cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Blood Product Resuscitation on the Pharmacokinetics of Ampicillin-Sulbactam during Orthotopic Liver Transplantation.

Background: Ampicillin-sulbactam is a piperacillin-tazobactam-sparing alternative antibiotic administered as surgical prophylaxis during orthotopic liver transplant (OLT), but limited data are available describing its pharmacokinetics and impact of blood product resuscitation. The purpose of this study was to determine the intra-operative pharmacokinetics of ampicillin-sulbactam in patients during OLT and evaluate the effects of blood resuscitation on exposure. Patients and Methods: This was a pharmacokinetic study in 10 OLT patients receiving ampicillin-sulbactam surgical prophylaxis. A 5,000-patient Monte Carlo simulation was conducted to identify optimal ampicillin-sulbactam regimens. Linear regression assessed association between blood product administration and ampicillin exposures. Results: Ampicillin and sulbactam concentrations best fitted two-compartment models. Mean ampicillin pharmacokinetic parameters were central compartment volume (Vc): 6.9 ± 2.0 L, clearance (CL): 26.6 ± 18.4 L/h, and inter-compartmental rate constants (k12 and k21): 4.8 ± 2.6 and 2.3 ± 1.4 h-1. Sulbactam pharmacokinetic parameters were Vc: 8.1 ± 2.7 L, CL: 26.1 ± 7.4 L/h, k12 and k21: 4.9 ± 1.0 and 2.8 ± 1.1 h-1. Participants received between 500 and 23,642 mL of total blood product. No statistical relations were observed between blood product administration and exposures (R2 0.00-0.26). Ampicillin-sulbactam 2/1 g every two hours and 2/1 g bolus followed by 6/3 g continuous infusion provided acceptable probability of target attainment up to minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 16 and 32 mcg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: High and frequent ampicillin-sulbactam doses are required to maintain 100% fT > MIC at relevant MICs during OLT and no impact of blood product resuscitation was observed on ampicillin exposure. These are the first data available to guide ampicillin-sulbactam dosing in patients undergoing OLT.
Prescriptions for Potentially Inappropriate Medications from the Beers Criteria Among Older Adults Hospitalized for Heart Failure.

Abstract Objectives To better understand patterns of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) from the Beers criteria among older adults hospitalized with heart failure (HF). Design/Setting Observational study of hospitalizations derived from the geographically-diverse REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) cohort. Participants We examined participants aged ≥65 years with an expert-adjudicated hospitalization for HF. Measurements Beers criteria medications were abstracted from medical records. Results The prevalence of PIMs was 61.1% at admission and 64.0% at discharge. Participants were taking a median of 1 (IQR: 0-1) PIM at hospital admission and a median of 1 (IQR: 0-2) PIM at hospital discharge. Between admission and discharge, 19.1% of patients experienced an increase in the number of PIMs, 15.1% experienced a decrease, and 37% remained on the same number between hospital admission and discharge. The medications with the greatest increase from admission to discharge were proton pump inhibitors (32.6% to 38.6%) and amiodarone (6.2% to 12.2%). The strongest determinant of potentially harmful prescribing patterns was polypharmacy (RR: 1.34, 95% CI: [1.16-1.55], p Conclusions PIMs are common among older adults hospitalized for HF and may be an important target to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.
Production and Consumer Characteristics of Pasture-Fed Beef

Abstract Twenty pasture-fed steers and 10 pasture-fed heifers were evaluated for relationships among daily BW gain, grazing period, frame size, final weight, and carcass traits (fat thickness, ribeye area, marbling score, and YG). Consumers evaluated tenderness, juiciness, flavor, texture, and acceptability of cooked steaks from these animals. Cattle were wintered for a BW gain of 0.69 ± 0.03 kg/d for 156 d postweaning and were maintained in adjacent, rotationally grazed paddocks containing primarily cool-season grasses. Cattle were slaughtered at a constant age (532.9 d ± 5.7 d) in 6 slaughter groups and carcass data were collected. Three LM steaks were taken from each of the carcasses and consistently labeled for position on the 9th- to 12th-rib section of the LM. One steak was evaluated for Warner-Bratzler shear force. An additional steak from each of the carcasses was thawed, cooked, and offered to consumer panelists. A third steak was used to determine the total lipid, fatty acid, and cholesterol composition. Correlations were determined on the relationships among animal, production, and carcass traits with the consumer evaluations and the relationship of fatty acids and cholesterol with consumer evaluations. Animal, growth, and carcass traits were generally not strongly related to panelist scores for tenderness, flavor, or overall desirability from pasture-fed cattle slaughtered at 533 d of age.
HIV-positive women have family planning needs too

abstract The impact of a positive HIV diagnosis may be best understood when viewed within a social constructivist framework. In many instances an HIV diagnosis calls into question a number of issues that are commonly taken for granted, such as whether to engage in sexual relationships, the nature of these relationships, and disclosure issues and decisions about reproductive health and rights issues. This qualitative exploratory research found that young women living with HIV in two South African townships had different family planning needs. While those who did not have a child wanted to have a child of their own, others had experienced more than one unintended pregnancy, due to lack of information and access to affordable family planning services, among other reasons. Almost all the women were in support groups that openly discouraged pregnancy among HIV-positive women. Family planning is one of the pillars of the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme. However, in practice, counsel...
Shaping and Sharing Techniques for Sight-Singing

