cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MEDIATION OF IMMUNOLOGIC DISCHARGE OF LYSOSOMAL ENZYMES FROM HUMAN NEUTROPHILS BY GUANOSINE 3',5'-MONOPHOSPHATE : REQUIREMENT OF CALCIUM, AND INHIBITION BY ADENOSINE 3',5'-MONOPHOSPHATE

The purpose of this investigation was to elucidate the relationship of cyclic GMP and calcium to the immunologic discharge of lysosomal enzymes from purified human neutrophils. Contact of neutrophils with a variety of immunologic stimuli, including zymosan particles treated with either normal or rheumatoid arthritic (RA) serum, heat-aggregated (agg) IgG, particulate and immobilized agg IgG each treated with RA serum, and zymosan-treated serum, provoked the discharge of s-glucuronidase, but not cytoplasmic lactate dehydrogenase, and stimulated the accumulation of cyclic GMP. Both enzyme release and elevation of cyclic GMP levels required the presence of extracellular calcium as neither cellular event proceeded in its absence. Cholinergic enhancement of the immunologic secretion of s-glucuronidase from neutrophils by acetylcholine was associated with a concomitant accumulation of cyclic GMP. These actions of acetylcholine on neutrophils did not proceed in the absence of extracellular calcium. Whereas the concentrations of cyclic GMP in neutrophils were elevated by both immune reactants and a combination of the latter and acetylcholine, cyclic AMP levels remained unaltered. Thus, cyclic GMP, but not cyclic AMP, was associated with the immunologic and pharmacologic discharge of lysosomal enzymes from neutrophils. Contrariwise, cyclic AMP, but not cyclic GMP, was associated with inhibition of lysosomal enzyme release. For example, dibutyryl cyclic AMP and epinephrine inhibited the release of s-glucuronidase from neutrophils that was elicited by each of the immune reactants tested. Moreover, cyclic AMP levels in the cells were elevated markedly in every instance that enzyme discharge was inhibited by epinephrine. Epinephrine did not alter the neutrophil concentrations of cyclic GMP at times when those of cyclic AMP were elevated. The data in this report constitute partial evidence that the immunologic discharge of lysosomal enzymes from human neutrophils is mediated or signaled by intracellular cyclic GMP and that calcium is linked to this stimulation of enzyme secretion.
Design and Performance of the Keck Angle Tracker

The Keck Angle Tracker (KAT) is a key subsystem in the NASA-funded Keck Interferometer at the Keck Observatory on the summit of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. KAT, which has been in operation since the achievement of first fringes in March 2001, senses the tilt of the stellar wavefront for each of the beams from the interferometer telescopes and provides tilt error signals to fast tip/tilt mirrors for high-bandwidth, wavefront tilt correction. In addition, KAT passes low-bandwidth, desaturation offsets to the adaptive optics system of the Keck telescopes to correct for slow pointing drifts. We present an overview of the instrument design and recent performance of KAT in support of the V2 science and nulling observing modes of the Keck Interferometer.
Deducing Multidecadal Anthropogenic Global Warming Trends Using Multiple Regression Analysis

To unmask the anthropogenic global warming trend imbedded in the climate data, multiple linear re- gression analysis is often employed to filter out short-term fluctuations caused by El Nino-Southern Oscil- lation (ENSO), volcano aerosols, and solar forcing. These fluctuations are unimportant as far as their impact on the deduced multidecadal anthropogenic trends is concerned: ENSO and volcano aerosols have very little multidecadal trend. Solar variations do have a secular trend, but it is very small and uncertain. What is important,butisleftoutofallmultipleregressionanalysisofglobalwarmingsofar,isalong-periodoscillation called the Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO). When the AMO index is included as a regressor (i.e., explanatory variable), the deduced multidecadal anthropogenic global warming trend is so impacted that previously deduced anthropogenic warming rates need to be substantially revised. The deduced net an- thropogenic global warming trend has been remarkably steady and statistically significant for the past 100 yr.
The nature of accessible surfaces in the microstructure of cotton cellulose

