cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in methylmercury concentration during storage: effect of temperature

Abstract The widespread presence of methylmercury (MeHg) in the environment and the potential toxicity and bioaccumulation in the food chain has stimulated a demand for accurate and sensitive methods for the determination of mercury compounds in water, sediments, fish and other biological samples. A capillary gas chromatographic method followed by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (GC–AFS) was used to determine changes in MeHg concentration with time during storage in methylene chloride and as affected by storage temperature. Results of our laboratory experiments showed that significant changes in MeHg concentrations occurred during a 15-day storage period. Decreases in the MeHg concentration with time were uniform and at the end of the 15-day storage period only about half the initial concentration (recoveries were between 40.2 and 51.2%) remained in samples stored at various temperature. These results draw attention to the need for immediate analysis of MeHg samples following extraction. Temperature of storage was not a significant factor in the change in MeHg concentration.
Electromigration in Flip Chip Pb-Free Solder Joints

Summary form only given. The demand of flip chip technology in high density packaging for advanced electronic consumer products is growing rapidly. Due to the decrease in device size and increase in functionality, electromigration has now become the most serious reliability problem in flip chip solder joints, especially the Pb-free. Electromigration in flip chip solder joints has several unique features that are very different from the electromigration in Al and Cu interconnects. Solder alloy has a very small critical product of electromigration. thus it can fail at 103 A/cm2. Owing to the line-to-bump geometry in flip chip, current crowding occurs at the contact between the line and the bump and the failure mode of electromigration is a pancake-type void formation at the cathode. Eutectic solder composition has a constant chemical potential below the eutectic temperature, so it enables up-hill diffusion and a nearly complete phase separation to occur in electromigration without resistance. Joule heating due to Al or Cu interconnects can cause a very large temperature gradient in the solder joint, so thermomigration accompanies electromigration. In this talk, the reliability issues of flip chip solder joints when electrical force is combined with thermal force, chemical force or mechanical force will be discussed.
Stopped‐flow study of the gas‐phase reaction of ozone with organic sulfides: Dimethyl sulfide

The autoinhibiting reaction of ozone with dimethyl sulfide (DMS), has been studied at 296°K and 1.1 kPa (8 torr) as a function of the concentrations of both reactants. The major products of the reaction are H2CO, H2O, CO, and SO2. The specific rate of primary attack of O3 on DMS is immeasurably slow. It is suggested that the rapid overall rate observed for this reaction is due to a chain reaction initiated by the very slow primary reaction. It is concluded that reaction (1) cannot be important under atmospheric conditions and that the major loss process for DMS in the atmosphere is probably reaction with photochemically generated free radicals.
Surface charge modifications associated with proliferation and differentiation in neuroblastoma cultures.

THERE have been several reports that malignant cells carry on their surface a higher density of negative fixed charges than normal cells1–3. But it has been argued that the differences in observed surface charge reflect differences in cell growth rate rather than malignancy per se4–6. It has been difficult to resolve this controversy because earlier studies involved comparison between different types of cells, or between cells from the same origin but grown in different culture conditions and at different times after seeding. Using a neuroblastoma cell line7, we have avoided these shortcomings and made electrophoretic measurements on cells which are homologous from the genetic viewpoint, and which are grown in the same culture tray and collected at the same time, but which exhibit different stages of morphological differentiation.
Warfarin-related intracerebral hemorrhage: How to proceed

Warfarin-related intracerebral hemorrhage (WICH) is a devastating stroke subtype and represents a medical and neurosurgical emergency with a 1-month mortality of approximately 50%. Warfarin is commonly prescribed to prevent ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation and to prevent pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Owing to the aging population and the increased incidence of atrial fibrillation with age and subsequent warfarin use, the incidence of WICH is expected to rise in the future. When WICH occurs, immediate discontinuation of warfarin and simultaneous rapid warfarin-reversal remain the first-line interventions, sometimes with neurosurgical intervention. The optimal agent for the most rapid warfarin anticoagulation reversal remains to be defined owing to the lack of prospective randomized trials. We review current literature about WICH pathogenesis, risk factors, acute management strategies and prospects for future research for this devastating neurologic...
Lithium coatings on NSTX plasma facing components and its effects on boundary control, core plasma performance, and operation

NSTX high power divertor plasma experiments have used in succession lithium pellet injection (LPI), evaporated lithium, and injected lithium powder to apply lithium coatings to graphite plasma facing components. In 2005, following the wall conditioning and LPI, discharges exhibited edge density reduction and performance improvements. Since 2006, first one, and now two lithium evaporators have been used routinely to evaporate lithium onto the lower divertor region at total rates of 10-70 mg/min for periods 5-10 min between discharges. Prior to each discharge, the evaporators are withdrawn behind shutters. Significant improvements in the performance of NBI heated divertor discharges resulting from these lithium depositions were observed. These evaporators are now used for more than 80% of NSTX discharges. Initial work with injecting fine lithium powder into the edge of NBI heated deuterium discharges yielded comparable changes in performance. Several operational issues encountered with lithium wall conditions, and the special procedures needed for vessel entry are discussed. The next step in this work is installation of a liquid lithium divertor surface on the outer part of the lower divertor.
The American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) 2009 Annual Meeting Conference

