cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Review of Toxicological and Pathological Studies on Psychoactive Drug Involved Deaths

This book presents detailed summaries of pertinent information regarding 3004 deaths collected from nine metropolitan areas in the United States all involving psychoactive drugs. Toxicologists fundamentally are confronted with interpreting the results of analytical determinations and ascertaining the range of concentrations of psychoactive drugs in biological fluids and tissues that are associated with death. By presenting data such as drug concentrations, methadology, role of drug in death, route of administration, autopsy findings, and cause of death as well as other information in a uniform manner, the authors have presented the scientific community with a valuable registry. Too infrequently is a compilation of data presented in the literature that permits independent study and allows the toxicologist to derive his own conclusions.
FT-Java: A Java-Based Framework for Fault-Tolerant Distributed Software

FT-Java: is a Java language based framework for building fault-tolerant distributed software. It is designed to bring to the system programmer much of the flexibility provided by reflective languages and systems without the attendant difficulties of reasoning about correct system structure. FT-Java: achieves this by providing the programmer an extremely flexible programming model with sufficient structure to enable reasoning about the system. The FT-Java: framework in turn uses the power of reflection to implement the programming model.
Evidence supporting a passive role for the insulin receptor transmembrane domain in insulin-dependent signal transduction

We previously have demonstrated that intramolecular interactions between alpha beta-alpha beta subunits are necessary for insulin-dependent activation of the protein kinase domain within a single alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric insulin-receptor complex (Wilden, P. A., Morrison, B. D., and Pessin, J. E. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 785-792). To evaluate the role of the beta subunit transmembrane domain in the insulin-dependent signalling mechanism, mutant human insulin receptors containing a series of nested transmembrane domain deletions (amino acids 941-945) were generated and stable Chinese hamster ovary-transfected cell lines were obtained. In addition, a substitution of Val-938 for Glu (E/V938) similar to the oncogenic mutation found in the neu transmembrane domain was also introduced into the insulin receptor. Scatchard analysis of insulin binding to the stable Chinese hamster ovary cell lines expressing either wild type or mutant insulin receptors indicated equivalent receptor number (2-4 x 10(6)/cell) and similar high affinity binding constants (Kd 0.1-0.3 nM). 125I-Insulin affinity cross-linking demonstrated that all of the expressed insulin receptors were assembled and processed into alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric complexes. Surprisingly, all the mutant insulin receptors retained insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, endogenous substrate phosphorylation in vivo as well as insulin-stimulated thymidine incorporation into DNA were unaffected by the transmembrane domain mutations. These data demonstrate that marked structural alterations in the insulin receptor transmembrane domain do not interfere with insulin-dependent signal transduction.
Modeling micro-patterns for feature extraction

Currently, most of the feature extraction methods based on micro-patterns are application oriented. The micro-patterns are intuitively user-designed based on experience. Few works have built models of micro-patterns for feature extraction. In this paper, we propose a model-based feature extraction approach, which uses micro-structure modeling to design adaptive micro-patterns. We first model the micro-structure of the image by Markov random field. Then we give the generalized definition of micro-pattern based on the model. After that, we define the fitness function and compute the fitness index to encode the image’s local fitness to micro-patterns. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that the new algorithm is both flexible and effective in extracting good features.
Efficiency and Robustness of Binary Feedback Mechanisms in Trading Environments with Moral Hazard

This paper offers a systematic exploration of online feedback mechanism design issues in trading environments with opportunistic sellers, imperfect monitoring of a seller's effort level, and two possible transaction outcomes (corresponding to "high" and "low" quality respectively), one of which has no value to buyers. The objective of feedback mechanisms in such settings is to induce sellers to exert high effort and, therefore, to maximize the probability of high quality outcomes. I study a practically significant family of mechanisms that resembles aspects of the one used by online auction house eBay. These feedback mechanisms solicit "binary" ratings of transaction outcomes as either positive or negative and publish the sums of ratings posted by buyers on a seller during the N most recent periods. My analysis finds that such "binary" feedback mechanisms can induce high average levels of cooperation that remain stable over time. Surprisingly, their efficiency cannot be improved by summarizing larger numbers of ratings or by publishing a seller's detailed feedback history. I further examine the robustness of these mechanisms to incorrect or incomplete feedback as well as to strategic changes of online identities. The theoretical outcomes predicted by this paper are consistent with empirical observations and offer theory-backed explanations to hitherto poorly understood phenomena such as the remarkably low fraction of negative feedback on eBa
Pattern of first and last appearance in diatoms: Oceanic circulation and the position of polar fronts during the Cenozoic