Between John Cabot's discoveries in the New World and the turn of the new millennium lay five hundred years of a remarkable English and American choral music tradition. The body of choral literature on which this tradition feasts is much like an iceberg: most of us only experience its tip during a lifetime. If we think carefully about this picture, two primary factors determine how much repertoire each of us is able to perform as a choral singer. First, we must have ample opportunities to sing choral music. Since most choral directors maintain an active and ongoing search for good choral singers, finding an excellent choir in which to sing should not present a problem. Beyond that negligible hurdle then, one must have the skill to learn music quickly and accurately, by note, rather than by rote. Without facile sight-singing skills, the unsophisticated singer is relegated to the slow and tedious process of learning music by imitation. How can such a singer ever hope to plumb the depths of fascinating and meaningful choral literature and to attempt that which is challenging?
Resource use by five sympatric parrotfishes in the San Blas Archipelago, Panama

Resource use by five sympatric species of parrotfish was quantified in the San Blas Archipelago of the Republic of Panama from March to August 1987. Detailed observations of parrotfishes on patch reefs and surrounding seagrass beds showed that they partition resources with respect to habitat, food and size, but not time. Although parrotfishes shared resources, the proportions of each resource used differed significantly among species. Scarus iserti (Bloch) scraped filamentous microalgae that grew from eroded coral pavement on lower slopes of patch reefs and in “halos,” the area of sparse vegetation surrounding reefs. Sparisoma viride (Bonnaterre) foraged on upper slopes of patch reefs where they mostly took bites from dead coral and associated algae. S. aurofrenatum (Cuvier and Valenciennes) had the broadest diet, which consisted mostly of seagrasses and macro- and microalgae that were attached to dead coral on lower reef slopes and in halos. Although S. chrysopterum (Bloch and Schneider) commonly occurred on patch reefs, it primarily foraged in seagrass beds that surround them. S. rubripinne (Cuvier and Valenciennes) was distributed most widely, ranging from seagrass beds to reef crests, where it took bites from seagrasses, dead coral and macroalgae. Juveniles of all species occurred on lower slopes or in halos where they scraped filamentous microalgae from coral pavement. As they matured, parrotfishes moved into other habitats changing access to different types of food. All of these parrotfishes fed throughout the daytime, and resource use did not differ between morning and afternoon.
Jakobson, Roman (1896–1982)

Roman Jakobson was one of the major linguists, literary theorists, and semioticians of the twentieth century, and one of its most creative minds. He contributed to linguistics major fundamental concepts and showed the importance for linguistics of such diverse issues as child language acquisition, poetry, the act of communication, and typology and universals. After a brief overview of Jakobson's life, major themes of his work are discussed in detail: structural phonology, child language acquisition, and aphasia; distinctive features and functional view of sound; invariance and relational structure; functions of language; metaphor/metonymy (similarity/contiguity); grammar; and Jakobson's legacy in linguistics and other fields.
Energies of Mζ X rays of Y to Mo

Abstract Energies of Mζ lines of Y to Mo and also of XeNIVV levels were determined by the photoelectron method to be: YMζ=132.29 eV, ZrMζ=151.42 eV; NbMζ=171.38 eV; MoMζ=192.29 eV and XeNIV= 69.47 eV, XeNV=67.50 eV.
A role of insular cortex in cardiovascular function

We sought to determine whether the insular cortex contributes to the regulation of arterial blood pressure (AP). Responses to electrical and chemical stimulation of the cortex were studied in the anesthetized, paralyzed, and artificially ventilated Sprague-Dawley rat. The insular cortex was initially defined, anatomically, by the distributions of retrogradely labeled perikarya following injections of wheat germ agglutinin-horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) into the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). Injections of WGA-HRP into the insular cortex anterogradely labeled terminals in cardiopulmonary and other divisions of the NTS and confirmed projections revealed by retrograde tracing experiments. Electrical stimulation of the insular cortex elicited elevations of AP (less than or equal to 50 mm Hg) and cardioacceleration (less than or equal to 40 bpm). The locations of the most active pressor sites corresponded closely to the locations of retrogradely labeled cells in layer V of granular and posterior agranular areas of the insular cortex (areas 14 and 13) and the extreme capsule. Maximal pressor responses were obtained at a stimulus intensity of three to five times threshold current of 20-30 microA. Responses elicited mostly with higher-threshold currents were also mapped in areas 2a and 5lb and the claustrum and within the corpus callosum. Unilateral injections into the insular pressor area of the excitatory amino acid monosodium glutamate (L-Glu; 0.05 nmol to 10 nmol) or the rigid structural analogue of L-Glu, kainic acid (KA) (0.4 nmol) (which specifically excite perikarya), caused topographically specific elevations in AP and tachycardia. During the course of the anatomical transport studies, new findings were obtained on the organization and characteristics of the cortical innervation of the NTS and the nucleus reticularis parvocellularis. Topographic relationships between the cortex and the NTS were organized in a more complex manner than previously thought. Cells projecting to caudal cardiopulmonary segments of the NTS were fewer and generally located ventrally and caudally and in a more restricted area than cells projecting rostrally or to the parvicellular reticular formation. Anterograde transport data revealed new presumptive terminal fields in dorsolateral, ventral, periventricular, and commissural regions of the NTS, including an area overlapping the terminal field of the aortic baroreceptor nerve. We conclude that neurons within an area of the insular cortex projecting to multiple brainstem autonomic nuclei, including a region of the NTS innervated by baroreceptor afferents, increase arterial blood pressure and heart rate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Translational lemmas, polynomial time, and (log n)j-space

