cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of Arsenic Exposure with Lung Cancer Incidence Rates in the United States

Background Although strong exposure to arsenic has been shown to be carcinogenic, its contribution to lung cancer incidence in the United States is not well characterized. We sought to determine if the low-level exposures to arsenic seen in the U.S. are associated with lung cancer incidence after controlling for possible confounders, and to assess the interaction with smoking behavior. Methodology Measurements of arsenic stream sediment and soil concentration obtained from the USGS National Geochemical Survey were combined, respectively, with 2008 BRFSS estimates on smoking prevalence and 2000 U.S. Census county level income to determine the effects of these factors on lung cancer incidence, as estimated from respective state-wide cancer registries and the SEER database. Poisson regression was used to determine the association between each variable and age-adjusted county-level lung cancer incidence. ANOVA was used to assess interaction effects between covariates. Principal Findings Sediment levels of arsenic were significantly associated with an increase in incident cases of lung cancer (P<0.0001). These effects persisted after controlling for smoking and income (P<0.0001). Across the U.S., exposure to arsenic may contribute to up to 5,297 lung cancer cases per year. There was also a significant interaction between arsenic exposure levels and smoking prevalence (P<0.05). Conclusions/Significance Arsenic was significantly associated with lung cancer incidence rates in the U.S. after controlling for smoking and income, indicating that low-level exposure to arsenic is responsible for excess cancer cases in many parts of the U.S. Elevated county smoking prevalence strengthened the association between arsenic exposure and lung cancer incidence rate, an effect previously unseen on a population level.
Effect of pressure on the absolute Raman scattering cross section of SiO2 and GeO2 glasses

Quantitative measurements of the absolute Raman scattering intensity for the tetrahedral oxide glasses SiO2 and GeO2 show a dramatic decrease in the scattering cross section of the main symmetric stretching band in the pressure regions of 10–23 GPa for silica and 4–7 GPa for germania. This pressure region also corresponds to the pressure interval in which permanent structural changes occur for both glasses as observed in the Raman spectra of pressure-quenched samples when compressed in a hydrostatic medium. The noted relative enhancement of the D2 defect peak of the pressure-quenched samples of both silica and germania begins at 10 and 4 GPa and reaches saturation by 15 and 6.5 GPa, respectively. Decompression from higher peak pressures does not result in a significantly altered spectrum. These observations are in agreement with the formation of both five- and six-coordinated metal species via the formation of IIIO species during the four- to six-fold coordination change of the metal atom with increasing pressure.
Historical and Ethnobotanical aspects of domestication in tagetes

It is generally accepted that the genus Tagetes is native to the New \Vorld. It is also accepted, albeit implicitly, that the principal cultivars of the genus, Tagetes erecta, L. Sp. P1. 887, and Tagetes patula, L. Sp. P1. 887, reported to have 24 and 48 somatic chromosomes, respectively (2), were domesticated in the New World in pre-Columbian times. T. erecta and T. patula appear in the 16th century herbals with Fuchs' (3) figure and description of Tagetes itidica, a pre-Linnean name for T. patula, the French marigold. T. erecta, the African marigold, appears probably for the first time in 1576, in the Plantarum of Lobel (4) as Othonia mzaior polyanthos and Flos africanus mlaior simnplici. Fuchs placed his Indianische negeleis or Tagetes indica with his artemisias because of their common, pungent odor. The name Tagetes was said by Fuc>hs to be the original form of which tanacetu was a corruption and, since tanacetu was a common name for his artenmisia nonokolon105 (Chrysanthemu ni tainnacetumn Karsch.) and his Indianische negelen was considered similar to this, Fuchs first applied the namane Tagetes which was later adopted by ,inneaus. There appears to be little evidence to support the frequent assertion that "Tagetes" is derived from "Tages," the iname of an Etruscan god.
The Structure of Tropical Bat Faunas

The species that constitute a tropical bat fauna partition the food available in an environment in an orderly manner, the two most important parameters of partitioning being the type of food and food particle size. On small Caribbean islands there seems to be a fundamental partitioning of food that includes one fruit bat, two nectar bats, two insect bats, and one fishing bat; other food habits, such as blood and meat, are not generally present because of the apparent absence of these foods in sufficient quantities. Mainland tropical bat faunas are similarly structured in terms of food type and size, but it is not possible to make a complete analysis due to the many rare species, whose habits are generally unknown. See full-text article at JSTOR
Impact of left ventricular cavity size on survival in advanced heart failure

