cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Will cotton make a comeback in Mali

With the decline of cotton especially in the marginal cotton areas, farmers have been using more of the cotton-financed inputs on the cereals. The cotton para-statal company (CMDT) has made a virtue out of this recommending diversification for these regions. Following the world price spike in 2010, the Malian government responded with a substantial price increase for cotton in 2011 of 38% to rejuvenate the Malian sector. This article looks at the impact of this price policy in the cotton economy and the potential of new cereal technology and marketing strategy to raise incomes and facilitate the diversification. Given the importance of the marketing decision of selling later after the recovery of cereal prices from the harvest collapse, a discrete stochastic programming model was developed for three-stage decision making. Then, the recent changes in the cotton economy and government fertilizer subsidies were analyzed along with the introduction of the new technology marketing of sorghum. Cotton and maize continue to dominate the economy but the combined sorghum technology marketing increases farmers’ incomes by 16% to 21% and eases the return to normal cotton prices, after the 2011 price spike, as well as the removal of the fertilizer subsidies.
Chemical Speciation of PM2.5 and PM10 in South Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ, experiences high particulate matter (PM) episodes, especially in the wintertime. The spatial variation of the PM concentrations and resulting differences in exposure is of particular concern. In this study, PM2.s (PM with aerodynamic diameter 50% variance). Many elements associated with anthropogenic sources were highly enriched, with enrichment factors in PM2.5 an order of magnitude higher than in PM10 relative to surface soil composition in the study area.
Molecular trees for green chemistry

Because carbon dioxide is nontoxic, nonflammable, abundant and cheap, it ought to be every scientist's and engineer's favourite solvent for extractions, separations and reactions. Unfortunately, even at dense liquid or supercritical conditions, its ability to dissolve polymeric, ionic or highly polar species is limited. But fluorinated dendrimers — highly branched molecules — can extract strongly hydrophilic compounds from water into liquid CO2, greatly expanding its applicability.
The specific heats of adsorbed helium submonolayers: II. On argon-coated and neon-coated copper☆

Abstract Specific heats of submonolayer 4He films adsorbed on argon-coated copper and on neon-coated copper have been measured between 0.75 K and 4.0 K. Near monolayer coverages the films show a two-dimensional (2-D) solid-like Debye behavior with the addition, at the higher temperatures, of a term due to desorption from the film into the three-dimensional (3-D) vapor above it. At lower coverages down to 0.14 monolayers, the specific heat per atom is anomalous and is unexplained by any single-phase model of the adsorbed system. The theory of Roy and Halsey, although successful in explaining low-coverage specific heats on bare copper, appears inadequate to explain the anomalous low-coverage specific heats on the argon- and neon-coated substrates and a new model is proposed which consists of 2-D solid-like “islands” of coverage-independent lattice parameter surrounded by a quasi-ideal 2-D vapor. It is shown that such a model can approximate the observed anomalous specific heats of submonolayers adsorbed on argon- and neon-coated copper, provided a term is introduced which may be associated with the atoms that are located around the perimeters of the “islands”.
Meromorphic Functions: Progress and Problems

Zurich is a special place to workers in meromorphic function theory. Rolf Nevanlinna was Professor both at the ETH and University of Zurich. His address at the 1932 Zurich ICM centered on connections between his new theory of meromorphic functions and the Riemann surface off-1, a perspective that continues to yield insights. Lars Ahlfors accompanied Nevanlinna to the ETH in 1928, where he developed his fundamental distortion theorem and proved Denjoy’s conjecture that an entire function of order ρ has at most 2ρ distinct finite asymptotic values. Zurich has been one of the main venues of the Nevanlinna Colloquia through the years, and the home of Polya and Pfluger.
Association between Nondominant Unit Total Nucleated Cell Dose and Engraftment in Myeloablative Double-Unit Cord Blood Transplantation

Abstract Sustained hematopoiesis after double-unit cord blood transplantation (dCBT) is mediated by 1 unit in nearly all patients. To investigate the associations between nondominant unit characteristics and neutrophil engraftment, we studied 129 consecutive myeloablative dCBT recipients. Ninety-five percent (95% confidence interval, 90 to 98) of patients engrafted. Detection of the nondominant unit 21 to 28 days after dCBT was not associated with improved neutrophil engraftment. In univariate analyses, nondominant unit characteristics (infused total nucleated cell [TNC] and viable CD3+ cell doses) were significantly associated with speed and success of neutrophil engraftment as were dominant unit characteristics (infused TNC; viable CD34+, viable CD3+, and viable CD3-56+16+ cell doses; and post-thaw CD34+ cell viability). In multivariate analysis, higher infused TNC dose of the nondominant unit was independently associated with improved neutrophil engraftment, even when this unit did not contribute to donor hematopoiesis. In further subgroup analysis, this association was only evident when the infused viable CD34+ cell dose of the dominant unit was low (
Virtual Environments for Visually Impaired

We provide a systematic study for generating interactive, virtual environments for the blind. We present our system as a tool for shape recognition and mobility training for the blind. In our system, head movement can be detected to indicate horizontal and vertical movements. Audio feedback is used for reinforcement. Our experiment for shape learning can guide the user in tracing the surface of a sphere by using the audio feedback. We also present a compelling case for using force feedback devices for visually impaired, and our experience with the PHANToM(TM) force feedback device is summarized. A detailed survey of present research is also presented.
Differential feeding responses evoked in the rat by NPY and NPY1-27 injected intracerebroventricularly.

