cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Enhanced Biodegradation of Carbofuran on the Control of Striped Cucumber Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Muskmelon

Soils traditionally used for muskmelon, Cucumis mela L., production in Indiana were studied for their capacity to develop enhanced (rapid) rates of carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate) breakdown. The rate of car-bofuran degradation in soils with a history of carbofuran treatment was compared with similar soils with no previous carbofuran treatment. Degradation estimates were based on bioassay with larval western corn rootworms, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, and measurement of the release of 14C-CO2 from 14C-carbofuran. Uptake of carbofuran by muskmelon plants growing in enhanced (soil in which a pesticide is rapidly degraded by populations of microorganisms previously exposed to the pesticide or a structurally related compound) and nonenhanced soils was also estimated. Both estimates of degradation showed rapid loss of carbofuran occurring in history soils as opposed to a much slower rate of degradation in nonhistory soils. Plant uptake of carbofuran, measured by bioassay with striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma vittatum (F.), and residue analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was dependent upon the concentration of the insecticide in soil. The control of striped cucumber beetle on plants growing in history soils was reduced compared with plants growing in nonenhanced soil.
Independent effects of cholinergic and serotonergic lesions on acetylcholine and serotonin release in the neocortex of the rat.

Rats received a unilateral lesion of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) by infusion of ibotenic acid. In addition, the dorsal raphe nucleus was lesioned by infusion of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT). The release of acetylcholine (ACh), choline, serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) was measured in the frontal neocortex by means of microdialysis. Lesions of the NBM, but not the raphe nucleus, reduced the release of ACh significantly (−47%). The release of 5-HT and 5-HIAA was reduced by raphe lesions (−44% and −79%), but not by NBM lesions. In no case did the combined lesion affect neurotransmitter release more than a single lesion. These results suggest that serotonergic projections from the dorsal raphe nucleus are not involved in tonic inhibition of ACh release in the neocortex.
DRIFT CHAMBER TRACKING WITH A VLSI NEURAL NETWORK

We have tested a commercial analog VLSI neural network chip for finding in real time the intercept and slope of charged particles traversing a drift chamber. Voltages proportional to the drift times were input to the Intel ETANN chip and the outputs were recorded and later compared off line to conventional track fits. We will discuss the chamber and test setup, the chip specifications, and results of recent tests. We’ll briefly discuss possible applications in high energy physics detector triggers.
Bound Eigenstates of the Static Screened Coulomb Potential

Accurate numerical solutions have been obtained for Schr\"odinger's equation for a two-particle system interacting through a static screened Coulomb potential (SSCP) $V(\mathcal{r})=\ensuremath{-}\frac{Z{e}^{2}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{r}{D}}}{\mathcal{r}}$. The numerical integration of the wave equation uses a one-dimensional difference method which is simple, accurate, and efficient. Solutions have been computed for 45 eigenstates, $1s$ through $n=9$, $l=8$, yielding the eigenfunctions and energy eigenvalues for a wide range of $D$, the screening length which characterizes the range of the interaction. Under screening, all energy levels are shifted away from their unscreened values toward the continuum, the energy increasing as $D$ decreases. For each $n$, $l$ eigenstate, there is a finite value of the screening length ${D}_{0}(n, l)$, for which the energy becomes zero. The value of ${D}_{0}$ for the ground state of a two-particle bound system in a potential of this type, such as the Debye or Yukawa potential, is 0.83991 $\frac{{a}_{0}}{Z}$ in agreement with certain previous studies. The total number of different energy levels is finite for any finite $D$, and is approximately linearly dependent on $D$. The number of bound $s$ states ${g}^{*}$ is given by the relation ${({g}^{*})}^{2}=1.2677$ $\frac{\mathrm{DZ}}{{a}_{0}}$. For given $n$, the $l$ degeneracy is destroyed, lowest $l$ levels lying lowest in energy. At sufficiently high $n$, this behavior results in level crossing, high $l$ levels of eigenstate $n$ having higher energies than low $l$ levels of eigenstate $n+1$. This produces increasingly complex deviations of the level order from the unscreened order, commencing with the $5s\ensuremath{-}4f$ cross-over. Because of the displacement of high $n$ states into the continuum, the density of states in the SSCP for any finite $D$ is lower than in the unscreened potential, especially near the continuum.
Effects of Deep Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest on the Blood Brain Barrier in a Cardiopulmonary Bypass Model – A Pilot Study

Background Neurologic injury is common after cardiac surgery and disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB) has been proposed as a contributing factor. We sought to study BBB characteristics in a rodent model of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). Methods Adult rats were subjected to CPB/DHCA or to sham surgery. Analysis included Western blotting of relevant BBB proteins in addition to in vivo brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a clinically used low-molecular contrast agent. Results While quantitative analysis of BBB proteins revealed similar expression levels, MRI showed evidence of BBB disruption after CPB/DHCA compared to sham surgery. Conclusions Combining molecular BBB analysis and MRI technology in a rodent model is a highly translatable approach to study adverse neurologic outcomes following CPB/DHCA.
Polymer sorbents for phosphorus esters: I. Selection of polymers by analog calorimetry

