cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RADIOGRAPHIC, COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC, AND ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FINDINGS WITH MIGRATING INTRATHORACIC GRASS AWNS IN DOGS AND CATS

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical, radiographic, and computed tomographic findings in dogs and cats with migrating intrathoracic grass awns. Thirty-five dogs and five cats with visual confirmation of a grass awn following surgery, endoscopy or necropsy, and histology were assessed. The medical records and all diagnostic imaging studies were reviewed retrospectively. Labrador Retrievers or English Pointers < 5 years of age, with a history of coughing and hyperthermia, were the most common presentations. Seventeen animals had an inflammatory leukogram of which 14 had a left shift or toxic neutrophils. Radiographs were performed in 38 animals and computed tomography (CT) in 14. Thoracic radiographs were characterized by focal pulmonary interstitial to alveolar opacities (n = 26) that occurred most commonly in the caudal (n = 19) or accessory lobes (n = 8). Additional findings included pneumothorax (n = 9), pleural effusion (n = 8), and pleural thickening (n = 7). Pulmonary opacities identified on radiographs correlated to areas of pneumonia and foreign body location. CT findings included focal interstitial to alveolar pulmonary opacities (n = 12) most commonly in the right caudal lung lobe (n = 9), pleural thickening (n = 11), mildly enlarged intrathoracic lymph nodes (n = 10), soft tissue tracking (n = 7) with enhancing margins (n = 4), pneumothorax (n = 6), pleural effusion (n = 4), and foreign body visualization (n = 4). Histologic diagnoses included pulmonary and mediastinal granulomas or abscesses, bronchopneumonia, and pleuritis. Migrating intrathoracic grass awns should be considered as a differential diagnosis in coughing, febrile animals with focal interstitial to alveolar pulmonary opacities, pleural effusion, pleural thickening, and/or pneumothorax on radiographs or CT.
Women’s Health: 1 year on

Anniversaries are occasions that are recognized by those who have been impacted by them. Whether they be happy events such as weddings, birthdays or graduations, or unhappy events such as weddings, birthdays, graduations or funerals, anniversaries give us an opportunity to pause to consider what has transpired and hopefully to consider the future so as to improve and advance in light of the events of the past. To this end, we recognize, indeed celebrate, the 1-year anniversary of Women’s Health, with a nod to the considerable achievements of the brief past and an eye to the future of this publication and to the healthcare of women. The past decade has witnessed an enormous change in women’s healthcare. From the incorporation of the outcomes of the Human Genome Project, to the development of novel surgical devices such as robotic systems, to the delineation of pathological and physiological processes that impact obstetrics and gynecology, our knowledge and understanding of obstetrics and gynecology continues to change at a rapid pace based on these advancements. Acting in parallel with these advancements has been the increasing reliance on evidence-based medicine for the improvement of healthcare worldwide. Although anecdote and consensus are important, clinical care is increasingly being defined by high-quality evidence found in the peer-reviewed literature. Accordingly, practitioners are in need of a concise and comprehensive source of current information to facilitate the incorporation of these new developments and technologies into clinical care so that patients can benefit from these
Spontaneous social role inferences

Abstract Past research has demonstrated that perceivers spontaneously infer individuals' goals, beliefs, and traits from their behaviors. These inferences processes are essential for predicting others' future behaviors and, thus, for smooth social interaction. Given that social roles (e.g., professor, mother) are also predictive of an individual's future behaviors, we proposed that perceivers spontaneously infer individuals' social roles from their behaviors. Across three experiments, including two different paradigms, we documented that perceivers formed spontaneous role inferences (SRIs) from single behaviors. SRIs occurred unintentionally, efficiently, and had important downstream consequences for impression formation. Namely, SRIs led perceivers to rate targets as higher on role-consistent traits. Together, these findings provide the first empirical demonstration of a novel process in impression formation.
Quantum reaction dynamics and hyperspherical harmonics

This paper describes how large numbers of hyperspherical harmonics for triatomic and tetratomic systems, generated analytically by a computer algebra program, can be efficiently used to solve the time-independent reactive scattering Schrodinger equation for triatomic and tetratomic systems in the strong interaction region of configuration space.
The role of intragemmular osmotic pressure in cell division and hatching of gemmules of the fresh-water sponge Spongilla lacustris (Porifera)

