cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring: Profiles in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients and Utility in Management

Optimal control of blood pressure (BP) may reduce the risk of progression of CKD. Misclassification of hypertension (HTN) and status of control may result in suboptimal management. Clinic or home BP may overestimate or underestimate status of control compared with ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM), which is considered the gold standard. The latter relates not only to the superiority of ABPM concerning outcome prognosis but also to its ability to accurately diagnose white coat and masked HTN, which is critical in assuring adequate BP control. However, ABPM has not gained widespread use in practice because of limited third-party reimbursement and a paucity of high quality randomized controlled intervention studies evaluating its use. Herein, we review HTN phenotypes that have been identified in patients with CKD, and the potential value of ABPM in this high-risk population.
How Strategic Management Shed Business Policy’s Sense of Social Responsibility in the 1980s

A staple of the business curriculum for nearly forty years, Michael Porter’s five forces framework answered the needs of, and quickly epitomized, a fledgling discipline, Strategic Management, with ...
The Economics of Adopting Solar Energy Systems for Crop Irrigation: Comment

The author challenges the framework Katzman and Matlin presented earlier (Am. J. Agr. Econ., 60; 648-654(1978)) for determining the viability of photovoltaic investments on the grounds that no distinction was drawn between social and private benefits. Katzman and Matlin respond that their purpose was a flexible methodology for evaluating viable solar technologies in on-site irrigation and is not intended to handle the complicated social and private benefits of conventional irrigation systems. 6 references.
Designing in-house cathodic protection system to assess the long-term integrity of natural gas pipelines

Abstract The sustainability of energy supplies depends highly on the integrity of natural gas pipelines that often compromised by corrosion deleterious effects. The integrity commitment to safety is intuitively achieved by establishing robust protection systems, such as coating and cathodic protection (CP). The objective of this study is to predict failure indicators by identifying parameters that may adversely impact the pipeline protection. In this study, an in-house CP system and pipes network were designed to track the corrosion evolution. Pipe-to soil potential (P/S) measurement was proposed in this research as a monitoring strategy for judging whether a pipe is adequately protected. One of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) International acceptance criteria recommending −0.850 V as a minimum instant-off potential for a pipeline to be considered protected was chosen as a baseline. The parameters evaluated in this study were the effect of the coating and the number of anodes of the ground bed. P/S of coated and bare pipes that have been installed since 1995 were measured at different conditions. Surprisingly, the comparative analysis conducted to assess the protection level of coated and uncoated pipes revealed that P/S potentials for both pipes were close and above −0.850 V. This indicates that the pipes were cathodically protected. The similarities in potential readings could be referred to the rust layer that accumulated on the bare pipes’ surfaces and acts as a passive barrier similar to coating. Another interesting observation is that the P/S potentials increase gradually as the numbers of the anodes decreases. The results showed that decreasing the anodes numbers by 25–50% has little to no impact on the P/S potentials change, as the reading in the range of −1.473 to −1.666 V. However the P/S potentials reading abrupt to the range of −2.217 to −2.695 V when the number of anodes reduced by 75%. Although the increase in the P/S potentials appears to be beneficial, in fact, this increase can be considered as a negative indicator since the elevated potential implies that the anode discharges a high electrons influx which in turn shortens its lifetime.
Using Critical Slowing Down Features to Enhance Performance of Artificial Neural Networks for Time-Domain Power System Data

This paper explores deep learning approaches to event classification on real world time-domain power system data. We use a statistical method to measure a physical phenomenon known as critical slowing down (CSD) and use this as a feature engineering preprocessing framework to localize events from large intervals of data. Several previous works have discussed power system event detection, including statistical methods like correlation, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) reconstruction, and local outlier factor search. This work aims to improve upon the statistical methods that have been linked to high-sample rate time-domain event detection and then will be evaluated using artificial neural networks. To evaluate how well CSD localizes events from non-events in high sample rate time-series data, we used a Z-score function to predict the time of an event and extract a six second interval centered around the prediction. The performance of CSD-applied data against the raw data was then compared using two ANN architectures: the Fully Convolutional Network (FCN) and the Residual Neural Network (ResNet). The results of both architectures demonstrate that applying CSD to the data significantly improves event localization for larger data intervals, thus signifying an improvement in event detectability.
Assessment of Out-of-Pocket Costs With Rebate Pass-through for Brand-name Cancer Drugs Under Medicare Part D.

