cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperature measurements in the eye.

Abstract An experimental and theoretical study shows that a metallic needle temperature probe reads in vivo eye temperatures significantly lower than the actual temperatures. In this study an epoxy-encased fine wire thermocouple probe was used to obtain in vivo ocular temperatures in rabbits. Radiometric surface temperatures were obtained over a range of wind velocities. The results obtained from a mathematical model were compared with the data obtained from the needle and fine wire temperature probes placed in the rabbit eye. The comparison suggests that intraocular temperature measurements are in error due to heat conduction losses from the probe and trauma to the eye. The errors are smaller for probes of fine wire than for needle-type probes. Results from the mathematical model can be used to predict intraocular temperatures in rabbits and humans for various air temperatures and wind velocities.
Constructing New Forms of Teaching: Subject Matter Knowledge in Inservice Teacher Education

The authors analyze how the staff of Summer Math for Teachers and the Writing Project, two inservice programs designed to help elementary school teachers develop constructivist teaching practices, ...
Angular momentum coupling and electron-impact excitation cross sections of rare-gas atoms

Electron-impact excitation cross sections for the heavy rare gases are examined in the context of the angular momentum coupling of the final states. Measurements for excitation into n′p5np levels with J=0 are found to vary in a common way for excitation of Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe.
Integrating student learning with practitioner experiences via virtual field trips

The challenge of enriching the teaching/learning experience with the voice of practitioners has long been accomplished via field trips. Now, whether students are on another continent or in the presence of a teacher, they can have the field trip experience electronically. Therefore, this paper addresses: (i) the rationale for virtual field trips (VFTs) for a basic public speaking course; (ii) the content and design of the VFTs; (iii) insights gained from assessments of the roles and functions of VFTs over a 3 year period.
Smooth, easy to compute interpolating splines

We present a system of interpolating splines with first-order and approximate second-order geometric continuity. The curves are easily computed in linear time by solving a diagonally dominant, tridiagonal system of linear equations. Emphasis is placed on the need to find aesthetically pleasing curves in a wide range of circumstances; favorable results are obtained even when the knots are very unequally spaced or widely separated. The curves are invariant under translation, rotation, and scaling, and the effects of a local change fall off exponentially as one moves away from the disturbed knot. Approximate second-order continuity is achieved by using a linear "mock curvature" function in place of the actual endpoint curvature for each spline segment and choosing tangent directions at knots so as to equalize these. This avoids extraneous solutions and other forms of undesirable behavior without seriously compromising the quality of the results. The actual spline segments can come from any family of curves whose endpoint curvatures can be suitably approximated, but we propose a specific family of parametric cubics. There is freedom to allow tangent directions and "tension" parameters to be specified at knots, and special "curl" parameters may be given for additional control near the endpoints of open curves.
Non-sampling errors in surveys of residential energy consumption

Abstract Surveys are an important source of information about energy consumption in the residential sector. Most published estimates of survey error only take account of the uncertainty that arises from the random variation that is present when only a sample of the entire population is surveyed. We examine other sources of survey error, called non-sampling errors, and assess the degree to which these sources of error may affect the usefulness of survey data. Two types of error are considered: non-response error which arises from a failure to obtain data from a chosen unit in the sample and response error which arises when erroneous data are obtained from a chosen unit. Response error is found to be more serious than non-response error in the survey results examined here. Response error is found to be most likely to occur when respondents are asked to provide quantitative information such as estimates of the average monthly utility bill or the floor area of the residence. It is suggested that response error can seriously affect the reliability of the results from analytical methods that are frequently applied to survey data. It is argued that this fact justifies increased efforts to reduce the frequency of occurrence of response error in future surveys.
Geo-pointing and threat location techniques for airborne border surveillance