The gemmule coat of Spongilla lacustris is histologically single-layered in the gemmules studied in this work. This single layer is comparable to the classically described internal “chitinous” membrane of Leveaux (1939). It has been found to contain collagen with an axial period in electron micrographs of about 120 A and is bounded internally by a thin dense layer which is separate from the internal gemmular cells, and which may be chitinous. Gemmules of this sponge studied during March to June of 1973 respond to 230 mOsmolar solutions of small molecules by: 1. undergoing no change, in which case the substances are freely permeable to the gemmule coat and cells; 2. displaying shrinkage of the cell mass, in which case the substances are permeable to the coat but relatively impermeable to the cells; 3. displaying folding of the coat and cell mass shrinkage because the substances are relatively impermeable to both the coat and the cells; and 4. displaying complete collapse of the gemmule due to impermeability to the coat. The lipid solubility of a substance is directly related to its ability to penetrate the coat. Further, molecular size and charge are also of apparent importance. Substances which penetrate the coat and remain osmotically active (are not metabolized) inhibit hatching. Low concentrations of sodium chloride (23 mOsmolar) have been demonstrated to reversibly inhibit hatching. Higher concentrations cause irreversible damage at 20° C but have little effect at 4° C, indicating that damage is related to the metabolic level of the cells. Once hatching is stimulated by increased temperature the cells become progressively less sensitive to an increase in osmotically active substances. Inhibition of gemmule hatching can theoretically occur by: 1. an addition of solutes to the gemmular fluid, or 2. through an increase in concentration of intragemmular solutes by water withdrawal. Our results raise the question of whether the inhibition of hatching by gemmulostasine, reported by Rasmont (1965) and Rozenfeld (1970, 1971), is due to an osmotic effect rather than to a specific physiological one. Based upon the results reported here and on the work of Zeuthen (1939) and Schmidt (1970) we propose a tight coupling between the intragemmular osmotic pressure and the triggering of hatching (cell division). Any substance which increases intragemmular osmotic pressure to a large enough extent will inhibit hatching. Furthermore, it can be hypothesized that hatching is normally triggered by a decrease in osmotic pressure due to water movement into the gemmule, the movement of solutes out of the gemmule, or to a combination of these.
A novel tenascin type III repeat is part of a complex of tenascin mRNA alternative splices

Abstract Sequence analysis of two human tenascin encoding cDNA clones from a cDNA library of the U251 glioblastoma cell line revealed the presence of a novel 276 bp tenascin type III fibronectin like repeat. This alternatively spliced type III repeat designated AD1 is located between the previously identified repeats 10 and 11 and has sequence homology with human, chicken and mouse tenascin type III repeats. These results show that tenascin has at least 16 consecutive fibronectin like type III repeats. PCR amplification of random primed mRNA with specific type III repeat primers revealed a pattern of multiple alternative splices of AD1 and flanking type III repeats. The alternative splice variants were confirmed by direct sequencing. Differences were observed in the expression of the various alternative splices of tenascin mRNA between tumor and normal cells and may thus indicate differences in tenascin isoform expression and function in normal and tumor cells. PCR and Southern analysis of genomic DNA indicate that AD1 is coded by a single exon present in both human and mouse genome.
Genetic Population Structure and Origin of Life History Types in Chinook Salmon in British Columbia, Canada

Abstract We used protein electrophoresis to examine genetic population structure and origin of life history types of chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha in British Columbia, Canada. Among 31 allozyme loci resolved in 91 samples from 63 populations of chinook salmon in rivers and hatcheries throughout British Columbia, population heterozygosities averaged 0.084 (range 0.048–0.108) and were typical of values for populations in other regions. A hierarchical gene diversity analysis indicated that 91.3% of the total allele-frequency diversity was attributable to within-population variability; the remaining 8.7% was attributable to geographic variability among populations, which was partitioned into among-river (3.3%), among-area (3.5%), and among-region (1.9%) components. Two major groups of populations appeared in the principal components analysis and in cluster analysis of genetic distances. A coastal group included populations in four subgroups: Central coast, Georgia Strait, lower Fraser River, and wes...
Modeling and simulation of a class of coupled thermo-chemo-mechanical processes in multiphase solids

In this work a model and solution strategy are developed to describe a class of coupled thermo-chemo-mechanical systems involving the solid-state diffusion of a dilute solute into a multiphase solid material, the subsequent reactions, production of heat, changes in the stress fields, and the evolution of material degradation and inelastic strains in the solid. The algorithm involves recursive staggering, whose convergence is dependent on the discretized time step size. Because the multifield coupling can change, becoming stronger, weaker, or possibly oscillatory, it is extremely difficult to ascertain a-priori the time step size needed to meet a prespecified tolerance on the staggering error, i.e. the incomplete resolution of the interaction between the fields. The solution process involves time step size adaptivity to control the contraction mapping constant of the multifield system operator in order to induce desired staggering rates of convergence within each time step, and hence, the staggering error. Three-dimensional numerical experiments are performed to illustrate the behavior of the model and the solution strategy.
TOXICOLOGY LABORATORY ANALYSIS AND HUMAN EXPOSURE TO p-CHLOROANILINE