[1] First and last occurrences of 389 diatom species from the first global Cenozoic record are used to reconstruct the position of major oceanographic boundaries. First appearances and extinctions group in three latitudinal bands: middle to high northern latitudes, equatorial region, and high southern latitudes. Sparse Paleogene occurrences were limited to southern high latitudes along the equivalent of the modern Antarctic polar front. Its late middle Eocene to middle Miocene position varied within 10°, and within a 20° band from middle Miocene to present, suggesting an association with global cooling. First and last occurrence events appear in the two remaining latitudinal regions during the Eocene and increase in a stepwise fashion, mimicking significant cooling events. At about 16 Ma, first and last appearances shift from the North Atlantic to the North Pacific. Low-latitude data suggest low surface water productivity prior to 40 Ma, while increased abundance from the middle Miocene correlates with expansion of the east Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Understanding postdivorce coparenting families: Integrative literature review

Purpose: To perform a systematic review of the research literature on postdivorce coparenting relationships and improve practice through increasing providers’ understanding of this dynamic relationship. Data sources: Health science and social science literatures were reviewed using the following databases: Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Sociology Abstracts. Conclusions: Over 290 articles were found, although only 19 peer-reviewed articles met the inclusion criteria of research conducted with both postdivorce coparents. Researchers’ priorities centered on quality and conflict in the postdivorce coparenting relationships. Implications for practice: This review may help improve the understanding of postdivorce families and the dynamics involved in their care. Based upon this review, areas of assessment and intervention for nurse practitioners are identified.
Diamond Pipes: The Diamond Deposits of Argyle, Western Australia

One of the few windows through the earth’s relatively thin crust into its underlying mantle is the diatreme or pipe that occasionally has pierced the crust to bring mantle material such as diamond to the surface (Fig. 9–1). Experimental work has shown that most synthetic diamonds generally must have very high temperatures (2,000°C) and pressures (70,000 kg/cm2) to form. In nature these conditions exist only at depths of at least 200 km below the earth’s surface. Material formed at these depths comes to the surface in pipes, which may be thought of as a very special type of volcano that taps depths as great as 350 km below the earth’s surface. The volcanic rock type found in these pipes is called kimberlite, named for its type area of Kimberley, South Africa. Since its discovery in 1871, the Kimberley area has yielded more than 200 million carats of diamond and a wealth of geologic information about kimberlite pipes and the earth’s upper mantle.
The Emerging Use of IMRT for Treatment of Cervical Cancer

Radiation therapy plays an important role in both the definitive and adjuvant treatment of patients with cervical cancer. However, although radiation therapy is effective in controlling tumor growth, associated acute and chronic adverse effects are well known. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is increasingly being used to treat cervical cancer and has the potential to improve the therapeutic ratio because of its ability to escalate dose to cancer targets while sparing adjacent healthy tissue. Multiple dosimetric studies were initially performed, establishing the conceptual feasibility of IMRT in patients with cervical cancer. Subsequent early reported series of patients treated with IMRT showed dosimetric and clinical benefits, with reduction in acute gastrointestinal and hematologic toxicity compared with historic controls, particularly in the posthysterectomy setting. Consensus is evolving regarding the use of IMRT in treating cervical cancer, particularly in the posthysterectomy setting, and for dose escalation to para-aortic nodes and bulky sidewall disease. Target delineation in the context of internal organ motion and tumor shrinkage during a course of fractionated external-beam radiotherapy remains an area of active investigation. IMRT in treating cervical cancer in the setting of an intact uterus remains in its nascent stage and should be used judiciously only within clinical trials. Although not a routine substitute for brachytherapy, it may be considered as a boost for highly selected patients who are not brachytherapy candidates.
Detection and characterization of 0.5–8 MeV neutrons near Mercury: Evidence for a solar origin

Data from the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) Neutron Spectrometer (NS) have been used to identify energetic neutrons (0.5–8 MeV energy) associated with solar events that occurred on 4 June 2011. Multiple lines of evidence, including measurements from the NS and the MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer, indicate that the detected neutrons have a solar origin. This evidence includes a lack of time-coincident, energetic (>45 MeV) charged particles that could otherwise create local neutrons from nearby spacecraft material and a lack of proton-induced gamma rays that should be seen if energetic protons were present. NS data cannot rule out the presence of lower-energy ions (<30 MeV) that can produce local neutrons. However, the ion spectral shape required to produce the measured neutron count rate locally is softer than any known ion spectral shape. The neutron energy spectrum shows a relative enhancement in the energy range 0.8–3 MeV compared with cosmic-ray-generated neutrons from the spacecraft or Mercury. The spectral shape of the measured neutron fluence spectrum is consistent with a previously modeled fluence spectrum of neutrons that originate at the Sun and are propagated through the MESSENGER spacecraft to the NS. These measurements provide strong evidence for a solar origin of the detected neutrons and suggest that a large number of low-energy threshold ion evaporation reactions were taking place on the Sun during the neutron event.
Sorting is not Categorization: A Critique of the Claim that Brazilians Have Fuzzy Racial Categories