The accessible regions in cotton cellulose were tagged by the introduction of diethyl-aminoethyl (DEAE) substituents at DS = 0.034 without other substantial changes in structure. Evidence from rates of hydrolysis of this DEAE cotton to hydrocelluloses and from the composition and structure of the solubilized and insoluble fractions provides the basis for considerable detail regarding two types of accessible regions in the cotton fiber; these are identified as accessible surfaces of elementary fibrils. One type of accessible surface is characterized by molecular chain segments which are distorted and disordered by tilt/twist strain that is concentrated in this segment of the elementary fibril; the second type of accessible surface is characterized by a relatively high degree of order which reflects the high level of crystallinity within the interior of this unstrained segment of the elementary fibril. Substantial differences between these accessible surfaces are discussed. It is estimated that chain segments on accessible surfaces of the first type are substantially disordered, i.e., approximately 60–90% of the D-glucopyranosyl units are dislocated from positions of perfect crystalline order. Accessible surfaces of the second type are quite highly ordered, i.e., only 5–30% of the D-glucopyranosyl units dislocated.
Music Teachers Need Your Help

There is a present lack of communication between resource teachers and music educators who work with learning disabled children. The possible reasons for this inadequate professional cooperation are divergent schedules and a lack of knowledge as to each other's long and short term goals. An overview of the music curriculum is offered as a beginning step in achieving awareness of these goals. In addition, there are specific problems LD children may have with the music educator's curriculum. They may have problems with music texts because of the excessive visual material or confusing formats. The ability to receive auditory input and respond motorically is used in primary music classes while in intermediate grades there is often auditory and visual input with a precise motor response expected. Resource teachers can aid music specialists by sharing the knowledge regarding a child's normal intelligence and by apprising the music teacher of the child's specific learning strengths and weaknesses which have appl...
Signal estimation and detection in arbitrary impulsive noise environment

Assuming arbitrary distribution for the additive noise at the communication receiver, we propose a new approach for the signal estimation and detection problems in the FIR channel. By applying the Bayesian law, the MAP estimator/detector are obtained. The complexity of the proposed algorithms are much lower than the Viterbi decoder. As an example, the binary signal sequence is recovered from the measurement data corrupted by a highly impulsive noise process with symmetric /spl alpha/-stable distribution.
Wake effects on turbulent transport in the convective boundary layer

The effect of the downstream propagation of a wake on the transport of momentum, energy and scalars (such as humidity) in the convective boundary layer (CBL) is studied using a direct numerical simulation. The incompressible Navier–Stokes and energy equations are integrated under neutral and unstable thermal stratification conditions in a rotating coordinate frame with the Ekman layer approximation. Wake effects are introduced by modifying the mean velocity field as an initial condition on a converged turbulent Ekman layer flow. With this initial velocity distribution, the governing equations are integrated in time to determine how turbulent transport in the CBL is affected by the wake. Through the use of Taylor’s hypothesis, temporal evolution of the flow field in a doubly periodic computational domain is transformed into a spatial evolution. The results clearly indicate an increase in the scalar flux at the surface for the neutrally stratified case. An increase in wall scalar and heat flux is also noted...
Responses of the bronchial veins in a heart-lung-bronchial preparation.

Blood collected from the bronchial veins of a heart-lung-bronchial preparation consists of two components: (a) fraction from the bronchial arteries, and (b) pulmonary to bronchial shunt It is estimated that the latter is more than half of total bronchial venous flow. The pulmonary to bronchial shunt is reduced by procedures which increase pulmonary arterial pressure. An intrinsic nervous reflex mechanism is suggested to explain such a response, particularly because the bronchial veins are more sensitive than the bronchial arteries to the vasoconstrictor action of epinephrine and norepinephirine, and to the vasodilator action of isoproterenol. acetylchohine, histamine, and DMPP. Alterations in bronchial venous flow induced by such chemical agents are independent of bronchoconstriction or bronchodilatation.
The Counterproductive Management of Science in the Second World War: Vannevar Bush and the Office of Scientific Research and Development