The American Society for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T) held its annual conference November 6–11, 2009, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Almost 600 information workers and resea...
A comparison of the solubilization of several paraffin hydrocarbons by a polysoap

Abstract The solubilization of several paraffin hydrocarbons by a polysoap, prepared by the partial quaternization of poly-2-vinylpyridine with n -dodecyl bromide, was studied viscosimetrically in order to determine the influence of chain length and branching of the hydrocarbons. Isooctane was solubilized to practically the same extent as n -octane, indicating that chain branching is of minor consequence. However, the solubility of the hydrocarbons decreased with increasing number of carbon atoms, though not as rapidly as with ordinary soaps. The solubility of hexadecane was still 40% that of hexane. While a temperature increase speeded up the solubilization process, it did not affect the hydrocarbon solubility, and it caused only a very minor decrease in the reduced viscosity of the polysoap solutions, both in the absence and in the presence of solubilized hydrocarbon.
Appreciating cultural dimensions and connections in hospice care.

In general, it's been my observation that aging or the process of dying is not a common discussion among individuals or within families. There are exceptions, of course, if such conversations are e...
Pathologic findings at the time of nephrectomy for renal mass

Background: Ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) have improved the diagnosis of solid renal masses. Nevertheless, some patients still undergo exploration for a presumptive diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and are found to have other pathology. We report a contemporary series of non-RCC renal masses (both incidental and symptomatic) among nephrectomies performed for suspected RCC. Materials and Methods: All nephrectomies performed by the Urology Service at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center from July of 1989 through July of 1996 for a parenchymal renal mass were reviewed, and patients without a final diagnosis of RCC were identified. Cases were excluded if RCC was not suspected preoperatively. Presentation, preoperative radiographic evaluation, type of operation, and pathologic features were assessed. Results: Of the 636 nephrectomies performed, 108 patients (16.9%) had a diagnosis other than RCC. Conclusions: Of patients undergoing nephrectomy for renal masses, 16.9% have other pathologic diagnoses. Sixty-six percent of these non-RCC masses are discovered incidentally, and the majority are treated with radical nephrectomy. Preoperative radiographic evaluation reflects both clinical presentation, with IVP used to evaluate symptomatic tumors, and diagnostic uncertainty, with multiple modalities used to evaluate cystic lesions. This information has important implications for preoperative counseling and surgical planning.
Interface reflection effects in photonic paint

Experiments on laser action in scattering systems with gain reveal that even in the nondiffusive regime interface reflection effects do not enhance linewidth collapse. Instead we show that in dye systems replacing the cell wall with a mirror causes broadening and that removing Fresnel reflection at the surface results in narrower emission lines.
Does Epicurus Need the Swerve as an Archê of Collisions

In De Rerum Natura, Lucretius gives two reasons for why there must be an atomic swerve: first, without the swerve, there would be no atomic collisions, and thus no macroscopic bodies, as there evidently are;' second, the swerve is supposed to "break the decrees of fate" and guarantee our freedom.2 The anti-determinist justification for the swerve is highly problematic after all, how could randomness at the atomic level be pertinent at all to the freedom of our own choices? but it has nonetheless garnered quite extensive treatment.3 The "cosmological" argument for the swerve, on the other hand, has received relatively little attention. Most treatments of Epicureanism either paraphrase Lucretius' argument in De Rerum Natura without giving any extensive analysis of whether the argument is cogent or simply dismiss it as inadequate.4
Magnetic resonance-guided thermal surgery