A mathematical method for geo-pointing an airborne surveillance imager to defined ground borders is developed. Further, equations for geo-location of imaged artifacts for situational awareness and security response are presented. Border patrol using electro-optical, RF, or other wavelength surveillance imagers on airborne platforms calls for autonomous control of Line of Sight (LOS) position. Using inertially stabilized gimbals, imagers have the capacity to not only reject motion disturbances, but also direct their LOS in an inertial coordinate frame. This capability allows for automatic pointing of the imager's LOS to defined ground areas. While autonomous geo-pointing and geo-location functions for consistently nadir looking imaging is trivial, the solution for imaging at standoff distances is not. The developed approach enables autonomous imaging of defined ground areas at arbitrary standoff distances without the need for range finding instrumentation. This is advantageous to security missions by allowing for discrete and safer surveillance. On board microprocessors can execute real time computation of pointing vectors using platform INS/GPS information along with mapped coordinates. Automatic surveillance of borders at standoff distances becomes possible then by mathematics that considers Earth's geometry, the platform's position, and border coordinates. The developed method solves for LOS pointing vectors in inertial coordinates, which can be utilized directly to geo-point inertially stabilized imagers. Information from the system's inertial sensors is tagged to image data and used to geo-locate targets of interest captured by the imaging system. A solution for determining image geodetic coordinates to geo-locate potential ground threats is presented.
Self-association of cromolyn sodium in aqueous solution characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The major objective of this study was to investigate and characterize the solution properties of cromolyn sodium (in D2O or D2O/H2O phosphate buffer at pH 7.5) using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The self-association of cromolyn molecules was examined primarily via one-dimensional 1H and 13C, and two-dimensional homonuclear NOESY NMR. Significant spectral shifts were observed for a majority of cromolyn 1H and 13C resonances, and are attributed to inter-molecular ring-stacking association accompanied by intra-molecular conformational changes. The critical self-association concentration was determined to be 10 mg/mL at pH 7.5 and 25°C by measuring the chemical shift of a specific cromolyn 1H resonance. The observed magnitude and sign changes of NOESY correlations indicate the formation of cromolyn aggregates with restricted molecular mobility. Mesomorphic liquid crystal formation is suggested by uniformly pronounced line broadening in concentrated cromolyn solutions; the transition concentration was approximately 60 mg/mL at 25°C, which is consistent with literature findings based on other techniques. A stronger tendency toward association was observed at lower temperature but aggregation appeared to be independent of pH. Lastly, it was concluded that self-association of cromolyn is promoted by the presence of monovalent cations as a result of reduced electrostatic repulsive forces. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 93:1351–1358, 2004
A3.26 Identifying T-Follicular-Helper-Like Cell Involvement in the Organization of Tubulointerstitial Inflammation in Human Lupus Nephritis and Renal Allograft Rejection

Background Tubulointerstitial inflammation (TII) is a usual feature of lupus nephritis (LuN) and the infiltrate is organised into well-circumscribed T:B-cell aggregates or germinal centre-like structures. Materials and Methods We analysed 42 LuN biopsies using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) for the qualitative presence of T FH -like CD4 + ICOS + cells (T IH )(n = 19 for ICOS-positive cases) and compared this with T-cell-mediated (TCM, n = 8) and mixed renal allograft (mixed RT, n = 7) rejection cases. Cellular make-up and relationships within TII were examined using CLSM to identify and compare the locations of T IH cells and CD20 + B cells by means of a computerised cell-distance algorithm. Results The prevalence of T IH cells was found to be 45.2% in LuN, 64.2% in TCM, and 50% in mixed RT cases. Presence of these cells in LuN was statistically correlated with a worse grade of TII as scored by a blinded pathologist (2.05 versus 1.48, p = 0.04). ICOS-positive biopsies were associated with a higher mean serum creatinine in adult patients at time of biopsy (2.3 versus 1.1 mg/dL, p = 0.03) as well as GFR as measured by the MDRD equation and adjusted for patient sex (44.8 versus 74.1 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , p = 0.04) with no statistical differences in age, sex, ISN/RPS LuN class, or NIH activity or chronicity indices. Cellular distance mapping revealed that T IH cells were spatially related to CD20 + B cells across LuN (42.9% of cells within 0.27 microns, n = 10 biopsies), control tonsil tissue (65.3%, n = 2 biopsies), and mixed RT cases (70.3%, n = 7 biopsies) as compared to other T cells (less than 20% for all groups, respectively). These associations remained unchanged after correction for total cellular density and T:B cell ratios. Low-density TCM cases showed a comparatively low rate of T IH :B cell association (15.0%, n = 8 biopsies) and these results were statistically significant (p IH :B-cell distribution revealed that the likelihood of our observations in LuN being due to chance was approximately 8.12 × 10 –41 . Conclusions Our data reveal that T IH cells are present in similar rates across cases of renal allograft rejection as well as LuN. Their presence is associated with a higher degree of TII as well as worse renal function at time of biopsy in LuN. T IH cells are more likely to form proximal conjugates with naive and activated B cells in tissues of diseases associated with aberrant autoantibody production (SLE, mixed RT) but not in processes where autoantibodies are absent (TCM).
Consortium level collection development: a duplication study of the OhioLINK Central Catalog

Statistics regarding OhioLINK's patron-initiated borrowing system (PCIRC) indicate that the consortium has an efficient requesting and delivery system. This study uses samples of recently published books and checks for their PCIRC availability at the OhioLINK Central Catalog to determine the level of duplication. Results indicate that there is a high level of duplication–70% of recent publications are available. In addition, the study also shows that the level of duplication increases over time. Because duplication is measured as a ratio, it is problematic to develop a fixed number of copies to purchase as a standard. Instead, the first objective would be to inform local collection development librarians of this study and to encourage them to become more sensitive to avoiding unnecessary duplication. Over time, the money saved from reduced duplication could be used to enrich OhioLINK's shared collection by buying a more diverse selection of books.
Froth instability in small-over-large bubble lattices

Abstract For different bubble diameters arranged in a nearly two-dimensional froth or lattice, a fluid instability is predicted. The first-order stability analysis yields conditions for growth of the most unstable wavenumber both as a function of bubble diameter and dimensionless Bond number. Gravity acts to distribute the greater fluid mass associated with smaller bubbles, while surface tension stabilizes the entire lattice against perturbations. The phenomenon evolves somewhat akin to a Rayleigh-Taylor mechanism and in addition to its fundamental interest, carries implications for predicting solute redistribution and gravitational alignments in bubble columns.
Electron and ligand transfer reactions between cyclometallated platinum(II) compounds and thallium(III) carboxylates