Established to mobilize science during the Second World War, the Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) and its director, Vannevar Bush, created new weapons as well as a new relationship between science and government that helped shape Cold War America. Yet much about the partnership that emerged disappointed Bush, especially its uncontrolled expansion and the failure of civilian oversight. The failure, ironically, as this article explains, can be traced to the very approach that allowed Bush to mobilize rapidly during wartime, especially to an “associationalism” and contractual strategy that centralized the management of R&D in Washington while leaving its performance to private contractors. Forged in more conservative decades, the strategy facilitated the rapid exploitation of private-sector resources at the cost of promoting the uncontrolled proliferation of public-private arrangements that undercut Bush's postwar hopes.
Role of 26S proteasome and HRD genes in the degradation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, an integral endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein.

3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-R), a key enzyme of sterol synthesis, is an integral membrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In both humans and yeast, HMG-R is degraded at...
The Effects of Promotion by Seniority in Growth-Constrained Organizations

This paper develops a balanced growth fractional flow model for the opportunities for promotion, length of service, and career earnings of personnel in a hierarchical manpower organization, and relates these characteristics to the expenditures needed to maintain the system for a specified period of operation. The primary controls available in the model are the proportions of rank members promoted to higher ranks during each period, the proportions of personnel in each rank who are promoted on the basis of seniority, and the growth rate of the sire of the system. Using an analytical approach, we investigate the responses to different emphases on seniority in the promotion process, and determine the effect of alternative system growth rates on these responses. Among significant findings are: i in systems of stable size, mobility, time-in-service and some career earnings characteristics are independent of the emphasis on seniority in the promotion process; ii both the maximum possible periods of service in each rank and the average levels of experience in each rank decrease as promotions-by-seniority increase and as the system growth rate increases; iii the total time served in each rank decreases as the system growth rate increases, but decreases as promotions-by-seniority increase only in systems that are stable or growing in size; in contracting systems, total time served in each rank increases as promotions-by-seniority increase; iv the trends for changes in the mobility of members in each rank are opposite to those for total time served in the rank; v the rank support costs decrease as the promotion rates, the system growth rate, and promotions-by-seniority increase, although these costs are much less sensitive to different emphases on seniority than to changes in the growth rate.
Endothelial keratoplasty combined with cataract surgery or alone using polyethylene glycol hydrogel sealant for closure of corneal incisions.

We present a surgical technique in which polyethylene glycol hydrogel is used to seal corneal incisions and maintain air in the anterior chamber. This technique was used in 11 eyes that had Descemet-stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK). In 2 cases, DSEK was combined with cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. In all cases, the anterior chamber was well formed with no leakage and the donor graft remained attached following surgery. The use of polyethylene glycol hydrogel in DSEK and combined DSEK–cataract surgery may shorten surgery, decrease suture-induced corneal astigmatism, and prevent the need for suture removal. Financial Disclosure Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Impact of number of angles on the performance of the data vortex optical interconnection network

Reducing communication latency in multiprocessor interconnection networks can increase system performance on a broad range of applications. The data vortex photonic network reduces message latency by utilizing all-optical end-to-end transparent links and deflection routing. Cylinders replace node storage for buffering messages. The cylinder circumference (measured as number of angles) has a significant impact on the message acceptance rate and average message latency. A new symmetric mode of usage for the data vortex is discussed in which a fraction of the angles is used for input/output (I/O), and the remainder is used for "virtual buffering" of messages. For single-angle injection, six total angles provide the best performance. Likewise, the same ratio of 5 : 1 purely routing nodes versus I/O nodes is shown to produce greater than 99% acceptance, under normal loading conditions for all other network sizes studied. It is shown that for a given network I/O size, a shorter height and wider circumference data vortex organization provides acceptable latency with fewer total nodes than a taller but narrower data vortex. The performance versus system cost is discussed and evaluated, and the 5 : 1 noninjection-to-injection angle ratio is shown to be cost effective when constructing a system in current optical technology
Using change-point analysis and weighted averaging approaches to explore the relationships between common benthic diatoms and in-stream environmental variables in mid-atlantic highlands streams, USA

