cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collection of atmospheric polychlorinated biphenyls on amberlite xad-2 resins

The collection and retention capabilities of an Amberlite XAD-2 resin for polychlorinated biphenyl (p.c.b.) isomeric mixtures were investigated in a high-volume air sampling system. Collection efficiency studies, performed by spiking the glass fiber filters with Aroclor 1221, 1242 and 1254 isomeric standards, gave average recoveries of 93%. Polychlorinated biphenyl retention studies using ambient atmospheric p.c.b. and collection flow rates of 0.4 m3 min-1 showed that the theoretical p.c.b. breakthrough occurred for a 600-ml XAD-2 resin bed at approximately 340 m3 of air and for a 420-ml resin bed at approximately 115 m3 of air. Results illustrate the need to evaluate breakthrough volumes when collecting volatile trace organics in the atmosphere.
Simulation of Spray Transfer Processes in Electrostatic Rotary Bell Sprayer

A numerical study of the spray transfer processes in an electrostatic rotary bell applicator (ESRB) has been conducted utilizing code for a newly developed simulation code. This code consists of three modularized solvers: a fluid flow solver, a spray dynamics solver, and an electrostatic solver. The development of the code consisted of the following steps. First, the flow solver designed for an unsteady three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equation was developed to simulate the shaping airflow with the initial condition and the boundary condition supported by experimental data. Second, the particle trajectory solver, which interacts with the airflow by momentum coupling, was developed to apply the spray transport processes. Finally, the electrostatic solver was developed to calculate the electrostatic field within the two phase flow field. The integrated code created by combining those three solvers was then applied to simulate the paint spray transport processes according to the operating conditions of interest
Re-creating the RNA world

Results from in vitro selection experiments can be used to construct and test models for the evolution of the RNA world. Surprisingly, the success of selected RNAs at binding ligands and catalyzing reactions may make it difficult to determine precisely the lineage of molecular fossils, molecules that are believed to have survived from the RNA world to the present.
Effect of 3,3/-Methylene-Bis-4-Hydroxycoumarin (Dicumarol) on Embryonic Chick Liver and Spleen.

SummaryThe effect of the disodium salt of dicumarol was observed on 14 day embryonic chick liver and spleen cultured in a 10% rabbit serum and Tyrode solution. Concentrations of dicumarol of 1/100,000 and 1/50,000 did not appear to inhibit the proliferation of endothelial cells at 48 and 72 hours when compared with control cultures. However, with a concentration of 1/10,000 cellular proliferation was present at 48 hours, but at 72 hours these cells had been killed and lysed. In contrast, spleen cultures of 14 day chick embryos showed cellular proliferation in media containing dicumarol in concentrations of 1/50,000 and 1/10,000 at both 48 and 72 hours.
Studies of nuclear rotational bands with the spin spectrometer

Abstract In the last few years increasingly sophisticated gamma-ray spectrometer arrays have been built at a number of laboratories around the world. These instruments, coupled with versatile heavy-ion accelerators, are capable of probing the detailed behaviour of atomic nuclei under extreme conditions of angular momentum and temperature. Characteristics of one such detector array, the Spin Spectrometer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, are presented here. Representative gamma-ray data are shown, illustrating the practical differences that result from using two unlike accelerator beams to produce the same nucleus. Finally, the application of the data to the question of quasiparticle rotational alignment in light Pt and Au nuclei is discussed.
Bright Points: Multithermal Analysis as a Test of Steady Heating Models

X-ray bright points are small, million-degree features in the solar atmosphere composed of short coronal loops. They are magnetically driven structures associated with photospheric magnetic bipoles. Their relatively small size and simple structure suggest they are ideal candidates for comparisons with coronal heating models. In this paper, we present the analysis of 12 bright points using data from the EUV Imaging Spectrometer on Hinode and the Michelson Doppler Imager on Solar and Heliospheric Observatory. Using the spectroscopy data, we construct differential emission measure (DEM) curves, calculate the electron density, and find DEM-weighted temperatures. In addition, we determine the most likely ionization balance. Using the magnetic field observations, we complete potential field extrapolations of the magnetograms and estimate the loop lengths. Using this information, we construct models assuming the bright points are formed of hundreds of strands, each heated steadily and uniformly. We formulate the models so that the observed emission measure distribution is matched within a few percent. We then compare the densities determined from the models, (1.4-5.0) × 109, to those calculated from spectral data, (0.6-2.0) × 109. We find the majority of bright points do not agree with steady uniform heating models; instead they are underdense relative to their expected density by a factor of 0.16-0.82.
Junction temperature in light-emitting diodes assessed by different methods

