cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of sampling bias in biogeography by means of a probabilistic estimate of taxonomic diversity: application to modern Indo-Pacific reef corals

Abstract Quantitative assessment of sampling bias is one of the most difficult aspects of paleobiogeography. The probability frequency function derived by Henderson and Heron (1977) relates the number of shared taxa between two geographic sites to the observed sample size and the inferred population size for this pair of sites. Initial assessment of the population size, statistical evaluation of all possible pairs in the suite of sites, and an iterative adjustment of population sizes result in estimates of true population diversity at each site. The ability of the method to provide accurate data on taxonomic diversity for studies of biogeography and the fossil record was tested on six sets of stimulated data with the following characteristics: three well-sampled datasets in which the size of an average sample constituted at least 65% of an average population and the taxonomic overlap between samples at 30 geographic sites was at least 30%, and three variably sampled datasets in which the size of an average sample and the degree of taxonomic overlap were 39 and 19%, respectively. The use of the method resulted in a reduction of sampling bias in all six datasets. The method was particularly successful in predicting the size of the population at a site in datasets in which samples constituted at least 50% of their respective populations and in which average taxonomic overlap between samples was at least 25%. Because taxonomic overlap can be readily determined from presence/absence data, the applicability of the probabilistic method to a particular biogeographic or paleobiogeographic dataset can be assessed prior to analysis. The method was applied to the newly assembled data on the generic diversity of modern hermatypic corals in 165 areas of the Pacific and Indian oceans. Although the dataset was initially considered to be well sampled, results of the probabilistic analysis indicate that an average sample in that dataset constituted 84% of an average population. A second-order polynomial surface was constructed from the data on sample diversity of Indo-Pacific corals using trend surface analysis. The surface is centered on the Indo-Pacific region and shows latitudinal and longitudinal gradients in diversity. Using the same procedure, a second-order polynomial surface was constructed from the estimated values of population diversity. There is a strong similarity between the general shape and orientation of both surfaces. However, biogeographic patterns obtained from data on population diversity are less susceptible to sampling bias and are therefore more accurate than those obtained from data on sample diversity.
Pulmonary Management Following Acute SCI

Pulmonary complications are the major contributor to mortality and morbidity following spinal cord injury (SCI), especially during the first year. Patients who are at increased risk of pulmonary complications include SCI individuals with cervical and high thoracic injuries, patients with unstable injuries who must be immobilized, patients with multiple injuries and individuals over the age of 65 years. Although research exists on many of the elements of pulmonary hygiene, there is a paucity of systematic research linking therapeutic interventions with patients outcomes during the acute phase following SCI. This area is rich for the development of collaborative empirical studies which contribute to the science of preventing pulmonary complications following acute SCI. Research is needed which tests specific pulmonary hygiene protocols in relation to patient outcomes during the acute phase of SCI and in the early months after the patient returns home.
The impact of water flow configuration on crystallisation in LiBr/H2O absorption water heater

Lithium Bromide (LiBr) strong solution entering the absorber tends to crystallise when the absorber temperature is increased for a fixed evaporating pressure. This is considered the key technical barrier for the development of a LiBr absorption heat pump water heater. There are several approaches to avoid the crystallisation problem, such as chemical crystallisation inhibitors, heat and mass transfer enhancement and thermodynamic cycle modification. This paper investigates and compares two flow configurations of LiBr absorption heat pump water heater to evaluate the allowable operating conditions for each. The simulation results indicated that introducing the process water through the absorber first results in lower absorber temperature and hence less tendency for crystallisation.
An approximate solution to Arrow's problem

Abstract We impose a lattice-theoretic structure on a class of social welfare functions, which properly include Arrowian social welfare functions, by ordering their families of decisive sets by set inclusion. We show that this lattice is compactly generated and characterize the completely meet irreducible elements of this lattice. Certain completely meet irreducible elements correspond to Arrowian social welfare functions. Those social welfare functions corresponding to the other completely meet irreducible families of decisive sets are approximate solutions to the problem of social choice as posed by Arrow.
Subcellular distribution and activation of rat submandibular cAMP-dependent protein kinase following β-adrenergic receptor stimulation

The extent of activation of rat submandibular protein kinase A (EC 2.7.1.37) isozymes following beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation was determined in vitro using dispersed cells and an 8-N3-[32P]cAMP photoprobe. The half-maximal binding of the photoprobe for microsomal and cytosolic type I and cytosolic type II was 9 nM, 27 nM and 92 nM, respectively. 'Cold trap' studies indicated that 70% of type I protein kinase A was activated following maximal beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation, whereas type II activation was less than 40%. Both cytosolic and microsomal type I activation occurred rapidly following beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation and both remain activated throughout the entire secretory period. Type I inactivation occurred rapidly subsequent to beta-adrenergic receptor blockade. The dose-response relationship for the isotypes following beta-adrenergic receptor activation demonstrated a greater extent of type I activation at submaximal concentrations of agonist. Although protein kinase A may not be the only kinase involved in rat submandibular mucin release, these data add further support to a direct regulatory role for this kinase, with type I having potentially a greater role than type II.
Scripting Sexual Desire: Cultural Scenarios of Teen Girls’ Sexual Desire in Popular Films, 2000–2009