As a result of a spate of studies geared to investigating Brazilian racial categories, it is now believed by many that Brazilians reason about race in a manner quite different to that of Americans. This paper will argue that this conclusion is premature, as the studies in question have not, in fact, investigated Brazilian categories. What they have done is elicit sorting tasks on the basis of appearances, but the cognitive models of respondents have not been investigated in order to determine what are the boundaries of their concepts. Sorting based on appearances is not sufficient to infer the boundaries of concepts whenever appearance is not a defining criterion for the concepts in question, as the case appears to be for racial and ethnic categories. Following a critique of the methods used, I review a terminological and theoretical confusion concerning the use of the terms 'emic' and 'etic' in anthropology that appears directly responsible for the failure so far to choose methods appropriate to parsing the conceptual domain of 'race' in Brazil.
Are shock incarceration programs more rehabilitative than traditional prisons? A survey of inmates

Advocates of shock incarceration programs have proposed that through strict military discipline and the provision of treatment programs, boot camp prisons provide an institutional environment that supports rehabilitation. Using the Prison Environment Inventory, this study compares a group of shock incarceration inmates' evaluations of the environment with those of a group of inmates housed at a minimum-security traditional prison. Shock incarceration appears to be successful in providing external controls (e.g., safety, discipline) related to an environment that supports rehabilitation, but does not differ from a minimum-security traditional prison in providing support related to internal change (e.g., emotional feedback).
Experimental intracerebral hemorrhage : relationship between brain edema, blood flow, and blood-brain barrier permeability in rats

There have been few investigations of brain edema formation after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), despite the fact that mass effect and edema are important clinical complications. The present study was designed to investigate the time course for the formation and resolution of brain edema and to determine how changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability are temporally related to edema formation following ICH. Anesthetized adult rats received a sterile injection of 100 microliters of autologous blood into the caudate nucleus. Water and ion contents were measured immediately, at 4 and 12 hours, and daily to Day 7 (10 time points, six rats at each time) after experimental ICH. The water content of the ipsilateral basal ganglia increased progressively (p < 0.002) over the first 24 hours, then remained constant until after Day 5, when the edema began to resolve. Edema was most severe in the tissue immediately surrounding the hemorrhage; however, it was also present in the ipsilateral cortex, the contralateral cortex, and the basal ganglia. Measurements of local CBF (using [14C]-iodoantipyrine) and BBB permeability (using [3H]-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid) were obtained in separate groups of six to eight rats at various time intervals between 1 and 48 hours after ICH. Cerebral blood flow was reduced to 50% of control at 1 hour, returned to control values by 4 hours, but then decreased to less than 50% of control between 24 and 48 hours after ICH. The BBB permeability increased significantly prior to the occurrence of significant edema in the tissue surrounding the clot. However, BBB permeability in the more distant structures remained normal despite the development of edema. These results demonstrate a time course for the formation and resolution of brain edema following ICH similar to that observed during focal ischemia. Brain edema forms in the immediate vicinity of the clot as a result of both BBB disruption and the local generation of osmotically active substances and then spreads to adjacent structures. While local ischemia, due to the mass effect of the hemorrhage, may play a role in producing cytotoxic and vasogenic edema, the release of toxic substances from the clot should also be considered. Since edema is nearly maximal by 24 hours after ICH, therapy directed at reducing edema formation must be instituted within the 1st day.
Rupture of a seismic gap in southeastern Alaska: the 1972 Sitka earthquake (Ms 7.6)

Abstract The Sitka, Alaska, earthquake of July 30, 1972 ( M s = 7.6) is one of the largest strike-slip events since 1963. This earthquake is thought to have ruptured the Pacific-North America plate boundary segment between the large strike-slip events in 1949 and 1958, and the Sitka earthquake was heralded as one of the first successful ‘forecasts’ of an earthquake based on the seismic gap hypothesis. Another motivation to study this event is the availability of a strong-ground motion recording ∼ 50 km from the epicenter, which is near the middle of the 180 km long plate boundary segment. The teleseismically located aftershocks occur only in the southern half of this segment. We have analyzed Rayleigh waves and P waves recorded by WWSSN long-period vertical instruments. A total of 25 very-long-period Rayleigh phases (R2–R5) define a symmetric four-lobed radiation pattern from which we can infer a nearly pure right-lateral strike-slip fault, striking 340° (N20°W), and a bilateral rupture. Comparison of synthetic and observed Rayleigh waves yields a seismic moment of 3 × 10 27 dyn cm ( M W = 7.6). The P waves are characterized by a dominant complex pulse in the first 40 s, and a succession of smaller pulses after that. The source time functions are deconvolved from 32 P waves with good azimuthal distribution to obtain the moment, depth extent, and rupture history. The mean moment of the source time functions is 5.0 ± 2.4 × 10 27 dyn cm, and the depth extent is 0–10 km. Tomographic inversion of the source time functions produces an image of the earthquake rupture process. This procedure maps the moment release of the complex pulse into two high-displacement regions (i.e., asperities): (1) the epicentral area to 40 km north, and (2) between 60 and 90 km south of the epicenter. The main asperity just north of the epicenter coincides with a quiescent zone of microaftershocks. While the overall average seismic displacement is 6 m, the displacement at the main asperity is 7 m, the same value as the tectonic displacement accumulated since the previous earthquake in 1848. The fault averaged stress drop is 100 bars, while the asperity stress drop is 130 bars. Tomographic imaging of the source time functions thus resolves several features of the rupture process, notably the bilateral propagation and rupture initiation at the largest asperity. This is in contrast to the large 1976 Guatemala strike-slip earthquake, where the largest displacements occurred away from rupture initiation.
Elevations in blood lactate: Overview of use in critical care

