cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A qualitative comparison of secondary organic aerosol yields and composition from ozonolysis of monoterpenes at varying concentrations of NO 2

Abstract. The effect of NO2 on secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation from ozonolysis of α-pinene, β-pinene, Δ3-carene, and limonene was investigated using a dark flow-through reaction chamber. SOA mass yields were calculated for each monoterpene from ozonolysis with varying NO2 concentrations. Kinetics modeling of the first-generation gas-phase chemistry suggests that differences in observed aerosol yields for different NO2 concentrations are consistent with NO3 formation and subsequent competition between O3 and NO3 to oxidize each monoterpene. α-Pinene was the only monoterpene studied that showed a systematic decrease in both aerosol number concentration and mass concentration with increasing [NO2]. β-Pinene and Δ3-carene produced fewer particles at higher [NO2], but both retained moderate mass yields. Limonene exhibited both higher number concentrations and greater mass concentrations at higher [NO2]. SOA from each experiment was collected and analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS, enabling comparisons between product distributions for each system. In general, the systems influenced by NO3 oxidation contained more high molecular weight products (MW > 400 amu), suggesting the importance of oligomerization mechanisms in NO3-initiated SOA formation. α-Pinene, which showed anomalously low aerosol mass yields in the presence of NO2, showed no increase in these oligomer peaks, suggesting that lack of oligomer formation is a likely cause of α-pinene's near 0 % yields with NO3. Through direct comparisons of mixed-oxidant systems, this work suggests that NO3 is likely to dominate nighttime oxidation pathways in most regions with both biogenic and anthropogenic influences. Therefore, accurately constraining SOA yields from NO3 oxidation, which vary substantially with the volatile organic compound precursor, is essential in predicting nighttime aerosol production.
The Use of Standardized Objective Tests for Sectioning French Courses According to Student Ability

Author's summary.— A method for sectioning French students according to ability, the results of such sectioning, problems arising from sectioning according to ability, and summary of conclusions.)
Endothelial cells regulate proximal tubule epithelial cell sodium transport.

Endothelial cells regulate proximal tubule epithelial cell sodium transport. Background Proximal tubule epithelial cells are in close contact with the renal microvasculature, but the effect of endothelial cells (ECs) on proximal tubule epithelial cell (PTEC) function is not known. Methods To determine if ECs regulate PTECs, we coincubated ECs with PTECs in a system that permitted cross-talk between the two cell types and the vectorial transport of sodium. Results In the presence (but not absence) of ECs, adding bradykinin or acetylcholine increased cGMP and decreased sodium transport, as well as Na,K-ATPase in PTECs. Interleukin (IL) 1B preconditioning of ECs also increased cGMP and decreased sodium transport and Na,K-ATPase in PTECs. Bradykinin, acetylcholine, and IL 1B EC-dependent effects were reversed with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor L-NNA. In the absence of ECs, the addition of NO donors to PTECs increased cGMP and decreased sodium transport and Na,K-ATPase. 8Br-cGMP also decreased PTEC sodium transport and Na,K-ATPase. Conclusion Endothelial cells regulate PTEC function. This effect is mediated by NO synthase-dependent up-regulation of cGMP in PTECs.
alpha-Aminoalkylphosphonate di(chlorophenyl) esters as inhibitors of serine proteases.

Abstractα -Aminoalkylphosphonate di(chlorophenyl) esters and (α -aminoalkyl)phenylphosphinate phenylesters have been tested as irreversible inhibitors of human neutrophil elastase, porcine pancreatic elastase and chymotrypsin, serine proteases important in biochemical processes. Peptidyl derivatives of diphenyl (α -aminoalkyl) phosphonates have previously been shown to be potent and specific inhibitors of serine proteases at low concentrations. Addition of a halogen to the phenoxy group of the inhibitors should make the leaving group more electrophilic, and thus more reactive. Peptide phosphonate inhibitors with chlorine in the meta- or para- positions of the phenoxy ester moiety were synthesized and shown to be potent inhibitors of elastase. Tripeptide phosphonates are more potent inhibitors than dipeptide phosphonates, however, addition of the halogen did not increase the inhibitory potency of these phosphonates with elastase compared to the non-halogenated phosphonates. In the case of chymotrypsin, the...
Clinical findings in workers exposed to pentachlorophenol

Comparative findings are presented on the health and exposure status of groups of individuals in Hawaii with and without occupational exposure to pentachlorophenol (PCP). Occupational exposure to PCP occurred through employment at firms engaged in the treatment of wood with either PCP alone or PCP plus other compounds as preservative chemicals. Mean serum levels were 0.32 ppm for 32 control individuals, 1.72 ppm for 24 workers exposed to PCP and other wood preservative chemicals, and 3.78 ppm for 22 workers exposed to PCP as the sole preservative chemical. Age-standardized prevalence rates were significantly higher among the PCP-exposed than among the controls for low-grade infections or inflammations of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, protective membrane of the eyes and the mucosa membrane of the upper respiratory tract. Strong to moderate statistical associations were observed between PCP exposure and increased occurrence of bands (immature leucocytes) and basophils, increased plasma cholinesterase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma globulin and uric acid, and decreased serum calcium. Despite these statistical associations, laboratory values considered to be clinically abnormal were few and not significantly greater in occurrence among the PCP-exposed individuals.
Synthesis, Pharmacological Characterization, and Structure–Activity Relationship Studies of Small Molecular Agonists for the Orphan GPR88 Receptor