Translational lemmas are stated in a general framework and then applied to specific complexity classes. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for every set accepted by a Turing acceptor which operates in linear or polynomial time to be accepted by a Turing acceptor which operates in space (log n)j for some j ⩾ 1.
Production and Productivity Effects of Informal Contract Farming in Kenya's Smallholder Horticultural Sub-sector

This paper uses data from a 2001 household survey of small-scale farming households in Kirinyaga District, Kenya to explore production effects of informal credit contracts in French bean farming where formal markets for surplus production are seemingly shallow and imperfect. Specifically, it examines whether informal arrangements spur productivity and intensity of inputs use. A three stage least square (3SLS) modelling strategy is used to quantify the direct and indirect effects of contracts on French bean output conditional upon infrastructure, institutional and farmer-specific socio-economic factors. The results show that fertilizer, pesticides and High Yielding Variety seeds use, and French bean output price have direct positive and significant effects on productivity. On the other hand, the period under contract negatively and significantly affect productivity. Indirectly, however, informal contract - proxied by credit value - and farm size positively influence productivity through significant variable input use intensity whereas the input market prices negatively and significantly influence variable input demand. Policy implications are drawn. Keywords: Contract farming; smallholders; horticulture; productivity; Kenya Eastern African Journal of Rural Development Vol.19(1) 2003: 13-24
Percutaneous Needle Biopsy of the Lung: Report of Two Fatal Complications

Two fatalities following percutaneous rang biopsy are reported. Cause of death was sudden massive endobronchial hemorrhage. The use of a cutting type (Vim-Silverman or Franklin-Silverman) needle is condemned on the basis of (a) review of the other 11 fatalities reported in the literature and (b) morbidity, mortality, and diagnostic yield figures from reported series.
Identifikation unterschiedlicher atrialer Erregungsmuster bei chronischer multifokaler Vorhofstimulation

Fur rechtsatrial laterale, atrial septale und bifokal rechtsatriale Stimulation finden sich typische P-Wellen-Morphologien.
Detection of B-RAF and N-RAS mutations in human melanoma

Background It is now known that activating point mutations in components of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway commonly occur in melanoma. We previously described a method to detect point mutations in heterogenous tissues containing both wild-type and mutant B-RAF and N-RAS genes by using site-directed mutagenesis to introduce new restrictions sites in the cDNA sequence when the specific point mutations are present. We modified this technique to improve sensitivity and used it to determine the incidence of B-RAF and N-RAS mutations in human melanoma. Study design We screened 115 melanoma samples for the most common B-RAF and N-RAS mutations found in melanoma using a site-directed mutagenesis-based detection technique. Southern blotting was used to increase sensitivity of the basic system. We also tested this method of genetic mutation detection in fine-needle aspiration specimens and paraffin-embedded tissues. Results Sixty-eight samples (20 of 36 primaries, 18 of 27 regional metastases, 16 of 40 nodal metastases, and 9 of 12 distant metastases) harbored the V599E B-RAF mutation (59%), 17 contained a Q61R N-RAS mutation, and 4 contained a Q61K N-RAS mutation. We were able to detect the V599E mutation in genomic DNA from paraffin-embedded melanoma samples and could routinely detect this mutation in fine-needle aspirations of melanoma tumors. This method of detection was sensitive and specific with no false positives. Conclusions Activating mutations of B-RAF and N-RAS were present in approximately 60% and 18%, respectively, of samples tested. The site-directed mutagenesis system of mutation detection was both sensitive and specific in detecting these mutations and will likely prove very clinically useful in future studies.
Binary random fields, random set theory, and the morphological analysis of shape