Blood lactate measurements are being used clinically as an indicator of circulatory impairment and the overall state of oxygenation of patients in critical care. This report briefly covers the areas of usage of lactate testing, lactate biochemistry, appropriate sample handling, and clinical interpretation of lactate measurements in critical care monitoring including pediatric cardiac surgery and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
High efficiency IMPATT diodes for 60 GHz intersatellite link applications

Intersatellite links are expected to play an increasingly important role in future satellite systems. Improved components are required to properly utilize the wide bandwidth allocated for intersatellite link applications around 60 GHz. IMPATT diodes offer the highest potential performance as solid state power sources for a 60 GHz transmitter. Presently available devices do not have the desired power and efficiency. High efficiency, high power IMPATT diodes for intersatellite link applications are being developed by NASA and other government agencies. The development of high efficiency 60 GHz IMPATT diodes by NASA is described.
Fracture-lining manganese oxide minerals in silicic tuff, Yucca Mountain, Nevada, U.S.A.

Abstract Yucca Mountain, Nevada, is currently under investigation to determine its suitability as a potential host for the first U.S. high-level nuclear waste repository. Yucca Mountain is composed of a thick sequence of silicic volcanic tuffs and subordinate lavas which in some areas have been extensively altered to zeolite minerals. Since fractures may act as transport pathways or conduits for fluids moving through and away from a potential repository, the nature of the minerals lining the walls of fractures is of great importance. Mn-oxide minerals in particular are important since they show strong retardation capabilities for transuranic elements such as U, Np, Pu and Am. This study focused on the mineralogy, chemistry and distribution of the Mn-oxides at Yucca Mountain using X-ray diffraction and optical and electron microscopy. The major Mn-oxide minerals identified were aurorite, cryptomelane/hollandite/coronadite, lithiophorite, pyrolusite, rancieite and todorokite. Mn-oxide mineralogy appears to be controlled both by stratigraphy and by position relative to the static water level (SWL). For example, rancieite was found predominantly in the Paintbrush Tuff both above and below the SWL. Aurorite, pyrolusite, todorokite and the cryptomelane group minerals, although found in several stratigraphic units, occur only below the SWL. Additionally, mineral chemistry varies widely over short distances, suggesting that the chemical composition of the minerals must have been strongly influenced by local variations in water chemistry. Chemical analyses of the cryptomelane group minerals suggest the existence of at least partial solid solution between holandite (Ba) and the isostructural minerals cryptomelane (K) and coronadite (Pb).
Cardiolipin's Structure, ATP Synthesis & Barth'S Syndrome

Resonance stabilizes two phosphate high energy H-bonds with the free hydroxyl of cardiolipin (CL) rendering a bicyclic conformation, but only in bilayers. Thus it is symmetrical, displaying 2 pK's. The pK2 varies with the length of its fatty acid chains. With 4 C18:0 chains the pK2 is >8.0. Thus the headgroup surface is a buffer at neutral pH. CL is on both sides of the IMM. The high pK2 implies that ATP synthesis is driven by membrane potential rather than by delta pH, lowering the energy demand for ATP synthesis. Nearly all membranes that contain CL also contain FoF1, Mammalian mitochondrial CL is generally tetra-linoleic, C18:2. CL's pK2 can be altered by chainlength and saturation. It is found on both sides of the IMM so it buffers both headgroup domains. CL binds to all 6 of the ox-phos proteins but no others in the membrane. Its high pK2, varies with chainlength. FAs apply a symmetrical force on the two sides of the headgroup. The bicyclic structure requires 4 chains. In lyso-CL's pK2 is reduced to that of PG destroying the bicyclic headgroup. (our control lacks the glycerol OH). Barth's Syndrome's defective gene is a CL acyl transferase. Patients are identified by the presence of lyso-CL (3 chains).
Care Platforms: A Basic Building Block For Care Delivery