Introduction. p-Chloroaniline is more potent at producing methemoglobin than aniline in animal models. This case highlights the clinical presentation of an inhalation exposure to p-chloroaniline and associated laboratory analysis. An in-vitro study evaluating the metabolism of p-chloroaniline in human hepatocytes was undertaken to evaluate the metabolic fate more closely. Case presentation. A 20 year-old man was working at a chemical waste plant when he developed dizziness, abdominal pain, and nausea. The exam was remarkable for coma, tachycardia, cyanosis, and pulse oximetry of 75%. Arterial blood gases showed a pH 7.38, pCO2 41 mmHg, pO2 497 mmHg, bicarbonate 24 mEq/L and methemoglobin 69%. Methylene blue administration led to complete recovery without sequelae. p-Chloroaniline was later identified as the chemical involved. He denied direct contact with the chemical, but was not wearing a dust mask or respirator. GC/MS confirmed p-chloroaniline and metabolites in the patient's urine. Methods. Human hepa...
Activation studies by phospholipids on the purified cytochromec4:o oxidase ofAzotobacter vinelandii

A modified procedure is described that was used to solubilize and purify the TMPD-dependent cytochromec4:o oxidase fromAzotobacter vinelandii. Two functional components (Fractions I and V) were obtained after DEAE-cellulose chromatography. Fraction V contained both cytochromec4 (3.6 nmol/mg protein) and cytochromeo (1.6 nmol/mg protein). This cytochrome oxidase complex oxidized TMPD at “moderate” rates. Fraction I, a clear greenish-yellow fraction, contained primarily phosphatidylethanolamine with some phosphatidylglycerol. Fraction I itself could not oxidize TMPD, but when it was preincubated with Fraction V, a 2–4-fold stimulation in TMPD oxidase activity occurred. Other “authentic” micellar phospholipids also readily activited TMPD oxidase activity in Fraction V. Themaximum activation effect obtained with Fraction I was in essence duplicated with purified phosphatidylethanolamine.
Evaluation of apical debris removal using various sizes and tapers of ProFile GT files

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of preparation taper using size #20 or size #40 ProFile GT files on the ability to introduce irrigant and remove debris from root canals. Forty-eight bilaterally matched pairs of extracted teeth were instrumented using .04-, .06-, .08-, and .10-tapered files with one tooth of each pair enlarged to size #20 and the other to size #40. The teeth were sectioned at 1 mm and 3 mm from the apex, and the amount of remaining debris was calculated as a percentage of the total lumen area. The following variables were evaluated: apical preparation size, preparation taper, total volume of irrigation, depth of irrigation needle penetration, and number of instrument changes needed to reach working length. Compared with the size #40 preparations, a significantly greater percentage of remaining debris was observed in the size #20 preparations at the 1-mm level for all tapers except the .10 taper group in which there was no significant difference (p = 0.982). There were no significant differences between any groups at 3 mm. Results suggest that debris is more effectively removed using .04, .06, and .08 ProFile GT instruments when the apical preparation size is larger (size #40) compared with size #20 apical preparations. When a taper of .10 can be produced at the apical extent of the canal, there is no difference in debris removal between the two preparations sizes.
Control of Pain After Surgical Debridement of Burn Wounds

Dear Editor, We read with interest your article on the use of gabapentin pain control after burn debridement (1). Gabapentin has a well-established role in the management of neuropathic pain, and has been investigated in the past decade regarding its ability to potentiate the effect of morphine on postoperative pain, or decrease the amount of pain experienced by patients after surgery. This study represents one of the only randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind studies to look at gabapentin in burn patients. The authors found that 1200mg of gabapentin 2 hours prior to operative debridement of burn wounds led to a significant decrease in pain in the immediate 24-hour postoperative period, as measured by the visual analog score and by patient-requested morphine consumption. While the results are important and consistent with the growing body of literature, there remain methodological questions that are not addressed (2-4). First, while the authors state that total burn surface area in all patients were comparable (average of 13% ± 25 in the placebo group versus 19% ± 29 in the gabapentin group), there are several additional characteristics that can significantly affect pain, both pre-and post-operatively. Burn severity, type of burn (flame, chemical) and location on the body are not addressed here. In addition, the extent of debridement must also be considered, with regard to both surface area and depth. Conditions such as infection or other complicating medical conditions are also not mentioned in the article, which can be common in burn patients, and which can significantly affect patient outcome. Secondly, neuropathic pain induced by burns can lead to chronic and debilitating pain; this should be evaluated, depending on the feasibility of follow-up. The authors state that “Fassoulaki et al. (5) were unable to demonstrate a decrease in analgesic consumption and VAS scores at rest or after movement during the first 24h after the operation” due to “differences in the types of surgeries performed.” In fact, however, Fassoulaki et al. (5) were able to find that gabapentin reduced requirement for analgesics and led to decreased pain with movement within the first week post-operatively; the caveat was that this difference did not persist long-term (at 10 days or 3 months). Because chronic pain control can be such an important aspect of clinical outcomes in burn patients, this is critical to consider when thinking about impact on changes in management. In summary, this study provides important support for the use of gabapentin in postoperative pain, and represents one of the only studies to address its use in burn patients. However, several questions regarding the clinical condition of patients (burn severity, type of burn, location of burn, extent of debridement, and presence of infection) must be considered; long-term sequelae with regard to chronic pain must also be addressed. All of these variables must be taken into account before the true impact of gabapentin in these patients can be determined.
Relationship Between Self-Reported Racial Composition of High School and Health Literacy Among Community Health Center Patients:

Intervention and policy approaches targeting the societal factors that affect health literacy (e.g., educational systems) could have promise to improve health outcomes, but little research has investigated these factors. This study examined the associations between self-reported racial composition of prior educational and neighborhood contexts and health literacy among 1,061 English- and Spanish-speaking adult community health center patients. The authors found that self-reported racial composition of high school was a significant predictor of health literacy among those who received schooling in the United States, controlling for race/ethnicity, education, age, country of birth, and survey language. Black and Hispanic patients had significantly lower health literacy than White patients within educational strata among those schooled in the United States. The findings revealed substantial disparities in health literacy. Self-reported racial composition of school context was a significant predictor of healt...
Enhancing the performance of subband audio coders for speech signals

Transform or subband audio coders can deliver high quality reconstruction at rates around two bits per sample. Most quantization strategies take into account masking properties of the human ear to make the quantization noise less noticeable. In this paper we describe a new coder in which we extend such quantization strategies by incorporating run-length and arithmetic encoders. They lead to improved performance for quasi-periodic signals, including speech. The quantization tables are computed from only a few parameters, allowing for a high degree of adaptability without increasing quantization table storage. To improve the performance for transient signals, the coder uses a nonuniform modulated lapped biorthogonal transform with variable resolution without input window switching. Experimental results show that the coder can be used for good quality signal reproduction at rates close to one bit per sample, and quasi-transparent reproduction at two bits per sample.
First gaseous boronization during pulsed discharge cleaning

The first successful gaseous boronization during a pulsed discharge is reported. Sublimation of o-carborane (C2B10H12) combined with pulsed discharge plasmas with a repetition rate of 1 Hz is used to produce a hard boron-containing coating for reversed field pinch (RFP) plasmas in the Madison Symmetric Torus. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with Ar ion beam etching for silicon coupons installed at the plasma boundary shows about 60% boron concentration in the deposited layer. Both profilometer and scanning electron microscope analyses of the silicon coupons imply a strong toroidally non-uniform deposition depending on the location of the o-carborane injection. The layer thickness ranges from 50 to 300 nm. Ellipsometry calibrated with the profilometer results yields a refractive index of 2.2–2.3 for the films. The high refractive index implies that the coating is hard and has a well-ordered morphology. A reduction in wall recycling has consistently been observed after all boronization sessions. Comparison of the X-ray spectra in standard RFP plasmas before and after boronization indicates a slight decrease in the effective ionic charge.
Clinical importance of serum vascular endothelial and basic fibroblast growth factors in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The aim of this study is to evaluate, for the first time serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (s-VEGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (s-b FGF) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and its relation to clinical manifestations of the disease. Although VEGF and b FGF have been suggested to be reliable prognostic indicators and important tools for treatment approach in malignant haematopoietic and solid tumours, experience in childhood ALL has been limited to only one study on angiogenesis and urine b FGF. All 31 ALL patients included in the present study at the time of diagnosis and in remission, and all 10 control children had detectable serum levels of VEGF and b FGF. The median level of s-VEGF at the time of diagnosis was significantly lower than in the control group and at the time of remission (respectively p=0,005, p=0,0001). Twenty six of 31 patients had an increasing trend of s-VEGF levels in remission reaching control values compared with the levels obtained at dia...
Utility of Salivary Biomarkers for Demonstrating Acute Myocardial Infarction

The comparative utility of serum and saliva as diagnostic fluids for identifying biomarkers of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was investigated. The goal was to determine if salivary biomarkers could facilitate a screening diagnosis of AMI, especially in cases of non-ST elevation MI (NSTEMI), since these cases are not readily identified by electrocardiogram (ECG). Serum and unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) collected from 92 AMI patients within 48 hours of chest pain onset and 105 asymptomatic healthy control individuals were assayed for 13 proteins relevant to cardiovascular disease, by Beadlyte technology (Luminex(®)) and enzyme immunoassays. Data were analyzed with concentration cut-points, ECG findings, logistic regression (LR) (adjusted for matching for age, gender, race, smoking, number of teeth, and oral health status), and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. A sensitivity analysis was conducted by repetition of the CART analysis in 58 cases and 58 controls, each matched by age and gender. Serum biomarkers demonstrated AMI sensitivity and specificity superior to that of saliva, as determined by LR and CART. The predominant discriminators in serum by LR were troponin I (TnI), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and TnI and BNP by CART. In saliva, LR identified C-reactive protein (CRP) as the biomarker most predictive of AMI. A combination of smoking tobacco, UWS CRP, CK-MB, sCD40 ligand, gender, and number of teeth identified AMI in the CART decision trees. When ECG findings, salivary biomarkers, and confounders were included, AMI was predicted with 80.0% sensitivity and 100% specificity. These analyses support the potential utility of salivary biomarker measurements used with ECG for the identification of AMI. Thus, saliva-based tests may provide additional diagnostic screening information in the clinical course for patients suspected of having an AMI.
Tobacco control in China: the dilemma between economic development and health improvement