Diatoms are increasingly being used in the bioassessment of aquatic systems. However, autecological information for many common taxa is incomplete. We explored the potential of classification (CT) and regression tree (RT) approaches to identify the hierarchical interaction among water quality variables in predicting the relative abundance of ten common stream diatom taxa in the Mid-Atlantic Highlands ecoregion. RT analysis was also used to identify environmental change points corresponding to major shifts in species abundances. We also used traditional weighted-averaging approaches (WA) to model taxon pH and total phosphorus (TP) optima. RT and WA approaches provided different, yet complementary, information on the complex relationships between common stream diatoms and environmental variables. Both RT and CT highlighted the interaction of stream acidity (pH, acid neutralizing capacity (ANC)), and TP in structuring the stream diatom assemblage. For the RT of taxa, where pH was an important predictor, higher pH predicted higher relative abundances. In contrast, higher TP predicted lower relative abundances for some diatom taxa (e.g., Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kutz.) Czarnecki), while predicting higher relative abundances for other taxa (e.g., Planothidium lanceolatum (Breb.) Round & Bukht., Gomphonema parvulum (Kutz.) Kutz.). The environmental change point for pH derived from RT analysis was lower than WA optima for all species. We suggest that RT change point analysis can be used to complement traditional WA optima approaches, especially when diatom taxa’s abundances are affected by interactive environmental factors, to provide more refined information on stream diatom environmental preferences.
On the non-negative impulse response of multi-dimensional systems

This paper presents sufficient conditions on one-dimensional (1-D) pole-zero patterns that exhibit a non-negative impulse response (NNIR) for several classes of multi-dimensional (M-D) hyper-planar systems in both the continuous-time and the discrete-time domains. The results provide some intuitive ideas about 1-D to M-D variable substitutions that preserve the non-negativity property of impulse response, as well as the relationship between the impulse response of a transformed M-D system and the impulse response of its 1-D prototype. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper in the literature discussing the sufficient conditions on pole-zero patterns that guarantee an NNIR for M-D systems. The sufficient conditions on the pole-zero patterns for the employed 1-D prototype systems represent the most inclusive sufficient conditions that ensure an NNIR. As a result, sufficient conditions on the pole-zero patterns that exhibit an NNIR are revealed for a broad category of M-D systems in this paper. It should be noticed that though there is a significant potential of applications in the area of NNIR M-D systems, NNIR M-D system design has received inadequate attention, which is surprising in view of the abundance of design frameworks developed over decades of research in M-D systems. In response to this inadequacy, this paper provides theoretical background and important guidance in constructing NNIR M-D systems. Specifically, the presented results can be employed to construct NNIR M-D filters using M-D hyper-planar filters as the building blocks. The constructing process is illustrated through a simple design example.
A novel state cache scheme in structured P2P systems

Large-scale P2P systems typically have hundreds of thousands of peers that involve frequent dynamic activities. Current structured overlays do not identify well the rhythm in the dynamic activities, thus resulting in high maintenance overhead. In this paper, we present a new state cache system, called SCS, that solves the problem by exploiting the access patterns of dynamic activities in P2P systems. SCS partitions the whole P2P network into clusters and dynamically chooses a ''super'' node in each cluster to selectively record and maintain the routing information for departed nodes most likely to arrive back in the near future. The cached routing information enables SCS to simplify self-organization, reduce system maintenance overhead and provide high quality routing service. The experimental results show that SCS reduces the maintenance overhead by up to 66% while delivering much better routing performance, as compared to current structured P2P systems.
Work Habits and Customer Service in Post‐Communist Poland: Some First‐hand Observations

Addresses customer service and work habits in post‐Communist Poland, based on seven weeks of observation in 1991. Has two purposes: to warn Westerners about problems in starting or taking control of a Polish business or becoming partners with Polish interests in an established business; and to prod Poland into tearing out the roots of this problem – homo sovieticus – which are deeply embedded in the Polish economic order. Homo sovieticus is a human whose spirit has been systematically destroyed by a system designed by and for Stalin and erected in his name and memory. Customer service in Poland has been influenced by two factors: the shortages of the former command economy and the role of state enterprises as industrial welfare agencies. As to work habits, there is no solidarity among those who labour in the same workplace nor is there any teamwork in the workplace or the marketplace.
Pattern and process in the evolution of the sole dioecious member of Brassicaceae

