaxone maintained high probability of target attainment over a broad range of pharmacodynamic targets regardless of penicillin susceptibility (%T>MIC 0–60%). Levofloxacin 500 mg maintained high probability of target attainment for AUC:MIC ratios 0–30; whereas, levofloxacin 750 mg and gatifloxacin maintained high probability of target attainment for AUC:MIC ratios 0–60. Rate of decline in the pharmacodynamic curve was most pronounced for the two levofloxacin regimens and more gradual for gatifloxacin and ceftriaxone.
Cultural Seduction: American Men, Mexican Women, Cross-border Attraction

■ Recent anthropological studies have emphasized power, domination and hegemony. The US—Mexico border is a key site for ethnographic research on such issues. This article uses an ethnographic appro...
The Plastic Deformation of a Cantilever Beam With Strain-Rate Sensitivity Under Impulsive Loading

This paper presents an analysis of the plastic deformation of a cantilever beam with an attached tip mass, based on the assumption of rigid-plastic behavior with strain-rate sensitivity, under an impulsive load at the tip. Numerical solutions of the equations of motion which appear as two nonlinear simultaneous integral equations are presented. The possibility of power-series expansion is also indicated. Finally, approximate solutions are given, and the results are compared with the more exact solutions and with experimental data.
Reliable geocasting for underwater acoustic sensor networks

UnderWater Acoustic Sensor Networks (UW-ASNs) [1] are envisioned to enable applications for oceanographic data collection, environmental monitoring, navigation, and tactical surveillance. Geocasting, which is the transmission of packet(s) to nodes located in a certain geographic region, is becoming a crucial communication primitive for these applications. In UW-ASNs, geocasting may be required to assign tasks to underwater vehicles or to query sensor nodes in a certain region.
An assessment of the impact of science experiences on the career choices of male and female biology students

Earlier studies of gender differences in science courses and careers have identified three probable causes: numbers of mathematics courses, level of science achievement, and attitudes toward science. Recently, differential science experiences have been suggested as a factor contributing to the gender differences found in science interest and achievement. A study of science activities, both within and outside of school, has been conducted. Although both boys and girls report similar classroom experiences, boys more often than girls report extracurricular science activities. The findings suggest that equal experiences within science classrooms do not overcome the advantage that boys hold due to more extracurricular science activities. Increased experiences in science, however, have led to more positive attitudes toward science among the girls in this study.
Data-use in marketing: A normative analysis from an artificial science perspective

Abstract Literature about data-use has tended to overstate the importance of data-providers (ie, of researchers), and to understate the importance of data-users (ie, of managers). Because data-use is just as much under the influence of the user as of the provider, the disparity in importance given to researchers and managers is improper. A model of data-use is developed here from the point of view of the data-user, based on an analogy between rational decision-making and Bayesian analysis. The model then empirically illustrates how different decision-makers use identical data in different ways. Specifically, the model shows how decision-maker predispositions shift the balance between the two fundamental decisions in data-use: deciding to act or deciding to gather more data.
Detection of Escherichia COD 01 57:H7 in water from coliform enrichment cultures

E.W. RICE, C.H. JOHNSON AND D.J. REASONER. 1996. Environmental water samples were seeded with Escherichia coli O157: H7 and the bacterium was recovered using a traditional coliform enrichment procedure followed by selective plating on sorbitol MacConkey agar and biochemical and serological characterization. Assays for β-glucuronidase and glutamate decarboxylase were found to be useful procedures for screening suspected isolates. The organism was not recovered in a survey of various water samples.
Memory characteristics of MNOS capacitors fabricated with PECVD silicon nitride

Abstract The memory performance of metal-nitride-oxide-silicon (MNOS) capacitors, fabricated with “as-deposited” PECVD silicon nitride, have been evaluated using high-frequency, capacitance-voltage characteristics. A 4.2 V memory window was achieved for a programming field of 6 × 10 6 V / cm and a pulse width of 1 μs. Decay rates varied between 0.1 and 1.0 V per decade of time in seconds depending on nitride deposition conditions and initial window size. Devices endurance cycled to 10 8 suffered a small decrease in window size and a slight shift in memory window center. Retention data taken following endurance cycling to 10 7 showed a negligible degradation of decay rate. Vertical scaling of the nitride layer to approximately 100 A yielded devices which could be programmed with 5–8 V. Nitride films were annealed at temperatures of 400–800°C. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed a severe loss of hydrogen for temperatures above 400°C. Memory performance of the films degraded in parallel with loss of hydrogen.
The 7–91Σ+gand 41ΠgStates of K2by Optical–Optical Double Resonance Spectroscopy

