cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CNT-based gas ionizers with integrated MEMS gate for portable mass spectrometry applications

We report the fabrication and experimental characterization of a novel low-cost carbon nanotube (CNT)-based electron impact ionizer (EII) with integrated gate for portable mass spectrometry applications. The device achieves low-voltage ionization using sparse forests of plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited (PECVD) CNTs field emitter tips, and a proximal gate with open apertures to facilitate electron transmission. The gate is integrated using a deep reactive ion etched (DRIE) spring-based high-voltage MEMS packaging technology. The device also includes a high aspect-ratio silicon structure (µfoam) that facilitates sparse CNT growth and limits the electron current per emitter. The devices were tested as field emitters in high vacuum (10−8 Torr). Electron emission starts at a gate voltage of 110 V, and reaches a current of 9 uA at 250 V (2.25 mW) with more than 55% of the electrons transmitted through the gate apertures. The devices were also tested as electron impact ionizers using Argon. The experimental data demonstrates that the CNT-EIIs can operate at mtorr-level pressures while delivering 60 nA of ion current at 250 V with about 1% ionization efficiency.
Evaluation of potential evaporation as a means to infer loblolly pine seedling physiological response to a given microclimate

Abstract Foresters understand that there is no single correct way to treat every forest stand to produce optimum results, and that poor treatment can produce adverse effects on most sites. An example of this problem concerns areas that produce poor environmental conditions for regeneration upon clearcutting. Valigura and Messina (Journal of Environmental Management, 1994) found that loblolly shelterwoods substantially influence the temperature, radiation humidity and windspeed of the seedling-level microclimate relative to those in a clearcut, but they could not predict the effects of these modified understory conditions on seedling performance. The primary question addressed in this study is: on harsh sites, what advantages/disadvantages does a partial overstory impose on seedlings growing underneath relative to seedlings grown in a clearcut? The objective was to evaluate the combination equation for potential evaporation as a relative means to infer the amount of stress imposed on loblolly pine seedlings in a shelterwood or clearcut environment, subsequently inferring the effect of a partial overstory on seedling performance. It was shown that although PE statistically explained some of the variance measured in seedling physiological variables, it was not possible to use PE estimates to infer seedling performance to microclimate, on these sites, during the relatively wet period of 1990/1991. This study qualitatively confirmed the ability of a shelterwood to favorably influence the seedling microclimate relative to a clearcut microclimate. However, there is still a need to explore and develop an inferential technique to evaluate the effect of different environments on seedling performance.
PSOC in community context: multi-level correlates of a measure of psychological sense of community in low-income, urban neighborhoods

Recent years have seen a steady increase in attention to communities as a source of both risk and protective factors for various individual outcomes. Psychological sense of community (PSOC) is one concept which can be important in describing the ways in which real and perceived aspects of community might mediate both individual and community outcomes. To understand the setting-specific interaction of individual and community, it is necessary to examine how individual and community level factors are simultaneously associated with psychological sense of community. As part of a larger study of community influence on health, we conducted a random household survey in three geographically defined low-income communities in Baltimore City. Nine hundred fourteen individuals were surveyed with a questionnaire that included a measure of psychological sense of community. This article describes the variability of PSOC in these communities and identifies individual- and community-level characteristics associated with varying levels of PSOC. Statistical methods of multi-level analysis were employed. Individuals in low-income communities showed heterogeneity for PSOC that is partially explained by variation in individual- and community-level characteristics. We suggest that this variability, as well as the promotion of positive PSOC within low-income communities, has implications for the development and implementation of community-based interventions.
Chromosomal Loci Move Subdiffusively Through a Viscoelastic Cytoplasm

Tracking of fluorescently labeled chromosomal loci in live bacterial cells reveals a robust scaling of the mean square displacement (MSD) as τ0.39. We use Brownian dynamics simulations to show that this anomalous behavior cannot be fully accounted for by the classic Rouse or reptation models for polymer dynamics. Instead, the motion seems to arise from the interaction of the Rouse modes of the DNA polymer with the viscoelastic environment of the cytoplasm. To demonstrate these physical effects, we present a general analytical derivation of the subdiffusive scaling for a monomer in a polymer within a viscoelastic medium. The time-averaged and ensemble-averaged MSD of chromosomal loci exhibit ergodicity, and the velocity autocorrelation function is negative at short time lags. These observations are most consistent with fractional Brownian motion and rule out a continuous time random walk model.
Surface-Plasmon-One-Electron Decay and its Observation in Photoemission

Evidence for the decay of surface plasmons into one-electron excitations has been obtained in photoemission measurements from a slightly roughened surface of aluminum. A simple theory has been developed which explains the resultant photoyield in terms of both the drop in reflectance resulting from roughness-aided plasmon coupling, and the relative penetration depth of the fields associated with these excited plasmons.
Impairment of lymphocyte transformation by plasma from patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease

The effect of plasma from 34 patients with untreated Hodgkin's disease on the transformation of homologous normal lymphocytes was compared with that of plasma from matched normal control subjects. The plasma from some of the patients reduced lymphocyte responsiveness to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and this inhibitory effect was most obvious in plasma from patients with advanced-stage disease. In addition, the patients' own lymphocytes showed a depressed response to PHA, an effect also apparent to a greater degree in patients with advanced disease. This finding did not correlate with the numbers of available T-lymphocytes or the amount of unstimulated lymphocyte DNA synthesis, but did correlate with the observed plasma effects. It appears that impairment of lymphocyte transformation in Hodgkin's disease is in part due to soluble circulating inhibitory substances appearing as the disease progresses.
Analytical error propagation in diffusion anisotropy calculations

Purpose To develop an analytical formalism describing how noise and selection of diffusion-weighting scheme propagate through the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) computational chain into variances of the diffusion tensor elements, and errors in the relative anisotropy (RA) and fractional anisotropy (FA) indices. Materials and Methods Singular-value decomposition (SVD) was used to determine the tensor variances, with diffusion-weighting scheme and measurement noise incorporated into the design matrix. Anisotropy errors were then derived using propagation of error. To illustrate the applications of the model, 12 data sets were acquired from each human subject, over a range of b-values (500–2500 seconds/mm2) and diffusion-weighting gradient directions (N = 6–55). The mean RA and FA values and their respective errors were calculated within a region of interest (ROI) in the splenium. The RA and FA errors as a function of b-value and N were evaluated, and a number of diffusion-weighting schemes were assessed based on a new metric, sum of diffusion tensor variances. Results When the acquisition time was held constant, the sum of the diffusion tensor variances decreased as N increased. The same trend was also observed for several diffusion-weighting schemes with constant condition number when noise in the diffusion-weighted (DW) images was assumed unity. Errors in both FA and RA increased with b-value and decreased with N. The FA error in the splenium was approximately threefold smaller than RA error, irrespective of b-value or N. Conclusion The condition number may not adequately characterize the noise sensitivity for a given diffusion-weighting scheme. Signal averaging may not be as effective as increasing N, especially when N is small (e.g., N < 13). Due to its smaller error, FA is preferred over RA for quantitative DTI applications. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;19:489–498. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
AMP Is an Adenosine A1 Receptor Agonist

Numerous receptors for ATP, ADP, and adenosine exist; however, it is currently unknown whether a receptor for the related nucleotide adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) exists. Using a novel cell-based assay to visualize adenosine receptor activation in real time, we found that AMP and a non-hydrolyzable AMP analog (deoxyadenosine 5′-monophosphonate, ACP) directly activated the adenosine A1 receptor (A1R). In contrast, AMP only activated the adenosine A2B receptor (A2BR) after hydrolysis to adenosine by ecto-5′-nucleotidase (NT5E, CD73) or prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP, ACPP). Adenosine and AMP were equipotent human A1R agonists in our real-time assay and in a cAMP accumulation assay. ACP also depressed cAMP levels in mouse cortical neurons through activation of endogenous A1R. Non-selective purinergic receptor antagonists (pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulfonic acid and suramin) did not block adenosine- or AMP-evoked activation. Moreover, mutation of His-251 in the human A1R ligand binding pocket reduced AMP potency without affecting adenosine potency. In contrast, mutation of a different binding pocket residue (His-278) eliminated responses to AMP and to adenosine. Taken together, our study indicates that the physiologically relevant nucleotide AMP is a full agonist of A1R. In addition, our study suggests that some of the physiological effects of AMP may be direct, and not indirect through ectonucleotidases that hydrolyze this nucleotide to adenosine.
Quantitative estimation of antispasmodic potency using isolated guinea pig gall bladder--common duct preparation.

SummaryIt has been shown that the isolated guinea pig gall bladder-common duct preparation is suitable for the evaluation of antispasmodic and antihistaminic activity. The log dose-response curve is linear over a wide range. The drugs studied are rated in the following order in counteracting or preventing acetylcholine spasm: Atropine, Phenergan, diphenhydramine, Ambodryl, Then-fadil, C-5581-H, chlorocyclizine, chloropro-phenpyridamine and Anthallan.
Equation of state of solid hydrogen and deuterium from single-crystal x-ray diffraction to 26.5 GPa.

Pressure-volume equations of state of solid normal hydrogen and deuterium are determined from single-crystal x-ray diffraction measurements to maximum pressures of 26.5 GPa (265 kbar) at 300 K. Experimental data for deuterium are presented and used with the previously reported results for hydrogen. The measurements for deuterium indicate that the structure remains hexagonal closed packed to at least 14.2 GPa at 300 K. The P-V data are analyzed with both phenomenological equation-of-state formalisms and pair-potential models. The thermal contributions are calculated from a Mie-Gruneisen model and from lattice-dynamics calculations using effective potentials. A P-V equation of state is determined that accurately describes both the high-pressure diffraction data (to V/${\mathit{V}}_{0}$=0.2) and previous low-pressure compression results (V/${\mathit{V}}_{0}$=1.0 to 0.4). There is a significant softening of the equation of state relative to the predictions of lattice-dynamics calculations using previously reported pair potentials, and several effective potentials are examined. Possible corrections to the equation of state at higher pressures, above the range of the present experiments, include effects associated with order-disorder transitions, vibron softening, and band overlap.
"True" iron(V) and iron(VI) porphyrins: a first theoretical exploration.

