cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Network requirements for 3-D flying in a zoomable brain database

In laboratories around the world, neuroscientists from diverse disciplines are exploring various aspects of brain structure. Because of the size of the domain, neuroscientists must specialize, making it difficult to fit results together, causing some research efforts to be duplicated because of lack of sharing of information. The authors have begun a long-term project to build a neuroscience research database for brain structure. One aspect of the database is the ability to visualize high-quality, high-resolution micrographs montaged together into 3-D structures as they were in the living brain. As demonstrated in this paper's analysis, realistic presentation of these visualizations across computer networks will stress current and proposed gigabit networks. Image compression can reduce network loads, but wide-spread use of the visualizations will still require networks capable of sustaining terabits per second of throughput. >
Levels of Detail in Descriptions and Depictions of Geographic Space

ABSTRACT When navigating, people often rely upon a variety of geographic information sources to guide them to their destinations. These include maps, descriptions, or a combination of these as displayed traditionally on paper or through high-tech (handheld and in-vehicle) navigation devices. Maps provide a graphic representation of an environment and can vary in level of spatial (e.g., granularity) and labeling (e.g., label addition/removal) details. Likewise, written descriptions of an environment also vary in their levels of spatial (e.g., inclusion or exclusion of spatial information) and labeling (e.g., label addition/removal) detail. Importantly, experience within and memory for an environment may change as a function of these variations. The present experiments examine the interactions of spatial and labeling detail in generating and using mental representations of college campuses. The results of four experiments demonstrate that reducing spatial details through graphic generalization can increase ...
Conductive atomic force microscope nanopatterning of epitaxial graphene on SiC(0001) in ambient conditions.

Graphene has attracted signifi cant attention in recent years for its extraordinary electronic, physical, optical, and magnetic properties. [ 1 ] In particular, epitaxial graphene (EG) grown on SiC substrates is a promising route towards realizing graphenebased electronics. [ 2–4 ] Control over the surface chemistry [ 5 , 6 ] and lithographic engineering of graphene are required for the fabrication of a wide range of devices and for incorporation with different electronic materials such as high-k dielectrics. [ 7 , 8 ]
What Did We Learn from New Oral Anticoagulant Treatment

Orally active direct inhibitors of thrombin and factor Xa have now been approved for treatment or prevention of deep vein thrombosis,and stroke associated with atrial fibrillation. The factor Xa inhibitor, rivaroxaban, has shown promising results in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome but is not yet approved for that indication. These agents share a rapid onset and are cleared with half lives of approximately 10 hours. At present there is no approved antidote for either class of anticoagulant, making the treatment of life-threatening bleeding episodes problematic. These agents have fewer drug interactions than warfarin, have a predictable clearance, and hence do not require monitoring. Patients with renal insufficiency have delayed clearance and hence may have elevated levels of the drug leading to increased risk of bleeding.
Annihilation of Positrons in Methane at High Densities

Measurements of positron-lifetime spectra in methane gas at 23\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, previously reported at gas densities less than 1.5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$, have now been extended to a density of 5.2 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ g/${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$. The quenching rate of orthopositronium continues to be proportional to the gas density and corresponds to $^{1}Z_{\mathrm{eff}}=0.437\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010$. The annihilation rates of positrons which do not form positronium deviate markedly from the linear density dependence observed at lower densities.
Suppression of IgM responses to type III pneumococcal polysaccharide by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

Abstract Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) suppressed the primary IgM response of mice to Type III pneumococcal polysaccharide (S3). LPS and S3 had to be given together in order for maximum suppression to occur and suppression was not due to a change in the time of the peak response in mice which received LPS. Suppression was not due to an effect of LPS on T cells since S3 responses of nude mice were suppressed by LPS. LPS did not suppress S3 responses of C 3 H/HeJ mice and base hyrolysis of LPS destroyed the suppressive effect, i.e., suppression was dependent of B cell mitogenic activity of the LPS. The suppressive effect of LPS was presumably directed against virgin B cells since LPS did not suppress the S3 response of primed mice and did not suppress the development of IgG memory responses to S3.
Innovation in tow: R&D FDI and investment incentives

Multinational corporations (MNCs) increasingly internationalize research and development (R&D), but the distribution of foreign direct investment (FDI) in R&D differs from that of general FDI. I use data on US MNC affiliates’ investments abroad (2001–2008) to demonstrate that increasing value added predicts more future R&D FDI, as R&D FDI is an upgrade decision. I then use data on R&D investment incentives to show that, while governments spend resources on R&D incentives, these can be negative predictors of R&D FDI. The findings imply that government efforts are best directed at incremental encouragement of value-added activities, as efforts to jump to R&D FDI are misguided.
Method of measuring Bacillus anthracis spores in the presence of copious amounts of Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus.