Heats of mixing of a variety of solvents with dimethyl methyl phosphonate, DMMP, are presented. A qualitative correlation between the exothermicity of the heat of mixing of DMMP with a particular solvent and sorption of DMMP by polymers containing structural units analogous to the solvent is observed. By this approach, polymers containing acidic hydroxyl functionality, such as phenol-formaldehyde condensation products and poly(styrene-co-vinyl benzyl hexafluorodimethyl carbinol), were identified as good sorbents for DMMP. Sorption isotherms, measured for these materials by the piezoelectric method, show enhanced sorption at low vapor activity and 135°C compared to polystyrene and poly(vinyl chloride) which lack these acidic sites and whose solvent analogs mix more endothermically with DMMP.
The Effects of Photoperiod and Feeding on the Diurnal Rhythm of Circulating Thyroid Hormones in the Red Drum, Sciaenops ocellatus

Abstract Available data in cyprinid and salmonid species indicate that nutrient intake sustains thyroidal rhythmicity and that time of feeding may influence the amplitude, but not the phase, of diurnal thyroid hormone cycles. Several experiments were conducted to characterize the nature of thyroidal rhythmicity in a more derived perciform teleost, the red drum. These studies were designed to test the following hypotheses: (1) that feeding time will alter the amplitude of the thyroid hormone rhythm without altering its phase and (2) that food deprivation will diminish the amplitude of the thyroid hormone rhythm. Circulating T4 levels in this species exhibit high-amplitude diurnal rhythms, whereas circulating T3 levels fluctuate within a more narrow range. Fish were reared under a 12L:12D photoperiod and fed 5% body weight once daily either at dawn or at dusk. Feeding time had no discernible effect on the phase of the T4 cycle, but altered the amplitude of the cycle. Dawn-fed fish had significantly greater mean peak levels of T4 than dusk-fed fish, although there was no difference in daily mean levels in both groups of fish. When red drum were deprived of food, significant declines in plasma glucose, HSI, and liver glycogen content occurred within 3 days. When red drum were sampled once per day after 3, 7, or 11 days of food deprivation there were no consistent changes in circulating T4 and T3 levels compared to those of fed controls. However, significant declines in circulating T4 and T3 levels in response to food deprivation were detected with a diurnal sampling protocol. Within 3 days of food deprivation, T4 levels were significantly reduced compared to those in fed controls and not significantly different from T4 levels after 10 days of food deprivation. T3 levels exhibited a stepwise decline in circulating levels during food deprivation. These data indicate that both feeding time and nutrient status exert their effects on thyroid hormone rhythms by modifying the amplitude of these cycles. These data also underscore the importance of incorporating a consideration of endocrine rhythmicity into sampling protocols.
A plan to defeat neglected tropical diseases.

The article discusses neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). According to the author, the poorest people suffer from chronic illness making it difficult for them to escape poverty. An example is given of the Burkina Faso program in West Africa which treats millions of children suffering from preventable diseases such as parasitic cysticercosis. An in-depth discussion on what is being done to defeat NTDs, such as drug distribution and education, and those most affected is presented. INSETS: Horrors of the Kissing Bug;HOW TO HELP.
On the energy separation between the open and cyclic forms of ozone

Abstract The equilibrium structure of the D 3h form of ozone has been determined using large atomic natural orbital (ANO) basis sets in conjunction with the singles and doubles coupled-cluster (CCSD) and CCSD(T) ab initio models of electron correlation. The largest one-particle basis sets include g-type functions. In addition, harmonic vibrational frequencies have been determined. The results allow a very accurate determination of the energy difference (Δ E ) between the open and cyclic forms of ozone. The highest level of theory used gives a Δ E of 29.1 kcal/mol, of which triple excitations contribute 5.8 kcal/mol. Zero-point vibrational energies decrease Δ E by 0.4 kcal/mol, yielding a final estimate of 28.7 kcal/mol. These results demonstrate that cyclic ozone is above the O 3 (X 1 A 1 )→O( 3 P)+O 2 (X 3 Σ g − ) dissociation limit (26.1 kcal/mol).
Modified Simes’ critical values under positive dependence

Abstract A modification of the critical values of Simes’ test is suggested in this article when the underlying test statistics are multivariate normal with a common non-negative correlation, yielding a more powerful test than the original Simes’ test. A step-up multiple testing procedure with these modified critical values, which is shown to control false discovery rate (FDR), is presented as a modification of the traditional Benjamini–Hochberg (BH) procedure. Simulations were carried out to compare this modified BH procedure with the BH and other modified BH procedures in terms of false non-discovery rate (FNR), 1–FDR–FNR and average power. The present modified BH procedure is observed to perform well compared to others when the test statistics are highly correlated and most of the hypotheses are true.
Corruption and Abuse of Power in Educational Administration

Corruption and abuse of power in educational administration in K–12 and higher education institutions are important, though neglected, research topics. As such, they might rightfully be termed our profession's “dirty little secrets.” This article begins to uncover the range, if not the depth, of such corruption and abuse of power. It represents an initial ethnology of the topic. Examples are taken from several countries, most notably Mexico, China, and the United States, and discussion revolves around the relation between corruption and hierarchical, pyramidal bureaucracies.
Solution of the Linearized Phonon Boltzmann Equation.

