cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of pentamidine isethionate andtrimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in the treatment of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Fifty patients with P. carinii pneumonitis were randomized to receive either pentamidine isethionate ortrimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy. Those not responding favorably to the first drug after three or more days of therapy were changed to the alternate drug. Of the 26 patients initially treated with TMP-SMZ, 20 recovered (0.77)–17 after TMP-SMZ alone and three of nine who were crossed over to pentamidine. Of the 24 patients initially treated with pentamidine, 18 recovered (0.75)–14 of 15 who received only pentamidine and four of nine who were crossed over to TMP-SMZ. Abnormal values for blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, or glucose; inflammation at injection sites; or combination of these effects occurred in 14 of the 15 patients treated with pentamidine alone. Only one of the 17 patients treated with TMP-SMZ alone developed any of these abnormalities. This study shows that TMP-SMZ is as effective as pentamidine in the treatment of PCP, and that it offers the advantages of minimal adverse effects, oral administration, and ready availability.
Limited Nuclear Weapons Free Zone-Northeast Asia: Overview

DOI: 10.5564/mjia.v0i14.30 Mongolian Journal of International Affairs No.14 2007 pp.102-105
Regulation of the CHAPS-solubilized muscarinic receptors by an inhibitory GTP binding protein (Gi) in the brain of neonatal and adult rats

Abstract CHAPS-solubilized muscarinic receptors (mAChRs) retain selective agonist or antagonist binding and sensitivity to GTP and ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin that ribosylates a group of G protein called Gi. This suggests that CHAPS solubilizes the mAChR-Gi complex both from neonatal and adult neurons. The gradient centrifugation of solubilized samples indicated that the neonatal samples contain mostly Gi-coupled mAChR (mAChRn,) exhibiting a high affinity for [3H]OxM, but the adult samples contain a comparable quantity of Gi coupled mAChR (mAChRa1) and uncoupled mAChRs (mAChRa2) exhibiting low affinity for the agonist. The binding of [3H]OxM to or the dissociation of [3H]OxM from mAChRn and mAChRa1 was sensitive to GTP. However, the effects of GTP were sensitive to Na+ for mAChRn but not for mAChRa1. ADP-ribosylation by pertussis toxin but not by cholera toxin abolished the effects of Na+ on agonist binding to solubilized mAChRn, suggesting that NaCl affects mAChRn not by interacting with the receptor but by interacting with the mAChR-Gi complex. The subtype composition of mAChRn, mAChRa1 and mAChRa2 was studied by determining the ic 50 and the Ki values for the inhibition by subtype-selective antagonists in the binding of [3H]OxM to the receptors. The neonatal and adult samples exhibited differences in the distribution of the mAChR subtypes, the neonatal samples containing mostly the M1-mAChR subspecies but the adult samples containing M1−, M2- and M3-mAChR subspecies. The pirenzepine-induced inhibition in the binding of [3H]OxM both to M1-mAChRn and M1-mAChRa1 was sensitive to GTP. The GTP-induced effects on mAChRn were modulated by Na+, but the effect on M1-mAChRa1 was not. This suggests functional differences between Gi coupled M1-mAChRn and M1-mAChRa1.
Dynamic and Differential in Vivo Modifications of the Isoform HMGA1a and HMGA1b Chromatin Proteins

Most naturally occurring mammalian cancers and immortalized tissue culture cell lines share a common characteristic, the overexpression of full-length HMGA1 (high mobility group A1) proteins. The HMGA1 protooncogene codes for two closely related isoform proteins, HMGA1a and HMGA1b, and causes cancerous cellular transformation when overexpressed in either transgenic mice or "normal" cultured cell lines. Previous work has suggested that the in vivo types and patterns of the HMGA1 post-translational modifications (PTMs) differ between normal and malignant cells. The present study focuses on the important question of whether HMGA1a and HMGA1b proteins isolated from the same cell type have identical or different PTM patterns and also whether these isoform patterns differ between non-malignant and malignant cells. Two independent mass spectrometry methods were used to identify the types of PTMs found on specific amino acid residues on the endogenous HMGA1a and HMGA1b proteins isolated from a non-metastatic human mammary epithelial cell line, MCF-7, and a malignant metastatic cell line derived from MCF-7 cells that overexpressed the transgenic HMGA1a protein. Although some of the PTMs were the same on both the HMGA1a and HMGA1b proteins isolated from a given cell type, many other modifications were present on one but not the other isoform. Furthermore, we demonstrate that both HMGA1 isoforms are di-methylated on arginine and lysine residues. Most importantly, however, the PTM patterns on the endogenous HMGA1a and HMGA1b proteins isolated from non-metastatic and metastatic cells were consistently different, suggesting that the isoforms likely exhibit differences in their biological functions/activities in these cell types.
Ankylosing Spondylitis and Spondylitis Accompanying Ulcerative Colitis, Regional Enteritis, Psoriasis and Reiter's Disease. A Comparative Study