This cross-sectional study examines patients’ out-of-pocket costs with and without rebate pass-through to point-of-sale prices for cancer drugs under Medicare Part D.
New Photographic Method for Estimating Numbers of Sealed Brood Cells

SummaryThe simple method described can be used for worker or drone brood. Projections of same-size positive photographic transparencies, and estimations for a succession of small areas on them, were shown to give very accurate estimations of cell numbers.
Slavery, Southern Culture, and Education in Little Dixie, Missouri, 1820-1860

This dissertation examines the cultural and educational history of central Missouri between 1820 and 1860, and in particular, the issue of master-slave relationships and how they affected education (broadly defined as the transmission of Southern culture). Although Missouri had one of the lowest slave populations during the Antebellum period, Central Missouri - or what became known as Little Dixie - had slave percentages that rivaled many regions and counties of the Deep South. However, slaves and slave owners interacted on a regular basis, which affected cultural transmission in the areas of religion, work, and community. Generally, slave owners in Little Dixie showed a pattern of paternalism in all these areas, but the slaves did not always accept their masters' paternalism, and attempted to forge a life of their own.
Commentary to Chapter 8

Sandra Harding’s essay presents an illuminating critique of liberalism and Marxism, and a persuasive call for social reorganization. Perhaps its major contribution is its stress on the social context in which the assumptions of any belief system necessarily originate. Many of us tend to construe in an abstract, ahistorical way the vantage points from which abortion is analyzed and to impute to them as “philosophical positions” a logical integrity and autonomy that prescind from the social interests of their progenitors. In fact, we often use the tags liberal and Marxist without very full-blown or even adequate definitions of what or whom we mean. Harding has clarified the background of the abortion discussion, to the advantage of all its participants.
Discussion of the localization of indolealkylamines in CNS.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the localization and some of the activities of catecholamines and 5-HT in the central nervous system and peripheral autonomic structures. The fluorescent histochemistry technique for localization of 5-HT is somewhat less sensitive than for catecholamines (CA). Reserpine-nialamide treatment of animals, often demonstrate 5-HT fluorescent structures in preference to those containing catecholamines. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors cause an accumulation of octopamine. On histologic grounds, the effects of pCPA on 5-HT neurons cannot be compared to those of reserpine. Reserpine produces striking depletion of fluorescence in 5-HT neurons while pCPA depletion is not complete.
Two-Step Orchiopexy with Pelviscopic Clip Ligation of the Spermatic Vessels

AbstractTen boys with nonpalpable testes located in the peritoneal cavity underwent celiopelviscopy and clip ligation of the spermatic vessels with the intent of augmenting vasal collateral blood flow. After intervals in excess of 6 months, 7 patients underwent vas-based orchiopexy following division of the occluded spermatic vessels. Six boys had good results as judged by size of the relocated testes. In 1 boy the testis atrophied. He had undergone previous inguinal-only exploration before referral to us for celiopelviscopy and at stage 2 orchiopexy a silk suture was found on the vas deferens.
Intravenous lidocaine for neuropathic pain: a retrospective analysis of tolerability and efficacy.

Objectives This study was designed to describe the efficacy and toxicity of intravenous (i.v.) lidocaine infusions for the treatment of neuropathic pain initially administered at a flat-rate trial dose of 500 mg over 30 minutes. Setting Academic, tertiary care hospital and infusion center. Methods Data were retrospectively collected and analyzed for efficacy, correlations between infusion rates with adverse effects, patterns of infusion rate adjustments, and infusion frequencies. Results The average rate for all infusions was 9.1 mg/min. Efficacy was seen in 45 patients (65%), and all but eight patients (12%) required infusion rate reductions from the initial test rate of 16.7 mg/min due to adverse effects. Fifty-five patients experienced adverse effects, with light-headedness as the most frequently reported side effect. Conclusion The flat-dose trial used under the University of Wisconsin Health protocol for i.v. lidocaine administration did not cause serious adverse events, but few patients who responded to this trial dose tolerated subsequent infusions at the trial rate. Due to the lack of serious adverse events, administering an aggressive trial dose to elicit an analgesic response appears to be rational. If patients show a benefit from the trial dose, the need for reductions in infusion rate of subsequent doses should be anticipated.
Structural requirements for prostaglandin analog interaction with the ovine corpus luteum prostaglandin F2α receptor: Implications for development of a photoaffinity probe

Abstract The capacity of structurally modified analogs of prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ) to inhibit binding of [ 3 H]PGF 2α to receptors on ovine luteal cells was evaluated by radioreceptorassay using dispersed, viable, ovine luteal cells. Binding assays were conducted at pH 5.75, since binding to both high ( K d 17.4 ± 2.3 nM) and low ( K d 409 ± 166 nM) affinity sites was enhanced markedly at reduced pH. The capability to compete with [ 3 H]PGF 2α for binding was evaluated for different prostaglandin analogs having modifications in the C-8 “upper” side-chain, in the cyclopentane ring, or in the C-12 “lower” side-chain. Prostaglandin J 2 was a surprisingly potent competitor for binding to the PGF 2α receptor. Several phenyl-substituted analogs exhibited receptor-binding potency greater than or equal to native PGF 2α , while most other analogs had reduced capacity to compete with native PGF 2α for binding. Several 17-azidophenol PGF 2α analogs were synthesized and tested, but analogs having hydroxyl groups on the aryl ring had low affinity for receptors. However, 17-(4-azidophenyl)-18,19,20-trinor-PGF 2α as well as 17-(3-iodo-4-azidophenyl)-18,19,20-trinor-PGF 2α exhibited binding affinities that were approximately 10% of native PCF 2α , and the radioiodinated analogs of PGF 2α may be useful as probes of the PGF 2α receptor.
A Generalized Birthday Problem