The rich literature focusing on adolescents’ consumption of popular media often focuses on sexual content and the various messages about sex and sexuality available to youth. However, one particular concept that has received little scholarly attention is media messages about sexual desire among young people, especially teen girls. What messages about teen girls’ sexual desire are available for youth in popular media? The following paper explores this question through qualitative content analysis of 130 scenes from 34 popular films featuring teen characters in lead and supporting roles between 2000 and 2009. Findings indicate that such films convey three primary messages about teen girls’ sexual desire: desire is unspoken, only “bad girls” verbalize desire, and expressing desire results in negative consequences. My analyses and discussion are informed by the sexual scripting framework and by critical feminist social thought.
Questioning the concept of the ‘user’

Abstract This article is a critique of the word ‘user’ as a description of people in the person-environment relationship. By calling the person a user, researchers and designers place themselves inside a utilitarian world view which sees everything and ultimately everyone as simply a resource to be exploited. At first intended by environmental psychologists to refute the idea of the person as a passive stimulus recipient, the word user has come to stand for a complicated grouping of attributes which have been added to the user while ignoring or forgetting its limited definition. The field of environmental psychology is challenged to rethink the naming of people as users and to create a term which better describes the person-environment relationship.
On the Nature of Growth Stimulation of Vicia Faba Roots during Irradiation at Low Dose-rates

SummaryPrimary roots of Vicia faba were irradiated at dose-rates of 1·3 and 7 rads per hour in the presence and absence of 2 × 10−5 grammes per litre of the synthetic auxin, alpha-naphthalene acetic acid. The temporary stimulation of root growth observed during irradiation at 1·3 rads per hour was completely eliminated when the synthetic auxin was present. The results tend to support the contention that the temporary stimulation is a consequence of a disturbance in the auxin economy in the root.
A Study of the Effects of Applied Ethephon on Enzyme (Polyphenol Oxidase, Peroxidase, Catalase, ATPase) Activity in Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Apical Tissue Chloroplasts

Summary Ethephon (1 ppm, 10 ppm, 100 ppm) was applied to apical tissue of 12-week-old tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum cv. «Little Turkish») to determine their effect on polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase, catalase, ATPase, chlorophyll, carotenoid, and protein activity. Except for the ethephon concentration of 1 ppm, both peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase demonstrated a decrease in activity in comparison to the untreated controls. The smallest ethephon concentration (1 ppm) resulted in a relatively large increase in PPO activity and a lesser increase in activity of peroxidase, compared to untreated controls. An increase in ethephon concentration causes an increase in the activity of ATPase; however, an increase in ethephon concentration results in lower levels of peroxidase activity (except for an ethephon concentration of 1 ppm, which causes an increase in peroxidase activity). Similarly, an increase in ethephon concentration results in lower levels of PPO activity (except for a concentration of 1 ppm ethephon). Ethephon concentration does not appear to follow a specific pattern with respect to catalase activity: the lowest level of activity occurring with 10 ppm ethephon; however, all three concentrations of applied ethephon cause catalase activity to be significantly lower than the untreated control. This investigation suggests that apical tissue chloroplasts of tobacco plants contain amounts of enzyme potential, with respect to peroxidase, ATPase, catalase, and polyphenol oxidase, the levels being dependent upon the concentration of applied ethephon. The effects of differential concentrations of ethephon, on tobacco apical meristem tissue, has a depressor effect on the activity levels of peroxidase, catalase, ATPase, and PPO (except for 1 ppm) versus the untreated control tissue.
Selectivity of the excision of alkylation products in a xeroderma pigmentosum-derived lymphoblastoid line.