A comparative clinical and roentgenologic study of spondylitis accompanying various diseases has revealed features which permit placing them in two descriptive categories. Ankylosing spondylitis and spondylitis associated with ulcerative colitis and regional enteritis resemble each other closely and constitute one category. Spondylitis associated with psoriasis and Reiter's disease also resemble each other closely but have features which distinguish them from the first category.
Behavior of three-dimensional woven carbon composites in single-bolt bearing

Abstract A comprehensive experimental evaluation of three-dimensional woven carbon composites arranged in various bolted bearing configurations is presented in this paper. Three unique three-dimensional woven fiber architectures were evaluated in single-bolt single-shear and double-shear configurations; two ply to ply angle interlock woven architectures were examined alongside an orthogonal woven architecture. All fiber architectures were woven with IM7 carbon in 12K and 24K tow sizes. To further enhance the understanding of these bolted connections, single-shear bolted joints were subjected to seven different loading orientations between the orthogonal warp and weft directions. Failure modes and fracture paths are analyzed and discussed for both single and double-shear experiments. Bearing strengths and stiffnesses for both single-shear and double-shear configurations were calculated and compared. Experimental results show that composites with three-dimensional woven fiber reinforcement exhibit exceptional strength when subjected to off-axis bearing loads despite the lack of off-axis reinforcement.
An interactive data-generating and answer-correcting system for problems in statistics

A computer-assisted instructional system is described which provides the student with extensive drill and feedback in the application of statistical methods to computer-simulated data. The system consists of three interactive programs that perform the following functions: (1) FILEMAKE creates “source” data for problems in statistics having whatever population characteristics are desired by the instructor; (2) DATASET generates unique data for each student by performing a random modification, based on sampling theory, of the source data; and (3) CORRECT corrects each student’s unique answers to the problem.
Partial results in database systems

As the size and complexity of analytic data processing systems continue to grow, the effort required to mitigate faults and performance skew has also risen. However, in some environments we have encountered, users prefer to continue query execution even in the presence of failures (e.g., the unavailability of certain data sources), and receive a "partial" answer to their query. We explore ways to characterize and classify these partial results, and describe an analytical framework that allows the system to perform coarse to fine-grained analysis to determine the semantics of a partial result. We propose that if the system is equipped with such a framework, in some cases it is better to return and explain partial results than to attempt to avoid them.
Increased proteolytic susceptibility of aldolase induced by actin binding

Summary The binding of aldolase to actin increases the susceptibility of aldolase to proteolytic attack with trypsin or chymotrypsin. Studies with different substrates suggest that a portion of this increased susceptibility involves the carboxyl terminus of aldolase, but other areas are also implicated. It is postulated that a function of the actin-aldolase interaction may involve control of the degradation rate of aldolase in muscle tissue.
Cutaneous photosensitivity diseases induced by exogenous agents

Cutaneous photosensitivity diseases may be idiopathic, produced by endogenous photosensitizers, or associated with exogenous photosensitizers. Those caused by exogenous agents include phototoxicity, photoallergy, and the exacerbation or induction of systemic disorders in which photosensitivity is a prominent clinical manifestation. Phototoxic disorders have a high incidence, whereas photoallergic reactions are much less frequent. The action spectra for most phototoxins and photoallergens lie in the UVA range. Phototoxic and photoallergic reactions can be distinguished on the basis of pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and management. Drugs capable of causing phototoxic reactions include psoralens, porphyrins, coal tar, antibiotics, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents. Drugs capable of causing photoallergic reactions include topical antimicrobial agents, fragrances, sunscreens, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, plants, and psychiatric medications. Drug-induced systemic diseases in which photosensitivity is a prominent component include drug-induced lupus erythematosus, porphyria, and pellagra.
Note on the propagation of disturbances in a liquid containing gas bubbles

In a liquid containing gas bubbles the speed of sound is less than that in each phase separately. Using the equations of motion for a homogeneous liquid containing gas bubbles it is shown that the dominating attenuation of an infinitesimal disturbance is that due to the second viscosity. In the propagation of a finite compressive disturbance an expression for the time required for the disturbance to display shock characteristics is found in terms of the initial disturbance profile and the liquid-gas ratio.
ELECTRON ENERGY BANDS IN CESIUM

The orthogonalized plane wave method and the cellular method have been applied to a calculation of electronic energy levels in cesium. The same crystal potential was used for all states. Wave functions of core electrons, required in the application of the orthogonalized plane wave method, were determined for this potential. The cohesive energy was calculated according to a simple model. The magnitude at a nucleus of the wave function of an electron on the Fermi surface was estimated by perturbation theory. The energies of twenty-four states at four symmetry points of the Brillouin zone have been obtained. The bands inferred from these results are compared with those in other alkali metals.
Indigenous Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Circumstellar Graphite Grains from Primitive Meteorites

