cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spatial variability in UV radiation during the growing season across the continental USA

¶A major limitation in predicting the ultraviolet-B irradiance on humans, plant leaves and flowers and aquatic organisms is the difficulty in estimating exposure. This study analyzes the spatial variability in the daily exposure of narrow band 300 nm and 368 nm and broadband 290–315 nm (UVB) solar radiation between twelve paired locations in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) UVB Climate Network over two summer growing seasons (May through August of 2000 and 2001). The spatial correlation of the UVB, 300 nm and 368 nm daily exposures between locations was approximately 0.7 to 0.8 for spacing distances of 100 km. The 300 nm daily exposure was typically more highly correlated between locations than the 368 nm daily exposure. Both the diffuse and direct beam components to the 300 nm daily exposure were similarly correlated with distance between locations. The 368 nm diffuse component of the daily exposures was less correlated with distance than the direct beam component, limiting the ability to interpolate daily exposures from measurement locations. In general the variability in daily exposures of UVB in the USDA UVB Climate Network is too large to interpolate daily exposures of solar radiation, with estimated 300 nm, 368 nm and broadband UVB errors at one-half the mean station spacing of the USDA Network of 22%, 21% and 16% respectively. More accurate interpolations of UVB exposure from this network will require either the incorporation of cloud cover variability from satellite imagery for daily exposure or the use of longer periods of accumulated exposure.
A non-Mendelian factor, [eta(+)], causes lethality of yeast omnipotent-suppressor strains.

Omnipotent suppressors cause translational ambiguity and have been associated with poor growth and inviability. We now report that a non-Mendelian element, [eta+], causes this inviability. In [eta−] strains the suppressors are not inviable. The [eta+] genetic element segregates to about 70% of the meiotic progeny, although almost all of the spores probably have the [eta+] phenotype for the first few divisions. Growth on 5 mM guanidine hydrochloride efficiently causes [eta+] strains to become [eta−]. The [eta+] factor has many similarities with the previously described [psi+] factor (Cox 1965, 1971). However, [eta+] and [psi+] differ in their patterns of inheritance, and by the fact that [psi+] affects ochre specific and not omnipotent suppressors, while the converse is true of [eta+].
Interface compatibility in ceramic-matrix composites

Abstract Critical issues of interface modifications in ceramicmatrix composites have been investigated. Minimal interaction between the fiber and the matrix is essential to achieving good toughness in ceramic-fiber-reinforced SiCO composites. Introduction of a thin barrier coating on the fiber surface has been utilized to minimize such interaction. The flexural strength of a SiCO composite containing CVD carbon-coated Nicalon fibers was found to be five times higher than that of the composite containing uncoated Nicalon fibers. Chemical reactions between the barrier coating and the matrix and those between the coating and the fiber must be avoided in such a three-phase material. A methodology for selecting candidate fiber coating materials by the use of chemical compatibility calculations is presented.
Technological and product-market experience and the success of new product introductions in the pharmaceutical industry

The growth and development of a firm depend on its ability to introduce new products over time. To do this successfully, it requires technological knowledge, the ability to combine knowledge elements into valuable new products, and the complementary assets that facilitate the manufacturing, sales, and distribution of those products. We argue that these all develop as a function of a firm's experience in its technological and product-market domains. Moreover, given the prospect of complementarities among technological and product-market experience, the value of any one type of experience may be enhanced by the presence of another. Therefore, new products will be more successful when a firm possesses the appropriate stocks of technological and product-market experience. We test this idea by analyzing whether pharmaceutical firms' experience in their technological and product-market domains confer early advantages to their new product offerings, and lead to higher initial sales levels. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anisotropic spin-orbit interaction in paramagnetic resonance

Abstract The part of the spin-orbit interaction due directly to crystalline electric fields or applied fields contributes to the g-tensor of a paramagnetic center a shift which, as Kneubuhl has noted, may have a skew-symmetric part. We show (1) that in an applied electric field g-shifts from this source for centers lacking inversion symmetry are typically Δg ⪷ 10 −11 cm/kV , and thus negligible; (2) that these shifts are usually very much smaller (in cases where such shifts have been studied experimentally, by a factor of at least 105) than those produced by the applied field via an electron's electrostatic potential energy in the field, coupled with the unperturbed spin-orbit interaction due to the ion. We infer that crystalline fields (neglecting covalent effects) contribute to a skew-symmetric part of the g-tensor primarily through changes in the wave functions induced by the electrostatic potential energy, rather than through the field's contribution to the spin-orbit interaction. A skew-symmetric †g arising from applied fields or crystalline fields is probably not larger than a few per cent of the corresponding symmetric change in g. A proposal due to Ludwig for distinguishing the skew-symmetric part of a g-tensor in an applied field is described.
PROPAGATOR IN A THEORY WITH CONFINEMENT

Abstract We study the propagator in a model theory with confinement and attempt to show that, when summed to all orders, the propagator is free of singularities in the finite momentum plane. We find that Bethe-Salpeter ladder-like diagrams alone are insufficient to exhibit this behavior. However, in a non-relativistic approximation in the crossed channel, confinement is obtained and all poles disappear.
Radiocalcium Uptake in the Calcified Tissues of Rhesus Monkeys at Various Time Intervals