Abstract Neuropeptide Y (NPY) given by the intracerebroventricular (ICV) route in the rat evokes hyperphagic-like feeding. To examine the molecular nature of action of NPY, comparisons were made between the central effects of this peptide and a newly synthesized amino-terminus fragment, NPY 1–27 . A single guide tube was implanted stereotaxically to rest just above a lateral cerebral ventricle so that ICV injections in a volume of 10 μl of either CSF control vehicle or peptide could be given in the unrestrained rat. Native NPY or NPY 1–27 was given in doses of 5.0 or 10.0 μg, whereas nondeprotected NPY was infused in a dose of 10.0 μg. The intakes of either regular commercial rat diet or specially prepared chocolate-flavored biscuits as well as water were recorded intermittently for 4.0 h following each ICV infusion. Although a clear-cut dose response with a latency of similar magnitude emerged for both molecules, NPY was found to be nearly twice as potent as NPY 1–27 in inducing spontaneous feeding. A corresponding infusion in the same volume of either nondeprotected NPY or CSF control vehicle was without effect. When chocolate-flavored biscuits were provided to the rat, an ICV infusion of a 10.0 μg dose of NPY enhanced significantly both rate of eating and total cumulative intake of flavored food in comparison to that after a similar infusion of NPY 1–27 or either control solution. These results suggests that native NPY acting centrally affects gustatory and/or olfactory systems to a much greater degree than does NPY 1–27 . Consequently, the carboxy terminus amino acids 28–36 appear to be essential in shifting the sensory threshold for food ingested by the rat and thus may govern the overall magnitude of its intake.
Divergent transcription of long noncoding RNA/mRNA gene pairs in embryonic stem cells

Many long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) species have been identified in mammalian cells, but the genomic origin and regulation of these molecules in individual cell types is poorly understood. We have generated catalogs of lncRNA species expressed in human and murine embryonic stem cells and mapped their genomic origin. A surprisingly large fraction of these transcripts (>60%) originate from divergent transcription at promoters of active protein-coding genes. The divergently transcribed lncRNA/mRNA gene pairs exhibit coordinated changes in transcription when embryonic stem cells are differentiated into endoderm. Our results reveal that transcription of most lncRNA genes is coordinated with transcription of protein-coding genes.
An experimental study of axial conduction through a thermosyphon pipe wall

Abstract The effect of the axial conduction through the pipe wall on the performance of a thermosyphon was experimentally investigated in this study. Two 2-phase closed thermosyphons were tested; each had the same dimensions, materials and partially filled with R134a. The only difference between them was that one had a thermal break within the adiabatic section that resisted axial conduction between the evaporator and the condenser sections. The thermosyphons were heated by a constant-temperature hot bath and cooled by water via a concentric heat exchanger. The experiments were performed for different bath temperatures and different fill ratios. It was found that the axial conduction through the pipe wall caused an increase in the overall heat transfer coefficient, evaporation heat transfer coefficient and condensation heat transfer coefficient of the thermosyphon. However, the fraction of heat transfer associated with axial conduction decreased as the heat flux increased. For small heat flux ( T b = 30 °C), the increment of the evaporation and condensation heat transfer coefficient contributed by axial conduction reached 100% and 25%, respectively. For high heat flux ( T b = 60 °C), the increment was negligible (less than 1%).
Vitrification and testing of a Hanford high-level waste sample. Part 1: Glass fabrication, and chemical and radiochemical analysis

The Hanford radioactive tank waste will be separated into low-activity waste and high-level waste that will both be vitrified into borosilicate glasses. To demonstrate the feasibility of vitrification and the durability of the high-level waste glass, a high-level waste sample from Tank AZ-101 was processed to glass, analyzed with respect to chemical composition, radionuclide content, waste loading, and the presence of crystalline phases and then tested for leachability. The glass was analyzed with inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, γ-energy spectrometry, α-spectrometry, and liquid scintillation counting. The WISE Uranium Project calculator was used to calculate the main sources of radioactivity to the year 3115. The observed crystallinity and the results of leachability testing of the glass will be reported in Part 2 of this paper.
A numerical simulation of gas flow field effects on high pressure gas atomization due to operating pressure variation

High pressure gas atomization is emerging as an efficient method of producing high yields of ultrafine metal and alloy powders. The results of a numerical study of the gas-only flow field of a high pressure, confined feed, annular jet gas-metal atomizer are compared with experimental data and are reported in this paper. The axisymmetric, turbulent, compressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved for the gas-only flow in the vicinity of the melt tip. A parametric variation of gas atomizing pressure and its effect on gas flow field is examined. The numerical results demonstrate the existence of a strong recirculation region, mixing layer, and shock structures downstream of the melt tip in good agreement with experimental observations and past studies. The paper focuses on the characterization of the flow field, including a comparison of numerical and experimental data and how the results support a droplet formation mechanism over a range of atomizing pressures.
Social media analytics

