cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methods of Diamond Making

Diamond can be grown as an equilibrium phase at high pressures or grown metastably at subatmospheric pressures. Equilibrium growth at high pressures is carried out by both static and dynamic processes. The static process is an indirect process where metastable graphite is dissolved into a liquid metal solvent from which diamond precipitates out as the stable phase in a high pressure press. The dynamic high-pressure process directly converts graphite to diamond by going to very high pressures and temperatures for a short period of time by using explosives.
On the proposed existence of a ketene derived from carbon monoxide and 1,3-di-1-adamantylimidazol-2-ylidene

Abstract The reaction of carbon monoxide with the stable carbene, 1,3-di-1-adamantylimidazol-2-ylidene, is reinvestigated experimentally. With the aid of high level ab initio density functional theory calculations the predicted stability of the putative ketene product is determined. No evidence is found for the existence of a stable ketene product.
Periorbital eczema herpeticum

A 2 year old girl with atopic dermatitis presented after three days of fever and periorbital vesiculopustular lesions. Culture of the vesicles identified herpes simplex …
Incorporating Queers: Blowback, Backlash, and Other Forms of Resistance to Workplace Diversity Initiatives That Support Sexual Minorities

The problem and the solution. The Academy of Human Resource Development's Standards on Ethics and Integrity states that,“HRD professionals accord appropriate respect to the fundamental rights, dign...
The roles of changes in NADPH and pH during fertilization and artificial activation of the sea urchin egg.

Incubating unfertilized sea urchin eggs in weak bases activates nuclear centering, DNA synthesis, and chromosome cycles. These effects were initially attributed to raising the intracellular pH (pHi), but later experiments indicated that these weak bases also lead to increases in reduced pyridine nucleotides. These findings raised the question whether the activation of the nucleus was due to increased pHi or to increased NAD(P)H or possibly other effects. This report attempts to clarify how ammonia activates eggs by independently altering NADPH and pHi. To increase the pHi, unfertilized eggs were injected with zwitterionic buffers. This stimulated pronuclear centering, DNA synthesis, and nuclear envelope breakdown; there appeared to be a threshold corresponding to the fertilized pHi. However, like incubation in ammonia, injection of base also increased NAD(P)H. The NAD(P)H rise caused by directly raising the pHi occurred in the presence of intracellular calcium chelators, indicating that calcium is not required. Increasing NAD(P)H alone did not activate nuclear centering, DNA synthesis, or nuclear envelope breakdown. Although these experiments cannot eliminate a role for the NADPH increase in initiating events leading to nuclear centering and entry into mitosis, they provide additional and strong evidence that increasing the pHi may be a primary signal.
Efficacy and Complications of Percutaneous Pigtail Catheters for Thoracostomy in Pediatric Patients

Objective To describe the efficacy of percutaneous pigtail catheters in evacuating pleural air or fluid in pediatric patients. Design A case series of children with percutaneous pigtail catheters placed in the pediatric ICU between January 1996 and August 1997. Setting Urban pediatric teaching hospital in Seattle, WA. Methods A retrospective chart review. Results Ninety-one children required 133 chest catheters. Most patients were infants with congenital heart disease (80%). One hundred thirteen of the catheters (85%) were placed for pleural effusion, with 20 tubes (15%) placed for pneumothorax. Efficacy of drainage of pleural fluid was significantly greater in serous (96%) and chylous (100%) effusions compared with empyema (0%) or hemothorax (81%). Evacuation of pneumothorax was achieved by a pigtail catheter in 75% of patients. Resolution of pleural air or pneumothorax was significantly greater in patients Conclusions Percutaneous pigtail catheters are highly effective in drainage of pleural serous and chylous effusions, somewhat less efficacious in drainage of hemothorax or pneumothorax, and least efficacious in drainage of empyema. Infants and smaller children had higher rates of resolution of pleural air and fluid from placement of a pigtail catheter than larger children. Complications from catheter placement were uncommon (5%) but serious, whereas complications associated with continued use of the catheters were more common (20%) but less grave. Strict attention to anatomic landmarks and close monitoring may reduce the number of complications.
Book review: Integration of Visual Modules An Extension of the Marr Paradigm By John (Yiannis) Aloimonos and David Shulman (Academic Press, London, 1990)

The main goal of the book is to extend Marr's paradigm. In his book, David Marr (Vision, Freeman, 1982) presents the vision problem as a problem of information processing. He presents a general three-level paradigm, in which any machine carrying out an information-processing task must be understood. The three levels are:1. Computational theory: What is the goal of the computation, why is it appropriate, and what is the logic of the strategy by which it can be carried out?
Effect of Arsenic on Extended Defect Evolution in Silicon

