cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Wildfire risk management on a landscape with public and private ownership: Who pays for protection?

Wildfire, like many natural hazards, affects large landscapes with many landowners and the risk individual owners face depends on both individual and collective protective actions. In this study, we develop a spatially explicit game theoretic model to examine the strategic interaction between landowners’ hazard mitigation decisions on a landscape with public and private ownership. We find that in areas where ownership is mixed, the private landowner performs too little fuel treatment as they “free ride”—capture benefits without incurring the costs—on public protection, while areas with public land only are under-protected. Our central result is that this pattern of fuel treatment comes at a cost to society because public resources focus in areas with mixed ownership, where local residents capture the benefits, and are not available for publicly managed land areas that create benefits for society at large. We also find that policies that encourage public expenditures in areas with mixed ownership, such as the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003 and public liability for private values, subsidize the residents who choose to locate in the high-risk areas at the cost of lost natural resource benefits for others.
Producing nature and making the state: Ordenamiento territorial in the Pacific lowlands of Colombia

In this paper, we explore how ordenamiento territorial, a territorial zoning policy in the 1991 Colombian Constitution remakes nature and helps constitute the state in the “economically backward” but “biodiversity rich” Pacific lowlands region. We draw on Gramscian insights on hegemony and the importance of conjunctures to trace how changes in the new Constitution and global biogeopolitics reconfigure nature and state power through the mandates of sustainable development, economic growth, and the conservation of biological and cultural diversity. Finally, we contribute to the literature on political ecology by showing how the political power of the state, nature, and capital are interwoven materially and symbolically in complex and contradictory ways.
Productive potential of an annual intercropping scheme in the Amazon

Abstract A multiple cropping system, modeled after the traditional planting scheme of the local farmers, was the basis for an experiment conducted on a Typic Paleudult near Yurimaguas, Peru. The system utilized intercropping and relay planting to produce four and five crops per year in 2 consecutive years. One objective of the study was to quantify the effect of 1-, 2- and 3-m row spacing of the tall component crops, corn (Zea mays L.) and cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), interplanted with short-statured companion crops. The latter were soybeans (Glycine max L. Merrill) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) in the 1st year and upland rice (Oryza sativa L.), peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) and cowpeas in the 2nd year. Monoculture checks were grown simultaneously with each of the intercrop components. The effect of various N rates on the productivity of each cropping pattern was also studied. As the row spacing widened, corn and cassava yields decreased while yields of the short companion crops increased. The 1-m intercropping pattern was 30% more efficient in producing crop yields than the corresponding monocultures, as measured by the area-time equivalency ratio (ATER = 1.3). This treatment also produced income and calories at a rate equal to or higher than monoculture rotations or the individual monoculture checks. The 2- and 3-m intercrops produced income, calories and protein at rates similar to the monocultures, and had ATER values near unity. Only corn (in both years) and soybeans (in the 1st year, non-nodulated) responded to N applications. ATER values were not affected by N application rates. The rate of production of income, calories and protein by the intercropping system increased with additions of N in the 1st year but not in the 2nd. A multiple cropping system such as used in this experiment (with 1-m row spacing) would be equally or more productive biologically, economically and nutritionally than the corresponding monocultures and may provide other benefits such as greater income stability, reduced weed pressure and reduced susceptibility to soil erosion.
Interference and Outage in Mobile Random Networks: Expectation, Distribution, and Correlation

In mobile networks, distance variations caused by node mobility generate fluctuations in the channel gains. Such fluctuations can be treated as another type of fading besides multipath effects. In this paper, the interference statistics in mobile random networks are characterized by incorporating the distance variations of mobile nodes to the channel gain fluctuations. The mean interference is calculated at the origin and at the border of a finite mobile network. The network performance is evaluated in terms of the outage probability. Compared to a static network, the interference in a single snapshot does not change under uniform mobility models. However, random waypoint mobility increases (decreases) the interference at the origin (at the border). Furthermore, due to the correlation of the node locations, the interference and outage are temporally and spatially correlated. We quantify the temporal correlation of the interference and outage in mobile Poisson networks in terms of the correlation coefficient and conditional outage probability, respectively. The results show that it is essential that routing, MAC, and retransmission schemes need to be smart (i.e., correlation-aware) to avoid bursts of transmission failures.
QWEST : Quantum Well Infrared Earth Science Testbed

Preliminary results are presented for an ultra compact long-wave infrared slit spectrometer based on the Dyson concentric design. The spectrometer has been integrated in a dewar environment with a quantum well infrared photodetecor (QWIP), concave electron beam fabricated diffraction grating and ultra precision slit. The entire system is cooled to cryogenic temperatures to maximize signal to noise ratio performance, hence eliminating thermal signal from transmissive elements and internal stray light. All of this is done while maintaining QWIP thermal control. A general description is given of the spectrometer, alignment technique and predicated performance. The spectrometer has been designed for optimal performance with respect to smile and keystone distortion. A spectral calibration is performed with NIST traceable targets. A 2-point non-uniformity correction is performed with a precision blackbody source to provide radiometric accuracy. Preliminary laboratory results show excellent agreement with modeled noise equivalent delta temperature and detector linearity over a broad temperature range.
Evolution of the lithosphere beneath Oahu, Hawaii: rare earth element abundances in mantle xenoliths