A demonstration of MR guided thermal surgery involved experiments with imaging of focused ultrasound in an MRI system, measurements of the thermal transients and a thermal analysis of the resulting images. Both the heat distribution and the creation of focused ultrasound lesions in gel phantoms, in vitro bovine muscle and in vivo rabbit muscle were monitored with magnetic resonance imaging. Thermal surgical procedures were modeled by an elongated gaussian heat source where heat flow is controlled by tissue thermal properties and tissue perfusion. Temperature profiles were measured with thermocouples or calculated from magnetic resonance imaging in agreement with the model. A 2-s T1-weighted gradient-refocused acquisition provided thermal profiles needed to localize the heat distribution produced by a 4-s focused ultrasound pulse. Thermal analysis of the images give an effective thermal diffusion coefficient of 0.0015 cm2/s in gel and 0.0033 cm2/s in muscle. The lesions were detected using a T2-weighted spin-echo or fast spin-echo pulse sequence in agreement with muscle tissue sections. Potential thermal surgery applications are in the prostate, liver, kidney, bladder, breast, eye and brain.
Population dynamics of the house dust mites Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, and Euroglyphus maynei (Acari: Pyroglyphidae) at specific relative humidities.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of relative humidity on the population dynamics of single and mixed species of Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes, D. pteronyssinus (Trouessart), and Euroglyphus maynei (Cooreman) at specific relative humidities maintained at 20°C, with unlimited food. The population density of single and mixed species ( D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus) increased exponentially when cultured at 65, 70, and 75% RH. The mean population growth rates were 17.3 ± 4.4 SD and 32.5% ± 4.7/wk for D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus, respectively. Mean population doubling times were 2.2 ± 0.3 and 4.2 ± 1.3 wk for D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae, respectively. Mixed species cultures, started with equal numbers of D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus, resulted in higher percentages of D. farinae than D. pteronyssinus. In cultures started with 75% of one species and 25% of the other, the more numerous species remained dominant and in similar ratios throughout the experiment. Both D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus population densities maintained at 85% RH declined over a 12-wk culture period because of mold growth. E. maynei were unable to survive at 65, 70, 75, and 85% RH, which indicated that their climatic requirements were different from those of D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus. Population densities of D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus cultures declined when held at 21–22°C and relative humidities of ≤50%; however, at 50% RH, significant proportions of the populations survived for 10 wk. Half-life for desiccation of D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus at 45% RH was 11.5 and 1.2 wk, respectively, but at 50% RH was 86.3 and 4.0 wk, respectively. The data indicated that a ≤5O% RH would have to be maintained for long periods to reduce both D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus by desiccation procedures. The results of this study show that D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus have high reproductive potentials and population growth rates, which indicate that mite reduction procedures must be thorough or mite densities will return to high levels quickly following remediation if adequate food and suitable microclimatic conditions exist.
INTRAMOLECULAR NUCLEOPHILIC CYCLIZATION OF A CARBOXYLIC ACID HYDRAZIDES UNDER MILD ACID CONDITIONS

Phthaloyl-2′-nitrophenylhydrazide undergoes ring closure involving nucleophilic attack of the hydrazide on the carboxylic acid in dilute aqueous acid solution to form the corresponding N-substituted phthalimide. Structure of the resulting phthalimide was unequivocally confirmed by 13C-nmr.
Cysteine co-oxidation process driven by native peptide folding: an example on HER2 receptor model system

Synthetic models of receptors that have relevant biological roles are valuable tools for studying receptors itself and the corresponding ligands. Their properties can be validated at first by their capacity to fold in solution under native-like conditions and to assume conformations structurally and functionally equivalent to those in the native receptor. In this context, a new strategy to prepare the two-fragments synthetic receptor model HER2-DIVMP, an independent structural and functional motif of HER2, has been developed and the folding properties have been investigated. The strategy is based on a one-step cysteine co-oxidation procedure in slightly alkaline aqueous buffers, whereby the two separate peptide chains are allowed to self-assemble in solution. Under these conditions, the two chains spontaneously form the expected heterodimer with the correct pattern of disulfide bridges. To gain insights on the folding mechanism, we investigated the folding of two scrambled variants of the constituent peptide chains.
Supercritical fluid extraction of primary aromatic amines from characterized soil samples; comparison with sonication extraction

Abstract The extraction of the following primary aromatic amines from soil samples was studied: 1,4‐phenylenediamine, 2,4‐diaminotoluene, benzidine, 4,4'‐methylenebis(2‐chloroaniline), 3,3'‐dimethylbenzidine, and 3,3'‐dichlorobenzidine. An extensive comparison of supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) with sonication extraction was performed. The SFE method yielded significantly higher recoveries and equivalent or better precision than sonication extraction for all eleven matrices studied. Characterization data for these matrices was evaluated to determine characteristics which affect primary aromatic amine recovery and to study the potential mechanisms involved in adsorption on the soil. It was determined that amine recovery was affected by the percent clay, the surface area, and the cation exchange capacity of the soil. Adsorption likely involves cation exchange groups including silanols on the surface of the clay materials in the soil.
Effects of incubation temperature on the kinetics of cultured lymphocytes from the opossum, Didelphis virginiana.

La courbe PLM (pourcentages indiques de mitoses) pour les lymphocytes d'opossum a 34°C (temperature normale de cet animal) a atteste une phase G2 plus courte mais d'une phase S plus longue que chez ceux qui ont ete incubes a la temperature conventionnelle de 37°C. Les resultats obtenus sont discutes dans leurs rapports avec les reactions liees a des differences de temperature pour les deux phases du cycle cellulaire.
The microstructure of polymers enzymatically synthesized in a self-assembling environment

Abstract Polyphenols are synthesized in the self-assembling environment of reversed micelles using an oxidative enzyme, horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Hydrogen-bonding interactions between the monomer and the surfactant lead to monomer partitioning to the micellar interface. The polymer has the morphology of distinct and interconnected micron-sized spherical particles. The internal microstructure of the particles appears to be made up of nanometer-sized polymer patches. By controlling the extent of reaction it is possible to modify the internal density of these polymer microspheres. Intramicellar solutes such as enzymes and nanoparticles are entrapped within the microspheres and confer specific properties to the resulting composite. This leads to a method of microencapsulation and the preparation of novel polymer-protein and/or polymer-ceramic composites.
Designing tree-structured organizations for computational agents

