cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Absolute methods of quantitation in glow discharge mass spectrometry with a time-of-flight mass analyzer

Several absolute quantitation strategies have been evaluated for multielemental analysis in glow discharge mass spectrometry. A method for standardless analysis is described that offers accuracy within an order of magnitude, without relying on any calibration factors or internal standards. However, the accuracy of this method can be improved by two- to four-fold through use of relative sensitivity factors (RSFs). These factors, determined from a global set of standards that included iron, nickel, cobalt, and copper matrices, were fairly independent of the matrix. Similar results were obtained using RSFs from the global set, RSFs from standards with a similar matrix, and RSFs from a single standard. When RSFs were employed, experimental results were determined with a mean accuracy of 5–12% for analyte concentrations greater than 1%.
Of Openness and Distance: Trade Developments in the Commonwealth of Independent States, 1993-2002

This paper analyzes developments in the structure of trade in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) during the transition decade, and finds that it changed less than in other transition economies. Trade openness of the CIS increased between 1993 and 1997, but has fallen to a lower-level plateau since then owing to regional and country-specific factors. These include slower progress in transition, geographic aspects, restrictions on trade, governance and corruption problems, weak infrastructure, lack of regional cooperation, and political conflicts. Regression results show that trade openness of the CIS countries would likely increase substantially if market-oriented reforms were pursued more vigorously.
Comparison of lanthanide(III) and cadmium(II) as calcium(II) models: Metal-ion induced conformational changes in spin-labeled calmodulin

Abstract Calmodulin (CaM), one of a group of high affinity calcium(II)-binding proteins, has been shown to have a number of important regulatory functions. The natural calcium(II) co-factor, however, does not have physical properties which can be exploited to study CaM and so lanthanides have often been used as calcium(II) analogs in the study of calcium(II)-binding proteins. More recently a number of CaM studies have employed the transition metal cadmium(II). Recent studies by the authors and others have indicated that, in the case of CaM, the lanthanides may not be good models, while cadmium(II) appears to be quite good. In order to explore this further, spin-labeled CaM has been prepared and metal ion titrations with calcium(II), cadmium(II), terbium(III) and lutetium(III) have been performed. The preliminary electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra are compared in terms of protein conformational changes induced by the various metal ions. (Calcium(II)-induced conformational changes have already been demonstrated by others.) The significance of these preliminary results, and those already reported, to the suitability of Ln(III)-CaM and Cd(II)-CaM as models for Ca(II)-CaM is discussed.
Comparative genetic linkage map of Solanum sect. Juglandifolia: evidence of chromosomal rearrangements and overall synteny with the tomatoes and related nightshades

The two nightshades Solanum ochranthum and S. juglandifolium show genetic and morphological similarities to the tomatoes (Solanum sect. Lycopersicon), but are isolated from them by strong reproductive barriers. Their genetic relationships to tomato and other Solanum species were investigated using comparative genetic linkage maps obtained from an interspecific F2 S. ochranthum × S. juglandifolium population. Sixty-six plants were screened using a total of 132 markers—CAPs, RFLPs and SSRs—previously mapped in tomato. Twelve linkage groups were identified, generally corresponding to the expected (syntenic) tomato chromosomes, with two exceptions. Chromosome 1 was composed of two linkage groups and chromosomes 8 and 12 were connected in one large linkage group, indicating a likely reciprocal translocation differentiating the two parental genomes. The total map length comprised 790 cM, representing a 42% reduction in recombination rate relative to the tomato reference map. Transmission ratio distortion affected one-third of the genome, with 13 putative TRD loci identified on 9 out of 12 chromosomes. Most regions were collinear with the tomato reference maps, including the long arm of chromosome 10, which is inverted relative to two other tomato-like nightshades, S. lycopersicoides and S. sitiens. The results support the status of S. ochranthum and S. juglandifolium as the nearest outgroup to the tomatoes and imply they are more closely related to cultivated tomato than predicted from crossing relationships, thus encouraging further attempts at hybridization and introgression between them.
Collagen chain mRNAs in isolated heart cells from young and adult rats

Collagen is the predominant component of the extracellular matrix of the heart, where it is organized in a hierarchy of structures. To establish the cellular origin of the various collagen types, type I-procollagen α2 chain and types III and IV collagen mRNAs were examined in preparations of myocytes and non-myocyte heart cells freshly isolated from rats 1 to 6 months old. The cardiomyocytes appeared morphologically intact and functionally competent. Fibroblast-like cells predominated in the non-myocyte cell fractions but endothelial and smooth muscle cells were also present. RNA from whole ventricular tissue served as a control. Northern and dot blot analyses were used to establish the presence or absence of mRNAs. In RNA prepared from whole ventricular tissue, the mRNAs for α-, β-, and γ-actin isotypes were detected whereas mRNA for α-actin was found in myocytes and those for β- and γ-actins were found in non-myocyte cells, confirming further the nature of the cell populations. Procollagen types I and III mRNAs were not detected in the total RNA of cardiomyocytes but mRNA for type IV collagen was present. The mRNAs for all three collagen types were present in the non-myocyte cells. These results suggest that in the rat heart the non-myocyte cells, probably fibroblasts, are responsible for interstitial collagen production. Both cell populations may engage in the formation of basement membrane collagen type IV.
The American Public Market