Although China's National People's Congress announced its decision to ratify the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) on Sunday, August 28, 2005, fundamental challenges to tobacco control still exist. A survey at the "No Smoking Day" on May 31, 2004 in China showed that over 73% of respondents do not think that human society will be able to get rid of the consumption of tobacco products. Although the prevalence of smoking declined 1.2% from 1996 to 2002, the absolute number of smokers increased by 30 million during this period. It is estimated that smoking prevalence will decline 10% in the next 25 years. However, due to the population increase, the total number of tobacco consumers will be about the same as today, which is 320 million. As long as the tobacco industry continues to be significant in overall economic development, and as long as the government continues to play a significant role in tobacco production, the debate between tobacco production and tobacco control will continue. Although China has already made significant efforts with regard to tobacco control, it is still in the beginning of its "long march" towards improving the population's health status by reducing tobacco consumption in China.
Endothelial NO/cGMP/VASP Signaling Attenuates Kupffer Cell Activation and Hepatic Insulin Resistance Induced by High-Fat Feeding

OBJECTIVE Proinflammatory activation of Kupffer cells is implicated in the effect of high-fat feeding to cause liver insulin resistance. We sought to determine whether reduced endothelial nitric oxide (NO) signaling contributes to the effect of high-fat feeding to increase hepatic inflammatory signaling and if so, whether this effect 1 ) involves activation of Kupffer cells and 2 ) is ameliorated by increased NO signaling. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Effect of NO/cGMP signaling on hepatic inflammation and on isolated Kupffer cells was examined in C57BL/6 mice, eNos−/− mice, and Vasp−/− mice fed a low-fat or high-fat diet. RESULTS We show that high-fat feeding induces proinflammatory activation of Kupffer cells in wild-type mice coincident with reduced liver endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity and NO content while, conversely, enhancement of signaling downstream of endogenous NO by phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition protects against high fat–induced inflammation in Kupffer cells. Furthermore, proinflammatory activation of Kupffer cells is evident in eNos−/− mice even on a low-fat diet. Targeted deletion of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), a key downstream target of endothelially derived NO, similarly predisposes to hepatic and Kupffer cell inflammation and abrogates the protective effect of NO signaling in both macrophages and hepatocytes studied in a cell culture model. CONCLUSIONS These results collectively imply a physiological role for endothelial NO to limit obesity-associated inflammation and insulin resistance in hepatocytes and support a model in which Kupffer cell activation during high-fat feeding is dependent on reduced NO signaling. Our findings also identify the NO/VASP pathway as a novel potential target for the treatment of obesity-associated liver insulin resistance.
Large format fabrication-a practical approach to low cost MCM-D

The IBM Microelectronics Division at East Fishkill has recently demonstrated the fabrication of thin films for MCM-D on large area panels, 300 mm/spl times/300 mm in size. Fabrication of the thin films was accomplished on IBM's 300 mm development line using immersion development of photosensitive polyimide for via formation and electrolytic plating to define wiring and terminal metal levels. One plane pair of thin films was constructed on Corning glass 7059 panels for 35 /spl mu/m lines on 85 /spl mu/m pitch. In addition, two metal-dielectric levels with 13 /spl mu/m lines on 25 /spl mu/m pitch have also been demonstrated. The 25 /spl mu/m pitch represents the most aggressive groundrule practised in electronic packaging today. The successful production of electrically good substrates at a high yield from a 300 mm panel provides a gateway to significant cost reductions of future MCM-D products. This paper discusses the processes and equipment used to fabricate two different test vehicles, as well as some of the cost and yield considerations associated with large area panel processing for MCM-D packages. >
Operations safety risk management: Managing integration and test safety risk

The risk of damage to project hardware during assembly, integration, and test activities prior to a project's "operational" phase is significant. Traditional Test Readiness Reviews are rarely sufficiently detailed or appropriately structured to ensure that all aspects of a pending activity are adequately addressed. A flexible, structured process that brings together appropriate disciplines to assess an impending activity has been developed by systems safety and has been repeatedly shown to be value added. Systems safety is an intimate member of the overall risk management team, but is often perceived as overburdening projects with a plethora of rigid and highly specialized analyses. Systems safety can and should contribute principles and processes that have flexibility and adaptability to be effective. The survey process described here does all of this. It is a major tool in the overall risk management arsenal. Systems safety principles utilized in the survey process are also described.
The role of long-lived greenhouse gases as principal LW control knob that governs the global surface temperature for past and future climate change