Abstract Lymphoblastoid cells derived from a complementation group C xeroderma patient were unable to remove 06-methyl guanine residues formed in DNA by treatment of cells with low concentrations of N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). The xeroderma cells were competent in their ability to excise 3-methyl adenine adducts. MNNG treatment induced excision repair in the xeroderma line and in addition the treatment resulted in the presence of numerous single-strand breaks in the DNA. The single gene, UV-excision-defective mutants of Escherichia coli, uvrA and uvrB, are able to excise MNNG- induced 06-methyl guanine adducts indicating that excision of this compound is not due to operation of the UV endonuclease system.
Isolation of Potentially Virulent Yersinia enterocolitica from Variety Meats

Sixty-three samples of variety meats were examined for the presence of Yersinia enterocolitica. Surface swab samples in a modified selenite enrichment broth were incubated at 23°C for 2 and 3 days and then streaked onto MacConkey agar with Tween 80 or refrigerated bismuth sulfite agar, with and without a potassium hydroxide preplating treatment. The organism was isolated from 2 of 23 porcine throat swabs but was not isolated from 40 bovine tongue, kidney, heart, or liver swabs. The isolates from the throat swabs were classified into Nilehn and Wauters biotypes 3 or 4. One porcine isolate was of serotype 0:19, while another isolate from the second Y. enterocolitica-bearing porcine throat swab was nontypeable. The nontypeable isolates autoagglutlnated in tissue culture when grown overnight at 35°C, suggesting that these isolates are potentially virulent. The results of this study support the contention of European researchers that swine may be a significant source of Y. enterocolitica involved in human infections.
Towards a Spatial Representation for the Meta Cognitive Process Layer of Cognitive Informatics

This paper reviews related work in cognitive psychology, philosophy, and a bunch of independent research work in spatial knowledge representation, sets some criteria for potential spatial representations for cognitive informatics(CI), i.e. an expected theory of spatial knowledge for the meta representation layer of cognitive informatics shall take region as primitive, and be able to develop other spatial concepts. The paper critically points out the limitations of one dominant theory in spatial cognition, the RCC theory. It then introduces internal relations among different kinds of spatial knowledge, outlines a basic connection calculus for extended objects, and shows how notions of orientation relations, distance relations are developed in this calculus. The paper briefly presents how the notion of point can be further developed. By showing this we argue that this calculus meets the criteria for being a potential spatial representation for meta cognitive process layer of CI.
Adrenal abscess in a neonate

Summary A case of adrenal abscess is presented as an example of a rare lesion which mimics neuroblastoma. Although careful evaluation of history, physical findings, and laboratory data may suggest an inflammatory process, diagnosis depends upon exploratory surgery and through pathologic study.
Probable interaction between tolterodine and warfarin

A 53-year-old woman with a history of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism was receiving warfarin to prevent thromboembolic complications; her international normalized ratio (INR) had been stable for 1 month. Extended-release tolterodine 4 mg/day was then prescribed to manage overactive bladder. On her next anticoagulation clinic visit, the patient's INR had increased, although the dosage of warfarin had been reduced when the tolterodine had been prescribed. Due to the absence of other contributing factors and the temporal relationship between tolterodine and prolonged INR, the event was determined to be a probable drug interaction. When patients are prescribed tolterodine and warfarin concurrently, clinicians should monitor INR carefully, and a reduction in warfarin dosage may be required.
An improved profile for the solution of radiative transfer by Galerkin's method

Abstract An improved, hybrid trial function is presented for the solution of radiation transfer by Galerkin's method. The trial function compensates for the effects of the particular solution corresponding to the inhomogeneous source term. This method is especially useful when only the profile of the source function, but not the particular solution, is known. The method of analysis will be demonstrated for a source function having a polynomial profile.
Azulfidine- (sulfasalazine-) induced hepatic injury.

A patient with Azulfidine-related hepatotoxicity in which prompt recurrence of symptoms, fever, skin rash, and laboratory evidence of hepatocellular injury occurred upon readministration of Azulfidine is reported. The clinical and biochemical features support the fact that this was an example of an acquired hypersensitivity reaction to Azulfidine.
2011 Scientific Achievement Award recipient: Marc R. de Leval, MD.

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) presented the Scientific Achievement Award, one of the most prestigious honors that can be given by the AATS, to Dr Marc R. de Leval of London, England, during the 91st Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr de Leval is an extraordinarily accomplished congenital cardiovascular surgeon, respected researcher, scholar, teacher and mentor, and an extraordinarily thoughtful individual. Marc Roger de Leval was born in a small village in Belgium to a family of general practitioners. He undertook his medical school training at Liege University in Belgium and completed a residency in internal medicine and 3 years of general surgery training at the same institution. At that point, he decided to become a heart surgeon and, because there was no program for training in Liege, he applied for a fellowship at the Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco under Frank Gerbode. After 2 years in San Francisco, he was appointed as senior surgical registrar at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children in London under David Waterston and Jaroslav Stark. Professor de Leval was awarded the Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship of the AATS and spent a year (1973–1974) at the Mayo Clinic under Robert Wallace, Dwight McGoon, and Gordon Danielson and then returned to Great Ormond Street Hospital where he was appointed to the staff in 1974. He continued his career at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children until retirement from the National Health Service in 2006. Dr de Leval has had an extraordinarily productive career of contributions to the field of cardiovascular surgery and to congenital cardiac surgery. As a fellow in California, he participated in the development of the use of the activated clotting time for heparin management for patients on cardiopulmonary bypass. This technique has now become standard in bypass management and was a major step forward in safe conduction of cardiopulmonary bypass and long-term support using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Dr de Leval popularized the use of a prosthetic graft from the subclavian artery to the pulmonary artery (the modified Blalock-Taussig or Great Ormond Street shunt) as a way of permitting growth of the natural blood vessel to regulate
Alcohol Use and Related Behaviors among Late Adolescent Urban Youth: Peer and Parent Influences.

