cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SU-GG-T-380: Design and Shielding Considerations for the World's First Compact Synchrocyclotron Proton Therapy Unit

Purpose: Our institution will soon take delivery of the Monarch 250 Compact Proton Therapy Unit (Still River Systems). We performed facility shielding calculations that accounted for the produced neutron flux. Method and Materials: Workload assumptions (80Gy/day) yielded the number of protons produced per day. The vendor did not provide extraction efficiency, neutron yields from the treatment field shaping system, or neutron yield estimates from the synchrocyclotron. To provide a conservative neutron yield we assumed; the largest scatteredfield size and complete portal blocking, conservatively low cyclotron production efficiency (25%), and a high quality factor (20) for neutron dose equivalent calculations. Neutrons were assumed to be produced at the isocenter location, by stopping the SOBP protons in a Cu target. The room design includes a sub‐floor to allow rotation of the accelerator below the sub‐floor level. Classical analytical methods were used to calculate required barrier thicknesses based on neutron yields, accounting for angular dependences, and based on concrete (standard or high density (HD)), earth, and steel. Maze calculations used analytical approaches, heavily influenced by the number of bounce paths, and maze area. Conservative use and occupancy factors were used. Results: The shielding calculations resulted in barrier thicknesses similar to existing proton facilities; from 4ft to 6.25ft of HD concrete. Some design features included; reducing the maze ceiling height to reduce the source area of scatteredneutrons, adding an additional leg at the door entrance to allow for an unshielded door, and adding steel to surround unavoidable barrier voids. To reduce cost, the barriers that did not shield occupy‐able space, used standard concrete. Conclusion: The neutron yield from the Monarch 250 is unknown, so conservative values were used in the shielding calculations. Vault design strategies were developed to reduce overall construction cost. We allow for contingencies if we underestimated any barrier thickness.
Direct Raman measurement of an elevated base pKa in the active site of a small ribozyme in a precatalytic conformation

Catalytic RNA molecules can achieve rate acceleration by shifting base pKa values toward neutrality. Prior evidence has suggested that base A38 of the hairpin ribozyme plays an important role in phosphoryl transfer, possibly functioning as a general acid, or by orienting a specific water molecule for proton transfer. To address the role of A38, we used Raman spectroscopy to measure directly the pKa of the N1-imino moiety in the context of hairpin ribozyme crystals representative of a “precatalytic” conformation. The results revealed that the pKa of A38 is shifted to 5.46 ± 0.05 relative to 3.68 ± 0.06 derived from a reference solution of the nucleotide AMP. The elevated pKa correlates well with the first titration point of the macroscopic pH−rate profile of the hairpin ribozyme in solution and strongly supports A38 as a general acid catalyst in bond scission. The results confirm that A38 is protonated before the transition state, which would promote phosphorane development. Overall, the results establish ...
Fluorimetric microdetection of tetraphenylboron

One microgram tetraphenylboron may be detected by the fluorescence on treatment with 8-quinolinol.
Aprotinin pretreatment diminishes postischemic myocardial contractile dysfunction in dogs

We evaluated the effect of aprotinin, administered before the onset of acute regional myocardial ischemia, on reversible contractile dysfunction induced by ischemia and reperfusion in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs. Animals were randomized to receive either aprotinin 30,000 kallikrein inactivator units (KIU)/kg and 7000 KIU z kg 21 z hr 21 (n 5 8) or equivalent volumes of 0.9% sodium chloride (n 5 7) IV 60 min before a 15-min interruption of circumflex coronary artery blood flow and then reperfusion. There were no intra- or intergroup differences in hemodynamic variables or regional myocardial mechanics (sonomicrometry) before onset of ischemia. Immediately before reperfusion, systolic dysfunction characterized by significantly decreased percent systolic shortening was present in the circumflex coronary artery area of both study groups. After reestablishment of perfusion, aprotinin animals had preserved percent systolic shortening whereas saline animals exhibited regional systolic dysfunction. Regional myocardial contractility as assessed by the slope Mw of the preload recruitable stroke work relation was preserved during reperfusion in animals who received aprotinin but depressed in the control group. We conclude that functional recovery from myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury at normothermia is improved by IV administration of aprotinin before the onset of acute regional myocardial ischemia in physiologically intact dogs. Implications: Administration of clinically relevant doses of aprotinin IV before the onset of regional myocardial ischemia, in contrast to control conditions, preserved regional systolic function and contractility at baseline values after reestablishment of myocardial perfusion in dogs. (Anesth Analg 1999;89:1096 ‐1100)
Common behavioral dilemmas of the school-aged child