The climate system of the Earth is endowed with a moderately strong greenhouse effect that is characterised by non-condensing greenhouse gases (GHGs) that provide the core radiative forcing. Of these, the most important is atmospheric CO 2 . There is a strong feedback contribution to the greenhouse effect by water vapour and clouds that is unique in the solar system, exceeding the core radiative forcing due to the non-condensing GHGs by a factor of three. The significance of the non-condensing GHGs is that once they have been injected into the atmosphere, they remain there virtually indefinitely because they do not condense and precipitate from the atmosphere, their chemical removal time ranging from decades to millennia. Water vapour and clouds have only a short lifespan, with their distribution determined by the locally prevailing meteorological conditions, subject to Clausius–Clapeyron constraint. Although solar irradiance is the ultimate energy source that powers the terrestrial greenhouse effect, there has been no discernable long-term trend in solar irradiance since precise monitoring began in the late 1970s. This leaves atmospheric CO 2 as the effective control knob driving the current global warming trend. Over geological time scales, volcanoes are the principal source of atmospheric CO 2 , and the weathering of rocks is the principal sink, with the biosphere participating as both a source and a sink. The problem at hand is that human industrial activity is causing atmospheric CO 2 , to increase by 2 ppm yr −1 , whereas the interglacial rate has been 0.005 ppm yr −1 . This is a geologically unprecedented rate to turn the CO 2 climate control knob. This is causing the global warming that threatens the global environment. Keywords: carbon dioxide, greenhouse effect, radiative forcing, climate change, global warming (Published: 27 November 2013) Citation: Tellus B 2013, 65 , 19734, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/tellusb.v65i0.19734 This publication is part of a Thematic Cluster with papers presented at a conference held in Stockholm 21 - 23 May 2012, to honor the late Professor Bert Bolin for his outstanding contributions to climate science and his efforts to create a dialogue between policy makers and the scientific community. All papers within the cluster will be published online as soon as they have been accepted for publication. When all papers belonging to the cluster have been published, they will be summarized with a foreword describing the background and scope of the conference. Read the other papers from this thematic cluster here
Solubility approach for modeling waste glass liquidus

The liquidus temperature of a waste glass (the temperature at which the system glass + crystalline material is in equilibrium with the amorphous glass of the same composition) often is a measure of the solubility of a specific component in the waste in the base glass. A new approach toward predicting the liquidus temperatures of waste glasses has been developed based on solubility. The approach predicts liquidus temperature as well as more complicated expressions developed by other researchers. At the same time, simple process control limits can be easily derived from this model, which is difficult to do with other approaches. While the approach is not applicable to all waste glass components, it can be used for important species such as nickel-iron spinel, chromium oxide, and probably plutonium dioxide. The approach also has led to two new techniques for determining liquidus of waste glass systems.
THE EFFECTS OF VARIABLE OXYGEN PARTIAL PRESSURES DURING BI-2223 TAPE PROCESSING

The effect of changes in the oxygen partial pressure during the heat treatment of Bi-2223 tapes has been investigated. Distinct differences were observed in the phase assemblages, compositions, and critical current densities. Of particular importance in the correlation of transport properties and microstructure was the redistribution of lead in both the secondary phases and the Bi-2223 matrix. The highest Jc values were associated with tapes that contained Ca2PbO4 as part of the phase assemblage coupled with lower concentrations of lead in the superconducting phase. The high Jc of 30.4 kA/cm2 was obtained in tapes processed at 820 °C where the oxygen partial pressure was increased from 10% O2/Ar to 20% O2/Ar after 25 h of each 50-h sinter cycle. Samples processed only in 10% O2/Ar at 820 °C did not contain Ca2PbO4, had slightly higher concentrations of lead in the superconducting phase, and had significantly lower Jc values.
Technologies To Improve The Decision-Making Process Of Real Estate Appraisers: XML, Intelligent Agents, Avms, And Web Services

Pressure to expedite mortgage originations has prompted the need to accelerate the appraisal process for residential real estate. The appraisal aspect of a mortgage origination is one area where decision support can play a major role in redefining the process. This study presents propositions that incorporate new technologies into the decision-making process of a residential real estate appraiser. The four propositions deal with intelligent agents, XML, automated valuation models (AVMs), and web services. Intelligent agents have the ability to redefine how appraisal firms create, maintain, and update their databases. XML offers enhanced data handling capabilities, while automated valuation models offer the ability to drastically reduce the time required to render an estimate of value. These two technologies can be combined with web services to make the real estate appraisal application available anywhere and anytime of the day.
Posterior acoustic shadowing in benign breast lesions: sonographic-pathologic correlation.