We report the measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in individual circumstellar graphite grains extracted from two primitive meteorites, Murchison and Acfer 094. The 12C/13C isotope ratios of the grains in this study range from 2.4 to 1700. Roughly 70% of the grains have an appreciable concentration of PAHs (500-5000 parts per million [ppm]). Independent molecule-specific isotopic analyses show that most of the PAHs appear isotopically normal, but in several cases correlated isotopic anomalies are observed between one or more molecules and their parent grains. These correlations are most evident for 13C-depleted grains. Possible origins of the PAHs in the graphite grains are discussed.
Activity-Based Safety Risk Quantification for Concrete Formwork Construction

Most of safety risk research focuses on high-severity safety risks for large-scale construction processes. Such studies help firms identify the highest risk processes so they may be targeted for improvement. However, few studies quantify safety risk at the activity level or include low-severity, high-frequency risks that some literatures suggest contribute to a large proportion of total risk. This paper presents research that involved the holistic quantification of risks for the activities associated with the construction of concrete formwork. Three major research efforts are discussed: (1) identification of activities required to construct concrete formwork; (2) selection of an appropriate all-inclusive and mutually exclusive risk classification system; and (3) the quantification of the average frequency and severity levels for each risk classification associated with each activity. To identify formwork construction activities, 256 worker-hours of observation were conducted and the resulting activity descriptions were reviewed and validated by industry professionals. Risk classifications appropriate for this study were created by aggregating relevant literature. Finally, the Delphi method was implemented to individually quantify average frequency and severity using scales that define the entire spectrum of possible values. In total, 130 frequency ratings and 130 severity ratings were obtained over three rounds of Delphi surveys. Results indicate that there are 13 major activities required to construct concrete formwork and the highest risk activities are applying form oil, lifting and lowering form components, and accepting materials from a crane. The data presented in this paper can be used to target specific high-risk formwork construction activities for improvement.
Cingulate cortical and anterior thalamic neuronal correlates of the overtraining reversal effect in rabbits.

Abstract Multiple-unit activity of the cingulate cortex and the anteroventral (AV) nucleus of the thalamus in rabbits was recorded during reversal training, following differential conditioning of a locomotory (wheel rotation) avoidance response. The CS+ and CS− were pure tones (1 or 8 kHz) and the UCS was a footshock delivered through the grid floor of the wheel. One group of the rabbits received original training to a criterion followed immediately by reversal training. A second group received training to criterion followed by additional training sessions (overtraining), prior to reversal training. The results indicated that the overtraining reversal effect (ORE) occurred. That is, the overtrained subjects acquired the reverse discrimination in significantly fewer sessions than the non-overtrained subjects. The overall (non-discriminative) neuronal reactivity in all cingulate cortical laminae was reduced by overtraining, whereas the overall reactivity of the AV thalamus was enhanced. In addition, the non-overtrained subjects manifested a discriminative neuronal response appropriate to the original task (i.e. a greater response to the CS− than to the CS+ for reversal training), throughout the precriterial sessions of reversal training. This persistent ‘original habit effect’ occurred only at brief latencies (20–30 msec) after CS onset, and only in the deep cortical laminae (V–VI). The neuronal activity of the superficial laminae (I–IV) in non-overtrained subjects underwent a transition, in parallel with the behavior, from a discriminative response appropriate to the original task to one appropriate to the reversal task. No significant training-related changes were seen at any cortical depth in the overtrained subjects. Presentation of non-contingent footshocks during two sessions of reversal training following criterion re-enhanced the overall reactivity and the brief-latency discriminative neuronal response appropriate to the original task, which had undergone decline during reversal training, in the deep cortical laminae of the non-overtrained subjects. The enhanced overall reactivity and the discriminative activity in the superficial laminae of non-overtrained subjects had not declined during reversal training and were not altered by the non-contingent footshocks. The implications of these data are discussed in regard to the neural causation of the ORE.
Improving oral reading fluency through response opportunities: A comparison of phrase drill error correction with repeated readings

The purpose of this study was to compare two oral reading fluency treatments (repeated readings and phrase drill error correction) which differ in the way they prompt student responding. Repeated readings (RR) and phrase drill (PD) error correction were alternated with a baseline and a reward condition within an alternating treatments design with an 8-year old boy referred for reading difficulties. Results indicate that RR and PD improved the participant’s reading fluency equally well relative to both baseline and reward conditions. Results are discussed in terms of the types and relevance of response opportunities afforded by each intervention.
Location preference related to smoked heroin self-administration by rhesus monkeys.