PCPs are typically the first professionals to come into contact with children who have behavioral or developmental problems. The most common behavioral concerns that PCPs encounter in the pediatric primary care setting include noncompliance, temper tantrums, and problems with eating and sleeping routines. To adequately detect these types of problems, it essential that PCPs incorporate behavioral assessment procedures (eg, clinical interviews, behavior rating scales, ABC recording form) into the consultation process. Behavioral assessment procedures are useful in identifying the environmental events (ie, antecedents and consequences) that may be maintaining the problem behavior. Data that are collected from behavioral assessment can be used to develop a tentative hypothesis on functions of the behavioral problem. By identifying the potential function of the behavior, more effective behavioral management strategies can be developed. An existing model of behavioral consultation can be used by PCPs during office visits to more effectively identify and manage many of the common and less severe behavioral problems.
Specific and Nonspecific Immunity to Serratia marcescens Infection

By specific active or passive immunization, mice were protected against lethal infection with Serratia marcescens. Animals that were immunized against organisms of the challenge strain O serotype survived, whereas animals that were immunized against other serratia O serotypes did not survive. Protective sera (from convalescent partients or immunized rabbits) contained a specific complement-independent opsonin. These sera also contained passive hemagglutinating and bacterial agglutinating antibodies in high titer. The protective and complement-independent opsonizing antibodies were associated with IgG fractions of the serum, while the agglutinating antibodies were primarily associated with the IgM. Mice also survived infection with Serratia after immunization against the Re595 Salmonella minnesota mutant. However, complement-independent opsonizing antibody was not demonstrated in these cross-protective sera.
The effect of high dietary n-3 fatty acid supplementation on angiotensin II pressor response in human pregnancy

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of n-3 fatty acid supplementation on vascular reactivity as measured by the angiotensin II sensitivity test. STUDY DESIGN: Ten subjects with uneventful pregnancies, who were free of any chronic medical illnesses, between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation participated. Each subject was provided with OMEGA-3 700 softgel capsules and instructed to take three tablets three times daily (approximately 3.6 gm of eicosapentaenoic acid). The angiotensin II sensitivity test was performed before and 28 days after supplementation. Compliance was assessed by analysis of computerized pill bottles. Statistical analyses of the data were performed with a paired t test for evenly distributed continuous data. A sample size of eight patients was required to detect a difference in effective pressor dose of ≥10 ng/kg/min between the presupplement and postsupplement results, assuming an α of 0.05 and a β of 0.20 (80% power). RESULTS: The effective pressor dose before treatment (13.6 ± 6.3 ng/kg/min) (mean ± SD) was significantly less (p = 0.001) than after supplementation (35.8 ± 15.9 ng/kg/min). CONCLUSIONS: High-dose n-3 fatty acid supplementation resulted in an enhancement of the pregnancy-acquired refractoriness to angiotensin II. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1996;175:688-91.)
Resident participation in a community‐based garden/yard waste reclamation programme

Resident participation in a community-based garden/yard waste reclamation programme was investigated. A survey to determine if the participants in the programme exhibited traits as innovators was completed and the acceptance patterns of various aspects of the garden/yard waste reclamation programme were compared to established diffusion patterns for innovations. The results indicate that the diffusion of innovation theory can be used to describe resident participation in the programme evaluated in this study. Individuals with more education and higher incomes were more likely to participate than those with less education and lower incomes. The rate of adoption of the degradable bags at 27% was higher than the 16% projected by theory. However, rate of adoption of the degradable ties (11%) and reclamation products (11%) was somewhat lower. An effort to reduce the complexity of the issues surrounding the programme may increase the rate of adoption for all aspects of the programme.
There's No Place Like Home: Sexual Harassment of Low Income Women in Housing

Although sexual harassment in the workplace has received considerable attention, harassment in rental housing is a virtually unresearched phenomenon, despite informal data that it is widespread. This article reviews empirical data and legal remedies on sexual harassment in rental housing, comparing these with harassment in employment contexts. Using data drawn from Title VIII sexual harassment cases, the authors present 3 studies designed to examine the nature of sexual harassment in housing. Despite overall similarities to its workplace counterpart, a number of distinctive characteristics of residential harassment were evident; in particular, the phenomena of home invasion and masculine possessiveness have no apparent workplace parallels. Housing sexual harassment often takes place in the victim's home, creating an intensely threatening atmosphere. Legal and public policy implications are discussed.
Degradation of naled and dichlorvos promoted by reduced sulfur species in well-defined anoxic aqueous solutions