We study a k-dimensional generalization of the birthday problem: given k lists of n-bit values, find some way to choose one element from each list so that the resulting k values XOR to zero. For k = 2, this is just the extremely well-known birthday problem, which has a square-root time algorithm with many applications in cryptography. In this paper, we show new algorithms for the case k > 2: we show a cube-root time algorithm for the case of k = 4 lists, and we give an algorithm with subexponential running time when k is unrestricted.We also give several applications to cryptanalysis, describing new subexponential algorithms for constructing one-more forgeries for certain blind signature schemes, for breaking certain incremental hash functions, and for finding low-weight parity check equations for fast correlation attacks on stream ciphers. In these applications, our algorithm runs in O(22?n) time for an n-bit modulus, demonstrating that moduli may need to be at least 1600 bits long for security against these new attacks. As an example, we describe the first-known attack with subexponential complexity on Schnorr and Okamoto-Schnorr blind signatures over elliptic curve groups.
Electronics of single-wall carbon nanotubes

Device miniaturization has been a focus since the invention of the integrated circuit, with current industrial plans for MOSFETs with 70 nm channels. Anticipating yet smaller critical dimensions, physicists and chemists are exploring nanometer-scale devices based on semiconductors and single molecules. The small size of molecular electronic circuitry has profound device implications. Ballistic electron transport over nanometer distances allows THz switching speeds, and novel device architectures based on quantum effects and electron charging are conceivable. Only recently, a room temperature single-molecule device was demonstrated, a transistor made from a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT). This is the first of a new class of molecular circuits with potential for significant impact. Here, focus is on progress in SWNT molecular transistors and quantum effect single-electron transistors (SETs).
Hard Cases Under the Convention on the International Sale of Goods: A Proposed Taxonomy of Interpretive Challenges

CISG was formally uniform at the time of its adoption. It used the same words in all of the jurisdictions adopting it. But uniform words are not enough to guarantee uniform application. For many commentators, in fact, the most significant impediment to the continued existence or efficacy of the CISG is the lack of uniform interpretive outcomes in hard CISG cases – cases where a CISG provision is vague either on its face or in its application. Without greater uniformity of interpretive outcomes, these commentators suggest, the CISG will, over time, fail to supply standard solutions to similar contracting problems and thus fail to supply the predictability that parties need. In this Article, Professor Allen Blair argues that these commentators start with an exaggerated expectation about the kind and degree of uniformity called for by the CISG and demanded by parties. Contrary to the standard conception of CISG interpretation, uniformity of interpretive outcomes is an improper goal with respect to CISG provisions cast as open-textured standards, and any effort to harden these standards into rigid rules could, in fact, undermine the efficiency goals of contracting parties.
Development and pilot-testing of a work readiness assessment battery

OBJECTIVE To develop a work readiness assessment battery that can be used in the course of work rehabilitation and to pilot test the battery to determine its ability to measure the effectiveness of work rehabilitation treatment. PARTICIPANTS All participants were recruited from the patient population at the Occupational Performance Center (OPC) at The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis (TRISL) (n = 7). METHODS A work readiness assessment battery was constructed using the Readiness to Return to Work theory and then pilot-tested using a repeated-measures design. RESULTS Participants showed significant improvement on all measures including in the battery with the exception of the depression measure. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that it is feasible to construct a work readiness battery of assessments using the Readiness to Return to Work theory and that the measures included capture the effect of work rehabilitation on the constructs identified in the literature to effect work performance. Further investigation is necessary to validate this form of assessment for use in a work rehabilitation setting.
Sickle cell adhesion to laminin : Potential role for the α5 chain

Sickle red blood cell (RBC) adhesion to the endothelium and to exposed, underlying subendothelial proteins is believed to contribute to vascular occlusion in sickle cell disease. Laminin, a major component of the subendothelium, supports significant adhesion of sickle, but not normal RBCs. The purpose of this study was to define the adhesive region for sickle RBCs within a human laminin preparation using a flow adhesion assay designed to mimic physiologic flow through postcapillary venules. Because sickle RBCs did not adhere to the common laminin contaminants entactin or collagen type IV, neither of these proteins are likely to contribute to the observed adhesion to laminin. Known adhesive regions of laminin neither supported nor inhibited sickle RBC adhesion to laminin, suggesting a mechanism of adhesion previously uncharacterized in other laminin adhesion studies. Moreover, sickle RBCs did not adhere to mouse EHS laminin or to human laminin-2 (merosin), eliminating the alpha1, alpha2, beta1, and gamma1 chains as mediators of sickle cell adhesion. The monoclonal antibody 4C7, which binds at or near the G-domain of the laminin alpha5 chain, significantly inhibited sickle RBC adhesion. These results suggest that an adhesive region for sickle RBCs is contained within the laminin alpha5 chain.
Guidelines for high penetration of single-phase PV on power distribution systems