We present here a first theoretical characterization of iron(V) (S = 3/2) and iron(VI) (S = 0) porphyrin intermediates. The Fe(V) calculations exhibit exceptionally narrow convergence radii and we ...
Lumbosacral Epidural Management

Spinal techniques (epidural and subarachnoid injection) are taught in veterinary curricula, but because they are less convenient they are not used widely in practice. Many animals undergoing routine (below the umbilicus level) surgical procedures can be anesthetized with mild sedation and caudal epidural analgesia. Ninety minutes of analgesia is provided by the shorter-acting agents, whereas bupivacaine provides 4 to 6 hours. Twelve percent of our attempts failed to produce analgesia. Sedation, surgeon acceptance, and patient temperament contributed to an additional few failures. High-risk cases are better handled on oxygen.
Double-tether extraction from human umbilical vein and dermal microvascular endothelial cells.

Multiple tethers are very likely extracted when leukocytes roll on the endothelium under high shear stress. Endothelial cells have been predicted to contribute more significantly to simultaneous tethers and thus to the overall rolling stabilization. We therefore extracted and quantified double tethers from endothelial cells with the micropipette aspiration technique. We show that the constitutive parameters (threshold force (F0) and effective viscosity (ηeff)) for double-tether extraction are twice those for single-tether extraction and are remarkably similar for human neonatal (F0 = 105 ± 5 pN; ηeff = 1.0 ± 0.1 pN·s/μm) and adult (F0 = 118 ± 13 pN; ηeff = 1.3 ± 0.2 pN·s/μm) dermal microvascular, and human umbilical vein (F0 = 99 ± 3 pN; ηeff = 1.0 ± 0.1 pN·s/μm) endothelial cells. Additionally, these parameters are also independent of surface receptor type, cytokine stimulation, and attachment state of the endothelial cell. We also introduce a novel correlation between the cell-substrate contact stress and gap width, with which we can predict the apparent cell-substrate separation range to be 0.01–0.1 μm during leukocyte rolling. With a biomechanical model of leukocyte rolling, we calculate the force history on the receptor-ligand bond during tether extraction and predict maximum stabilization for the double simultaneous tether extraction case.
Evaluation of Mixed Valent Iron Oxides as Reactive Adsorbents for Arsenic Removal

The objective of this research was to determine if Fe(II)-bearing iron oxides generate ferric hydroxides at sufficient rates for removing low levels of arsenic in packed-bed reactors, while at the same time avoiding excessive oxide production that contributes to bed clogging in oxygenated waters. Column experiments were performed to determine the effectiveness of three media for arsenic removal over a range in empty bed contact times, influent arsenic concentrations, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, and solution pH values. Corrosion rates of the media as a function of the water composition were determined using batch and electrochemical methods. Rates of arsenic removal were first order in the As(V) concentration and were greater for media with higher corrosion rates. As(V) removal increased with increasing DO levels primarily due to faster oxidation of the Fe2+ released by media corrosion. To obtain measurable amounts of arsenic removal in 15 mM NaCl electrolyte solutions containing 50 μg/L As(V), the rate ...
Some host plants of the green peach aphid and beet western yellows virus in the Pacific northwest.

Thirty-one species in 8 families of weeds and cultivated plants were found to be hosts of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and the beet western yellows virus in the Northwest. Most of the plants were in the Cruciferae and Compositae families, many of which are perennial or autumn-sprouted annuals that serve as overwintering sources of beet western yellows. Probably the most important overwintering source of beet western yellows is the sugar beet itself: infected volunteer beets in 2nd-year beet fields are a readily available source of virus to the new crop; also beets growing in tare piles are an overwintering source of the virus. Wild plants that grow in protected areas such as drainage ditches provide a means of overwintering to both the green peach aphid and the beet western yellows virus.
Studies on the enzymic dehydrogenation of deuterated succinate.

Abstract 1. 1. Increasing the deuterium content of succinic acid decreased the rate of dehydrogenation by succinoxidase. In cell-free systems, completely deuterated succinate was dehydrogenated at about one-sixth the rate of ordinary succinate. 2. 2. Solvent effects of D2O were of less importance. In pure D2O, the dehydrogenation of ordinary succinate was inhibited about 35%; in 30% D2O, the inhibition was only 5%. 3. 3. Metabolism of succinate by liver slices showed the same effect of deuteration of the substrate that was observed with cell-free preparations, except that the isotope effect was somewhat less.
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for cholangitis followinghepatic portoenterostomy for biliary atresia

country can be found in the Table? Because of the potential for salicylate absorption, these products probably should not be given to persons taking oral anticoagulants, probenecid, methotrexate, or medications containing other forms of salicylate such as aspirin. Use of these products probably should be avoided by young children and by persons with hemophilia or with sensitivity to salicylates. Although we detected no bismuth in serum or urine specimens, it is not possible at the present time to state categorically that there is no absorption of bismuth from bismuth subsalicylate preparations. A recent report (10) indicates absorption of bismuth into bone in patients who were receiving long-term therapy with orally administered bismuth salts. This requires additional study. The labels on these products do not indicate the potential for salicylate absorption. Manufacturers should be required by the appropriate regulatory agencies in all countries to include an informative and precautionary statement. The Bureau of Drugs of Canada has recently requested that these label changes be made by the makers of Pepto-Bismol, Rawleigh Pleasant, Watkins Settelz, and Stress liquid, which are bismuth subsalicylate containing compounds available in Canada5 ~ These agencies should also review all data upon which the present label recommendations were made.
Rheological properties of algae slurries for minimizing harvesting energy requirements in biofuel production.