We discuss a number of issues related to the morphological analysis of random shape by means of discrete random set theory. Our purpose here is twofold. First, we would like to demonstrate that, in the discrete case, a number of problems associated with random set theory can be effectively solved. Furthermore, we would like to establish a direct relationship between discrete random sets and binary random fields. To accomplish this, we first introduce the cumulative distribution and capacity functionals of a discrete random set, and review their properties. Under a natural assumption, we show that there exists a one-to-one correspondence between the probability mass function of a discrete binary random field and the cumulative distribution functional of the corresponding discrete random set. The cumulative distribution and capacity functionals are then related to higher-order moments of a discrete binary random field. We show that there exists a direct relationship between the capacity functional of a discrete random set and the capacity functional of the discrete random set obtained by means of dilation, erosion, opening, or closing. These relationships allow us to derive an interesting result, regarding the statistical behavior of elementary morphological filters. Finally, we introduce moments for discrete random sets, and show that the class of opening-based discrete size distributions are higher-order moments of a discrete random set. This last observation allows us to argue that discrete size distributions are good statistical summaries for shape.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Differentiation of fiber types in skeletal muscle from the sequential inactivation of myofibrillar actomyosin ATPase during acid preincubation

A method is described for identifying fiber types of skeletal muscle from several mammalian species on the basis of the sequential inactivation of myofibrillar actomyosin ATPase during acid preincubation. When this method is used in combination with the standard alkaline preincubation at least 5 types of fibers can be identified. Of these, 2 are type I fibers with those of the slow twitch soleus muscle being different from those that exist in mixed muscles. The 3 subtypes of type II fibers exist independent of their metabolic properties. The need for careful standardization of histochemical methods for the visualization of myofibrillar actomyosin ATPase and the implication of the existence of different fiber types in apparently homogeneous muscle for the preparation of antibodies used for immunocytochemical methods of fiber identification are discussed.
Sampling Populations of Pine Leaf Adelgid Pineus pinifoliae (Fitch): I. The Gall and Associated Insects

In population studies of the pine leaf adelgid, sampling techniques are required. Procedures for sampling galls on spruce and for associated adelgid stages are described. Gall distributions both within trees and between trees are non-random, following the negative-binomial series. Aggregation within trees arises from a disproportionate number of galls occurring on the upper crown branches. Between trees, gall populations are more dense on the larger trees, and red spruce is more heavily infested where red spruce and black spruce are mixed. The proposed sampling unit is composed of one branch from each of the upper two vertical crown quarters, and one longitudinally halved branch from each of the lower crown quarters. The examination of sample units from 50 trees will provide a reliable estimate of stand populations except where low gall densities or heterogeneous spruce stands make a larger sample mandatory. Additional details of sampling and the biological significance of the findings are discussed.
Effects of hypophysectomy, castration, and testosterone propionate on hemopoiesis in the adult male rat.

VARIOUS ENDOCRINE glands and endocrine products have been found to have an influence on the process of hemopoiesis. Hypophysectomy induces a profound anemia in the dog (Aschner, 1912), in the rabbit (Houssay, Royer, and Orias, 1931), and in the rat (Stewart, Greep, and Meyer, 1935; Meyer, Stewart, Thewlis, and Rusch, 1937; Vollmer, Gordon, Levenstein, and Charipper, 1939; Crafts, 1941). In addition, many clinical reports support the theory that the pituitary gland is concerned in some manner as a regulator of erythropoiesis. Castration has been reported as a cause of anemia in the male rabbit (Ferrari, 1930), the male rat (Steinglass, Gordon, and Charipper, 1941), in fowl (Arvy, 1942-43), in the hampster (Stein and Jacobsen, 1944), and in the human (McCullagh and Jones, 1942).
Human cortical correlates of color with monocular, binocular and dichoptic vision.

Abstract Five subjects (three normals, one amblyope and one deuteranope) were presented red (630 nm), yellow (577 nm), green (520 nm), and achromatic stimuli twice in all possible monocular and binocular combinations. Four averaged visual evoked responses were simultaneously recorded over four scalp areas to each stimulus condition, giving 224 VERs for each subject. Color coding was found in all normal subjects over a large scalp area above the occipital cortex and was questionable with the deuteranope. Most marked color coding (changes in waveshape of the VER produced by the different wavelengths) occurred late in the VER (> 215 msec). It was possible to examine the contribution of each eye to the cortical response during binocular stimulation.
Hybrid AlN–SiC deep ultraviolet Schottky barrier photodetectors

Deep ultraviolet (DUV) Schottky barrier photodetectors have been demonstrated by exploiting the epitaxial growth of high quality AlN epilayer on n-type SiC substrate. The fabricated AlN∕n-SiC hybrid Schottky barrier detectors exhibited a peak responsivity at 200nm with very sharp cutoff wavelength at 210nm, very high reverse breakdown voltages (>200V), very low dark currents (about 10fA at a reverse bias of 50V), and high responsivity and DUV to UV/visible rejection ratio. These outstanding features are direct attributes of the fundamental material properties and high quality of AlN epilayers. The fabricated photodetectors also have a thermal energy limited detectivity at zero bias of about 1.0×1015cmHz1∕2W−1. These results demonstrated that AlN epilayers are an excellent candidate as an active material for DUV optoelectronic device applications.
The influence of diurnal temperature variation on degree-day accumulation and insect life history