Abstract Using a homemade ultrasensitive space charge limited ion detector, the K 2 singlet gerade states (7–9 1 Σ + g and 4 1 Π g ) were observed for the first time. The exotic potential of the double minimum 7 1 Σ + g state was constructed using a hybrid approximation method. The molecular constants and the Rydberg–Klein–Rees (RKR) potential curve for the 9 1 Σ + g state were obtained. The 8 1 Σ + g and 4 1 Π g states were partially characterized.
Desalination in israel: emerging key component in the regional water balance formula

Abstract As a result of rapid population growth, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian entity are experiencing a worsening water shortage, which, unless properly addressed., threatens to cripple their future development. Thirty-year projections of water demand indicate that even if all marginal water resources were to be effectively utilized and conservation measures fully implemented, chronic shortages will be deferred only 10–5 years. Conservation by restructuring sectoral water use through economic policy is impeded by the ideological primacy of agriculture, commitment to food self-sufficiency, and prospects of social and political destabilization. Importation of water by short land conveyances can provide only near-term solutions, while most long-distance, inter-basinal transfers are impractical because of a combination of economic, political and water rights issues. Marine conveyance, though attractive on paper, is as yet an unproven concept. Desalination of Mediterranean or Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba) seawater will satisfy future water demands and guarantee security of supply through joint management. The latest notions of “Two-Seas” (Mediterranean Sea-Dead Sea and Red Sea-Dead Sea) desalination schemes envision fueling by hydropower and/or solar energy, the co-generation of electricity, and aquacultural and tourist spin-offs. An alternative scheme proposes a jointly-managed Israeli-Egyptian (and possibly Palestinian) plant, to be located on the southern Mediterranean coast, that would be powered either by coal or by gas piped from the Suez fields. This study explores the relative merits of the proposed desalination schemes. The estimated costs of producing desalined seawater are about two to three times the average cost of water from conventional sources. However, fossil and renewable energy cost trends, introduction of innovative power generating technologies, and economies of size may all combine to reduce desalination costs 15–25% by the beginning of the next decade. The predicted higher costs of desalinated seawater will limit its use to satisfy domestic needs and to raising high value-added crops. Massive desalination would also facilitate the redistribution of disputed water resources, boost the regional industrial capacity by co-generating clean energy, and expand the recreational potential of the region. The regional cooperation necessitated by the need to pool financial resources and ensure optimal water allocation between Israel and some of its neighbors heralds the potential of making water in this troubled area of the Middle East a catalyst for peace, rather than a subject of protracted conflict.
Setting priorities for children's health: viewpoints of family physicians and pediatricians.

BACKGROUND In this study family physicians and pediatricians were asked to rank public health goals for children for the year 2000 and to assign responsibility for implementing these goals. METHODS All members of the New Jersey chapters of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians were sent a one-time mail questionnaire. Statistical analysis of responses, a review of written comments, and follow-up telephone interviews completed the study. RESULTS About 500 physicians returned the surveys (25 percent response rate). The highest ranked public health goals were reducing tobacco, alcohol, and other drug abuse; improving physical activity and fitness; immunizing against and controlling infectious diseases; and improving maternal and infant health. Physicians assigned prevention efforts to the federal government, the family, and the individual. CONCLUSIONS Family physicians and pediatricians routinely interact with two of the parties to whom they assign prevention responsibility--the individual and the family. The ability of physicians to influence these parties will increase if universal access to primary care and preventive services becomes law. This means they will also be in a unique position to influence high-priority public health goals for children.
catena-Poly[[bis­(O,O′-diethyl dithio­phosphato-κ2S,S′)zinc(II)]-μ-1,2-di-4-pyridylethane-κ2N:N′]