Although left ventricular (LV) dilation has been assumed to be deleterious, the physiologic significance of severe LV dilation in advanced heart failure and its impact on survival have not been defined. LV end-diastolic dimension was measured by M-mode echocardiography in 382 patients with class III or IV heart failure symptoms (mean LV ejection fraction 20 +/- 8%) referred for evaluation for cardiac transplantation. All patients underwent right-sided heart catheterization, and received vasodilator and diuretic therapy adjusted to hemodynamic goals. Although 183 patients with massive LV dilation by LV index > 4 cm/m2 (LV index = LV end-diastolic dimension/estimated body surface area) had a similar severity of hemodynamic impairment to that of 199 patients with only moderate dilation (LV index < or = 4 cm/m2), with baseline mean cardiac index of 2 liters/m/m2 and mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure of 26 mm Hg in both groups, their actuarial 2-year survival without transplantation was much lower (49 vs 75%; p = 0.004). In the Cox proportional-hazards model, LV index predicted total and sudden death, independent of etiology of heart failure, ejection fraction and other parameters of disease severity. Follow-up echocardiograms (mean 13 +/- 6 months) in 80 heart failure survivors without transplantation showed an increase in mean LV ejection fraction (22 +/- 8% to 26 +/- 13%), but no change in mean LV index in either the massive or moderately dilated groups. Thus, massive LV dilation is an independent contributor to poor outcome in patients with advanced heart failure, and may be stabilized by aggressive vasodilator and diuretic therapy.
Influence of selective fluorination on the biological activity and proteolytic stability of glucagon-like peptide-1.

The relative simplicity and high specificity of peptide therapeutics has fueled recent interest. However, peptide and protein drugs generally require injection and suffer from low metabolic stability. We report here the design, synthesis, and characterization of fluorinated analogues of the gut hormone peptide, GLP-1. Overall, fluorinated GLP-1 analogues displayed higher proteolytic stability with simultaneous retention of biological activity (efficacy). Fluorinated amino acids are useful for engineering peptide drug candidates and probing ligand−receptor interactions.
Expression of two vitellogenin genes (vg1 and vg3) in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) liver in response to exposure to steroidal estrogens and androgens.

Abstract In this study, we describe the sequence for the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) vitellogenin 3 gene (vg3) and compare the responses of vg1 and vg3 following exposure to steroidal estrogens and androgens. The fathead minnow vg3 sequence is the second nucleotide sequence described in teleosts, following the original description of this isoform in zebrafish (Danio rerio). Following a brief water exposure (24 h) to 2, 5, and 10 ng/L 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), both vg1and vg3 were upregulated in male liver. However, levels of vg3 induction were four orders of magnitude lower than levels of induction of vg1. Suppression of vg in female liver following exposure to 50 or 500 ng/L of the synthetic androgen 17β-trenbolone occurs at similar magnitude for both vg1 and vg3 isoforms. The results of this study support the use of vg1 as an indicator of estrogenic exposure in male fish and indicate the potential for vg1 and /or vg3 for use as indicators of androgenic exposure.
Nuclear magnetic resonance in ultra-small samples of superfluid 3He

Abstract By using small inclusions of liquid 3 He trapped in a solid 4 He matrix, it may be possible to study a sample of the superfluid A phase in the regime where quantum fluctuations of the relative phase of the “up” and “down” Cooper pairs are no longer negligible. Under these conditions there is little doubt that a standard quantum-mechanical (QM) calculation of the NMR dynamics should correctly describe the behavior of the total magnetization of a large ensemble of independent inclusions. However, it is less obvious that it should describe the behavior of a single inclusion on a single run of the experiment, and indeed it is tempting to argue that a “spontaneous breaking of the symmetry” corresponding to the relative phase should occur, analogously to what (allegedly) happens in the interference of two independent Bose condensates. Here I argue that the prima facie analogy is misleading, and that the QM calculation indeed describes the behavior of a single inclusion.
Low-dose oral methotrexate in refractory inflammatory bowel disease.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose weekly, oral methotrexate in patients with steroid-dependent or steroid-refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Oral methotrexate was given weekly at 15 mg/week. The primary criterion of response was based on steroid withdrawal. Of the 10 patients with Crohn's disease, daily prednisone dosage dropped from a mean of 37±9.6 mg to 8.3±2.1 mg/day (P<0.02); two had a complete withdrawal and four a partial response (<7.5 mg/day). In the eight patients with ulcerative colitis, daily prednisone dose dropped from a mean of 26.3±3.2 mg/day to 12.7±2.0 mg/day (P<0.001); three had a partial response. Adverse effects due to methotrexate were mild in both groups. We conclude that oral methotrexate may be useful and reasonably safe as a steroid-sparing agent in patients with refractory IBD.
First subfossil records of Daphnia headshields and shells (Anomopoda, Daphniidae) about 10 000 years old from northernmost Greenland, plus Alona guttata (Chydoridae)

Silty pond sediments from Wulff Land in northernmost Greenland, radiocarbon dated 10480 BP, yielded many headshields, shells, and ephippia of Daphnia pulex, and headshields, shells, ephippia, and one postabdomen of Alona guttata. This is the first documentation of recognizable headshields and shells of Daphnia in the fossil record.
Long-Term Plasticity Mediated by mGluR1 at a Retinal Reciprocal Synapse