Abstract Rare earth element contents of clinopyroxenes in Hawaiian mantle xenoliths from Oahu were determined with an ion microprobe. The analyzed xenoliths are from four vents of the alkali Honolulu Volcanics (HV). Three (Kaau, Pali and Kalihi—KPK) are located close to the caldera of the extinct Koolau shield volcano, and the fourth, Salt Lake Crater (SLC), is on the periphery of the shield volcano. Systematic differences exist in REE contents between clinopyroxenes of the KPK and SLC xenoliths: (1) KPK pyroxenes are typically zoned in REE contents whereas SLC pyroxenes are homogeneous, (2) the LREE-depleted (chondrite-normalized) patterns that characterize many of the KPK xenoliths are not found in SLC xenoliths, and (3) the convex-upward REE patterns that are characteristic of SLC xenoliths are not found in KPK xenoliths. Relative to abyssal peridotites, the LREE-depleted Hawaiian lherzolite pyroxenes (interpreted to be residual oceanic lithosphere) have higher contents of REE, Na2O, TiO2 and FeO, and more modal clinopyroxene. These LREE-depleted Hawaiian xenoliths represent deeper, less-depleted parts of the melting column, whereas the abyssal peridotites represent the uppermost, more strongly depleted part of the mantle. The spoon-shaped, LREE-enriched and convex-upward REE patterns in the xenoliths have resulted from metasomatic enrichment of the lithosphere caused by reaction with magmas that formed the Honolulu Volcanics. A model for the evolution of the oceanic lithosphere is presented in which fractures were the main mode of transport of the Honolulu Volcanics. Metasomatic enrichment resulted from interaction between percolating Honolulu Volcanics magmas and wallrock. The differences between SLC and KPK xenoliths are attributed to chromatographic fractionation effects: SLC xenoliths are postulated to have come from a greater depth where they equilibrated to a larger extent with the percolating magmas than the KPK rocks.
Role of Phospholipase Cβ3 Phosphorylation in the Desensitization of Cellular Responses to Platelet-activating Factor

Abstract Platelet-activating factor (PAF) stimulates a diverse array of cellular responses through receptors coupled to G proteins that activate phospholipase C (PLC). Truncation of the cytoplasmic tail of the receptor to remove phosphorylation sites (mutant PAF receptor, mPAFR) results in enhancement of PAF-stimulated responses. Here we demonstrate that PAF or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) pretreatment inhibited wild type PAFR-induced PLC-mediated responses by ∼90%, whereas these responses to the phosphorylation-deficient mPAFR were inhibited by ∼50%, despite normal G protein coupling, suggesting a distal inhibitory locus. PAF and PMA, as well as a membrane permeable cyclic AMP analog, stimulated phosphorylation of PLCβ3. A protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor blocked phosphorylation of PLCβ3 stimulated by PAF and PMA but not by cAMP. Activation of protein kinase A (PKA) by cAMP did not result in inhibition of Ca2+ mobilization stimulated by PAF. In contrast, cAMP did inhibit the response to formylpeptide chemoattractant receptor. These data suggest that homologous desensitization of PAF-mediated responses is regulated via phosphorylation at two levels in the signaling pathway, one at the receptor and the other at PLCβ3 mediated by PKC but not by PKA. Phosphorylation of PLCβ3 by PKA could explain the inhibition of formylpeptide chemoattractant receptor signaling by cAMP. As PAF and formylpeptide chemoattractant receptors activate PLC via different G proteins, phosphorylation of PLCβ3 by PKC and PKA could provide distinct regulatory control for classes of G protein-coupled receptors.
Anti-mosquito behaviour of ciconiiform birds

Abstract The activity of seven species of ciconiiform birds exposed to set numbers of biting mosquitoes while at roost was recorded for 1-hr periods and compared with the activity of the same birds when unexposed to mosquito annoyance. Fifteen different anti-mosquito movements were recognized and monitored. The five species which engaged in frequent foot-slapping and foot-pecking effectively prevented most mosquitoes from taking blood.
Classification of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Using American Society of Echocardiography Guidelines: Agreement among Echocardiographers