Rationale: Although common in humans, little is known about the reinforcing efficacy of smoked heroin in laboratory animals. Objectives: To evaluate the reinforcing efficacy of smoked heroin in non-opioid dependent, non-human primates. Methods: Self-administration and location-preference measures were obtained by having monkeys live in two chambers with heroin self-administration (0, 0.3, 0.6 mg/kg; eight dosings available per day) specific to one chamber and no commodity available in the other chamber. Operant responding reinforced by smoked heroin provided a self-administration measure of reinforcement, and the length of time monkeys spent in the heroin-associated chamber provided a location preference estimate of reinforcing efficacy. Results: Four of six monkeys acquired heroin self-administration: these monkeys completed six to eight smoking trials each day when either of the active heroin doses was available. Urine toxicology confirmed that monkeys were absorbing the smoked heroin. The number of completed smoking trials rapidly decreased under extinction conditions, indicating that smoked heroin was an efficacious reinforcer using the self-administration measure. Monkeys developed a location preference for the chamber where heroin was self-administered, indicating that smoked heroin was an efficacious reinforcer using the location-preference measure. Conclusions: Smoked heroin is an efficacious reinforcer in non-opioid dependent rhesus monkeys as measured using a self-administration procedure and estimated using a location-preference procedure.
Negotiating Discourses: The Dialectical Identities of Survivor-Therapists

The psychiatric survivor movement is a political movement dedicated to fighting for human rights in the mental health system. People who identify as psychiatric survivors have experienced human rights abuses in the mental health system. A small number of psychiatric survivors have chosen to reenter the system as mental health professionals, and the current project focuses on the experiences of people with this dual-identity. The primary goal is to facilitate further dialogues between psychologists and the survivor movement by exploring the implications of identifying with both discourses. I interviewed five survivor-therapists, and asked how their identities as psychiatric survivors influence their approaches to therapy, and the nature of the relationship between these two identities.
Collective adaptation: The exchange of coding segments

Coding segments are those subsegments of the chromosome that contribute positively to the fitness evaluation of the chromosome. Clique detection is a NP-complete problem in which we can detect such coding segments. We extract coding segments from chromosomes, and we investigate the duplication of coding segments inside the chromosome and the collection of coding segments outside of the chromosome. We find that duplication of coding segments inside the chromosomes provides a back-up mechanism for the search heuristics. We further find local search in a collective memory of coding segments outside of the chromosome, collective adaptation, enables the search heuristic to represent partial solutions that are larger than realistic chromosomes lengths and to express the solution outside of the chromosome.
Optimal design of residential building envelope systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract In this paper, a comprehensive analysis study is presented in order to improve the energy performance of residential buildings in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) through optimizing the building envelope elements. The building envelope energy conservation measures included in the study are wall insulation, roof insulation, window area, window glazing, window shading, and thermal mass. The optimization process was based on life cycle cost and energy savings. Optimum packages of energy efficiency measures for a residential building located in five climate zones in KSA have been determined for subsidized and non-subsidized energy costs. The results showed optimal energy savings of 39.5%, 33.7%, 35%, 32.7% and 22.7% for Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran, Tabuk and Abha, respectively, can be obtained for the subsidized energy cost case. For the non-subsidized energy cost case, the optimal energy savings were 47.3%, 41.5%, 43.19%, 41.1% and 26% for Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran, Tabuk and Abha, respectively. Moreover, a sensitivity cost analysis indicated that the cost of energy has more influence on optimal energy savings and life cycle costs than the initial costs of the energy efficiency measures. Finally, this study concluded that substantial savings in annual energy costs subsidies can be achieved by the KSA government if it aggressively promotes, through investments and incentives, energy efficiency programs for both existing and new buildings.
Cultural Self-Awareness Assessment: Practice Examples From Psychology Training

Competence in working with diverse clients is essential for all therapists. Acknowledgement of subjectivity is a good indicator of a key competence: therapists' awareness of their own assumptions, values, and biases. Receiving and understanding clients' different perspectives is a good indicator of another competence: understanding the worldviews of culturally different clients. The goals and evaluation of a curriculum for cultural self-awareness assessment are briefly described. Applications for cultural self-awareness assessment are provided, including a checklist of self-descriptions, a group activity for self-awareness development, and trainee analyses of critical incidents. Excerpts from trainees' process notes illustrate one type of self-awareness assessment, showing trainee learning.
Association of tobacco use with hormone refractory disease and survival of patients with prostate cancer.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We identified time to the development of hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) and survival in men with advanced prostate cancer and examined any association with cigarette smo...
The growth of localized disturbances in a laminar boundary layer

The classical theory of the instability of laminar flow predicts the growth (or decay) rate and phase velocity of two-dimensional small disturbance waves. In order to study the growth and dispersion of an originally localized spot-like disturbance, the initial disturbance is built up from all possible simple-harmonic waves. The propagation velocity and amplification rate for each vector wave-number then follows from the two-dimensional theory by Squire's generalization. The initial development can be solved explicitly by a power series in time, and the asymptotic behaviour is also predicted. For times between initial and final periods, exact numerical calculations have been made using an IBM 709 electronic computer. The role which localized disturbances can play in ultimate transition to turbulent motion is also indicated.
234Th-Based Carbon Export around Free-Drifting Icebergs in the Southern Ocean