Peer and parent influences on alcohol use and related risky behaviors were examined in a sample of late-adolescent (M = 17.3 years; SD = 1.11 years) urban youths. Participants (N = 400) completed an online measure assessing peer influences of alcohol use and alcohol offers and also parental influences of rules against alcohol use and perceived levels of emotional family support, relative to youths' alcohol use, binge drinking, alcohol-related consequences, and intentions to drink. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that increased peer alcohol use and alcohol offers were associated with youths' increased drinking, binge drinking, alcohol-related consequences, and intentions to drink. Controlling for peer influences, parental rules against alcohol use were associated with decreased drinking, binge drinking, and intentions to drink; increased levels of family support were associated with decreased alcohol-related consequences and intentions to drink. These findings suggest that parental influences, al...
High-rate and high-density gas separation adsorbents and manufacturing method

High-rate and high-density gas separation adsorbents used in vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) processes are described. Agglomerated zeolite Li–LSX compositions made using colloidal silica binding agents and having improved nitrogen pore diffusivity compared to like compositions prepared with traditional clay binders, are also described. Preparation methods for the colloidal silica-bound adsorbents are described together with their characterization by mercury (Hg) porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and low dead-volume breakthrough testing, from which the pore diffusivity is obtained. In this article, we show how the location and dispersion of the colloidal silica binding agent within the agglomerated zeolite particle yields pore-architectures that resemble “state-of-the-art” binderless adsorbents. In addition, we use VPSA process simulations to show that the best process performance is achieved by the combination of high-rate and high-density adsorbent properties.
Thinking aloud is not a form of introspection but a qualitatively different methodology: Reply to Schooler (2011).

Schooler's (2011) commentary of our meta-analysis (Fox, Ericsson, & Best, 2011), although thoughtful and generally complimentary, misclassifies the think-aloud method as a form of introspection. Although he praised the scientific rigor of the think-aloud method, Schooler criticized its limitations as a mode of capturing the full range of conscious phenomena, especially nonverbal aspects of consciousness. He noted that reactive effects (changes in the accuracy of performance) are often observed when experimenters induce verbalization of "particularly ineffable experiences" (p. 347). In this reply, we show that thinking aloud is not introspective by establishing that it does not require inner observation or generation of descriptions and explanations. In contrast to introspective methods, thinking aloud involves only focusing on a challenging task while concurrently giving verbal expression to thoughts entering attention. Given that our meta-analysis found no significant reactivity for this type of verbalization but showed significant reactivity for instructions requesting explanations and detailed descriptions, we conclude that researchers now have a choice between 2 qualitatively distinct methodologies for studying thinking: introspective methods, which change observed performance and, by inference, task-related processes; or the think-aloud method, which changes neither.
A Motivational Perspective on First-Year Legal Research Instruction

This article examines some recent pedagogical concepts and trends, such as signature pedagogy and student-centered learning, and their application to legal research instruction. Law librarians and other legal research instructors have long utilized a core instructional model known as the bibliographic method. But, given a rapidly changing information environment and today's born digital students, we must question whether its traditional teacher-centered approach can still motivate students and provide them with the authentic experience necessary for effective learning.
Prediction of turbulence-induced forces on structures from full numerical solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations

The wall pressure fluctuations generated by a turbulent boundary layer are the driving forces in a variety of fluid-structure interaction problems of fundamental and practical interest. Historically, these surface pressure forces have been determined by conducting appropriate laboratory experiments and scaling the results as needed. The present paper examines the potential utility of full numerical solutions of the Navier—Stokes equations for turbulent flows to accomplish this same end. An overview of the means employed for obtaining such solutions without resort to closure assumptions is given. Comparisons between the predicted and measured characteristics of the wall pressure and velocity fields are described which are quite favorable and commend the use of numerical simulations as an aid in understanding flow-induced vibration phenomena. Fundamental limitations of the numerical simulations and additional areas of research needed to make them more generally applicable in predicting turbulence-induced forcing functions are also discussed in detail.
Temperature Control Of Silica Mirrors For Cryogenically-Cooled Telescopes In Space

The SIRTF (Space Infrared Telescope Facility) optical subsystem, including the primary mirror, has been modeled using lumped-parameter techniques and a thermal and cryogenic transient analysis program developed previously. Since silica mirrors have been shown to have significantly less distortion due to cryogenic cooldown, a silica primary mirror of approximately 1 m diameter is being considered. Thermal responses to variations in aperture heat load and heat sink temperature have been explored. Calculations have been made of system noise components from primary mirror spatial and temporal temperature variations. Background-limited infrared observations can be made at wavelengths out to 200 micrometers. Mirror thermal performance with and without copper wires for cooling is also considered.
Depression in the chronically mentally ill elderly.