Ectotherms, such as insects, experience non-constant temperatures in nature. Daily mean temperatures can be derived from the daily maximum and minimum temperatures. However, the converse is not true and environments with the same mean temperature can exhibit very different diurnal temperate ranges. Here we apply a degree-day model for development of the grape berry moth (Paralobesia viteana, a significant vineyard pest in the northeastern USA) to investigate how different diurnal temperature range conditions can influence degree-day accumulation and, hence, insect life history. We first consider changes in diurnal temperature range independent of changes in mean temperatures. We then investigate grape berry moth life history under potential climate change conditions, increasing mean temperature via variable patterns of change to diurnal temperature range. We predict that diurnal temperature range change can substantially alter insect life history. Altering diurnal temperature range independent of the mean temperature can affect development rate and voltinism, with the magnitude of the effects dependent on whether changes occur to the daily minimum temperature (Tmin), daily maximum temperature (Tmax), or both. Allowing for an increase in mean temperature produces more marked effects on life history but, again, the patterns and magnitude depend on the nature of the change to diurnal temperature range together with the starting conditions in the local environment. The study highlights the importance of characterizing the influence of diurnal temperature range in addition to mean temperature alone.
Local Jahn-Teller distortion in La 1 − x Sr x MnO 3 observed by pulsed neutron diffraction

The atomic pair-density function of ${\mathrm{La}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Sr}}_{x}{\mathrm{MnO}}_{3}$ $(0l~xl~0.4)$ obtained by pulsed neutron diffraction indicates that their local atomic structure significantly deviates from the average structure, and that the local Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion persists even when the crystallographic structure shows no JT distortion. In the paramagnetic insulating phase doped holes form one-site small polarons, represented by the local absence of JT distortion. The polarons become more extended at low temperatures, but local distortions are found even in the metallic phase. The role of polarons in the phase transitions in transport and magnetic properties are discussed.
Disjunctive Programming Models for the Optimal Design of Distillation Columns and Separation Sequences

A disjunctive programming model is presented for the design of ideal and nonideal distillation columns in which the feed tray location, number of trays, and operating and design parameters are dete...
In utero ultrasound backscatter microscopy of early stage mouse embryos

A high resolution ultrasound imaging technique, ultrasound backscatter microscopy (UBM), has previously been shown to be useful for in utero imaging of mouse embryos, and for direct manipulation of mouse embryos through UBM-guided injections. UBM images from mouse embryos staged between 8.5 and 10.5 days of gestation are presented to demonstrate the range of anatomical structures which can be studied with this approach. Ultrasound contrast agents have been injected into the forebrain ventricle of 10.5 day embryos to characterize the resulting three-dimensional distribution of the injected agents. These studies provide important background data relevant to future use of this technique for in utero analysis of early brain and heart development, and for in utero manipulation of mouse embryos through UBM-guided injections.
The effect of photoperiod acclimation on the thermoregulation of the lizard, Sceloporus undulatus

Preferred temperatures of Sceloporus undulatus, which were acclimated to 20°C under 12 hour and 6 hour photoperiods, were determined in a thigmothermal gradient. The longer photoperiod (12 hours light) increased the preferred temperature in lizards collected in May while the shorter photoperiod (6 hours light) decreased the preferred temperature in lizards collected in July. Response in the preferred temperature to photoperiod is suggested to be a physiological adaptation which facilitates the use of the mechanism of acclimation of the thermal tolerance to seasonal changes in environmental temperatures. Photoperiod differences did not alter the criitcal maximum or lethal maximum temperatures.
RESPONSE-RATE DIFFERENCES AND RESPONSE-ENHANCEMENT EFFECTS BY POPULATION TYPE '

A meta-analysis of 193 survey research studies examined differences in response rate by population type. Analysis suggests higher response rates may be expected from surveys of students and educators than from surveys of the general population. Effects of treatments intended to affect response rate differed minimally by type of population.
How to measure an organization’s intellectual capital

Intellectual capital, as used here, is a concept that deals with intellectual property concepts, like patents and licences, but also includes less tangible assets like know‐how, skills and information systems. The need to measure the amount of intellectual capital in an organization has grown in importance. The worth or value of an organization cannot be given by the values in the balance sheet alone. Just as the use of discounted cash‐flow analysis is being accepted as a more reliable measure of value and will eventually replace other accounting‐based valuations, the value of intellectual capital will need to be measured and determined. Intellectual capital will also be a useful concept for setting corporate goals and strategies. Describes some current conceptions of intellectual capital and looks at ways of measuring intellectual capital. Compares intellectual capital valuation with financial cash flow valuation. Suggests that additional studies regarding the measurement of intellectual capital are still needed, and recommends, when good measures of intellectual capital are not available, the use of indicators as a means of indicating that intellectual capital is present or growing.
A history of vegetation, sediment and nutrient dynamics at Tivoli North Bay, Hudson Estuary, New York