GPR88 is an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) enriched in the striatum. Genetic deletion and gene expression studies have suggested that GPR88 plays an important role in the regulation of striatal functions and is implicated in psychiatric disorders. The signal transduction pathway and receptor functions of GPR88, however, are still largely unknown due to the lack of endogenous and synthetic ligands. In this paper, we report the synthesis of a GPR88 agonist 2-PCCA and its pure diastereomers, which were functionally characterized in both transiently and stably expressing GPR88 HEK293 cells. 2-PCCA inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner in cells expressing GPR88 but not in the control cells, suggesting that the observed cAMP inhibition is mediated through GPR88 and that GPR88 is coupled to Gαi. 2-PCCA did not induce calcium mobilization in GPR88 cells, indicating no Gαq-mediated response. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) study of 2-PCCA was also conducted to explore the key structural features for GPR88 agonist activity.
Pharmacokinetic profile and efficacy of a fentanyl transdermal delivery system for acute postoperative pain after intra-abdominal gynecologic surgery for cancer.

: Purpose: This prospective, randomized, single-blind study evaluated the efficacy and pharmacokinetic profile of a transdermal delivery system for fentanyl to provide relief of acute postoperative pain in patients undergoing intra-abdominal gynecologic surgery for cancer. Methods: Forty female patients were randomized to either transdermal fentanyl 50 µg/hour (n = 20) or transdermal placebo (n = 20). Transdermal systems were placed 1 hour preoperatively and removed 25 hours later. Pain control was supplemented with a nonopioid drug, bupivacaine 0.125–0.25%, administered through an epidural catheter via patient-controlled epidural analgesia. Serum fentanyl concentrations, bupivacaine consumption, pain scores [visual analog scale (VAS)], sedation rating score, adverse events, and physiological parameters were recorded for 48 hours postoperatively. Results: The minimum effective concentration of fentanyl in serum (0.63 ng/mL) was achieved at 11.3 ± 4.9 hours after application, and serum concentrations remained above this level until 13 hours after removal. The TTS-F group had lower VAS pain scores and a significant 66% reduction in utilization of bupivacaine compared with placebo. Pain scores were significantly correlated with serum fentanyl concentration (P = 0.025). All physiological parameters fluctuated within normal range and no differences were observed between treatments. Adverse events were similar between the groups with only the incidence of local erythema significantly higher in the TTS-F group (30% vs. 5%, P < 0.05), and sedation scores were significantly higher in the TTS-F group during the immediate postoperative period. Conclusion: The transdermal therapeutic system for administration of fentanyl, combined with epidural administration of a nonopioid analgesic such as bupivacaine is effective in controlling postoperative pain after gynecologic surgery. Additionally, the safety/tolerability of this regimen was similar to placebo plus bupivacaine.
Can following the caloric restriction recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans help individuals lose weight

Background The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend creating an energy deficit of at least 500 kcal a day to facilitate weight loss. This investigation examined the relationship between creating a consistent, self-reported energy deficit of at least 500 kcal a day and weight loss. The relationship between self-monitoring adherence and daily energy intake and expenditure and weight loss was also examined. Methods Fifty-four overweight or obese adults (BMI>or=27 kg/m(2)) participating in a 14-week weight loss program were given a 5% total body weight loss goal and instructed to create an energy deficit of at least 500 kcal a day to facilitate weight loss. Participants provided daily records of total energy intake and expenditure, physical activity, and weekly and overall weight loss during treatment. Results Individuals who averaged an energy deficit in excess of 500 kcal per day lost nearly four times the weight as individuals whose average energy deficit was below 500 kcal per day (p Conclusion Individuals interested in losing weight should continue to be advised to regularly self-monitor energy intake and expenditure as well as to create a consistent daily energy deficit (e.g., 500 kcal day).
Ultraviolet FE II Absorption Lines in HD 59643

The peculiar red giant HD 59643 (C6,2) has a composite spectrum like a symbiotic star’s except for the absence of highly ionized species. UV observations show a highly variable hot continuum with superimposed absorptions of Fe II and the common emission lines of C IV, Si III], C III], C II], and Mg II. These Fe II absorptions, which are practically ubiquitous in interacting binaries, are an effective diagnostic of turbulence and distribution of scattering gas, even at low resolution.
The Place of Fecal Occult Blood Test in Colorectal Cancer Screening in 2006: The U.S. Perspective

The Place of Fecal Occult Blood Test in Colorectal Cancer Screening in 2006: The U.S. Perspective
Bringing the firm back in: local decision making and human capital development in Mexico’s maquiladora sector