The effect of arsenic on {311} defect formation was determined for temperatures ranging from 700°C to 800°C. Arsenic well structures were formed at arsenic concentrations of 3×1017, 3×1018, and 3×1019 cm-3. A 40 keV 1×1014 cm-2 silicon implant, that is known to form {311} defects, was then incorporated into the structures. Extended defect evolution and dissolution was then studied after furnace annealing at 700°C, 750°C and 800°C for various times. It was determined that arsenic has a strong affect on the nucleation of extended defects. However, once the defects were formed, the dissolution time constant was the same for all concentrations considered. The activation energy for defect dissolution was found to be 3.4eV and was also independent of arsenic concentration. Using a newly developed {311} model in the FLOOPS process simulation software, the effect of the arsenic on {311} formation and dissolution was simulated. It was found that by using a pair model with an arsenic-interstitial binding energy of 0.95eV, the experimental results were able to be simulated.
Depressive Disorder in Older Medical Inpatients on General Medicine and Cardiology Services at a University Teaching Hospital.

The authors examined the prevalence, characteristics, and correlates of depressive disorder among medical inpatients age 60 or over at a private teaching hospital. Seventy-six of 129 patients admitted to the general medicine and cardiology services at Duke University Hospital were screened for depressive disorder using DSM-III-R criteria. Depressive disorders were diagnosed in 34.2% of patients: major depression in 13.2%, adjustment disorder in 11.8%, depression not otherwise specified in 5.3%, organic mood disorder in 1.3%, and uncomplicated bereavement in 2.6%. Of patients with major depression, all had symptoms of mild-to-moderate severity. The most common presenting symptoms were insomnia, psychomotor agitation, difficulty concentrating, and loss of energy. Depression was more prevalent among women, general medicine patients, staff (vs. private) patients, and those who were functionally disabled or had multiple serious medical conditions. When other patient characteristics were controlled, however, only health factors were independently associated with depression.
Treatment of compression fracture of the spine, with a report of 160 cases at Fordham Hospital.

T HIS paper is not intended to be a detaiIed article covering the entire fieId of compression or crush fracture of the spine, as contributions to the Iiterature on this subject have been extensive, many of them exceIIent. AIthough some of the suggested treatments have differed in detai1, the genera1 plan is the same. This articIe is rather a sequel to a report of forty-nine cases’ of this nature which I had encountered at Fordham HospitaI from Ig r6 to 1929. l With fractures in genera1 on the increase, the occurrence of compression fractures is of course more frequent. We had from IgI 6 to 1943 incIusive, a tota of 339 cases of spina fracture. A compIete study of these cases may be of some value now with the emphasis in the Iiterature and in the miIitary hospitaIs on every type of severe injury. Frequency of Occurrence. TabIe I shows the spread of these cases through the years from 1916 to 1943. The tota is 339 of which 160 (or 47.3 per cent) were compression fracture, cIearIy indicative of the frequency of this type of fracture. Types. Two types of fracture of the spine are most frequentIy encountered : (I) Compression fracture of the body of the vertebrae, sometimes caIIed crush fracture, 47.3 per cent in the series here reported. The vertebrae of the dorsoIumbar junction, i.e., Iower two dorsa1 and upper two lumbar are the ones most frequent& invoIved. TabIe III gives the exact Iocation according to the x-ray” findings; (2) fracture dislocation, besides the fracture of the body, the upper adjacent vertebra1 body is disIocated, usuaIIy anteriorIy, sometimes Iaterally. Pathology of Compression Fractures. In genera1 the ends of the vertebrae are forced together, thus causing crushing or compression of the vertebrae. We have three degrees of compression fractures : ( I) MiId compression : SIight wedge-shaped deformity, IittIe or no apparent damage of
Does Water Relay Play an Important Role in Phosphoryl Transfer Reactions? Insights from Theoretical Study of a Model Reaction in Water and tert-Butanol

To investigate whether water relay plays an important role in phosphoryl transfer reactions, we have used several theoretical approaches to compare key properties of uridine 3′-m-nitrobenzyl phosphate (UNP) in aqueous and tert-butanol solutions. Previous kinetic experiments found that the isomerization reaction of UNP is abolished in tert-butanol, which was interpreted as the direct evidence that supports the role of water relay in phosphoryl transfer. We have analyzed solute flexibility and solvent structure near the solute using equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations and a combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanism (QM/MM) potential function for the solute. Snapshots from the simulations are then used in minimum energy path calculations to compare the energetics of direct nucleophilic attack and water-mediated nucleophilic attack pathways. QM/MM simulations are also used to compare the pseudorotation barriers for the pentavalent intermediate formed following the nucleophilic attack, another key...
Milestones in Photocarcinogenesis

It is currently estimated that over three million new nonmelanoma skin cancers will be diagnosed in the United States this year (Rogers et al., 2010). The large majority is caused by chronic excessive exposure to UVR. Because of its public health relevance and the need to understand the biologic impact of UVR on the skin, there has been a long-standing interest in the mechanisms by which this form of radiant energy causes skin cancer. Observations from this line of investigation have led to a better understanding of UV-induced skin cancer specifically and, more broadly, of cancer in general. The concept of multistage carcinogenesis, the influence of various signal transduction pathways in cancer development, the relationship of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes to cancer, the contribution of DNA damage and its repair to carcinogenesis, the participation of the immune system in tumorigenesis, and the identification of new chemopreventive and therapeutic agents have all benefited from observations about UVR-induced skin cancer.
Increased preference for ethanol in rats following alcohol deprivation

Depriving rats of alcohol, following a prolonged period of access to the solution, produced a much higher alcohol preference than did continual access. This “alcohol deprivation effect” is seen as possibly demonstrating a “need” for alcohol.
Introduction of a new regulatory mechanism into human hemoglobin.