A sensitive and reliable method for the detection of Bacillus anthracis (BA; Sterne strain 7702) spores in presence of large amounts of Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) and Bacillus cereus (BC) is presented based on a novel PZT-anchored piezoelectric excited millimeter-sized cantilever (PAPEMC) sensor with a sensing area of 1.5 mm2. Antibody (anti-BA) specific to BA spores was immobilized on the sensing area and exposed to various samples of BA, BT, and BC containing the same concentration of BA at 333 spores/mL, and the concentration of BT + BC was varied in concentration ratios of (BA:BT + BC) 0:1, 1:0, 1:1, 1:10, 1:100, and 1:1000. In each case, the sensor responded with an exponential decrease in resonant frequency and the steady-state frequency changes reached were 14 ± 31 (n = 11), 2742 ± 38 (n = 3), 3053 ± 19 (n = 2), 2777 ± 26 (n = 2), 2953 ± 24 (n = 2), and 3105 ± 27 (n = 2) Hz, respectively, in 0, 27, 45, 63, 154, and 219 min. The bound BA spores were released in each experiment, and the sensor respo...
Is the idea of objective probability incoherent

For its rigorous, insightful, and systematic development of a particular view of the criminal law, Crime and Culpability will be of enduring value even to those few criminal law scholars who, like me, disagree with nearly everything it says. In what follows, I will argue that one of the central features of the authors' account of the criminal law namely, their critique of the notion of 'objective' probability is problematic. I realize, though, that I would have had difficulty in formulating my own conception of 'objective' probability had I not read Crime and Culpability first. I am heavily indebted to the authors, as I'm sure many others will be, too. In the authors' account of the criminal law, actions are judged according to their expected outcomes.1 As the authors recognize, the value of an expected outcome varies not just in relation to the magnitude of the potential harm or benefit, but also in relation to the probability that the harm or benefit will
On the analysis of thermal infrared imagery: The limited utility of apparent thermal inertia

Abstract A spectral window in the thermal infrared permits observations of surface temperature by satellite radiometry. The Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (HCMM) acquired 10–12 μm data at times of day favorable for estimation of surface thermal properties and the surface energy budget. Two variables, surface wetness, which controls evaporation and hence mean surface temperature, and thermal inertia, which relates the diurnal excursion of surface temperature to ground heat flux, are responsible for most observed temperature variability. These variables may be estimated from the mid night (2:30 a.m.) and early afternoon (1:30 p.m.) data from the HCMM or from the afternoon NOAA satellites. However, the HCMM data product, “apparent thermal inertia,” is potentially misleading in agricultural areas because surface evaporation reduces the amplitude of the soil heat flux compared to the amplitude in dry areas. Thus apparent thermal inertia should not be used in regions having variability in surface moisture.
Spectrophotometric Determination of Free Silica

The quantitative determination of free silica by spectrophotometric procedure is described, from the initial treatment of samples in phosphoric acid to remove silicates through the separation and quantitation of free silica. The method can be used with biological materials as well as with airborne participates. Problems associated with the procedure are discussed.
Behavioral characterization of a transection of dorsal CA3 subcortical efferents: comparison with scopolamine and physostigmine infusions into dorsal CA3

Cholinergic projections from the medial septum and diagonal band of Broca into the hippocampus have long been implicated in learning and memory. Projections from CA3 to neurons in the medial septum and the diagonal band of Broca have been anatomically characterized. The present experiments were designed to evaluate interactions between the dorsal CA3 subcortical efferents and the cholinergic efferents from the medial septum and diagonal band of Broca for spatial and nonspatial (visual object) novelty detection in the rat. In Experiment 1, physostigmine and scopolamine (both 0.4 microL at 30 microM) were infused into dorsal CA3 and animals were tested on a spatial and nonspatial (visual object) novelty detection paradigm. Scopolamine infusions into dorsal CA3 caused deficits for both spatial and nonspatial (visual object) novelty detection. Physostigmine infusions into dorsal CA3 enhanced both spatial and nonspatial (visual object) novelty detection. These data support models proposing that acetylcholine may control the dynamics for encoding, consolidation, and retrieval in the hippocampus. In Experiment 2, a selective transection of dorsal CA3 efferents in the fimbria resulted in deficits for spatial and nonspatial (visual object) novelty detection. These deficits were similar to the deficits caused by scopolamine infusions into dorsal CA3. These data demonstrate that dorsal CA3 and the medial septum/diagonal band of Broca interact, and that dorsal CA3 influences cholinergic inputs into the hippocampus to facilitate encoding.
Evaluating Preferences for Mobile Phone Features