The junction temperature of red (AlGaInP), green (GaInN), blue (GaInN), and ultraviolet (GaInN) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is measured using the temperature coefficients of the diode forward voltage and of the emission-peak energy. The junction temperature increases linearly with DC current as the current is increased from 10 mA to 100 mA. For comparison, the emission-peak-shift method is also used to measure the junction temperature. The emission-peak-shift method is in good agreement with the forward-voltage method. The carrier temperature is measured by the high-energy-slope method, which is found to be much higher than the lattice temperature at the junction. Analysis of the experimental methods reveals that the forward-voltage method is the most sensitive and its accuracy is estimated to be ± 3°C. The peak position of the spectra is influenced by alloy broadening, polarization, and quantum confined Stark effect thereby limiting the accuracy of the emission-peak-shift method to ±15°C. A detailed analysis of the temperature dependence of a tri-chromatic white LED source (consisting of three types of LEDs) is performed. The analysis reveals that the chromaticity point shifts towards the blue, the color-rendering index (CRI) decreases, the color temperature increases, and the luminous efficacy decreases as the junction temperature increases. A high CRI > 80 can be maintained, by adjusting the LED power so that the chromaticity point is conserved.
Cytogenetic and endocrine findings in a female with 45, X, t(Y;18) (p11;p11)

A 23-year-old phenotypic female with congenital heart disease, mental retardation and mild virilization was referred for evaluation of short stature and delayed sexual development. Endocrine studies revealed a markedly elevated serum testosterone, which was within the adult range. At laparotomy, a small uterus, normal fallopian tubes and bilateral gonadal tumors, consisting of a left gonadoblastoma and right dysgerminoma were found. Trypsin G banding of peripheral blood revealed a 45,XO, 18p+ karyotype. Q banding demonstrated intense fluorescence of the distal portion of the extra material on chromosome 18, consistent with fluorescence of Y chromosomal heterochromatin. A combination of banding techniques enabled us to determine a 45,X,t(Y;18) (p11;p11) karyotype in peripheral blood. Cultures of gonadal tissue revealed 45,X,t(Y;18)/46,XY mosaicism.
Oriented structure formation during polymer film extrusion

An experimental technique is described for producing fiberreinforced polymer films by inserting needle-like obstructions in a film-extrusion die. The, needles act as nucleation sites, generating a highly extensional local flow field, which causes sufficient orientation to induce the formation of oriented fibrillar crystallites embedded in a much less oriented matrix. To study the effectiveness of the above technique, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and blends of linear low density with high density polyethylene (HDPE) were extruded through a film die with converging walls, with one or five needles inserted parallel to the extrusion direction, Microscopy observations, birefringence, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements performed on the produced films showed in all cases that the presence of the needle induced the formation of a more oriented phase, which in most cases had a birefringence at least an order of magnitude higher than the film matrix. The best results were obtained in the case when blends of HDPE and LLDPE were extruded. The oriented structures obtained in this case consisted of HDPE and exhibited not only high birefringence but melting point elevation as well, indicating their fibrous nature.
Expanding Norms for Narration

Narrative development in school-age children and adolescents is important to speech-language pathologists providing language intervention. At this time, information on later narrative development a...
Tunneling wavefunction for an anisotropic universe

Abstract The “tunneling” wavefunction of the universe is not always similar to a wavefunction describing usual quantum-mechanical tunneling. The differences are illustrated using the example of a homogeneous anisotropic minisuperspace model (which is also of interest in its own right). The wavefunction of the model is found in the limits of small and large anisotropy.
Discussion of the Occurrence and Origin of Sedimentary Palygorskite-Sepiolite Deposits

Marine and non-marine palygorskite-sepiolite deposits are found throughout the world and occur interbedded with chert, dolomite, limestone, phosphates and other non-detrital sedimentary rocks. The origin of these high-magnesium clays has long been attributed to either alteration of volcanic ash or the structural transformation of smectite clays. More recently, others have argued origin by direct crystallization (neo-formation). Recent laboratory studies support this latter concept, particularly in environments where the concentration of alumina is low, the silica concentration high, and the pH alkaline. Such an origin is proposed for the Georgia-Florida deposits in southeastern United States, since major obstacles exist against formation by alteration of volcanic ash or by transformation of smectites. Lateritic weathering during the Miocene would have favored direct precipitation of these clays in the shallow, marginal seas. The basinward increase in the MgO: Al2O3 ratio is further support. Deep weathering of crystalline rocks in northern British Honduras and Guatemala would have produced similar high silica, low alumina conditions on the adjacent submerged Yucatan Platform during the late Tertiary. The seaward increase in the MgO: A12O3 ratio, the lack of associated detrital constituents, and the absence of associated smectites strongly indicate a similar origin by direct crystallization of these Yucatan palygorskite-sepiolite clays. Some occurrences of palygorskite and sepiolite may well be related to the alteration of smectite clays or volcanic ash. However, many of the large sedimentary deposits are more probably the result of direct crystallization adjacent to areas undergoing tropical or subtropical weathering.
Anaerobic digester systems (ADS) for multiple dairy farms: A GIS analysis for optimal site selection