Uptake of Ca/sup 45/ in skeletal and dental tissues of adult rhesus monkeys was studied at 5-, 27-, 51-, and 168-hr intervals after intravenous Ca/ sup 45/ administration. In all calcified tissues the uptake was highest in the layer adjacent to its tissue-fluid environment, irrespective of whether this was connective-tissue fluid, serum, or saliva. Decreasing Ca/sup 45/ uptake gradients from the internal dentin and surface enamel toward the dentino-enamel junction and from the subperiosteal and subendosteal layers toward the central layer in both long and flat bones were observed. The uptake in the sutural area of the calvarium was higher than in the adjacent bone. An increasing specific activity ratio from the 5-hr sample to the 168-hr sample was observed in each corresponding layer of the bones and teeth. In contrast to the low specific activity ratios of calcified tissues the specific activity ratios of the soft tissues indicated that their Ca at the time of sacrifice was in complete equilibration with Ca in blood. The highest level of Ca/sup 45/ was excreted in urine during the first day, totaling 12.3%, with a relatively consistent low excretion each day thereafter. A total of 18.1% of injected Ca/sup 45/ was excretedmore » in 168 hr. (TCO)« less
Application Specific Low Latency Instruction Cache for NAND Flash Memory Based Embedded Systems

In embedded systems, the demand for high capacity and updatable code storage increases as the amount of code grows. NAND Flash memory is one of the most popular storage solutions for this purpose. However, an extremely long access latency makes the NAND flash memory less attractive in the domain of code storage solutions. In this paper, we introduce a highly effective cache system which utilizes application specific HotSpot information and a HotSpot-aware prefetching technique to effectively hide the long latency of the NAND flash memory based code storage systems. To lessen the negative impact of the extremely long access latency, we propose a page prefetching algorithm utilizing HotSpot information which provides a temporal distance sufficient to load a page from the physical NAND flash memory. The experimental results show that our proposed architecture exhibits up to 96% reduction of the average access time, and the juxtaposition of the HotSpot cache and the HotSpot-aware prefetching demonstrates enhancement by nearly two orders of magnitude, up to 98.3% reduction in time, over a basic direct mapped L1 cache architecture.
Taking Pen to Hand: Evaluating Theories Underlying the Written Disclosure Paradigm

In recent years the written disclosure paradigm has beenrelated to improvements in physical healthin a numberofpopulations. However, it still remains unclear why thisparadigm is effective. In this paper the literature on thewritten disclosure paradigm is reviewed, and possibleexplanations for its beneﬁcial effects are explored. It isconcluded that, although the paradigm may producebeneﬁcial effects for some individuals, more attentionneeds to be directed toward understanding why it worksand for whom this approach might be best suited.Methodological considerations for future research arealso offered.Key words: written disclosure; underlying mecha-nisms, psychological health, physical health. [Clin PsycholSci Prac 11: 121–137, 2004]
The Molecular Basis of Mucolipidosis Type IV

Mucolipidosis Type IV (MLIV) is a lysosomal storage disorder that is characterized by severe neurologic and ophthalmologic abnormalities. It is a progressive disease that usually presents during the first year of life with mental retardation, corneal opacities, and delayed motor milestones. First described in 1974, MLIV is a rare autosomal recessive disease and the majority of patients diagnosed to date are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. MLIV was originally classified as a lysosomal storage disorder due to the abnormal accumulation of mucopolysaccharides and lipids. Extensive studies in MLIV cells, however, have shown that the abnormal storage is due to a defect in the late endocytic pathway. Positional cloning led to the recent discovery of a novel gene on human chromosome 19, MCOLN1, that is mutated in MLIV. To date 14 independent mutations have been reported in MCOLN1, with two mutations accounting for 95% of the Ashkenazi Jewish MLIV alleles. The identification of the MLIV gene has led to a simple tool for definitive diagnosis and will permit carrier screening in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. MCOLN1 is a new member of the transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channel gene family. The protein encoded by MCOLN1, mucolipin-1, has six predicted transmembrane domains and a putative channel pore. The identification of mutations in MCOLN1 represents the first example of a neurological disease caused by a TRP-related channel. While the function of mucolipin-1 is currently unknown, homology to the TRP superfamily and the recent description of the C. elegans mucolipin-1 homolog allow us to begin to speculate about the role of mucolipin-1 in diverse cellular processes.
Efficient markets and Bayes¿ rule

A series of financial anomalies motivated the development of new theories that modify the rational expectations ideal. Two possibilities have been systematically explored. The literature on behavioral finance relaxes the assumption that agents form beliefs according to the laws of probability and assume, instead, that simpler heuristic rules are used. Another stream of the literature assumes that agents process information according to Bayes’ rule, but do not posses sufficient information to know the true data generating process. In this paper, Bayesian and Behavioral agents coexist and trade in a standard dynamic asset pricing model. A long-standing conjecture is demonstrated. It is shown that, under suitable assumptions, Bayesian agents drive Behavioral, non-Bayesian agents out of the market. Hence, asset prices are eventually determined under the Bayesian paradigm.
Searching for the Laws of History