A study was performed to determine the impact of single-phase photovoltaic (PV) generation on distribution laterals at high penetration levels. The study addresses concerns about the impact on load balance, fault current balance, power quality and islanding conditions. Methods and tools used for this study, which are appropriate for general analysis of PV on single-phase laterals, are discussed. Guidelines for the acceptance of single-phase PV connections without detailed study also are presented.
Sparse depth super resolution

We describe a method to produce detailed high resolution depth maps from aggressively subsampled depth measurements. Our method fully uses the relationship between image segmentation boundaries and depth boundaries It uses an image combined with a low resolution depth map. 1) The image is segmented with the guidance of sparse depth samples 2) Each segment has its depth field reconstructed independently using a novel smoothing method. 3) For videos, time-stamped samples from near frames are incorporated. The paper shows reconstruction results of super resolution from x4 to x100, while previous methods mainly work on x2 to xl6. The method is tested on four different datasets and six video sequences, covering quite different regimes, and it outperforms recent state of the art methods quantitatively and qualitatively We also demonstrate that depth maps produced by our method can be used by applications such as hand trackers, while depth maps from other methods have problems.
Advising on diet and lifestyle: naturopathy’s role?

I read with interest the research article in CMAJ by Seely and colleagues[1][1] regarding the reduction of calculated coronary heart disease risk. The goal of their investigation was to test the hypothesis that naturopathic care is superior to usual care. Although the authors have shown that a
Governing When Chaos Rules: Enhancing Governance and Participation

Whether a coherent, legitimate government exists—or the extent to which one can be created—is critical for postconflict reconstruction. To be successful, outside assistance for governance and participation activities must be improved in these five areas.
The Effect of Pressing Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of Plastic Bonded Explosives

Quasi-static, uniaxial mechanical properties were measured for a series of PBX 9501 parts that were compacted using a permutation of various pressing parameters. Results were analyzed in terms of specimen density as well as pressing parameters. These data led to a second set of tests where PBX 9501 parts were compacted using various dwell times and temperatures, all other pressing parameters being held constant. Quasi-static tensile data for these parts indicated that for the given range of parameters and specimen densities, the compaction temperature has a larger effect on the mechanical properties than does the dwell time. Moreover, for the range of parameters used, higher compaction temperatures and lower dwell times gave the compacted part more strength and toughness. Desired mechanical characteristics may be achieved by the appropriate selection of pressing conditions.
Site-Resolved Measurements of Protein Hydration Dynamics

The interactions of biological macromolecules with water are fundamental to their structure, dynamics and function. Protein hydration has historically been quite difficult to measure experimentally. Confinement of a solvated protein within the protective nanoscale interior of a reverse micelle permits comprehensive measurement of protein-water interactions through the nuclear Overhauser effect. This method was first developed using the 8.5 kDa globular protein ubiquitin. We have now applied this approach to the 14.4 kDa hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) and the 16.1 kDa Staphylococcal nuclease (SNase). The hydration dynamics of the free and inhibitor liganded states of HEWL were studied. In the free state, fast waters were observed within the peptidoglycan-binding region and within a buried hydrophillic cavity. Two differences were observed in the inhibitor-bound state: slow waters were now observed between the inhibitor and the protein and faster water dynamics were observed at some remote areas of the protein. For SNase we find that the surface hydration dynamics are heterogeneous, and have little correlation with surface chemistry such as residue type, hydrophobicity, or charge. Furthermore, we also find that there is a correlation between surfaces with slow water and whether that surface participates in a binding interface. These general observations are consistent with initial studies that measured hydration dynamics of ubiquitin in bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) reverse micelles. Supported by NSF grant MCB 0842814, NIH predoctoral training grants GM071339 (BSM) and GM008275 (CJ), and NIH postdoctoral fellowship GM087099 to NVN.
Interleukin-10 overexpression in macrophages suppresses atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic mice

In atherogenesis, macrophage foam cell formation is modulated by pathways involving both the uptake and efflux of cholesterol. We recently showed that interleukin-10 (IL-10) modulates lipid metabolism by enhancing both uptake and efflux of cholesterol in macrophages. However, the mechanistic details of these properties in vivo have been unclear. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether expression of IL-10 in macrophages would alter susceptibility to atherosclerosis and whether IL-10 exerts its antiatherosclerotic properties by modulating lipid metabolism in macrophages. We utilized a macrophage-specific retroviral vector that allows long-term in vivo expression of IL-10 in macrophages through transplantation of retrovirally transduced bone marrow cells (BMCs). IL-10 expressed by macrophages derived from transduced BMCs inhibited atherosclerosis in LDLR−/− mice by reducing cholesteryl ester accumulation in atherosclerotic sites. Experiments with primary macrophages indicated that macrophage source of IL-10 stimulated both the uptake (by up-regulating scavenger receptors) and efflux of cholesterol (by activating the PPARγ-LXR-ABCA1/ABCG1 pathway), thereby reducing inflammation and apoptosis in atherosclerosis. These findings indicate that BMC-transduced macrophage IL-10 production can act as a strong antiatherogenic agent, and they highlight a novel antiatherosclerotic therapy using a simple, yet effective, stem cell transduction system that facilitates long-term expression of IL-10 in macrophages.—Han, X., Kitamoto, S., Wang, H., Boisvert, W. A. Interleukin-10 overexpression in macrophages suppresses atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic mice.
Folic acid and chromosome breakage. I: Implications for genotoxicity studies

Chromosome breakage is significantly lower in culture medium containing folic acid than in medium that does not. This effect is similar to that observed in studies of chromosome fragile sites and suggests that fragile sites and some types of chromosome breakage may share a common mechanism. It also suggests that high non-physiological levels of folic acid in many commonly used culture media may artifactually decrease chromosome breakage.
Solid-state physics: drawing quantum circuitry.