Summary The recent decline in Mexico’s maquiladora sector provides an opportunity to reassess the sustainability of basing national economic competitiveness on low wages. 1 Focusing on human capital as an important component of equitable growth, the authors argue that models of its development which consider market factors alone are inadequate. Combining their own case study with a review of other studies over the past 20 years, the authors propose a “management-centered” (as opposed to a “market-centered”) model of human capital development as a basis for discussing the relative merits of in-bond industrial programs and considering measures to improve levels of human capital.
The cloning and analysis of the aroD gene of E. coli K-12

Abstract A 5.6-kb PstI fragment containing the structural gene (aroD) for 5-dehydroquinate hydrolyase (DHQase) of Escherichia coli K-12 has been cloned into recombinant plasmid pJKK12. The bacterial fragment contains two BglII, one HpaII, one SalI and one XhoI site, but no EcoRI, HindIII or BamHI sites. The DHQase activity extracted from strains harboring pJKK12 had properties identical to those of the enzyme isolated from wild-type E. coli. The native protein appears to be a dimer composed of two 31 500 dalton subunits. aroD6 strains transformed with pJKK12 had an 11-fold and 34-fold increase in activity compared to untransformed wild-type controls grown on L broth and minimal medium, respectively. No increase of dehydroquinase activity was found in polynucleotide phosphorylase deficient strains of E. coli. At least four constitutively expressed genes are encoded on the fragment.
Rolling Adhesion of αL I Domain Mutants Decorrelated from Binding Affinity

Activated lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1, αLβ2 integrin) found on leukocytes facilitates firm adhesion to endothelial cell layers by binding to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which is up-regulated on endothelial cells at sites of inflammation. Recent work has shown that LFA-1 in a pre-activation, low-affinity state may also be involved in the initial tethering and rolling phase of the adhesion cascade. The inserted (I) domain of LFA-1 contains the ligand-binding epitope of the molecule, and a conformational change in this region during activation increases ligand affinity. We have displayed wild-type I domain on the surface of yeast and validated expression using I domain specific antibodies and flow cytometry. Surface display of I domain supports yeast rolling on ICAM-1-coated surfaces under shear flow. Expression of a locked open, high-affinity I domain mutant supports firm adhesion of yeast, while yeast displaying intermediate-affinity I domain mutants exhibit a range of rolling phenotypes. We find that rolling behavior for these mutants fails to correlate with ligand binding affinity. These results indicate that unstressed binding affinity is not the only molecular property that determines adhesive behavior under shear flow.
Two-particle dynamics on an electrode in ac electric fields

Abstract The relative motion between pairs of negatively charged latex particles 9.7 μm in diameter and deposited on an electrode was measured by optical microscopy and image analysis. At an rms field of approximately 30 V cm−1, the two particles moved toward each other at frequencies below 500 Hz, but they separated at 1000 Hz. In the cases of aggregation, there are several interesting characteristics. First, when the center-to-center separation of a pair was initially 6 particle radii or more apart, a transient ‘incubation’ period of tens of seconds was observed before the particles began to move toward each other. Second, the two particles never came into contact, rather at long times the pair maintained a stationary gap between them equal to approximately one-half the particle radius. This stationary gap between particles was also observed for the aggregation of clusters of three or more particles. Finally, the rate of approach for a pair of particles decreased as the frequency increased. Larger fields are required to move particles together in ac compared to dc fields; at 30 Hz the ac field must be 130 times greater than the dc field to achieve the same rate of approach. Taking advantage of the qualitative and quantitative differences of the cooperative motion of particles in dc vs. ac fields, one should be able to re-position particles by alternating between these two modes. We demonstrated that the same pair of particles can be brought together at low frequency (100 or 200 Hz) and then separated at high frequency (1000 Hz).
Polymeric Surfaces with Anticoagulant, Antifouling, and Antimicrobial Attributes

Recent advances in developments of anticoagulant, antifouling, and antimicrobial polymeric surfaces with the focus on surface modifications of polymeric materials as well as the influence of nanosize materials on interactions with biological systems are discussed. Controllable surface modifications using microwave plasma reactions in the presence of maleic anhydride provides a platform for attaching acid groups to inert polymeric surfaces which serves as a reactive anchor for further reactions. To effectively attach bioactive species inhibiting interactions with biological systems it is often necessary to attach a molecular spacer that facilitates mobility to terminal bioactive species.
Disturbance effects on elephant feeding: evidence for compression in Luangwa Valley, Zambia