This work examines the reaction of reduced sulfur species (e.g., bisulfide, thiosulfate, thiophenolate) with naled, a registered insecticide, in well-defined anoxic aqueous solutions at 5 degrees C. High concentrations of reduced sulfur species can occur in the porewater of sediments and in anoxic subregions of estuaries. The dominanttransformation product from the reaction of naled with reduced sulfur species is dichlorvos, which indicates that debromination is the major reaction pathway. Dichlorvos is also a registered insecticide which is more toxic than naled. The second-order rate constants for reaction of naled with bisulfide and thiophenolate at 5 degrees C are 10.2 +/- 0.4 M(-1) s(-1) and 27.3 +/- 0.9 M(-1) s(-1), respectively, while the second-order rate constant for the reaction of naled with hydrogen sulfide and thiophenol are not significantly different from zero. The second-order rate constant of the reaction of naled with thiosulfate at 5 degrees C is 5.0 +/- 0.3 M(-1) s(-1). In contrast, the second-order rate constant of the reaction of dichlorvos with bisulfide at 25 degrees C is (3.3 +/- 0.1) x 10(-3) M(-1) s(-1). The activation parameters of the reaction of naled with bisulfide were also determined from the measured second-order rate constants over a temperature range. The results indicate that reduced sulfur species can play a very important role in the transformation of naled and dichlorvos in the coastal marine environment. It can be expected that in the presence of reduced sulfur species, naled is almost immediately transformed into the more toxic dichlorvos, which has an expected half-life of 4 days to weeks.
Effects of Chronic Ethanol Consumption and Aging on Dopamine, Serotonin, and Metabolites

This study examined the hypothesis that chronic ethanol consumption results in significant abnormalities in both the dopaminergic and the serotonergic system of aged rats. Levels of dopamine (DA), serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)], 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) were determined in brain areas of both the nigrostriatal and mesocorticolimbic DA systems in 5-, 14-, and 24-month-old male Fischer 344 rats. Aging was associated with a reduced concentration of DA in the striatum (ST), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and ventral pallidum (VP) and an increased concentration of 5-HIAA in the ST, globus pallidus, nucleus accumbens, frontal cortex, and VP. In addition, there was an increase in the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio in all brain areas analyzed. Six weeks of ethanol consumption was accompanied by significant changes in mesocorticolimbic brain areas. In the VTA of 5-month-old ethanol-fed rats DA content was decreased to the levels found in aged rats, e.g., 24 months of age. Ethanol also significantly lowered 5-HT and 5-HIAA contents in the VTA and reduced DOPAC and 5-HIAA levels in the VP. In addition, ethanol blunted the normal age-related increase in 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio in the VTA, VP, and substantia nigra. It is interesting that although the age-related changes were found in both nigrostriatal and mesocorticolimbic brain areas, the ethanol-associated effects were found only in brain areas of the mesocorticolimbic system. The changes in DA and 5-HT function that accompany aging and ethanol consumption may contribute to the problems in motor function and ethanol abuse found in the aged.
Measurement of coordination of object manipulation in non-human primates

Abstract We present a modification of the automated movement assessment panel [Gash DM, Zhang Z, Umberger G, Mahood K, Smith M, Smith C, et al. An automated movement assessment panel for upper limb motor functions in rhesus monkeys and humans. J Neurosci Methods 1999;89:111–7] that incorporates a three-dimensional load cell to record forces applied by monkeys while manipulating food targets. The absolute force–time integral (total absolute impulse) is used to characterize the total of the applied forces over time as the food (carrot chip with a hole punched through the center) is manipulated and lifted from a flat surface (easiest task) and threaded over a straight rod (medium difficulty) or curved rod (highest difficulty). The total impulse can be measured even on unsuccessful attempts to acquire the food. Thus, it can be used to evaluate changes in performance even before successful acquisition occurs as in learning or recovery following a nervous system insult. We show from tests in three rhesus monkeys that the total absolute impulse measure is sensitive to task complexity, learning and lesion of frontal lobe motor areas (in one case) and that there is good reliability in day-to-day performance (even with long periods between performances) after the monkey has learned the task. Importantly, the task requires minimal training as the monkeys can be successful on even the most difficult of these tasks with one or two training sessions, yet performance improvements continue to occur over several testing sessions. Furthermore, the three levels of task difficulty permit analysis of a progression of ability.
Risky Business: Outsourcing Serials Cataloging

ABSTRACT In 1999, the University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh began a project to outsource cataloging for both the monographs and serials that were included in a special collection known at the university as the Glidden Collection. The collection had previously been accessible only through the existence of a card catalog. The materials had originally been cataloged using a local hybrid classification system based on the Glidden classification system. In her presentation, Faye Leibowitz provides detailed information about the history of the collection and why certain factors associated with the collection made it a difficult candidate for outsourcing. Libraries should seriously consider the hidden costs of outsourcing serials cataloging. The decision to outsource serials cataloging should take into account staffing problems and training. The way in which catalogers at the selected vendor use “cataloger's judgment” can also impact consistency between existing library policy and the outsour...
Optimal digital redesign of continuous-time controllers

This paper proposes a new optimal digital redesign technique for finding a dynamic digital control law from the available analog counterpart and simultaneously minimizing a quadratic performance index. The proposed technique can be applied to a system with a more general class of reference inputs, and the developed digital regulator can be implemented using low cost microcomputers.
An equivalent domain integral method for three-dimensional mixed-mode fracture problems