Abstract Rheological properties of microalgae slurries were measured as a function of biomass concentration from 0.5 to 80 kg/m 3 for Nannochloris sp., Chlorella vulgaris , and Phaeodactylum tricornutum . At biomass concentrations smaller than 20 kg/m 3 , all slurries displayed a Newtonian fluid behavior with less than 30% increase in the effective viscosity from that of the nutrient medium. However, at biomass concentrations larger than 60 kg/m 3 , the slurries of the green algae, Nannochloris sp. and C. vulgaris , displayed a shear thinning non-Newtonian behavior with varying degrees of sensitivity to shear rate while that of the diatom, P. tricornutum , was still a Newtonian fluid up to 80 kg/m 3 . Moreover, bioenergy pumping effectiveness showed significant deviation among different species in the non-Newtonian regime. Finally, dewatering the slurries to concentration factors larger than 80 did not further increase the total bioenergy harvest effectiveness.
THE CORRECTIONAL ORIENTATION OF PRISON WARDENS: IS THE REHABILITATIVE IDEAL SUPPORTED?*

Over the past two decades, the ideology ostensibly governing correctional policy has been transformed, it is claimed, from liberal-rehabilitative to conservative-punitive. Little empirical in formation is available, however, on whether those who manage correctional institutions—prison wardens—manifest a punitive or reformative orientation to their work Data from a national survey indicate that, while placing a prime emphasis on maintaining custody and institutional order, wardens remain supportive of rehabilitation. Levels of support for treatment, moreover, are only modestly influenced by individual, career, organizational, and contextual variables.
Excited-state dynamics of spiropyran-derived merocyanine isomers.

Merocyanine (MC) isomers that are formed after absorption of a UV photon by 1‘,3‘-dihydro-1‘,3‘-3‘-trimethyl-6-nitrospiro[2H-1-benzopyran-2‘,2‘-(2H)-indole] were studied. Several, predominantly TTC and TTT, merocyanine isomers are present in toluene solution (“T” and “C” indicate trans and cis conformations of the C−C bonds in the methine bridge). Excitation in the MC visible absorption band (at 490, 550, and 630 nm) with 100 fs laser pulses was used to study MC excited-state dynamics. Internal conversion on the picosecond time scale was found to be the dominant relaxation pathway. Excited-state isomerization reactions were also observed. Excitation at 630 nm (assigned to TTC isomer excitation) leads to formation of a third isomer (either CTC or CTT). Excitation at 490 nm (assigned to TTT isomer excitation) leads to more complex excited-state relaxation, including formation of two isomers: TTC (absorption at 600 nm) and CTC or CTT (absorption at 650 nm).
Atmospheric radiation near the surface of the ground: A summary for engineers

Abstract A procedure for estimating the intensity of atmospheric radiation upon horizontal surfaces is presented in detail, together with results of the calculations for typical atmospheric conditions. Hottel's values for water-vapor emissivity, together with an extrapolation by the author, are used as a starting point for the calculations. Resulting values of atmospheric radiation are found to be a little higher than those usually found by meteorologists. The procedure is considered adequate for most engineering problems requiring an estimate of the intensity of atmospheric radiation upon horizontal surfaces near ground level.
Waxy maize starch subpopulations with different gelatinization temperatures

The objective of this research was to obtain further evidence that starch preparations contain subpopulations of granules with properties that differ from those of other subpopulations. Waxy maize starch was used in this investigation. Nongelatinized waxy maize starch granules (both chemically modified and unmodified) were recovered after suspensions were heated to different temperatures between the initial and final gelatinization temperatures under conditions that minimized leaching of starch polymer molecules. Nongelatinized starch granules that were recovered after heating to 74 °C had a lower normalized concentration of A chains (DP 6-12) and became less substituted upon hydroxypropylation compared to granules recovered after heating to 70 °C and unfractionated granules. Granules of hydroxypropylated starch that were recovered after heating to higher temperatures in the gelatinization temperature range were less substituted (had lower MS values) compared to granules recovered after heating to lower temperatures and unfractionated granules. Results confirm that subpopulations with different physical and chemical properties exist in waxy maize starch. It is hypothesized that granules which gelatinize at higher temperatures are more crystalline due to a higher percentage of amylopectin A chains.
Model-based condition monitoring of PEM fuel cell using Hotelling T2 control limit