Summary Dry season patterns of elephant spatial distributions and feeding habits along the eastern boundary of South Luangwa National Park, Zambia were compared over a 3-year period when levels of human disturbances varied. When disturbances were reduced east of the Park boundary, elephants increased their daytime hours outside the Park. Feeding habits also differed east of the Park where vegetation differences promoted greater use of floodplain grasses and greater range of selectivity of woody species. Primary stem production of mopane trees (Colophospermum mopane) in the Park, prior to lowered disturbance levels, was reduced by almost 100% through elephant browsing. Experimental removal of mopane branches suggested that a tree's tolerance to withstand browse damage by elephants is influenced by its history of past browse damage. Differences in feeding preference and range patterns when disturbances were relaxed, suggested a compression of elephant numbers along the eastern boundary of the South Luangwa National Park. This compression has likely been a contributory factor to a decline of woodland habitats in this Park. Resume On compare les types de distributions spatiales et de comportement alimentaire durant la saison seche le long de la frontiere orientale du South Luangwa National Park en Zambie, sur une periode de trois ans au cours desquels les niveaux de perturbations humaines furent varies. Lorsque les perturbations sont reduites a l'est de la limite du parc, les elephants allongent leur activite diurne en-dehors de celui-ci. Leur regime alimentaire differe egalement a l'est du parc lorsque les differences de vegetation favorisent une utilisation plus large des gramines des plaines inondees et permet une selection plus large des especes ligneuses. La production primaire de pousses des arbres mopane (Colophospermum mopane) dans le parc avant la diminution des niveaux de perturbation fut reduite d'environ 100%a cause du paturage des elephants. L'enlevement experimental des branches de mopane suggere que la tolerance de l'arbre vis a vis des dommages causes par ce paturage est influencee par l'historique des dommages passes. Des differences dans les preferences alimentaires et les types de distributions lorsque les perturbations sont attenuees suggerent une compression des nombres d'elephants le long de cette frontiere. Cette compression a sans doute ete un facteur contribuant au declin des habitats boises dans le parc.
A uniform analysis of boron in F and G disk dwarfs from Hubble Space Telescope archival spectra

The boron abundance is derived for 14 near-solar metallicity F and G dwarfs from the archived data set of spectra obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph in the region of the B I resonance line near 2497 A. These abundances are derived in a uniform way with respect to recent work on solar boron. The synthetic spectra of the B I region were calculated by means of an improved linelist to fit the spectra of the stars spanning a range in Teff between 5650 and 6700 K and metallicity between [Fe/H] = -0.75 and +0.15. The synthetic spectra were computed considering all major sources of metal opacities and, in particular, an updated lower value of Mg I b-f opacity at 2500 A was used in the calculations. Adopting Li and Be abundances from the literature, significant B depletions (~0.3-0.5 dex) are found only for the two stars with the most extreme Li depletions (≥2.5 dex) and Be depletions (≥1.5 dex), although the trend of B versus Be indicates that mild B depletions may exist in many of the stars. These results are in concordance with the Boesgaard et al. conclusion that a slow mixing in the outer envelope is responsible for depletions of Li, Be, and B. Stars with less severe Li and Be depletions exhibit roughly solar [B/Fe] ratios. A comparison of the boron abundances from the disk stars (with undepleted boron) with metal-poor halo dwarfs reveals that B is linearly related to Fe over the entire range of metallicities from [Fe/H] ~ -2.5 to 0.1. The B/Be ratio found for stars with near-solar metallicities and no Li depletion is B/Be = 27 ± 5, equal to the solar ratio (B/Be = 23).
Chestega: chess steganography methodology

Summary Steganography is the science and art of avoiding the arousal of suspicion in covert communications. This paper presents Chess Steganography (Chestega), a novel methodology that exploits popular games like chess. Chestega conceals messages in chess related covers such as training documents, game analysis, news articles, etc. Unlike contemporary approaches, Chestega does not exploit noise to embed a message nor produce a detectable noise. Instead, authenticated data can be employed in the cover which makes it resilient to comparison attacks. Chestega is also a public approach that neither relies on the secrecy of its technique, nor need to employ a stega-key. The paper demonstrates the feasibility of employing authenticated Chess Cover that is generated by Chessmaster 8000. Chestega is further validated through steganalysis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can home gardens scale up into movements for social change? The role of home gardens in providing food security and community change in San Jose, California

Urban policymakers and sustainable food activists have identified urban agriculture as an important strategy for confronting a host of urban problems, including food insecurity, health disparities, access to urban green space and community economic revitalisation. Much recent work on urban agriculture has examined community and school gardens, but little research has been undertaken on home gardens as a solution to urban problems. This article examines a home-gardening programme in San Jose, California, La Mesa Verde, asking whether some of the benefits found in community gardens can be found in home gardens. Specifically, we look at financial, health and community benefits, examining the potential of home gardens to become forces for broader social change. We ask whether gardens can become agents of cultural preservation, self-determination, particularly for recent immigrants who use these spaces to build identities and work towards collective action and self-determination.
Thorium(IV) Coordination Polymers in the Pyridine and Pyrazinedicarboxylic Acid Systems