The flow of information across the retina is controlled by reciprocal synapses between bipolar cell terminals and amacrine cells. However, the synaptic delays and properties of plasticity at these synapses are not known. Here we report that glutamate release from goldfish Mb-type bipolar cell terminals can trigger fast (delay of 2–3 ms) and transient GABAA IPSCs and a much slower and more sustained GABAC feedback. Synaptically released glutamate activated mGluR1 receptors on amacrine cells and, depending on the strength of presynaptic activity, potentiated subsequent feedback. This poststimulus enhancement of GABAergic feedback lasted for up to 10 min. This form of mGluR1-mediated long-term synaptic plasticity may provide retinal reciprocal synapses with adaptive capabilities.
Robert E. Lucas Jr.'s Collected Papers on Monetary Theory

This paper is a critical review of and a reader's guide to a collection of papers by Robert E. Lucas, Jr. about fruitful ways of using general equilibrium theories to understand measured economic aggregates. These beautifully written and wisely argued papers integrated macroeconomics, microeconomics, finance, and econometrics in ways that restructured big parts of macroeconomic research.
Rheology of electrorheological fluids.

We present experimental and theoretical results on the shear thinning of electrorheological fluids. Rheological measurements on a model fluid consisting of monodisperse silica spheres immersed in a dielectric liquid show a power-law dependence \ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\propto}\ensuremath{\gamma}${\mathrm{\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Delta}}}$ of the apparent viscosity \ensuremath{\mu} on the strain rate \ensuremath{\gamma}\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}, with \ensuremath{\Delta} in the range \ensuremath{\Delta}=0.68--0.93. We present a theoretical treatment of steady-state cluster formation in applied electric and shear fields, which correctly predicts the observed power-law shear thinning albeit with an exponent \ensuremath{\Delta}=2/3. We observe no true yield stress in this material.
Secure and Efficient Data Transmission over Body Sensor and Wireless Networks

This paper addresses the transmission of medical and context-aware data from mobile patients to healthcare centers over heterogeneous wireless networks. A handheld device, called personal wireless hub (PWH), of each mobile patient first gathers and aggregates the vital sign and context-aware data for various telemedicine applications. PWH transmits the aggregated data to the remote healthcare center over multiple wireless interfaces such as cellular, WLAN, and WiMAX. The aggregated data contain both periodic data and those nonperiodic unpredictable emergency messages that are sporadic and delayintolerant. This paper addresses the problem of providing QoS (e.g., minimum delay, sufficient data rate, acceptable blocking, and/or dropping rate) by designing a packet scheduling and channel/network allocation algorithm over wireless networks. The proposed resource-efficient QoS mechanism is simple and collaborates with an adaptive security algorithm. The QoS and security are achieved mainly with the collaboration of differentiator, delay monitor, data classifier, and scheduler modules within the PWH. This paper also discusses secure data transmission over body sensor networks by introducing key establishment and management algorithms. Simulation results show that the proposed framework achieves low-blocking probability, meets delay requirements, and provides energy-efficient secure communication for the combination of vital signs and context-aware data.
Immune-mediated interface dermatitis in a rhesus macaque.

Background Autoimmune dermatitis, specifically interface dermatitis, is rarely reported in nonhuman primates. Results and Conclusions This report describes a case of idiopathic immune-mediated dermatitis clinically manifesting as palmoplantar hyperkeratosis in a rhesus macaque, successfully controlled with the use of long-term oral corticosteroid therapy.
Using computer simulations to determine the limitations of dynamic clamp stimuli applied at the soma in mimicking distributed conductance sources

In previous studies we used the technique of dynamic clamp to study how temporal modulation of inhibitory and excitatory inputs control the frequency and precise timing of spikes in neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN). Although this technique is now widely used, it is limited to interpreting conductance inputs as being location independent; i.e., all inputs that are biologically distributed across the dendritic tree are applied to the soma. We used computer simulations of a morphologically realistic model of DCN neurons to compare the effects of purely somatic vs. distributed dendritic inputs in this cell type. We applied the same conductance stimuli used in our published experiments to the model. To simulate variability in neuronal responses to repeated stimuli, we added a somatic white current noise to reproduce subthreshold fluctuations in the membrane potential. We were able to replicate our dynamic clamp results with respect to spike rates and spike precision for different patterns of background synaptic activity. We found only minor differences in the spike pattern generation between focal or distributed input in this cell type even when strong inhibitory or excitatory bursts were applied. However, the location dependence of dynamic clamp stimuli is likely to be different for each cell type examined, and the simulation approach developed in the present study will allow a careful assessment of location dependence in all cell types.
Non-histone chromosomal proteins from immunoglobulin-producing mouse plasmacytoma cells.