Guidelines for assessing diastolic function by echocardiography are continually being updated. Our ability to use available guidelines effectively has not been completely investigated. Six trained echocardiographers were asked to interpret 105 echocardiograms using current American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) algorithms for interpretation of diastolic grade and estimation of left atrial (LA) pressure. Diastolic grade was categorized as normal, mild, moderate, or severe dysfunction. The presence or absence of elevated LA pressure was determined using a second ASE algorithm. As a reference comparison for level of agreement, left ventricular ejection fraction was visually determined. By the ASE algorithm, 29 subjects (28%) met all measurement criteria in their assigned grade and 57 subjects (55%) met all or all but one criterion of their assigned grade. Of the 45 subjects (43%) for whom the guidelines disagreed by more than 1 criterion, the readers debated between normal and moderate dysfunction in 22% or mild and moderate diastolic dysfunction in 31%. Percent inter-reader agreement and kappa values were 76% (0.7) for determining diastolic grade, 84% (0.67) for determining elevated LA pressure, and 84% (0.67) for estimation of ejection fraction, the reference standard. For all subjects, if multiple echocardiographic criteria failed to fit into the proposed guidelines, agreement fell to 66% (0.58) for determining diastolic grade and 74% (0.48) for determining LA pressure. There is reasonable agreement estimating diastolic grade and LA pressure using current guidelines. Further refinements in the definition of mild and moderate dysfunction may improve agreement.
First-generation hybrid solar lighting collector system development and operating experience

Research is underway at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) that could lead to entirely new, highly energy-efficient ways of lighting buildings using the power of sunlight. In addition to providing light, the hybrid lighting system will convert sunlight to electricity much more efficiently than conventional solar technologies using thermo-photovoltaic cells. In commercial buildings today, lighting consumes more electric energy than any other building end-use. It accounts for more than a third of all electricity consumed for commercial use in the United States. Typically, less than 25% of that energy actually produces light; the rest generates heat that increases the need for air-conditioning. ORNL is developing a system to reduce the energy required for lighting and the air-conditioning loads associated with it, while generating power for other uses. The system uses roof-mounted concentrators to collect and separate the visible and infrared portions of sunlight. The visible portion is distributed through large-diameter optical fibers to hybrid luminaires. (Hybrid luminaires are lighting fixtures that contain both electric lamps and fiber optics for direct sunlight distribution.) When sunlight is plentiful, the fiber optics in the luminaries, provide all or most of the light needed in an area. Unlike conventional electric lamps, they produce little heat. During times of little or no sunlight, sensor-controlled electric lamps will operate to maintain the desired illumination level. A second use of the hybrid lighting collector system is to provide sunlight for enhanced practical photosynthesis carbon dioxide mitigation. In this project the hybrid lighting collector system is being used to provide sunlight to a lab-scale photobioreactor for growing algae that is being used for CO2 mitigation. The end goal of this project is to provide a photobioreactor that can be used to mitigate CO2 in fossil fuel fire power plants. This paper will discuss the development and operating experience to date of two hybrid lighting solar collectors installed at ORNL and at Ohio University. The first hybrid lighting collector system was tested at ORNL and then installed at Ohio University in June of 2002. A second collector of the same design was installed at ORNL in September of 2002. The Ohio University collector system has been running continually since its installation while the ORNL unit has been operated in a research mode on most sunny days. They have operated with very little human interaction and this paper will summarize the development, operating experience, collection efficiency, as well as providing information on additional data being collected as part of the system operation.
Detection and description of small breast masses by residents trained using a standardized clinical breast exam curriculum.

OBJECTIVES We evaluated the effect of standardized clinical breast examination (CBE) training on residents’ ability to detect a 3-mm breast mass in a silicone breast model.
Perturbative treatment of quasi-resonant proton neutralization at alkali-halide surfaces

Abstract A theoretical investigation of proton neutralization by proton scattering from several alkali-halide surfaces is presented. These systems are suitable for a perturbative treatment since no hydrogenic atomic shell is embedded in the valence band of the solid where the neutralizing electron originates, which is a necessary condition for fast convergence of the perturbative expansion for the neutralization probability. The perturbative interaction is modeled by a Fano-Anderson effective potential, and the dependence of the results on the properties of the systems (namely, the width of the valence band of the solid and its position relative to the discrete atomic level) and on the dynamics of the process (determined here by a single parameter which controls the duration of the interaction, i.e., the collision energy) are critically discussed.
Ultrastructural Observations on the Mechanism of Secretion in the Rat Parathyroid After Fluoride Ingestion

The secretory mechanism of the parathyroid glands of fluoride treated rats is evaluated ultrastructurally and compared to that of control rats. The principal difference between the two groups of rats concerns the rate of activity of the chief cells of the gland. In the control animals, these cells are predominantly inactive. In the fluoride-treated rats, they exhibit a more active stage of the secretory cycle. The active chief cells in rats treated with fluoride contain increased numbers of secretory granules. These granules are released into the perivascular spaces within cytoplasmic projections suggesting an apocrine-like mechanism for the secretion of parathyroid hormone. Secretory granules are observed free in the perivascular spaces and within the cytoplasm of capillary endothelial cells in the parathyroid glands.
Real-time tracking of stress propagation using distributed Granger causality