While anaerobic digester systems (ADS) have been increasingly adopted by large dairy farms to generate marketable energy products, like electricity, from animal manure, there is a growing need for assessing the feasibility of regional ADS for multiple farms that are not large enough to capitalize their own ADS. Using geographical information system (GIS) software, this study first identifies potential sites in a dairy region in Vermont, based on geographical conditions, current land use types, and energy distribution infrastructure criteria, and then selects the optimal sites for a given number of ADS, based on the number of dairy farms to be served, the primary energy input to output (PEIO) ratio of ADS, and the existing transportation network. This study suggests that GIS software is a valid technical tool for identifying the potential and optimal sites for ADS. The empirical findings provide useful information for assessing the returns of alternative numbers of ADS in this region, and the research procedures can be modified easily to incorporate any changes in the criteria for this region and can be applied in other regions with different conditions and criteria.
The minimum consistent DFA problem cannot be approximated within and polynomial

The minimum consistent DFA problem is that of finding a DFA with as few states as possible that is consistent with a given sample (a finite collection of words, each labeled as to whether the DFA found should accept or reject). Assuming that P ≠ NP, it is shown that for any constant k, no polynomial time algorithm can be guaranteed to find a consistent DFA of size optk, where opt is the size of a smallest DFA consistent with the sample. This result holds even if the alphabet is of constant size two, and if the algorithm is allowed to produce an NFA, a regular grammar, or a regular expression that is consistent with the sample. Similar hardness results are described for the problem of funding small consistent linear grammars.
Long-term outcome of Raynaud's syndrome in a prospectively analyzed patient cohort

Purpose: Knowledge of the long-term clinical outcome of Raynaud's syndrome (RS), essential both for patient counselling and formulation of optimal therapeutic recommendations, is conspicously deficient in current medical literature. We have prospectively monitored 1039 patients with RS, 118 (11.4%) for more than 10 years to determine whether initial characterization was able to predict outcome. Methods: At initial presentation, patients were divided into four groups on the basis of vascular laboratory and serologic testing results: vasospatic, serologically positive (spast,sero+) and negative (spast,sero-) and obstructive, serologically positive (obst,sero+) and negative (obst,sero-). Results: Connective tissue disease (CTD) was present initially in 48.6% of patients with spast,sero+ results and 72.9% of patients with obst,sero+ results. Of the remaining patients in these groups, progression to CTD during follow-up occurred in 16.4% of patients with spast,sero+ results and 30.4% of patients with obst,sero+ results. In the >10-year follow-up group, progression to CTD occurred in 81.8% of patients in the obst,sero+ group. Progression to CTD occurred in 2.0% of patients in the spast,serogroup and 8.5% of patients in the obst,sero- group. Digital ulcers occurred in 15.5% of patients in the spast,sero+ group, 5.2% of patients in the spast,sero- group, 55.6% of patients in the obst,sero+ group and 48.2% of patients in the obst,sero- group. Digital or phalangeal amputations were required in 1.4%, 1.6%, 11.6%, and 19.0% of these patients, respectively. Conclusions: The long-term outcome of patients with RS can be predicted by initial serologic studies and separation into vasospastic and obstructive categories. Initial serologic positivity strongly predicts the development of CTD. Initial vascular laboratory classification of obstructive RS strongly predicts digital ulcerations, which occurred in half of these patients regardless of initial serologic study results. Amputations were required in 10% to 20% of patients with obstructive RS. These occurrences did not increase with increased duration of disease. Ulcerations and amputations were rare in patients initially with vasospastic RS.
A Promising Change in the Selection of the Circular Polarization Excitation Used in the Measurement of Eu(III) Circularly Polarized Luminescence

A judicious change in the selected transition used for circular polarization excitation will overcome the low oscillator strength limitation of the currently allowed magnetic-dipole 5D1 ← 7F2 (Eu(III)) transition chosen for circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) measurement. The proposed allowed magnetic-dipole 5D1 ← 7F0 (Eu(III)) transition will facilitate the detection of CPL from the Eu(III) systems of interest. CPL on the acetonitrile solution of the chiral tris complex of Eu(III) with (R,R)-N,N′-bis(1-phenylethyl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide ([Eu((R,R)-1)3]3+), recently suggested as an effective and reliable CPL calibrating agent, confirms the feasibility of the proposed experimental procedure. A comparable CPL activity exhibited by the acetonitrile solution of [Eu((R,R)-1)3]3+ following direct excitation in the spectral range of the 5D1 ← 7F0 transition and upon indirect excitation through the ligand absorption bands (λexc = 308 nm) was observed. This confirms that the recommended magnetic-dipole all...
Incommensurability, Land Use, and the Right to Space: Community Gardens in New York City1

I examine the conflict over the community gardens in New York City. I argue that this contest was an example of Lefebvre's "trial by space," and that ultimately, the struggles concerned the right to space, or "the right to the city." The city, operating from the perspective of entrepreneurial governance, claimed that the gardens represented a loss of exchange value and potential housing. I contend that more was at stake: the gardens and gardeners represented a threat to the hegemonic project of the government to maximize exchange values and to beautify and sanitize the city. I also argue that the issues of commensurability and narrative were critical to the conflict. The city used the rhetoric of a market economy paradigm to dismiss incommensurable use values, thus restricting rights to the city within a demonstration of power and "reason." In response, the garden advocates resorted to "tactics" and other persuasive arguments.
Gauguin's Skirt Stephen

Gauguin's Skirt Stephen F. Eisenman. New York: Thames and Hudson, Inc., 1999. 232 pp., photographs, illustration, notes, sources, index.
Postmortem on the Federal Reserve's Functional Cost Analysis Program: how useful was the FCA?