Depression in the elderly is a major mental health problem. It may occur as the primary psychiatric disorder or in association with coexisting conditions, such as dementia, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Appropriate diagnosis and effective treatment can do much to reduce the impact of this chronic mental illness.
Edge-elements characterization of radiation and crosstalk on printed circuit boards

The edge-based finite-element method (edge elements) is used to obtain a numerical solution for the radiated emissions and crosstalk voltages on printed circuit boards (PCBs). Both shielded and open PCBs, over a wide frequency range, are analyzed and compared. The novelty of the approach presented in this paper lies in its use of the edge elements for open boundary problems. The method of analysis is two-dimensional, and has the expected advantages of edge elements; namely, it does not produce spurious solutions and it models sharp points and edges without any need for special singular trial functions. Furthermore, the matrix obtained is sparse and symmetric, and the solution can be obtained directly, with no need for matrix inversion.
Urinalysis: When - and when not - to order

Although routine urinalysis is common, the results are important in management of only certain diseases. Screening urinalysis to detect asymptomatic bacteriuria is recommended in adults 60 years of age or older, diabetic patients of any age, pregnant women, and adolescents. A positive result for protein on dipstick urinalysis should be evaluated in conjunction with other clinical and laboratory data (eg, the patient's age, physical findings, renal function, results of microscopic urinalysis). Evaluation of hematuria should always include dipstick analysis and microscopic examination of urine. Diabetes screening is best done with measurement of plasma glucose levels. Other available urinalysis tests include measurement of pH, specific gravity, ketones, bilirubin, and urobilinogen. In patients with renal or urinary tract disease, microscopic examination of urinary sediment is important.
Relationship between cobalamin-dependent metabolites and both serum albumin and alpha1 -proteinase inhibitor concentrations in hypocobalaminemic dogs of 7 different breeds.

BACKGROUND Increased serum concentrations of homocysteine (HCY) and methylmalonic acid (MMA), the 2 main cobalamin-dependent metabolites, as well as decreased serum albumin and canine alpha1 -proteinase inhibitor (cα1 -PI) concentrations have previously been described in hypocobalaminemic dogs with gastrointestinal disease. However, no studies have been conducted to evaluate potential relationships between these serum biomarkers. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HCY and MMA, 2 cobalamin-dependent metabolites, and both serum albumin and cα1 -PI concentrations in hypocobalaminemic dogs. METHODS Serum samples from 285 dogs including 7 different breeds (Beagle, Boxer, Cocker Spaniel, German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Chinese Shar-Pei, and Yorkshire Terrier) with hypocobalaminemia were used. Serum HCY, MMA, albumin, and cα1 -PI concentrations were determined. RESULTS There was a significant correlation between serum HCY and albumin concentrations, as well as serum HCY and cα1 -PI concentrations (ρ = 0.62 and ρ = 0.37, respectively; P .05). In addition, significant breed-specific correlations were observed between serum MMA and albumin concentrations in German Shepherds, and serum HCY and MMA concentrations in Chinese Shar-Peis with hypocobalaminemia. CONCLUSIONS This study shows a correlation between serum albumin and cα1 -PI and HCY concentrations, but not with serum MMA concentration in dogs with hypocobalaminemia. In addition, significant breed-specific correlations were observed between serum MMA and albumin concentrations in German Shepherds, as well as serum HCY and MMA concentrations in Chinese Shar-Peis, emphasizing the unique metabolic interactions in those dog breeds affected by hypocobalaminemia.
Behavioral response to familiar and unfamiliar neighbors in a territorial cichlid, Neolamprologus pulcher

Some territorial species have been shown to react more aggressively toward unfamiliar conspecifics than established neighbors, a behavior referred to as the “dear enemy” phenomenon. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine whether males of a territorial African cichlid, Neolamprologus pulcher, can discriminate between size-matched familiar and unfamiliar male neighbors and whether they respond more aggressively toward unfamiliar males. It was found that males spent significantly more time near the territorial boundary that they shared with unfamiliar neighbors and directed significantly more aggressive behavior toward these individuals.
Structure and Electrochemistry of Copper Fluoride Nanocomposites Utilizing Mixed Conducting Matrices