Mobile (or cellular) phone usage has grown substantially over recent years. Products continue to become smaller while the number of features that they contain increases. Recently, manufacturers have begun to market products toward specific demographic groups, like children or older adults. However, there is relatively little research concerning individual differences in feature preferences, particularly with respect to age. The present research explores self-reported preferences for 24 mobile phone features. Participants (N = 194) rated each feature on a scale indicating their likelihood to use the feature if it was available in their mobile phone. Mean ratings indicated that Phonebook, Voicemail, Caller ID, and Call History were the features individuals reported most likely to be used. Approximately half of the features had mean ratings that indicated that they were not likely to be used. Pearson correlation coefficients between age and feature ratings resulted in 18 (out of 24) negative and significant ...
Ventilatory response to inspired CO2 in the sea turtle: effects of body size and temperature

The ventilatory response of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) to inspired CO2 was tested. Both immature (0.9--1.35 kg) and adult (59--130 kg) animals responded with increased ventilation (VE) that was primarily (immature) or exclusively (adult) due to increased respiratory frequency. The VE of the immature turtles while breathing air increased with temperatures between 15 and 35 degrees C with a Q10 of 1.95, but the peak VE of these turtles while breathing 4.5% CO2 in air was not significantly different at 15, 25 or 35 degrees C. VE increased irregularly with time throughout an hour of CO2 breathing in both groups, although several of the adult animals exhibited a first-breath response to CO2 and all animals increased VE within 5 min after the onset of CO2 breathing. The VE of an immature turtle at 35 degrees C increased with graded increases in CO2 up to 6%, but at 15 and 25 degrees C VE increased only up to 4.5% and decreased with 6% CO2. The results are discussed in terms of possible receptor mechanisms involved.
Studies of the dynamics of thin ion exchange films by spectroscopic ellipsometry and attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy

A chemically selective film, usually of optical quality, is a key component of optical and electrochemical sensors. We have examined the dynamics of various thin selective films by spectroscopic ellipsometry and attenuated total reflectance (ATR) spectroscopy. Spectroscopic ellipsometry provided a non-invasive method for measurement of optical constants (n(λ), refractive index; k(λ), extinction coefficient) and thicknesses of thin selective films which were conditioned in time by solvent and penetrant mass transport. The methods we have developed allowed us to characterize film dynamic response, stability, and chemically specific mass transport even to the point of quantitatively modeling both transport and structural changes. The ATR spectra of thin, highly absorbing films are distorted both by reflectance and interference phenomena. Enhanced absorbance was observed under film leaky mode conditions.
Current Research in Voting, Elections, and Technology

The articles in this special issue raise and refine questions about our understanding of the use of, state of the art in, and challenges associated with voting and election technology, broadly conceived. Although researchers have yet to achieve consensus on the broad impact of information technology on our understanding of the practice of politics, the broad outlines of a research agenda are emerging. In this overview, we discuss the current work and identify important research questions that remain to be addressed.
Modulation of the A10 dopamine system: electrophysiological studies of the role of 5-HT3-like receptors

The distribution of 5-HT3-like receptors is primarily in the mesocorticolimbic structures. We have previously demonstrated that the atypical antipsychotic drug clozapine and a structurally related compound RMI 81,582 differ from other typical antipsychotic drugs in that they are effective 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. Our experimental results suggest that 5-HT3-like receptors play a permissive role in regulating or gating the inhibitory action of dopamine in the mesocorticolimbic areas. We hypothesize that the ability of clozapine to antagonize both 5-HT3-like and dopamine receptors may account for its preferential interaction with the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system and the higher efficacy in treating the schizophrenic symptoms.
Spore germination inDictyostelium discoideum: Trehalase and the requirement for protein synthesis

Abstract Protein synthesis occurs during spore germination of Dictyostelium discoideum . The use of amino acid analogs, cycloheximide, and puromycin demonstrated that the emergence stage of germination required this synthesis for completion. The reversible inhibition of trehalase formation demonstrated that protein synthesis was probably required for the synthesis of new proteins as well as for protein turnover during germination. Not all enzymes needed for spore germination appear to be made de novo during the process itself. It was hypothesized that glucose served as the energy source for the early stages of germination whereas trehalose served for the later stages. The possibility of a link between trehalase activity and the autoinhibitor(s) of spore germination was discussed.
Effect of gender on left ventricular function during exercise in patients with coronary artery disease

This study evaluated the effect of gender on left ventricular (LV) function in 84 men and 20 women with coronary artery disease (CAD) (greater than or equal to 50% luminal narrowing of one or more of the major coronary arteries). All patients underwent rest and upright exercise radionuclide ventriculography on a bicycle ergometer. There were no differences between men and women in age, hypertension, medications, and extent of CAD disease (number of diseased vessels or CAD score). Although men exercised for a longer duration than women, both achieved similar exercise heart rates and blood pressures. Angina pectoris or ST depression during exercise occurred in similar proportion in both groups. The LV ejection fraction and the systolic pressure-to-end-systolic volume ratio at rest and during exercise were similar in both men and women. Thus, men and women with comparable extent of CAD demonstrate similar manifestations of myocardial ischemia and LV dysfunction during exercise. Gender does not appear to influence LV function independent of the extent of CAD.
In vitro properties of FBR murine osteosarcoma virus.