Abstract Previous studies on bovine hemoglobin (HbBv) have suggested amino acid substitutions, which might introduce into human hemoglobin (HbA) functional characteristics of HbBv, namely a low intrinsic oxygen affinity regulated by Cl − . Accordingly, we have constructed and characterized a multiple mutant, PB5, [β(V1M+H2Δ+T4I+P5A+A76K)] replacing four amino acid residues of HbA with those present at structurally analogous positions in HbBv, plus an additional substitution, βT4I, which does not occur in either HbBv or HbA. This ‘pseudobovine’ hemoglobin has oxygen binding properties very similar to those of HbBv: the P 50 of HbA, PB5 and HbBv in the absence of Cl − are 1.6, 4.6 and 4.8 torr, respectively, and in 100 mM Cl − are 3.7, 10.5 and 12 torr, respectively. Moreover, PB5 has 3-fold slower autoxidation rate compared to HbA and HbBv. These are desirable characteristics for a human hemoglobin to be considered for use as a clinical artificial oxygen carrier. Although the functional properties of PB5 and HbBv are similar, van't Hoff plots indicate that the two hemoglobins interact differently with water, suggesting that factors regulating the R to T equilibrium are not the same in the two proteins. A further indication that PB5 is not a functional mimic of HbBv derives from PB5 control , a human hemoglobin with the same substitutions as PB5, except the βT4I replacement. PB5 control has a high oxygen affinity ( P 50 =2.3 torr) in the absence of Cl − , but retains the Cl − effect of PB5. The Cl − regulation of oxygen affinity in PB5 involves lysine residues at β8 and β76. PB4, which has the same substitutions as PB5 except βA76K, and PB6, which has all the substitutions of PB5 plus βK8Q, both have a low intrinsic oxygen affinity, like HbBv and PB5, but exhibit a decreased sensitivity to Cl − . Since HbBv has lysine residues at both β8 and β76, these results imply that Cl − regulation in HbBv likewise involves these two residues. The mechanism responsible for the low intrinsic oxygen affinity of HbBv remains unclear. It is suggested that residues peculiar to HbBv at the α 1 β 1 interface may play a role.
Group association equilibria in isolated polymer coils

When two or more groups attached to a single chain molecule participate in the formation of an association complex, the equilibrium for complex formation in dilute polymer solution depends on the local concentrations in the swollen polymer coil rather than on the stoichiometric concentration in the bulk of the solution. The theory of intramolecular group association is developed using two models. In the first, the interacting groups are evenly spaced along the polymer chain and the probabilities of their association are governed by Kuhn's statistics of chain configuration. In the second model, every segment of the chain has the same probability of carrying an interacting group and the Kuhn statistics are applied only to large rings, the probability of small ring formation being governed by steric factors. The predictions of the theory are in agreement with the extent of carboxyl association in dilute solutions of seven styrene-methacrylic acid copolymers, measured by infrared spectroscopy. The chelation of cations in dilute polyelectrolyte solution also involves the participation of groups attached to a single macromolecule, but the interpretation of experimental data requires that the electrostatic free energy of complex formation be taken into account. Spectroscopic evidence shows that in copper(II) binding to poly(methacrylic acid) or poly(N, e-methacrylyllysine) higher complexes are formed than in solutions of simple carboxylic acids or α-amino acids, respectively. Dialysis equilibrium studies indicate that, in the concentration range 4.7 × 10−3 to 15.6 × 10−3N poly(acrylic acid), the polymer coils act independently of each other in chelating small amounts of copper(II), while the copper (II) affinity of poly(methacrylic acid) molecules drops off with rising polyacid concentration.
Mortality After Coronary Angioplasty and Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (The National Medicare Experience).