A general formulation of the equivalent domain integral (EDI) method for mixed mode fracture problems in cracked solids is presented. The method is discussed in the context of a 3-D finite element analysis. The J integral consists of two parts: the volume integral of the crack front potential over a torus enclosing the crack front and the crack surface integral due to the crack front potential plus the crack face loading. In mixed mode crack problems the total J integral is split into J sub I, J sub II, and J sub III representing the severity of the crack front in three modes of deformations. The direct and decomposition methods are used to separate the modes. These two methods were applied to several mixed mode fracture problems, were analyzed, and results were found to agree well with those available in the literature. The method lends itself to be used as a post-processing subroutine in a general purpose finite element program.
Uterine tumors in ataxia-telangiectasia

Roughly one-third of patients with ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) develop malignant tumors, usually of lymphoid origin. AT patients also exhibit progeric changes. We describe three patients, between the ages of 27 and 32 years, with uterine tumors: one with a frank leiomyosarcoma and chronic T-cell leukemia, one with a multilobulated leiomyoma of uncertain malignant potential, and one with an unremarkable leiomyoma. Thus, the spectrum of tumors in AT patients beyond adolescence includes nonlymphoid malignancies and precocious, benign leiomyomas.
THE TEACHING OF FIRST YEAR ITALIAN

Author's Summary.— The suggestions made in this article aim at a better training in the fundamentals of first year work. By omitting conversation and composition during the study of grammar rules and until a reasonably working vocabulary is acquired, much more time could be devoted to pronunciation, analysis of syntax, assimilation of sentence structure, and thinking in Italian.)
Putting the Search for Genes in Perspective

The sequencing of the human genome has been heralded by both the mass media and scientists as a breakthrough that will allow the detection of individuals at increased risk for common diseases and the tailoring of drugs to an individual's genetic profile in order to prevent disease. Sequencing is likely to benefit those at risk of developing rare diseases in which inherited mutations in a single gene play a major causal role. In the vast majority of people with common diseases, however, genotypes at many different loci, as well as environmental exposures, must be simultaneously present before disease appears. Elucidating the genes involved will prove elusive. In addition to the large number, different combinations account for a particular disease. Most of the genotypes that contribute to the constellation of necessary genes are uncommon and will be difficult to find. Common genotypes may confer susceptibility but will be weak predictors of disease. Because of the difficulty of discovering genes for common diseases, designing therapies will also prove difficult. More attention to environmental risk factors for particular diseases will have greater yield than a genetic search, but this too will be difficult because of environmental-genetic and other interactions. The search for risk factors for particular diseases neglects the political and social milieu in which individuals swim or sink and in which all diseases occur.
The simple macroeconomics of an oil-dependent economy

Abstract This paper constructs and analyzes a simple macrodynamic model of a small economy that is completely dependent upon OPEC for oil imports. The impact and dynamic behavior of wages, prices, output and exchange rates is analyzed under several alternative scenarios. Initially, it is assumed that oil is denominated in dollars and the consequences of an increase in oil prices are investigated under a system of free floating. In later sections, the effects of this disturbance are re-examined under various kinds of ‘managed float’ systems.
Nontuberculous mycobacterial sinusitis in children with cystic fibrosis

Summary Objective Only 13 cases of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) sinusitis have been reported in the literature, the majority in patients with AIDS. We report three pediatric patients routinely followed at our cystic fibrosis (CF) center with sinus cultures positive for NTM. Methods Case report and review of the literature. Results One patient had positive NTM sinus cultures after a sinus procedure and was then noted to have NTM on sputum cultures. The second patient was noted to have NTM on bronchoscopy and then underwent sinus cultures demonstrating the same organism. The third patient had NTM in the sinuses on routine endoscopic sinus surgery and is still undergoing further evaluation. Conclusions Questions arise as to whether disease in the lungs is affected by a reservoir in the sinuses and should sinus cultures and debridement be performed in all cases of NTM lung disease in CF patients. Since NTM has been increasing in prevalence in sputum cultures in the CF population, its existence in the sinuses should be considered when these patients present with sinus disease.
Morphologic changes in rat urothelial cells during carcinogenesis: I. Histologic and cytologic changes

The methods of either image or flow cytometry applied to developing bladder tumors in rats requires satisfactory cell samples and a system for cell classification that is related to the lesions from which the cells are derived. Seven- to eight-week-old male Fisher 344 rats were fed 0.05% of the carcinogen N-butyl–4-N-hydroxybutylnitrosamine (BBN) in drinking water for 10 wk and then returned to tap water. Animals were killed at 14, 26, 34, 45 and 62 wk after the start of carcinogen feeding. Age-matched untreated animals were controls. Bladders were fixed, embedded, sectioned, and histologically evaluated, or were dissociated with a trypsin/EDTA solution into single cells that were Papanicolaou stained and evaluated for cytopathologic changes. Overnight urines were collected before killing; urine sediments were Papanicolaou stained and evaluated. Histologic features were hyperplasia at 14 wk, followed by slowly progressing papillary transitional cell tumors that eventually led to invasive carcinoma and were similar to those reported for this animal model. Treated animals had cytologic features of repair at 14 and 26 wk and neoplastic features at 45 and 62 wk. Both reparative and neoplastic changes were found at 34 wk. Cells were much more numerous in urines from treated rats (> 1,000 per sample) than in urines from controls (< 1,000 per sample). Although exfoliated cells in urine samples were generally of poor quality, as many as 11% of cells were adequately preserved. Dissociated bladder cells provided an optimal sample representative of the lesions from which they were derived; cells were of excellent quality for detailed morphologic and quantitative studies.
A study of factors controlling dissolution kinetics of zinc complexed protein suspensions in various ionic species