The linearized Boltzmann equation for the pure phonon field may be solved formally in terms of the eigenvectors of the normal-process collision operator. This representation is particularly convenient as a basis for solutions, since in the isotropic dispersionless case the temperature deviation $\ensuremath{\delta}T$ and the heat current Q are related to zero-eigenvalue eigenfunctions of this operator. The formal solution is summarized by two macroscopic equations relating $\ensuremath{\delta}T$ and Q. The first of these is the usual thermal-energy conservation condition; the second is a generalized phonon-thermal-conductivity relation involving a k- and $\ensuremath{\Omega}$-dependent thermal conductivity $\ensuremath{\kappa}(\mathbf{k},\ensuremath{\Omega})$. Examination of $\ensuremath{\kappa}(0,0)$ clarifies the role of normal processes and momentum-relaxing $R$ processes in determining the steady-state heat current. An alternative to the Callaway equation for the thermal conductivity is obtained. Examination of $\ensuremath{\kappa}(\mathbf{k},\ensuremath{\Omega})$ leads to a discussion of space-time-dependent phenomena in a phonon gas. A set of macroscopic equations which describe second sound with damping and Poiseuille flow are obtained. Second sound from the linear-response point of view discussed by Griffin is considered briefly. In the companion paper the problem of Poiseuille flow in a phonon gas is dealt with in considerable detail using these equations. The pure phonon field in a harmonic crystal is characterized by zero expectation value of the density variation of the crystal. However, in addition to the pure phonon field one may also have an elastic dilatation field in the harmonic approximation, which does lead to periodic density variation. Anharmonic effects will couple the phonon field and the dilatation field, leading to a coupling between elastic (sound waves) and thermal waves. The coupled-field dispersion relations are discussed.
Why the ethics of parsimonious medicine is not the ethics of rationing.

The ethics of rationing health care resources has been debated for decades. Opponents of rationing are concerned that societal interests will supplant respect for individual patient choice and professional judgment. Advocates argue that injustices in the current system necessitate that physicians use resources prudently on behalf of society, even in their daily work with individual patients. The debate is important, potentially divisive, and unavoidable.
A framework for modeling human-like driving behaviors for autonomous vehicles in driving simulators

A framework for modeling driver behavior within driving simulators is described in this paper. This framework serves as a basis for building human- like driving behavior models for autonomous vehicles operating within the virtual environment of a driving simulator. The framework consists of four units, the Perception Unit, the Emotions Unit, the Decision- making Unit (DMU), and the Decision- implementation Unit (DIU). The Perception Unit defines how the model perceives its environment in local and global terms. The Emotions Unit defines how the model responds emotionally to its environment. The DMU investigates the environment for possible actions that might potentially serve the model's emotional demands. And finally the DIU tries to implement these decisions when a traffic condition, perceived as safe enough for such an implementation, emerges. Each of these units has its own set of fuzzy variables and fuzzy ifthen rules. Any driving model, that is based on this framework, should provide membership function parameters for these fuzzy variables in accordance with the category of human driving behavior this model is targeting. Our framework addresses decision making and implementation at the maneuvering and operational levels of the driving task. Decisions at the planning level are addressed through a script- based traffic controller. The present model is limited to simulating human behaviors when driving in a two- lane rural environment.
Condoms and developmental contexts in younger adolescent boys.

Background Condom use is a key part of sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention for young men. Yet little is known about how younger adolescent boys initially learn about and use condoms. We examined sources of information, attitudes towards, acquisition, practice and early use of condoms among 14–16-year-old boys. Methods Thirty 14–16-year-old boys were recruited from a teen clinic serving a community with high STI rates and were asked open-ended questions about condoms, such as, “Where did you learn about condoms?” and “In what situations would you/would you not, use condoms.” Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and coded. Qualitative analysis focused upon key concepts and shared social cognitions related to condom use. Results Both sexually inexperienced and experienced participants perceived that sex feels or would feel less pleasurable with condoms. For almost all participants, families were the primary source of both information about condoms and of condoms themselves. This information focused on pregnancy prevention, with STIs secondary. Participants9 views of condoms fell into three developmental groups: not interested in condoms and equating their use with interest in sex; exploring condoms out of either curiosity or in preparation for sex; and experienced with condom use. Exploring included behaviours such as checking condoms out and trying them on. Conclusions Our findings of existing negative perceptions of condoms, the importance of families in learning about condoms and the developmental need to test and try on condoms before use have implications for adolescent STI prevention programmes.
Oxidation of heme proteins as a measure of oxidative damage to liver tissue slices.