Although a variety of design and control strategies have been proposed to improve the performance of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems, temporary faults in such systems still might occur during operations due to the complexity of the physical process and the functional limitations of some components. The development of an effective condition monitoring system that can detect these faults in a timely manner is complicated by the operating condition variation, the significant variability/uncertainty of the fuel cell system, and the measurement noise. In this research, we propose a model-based condition monitoring scheme that employs the Hotelling T2 statistical analysis for fault detection of PEM fuel cells. Under a given operating condition, the instantaneous load current, the temperature and fuel/gas source pressures of the fuel cell are measured. These measurements are then fed into a lumped parameter dynamic fuel cell model for the establishment of the baseline under the same operating condition for comparison. The fuel cell operation is simulated under statistical sampling of parametric uncertainties with specified statistics (mean and variance) that account for the system variability/uncertainty and measurement noise. This yields a group of output voltages (under the same operating condition but with uncertainties) as the baseline. Fault detection is facilitated by comparing the real-time measurement of the fuel cell output voltage with the baseline voltages by employing the Hotelling T2 statistical analysis. The baseline voltages are used to evaluate the output T2 statistics under normal operating condition. Then, with a given confidence level the upper control limit can be specified. Fault condition will be declared if the T2 statistics of real-time voltage measurement exceeds the upper control limit. This model-based robust condition monitoring scheme can deal with the operating condition variation, various uncertainties in a fuel cell system, and measurement noise. Our analysis indicates that this scheme has very high detection sensitivity and can detect the fault conditions at the early stage.
Long-wavelength, InAsSb strained-layer superlattice photovoltaic infrared detectors

Long-wavelength infrared photodiodes were fabricated using InAs/sub 1-x/Sb/sub x//InSb (x=0.82-0.85) strained-layer superlattices (SLSs). These structures can be grown using either molecular-beam epitaxy or metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. These photodiodes display broad spectral responses up to wavelengths greater than or approximately equal to 10 mu m, and detectivities of 1*10/sup 9/ cm-Hz/sup 1/2//W at 10 mu m. >
Optimal adaptive controllers for unknown systems

We consider the problem of adaptively controlling an unknown Markov Chain. We provide a heuristic argument of why a certain family of adaptive controllers is well-behaved. Specifically, an intuitive explanation is offered (which supplements an earlier mathematical treatment) to show that the adaptive control law converges in a Cesaro sense to the set of optimal control laws and also that the long-term average cost incurred by the adaptive controllers is optimal.
Evaluation eines Workflow-Systems

Banken und Versicherungen gehoren bekanntlich zu den Branchen, die grosse Mengen von Dokumenten erzeugen. Diese Dokumente mussen verwaltet, archiviert und im Bedarfsfall auch wieder gefunden werden. Eines der Probleme der physischen Archive ist das falsche Ablegen von Dokumenten. Wird ein Dokument beispielsweise unter einem falschen Namen abgelegt, kann es vorkommen, dass es nie mehr gefunden wird. Ein versicherungsspezifisches Problem ist die Notwendigkeit, dass gewisse Informationen uber sehr lange Zeit verfugbar sein mussen. Dies ist bei lebenslang laufenden Lebens- und Vorsorgeversicherungen oder bei Personenschaden mit Langzeitfolgen der Fall.
Synthesis and characterization of single-crystal indium nitride nanowires

InN nanowires were synthesized and characterized using a variety of techniques. A two-zone chemical vapor deposition technique was used to operate the vapor generation and the nanowire growth at differential temperatures, leading to high-quality single-crystalline nanowires and growth rates as high as 4–10 μm/h. Precise diameter control was achieved by using monodispersed gold clusters as the catalyst. Photoluminescence and Raman studies have been carried out for the InN nanowires at room temperature. Devices consisting of single nanowires have been fabricated to explore their electronic transport properties. The temperature dependence of the conductance revealed thermal emission as the dominating transport mechanism.
Performance Of Psyttalia Humilis (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) Reared From Irradiated Host on Olive Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) In California

The parasitoid Psyttalia humilis (Silvestri) was reared on Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), third instars irradiated at 0-70 Gy at the USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Moscamed biological control laboratory in San Miguel Petapa, Guatemala, and shipped to the USDA, ARS, Parlier, CA. Irradiation dose did not affect the parasitoid's offspring sex ratio (53-62% females), percentage of unemerged adults (12-34%), number of progeny produced per female (1.4-1.8), and parasitism (19-24%). Host irradiation dose had no significant effect on the forewing length of female P. humilis and its parasitism on olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) and offspring sex ratio, but dissection of 1-wk-old female parasitoids reared from hosts irradiated with 70 Gy had a significantly lower number of mature eggs than females from nonirradiated hosts. Longevity of P. humilis adults decreased with increased temperature from 15 to 35°C, regardless of food provisions, gender, and host irradiation dose. Females survived 37-49 d at 15°C with water and food, and only 1-2 d at 35°C without food, whereas males lived shorter than females at all temperatures and food combinations tested. Adult P. humilis reared from fertile C. capitata and aspirated for dispensing in cups lived significantly longer after shipment than those specimens chilled and dispensed by weight. At 21 and 32°C, 50% of parasitoids departed release cages after 180 and 30 min, respectively, but none departed at 12°C. Thirteen shipments of P. humilis (2,980-21,922 parasitoids per shipment) were received between September and December 2009, and seven shipments (7,502-22,560 parasitoids per shipment) were received between October and December 2010 from San Miguel Petapa, Guatemala. Daily number of olive fruit fly adult and percentage female trap captures ranged <1-19 and 8-58% in 2009, and <1-11 and 0-42% in 2010, respectively. The number of parasitoids released ranged 848-12,257 in 2009 and 3,675-11,154 in 2010. Percentage parasitism of olive fruit fly third instars at all locations ranged 0-9% in 2009 and 0-36% in 2010.
Co-learn: collaborative learning engine a vision for pervasive collaboration in e-learning