Near-theoretical utilization of high-energy-density CuF2 positive electrode materials for lithium batteries was enabled through the use of nanocomposites consisting of 2−30 nm domains of CuF2 within a mixed ionic + electronic conducting matrix of a metal oxide. Small but significant crystallographic changes to the core crystal of the CuF2 were found to occur in all oxide-based matrices. These modifications to the core crystal and the surrounding matrix were investigated through a host of characterization methods, including XRD, XPS, and XAS. This new approach to the enablement of the anhydrous CuF2 is distinctly superior in performance to that of macro CuF2 or CuF2 nanocomposites utilizing carbon as a matrix, the latter of which is also introduced herein for the first time.
Electrostatic reduction of particulates for laser resistant hafnia coatings

The authors have reduced by 50% particulate defect density of hafnia coatings deposited onto silicon substrates through the use of electric fields, physical barriers and deposition rate. In an effort to reduce the number of hafnia (HfO{sub 2}) particulates deposited onto silicon wafers, parallel plate electrodes were placed on either side of the evaporant plume. The particulate level was determined as the deposition rate was varied from 0.75 {angstrom}/sec to 12 {angstrom}/sec. Then, parallel plate electrodes were placed on either side of the plume as a way of electrostatically deflecting hafnia particulates away from the substrates. Later a single plate electrode was used in conjunction with a physical barrier placed over the hearth. The results of the study indicate that minimal defects occur when a parallel plate electric field is applied in conjunction with a fast deposition rate. Using a screen as a physical barrier, and/or a single electrode had little or no effect. This data may be useful in the manufacture of multilayer optical coatings with high laser damage thresholds.
DNA−Protein Cross-Linking from Oxidation of Guanine via the Flash−Quench Technique

The production of guanine radicals in DNA via the flash−quench technique is shown to cause the formation of covalent adducts between DNA and histone protein. In the flash−quench experiment, the DNA-bound intercalator Ru(phen)2dppz2+ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dppz = dipyridophenazine) is excited with 442 nm light and quenched oxidatively by Co(NH3)5Cl2+, methyl viologen (MV2+), or Ru(NH3)63+ to produce Ru(phen)2dppz3+, a strong oxidant (+1.6 V) that can oxidize a nearby guanine base (+1.3 V). The guanine radical thus produced is vulnerable to nucleophilic attack and can react with amino acid side chains to form DNA−protein cross-links. Evidence for DNA−protein cross-linking was provided by the chloroform extraction assay, a filter binding assay, and gel electrophoretic analysis. After flash−quench treatment, pUC19 plasmid DNA undergoes a dramatic decrease in mobility that is reversed upon digestion with proteinase K, as seen by agarose gel electrophoresis. In polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE...
Impedance spectra for aluminum 7075 during the early stages of immersion in sodium chloride

Abstract The impedance spectra obtained at short exposure times for Al 7075-T6 immersed in 0.5 N NaCl do not agree with the pitting model proposed by Mansfeld and co-workers. Instead of a transmission line impedance, an inductive loop is observed at low frequencies. This result is due to the non-linearity of the system at short exposure times, when E corr is close to E pit . The application of the anodic portion of the ac signal causes this non-linear behavior. The observed impedance is therefore a system response and not a true impedance. For longer exposure times agreement with the pitting model is observed.
Engaging health care consumers to improve the quality of care.

Background.Researchers and policy makers have focused on informed choice as the primary role for consumers in improving care. Consumers may play two other roles in improving quality—by being active participants in their care (coproducer role) and by evaluating the care they receive (evaluator role).
A Fourier-descriptor-based character recognition engine implemented under the Gamera open-source document-processing framework

This paper discusses the implementation of an engine for performing optical character recognition of bi-tonal images using the Gamera framework, an existing open-source framework for building document analysis applications. The OCR engine uses features that are based on the Fourier descriptor to distinguish characters, and is designed to be able to handle character images that contain multiple boundaries. The algorithm works by assigning to each character image a signature that encodes the boundary types that are present in the image as well as the positional relationships that exist between them. Under this approach, only images having the same signature are comparable. Effectively, a meta-classifier is used which first computes the signature of an input image and then dispatches the image to an underlying neural network based classifier which is trained to distinguish between images having that signature. The performance of the OCR engine is evaluated on a set of sample images taken from the newspaper domain, and compares well with other OCR engines. The source code for this engine and all supporting modules is currently available upon request, and will eventually be made available through an open-source project on the sourceforge website.
New early zygotic regulators expressed in endomesoderm of sea urchin embryos discovered by differential array hybridization.