SummaryThis report describes the in vitro biological properties of an osteosarcoma virus, FBR, which was originally isolated from a 90Sr-induced osteosarcoma in an X/Gf mouse. The virus complex consists of a transforming component, MuSV, and a nontrans-forming component, MuAV. Foci of cells transformed by FBR-MuSV(MuAV) are late appearing and consistently yield single-hit focus titration patterns. The isolate is infectious for only murine cells and shows distinct b-tropism. A clone of transformed cells yielding high-titered sarcoma-rich virus has been propagated for the large-scale production of this virus. Tissue-culture-derived FBR-MuSV(MuAV) possesses osteosarcomagenic properties comparable to those of the parent virus.This research was jointly supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and by Contract Y01 CP 7-0504 from the Divison of Cancer Cause and Prevention, National Cancer Institute. We are indebted to Dr. T. E. O'Connor for his valuable discussions. We thank Marian F. Williams and our summer an...
I.C.E. World Information, Consciousness, Energy

In Science and the Akashic Field, philosopher and systems theorist Ervin Laszlo (2004) makes the case that science is finally in a position to produce a theory of everything (ToE). Drawing on anomalies and advances in cosmology, quantum physics, biology, and consciousness studies, he shows how the discovery in physics of the zero point energy field (ZPE) is also the discovery of a universal information field. This article explores Ervin Laszlo's Akashic Field theory in light of the relationship between information, consciousness, energy, and meaning.
A simplified model for calculating R AA and R CP of cold nuclear matter effects

An incoherent binary nucleon-nucleon collision model of AA collisions is presented for simulating particle production in cold nuclear matter. With a simple phenomenological parameter, the mean nucleon energy loss fraction, this model yields pseudorapidity density distributions that are comparable to those of experiment, as well as those of HIJING. Particle production data for a given binary collision is extracted from the PYTHIA event generator. The nuclear geometry is described by the Glauber model. The preliminary RAA and RCP results are also presented and discussed, with a proposal that RAA be redefined.
The measurement of solar array discharges in a simulated space environment

A spacecraft in a plasma builds up charge on all the dielectric surfaces and interfaces. Once the net charge exceeds the dielectric breakdown of the material, a discharge occurs. One of the more susceptible pieces of equipment is the antenna/receiver system. The radiated E-field may be strong enough to create an ambiguous signal which may be misinterpreted by the system electronics and cause a system malfunction. A technique is developed to monitor the radiated E-field of materials discharging in an electron environment, using vacuum chambers for measuring the material discharges which are made of highly reflective materials. These chambers affect the radiated E-field due to multiple reflections from the walls. The technique developed defines a method for correcting the effects caused by the measurement facilities. The methodology is: monitor the radiated E-field with a broadband dipole antenna, and digitize the radiated signal as a function of time. Determine the frequency response of the radiated E-field using an FFT algorithm. Measure the transmission and reflection characteristics of the two-port network inside the measurement chamber, and determine the impedance network from the measured E-parameters across the frequency band of interest. Transform the measured E-field frequency response through the impedance network to obtain the frequency response of the actual radiated discharge current. Find the inverse FFT of this response to obtain the actual radiated discharge current response. This technique aids in the prediction of the E-field coupling into receive antennas on-board actual satellites. >
Combined two-photon luminescence microscopy and OCT for macrophage detection in the hypercholesterolemic rabbit aorta using plasmonic gold nanorose

Background and Objectives: The macrophage is an important early cellular marker related to risk of future rupture of atherosclerotic plaques. Two-channel two-photon luminescence (TPL) microscopy combined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to detect, and further characterize the distribution of aorta-based macrophages using plasmonic gold nanorose as an imaging contrast agent. Study Design/Materials and Methods: Nanorose uptake by macrophages was identified by TPL microscopy in macrophage cell culture. Ex vivo aorta segments (8 � 8 � 2m m 3 ) rich in macrophages from a rabbit model of aorta inflammation were imaged by TPL microscopy in combination with OCT. Aorta histological sections (5 mm in thickness) were also imaged by TPL microscopy. Results: Merged two-channel TPL images showed the lateral and depth distribution of nanorose-loaded macrophages (confirmed by RAM-11 stain) and other aorta components (e.g., elastin fiber and lipid droplet), suggesting that nanorose-loaded macrophages are diffusively distributed and mostly detected superficially within 20 mm from the luminal surface of the aorta. Moreover, OCT images depicted detailed surface structure of the diseased aorta. Conclusions: Results suggest that TPL microscopy combined with OCT can simultaneously reveal macrophage distribution with respect to aorta surface structure, which has the potential to detect vulnerable plaques and monitor plaque-based macrophages overtime during cardiovascular interventions. Lasers Surg. Med. 44:49–59, 2012. 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Response of Larval Lost River and Shortnose Suckers to Wetland Restoration at the Williamson River Delta, Oregon