In the zigzag polymeric title compound, [Zn(S2P(OEt)2)2(NC5H4CH)2CH2C5H4N)]n or [Zn(C4H10O2PS2)2(C12H12N2)]n, the Zn atom adopts a distorted tetra­hedral ZnN2S2 geometry; the bridging di-4-pyridylethane mol­ecules are each disposed about a centre of inversion.
The Emergence of Sex

Biological traits, the foci of natural selection, are by definition emergent from the genes, proteins, and other "nothing-buts" that constitute them. Moreover, and with the exception of recently emergent "spandrels," each can be accorded a teleological dimension-each is "for" some purpose conducive to an organism's continuation. Sex, which is "for' the generation of recombinant genomes, may be one of the most ancient and ubiquitous traits in biology. In the course of its evolution, many additional traits, such as gender and nurture, have emerged. Patterns of sexual exchange are the basis for patterns of biological evolution and are central to the process of eukaryotic speciation. Human sexuality is central to our selves.
Theory and External Validity

Winer (1999 [this issue]) proposes that external validity concerns require more attention in theoretical research. The author argues that one cannot “enhance” external validity by choosing one method over another. External validity can only be “assessed” by better understanding how the focal variables in one’s theory interact with moderator variables that are seen as irrelevant early in a research stream. Findings from single real-world settings and specific sets of “real” people are no more likely to generalize than are findings from single laboratory settings with student subjects. Both the laboratory and real world vary in background facets of subject characteristics, setting, context, relevant “history,” and time. It is only when these facets vary and we see how they interact that understanding of external validity is enhanced. For this to happen, the observable “background” factors have to be conceptualized in terms of more general constructs and incorporated as moderators into the researcher’s theory. Enriched theory—not method—confers confidence in our understanding of whether effects will be robust or highly contingent. To map this knowledge to some specific substantive system requires an added step of understanding the mapping from observables in that system onto theoretical constructs. The author proposes “friendly amendments” to Winer’s three proposals to pursue a better understanding of external validity through theory.
Urrets-Zavalia syndrome following goniotomy in a child

Urrets-Zavalia syndrome is a surgical complication in which the pupil remains fixed and dilated after a procedure. It is believed to be caused by brief periods of high intraocular pressure. Although the syndrome was originally associated with penetrating keratoplasty, it has subsequently been associated with other procedures. We report the case of a 13-year-old boy with congenital glaucoma who developed Urrets-Zavalia syndrome after goniotomy. After 2 years of follow-up, the pupil remained fixed and dilated in that eye. To our knowledge this is the first case of Urrets-Zavalia syndrome to be reported following goniotomy and the first to occur in a child.
Minor elective surgical procedures using general anesthesia in children with sickle cell anemia without pre-operative blood transfusion.

Background Pre-operative red blood cell (RBC) transfusions are often recommended for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) who require elective surgery under general anesthesia. However, definitive randomized studies demonstrating the benefit of transfusions in this setting have not been conducted. In particular, the merits of transfusion prior to minor or low-risk surgical procedures in children with SCD have not been demonstrated. Procedure We hypothesized that children with sickle cell anemia (Hb SS) who have minor elective surgical procedures develop few complications even without pre-operative transfusion. We accessed our Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program's Database to identify all such procedures performed during a 13-year period. Medical records were reviewed to characterize the surgical procedure, the use of transfusions, and perioperative complications. Results Twenty-eight children with Hb SS had a total of 38 minor surgical procedures. No perioperative transfusions were given in 34 of the cases (85%). Five of these 34 surgeries (15%) were associated with minor post-operative complications (fever or transient pain). No post-operative acute chest syndrome was encountered. Conclusions Minor or low-risk elective surgical procedures in children with Hb SS may not routinely require pre-operative transfusion. A randomized clinical trial to compare transfusion with no transfusion for minor surgical procedures is needed. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2005; 45: 43–47. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Optic Disc Area and Retinal Area in Amblyopia