We conduct a stratigraphic paleoecological investigation at a Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve (HRNERR) site, Tivoli Bays, spanning the past 1100 years. Marsh sediment cores were analyzed for ecosystem changes using multiple proxies, including pollen, spores, macrofossils, charcoal, sediment bulk chemistry, and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. The results reveal climatic shifts such as the warm and dry Medieval Warm Period (MWP) followed by the cooler Little Ice Age (LIA), along with significant anthropogenic influence on the watershed ecosystem. A five-fold expansion of invasive species, including Typha angustifolia and Phragmites australis, is documented along with marked changes in sediment composition and nutrient input. During the last century, a ten-fold sedimentation rate increase due to land-use changes is observed. The large magnitude of shifts in vegetation, sedimentation, and nutrients during the last few centuries suggest that human activities have made the greatest impact to the marshes of the Hudson Estuary during the last millennium. Climate variability and ecosystem changes similar to those observed at other marshes in northeastern and mid-Atlantic estuaries, attest to the widespread regional signature recorded at Tivoli Bays.
Further Tests of the Influence of Black Mayors on Murders of Police: A Response to Jacobs

In response to our reanalysis and extension of Jacobs and Carmichael (2002) in which we found no evidence of a Black mayor effect, Jacobs (this issue) critiques our article on theoretical and methodological grounds. Theoretically, Jacobs argues that we did not provide sufficient justification for the inclusion of the percentage of the city council that was Black. Methodological criticisms include failure to include a nonlinear specification of percent divorced, improper temporal ordering, and the inclusion of only a single regional dummy variable. In our rejoinder we clarify the theoretical importance of the percentage of the city council that was Black and we address each of Jacobs’ methodological concerns. In additional analyses, we again find that the effect of the Black mayor variable is not robust to model specification or data employed, which was the point of our original article
Ultra-high-efficiency metamaterial polarizer

Conventional polarizers operate by rejecting undesired polarization, which limits their transmission efficiency to much less than 50% when illuminated by unpolarized light. We designed, fabricated, and characterized a multilevel metamaterial linear polarizer that rotates light with polarization perpendicular to its principal axis by 90 deg. Light with polarization parallel to its principal axis is transmitted undisturbed. Thereby, such a polarizer is able to output linearly polarized light from unpolarized input with a transmission efficiency that is substantially higher than the theoretical upper limit of 50%. A nonlinear optimization algorithm was used to design the polarizer, while multilevel focused-ion-beam lithography was used to fabricate it in silicon for the vacuum wavelength, λ0=1550 nm. We experimentally confirmed that the fabricated device enhances the transmission of the desired linear polarization by 100% compared to an unpatterned film, corresponding to a transmission efficiency of ∼74% at the design wavelength. Since our method allows for the generalized manipulation of the amplitude, phase, and polarization of light with high transmission efficiency using ultrathin elements, it should enable the efficient generation of complex vector distributions of light.
Biochemical characterization of retinal protein and phospholipid synthesis in mice exposed transplacentally to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea.

Abstract Transplacental exposure to the DNA alkylating agent N-methyl-N-nitrosourea on day 16 of gestation in CD-1 albino mice induces a degeneration of the retina, the severity of which depends upon the dosage level of the drug. A 1 mg kg −1 dose provokes a progressive retinal degeneration in the offspring which begins at about 4–6 weeks of age and is characterized by gradual thinning of the retinal layers. A 15 mg kg −1 dosage of MNU provokes severe retinal dysplasia characterized morphologically by rosettes in the outer nuclear layer and loss of rod outer segments (ROS). In the present biochemical experiments, retinal protein synthesis was examined in mice 2-, 4-, and 6 weeks of age exposed to 1 mg kg −1 MNU and 2- and 5 weeks of age exposed to 15 mg kg −1 MNU. Phospholipid synthesis was examined in mice 2-, 4-, 6- and 12 weeks of age exposed to 1 mg kg −1 MNU and at 2 weeks in mice exposed to 15 mg kg −1 MNU. Retinas were incubated for 2 hr at 37°C in media supplemented with either [ 3 H]leucine for protein synthesis studies or [ 3 H]glycerol for phospholipid synthesis experiments. Aliquots of crude ROS and the retinal debris were taken for protein determination, scintillation counting, SDS-PAGE separation of labeled opsin, phosphorus determination and TLC separation of phospholipids. Results indicated that mice exposed to 1 mg kg −1 MNU did not differ significantly from age-matched controls in these measurements, whereas mice exposed to 15 mg kg −1 MNU were significantly different from controls. These results suggest that even as early as 2 weeks of age protein and lipid metabolism are adversely affected in mice exposed to the higher dose of the alkylating agent at a critical time in retinal development, but general protein and lipid synthesis is not affected in animals exposed to 1 mg kg −1 MNU at least up to 12 weeks of age. These studies suggest further investigation of more subtle derangement in the retinal function in animals exposed to low levels of MNU.
Stand-level spatial dependence in an old-growth Jeffrey pine – mixed conifer forest, Sierra San Pedro Mártir, Mexico