The design of public markets in the United States was shaped by the political-economic forces of municipal controls and private enterprise. As cities developed, open markets were eventually replaced by architectural structures located in the street. Traffic congestion increased in American cities, and markets were eventually relocated on the block, with architectural changes resulting from this move. The public market was also shaped internally by the business activities of stall merchants, and as the twentieth century emerged, privately owned markets were built that began to change the nature of labor relations within the market. The rise of the grocery store led to the market's demise. Municipalities abandoned the public market as tax revenues fell, and private entrepreneurs faced great difficulties in competing with grocery stores that were operating under a system of mass distribution. Today, the public market is perceived as a viable cultural function, but without the political-economic viability of ...
Boas' sign revisited.

I read with interest the article about the validation of Collin’s sign in cholelithiasis [1]. The use of eponyms in clinical medicine is a matter of controversy and it is my personal opinion that their use certainly adds a different dimension and gives an added perspective to the student of medicine. However, I would like to point out another historical eponym involving a similar concept that may be of interest to your readers. Ismar Isidor Boas (1858–1938), a German gastroenterologist, was probably one of the earliest physicians to note the association of to point tenderness in the region to the right of the 10th to 12th thoracic vertebrae in patients with cholecystitis. More recently, this eponymous sign has been used to describe hyperaesthesia to light touch in the infrascapular area or even in the right upper quadrant. This has come to be known as Boas’ sign [2]. Although Collins’ sign and Boas’ sign are not exactly the same, it is my understanding that they are based on the same underlying principle of referred pain. To my knowledge, Boas’ sign has not been studied for its validity.
TGF-β related genes in development

Embryonic induction is the process by which signals from one cell population change the developmental fate of another. Polypeptides related to growth factors are one group of molecules mediating many inductive events. Recent data on the embryonic expression and function of signaling proteins related to transforming growth factor beta, in both vertebrate and invertebrate systems, have shown that these molecules play important roles in both pattern formation and tissue specification during embryogenesis.
Communal roosting sites are potential ecological traps: experimental evidence in a Neotropical harvestman

Situations in which animals preferentially settle in low-quality habitat are referred to as ecological traps, and species that aggregate in response to conspecific cues, such as scent marks, that persist after the animals leave the area may be especially vulnerable. We tested this hypothesis on harvestmen (Prionostemma sp.) that roost communally in the rainforest understory. Based on evidence that these animals preferentially settle in sites marked with conspecific scent, we predicted that established aggregation sites would continue to attract new recruits even if the animals roosting there perished. To test this prediction, we simulated intense predation by repeatedly removing all individuals from 10 established roosts, and indeed, these sites continued to attract new harvestmen. A more likely reason for an established roost to become unsuitable is a loss of overstory canopy cover caused by treefalls. To investigate this scenario, without felling trees, we established 16 new communal roosts by translocating harvestmen into previously unused sites. Half the release sites were located in intact forest, and half were located in treefall gaps, but canopy cover had no significant effect on the recruitment rate. These results support the inference that communal roost sites are potential ecological traps for species that aggregate in response to conspecific scent.
820 Cystinuria Over Two Generations

Cystinuria is an autosomal recessive disorder that is characterized by an impaired tubular transport of cystine and dibasic aminoacids, resulting in cystine urolithiasis. The transport of these amino acids is mediated by the rBAT/b0,+ AT transporter, the subunits of which are encoded by the genes SLC3A1, located on chromosome 2p16.3-21, and SLC7A9, located on chromosome 19q12-13.1. In this work we present a family in which cystinuria was manifested in two generation. The index case is a female, aged 9 years when she was diagnosed with a kidney stone and underwent surgery. Nitroprusside test was positive and urinary excretion of cystine was high (127.5 mM/M creatinine, normal 0.6-20.0 mM/M creatinine). The family screening revealed that two siblings (sister and brother) had positive nitroprusside test and increased urinary excretion of cystine. The mother had history of surgery for nephrolithiasis, had positive nitroprusside test and increased urinary excretion of cystine. The mutational analysis of the SLC3A1 gene revealed that the index case and the mother were compound heterozygote (T216M/M467T), while the female and the male siblings were homozygote for M467T mutation. The father was heterozygote for M467T mutation. The ethnic origin of the patients is Egyptian. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of cystinuria occurring over two generations.
Molecular adsorption: Inclusion of bulk diffusion and its effect on Auger intensities