The quest for knowledge has been an intricate part of the human psyche and, more often than not, we learn by sharing our experiences and combining our efforts. Collaboration is an important part of the learning experience, and when combined with the technological boom of present times, can be a platform for the future of continuous education. In this paper, we present our vision of a collaborative learning engine, which allows the users to collaborate in real time using their mobile devices, such as smart phones and/or PDAs. Our proposed collaborative learning engine will allow handheld devices to communicate among each other and share text, files, audio and video from different sources. In our initial design and development, we have addressed up to eight devices for streaming video and audio content, however other channels of collaboration can be extended for more users.
POTENTIAL APPLICATION OF MICROBIAL ANTAGONISM TO EXTENDED STORAGE STABILITY OF A FLESH TYPE FOOD

The shelf life of both refrigerated ground and mechanically deboned poultry meat was extended by 2 days using the resting cells of the starter cultures Pediococcus cerevisiae (Accel) and Lactobacillus plantarum (Lactacel DS). The microbial population of the treated sample was 10% of that of the control at the onset of “off-odor” in the control. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) did not decrease the pH of the meat. Fluorescent psychrotrophic colonies were not detected in the treated samples, but were present in the control. P. cerevisiae in Buffered Brain Heart Infusion Broth (BBHI) inhibited Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas putrefaciens more than Pseudomonas fragi. L. plantarum in BBHI inhibited the growth of P. fluorescens and P. fragi and caused P putrefaciens to lose its ability to form colonies on Tryptic Soy Agar. The meat starter cultures in BBHI totally inhibited the growth of Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus at 15°C. Using the “spot on the lawn” technique both LAB produced an antagonistic agent only against S. aureus.
Executive Succession: Past, Present & Future

In this study we review over thirty years of succession research in an effort to discern what we know conclusively about the subject, what we do not know because of mixed results, and what has not yet been studied. We begin by answering two key questions: (1) Why is succession such an important topic? and (2) What makes CEO succession different from other types of turnover? Next, we explore the three key stages of succession research. The first phase covers the period from the 1950s to the 1960s. This period is best described as the emergence of the field. The second phase, covering the 1970s reflects a period of theory building and empirical investigation. The final phase from the 1980s to the present is characterized by review and explosive growth. Following our review, we use these combined studies to create an overall model of succession-a model designed to offer prescriptions as to where researchers have been and where they should be going in the future.
Bi‐stable block by 4‐aminopyridine of a transient K+ channel (Kv1.4) cloned from ferret ventricle and expressed in Xenopus oocytes.

1. Using the two-microelectrode, 'cut open' oocyte, and 'torn off' macropatch voltage clamp techniques, we studied the blocking effects of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on two cloned K+ channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes, an inactivating K+ channel isolated from ferret ventricle (FK1), and its NH2-terminal deletion mutant (delta NCO) which lacks fast N-type inactivation. 2. Experiments with a permanently charged, impermeant 4-AP derivative, 4-aminopyridine-methyliodide, indicated that the cationic form of 4-AP blocks at an intracellular site. 3. Block accumulated from pulse to pulse and was sensitive to the applied potential during hyperpolarizing deactivating pulses, indicating trapping of 4-AP in deactivated channels. For long trains of depolarizing pulses (-90 to +50 mV, 0.1 Hz), 4-AP block increased with decreasing pulse duration. Block of FK1 was much more sensitive to pulse duration than was block of delta NCO, consistent with competition between N-type inactivation and 4-AP binding. 4. To elucidate these mechanisms further, in the absence of fast N-type inactivation the following results were obtained on delta NCO channels: (1) application of 4-AP caused the appearance of apparent inactivation; (2) 4-AP, however, did not cause cross-over of deactivating tail currents; (3) 4-AP block developed with time for potentials positive to -40 mV; and (4) trapping of 4-AP by delta NCO was insensitive to the degree of C-type inactivation. 5. We conclude that the kinetics of 4-AP block of FK1 and delta NCO channels cannot be accounted for by either a pure open channel or closed channel blocking scheme.
Sensibility study for the near-field sub-band beamforming method for damage detection in bridges