Abstract The impact of free-drifting icebergs on the efficiency of carbon export from the upper water column was measured using the disequilibrium of 234 Th and its parent 238 U. The study addressed the null hypothesis that free-drifting icebergs do not alter 234 Th deficiency and carbon export compared to surrounding waters. Upper-water-column inventories of 234 Th were measured at six stations in the Weddell Sea concurrently with four deployments of Lagrangian Sediment Traps (LSTs) during a cruise in March/April 2009. Four stations were sampled ranging from 0.3 km to 60 km from C-18a. Temperature and salinity anomalies indicated enhanced upwelling and turbulent mixing extending downstream of the iceberg to a minimum of ∼20 km from the iceberg edge. Separate studies of the impact of C-18a on water column physical properties were used to define the extent of the iceberg's influence on surrounding waters. The largest upper-water-column deficiencies in the inventories of 234 Th were measured in close proximity and downstream of the iceberg and extending to below 100 m depth. A steady-state model was used to estimate the export of 234 Th from the upper water column. Organic carbon export was calculated using C/Th from the concurrent LST collections. Comparison of stations within the iceberg's influence (close proximity and downstream to within 20 km of the iceberg) and far-field (greater than 60 km) measurements showed a factor of 3 increase in organic carbon export near the iceberg. The factor correlated well with the results from the near- and far-field LST measurements. Differences in the magnitude of carbon export at 100 and 600 m indicate that ∼90 percent of the exported material is regenerated by 600 m depth. This study confirms that the increased abundance of large free-drifting icebergs in the Southern Ocean can contribute to the drawdown of atmospheric CO 2 through increased organic carbon export.
Thermal spectroscopy of Neptune: the stratospheric temperature, hydrocarbon abundances, and isotopic ratios

NASA-IRTF observations of Neptune's disk-averaged spectrum are presently used, in conjunction with a lower-resolution spectrum, to furnish a more reliable absolute intensity calibration of portions of Neptune's disk-averaged spectrum. The temperature profile adopted is consistent with the size and shape of the H2 J = 3-1 quadrupole feature detected in the emission. High-resolution measurements of (C-13C-12)H6 and (C-12)2H6 imply C-12/C-13 of 78 +/- 26; this is consistent with solar and telluric values.
Neutron Produced Trapping Centers in Junction Field Effect Transistors

The junction field effect transistor has been employed to study trapping centers introduced in silicon by fast neutron irradiation. Extensive measurements have been made of both the static and dynamic characteristics of irradiated devices. The effects of neutron-produced traps have been explored in both n and p channel devices, as a function of neutron fluence and dopant concentration. The trapping center effects on small signal transconductance and large signal pulse response are characterized and the data are compared to appropriate theories to determine ionization energy values for the dominant traps. In n-type, trap energy levels of Ec - 0.38 ± 0.03 and Ec - 0.46 ± 0.03 eV are obtained, and in p-type an energy level of Ev + 0.29 ± 0.03 eV is observed.
Association between race and hot flashes in midlife women

Abstract Objective Studies suggest that African American women may have a greater risk of hot flashes compared to Caucasian women, but the reasons for this are unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that African American women have an increased risk of hot flashes due to racial differences in risk factors for hot flashes, including high body mass index (BMI) and lower estrogen levels. Methods A population-based study was conducted among women aged 45–54 years. Participants were divided into women who reported ever experiencing hot flashes (n = 356) and women who reported never experiencing hot flashes (n = 257). Participants provided a blood sample for hormone assays, were weighed and measured, and completed a questionnaire. Results Among peri-menopausal women, African American women were more likely than Caucasian women to report any hot flashes (RR = 2.08), severe hot flashes (RR = 2.19), and hot flashes for more than 5 years (RR = 1.61). The risk ratios for the associations between race and the hot flash outcomes were attenuated after controlling for other important hot flash risk factors (i.e. obesity and low estrogen levels). Conclusions African American women have an increased risk of hot flashes compared to Caucasian women due to racial differences in a number of risk factors for hot flashes, including advanced age, obesity, current smoking, less than 12 drinks in the past year, and lower estrogen levels.
Human achaete-scute homolog-1 is highly expressed in a subset of neuroendocrine tumors

Human achaete-scute homolog-1 (hASH1) is critical for establishing the neuroendocrine (NE) phenotype of small cell lung cancer. To define its role in other neoplasms, we analyzed 33 tumors for hASH1 by Northern blotting. Significant levels of hASH1 mRNA were detected in 4 pheochromocytomas, 2 medullary thyroid cancers, and 1 thymic carcinoid. hASH1 transcripts were undetectable in 8 parathyroid lesions, 6 gastrinomas, 4 insulinomas, and 7 thyroid neoplasms, as well as in normal thyroid, adrenal, or pancreas tissue. Therefore, hASH1 mRNA is highly abundant in a subset of human tumors and may play a role in dictating their NE phenotype.
Potential Effects of Historic Rail Accidents on the Integrity of Spent Nuclear Fuel Transportation Packages