Objective. To show a variety of benign breast lesions that exhibit posterior acoustic shadowing on sonography. Methods. The cases illustrate a variety of pathologic breast conditions that were collected at a referral breast center at a tertiary medical center. Results. A variety of pathologic conditions are discussed, with pathologic-imaging correlation. Conclusions. Although posterior acoustic shadowing is a sonographic feature that is most commonly associated with mammary malignancies, this sonographic finding may also be seen with benign breast lesions.
Analyzing the Perceived Benefits of LEED-Certified and Energy Star–Certified Buildings in the Realm of Local Economic Development

Data collected from a national survey of economic development professionals are used in this study to examine the perceived role of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design–certified and Energy Star–certified buildings in the business recruitment process. A series of ordinal logistic regression models are estimated to examine economic developers’ attitudes toward these buildings after controlling for their personal characteristics and the characteristics of the communities where they work. The results suggest less favorable perceptions about this form of sustainable real estate development in smaller communities and those with weaker economic fundamentals. Furthermore, women employed in economic development are found to have more favorable attitudes toward these buildings than their male counterparts. Increasing support for sustainable real estate development among economic developers working in local government may therefore require a combination of thoughtful policy making, executive education, and...
Integrating learning by experience and demonstration in autonomous robots

We propose an integrated learning by experience and demonstration algorithm that operates on the basis of both an objective scalar measure of performance and a demonstrated behaviour. The application of the method to two qualitatively different experimental scenarios involving simulated mobile robots demonstrates its efficacy. Indeed, the analysis of the obtained results shows that the robots trained through this integrated algorithm develop solutions that are functionally better than those obtained by using either a pure learning by demonstration, or a pure learning by experience algorithm. This is because the algorithm drives the learning process toward solutions that are qualitatively similar to the demonstration, but leaves the learning agent free to differentiate from the demonstration when this turns out to be necessary to maximize performance.
Physical Properties of Bacillus thuringiensis Spray Formulations

Twelve experimental, water-base, Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner forestry formulations prepared by 2 manufacturers were characterized and their physical properties evaluated. Four Thuricide®-HPC and 4 Dipel® formulations were stable while 4 Dipel formulations readily separated into layers during short storage. Maywood, whey, and corn oil surfactants increased the viscosity which resulted in more stable formulations, Maywood surfactant also increased spread of formulations on foliage. Cargill’s insecticide base (molasses) adjuvant resulted in the higher acidity of spray formulations as compared to polyethylene glycol. The various additives did not significantly improve sticking or retard evaporation of spray formulations. All formulations flowed through experimental spray equipment satisfactorily, were adequately atomized, and produced consistent drop size spectra.
Uveal Tissue Sensitization in Rabbits by Synergic Action of Staphylotoxin

Summary1. A method of preparation of “uveal-tissue-toxin” is described. 2. Repeated intracutaneous injections with heterologous (bovine) uveal-tissue-toxin produced simultaneous sensitization to heterologous (swine), homologous, and autogenous uveal pigment in 6 out of 22 rabbits. 3. Similar sensitizing injections with homologous uveal-tissue-toxin produced no sensitization to uveal pigment in any of the 11 rabbits used. 4. Repeated injections of uveal-tissue devoid of staphylotoxin produced no sensitization to uveal pigment. 5. The criterion of hypersensitivity was based upon the histologic cellular reaction observed in tissues excised 2 weeks after the injection.
Modeling and Control of the Series Elasticity in Pneumatic Actuators

Inspired by human motor control theory, stiffness control is highly effective in manipulation and human-interactive tasks. The implementation of stiffness control in robotic systems, however, has largely been limited to close-loop control, and suffers from multiple related issues such as limited frequency range, potential stability issue, and lack of contribution to energy efficiency. Variable-stiffness actuator represents a better solution, but the current designs are complex, heavy, and bulky. The approach in this paper seeks to address these issues by using pneumatic actuator as a variable series elasticity actuator, leveraging the compressibility of the working fluid. In this work, a pneumatic actuator is modelled as an elastic element with controllable stiffness and equilibrium point, both of which are functions of air masses in the two chambers. As such, for the implementation of stiffness control in a robotic system, the desired stiffness/equilibrium point can be converted to the desired chamber air masses, and a predictive pressure control approach is developed to control the timing of valve switching to obtain the desired air mass while minimizing control action. Experimental results showed that the new approach in this paper requires less expensive hardware (on-off valve instead of proportional valve), causes less control action in implementation, and provides good control performance by leveraging the inherent dynamics of the actuator.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Supported education programming for adults with psychiatric disabilities: results from a national survey.