Abstract The relative redox potentials of amine adducts of tetra(p-isopropylphenyl)porphinatocarbonyl-ruthenium(II) have been measured in order to study the dependence of porphyrin ring oxidation on axial base. The potentials observed for aromatic heterocyclic amines vary over a range of 0.09 volts; are dependent on the π-base and hydrogen bond donor strength of the amine; and are independent of base strength and steric bulk of the ligand. These results indicate that tension in the imidazole linkage is not a mechanism for protein control on porphyrin ring oxidations and that changes in the hydrogen bonding of the bound imidazole may be a mechanism for controlling porphyrin ring redox potential. The potentials to within experimental uncertainty and independent of the hydrogen bond donor strength of the axial ligand. The latter result indicates that hydrogen bonding effects are transmitted via the π-bonds of the metal porphyrin complex. A direct correlation between the axial ligand dependence of porphyrin ring and metal center oxidation has been found and this implies that the same mechanisms may be operative in either porphyrin ring or metal center oxidation.
Stoichiometric radical hydrogenations with HCo(CO)4, HMn(CO)5 and their deuterio analogs

Abstract Rate data for the stoichiometric radical hydrogenation of four conjugated aromatic olefins with HCo(CO)4 and DCo(CO)4 were obtained and the activation parameters deterimined. The kinetic isotope effect, kHkD, varied from 0.43 with ethylidenefluorene to 2.02 with bifluorenylidene. These results are explained on the basis of the extent of hydrogen (deuterium) transfer in the transition state of the endothermic reaction leading to radical intermediates. The rates of the reaction of three of these olefins with HMn(CO)5 and DMn(CO)5 were also determined and were found to be uniformly more than two orders of magnitude slower than the corresponding reactions with HCo(CO)4 and DCo(CO)4. The data show that hydrogenation reactions of HMn(CO)5 and HCo(CO)4 proceed by similar mechanisms.
Association of Myocardial Fibrosis, B-Type Natriuretic Peptide, and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Parameters of Remodeling in Chronic Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

The left ventricular (LV) scar size detected by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in ischemic cardiomyopathy (IC) has been correlated with mortality. However, the associations among myocardial fibrosis, ventricular geometry, and physiologic measures of myocardial performance remain to be defined. A retrospective analysis of patients with stable chronic IC (LV ejection fraction ≤50%) who underwent CMR imaging from 2004 to 2010 and had plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) measured within 14 days of the CMR study was undertaken. A total of 38 patients met the criteria (mean age 66 ± 10 years; 31 men [82%]). The duration of IC was 67 ± 69 months. The CMR characteristics included LV dilation (LV end-diastolic dimension 62 ± 8 mm) and severe systolic dysfunction (LV ejection fraction 28 ± 11%). The average quantitated myocardial fibrosis was 20 ± 12% of the LV mass. When stratified by fibrotic mass, increased myocardial scar size was associated with increased LV cavity size (p = 0.007), lower LV ejection fraction (p = 0.04), and higher BNP (p = 0.013). In comparison, when stratified by median BNP (475 pg/ml), an elevated BNP level was associated, not only with LV size, function, and degree of fibrosis, but also with increased meridional wall stress (p = 0.002) and worse New York Heart Association functional class (p = 0.006). In conclusion, in chronic IC, quantitated myocardial fibrosis is associated with CMR structural and functional LV abnormalities. Elevated BNP levels are related to high-risk structural and functional CMR abnormalities and wall stress and functional status. Myocardial fibrosis appears to be related to plasma BNP through the processes of ventricular remodeling.
The Role of Defensins in Lung Biology and Therapy

Innate host defence, involving both cellular and humoral mediators, is a prominent function of the human airways. Cellular mediators of innate immunity include dendritic cells, natural killer cells, cytotoxic T cells, macrophages and neutrophils, while humoral mediators of innate immunity consist of components of the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) covering the airways. Microbicidal substances in the ELF can selectively disrupt bacterial cell walls and membranes, sequester microbial nutrients or act as decoys for microbial attachment. Antimicrobial components of airway secretions include lysozymes, lactoferrin, secretory leukoprotease inhibitor, defensins and cathelicidins. Defensins are the most widely studied family of antimicrobial peptides present in airway fluid. Humans produce at least 10 different defensin molecules, six alpha-defensins and four beta-defensins similar in structure and function. Direct evidence that defensins have central roles in host defense has only recently become available. Some defensins and defensin-like molecules could serve as templates for the development of pulmonary pharmaceuticals. As potential therapeutics, they possess several desirable properties, including the ability to kill a broad spectrum of micro-organisms while permitting little development of microbial resistance. Many peptides can also neutralize effects of lipopolysaccharide on macrophages and other host defense cells and decrease the release of proinflammatory cytokines thereby giving protection against septic shock. Protegrin-1 is a minidefensin isolated from pig leukocytes and has proved to be an attractive template for large-scale development of antibacterials. One such protegrin analog, iseganan is in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of oral mucositis secondary to systemic chemotherapy. Other prospective uses of iseganan include control of respiratory pathogens in patients with cystic fibrosis and reduction of oral bacteria to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. However, in order to advance the production and clinical testing of peptide-based therapeutics, technical hurdles of synthesizing large quantities of complexly folded peptides must be first overcome. Strategies to develop potent peptide-based microbicides are promising in the struggle against increasingly resistant pathogens.
New drag reduction design for tractor-trailers using CFD