Abstract Population declines of the federally endangered Lost River sucker Deltistes luxatus and shortnose sucker Chasmistes brevirostris have been linked to several factors, including the loss of larval nursery habitat associated with lake fringe and riparian wetlands. Restoration of deltaic wetlands in the Williamson River delta, Oregon, is regarded as one strategy that may increase larval nursery habitat and survival. This study examined larval sucker presence, growth, development, and feeding in pilot restoration wetlands at the Williamson River delta to determine whether wetland restoration provides habitat that is conducive to larval rearing. We compared results from the restoration wetlands to those in riparian and lacustrine wetland reference sites during 2003 and 2004. The seasonal timing of larval Lost River and shortnose suckers captured in the restoration wetlands was similar to that in reference sites during the April-July study period. The frequency of occurrence in the restoration wetlands ...
Adhesion of Polymer Interfaces Reinforced with Random and Diblock Copolymers as a Function of Geometry

The reinforcement effect of a thin layer of random copolymer at the interface between immiscible homopolymers was studied using an asymmetric double cantilever beam (ADCB) test. In this geometry, one can change the thickness of the homopolymer substrates and thus control the ratio of shear to tensile stress intensity (the mixity) at the crack tip. Polystyrene (PS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) were the constituent homopolymers and PS/PMMA random copolymers were used. The energy dissipated in propagating the crack, Gc, (the fracture energy of the interface), depends strongly on the degree of asymmetry in the ADCB sample, as well as the amount and type of copolymer present at the interface. A minimum in Gc occurred at a thickness ratio of the PS to PMMA beams of about 1.2. For both lower and higher thickness ratios, extra energy was dissipated in subsidiary crazes. The crack was found to propagate between the layer of random copolymer and the PS on a path that was quite independent of the sample geometr...
Intercalative Ion Exchange of Polyamine Transition Metal Complexes into Hydrogen Uranyl Phosphate

A series of derivatives of hydrogen uranyl phosphate (HUP) was prepared by displacing the butylammonium ions of butylammonium uranyl phosphate with the transition metal complexes Cu(en)22+, Cu(pn)22+, Cu(trien)2+, Cu(14-ane)2+, Cu(15-ane)2+, Ni(trien)2+, Ni(14-ane)2+, and Ni(diene)2+. X-ray powder patterns proved that the original tetragonal structure of the UP layers remained intact in all derivatives. The extent of the ion exchange and the interlamellar distances were found to depend mainly on the size and on the shape of a particular coordinating ligand. Electronic absorption spectra indicated that the intercalated complexes had four-coordinate square-planar geometry inside the UP lattice. Extents of hydration of the intercalates varied significantly, and they depended mostly on the shapes of the coordinating ligands and on their abilities to regularly pack between the UP layers. Results of the above-mentioned characteristics allow one to divide these transition metal complexes into two groups which di...
Identification of in vivo induced genes in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae.

We have developed an in vivo expression technology (IVET) system to identify Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae gene promoters that are specifically induced in vivo during infection. This system is based upon an avirulent riboflavin-requiring A. pleuropneumoniae mutant and a promoter-trap vector (pTF86) that contains, in sequence, the T4 terminator, a unique Bam HI site, a promoterless copy of the V. harveyi luxAB genes, and a promoterless copy of the B. subtilis ribBAH genes in the E. coli - A. pleuropneumoniae shuttle vector pGZRS19. Sau 3A fragments of A. pleuropneumoniae genomic DNA were cloned into the Bam HI site in pTF86 and transformed into the A. pleuropneumoniae Rib- mutant. Pigs were infected with pools of 300-600 transformants by endobronchial inoculation and surviving bacteria were isolated from the pigs' lungs at 12-16 h post-infection. Infection strongly selected for transformants containing cloned promoters which drove expression of the vector ribBAH genes and allowed survival of the Rib- mutant in vivo. Strains that survived in vivo, but which minimally expressed luciferase activity in vitro, should contain cloned promoters that are specifically induced in vivo. Ten clones, designated iviA-J, were isolated which contain promoters that are induced in vivo during infection. These ivi clones were shown to be induced in the animal by luminescence of infected tissue and by direct assay of bacteria recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage. Four of these clones were putatively identified by amino acid sequence similarity as ilvI, the ilvDA operon, the secE-nusG operon, and the mrp gene. This is the first report of an IVET system for use in the family Pasteurellaceae, as well as the first report of an IVET system utilizing an infection model of pneumonia in the natural host.
On slow oscillations in coupled wells