Genes that are upregulated by LiCl treatment of sea urchin embryos and/or downregulated by injection into the egg of mRNA encoding an internal fragment of cadherin (Cad) were detected in a differential macroarray screen. The method was that recently described by J. P. Rast et al. (2000, Dev. Biol. 228, 270–296). Almost 105 clones from a 12-h cDNA library were screened. Measurements on internal standards showed that the screening procedure was sufficiently sensitive to afford detection of differentially expressed mRNAs of the most rare class, those present in only a few copies per average cell. The injection of Cad mRNA, which specifically blocks nuclearization of β-catenin, resulted in many-fold decreases in the levels of transcripts of a suite of marker genes expressed zygotically during endomesoderm specification. These measurements substantiated the use of Cad mRNA as the basis for a differential screen for discovery of new endomesodermal genes. By use of the newly developed BioArray software for analysis of macroarray screens, 1106 clones representing differentially expressed genes and yielding useful sequence were recovered. The 367 clones that gave significant BLASTX matches to known cellular proteins fell into 264 nonredundant sequence classes. Those of particular interest for this work were clones encoding DNA-binding transcription factors, signal transduction pathway components, proteases, kinases, and phosphatases. Quantitative PCR analysis of 66 such selected clones revealed that the large majority of these clones had been selected because they are upregulated by LiCl treatment, which affects the expression of a much greater diversity and number of genes than are involved in endomesoderm specification. Seven transcript species were identified that responded sharply to injection of Cad mRNA, and that are not represented in maternal mRNA. Six of those encode transcription factors. We focused on three transcription factor genes of this set that were previously unknown in sea urchin embryos. By whole-mount in situ hybridization, these genes are expressed in specific domains of the endomesodermal territory. They are: (1) Speve, an evenskipped orthologue expressed very early in all vegetal blastomeres and then gradually shifting to veg1 derivatives by the mesenchyme blastula stage; (2) Spgcm, an orthologue of the fruit fly gene glial cells missing, which is first expressed specifically and exclusively in part of the prospective secondary mesenchyme (mesodermal) domain at late-cleavage blastula stage; and (3) Spfoxc, which is first expressed in the early blastula only in the four small micromeres, and later only expressed in that coelomic pouch which gives rise to the mesoderm of the ventral surface of the adult rudiment.
Ethnobotanical notes from Amazonian Brazil

During the course of a year of field work in Amazonian Brazil in 1971, I visited four different tribes of Indians in widely separated localities (Fig. 1). While among these tribes, we were able to gather much ethnobotanical information, some of which is presented here. Many of the plants discussed have already been reported in other sources cited, but some of the plant uses given here are recorded for the first time. The principal aim of this study, however, is to provide well documented evidence of these plant uses correlated with herbarium voucher material. The collections cited are deposited in the herbaria of the New York Botanical Garden (NY), the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia (INPA), and the Economic Herbarium of the Botanical Museum of Harvard University (ECON). Three of the four tribes visited now live on the fringes of western civilization and show a varying degree of acculturation. Therefore, it is extremely urgent to gather as much ethnobotanical information as possible before it is permanently lost. We made a special effort to collect data from the Indians on their uses of plants.
A retrospective look at the UMass DOME mobile testbed

In this paper we describe the evolution of DOME, a diverse outdoor testbed for mobile experimentation. In addition, while highlighting the challenges faced in construction of DOME, we describe a concrete set of scientific results derived from this experience in a retrospective study. First, we argue that a broad range of mobility experiments could be performed in a testbed which provides the properties of temporal, technological, and spatial diversity. We demonstrate these properties in our testbed through analysis of data collected from DOME over a period of four years. Second, we crystallize a set of design principles that others should use when constructing testbeds of their own, including those related to deploying and managing a diverse testbed, distributing experiments remotely, and fostering collaborations among testbed stakeholders. Finally, using traces collected by DOME, we provide insights into several important problems in mobile systems research.
A large-scale metapopulation model of interspecific competition and environmental change

Abstract A spatially explicit model is developed for metapopulations occupying habitat patches whose quality varies over space and time and where dispersal is localized. Computer simulations of the model showed that broad-niched, good-dispersing “generalist” species were better able to track environmental change than “specialist” species. The outcome of interspecific competition also varied with landscape type (degree of fragmentation) and rate of environmental change. Under a constant environment or slow environmental change, interspecific competition involved local (within-cell) processes that favored the specialist species over the generalist. Under moderate to high rates of environmental change local population dynamics increasingly favored high immigration rates of the generalist over the local competitive ability of the specialist. With rapid environmental change and a highly fragmented patch landscape the generalist was able to limit the ability of the specialist to persist and/or track the shifting environment. Our results suggest that under environmental change communities will increasingly become dominated by generalist species. Our approach extends metapopulation models to treat patterns of continental species diversity, and other environmental change models to include a population inhabiting a landscape of interconnected patches rather than a single habitat patch.
Hydration sites in purine·purine·pyrimidine and pyrimidine·purine·pyrimidine DNA triplexes in aqueous solution