Tractor-trailers have a higher drag coefficient than other vehicles due to their bluff-body shape. Over the years, numerous add-on devices have been invented to help reduce the drag. The current research investigates new add-on devices in the form of humps to reduce the base-drag of tractor-trailers. In the current investigation, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in the form of unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulations is used to determine viable design strategies and optimise the new add-on device designs. A baseline model was built using an Ahmed body in both 2D and 3D. The predicted drag coefficient of the 3D Ahmed baseline model showed good agreement with experimental data. The 2D and 3D simulations with hump(s) showed some difference in drag reduction that was dependent on the hump geometry. A significant 3D effect existed. Results from the baseline validations as well as from simulations of tractor-trailer-like configurations with hump add-on devices are shown to demonstrate the drag reduction possible. While the hump is a conceptual design and may not be applied to full-size semi-truck trailers due to the height limit, it still offers a significant result which makes the applications on other smaller vehicles possible.
Transporting Movement Ideology into Popular Culture: Right-Wing Think Tanks and the Case of “Virgin Chic”

This article argues that social movements can contribute to the development and integration of new narratives into the cultural stock by sponsoring new rhetorical frames and by sponsoring legislation, thus entering into policy debates. A case study of a new cultural narrative, dubbed “virgin chic,” shows the imprints of the American Right. Through analysis of the mobilizing efforts of right-wing think tanks, this article shows that the Right's development of the “family values” frame and its sponsorship of federal bills aimed at legislating morality resulted in “virgin chic.” Analysis of the origins and career of this narrative shows that it circulated widely (and continues to circulate, 20 years after its emergence in 1990), and that it successfully carries right-wing ideology into popular culture.
Insulin, food intake, and reward.

Over the past three decades, the hormone insulin has been acknowledged to have multiple effects in the brain, and its role has been validated by the identification of receptors and a transport system for insulin in the central nervous system. Much research has focused on the action of insulin to participate in a feedback loop for the regulation of energy balance. Additionally, more recent studies are demonstrating effects of insulin on brain reward pathways; insulin can interact directly with limbic circuitry to decrease the rewarding or reinforcing value of experimental and natural stimuli, including food. These studies are reviewed in the context of current knowledge of insulin action in the brain, and we offer speculation regarding the relevance of this expanded role of insulin in mental disorders.
On the Stability of Some Continuous Systems Subjected to Random Excitation

Continuous structural systems stability under random load excitation from linear partial differential equations of motion
A meteod for measuring interfacial wave fields in tee laboratory

Abstract A method for measuring liquid-gas and liquid-liquid interface height fields is presented. The technique uses the optical rotation properties of certain liquids, and provides a simple way to obtain global data on interfacial waves. The sensitivity of one version of our instrument is better than 0.05mm. Data on the essential properties of candidate fluids are given, and an application involving the visualization of baroclinic waves in a two-layer system is described.
Modulation of Nitric Oxide Reactivity by Heme Posttranslational Modification in the Cyanobacterial Hemoglobin, GlbN

Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 is a model cyanobacterium capable of thriving under conditions that promote the buildup of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS). This organism harbors a hemoglobin (GlbN) that is thought to aid in the detoxification of RNS including NO.GlbN achieves hexacoordinate heme (FeIII/FeII) binding using His70 (proximal) and His46 (distal). In vitro, this coordination scheme protects against H2O2-induced damage, facilitates electron transfer (ET), and lowers redox potential. Under reducing conditions, His117 attacks the 2-vinyl group to form a covalent crosslink. The irreversible posttranslational modification (PTM) of GlbN yields GlbN-A. Ligands such as CO, O2, and NO inhibit the facile PTM. This and other observations suggest that both GlbN and GlbN-A are active in the cell. How does the His-heme PTM influence GlbN reactivity towards NO?NMR and optical spectroscopies were used to study the differences in NO binding, NO oxidation, ET, and NO reduction. We observed that GlbN and GlbN-A can form unusually stable diamagnetic FeIII-NO complexes. Both FeII-O2 proteins appear capable of NO dioxygenation, where ET is typically rate-determining. Each GlbN exhibits facile ET, with measured self-exchange rates slightly slower than cytochrome b5. A difference in NO reactivity is observed under strongly reducing conditions: surprisingly, unmodified GlbN is capable of reducing NO to nitrosyl hydride (HNO). Additionally, FeII-NO binding in GlbN results in immediate heme loss.The results provide some insight into the ability of GlbN to protect the cyanobacterium from RNS/ROS. The data suggest that GlbNs can serve as NO dioxygenases, but may not require a dedicated reductase because of their propensity for facile ET. Additionally, an unusual NO reductase-like activity may also exist for GlbN, and the His-heme PTM appears to eliminate this chemistry.Supported by NSF MCB 0843439
Pinning, thermally activated depinning and their importance for tuning the nanoprecipitate size and density in high Jc YBa2Cu3O7−x films