Stress is one of the key factors that impacts the quality of our daily life. It is known that stress can propagate from one individual to others working in close proximity or towards a common goal, e.g., in a military operation or workforce, thus affecting productivity, efficiency, and the ability to make rational decisions. Real-time assessment of the stress of individuals alone is, however, not sufficient as understanding its source and direction in which it propagates in a group is equally if not more important. In this paper, the direction of propagation and magnitude of influence of stress in a group of individuals are studied by applying real-time, in-situ analysis of Granger Causality. G-causality has established itself as one of the promising non-invasive approaches in operational neuroscience to reveal the direction of influence between brain areas by analyzing temporal precedence. Extending G-causality analysis on real-time group data faces, however, communication and computation challenges, to address which a distributed mobile computational framework is employed and workflows defining how data and tasks are divided among the entities of the framework are designed.
Mica composites of improved strength

Mineral fillers of flake configuration such as mica can, in principle, produce large increases in modulus and strength especially if the flake is oriented predominantly in a plane. Additionally, the resulting composites have the advantage of possessing isotropic properties in the plane of orientation, thereby minimizing the warpage normally associated with the injection molding of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics. However, to properly transmit stress from the matrix to the mica and minimize the effect of defects in morphology, a ductile matrix is required with adequate interaction or adhesion between phases. Many of the above conclusions are documented in the literature and are confirmed by our investigations of the system mica-polypropylene. The novelty of this effort rests upon (1) successful attempts to identify specific non-silane additives which by co-blending suitably modify the mica-polypropylene interface, (2) to demonstrate the remarkable effects of time-temperature during melt processing on the behavior of this system; and, (3) to show the relation between composition and time-temperature effects on resultant mechanical, physical, and thermal properties. Most notably, large improvements in tensile and flexural strength and heat distortion temperature can be attributed to the use of small amounts of chlorinated organic compounds blended under carefully selected melt process conditions. Some speculation concerning the mechanism of interaction will be discussed and the resultant potential for increased application will also be outlined.
Keynes' View of an Organic Universe: The Implications

(1985). Keynes' View of an Organic Universe: The Implications. Review of Social Economy: Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 14-23.
Factors affecting the chain length of group A streptococci. I. Demonstration of a metabolically active chain-splitting system.

Group A streptococci which grew in long chains in the presence of homologous anti-M antibody were split into their original length by the addition of an excess of homologous M protein to the culture. The chain-splitting reaction showed temperature and pH optima (37°C., 7.5) and was completely inhibited at 0°C. or by heat-killing the long chains at 56°C. prior to the addition of M protein. Addition of sublethal doses of HgCl2, or of penicillin, inhibited the chain-splitting reaction. Pneumococci behaved in entirely comparable fashion to streptococci in similar experiments. Virulent strains of streptococci formed the shortest chains when broth media was enriched with serum. The chain-shortening effect of serum enrichment of the media was most apparent with encapsulated strains and under cultural conditions that favored capsule formation. Loss of capsules by mutation or by unfavorable growth conditions resulted in increase in chain length. The activity of the chain-splitting mechanism seemed to be independent of M protein, however, since encapsulated M-negative variants also formed very short chain in serum-enriched media. The physical presence of the capsule was not essential for chain shortening since enzymatic removal of the capsule with hyaluronidase during growth did not affect chain length. These results strongly suggest that chain-splitting of streptococci and pneumococci occurs by an active metabolic mechanism, presumably enzymatic, which is inhibited by the union of surface antigens with specific antibody.
Correllia (Compositae: Peritylinae) : A new monotypic genus from southern Chihuahua, Mexico

A new genus,Correllia, and its single species,C. montana, are described from Sierra Mohinora in southwestern Chihuahua, Mexico. The genus belongs in subtribe Peritylinae (Compositae tribe Helenieae) and appears to be most closely related toPerityle.
Imaging electron emission from diamond and III-V nitride surfaces with photo-electron emission microscopy

Abstract Wide bandgap semiconductors such as diamond and the III–V nitrides (GaN, AlN, and AlGaN alloys) exhibit small or even negative electron affinities. Results have shown that different surface treatments will modify the electron affinity of diamond to cause a positive or negative electron affinity (NEA). This study describes the characterization of these surfaces with photo-electron emission microscopy (PEEM). The PEEM technique is unique in that it combines aspects of UV photoemission and field emission. In this study, PEEM images are obtained with either a traditional Hg lamp or with tunable UV excitation from a free electron laser. The UV-free electron laser at Duke University provides tunable emission from 3.5 to greater than 7 eV. PEEM images of boron or nitrogen (N)-doped diamond are similar to SEM of the same surface indicating relatively uniform emission. For the N-doped samples, PEEM images were obtained for different photon energies ranging from 5.0 to 6.0 eV. In these experiments, the hydrogen terminated surface showed more intense PEEM images at lower photon energy indicating a lower photothreshold than annealed surfaces which are presumed to be adsorbate free. For the nitrides, the emission properties of an array of GaN emitter structures is imaged. Emission is observed from the peaks, and relatively uniform emission is observed from the array. The field at the sample surface is approximately 10 V/μm which is sufficient to obtain an image without UV light. This process is termed field emission electron microscopy (FEEM).
Instrumentation and Algorithms for Posture Estimation in Compliant Framed Modular Mobile Robots