Mortality rates for Medicare patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery were compared with those who had angioplasty or angioplasty and bypass surgery. Two data sets were used for this study: The first contained information on demographic factors, co-morbidities and subsequent mortality on all 96,666 Medicare patients who had bypass surgery or angioplasty in 1985; the second contained additional detailed clinical data collected using the MedisGroups method on a random sample of 2,931 revascularization patients from 6 states. From the national data set 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were 3.8 and 8.2% for 25,423 angioplasty patients and 6.4 and 11.8% for 71,243 bypass surgery patients (p less than 0.001 for both time periods). Mortality rates for the MedisGroups data were 4.4 and 8.5% for the angioplasty patients and 6.5 and 11.9% for the bypass surgery patients. After eliminating patients admitted with a myocardial infarction, mortality rates were 1.9 and 6.0% for 632 angioplasty patients and 5.1 and 10.8% for 1,730 bypass surgery patients. The risk-adjusted relative risk of mortality for bypass surgery versus angioplasty was 1.72 (p = 0.001) for all patients, 2.15 (p less than 0.001) for low-risk patients and 0.90 (p = not significant) for high-risk patients. Results suggest that low-risk patients have better survival with angioplasty because of lower short-term mortality.
A Transitional Phase in our Understanding of the Psychoanalytic Process: A New Look at Ferenczi and Rank

In The Development of Psychoanalysis, Ferenczi and Rank (1922) demonstrate an important transitional phase in the conceptualization of the psychoanalytic process. It is not the archaic language of libidinal flow that separates their work from modern psychoanalysis, but their insistence on the ideal of the analysts's objective authority, despite the implicitly more current interpersonal and structural understandings embedded in their sound principles of character analysis. Freud's early theory presumed the possibility that an analyst could be an objective observer of forces entirely within the patient. Today's theories must account for newer intrapsychic, interpersonal, and intersubjective realities--the analyst's subjective experience as well as his observing functions. In the decade preceding the monograph, implicit developmental, structural, and object-relational understandings began to emerge. A concurrent dramatic but unacknowledged change in the meaning of the terms "psychic reality" and "intrapsychic" also occurred. The controversies surrounding the monograph predicted many lines of development and dialectics for future theoretical discourse. The subjects of countertransference and empathy, almost entirely absent in the monograph, became major fields of study, and focal points for divergent schools in the new struggle to define the necessary roles of the analyst's interaction and subjective experience.
Transient and self-similar dynamics in thin film coarsening

Abstract We study coarsening in a simplified model of one-dimensional thin films of viscous fluids on hydrophobic substrates. Lubrication theory shows that such films are unstable and dewet to form droplets that then aggregate over long timescales. The masses and positions of the droplets can be described by a coarsening dynamical system (CDS) consisting of ODEs and deletion rules. We develop discrete and continuous mean-field models that reproduce the well-known N ( t ) = O ( t − 2 / 5 ) long-time statistical power law for the number of drops. A Lifshitz–Slyozov–Wagner-type (LSW) continuous model predicts the self-similar distribution of drop masses matching with histograms produced by CDS simulations and the discrete mean-field model. We also describe the distribution of drops following homogeneous versus heterogeneous dewetting and use these as initial conditions for the CDS simulations that yield characteristic “staircasing” transients. Transients can also include recurring spike formation behavior in the mass distribution. For idealized initial conditions, we show that the transient dynamics can span the full coarsening process, bypassing the power law regime entirely.
A new species of Rapatea section Paludosa (Rapateaceae) from French Guiana

Rapatea saulensis, a new species from the vicinity of Saul, French Guiana, is described and illustrated. The new taxon appears to be closely related toR. paludosa Aubl., from which it differs principally in its subcordate, oblique leaf-blade bases, and toR. muaju Garcia-Barr. & Mora, from which it differs mostly in its larger leaf blades.
Direct quantitative comparison of molecular responses in photodamaged human skin to fractionated and fully ablative carbon dioxide laser resurfacing.

BACKGROUNDFractionated ablative laser resurfacing has become a widely used treatment modality. Its clinical results are often found to approach those of traditional fully ablative laser resurfacing.OBJECTIVETo directly compare the molecular changes that result from fractionated and fully ablative ca
Use of spread spectrum time domain reflectometry to estimate state of health of power converters

A new online measurement and analysis method has been presented in this paper to identify the state of health of power converter circuits. Using spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR), impedance in the various current paths inside the converter as well as any fault can be identified without interrupting the circuit's normal operation. Multiple sets of test data have been generated while the SSTDR process is applied to each of the components i.e. the power MOSFETs, the dc bus capacitor and the load. These obtained test data are analyzed to show how these test results are consistent with the impedances in various current paths. An impedance matrix was formed for a non-aged converter and a corresponding matrix using SSTDR data was formed as well. The matrices could be formed for any power converter, and the impedance matrix for the non-aged converter could be considered as a “Reference matrix” for comparison purpose. By comparing these two matrices, the variation in path impedances due to aging could be determined. This research aims to identify the measurable quantities to characterize the aging process, their origins of these quantities and propose convenient methods to measure them.
Home interactive media: An analysis of potential abuses of privacy

This article examines potential threats to privacy posed by the development of unified interactive systems in the home. The applicability of existing laws and the possible technical and legislative actions that may be useful in curtailing possible privacy abuses in these systems are analyzed.
A generalized linear model for optimization of architectural planning

In the realm of architectural planning there exists a type of problem with which designers are frequently confronted where financial return is the most appropriate measure of the system's effectiveness. In this category can be included all rental and speculative housing (single and multiple family dwellings), office buildings, warehouses, stores, many industrial facilities, etc., and building complexes which combine some or all of these to provide comprehensive services to the tenant.
From Friendship to Marriage: Revising Kant