Abstract Oxidative damage to heme proteins in rat liver tissue slices was studied. Tissue slices were incubated in KrebsRinger phosphate (KRP) buffer at 37°C with and without the presence of prooxidants. The absorbance spectra (500–640 nm) of heme proteins of tissue slices obtained from both spontaneous and prooxidant-induced oxidation were analyzed with a heme protein spectra analysis program (HPSAP) development in this laboratory. The dominant heme proteins in a fresh nonperfused tissue slice were hemoglobin and reduced cytochromes of mitochondria. In an oxidized tissue slice, the major oxidized product was hemichrome. Bromotrichloromethane, t -butyl hydroperoxide, and ferrous ion accelerated the oxidative reactions, and the amount of oxidized products was dependent on the incubation time as well as the type and concentration of prooxidants.
Ipsapirone depresses neuronal activity in the dorsal raphe nucleus and the hippocampal formation

Abstract Ipsapirone, a putative, novel anxiolytic with a high affinity for 5-HT1A binding sites, suppressed neuronal activity in both the dorsal raphe nucleus and hippocampal formation of urethane-anesthetized rats. In the hippocampus, dentate granule cells matched the responsiveness of dorsal raphe serotonin neurons, the median effective dose for 50% inhibition being 125.0 μg/kg in both areas. In contrast, the responses of CA1 pyramidal cells were related directly to baseline firing rates. Slow-firing neurons, for example, were inhibited by 31.3 μg/kg and fast-firing cells were unresponsive even up to a dose of 500.0 μg/kg. These results indicate a potent effect of ipsapirone on neuronal activity in sites with a high density of 5-HT1A receptors.
An update of the National Toxicology Program database on nasal carcinogens

Nearly 500 long-term rodent carcinogenicity studies carried out by the National Cancer Institute and the National Toxicology Program were examined, and 12 chemicals were identified that produced nasal tumors: allyl glycidol ether, p-cresidine, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane, 1,2-dibromoethane, 2,3-dibromo-1-propanol, dimethylvinyl chloride, 1,4-dioxane, 1,2-epoxybutane, iodinated glycerol, procarbazine, propylene oxide, and 2,6-xylidine. All 12 of these chemicals produced nasal tumors in rats, and 5 also produced nasal tumors in mice. Most of the nasal carcinogens (1) produced tumor increases in both sexes, (2) produced tumors at other sites as well, (3) had significantly reduced survival at doses that were carcinogenic, and (4) were genotoxic. Only 5 of the 12 nasal carcinogens were administered by inhalation. A variety of different types of nasal cavity tumors were produced, and specific tumor rates are given for those chemicals causing multiple tumor types. Increased incidences of nasal neoplasms were often accompanied by suppurative/acute inflammation, epithelial/focal hyperplasia and squamous metaplasia. However, high incidences of these nonneoplastic nasal lesions were also frequently seen in inhalation studies showing no evidence of nasal carcinogenicity, suggesting that in general nasal carcinogenesis is not associated with the magnitude of chronic toxicity observed at this site.
NAVOPT: Navigator Assisted Vehicular Route OPTimizer

The number of vehicles has been growing compared to limited road capacity, leading to severe traffic congestion during rush hour. Urban planners are looking for solutions to reduce traffic congestion. Real time traffic information obtained from vehicles can help reduce congestion exploiting the wireless communications architecture recently established for safety and traffic control purposes. In this paper, we propose NAVOPT, a vehicular routing strategy assisted by the on board navigator as well as the navigation server. The on board navigator equipped with area map and GPS monitor, reports its own position to the server via wireless connection (WiFi or 3G), in turns, it acquires from the Server a minimum cost path (i.e. path with shortest travel time) under the current traffic conditions. Under NAVOPT, the Server uses a flow deviation (FD) algorithm to compute optimal vehicle routes by load balancing vehicle traffic over alternate routes. We establish an analytic model of NAVOPT, we also simulate it using a SUMO simulator to verify its accuracy. From the simulation results, the NAVOPT model shows robustness to delay and speed and efficacy in controlling the traffic as the number of vehicles increases.
Chronic hypertension in pregnancy.

Hypertension is the most common medical disorder during pregnancy. Chronic hypertension is a serious medical complication in pregnancy associated with increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Maternal complications include abruptio placentae, stroke, and superimposed preeclampsia. Fetal complications include prematurity, stillbirth, low birth weight, and neonatal death. Careful antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum management of women with chronic hypertension in pregnancy may reduce morbidity and mortality.
Cost-effectiveness of novel diagnostic tools for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