Purpose: To compare retinal area to optic disc rim area ratios of hyperopic normal, strabismic eyes with equal acuity, amblyopic, and fellow eyes. Methods: Neuroretinal rim areas of 293 amblyopic and fellow eyes, and 77 non-amblyopic hyperopic right eyes, and 84 non-amblyopic strabismic right eyes were measured by magnification corrected retinal photography and planimetry. Retinal area estimates were based on axial lengths. Inclusion criteria: All subjects had bilateral hyperopia. Patients with glaucoma or known optic nerve atrophy were excluded. The normal and strabismic groups had equal visual acuity in each eye better than 20/40. The amblyopic group had acuity worse than 20/40 in one eye uncorrectable with lenses and without gross anatomic defects. Results: The amblyopic group included 137 with strabismus and 89 with anisometropia exceeding 1.5 diopters. There were highly significant differences between the ratio of retinal area to optic disc rim area of the amblyopic and of normal eyes (unpaired t-tes...
The winter helium bulge revisited

A newly implemented helium module in the National Center for Atmospheric Research-Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics general circulation model offers the first opportunity in three decades to describe helium behavior in the context of a first principles, self-consistent model and to test early theories of wintertime helium bulge formation. This study shows general agreement with the findings of Reber and Hays (1973) but articulates the definitive role of vertical advection in the bulge formation. Our findings indicate vertical advection and molecular diffusion are the dominate processes responsible for the solstice helium distribution. Horizontal winds indirectly contribute to the helium bulge formation by their divergent wind field that leads to vertical winds in order to maintain thermosphere mass continuity. As a minor gas, thermospheric helium does not contribute to mass continuity and its distribution is dictated by more local interactions and constraints.
Problem-based Learning versus Traditional Lecturing in Pharmacy Students’ Short-term Examination Performance

The purpose of this study was to compare problem- based learning (PBL) and traditional lecturing (TL) in Pharm.D. students’ performance on pharmacotherapeutic examinations. Fourth-year Pharm.D. students were divided into two groups: Group A (n 5 186), enrolled in Pharmacotherapeutics II (PH210), Fall 1999, were taught hyperlipidemia by PBL and thromboembolic diseases by TL; Group B (n 5 187), enrolled in Fall 2000, were taught thromboembolic diseases by PBL and hyperlipidemia by TL. Student performance was assessed via multiple-choice examinations. For hyperlipidemia examination scores, Group B students performed statistically and academically significantly better (defined as >5% difference) on the total score (78.6 vs. 55.6%, p 0.05) than Group A. For thromboembolic diseases examination scores, Group A did as well as Group B in analytical questions (73.6 vs. 71.3%, p > 0.05), significantly better in total scores (72.2 vs. 69.2%, p 5 0.047) and recall questions (73.8 vs. 63.0%, p 5 0.001). Teaching hyperlipidemia by PBL resulted in statistically and academically significantly lower examination scores; this difference was not noted when thromboembolic diseases was the topic. Limitations include large class size, variations in examination questions and the possibility that certain topics may be more difficult for students to master using PBL. Continuation of long-term data collection will further determine if PBL helps students to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Photoabsorption cross sections for chlorinated methanes and ethanes between 46 and 100 Å

Abstract Photoabsorption cross sections for the methanes CCl 4 , CCl 3 F, CCl 2 F 2 , CClF 3 , CF 4 , CHClF 2 , CHCl 2 F and the ethanes C 2 F 6 , C 2 ClF 5 , C 2 Cl 2 F 4 were measured between 46 and 100 A. In particular, the 0.2 A resolution provides some insight into the Cl 2 p absorption process. It is noted that the molecular cross section for all 8 Cl-containing gases display an L edge “discontinuity” of 3.55±0.15 Mb per Cl atom. The experimental molecular cross sections are compared with sums of atomic cross sections at 100 A using both theoretical and empirical atomic values. The sums of theoretical atomic cross sections describe every experimental molecular value to better than 10%. The sums of empirical atomic cross sections describe molecular values to within 2%.
Peripheral nerve transplantation: the effects of predegenerated grafts and immunosuppression.