This paper examines Kant's accounts of friendship and marriage, and argues for what can be called an ideal of “moral marriage” based on Kant's notion of moral friendship. After explaining why Kant values friendship so highly, it gives an account of the ways in which marriage falls far short, according to Kant, of what friendship has to offer. The paper then argues that many of Kant's reasons for finding marriage morally impoverished compared with friendship are wrong-headed. The paper further argues that a few of Kant's views about friendship are false. The main point is that, when we slightly revise Kant's account of friendship and jettison Kant's misguided notions about marriage, we see that marriages can aspire to much of the same moral richness as friendships. Finally, the paper argues that this friendship model of marriage does not obscure the important ways in which marriages and friendships differ.
The probability of emergency department diversion status as a function of inpatient occupancy

Study objectives: Emergency department (ED) diversion status is a result of a mismatch between ED capacity and various input, throughput, and output factors. It is important to measure these factors to manage ED flow and predict ambulance diversion. The most important output factor for most EDs is the inpatient medical-surgical occupancy rate, which varies considerably but predictably throughout the week. The medical-surgical occupancy rate was calculated as the sum of the number of patients occupying beds at midnight and the number of discharged patients in the previous 24-hour period divided by the total number of staffed beds. We measure the odds and probability of daily diversion status according to variability in the following daily variables: (1) medical-surgical inpatient occupancy; (2) ED volume; (3) number of ED admissions; (4) number of ED ICU admissions; (5) number of ED clinical attending physician hours and shifts; (6) ED throughput time (TPT); (7) day of week; and (8) number of elective operating room surgical cases. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from ED and hospital electronic logs for 24-hour periods starting at midnight for 102,327 ED visits between April 15, 2002, and February 29, 2004. The association between ED diversion and each independent variable was measured in univariate analysis by Student's t tests. Variables reaching statistical significance at P value less than .05 were further analyzed in a multiple logistic regression model. Results: The baseline probability of diversion was 36%. The following 3 variables reached statistical significance in univariate analysis: (1) medical-surgical occupancy rate; (2) day of the week; and (3) TPT. In multivariate analysis, the odds ratios and increased probability of diversion status were as follows: 1.2 and 4% for each 5% increase in medical-surgical occupancy; 2.0 and 17% when TPT was greater than or equal to the median of 238 minutes; and 1.8 and 15% for weekdays compared with weekends. Conclusion: The probability of ambulance diversion on a weekday with a TPT greater than or equal to the median of 238 minutes was 68%. Increasing inpatient capacity on weekdays is likely to have a positive effect on decreasing ambulance diversion. Variability in the number of elective surgical cases was not associated with diversion status.
Secular Instability and Planetesimal Formation in the Dust Layer

Abstract Late in the gaseous phase of a protostellar disk, centimeter-sized bodies probably settle into a thin dust layer at the midplane. A velocity difference between the dust layer and the gas gives rise to turbulence, which prevents further settling and direct gravitational instability of the layer. The associated drag on the surface of the layer causes orbital decay in a few thousand years—as opposed to a few hundred years for an isolated meter-sized body. Within this widely accepted theoretical framework, we show that the turbulent drag causes radial instabilities even if the self-gravity of the layer is negligible. We formulate axisymmetric, height-integrated dynamical equations for the layer that incorporate turbulent diffusion of mass and momentum in radius and height, vertical settling, self-gravity, and resistance to compression due to gas entrained within the dust layer. In steady state, the equations describe the inward radial drift of a uniform dust layer. In perturbation, overdense rings form on an orbital timescale with widths comparable to the dust-layer thickness. Self-gravity is almost irrelevant to the linear growth rate but will eventually fragment and collapse the rings into planetesimals larger than a kilometer. We estimate that the drag instability is most efficient at 1 AU when most of the dust mass lies in the size range 0.1–3 m.
Endoscopic laser stereotaxis: management of brain lesions

Image-guided stereotaxis is an accurate and safe method of directing therapy to target volumes defined in 2D multi-planes or 3D perspectives using computer reconstruction of image data. The major limitations of stereotactic techniques are the lack of intraoperative visualization and the ability to directly monitor the procedures, and changes of intracranial coordinates after decompression of cystic lesions or aspiration of cerebrospinal fluid in the management of intraventricular lesions. Stereotactic neuroendoscopy involves integration of rigid-flexible endoscopy and the Nd-YAG laser in 2D/3D multiplanar image-guided stereotactic procedures. The major advantages of endoscopic laser surgery include being minimally invasive (burrhole or small craniotomy surgery), direct intraoperative visualization, hemostasis, evacuation or resection assessment, and wide exploration of intracranial cavities or ventricles. We used endoscopic laser surgery in the management of 202 patients undergoing biopsy, aspiration, resection, and internal decompression of deep and subcortical intracranial lesions, and for different types of fenestration procedures. Image-guidance combined with endoscopic techniques may offer a safe, accurate alternative to conventional neurosurgical procedures in treating small solid, cystic, intraventricular lesions, and in fenestration procedures.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Compositional discrimination of decompression and decomposition gas bubbles in bycaught seals and dolphins