A theoretical study of the adsorption and dissociation of diatomic molecules, A2 and AB, on a solid surface and of the bulk diffusion of the atomic species is presented in this paper. Rate equations for these processes are solved and limiting forms for the surface concentrations of the species are presented. The electron beam used to stimulate the atoms in Auger studies of surfaces can be expected to induce dissociation and diffusion. The contribution of the diffused atoms to Auger intensity is calculated, and the intensity is found to approach its saturation value as 1/√t. Qualitative comparisons of the calculated Auger intensities with experimental data are given.
Gestational trophoblastic disease in a fifty-one year old woman

Molar pregnancy has always been of interest to physicians because of the diagnostic and management challenges it presents. Its occurrence in patients older than 50 years of age is rare and misdiagnosis is common. A 51 year old black female presented to the gynecology emergency room with vaginal bleeding for twenty days. She was diagnosed with a molar pregnancy by a pelvic ultra-sound. Prior to presenting to the emergency room she had a negative work-up for hyperthyroidism, including a biopsy of a benign thyroid nodule and was also started on Inderal for new onset hypertension. She underwent a primary hysterectomy and subsequently required five courses of actinomycin D for plateauing of the BhCG. The different forms of presentation of gestational trophoblastic disease should be kept in mind so that the diagnosis can be made promptly and appropriate treatment started early, especially in patients with advanced age.
Scientific Astronomy in Antiquity

The character and content of Babylonian scientific or mathematical astronomy, as we know it from texts of the last half millennium B.C., are sketched. This late-Babylonian astronomy is set in contrast to earlier Babylonian astronomy as well as to the kinds of astronomy found in other ancient cultures, and an attempt is made at a very broad classification of such pre-scientific astronomies. The lateness and uniqueness of Babylonian mathematical astronomy is emphasized, and it is shown that its creation depended upon the availability of a peculiar set of ingredients, e.g., a particular type of mathematics, and a tradition of making and recording observations of certain astronomical phenomena. It is finally argued that all subsequent varieties of scientific astronomy, in the Hellenistic world, in India, in Islam, and in the West - if not indeed all subsequent endeavour in the exact sciences - depend upon Babylonian astronomy in decisive and fundamental ways. In the present paper I shall describe to you, of necessity in barest and crudest outline, the character and content of Babylonian mathlematical astronomy which was the first and highly successful attempt at giving a refined mathematical description of astronomical phenomena. Further, I shall try to give expression to my conviction that subsequent scientific astronomy in Hellenistic Greece, in India, in Islam, and in the Latin West - depended in decisive ways upon Babylonian astronomy. My choice of a title for this lecture was, I fea, I fear, somewhat clumsy - mathematical or theoretical
dbNSFP v2.0: A Database of Human Non-synonymous SNVs and Their Functional Predictions and Annotations

dbNSFP is a database developed for functional prediction and annotation of all potential non-synonymous single-nucleotide variants (nsSNVs) in the human genome. This database significantly facilitates the process of querying predictions and annotations from different databases/web-servers for large amounts of nsSNVs discovered in exome-sequencing studies. Here we report a recent major update of the database to version 2.0. We have rebuilt the SNV collection based on GENCODE 9 and currently the database includes 87,347,043 nsSNVs and 2,270,742 essential splice site SNVs (an 18% increase compared to dbNSFP v1.0). For each nsSNV dbNSFP v2.0 has added two prediction scores (MutationAssessor and FATHMM) and two conservation scores (GERP++ and SiPhy). The original five prediction and conservation scores in v1.0 (SIFT, Polyphen2, LRT, MutationTaster and PhyloP) have been updated. Rich functional annotations for SNVs and genes have also been added into the new version, including allele frequencies observed in the 1000 Genomes Project phase 1 data and the NHLBI Exome Sequencing Project, various gene IDs from different databases, functional descriptions of genes, gene expression and gene interaction information, among others. dbNSFP v2.0 is freely available for download at http://sites.google.com/site/jpopgen/dbNSFP.
Dislocation loop structure, energy and mobility of self-interstitial atom clusters in bcc iron

Abstract Molecular-statics and molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations based on the embedded-atom method (EAM) were used to model the energy and mobility of self-interstitial atom (SIA) clusters in bcc α-iron. Isolated SIAs and SIA clusters, directly produced in displacement cascades have significant impact on the microstructural evolution under neutron and high-energy charged particle beam irradiations. The SIA clusters are composed of 〈1 1 1〉 split dumbbells and crowdions bound by energies in excess of 1 eV. The clusters can be described as perfect prismatic dislocation loops with Burgers vector b =( a /2) 〈1 1 1〉. As the loops grow, SIAs fill successive jogged edge rows, with minimum free energy cusps found at the ‘magic’ numbers corresponding to un-jogged filled hexagonal shells. The total energy of the clusters is in excellent agreement with continuum elasticity dislocation theory predictions. However, the core region is extended compared to an isolated edge dislocation. The extended regions are preferentially located at the hexagonal corners of the loop, forming intrinsic kinks. As a result of the intrinsic kinks, the SIA clusters are highly mobile and undergo one-dimensional motion on their glide prism. The high cluster mobility is related to the easy motion of the edge segments which propagate the kinks along the loop periphery resulting in increments of prismatic glide. The corresponding activation energy for SIA cluster diffusion is less than 0.1 eV. Linking atomistic point defect cluster calculations dislocation theory provides a powerful tool in understanding radiation damage.
Distribution of VIM-2 and SSEA-1 glycoconjugate epitopes among human leukocytes and leukemia cells.