The eigenvalue problem for slow oscillations of a liquid in a set of N cylindrical wells that are bounded above by free surfaces and below by a common, semi-infinite reservoir is formulated on the assumption that the depth of the wells is large compared with their width, so that the lowest mode in each well, for which the fluid moves as a rigid body, dominates the higher modes. Detailed results are presented for a single well, a pair of identical circular wells, and linear and equilateral triplets. Comparison with Molin's (2001) result for a rectangular well suggests that the present result for a circular well should provide a good approximation for the Helmholtz mode in any well of the same cross-sectional area and moderate aspect ratio.
A New Adsorption Model for Analyzing Gas−Solid Equilibria in Porous Materials

Equilibria involving three probe gases adsorbed on two porous carbonaceous supports are measured at various temperatures. A novel analysis of the data is offered which uses multiple process equilibria to calculate adsorption equilibrium constants for the interaction of the gas with the solid. Equilibria involving three distinct processes are found. The equilibrium constants (K1,ads, K2,ads, and K3,ads) are obtained as well as the capacity of the solid for each type of process (n1, n2, and n3), in millimoles of adsorptive per gram of solid. The first process, K1,ads, involves adsorption of the gas in the solid's micropores which are of molecular dimensions. The second process, K2,ads, involves adsorption in the larger micropores. The third process, K3,ads, involves adsorption by the remaining surface. Multilayer formation is likely involved in some processes. The temperature dependencies of the Kads's produce the enthalpy of adsorption for these processes. This analysis is important for, in contrast to BET...
Bacterial degradation of phenoxy herbicide mixtures 2,4-D and MCPP.

The phenoxy herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid (MCPP) have auxin-like growth regulating properties and are extensively used for the control of broad-leaf angiosperm weeds. The microbiological degradation of 2,4-D by pure and mixed cultures has been examined in a number of studies. The authors have previously evaluated the concurrent microbiological degradation of 2,4-D and MCPP in stirred tank reactors. For the present paper, they examined the utilization of the two substrates by three mixed cultures that had a previous history of growth with the respective single phenoxy herbicide.
Radioactive iodine-associated cytomorphologic alterations in thyroid follicular epithelium: is recognition possible in fine-needle aspiration specimens?

Editor's Note: There is a dilemma in the distinction between radiation effect and neoplasm in patients with thyroid nodules who have been previously treated with (131)I for Graves' disease. The difficulty is to identify the radiation changes and distinguish them from primary thyroid neoplasms. This paper addresses the time response of radiation therapy in the thyroid, as well as distinguishing features between radiation effect and primary carcinomas. Thyrotoxicosis is a condition resulting from presentation to the body's tissues of excessive quantities of thyroid hormones. Graves' disease is the most common cause of thyroid hyperfunction in the United States; this condition can be managed effectively by long-term antithyroid drugs, radioactive iodine ((131)I) therapy, or surgical intervention. The majority of American physicians prescribe (131)I, the most cost-effective therapy, for their patients with thyrotoxicosis. These patients who are closely followed for their existing thyroid pathology may be referred for fine needle aspiration of nodules. This review focuses on (131)I-associated cytologic changes in thyroid follicular epithelium in patients previously treated for underlying hyperthyroidism. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:207-210.
Computed tomography scanning in pediatric trauma: Opportunities for performance improvement and radiation safety

Abstract Background Recently, pediatric CT scanning protocols have reduced radiation exposure in children. Because evaluation with CT scan after trauma contributes to significant radiation exposure, we reviewed the CT scans in children at both initial presentation at a non-pediatric facility and subsequent transfer to a level I pediatric trauma center (PTC) to determine the number of scans, body area scanned, radiation dosage, and proportion of scans at each facility. Methods The trauma database was retrospectively reviewed for children aged 0 to 17 y initially evaluated for trauma at another facility and then transferred to our PTC for pediatric specialty care between January 2000 and December 2010. Results A total of 1562 patients with 1335 CT scans were reviewed over an 11-y period. The majority of CT scans occur at the referring facility compared to the PTC in a ratio of 7:3. CT of the head was the most frequent scan obtained (52%), and 17.9% of CT scans were repeated at the PTC. Less than 1% of CT scans performed at the non-pediatric centers contained radiation dosage information, precluding analysis of radiation exposure. Conclusions The majority of CT scans for trauma occur at non-pediatric facilities, which demonstrates the need for referring facilities to perform optimal CT scans with the least amount of radiation exposure to the child. We believe this provides an opportunity for PTC performance improvement by facilitating the transfer of images and educating referring facilities about indications for CT scans, dosage amounts, and radiation reduction protocols.
Gastrodia anti-fungal protein from the orchid Gastrodia elata confers disease resistance to root pathogens in transgenic tobacco