Gas bubbles in marine mammals entangled and drowned in gillnets have been previously described by computed tomography, gross examination and histopathology. The absence of bacteria or autolytic changes in the tissues of those animals suggested that the gas was produced peri- or post-mortem by a fast decompression, probably by quickly hauling animals entangled in the net at depth to the surface. Gas composition analysis and gas scoring are two new diagnostic tools available to distinguish gas embolisms from putrefaction gases. With this goal, these methods have been successfully applied to pathological studies of marine mammals. In this study, we characterized the flux and composition of the gas bubbles from bycaught marine mammals in anchored sink gillnets and bottom otter trawls. We compared these data with marine mammals stranded on Cape Cod, MA, USA. Fresh animals or with moderate decomposition (decomposition scores of 2 and 3) were prioritized. Results showed that bycaught animals presented with significantly higher gas scores than stranded animals. Gas composition analyses indicate that gas was formed by decompression, confirming the decompression hypothesis.
Some effects of chromium toxicity on bush bean plants grown in soil

Chromium applied to a noncalcareous soil at 50 ppm did not decrease yields of bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. var Improved Tendergreen), but when EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) was added with it, it did. Very little Cr was present in leaves. In solution culture 10-5 M Cr and higher were toxic. With solution culture the highest level of Cr in leaves was about 30 ppm and in general there was a decreasing gradient in Cr from roots to stems to leaves. EDTA had less effect in solution cultures on Cr toxicity because the Cr was already in solution. Chromium toxicity decreased cation levels in plants.
Orthogonal polynomials and cubature formulae on balls, simplices, and spheres

We report on recent developments on orthogonal polynomials and cubature formulae on the unit ball Bd, the standard simplex Td, and the unit sphere Sd. The main result shows that orthogonal structures and cubature formulae for these three regions are closely related. This provides a way to study the structure of orthogonal polynomials; for example, it allows us to use the theory of h-harmonics to study orthogonal polynomials on Bd and on Td. It also provides a way to construct new cubature formulae on these regions.
Impacts of the conservation education program in Serra Malagueta Natural Park, Cape Verde

Environmental and conservation education programs are commonly offered in the rapidly expanding network of protected areas in developing countries. There have been few evaluations of these programs and their impacts on participants. At Serra Malagueta Natural Park in Cape Verde, we assessed changes in environmental knowledge, opinions, and behaviors among visiting school children and a comparison group that did not visit the park. Participation in the park’s conservation education program has a positive impact on environmental knowledge after the visit. The program may also contribute to student knowledge by influencing classroom teaching in anticipation of the park visit.
Factors affecting the survival of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees infested by emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis)

Emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB), an Asian woodboring beetle accidentally introduced in North America, has killed millions of ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees and is spreading rapidly. This study examined the effects of tree- and site-level factors on the mortality of ash trees in stands infested by EAB in OH, USA. Our data show that ash populations in forested sites can progress from healthy to almost complete mortality of mature trees within 6 years. Although the end result of nearly complete mortality does not vary, survival analysis with 5 years of data showed that some factors affected the rate of mortality. We found more rapid mortality in stands with lower densities of ash trees. This finding supports an extension of the resource dilution hypothesis whereby concentration of EAB on few trees in low ash density areas leads to rapid decline of these trees. This contradicts an extension of the resource concentration theory that greater host density increases relative pest abundance and host mortality. Although reductions in ash density via diversification may be desirable for other silvicultural, conservation, and management objectives in preparation for EAB, our study shows that the management strategy of reducing ash density is unlikely to protect the remaining ash trees. Survival analysis also showed that mortality was more rapid for trees shaded by other trees and for trees initially exhibiting dieback. In management scenarios where hazard tree removal must be spread over several years due to budget constraints, focusing initial tree removal on stressed trees is recommended.
Grain transport mechanics in shallow overland flow

A physical model based on continuum multiphase flow is described to represent saltating transport of grains in shallow overland flows. The two-phase continuum flow of water and sediment considers coupled StVenant-type equations. The interactive cumulative effect of grains is incorporated by a dispersive stress term. The mean fluid thrust on the particle in the saltation layer of grains is expressed in terms of a slip velocity. The continuum model leads to the unexpected, but an interesting result is that particle velocity increases with the solid concentration. This increase predicts monotonic behaviour leading to overestimates of particle velocity at higher sediment concentration. To improve the predictions, grain dynamic equations, which incorporate bed collision, are analysed. The analysis leads to an improved model for predicting saltation height. Incorporation of the results in the continuum model yields a velocity-concentration relationship that is consistent with experimental observations for increasing concentration. Laboratory flume experiments explore the evaluation of various parameters from the measured particle velocities by photonic probes.
Modules over Convolution Algebras from Equivariant Derived Categories, I☆