The presence of bound and unbound zinc in the crystal matrix of protein suspensions helps physically stabilize the crystal and limits the dissolution of the drug. In case of zinc insulin suspensions, dissolution can be promoted by complexation of zinc with an ionic species for which the zinc has a greater affinity, these complexing ions having either formulation and/or physiological relevance. The purpose of this work was to use ligand-complexed formulations of insulin suspensions to gain an understanding of these products' dissolution performance and to establish a fundamental understanding of the rate-limiting steps in zinc insulin dissolution. Our group has suggested that the critical factors to zinc insulin dissolution are: (1) chemical complexation (zinc with ionic species); and (2) drug transport (insulin diffusion and solubility). Dissolution studies conducted using different ionic species (acetate, phosphate, citrate and EDTA) in a spin-filter device demonstrated a rank order correlation for different sources of zinc insulin; it was observed that human zinc insulin dissolved faster than bovine insulin, these differences attributed to their binding properties and the respective affinities to the various ionic species used. Also, as the amount of crystallinity increased in a formulation, a rank order increase in dissolution times was observed. The project also identified a sensitive and reproducible dissolution testing methodology. Overall, this study demonstrated that: (1) the complexation rate-limiting step was more significant in the dissolution of zinc insulin than the diffusion rate-limiting step; and (2) that dissolution kinetics depended primarily on the source and solid state differences and the binding affinities of the zinc insulin.
Electron-transfer properties of cytochrome c Langmuir-Blodgett films and interactions of cytochrome c with lipids

The structural and electron-transfer properties of cytochrome c (Cyt c) Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) films have been studied on graphite electrode with tapping mode atomic force microscopy and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Cyt c in the LB films forms an ordered monolayer in which the individual proteins pack into a quasi-hexagonal structure. The monolayer undergoes a reversible electron-transfer reaction in phosphate buffer. The interactions of Cyt c with cardiolipin (CL) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) LB films have been studied. The LB films of CL and PC are both ordered on graphite, but their interactions with Cyt c are quite different. On a CL monolayer, Cyt c adsorbs spontaneously and the adsorbed protein preserves the electron-transfer reaction. However, on a PC monolayer, Cyt c does not adsorb.
Agile acousto-optic tracking system for free-space optical communications

Laser communication is viewed as an enabling technology with great potential in both long-range and “last-mile” applications, serving the needs of individual subscribers, corporate offices, military, and possibly deep-space missions. Indeed, lasers allow for concentration of energy within tightly focused beams and narrow spectral intervals, thus offering high throughput, information security, weight and size of components, and power requirements that cannot be matched by rf systems. A key challenge is that high data rates should be complemented by high-precision wide-bandwidth position control of a laser beam. In many applications, the ability to maintain a link is affected by the complex maneuvers performed by mobile communication platforms, resident vibrations, and atmospheric effects. This work is focused on the application of acousto-optic technology as an alternative to electromechanical devices, which addresses the tracking problems encountered under such conditions. With the realization that an acousto-optic Bragg cell is only a component of the entire system, which should perform complex tasks of pointing and tracking of the remote terminal, we present an attempt to consider this problem from the "systems" point of view. We present the developed electro-optical laboratory prototype, show synthesis of the control system, and feature experimental results that demonstrate excellent tracking performance.
Anomalous EMG–force relations during low-force isometric tasks in hemiparetic stroke survivors

Hemispheric brain injury resulting from a stroke is often accompanied by muscle weakness in contralateral limbs. In neurologically intact subjects, appropriate motoneuronal recruitment and rate modulation are utilized to optimize muscle force production. In the present study, we sought to determine whether weakness in an affected hand muscle in stroke survivors is partially attributable to alterations in the control of muscle activation. Specifically, our goal was to characterize whether the surface EMG amplitude was systematically larger as a function of (low) force in paretic hand muscles as compared to contralateral muscles in the same subject. We tested a multifunctional muscle, the first dorsal interosseous (FDI), in multiple directions about the second metacarpophalangeal joint in ten hemiparetic and six neurologically intact subjects. In six of the ten stroke subjects, the EMG-force slope was significantly greater on the affected side as compared to the contralateral side, as well as compared to neurologically intact subjects. An unexpected set of results was a nonlinear relation between recorded EMG and generated force commonly observed in the paretic FDI, even at very low-force levels. We discuss possible experimental as well as physiological factors that may contribute to an increased EMG-force slope, concluding that changes in motor unit (MU) control are the most likely reasons for the observed changes.
A simple flow-limited model for exchange of organic chemicals at fish gills