An atomic-force microscope, operating at low temperatures, can be used to create and tailor quantum electronic devices, and could provide a means of building the intricate circuits needed for quantum computing.
High speed coating of optical fibers with UV curable materials at a rate of greater than 5 m/sec

A newly designed 7.3-m high tower is reported that is equipped with a 10-kW curing system capable of coating a fiber with 50-,μm thickness of UV curable resin at a speed in excess of 5 m/sec. Performance of fibers coated at two different speeds (Vf = 1.5 and 5 m/sec) were evaluated. It was found that there were no noticeable differences in the measured values of mechanical and optical properties such as strength, coating thickness, transmission loss, bandwidth.
Rearrangement of azidoquinones IV. Ring expansion of 4-azido-1, 2-naphthoquinone

Tetrahedron Letters No,L6, pg. 1243-1246, 1969. REARRANGEMENT Pergamon Pressu OF AZIDOQUINONES IV. RING EXPANSION OF 4-AZIDO-1, Harold W. Moore, Printed in Great Britain. P-NAPHTHOQUINONE H. Raymond Shelden and Walter Weyler Jr. Department of Chemistry University of California Irvine, California 9 2664 (Received in USA 15 Januarjr 1964; received in ‘JK for publication 3 March 1969) In a previous communication’ it was shown that azido-1,4-benzo- quinones (1) undergo a highly stereoselective A a’,B -butenolides cvanoarvlidene- ring contraction (3) in concentrated sulfuric and 1,4-naphtho- to Y-cyanoalkylidene- or Y- acid (Scheme I). Scheme I Reported azidoquinone, here2 is the first example 4-azido-l, a-naphthoquinone hydroxy-benzoazepine-2,5-dione synthesis transformation hydroxy-1,4-quinones 4-Azido- which results a member to the illusive is also significant This reaction of an hydroxyazepinedione, ful synthetic precursors of an acid-catalyzed provides to the observed (4) shows the following (4) was prepared 1665 cm-‘(C=O); with concentrated nmr(CDC13):6, sulfuric characteristic s(1) which may be use- spectral acid at ambient temperature acid. in 52% yield by the reaction = CH, 7.50-8.30, high yield (82 s) The mechanism of this of alkyl- and reactions sulfuric azide with an aqueous solution of 1,2-naphthoquinone-4-sulfonic azidoquinone a convenient, ring system. with sodium azide in concentrated 1, 2-naphthoquinone of an ortho- in ring expansion to 2,5-H-4- of a class of compounds azatropolone in regards rearrangement acid, sodium salt. properties; m(4)ArH. ir (nujol): of sodium The 2120(N3), Reactionof(4) until nitrogen evolution ceased gave
EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT DOSAGES OF ANTICONVULSANT DRUGS ON MENTAL PERFORMANCE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC EPILEPSY

Fifteen epileptic patients had their dose of anticonvulsant drugs changed twice, each time by 30-50 per cent of the initial medication. Before the dose change, the patients were given six especially adapted mental performance tests, which were designed to measure vigilance, reaction time and certain aspects of memory. Serum drug levels were also monitored. The main results include assessment of effects of drugs on mental performance and evaluation of the psychological tests used. (1) Vigilance and reaction time test were the most useful in evaluation of effects of various doses of the medication; the memory tasks showed similar, but less definite, trends; and rote calculation and block design were of no particular value in this study. (2) On the tests for vigilance and reaction time, the greatest number of patients performed best on the lowest dose of their medication, the respective percentages being 45.8 and 56. By comparison, fewest patients performed best on their highest dose, the percentages being 16.7 for vigilance and 12.5 for reaction time; while the percentages on medium dose were 37.5 and 31.2 on the respective tests. (3) Use of well-standardized, yet simplified, mental performance tests in combination with changes in the dosage of medication can help in reaching a compromise between acceptable seizure control and avoidance of excessive slowing of mental activity.
Biological conversion of synthesis gas into fuels

Liquid and gaseous fuels may be produced from coal biologically by the indirect conversion of coal synthesis gas. Methane has been produced from synthesis gas using acetate and CO2/H2 as intermediates, utilising a number of CO-utilising and methanogenic bacteria. Also, a bacteria has been isolated from natural inocula that is capable of producing ethanol from synthesis gas through indirect liquefaction. This presentation summarises the research to optimise the performance of these cultures. These conversions, involving H2 and CO which are only slightly soluble, are severely mass transfer limited, and methods to enhance mass transport are examined. Experimental results and models for several reactor designs, including CSTR and packed columns, are presented and discussed.
Remineralization of phytoplankton-derived organic matter by natural populations of heterotrophic bacteria