Abstract I conduct a postmortem analysis on the now defunct Functional Cost Analysis (FCA) Program. I examine whether FCA banks were representative of U.S. bank population. I assess the costs and benefits of participation in a selection model and test whether participation in the program improves bank cost and profit efficiency. I find that FCA banks are not statistically representative of the universe of U.S. banks, but the differences are economically small. I also find that participation adds little, if any, improvement to performance. It would appear that the Federal Reserve System (the Fed) was justified in ending a subsidized service to community banks.
Public health advocate

With antimicrobial resistance mounting, an important public health goal is to preserve therapeutic effectiveness of remaining antimicrobials. To that end, fewer antimicrobials should be used in human medicine and in agriculture. Public health initiatives to reduce antimicrobial overuse could benefit from concurrent collection of agricultural usage data; they could aid scientific understanding of the resistance problem and confirm the efficacy of interventions. Data collection in this context should be a priority. However, usage data are nonessential to achieving the public health goal. U.S. regulation of agricultural antimicrobials today is very reliant on risk assessment. While more data can be useful for use in risk assessment, microbial risk assessment itself may not be well suited to the purpose of reducing antimicrobial overuse. Among other recognized shortcomings, current microbial risk assessment models typically fail to account for the essential ecological nature of antimicrobial resistance. This makes it inadequate for fully characterizing the human health or ecological risks of animal antimicrobials. European success at phasing out unnecessary antimicrobial usage in agriculture, on the other hand, has derived from decisions based on public health concerns and political will, and not on the collection of usage data or on the successful completion of a risk assessment.
Chronic alcohol consumption impairs visuo-spatial associative memory in periadolescent rhesus monkeys

Alcohol abuse in the adult is often preceded by high alcohol consumption during adolescence. Profound changes in brain structure and function occur during this developmental period, therefore alcohol may impact essential cognitive skill development during the formal educational years. The objective of this study was to determine if chronic oral alcohol intake slows acquisition and performance of cognitive tasks in male adolescent rhesus monkeys. Treatment groups (Alcohol, N = 4; Control, N = 3) were evaluated on bimanual dexterity and tests of visuo-spatial memory and learning adapted from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Animals were trained daily in 30 min sessions and had subsequent access to alcohol/Tang® solutions (Alcohol group) or Tang® only (Control group) Monday through Friday for 11 months. Recordings of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BSAEP) were conducted periodically before and during the chronic drinking. Results: Chronic alcohol drinking (ave of 1.78 g/kg alcohol per session) impaired behavioral performance assessed ∼22 h after the prior drinking session. The Alcohol group required more trials than the Control group to reach criterion on the visuo-spatial memory task and showed increased sensitivity to trial difficulty and retention interval. Alcohol animals also had slowed initial acquisition of the bimanual task. The latency of P4 and P5 BSAEP peaks were also delayed in the Alcohol group. Chronic alcohol consumption impaired the acquisition and performance of a spatial memory task and disrupted brainstem auditory processing, thus these results show that repeated alcohol exposure in adolescence interferes with a range of brain functions including complex visuo-spatial mnemonic processing.
An efficient projection for l1, ∞ regularization

In recent years the l1, ∞ norm has been proposed for joint regularization. In essence, this type of regularization aims at extending the l1 framework for learning sparse models to a setting where the goal is to learn a set of jointly sparse models. In this paper we derive a simple and effective projected gradient method for optimization of l1, ∞ regularized problems. The main challenge in developing such a method resides on being able to compute efficient projections to the l1, ∞ ball. We present an algorithm that works in O(n log n) time and O(n) memory where n is the number of parameters. We test our algorithm in a multi-task image annotation problem. Our results show that l1, ∞ leads to better performance than both l2 and l1 regularization and that it is is effective in discovering jointly sparse solutions.
Para-hydrogen-induced polarization in rhodium complex-catalyzed hydrogenation reactions

Abstract The homogeneous hydrogenation of PhCCH catalyzed by RhClL 3 , Rh(COD)L 2 + , and Rh(COD)dppe + (L  PPh 3 ; COD1,5-cyclooctadiene; dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) has been investigated using para -hydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) which allows that in accord with earlier studies, for RHClL 3 the addition of H 2 is reversible, whereas for Rh(CO)(dppe) + and Rh(COD)L 2 + , H 2 addition in hydrogenation catalysis is irreversible.
Interval Estimation for the Two-parameter Double Exponential Distribution