Self-assembly under hydrothermal conditions has been employed to synthesize several novel thorium-containing polymeric materials in the pyridinedicarboxylic acid (pydc) and pyrazinedicarboxylic acid (pzdc) systems. 2,3-, 2,4-, and 2,5-Pyridinedicarboxylic acid along with 2,3-, and 2,5-pyrazinedicarboxylic acid were utilized as organic linkers to produce thorium(IV) coordination polymers. Coordination of the thorium(IV) cations to the ligands in a bidentate fashion through a carboxylate group and either the pyridine or pyrazine ring to form a five-membered ring is a common structural theme throughout all of these compounds. Additionally, this choice of linkers allows for analysis of how the disposition of a second carboxylate group on an aromatic ring affects the overall structural topology. This aforementioned bidentate coordination is observed to vary as the arrangement between the carboxylate groups and N donor sites is optimized. In the pyrazine system, the frequency of this coordination is increased a...
Glucose transport is reduced in the blood-brain barrier of aged rats

To determine the biochemical basis of decreased brain uptake of glucose with age, the brain influx of 3-O-methylglucose (3-O-MG) was measured in male Fischer 344 rats at various ages using the arterial injection-tissue sampling technique of Oldendorf. The Vmax of 3-O-MG transport in the 24-month-old rats (0.22 +/- 0.14 mumol/min/g) was significantly lower than that in 3-month-old rats (0.88 +/- 0.18 mumol/min/g) (P less than 0.05). The Km of transport in aged rats (10.1 +/- 4.8 mM) was not different from that in young rats (8.1 +/- 2.5 mM). The cytochalasin B binding sites in cerebral microvessels isolated from aged rats (13.9 +/- 0.9 pmol/mg) compared to the binding sites in cerebral microvessels of young rats (21.9 +/- 1.4 pmol/mg) were significantly reduced (P less than 0.001). However, the immunoreactive mass of glucose transporter of cerebral microvessels was not altered with age. The enrichment of capillary preparations with gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, a marker of endothelial cells, was not altered in aged rats, suggesting that the reduced blood-brain barrier transport of glucose is due to specific reduction in glucose binding sites of the transporter rather than secondary to a non-specific age-related effect of endothelial cell drop-out.
An Algorithm for Assessing Factor Structure Congruence

The coefficient of congruence is a quantitative measure of the similarity of factor structures for different samples of subjects. This paper is intended to inform interested readers of the availability of a computer program capable of computing coefficients of congruence of factor structures.
Electrohydrodynamic ionization mass spectrometry: Review of instrumentation, mechanisms and applications

Abstract Electrohydrodynamic ionization is a technique whereby ions are generated directly from a liquid surface by application of an electric field. Mass spectrometry can be used to characterize these ions and the necessary instrumentation is described. Ions may be generated from liquid metals and also from organic liquids if an ionic electrolyte is dissolved. Singly charged atomic ions are emitted from liquid metals whereas doped organic liquids generate solvated cations or anions attached to clusters of solvent molecules. Two different ionization mechanisms are distinguished and electrohydrodynamic interaction of the electric field with the liquid surface is discussed. The applications of electrohydrodynamic ionization mass spectrometry are reviewed; in particular, chemical analysis of liquids and dissolved materials is described. The technique can also be used for the study of solution chemistry.
Ab Initio Study of the Charge-Storage Mechanisms in RuO2-Based Electrochemical Ultracapacitors

The charge-storage mechanisms in ruthenium dioxide are investigated with first-principles density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. Both proton-intercalated bulk and proton-adsorbed RuO2(110) surfaces have been studied to obtain insight into the energetics of discharging processes in RuO2-based aqueous supercapacitors. We predict the existence of a stable ruthenium oxyhydroxide (RuOOH) and demonstrate that the RuO2(110) surface as well as a significant fraction of the available subsurface sites remain completely protonated during cyclic voltammetry measurements in aqueous electrolytes. DFT calculations also show that the bulk proton insertion not only is kinetically inhibited by a high energy barrier of proton diffusion in bulk RuO2 (1.62 eV), but also is thermodynamically inactive under the experimental operating conditions due to a low intercalation voltage (0.08 V in the dilute limit). These results exclude simple bulk or surface protonation as the reason for excellent electrochemical performance o...
Source detection of atmospheric releases using symbolic machine learning classification and remote sensing

This paper introduces the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) and its use for the identification of the source of atmospheric pollutants. NPOESS is the next generation satellite program, and can be used for the source detection of atmospheric pollutants. The iterative methodology proposed herein uses a combination of ground measurements, atmospheric models, machine learning and remote sensing to identify the characteristics of an unknown atmospheric emission.
Is It the Symptom or the Relation to It? Investigating Potential Mediators of Change in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Psychosis

Cognitive and behavioral interventions have been shown to be efficacious when used as an adjunct to pharmacotherapy for psychotic disorders. However, little previous research has investigated potential mediators of change in psychological treatments for psychosis. Acceptance and mindfulness-based therapies do not focus on directly reducing the psychotic symptoms themselves, but instead attempt to alter the patient's relationship to symptoms to decrease their negative impact. The current study examined this issue with data from a previously published randomized trial comparing brief treatment with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) versus treatment as usual for hospitalized patients with psychotic symptoms (Gaudiano & Herbert, 2006a). Results showed that the believability of hallucinations at posttreatment statistically mediated the effect of treatment condition on hallucination-related distress. Hallucination frequency did not mediate outcome. The current study is a first step toward understanding the potential mechanisms of action in psychological treatments for psychosis.
A Study of the Vortex Sheet Method and its Rate of Convergence