Diseases of agricultural crops are caused by pathogens from several higher-order phylogenetic lineages including fungi, straminipila, eubacteria, and metazoa. These pathogens are commonly managed with pesticides due to the lack of broad-spectrum host resistance. Gastrodia anti-fungal protein (GAFP; gastrodianin) may provide a level of broad-spectrum resistance due to its documented anti-fungal activity in vitro and structural similarity to insecticidal lectins. We transformed tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Wisconsin 38) with GAFP-1 and challenged transformants with agriculturally important plant pathogens from several higher-order lineages including Rhizoctonia solani (fungus), Phytophthora nicotianae (straminipile), Ralstonia solanacearum (eubacterium), and Meloidogyne incognita (metazoan). Quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting analysis indicated that GAFP-1 was transcribed and translated in transgenic lines. When challenged by R. solani and P. nicotianae, GAFP-1 expressing lines had reduced symptom development and improved plant vigor compared to non-transformed and empty vector control lines. These lines also exhibited reduced root galling when challenged by M. incognita. Against R. solanacearum expression of GAFP-1 neither conferred resistance, nor exacerbated disease development. These results indicate that heterologous expression of GAFP-1 can confer enhanced resistance to a diverse set of plant pathogens and may be a good candidate gene for the development of transgenic, root-disease-resistant crops.
JUST LIES: Finding Augustine's Ethics of Public Lying in His Treatments of Lying and Killing

Augustine famously defends the justice of killing in certain public contexts such as just wars. He also claims that private citizens who intentionally kill are guilty of murder, regardless of their reasons. Just as famously, Augustine seems to prohibit lying categorically. Analyzing these features of his thought and their connections, I argue that Augustine is best understood as endorsing the justice of lying in certain public contexts, even though he does not explicitly do so. Specifically, I show that parallels between his treatments of killing and lying along with his “agent (auctor)–instrument (minister)” distinction, in which God is the true agent or “author” of certain acts and humans are merely God's instruments, together imply that he would regard certain instances of public lying as permissible and even obligatory. I buttress my argument by examining several key but neglected passages and by responding to various objections and rival interpretations. Throughout, I challenge standard interpretations of Augustine's ethics of killing and lying and seek to deepen our overall understanding of these dimensions of his thought. In so doing, I contribute to ongoing discussions of public and private lying and to the task of relating Augustine's thought to contemporary debate and deliberation on war, killing, and lying.
Basal and Reflex Human Tear Analysis: I. Physical Measurements: Osmolarity, Basal Volumes, and Reflex Flow Rate

Minimally stimulated, retained "basal' tears and stimulated reflex tears were collected from normal controls, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) patients, and contact lens (CL) wearers. Basal tear samples were collected on small filter paper strips (Periopaper) over a five-second period, and volume was measured by means of an electronic device (Periotron). Collected basal tear volumes for KCS patients (0.84 +/- 0.42 mul) were significantly lower (P less than 0.01) than normal controls (1.18 +/- 0.36) and CL wearers (1.24 +/- 0.27). Reflex tear flow rates were measured over a five-minute period on Schirmer strips. Volume was calculated by comparison of wet length with known volumes of 1% egg white lysozyme solution. The reflex tear flow rates in KCS patients (3.29 +/- 3.57 mul/minute) were significantly lower than normal controls (5.71 +/- 5.86) and CL wearers (6.96 +/- 6.07). The elevation in CL wearers was not statistically significant when compared to normals. KCS patients are deficient in both basal and reflex tears compared to normals but have a more significant deficiency of basal tears. Female normals and CL wearers over 40 years of age have a higher tear osmolarity than those under 41 years of age. Female KCS patients over 40 years of age have a tear osmolarity that is not significantly different from female KCS patients under 41 years of age.
Evolution of the Schlafen genes, a gene family associated with embryonic lethality, meiotic drive, immune processes and orthopoxvirus virulence

Genes of the Schlafen family, first discovered in mouse, are expressed in hematopoietic cells and are involved in immune processes. Previous results showed that they are candidate genes for two major phenomena: meiotic drive and embryonic lethality (DDK syndrome). However, these genes remain poorly understood, mostly due to the limitations imposed by their similarity, close location and the potential functional redundancy of the gene family members. Here we use genomic and phylogenetic studies to investigate the evolution and role of this family of genes. Our results show that the Schlafen family is widely distributed in mammals, where we recognize four major clades that experienced lineage-specific expansions or contractions in various orders, including primates and rodents. In addition, we identified members of the Schlafen family in Chondrichthyes and Amphibia, indicating an ancient origin of these genes. We find evidence that positive selection has acted on many Schlafen genes. Moreover, our analyses indicate that a member of the Schlafen family was horizontally transferred from murine rodents to orthopoxviruses, where it is hypothesized to play a role in allowing the virus to survive host immune defense mechanisms. The functional relevance of the viral Schlafen sequences is further underscored by our finding that they are evolving under purifying selection. This is of particular importance, since orthopoxviruses infect mammals and include variola, the causative agent of smallpox, and monkeypox, an emerging virus of great concern for human health.
Polydisperse polymers with random trifunctional branching. I. Evaluation of the extent of branching