We describe a framework for defining the space of organization designs for computational agents, use our framework for analyzing the expected performance of a class of organizations, and describe how our analyses can be applied to predict performance for a distributed information gathering task. Our analysis specifically addresses the impact of the span of control (branching factor) in tree-structured hierarchical organizations on the response time of such organizations. We show quantitatively how the overall task size and granularity influence the design of the span of control for the organization, and that within the class of organizations considered the apropriate span of control is confined to a relatively narrow range. The performance predicted by our overall model correlates with the actual performance of a distributed organization for computer network monitoring. Consequently, we argue that our framework can support aspects of organizational self-design for computational agents, and might supply insights into the design of human organizations as well.
Synthesis, spectroelectrochemistry and application in electrochromic devices of an n- and p-dopable conducting polymer

Abstract The synthesis and spectroelectrochemistry of polycyclopenta[2,1-b;4,3-b′]dithiophen-4-(cyano,nonafluorobutylsulfonyl)-methylidene (PCNFBS), a low bandgap conducting polymer which is both p- and n-dopable, are reported. A model electrochromic device incorporating this polymer as both the anode and the cathode is demonstrated.
Sustaining Cross-Sector Collaborations: Lessons from New Orleans

This study examines the role of faith-based and nonprofit organizations in cross-sector collaborations and the outcomes of collaborative efforts in one poverty stricken New Orleans neighborhood. The study focuses on a particular one-stop human services center that was established in the target neighborhood post-Hurricane Katrina and was tested during the aftermath of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. The Center was evaluated during the fall of 2008, to determine whether it held up in achieving relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts, especially in relation to additional needs generated by the more recent storms. Using the Bryson et al. (2006) model of cross-sector collaboration as a beginning framework, and the subsequent expanded model of that same framework from Simo and Bies (2007), the current study examines the successes and current challenges of this particular collaborative organization, analyzes the application of the identified cross-sector collaboration models, defines the role of faith-based organizations and explores the implications for future policy and practice, as well as directions for further research in this important and under-researched area.
Metallorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition of Hafnium Silicate Thin Films Using a Dual Source Dimethyl-alkylamido Approach

A low-temperature metallorganic chemical vapor deposition process has been developed for the growth of hafnium silicate thin films for advanced gate dielectric applications. In this process, a metallorganic hafnium precursor, tetrakis(dimethylamino-)hafnium, and a metallorganic silicon precursor, tris(dimethylamino)silicon, were employed, using O 2 as a co-reactant. Films were deposited at a substrate temperature in the range of 250-450°C. The films were subsequently annealed in oxygen and forming gas ambients to assess thermal stability. The resulting films were characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy to determine composition and X-ray diffraction to determine microstructure. Electrical test structures were fabricated with as-deposited and annealed hafnium silicate films, and C-V and J-V measurements were performed. As-deposited dielectric constant values ranging from 6.9 to 12.9 were achieved depending on processing conditions and resulting film composition. Leakage current density at flatband voltage minus 1 V for a 26 nm thick as-deposited film was measured to be 1.6 X 10 -1 A/cm 2 and was shown to decrease following an O 2 anneal. The performance of these hafnium silicate films was also compared to hafnium oxide films deposited using the same Hf precursor and O 2 oxidizer approach.
Plant virus-induced changes in aphid population development and temporal fluctuations in plant nutrients.

Cucurbita pepo plants were infected with zucchini yellow mosaic virus or maintained noninfected.Aphis gossypii, which transmits the virus, lived longer and produced more offspring on infected than on noninfected plants. On infected plants, the intrinsic rate of natural increase forA. gossypii increased with time after inoculation. In a similar experiment, concentrations of phloem sap nutrients, including free amino acids, total protein, and sugars from infected and noninfected plants were compared for 37 days after inoculation. Significant differences in levels of individual amino acids from phloem exudate between infected and noninfected plants were found, yet the concentration of total amino acids was not substantially different between infected and noninfected plants. Beginning four days after inoculation, the total protein content of phloem exudate generally was lower in infected plants than noninfected plants. Likewise, the total sugar content of phloem exudate from infected plants was lower than that of noninfected plants beginning nine days after inoculation. In contrast with the results from analyses of phloem exudate, foliage from infected plants had higher levels of almost all amino acids than noninfected foliage beginning nine days after inoculation. Concentrations of individual and total amino acids in infected foliage increased throughout the experimental period. Although no temporal effects were observed in the foliage sugar content for either individual or total sugars, starch content decreased with time in infected plants, while in noninfected plants, starch content remained level.
Shinto festival involvement and sense of self in contemporary Japan