A mathematical model for the exchange of organic chemicals by fish gills was formulated based solely on the limitations imposed by the flows of water and blood into the gills. For large rainbow trout, this model was found to closely follow the magnitude and trends of observed gill uptake rates over a range of octanol/water partition coefficient from 1 to 106. Observations averaged only about 30% less than model predictions. This modest lack-of-fit is presumably due to the effects of diffusional barriers and ionization which would further limit uptake, although uncertainties in model parameters and data are likely also partly responsible. This analysis suggests that these basic physiological parameters are of major importance in the regulation of exchange at fish gills and should be accounted for in more detailed toxicokinetic models. Also, this simple model could by itself be useful for approximate assessments of accumulation of organic chemicals by fish.
Selective Hydrogenation of Phenol Catalyzed by Palladium on High-Surface-Area Ceria at Room Temperature and Ambient Pressure

Palladium supported on high-surface-area ceria effectively catalyzes the hydrogenation of phenol to cyclohexanone at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. Activation of H2 at Pd sites and phenol at surface ceria sites was investigated by probing the redox properties of the catalyst and studying the mechanism of phenol adsorption. Temperature-programmed reduction and pulsed chemisorption were used to examine the effects of prereduction temperature on catalyst dispersion and reducibility. A sharp effect of prereduction temperature on catalytic activity was observed. This dependence is rationalized as a result of interactions between palladium and ceria, which under reducing conditions enhance palladium dispersion and create different types of environments around the Pd active sites and of encapsulation of the catalyst caused by support sintering at high temperatures. Temperature-programmed diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy revealed that phenol undergoes dissociative adsorption...
The application of 2H2O to measure skeletal muscle protein synthesis

Skeletal muscle protein synthesis has generally been determined by the precursor:product labeling approach using labeled amino acids (e.g., [13C]leucine or [13C]-, [15N]-, or [2H]phenylalanine) as the tracers. Although reliable for determining rates of protein synthesis, this methodological approach requires experiments to be conducted in a controlled environment, and as a result, has limited our understanding of muscle protein renewal under free-living conditions over extended periods of time (i.e., integrative/cumulative assessments). An alternative tracer, 2H2O, has been successfully used to measure rates of muscle protein synthesis in mice, rats, fish and humans. Moreover, perturbations such as feeding and exercise have been included in these measurements without exclusion of common environmental and biological factors. In this review, we discuss the principle behind using 2H2O to measure muscle protein synthesis and highlight recent investigations that have examined the effects of feeding and exercise. The framework provided in this review should assist muscle biologists in designing experiments that advance our understanding of conditions in which anabolism is altered (e.g., exercise, feeding, growth, debilitating and metabolic pathologies).
A Nordhaus-Gaddum-type result for the induced path number

The induced path number ?(G) of a graph G is defined as the minimum number of subsets into which the vertex set of G can be partitioned so that each subset induces a graph. A Nordhaus-Gaddum-type result is a (tight) lower or upper bound on the sum (or product) of a parameter of a graph and its complement. If G is a subgraph of H, then the graph H?E(G) is the complement of G relative to H. In this paper, we consider Nordhaus-Gaddum-type results for the parameter ? when the relative complement is taken with respect to the complete bipartite graph K n,n .
The Role of Visual Modeling and Model Transformations in Business-driven Development

This paper explores the emerging paradigm of business-driven development, which presupposes a methodology for developing IT solutions that directly satisfy business requirements and needs. At the core of business-driven development are business processes, which are usually modeled by combining graphical and textual notations. During the business-driven development process, business-process models are taken down to the IT level, where they describe the so-called choreography of services in a Service-Oriented Architecture. The derivation of a service choreography based on a business-process model is simple and straightforward for toy examples only-for realistic applications, many challenges at the methodological and technical level have to be solved. This paper explores these challenges and describes selected solutions that have been developed by the research team of the IBM Zurich Research Laboratory.
The Spanish Influenza of 1918 in St. Louis, Missouri

In view of current concern about a possible pandemic of virulent avian influenza, it is timely to revisit the public health response to the "Spanish" influenza of 1918. St. Louis, Missouri, was the most successful of nine largest cities in limiting the death toll from influenza and pneumonia through the use of public health measures during the first 8 weeks of the epidemic. A second wave of cases increased the final death rate, but it remained below that of other major cities. Public health officials attributed the lower death rate to the early and rigorous ban on public gatherings.
Linking strategic practices and organizational performance to Porter's generic strategies