In this work we analyze the performance of a structural health monitoring technique for bridges. The proposed technique employs the use of compactly supported sub-band space/frequency and time/frequency analysis using local vibration characteristics. Moreover, an adaptive beamformer is used to mitigate the effect of the extremely low signal-to-noise ration of the extracted features. The sensor array scans local portions of the structure, providing accurate spatial selectivity and high signal-to-noise ratio for any given scan direction. The sensor array is in direct contact with the structure; therefore, the measured signal is in the near-field of the array, and spherical near-field compensation is necessary. A study of the performance of this algorithm is presented, using different damage scenarios to assess the level of minimum damage identified by the algorithm.
The velocity-reversal hypothesis revisited:

In 1971, Edward Keller proposed the velocity-reversal hypothesis to describe observations where near-bed velocities in pools increased at a faster rate than in riffles. The reversal in conditions was used to explain the maintenance of pool-riffle sequences. The hypothesis continues to draw interest, and research shows that velocity reversals occur in limited conditions, but average cross-sectional velocities in pools do not universally exceed those in riffles at near-bankfull flows. A consensus is now beginning to form that flow convergence in pools is common at high flow and helps to form an isolated region of jet flow with high velocities that maintains the characteristics of the pool-riffle sequence.
Newlyweds' optimistic forecasts of their marriage: for better or for worse?

Newlywed spouses routinely hope and believe that their relationships will thrive, but theoretical accounts differ on whether optimistic projections such as believing that one’s marriage will improve are sources of strength, random forecasting errors, or self-protective mechanisms. To test these opposing perspectives, we asked 502 newlywed spouses in 251 marriages to predict how their overall feelings about their relationships would change over the following four years, and we then compared these reports to their prospective marital satisfaction trajectories. Nearly all spouses predicted their marital satisfaction would remain stable or improve over the following four years. Marital satisfaction declined on average despite this high overall level of optimism. Wives with the most optimistic forecasts showed the steepest declines in marital satisfaction. These wives also had lower self-esteem and higher levels of stress and physical aggression toward their partners initially. Thus, believing that one’s marriage will improve does not make it so and instead may paradoxically mask risky relationships among women. These findings may be important in helping to understand low rates of premarital counseling utilization by showing that nearly all couples overestimate the durability of their existing satisfied feelings at the start of their marriage. Future research is needed to understand the psychological processes allowing couples to commit to and stay in risky relationships.
Streptomycin para-aminosalicylate in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

1) Twenty patients with progressive pulmonary tuberculosis received daily injections of the PAS salt of streptomycin for 90 days. 2) Two anti-microbial agents have been combined for parenteral administration, with a satisfactory therapeutic response. This indicates that a combination of anti-microbial agents which might prove more effective because of synergistic action and a delay in the emergence of resistant microorganisms is a possibility. 3) The rate of development of resistant strains of tubercle bacilli appeared to be delayed beyond the 60-day period of treatment. 4) Resistant strains appeared to develop more rapidly in those patients whose roentgenograms showed evidence of cavitary disease. 5) Gastro-intestinal irritation due to PAS was circumvented.
Susceptibility of Anaerobic Bacteria to Carbenicillin, Cefoxitin, and Related Drugs

The agar dilution technique was used for determination of the bacteriostatic activity of carbenicillin, penicillin G, cefazolin, cephaloridine, cefoxitin, and cephalothin against a variety of anaerobic bacteria. Carbenicillin showed a high level of activity at a concentration of 100 /zg/ml. Cefoxitin, a/3-lactamase-resistant drug, was highly active against B. fragilis and most other anaerobes at a concentration of < 32 /g/ml; the exceptions were one strain of Bacteroides species and 13 of 28 strains of Clostridium species. The other cephalosporins were less active against B. fragilis but exhibited good activity against most of the other strains tested. Bactericidal concentrations of cefoxitin and cephalothin were determined for 51 selected strains by the broth dilution technique, and the activities of these drugs were compared with those of two other drugs (clindamycin and metronidazole) known to be very active against anaerobes. Metronidazole was the most consistently bactericidal of the four drugs tested for this activity.
Young Little Mice Express a Premature Cardiovascular Aging Phenotype

To investigate the effect of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1 deficiency on the aging mouse arterial system, we compared the hemodynamics in young (4 months) and old (30 months) growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor null dwarf (Little) mice and their wild-type littermates. Young Little mice had significantly lower peak and mean aortic velocity and significantly higher aortic impedance than young wild-type mice. However, unlike the wild-type mice, there were no significant changes in arterial function with age in the Little mice. Aortic pulse wave velocity estimated using characteristic impedance increased with age in the wild-type mice, but it changed minimally in the Little mouse. We therefore conclude that arterial function in Little mice expresses a premature aging phenotype at young age and may neither enhance nor reduce their longevity.
Clinical Utility of Routine Transthoracic Echocardiographic Studies After Uncomplicated Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation: A Prospective Multicenter Study