Abstract In recent decades, hundreds of studies have addressed connections between religious beliefs and behaviours and individual well-being in Europe and the US. There are only a handful of publications that examine these important links in Japan, however. In this paper, I rely on participant observation and in-depth interviews with some of the leaders of Kyoto's Gion Festival to illustrate associations between public ritual involvement and sense of self. Specifically, this paper is a sociological exploration of relationships between annual participation in the Gion Festival and self-esteem. In Japan, as in other cultures, self-esteem is an important component of well-being, and this study reveals that the men who are heavily involved in the rites, parades and other events of the Gion Festival have a positive sense of individual and collective self-worth.
Text and Image: From Book History to “The Book is History”

Purpose – Academic viewpoints about the evolution of the book over time incorporating historical purposes and contemporary approaches to issuing new forms of scholarship.Design/methodology/approach – Outunes the themes of the conference.Findings – Technology allows for so much today and the intersection of text and image is just one way to interpret the potential for new practices and information products.Practical implications – Different forms of scholarship emphasize media and implications for new information products suggest new roles for creators, readers, preservationists, librarians, and technologists.Originality/value – Provides a useful summary of a conference of interest of information professionals.
A Global Climate Model (GENESIS) with a Land-Surface Transfer Scheme (LSX). Part I: Present Climate Simulation.

Abstract The present-day climatology of a global climate model (GENESIS Version 1.02) is described. The model includes a land-surface transfer component (LSX) that accounts for the physical effects of vegetation. The atmospheric general circulation model is derived from the NCAR CCM1 and modified to include semi-Lagrangian transport of water vapor, subgrid plume convection, PBL mixing, a more complex cloud scheme, and a diurnal cycle. The surface models consist of LSX; multilayer models of soil, snow, and sea ice; sea ice dynamics; and a slab mixed layer ocean. Brief descriptions of the current model components are included in an appendix. GENESIS is an ongoing project to develop an earth system model prototype for global change research. The Version 1.02 climate model has already proved useful in paleoclimate studies. Results of present-day simulations are described using an atmospheric spectral resolution of RIS (∼4.5° lat×7.5° long) and a surface-model resolution of 2°×2°. In general the quality of the...
Function-blocking antithrombospondin-1 monoclonal antibodies

Summary. Background: Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) has been implicated in many different processes based in part on inhibitory activities of anti-TSP-1 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Objective: To map epitopes of 13 anti-TSP-1 mAbs to individual modules or groups of modules spanning TSP-1 and the closely related TSP-2 homolog. Results: The mapping has led to assignment or reassignment of the epitopes of four mAbs, refinement of the epitopes of six mAbs, and confirmation of the epitopes of the remaining three mAbs. ESTs10, P12, and MA-II map to the N-terminal domain; 5G11, TSP127.6, and ESTs12 to the third properdin module; C6.7, HB8432, and P10 to epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like modules 1 and/or 2; and A6.1, mAb133, MA-I, and D4.6 to the calcium-binding wire module. A6.1, which recognizes a region of the wire that is identical in mouse and human TSP-1, reacts with TSP-1 from both species, and also reacts weakly with human TSP-2. Two other mouse antihuman TSP-1 mAbs, A4.1 and D4.6, also react with mouse TSP-1. Conclusions: Consideration of previous literature and mapping of epitopes of inhibitory mAbs suggest that biological activities are present throughout TSP-1, including the EGF-like modules that have not been implicated in the past. Because the epitopes for 10 of the antibodies likely are within 18 nm of one another in calcium-replete TSP-1, some of the inhibitory effects may result from steric hindrance. Such seems to be the case for mAb133, which binds the calcium-binding wire but is still able to interfere with the activation of latent TGF-β by the properdin modules.
Quantitative analysis of spin exchange interactions to identify β strand and turn regions in Ure2 prion domain fibrils with site-directed spin labeling.

Abstract Amyloid formation is associated with a range of debilitating human disorders including Alzheimer’s and prion diseases. The amyloid structure is essential for understanding the role of amyloids in these diseases. Amyloid formation of Ure2 protein underlies the yeast prion [URE3]. Here we use site-directed spin labeling and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to investigate the structure of amyloid fibrils formed by the Ure2 prion domain. The Ure2 prion domain under study contains a Sup35M domain at C-terminus as a solubilization element. We introduced spin labels at every residue from positions 2–15, and every 5th residue from positions 20–80 in Ure2 prion domain. EPR spectra at most labeling sites show strong spin exchange interactions, suggesting a parallel in-register β structure. With quantitative analysis of spin exchange interactions, we show that residues 8–12 form the first β strand, followed by a turn at residues 13–14, and then the second β strand from residue 15 to at least residue 20. Comparison of the spin exchange frequency for the fibrils formed under quiescent and agitated conditions also revealed differences in the fibril structures. Currently there is a lack of techniques for in-depth structural studies of amyloid fibrils. Detailed structural information is obtained almost exclusively from solid-state NMR. The identification of β-strand and turn regions in this work suggests that quantitative analysis of spin exchange interactions in spin-labeled amyloid fibrils is a powerful approach for identifying the β-strand and turn/loop residues and for studying structural differences of different fibril polymorphs.
Program Results: An Introduction