SETTING: The potential cost-effectiveness of improved diagnostic tests for tuberculosis (TB) in resource-limited settings is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness of a hypothetical new point-of-care TB diagnostic test in South Africa, Brazil and Kenya. DESIGN: Decision-analysis model, adding four diagnostic interventions (sputum smear microscopy, new test, smear plus new test and smear plus TB culture) to a baseline of existing infrastructure without smear. RESULTS: Adding sputum smear was estimated to be more cost-effective (incremental cost per disability-a djusted life year [DALY] of $86 [South Africa], $131 [Brazil], $38 (Kenya]) than a new TB diagnostic with 70% sensitivity, 95% specifi city and price of $20 per test ($198 [South Africa], $275 [Brazil], $84 [Kenya]). However, compared to sputum smear, smear plus new test averted 46–49% more DALYs per 1000 TB suspects (321 vs. 215 [South Africa], 243 vs. 166 [Brazil], 790 vs. 531 [Kenya]), at an incremental cost of $170 (Kenya) to $625 (Brazil) per DALY averted. Cost-effectiveness was most sensitive to the specifi city and price of the new test, the baseline TB case detection rate and the discount rate. CONCLUSION: Novel diagnostic tests for TB are potentially highly cost-effective. Cost-effectiveness is maximized by high-specifi city, low-cost tests deployed to regions with poor infrastructure.
Laparoscopic management of indeterminate renal cysts.

Abstract Objectives. We present our follow-up of patients with indeterminate renal cysts who were initially evaluated laparoscopically. We specifically address those patients discovered to have cystic renal cell carcinoma by laparoscopy and the incidence of tract seeding, local recurrence, and distant metastases. Methods. Between July 1993 and September 1997, 35 patients with indeterminate renal cysts were evaluated laparoscopically. Under laparoscopic visualization, the cyst was located and aspirated, the fluid was sent for cytology, and the floor of the cyst was biopsied. The tissue was then evaluated immediately by one of our genitourinary pathologists, and an intraoperative decision was made. Four patients were found to have cystic renal cell carcinoma and underwent partial or radical nephrectomy in the same setting. An additional patient had a delayed partial nephrectomy 10 days after laparoscopy as a result of change in the final pathology reading. The patients with malignancy were followed with chest x-ray, liver function tests, abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans, and physical examination every 3 months for the first year and then every 6 months thereafter. The average follow-up was 20.2 months (range 8 to 30). Results. Of the 35 patients evaluated in this manner, 5 (14%) were found to have cystic renal cell carcinoma. There has been no evidence of local recurrence or metastatic disease to date. Physical examinations, chest x-rays, liver function tests, and abdominal CT scans all remain negative. Conclusions. Initial laparoscopic evaluation of complex cysts can save the patient from undergoing needless open surgery. Laparoscopic biopsy of cystic renal cell carcinoma followed by open surgery does not seem to increase the incidence of peritoneal seeding, tract recurrence, or distant metastases. Although the preliminary results are very encouraging, long-term follow-up is clearly necessary.
HEV control strategy: implications of performance criteria, system configuration and design, and component selection

Maximizing the potential benefits of hybrid-electric vehicles (HEVs) depends on comprehensive understanding of performance, drive system, and vehicle-design parameters. The paper explores parametric vehicle design, integration, and drive system-control relationships that appear significant, with the intention of stimulating thoughtful system integration and control-strategy development. Design criteria are introduced as the basis for vehicle parameters influencing drive system configuration and control. Issues affecting drive system optimization and control are identified in relation to maximization of fuel economy, minimization of emissions, peak and continuous performance, and stored energy and performance consistency.
Effects of sucrose concentrations and fly age on feeding responses and survival of female and male western cherry fruit flies, Rhagoletis indifferens

. The effects of single meals of different sucrose concentrations on feeding responses and survival of 8–24-h-old, 1–2-, 10–12- and 31–36-day-old female and male western cherry fruit flies, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran, were determined. Feeding time and food consumption response patterns in both sexes within age groups were curvilinear. Feeding times increased as sucrose concentrations increased, and were longest when the sucrose concentration was 100% (dry). Consumption of dilute wet sucrose was low, whereas consumption of concentrated wet sucrose was high. However, consumption of dry, 100% sucrose was also low. One to 2-day-old flies of both sexes that had not previously fed consumed more sucrose foods than unfed 8–24-h-old flies and 10–12- and 31–36-day-old flies that had been starved for 16–24 h. Females consumed more than males, but they consumed the same amount as males per mg bodyweight. When fed single 20% and 60% sucrose meals, 1–2-day-old flies survived longer compared to flies in all other age groups, with 31–36-day-old flies surviving shortest. Despite age-related differences in survival, in general, no sex differences in survival were seen in flies fed sucrose within any age groups, or in flies fed sucrose-yeast, cherry juice and honeydew foods. The results suggest that sugar-feeding behaviours and the energy invested in sugar ‘seeking’ by both sexes of R. indifferens should be the same throughout life.
South Carolina Shipyards: Labour, Logistics, Lumber and Ladies

Southern shipyards, like Hobcaw and Mars Bluff, were established at locations chosen primarily for convenient access to transportation networks, building materials, clientele and labour. The historical record reveals a home front role played by local plantation owners and slaves as shipyard labour. Women served as project fundraisers, shipyard dilettantes, shipwright’s wives and possibly slave mistresses with a paucity of material culture to confirm their presence in the archaeological record. Archaeological investigations on land and underwater yield evidence of artefacts associated with diet, shipbuilding, warfare and ethnicity.
Wood waste fuel in the secondary wood products industries