Online social media represent a fundamental shift of how information is being produced, transferred and consumed. The present tutorial investigates techniques for social media modeling, analytics and optimization. First we present methods for collecting large scale social media data and then discuss techniques for coping with and correcting for the effects arising from missing and incomplete data. We proceed by discussing methods for extracting and tracking information as it spreads among the users. Then we examine methods for extracting temporal patterns by which information popularity grows and fades over time. We show how to quantify and maximize the influence of media outlets on the popularity and attention given to particular piece of content, and how to build predictive models of information diffusion and adoption. As the information often spreads through implicit social and information networks we present methods for inferring networks of influence and diffusion. Last, we discuss methods for tracking the flow of sentiment through networks and emergence of polarization.
Asthma exacerbation is associated with particulate matter source factors in children in New York City

Exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is linked with asthma exacerbation; however, the role played by specific PM sources is not well understood. Our objective was to investigate the associations between daily cough and wheeze symptoms in a panel of asthmatic children and PM source factors determined by receptor modeling using positive matrix factorization (PMF). We studied 36 children with moderate-to-severe asthma in New York City over both a warm and a cold season. Exposure to ambient air pollutants, including PM2.5 elements and elemental and organic carbon fractions, was characterized. The mean ambient PM2.5 concentration for the study periods was 12.0 ± 6.7 μg/m3. Six factors were resolved using PMF, including oil, road dust, ships, regional, salt, and traffic. When adjusted for ozone, cough and wheeze symptoms were most strongly associated with the regional and salt factors. Results using tracer elements (as determined from PMF analyses) showed some inconsistency, with two tracers for road dust (K and Si) showing associations in opposite directions to each other. Positive associations were also observed for S, which is a tracer of regional PM. Significant negative associations were observed for the oil factor and one of its tracers (Zn). Mostly nonsignificant associations were found for carbon fractions, with the exception of pyrolized carbon and two elemental carbon fractions. Our results indicate that asthma symptoms are associated with regional and salt factors. In this study, the regional factor was comprised of sulfate as well as carbon-containing PM, the latter which is likely derived from both anthropogenic and biogenic sources.
Stock option expense management after SFAS 123R

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether firms manage the total value of stock option grants downward after the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 123R to reduce their reported option expenses. Design/methodology/approach – All Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 1500 firms with available stock option data in 2004 and 2006 are included in the analysis. The authors analyze if the total value of options granted, the per share fair value of options granted, the number of options granted as well as each individual input assumption have changed from the pre-SFAS 123R (i.e. 2004) to the post-SFAS 123R (i.e. 2006) period. We compare post-SFAS123R option pricing assumptions and per share fair value of options granted with their respective expected values to verify the results. We also analyze whether SFAS 123R has differential effects on firms which chose to disclose option expense only in footnotes (“disclosing firms”) versus firms which voluntarily recognized option expense (“recognizing firms”) prior to SFAS 123R. Findings – The results show that after SFAS 123R, the total fair value of stock options granted for disclosing firms declined significantly. The decrease appears to result from managerial discretion over volatility and dividend yield assumptions as well as the reduction in the number of options granted. The evidence suggests that firms engage in not only assumption-based manipulations but also real activities to lower reported stock option expenses. It was also found that disclosing firms lower the total fair value of stock options granted to a greater extent than recognizing firms. Originality/value – This study adds to prior literature that examines the opportunistic incentives for managers to use discretion in reporting stock option expenses. This study contributes to the earnings management literature by providing another example of manipulating earnings through real activities. Finally, our study should be of interest to regulators and investors.
Distribution of corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactivity in the rat brain by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay: Comparison and characterization of ovine and rat/human CRF antisera

Abstract The distribution of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-like immunoreactivity in the rat brain has been demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and radioimmunoassay using 4 different antisera. Two antisera were directed against synthetic ovine CRF, two antisera were directed against synthetic rat/human CRF. Immunohistochemistry revealed that there are discrete regions where CRF immunoreactive cell bodies are seen with all 4 antisera (e.g., the paraventricular nucleus, the dorsolateral tegmental nucleus) whereas there are cells observed only with one rat CRF antiserum (e.g., in the cortex) or terminal fields observed only with ovine CRF antisera (e.g., the spinal trigeminal tract, the substantia gelatinosa, the spinal cord). Radioimmunoassay showed different cross reactivity of the antisera with synthetic ovine or rat/human CRF and sauvagine, however, there was no cross reactivity with a variety of other peptides. Tissue values of CRF obtained by RIA of micropunched brain nuclei with the 4 antisera were frequently dissimilar suggesting that different antisera recognize different substances. High performance liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay of brain tissue samples revealed that there is more than one form of CRF-like immunoreactivity present. There is indirect evidence that there exists at least one peptide in the rat brain, prominent in the medulla and the spinal cord, which cross reacts with antisera directed to ovine CRF only.
Mycelial elongation and sporulation of two fungi on amended media in light or dark