Posture sensing techniques for Compliant Framed Modular Mobile Robots (CFMMR) are presented in this paper using a new Relative Posture Sensor (RPS) combined with standard sensors in a tiered fusion algorithm. The RPS consists of a compliant frame member instrumented with strain gauges and associated algorithms such that the RPS can predict relative posture. The first tier of the fusion algorithm uses traditional Kalman filters and rigid axle kinematic models to predict the global posture of each axle. In the second tier, a Relative Measurement Stochastic Posture Error Correction (RMSPEC) algorithm is introduced to fuse disparate axle data using the RPS. Experimental results are derived from over 60 trials operating the robot on high traction carpet, low traction sand, and sand with rugged rocky terrain. Results comparing the proposed sensory system with standard sensory systems demonstrate that the proposed techniques yield accurate relative posture estimates and posture regulation even on rugged terrain, which is a vast improvement over previous results.
Some experiments with the split hopkinson pressure bar

Abstract A n application of the split Hopkinson pressure bar to the dynamic testing of materials is given whereby continuous records of the strain vs. time, strain rate vs. time, stress vs. time, and stress vs. strain may be simultaneously recorded. For many materials a nearly constant true plastic strain rate can be maintained for loading durations on the order of 100 μsec. The assumptions made in applying the method are checked experimentally. Three annealed face centred cubic metals—lead, aluminium, and copper, are tested both dynamically and at lower strain rates to determine their rate sensitivity. The results indicate that a single thermally activated mechanism is predominant. A possible mechanism of this type is the intersection of glide and forest dislocations. In aluminium, the previous strain rate history of loading is shown to affect the material's dynamic response only. A rapid annealing effect is also evidenced. Finally, the method is shown to be applicable to some non-metallic materials.
Concentration broadening of bound-exciton spectral lines

We report on an investigation of the broadening of bound exciton (BE) spectral lines at high impurity concentration for shallow acceptors in Si. The broadening is mainly due to the effect of overlapping of wave functions and is calculated by taking account of the dominant binary interaction. The calculated spectral shape for a nondegenerate component in the BE spectra is found to be asymmetric. We find the broadening is strongly dependent on the impurity concentration. The calculated full width at half maximum is about 1 meV for a concentration of 5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{17}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ and is less than 0.01 meV for concentrations below 5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{16}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$.
Numerical simulation of UV disinfection reactors: Evaluation of alternative turbulence models

Six turbulence models, including standard k–e, k–e RNG, k–ω (88), revised k–ω (98), Reynolds stress transport model (RSTM), and two-fluid model (TFM), were applied to the simulation of a closed conduit polychromatic UV reactor. Predicted flow field and turbulent kinetic energy were compared with the experimental data from a digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV). All of the predicted flow fields were combined with a multiple segment source summation (MSSS) fluence rate model and three different microbial response kinetic models to simulate the disinfection process at two UV lamp power conditions. Microbial transport was simulated using the Lagrangian particle tracking method. The results show that the fluence distributions and the effluent inactivation levels were sensitive to the turbulence model selection. The level of sensitivity was a function of the operating conditions and the UV response kinetics of the microorganisms. Simulations with operating conditions that produced higher log inactivation or utilized microorganisms with higher UV sensitivity showed greater sensitivity to the turbulence model selection. In addition, a broader fluence distribution was found with turbulence models that predicted a larger wake region behind the lamps.
Lateral Stability and Steady State Curving Performance of Unconventional Rail Trucks

Conventional railway vehicle systems exhibit hunting phenomenon which increases component wear and imposes operating speed limits. There is also a conflict between dynamic stability and the ability of the vehicle to steer around curves. Alternatively, independently rotating wheels (IRW) in a wheelset eliminate hunting but the wheelset guidance set capability is lost. A compromise solution is made possible by a modified design that exploits a lack of fore-and-aft symmetry in the suspension design. A comparative study on steady state curving performance and dynamic stability of some unconventional truck designs is carried out. The effects of suspension and conicity are considered to evaluate the trade-off between dynamic stability and curving performance.
Analysis of steel transmission pole structures

Abstract The possible use of three different numerical methods of structural analysis is investigated for the analysis of guyed and unguyed steel transmission pole structures. These three numerical schemes are (1) method of finite differences, (2) displacement or stiffness matrix method and (3) Newmark's method of successive approximations. Their relative advantages in terms of ease in problem formulation, computational effort and accuracy of results is indicated. These methods are ued in an iterative form and are easily programmed. Only plane structures are considered and no local buckling is assumed.
Solubilization of flurbiprofen into aptamer-modified PEG-PLA micelles for targeted delivery to brain-derived endothelial cells in vitro.