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) completed an analysis of historical rail accidents (from 1975 to 2005) involving hazardous materials and long duration fires in the United States. The analysis was initiated to determine what types of accidents had occurred and what impact those types of accidents could have on the rail transport of spent nuclear fuel. The NRC found that almost 21 billion miles of freight rail shipments over a 30 year period had resulted in a small number of accidents involving the release of hazardous materials, eight of which involved long duration fires. All eight of the accidents analyzed resulted in fires that were less severe than the “fully engulfing fire” described as a hypothetical accident condition in the NRC regulations for radioactive material transport found in Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 71, Section 73. None of the eight accidents involved a release of radioactive material. This paper describes the eight accidents in detail and examines the potential effects on spent nuclear fuel transportation packages exposed to the fires that resulted from these accidents.
Multialternative context effects obtained using an inference task

When decision-makers are faced with a choice among multiple options that have several attributes, preferences are often influenced by how the options are related to one another. For example, consumer preferences can be influenced, and even reversed, by the context defined by available products. This article discusses three standard context effects found in the preferential-choice literature: the attraction, similarity, and compromise effects. While decision theorists have attempted to explain these three effects under single modeling accounts, it has never before been demonstrated that these effects can be obtained within the same experimental paradigm. A set of experiments is described that demonstrate the three effects in an inference task. The paradigm is completely novel, as no previous experimental work has examined the standard context effects in inference. The experiments also add to evidence that the effects are not confined to choices among options with affective value, such as consumer products. The experimental results provide evidence that these effects might be a general property of human choice behavior and bring into question explanations of the effects that are based on the concept of loss-aversion asymmetry.
J. V. H.: what a unique teacher.

hall to sit in a chair facing the audience and then began telling her very sad story. She had noted a lump in her central neck that she hadn’t noted before and, being a good physician, felt it needed evaluation, even though she had no other symptoms. She talked to an endocrine fellow whom she knew as a friend who suggested an I131 thyroid scan as the first diagnostic test (yes, the first mistake and the first teaching point). As J. V. H. unraveled her family history, it became evident that her 28-year-old brother had died the year before of uncontrolled hypertension during induction of general anesthesia for an inguinal herniorrhaphy (Wow, that hit home! 28 years old—the second teaching point.). Now, those in the know in the audience became a bit squeamish. When she asked J. V. H. to see her, he, of course, obtained all the appropriate history (as yet unearthed by the endocrine fellow, of course, and the third teaching point), and after the baseline thyroid function tests (T4 thyroid-stimulating hormone—the fourth lesson), proceeded directly to a fine-needle aspiration of the mass (the fifth lesson), which showed medullary carcinoma. This fine-needle aspiration had been done the day before this grand rounds, and she still had the bandage on her neck as proof! Now, we were all worried about her because of the specter of multiple endocrine neoplasia and the somewhat bleak prognosis of medullary carcinoma that this entailed for our beloved resident colleague (I, personally, was sick, worried, sad, etc.). And, yes, her total thyroidectomy was planned for later next week after her urinary collections to rule out a pheochromocytoma (the sixth lesson). The lecture ended with a brief discussion of the spectrum J. V. H.: What a unique teacher
The effect of common Dutch white clover (Trifolium repens L.), as a green manure, on biomass production, allometric growth and foliar nitrogen of two willow clones

There is potential for soil erosion and non-point source pollution during the establishment of short-rotation woody crops (SRWC) in northern climates as a limited amount of cover remains on soils from the time of site preparation until SRWC occupies the site early in the second growing season. To counteract these impacts, green manure crops may be established and turned under early in the growing season. The effects of a green manure crop, white clover (Trifolium repens L.), on growth rates, biomass allocation, and foliar nitrogen concentrations of two willow clones (Salix sachalinensis and S. discolor) were compared in a field experiment to nitrogen fertilizer and control treatments over a period of 4 months. Willows were grown in rooting envelopes and harvested four times during the growing season to assess differences in allometric growth. White clover was found to increase the foliar nitrogen concentration of willow without compromising aboveground biomass. Fertilizer induced a 24% increase in total biomass of willow relative to the control. The rate of biomass allocation aboveground was greater relative to belowground under all treatments, and allometric coefficients were greater than 1.0. The differences in nitrogen uptake patterns and nitrogen use efficiencies of willow corresponded to the differences in biomass and foliar nitrogen concentrations between clones.
Improvement and experimental validation of a simple behavioural model for photovoltaic modules

Abstract The purpose of this work is to: 1) improve a previously developed behavioural model (B-model) for photovoltaic modules and 2) validate it using experimental data. The major advantages of the new model are its simplicity and the fact that it is based only on the module׳s electrical properties available on the manufacturer׳s datasheet. At first, the original model was developed and validated using a rich experimental database solely for a polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic module. However, an improved version of this model along with validation tests which use a larger database is presented in this paper. The larger database utilises the measured I – V characteristics of three other photovoltaic technologies such as, monocrystalline silicon, CIS and CdTe. To permit a sound and relatively easy entry into the study of photovoltaic for novices and newcomers, a detailed flowchart and description of its use are presented. Also a concrete example of an application using the flowchart is presented to display its efficiency and ease of use.
Cases and deaths during influenza pandemics in the United States.