In Chapter 9, Program Result for Some Nations: Austria and France, we display samples of what can be generated from the data, the programs and their execution from the contents of CD-Rom of the 141 nations. The identified government strategies and the equation of the representative firms strategies yield testable policies for the economic growth of each nation.
Studying the Impact of RO Membrane Surface Functionalities on Alginate Fouling in Seawater Desalination

Abstract Despite extensive studies on the relationship between membrane surface properties and fouling, the roles of specific surface functional groups in RO membrane fouling under different solution conditions are still poorly understood. This research aims to elucidate how specific surface functional groups affect RO membrane fouling by alginate in solution conditions relevant to seawater desalination. Common RO membrane surface functionalities are represented by self-assembled mono-layers with –COOH, –NH 2 , –CONH 2 and –OH ending groups. Alginate adsorption and removal was studied under relevant solution conditions using quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D). The results show that ionic composition has great impacts on alginate–alginate interaction, which is more important than membrane surface chemistry in determining alginate adsorption equilibrium at the high ionic strength of seawater. The initial adsorption rate is highly sensitive to surface chemistry. The –NH 2 group has strong affinity for alginate, yet the –COOH group exhibits the highest adsorption rate in simulated seawater. The reversibility of the adsorbed layer was influenced by both alginate–surface interaction and the structure of the layer. The large alginate aggregates formed in the presence of Ca 2+ result in loosely packed and less viscous adsorbed layer on the surface, which is easier to remove by surfactant cleaning.
An Engineering Incentive Problem

Emphasis on research has resulted in a loss of appreciation of the major engineering effort necessary to convert basic ideas to reliable hardware. The current impression is that research is 95 per cent of the job and that the conversion to hardware occurs in that mysterious process known as ``production''. There is a necessity for re-educating engineers to the challenging task that confronts us in making today's electronic wonders reliable.
Sampling techniques for the evaluation of treatment plans

Sampling techniques using randomly distributed points and regular Cartesian grids were compared for the evaluation of volume, dose‐volume histogram, tumorcontrol, and normal tissue complication probabilities in radiation treatments. Particularly, the uncertainties associated with each sampling technique in estimating the dose‐volume histograms for several dose distributions are analyzed in detail. It is found that the estimation of these parameters using sampling points on a regular Cartesian grid is, in general, significantly more efficient than using random points. This finding is different from other published results. The choice of grid size for sampling was analyzed according to the AAPM recommended uncertainty on the dose delivered to the patient. It was concluded that when grid sampling is used, a grid size of 0.5 cm is adequate for most plans to meet the guidelines.
1445 ASPHYXIA INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN SERUM AND RENAL CALCIUM, MAGNESIUM AND PHOSPHATE HOMEOSTASIS

Asphyxia has been shown to adversely affect neonatal calcium and magnesium homeostasis. We studied the effect of asphyxia on renal calcium, magnesium and phosphate homeostasis in 12, 1-6 day old newborn lambs. In 6 lambs, hypoxemia, hypercarbia and acidosis was induced by a 38ml/kg deadspace added to the airway for 20 min; the study continued for 140 min; 6 non-asphyxiated lambs were controls. Changes in asphyxiated lambs are shown: U = urinary concentration, V = volume, TRP = tubular reabsorption P. M±SEM, *p<.05 compared to (B), +p<0.05 decrease compared to controls. Significant changes were not seen in control lambs. Thus, asphyxia induces hypermagnesemia and phosphaturia in newborn lambs; we speculate that magnesium may be released from intracellular stores and phosphaturia may be due to increased calcitonin or parathyroid release.
PATTERNS OF SPONTANEOUS AND RADIATION INDUCED MUTATION RATES DURING SPERMATOGENESIS IN DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER.