Descriptions of spatial patterns are important components of forest ecosystems, providing insights into functions and processes, yet basic spatial relationships between forest structures and fuels remain largely unexplored. We used standardized omnidirectional semivariance modeling to examine the spatial pattern of fuels and forest structure measured in a systematic nested plot grid covering 144 ha. Forest structure variables were spatially dependent at scales ranging from 62 to 572 m. Cross-variograms of fuels and forest structure showed both positive and negative correlations, ranging from 0.04 to 0.67. Notably, fine fuels were correlated positively and negatively with forest structure variables of white fir (Abies concolor (Gord. & Glend.) Lindl. ex Hildebr.) and Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi Balf.), respectively. Old-growth Jeffrey pine – mixed conifer forest within the study area exhibited both identifiable spatial correlations and high stand-level spatial heterogeneity, as demonstrated by the influen...
SU‐FF‐T‐339: Neutron Fluence Measurements Around the Siemens Oncor Medical Linear Accelerator Utilizing Gold Foil Activation

Introduction:Neutron production in photon beams from high energyLinacs is a concern in radiation therapy centers. Neutrons are produced in the accelerator's head when high energyphotons strike high Z materials of the target. Through a (γ, n) reaction,energy from the photon gets transferred to the atomic nucleus which then decays via the ejection of a neutron. In this paper, we measured the neutron fluence produced from the new Siemens Oncor using the Moderated Gold Foil Activation Method. In the process, neutron head leakage, in‐beam neutron contamination, the Q factor used for shielding purposes, and an estimate of the dose a patient may receive from a typical course of treatment were also measured and will be reported. Methods: Two gold foils were calibrated to provide a fluence per activity per gram conversion factor. The gold foils were then placed between two 3″×6″ polyethylene cylinders which were covered in 0.025″ cadmium metal. The gold foils were placed at distances of 112cm and 140cm from the target in the patient plane and exposed to doses that ranged from 5–10 photon Gy. After a 24 hour wait period, the activated gold foils (Au‐198) were read on a Capintec 3000 MCA with a ROI set at a value of 400 to 424 KeV with the center at 412 KeV. The calculated activity at the time of irradiation was used to determine the fast neutron fluence. Results: The average neutron fluence measured from a 20cm × 20cm field was 1.6 ×106 +/− 7.7 ×104 n/cm2/Gy. The Q value was calculated to be 0.27 ×1012 +/− 0.3 ×1011 n/Gy. Conclusion: The measured neutron fluence and calculated Q value from the Siemens Oncor is slightly higher than the published values for other Siemens accelerators, but is within the range for other accelerators.
Charge Polarization and Current Distribution in a Conductive Particle in the Rayleigh Region

An investigation of the interaction of a conductive sphere with an electromagnetic wave with attention given to space-charge effects would appear timely, as there is much current interest in the electromagnetic properties of mesoscopic structures. In this study, the polarization of a small semiconductor sphere immersed in a dynamic electric field is explored analytically and numerically. In one approach, suitable for a sphere with low to moderate charge carrier concentration, the Poisson's equation is coupled with the transport equations of the carriers, leading to a quasi-static formulation under the weak-field approximation. Screening effects of the charges on the interior field are revealed, along with a current distribution that is essentially uniform over much of the volume of the sphere. Frequency dependence of the total induced dipole moment of the sphere displays strong dispersion and absorption near the bulk plasma frequency. Validity of the quasi-static assumption is assessed by comparison to results of calculations based on a full-wave formulation. As the nominal carrier concentration exceeds 1020 cm-3, the quasi-static solutions for interior field and current distribution begin to deviate from the full-wave solution and the latter must be employed to provide a realistic account of the charge-wave interaction within the sphere.
Productivity improvement in subsystem of assembly process utilising simulation

This paper presents a discrete event simulation model of a subsystem of assembly process. All input data and simulation model results were validated based on statistical tests. Once model validation was confirmed design of experiment (DOE) was performed on factors that influence different operating patterns. Four factor two level DOE was performed. Arrival and output streams were varied for start/stop of assembly process. Both were also assessed for impact of staggering start/stop times. Finally, feeding algorithm of parallel automatic stations operations was manipulated. DOE results indicated main contributing factor was arrival stream. Its contribution was more than ten times other factors. Any roadblocks that prevent arrivals should be addressed immediately. Downstream stream stoppages can be recovered if occurrences happens early in shift. Most improvement efforts should focus on increase in arrivals. Any additional arrivals will directly affect output. The goal of the paper is to determine optimal output.
A simple low cost vision system for small unmanned VTOL vehicles

Alternative designs of a simple, low cost, effective vision system suitable for small, portable, unmanned vertical take off and landing (VTOL) vehicle based surveillance and landmark recognition are presented. Designs depend mainly on two critical constraints: aerial vehicle payload limitations and power supply limitations; both constraints affect on-board vision system configuration, processing power and flexibility. Hardware and software components are described for both designs. Advantages and disadvantages of both alternatives are compared and an implementation of the chosen system is presented along with experimental results.
Managing economic dependence and relational activities within a competitive channel environment