Abstract Background DNA triplexes are higher-order nucleic acid structures with potential roles in gene regulation and hence biochemical and therapeutic applications. The stabilizing influence exerted by water molecules on the conformation of the DNA duplex is well known. However, the role of water molecules in the DNA triple helix has not been investigated. We have previously determined the solution structures of the purine·purine·pyrimidine (R·RY) and pyrimidine·purine·pyrimidine (Y·RY) structural motifs in DNA triplexes and identified both the global helical parameters, as well as local helical distortions associated with non-standard base triple pairing alignments. Results Here we have used homonuclear two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy to define the hydration sites in R·RY and Y·RY DNA triplexes in aqueous solution. Long-lived hydration sites with residence times exceeding 1 nanosecond have been identified in the new groove formed by the Hoogsteen paired strands in both triplexes. Distinctive patterns of hydration are displayed by each triplex in the remaining two grooves. Conclusions The role played by water molecules in DNA triplexes appears to be similar to that played in duplexes. By binding to specific sites, particularly in the narrow groove formed by the Hoogsteen paired strands whose phosphate groups are in close proximity, water molecules may stabilize the triplex by shielding it against unfavorable electrostatic interactions.
Quality assurance and quality control in monitoring programs.

There are three general characteristics of the data to be collected in a monitoring program that should be met in order to maximize the use and value of the data: the data quality should be known, the data type and quality should be consistent and comparable, and the data should be available and accessible. Potential problems with each of these characteristics are addressed effectively by quality assurance and quality control. One of the most important aspects of quality assurance in a monitoring program is the development of a quality assurance plan, which should identify clearly the quality of the data needed and describe in detail the planned actions to provide confidence that the program will meet its stated objectives.
RACHEL'S ART OF POETRY: BETWEEN MODESTY AND COMPLEXITY

The major purpose of this paper is to cast a new light upon the poetry of Rachel (1890-1931), probably the most prominent female poet in modern Hebrew literature. Few poets have received the critical praise Rachel has.' Furthermore, the critical praises are always formulated in superlative language, lofty metaphors and emotional expressions.2 Accordingly, critics have depicted her poetry as pure, transparent, lucid, fair, tender, gentle, refined, humble, meek, restrained, hermit-like, sincere, musical, lyrical, hovering, intimate, touching, and so on.3 Although critics constantly avoided a thorough probe of the structural aspects in Rachel's poetry, they all seemed to agree that it is of a simple structure, one that denies complexity and displays an "innocent", almost an elementary, composition.4 The only critical exception is a book by Reuven Kritz (1969) in which a new critical attitude is adopted, primarily toward the structural patterns in Rachel's poetry. This book maps and classifies its prevailing structural features, and correspondingly, elucidates some of the complexity of her compositional poetics. However, as this book is of a panoramic nature, it does not do a thorough structural probe of Rachel's poetry. Thus, despite the book's considerable contribution to a better understanding of the work under study, and notably its structural qualities, a thorough study of Rachel's art of poetry, and notably its structural patterns, is more than urgent. The following study shows that Rachel's poetry may possess such a degree of intricacy that it is beyond the capacity of one paper to thoroughly probe more than one poem. Hence, the current study concentrates on one poem by Rachel which seems to demonstrate Rachel's challenging structural poetics. The poem in focus is To The Mountains (El heharim).5 The prevailing poetics of this poem are built on an intriguing structural pattern that may be titled an oxymoronic structure. Oxymoronic structure is a complicated pattern in which two literary layers are engaged. These layers demonstrate an oxymoronic interaction as they simultaneously display contradictory inclinations and conflicting meanings.6 The first layer may be titled a surface layer, or an epidermic layer. This layer of the poem is blatantly contradicted by the poem's second layer. The second layer may be titled an inner layer, or a deeper layer, as
Machined Surface Error Analysis for Laser Micromachining of Biocompatible Polymers for Medical Devices Manufacturing

AbstractIn this paper, we present the detailed techniques of machined surface errors analysis for laser micromachining of biocompatible polymers. Laser micromachining, with its noncontact characteristics and extensive material selection, is a good fit for microscale biomedical devices manufacturing. Machined surface error of laser micromachining is different from that in conventional machining processes and has not been fully addressed yet. In this paper, we present the formulation and modeling techniques to analyze the sources of machined surface errors and to consider the overlapping effects for laser micromachining. An analytical model is proposed to calculate and predict the machined surface errors considering the overlapping effects in laser micromachining. Experimental results based on laboratory experiments are presented for validation of the proposed analytical modeling techniques. The presented techniques can be used in integrating CAD/CAM systems with laser micromachining of biocompatible polyme...