Without significant operational reform within the nation’s health care delivery organizations, new financing models, payment systems, or structures are unlikely to realize their promise. Adapting insights from high-performing companies in other high-risk, high-cost, science- and technology-based industries, we propose the “care platform” as an organizing framework for internal operations in diversified provider organizations to increase the quality, reliability, and efficiency of care delivery. A care platform organizes “care production” around similar work, rather than organs or specialties; integrates standard and custom care processes; and surrounds them with specifically configured information and business systems. Such organizational designs imply new roles for physicians.
Rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic methods that screen for aromatic compounds in environmental samples

Abstract In order to monitor the quality of coastal waters that provide habitats for living marine resources, samples of sediment and biota must be analyzed to assess the degree and distribution of anthropogenic contamination. Analytical time and costs can be greatly reduced by first employing methods that screen for contaminants before selecting samples for rigorous analyses. In this paper, we review the applications of rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods to screen for aromatic compounds in sediment, bile and tissue samples. These methods have been used to assess damage to natural resources after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. In addition, the bile screening method has also been used to evaluate contaminants in fish sampled for a national monitoring program. The rapid screening of sediment or bile provides an estimate of contaminant concentrations that can then be confirmed in selected samples by more complicated and expensive analyses by gas chromatography/3-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Furthermore, HPLC and GC-MS chromatographic patterns from sediment and bile can provide information about the source of contamination, e.g., crude oil, diesel fuel or pyrogenic contaminants. We also discuss the important role screening methods will play in the future in assessing the quality of aquatic habitats, the safety of seafood, and other important issues related to anthropogenic contamination.
A necessary condition for equilibrium in systems exhibiting self-incompatible mating☆

Abstract A necessary condition for equilibrium in diplo-diplo self-incompatible mating systems has been obtained. The result is completely general, applying to systems with an arbitrary number of mating types based upon an arbitrary genetic basis. Actually, two different, but analogous, necessary conditions have been obtained. One corresponds to the mass action model; the other, to the limited competition model. Isoplethy automatically satisfies the necessary condition for each model. The same is true for the restrictive situation that has been referred to as “proportional partitioning.” In dimorphic systems, any equilibrium must be either isoplethic or proportionally partitioned. In systems with more than two mating types, the necessary condition for equilibrium can be satisfied by other, anisoplethic methods; however, for such equilibria the necessary conditions are different for the limited competition model and the mass action model.
Adrenergic blocking agents in the treatment of hypertension.

Abstract The adrenergic blocking agents, bretylium tosylate and guanethidine, have been studied in 50 patients. They are both potent hypotensive agents. In so far as they cause no constipation, dryness of the mouth, or paralysis of visual accommodation, they constitute a distinct advance beyond the ganglionic blocking agents. Of the two compounds studied, guanethidine is, on the whole, to be preferred, as it can be given once daily and appears to have a more even action throughout the 24 hours. However, marked tolerance with either compound occurs within 3 to 9 months; thus treatment becomes progressively more difficult. This and the initially required careful titration suggest that both agents should be used only under conditions where good medical control and patient cooperation are available. Under such conditions, and in combination with a thiazide diuretic, these compounds may be of use in the treatment of hypertension, in cases where renal function remains reasonably normal. Given too freely, these interesting new pharmacologic agents may quickly fall into disrepute. Only upon recognition of their limitations will they be given their rightful place in the pharmacopeia.
Platform degrader analysis for the design and development of Vehicle Health Management Systems

The US Armypsilas Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT) is investigating the implementation of Vehicle Health Management Systems across its fleet of platforms. A vehicle degrader analysis was conducted to determine where the application of vehicle health management systems (VHMS) could potentially have the greatest impact on increasing maintainer effectiveness and operational availability. The analysis was conducted for M1 Abrams tanks and M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles using data from three sources: (1) multi-year statistical data on repairs, operating and support costs, and logistics data, (2) interviews with maintainers, service representatives and operators, and (3) questionnaires completed by the platform OEMpsilas. The paper will describe how these alternative data and information sources were used when ideal data and information sources were not available. The statistical data provided an indication of vehicle consumable and repairable cost drivers, part replacement quantity and some indication of component failure isolation for vehicle systems. The interviews with vehicle maintainers, field service representatives and operators provided insight into platform reliability, maintainability and human factors issues. The maintainability, reliability and diagnostic coverage information from the OEMpsilas, provided information about mission criticality and general diagnostic capability for specific vehicle sub-systems and components. The results of the degrader analysis include a list of components and sub-systems that contribute most to maintainability, reliability and vehicle operational availability issues. The degrader results, were used to develop the conceptual design of the optimum application of embedded vehicle diagnostics and prognostics for more effective and efficient HCBT platform maintenance, logistic support and platform life cycle management.
Three-body forces in the static source approximation