Abstract YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− x (Y123) films with quantitatively controlled artificial nanoprecipitate pinning centers were grown by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and characterized by transport over wide temperature ( T ) and magnetic field ( H ) ranges and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The critical current density J c was found to be determined by the interplay of strong vortex pinning and thermally activated depinning (TAD), which together produced a non-monotonic dependence of J c on c -axis pin spacing d c . At low T and H , J c increased with decreasing d c , reaching the very high J c ∼ 48 MA/cm 2 ∼20% of the depairing current density J d at 10 K, self-field and d c ∼ 10 nm, but at higher T and H when TAD effects become significant, J c was optimized at larger d c because longer vortex segments confined between nanoprecipitates are less prone to thermal fluctuations. We conclude that precipitates should extend at least several coherence lengths along vortices in order to produce irreversibility fields H irr (77 K) greater than 7 T and maximum bulk pinning forces F p ,max (77 K) greater than 7–8 GN/m 3 (values appropriate for H parallel to the c -axis). Our results show that there is no universal pin array that optimizes J c at all T and H .
High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of a potent AII receptor antagonist (DMP 811) in plasma

An HPLC assay for DMP 811, 4-ethyl-2-propyl-1-[(2'-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl)methyl]imi dazole-5- carboxylic acid (I) in rat and dog plasma has been developed. Compound I was isolated from plasma using a liquid-liquid back extraction procedure. The extraction recovery was greater than 81%. Separation of I from endogenous components in plasma was achieved on an E. Merck C8 column using a mobile phase of 0.05 M ammonium acetate, brought to pH 3.75 with acetic acid, and acetonitrile (78:22, v/v). The eluent was monitored by fluorescence with excitation and emission set at 235 and 370 nm, respectively. The assay was linear from 2 to 2000 ng/ml. Inter- and intra-day coefficients of variation for the rat-plasma assay ranged from 0.9 to 5.2% (5-2000 ng/ml) and 2.7 to 16.5% (2-2000 ng/ml), respectively. The respective coefficients of variation for the dog-plasma assay were 1.9 to 5.6% and 1.2 to 14.0%. The percent differences from the accuracy results were 12% or less. Using 0.5 ml of plasma for extraction, the minimum quantifiable limit was 2 ng/ml. This method has been used to quantify plasma levels of I in rats or dogs following 3-10 mg/kg i.v. or p.o. doses.
Determination of interfacial properties from observations of progressive fiber debonding and pullout

Abstract The characterization of the fiber/matrix interface or interphase region is important in accurately modeling the behavior of composites. Pushout and pullout testing on single fibers are the two primary methods for examining interfacial properties such as the coefficient of friction, residual stresses, interfacial strength or toughness, and the fiber roughness. In this study, single fiber pullout tests were performed on silicon carbide fibers (SCS-2) embedded in a barium borosilicate glass matrix. The samples were made by first passing the silicon carbide fibers through a flame and then sandwiching them between two pieces of glass. The sandwich was then heated in air for 75 min at 850°C under slight pressure. Relations between the length of the debond and the applied load (during progressive debonding) and between the embedded length and the applied load during pullout were determined from the pullout tests. The transparency of the glass allowed the propagation of the debond crack to be observed using an optical microscope. The roughness of the interface caused significant wearing during pullout.
Sand verbenas (Abronia spp., Nyctaginaceae) germinate in response to ethylene

Abstract Sand verbenas ( Abronia spp., Nyctaginaceae) are difficult to germinate in the laboratory. This hinders conservation and restoration efforts for Abronia spp. some of which are rare and others of which have been displaced from dune environments by invasive species and human activities. The possibility that ethylene (supplied as the liquid ethephon) could promote germination was investigated for Abronia fragrans , Abronia maritima , Abronia umbellata , and Abronia villosa . Germination of achenes from which the anthocarp had been removed ranged from 0% to 15% in deionized water and at alternating temperatures of 27/20 °C associated with a 12-h light/12-h dark cycle. For A. maritima and A. umbellata under similar conditions of temperature and light, germination exceeded 90% for all concentrations of ethephon tested (10, 100, and 500 μ mol l −1 ). The rate of germination was highest at 500 μ mol l −1 ; however, the radicles were stunted at this concentration. Germination was also promoted by imbibition of the achenes with ripe apple tissue providing evidence that the ethephon effects are due to ethylene. Ethephon treatment (100 μ mol l −1 ) also significantly increased germination for A. fragrans and A. villosa suggesting that the different species of sand verbena may have similar dormancy mechanisms.
First identification of benzo[cd]phenanthro[1,2,3-lm]perylene by high-pressure liquid chromatography with ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.