Confidence intervals based on the maximum likelihood estimators are given for the location and scale parameters of the Double Exponential distribution. These intervals are obtained by determining the distribution of the pivotal quantities ( – θ)/ and /σ. Exact distributions are determined for n = 3 and n = .5, and approximate distributions are provided for larger n. The asymptotic distributions are also given and the accluacy of these approximations are investigated. The powers of the associated tests of hypotheses are given and tolerance limits for the population are also provided. Some possible applications are indicated.
Depletion of brain noradrenaline and dopamine by 6‐hydroxydopamine

1. After intracisternal administration, 6-hydroxydopamine had a greater effect on brain noradrenaline than on dopamine.2. Administration of two doses of 6-hydroxydopamine increased the depletion of noradrenaline but not of dopamine.3. Small doses of 6-hydroxydopamine decreased the concentration of noradrenaline with little or no effect on dopamine. Tyrosine hydroxylase activity was not reduced with these treatments.4. While pargyline pretreatment offered no advantage in the depletion of brain noradrenaline after 6-hydroxydopamine, depletion of brain dopamine was greatly potentiated by this treatment. The reduction of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase activity observed after 6-hydroxydopamine was also potentiated by pargyline pretreatment.5. The amounts of labelled noradrenaline and dopamine formed from (3)H-tyrosine were greatly reduced by 6-hydroxydopamine treatment. After (3)H-DOPA, formation of noradrenaline was greatly reduced while formation of labelled dopamine was only moderately reduced suggesting that decarboxylation of DOPA can occur in other than catecholamine containing neurones.6. Desmethylimipramine and imipramine inhibited depletion of noradrenaline produced by 6-hydroxydopamine but did not alter depletion of dopamine. Reserpine did not inhibit depletion of catecholamines produced by 6-hydroxydopamine.7. Administration of 6-hydroxydopamine to developing rats lowered both noradrenaline and dopamine concentrations as well as the tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the brains of these animals.
Upregulation of autophagy decreases chlorine-induced mitochondrial injury and lung inflammation

The mechanisms of toxicity during exposure of the airways to chlorinated biomolecules generated during the course of inflammation and to chlorine (Cl2) gas are poorly understood. We hypothesized that lung epithelial cell mitochondria are damaged by Cl2 exposure and activation of autophagy mitigates this injury. To address this, NCI-H441 (human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial) cells were exposed to Cl2 (100 ppm/15 min) and bioenergetics were assessed. One hour after Cl2, cellular bioenergetic function and mitochondrial membrane potential were decreased. These changes were associated with increased MitoSOX signal, and treatment with the mitochondrial redox modulator MitoQ attenuated these bioenergetic defects. At 6h postexposure, there was significant increase in autophagy, which was associated with an improvement of mitochondrial function. Pretreatment of H441 cells with trehalose (an autophagy activator) improved bioenergetic function, whereas 3-methyladenine (an autophagy inhibitor) resulted in increased bioenergetic dysfunction 1h after Cl2 exposure. These data indicate that Cl2 induces bioenergetic dysfunction, and autophagy plays a protective role in vitro. Addition of trehalose (2 vol%) to the drinking water of C57BL/6 mice for 6 weeks, but not 1 week, before Cl2 (400 ppm/30 min) decreased white blood cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 6h after Cl2 by 70%. Acute administration of trehalose delivered through inhalation 24 and 1h before the exposure decreased alveolar permeability but not cell infiltration. These data indicate that Cl2 induces bioenergetic dysfunction associated with lung inflammation and suggests that autophagy plays a protective role.
Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in skin of color

Over the past three decades, there has been a marked increase in the incidence of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL), with significant differences in the rates of CTCL by race and ethnicity. The overall incidence of CTCL has been shown to be higher among blacks than among whites and other racial groups. In addition, CTCL is thought to follow a more aggressive course in black patients. This article highlights the differences in clinical appearance and response to therapy, and discusses the differential diagnosis of CTCL in skin of color in an attempt to ensure earlier diagnosis and better outcomes for these patients.
Random graph theory and neuropercolation for modeling brain oscillations at criticality

Mathematical approaches are reviewed to interpret intermittent singular space–time dynamics observed in brain imaging experiments. The following aspects of brain dynamics are considered: nonlinear dynamics (chaos), phase transitions, and criticality. Probabilistic cellular automata and random graph models are described, which develop equations for the probability distributions of macroscopic state variables as an alternative to differential equations. The introduced modular neuropercolation model is motivated by the multilayer structure and dynamical properties of the cortex, and it describes critical brain oscillations, including background activity, narrow-band oscillations in excitatory–inhibitory populations, and broadband oscillations in the cortex. Input-induced and spontaneous transitions between states with large-scale synchrony and without synchrony exhibit brief episodes with long-range spatial correlations as observed in experiments.
Demonstration of Coulter counting through a cylindrical solid state nanopore

The technique known as a Coulter counting, or resistive-pulse sensing, can be used to measure the size of a nanoscale analyte as it passes through a fluidic constriction separating two reservoirs. We have developed a fabrication procedure capable of reproducibly manufacturing cylindrical nanopores with diameters as small as 20 nm using a silicon-on-insulator substrate and electron beam lithography. The ionic conductance of these nanopores was measured across six orders of magnitude in electrolyte concentration. Polystyrene nanoparticles were then passed through the cylindrical pores while monitoring the current that flowed due to a constant bias voltage. Current pulses due to the passage of individual nanoparticles of various dimensions through a nanopore were observed and compared to theory.
Aid Effectiveness and the Politics of Personalism