As evidenced by a recent analysis of the color SU(2) gauge model, three- quark forces may be important in the formation of baryons. These forces are derived from the self-interaction of the field quanta (gluons) that are being emitted or absorbed by the static sources (quarks). The resulting three-body potential is shown to be nonvanishing only if all three bodies are close together, and it is shown to be attractive if both quark and gluon masses are generated via the Higgs mechanism. (AIP)
Active RFID for Enhanced Railway Operations

RFID tags have been used by railways for many years, RFID has proven its worth in inventory management, yet this technology is underutilized for enhancing railway operations and health monitoring due to limitations of passive RFID technology. Active RFID provides enhanced capabilities with potential to improve railway operations. Active technology differs from passive RFID by incorporating an onboard power source enabling longer ranges, changeable data fields, and the ability to transmit independently of the reader. This paper compares the advantages and disadvantages of active compared to passive RFID in terms of power requirements, transmission range, and dynamic data. A survey of existing products and vendors is presented. The existing active RFID standards are reviewed and elements of the data tag protocols are detailed as well as protocols for mitigating collisions of data packets. Finally, specific railway applications utilizing active RFID are discussed.
The effect of decreased visual acuity on control of posture

Objectives The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of visual acuity on the anticipatory (APAs) and compensatory (CPAs) components of postural control.
Native American Languages as Heritage Mother Tongues

This article examines current efforts to revitalise, stabilise, and maintain Indigenous languages in the USA. Most Native American languages are no longer acquired as a first language by children. They are nonetheless languages of identity and heritage, and in this sense can and should be considered mother tongues. The article begins with a discussion of the concept of heritage mother tongues. This is followed by an overview of the present status of Native American languages, the historical and ideological bases of Native American language shift, and the policy framework for current language reclamation efforts. I then discuss four cases of grass-roots or ‘bottom up’ language planning that illustrate the ways in which Native American communities are working around and through historical and institutional constraints to reclaim and maintain their heritage mother tongues. I conclude with a reflection on the challenges and possibilities these efforts raise, their significance as part of a global language rig...
Regulation of protein kinase C and role in cancer biology.

Protein kinase C (PKC) is a family of closely related lipid-dependent and diacyglycerol-activated isoenzymes known to play an important role in the signal transduction pathways involved in hormone release, mitogenesis and tumor promotion. Reversible activation of PKC by the second messengers diacylglycerol and calcium is an established model for the short term regulation of PKC in the immediate events of signal transduction. PKC can also be modulated long term by changes in the levels of activators or inhibitors for a prolonged period or by changes in the levels of functional PKC isoenzymes in the cell during development or in response to hormones and/or differentiation factors. Indeed, studies have indicated that the sustained activation or inhibition of PKC activityin vivo may play a critical role in regulation of long term cellular events such as proliferation, differentiation and tumorigenesis. In addition, these regulatory events are important in colon cancer, where a decrease in PKC activators and activity suggests PKC acts as an anti-oncogene, in breast cancer, where an increase in PKC activity suggests an oncogenic role for PKC, and in multidrug resistance (MDR) and metastasis where an increase in PKC activity correlates with increased resistance and metastatic potential. These studies highlight the importance and significance of regulation of PKC activityin vivo.
GLOBAL SURFACE TEMPERATURE CHANGE

[1] We update the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) analysis of global surface temperature change, compare alternative analyses, and address questions about perception and reality of global warming. Satellite-observed night lights are used to identify measurement stations located in extreme darkness and adjust temperature trends of urban and periurban stations for nonclimatic factors, verifying that urban effects on analyzed global change are small. Because the GISS analysis combines available sea surface temperature records with meteorological station measurements, we test alternative choices for the ocean data, showing that global temperature change is sensitive to estimated temperature change in polar regions where observations are limited. We use simple 12 month (and n × 12) running means to improve the information content in our temperature graphs. Contrary to a popular misconception, the rate of warming has not declined. Global temperature is rising as fast in the past decade as in the prior 2 decades, despite year-to-year fluctuations associated with the El Nino-La Nina cycle of tropical ocean temperature. Record high global 12 month running mean temperature for the period with instrumental data was reached in 2010.
Study of a coherency-based simple dynamic equivalent for transient stability assessment

Earlier, a simple dynamic equivalent for a power system external area containing a group of coherent generators was proposed in the literature. In the proposed method, all the coherent generators are first decomposed into smaller generators. This is a new concept. The smaller generators are then aggregated in two levels. In this study, a new alternative and much more justified approach is proposed for the first-level aggregation. However, for the second-level aggregation, the same earlier approach is used. The resulting dynamic equivalent has a power system structure. In online applications, this equivalent does not require any measurement data from the external area. Very recently, the performance of the dynamic equivalent has been extensively investigated on the New England 39-bus 10-generator system, the IEEE 162-bus 17-generator system and the IEEE 145-bus 50-generator system. The results of this investigation are presented here for a complete validation of the proposed method.
Treatment of loin pain hematuria syndrome by renal autotransplantation