The secondary wood products industry is a suitable candidate for energy recovery from waste. As a whole, the industry consumes about 150 × 109 Btu of purchased fuels and electricity. The wood scrap generated by this industry is sufficient to displace the purchased fuels and electricity if its energy were recovered. The major hurdle inhibiting widespread application of energy recovery technology is the extremely high share of small firms within the industry. The best choice for a smaller manufacturer is direct combustion in a boiler for process and space heat. A straightforward procedure is developed to provide an assessment of the economic feasibility of such boilers for individual firms within the industry. The procedure is used to estimate the amount of wood waste required and the quantity of heat produced in order to achieve rapid payback. These are compared with actual conditions to provide a first estimate of economic feasibility.
Usability over time

Testing of usability could perhaps be more accurately described as testing of learnability. We know more about the problems of novice users than we know of the problems of experienced users. To understand how these problems differ, and to understand how usability problems change as users change from novice to experienced, we conducted a longitudinal study of usability among middle-school teachers creating Web sites. The study looked at the use both the use of documentation and the underlying software, tracking the causes and extent of user frustration over eight weeks. We validated a categorization scheme for frustration episodes. We found that over the eight weeks the level of frustration dropped, the distribution of causes of frustration changed, and the users' responses to frustration episodes changed. These results suggest that the sorts of errors that are most prominently featured in conventional usability testing are likely of little consequence over longer periods of time.
Conservatives are more easily disgusted than liberals

The uniquely human emotion of disgust is intimately connected to morality in many, perhaps all, cultures (Rozin, Lowery, Imada, & Haidt, 1999b). We report two studies suggesting that a predisposition to feel disgust (“disgust sensitivity”) is associated with more conservative political attitudes, especially for issues related to the moral dimension of purity. In the first study, we document a positive correlation between disgust sensitivity and self-reported conservatism in a broad sample of US adults. In Study 2 we show that while disgust sensitivity is associated with more conservative attitudes on a range of political issues, this relationship is strongest for purity-related issues—specifically, abortion and gay marriage.
Cytochromes P450 in Nanodiscs

Nanodiscs have proven to be a versatile tool for the study all types of membrane proteins, including receptors, transporters, enzymes and viral antigens. The self-assembled Nanodisc system provides a robust and common means for rendering these targets soluble in aqueous media while providing a native like bilayer environment that maintains functional activity. This system has thus provided a means for studying the extensive collection of membrane bound cytochromes P450 with the same biochemical and biophysical tools that have been previously limited to use with the soluble P450s. These include a plethora of spectroscopic, kinetic and surface based methods. Significant improvements in homogeneity and stability of these preparations open new possibilities for detailed analysis of equilibrium and steady-state kinetic characteristics of catalytic mechanisms of human cytochromes P450 involved in xenobiotic metabolism and in steroid biosynthesis. The experimental methods developed for physico-chemical and functional studies of membrane cytochromes P450 incorporated in Nanodiscs allow for more detailed understanding of the scientific questions along the lines pioneered by Professor Klaus Ruckpaul and his array of colleagues and collaborators.
Feeding Injury to Cotton Caused by Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera: Miridae) Nymphs and Prereproductive Adults

Despite numerous studies examining feeding injury to cotton (Gossypium spp.) caused by different stages of Lygus hesperus Knight, no consistent trends are apparent. One explanation for inconsistencies among previous results is failure to account for important sources of biological variation. Because it was only recently recognized that feeding behavior and injury differed among adults of different physiological ages, this source of variance was not controlled in earlier studies of Lygus stage-dependent injury. We incorporated this knowledge into video assays and greenhouse experiments to compare feeding behaviors, within-plant distributions, and injury to cotton plants among L. hesperus nymphs and prereproductive adults. Laboratory behavior assays indicated third instars exhibited more stylet-probes, but of shorter duration, compared with prereproductive adults. Numbers and duration of stylet-probes by fifth instars were intermediate to those of third instars and adults. Total time spent stylet-probing was similar among the insect age-classes. On whole plants, third instars tended to reside within the bracts of squares (flower buds) >3 mm in diameter, whereas fifth instars and adults tended to frequent the plant terminals. Adults were more likely than third or fifth instars to be located off the plants at any given observation. Plants exposed to fifth instars exhibited more square abscission and retained fewer squares 3-6 mm in diameter than did plants exposed to third instars or adults. Our results indicated that fifth instars were more injurious to cotton than third instars or prereproductive adults, and that differences in feeding injury corresponded with within-plant distributions exhibited by different L. hesperus age-classes.
USE OF LASER GENERATED SHOCKS TO IMPROVE THE PROPERTIES OF METALS AND ALLOYS