AbstractNovel aptamer-functionalized polyethylene glycol–polylactic acid (PEG–PLA) (APP) micelles were developed with the objective to target the transferrin receptor on brain endothelial cells. Flurbiprofen, a potential drug for therapeutic management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), was loaded into the APP micelles using the co-solvent evaporation method. Results indicated that 9.03% (w/w) of flurbiprofen was entrapped in APP with good retention capacity in vitro. Targeting potential of APPs was investigated using the transferring receptor-expressing murine brain endothelial bEND5 cell line. APPs significantly enhanced surface association of micelles to bEND5 cells as quantified by fluorescence spectroscopy. Most importantly, APPs significantly enhanced intracellular flurbiprofen delivery when compared to unmodified micelles. These results suggest that APP micelles may offer an effective strategy to deliver therapeutically effective flurbiprofen concentrations into the brain for AD patients.
A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella in New York dairy herds.

As part of our long-term objective of assessing risk for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in dairy herds, we carried out a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of the two organisms. The study population consisted of a sample of dairy herds enrolled in the Quality Milk Promotion Services at Cornell during the period of April 1998 to March 1999. The sample was stratified by geographical region to assure representation. Four hundred and four dairy farms were enrolled in the study. In-line milk filters were collected from each farm for bacteriological examination of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. Four hypothesized risk factors were evaluated for their association with the likelihood of the presence of each of the two organisms using logistic regression analysis. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from 51 (12.6%) of the milk filters. We found region-specific differences in the rate of farms with positive milk filters for this pathogen. Salmonella spp. were isolated from 6 (1.5%) milk filters. One isolate was confirmed as Salmonella enteritica Serotype Typhimurium DT 104. There was no significant association between any of the hypothetical risk factors and the likelihood of Salmonella spp. isolation. Our study demonstrated that both L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were prevalent in milk filters in New York dairy herds and that Salmonella was isolated at a significantly lower rate then L. monocytogenes.
Self-management support in "real-world" settings: an empowerment-based intervention.

Objective This study examined the impact of a 6-month, empowerment-based diabetes self-management support (DSMS) intervention on clinical outcomes, self-care behaviors, and quality of life (QOL) compared to a 6-month control period.
Excitation of analog isovector giant resonances via the (n, p) reaction on 14N and 16O at 60MeV

Abstract Data were accumulated for the (n, p) reaction on 14N and 16O using 60MeV neutrons. Angular distributions of the cross sections for eight proton groups were extracted and compared to distorted-waves Born approximation (DWBA) calculations using a simple macroscopic model. Enhancements in the spectra were seen in each case in the region of excitation corresponding to the giant dipole resonance (GDR) of the target nucleus. DWBA calculations show that these excitations are primarily dipole and favor the use of the Goldhaber-Teller form factor. Comparison with photo-absorption measurements suggests that there may also be significant contributions to the (n, p) reaction from “spin-flip” dipole excitations. The other proton groups could be correlated with the results of other experiments and include excitations of analogs of the giant isovector “magnetic” dipole mode of 14N.
Viscosity of heparin as a function of dielectric constant and of desulfation

The effect of dielectric constant (D) of the solvent on the viscosity of heparin was examined using the relation , where [η]∞ is the shielded intrinsic viscosity obtained by extrapolating to infinite concentration, and k is an interaction parameter independent of the dielectric constant of the solvent. This equation was previously reported by the authors9 for describing the reduced viscosities of strong polyelectrolytes in salt-free polar solvents. It was found that the [η]∞ of heparin increases linearly with increasing dielectric constant of the solvent whereas the k values were, within experimental error, independent of D in the range 54.7 < D < 93.2 examined. Graded hydrolysis of heparin from its acid form (heparinic acid) at 57°C resulted in samples of varying degree of desulfation with corresponding decrease in biological activity. It was found that both [η]∞ and k decrease with increasing desulfation.
High temperature oxidation of n-alkyl benzenes

In a flow reactor study of the oxidation of n-butyl benzene at 1069K, the intermediate species that were observed were essentially the same as those found during oxidation studies of the other members of the homologous series: methyl, ethyl and n-propyl benzene. Furthermore, the same three types of processes responsible for the removal of the n-alkyl side chain found to be important in studies of the oxidation of the smaller n-alkyl benzenes were found to be responsible for removal of the n-butyl side chain: 1) abstraction of a hydrogen from the alkyl group, decomposition of the radical and oxidation of the subsequently formed species; 2) displacement of the alkyl group by a radical species—usually an H atom; 3) thermal cleavage (homolysis) of part of the side chain followed by oxidation of the resultant radicals. As was found in the study of the other members of the homologous series, the oxidation mechanism of the alkane analogue, in this case n-butane, provided a framework for predicting the intermediates that would be formed by the side chain removal processes. The results of this study have led to the development of a simple, general, mechanistic model for the oxidation of n-alkyl benzenes that qualitatively represents the processes responsible for the removal of n-alkyl side chains.
Contesting Food Safety in the Chinese Media: Between Hegemony and Counter-Hegemony