Vermeij, Geerat J. 2004. Nature: an economic history. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. xiii + 445 p. $35.00, ISBN: 0-691-11527-3 (alk. paper).
Wake Formation for an Oscillating Small-Incidence-Angle Cylinder Pair in Cross-Flow

The wake region of a pair of equal-diameter staggered circular cylinders in cross-flow is investigated experimentally for Reynolds numbers, based on the mean flow velocity, U, and the cylinder diameter, D, within the range 540 ≤ Re ≤ 755. The centre-to-centre pitch ratio and stagger angle of the cylinders at their mean position are P/D = 2.0 and α = 16°, respectively. In an earlier study, wake formation of a small-incident-angle cylinder pair was investigated for forced oscillation (transverse to the flow direction) of the upstream cylinder only. The present study is aimed to reveal the modification of the wake when the oscillation is shifted from the upstream to downstream cylinder or vice versa. Results with cylinder excitation frequencies in the range 0.07 ≤ fe D/U ≤ 1.10 are reported. It is observed that for both upstream and downstream cylinder oscillations with frequency fe D/U ≤ 0.10 the wake flow patterns remain essentially the same as those of the corresponding static cases. However, for frequency fe D/U > 0.10 the wake undergoes considerable modification vis-a-vis when the cylinders are stationary, and the flow pattern within the wake is strongly dependent on fe D/U value. As also observed in the previous study, there are distinct regions of synchronization between the dominant wake periodicities and the cylinder oscillation over the whole range of fe D/U. These synchronizations involve sub- and super-harmonics as well as fundamental synchronizations and are the result of the formation of two rows of vortices, one on either side of the combined wake of the cylinder pair. The manner in which the wake responds to the cylinder oscillation depends strongly on whether it is the upstream or downstream cylinder which is oscillating. Flow-visualization images suggests that the synchronizations on the mean-flow side of the downstream cylinder occur from the outer vortices shed by the downstream cylinder, and those on the mean-flow side of the upstream cylinder occur from the vortices formed by the interaction of the two gap shear layers and the outer shear layer separated from the upstream cylinder.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Biotransformation of 8:2 Fluorotelomer Alcohol in Soil and by Soil Bacteria Isolates

The microbial transformation of 8:2 fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH) to perfluorocarboxylic acids, including the globally detected perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), has recently been confirmed to occur in mixed bacteria cultures, activated sludge, and soil. However, little is known to date about the microbes involved in the transformation. In the present study, the effect of three carrier solvents (ethanol, octanol, and 1,4-dioxane), which may serve as carbon sources, on the aerobic degradation rate of 8:2 FTOH and metabolite distribution was evaluated both in a clay loam soil and in two pure soil bacterial cultures. Biodegradation pathways appeared similar regardless of the solvent; however, significant differences in 8:2 FTOH degradation rates were observed: 1,4-dioxane > ethanol > octanol. In the presence of 1,4-dioxane, which is not easily biodegraded, 8:2 FTOH degradation was the fastest With octanol, which is a structural analogue of 8:2 FTOH, the transformation was inhibited, but upon depletion of octanol, 8:2 FTOH was biodegraded. In the pure culture study, two soil bacterial strains, Pseudomonas species OCY4 and OCW4, enriched from soil using octanol as a sole carbon source, also transformed 8:2 FTOH without prior exposure or acclimation to 8:2 FTOH. Increased biomass resulting from octanol metabolism did increase 8:2 FTOH transformation rates; however, 8:2 FTOH could not support bacterial growth, indicating the transformation by pure cultures was via cometabolic processes.
Global existence of harmonic maps in minkowski space

On considere la construction d'une classe d'applications harmoniques classiques globales de l'espace de Minkowski M 4 dans une variete de Riemann complete a n dimensions
FUV interferometric spectroscopy

Dispersive interferometric spectroscopy using all-reflective optical elements can be applied to the far UV bandpass to provide very high spectroscopic resolution in a highly compact optical configuration. Dispersive interferometric spectroscopy is therefore well suited for UV and optical space-flight missions. We describe attributes of interferometric spectroscopy and show results from a laboratory demonstration of a high-resolution FUV dispersive interferometric spectrometer.
Air showers from ultra high energy point sources with anomalous muon production

Abstract Observations of air shower signals from low mass neutral primaries of ultra high energies (> 100 TeV) from astrophysical binaries, Cygnus X-3 and Hercules X-1, are discussed. The muon content of these showers is much greater than expected for gamma ray primaries of these energies. Possible implications for particle interactions are discussed.
Existence of negative differential thermal conductance in one-dimensional diffusive thermal transport