Abstract Non-histone chromosomal (MHC proteins from two immunoglobulin-producing mouse plasmacytoma cell lines, from three variant lines derived from these parentals, and from control mouse lung fibroblast L929 cells have been examined using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When NHC protein profiles of the plasmacytoma lines were compared, three proteins were identified whose presence correlated with the synthesis of the immunoglobulin γ 2b heavy chain. However, the overall NHC protein patterns of the different plasmacytoma lines were very similar: an average of 95% of the proteins in one line were shared with the others. In contrast, fewer than 50% of mouse plasmacytoma NHC proteins were identified in mouse L929 protein profiles. Surprisingly, proteins with the electrophoretic and serological properties of immunoglobulin chains were also detected in the nucleoplasm and in the NHC protein populations of lines synthesizing these proteins. A control preparation indicated that these proteins were probably not the result of random contamination of NHC proteins by cytoplasmic immunoglobulin chains.
Capital waste in the rate-of-return regulated firm

Here it is shown how capital waste can be motivated under rate-of-return regulation, even when the marginal product of capital is positive. This result means that the sign of the marginal product of capital is not adequate as a basis for defining waste. The wasteful use of capital is motivated to avoid an inelastic region of demand, and involves pricing as well as technical input decisions of the firm.
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum: molecular genetics and putative pathomechanisms.

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a prototypic heritable disorder with ectopic mineralization, manifests with characteristic skin findings, ocular involvement and cardiovascular problems, with considerable morbidity and mortality. The classic forms of PXE are due to loss-of-function mutations in the ABCC6 gene, which encodes ABCC6, a transmembrane efflux transporter expressed primarily in the liver. Several lines of evidence suggest that PXE is a primary metabolic disorder, which in the absence of ABCC6 transporter activity, displays reduced plasma anti-mineralization capacity due to reduced fetuin-A and matrix gla-protein (MGP) levels. MGP requires to be activated by γ-glutamyl carboxylation, a vitamin K–dependent reaction, to serve in an anti-mineralization role in the peripheral connective tissue cells. Although the molecules transported from the hepatocytes to circulation by ABCC6 in vivo remain unidentified, it has been hypothesized that a critical vitamin K derivative, such as reduced vitamin K conjugated with glutathione, is secreted to circulation physiologically, but not in the absence of ABCC6 transporter activity. As a result, activation of MGP by γ-glutamyl carboxylase is diminished, allowing slow yet progressive mineralization of connective tissues characteristic of PXE. Understanding of the pathomechanistic details of PXE provides a basis for the development of targeted molecular therapies for this currently intractable disease.
Press Freedom and the 26th Century Affair in Meiji Japan

For a little over twenty years the Meiji press demonstrated a remarkable degree of vitality, resilience, and strength of purpose in the face of severely repressive laws of which the most onerous and irksome were those authorizing the government to ban and suspend publications. When, in March 1897, the 26th Century Affair culminated in the passage of revised press laws eliminating that dreaded power, the new freedom was largely the product of leadership which came from the press itself, and particularly from that part of the press often characterized as ‘conservative’, ‘right-wing’, ‘nationalist’ or even ‘ultra-nationalist’.
Squeezing flow of semi liquid foods between parallel Teflon coated plates

Samples of commercial tomato paste, low fat mayonnaise and mustard about 6–8 mm thick were squeezed to 0.8 mm at various speeds between 5 mm min−1 and 25 mm min−1 between Teflon-coated parallel plates 127 mm in diameter using an Instron UTM Model 5542. All the log force vs log height relationships had a clearly identified linear region. This indicated that a dominant squeezing flow regime was achieved at about 3 mm height, and that the machine has the proper stiffness to perform the tests. The stress level at a pre-selected height in this region is a measure of consistency, sensitive enough to distinguish between products of different brands. The residual stress after relaxation for about 2 min was on order of 10–50% of the initial stress, an indication that all three foods have a considerable structural integrity. In all three products there was a considerable discrepancy between the observed rate effects and predictions based on a pseudoplastic (power law) model. It could be described by the empirical relation (Fv1 − FR)/(Fv2 − FR)=(V1/V2)m where Fv1 and Fv2 are the forces at the given displacement reached at speeds v1 and v2 respectively, FR is the residual force after relaxation (found to be practically rate independent), and m is a constant of the order of 0.15–0.33, independent of the compression velocities ratio but characteristic of the food and brand. The calculated elongational viscosity was not a unique function of biaxial strain rate. To a certain extent, this was probably due to imperfect lubrication. But it was also a manifestation of these products considerable structural integrity which cannot be accounted for by models developed for ideal liquids.
Sentence length: Interactions with race and court☆

Abstract Sentencing research tends to focus on two questions. First, do some categories of offenders receive substantially different sentences than do other categories of offenders, for the same or similar offenses? Second, do some courts give substantially different sentences, when compared to other courts, for the same or similar offenses? Focusing on these questions, researchers have typically examined the impact of three types of variables on either sentence length or sentence type: defendant status variables (e.g., race, education), extra-legal process factors (e.g., court, plea), and legal factors (e.g., seriousness of offense, prior convictions). Study results have been contradictory and inconclusive. The problem with sentencing studies is that only main effects are examined. A more appropriate model is one that contains the interactions between the defendant's race (black/white) and the other independent variables, and the interactions between the court's locale (urban/rural) and the other independent variables. Using data collected in 1978 on 412 male prisoners in Maryland, four interaction terms were found to contribute to an understanding of sentencing decisions. It was found that blacks received longer sentences than whites, net of all other variables. However, whites received lengthier sentences for more serious offenses. In comparison to blacks, whites received lengthier sentences when they used more court resources. It was found that rural jurisdictions give lengthier sentences than urban jurisdictions, net of all other variables. However, in comparison to rural courts, urban courts give lengthier sentences when the defendant uses more court resources. More serious offenses receive lengthier prison terms in rural, as compared to urban, courts.
Development of a fifteen component hydrocarbon gas standard reference material at 5 nmol/mol in nitrogen