This article examines how political institutions that provide an incentive to cultivate a personal vote condition the relationship between foreign aid and economic growth in developing country democracies. Politicians in aid-recipient countries with high levels of personalism are more likely to pursue corruption and target government spending to narrow constituencies. Because personalism affects these outcomes, it provides incentives to use foreign aid for politically motivated spending at the expense of investing foreign aid in growth-promoting public goods. Using panel data from 61 aid-recipient democracies from 1961 to 2001, the author finds that aid increases growth in democracies with less personalist institutions but decreases growth in countries with high personalism. The author also shows that personalism conditions the relationship between aid and the composition of government spending: Aid increases spending on public goods (relative to narrow, particularistic goods) in countries with low person...
Factors affecting anemia management in hemodialysis patients: A single‐center experience

The difficulty maintaining hemoglobin (Hgb) within the targets recommended by KDOQI is widely recognized. While factors responsible for erythropoietin resistance have been widely studied, factors responsible for the marked fluctuations and the inability to maintain Hgb within the target range have only begun to be investigated. This study was a cross-sectional review of anemia management in hemodialysis patients. The purpose was to evaluate factors responsible for Hgb decreases of 0.5 or 1.0 g/dL and to determine the primary factors responsible for Hgb decreases below 11 g/dL. Hgb values and clinical events were extracted from patient management databases between January 1, 2005 and November 30, 2006. Isolated events were defined as events that occurred at least 30 days after any previous event and had Hgb measurements within 2 weeks before and after the event. Increasing hospital length of stay and surgical access intervention were the most common events that resulted in a decrease in Hgb. The most common factor present in patients with Hgb decreases below 11 g/dL was the withholding of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) within the preceding 2 months. This was the only explanation for the decrease in Hgb to <11 g/dL in 38.5% of such events. The ability to maintain dialysis patients' Hgb in the target range is complicated by intervening acute events that require hospitalization or surgical access interventions. The withholding of rHuEPO appears to be a major factor in Hgb decreases below 11 g/dL.
Theoretical Studies Concerning the Optimization of Conjugated Molecules for Third-Order Nonlinear Optics

Within Huckel theory, the nonresonant third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility of a conjugated polymer is directly proportional to the bandwidth raised to the third power, and inversely proportional to the optical gap raised to the sixth power. This functional dependence, if correct, implies that polyacetylene is already an optimal organic material with regards to the magnitude of the nonresonant hyperpolarizability. Therefore, any improvements in the figure-of-merit for optical switching applications will come at the expense of the magnitude of the hyperpolarizability. Here, singles configuration-interaction (S-CI) theory is used to solve the Pariser−Parr−Pople (PPP) Hamiltonian of polyacetylene, treating both the strength of electron−electron interactions and the degree of bond alternation as model parameters. The results show that the hyperpolarizability is independent of the strength of electron−electron interactions and thus the degree of electron−hole correlation, and instead depends almost excl...
Tenure and Promotion Decisions: The Relative Importance of Teaching, Scholarship, and Service.

Research about the relative importance of faculty performance of teaching, scholarship, and service work roles in tenure and promotion decisions is reviewed and updated. Data collected from 130 deans or directors through Internet administration of the Work Role Salience Index (Green & Baskind, 2007) suggested some variation in the weighting of tenure and promotion decisions among different programs and among different types of programs. However, scholarship was salient at a majority of institutions; teaching and service roles have become less influential over time. Conflict between these findings and findings about workload time allocated to scholarship, teaching, and service are identified and implications discussed.
Biosynthesis of plant cell wall polysaccharides — a complex process

Cellulose, a major component of plant cell walls, is made by dynamic complexes that move within the plasma membrane while depositing cellulose directly into the wall. On the other hand, matrix polysaccharides are made in the Golgi and delivered to the wall via secretory vesicles. Several Golgi proteins that are involved in glucomannan and xyloglucan biosynthesis have been identified, including some glycan synthases that show sequence similarity to the cellulose synthase proteins and several glycosytransferases that add sidechains to the polysaccharide backbones. Recent progress in identifying the proteins needed for polysaccharide biosynthesis should lead to an improved understanding of the molecular details of these complex processes, and eventually to an ability to manipulate them in an effort to generate plants that have improved properties for human uses.
Overlapping coefficient: the generalized t approach

The two group t test is generalized here to produce a hypothesis testing procedure on the overlapping coefficient of two normally distributed populations with common variance, assuming that the researcher knows the direction of the population means. The confi¬dence intervals are constructed on the overlapping coefficient. An illustrative example is given using the proposed procedures
Cross-Linked LDH Crystals for Lactate Synthesis Coupled to Electroenzymatic Regeneration of NADH