Botrytis allii and Collectotrichum dematium are onion pathogens which can infect in the field and cause decay in storage. Some phenolics can hinder development of these fungi, but the effect of cytokinins is not clear. Cytokinins (kinetin or 6-benzyladenine) or phenolics (caffeic or chlorogenic acids) were added to agar at concentrations of 0 to 10(-3) M. Cultures were continuously irradiated with fluorescent light or maintained in the dark for 6 days. On unamended media, final mycelial elongation was 45 or 17.8 mm and sporulation was 28 or 10.6 x 10(4) spores/ml for Botrytis and Colletotrichum, respectively. For Botrytis, mycelial elongation was slightly (5%) but significantly increased and sporulation increased by 21% by incubation on phenolics as compared to cytokinins. Mycelial extension of Colletotrichum was not affected by amendment. Sporulation of Colletotrichum on kinetin was 16 to 28% greater than on the other amendments. As amendments concentration increased elongation of mycelia of both fungi decreased. Sporulation of Botrytis increased by 60% as amendment concentration increased from 0 to 10(-5) M and then decreased 25% at 10(-3) M. As amendment concentration increased from 0 to 10(-3) M, sporulation of Colletotrichum increased by 45%. Incubation in light increased mycelial extension 3 to 17% for Botrytis and Colletotrichum respectively, and sporulation was increased approximately 78% for both fungi. These compounds do not appear to inhibit development of these Botrytis or Colletotrichum species in culture.
Analysis of puberty-accelerating pheromones.

Two experiments were performed to test putative puberty-accelerating pheromones. In the first experiment, 37 weanling female house mice of the ICR strain were exposed to 1 of the following 3 treatments: an airborne mixture of 0.05 M isoamylamine and 0.05 M isobutylamine, fresh male mouse urine, or distilled water, as the control. Neither the amine mixture nor the male urine accelerated first estrus in the mice following airborne exposure to these compounds. In the second experiment, 37 weanling female mice of the same strain were exposed to the same chemicals as in the first experiment by direct contact to the oro-nasal groove. The mixture of isoamylamine and isobutylamine did not accelerate puberty, but direct contact with the male urine accelerated puberty as evidenced by uterine weights. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
1976 Illinois drought: Evidence for improved water quality

During 1976, Illinois experienced a mild drought, of i ntensity equivalent to the once in 5 years frequency. It was anticipated that the drought would result in deteriorated water quality because dilution of point source discharges would be diminished. Furthermore, because productivity in Illinois streams is light limited, reduced runoff should result in clearer streams, higher algae levels, and greater variability in dissolved oxygen levels. In spite of these expectations, both chemical and biologic data showed that water quality in 1976 was appreciably better than that before 1975. The information provided by the Illinois water quality index (Janardan and Schaeffer 1977) coincides with biologic analyses of benthic invertebrates. The index supports and supplements the biologic data and provides a means for quantifying and integrating chemical and biologic data.
Hyperfine interaction of F-centres in alkali-halide crystals

The Fermi contact term of the hyperfine interaction is calculated for the first eight shells of ions surrounding the F-centre in KCl. The smooth part of the F-centre wave function is taken from earlier work of Wood and Opik and contains a g-like component which, though small, appears to be necessary for understanding the details of the interaction. A symmetrical orthogonalization procedure is used to construct orthogonal “core” orbitals from free-ion Hartree-Fock functions. The importance of this step is demonstrated. The overall agreement with the experimental results is good, and therefore it is concluded that these results can be explained by detailed calculations with appropriate vacancy-centred wave functions. Der Fermi-Kontaktterm der Hyperfeinwechselwirkung wird fur die ersten acht Ionenschalen, die ein F-Zentrum in KCl umgeben, berechnet. Der glatte Teil der F-Zentrum-Wellenfunktion wurde einer fruheren Arbeit von Wood und Opik entnommen und enthalt eine g-artige Komponente, die, obwohl sie klein ist, fur ein Verstandnis der Details der Wechselwirkung berucksichtigt werden mus. Es wird ein symmetrisches Orthogonalisierungsverfahren benutzt, um aus Hartree-Fock Funktionen des freien Ions, „core”-Wellenfunktionen zu konstruieren. Die Wichtigkeit dieses Schrittes wird demonstriert. Die allgemeine Ubereinstimmung mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen ist gut, es wird daher gefolgert, das diese Ergebnisse mit Hilfe detaillierter Rechnungen unter Verwendung geeigneter leerstellenzentrierter Wellenfunktionen erklart werden konnen.
What is ontic structural realism

Abstract In recent years a doctrine known as ontic structural realism (OSR) has achieved a degree of notoriety, but many people remain confused as to what exactly the doctrine amounts. In this paper three main variants of OSR are defined and discussed: (i) OSR1, which is the view that relations are ontologically primitive but objects and properties are not; (ii) OSR2, which is the view that objects and relations are ontologically primitive but properties are not; (iii) OSR3, which is the view that properties and relations are ontologically primitive but objects are not. Proponents of OSR claim that it is a “naturalistic” metaphysics, arguing that metaphysical views that take objects and/or properties as ontologically primitive are undermined by contemporary physics. In this paper it is argued that OSR1 and OSR2 are themselves undermined by contemporary physics. On the other hand, it is also argued that considerations about the objects of quantum mechanics and general relativity do seem to suggest that we should abandon some of our “common-sense” metaphysical intuitions, and that OSR3 is one of the metaphysical views that is compatible with what these theories seem to tell us about fundamental ontology.
Intuitionism, Meaning Theory and Cognition