Abstract Benzo[cd]phenanthro[1,2,3-lm]perylene has been identified as a product of supercritical 1-methylnaphthalene pyrolysis from an experiment performed at 585 °C, 110 atm, and 140 s in a supercritical fluid flow reactor. The identification of benzo[cd]phenanthro[1,2,3-lm]perylene is based on the product's mass spectrum, HPLC elution time, and UV absorbance spectrum. The mass spectrum of the identified 1-methylnaphthalene pyrolysis product, called component I here, reveals a molecular weight of 426, corresponding to a C34H18 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The extremely long HPLC elution time, 20–48 min longer than those of the four other C34H18 PAH components in this product mixture, indicates that component I has a planar structure with a high length-to-breadth ratio. Annellation theory is used to interpret and compare the UV spectrum of component I with those of the C30H16 benzo[cd]naphtho[1,2,3-lm]perylene and the C36H18 teropyrene, structures with one ring less and one ring more, respectively, than that of component I. This analysis of component I's UV spectrum, in conjunction with its mass spectrum and HPLC elution behavior, all lead to the identification of component I as the nine-ring PAH benzo[cd]phenanthro[1,2,3-lm] perylene, a molecule whose existence has never before been documented.
Oil into Culture: Energopolitics in the Russian Urals

: [energy, energopolitics, anthropology of energy, petrostate, Lukoil, Perm, Russian oil]
Hatchability, Hematological Indices, and Growth of Turkey Embryos Incubated at High Altitude with Supplemented Oxygen During the First and Fourth Weeks of Incubation

Abstract Turkey eggs were incubated at high altitude (1,700 m). Hatchability, hematology, and growth data were analyzed for the following treatments: 1) eggs receiving supplemented oxygen (SO) during the 1st wk of incubation (control eggs received no SO during the 1st wk); 2) eggs receiving SO during the 4th wk (control eggs received no SO during the 4th wk); and 3) the interaction effect of oxygen the 1st or 4th wk with SO the 1st and 4th wk or with no SO. Data analysis was carried out using orthogonal contrasts. Exposing incubating turkey embryos to oxygen the 1st wk or the 4th wk of incubation improved hatchability significantly (P≤.05) compared with the remaining treatments. When SO was given during the 4th wk of incubation, hemoglobin concentration in embryos decreased (P≤.05) during pipping compared with that of embryos without SO the 4th wk. Hemoglobin was increased (P≤.05) by increasing red blood cell numbers if SO was not given during Week 4, otherwise, the embryos increased (P≤.05) in mean cellular hemoglobin to increase hemoglobin. When oxygen was supplemented the 1st wk of incubation, reticulocyte maturation was slowed (P≤.05) compared with no SO the 1st wk. Oxygen exposure during the 1st wk or 4th wk of incubation reduced (P≤.05) body weights of embryos during pipping and at hatching compared with those of embryos in the remaining treatments. Oxygen supplementation during Week 4 affected (P≤.05) heart growth at the prenatal, internal pipping, and postnatal stages of respiration. At time of external pipping, embryos with no SO during Week 1 had heavier (P≤.05) livers than embryos with SO during Week 1, and SO during Week 4 increased (P≤.05) liver weight compared with no SO during the 4th wk. It was concluded that turkey embryos may hatch, increase hemoglobin concentration, and grow differently in response to SO depending upon the time of SO exposure.
Permanent-Magnet Quadrupoles in RFQ Linacs

We investigated the possibility of increasing the current-carrying capability of radio-frequency quadrupole (RFQ) linear accelerators by adding permanentmagnet quadrupole (PMQ) focusing to the existing transverse focusing provided by the rf electric field. Increased transverse focusing would also allow shortening RFQ linacs by permitting a larger accelerating gradient, which is normally accompanied by an undesirable increased transverse rf defocusing effect. We found that PMQs were not helpful in increasing the transverse focusing strength in an RFQ. This conclusion was reached after some particle tracing simulations and some analytical calculations. In our parameter regime, the addition of the magnets increases the betatron frequency but does not result in improved focusing because the increased flutter more than offsets the gain from the increased betatron frequency.
Neonatal Foreskin Substrate Has Limitations for the Immunofluorescent Screening of Monoclonal Antibodies

Two monoclonal antibodies to type IV collagen showed a marked decrease in the labeling of the dermal-epidermal junction of neonatal foreskin while the basement membrane around dermal blood vessels was brightly stained. In contrast, these antibodies labeled the junction and dermal blood vessels with approximately equal intensity when adult skin of nonforeskin site was used as substrate. Other antibodies to matrix molecules (bullous pemphigoid antigen, epidermolysis bullosa acquisita antigen, and laminin) showed excellent staining of both the dermal-epidermal junction and dermal blood vessels in both neonatal foreskin and adult skin. Further, the ultrastructural appearance of the substrates appeared identical. The implication is that neonatal foreskin is not a good substrate to use for the routine screening of monoclonal antibodies to matrix components by indirect immunofluorescence since a "false negative" evaluation may occur.
An Interview with Susan Leigh Star