Abstract Anti-SSEA-1 which binds to glycoconjugates with a Galβ1–4(fucα1–3)G1cNAc epitope and VIM-2 which binds to gangliosides with a NeuAcα2–3G1cNAcβ–4(FUC α1–3) GlcNAcβ1–3Gal-epitope were used to determine the expression of their corresponding carbohydrate antigens in human leukocytes and leukemia cells. Expression of these antigens was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of plastic embedded sections of bone marrow or isolated cells, and by immunostaining of isolated glycosphingolipids separated by thin layer chromatography. The expression of both antigens was restricted to normal and leukemic myeloid cells. A range of positive immunohistochemical staining was found among normal marrow myeloid precursors, with myeloblasts giving weaker staining than, more mature cells (promyelocytes, myelocytes, metamyelocytes). A similar trend was observed with leukemia cell lines, in that the myeloblastic cell line KG1 was weakly stained compared to the partially differentiated cell line HL-60. Immunohistochemical staining of marrows from acute leukemia patients showed that the VIM-2 antigen is more strongly expressed than the SSEA-1 antigen. Interestingly, both antibodies stained AMMoL cells more intensely than AML cells. Granulocytes from marrows of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients were intensely stained by both antibodies, whereas lymphocytic leukemias (acute lymphocytic, chronic lymphocytic and hairy cell marrows) were negative. Thus, although both antigens are restricted to myeloid cells there are differences in the level of expression depending on the level of cell maturity. Immunostaining of glycosphingolipids isolated from myeloid cells demonstrated that the SSEA-1 epitope is carried by several neutral glycosphingolipids and that the VIM-2 epitope is carried by three or more gangliosides. Major SSEA-1 glycosphingolipids, with seven to more than ten monosaccharides, are expressed by all myeloid cells regardless of the level of maturity, although quantitative differences are apparent in different patient samples. Two strongly immunoreactive VIM-2 gangliosides with ten and twelve monosaccharides, respectively were found in myeloid cells. The ratio of these two gangliosides varied dramatically, with greater amounts of the more complex ganglioside being present in most cell samples. Normal neutrophils and CML cells had much greater quantities of the VIM-2 gangliosides than acute leukemia cells. This observation correlates with our earlier findings that: (1) acute leukemia cells have less total ganglioside than granulocytes and (2) acute leukemia cells have a predominance of short chain gangliosides (i.e. less than five monosaccharide units). Finally, both CML cells and normal neutrophils express a shorter chain VIM-2 ganglioside, which was not detected in acute myelogenous leukemia cells.
A Strategy for Monitoring of Geologic Sequestration of CO2

Monitoring of geologic sequestration projects will require the measurement of many different parameters and processes at many different locations at the surface and in the subsurface. The greatest need for technology development is for monitoring of processes in the subsurface in the region between wells. The approach to fitting this need is to build upon decades of experience in use of geophysics in the oil and gas industry. These methods can be optimized for CO2 monitoring, and customized and extended in order to meet the need for cost-effective methods applicable to saline disposal sites, coal bed methane sites, as well as oil and gas reservoir sequestration sites. The strategy for development of cost-effective methods follows a three step iterative process of sensitivity analysis using numerical and experimental techniques, field testing at a range of scale in different formations, and analysis and integration of complimentary types of data.
Cranial Nerves III to VI

Cranial nerves III, IV, V, and VI are small structures that travel in a reproducible manner from the midbrain and pons to the cavernous sinus and then to the orbit. While there are branches that course through other foramina of the skull, the emphasis in MRI is to evaluate the brainstem, the cavernous sinus, and the pericavernous regions for pathology. This unit present a basic protocol for imaging cranial nerves III to VI. Because the nerves run from a posterior to an anterior position, coronal scanning is ideal for visualizing the nerves in cross-section. Thin sections and contrast enhancement are required to best visualize the diseases that affect these nerves. An alternate protocol is also discussed for the case when demyelinating etiologies for the cranial nerve deficits are considered.
Catalytic pyrolysis of individual components of lignocellulosic biomass