The daily pattern of mutational response to gamma rays was determined for three types of young adult, heterozygous, Oregon-R males which were mated exhaustively during days 1 to 12 after irradiation. Doses of 250r, 500r, and 1kr were tested for the production of dominant visible and sex-linked hemizygous mutations, and 1kr for Y and autosomal translocations. Translocations were also scored in tests of irradiated mature sperm, and of sperm maturing five to six days later, after doses of 250r, 500r, 2kr and 4kr. The observed pattern was that of an even rate for the visibles, chiefly Minutes, and was U-shaped for sex- linked mutations, chiefiy lethals, with the lower rate appearing in sperm from days 2 to 8. A linear relationship with dose is indicated for the rates of all types of induced point mutations in sperin from days 1 to 8. In premeiotic stages of spermatogenesis the relationship varies between dosage levels and between the types of heterozygous males tested. Sperin derived from gonial cells which did not mutate at the ttme of exposure to doses of 1kr to 5kr showed that the same rate of spontaneous mutations occurred in subsequent stages of spermatogenesis as occurred in the spermmore » of similarly aged Control males. After 1kr, day-5 sperm showed 3.7 times more sex-linked mutations than appeared in sperm from days 1 to 3, and day-8 sperm showed 11.8 times more translocations. This favors the view that changes in mutation frequency during days 1 to 6 reflect changes in the rate at which both point mutations and chromosome rearrangements occur during the various stages of spermatogenesis from ineiosis to maturity. The rate of translocations increases at approximately the 1.8 power of the increase in dose in both mature sperm and sperre maturing five to six days after irradiation, and the rate of point mutations increases linearly at both of those times. This supports the view that the mutation process does not change during the meiosis-to- maturation period of spermatogenesis. At the time of peak response in meiosisspermiogenesis, as well as in mature sperm, after 250r to 1kr, dominant visibles appear to be a mixture of point and position-effect mutations. Increasing the time required for development by lowering the temperature increases proportionately the number of days to the peak mutational response in irradiated sperm. This favors the interpretation that peak mutation rates are associated with specific stages in spermatogenesis. (auth)« less
A City of Frenzied Shoppers? Reinterpreting Consumer Behavior in Contemporary Singapore

The wealthy city-state of Singapore is often depicted in both popular and scholarly literatures as an ultra materialistic country whose population is comprised largely of avid consumers whose favorite, if not only pastime is shopping, particularly at high-end stores. In this paper the author utilizes some new insights from consumer economics as well as available empirical data to analyze consumer behavior in Singapore more closely, and, in so doing, to ground such behavior more firmly into the structures informing the city-state’s economy. No place on earth is as readily caricatured by Westerners as Singapore, the small, rich Southeast Asian island-nation just off of the southern coast of peninsular Malaysia. No chewing gum. Fines for not flushing toilets. Caning for minor offenses. Draconian penalties for drugs. Disneyland with the death penalty, as cyberpunk writer William Gibson famously put it in an article in Wired in 1993. Jokes about Singapore do not begin and end with jibes about political repression. Indeed, the country’s residents are regularly skewered in the international media (and for a complex set of reasons by their own government at times) for their crass materialism, their fixation on shopping, the passion of their brand consciousness, and their seeming zeal to transform the entire country into one aggressively air-conditioned upscale shopping mall. 1 William Gibson, “Disneyland with the Death Penalty,” Wired 1 (September/October 1993). See: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/1.04/gibson_pr.html. 2 See, for example, Ho Wing Meng, “Value Premises Underlying the Transformation of Singapore,” in The Management of Success: The Moulding of Modern Singapore, ed. Kernial Singh Sandhu and Paul Wheatley (Boulder and Singapore, 1990), 671-691; Joseph B. Tamney, The Struggle over Singapore’s Soul: Western Modernization and Asian Culture (Berlin and New York, 1996), 44-46; Diane K. Mauzy and R.S. Milne, Singapore Politics and the People’s Action Party (London and New York, 2002), 64; Kau Ah
Disparate antioxidant enzyme activities in cultured human cutaneous fibroblasts, keratinocytes and melanocytes

Abstract Antioxidant enzyme activities of cultured human foreskin fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and melanocytes from healthy black and Caucasian donors were measured and compared. Fibroblasts had more (p
Stochastic difference equation predictors of population fluctuations

Abstract This paper studies the effectiveness of a class of linear statistical estimators called autoregressive and autoregressive-moving averages equations for mimicking and predicting the abundance fluctuations of three species of Drosophila censused at a pine plantation near Bogota, Colombia. A short introductory justification for the use of linear estimators is given followed by a brief discussion of the theoretical basis of statistical prediction. The assumptions of the method, fitting techniques, and use of the equations in forecasting are discussed. The mimicking ability of the equations is tested by comparing monte carlo simulations employing the fitted models to the observed fluctuations of the three species. Of the autoregressive equations fitted to each species two are judged successful and one less than successful. Autoregressive-moving averages models were found to be significantly worse predictors than the simpler autoregressive equations for these three species. The parameter estimates given by the preliminary estimation techniques are compared with the statistically efficient least squares estimates. The estimates compare well for most of the autoregressive models, but the parameter estimates for the autoregressive-moving averages models were misleading.
Marginal utility, cooperation and free‐riding: Strategies for supplying a public good∗

The collective‐goods approach to the study of alliances has been used to explain why smaller allies spend less on defense as a percentage of GNP than do large allies. Missing from much of that analysis is a description or test of the dynamic process by which allies respond to changes in the defense effort of the largest state. This paper outlines two basic models: The Cournot process inherent in the Olson‐Zeckhauser “economic theory of alliances”; and a model that has “smart” states cooperating to maintain the integrity of the group. The models are applied to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other American alliances. It is found that while most allies “free‐ride” in the sense that they spend less on defense as a percentage of GNP than does the United States, they “cooperate” with the U.S. to supply deterrence. The paper concludes that the collective good supplied by the alliance can more accurately be characterized as “commitment” than “deterrence.”
Improved detection of focal lesions with computerized tomographic examination of the liver using ethiodized oil emulsion (EOE‐13) liver contrast