Unsuspected cardiac complications have been occasionally identified on postablation echocardiographic studies; however, the clinical utility of route echocardiographic studies following uncomplicated radiofrequency catheter ablation procedures has not been established. Two-dimensional/Doppler echocardiographic studies obtained preablation (within 3 months of the procedure) in 355 consecutive patients (180 males and 175 females, mean age 37 +/- 21 years) were compared to postablation (within 24 hours of the procedure) studies obtained after a total of 387 uncomplicated RF catheter ablation procedures for AV node slow pathway (n = 120), accessory AV pathways (n = 214), and complete AV junction (n = 39). Postablation studies identified 6 new cases (1.5%) of new wall motion abnormalities, and 3 additional patients had septal wall motion abnormalities during ventricular pacing. LVEF remained unchanged from baseline (62 +/- 10 vs 62 +/- 11). A small pericardial effusion was detected after 11 procedures (2.8%), and there were 9 (2.3%), 21 (5.4%), and 20 (5.2%) new findings of mild (1+) aortic, mitral, and tricuspid regurgitation, respectively; and no cases of significant valvular dysfunction in any patient. There were no new cases of cavity thrombus. There was no clear relationship between postablation echocardiographic findings and the type and approach to ablation, and no patient had any clinical sequelae possibly related to any of the new echocardiographic findings during a mean follow-up of 15 +/- 6.0 months (range 1-26 months). Routine transthoracic echocardiographic studies after uncomplicated RF catheter ablation procedures identify occasional minor abnormalities that (1) may or may not be procedure related, (2) are of no apparent clinical consequence, and (3) thus appear to be of limited value.
Can pediatricians define and apply the concept of brain death

Objective. We sought to determine pediatric residents9 and attending physicians9 ability to define brain death, their ability to apply this standard of death to a clinical scenario, and their knowledge regarding the legal necessity of confirmatory testing when determining death by brain criteria. We compared resident and attending self-confidence at discussing brain death with their ability to define brain death and apply this concept to a clinical scenario. Methodology. A questionnaire was sent to 136 residents, postgraduate years 1 through 3, at four accredited pediatric training programs in the United States. Participation was tracked by return address. One follow-up request for participation was made. A similar procedure was followed for 140 faculty pediatricians at two of the institutions. Demographic information including level of training, subspecialty training, training program, and formal ethics training was collected. Respondents defined brain death, interpreted a clinical scenario, and stated whether confirmatory testing is legally required to determine death by brain criteria. Respondents rated their confidence at explaining brain death to a patient9s family on a scale from 1 to 5. Results. Eighty-seven percent (118/136) of resident surveys were returned. Thirty-six percent (42/118) of the residents correctly defined brain death. Forty-three percent (51/118) of residents correctly interpreted the clinical scenario. Fifty-five percent (65/118) of the residents correctly recognized that brain death could be determined without a confirmatory test. Residents who correctly defined brain death were as confident as those who did not (2.8 ± 1 vs 1.5 ± 1). Residents who correctly interpreted the clinical scenario were as confident as those who did not (2.6 ± 1 vs 1.9 ± 0.9). Eighty percent (112/140) of attending physician surveys were returned. Thirty-nine percent (44/112) of attending physicians correctly defined brain death. Fifty-three percent (59/112) correctly interpreted the clinical scenario. Fifty-eight percent (65/112) recognized that brain death can be diagnosed without confirmatory testing. All pediatric intensivists ( n = 12) correctly answered all three questions. Their performance was significantly better than other pediatricians. Attendings who correctly defined brain death were more confident than those who did not (4.2 ± 1 vs 1.1 ± 0.9). Attendings who correctly interpreted the clinical scenario were more confident than those who did not (3.8 ± 1.2 vs 2.2 ± 1.2). Conclusions. Pediatric residents and attendings have difficulty defining and applying the concept of brain death. This concept is difficult to grasp and internalize for many pediatricians. To ensure that critical decisions are made by knowledgeable physicians and well-informed families, more effective educational strategies need to be identified.
Exercise-induced fall in insulin : mechanism of action at the liver and effects on muscle glucose metabolism

To determine the importance of the fall in insulin on whole body glucose fluxes and muscle glucose metabolism during exercise, dogs ran on a motorized treadmill for 90 min at a moderate work rate with somatostatin (SRIF) infused to suppress insulin and glucagon and basal (B-INS; n = 6 dogs) or exercise-stimulated (S-INS; n = 8 dogs) insulin replacement. The fall in insulin during exercise potently stimulates glucose production at least in part by potentiating the actions of glucagon. To assess the hepatic effects of insulin in the absence of its potentiating effect on glucagon action, glucagon levels were not restored during SRIF infusion. At least 17 days before experimentation, dogs underwent surgery for chronic placement of sampling (carotid artery and femoral vein) and infusion (inferior vena cava and portal vein) catheters. Hindlimb blood flow was assessed by placement of a Doppler flow cuff on the external iliac artery. Whole body glucose production (Ra) and disappearance (Rd) were assessed with [3-3H]glucose, and hindlimb glucose uptake and metabolism were assessed with arterial-venous differences and [U-14C]glucose. Insulin levels were 69 +/- 6 and 61 +/- 7 pM at rest in B-INS and S-INS and 62 +/- 10 and 41 +/- 6 pM at 30 min of exercise. Glucose levels were clamped at euglycemic levels with an exogenous glucose infusion during rest and exercise in both groups. Exercise-induced increases in Ra, Rd, hindlimb glucose uptake, and hindlimb oxidative and nonoxidative glucose metabolism were not affected by maintenance of basil insulin levels during exercise.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)