Over the last 10 years, supported education (SEd) programs have been the topic of many journal publications and conference presentations, but little is known about their numbers and types across the U.S. This article reports the results of a national survey of all known SEd programs, numbering over 100. The largest number was associated with clubhouses, where full and partial SEd models could be identified. On-site supported education programs were located in community colleges and universities. A dozen "free-standing" programs were also identified. Analyses documented differences across program types in services provided, budget amounts and sources, and coordination with mental health and higher educational institutions. If supported education is to move beyond a specialty program in mental health, providers need to do more to market these services and to work collaboratively with stakeholder groups to expand supported education programming.
Uncertainty quantification via Bayesian inference using Sequential Monte Carlo methods for CO2 adsorption process

This work presents the uncertainty quantification, which includes parametric inference along with uncertainty propagation, for CO2 adsorption in a hollow fiber sorbent, a complex dynamic chemical process. Parametric inference via Bayesian approach is performed using Sequential Monte Carlo, a completely parallel algorithm, and the predictions are obtained by propagating the posterior distribution through the model. The presence of residual variability in the observed data and model inadequacy often present a significant challenge in performing the parametric inference. In this work, residual variability in the observed data is handled by three different approaches: (a) by performing inference with isolated data sets, (b) by increasing the uncertainty in model parameters, and finally, (c) by using a model discrepancy term to account for the uncertainty. The pros and cons of each of the three approaches are illustrated along with the predicted distributions of CO2 breakthrough capacity for a scaled-up process. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 3352–3368, 2016
Characterization and quantification of oxyntomodulin in human and rat plasma using high-resolution accurate mass LC–MS

Background: A thorough understanding of the biological role of oxyntomodulin (OXM) has been limited by the availability of sensitive and specific analytical tools for reliable in vivo characterization. Here, we utilized immunoaffinity capture coupled with high-resolution accurate mass LC–MS detection to quantify OXM and its primary catabolites. Results: Quantification of intact OXM 1–37 in human and rat plasma occurred in pre- and post-prandial samples. Profiles for the major catabolites were observed allowing kinetic differences to be assessed between species. Conclusion: A validated assay in human and rat plasma was obtained for OXM 1–37 and its catabolites, 3–37 and 4–37. The value of full scan high-resolution accurate mass detection without selected reaction monitoring for low-abundance peptide quantification was also demonstrated.
Estimate of requirements for detection and treatment of hypercholesterolemia in U.S. Army aviators.

In May 1988, the Army Surgeon General issued guidelines and a preliminary plan for evaluation and treatment of hypercholesterolemia, based on the recommendations of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel. Implementation of this plan in the aviation population would require an unknown number of aviators to undergo testing and possibly therapy for hypercholesterolemia. This study uses a mathematical model and information from the Aviation Epidemiology Data Register to estimate the number of aviators who would require detailed lipoprotein analysis and at least dietary therapy, based on evaluation of their total serum cholesterol and other coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors, as described in the expert panel report. The model predicts that at least 27% of all aviators would require LDL screening, and 24.6% of all aviators would require dietary or drug therapy.
Acculturative stress and experiential avoidance: relations to depression, suicide, and anxiety symptoms among minority college students

AbstractAlthough college campuses represent strategic locations to address mental health disparity among minorities in the US, there has been strikingly little empirical work on risk processes for anxiety/depression among this population. The present investigation examined the interactive effects of acculturative stress and experiential avoidance in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms among minority college students (n = 1,095; 78.1% female; Mage = 21.92, SD = 4.23; 15.1% African-American (non-Hispanic), 45.3% Hispanic, 32.5% Asian, and 7.1% other races/ethnicities. Results provided empirical evidence of an interaction between acculturative stress and experiential avoidance for suicidal, social anxiety, and anxious arousal symptoms among the studied sample. Inspection of the significant interactions revealed that acculturative stress was related to greater levels of suicidal symptoms, social anxiety, and anxious arousal among minority college students with higher, but not lower, levels of experien...
Hydrogen isotopes in individual amino acids reflect differentiated pools of hydrogen from food and water in Escherichia coli

Hydrogen isotope (δ(2)H) analysis is widely used in animal ecology to study continental-scale movement because δ(2)H can trace precipitation and climate. To understand the biochemical underpinnings of how hydrogen is incorporated into biomolecules, we measured the δ(2)H of individual amino acids (AAs) in Escherichia coli cultured in glucose-based or complex tryptone-based media in waters with δ(2)H values ranging from -55‰ to +1,070‰. The δ(2)H values of AAs in tryptone spanned a range of ∼250‰. In E. coli grown on glucose, the range of δ(2)H among AAs was nearly 200‰. The relative distributions of δ(2)H of AAs were upheld in cultures grown in enriched waters. In E. coli grown on tryptone, the δ(2)H of nonessential AAs varied linearly with the δ(2)H of media water, whereas δ(2)H of essential AAs was nearly identical to δ(2)H in diet. Model calculations determined that as much as 46% of hydrogen in some nonessential AAs originated from water, whereas no more than 12% of hydrogen in essential AAs originated from water. These findings demonstrate that δ(2)H can route directly at the molecular level. We conclude that the patterns and distributions in δ(2)H of AAs are determined through biosynthetic reactions, suggesting that δ(2)H could become a new biosignature for studying novel microbial pathways. Our results also show that δ(2)H of AAs in an organism's tissues provides a dual tracer for food and environmental (e.g., drinking) water.