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was crystallized from concentrated ammonium sulfate solution and cross-linked with glutaraldehyde to afford long-lived enzymatically active cross-linked crystals (LDH-CLC). The crystals were employed in an electrolytic cell for lactate production from pyruvate, in which the cathode consisted of a carbon electrode containing a coating of lipoamide dehydrogenase (LiDH) immobilized with methyl viologen under a Nafion membrane. This cell was more effective than a similar cell containing LDH in soluble form. An even greater improvement in performance was achieved by chemically binding a viologen derivative to the LiDH and using an electrode based on this modified enzyme in a cell containing LDH-CLC. The activity of the LDH-CLC is much less sensitive to pH than that of the soluble enzyme.
Observations on the ascorbic acid level of the blood plasma of women maintained on a thiamin deficient diet.

The effect of a thiamin deficient diet upon the ascorbic acid level of the blood plasma was studied in four women over a period of four weeks. The experimental diet as planned contained not more than 0.5 mg. of thiamin per 1000 calories of food eaten. The ascorbic acid values of the plasma were maintained by the ingestion of 50 mg. of crystalline ascorbic acid per day. The experimental plasma values which were compared with those of a pre-experimental level were also maintained by the same amount of crystalline ascorbic acid. The removal of thiamin from the diet caused a temporary lowering of the ascorbic acid values of all subjects. The one subject tested showed a similar effect when the riboflavin and niacin concentrates were withdrawn. Two of the subjects showed a significant rise in the plasma level as the experiment progressed. No change was observed in the other two subjects.
Obsessive‐Compulsive Disorder in the DSM‐5

Whereas the specific diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) have changed in only minor ways in the transition from DSM-IV to DSM-5, a more substantial change is that OCD is no longer classified as an anxiety disorder. Rather, it is now the flagship diagnosis of a new diagnostic category: the obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs). In this article, we describe the nature of obsessional problems as determined through empirical research before turning to a consideration of how OCD is defined in previous editions of the DSM and in DSM-5. We then critically consider the DSM criteria, as well as the basis for removing OCD from the anxiety disorders and creating the new OCRD category. Finally, we consider the implications of these changes for clinical practice and research on OCD.
Phylogenetic detection of conserved gene clusters in microbial genomes

Microbial genomes contain an abundance of genes with conserved proximity forming clusters on the chromosome. However, the conservation can be a result of many factors such as vertical inheritance, or functional selection. Thus, identification of conserved gene clusters that are under functional selection provides an effective channel for gene annotation, microarray screening, and pathway reconstruction. The problem of devising a robust method to identify these conserved gene clusters and to evaluate the significance of the conservation in multiple genomes has a number of implications for comparative, evolutionary and functional genomics as well as synthetic biology. In this paper we describe a new method for detecting conserved gene clusters that incorporates the information captured by a genome phylogenetic tree. We show that our method can overcome the common problem of overestimation of significance due to the bias in the genome database and thereby achieve better accuracy when detecting functionally connected gene clusters. Our results can be accessed at database GeneChords http://genomics10.bu.edu/GeneChords . The methodology described in this paper gives a scalable framework for discovering conserved gene clusters in microbial genomes. It serves as a platform for many other functional genomic analyses in microorganisms, such as operon prediction, regulatory site prediction, functional annotation of genes, evolutionary origin and development of gene clusters.
Design for Testability

This presentation will discuss the basics of design for testability. A short review of testing is given along with some reasons why one should test. The different techniques of design for testability are discussed in detail. These include techniques which can be applied to today's technologies and techniques which have been recently introduced and will soon appear in new designs. These techniques include the three main areas of Design for Testability, 1) Ad Hoc approaches; 2) Structured approaches; and, 3) Self Test/Built-in Test approaches.
Wax-matrix extended-release niacin vs inositol hexanicotinate: A comparison of wax-matrix, extended-release niacin to inositol hexanicotinate “no-flush” niacin in persons with mild to moderate dyslipidemia

Background Nicotinic acid (NA), long used for the treatment of dyslipidemia, has shown problems with undesirable side effects and safety issues. Wax-matrix, extended-release niacin (WMER) and inositol hexanicotinate (IHN) have both been formulated to increase patient tolerability. Several trials of WMER demonstrated good efficacy in improving dyslipidemia; however, there are few scientific data on the use of IHN. Objective This study was designed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of WMER and IHN to each other and placebo to help clinicians make an informed choice of NA agents. Methods This was a 6-week blinded, placebo-controlled trial comparing 1500 mg/d of WMER with 1500 mg/d IHN. Subjects with mild-to-moderate dyslipidemia (low-density lipoprotein = 130–190/dL) were randomized, after a 4-week diet lead-in period, to three parallel study arms (40 subjects/arm). Diet, pill compliance, and side effects were monitored as well as lipid and blood chemistry profiles (baseline, 6 weeks). A dose-reduction protocol was included for subjects who did not tolerate the 1500-mg dose of NA. A pharmacokinetic substudy was conducted on subjects from the WMER (n = 5) and IHN (n = 5) groups. Results WMER demonstrated significant improvements in total cholesterol = −11%, low-density lipoprotein = −18%, high-density lipoprotein = +12%, and non–high-density lipoprotein = −15% ( P Conclusion WMER demonstrated good tolerance and efficacy and extended-release kinetics. IHN was well tolerated but was no better than placebo in lipid improvement and showed no evidence of bioavailability.
User interaction with inverted-F antennas integrated into laptop PCMCIA cards