The relation of intrinsic viscosity of weight-average molecular weight and branch density is derived for polydisperse polymers having randomly distributed trifunctional branch points. The results are obtained by specializing and approximating a general molecular distribution function derived by Stockmayer and incorporating this function into the polymer solution viscosity treatment of Zimm and Kilb. Numerical values of the molecular size distribution function and of the intrinsic viscosity functions are tabulated for selected branch densities.
Use of a specific bacteriophage treatment to reduce Salmonella in poultry products

Bacteriophages represent a group of viruses that specifically infect and replicate in bacteria and could potentially be used to reduce recovery of Salmonella from poultry carcasses. Bacteriophages were isolated from municipal wastewater in the presence of Salmonella enteritidis phage type 13A (SE). In the first 2 experiments, commercially processed broiler carcass rinse water was pooled and divided. The addition of 10(10) pfu/mL of a single bacteriophage (PHL 4) with selected concentrations of SE reduced (P < 0.05) frequency of SE recovered as compared with the control rinse water sample. In experiments 3 and 4, broiler carcasses were intentionally inoculated with SE, sprayed with selected concentrations of PHL 4, and rinsed for SE enrichment and isolation. Application of 5.5 mL of 10(8) or 10(10) pfu/mL of PHL 4 reduced (P < 0.05) the frequency of SE recovery as compared with controls. In experiments 5 and 6, commercially processed turkeys were rinsed with water containing 72 wild-type bacteriophages isolated against SE, which were amplified in SE, or the Salmonella isolated antemortem from drag swabs from the flock selected for in-plant treatment, or a combination of bacteriophages amplified by each bacterial host. All bacteriophage treatments reduced (P < 0.05) frequency of Salmonella recovery as compared with controls. Sufficient concentrations of an appropriate bacteriophage, or a bacteriophage mixture, can significantly reduce recoverable Salmonella from carcass rinses.
Online and offline algorithms for the sorting buffers problem on the line metric

We consider the sorting buffers problem. Input to this problem is a sequence of requests, each specified by a point in a metric space. There is a ''server'' that moves from point to point to serve these requests. To serve a request, the server needs to visit the point corresponding to that request. The objective is to minimize the total distance traveled by the server in the metric space. In order to achieve this, the server is allowed to serve the requests in any order that requires to ''buffer'' at most k requests at any time. Thus a valid reordering can serve a request only after serving all but k previous requests. In this paper, we consider this problem on the line metric which is motivated by its application to the disc scheduling problem. We present first approximation algorithms with non-trivial approximation ratios in both online and offline settings. On a line metric with n uniformly spaced points, we give a randomized online algorithm with a competitive ratio of O(log^2n) in expectation against an oblivious adversary. In the offline setting, our algorithm yields the first constant-factor approximation and runs in quasi-polynomial time N@?n@?k^O^(^l^o^g^n^) where N is the total number of requests. Our approach is based on a dynamic program that keeps track of the number of pending requests in each of O(logn) line segments that are geometrically increasing in length.
The Mexican Crisis and the Maquiladora Boom A Paradox of Development or the Logic of Neoliberalism

Despite all the warning signs, the world of finance was caught off guard by the collapse of the Mexican peso in December 1994. The ensuing devaluation was followed by the largest bailout by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) until then, and by early 1995 Mexico was in its most serious depression since the 1930s (Barkin and Rosen, 1997: 24). Through 1995, Mexico endured significant negative rates of growth and waves of bankruptcies. In addition, the population experienced a decline of real wages, which dropped by 27 percent between 1994 and 1996 (EPI, 1997: 14). This led to a significant increase in poverty: an estimated 75 percent of Mexican families could not afford the basic goods required to raise them above the official poverty line (Barkin and Rosen, 1997: 24). Local manufacturing was also severely affected, as was evidenced by the increase of bankruptcies in the manufacturing sector. In stark contrast to the -6.2 percent growth rate for the overall Mexican economy, the maquiladora industryl expanded by 30 percent in 1995 (IMF, 1998; INEGI, 1997). In fact, the sector grew from 2,200 plants with 550,000 workers at the end of 1994 to over 3,000 plants employing over 800,000 workers in 1996 (INEGI, 1997).2 The stakes for Mexico in the success of the maquiladora industry are high, as the foreign exchange generated by the sector has become the largest source of foreign revenues, surpassing oil in 1999. This helps to explain Mexico's
Modeling of losses in a sandwiched-winding matrix transformer

This paper assesses the suitability of the sandwiched-winding matrix HF power transformer for low-profile applications from the loss standpoint. Finite-element simulations and experiments suggest that the core loss can be adequately characterized by approximating the matrix transformer as a collection of identical uncoupled elements. Thus, a matrix transformer with a large number of elements may have higher core loss than a conventional (tall) transformer, and more core loss than winding loss. Eddy-current analysis reveals that the interconnects which parallel the elements incur a significant fraction of the winding loss. Thus, load distribution is recommended to eliminate the paralleling interconnects in matrix transformers. >