Loin pain hematuria (LPH) syndrome is a poorly understood and relatively rare symptom complex, but one that increasingly deserves recognition as a clinical entity. The syndrome lacks specific diagnostic criteria, but patients with this condition, most frequently female, present with microscopic hematuria and incapacitating loin pain, usually leading to narcotic addiction. The appellation LPH syndrome was first applied by Little and associates [ 11, who described the original cases in England. Since then, no more than 130 cases have been described around the world. Various pathogenetic mechanisms have been postulated and a multitude of therapies attempted, but the entity remains a diagnostic enigma and a therapeutic dilemma for patient and physician alike. The patient described herein is presented to heighten the awareness of American physicians concerning this obscure syndrome and to suggest renal autotransplantation, to date employed mainly by the Australians, as a therapeutic option. The case report is accompanied by a chronologic review of the existing literature concerning this entity.
Simple Formulae for the Stress Concentration Factor Around Spherical Cavities of Various Geometries at Surface of Well Casings and Pipelines

Well casings and pipelines in the petroleum industry are subject to severe corrosion because of their exposure to seawater and corrosive fluids that are transported. Corrosion develops pits and cavities at the surface of these structures. Under operating conditions, stress concentration around the cavities determines strength degradation of the structures. The strength deterioration can significantly shorten the life; even cause failure of the structure if this effect is not considered during the design stage. It is highly desirable to know the stress concentration factor (SCF) for both designing and evaluating tubular structures. Despite the rapid development of various numerical methods such as the finite element method, SCF analysis with any numerical method is still a tedious and time-consuming task for ordinary engineers. This paper derives simple formulae for SCF around cavities of various geometries at the surface of tubular structures. The cavity geometries considered include shallow-spherical (depth is less than the open radius), medium-spherical (depth is equal to the open radius), and deep-spherical (depth is greater than the open radius) cavities. SCF graphs are generated and results of sensitivity analyses are presented in this paper. These SCF formulae and graphs can be used in both designing and evaluating tubular structures with spherical cavities.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Development of Analysis Algorithm and Computational Methodology for the Evaluation of Non-Uniform Energy Conversion System Performance: Part II — System Connectivity

It has been proposed to develop a component analysis module for each energy and heat exchanging component in a system. A system connectivity matrix has been developed to evaluate the mass and energy flow characteristics between components and the system performance. The developed component analysis modules, in conjunction with the system connectivity matrix, are exclusively used to calculate the overall and local system thermal performance. In this work, two sample energy conversion systems were selected; a vaporcompression refrigeration system and a boiler heating system. This paper examines the development of the system connectivity matrices and the corresponding iterative and/or non-iterative analysis algorithm and computational methodology. Proper mass and energy balances are formed based on the structure of the system connectivity matrix along with appropriate thermodynamic property models. The balance equations are then solved iteratively by using the developed component analysis modules until the residuals meet the convergence criteria. It was found that for the selected two systems the variations in thermal effectiveness of the two-phase heat and energy exchanging components, such as the evaporator, condenser and boiler in this work, were the main contributor of non-uniform system thermal performance.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The Late Zionism of Nathan Birnbaum: The Herzl Controversy Reconsidered

Despite a distinguished life and a remarkable written and intellectual legacy, history has not been kind to Nathan Birnbaum. While alive, he was acknowledged not only as one of the founders of central European Zionism but also as a major figure in Jewish politics and thought. As a journalist and essayist, he contributed to and was read widely in a staggering number of Jewish periodicals in central Europe—several of which, such as the first Jewish nationalist periodical in the German language, Selbst-Emancipation—he founded and edited himself. Yet today, little of his legacy is known, and his massive literary and intellectual production has received surprisingly little attention from Jewish historians.
Testing biological control of colonization by vestimentiferan tubeworms at deep-sea hydrothermal vents (East Pacific Rise, 9°50′N)