Food safety is a matter of intense contestation in the Chinese media. Through three case studies, this article shows that government and corporate elites strive to maintain media hegemony while citizen-consumers and activists engage in counter-hegemonic practices. Under conditions of hegemony, citizen dissent is most likely to take one of two forms: diffused contention or radical protest. Like the yin and yang of civic dissent, these two forms are both the results of, and responses to, state and corporate hegemony.
Logic and Control Module for the Fermilab Booster Beam Damper

A logic and control module is included in the electronic system of the booster superdamper. This module produces a 9-bit digital word that controls the delay of beam bunch position information in the Fermilab booster synchrotron so that it arrives at the damping electrodes at the same time as the bunch of beam to be corrected. This delay word generator also has an output feature that only allows delay time decreases as the booster synchrotron frequency program increases monotonically. Such a feature guards against low-index incidental FM from affecting the delay computations.
The academic condition in the United States.

What are the causes of the crisis in American universities? And what solutions may be found? These were among the questions dealt with in one of the Granada lectures in London on October 21.
Simple device for high-performance liquid chromatographic separation on microbore columns.

Modification de dispositifs du commerce: vanne, et amortisseur vers les pompes et l'injecteur
Analysis of distortion product otoacoustic emission spectra in normal-hearing adults.

Purpose To evaluate the ability of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) spectral characteristics to distinguish between ears with variable hearing sensitivity within the normal range. Me...
A minimum column density of 1 g cm -2 for massive star formation

Massive stars are very rare, but their extreme luminosities make them both the only type of young star we can observe in distant galaxies and the dominant energy sources in the Universe today. They form rarely because efficient radiative cooling keeps most star--forming gas clouds close to isothermal as they collapse, and this favours fragmentation into stars of one solar mass or lower. Heating of a cloud by accreting low-mass stars within it can prevent fragmentation and allow formation of massive stars, but the necessary properties for a cloud to form massive stars-and therefore where massive stars form in a galaxy--have not yet been determined. Here we show that only clouds with column densities of at least 1 g cm(-2) can avoid fragmentation and form massive stars. This threshold, and the environmental variation of the stellar initial mass function that it implies, naturally explain the characteristic column densities associated with massive star clusters and the difference between the radial profiles of Halpha and ultraviolet emission in galactic disks. The existence of a threshold also implies that the initial mass function should show detectable variation with environment within the Galaxy, that the characteristic column densities of clusters containing massive stars should vary between galaxies, and that star formation rates in some galactic environments may have been systematically underestimated.
A Case-Based Reasoning Approach to Robot Selection

Robot selection is one of critical decisions in the design of robotic workcells. Over the last ten years, many Case-Based Reasoning (CBR) systems have been developed to solve decision making problems successfully. We propose to develop three sort systems: browsing systems, preference-based selection organizers, and alternative suggestion agents. All four stages of the CBR cycle are designed to assist robotic application designers to go through robot selection and decision-making. A case-based reasoning approach is employed to solve new robot selection decision problems by adapting solutions that were used to solve previous robot selection problems. In this study, CBR has shown that it has several advantages over other techniques. The results of this study will help robot workcell designers to develop a more efficient and effective method to select robots for specific robot applications.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
A PV view of zonal flow vacillation

Abstract It is suggested here that the zonal flow vacillation of the Southern Hemisphere is caused by a mutual interaction between the barotropic shear of the zonal flow and the evolution of baroclinic eddies during the later stages of their lifecycle. An index of the zonal wind anomaly difference between 40° and 60°S is defined for a 13-yr record of European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) analyses. Periods are selected during which the zonal flow is at the extremes of its characteristic vacillation, which are distinguished by a broad westerly jet with minor maxima near 30° and 60°S and a narrower jet peaked near 40°S. The narrower 40°S jet has stronger cyclonic shear across the baroclinic zone. These changes are accompanied by shifts in poleward eddy momentum flux on the 500-hPa surface and potential vorticity fluxes on the theta surfaces that lie in the midtroposphere, which are both consistent with the maintenance of the zonal wind anomalies against friction. Series of synoptic maps ...
The Implications of the Ezetimibe and Simvastatin in Hypercholesterolemia Enhances Atherosclerosis Regression Trial: A Return to First Principles