Abstract The relative lability, elemental stoichiometry, and remineralization rates of various particulate organic matter (POM) substrates by natural heterotrophic marine microorganisms were investigated. POM was harvested from laboratory cultures of a marine diazotroph (Trichodesmium IMS101), a cosmopolitan diatom (Thalassiosira weissflogii), a common marine cyanobacteria (Prochlorococcus MED4), and from surface waters off the Oregon coast. These POM resources were used as inoculants in a field experiment conducted at the Hawaii Ocean Time-series Station ALOHA in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. POM from these various sources was added to seawater collected from below the surface mixed layer, incubated in the dark, and remineralization rates were quantified via high-frequency measurement of soluble phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) concentrations over a 6-d period. Rapid solubilization and near complete remineralization of particulate P (PP) occurred in all treatments where cultured POM was used, with lesser relative mobilization of P from a ‘natural’ POM sample isolated from surface seawater off the Oregon coast. Soluble P pools, likely consisting of surface-adsorbed inorganic P and inorganic P liberated from cells during harvesting of biomass accounted for 28% of natural PP pools and 80 ± 32% of cultured PP. 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) confirmed that PP was predominately present as orthophosphate in all POM types. By the end of the incubation period, all added P from cultured material had been converted to dissolved inorganic P. This finding may be a caveat of our utilization of laboratory cultures and natural POM which has been exposed to high inorganic P concentrations (0.8–5.0 μmol L− 1), albeit it is consistent with previous reports of significant contributions of surface-adsorbed P to total particulate P. In contrast, over the course of these experiments, only 37–40% of added N had been remineralized to ammonium (NH4+). In general, N remineralization rates of cultured material increased with the amount of N added (per gram of dry material). The net yield of bacterial cells was also positively correlated to the initial amount of C and N added. Most notably, when corrected for non-biological turnover (i.e. removal of soluble pools), the N:P remineralization ratio of cultured material (8.5 ± 1.3) was independent of the N:P of added organic material (5–23).
Coupling of the Weibull stress model and macroscale models to predict cleavage fracture

Abstract This study couples the ASTM E1921 procedure to characterize the ductile-to-brittle toughness of ferritic steels in terms of KJc (or Jc) values with the Weibull stress model, i.e., the “local approach” for fracture at the microscale. The E1921 procedures assume that uniform, small-scale yielding (SSY) conditions exist at fracture along the full crack-front, which supports the use of a simple thickness scaling relationship to adjust experimental toughness values to an equivalent 1T size. For smaller specimens tested at temperatures in the mid-to-upper transition, plasticity induced constraint loss (crack-front triaxiality) frequently invalidates the simple scaling relationship. The non-dimensional functions, g(M=bσ0/J), derived from application of the Weibull stress approach for a specific specimen and material, describes the evolution of constraint loss effects on the fracture toughness relative to a plane-strain, SSY reference condition. The g-functions vary with parameters of the Weibull stress model, material flow properties, and specimen geometry, but not with the absolute specimen size. By combining the g-functions and a Weibull stress-based expression for the cumulative probability, a new procedure is proposed that adjusts (scales) measured toughness values simultaneously for both thickness and constraint loss directly within the existing E1921 framework. Monte Carlo simulations are used with the new approach to estimate the effects of constraint loss on the E1921 reference temperature, T0, for a range of specimen types, sizes and material properties.The paper concludes with an application of the new g-function approach in the E1921 framework for fracture tests performed on an A36 structural steel to correct the data sets for constraint loss and to estimate constraint loss effects on the T0 value.
Hyperspectral image analysis for water stress detection of apple trees

Plant stress significantly reduces plant productivity. Automated on-the-go mapping of plant stress would allow for a timely intervention and mitigation of the problem before critical thresholds were exceeded, thereby maximizing productivity. The spectral signature of plant leaves was analyzed by a hyperspectral camera to identify the onset and intensity of plant water stress. Five different levels of water treatment were created in young apple trees (cv. ‘Buckeye Gala’) in a greenhouse. The trees were periodically monitored with a hyperspectral camera along with an active-illuminated spectral vegetation sensor and a digital color camera. Individual spectral images over a 385–1000 nm wavelength range were extracted at a specific wavelength to estimate reflectance and generate spectral profiles for the five different water treatment levels. Various spectral indices were calculated and correlated to stress levels. The highest correlation was found with Red Edge NDVI at 705 and 750 nm in narrowband indices and NDVI at 680 and 800 nm in broadband indices. The experimental results indicated that intelligent optical sensors could deliver decision support for plant stress detection and management.
LXXV.—Descriptions and records of bees.—CXLIV

(1933). LXXV.—Descriptions and records of bees.—CXLIV. Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Vol. 11, No. 66, pp. 678-686.
Answer-pairs and processing of continuous nearest-neighbor queries