Primary gravimetric gas cylinder standards containing fifteen alkane, alkene and aromatic hydrocarbons (C2–C10) were prepared. A procedure previously developed to prepare gas cylinder standards for volatile organic compounds at the 5 nmol/mol (ppb) level was used. The set of primary hydrocarbon gas standards prepared by this procedure were intercompared by using gas chromatography with a hydrogen flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The linear regression analysis showed excellent agreement among the standards for each compound. Similar mixtures containing many of these hydrocarbons have been evaluated over time and have shown stability of the concentrations in aluminum gas cylinders for three years. This research resulted in the production and certification of Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1800, which contains fifteen hydrocarbons in nitrogen at a nominal concentration of 5 nmol/mol for each analyte. A batch of twenty-four cylinders containing the mixture was prepared at NIST following previously demonstrated protocols for their preparation. Each cylinder was analyzed against one cylinder from the batch, designated as the “lot control”, for each of the fifteen hydrocarbons. The data showed that the batch was homogeneous, from 0.2 to 0.7% depending on the compound, and stable for each hydrocarbon in the mixture resulting in certification and issuance of SRM 1800.
Tribological Studies on Scuffing Due to the Influence of Carbon Dioxide Used as a Refrigerant in Compressors

Because hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants in air-conditioning systems are known to have a negative effect on the environment, carbon dioxide (CO2) is a candidate as a replacement refrigerant. Research work related to CO2 as a refrigerant has been focused primarily on its thermodynamic performance, whereas work in the area of tribology related to carbon dioxide is absent. In this study, the effects of CO2 used as a refrigerant on the tribological behavior of surf aces in contact in such systems were investigated. Controlled experiments were performed at constant loads in environments of CO2 and the conventional HFC refrigerant, R134a, as well as under conditions of step-increasing loads in the presence of refrigerant (CO2 or R134a) and polyalkylene glycol lubricant. The experiments were performed on a high-pressure tribometer that is particularly suited for tribological testing of compressor contact interfaces. The tribological behavior of contacting surfaces in a CO2 environment was nearly identical to...
Design of operating conditions for crackfree laser-assisted machining of mullite

Abstract The present study focuses on the evaluation of the laser-assisted machining (LAM) of pressureless sintered mullite ceramics. Due to mullite’s low thermal diffusivity and inferior tensile strength, a new method for applying laser power is devised to eliminate cracking and fracture of the workpiece during laser heating by controlling the development of temperature gradients. Numerical modeling of workpiece temperature along with experimental measurement by a pyrometer is performed to determine the temperature at the material removal zone during LAM and to analyze the temperature gradient information to delineate the occurrence of cracking. With a designed gradual heating method, LAM of mullite is successfully performed without inducing any surface or subsurface cracks. Under the designed heating cycle, LAM of mullite is shown to be successful with a relative long tool life of carbide tools and good surface integrity.
Gemini near-infrared imager (NIRI)

The NIRI for the Gemini North telescope is now undergoing acceptance testing. NIRI is the main near-IR facility camera on the Gemini North telescope and is designed to fully exploit the excellent characteristics of the site and the expected high performance o the telescope. NIRI offers 3 different pixel scales for wide-field, tip-tilt corrected and diffraction-limited imaging. It is equipped with a pupil imaging system to evaluate the telescope emissivity and to optimize the alignment of the instrument with the telescope. NIRI has an IR wavefront sensor so that tip-tilt and focus corrections can be obtained even in dark cloud regions or during daytime observing.
Inflow and outflow in a rotating circular container—A laboratory model for the Loop Current of the Gulf of Mexico

The Loop Current of the Gulf of Mexico is simulated in the laboratory. A circular tank is filled with water and is placed off-center on a rotating table and the flow field is generated by injecting and withdrawing water at two openings on the wall. The free surface becomes parabolic due to balance of gravitational and centrifugal forces, simulating the latitudinal change of the Coriolis parameter (β-effect) in the ocean. The flow characteristics depend on the influx and the rate of rotation and can be classified according to non-dimensional parameters (Rossby, Ekman and Froude numbers denoted byR0,E andF, respectively). When the influx is small and the rotation rate is large (smallR0,E andF) the flow will be almost linear, and the fluid flows along the side-wall boundary layer under constraint of the β-effect. For a very large influx (largeR0 andE) inertial forces become very large compared to the Coriolis force and the flow behaves like a potential flow. The flow studied had characteristics between these two extreme cases and hasR0 andF similar to the Gulf circulation, though similarity inE is ambiguous. Photographs of the flow indicate that the inflow penetrates further into the interior when the rotation rate is increased while the influx is kept constant. The numerical analysis of the non-linear vorticity equation confirms this for the parameters corresponding to the experiment. In addition, the photographs reveal eddies embedded on both sides of the main stream, particularly near the inflow region. These eddies are intensified and become uniform in size as the influx increases. It is pointed out that such eddies were actually observed near the Loop Current north of the Yucatan Straits.
Metabolic Regulation of Carbon Flux during C4 Photosynthesis I. Evidence for Parallel CO2 Fixation by Mesophyll and Bundle Sheath Cells in situ