We report on the catalytic pyrolysis of switchgrass and its three main components (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) over H-ZSM5 catalyst. The yields of aromatic hydrocarbons for the three components decreased in the following order: cellulose > hemicellulose ≫ lignin. Moderately higher temperature favored formation of aromatics. The results indicate that H-ZSM5 catalyst did not remove oxygen in an optimal pathway for catalytic pyrolysis of biomass. Dehydration was the dominant oxygen removal mechanism for catalytic pyrolysis, while decarbonylation to CO was favored over decarboxylation to CO2. This suggests that higher yields of aromatics might be achieved by catalyst improvements or reactor design that optimizes deoxygenation pathway. For cellulose and hemicellulose, coke produced catalytically contributed a larger fraction of solid carbonaceous residue than char from purely thermal processes. In the case of lignin, thermal rather than catalytic processes primarily contribute to the production of solid carbonaceous residue. Product distribution from catalytic pyrolysis of switchgrass appeared to be the additive contribution of the three individual components, which indicates that there was no significant interaction among the biomass-derived products.
Designing analog and RF circuits for ultra-low supply voltages

This paper investigates the challenges and opportunities of designing analog and RF integrated circuits to operate from ultra-low supply voltages. Solutions ranging from exploiting the 4 terminals of a MOS device or the threshold voltage dependence on length, to the use of circuit topologies that require only stacks of two devices are discussed. The realization of full analog and RF system functions operating from ultra-low voltages is demonstrated and the enabling architecture modifications are introduced. The techniques and results presented in this paper aim to enable ultra-low voltage analog and RF circuits both in the context of relatively large threshold voltages, e.g., |VT|=VDD, as well as lower threshold voltages.
Group IV crystalline nanomembranes: Materials, technology, and potential applications

Crystalline nanomembranes of Group IV elements offer a new perspective on potential photonic and optoelectronic structures, including flexible photodetectors, photonic crystals, wave guides, light sources, and oscillators.
A Unique Conodont Basal Structure from the Ordovician of Alabama

A unique downward-projecting basal structure was observed attached to a fibrous-type compound conodont recovered from the Chickamauga formation (Middle Ordovician) of Alabama. The basal material apparently projected into the supporting tissue. It is suggested that this structure may have served for attachment of muscles that effected movement of the conodont.
Diagnosis of coeliac disease

Follow up and review are needed when test results are not clear T wo articles in this issue remind us about coeliac disease and the need to consider it as a diagnosis in seemingly unusual circumstances—in elderly patients and in obese patients (p 773, 775).1 2 Furthermore, in the patient reported by Saunders et al, the usual diagnostic features of anti-endomysial and anti-transglutaminase antibodies and histological enteropathy were absent initially.1 Coeliac disease is a relatively common condition. Its prevalence is approximately 0.3-1% of the population in almost all countries and ethnic groups where it has been investigated.3 Previously regarded largely as a childhood problem it is now recognised to affect mostly adults, with about 25% of patients receiving their diagnosis at over 60 years of age.4 When present, the features of malabsorption (diarrhoea and weight loss) should point to the diagnosis, but now a wide range of clinical manifestations are recognised. Patients often have few or no gastrointestinal symptoms and can even be obese.2 5 Conventionally diagnosis is based on the histological finding of …
An ethnography of clinic “noise” in a community-based, promotora-centered mental health intervention

Community-based health interventions have emerged as a growing focus for anthropological research. The application of ethnographic approaches in clinical practice settings reveals that community-based interventions must grapple with "noise," or unanticipated factors such as patients' own perceptions of illness and treatment, primary care providers' non-adherence to guidelines-based treatment, the social dynamics of the clinic site itself, and incomplete understanding and acceptance of an intervention by a clinic's staff members. Such noise can influence the implementation and quality of treatment. Thus, identifying clinic-based noise is critical in assessments of fidelity to intervention protocols as well as outcomes of community-based interventions. This paper highlights findings from an evaluation of a mental health intervention focusing on the role of promotoras (briefly trained, non-professional community health workers) as mental health practitioners in two urban New Mexico, USA, community health centers. Our research identified three areas of clinic-based noise: the clinics' physical ability to "absorb" the intervention, the challenges of co-worker instability and interpersonal relationships, and balancing extra workplace demands. The findings demonstrate the value of ethnographic approaches in community-based intervention research.
Critical tools identification and characteristics curves construction in a wafer fabrication facility

The purpose of this research was to identify the factors in a wafer fabrication facility that significantly affect the cycle times of two main technologies that are currently in process and in demand for the next few years. Moreover, the goal was to construct the characteristics curves that would provide information about the different capabilities of a wafer fabrication facility for several improvement scenarios. A valid simulation model of the whole production line of the fabrication facility was built. The input factors in the fab that significantly affect cycle time, were identified through factor screening experiments. Based on these factors, several scenarios involving addition of tools, were identified and the characteristics curves were constructed for each scenario. These characteristics curves were used to relate cycle time to production volume capacities.
The Relationship Between Asthma and COPD: Lessons From Transgenic Mice