A prospective study of computerized tomography (CT) of the liver using a liver contrast agent compared to conventional CT was undertaken. CT scanning without contrast agents (NC-CT), CT with water-soluble contrast (WSC-CT), and CT with ethiodized oil emulsion (EOE-CT) were performed on patients with possible or probable hepatic metastases. The findings on these three examinations were compared to the objective findings at surgery in 53 patients. Accuracy of these examinations was 80.7% for NC-CT, 77.1% for WSC-CT, and 84.9% for EOE-CT. The true-positive percentage for 129 hepatic lesions was 40.6% for the NC-CT, 33.6% for WSC-CT, and 76.7% for the EOE-CT. Eighty-three percent (44/53) of 1- to 2-cm liver lesions were detected by EOE-CT, whereas only 26.4% (14/53) lesions of this size were detected by the NC-CT and 20.4% (10/49) shown by WSC-CT. The likelihood that a lesion seen by CT scan was malignant was 84.6% for NC-CT, 89.4% for WSC-CT, and 81.8% for EOE-CT. The EOE contrast agent improves the sensitivity of liver CT for detecting hepatic metastases. The improvement occurs with lesions 1 cm and greater in diameter, but is particularly striking for lesions of 1 to 2 cm in diameter.
Decay estimates for second-order quasilinear partial differential equations

This article is concerned with second-order quasilinear equations (not necessarily elliptic) in two independent variables of the form div[@r(x, u, grad u)grad u] = 0. For Dirichlet (or Neumann) problems on a semi-infinite strip, with non-zero data on one end only, differential inequality techniques are employed to establish exponential decay estimates for quadratic (''energy'') integrals and to obtain pointwise estimates. The results have application to Saint-Venant principles for nonlinear elasticity and compressible fluid flows as well as to theorems of Phragmen-Lindelof type.
Understanding associations between serious mental illness and hepatitis C virus among veterans: a national multivariate analysis.

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis in the United States and is known to be transmitted via pathways associated with substance use (e.g., injection drug use and intranasal drug use). Objective Although individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) have a high prevalence of HCV, the nature of this relationship is unclear and is the subject of this investigation. Method The authors determined unadjusted and adjusted recorded prevalence of HCV among a national sample of veterans with and without SMI. Results HCV was recorded in 8.1% of patients with bipolar disorder, 7.1% of patients with schizophrenia, and 2.5% of patients without SMI. Substance use increased HCV risk among SMI patients; patients with bipolar disorder had greater risk than patients with schizophrenia. Conclusion Efforts to address HCV among patients with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse are warranted.
Quadrupolar spectroscopy of nematic liquid crystals.

Quadrupolar spectroscopy of weakly polar nematic liquid crystals shows temperature-dependent Debye relaxation at low megahertz frequencies. The quadrupolar technique, which is similar to dielectric spectroscopy but which probes the motions of electric quadrupoles, reveals details of the single-particle reorientation potential which complement information from dielectric studies. In particular, the results are consistent with a nematic potential which, unlike the simplest mean-field theory of the nematic state, includes higher-order terms and a strong density dependence.
Teaching physicians to make informed decisions in the face of uncertainty: librarians and informaticians on the health care team.

Today, more information is available than ever before, and medicine has become deeply complex. Most physicians would say they are proficient at using the Internet and bibliographic databases to find information to inform decisions, but there is significant evidence to the contrary. Research continues to show a disconnect between the information physicians need and the information they retrieve: Physicians have two questions for every three patients but use information retrieval systems fewer than nine times per month; most physician-conducted searches retrieve only 25% to 50% of relevant articles; doctors have difficulty reading and interpreting medical research; physicians may overgeneralize findings and may incorrectly apply those findings in clinical practice; adverse clinical outcomes have arisen from these difficulties in interpreting and applying research evidence; and, when physicians try to answer questions, they are almost as likely to make an incorrect conclusion as a correct conclusion.
Novel multi-wavelength pulse generator for real-time WDM optical sampling

We demonstrate a novel multi-wavelength pulse generator ideal for WDM photonic analog-digital-conversion. Using a time lens to compress and displace pulses in time, our method greatly simplifies previous approaches and adds new flexibility and control.
A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Efficacy of Body Weight Support Overground Ambulation Versus Body Weight Support Treadmill Training Among Post-stroke Patients of a Tertiary Hospital

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Efficacy of Body Weight Support Overground Ambulation Versus Body Weight Support Treadmill Training Among Post-stroke Patients of a Tertiary Hospital. Sherwin W. Gan, MD (Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines); Alfredo C. Azarcon, MD; Ma Jullita J. Cadiao, MD; Ma. Antonette M. Gabua, MD; Rafaelita S. Javier, MD; Edwin M. Orayle, MD; Edgardo D. Uyehara, MD.