Summary CO2 fixation by isolated mesophyll protoplasts, bundle sheath strands and thin leaf slices of three types of C4 plants Digitaria sanguinalis (NADP-malic enzyme type), Panicum miliaceum (NAD-malic enzyme type) and Eriochloa borumensis (phosphoenolpyruvate-carboxykinase [PEP-CK] type) was investigated in the presence of appropriate inhibitors of mesophyll and bundle sheath photosynthesis. The inhibitors used were: malonate and maleate for PEP carboxylation, and D,L-glyceraldehyde for ribulose 1,5-diphosphate (RuDP) generation in all the three species; oxalate for C4 acid decarboxylation through NADP-malic enzyme in D. sanguinalis, and 3-mercaptopicolinic acid for C4 acid decarboxylation through PEP-CK in E. borumensis. In the absence of inhibitors, the C4 leaf slices fixed CO2 at very high rates at both 0.4 mM and 6 mM HCO3−, and O2 (0–100 %) had no effect. The 14C label was equally distributed between C4 acids and Calvin cycle compounds. In the absence of functional PEP carboxylation and C4 acid decarboxylation, the C4 leaf slices fixed CO2 directly into Calvin cycle compounds (the rates were 14–17 % of the control). At low HCO3− (0.4 mM) concentration, the direct fixation of CO2 by RuDP carboxylase in C4 leaf slices treated with maleate and appropriate C4 acid decarboxylase inhibitor was progressively inhibited by 21 % and 100% O2 and the label readily appeared in photorespiratory intermediates. The O2 inhibition was effectively reversed by increasing the added HCO3− concentration. Similar effects of O2 and HCO3− were observed during CO2 fixation by isolated bundle sheath stands. Pyruvate + oxaloacetate-dependent CO2 fixation (PEP carboxylation) in leaf slices treated with D,L-glyceraldehyde was increased by 2 fold at 100% O2 and the HCO3− concentration had no effect. Similar enhancement by O2 was observed with isolated mesophyll protoplasts. O2 inhibited bundle sheath photosynthesis competitively with respect to HCO3−, and reversal of O2 inhibition by CO2 was also competitive with respect to O2. The Km(CO2) for bundle sheath photosynthesis was about 11–13 µM at pH 8.2 and 37C; and increased roughly by 5-fold at 21 % O2 and 10-fold at 100 % O2. Both the observed and calculated Vmax for cell photosynthesis were similar except for D. sanguinalis in which the observed Vmax was 33 % lower than the calculated Vmax. The results indicate that 14–17 % of atmospheric CO2 entering the leaf is directly fixed by the Calvin cycle without the intervention of C4 cycle. The significance of these observations is discussed in relation to the mechanism and function of C4 photosynthesis and the C4 control of photorespiration in vivo.
Curriculum‐based learning communities centered within a discipline

Curriculum-based learning communities centered within a discipline can take on many forms. Through the use of specific institutional examples, this chapter examines three models requiring minimal to more complex coordination.
A harmonic tracking method for improved visualization of arterial structures with acoustic radiation force impulse imaging

Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging has shown improved visualization of arterial structures that may provide for a more reliable assessment of atherosclerotic risk than conventional B-mode imaging. Existing ARFI imaging methods, however, are limited due to the presence of clutter that can increase bias and jitter in estimates of tissue deformation. We have recently developed a novel pulse inversion harmonic tracking method to suppress clutter degradation in ultrasonic tissue displacement estimates. In this work, harmonic B-mode and harmonic ARFI images of in vivo carotid arteries are compared with fundamental images obtained using conventional techniques. A certified reader measured the intima-media-thickness (IMT) in B-mode images and the adventitia-intima-media-thickness (AIMT) in ARFI images. The yield and the length of the artery amenable for analysis were larger in ARFI images compared to B-mode images. Intra-reader measurements of ARFI AIMT in the distal wall were more reproducible than B-mode IMT measurements. Qualitatively, harmonic ARFI images showed improved delineation of the vessel-lumen interface compared to fundamental ARFI images. These results suggest that harmonic ARFI imaging may provide a reliable method for monitoring arterial thickening to predict the occurrence of clinical events.
Pharmacokinetic factors in sex differences in Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-induced behavioral effects in rats