Introduction In intuitionism there is a fertile confluence of ideas on mathematics, meaning theory, and cognition. Philosophers interested in any one of these latter areas of research would profit from studying intuitionism. In this chapter I want to focus on several connections between intuitionism and some recent, post-Wittgensteinian views in the philosophy of mind, meaning, and language. The views I shall focus on are associated with the claim that human cognition exhibits intentionality and with related ideas in philosophical psychology. This tradition in the philosophy of mind, meaning, and language differs significantly from the tradition in which Michael Dummett has interpreted and expounded upon intuitionism. Dummett has said that he is not attempting to portray accurately the views of Brouwer and Heyting, and more than one commentator has noted that Dummett's view of intuitionism diverges widely in some respects from ‘traditional’ intuitionism. The manner in which it diverges seems to be primarily in its view of human cognition and, specifically, in its view of the key intuitionistic idea that mathematical constructions are mental processes or objects. Dummett has been influenced by Wittgensteinian views on language, meaning, and cognition, whereas I shall be arguing against the application of some of these views to intuitionism and pointing to some shortcomings in Dummett's approach. I do not claim to have the final word on what intuitionistic mental constructions are, but I think I arrive at a view on this matter that is closer than Dummett's to the common intentions of Brouwer and Heyting.
The influence of maturity, season and part of plant on matric bound water

Matric bound water as a percent of the dry weight was measured as water retained by plant material on a pressure membrane or ultra filter after equilibration under 20 bars nitrogen gas pressure and drainage away of free water. Matric bound water was lower in leaf blades than in petioles or young stems of a number of species. In stems the matric bound water decreased with increasing maturity and lignification of the stem portion. Matric bound water of deciduous leaves decreased with increasing maturity.
Some low-temperature-transport-coefficient relations in the alkali metals

It is assumed that there exists a temperature range in which the transport coefficients in a Boltzmann-equation approximation are drag limited (i.e., the phonon-phonon collisions are negligible), and in which the electron-phonon interactions are dominated by phonons in one small pocket of the spectrum (the one-pocket approximation). Then it is shown that some relatively simple relations exist among the thermoelectric power, electrical resistivity, thermal resistivity, and specific heat. In the low-temperature limit, the ultimate behavior of the ideal thermoelectric power $S$ is found to be $S=\ensuremath{-}{|e|}^{\ensuremath{-}1}({C}_{e}+\frac{{C}_{L}}{3})$ in the effective-mass approximation, where ${C}_{e}$ is the electronic specific heat and ${C}_{L}$ is the lattice specific heat.
Quantitative molecular imaging of atherosclerotic endothelial dysfunction with perfluorocarbon (19F) nanoparticle magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy

Methods Five NZW rabbits were fed a high fat diet for 9-12 months (cholesterol: 1200-1700 mg/dL). Fluorescently-labeled, nontargeted NP were injected (2 ml/kg) intravenously into rabbit ear vein. After circulation in vivo for 1, 6 or 24 hours, aortas were excised for 19F MRI and spectroscopy (Varian 11.7 T scanner); and whole mount fluorescence imaging (Xenogen IVIS system). Two human carotid endarterectomy tissues were collected from operation room. After pretreatment with plasmin to digest fibrin on the endothelial surface and incubation with nontargeted NP for 6 hours, tissues were rinsed and formalin fixed for 19F MRI and spectroscopy. A perfluorooctyl bromide standard enabled MRS-based quantification of NP concentration in each imaged voxel. Results In rabbit aortas, MRI (19F/1H overlay) revealed abundant 19F signal from intact NP that were localized heterogeneously in the plaque interstitium (Fig. 1A) but not in unaffected areas. The average tissue concentration of NP calculated from MR spectroscopy (Fig. 1B) was 2.36 ± 0.42 × 109 /g aorta. The accumulation of NP is distinct from macrophage uptake, as demonstrated by high resolution fluorescence microscopy (Fig. 1C). Fluorescence imaging (Fig. 1D) also confirmed the presence of NP. In human carotid arterectomy tissues, the detected 19F signals were primary located on the endothelial/luminal side (Fig. 2). Quantitative analysis showed that average NP concentration in carotid arterectomy tissue was 47.1 ± 18.3 × 109 /g tissue.
An isothermal flow calorimeter for use with corrosive solutions from 50 to 125°C