Abstract Although we are beginning to understand the impact channel relationships have on channel-member behavior and channel efficiency, little is known about the effect actions and reactions within and outside the channel have on these relationships. A model representing the association among economic dependence, relational activities, and channel-member behavior is developed and empirically tested. Using data collected from a national sample of office systems/furniture dealers, the competitive advantage provided by superior relational activities and greater economic support are hypothesized to affect channel interactions. Results support the theoretical basis for the model, confirm previous findings, and provide direction for effectively managing power and dependence and restraining competitive actions.
Simulation and Optimization of Cryogenic Heat Sink for Helium Gas Cooled Superconducting Power Devices

Superconducting power devices require cable terminations to be cooled within the operating cryogenic temperature range to reduce ambient heat influx. Shipboard power systems require the use of helium gas as coolant due to possible hazards by use of liquid cryogens. A model is being developed using finite element analysis to study the feasibility of a helium-gas-cooled heat sink for cable terminations. The results obtained using the COMSOL Multiphysics computing package are validated with an experimental setup. The coolant temperature and pressure drop correspond well with the theoretical results. Furthermore, the heat sink is geometrically optimized for given mass flow rate and input conditions to produce a better thermal and fluid performance in terms of temperature gain and pressure loss.
Another example of a KEL1 variant red cell phenotype due to a threonine to serine change at position 193 of Kell glycoprotein.

BACKGROUND: Healthy subjects whose red blood cells (RBCs) react variably with anti-KEL1, but strongly express other Kell blood group antigens, have been described and called KEL1 variant. A 53-year-old Caucasian blood donor was identified whose RBCs reacted with three monoclonal and two polyclonal anti-KEL1 and did not react with two monoclonal and one polyclonal anti-KEL1. The molecular basis of this phenotype was investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Genomic white blood cell DNA was analyzed for KEL*1/2 genotype by utilizing sequence-specific primers and polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the region of the KEL*1/2 polymorphism at position 578 of KEL was analyzed by DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Genotyping of the donor with the KEL1 variant phenotype revealed that he was KEL*2 homozygous. Sequencing revealed one typical KEL*2 allele and a KEL*2 allele with an adenosine (A) to thymidine (T) substitution at position 577 that predicted a threonine to serine change at position 193. CONCLUSION: It is not known if this phenotype is clinically relevant, but for at least some genotyping applications probes that identify this polymorphism should be used and anti-KEL1 should be tested for reactivity to this allele.
Interaction of [3H](–)‐SKF‐10,047 with Brain σ Receptors: Characterization and Autoradiographic Visualization

The sigma opiates differ from other opiates in their stimulatory and psychotomimetic actions. The sigma opiate [3H](-)-SKF-10,047 has been used to characterize sigma receptors in rat nervous tissue. Binding of [3H](-)-SKF-10,047 to rat brain membranes was of high affinity, saturable, and reversible. Scatchard analysis revealed the apparent interaction of this drug with two distinct binding sites characterized by affinities of 0.03 and 75 nM (5 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH 7.4, at 4 degrees C). Competition analyses involving rank order determinations for a series of opiates and other drugs indicate that the high-affinity binding site is the mu opiate receptor. The lower-affinity site (revealed after suppression of mu and delta receptor binding) has been identified as the sigma opiate/phencyclidine receptor. In vitro autoradiography has been used to visualize neuroanatomical patterns of receptors labeled using [3H](-)-SKF-10,047 in the presence of normorphine and [D-Ala2,D-Leu5]enkephalin to block mu and delta interactions, respectively. Labeling patterns differ markedly from those for mu, delta, or kappa receptors. The highest densities (determined by quantitative autoradiography) are found in the medial portion of the nucleus accumbens, amygdaloid nucleus, hippocampal formation, central gray, locus coeruleus, and the parabrachial nuclei. Receptors in these structures could account for the stimulatory, mood-altering, and analgesic properties of the sigma opiates. Although not the most selective sigma opiate ligand, [3H](-)-SKF-10,047 binds to sigma opiate receptors in brain, and this interaction can be readily distinguished from its interactions with other classes of brain opiate receptors.
microRNA expression in the aging mouse lung

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a novel class of short double stranded RNA that mediate the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Previous studies have implicated changes in miRNA expression in the regulation of development and the induction of diseases such as cancer. However, although miRNAs have been implicated in the process of aging in C. elegans, nothing is known of their role in mammalian tissues. To address this question, we have used a highly-sensitive, semi-quantitative RT-PCR based approach to measure the expression profile of 256 of the 493 currently identified miRNAs in the lungs from 6 month (adult) and 18 month (aged) old female BALB/c mice. We show that, despite the characteristic changes in anatomy and gene expression associated with lung aging, there were no significant changes in the expression of 256 miRNAs. Overall, these results show that miRNA transcription is unchanged during lung aging and suggests that stable expression of miRNAs might instead buffer age related changes in the expression of protein-encoding genes.