Cannabinoids have been shown to produce greater behavioral effects in female than in male rats. Sex differences in the metabolism of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) have also been demonstrated in one study. The goal of this study was to determine if sex differences in Δ9-THC disposition or metabolism could explain sex differences in Δ9-THC-induced behavioral effects. []-Δ9-THC was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to rats and the presence of []-Δ9-THC and metabolites in serum and brain tissue were compared at multiple times post-injection in male versus female rats. Serum levels of Δ9-THC and its metabolites were similar in males and females. In brain tissue, []-Δ9-THC levels also were similar in males and females. In contrast, levels of Δ9-THC metabolites in brain tissue, including 11-hydroxy-Δ9-THC, the major active metabolite, were higher in females than in males. To further investigate if greater production of active metabolites by females explained the greater Δ9-THC-induced behavioral effects observed in females, i.p. Δ9-THC-induced antinociception (50 °C warm water tail withdrawal assay) and catalepsy (bar test) were compared in male and female rats following pretreatment with saline or SKF525A, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor. SKF525A did not affect basal responding in the tail withdrawal assay or bar test in either sex. SKF525A significantly attenuated Δ9-THC-induced antinociception only in females. A similar sex difference was observed in the effects of SKF525A on Δ9-THC-induced catalepsy. These results suggest that the greater levels of active Δ9-THC metabolites produced by females contribute to greater behavioral effects of Δ9-THC in female compared to male rats.
3D Stochastic Modeling of Columnar-to-Equiaxed Transition During the Solidification of Alloy 718

An efficient three-dimensional (3D) stochastic model for simulating the evolution of dendritic crystals during the solidification of alloys was developed. The model includes time-dependent computations for temperature distribution, solute redistribution in the liquid and solid phases, curvature, and growth anisotropy. The 3D model can run on PCs with reasonable amount of RAM and CPU time and therefore no parallel computations are needed. 3D mesoscopic computations at the dendrite tip length scale were performed in this study to simulate the formation of the columnar-to-equiaxed transition in alloy 718. Comparisons between microstructure predictions obtained via 2D and 3D stochastic modeling are also presented.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The Curious Case of a "Mayflower Bible"

A library at a small liberal arts university receives from a donor an old book, which has long been assumed to be a Mayflower Bible. A staff librarian who is not accustomed to dealing with rare books reflects on the process of determining the true identity of the volume, its provenance, and the story behind it, with particular interest in the value of this experience to a library whose special collections are limited. Attention to the history of the book and of print culture demonstrate that even the most unlikely library gifts can serve the liberal arts institution through their value both as text and as artifact.
Reply to “Comments on `Design and Modeling of Patch Antenna Printed on Magneto-Dielectric Embedded- Circuit Metasubstrate'”

The goal of our paper was to demonstrate how loop circuits can be arranged in a novel fashion to provide required epsiv and mu for an antenna operation. As mentioned previously, the antenna is printed on embedded-loop circuits located inside host dielectric material, and the finite difference time domain (FDTD) is applied successfully to the complex structure to present antenna resonant frequency around the region that the substrate offers. In summary, the comments of Ikonen et al. (2007) about the effect of permeability dispersion on antenna input impedance is well understood and we have also highlighted this in our original paper. However, they misunderstand our simulation, which takes into account all the couplings and nonuniform eld distributions below the patch, and reality in matching to below - 10 dB, etc.
Fiber-optic extrinsic Fabry–Perot vibration-isolated interferometer for use in absolute gravity meters

In an absolute gravity meter, a laser interferometer measures the position of a test mass that is falling ina vacuum. The calculated value of gravity is the average acceleration of the mass during a set ofdrops. Since systematic accelerations of the optical system will bias the measured value of gravity,various interferometer geometries have been implemented in the past to isolate the optical system fromground motion. We have developed and tested a low-finesse fiber-optic extrinsic Fabry-Perotinterferometer that is fixed to the mass of a critically damped seismometer in which the effects ofsystematic ground motion and acoustic vibrations are reduced.
An efficient, fully nonlinear, variability-aware non-Monte-Carlo yield estimation procedure with applications to SRAM cells and ring oscillators

Failures and yield problems due to parameter variations have become a significant issue for sub-90-nm technologies. As a result, CAD algorithms and tools that provide designers the ability to estimate the effects of variability quickly and accurately are being urgently sought. The need for such tools is particularly acute for static RAM (SRAM) cells and integrated oscillators, for such circuits require expensive and high-accuracy simulation during design. We present a novel technique for fast computation of parametric yield. The technique is based on efficient, adaptive geometric calculation of probabilistic hypervolumes subtended by the boundary separating pass/fail regions in parameter space. A key feature of the method is that it is far more efficient than Monte-Carlo, while at the same time achieving better accuracy in typical applications. The method works equally well with parameters specified as corners, or with full statistical distributions; importantly, it scales well when many parameters are varied. We apply the method to an SRAM cell and a ring oscillator and provide extensive comparisons against full Monte-Carlo, demonstrating speedups of 100-1000 times.
Putting Everything in Context