An isothermal flow calorimeter suitable for measuring heats of mixing of two fluid streams which may or may not contain reactive solutes is described. The calorimeter proper was constructed of a platinum-10% rhodium alloy (tubing) and platinum-10% iridium alloy (mixing chamber) in order to obtain corrosion resistance to both strong acids and strong bases. Endothermic and exothermic processes can be studied from 323 to 398 K and from 0.1 to 20 MPa with the calorimeter. Energy effects from 0.0025 to 0.50 J sec−1 are measured at a constant temperature and pressure through the use of an automatically controlled pulsed heater and a constant cooling Peltier device. The calorimeter was tested (pressures given in parentheses) by measuring the heat of mixing of ethanol and water at 348.15 K (1.52 MPa) and the heat of dilution of aqueous sodium chloride at 323.15 (0.34 MPa), 348.15 (0.34 MPa), 372.85 (6.6 MPa) and 398.15 K (1.03 MPa), and was found to produce data in good agreement with literature values.
Cholinergic control of cerebral blood flow in stroke, trauma and aging

Enhancing the availability of endogenous acetylcholine by inhibition of cholinesterase with physostigmine, eptastigmine or soman at sub-toxic doses increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the response of this variable to changes in PaCO2. These effects are not correlated with metabolic activation, suggesting that the function of the cholinergic vasodilation is not merely to supply metabolic substrates. Since choline (Ch) can exchange between blood and the brain extracellular milieu the stage is set for possible feedback interactions between ACh synthesis and CBF. A negative feedback of CBF on ACh synthesis under conditions of a negative arteriovenous (A-V) difference for Ch across cerebral capillaries may contribute to stabilize GBF in ischemia. Eptastigmine and physostigmine significantly improve perfusion in experimental models of focal cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury respectively. During the short periods of time in which the A-V difference for Ch across the brain is positive, a positive feedback between cerebral free Ch and CBF may enhance the ability of the brain to recover Ch from the circulation for synthesis of membrane phospholipids. A loss of cholinergic cerebrovascular control may thus impair the survival of all cells within the CNS and contribute to the pathophysiology of dementia. Perhaps the view that the loss of cholinergic cells is the end point of Alzheimer's dementia could be modified to state that a cholinergic deficit may be the starting point of a decline in cerebral phospholipid turnover and cell membrane renewal that could lead to a generalized deterioration of cerebral function.
Skindex, a Quality-of-Life Measure for Patients with Skin Disease: Reliability, Validity, and Responsiveness

To measure the effects of skin disease on patients' quality of life, we developed a 61-item self-administered survey instrument called Skindex. Skindex has eight scales, each of which addresses a construct, or an abstract component, in a comprehensive conceptual framework: cognitive effects, social effects, depression, fear, embarrassment, anger, physical discomfort, and physical limitations. Item responses are standardized from 0 (no effect) to 100 (maximal effect); a scale score is the average of responses to items addressing a construct. In 201 patients seen by dermatologists, mean scale scores (+/-SD) ranged from 14 (+/-17) for physical limitations to 31 (+/-22) for physical discomfort. Scale scores were reproducible after 72 h (r = 0.68-0.90) and were internally consistent (Cronbach's alpha = 0.76-0.86). Construct validity was assessed in two ways: (i) in a comparison of patients with inflammatory dermatoses and patients with isolated lesions, patients with inflammatory dermatoses had higher scale scores, and (ii) in an exploratory factor analysis, 78% of the common variance was explained by seven factors that correlated with the scale scores of Skindex. Most of the a priori scale scores changed in the expected direction in patients who reported that their skin conditions had improved or worsened after 6 mo. Finally, physicians' judgments of disease severity did not consistently correlate with Skindex scores. These preliminary data suggest that Skindex reliably and responsively measures the effects of skin disease on patients' quality of life and may supplement clinical judgments of disease severity.
A naturally occurring foetal haemoglobin hybrid.

RECENT evidence1 has shown that abnormal haemoglobins can result from the mutation of genes controlling the synthesis of α-, β- and δ-chains in the adult as well as γ-chains in the foetus. According to this concept, it should be possible for an individual to inherit simultaneously a gene for an α- as well as a β-chain abnormality. Such a person could possess eight haemoglobins: two completely normal (Hb-A and A2), the abnormal α-chain with a normal β-chain (α2xB2), the normal α-chain with the abnormal β-chain (α2Bx2), both abnormal chains (α2xBx2), the abnormal α- with the normal δ-chain (α2xδ2), and finally the abnormal α- with a normal γ-chain (α2xγ2). One of us2 has already discussed the occurrence of minor haemoglobins of cord blood and the relationship of Hb-H and Bart's to each other and to Hb-F.
Longitudinal electro-optic effect in single crystal films of N-(4-nitrophenyl)-(L)-prolinol (NPP)

Summary form only given. Organic crystalline materials with large electrooptic (E-O) effect are favorable candidates for fast E-O modulators because of their substantially low dispersion of E-O coefficients compared to conventional inorganic E-O materials such as LiNbO/sub 3/. Large E-O coefficients have been recently reported for several organic materials. The organic molecular crystal NPP demonstrated large E-O effect in the visible and near infrared regions under transverse modulation configuration.
The passivating oxidation of platinum