Asthma is characterized by eosinophilic and mononuclear cell infiltration, mucous metaplasia, airway remodeling, reversible airflow obstruction, and airway hyperresponsiveness. COPD is typified by nonreversible or incompletely reversible airway obstruction, often accompanied by mucous metaplasia and alveolar destruction. There is considerable overlap in pathogenesis and clinical features between the conditions. However, asthma and COPD may be distinguished by their respective cytokine profiles. Studies in transgenic mice have illuminated the roles of the T helper (Th) 1-mediated cytokine interferon-γ in COPD, supporting the British hypothesis, and the Th2-mediated cytokine interleukin-13 in asthma, supporting the Dutch hypothesis. COPD and asthma may represent disease states along a continuum, with varying degrees of each disease often present in the same patient.
Gas Dynamic Principles of Cold Spray

This paper presents an analytical model of the cold-spray process. By assuming a one-dimensional isentropic flow and constant gas properties, analytical equations are solved to predict the spray particle velocities. The solutions demonstrate the interaction between the numerous geometric and material properties. The analytical results allow determination of an optimal design for a cold-spray nozzle. The spray particle velocity is determined to be a strong function of the gas properties, particle material density, and size. It is also shown that the system performance is sensitive to the nozzle length, but not sensitive to the nozzle shape. Thus, it is often possible to use one nozzle design for a variety of operational conditions. Many of the results obtained in this article are also directly applicable to other thermal spray processes.
A Deterministic Multiproduct, Multi-Facility Production and Inventory Model

A deterministic multiproduct, multifacility, multiperiod production planning model is analyzed. The model considers concave production costs, which can depend upon the production in several different facilities, and piecewise concave inventory costs. Backlogging of unsatisfied demand is permitted. After determining the general form of the minimum cost production schedule, algorithms to calculate the minimum cost schedule explicitly in certain specific cases are presented.
An attempted suppression of liberty

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) report on gender selection is a presumptuous, biased, and misguided attempt to provide a basis on which to deny the freedom to make their own reproductive choices to citizens of Great Britain. The report should be soundly rejected.
Cost-effectiveness of HIV testing and treatment in the United States.

In September 2006, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidelines calling for routine, voluntary human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing for all persons aged 13‐64 years in health care settings. These guidelines were motivated, in part, by mounting evidence that the traditional approach of using risk factors to identify candidates for HIV testing is inadequate. Of the 1.0‐1.2 million people in the United States thought to be infected with HIV, ∼25% remain unaware of their infection, and nearly half of all infected patients develop acquired immunodeficiency syndrome 1 year after testing positive for HIV. Also contributing to the change in testing guidelines was recent evidence that routine HIV testing is cost-effective. Cost-effectiveness analysis, a method of assessing health care interventions in terms of the value they confer, reports results in terms of the resources that are required for the intervention to produce an additional unit of change in health effectiveness; more economically efficient programs are those with lower cost-effectiveness ratios. This article reviews the methods and results of cost-effectiveness studies in the United States and articulates why routine, voluntary HIV testing is not only of crucial public health importance but also economically justified.
Can We Predict 4-year Graduation in Podiatric Medical School Using Admission Data?

Background: This study examined the predictive ability of educational background and demographic variables, available at the admission stage, to identify applicants who will graduate in 4 years from podiatric medical school. Methods: A logistic regression model was used to identify two predictors of 4-year graduation: age at matriculation and total Medical College Admission Test score. The model was cross-validated using a second independent sample from the same population. Cross-validation gives greater confidence that the results could be more generally applied. Results: Total Medical College Admission Test score was the strongest predictor of 4-year graduation, with age at matriculation being a statistically significant but weaker predictor. Conclusions: Despite the model’s capacity to predict 4-year graduation better than random assignment, a sufficient amount of error in prediction remained, suggesting that important predictors are missing from the model. Furthermore, the high rate of false-positives...
Overall Job Satisfaction: Is It a Linear Function of Facet Satisfaction?

This study investigates the relationship between overall job satisfaction and satisfaction with various job facets. Linear and nonlinear models for combining facets are examined. The results provide marginal support for an hypothesis that overall job satisfaction is a linear function of satisfaction with various job facets. Specifically, satisfaction with job facets explains 50%-60%o of overall job satisfaction based on a linear combination of facet satisfactions. The results also indicate that facetbased instruments used individually are not sufficient measures of overall job satisfaction. When facets from multiple facet-based instruments are combined, a marginally sufficient measure is obtained.
TRP Channels as Candidates for Hearing and Balance Abnormalities in Vertebrates

In this review, we summarize the potential functional roles of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels in the vertebrate inner ear. The history of TRP channels in hearing and balance is characterized at great length by the hunt for the elusive transduction channel of sensory hair cells. Such pursuit has not resulted in unequivocal identification of the transduction channel, but nevertheless revealed a number of candidates, such as TRPV4, TRPN1, TRPA1, and TRPML3. Much of the circumstantial evidence indicates that these TRP channels potentially play significant roles in inner ear physiology. Based on mutations in the corresponding mouse genes, TRPV4 and TRPML3 are possible candidates for human hearing, and potentially also balance disorders. We further discuss the role of the invertebrate TRP channels Nanchung, Inactive, and TRPN1 and how the functional analysis of these channels provides a link to vertebrate hearing and balance. In summary, only a few TRP channels have been analyzed thus far for a prospective role in the inner ear, and this makes the search for additional TRPs associated with inner ear function quite a tantalizing endeavor.
Analysis of current spreading in long-wavelength, vertical-cavity, surface-emitting lasers