We show that in a finite one-dimensional (1D) system with diffusive thermal transport described by the Fourier’s law, negative differential thermal conductance (NDTC) cannot occur when the temperature at one end is fixed and there are no abrupt junctions. We demonstrate that NDTC in this case requires the presence of junction(s) with temperature-dependent thermal contact resistance (TCR). We derive a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of NDTC in terms of the properties of the TCR for systems with a single junction. We show that under certain circumstances we even could have infinite (negative or positive) differential thermal conductance in the presence of the TCR. Our predictions provide theoretical basis for constructing NDTC-based devices, such as thermal amplifiers, oscillators, and logic devices.
A complete plasmid-based complementation system for RNA coliphage Qβ: Three proteins of bacteriophages Qβ (Group III) and SP (Group IV) can be interchanged

Our laboratory has established a bacteriophage Qβ cDNA-containing plasmid system in which virtually all coding defects present within the 4217 nucleotide Qβ genome can be complemented in trans . In this system, Qβ minus strand RNAs are constitutively transcribed from plasmid cDNA by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. Replication of these minus strands results in the synthesis of Qβ plus RNA, thereby triggering an infectious cycle in which Qβ phage particles are generated. Genetically engineered Qβ genome mutations that result in defective viral proteins can be complemented in trans by the products of one or more Qβ helper plasmids that express either: (1) Qβ maturation protein, which can complement defects in the Qβ maturation cistron (nucleotides 61 to 1320); (2) Qβ readthrough protein, which can complement defects in the readthrough cistron (nucleotides 1344 to 2330); or (3) Qβ replicase, which can complement defects in the replicase cistron (nucleotides 2352 to 4118). Each plasmid component of this system contains a unique origin of replication and carries a different antibiotic gene, thereby enabling all combinations of these plasmids to coexist in the same host. We have further developed a second series of helper plasmids that generate the corresponding viral proteins of the related group IV RNA phage SP. Each of these SP helper proteins can complement respective defects within the Qβ genome with efficiencies similar to those observed for the Qβ helper proteins. It is now possible to supply functional Qβ or SP proteins in trans to examine Qβ genomes that contain protein coding defects for their ability to synthesize Qβ proteins, replicate Qβ RNA, assemble virions, and/or lyse the host cell.
A new approach to measuring protein backbone protection with high spatial resolution using H/D exchange and electron capture dissociation

Inadequate spatial resolution remains one of the most serious limitations of hydrogen/deuterium exchange-mass spectrometry (HDX-MS), especially when applied to larger proteins (over 30 kDa). Supplementing proteolytic fragmentation of the protein in solution with ion dissociation in the gas phase has been used successfully by several groups to obtain near-residue level resolution. However, the restrictions imposed by the LC–MS/MS mode of operation on the data acquisition time frame makes it difficult in many cases to obtain a signal-to-noise ratio adequate for reliable assignment of the backbone amide protection levels at individual residues. This restriction is lifted in the present work by eliminating the LC separation step from the workflow and taking advantage of the high resolving power and dynamic range of a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometer (FTICR-MS). A residue-level resolution is demonstrated for a peptic fragment of a 37 kDa recombinant protein (N-lobe of human serum tra...
Composition and depth of origin of primary mid-ocean ridge basalts

Some workers have held that mid-ocean ridge basalts are fractionated from high pressure (15–30 kbar) picritic primary magmas whereas others have favored primary magmas generated at about 10 kbar with compositions close to those of mid-ocean ridge basalts. Of critical significance are presumed differences in composition between experimentally determined primary magmas and the least fractionated mid-ocean ridge basalts. To evaluate the significance of these differences, all based on electron microprobe analyses, we consider three sources of uncertainty: (1) analytical uncertainties for a single microprobe laboratory, (2) systematic interlaboratory analytical differences, and (3) real variations in the possible compositions of primary magmas that can be produced from a peridotite source at a given pressure. The first source of error is surprisingly large and can account for a substantial part of the total variation of normative quartz (hypersthene calculated as equivalent olivine and quartz) in FAMOUS basalts. The second is not as serious but remains undetermined for many laboratories. The third is potentially the largest but is not yet fully documented. The least fractionated FA-MOUS basalts have high mg numbers (70–73) compatible with derivation from the mantle by direct partial melting with little or no subsequent fractional crystallization. Because of the wide range of normative quartz content in these basalts, it appears necessary to consider them as representatives of multiple parental magmas. When all the sources of uncertainty are taken into account, we conclude that the experimental data by various investigators are all fairly consistent and favor derivation of the least fractionated mid-ocean ridge basalts by at most only a small amount of fractional crystallization from primary magmas having a wide range of normative quartz content and generated over a range of pressures from about 7–11 kbar.
The Effect of two Types of Verbal Hierarchy on Problem Solving.

(1971). The Effect of two Types of Verbal Hierarchy on Problem Solving. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 84, No. 2, pp. 213-218.
Trends in hospital care for hip fractures.