The subject of this study is Chorin's vortex sheet method, which is used to solve the Prandtl boundary layer equations and to impose the no-slip boundary condition in the random vortex method solution of the Navier–Stokes equations. This is a particle method in which the particles carry concentrations of vorticity and undergo a random walk to approximate the diffusion of vorticity in the boundary layer. During the random walk, particles are created at the boundary in order to satisfy the no-slip boundary condition. It is proved that in each of the $L^1 $, $L^2 $, and $L^\infty $ norms the random walk and particle creation, taken together, provide a consistent approximation to the heat equation, subject to the no-slip boundary condition. Furthermore, it is shown that the truncation error is entirely due to the failure to satisfy the no-slip boundary condition exactly. It is demonstrated numerically that the method converges when it is used to model Blasius flow, and rates of convergence are established in terms of the computational parameters. The numerical study reveals that errors grow when the sheet length tends to zero much faster than the maximum sheet strength. The effectiveness of second-order time discretization, sheet tagging, and an alternative particle-creation algorithm are also examined.
Understanding local versus tourist visitors to recreation areas

Local visitors to recreation areas, many of whom provide voluntary support to area managers, and tourist visitors from outside the surrounding regions, whose expenditures stimulate the regions' economies, are among the most important clientele groups of such areas. The purpose of this article is to synthesize and expand past research on these groups, drawing upon results from a mail survey of visitors to a state park rail-trail used mostly for mountain biking. Sharp differences between local and tourist visitors emerged that corroborated many of the results of past studies. Compared to tourist visitors, local visitors tended to be younger, to have lower incomes, to visit the trail more frequently, and to place greater importance on visiting the trail for solitude, quietude, and the enhancement of health and fitness. Tourist visitors were more likely than their counterparts to have been mountain biking aficionados. Implications related to the formation of strategic alliances, the design and management of f...
An optimization framework for embedded processors with auto-addressing mode

Modern embedded processors with dedicated address generation unit support memory accesses through auto-increment/decrement addressing mode. The auto-increment/decrement mode, if properly utilized, can save address arithmetic instructions, reduce static and dynamic memory footprint of the program, and speed up the execution as well.Liao [1995, 1996] categorized this problem as Simple Offset Assignment (SOA) and General Offset Assignment (GOA), which involves storage layout of variables and assignment of address registers, respectively, proposing several heuristic solutions. This article proposes a new direction for investigating the solution space of the problem. The general idea [Zhuang 2003] is to perform simplification of the underlying access graph through coalescence of the memory locations of program variables. A comprehensive framework is proposed including coalescence-based offset assignment and post/pre-optimization. Variables not interfering with others (not simultaneously live at any program point) can be coalesced into the same memory location. Coalescing allows simplifications of the access graph yielding better SOA solutions; it also reduces the address register pressure to such low values that some GOA solutions become optimal. Moreover, it can reduce the memory footprint both statically and at runtime for stack variables. Our second optimization (post/pre-optimization) considers both post- and pre-modification mode for optimizing code across basic blocks, which makes it useful. Making use of both addressing modes further reduces SOA/GOA cost and our post/pre-optimization phase is optimal in selecting post or pre mode after variable offsets have been determined.We have shown the advantages of our framework over previous approaches to capture more opportunities to reduce both stack size and SOA/GOA cost, leading to more speedup.
Medial prefrontal cortex and right insula activity predict plasma ACTH response to trauma recall.

Abstract Neural substrates underlying psychological activation of the limbic–hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (LHPA) axis are not well understood in humans. Trauma recall (using autobiographical script-driven imagery) may provide a model to study neural circuitry involved in LHPA axis activation to personally threatening psychological stimuli. This study sought to identify brain activation patterns that differentiated combat veterans who mounted an LHPA response to trauma recall from those who did not. Twenty-five Vietnam combat veterans (14 with current PTSD, 11 with no PTSD history) experienced autobiographic script-driven imagery in an [15O] H2O positron emission tomography (PET) paradigm with recurrent blood sampling. Trauma recall elicited acute ACTH responses in some but not all veterans, regardless of the PTSD status and independent of emotional responses. ACTH responders (mean ACTH increase of 24 ± 7 pg/ml, n = 13) were compared to non-responders (mean decrease of − 0.6 ± 0.6 pg/ml, n = 12) in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). Both groups activated right insula (BA13) in response to trauma recall. However, ACTH responders deactivated rostral mPFC (BA10)/rostral ACC (BA32), whereas non-responders activated this same mPFC region, and deactivated amygdala, hippocampus, and temporal pole. In group contrasts comparing ACTH responders to non-responders, the responders had significantly higher rCBF in right insula and right temporal pole, whereas non-responders had higher rCBF in rostral mPFC and dorsal ACC. These results support the hypotheses that right insula is involved in psychological activation of the LHPA axis and that rostral mPFC may negatively modulate LHPA axis responses.
Desert Varnish: The Importance of Clay Minerals