Current spreading is a major concern for wafer-bonded 1.3-/spl mu/m and 1.55-/spl mu/m vertical-cavity, surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) because the distance between the active layer and the aperture for wafer-bonded VCSELs is significantly greater than that for shorter wavelength VCSELs. The current spreading problem becomes even more severe for VCSELs with dielectric top mirrors due to carrier injection from the peripheral region of the aperture, as opposed to direct carrier injection to the aperture through the semiconductor Bragg mirror. We have numerically analyzed the current spreading problem for four popular 1.3-/spl mu/m and 1.55-/spl mu/m VCSEL structures. Two structures have n-GaAs/AlGaAs Bragg mirrors, with oxygen implantation and selective AlGaAs oxidation for current confinement, respectively. The other two structures have p-GaAs/AlGaAs Bragg mirrors, with similar current confinement structures. Common to all four devices are their wafer-bonded GaAs/AlGaAs mirrors and top dielectric mirrors.
Enzymatic biodegradation of HEMA/bisGMA adhesives formulated with different water content.

Dentin adhesives may undergo phase separation when bonding to wet demineralized dentin. We hypothesized that adhesives exhibiting phase separation will experience enhanced biodegradation of methacrylate ester groups. The objective of this project was to study the effect of enzyme-exposure on the release of methacrylic acid (MAA) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) from adhesives formulated under conditions simulating wet bonding. HEMA/bisGMA(2,2-bis[4(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxy-propyloxy)-phenyl] propane), 45/55 w/w ratio, was formulated with different water content: 0 Wt % (A00), 8 wt % (A08), and 16 wt % (A16). After a three day prewash, adhesive discs were incubated with/without porcine liver esterase (PLE) in phosphate buffer (PB, pH 7.4) at 37°C for 8 days. Supernatants were collected daily and analyzed for MAA and HEMA by HPLC. For all formulations, daily MAA release in the presence of PLE was increased compared to MAA release in PB. HEMA release in the presence of PLE was not detected while HEMA release was consistently measured in PB. A08 and A16 released significantly larger amounts of HEMA compared to A00. Analysis of the cumulative release of analytes showed that the leachables in PLE was significantly increased (p < 0.05) as compared with that released in PB indicating that MAA release was not only formed from unreacted monomers but from pendant groups in the polymer network. However, the levels of analytes HEMA in PB or MAA in PLE were increased in A08 and A16 as compared with A00, which suggests that there could be a greater loss of material in HEMA/bisGMA adhesives that experience phase separation under wet bonding conditions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
SOCIO-ECONOMIC DIFFERENTIALS IN MORTALITY FROM CHRONIC DISEASES*

Demographic research dealing with mortality differentials between socioeconomic groups has been oriented to the patterns of a period when death rates were high and largely the result of the high incidence of contagious diseases which frequently reached epidemic proportions. Economic differences and the resultant marked differences in the physical conditions of life were reflected in a quite pronounced tendency for upper income groups to have a most favorable mortality experience in comparison with persons of low income. High death rates for the infectious diseases are
Prevention of DNA damage in spores and in vitro by small, acid-soluble proteins from Bacillus species.

The DNA in dormant spores of Bacillus species is saturated with a group of nonspecific DNA-binding proteins, termed alpha/beta-type small, acid-soluble spore proteins (SASP). These proteins alter DNA structure in vivo and in vitro, providing spore resistance to UV light. In addition, heat treatments (e.g., 85 degrees C for 30 min) which give little killing of wild-type spores of B. subtilis kill > 99% of spores which lack most alpha/beta-type SASP (termed alpha - beta - spores). Similar large differences in survival of wild-type and alpha - beta - spores were found at 90, 80, 65, 22, and 10 degrees C. After heat treatment (85 degrees C for 30 min) or prolonged storage (22 degrees C for 6 months) that gave > 99% killing of alpha - beta - spores, 10 to 20% of the survivors contained auxotrophic or asporogenous mutations. However, alpha - beta - spores heated for 30 min at 85 degrees C released no more dipicolinic acid than similarly heated wild-type spores ( or = 99% killing of wild-type spores, 85% of the spore's dipicolinic acid had been released, and < 1% of the surviving spores could initiate spore germination. Analysis of DNA extracted from heated (85 degrees C, 30 min) and unheated wild-type spores and unheated alpha - beta - spores revealed very few single-strand breaks (< 1 per 20 kb) in the DNA. In contrast, the DNA from heated alpha- beta- spores had more than 10 single-strand breaks per 20 kb. These data suggest that binding of alpha/beta-type SASP to spore DNA in vivo greatly reduces DNA damage caused by heating, increasing spore heat resistance and long-term survival. While the precise nature of the initial DNA damage after heating of alpha- beta- spores that results in the single-strand breaks is not clear, a likely possibility is DNA depurination. A role for alpha/beta-type SASP in protecting DNA against depurination (and thus promoting spore survival) was further suggested by the demonstration that these proteins reduce the rate of DNA depurination in vitro at least 20-fold.
Modelling biochemical interactions in a microfluidic assisted porous silicon microarray for optical sensing