Summary To assess the impact of the aging population on the occurrence of fragility fractures, we examined hospital discharges for hip fracture among U.S. women and men aged 45 years and older from 1993 through to 2003. The number of hospitalizations declined by 5%, and age-adjusted rates fell by over 20% for both women and men during this period.
Soil‐test values after eight years of tillage research on a Norfolk loamy sand

Abstract Long‐term effects of alternate tillage systems on soil‐test values for Coastal Plain soils were unknown. Therefore, soil pH, organic carbon, and Mehlich I extractable P, K, Ca, and Mg concentrations measured during an eight‐year tillage study on Norfolk loamy sand (fine‐loamy, silicious, thermic, Typic Paleudults) have been summarized. Yields for corn (Zea mays L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] are also summarized to provide an indication of nutrient removal by the crops. Soil‐test measurements after six years showed no significant differences in Mehlich I extractable nutrient concentrations for the 0‐ to 20‐cm depth between disked (conventional) and nondlsked (conservation) tillage treatments, but for pH, P, Ca, and Mg, the tillage by depth of sampling interaction was significant at P‐0.05. Stratification did not appear to affect crop yield. Soil organic matter concentration in the Ap horizon nearly doubled after eight years of research at this site. This ch...
A policy based context-aware agent framework to support users mobility

Recent advances in portable computing devices and wireless technology make it possible to provide seamless and pervasive services for mobile users. As users move from one location to another, there is a greater need to automatically provide an office-like environment that normally has to be configured and setup on an individual basis by each user at each visited location. Due to occasional disconnections, device capabilities and network heterogeneity, mobility places a considerable burden on mobile applications. On the other hand, it receives little assistance from existing infrastructure and Internet protocols. The paper describes a set of policy-based agents composing a framework that assists services and applications in dealing with mobility challenges and capable of providing a policy-based context-aware mobile working environment. We propose an approach that uses policies at different levels, where contextual information characterizing the mobile user's environment is also translated to a set of context policies.
How project description length and expected duration affect bidding and project success in crowdsourcing software development

Successful projects were described at greater length, took longer, and bid higher.Unsuccessful projects, however, were bid relatively higher than they should have been.Agents may be bidding relatively higher responding to more risk.That risk being that buyers estimated duration less accurately in shorter projects. On crowdsourcing software development sites providers bid on very short term request for proposals (median 7 days) that are described in brief (median 241 words). Because of its size, because buyers have the power to refuse to accept the delivered project, and because all contracts are fixed price, this type of market presents a unique context of software development contracting. We examine this market through the lens of a reverse agency problem. Specifically, we examine how expected project duration and description length affect the amount providers bid and subsequent project success (i.e. that the buyer agreed to pay for it upon delivery). Results show that, as might be expected, projects described at greater length or expected to require more time commanded higher bid prices and were more likely to be successful. However, reviewing the residuals reveals that projects that were eventually unsuccessful were actually bid at higher prices than what they should have been bid at considering their description length and expected duration. Post-hoc analysis suggests that apparently the agents were correct in their relatively higher bidding on the eventually unsuccessful projects because those projects were mostly shorter - and buyers were less accurate in their duration assessment of shorter projects. The risks involved in the possibility that buyers may be signaling wrongly to providers about the project are discussed.
Primary vitrectomy alone for pseudophakic retinal detachment

Purpose To report the anatomic and functional results of primary vitrectomy without scleral buckling for the treatment of pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(PsRD) Methods One hundred eyes of 98 patients with PsRD were operated by vitrectomy alone. Internal subretinal fluid drainage, cryocoagulation and/or endolaser and fluid-air exchange with sulfur hexafluoride 20% was applied in all cases. The preoperative and postoperative characteristics were analyzed. Main outcome measures were anatomic success rates after initial surgical intervention and after reoperation for primary failures, visual outcome at the last follow-up visit,and complications. Results Mean follow-up +/- standard deviation (SD) was 12 +/- 6.3 months (range, seven to 36 months). Mean final visual acuity +/- SD was 0.42 +/- 0.45 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) compared with 0.95 +/- 0.73 logMAR before surgery (P < .01). Mean number +/- SD of retinal breaks found before surgery was 1.36 +/- 1.12 (range, zero to five), and an additional 1.58 +/- 2.26 (range, zero to 15) retinal breaks were found during surgery. The retina was reattached successfully after a single surgery in 92 eyes (92%). Recurrence of retinal detachment occurred in eight eyes (8%), caused by proliferative vitreoretinopathy in six eyes (75%) and by new breaks in two eyes (25%). Final anatomic reattachment was obtained in these cases after a mean of 1.75 subsequent operations. Three eyes required permanent silicone oil tamponade so that final anatomic success was achieved in 97 eyes (97%). The most common postoperative complication was ocular hypertonia of more than 21 mm Hg, observed in 36 (36%) eyes, which was managed successfully. Conclusion Primary vitrectomy provides high anatomic success rate in PsRD eyes
Genetic testing of embryos: practices and perspectives of US in vitro fertilization clinics