This paper evaluates the overall laptop integration effects on the performance of commercially viable 2.4 GHz Inverted-F antennas built into PCMCIA cards. A generic laptop model is used to represent antenna housing effects while an anatomical shape homogenous human model is used to estimate electromagnetic interaction between the antenna and the user. The antenna performance is evaluated for different card locations in terms of reflection coefficient, far field gain pattern and radiation efficiency. The human exposition to EM radiation is analyzed in terms of specific absorption rate.
Characterization of the N-oxygenase AurF from Streptomyces thioletus

AurF catalyzes the N-oxidation of p-aminobenzoic acid to p-nitrobenzoic acid in the biosynthesis of the antibiotic aureothin. Here we report the characterization of AurF under optimized conditions to explore its potential use in biocatalysis. The pH optimum of the enzyme was established to be 5.5 using phenazine methosulfate (PMS)/NADH as the enzyme mediator system, showing ~10-fold higher activity than previous reports in literature. Kinetic characterization at optimized conditions give a Km of 14.7 ± 1.1 μM, a kcat of 47.5 ± 5.4 min(-1) and a kcat/Km of 3.2 ± 0.4 μM(-1)min(-1). PMS/NADH and the native electron transfer proteins showed significant formation of the p-hydroxylaminobenzoic acid intermediate, however H2O2 produced mostly p-nitrobenzoic acid. Alanine scanning identified the role of important active site residues. The substrate specificity of AurF was examined and rationalized based on the protein crystal structure. Kinetic studies indicate that the Km is the main determinant of AurF activity toward alternative substrates.
Simulation of unit loading device inventory in airline operations

Commercial airlines often encounter imbalances in their inventory of unit loading devices (ULDs). A stochastic simulation model was developed to evaluate inventory policies. The structure of the simulation model is described. We evaluate a minimum ULD loading configuration policy and demonstrate how it reduces ULD shortages and helps balance ULD network flow and inventory. As a result, airlines can reduce operating expenses and improve customer service. Finally, we give future directions for studying ULD inventory.
Lesion characteristics related to treatment improvement in object and action naming for patients with chronic aphasia.

Abstract Few studies have examined the relationship between degree of lesion in various locations and improvement during treatment in stroke patients with chronic aphasia. The main purpose of this study was to determine whether the degree of lesion in specific brain regions was related to magnitude of improvement over the course of object and action naming treatments. Participants and methods Fifteen left hemisphere stroke patients with aphasia participated in treatments for object and/or action naming. Two raters assessed extent of lesion in 18 left hemisphere cortical and subcortical regions of interest (ROIs) on CT or MRI scans. Correlations were calculated between composite basal ganglia, anterior cortical, and posterior cortical lesion ratings, on the one hand, and both pretreatment scores and treatment change for both object and action naming, on the other hand. Results Unexpectedly, greater anterior cortical lesion extent was highly correlated with better object and action naming scores prior to treatment and with greater improvement during treatment when partial correlations controlled for total basal ganglia lesion extent (r ranging from .730 to .858). Greater total basal ganglia lesion extent was highly correlated with worse object and action naming scores prior to treatment and with less improvement during treatment when partial correlations controlled for total anterior lesion extent (r ranging from −.623 to −.785). Correlations between degree of posterior cortical lesion and naming indices generally were not significant. No consistent differences were found between the correlations of ROI lesion ratings with object naming versus action naming scores. Conclusion Large anterior cortical lesions and intactness of the basal ganglia may both contribute to more efficient reorganization of language functions.
Molecular and Phenotypic Variation of the white Locus Region in Drosophila melanogaster

Restriction map polymorphism in a 13-kb region of the Zw locus in Drosophila melanogaster was investigated for 64 X chromosome lines with seven 6-cutter and ten 4-cutter restriction enzymes. A total of 203 restriction sites were scored, of which 20 were found to be polymorphic. The estimated nucleotide variation for this region for overall data (pi = 0.003 and 0.001, and theta = 0.003 and 0.002, for 4-cutter and 6-cutter studies, respectively) was smaller than that reported for most regions studied in D. melanogaster. It was found that the Slow allozyme has a larger nucleotide variation and haplotype diversity than the Fast allozyme. Results suggest the relatively recent divergence of the Fast allozyme from the Slow allozyme. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity was measured as a phenotype of the Zw locus. A significant difference in G6PD activity between allozymes was detected. The between-line effect was highly significant within the Slow allozyme, but was not significant within the Fast allozyme. Although a direct causative link could not be established, these results suggest an association between the amounts of quantitative and molecular genetic variation at the Zw locus region.