In response to Casasanto, Brookshire, and Ivry (2015), we address four points: First, we engaged in conceptual replications of Brookshire, Casasanto, and Ivry (2010), not direct replications. Second, we did not question the validity of Brookshire et al.’s (2010) results, nor the similar findings of other researchers, but instead explained divergent findings within an integrated theoretical framework. Third, challenges to the construct of automaticity, including ours, were widespread, long before Brookshire et al.’s (2010) article. Fourth, the planned comparisons that we reported tested our theoretical claims and offered strong evidence for them.
Aes and Xps Studies of Sulfur-Treated ALxGA1−xas Surfaces

Passivation of AlxGa1-xAs surfaces by ammonium sulfide treatment has been investigated. Enhancement of photoluminescence intensity and dramatic reduction of oxide peaks in spectra acquired by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy on AlxGa1-x.As surfaces prepared by this treatment lead to the reduction of surface state density. It was found that sulfur atoms were mainly bonded to Al atoms in an Al-enriched specimen of AlxGa1-xAs(x=0.78). The surface compositions of Al-enriched specimen(x=0.43, 0.78) were also found to be As-rich as a result of both sulfur treatment and the preferential etching of metallic atoms by an acidic solution, which prevents the initial oxidation of the surface of A1xGa1-xAs.
Maximum diversity in single-carrier frequency-domain equalization

In broadband wireless communications, multipath propagation often results in an overall channel with a long impulse response that could span tens or even hundreds of symbol intervals. To equalize such long channels, conventional single-carrier time-domain equalization becomes infeasible due to high computational complexity. Relying on the use of fast Fourier transform, single-carrier frequency-domain equalization (SC-FDE) offers low-complexity equalization as well as other desirable features. In this correspondence, we prove that SC-FDE is also capable of collecting full multipath diversity even without channel coding. As far as we are aware, this is the first analytical proof of the diversity gain of SC-FDE. This conclusion justifies those existing simulation results regarding the performance comparison between SC-FDE and orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), and offers important guidelines for further improving SC-FDE and OFDM
Measuring Dispositional and Situational Attributions

The distinction between dispositional and situational attributions initially described by Heider was subsequently incorporated into attribution theory. Most researchers implicitly assume an inversely dependent relationship between dispositional and situational attributions. It is argued, however, that this assumption is untenable by presenting empirical evidence showing that dispositional and situtational attributions do not vary inversely. This suggests that only studies that measure dispositional and situational attributions on separate scales and report the results of both can provide an opportunity for drawing unequivocal conclusions. Methodological implications are discussed and suggestions for future research are made.
Heat and drought extremes likely to stress ecosystem productivity equally or more in a warmer, CO 2 rich future

Reduced carbon uptake caused by recent heat and drought extremes raises concerns about biospheric feedbacks that amplify global warming. However, elevated carbon dioxide is expected to boost terrestrial ecosystem productivity over the 21st century, potentially alleviating some of the adverse carbon impacts of climate extremes. Using CMIP5 earth system model (ESM) results, Ian Williams and colleagues (2014 Environ. Res. Lett. 9 094011) find that the carbon impacts of heat and drought extremes in the future are likely to be similar to those seen in today’s climate only shifted toward fluctuations around a higher average temperature. However, they also find that extremes may become more frequent and longer lived, causing further reductions in carbon uptake. Considering that ESMs generally miss a host of heat and drought induced mortality mechanisms that could exacerbate adverse carbon impacts, it is logical to expect that the impacts of today’s heat and drought extremes are likely underestimates of what we can expect in the future with a high fossil emissions pathway.
Medication for borderline personality disorder: A survey at a secure hospital

AbstractObjectives. To study the use of medication in the treatment of inpatients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). To survey clinicians’ views on the UK National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) Guideline on BPD. Methods. Cross-sectional survey of the use of psychotropics purely for BPD at a large secure UK psychiatric hospital, together with interviews with the treating psychiatrists. Results. A total of 79 patients had a DSM diagnosis of BPD, of whom 80% were receiving one or more psychotropics and 48% were receiving two or more. Most prescriptions were off-label. Antipsychotics followed by antidepressants were the most frequent class of drug prescribed for BPD. Clozapine was the most commonly prescribed drug and according to the treating psychiatrists the one most likely to lead to a major improvement in target symptoms. Other psychotropics were generally rated as resulting in minor improvement or no change. Clinicians were aware they were prescribing contrary to NICE but ...
Psychometric properties of an instrument designed to measure the educational quality of graduate training programs.

To assess the quality of residency education programs at an academic medical center for purposes of enhancing individual graduate medical education programs, we asked residents and fellows (N = 419) to evaluate their training programs using a Web-based questionnaire (response rate = 70%). Kruskal-Wallis tests, factor analysis, correlations, generalizability/decision studies, and mean plots were used to examine trainee responses and to assess the questionnaire’s measurement properties. Exploratory factor analysis indicated that the instrument had a threefactor structure that correlated highly with overall program rating. Cronbach’s alpha exceeded .80 for all factors, and decision studies revealed that 13 to 23 raters were needed to obtain G-coefficients greater than .70. Mean plots showed that the instrument could discriminate within and among training programs at the item level and the factor level, which should help target improvements across graduate training programs within large institutions.