Objective To better understand the current practices of IVF clinics regarding preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and explore the attitudes and opinions of clinic directors toward PGD. Design On-line Survey of 415 assisted reproductive technology (ART) clinics in the United States. The Survey had a valid response rate of 45% (186 clinics). Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) Respondents were medical directors, laboratory directors, IVF directors, or directors' designees of ART clinics offering IVF. Intervention(s) Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure(s) Practices and beliefs of IVF clinic directors with respect to PGD. Result(s) Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is widely provided for a variety of indications, and clinic directors support professional guidelines to guide PGD in the future. Conclusion(s) Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is an established technology and medical procedure offered by a majority of US IVF clinics. Many clinics currently provide PGD for controversial indications such as sex selection. Although there is little support for government regulation of PGD, there is significant support among IVF clinics for strong professional guidelines for PGD practice. Ongoing collection of data on PGD practice and outcomes would help patients make informed decisions and aid professionals in developing appropriate guidelines and standards.
Long-term Care Facilities: Distribution and Reimbursement Systems

There are several types of drug distribution systems available for use in long-term care facilities. They include floor stock, traditional, unit-dose, and modified unit-dose systems. There are adva...
Presence of terrestrial atmospheric gas absorption bands in standard extraterrestrial solar irradiance curves in the near-infrared spectral region

The solar irradiance curves compiled by Wehrli [Physikalisch-Meteorologisches Observatorium Publ. 615 (World Radiation Center, Davosdorf, Switzerland, 1985)] and by Neckel and Labs [Sol. Phys. 90, 205 (1984)] are widely used. These curves were obtained based on measurements of solar radiation from the ground and from aircraft platforms. Contaminations in these curves by atmospheric gaseous absorptions were inevitable. A technique for deriving the transmittance spectrum of the Sun’s atmosphere from high-resolution (0.01 cm−1) solar occultation spectra measured above the Earth’s atmosphere by the use of atmospheric trace molecule spectroscopy (ATMOS) aboard the space shuttle is described. The comparisons of the derived ATMOS solar transmittance spectrum with the two solar irradiance curves show that the curve derived by Wehrli contains many absorption features in the 2.0–2.5-μm region that are not of solar origin, whereas the curve obtained by Neckel and Labs is completely devoid of weak solar absorption features that should be there. An Earth atmospheric oxygen band at 1.268 μm and a water-vapor band near 0.94 μm are likely present in the curve obtained by Wehrli. It is shown that the solar irradiance measurement errors in some narrow spectral intervals can be as large as 20%. An improved solar irradiance spectrum is formed by the incorporation of the solar transmittance spectrum derived from the ATMOS data into the solar irradiance spectrum from Neckel and Labs. The availability of a new solar spectrum from 50 to 50 000 cm−1 from the U.S. Air Force Phillips Laboratory is also discussed.
Chelodesmid studies v: Some new, redefined, and resurrected Brasilian genera

A semirevisionary treatment of four large and nomenclatorially important chelodesmid genera of southeastern Brasil, based upon material received from the Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de Sao Paulo, and the recent examination of many type specimens in European museums. Leptodesmus (de Saussure, 1859) is redefined in a more exclusive sense to include 21 species, with the new forms L. acuminatus (Goias), L. cochranae (RJ), and L. defensus (Goias); several established species are redescribed; the better-known forms are tentatively dispersed among six subgeneric groups. Goyazodesmus (Schubart, 1952) is regarded as a junior subjective synonym. Eurydesmus (de Saussure, 1860) is considered in a broad sense to include as synonyms Chelodesmus Cook, 1895, Pseudoeurydesmus Schubart, 1944, Pseudoeurydesmella Schubart, 1951, Peltoeurydesmus Schubart, 1956, and Aneurydesmus Schubart, 1956; variations in ozopore formula being dismissed as generic or subgeneric characters. The status of the old names E. angulatus and Leptodesmus biconicus is discussed in detail; Polydesmus zebratus Gervais is brought into Eurydesmus with E. ruidus Schubart as a junior synonym; the new name E. brolemanni is proposed for specimens from Sao Paulo incorrectly identified by Attems as E. angulatus. The 17 accredited names are tentatively arranged into four subgeneric groups. The subgeneric name Brasilodesmus (Brolemann, 1929) is revised as the valid designation, for a group of ten species chiefly from Sao Paulo with B. paulistanus as the type, the gonopods of this species and those of B. corrugatus and B. centropus are illustrated; taxonomic notes are provided for most of the recognized forms. A new generic name, Henrisaussurea, is proposed for a group of species related to the type H. corcovadis (Brolemann): the remarkable history of the latter is discussed in detail with L. biconicus Attems, L. cerasinus Attems, and L. jawlowskii Schubart considered as junior synonyms.
SU-E-T-312: Optically Stimulated Luminescent Dosimeter Performance in High Dose Rate Brachytherapy.