Purpose – While Porter's generic strategies are a widely accepted typology of strategic options for businesses, prior studies have not linked specific strategic practices with each generic strategy and explored the associations between the practices and overall organizational performance. The purpose of this paper is to propose and test the following two hypotheses: specific strategic practices (or tactics) can be identified which are associated with each generic Porter strategy; and there are specific strategic practices which are more strongly associated with higher levels of organizational performance within each generic strategy.Design/methodology/approach – To test these hypotheses, a questionnaire was developed and administered to a sample of 226 working adults. A factor analysis and regression analyses were used to analyze the data.Findings – Findings include a list of critical strategic practices significantly associated with organizational performance for each of Porter's generic strategies.Resea...
Does franchising help restaurant firm value

Abstract A company's financial performance is of keen interest to many groups of people, including management, employees, shareholders, government, and so on. Although franchising has been one of the most common strategies to maximize a firm's financial performance in the restaurant industry, little research has been conducted regarding the relationship between the degree of franchising and the restaurant firm's financial performance. This study initially proposed a sigmoid relationship between the degree of franchising and the restaurant firm's financial performance based on the diversification theory. Findings, however, do not fully support the sigmoid relationship; rather a more quadratic or inverted U-shaped relationship was found.
Cardiovascular responses of semi-arboreal snakes to chronic, intermittent hypergravity

Cardiovascular functions were studied in semi-arboreal rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta) following long-term, intermittent exposure to +1.5 Gz (head-to-tail acceleration) on a centrifuge. Snakes were held in a nearly straight position within horizontal plastic tubes during periods of centrifugation. Centrifugal acceleration, therefore, subjected snakes to a linear force gradient with the maximal force being experienced at the tail. Compared to non-centrifuged controls, Gz-acclimated snakes showed greater increases of heart rate during head-up tilt or acceleration, greater sensitivity of arterial pressure to circulating catecholamines, higher blood levels of corticosterone, and higher blood ratios of prostaglandin F 2 alpha/prostaglandin E2. Cardiovascular tolerance to increased gravity during graded Gz acceleration was measured as the maximum (caudal) acceleration force at which carotid arterial blood flow became null. When such tolerances were adjusted for effects of body size and other continuous variables incorporated into an analysis of covariance, the difference between the adjusted mean values of control and acclimated snakes (2.37 and 2.84 Gz, respectively) corresponded closely to the 0.5 G difference between the acclimation G (1.5) and Earth gravity (1.0). As in other vertebrates, cardiovascular tolerance to Gz stress tended to be increased by acclimation, short body length, high arterial pressure, and comparatively large blood volume. Voluntary body movements were important for promoting carotid blood flow at the higher levels of Gz stress.
Plasmid pSC101 replication in integratively suppressed cells requires dnaA function.

Maintenance of plasmid pKC17, a derivative of plasmid pSC101, in E. coli requires a functional dnaA gene product. This was demonstrated by segregation experiments using an E. coli dnaA46 mutant, at various temperatures. Growth of this mutant at elevated temperature was allowed by the presence of a P2sig5 prophage. rpoB mutations which suppress the temperature sensitivity of a dnaA46 mutant permit efficient maintenance of plasmid pKC17 at temperatures up to 40°, conditions which normally inactivate the dnaA46 product.
Applications of faceted mirrors to X-ray lithography beamlines

Abstract We report the implementation of a generic faceted-mirror simulation utility in SHADOW. This extension is suitable for the design of mirror arrays such as those for synchrotron-radiation-based full-field X-ray lithography illuminators. As a demonstration, we propose in this paper a practical two-mirror design that can create a uniform 55 mm × 50 mm illumination region at the X-ray mask plane. We also discuss the effect of multiple mirrors on the partial coherence of the system, and its effect on image formation.
Halide Effects in the Synthesis of Mixed Uranium(IV) Aryloxide−Halide Compounds

Several uranium(IV) aryloxide and mixed aryloxide−halide compounds of the formula UX4-z(OAr)z (X = Cl, Br, I; OAr = 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxide; z = 2, 3, 4) have been prepared by the reaction of KOAr with the appropriate uranium tetrahalide in tetrahydrofuran (THF). The complex UI4(CH3CN)4 reacts with 2 equiv of KOAr in THF to yield the compound I2U(OAr)2 (1). The utility of this reaction is limited by the instability of UI4(CH3CN)4 in THF, however, and isolated yields of the THF adduct of 1 do not exceed 50%. In contrast, UBr4(CH3CN)4 is stable in THF solution and reacts with 2 equiv of KOAr to yield the dibromide, Br2U(OAr)2(THF) (4·THF), in 77% yield. Under identical reaction conditions, UCl4 reacts to yield the complex [K(THF)4][UCl3(OAr)2] (5) in 68% yield. The uranium center in compound 5 is coordinated by two trans aryloxide ligands and three chloride ligands in a trigonal bipyramidal arrangement. Two chloride ligands of each unit are also coordinated to a potassium ion, forming an infinite chain i...
Logic and the Organization of Information: An Introduction

The paper considers how logic might be used in the organization of information, in particular with: indexing, concepts, synonyms and homographs, directed acyclic graphs of topics, faceting, and information navigation.
Relationship between the Auger line shape and the electronic properties of graphite.