Pulsed lasers are being used to generate high amplitude stress waves in metals and change their mechanical properties. Peak pressures greater than 5 GPa are generated in a metal or alloy when it is covered with a transparent material. These pressures exceed the Hugoniot elastic limit of most metals and produce networks of tangled dislocations in the metals substructure which is the source of the observed change in material properties. The strength, hardness, and fatigue properties of 7000 series aluminum alloys are improved in this manner. Weld zones in aluminum are strengthened up to the bulk level and the surface hardness of stainless steel is increased.
Followup Studies of Schizophrenia: A Comment

This set of articles provides a thoughtful and valuable review of the literature dealing with the findings and implications of long-term followup studies of patients receiving a diagnosis of schizophrenia. The results show clearly that if one starts with a psychotic disorder in a clear sensorium, the followup results may be quite variable. The articles provide, in addition, valuable discussions concerning methods, statistical analyses, and conceptual issues in followup studies.
Beta-2-Adrenergic Receptor Methylation Influences Asthma Phenotype in The School Inner City Asthma Study.

Asthma is the most common chronic illness of childhood and inner city residents suffer a disproportionately high rate of asthma diagnosis and asthma morbidity. The School Inner City Asthma Study investigates the school classroom based environmental exposures that may lead to asthma morbidity in inner city school children with asthma. Within this cohort, we investigated the role of methylation at the promoter region of the beta-2-adrenergic receptor in relation to asthma morbidity. We found that high levels of methylation in the region studied was significantly associated with decreased report of dyspnea and trended towards significance for lower levels of asthma symptoms and airway obstruction. This Research Highlight discusses the findings of the recent study and the investigators’ active research endeavors.
Evidence for a unique cue in positive patterning

Rats received Pavlovian positive patterning training in which a simultaneous tone + light compound was reinforced with food and the light and tone elements were separately nonreinforced. Solution of the discrimination was accompanied by the emergence of a unique response topography in the presence of the compound. Control rats that received reinforced compound presentations but no separate nonreinforced presentations of the elements acquired behaviors characteristic of light and tone stimuli separately paired with food, but did not acquire the unique response topography acquired by the rats that received positive patterning discrimination training. These data supported earlier claims that the solution of such discriminations involves the conditioning of a stimulus unique to the compound stimulus.
Description of the ground state wave functions of Ni dithiolenes using sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

The pterin-dithiolene cofactor is an essential component of the catalytic sites of all molybdoenzymes except nitrogenase. Understanding its bonding to transition metals allows for development of electronic structure/function correlations in catalysis. The electronic structure description for a series of bis(dithiolene) complexes ([NiL2]Z, L = 1,2-Me2C2S2; Z = 2−, 1−, 0) using sulfur XAS provides the basis for extension to the biologically relevant metal-containing dithiolenes. The transition dipole integral has been developed for the dithiolene sulfur through correlation of XAS pre-edge energy positions of sulfide-, thiolate-, and enedithiolate-S. The ground state wave functions of all three NiL2 complexes have more than 50% S character experimentally demonstrating the noninnocent behavior of the dithiolene ligand. The S K-edge experimental results are correlated with spin-unrestricted, broken-symmetry density functional calculations. These show only limited spin polarization in the neutral complex and de...
Little-group classification of gauge fields

We propose a new way to treat the classification of the Yang-Mills gauge fields at one space-time point. Our main tool is to consider the structure of the little group which leaves the field invariant. This approach reproduces the standard classification of the Weyl tensor and of the electromagnetic field.
Endoscopic Approach for Pituitary Tumors

The goals of pituitary surgery are threefold: normalization of secretion of excess hormones, alleviation of compression related to mass effect and preservation of normal pituitary function. All of this must be accomplished while preserving sinonasal function and avoiding cerebrospinal fluid leak and damage to critical surrounding structures including the carotid arteries and optic nerves. The transsphenoidal route provides the safest and most effective route for surgical access to the sellar region for the overwhelming majority of pituitary tumors. While there are advantages and disadvantages to both the endoscopic and microscopic transsphenoidal approaches, the endoscopic technique provides wider field of view and improved line of sight, which may be particularly beneficial during resection of large macroadenomas. Overall, in experienced hands, the morbidity and mortality associated with the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach is low and the common complications (postoperative CSF rhinorrhea, endocrinopathy, vascular injury, and sinonasal complications) are usually mild and transient. Important predictors of outcome include size of the tumor, degree of extension and experience of the surgeon.
How does rescuer fitness affect the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

INTRODUCTION: High quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is crucial for patients experiencing cardiac arrest. CPR quality declines within the first few minutes of a CPR bout. Limited research has examined the extent to which a rescuer’s physical fitness predicts high quality CPR performance. It is also unknown how CPR quality is affected during both a realistic duration protocol and when rescuers switch compressors every two minutes, as recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA). The purpose of the present study is to determine the extent to which different measures of physical fitness predict high quality CPR performance when rescuers follow current CPR guidelines. METHODS: Subjects underwent a fitness assessment evaluating lower back muscular endurance, abdominal muscular endurance, upper body muscular strength, and upper body anaerobic power. At least 24 hours later, subjects returned to the laboratory for CPR testing. CPR quality was determined by compression rate (>100/minute), compression depth (>2 inches, or 50mm), and adequate (full) chest recoil between compressions. A CPR Quality Score was developed as the product of compression rate and depth. RESULTS: Thirty-three of 42 subjects were able to achieve a CPR Quality Score greater than 5000, the minimum needed to meet AHA recommendations. Higher anaerobic power and bench press scores were predictive of both high CPR Quality Scores (R=0.47) and compression depth (R=0.47). Gender (female) was predictive of better chest compression recoil percentages (R=0.15). CONCLUSION: Most rescuers can maintain high quality CPR if given two minute breaks between cycles. Rescuers with high anaerobic fitness and muscular strength may be able to provide higher quality CPR.
Advances in weaning from mechanical ventilation.