Purpose: To investigate the use of optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) for high dose rate (HDR) Ir‐192 brachytherapy. While common in megavoltage radiotherapy applications, the performance of OSLDs using kilovoltage energies, high dose gradient and high dose rate regions ubiquitous to HDR has not been demonstrated. Methods: Commercially available nanoDotTM (Landauer, Glenwood, IL) OSLDs ‐ 5mm diameter and 0.2mm thickness ‐ were irradiated using an Ir‐192 source in various geometries to determine dose rate dependence. Angular geometries were created using a circular applicator designed for accelerated partial breast irradiation by Accuboost®. Results: Response remained linear for high doses and was independent of dose rate. Specifically, the OSLDs were shown to be linear with dose up to 200 cGy then became slightly supra‐linear up to 600 cGy. There was a slight angular dependence for OSLDs which becomes significant in ‘edge‐on’ scenarios. An asymmetry in this angular dependence was discovered, but was attributed to cable curvature, point source approximation, and positioning within its plastic casing. Conclusions: Clinical HDR doses of 300 cGy fall within the linear, dose‐rate‐independent region. Angular independence can be maintained by avoiding extreme ‘edge‐on’ measurement geometries. Because of re‐ readability, OSLDs can serve as a permanent record or alternatively be annealed within a few hours using conventional fluorescent light. Lastly, OSLDs are produced for only $5 each. Due to these features, in conjunction with the dosimetric performance, OSLDs should be considered a reliable tool for in vivo HDR brachytherapy measurements.
Role of cysteine residues in thermal inactivation of fungal Cel6A cellobiohydrolases.

Numerous protein engineering studies have focused on increasing the thermostability of fungal cellulases to improve production of fuels and chemicals from lignocellulosic feedstocks. However, the engineered enzymes still undergo thermal inactivation at temperatures well below the inactivation temperatures of hyperthermophilic cellulases. In this report, we investigated the role of free cysteines in the thermal inactivation of wild-type and engineered fungal family 6 cellobiohydrolases (Cel6A). The mechanism of thermal inactivation of Cel6A is consistent with disulfide bond degradation and thiol–disulfide exchange. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed that a thermostable variant lacking free cysteines refolds to a native-like structure and retains activity after heat treatment over the pH range 5–9. Whereas conserved disulfide bonds are essential for retaining activity after heat treatment, free cysteines contribute to irreversible thermal inactivation in engineered thermostable Cel6A as well as Cel6A from Hypocrea jecorina and Humicola insolens.
Anchorage-dependent culture of line 10 guinea-pig hepatoma cells

A simple method for the anchorage-dependent culture of line 10 guinea-pig hepatoma cells is described.
Calculation of Analytic Approximations to the Periodic Solutions of a “Truly Nonlinear” Oscillator Equation

We consider a “truly nonlinear oscillator” (TNLO) equation x + x3 = 0 and calculate analytic approximations to its periodic solutions by the method of harmonic balance, a homotopy-type procedure, and an iteration technique. The corresponding angular frequencies and ratio of the first two Fourier coefficients are calculated and compared.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Beetles Attracted to Severed Virginia Pine ( Pinus virginiana Mill.)

Virginia pines in Patrick Co., Virginia were mechanically damaged to test primary attraction. The following species were trapped in greatest number: Pityogenes plagiatus, Ips avulsus, I. grandicollis, Hylastes porculus, Monochamus carolinensis, Cossonus corticola , and Hylobius pales . Traps placed at treated trees caught over 99% of all insects trapped. Evidence is presented regarding non-random flight and characteristics of the primary host attractant are hypothesized.
Type ii collagen—induced arthritis in mice

The passive transfer of high levels of anti-type II collagen antibody from mice with type II collagen-induced arthritis may transfer arthritis to syngeneic recipient animals. However, the transfer of either arthritogenic or sub-arthritogenic doses of polyclonal anti-type II collagen antibody, or non-arthritogenic monoclonal anti-type II collagen antibody may protect mice against the subsequent induction of arthritis by type II collagen. A protective effect was also observed in mice given free native type II collagen intravenously before the administration of collagen in an arthritogenic protocol.
Electromagnetic field effects on cells of the immune system: the role of calcium signaling.

During the past decade considerable evidence has accumulated demonstrating that nonthermal exposures of cells of the immune system to extremely low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (< 300 Hz) can elicit cellular changes that might be relevant to in vivo immune activity. A similar responsiveness to nonionizing electromagnetic energy in this frequency range has also been documented for tissues of the neuroendocrine and musculoskeletal system. However, knowledge about the underlying biological mechanisms by which such fields can induce cellular changes is still very limited. It is generally believed that the cell membrane and Ca(2+)-regulated activity is involved in bioactive ELF field coupling to living systems. This article begins with a short review of the current state of knowledge concerning the effects of nonthermal levels of ELF electromagnetic fields on the biochemistry and activity of immune cells and then closely examines new results that suggest a role for Ca2+ in the induction of these cell...
Description of liquid nitrogen experimental test facility

The Liquid Nitrogen Test Facility is a unique test facility for ground-based liquid nitrogen experimentation. The test rig consists of an insulated tank of approximately 12.5 cubic ft in volume, which is supplied with liquid nitrogen from a 300 gal dewar via a vacuum jacketed piping system. The test tank is fitted with pressure and temperature measuring instrumentation, and with two view ports which allow visual observation of test conditions. To demonstrate the capabilities of the facility, the initial test program is briefly described. The objective of the test program is to measure the condensation rate by injecting liquid nitrogen as a subcooled spray into the ullage of a tank 50 percent full of liquid nitrogen at saturated conditions. The condensation rate of the nitrogen vapor on the subcooled spray can be analytically modeled, and results validated and corrected by experimentally measuring the vapor condensation on liquid sprays.
Disorders of Ciliary Motility