Desert varnish has been characterized by infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy. It is a distinct morphological entity having an abrupt boundary with the underlying rock. Clay minerals comprise more than 70 percent of the varnish. Iron and manganese oxides constitute the bulk of the remainder and are dispersed throughout the clay layer.
Monolithically integrated silicon nanophotonics receiver in 90nm CMOS technology node

A monolithically-integrated germanium receiver is fabricated in the IBM's newly established 90nm CMOS-integrated nanophotonics technology node. Technology is promising for cost-effective 10Gbps to 28Gbps optical communications links operating within extended temperature range up to 95°C.
Commentary on “Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Challenges to Improving Patient and Caregiver Satisfaction”

It is unsurprising to me, as a primary care physician (PCP), that advances in the understanding of the biology of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) as well as the improved therapies available to treat this disease have not significantly increased the number of patients undergoing treatment. This is because the majority of PCPs have only a rudimentary understanding of these advances at best. The genetic makeup of a patient affected by MDS is not something I spend a lot of time pondering; however, it is important to be aware that this information is a key determinant in specialist assessment of patient prognosis and treatment decisions. It is hoped that the specialist physician’s perspective that MDS is treatable and patient quality of life can be improved will trickle down to PCPs, because it is they who ultimately make the specialist referrals. The realization that 10% of MDS cases are secondary to chemotherapy for other cancers and that the number of cases will increase as our aging population grows, should raise the profile
Silylium–metallocenium dications derived from hydrosilyl-bridged metallocenes and roles in polymerization of polar and nonpolar vinyl monomers

Abstract Hydrosilyl-bridged half-metallocene ( H CGC)TiMe 2 ( 1 ) [ H CGC = Me(H)Si( η 5 -C 5 Me 4 )( η 1 -N t Bu)] and ansa -metallocene rac -( H SBI)ZrMe 2 ( 2 ) [ H SBI = Me(H)Si( η 5 -indenyl) 2 ] are doubly activated with 2 equiv of Al(C 6 F 5 ) 3 , through methide abstractions from both M–Me bonds, to generate homo-dications 1- Ti 2+ and 2- Zr 2+ , or with 2 equiv of Ph 3 CB(C 6 F 5 ) 4 , through unique simultaneous hydride and methide abstractions from the Si–H and M–Me bonds, to produce a novel class of silylium–metallocenium hetero-dications 1- Si + Ti + and 2- Si + Zr + . Analogous chloride-derivatives of hetero-dications can also be produced starting from the dichloride precursors, but the chloride abstraction occurs through a transit silylium ion. An opposite activity trend has been observed for the influence of the hetero-dication formation on polymerizations of polar (MMA) and nonpolar (propylene) vinyl monomers. In MMA polymerization, the activity of the hetero-dications, especially the metallocene-based 2- Si + Zr + , is substantially lower than the corresponding monocations. In marked contrast, the propylene polymerization activity of hetero-dications has seen 100% and 40% enhancements for 1- Si + Ti + and 2- Si + Zr + , respectively, over their respective monocations.
Cost-effectiveness of stress echocardiography and nuclear perfusion imaging

Cost-effectiveness analysis is a method of comparing societal economic value of 2 different strategies. Ideally, it defines accurate test-related (direct and downstream) costs and appropriately converts differential patient outcomes into a dollar value. The likelihood that cost-effectiveness analysis translated into a policy-making tool will enhance health care and/or control costs is dependent on the validity of numerous assumptions about relative costs, patient outcomes, and generalizability of the literature to regional capabilities. The purpose of this report is to review the concept of cost-effectiveness analysis as it applies to stress echocardiography and stress myocardial perfusion imaging for selected patient subsets.
Laser Plasma X-Ray Source Optimization For Lithography

The laser-plasma X-ray source has been evaluated for submicrometer X-ray lithography exposure machines. X-ray lithography systems based on commercially available lasers of reasonable cost appear to be feasible. Such machines would make full wafer exposures of silicon slices with a throughput consistent with current manufacturing requirements.
An Orthogonal Framework for Improving Life Cycle Affordability

Abstract Many approaches to improving system affordability focus on one or two strategies (e,g., automation, outsourcing, repurposing, reuse, process maturity), and miss the opportunity for further improvements. Often, they focus on one phase (e.g., acquisition) at the expense of other factors that increase total ownership cost (TOC). Based on several related research projects, we have developed, applied, and evolved an orthogonal framework of strategies for improving Affordability. The framework includes: • Get the best from people (Staffing, Teambuilding, Facilities, Kaizen) • Make tasks more efficient (Tools, Work and Oversight Streamlining, Collaboration Technology) • Eliminate tasks (Lean and Agile Methods, Automation, Model-Based Product Generation) • Eliminate scrap and rework (Early Risk and Defect Elimination, Evidence-Based Decision Gates, Modularity around Sources of Change, Evolutionary Development, …) • Simplify products: KISS (Risk-Based Prototyping, Value-Based Capability Prioritization, Satisficing vs. Optimizing) • Reuse components (Domain Engineering, Composable Components and Services, Legacy Repurposing) • Reduce O&S costs (Automate Tasks, Design for Maintainability, Streamline Supply Chain, Anticipate/Prepare for Change) • Perform value-based tradespace analysis among the above. The research presented will also summarize the use of calibrated quantitative cost models for reasoning about the strategy elements and their tradeoffs.
Oxygen consumption by the crayfish Orconectes propinquus (Girard) exposed to aquashade.