Known to many for developing the concept of boundary objects, Susan Leigh Star has been a leading thinker in science and technology studies for more than a decade. With notable scholarly contributi...
Aortic valve operation after percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty

From January 1986 to May 1988, 179 patients underwent percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty at our institution. Forty-five (25%) patients subsequently required operation at this institution or other institutions. The indication for percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty was patient preference in 15 and an estimation of excessive operative mortality in 30. Three patients required emergency operation immediately after valvuloplasty, and the other 42 had an elective operation a mean of 7.8 months afterward. All but 3 of these patients had major progression of symptoms, and all had valvular restenosis. In spite of the high-risk status of these patients, there were only four hospital deaths among the 45 patients. Three additional patients have died a mean of 11.4 months postoperatively. The condition of all survivors remains clinically improved after the valve operations. Percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty must be recognized as a palliative procedure, and should be reserved for patients who are truly not candidates for operation or situations in which a brief period of reduction in gradient might improve a patient's condition before operation.
Crystal and molecular structure of octacarbonyl[bis(bispentafluorophenylarsenido)] dimolybdenum, Mo2(CO)8[μ-As(C6F5)2]2

The X-ray crystallographic structure determination of Mo2(CO)8[μ-As(C6F5)2]2 reveals that the compound crystallizes in the tetragonal space groupP421c witha=14.915(3),c=16.732(3) A,V=3722(1) A3, andZ=4. Least-squares refinement based on 1474 independent observed data [(Fobs)≥3σ(Fobs)] resulted in a finalR value of 0.038. The Mo-Mo distance of 3.132(1) A is longer than found in analogous phosphido-bridged molybdenum systems. The central Mo2As2 rhombus is nearly flat and the coordination geometry of the Mo atoms is essentially octahedral. An unusual staggering of the Mo(CO)4 groups by 15.8° and short intramolecular C6F5⋯CO contacts support the presence of a strong steric interaction between the Mo(CO)4 and As(C6F5)2 groups.
Reactivities of NaOH Enhanced Iron Blast Furnace Slag/Hydrated Lime Sorbents toward SO2 at Low Temperatures: Effects of the Presence of CO2, O2, and NOx

The effects of the addition of NaOH on the reactivities toward SO2 of iron blast furnace slag/hydrated lime (BFS/HL) sorbents were studied without and with the presence of flue gas components, CO2, O2, and NOx, under the conditions prevailing in the bag filters of dry and semidry flue gas desulfurization processes. The reactivities of sorbents were markedly enhanced by the addition of NaOH when CO2, O2, and NOx were not present in the gas mixture. The enhancement effect mainly resulted from the deliquescent property of NaOH. With the presence of CO2, O2, and NOx at their typical concentrations in the flue gas, the sorbent reactivity was greatly increased due to the oxidation of bisulfite and sulfite ions to sulfate ions as well as the formation of deliquescent salts, calcium nitrite and nitrate, being enhanced by the presence of NO2 during the sulfation of a BFS/HL sorbent. The addition of NaOH in this case promoted the formation of sulfates but became less important in raising the sorbent reactivities fo...
Moduli fields and brane tensions: Generalizing the junction conditions

Taking the Randall-Sundrum models as a background scenario, we derive generalized Israel-Lanczos-Sen thin-shell junction conditions for systems in which several bulk scalar fields are nonminimally coupled to gravity. We demonstrate that the form of the junction conditions (though arguably not the physics) depends on the choice of frame. We show that generally (in any frame except the Einstein frame) the presence of a thin shell induces discontinuities in the normal derivative of the scalar field, even in the absence of any direct interaction between the thin shell and the scalar field. For some exceptional scalar field configurations the discontinuities in the derivatives of the metric and the scalar fields can feed back into each other and so persist even in the absence of any thin shell of stress energy.
Methods for predicting the effectiveness of uranium mill tailings covers

Abstract The theory for diffusion of radon through uranium mill tailings piles and covers placed over them is developed in a simple but reasonably accurate form. The results depend on a knowledge of diffusion constants. Methods for measuring these in a laboratory are considered and a much simpler method than those in use is developed and recommended.
NUTRITIONAL INTAKE MONITORING FOR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS: A COMPARISON OF STAFF DOCUMENTATION, DIRECT OBSERVATION, AND PHOTOGRAPHY METHODS

BACKGROUND: The current approach to assessing nutritional intake requires nursing home (NH) staff to document total percentage of food and fluid consumed at each meal. Because NH staff tend to significantly overestimate total food intake, methods need to be developed to improve the accuracy of food intake measurement. OBJECTIVE: To compare three methods of assessing the nutritional intake of NH residents. RESEARCH DESIGN: Validation Study. SUBJECTS: Fifty-six NH residents in one facility. MEASURES: Total percentage of food and fluid intake of each resident for each of nine meals, or all three meals for 3 consecutive days, was assessed by: (1) Nursing home staff chart documentation, (2) Research staff documentation according to direct observations, and (3) Research staff documentation according to photographs of residents' trays before and after each meal. RESULTS: Research staff documentation of total intake and intake of all individual food and fluid items was similar for the direct observation and photography methods. In comparison with these two methods, NH staff documentation reflected a significant overestimate (22%) of residents' total intake levels. In addition, NH staff failed to identify the more than half (53%) of those residents whose intake levels were equal to or below 75% for most meals. CONCLUSIONS: The photography method of nutritional assessment yielded the same information as direct observations by research staff, and both of these methods showed the intake levels of NH residents to be significantly lower than the intake levels documented by NH staff. The photography method also has several advantages over a documentation system that relies on an observer to be present to record food and fluid intake levels. J Am Geriatr Soc 48: 209–213, 2000.
Ethanol differentially regulates NF-κB activation in pancreatic acinar cells through calcium and protein kinase C pathways