Clearance of mucus and other debris from the airways is achieved by 3 main mechanisms: mucociliary activity, coughing, and alveolar clearance. Disorders of ciliary structure or function results in impaired clearance, and result in chronic sinopulmonary disease manifested as chronic sinusitis, otitis media, nasal polyposis, and ultimately bronchiectasis. In addition, situs inversus, dextrocardia, and infertility can be associated with dysfunctional ciliary activity. The term primary ciliary dyskinesia has been proposed for the spectrum of these diseases. The term Kartagener syndrome applies to this syndrome when accompanied by infertility and dextrocardia or situs inversus. The more common types of ciliary dysmotility syndromes are characterized by missing dynein arms, central microtubule pairs, inner sheath, radial spokes, or nexin links. In addition to structural defects within the cilia, disordered ciliary beating and disordered ciliary arrays on epithelial cell surfaces have been described in this syndrome. Treatment includes rigorous lung physiotherapy, prophylactic and organism-specific antibiotics, and immunization against common pulmonary pathogens. Late stages of the disease may require surgical intervention for bronchiectasis or lung transplant for end-stage lung disease.
Experimental Study of Fluid Flow in Microchannel

This paper presents a study of fluid flow through microchannel. Based on the work of Senta and Nnanna, [23], a trapezoidal-shaped manifold is used to ensure uniform flow distribution in the microchannel. Analysis further shows that flow uniformity among the channels largely depends on shape of the manifolds, length and location of inlet and outlets, and the inlet flow rate. The test setup consists of one hundred twenty-six 14.5μm-width channels, flow loop, heat source, thermal sensors and pressure transducers. Flow of fluid through the channels is regulated using a peristaltic pump. Experiments were conducted from various flow rates and heat loads. According to experimental data, microchannel has significant impact in the heat transfer rate for all the flow rates considered. This enhancement could be attributed to laminar flow in the microchannels, conduction heat transfer through the walls of the channel, fluid-channel wall interaction, and microconvection within the channel. Results show raises some concerns on the use of empirical correlations for flow between two parallel plates to predict heat transfer behavior in microchannels. In the absence of experimental data, f ≈ −2(dp/dx)dh /ρum 2 provides a reasonable estimate of friction factor in microchannel.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Measurement of 3-methylhistidine production in lambs by using compartmental-kinetic analysis.

The kinetics of 3-methylhistidine (3MH) metabolism in four crossbred lambs were studied. Each lamb was injected with an intravenous dose of 3-[ 2 H 3 ]methylhistidine (d 3 -3MH) and the stable isotope disappearance in plasma and appearance in both urine and muscle were measured. Immediately after the administration of tracer there was a phase of rapid disappearance of tracer from the plasma, which was followed by a more gradual decrease in d 3 -3MH from the plasma during the last 4 d of the experiment. A minimum of three exponentials was required to describe the plasma decay curve adequately. The kinetic model of 3MH in the whole animal was constructed by using the SAAM/CONSAM computer modelling program. Two different configurations of a three-compartment model are described: (1) a simple three-pool model, in which plasma kinetics were entered into pool 1 out of which they had one undefinable exit; (2) a plasma-urinary three-pool model with two exits, in which the urinary kinetics were entered as an exit out of pool 1 and required a second exit out of pool 3 to produce an adequate fit. In addition, muscle kinetics from biopsies of the longissirnus dorsi were entered into either pool 2 or 3 using the plasma-urinary model. Steady-state mass and transport rate values were obtained for each model construct described, and a de novo production rate corresponding to a fractional breakdown rate of myofibrillar protein of approximately 5%/d was also calculated. The model predicted that only 15% of 3MH was excreted in urine as free 3MH, which is consistent with current knowledge of 3MH excretion in sheep. The simple three-pool plasma kinetic model, therefore, could be used to estimate, by a relatively simple injection-sampling technique, the extent of muscle protein turnover in lambs.
Galactic cosmic rays and anomalous components in the heliosphere

The progress made during 1983-1986 by U.S scientists on modulation of Galactic cosmic rays by the sun and on the origin, acceleration, and modulation of the anomalous components in the heliosphere is reviewed. In these years, simultaneous observations of modulation, covering a radial range from 1 to more than 30 AU and a heliospheric latitude range from 0 to greater than 20 deg, made it possible to investigate directly the dynamics and spatial scale of modulation during both the increasing and declining phases of solar activity and to make in situ correlations between changes in the interplanetary medium and changes in the modulation of cosmic rays. Particular attention is given to the use of the observations related to time-dependent modulation effects, curvature drifts, and anomalous components, as well as of the measurements of the cosmic-ray radial gradients and latitudinal intensity variations, in the modeling of solar modulation effects.