Objective To assess how numbers and age distributions of cases and deaths during an influenza pandemic in the United States would potentially vary from those during the 1918–1919 pandemic, given the same virulence of the pandemic strain. Methods Influenza cases and deaths in two referent populations (U.S. residents in 1917 and 2006) were calculated using clinical case rates from three pandemics (1918-like, 1957-like, and 1968-like) and case fatality rates from the 1918–1919 pandemic. Results Across pandemic scenarios, overall case (“attack”) rates ranged from 24.7% to 34.2%, and overall death rates ranged from 4.4 to 6.7 per 1000. In both referent populations, total cases and deaths were significantly higher when using 1957-like and 1968-like, compared to 1918-like, case rates. Under all pandemic scenarios, the most deaths occurred among those aged 25 to 29 years. However, in the 2006 referent population, there were large numbers and high proportions of deaths in middle-aged and elderly adults (unlike during the 1918–1919 pandemic). Conclusions Numbers and distributions of cases and deaths during influenza pandemics depend on numbers of individuals, clinical case rates, and case fatality rates in relation to age. During a future pandemic in the United States, influenza deaths will likely not be as sharply focused in young adults as in 1918–1919 (even if case fatality rates are similar) because of larger proportions of middle-aged and elderly adults and potentially higher case rates among adults older than 30.
The Interstellar Chemistry of Protostellar Disks

A study has been undertaken of the gas-grain chemistry of protostellar disks which are sufficiently cool that in the outer regions, where the gas density is less than ~1013cm-3 and the ionization rate highest, a bimolecular chemistry resembling that of dark clouds can occur. Since the gas-grain collision rate is so high, outgassing mantle molecules effectively determine the gas phase composition at any position in the disk. In contrast to previous work, a detailed gas phase chemistry is considered along with the accretion and desorption of mantle species which is controlled locally by the dust temperature.
Foxa2 may modulate hepatic apoptosis through the cIAP1 pathway

Abstract Hepatocyte apoptosis is a ubiquitous feature of chronic liver injury, but the molecular mechanism remains to be determined. The liver-enriched Foxa2 transcription factor has been implicated in inflammation and neoplasia. Foxa2 may play a role in the regulation of apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between Foxa2 and hepatic apoptosis. Apoptosis was induced with different causative factors as measured by caspase activity and TUNEL assay. Results showed that the apoptotic injury was associated with a downregulation of Foxa2. Foxa2-expressing vectors decreased apoptosis, whereas siRNA silencing of Foxa2 increased apoptosis in HepG2 cells. Foxa2 was correlated with expression profiling of anti-apoptotic genes cIAP1, cIAP2, XIAP, and survivin. Significantly, the cIAP1 expression was decreased by siRNA silencing of Foxa2, but increased by Foxa2-expressing vectors. The promoter of cIAP1 had specific DNA sequences that could be bound by Foxa2 nuclear protein as demonstrated by EMSA and gel supershift assay. The cIAP1 promoter was also occupied by Foxa2 nuclear factor through ChIP assay. Deletion of putative Foxa2 binding domains in cIAP1 promoter significantly reduced its promoter activity. Conclusion A mechanism by which Foxa2 transcription factor modulates hepatic apoptosis may be through cIAP1 signaling pathway. Foxa2 can be a potential target for therapeutic intervention in liver diseases.
A prototype implementation of GPSS in SAS

This paper describes a program written in the SAS language which allows constructing a simulation with a subset of the GPSS language. A discrete event model is encoded and then run in the SAS environment. The advantage of this approach is the ability to use the statistical and graphics procedures in SAS for monitoring of the simulation during the run and/or for post-simulation analysis. Examples of the interaction of the GPSS blocks and the SAS pro cedures are provided.
Action of Procaine on Calcium Efflux from Frog Nerve and Muscle

A RECENT hypothesis about the mechanism of action of procaine and structurally similar depressants of excitation emphasizes their interaction with membrane calcium1. Procaine, it is suggested, replaces calcium at membrane anionic sites and this inhibits the influence of excitable stimuli on processes leading to sodium influx. The hypothesis is based, in part, on the assumed role of calcium in excitation, for the release of this cation is widely viewed as the first important step in membrane depolarization2. Furthermore, high concentrations of external calcium oppose the action of procaine on frog motoneurones3 and lobster giant axons1. Evidence that procaine or other local anaesthetics actually increase the mobility of membrane calcium has not yet been reported. I have investigated the interaction between procaine and calcium in nerve and muscle and the question of whether procaine causes the calcium to be released from these tissues.
Modeling homogeneous and heterogeneous metal/semiconductor interface reactions with photoemission and angle-resolved auger spectroscopy