Abstract In all three of the previous cases, any one of the weaning modes may be successful. Although specific weaning protocols are based on individual bias, a single rigid approach to weaning may not be appropriate for all patients. It is the occasional difficult to wean patient who presents a dilemma. If a weaning attempt is not successful for a particular patient, it makes sense to take another approach. With T-piece trials, CPAP trials, IMV weaning, PSV, or various combinations, a successful weaning plan can usually be tailored to the individual patient.
Facing the Closed Door What Community College Students Do After Being Denied Transfer Admission

Lower division preparation for the university has been an important mission of community colleges since their inception, creating an essential pathway to baccalaureate degree attainment for many students who may not have access to higher education. The transfer pathway is complex and often difficult for students to navigate. This study examined the decisions students make after being denied transfer admission to a public university and the extent to which the difficulty with transfer is rooted in insufficient capacity to meet the growing demand for postsecondary education at many public universities in California.
Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance studies delineate the role of the protein in activation of both aromatic rings of thiamin.

Knowledge of the state of ionization and tautomerization of heteroaromatic cofactors when enzyme-bound is essential for formulating a detailed stepwise mechanism via proton transfers, the most commonly observed contribution to enzyme catalysis. In the bifunctional coenzyme, thiamin diphosphate (ThDP), both aromatic rings participate in catalysis, the thiazolium ring as an electrophilic covalent catalyst and the 4′-aminopyrimidine as acid–base catalyst involving its 1′,4′-iminopyrimidine tautomeric form. Two of four ionization and tautomeric states of ThDP are well characterized via circular dichroism spectral signatures on several ThDP superfamily members. Yet, the method is incapable of providing information about specific proton locations, which in principle may be accessible via NMR studies. To determine the precise ionization/tautomerization states of ThDP during various stages of the catalytic cycle, we report the first application of solid-state NMR spectroscopy to ThDP enzymes, whose large mass (16...
Optical fibers as a unique platform for RS/SERS molecular detection

There is a growing interest in developing compact and reliable sensors for molecular detection. Raman spectroscopy (RS) has the advantage of molecular specificity compared to other sensing techniques but lacks the required sensitivity. The development of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technologies has provided a solution to the sensitivity problem. In addition, the application of optical fibers, in conjunction with RS and SERS, has proved to be a unique platform for remote sensing, system integration, and further sensitivity enhancement. In this paper, we review our recent work on two types of optical fiber sensors for enhanced Raman gas detections. One is the hollow-core photonic crystal fiber (HCPCF) sensor utilizing the increased interaction volume by the light confinement inside the HCPCF. The other is the nanostructured optical fiber sensor, in which a multimode fiber facet is patterned with an array of metal-coated nanopillars, leading to surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) that significantly increases the sensitivity. We demonstrate that these techniques can be well applied in the in-situ remote detection of organic vapors and explosives.
Biology of Bracon kirkpatricki and Field Releases of the Parasite for Control of the Boll Weevil

Bracon kirkpatricki (Wilkinson), a braconid parasite of larvae of several lepidopterous species that occurs widely in tropical regions of Africa, was introduced into Texas, northern Mexico, and Puerto Rico in the 1930’s and 1940’s in an attempt to control the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), but it did not over-winter successfully, In 1935, J. W. Folsom demonstrated parasitism of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman. by B. kirkpatricki in an insectary at Tallulah. La., and recorded his observations which are summarized in this paper. In 1966, live adults and cocoons were received from Kenya by the USDA Boll Weevil Research Laboratory. Since then, a colony has been maintained continue ously by using larvae of the boll weevil as host material. Several recent releases in the field produced varying percentages of parasitism of boll weevils.
Evidence for a positive relationship between working-memory capacity and detection of low-prevalence targets in visual search.

Our ability to detect a target in visual search relates to the prevalence of the target, whereby rare targets are missed more than common targets. The current study sought to identify operator char...
Relativistic Effects in K -Electron ejection during K Capture

An error in a previous work by the author is corrected. The corrected results show that relativistic effects have almost no influence on the shape of the energy spectrum of the $K$ electrons ejected during nuclear $K$ capture. They do, however, produce a substantial reduction in the ejected-electron intensity at low energies and in the total ejection rate per $K$-capture event. The discrepancies existing between the theoretical predictions and the various experimental results are discussed.