Abstract Three species of vestimentiferans are found at hydrothermal vents on the East Pacific Rise (EPR). Tevnia jerichonana is an early colonist and Riftia pachyptila has the greatest biomass in established vent assemblages, but the role of Oasisia alvinae, a small species that occurs sporadically, is unknown. Anecdotal evidence suggests that O. alvinae may be abundant in the microhabitat underneath mussels. Previous studies have suggested that early T. jerichonana colonists may facilitate settlement of the late colonist R. pachyptila. To address potential mechanisms for the successional sequence and to explore the role of O. alvinae, we examined the effects of the presence of vestimentiferan (R. pachyptila and T. jerichonana) tubes and mussel (Bathymodiolus thermophilis) shell cover on recruitment of vestimentiferans on basalt blocks deployed at 9°50′N, 104°17′W on the EPR. A molecular assay was used to identify individuals to species since they were too small to be identified morphologically. Although colonists in both experiments belonged to all three species of vestimentiferans, only a few were T. jerichonana. Colonization of vestimentiferans did not increase in the presence of vestimentiferan tubes. The presence of mussel shell cover did not influence the proportions of R. pachyptila and O. alvinae, or the total number of colonists. Because the experimental blocks in this study were placed within dense clumps of R. pachyptila, we suggest that, while T. jerichonana may be an important cue for vestimentiferans settling at new vents, adult R. pachyptila also can act as a settlement cue for larvae. O. alvinae colonists were abundant in all of the treatments in our experiments, indicating that, although adults of this species are apparently rare at these sites, O. alvinae can settle in abundance if a suitable micro-environment is available.
Deep levels in semi-insulating liquid encapsulated Czochralski-grown GaAs

Abstract Photo-induced transient spectroscopy (PITS) was performed on variously heat-treated samples of semi-insulating liquid encapsulated Czochralski-grown GaAs. Seven deep levels at 0.57, 0.52,0.42, 0.36, 0.27, 0.22 and 0.18 eV were observed. These levels can be identified with levels seen using other deep-level techniques and a variety of crystal growth and sample preparation techniques. The levels at 0.52, 0.42 and 0.36 eV can be annealed out by heat treatment. These levels therefore seem to be associated with structural defects rather than impurities.
On-line assessment of left atrial area and function by echocardiographic automatic boundary detection.

BACKGROUNDDirect assessment of left atrial (LA) function has not been previously performed by noninvasive techniques; rather, LA function has been evaluated only indirectly via the analysis of transmitral flow velocity by Doppler. The recent development of real-time two-dimensional echocardiographic automatic boundary detection suggests that LA dimensions can be measured instantaneously to provide on-line assessment of its systolic and diastolic functions.METHODS AND RESULTSWe performed echocardiographic assessment of LA dimensions and function with automatic boundary detection in 45 patients by using the apical four-chamber view. Thirty-seven patients had structural or functional cardiac abnormalities, 35 patients were in sinus rhythm, and 10 patients had atrial fibrillation. Moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR) was noted in 16 patients. We also studied 10 control subjects to assess normal values of LA cavity area and indexes of function. From the instantaneously derived LA area, we derived index...
Impacts of short-term acid and aluminum exposure on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) physiology: a direct comparison of parr and smolts.

Abstract Episodic acidification resulting in increased acidity and inorganic aluminum (Ali) is known to impact anadromous salmonids and has been identified as a possible cause of Atlantic salmon population decline. Sensitive life-stages such as smolts may be particularly vulnerable to impacts of short-term (days–week) acid/Al exposure, however the extent and mechanism(s) of this remain unknown. To determine if Atlantic salmon smolts are more sensitive than parr to short-term acid/Al, parr and smolts held in the same experimental tanks were exposed to control (pH 6.3–6.6, 11–37 μg l−1 Ali) and acid/Al (pH 5.0–5.4, 43–68 μg l−1 Ali) conditions in the lab, and impacts on ion regulation, stress response and gill Al accumulation were examined after 2 and 6 days. Parr and smolts were also held in cages for 2 and 6 days in a reference (Rock River, RR) and an acid/Al-impacted tributary (Ball Mountain Brook, BMB) of the West River in Southern Vermont. In the lab, losses in plasma Cl− levels occurred in both control parr and smolts as compared to fish sampled prior to the start of the study, however smolts exposed to acid/Al experienced additional losses in plasma Cl− levels (9–14 mM) after 2 and 6 days, and increases in plasma cortisol (4.3-fold) and glucose (2.9-fold) levels after 6 days, whereas these parameters were not significantly affected by acid/Al in parr. Gill Na+,K+-ATPase (NKA) activity was not affected by acid/Al in either life-stage. Both parr and smolts held at BMB (but not RR) exhibited declines in plasma Cl−, and increases in plasma cortisol and glucose levels; these differences were significantly greater in smolts after 2 days but similar in parr and smolts after 6 days. Gill NKA activity was reduced 45–54% in both life-stages held at BMB for 6 days compared to reference fish at RR. In both studies, exposure to acid/Al resulted in gill Al accumulation in parr and smolts, with parr exhibiting two-fold greater gill Al than smolts after 6 days. Our results indicate that smolts are more sensitive than parr to short-term acid/Al. Increased sensitivity of smolts appears to be independent of a reduction in gill NKA activity and greater gill Al accumulation. Instead, increased sensitivity of smolts is likely a result of both the acquisition of seawater tolerance while still in freshwater and heightened stress responsiveness in preparation for seawater entry and residence.