In this paper we present a numerical model for the design of microfluidic assisted porous silicon microarray for the optical monitoring of biomolecular interactions. The kinetic binding is studied as a function of several physical, chemical and geometrical parameters. Optimization conditions in order to maximize the sensor response and increase the accuracy are given.
Sewage-Grown Algae as a Feedstuff for Chicks

ABSTRACT THE culture of unicellular algae such as Chlorella or Scenedesmus in sewage, in order to provide oxygen for aerobic bacterial decomposition of the organic matter, results in a large mass of algae cells that may be removed and utilized as a source of protein and other nutrients for chicks. The dried material contains 40% or more protein, and significant amounts of carotenoids. Protein concentrates of this sort are always needed by the poultry industry in order to supplement the cereal grains, which are relatively low in protein. Most studies of algae as poultry feedstuffs have been made with the large marine forms (MacIntyre, 1955) rather than with unicellular species. However, some nutritional work has been done with these simpler forms grown on a small scale and using artificial media. Combs (1952) found that feeding levels of 10% Chlorella pyrenoidosa increased feed efficiency and growth in chicks when the basal diet . . .
Why a Dual Mandate is Right for Monetary Policy

The overflow crowd packed into the Senate’s largest hearing room ‐ not the usual home of the Financial Services Committee ‐ fell into a hush as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board made his entrance and took the centre seat at the witness table, accompanied by all six of his fellow Board Members. The crowd had a sullen look. The Senators seated around the dais’s three tiers appeared angry. The US economy had been spiralling downward for ten months in the wake of the mortgage market collapse and the steep decline in home prices. Two sizeable commercial banks and seven investment banks had failed, and many of the rest had had to raise capital on highly unfavourable terms. Investors in many uninsured financial instruments still could not get their money back. Not just home mortgage defaults
Calculating Reynolds Stresses from ADCP Measurements in the Presence of Surface Gravity Waves Using the Cospectra-Fit Method

Recently, the velocity observations of acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) have been successfully used to estimate turbulent Reynoldsstresses in estuaries and tidal channels. However,the presence of surface gravity waves can significantly bias stress estimates, limiting application of the technique in the coastal ocean. This work describes a new approach to estimate Reynolds stresses from ADCP velocities obtained in the presence of waves. The method fits an established semiempirical model of boundary layer turbulence to the measured turbulent cospectra at frequencies below those of surface gravity waves to estimate the stress. Applied to ADCP observations made in weakly stratified waters and variable significant wave heights, estimated near-bottom and near-surface stresses using this method compared well with independent estimates of the boundary stresses in contrast to previous methods. Additionally, the vertical structure of tidal stress estimated using the new approach matched that inferred from a linear momentum balance at stress levels below the estimated stress uncertainties. Because the method makes an estimate of the horizontal turbulent length scales present as part of the modelfit, these results can also enable a direct correction for the mean bias errors resulting from instrument tilt, if these scales are long relative to the beam separation.
The Allocation of Inventory Risk in a Supply Chain: Push, Pull, and Advance-Purchase Discount Contracts

While every firm in a supply chain bears supply risk (the cost of insufficient supply), some firms may, even with wholesale price contracts, completely avoid inventory risk (the cost of unsold inventory). With a push contract there is a single wholesale price and the retailer, by ordering his entire supply before the selling season, bears all of the supply chain's inventory risk. A pull contract also has a single wholesale price, but the supplier bears the supply chain's inventory risk because only the supplier holds inventory while the retailer replenishes as needed during the season. (Examples include Vendor Managed Inventory with consignment and drop shipping.) An advance-purchase discount has two wholesale prices: a discounted price for inventory purchased before the season, and a regular price for replenishments during the selling season. Advance-purchase discounts allow for intermediate allocations of inventory risk: The retailer bears the risk on inventory ordered before the season while the supplier bears the risk on any production in excess of that amount. This research studies how the allocation of inventory risk (via these three types of wholesale price contracts) impacts supply chain efficiency (the ratio of the supply chain's profit to its maximum profit). It is found that the efficiency of a single wholesale price contract is considerably higher than previously thought as long as firms consider both push and pull contracts. In other words, the literature has exaggerated the value of implementing coordinating contracts (i.e., contracts that achieve 100% efficiency, such as buy-backs or revenue sharing) because coordinating contracts are compared against an inappropriate benchmark (often just a push contract). Furthermore, if firms also consider advance-purchase discounts, which are also simple to administer, then the coordination of the supply chain and the arbitrary allocation of its profit is possible. Several limitations of advance-purchase discounts are discussed.