Research involving nerve transplantation has shown that tissue rejection limits the neurologic recovery unless the host is immunosuppressed. This study investigates an alternative to permanent or temporary immunosuppression using a rat model with nerve transplants from Brown- Norway rat donors to bridge defects in the sciatic nerve of Lewis rat recipients as these two inbred strains differ at both major and minor histocompatibility loci.The specific aim of this study was to evaluate if predegenerated nerve grafts decreased the tissue rejection and improved the neurologic recovery of animals with allogenic nerve grafts to avoid the problems associated with either short- or long-term immunosuppression. The animals in the experimental groups received cyclosporin-A, predegencrated grafts, both, or neither. The predegenerated grafts were produced by division of the nerve three weeks prior to grafting to allow for Wallerian degeneration to occur. The outcome was assessed by measurements stressing functional recovery (sensory testing, gait analysis, joint flexion contracture), studies of muscle recovery (muscle weight and hydroxyproline concentration), and histologic studies (axonal counts and inflammatory reaction). The animals receiving the predegenerated grafts without cyclosporin did have an improved recovery (joint flexion contracture 35° ± 8 ° and hydroxyproline ratio 1.52 ± 0.16) as compared to the joint flexion contractures and hydroxyproline ratios of the allograft group of animals without either cyclosporin- A or pretreatment and the ungrafted control group (47° ± 18°, 1.68 ± 0.34, and 53° ±15° ,4.50 ± 0.27, respectively, p < 0.01). However, all the isograft groups and allograft groups with cyclosporin-A, regardless of whether the graft had been predegenerated or not, had greater neurologic recovery than the allograft group with predegenerated grafts but without cyclosporin-A by the same parameters (p < 0.01). Allograft groups with short-term immunosuppression with cyclosporin-A did as well as isograft groups, and isograft groups with predegenerated grafts did not do any better than isografts without pretreatment (p <0.01). Clinical Relevance: Predegenerated nerve allografts will allow for greater neurologic recovery than standard nerve allografts avoiding the complications of immunosuppression, but the level of recovery is less than that of recipients of nerve allografts with immunosuppression. Nerve transplants would avoid the problems of neurologic deficits at the donor site and allow multiple large deficits to be treated easily.
Ketamine inhibits tumor necrosis factor secretion by RAW264.7 murine macrophages stimulated with antibiotic-exposed strains of community-associated, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Infections caused by community-associated strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) are associated with a marked and prolonged host inflammatory response. In a sepsis simulation model, we tested whether the anesthetic ketamine inhibits the macrophage TNF response to antibiotic-exposed CA-MRSA bacteria via its antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. RAW264.7 cells were stimulated for 18 hrs with 105 to 107 CFU/mL inocula of either of two prototypical CA-MRSA isolates, USA300 strain LAC and USA400 strain MW2, in the presence of either vancomycin or daptomycin. One hour before bacterial stimulation, ketamine was added with or without MK-801 (dizocilpine, a chemically unrelated non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist), APV (D-2-amino-5-phosphono-valerate, a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist), NMDA, or combinations of these agents. Supernatants were collected and assayed for TNF concentration by ELISA. RAW264.7 cells exposed to either LAC or MW2 in the presence of daptomycin secreted less TNF than in the presence of vancomycin. The addition of ketamine inhibited macrophage TNF secretion after stimulation with either of the CA-MRSA isolates (LAC, MW2) in the presence of either antibiotic. The NMDA inhibitors, MK-801 and APV, also suppressed macrophage TNF secretion after stimulation with either of the antibiotic-exposed CA-MRSA isolates, and the effect was not additive or synergistic with ketamine. The addition of NMDA substrate augmented TNF secretion in response to the CA-MRSA bacteria, and the addition of APV suppressed the effect of NMDA in a dose-dependent fashion. Ketamine inhibits TNF secretion by MRSA-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and the mechanism likely involves NMDA receptor antagonism. These findings may have therapeutic significance in MRSA sepsis.
Integrating Indoor environmental quality metrics in a dynamic life cycle assessment framework for buildings

A framework was developed for integrating indoor environmental quality (IEQ) into life cycle assessment (LCA). The framework was explored using a university building as a case study. Results showed that including IEQ aspects in whole-building LCA revealed internal impacts at least as high or higher than external impacts. For human health respiratory effects, building-specific indoor impacts from the case study were 50% higher than general impacts in conventional LCA. Tradeoffs and synergies with traditional LCA impact categories appear to result mainly from differences in energy consumption relating to different IEQ parameters such as ventilation and filtration.