To outward appearances, the publication of the Ezetimibe and Simvastatin in Hypercholesterolemia Enhances Atherosclerosis Regression (ENHANCE) trial has led to a monolithic backlash against the use of ezetimibe by cardiologists for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Rather than be swayed by popular opinion, we should each put the results of ENHANCE into context and ask the questions: should I put my trust in an imaging surrogate or in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C), and how do the safety and efficacy of ezetimibe compare with other nonstatin lipid-lowering agents?
On constructing multiplications on Banach spaces

This paper deals with the general problem of determining what kinds of multiplications can be put on a Banach space to make it into a Banach algebra. It has been shown that for a unital Banach algebra, the identity must be a vertex and a point of local uniform convexity [I ; 2, pp. 33-381. This implies that many Banach spaces (e.g., Hilbert space) cannot be made into unital Banach algebras. Grabiner has shown that any separable Banach space can be made into a radical Banach algebra of power series [6] or a semisimple Banach algebra of sequences with termwise multiplication [5]. In this paper we point out that many of the problems in the theory of strictly cyclic operator algebras as studied by Embry [4], Herrero [7], and Lambert [8] are closely related to the problem of putting multiplications on Banach spaces. In this paper we prove that any Banach space with a weak-* separable dual can be made into a radical Banach algebra of power series of any finite or countable number of indeterminates, commutative or not; a radical Banach algebra of strictly lower (or strictly upper) triangular matrices; or a radical Banach algebra of Dirichlet series. We prove that given a Banach space B with a weak* separable dual and a complemented subspace with an unconditional basis, and given an incidence algebra I(P) on a countable locally finite partially-ordered set P (as defined by Doubilet, Rota and Stanley in [3, pp. 269-271]), we can give B a separately continuous multiplication so that it is algebraically isomorphic to a dense subalgebra of I(P). As a corollary of this theorem, we get that any Banach space which satisfies the conditions of the theorem can be made into a Banach algebra of lower (or upper) triangular matrices. In this paper B denotes an infinite-dimensional real or complex Banach
Studies of osteoclast pathogenesis of craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD) in a mouse model and in patient-specific IPS cells

Rare genetic bone disorders are of significant clinical relevance because of their number and their life-time debilitating impact on patients. Treatment options are often limited due to insufficient knowledge of their pathogenesis. Studies have been plagued by the unavailability of primary cells/tissues and suitable animal models. Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells offer new avenues for studying bone cells from patients with rare diseases. We study craniometaphyseal dysplasia (CMD) utilizing a knock-in mouse model and patient-specific iPS cells. CMD is characterized by hyperostosis of craniofacial bones concurrent with widened metaphyses in long bones. Mutations for autosomal dominant CMD have been identified in the ANK gene ( ANKH ). A knock-in (KI) mouse model expressing a human Ank mutation (Phe377del) replicates many features of CMD. We observed defects in Ank KI/KI osteoclast (OC) cultures including (1) decreased OC formation; (2) reduced mineral resorption; (3) reduced OC migration shown by live-cell time-lapse imaging; and (4) altered podosome organization. The bone mass phenotype of Ank KI/KI mice is partially rescued by wild-type bone marrow transplants. We hypothesize that CMD-causing ANKH mutations decrease the osteoclast activity by negatively affecting the actin cytoskeleton. Our ultimate goal is to test this hypothesis in the human system using patient-specific inducible pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We derived iPSCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of CMD patients and healthy controls with four separate Sendai-virus vectors encoding OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC. The Sendai virus, a cytoplasmic RNA vector, can produce iPSCs free of vector integration into chromosomes. The pluripotency of these iPSCs is tested by (1) expression of hES cell markers; (2) embryoid body formation; and (3) teratoma formation and normal karyotypes are confirmed. iPSCs from a normal control have already been differentiated into multinucleated TRAP-positive OC-like cells. We are currently differentiating OCs from CMD iPSCs and comparing OCs derived from CMD to normal iPSCs. We expect that combining mouse data with findings from human iPS cells will significantly increase our understanding of the CMD pathology. If successful, I believe that this model can serve as paradigm to study other rare genetic skeletal disorders.
Linking ecosystem services and human health: the Eco-Health Relationship Browser

Ecosystems provide multiple services, many of which are linked to positive health outcomes. Review objectives were to identify the set of literature related to this research topic, and to design an interactive, web-based tool highlighting the weight of evidence, thus making the information more accessible. A systematic review was conducted to create the Eco-Health Relationship Browser ( http://www.epa.gov/research/healthscience/browser/introduction.html ). The search was conducted in four stages utilizing Google Scholar, PubMed and Science Direct, targeted journals, and targeted keywords; search results were limited to peer-reviewed journal articles published in English from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2012. The review identified 344 relevant articles; a subset of 169 articles was included in the Browser. Articles retrieved during the search focused on the buffering and health-promotional aspects of ecosystem services. Landscape and Urban Planning, Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, and Health and Place yielded the most articles relevant to this search. Results from the systematic review were used to populate the Browser, which organizes the diverse literature and allows users to visualize the numerous connections between ecosystem services and human health.