A la dose herbicide recommandee (1 ppm) l'aquashade ne modifie pas sensiblement la consommation d'oxygene de l'ecrevisse
Characterization of Organic Constituents in Aerosols in Relation to Their rigin and Transport: A Review

Abstract Organic matter in aerosols is derived from two major sources and is admixed depending on the geographic area. These sources are biogenic detritus (e.g. plant wax, microbes, etc.) and anthropogenic emissions (e.g. oils, soot, etc.). Both biogenic detritus and some of the anthropogenic emissions contain organic materials (C14- C40 +) extractable by solvent, which have unique and distinguishable compound distribution patterns. Molecular composition analysis has been applied to such extracts after suitable chemical separation into subfractions (i.e. hydrocarbons, ketones, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, and wax esters). Microbial and vascular plant lipids are the dominant biogenic residues and petroleum hydrocarbons, with lesser amounts of the pyrogenic polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), are the major anthropogenic residues. These lipid fractions are quantified and characterized in terms of their contents of both homologous compound series and specific molecular markers. Samples from rural sites c...
11 Nitrogen loading by invertebrates increases growth and diversity of intertidal macroalgae

High-zone intertidal pools along the Oregon coast are a nutrient-poor habitat within a nutrient-replete upwelling ecosystem. However, many seaweed species occur in tide pools, especially when sessile invertebrates are present. By converting particulate nitrogen into ammonium, filter-feeding invertebrates can mediate the supply of nitrogen to seaweeds in tidepools. Invertebrates excrete substantial quantities of ammonium into tidepools, which seaweeds take up and assimilate as a nitrogen source. We investigated the ecological consequences of this local-scale nitrogen source by evaluating the influence of invertebrate-excreted ammonium on the growth and diversity of seaweeds in high-intertidal pools. We measured the growth of a macroalga commonly found in high-intertidal pools, the red alga Odonthalia floccosa (Esp.) Falkenb., when mussels were present and absent. Over a 24-day tidal cycle, accumulation rates of inorganic nitrogen were 3 times higher, and rates of nitrogen uptake were 4.5 times higher, when mussels were present, resulting in 50% more seaweed growth. The number of macroalgal species increased with the rate of ammonium loading into tidepools as slow-growing species tolerant of low nitrogen availability were supplemented by fast-growing species with higher nitrogen requirements. Thus, especially in high-intertidal pools, which are isolated from oceanic nitrate inputs for nearly 80% of the time, invertebrates are important contributors to the nitrogen budgets of seaweeds. This study highlights the role of local-scale nutrient regeneration as a potential determinant of tidepool community structure and suggests that nutrient excretion by filter-feeding invertebrates may influence the structure and dynamics of rocky intertidal communities.
Report of the NATO/CCMS drinking water pilot study on health aspects of drinking water contaminants

Abstract Various methods of disinfection are being successfully used to control waterborne diseases due to biological contaminants in water (viruses, bacteria, protozoa). These methods of chemical control are adding chemical contaminants to the drinking water. For example, trihalomethanes may be formed by the interaction of chlorine with humic and/or fulvic acids. In addition, chemical contaminants may arise from natural, agricultural, industrial or distributional sources. Acute or chronic exposures to these chemicals may result in adverse health effects that are immediate or delayed, reversible or irreversible. Since these contaminants rarely occur singly, chemical interactions (additives, synergistic, antagonistic) must be considered. The nature of the adverse health effects can usually be determined from properly designed and executed animal experiments and/or human epidemiological studies. Potentially toxic agents may also be identified by the use of short term or in vitro tests. Other methods of identification of potentially toxic agents include chemical similarity with known toxicants. Attempts should be made to reduce the number of potentially toxic chemical contaminantsbut the microbiological quality of drinking water must not be compromised.
The parasitic growth of Claviceps purpurea (Fries) Tulasne on rye and its relation to alkaloid formation.

Abstract A study of the ability of the various develop-mental stages of ergot to produce alkaloids in artificial cultures and under natural conditions, indicates that only the sderotial stage, which could not be induced to form in artificial cultures, is capable of producing alkaloids. Pigment formation and alkaloid production are unrelated.
Entropy from fragment yields in nucleus-nucleus collisions around 100 MeV/nucleon

Recent experimental data for light particle and complex fragment emission are compared to the results of a microcanonical statistical fragmentation model. The entropy produced in the reactions is extracted by varying the breakup temperature and density. The best fit to the data is nearly independent of the temperature and density. The extracted entropy is somewhat higher for light particles than for complex fragments.