In this paper, we provide a general (functorial) construction of modules over convolution algebras (i.e., where the multiplication is provided by a convolution operation) starting with an appropriate equivariant derived category. The construction is sufficiently general to be applicable to different situations. One of the main applications is to the construction of modules over the graded Hecke algebras associated to complex reductive groups starting with equivariant complexes on the unipotent variety. It also applies to the affine quantum enveloping algebras of typeAn. As is already known, in each case the algebra can be realized as a convolution algebra. Our constructionturns suitable equivariant derived categories into an abundant source of modules over such algebras; most of these are new, in that, so far the only modules have been provided by suitable Borel–Moore homology or cohomology with respect to a constant sheaf (or by an appropriate K-theoretic variant.) In a sequel to this paper we will apply these constructions to equivariant perverse sheaves and also obtain a general multiplicity formula for the simple modules in the composition series of the modules constructed here.
Two new species of Vernonia (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) from Panama

Two new species,Vernonia cocleana andV. chiriquiensis, are described from Panama. These endemic species are distinct from those in Central America and most closely resemble taxa in the West Indies and Argentina, respectively. These taxa are described and illustrated; a key is provided to the Panamanian species ofVernonia.
Cell culture tumor promotion experiments with saccharin, phorbol myristate acetate and several common food materials.

The BALBc-3T3 cell neoplastic transformation system was modified to examine the tumor promoting activity of a set of substances. Following initiation of the target cells with 3-methylcholanthrene, treatment of the cultures with phorbol myristate acetate (0.01 μg/ml; 1.5 × 10−8 M) during the remainder of the 4-week assay interval resulted in a marked increase in both spontaneous and initiated Type III transformed foci. In contrast, a similar treatment with saccharin at 20, 100 or 500 μg/ml (0.08, 0.4 or 2.1 × 10−3 M) did not influence the occurrence of Type III transformed foci and did not result in a promoting response. Sodium ascorbate (2.53 × 10−3 M) and L-tryptophan (2.45 × 10−3 M) almost completely inhibited both spontaneous and initiated Type III transformed foci. Calcium pantothenate (2.10 × 10−3 M) exhibited a marginal promoting effect. Under the conditions of this study in which the classical tumor promoter phorbol myristate acetate was highly active in promoting Type III transformed foci, saccharin was not active as either a direct transforming or promoting agent at doses up to 5 orders of magnitude higher.
Connected components of arithmetic graphs

Let $$R \subseteq \left\{ {1,2,...,m} \right\}$$ . LetG m (R) be the graph whose vertices are the numbers 1, 2, ...,m and whose edges are all pairs {a, b} such thata+b≡r (modm) for somer∈R. LetC m (R) be the number of connected components ofG m (R). Letd be the greatest common divisor ofm and the differencesr j −r j or allr i ,r j ∈R. ThenC m (R) is equal to (i) (d+1)/2 ifd is odd, (ii)d/2 ifd is even andr is odd for allr∈R, or (iii) (d/2)+1 ifd is even andr is even for allr∈R.
Vacancy formation during vapor deposition

Abstract A hybrid modeling approach combining two-dimensional atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of vacancy formation with a continuum analysis of vacancy diffusion has been used to predict the vacancy content of vapor deposited nickel as a function of deposition rate/temperature and incident flux energy/angle. The hybrid approach uses a previously developed molecular dynamics technique to obtain the vacancy concentration in the surface of a film formed during a brief period of very high rate deposition. The structure is then annealed and the decrease in surface vacancy concentration calculated by solving continuum diffusion equations. By varying the annealing period, a good approximation to the surface vacancy concentration as a function of deposition rate is obtained. The vacancy profile through the thickness of a thick film is then obtained by solving continuum diffusion equations using the surface vacancy concentration as a moving boundary condition. In contrast to molecular dynamics alone, the hybrid approach enables calculation of the vacancy content for arbitrary low deposition rates. It reveals the existence of a deposition rate dependent temperature where the vacancy content exhibits a minimum value. The 1 ppm iso-vacancy contour in the process variable space is found to be a very steep function of deposition rate and temperature, and depends only weakly on incident flux energy or angle.
Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in postsynaptic densities after reversible cerebral ischemia in rats

Compartmentalization of protein kinases and association of the enzyme with strategic cellular substrates may be important for regulating signal transduction in neurons. Cerebral ischemia produced by transient 20 min occlusion of common carotid and vertebral arteries in rats caused a dramatic (3-fold) increase in Ca2+/Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-KII) in the fraction enriched in postsynaptic density (PSDf), the compartment of the neuron that is involved in signal transduction. This change in compartmentalization was not reversible for up to 24 h after termination of the occlusion and was followed by reduction of CaM-KII to 50% of control content one week after the insult. The observed changes in CaM-KII content did not represent general protein redistribution in PSDf after ischemia since there were no parallel changes in PSDf actin concentration. The redistribution of CaM-KII coincided with gradual (up to 80%) reduction of its activity in PSDf as tested using specific peptide substrate and endogenous CaM-KII substrates. This work provides evidence that ischemia disturbs CaM-KII distribution and activity in PSDf and this may lead to long lasting disruption of signal transduction at the synaptic level.
Geometry and kinematics of dunes during steady and unsteady flows in the Calamus River, Nebraska, USA