Mechanisms of alcoholic pancreatitis remain unknown. Previously, we showed that ethanol feeding sensitizes rats to pancreatitis caused by CCK-8, at least in part, by augmenting activation of the pr...
Power-Spectrum Analysis of Exponential Diffusers

An explicit relation for exponential diffuser-transmittance power spectrum is derived in terms of the diffuser-surface statistics. Although closed-form solutions are not generally possible, some insight into the relations follows from expressions that are developed for zero-order energy and the mean-square spread of the spectrum. Known relations for gaussian diffusers are compared to those derived for exponential diffusers. An example of a possible diffuser phase correlation is used to illustrate the analysis.
Fall risk factors in community-dwelling elderly who receive Medicaid-supported home- and community-based care services.

OBJECTIVE: This study identifies fall risk factors in an understudied population of older people who receive community-based care services. METHOD: Data were collected from enrollees of Ohio's Medicaid home- and community-based waiver program (preadmission screening system providing options and resources today [PASSPORT]). A total of 23,182 participants receiving PASSPORT services in 2005/2006 was classified as fallers and nonfallers, and a variety of risk factors for falling was analyzed using logistic regressions. RESULTS: The following factors were identified as risk factors for falling: previous fall history, older age, White race, incontinence, higher number of medications, fewer numbers of activity of daily living limitations, unsteady gait, tremor, grasping strength, and absence of supervision. DISCUSSION: Identifying risk factors for the participants of a Medicaid home- and community-based waiver program are useful for a fall risk assessment, but it would be most helpful if the community-based care service programs incorporate measurements of known fall risk factors into their regular data collection, if not already included. Language: en
Influence of self-oxide formation regimes on the properties of oxide-p-InSe heterojunctions

Oxide-p-InSe heterojunctions were formed by thermal oxidation of a p-InSe crystal substrate in various temperature-time regimes. Measurements of the current-voltage characteristics confirmed that these were of good optical quality. The optimum technological conditions for fabricating these junctions were determined.
Cardiac neural crest is necessary for normal addition of the myocardium to the arterial pole from the secondary heart field

In cardiac neural-crest-ablated embryos, the secondary heart field fails to add myocardial cells to the outflow tract and elongation of the tube is deficient. Since that study, we have shown that the secondary heart field provides both myocardium and smooth muscle to the arterial pole. The present study was undertaken to determine whether addition of both cell types is disrupted after neural crest ablation. Marking experiments confirm that the myocardial component fails to be added to the outflow tract after neural crest ablation. The cells destined to go into the outflow myocardium fail to migrate and are left at the junction of the outflow myocardium with the nascent smooth muscle at the base of the arterial pole. In contrast, the vascular smooth muscle component is added to the arterial pole normally after neural crest ablation. When the myocardium is not added to the outflow tract, the point where the outflow joins the pharynx does not move caudally as it normally should, the aortic sac is smaller and fails to elongate resulting in abnormal connections of the outflow tract with the caudal aortic arch arteries.
Impact of Multiple Risk Factor Profiles on Determining Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Background.We examined the association between clustering of risk factors and the risk for coronary heart disease, stroke, and all-cause mortality. Methods.Data from the First National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study (N= 12,932) were used to estimate the relative risk for coronary heart disease (N= 2,255), stroke (N= 929), and death from any cause (N= 4,506) by the number of cardiovascular disease risk factors present. Risk factors included current smoking, overweight, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes. Results.The proportions of respondents with 0, 1, 2, 3, or ≥4 risk factors were 25.0, 32.8, 27.8, 12.3, and 2.1%, respectively. Relative risks for coronary heart disease associated with having 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 risk factors were 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4,1.9), 2.2 (95% CI 1.9,2.6), 3.1 (95% CI 2.6,3.6), and 5.0 (95% CI 3.9,6.3), respectively. Relative risks for stroke associated with the same risk levels were 1.4 (95% CI 1.1,1.8), 1.9 (95% CI 1.5,2.4), 2.3 (95% CI 1.7,3.0), and 4.3 (95% CI 3.0,6.3), respectively. Similar results were observed for all-cause mortality. Conclusions.Risk for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality increased substantially with each additional risk factor. This supports the continued need for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Body mass and 26 y risk of mortality among men who never smoked: a re-analysis among men from the Adventist Mortality Study.

Body mass and 26 y risk of mortality among men who never smoked: a re-analysis among men from the Adventist Mortality Study