We consider the problem of evaluating the continuous query of finding the k nearest objects with respect to a given moving point-object Oq among a set of n moving point-objects. The query returns a sequence of answer-pairs, namely pairs of the form (I, S) such that I is a time interval and S is the set of objects that are closest to Oq during I. Existing work on this problem lacks complexity analysis due to limited understanding of the maximum number of answer-pairs. In this paper we analyze the lower bound and the upper bound on the maximum number of answer-pairs. Then we consider two different types of algorithms. The first is off-line algorithms that compute a priori all the answer-pairs. The second type is on-line algorithms that at any time return the current answer-pair. We present the algorithms and analyze their complexity using the maximum number of answer-pairs.
An analysis of Fedora security profile

This paper examines security faults/vulnerabilities reported for Fedora. Results indicate that, at least in some situations, fault roughly constant may be used to guide estimation of residual vulnerabilities in an already released product, as well as possibly guide testing of the next version of the product.
Multiple Bids as a Consequence of Target Management Resistance: A Count Data Approach

In this article, we focus on the question of target management resistance and the incidence of subsequent bids. A Poisson count data model is used where the dependent variable represents the number of bids (count) received and the independent variables comprise target management actions and firm specific characteristics. Of the target management actions considered, legal defense and the entry of a white knight are associated with additional bids. With respect to firm specific characteristics, we find that a high initial bid premium deters subsequent bids. Firm size is also significant and has an interesting relationship with the number of bids received. Larger target firms tend to receive more bids; however, the number of bids tails off for firms with assets exceedng $12 billion.
Carbon fluxes in Karst aquifers: Sources, sinks, and the effect of storm flow

An effective carbon loading can be calculated from measured alkalinity and pH of karst waters. The carbon loading is independent of the degree of saturation of the water and does not depend on the water being in equilibrium with the carbonate wall rock. A substantial data base of spring water analyses accumulated by students over the past 40 years has been used to probe the CO2 generation, transport, and storage in a variety of drainage basins that feed karst springs. Carbon loading in the water exiting karst drainage basins depends on the rate of CO2 generation in the soils of the catchment areas and on the partitioning between CO2 dissolved in infiltration water and CO2 lost by diffusion upward to the atmosphere. For any given drainage basin there are also influences due to vegetative cover, soil type, and the fraction of the water provided by sinking stream recharge. Losses of CO2 back to the atmosphere occur by speleothem deposition in air-filled caves, by degassing of CO2 in spring runs, and by tufa deposition in spring runs. There are seasonal cycles of CO2 generation that relate growing season and contrasts in winter/summer rates of CO2 generation. Overall, it appears that karst aquifers are a net, but leaky, sink for atmospheric CO2. Keywords: CO2, karst aquifers, springs, carbon loading. DOI: 10.3986/ac.v42i2-3.659
Interaction Between Enfuvirtide, an Injectable Fusion Inhibitor, and Niacin in an HIV-Infected Patient

OBJECTIVE: To report a potential drug-drug interaction between enfuvirtide, an injectable HIV fusion inhibitor, and niacin in an HIV-infected man with dilated cardiomyopathy. CASE SUMMARY: A 47-year-old HIV-infected man with dilated cardiomyopathy and prolonged QT syndrome with an automatic implantable cardiovascular defibrillator device was prescribed subcutaneous enfuvirtide 90 mg twice daily as part of his antiretroviral regimen and oral extended-release niacin 500 mg/day for a high-density lipoprotein level of 8 mg/dL. After 1 week of concomitant therapy, the patient began experiencing extreme redness, edema, and swelling at the injection site that corresponded with the flushing sensation due to niacin. This interfered with his daily activities, leading to self-discontinuation of both agents. As the patient had tolerated enfuvirtide therapy prior to the addition of niacin, we reinitiated enfuvirtide with close follow-up, and the patient has been maintained on this agent since then without consequence. Based on the Horn Drug Interaction Probability Scale, a probable interaction occurred between enfurvirtide and niacin. DISCUSSION: We hypothesize that a drug-drug interaction occurs between enfuvirtide and niacin related to prostaglandin synthesis and mobilization of inflammatory cells, specifically Langerhans cells. A theoretical mechanism for this interaction is that the Langerhans cells in the epidermis function improperly due to the presence of HIV and the attachment of enfuvirtide. When these cells are exposed to nicotinic acid, an exaggerated immune response is produced that may lead to pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site. Prostaglandins, cytokines, and other inflammatory molecules may all have a role in this interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Caution should be used when coadministering enfuvirtide and niacin to HIV-infected patients.
Regulation and expression of D-1, but not D-5, dopamine receptors in human SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells.