Abstract : The experimental carbon Auger lineshape corrected for the effects of the secondary-electron background and extrinsic losses and placed on an absolute energy scale through the use of photoelectron measurements. The resulting lineshape is compared to a model which consists of the self-convolution of the graphite one-electron density of states, including atomic values for the symmetry determined Auger matrix elements. A poor comparison results from this simple model which is considerably improved by the inclusion of dynamic initial-state screening effects. Further improvements results from accounting for final-state hole-hole interactions. The final state is characterized by effective hole-hole interaction energies of 2.2 eV, corresponding to two holes in the sigma band, 1.5 eV for one hole in the sigma and one in the pi band, and 0.6 eV for both holes in the pi band. The remaining discrepancies in our model comparison are suggested to be due to a plasmon emission intrinsically coupled to the Auger final state. Keywords: Auger spectroscopy, Graphite, Localization, and Screening.
The Impact of System Design Parameters on Application Noise Sensitivity

Operating system noise, or “jitter,” is a key limiter of application scalability in high end computing systems. Several studies have attempted to quantify the sources and effects of system interference, though few of these studies show the influence that architectural and system characteristics have on the impact of OS noise at scale. In this paper, we examine the impact of three such system properties: platform balance, “noisy” node distribution, and non-blocking collective operations. Using a previouslydeveloped noise injection tool, we explore how the impact of noise varies with these platform characteristics. We provide detailed performance results that indicate that a system with relatively less network bandwidth is able to absorb more noise than a system with more network bandwidth. Our results also show that application performance can be significantly degraded by only a subset of noisy nodes. Furthermore, the placement of the noisy nodes is also important, especially for applications that make substantial use of collective communication operations that are tree-based. Lastly, performance results indicate that nonblocking collective operations have the ability to greatly mitigate the impact of OS interference. Combined, these results show that the impact of OS noise is not solely a property of application communication behavior, but is also influenced by other properties of the system architecture and system software environment.
The DJammer: "air-scratching" and freeing the DJ to join the party

Traditional Disc Jockeys use vinyl records and turntables to manipulate music in real time. We describe the development of the DJammer, a new device that enables its users to manipulate digital music using a portable handheld sensor. In addition to the standard actions offered by most portable digital music players, the DJammer provides its users with control capabilities previously offered only through the use of turntables. Using the DJammer, DJs can "air-scratch" digital music via simple hand motions similar to those used when scratching vinyl records, fade the music, and jump to a predefined position within the song using a wireless sensor designed to fit in the DJ's hand. The preliminary study of the device by experienced DJs suggests that it can play a role as an accessory to their professional equipment, freeing them to step away from their consoles during the performance and uncovering opportunities for creativity and personalization.
Editor’s Notes - It’s George’s Turn

Not too many Thursday nights ago my wife Kathleen and I were enjoying an episode of Grey’s Anatomy when we heard my distraught eight-year old daughter Chloe calling me from her bedroom. Fortunately for Chloe, the calls came just as the episode was breaking for a commercial. Like any half way decent dad, I yelled, “What’s your problem?” Her shaky voice replied, “I’m worried about tomorrow morning dad.” Then I knew I’d better hurry up the stairs so I could help settle her down before the commercial breakwas over. The next Fridaymorningwas set to be a big day for Chloe— she was going to read the “Joke of the Day” to her fellow students. The process was simple. Every few days a student reads one of their favorite jokes in front of a camera and the joke is shown live to the several hundred students at school that day. I quickly learned that Chloe was feeling somewhat overwhelmed. She had her joke all set (What is a rabbit’s favorite kind of music?). What concerned her was the fact that she wouldn’t be able to go to the “school store” in the morning because she had to be in the office where her comedy career would begin the same time that her peers would be in the store. I promised her that we would find another way to spend money over the weekend and that she would be able to go to the school store another time. She calmed down, fell asleep, and I returned to the television. Afterwards, I was thinking about how we all get overwhelmed at times. When I began my editorial term four years ago, to say that I was overwhelmed would be an understatement! What if I ruined the journal? What if I accepted too many articles? What if I didn’t accept enough? What if I publish the same article twice? What if everybody hates me because I reject their articles? What if nobody submits articles? What if I miss a typo and the typo results in a naughty word being published? You name it I worried about it. As my editorial term comes to an end with this issue, I realize that, like Chloe, my concerns were a little exaggerated. In fact, rather than being a nightmare, my experiences as an editor over the last four years have been among the more exciting Am J Crim Just (2009) 34:1–2 DOI 10.1007/s12103-009-9063-5