Abstract The oxidation of platinum by gaseous oxygen has been studied for a series of silica and alumina-supported Pt catalysts of widely varying mean particle size. Correlation of the oxidation extent (as measured by temperature-programmed reduction) with mean particle radius (as determined from chemisorption measurements) shows that platinum oxidation is highly passivating, i.e., essentially limited to the surface layer of Pt atoms. Thus the oxidizable fraction of Pt in a catalyst sample is simply proportional to the fraction of surface Pt atoms, which explains why highly dispersed supported Pt samples oxidize more thoroughly than bulk Pt. The passivating nature of Pt oxidation is independent of both the Pt particle size (for bulk Pt down to 0.75-nm-radius particles) and the type of support (no support, silica, or alumina). The detailed structure and chemical identity of the passivating layer could not be identified; in particular, no clear distinction could be made between oxidic and chemisorbed oxygen, especially for particles with radii greater than 2 nm. Highly dispersed samples were more difficult to reduce than low-dispersion samples, possibly owing to an absence of metallic sites for H2 dissociation in the highly dispersed samples.
Suppression of Fast Reconnection by Magnetic Shear

Magnetic neutral sheets in weakly ionized interstellar gas are rapidly annihilated by ohmic diffusion. In this paper we extend the model to a sheared magnetic configuration, and show that the magnetic pressure associated with even a small nonzero field drastically reduces the reconnection rate of the reversing component.
THE COURSE OF ROD DARK ADAPTATION AS INFLUENCED BY THE INTENSITY AND DURATION OF PRE-ADAPTATION TO LIGHT

An increase in the degree of light adaptation causes a decrease in the slope of the subsequent rod dark adaptation function and a displacement of the function to the right on the time axis. Over a wide range, these changes occur to the same extent whether the increase in the degree of light adaptation is produced by raising the intensity or by prolonging the exposure. Within these limits, the Bunsen-Roscoe reciprocity law applies to the intensity and duration of pre-exposure. Over a still wider range, dark adaptation has the same course following brief exposure to a bright light as it has following prolonged exposure to a dim light, provided the degree of light adaptation is the same in both instances (as indicated by identical initial dark adaptation thresholds).
Plasma Protein Binding of Tacrolimus in Humans

An ultracentrifugation method was used for the determination of the tacrolimus (FK 506) free fraction in plasma. Samples of 400 microL were centrifuged for 6 h at 160,000 x g, and concentrations of [3H]tacrolimus were measured in the original plasma and in the second layer of the supernatant. The binding of tacrolimus in normal plasma averaged 73% and was independent of the drug concentration. Albumin (3.5%) binding averaged 44.4-57.0%, and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (100 mg/L) binding averaged 39%. Hepatic transplant patients exhibited 72.0% +/- 3.6% binding of tacrolimus. Plasma protein binding is probably not an important factor in the disposition of tacrolimus.
Potentiation of the Effect of Thiazide Derivatives by Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors: Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Clinical Implications

Background Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAI) are mild diuretics, hence not widely used in fluid overloaded states. They are however the treatment of choice for certain non-kidney conditions. Thiazides, specific inhibitors of Na-Cl cotransport (NCC), are mild agents and the most widely used diuretics in the world for control of mild hypertension. Hypothesis In addition to inhibiting the salt reabsorption in the proximal tubule, CAIs down-regulate pendrin, therefore leaving NCC as the major salt absorbing transporter in the distal nephron, and hence allowing for massive diuresis by the inhibitors of NCC in the setting of increased delivery of salt from the proximal tubule. Experimental Protocols and Results Daily treatment of rats with acetazolamide (ACTZ), a known CAI, for 10 days caused mild diuresis whereas daily treatment with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for 4 days caused hardly any diuresis. However, treatment of rats that were pretreated with ACTZ for 6 days with a combination of ACTZ plus HCTZ for 4 additional days increased the urine output by greater than 2 fold (p<0.001, n = 5) compared to ACTZ-treated animals. Sodium excretion increased by 80% in the ACTZ plus HCTZ group and animals developed significant volume depletion, metabolic alkalosis and pre-renal failure. Molecular studies demonstrated ∼75% reduction in pendrin expression by ACTZ. The increased urine output in ACTZ/HCTZ treated rats was associated with a significant reduction in urine osmolality and reduced membrane localization of AQP-2 (aquaporin2). Conclusions These results indicate that ACTZ down-regulates pendrin expression and leaves NCC as the major salt absorbing transporter in the distal nephron in the setting of increased delivery of salt from the proximal tubule. Despite being considered mild agents individually, we propose that the combination of ACTZ and HCTZ is a powerful diuretic regimen.
Resisting the Devouring Neon: Hysterical Crowds and Self-Abnegating Art in Don DeLillo's Great Jones Street

Most scholarship on Great Jones Street (1973) has considered Don DeLillo's rock star protagonist Bucky Wunderlick as a thwarted artist figure or as a powerless cog in a huge media-industrial machine. This article argues instead that DeLillo locates considerable power in Bucky's audience. While the hysterical crowds that drive Bucky to seclusion seem at first to cause all of the celebrity's troubles, Bucky later tries to engage with his audiences in more positive ways, eventually seeing them as offering more potential solutions than problems.
Possible Role of Supercooling in the Spearpoints observed during the Combustion of Zirconium Droplets

RECENTLY, I reported on the spear-like images that appear on photographic time exposures of zirconium droplets burning in free fall1. The experiments indicated that the spearpoints coincided with solidification of the incandescent droplets.
Distribution of Pteropods in Western North Atlantic Sediments: ABSTRACT