AbstractHuman SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells endogenously express functional D-1-like dopamine receptors. The recent identification of at least two distinct type of D-1-like receptors, D-1 and D-5, lead us to investigate the precise molecular identity of the receptors expressed in these cells. By using specific primer sets and amplification of the mRNA by RT-PCR, we show that only D-1, but not D-5, dopamine receptors are expressed in these cells. Treatment of cells with 100 μM dopamine initially caused an upregulation in D-1 mRNA expression, followed by attenuation of the message compared to control, untreated cells. The D-1 receptors in SK-N-MC cells, whose expression is controlled by dopamine in a bimodal manner, may be important in understanding how these receptors are regulated at the molecular level.
Sensitivity of human leukemic cells to anti-cancer agents in culture.

Abstract Special-conditioned medium prepared from overgrown cultures of murine leukemic cells was found to support short-term reproduction (24–96 hr) of human leukemic cells in culture. Failure of three preparations to grow in culture may be due to the instability of the special medium when stored for more than 5 days. Leukemic cell preparations from 12 patients had a variable growth response in vitro and also exhibited a different and characteristic sensitivity to anti-cancer agents. The selection of specific anti-cancer agents for treatment of leukemic patients may be possible with the development of this drug-sensitivity test in vitro .
Identification and management of schizophrenia in childhood.

TOPIC The identification and management of schizophrenia in childhood. PURPOSE To provide an overview of what is currently known about childhood schizophrenia. SOURCES Published literature and personal observations and experiences. CONCLUSIONS Early identification and treatment of childhood schizophrenia are critical, and more research and education on the part of all mental health professionals are needed in order to identify, provide treatment, and/or make referrals for children with this serious mental disorder.
The use of confocal scanning laser microscopy and other tools to characterize Escherichia coli in a high-cell-density synthetic biofilm

Properties of a novel, synthetic biofilm were examined by using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) in combination with fluorescent probes and by investigating total protein content and specific beta-galactosidase activity during various steps of the biofilm preparation. Viable, but nongrowing Escherichia coli were entrapped in 10- to 80-microm-thick multilayer films, where a copolymer of acrylic and vinyl acetate was the immobilization matrix. Cell viability and distribution within the films were evaluated by developing a protocol to stain the bacteria with fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide, thereby labeling all cells green and dead cells red, respectively. Confocal microscopy facilitated viewing samples in the XY and XZ planes, and image analysis enabled counting of the cells. These experiments showed that the initial viability of the entrapped bacteria was 85% to 90%, cell distribution was uniform in the XY plane and cell number increased with increasing depth into the film. Specific beta-galactosidase assays developed here allowed comparison of the induction of lacZin suspended and immobilized cells. These experiments demonstrated that rehydration was an important step in biofilm preparation, and E. coli cast into synthetic biofilms with cell layers of at least 20 to 35 microm in thickness had gene induction characteristics similar to suspended cells.
Mediation and Psdychotherapy: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Some mediators believe that mediation and psychotherapy are quite similar, and that when doing mediation, the mediator also is practicing an art form similar to psychotherapy. On face value, some forms of mediation (e.g., evaluative) and some forms of psychotherapy (e.g., psychoanalysis) are so far apart in theoretical conception and in actual practice that they cannot be compared meaningfully. However, the forms of mediation known as “facilitative” and “transformative” and the forms of brief or focused psychotherapy that often involve families or couples do have considerable similarity. Overall, numerous resonances exist between these two approaches to mediation and to couples or family-oriented psychotherapies, especially when differences in terminology, licensure, and training requirements are not allowed to obscure commonalities.
Resolving the Inconsistency between Classical Diffusion and Adsorption

The inconsistency between density profiles of fluids near surfaces and predictions of classical diffusion model is analyzed. A new diffusion equation and its solutions are proposed to reconcile adsorption behavior with predictions of the diffusion equation at the equilibrium limit. The classical phenomenological model of diffusion in fluids is based on the concepts of the mean-free-path, lambda, and diffusion coefficient, D = (1/3)lambdaV, where Vis the characteristic velocity. Using the limit of lambda --> 0 in the flux term gives classical diffusion equation, that is, Fick's law. However, imposing the limit of lambda --> 0 reduces two independent parameters, V and lambda, to one parameter, D = (1/3)lambdaV. This is equivalent to reducing two independent length scales, lambda and Vt, to only one length scale, (Dt)1/2, where t is time. Since the lambda length scale determines density profiles near surfaces, the classical diffusion model "loses" adsorption phenomena after applying the limit of lambda --> 0 and classical solutions are in conflict with adsorption at surfaces. Here, we show that relaxing the requirement of lambda --> 0 by using an exact (finite-difference) functional for the flux term fixes the problem. Solution of the finite-difference diffusion equation is analyzed. This solution allows boundary conditions consistent with density profiles in fluids near surfaces.
Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy of thin ZnO barrier films

Abstract Study by inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy of 30 A ZnO layers grown by thermal oxidation of zinc to form Zn/ZnO/Pb and Al/Al2O3/ZnO/Pb tunnel junctions is reported. Second derivative (d2V/dI2) peaks reveal additional transverse optical and longitudinal optical phonons of energy 12.6 meV and 15.4 meV respectively in ZnO. The barrier height at the Zn-ZnO interface is found to be 0.4 eV, consistent with the usual n-type semiconductor picture of ZnO.