Abstract Insight into the fundamental physical and chemical properties related to interface formation can be gained from high-resolution synchrotron radiation photoemission and angle-resolved Auger spectroscopies. In photoemission, detailed analysis of valence band and core level EDCs makes it possible to follow the formation of metal/semiconductor interfaces to identify the onset of reaction, characterize the chemical species that form, and determine their relative concentrations as a function of coverage. The coverage dependence of the intensity of the individual components of the complex core level EDCs can be related to the morphology of the interface. Complementary information obtained by using angle-resolved Auger provides depth profiling of the reacted interface and a measure of the extent of metal atom diffusion into the semiconductor. We discuss results for interfaces which exhibit an atomically abrupt junction (Ge/Ta(110) and Ge/Cr), interdiffusion and reaction (Ce/Ge(111) and Cr/GaAs(110)), and metal in-diffusion (Cu/Si(111) and Au/Si(111)).
MoOx back contact for CdS/CdTe thin film solar cells: Preparation, device characteristics, and stability

Abstract A novel MoO x back contact buffer has been successfully developed for thin-film CdS/CdTe solar cells. To achieve a good ohmic contact, water rinse step is necessary in order to remove surface residues from the CdTe surface prior to MoO x deposition by thermal evaporation. With MoO x as the high work function buffer, various metals can be used as the electrode to realize an ohmic back contact to p–CdTe. Thermal and light soaking stability of CdTe cells is also improved with the MoO x buffer acting as a diffusion barrier to minimize the interaction between the metal electrode and CdTe. The best performance is obtained with MoO x /Ni as the back contact for the CdS/CdTe solar cell.
The Disfluent Speech of Bilingual Spanish–English Children: Considerations for Differential Diagnosis of Stuttering

Purpose The primary purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and types of speech disfluencies that are produced by bilingual Spanish–English (SE) speaking children who do not stutter. The secondary purpose was to determine whether their disfluent speech is mediated by language dominance and/or language produced. Method Spanish and English narratives (a retell and a tell in each language) were elicited and analyzed relative to the frequency and types of speech disfluencies produced. These data were compared with the monolingual English-speaking guidelines for differential diagnosis of stuttering. Results The mean frequency of stuttering-like speech behaviors in the bilingual SE participants ranged from 3% to 22%, exceeding the monolingual English standard of 3 per 100 words. There was no significant frequency difference in stuttering-like or non-stuttering-like speech disfluency produced relative to the child's language dominance. There was a significant difference relative to the language the c...
On the use of observers for interpolation

Preliminary results are presented on the use of observers for interpolation in constant-coefficient, linear, dynamic systems. Two sequential algorithms, which are termed fixed-point and fixed-lag interpolators and can be implemented to operate in real time, are developed. Extensions to noisy dynamic systems and to reduced-order interpolators, and implications in feedback control are noted.
Epiphyton and Renalcis--Diagenetic Microfossils from Calcification of Coccoid Blue-Green Algae: ABSTRACT

Epiphyton and Renalcis, and related microfossil genera, are very important but enigmatic framebuilding and encrusting components of many Paleozoic reefs. Study of numerous North American occurrences of various ages (Early Cambrian to Late Devonian) suggests that Epiphyton and Renalcis are end members of a continuous spectrum of diverse morphologies that commonly occur adjacent to or intergrown with each other. Salient morphotypes include (1) dendritic forms (typified by Epiphyton), (2) dendritic forms with finely septate branches (Gordonophyton), (3) robust branching forms with chambers (Chabokovia), (4) large unchambered branching tubes, (5) chambered and botryoidal aggregates (typified by Renalcis), and (6) arborescent grapelike clots which often lengthen into stubby br nches. Particularly noteworthy among common intergrowths and co-occurrences are Epiphyton branches attached to (sprouting from?) Renalcis chambers. Many well-preserved micrite walls, branches, and clots exhibit a faint dense peloidal microstructure. Figure The continuum of shapes and intergrowths indicates that these microfossils were likely not genetically distinct organisms. It is proposed that these fossils represent precipitation of high-Mg calcite around and within clumps of coccoid blue-green algal cells soon after death of the algae and in the environment of growth. Inferred rates of chamber addition and growth of branch tips suggest that many cells grew, died, and rotted away between successive times when biogeochemical conditions were right to promote calcite precipitation. The various forms, genera, and species resulted from environmentally related size variation of cells and cell clumps and whether or not calcification was episodic. These microfossils are therefore "diagenetic taxa" and, in a sense, can be considered "microst omatolites." End_of_Article - Last_Page 619------------
Big data analysis of non-routine operations: Aborted approaches and their underlying factors

Presents a collection of slides covering the following topics: radar track data analysis; METAR data analysis; go around frequency data analysis; air traffic analysis; and traffic flow management initiatives.