The geometry and kinematics of river dunes were studied in a reach of the Calamus River, Nebraska. During day-long surveys, dune height, length, steepness, migration rate, creation and destruction were measured concurrently with bedload transport rate, flow depth, flow velocity and bed shear stress. Within a survey, individual dune heights, lengths and migration rates were highly variable, associated with their three-dimensional geometry and changes in their shape through time. Notwithstanding this variability, there were discernible changes in mean dune height, length and migration rate in response to changing discharge over several days. Changes in mean dune height and length lagged only slightly behind changes in discharge. Therefore, during periods of both steady and unsteady flow, mean dune lengths were quite close to equilibrium values predicted by theoretical models. Mean dune steepnesses were also similar to predicted equilibrium values, except during high, falling flows when the steepness was above that predicted. Variations in mean dune height and length with discharge are similar to those predicted by theory under conditions of low mean dune excursion and discharge variation with a short high water period and long low water period. However, the calculated rates of change of height of individual dunes vary considerably from those measured. Rates of dune creation and destruction were unrelated to discharge variations, contrary to previous results. Instead, creations and destructions were apparently the result of local variations in bed shear stress and sediment transport rate. Observed changes in dune height during unsteady flows agree with theory fairly well at low bed shear stresses, but not at higher bed shear stresses when suspended sediment transport is significant.
A membrane-associated precursor to poliovirus VPg identified by immunoprecipitation with antibodies directed against a synthetic heptapeptide

A synthetic heptapeptide corresponding to the C-terminal sequence of the poliovirus genome protein (VPg) has been linked to bovine serum albumin and used to raise antibodies in rabbits. These antibodies precipitate not only VPg but also at least two more virus-specific polypeptides. The smaller polypeptide, denoted P3-9 (12,000 daltons), has been mapped by Edman degradation and by fragmentation with cyanogen bromide and determined to be the N-terminal cleavage product of polypeptide P3-1b, a precursor to the RNa polymerase. P3-9 contains the sequence of the basic protein VPg (22 amino acids) at its C terminus. As predicted by the known RNA sequence of poliovirus, P3-9 also contains a hydrophobic region of 22 amino acids preceding VPg, an observation suggesting that P3-9 may be membrane-associated. This was confirmed by fractionation of infected cells in the presence or absence of detergent. We speculate that P3-9 may be the donor of VPg to RNA chains in the membrane-bound RNa replication complex.
Lipin1 regulation by estrogen in uterus and liver: implications for diabetes and fertility.

Estrogens are essential for fertility and also have important effects on regulation of adiposity and the euglycemic state. We report here that lipin1, a candidate gene for lipodystrophy and obesity that is a phosphatidic acid phosphatase critical in regulation of cellular levels of diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol and a key regulator of lipid utilization, is rapidly and robustly down-regulated in the uterus by estradiol via the estrogen receptor. Lipin1 is expressed predominantly in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium, and during the estrous cycle, lipin1 is lowest when blood levels of estrogen are highest. Lipin1 is expressed throughout all cells in the liver of ovariectomized female mice, and a sustained down-regulation is observed at the mRNA, protein and immunohistochemical levels after estrogen administration. Because the coupling of proper energy use and availability is central to reproduction, we also investigated expression of lipin1 in the uterus and liver of several mouse models of di...
The electrochemistry of antibody-modified conducting polymer electrodes

Abstract The modification of conducting polymer electrodes with antibodies (i.e. proteins) by means of electrochemical polymerization is a simple step that can be used to develop an immunological sensor. However, the electrochemical processes involved leading to the generation of analytical signals by the sensor have not been fully investigated. In this work, we report on the characterization of the interaction between an antigen, human serum albumin (HSA) and an antibody-immobilized polypyrrole electrode (such as anti-HSA) using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy. This interaction was monitored using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at three different potentials. The potentials correspond to the three redox states of the electroconducting polymer (i.e. reduced, doped and overoxidized states). Evidence from the CV experiments confirmed that there was a shift in the potential, which was found to be proportional to the concentration. Both the CV and the impedance experiments indicated that this potential-dependent shift could be attributed to antibody–antigen (Ab–Ag) binding.
The Solar House: Pioneering Sustainable Design. By Anthony Denzer. New York: Rizzoli, 2013

This review of The Solar House: Pioneering Sustainable Design, by Anthony Denzer, discusses the important contributions of this book to the history of midcentury modern architecture, and considers the role of solar houses in the context of current debates over sustainability.