The pteropod assemblages in 120 post-Wisconsin cores were studied from an area between the Atlantic continental shelf of North America and the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Pteropod shells are one of the major constituents in the calcareous pelagic sediments at depths ranging from 350 to 4,200 m., particularly along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the Bermuda Pedestal, the Blake Plateau, and the Gulf of Mexico. The subarctic species Limacina retroversa and the temperate species Clio pyramidata are present in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge sediments north of about 45° N. Lat. They indicate the faunal mixing zone between subarctic and warmer North Atlantic Drift waters. Subtropical species Limacina inflata, L. bulimoides, and Styliola subula are the dominant pteropod species in the middle-latitude sediments of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Bermuda Pedestal, and the overlying water of the Sargasso Sea. The subarctic species was present in the pelagic sediments of the Bermuda Pedestal, but is at present not living in the overlying water; it is inferred from this that subarctic waters invaded the Bermuda region some time ago. The maximum concentration of pteropod shells was found in the pelagic sediments of the Bermuda Pedestal at a depth of approximately 2,200 m. The number of specimens decreases considerably in sediments containing less than 80 per cent calcium carbonate at water depths greater than 3,600 m. No pteropods were found below 4,200 m. Tropical Creseis acicula is the predominant species on the ocean floor of the Gulf of Mexico and Blake Plateau, and the overlying water of the Gulf Stream currents. The delicate hexagonal surface reticulation of Peraclis reticulata shells were obscured after deposition on the ocean floor; probably this resulted from greater solution of its projecting ridges. Two pteropod species, Peraclis End_Page 520------------------------------ triacantha and P. bispinosa, with thin, fragile shells were absent from the sediments but are known to inhabit the deep waters in low and middle latitudes. The present study shows that pteropods as a group are useful for paleoecological interpretations of their fossil assemblages on the ocean floor. End_of_Article - Last_Page 521------------
Search for Artificial Stellar Sources of Infrared Radiation

If extraterrestrial intelligent beings exist and have reached a high level of technical development, one by-product of their energy metabolism is likely to be the large-scale conversion of starlight into far-infrared radiation. It is proposed that a search for sources of infrared radiation should accompany the recently initiated search for interstellar radio communications.
Innovation as an organizational response to diminishing resources

(1) Escalating cost for maintaining the existing level of services due to inflation. (2) Shrinking revenues because the loss of revenues from existing resources is bigger than the development of new resources, e.g. decrease of revenues from property taxes in big cities. (3) Deeper involvement in regulation and/or provision of services mandated by federal or state legislation (e.g. school bussing). (4) Escalating public demands on existing services and continuing demands for additional services. (5) Augmented public criticism of present practices and pressures for a demonstrated and tangible improvements in the productivity of local governments. (6) Rising demands of city employees for increased salaries and wages. (7) Growing feeling of city employees that their efforts are not well appreciated by the public and their elected official 123.
Impregnated paper insulation

THIS abstract of a preliminary report gives some results of a study of the life of impregnated paper insulation under way at the School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University. The work is being supported by the subcommittee on impregnated paper-insulated cable research of the National Electric Light Association. In an earlier work under the same auspices, a study was made of the influence of residual air on dry impregnated-paper insulation. Results of that study (Vol. 47, No. 1 Transactions A. I. E. E., January, 1928) showed the desirability of investigating the effect which different amounts of residual air would have upon the life of impregnated paper insulation. A brief summary of the results so far obtained is given here in the form of eight conclusions, briefly qualified.
Sexual Violence and Mental Health Symptoms Among National Guard and Reserve Soldiers

BACKGROUND Reserve and National Guard (NG) soldiers report disproportionate mental health problems relative to active duty military upon returning from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. However, few studies have examined whether exposure to particular types of traumatic events (e.g., lifetime sexual violence) is associated with this increased burden of psychopathology.
Transcutaneous measurement of arterial wall properties as a potential method of estimating aging.

: The visco-elastic properties of arterial walls vary with the structural alterations which occur secondary to aging. An ultrasonic echo-tracking device developed in this laboratory was used for noninvasive estimation of these properties. Femoral artery compliance (% Δ V/V) and pressure strain elastic modulus (Ep) were estimated in 36 normal subjects (68 vessels). The subjects were divided into three groups according to age: 60. The femoral arterial diameter and changes in diameter with each pulse beat were measured transcutaneously with the echo-tracking device. Brachial arterial blood pressure was obtained by means of a cuff and stethoscope. The results showed a progressive increase in Ep and a complementary decrease in % Δ V/V with increasing age. Ep varied from 2.64 dynes/cm2 ± 0.26 SEM in the young group to 6.28 dynes/cm2 ± 1.03 SEM in the old group. % Δ V/V varied from 6.0% ± 0.5 SEM in the young group to 3.3% ± 10.5 SEM in the old group. Statistical comparisons of Ep showed significant differences between the groups, indicating that arterial stiffness increases with age. % Δ V/V was significantly lower in the old group than in the young. Variation within groups increased markedly with advancing age, and values for Ep and % Δ V/V overlapped in all groups.