Lepidium sisymbrioides, a polyploid New Zealand endemic, is the sole dioecious species in Brassicaceae and therefore the closest dioecious relative of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. The attractiveness of developing this system for future studies on the genetics of sex determination prompted us to investigate historical and developmental factors surrounding the evolution of its unisexual flowers. Our goal was to determine the evolutionary pattern of polyploidization of L. sisymbrioides and the timing and process of flower reproductive organ abortion. To that end, we used a combination of phylogenetics to place this species within the complex history of polyploidization events in Lepidium and histology to compare its floral ontogeny to that of its closest hermaphroditic relatives and to A. thaliana. Using a nuclear locus (PISTILLATA), we reconstructed the gene tree among Lepidium taxa and applied a phylogenetic network analysis to identify ancestral genomes that contributed to the evolution of L. sisymbrioides. Combining this phylogenetic framework with cytological and genome size data, we estimated L. sisymbrioides as an allo-octoploid resulting from three hybridization events. Our investigations of flower development showed that unisexual flowers appear to abort reproductive organs by programmed cell death in female flowers and by developmental arrest in male flowers. This selective abortion occurs at the same floral developmental stage in both males and females, corresponding to Arabidopsis stage nine. Dioecy in Brassicaceae evolved once in L. sisymbrioides following several allopolyploidization events, by a process of selective abortion of reproductive organs at intermediate stages of flower development. Different developmental processes, but similar timing of abortions, affect male versus female flower development. An increased understanding of how and when reproductive organs abort in this species, combined with our estimates of ancestral genome contributions, ploidy and genome size, lay the foundation for future efforts to examine the genetic mechanisms involved in the evolution of unisexual flowers in the closest dioecious relative of the best studied model plant.
Monolithically Integrated p- & n- Channel Thin Film Transistors of Nanocrystalline Silicon on Plastic Substrates

Inverters made of monolithically integrated p- and n-channel thin film transistors of nanocrystalline silicon were demonstrated on both Corning 1737 glass and Kapton E polyimide substrates. The TFT's geometry is staggered top-gate, bottom-source/drain. A nc-Si:H seed layer promotes the structural evolution of the nc-Si:H channel. Electron field-effect mobilities of 15 - 30 cm2V−1s−1 and hole mobilities of 0.15 - 0.35 cm2V−1s−1 were obtained. Slightly lower carrier mobilities were observed in the TFTs made on polyimide than on glass substrates. High gate leakage currents and offsets between the supply HIGH voltages and the output voltages in the inverters indicate that the low-temperature gate dielectric needs improvement.
Revised cross section for RHIC dipole magnets

Using the experience gained in designing and building Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) dipole prototype magnets, an improved cross section has been developed. Significant features of this design include the use of only three wedges for field shaping and wedge cross sections which are sectors of an annulus. To aid in the understanding of the actual magnets, one has been sectioned, and detailed mechanical and photographic measurements have been made of the wire positions. A comparison of these measurements with magnetic field measurements is presented. >
The evaluation and design of mobile gain antennas by computer simulation

A computer program has been written to simulate antenna performance on a small ground plane. The solution for a quarter-wavelength antenna has been expanded to include larger antennas with more complex current distributions. This paper includes a summary of the computer program and presents gain relationships between a quarter-wavelength antenna and various gain antennas over different sized ground planes. Experimental data which verify the results of the program are also presented.
Experimental and modeling studies of the effects of shear stress on magnetization in nickel

The effects of pure shear stress on magnetization in nickel have been studied with a view to developing a theoretical understanding of the Matteucci effect, which is of great technological interest in the search for viable magnetic torque sensors. The effects of pure shear stress on a planar magnetic material and those due to torque applied to a rod are analogous in the sense that they can be described in terms of a pair of tensile and compressive stresses acting at 45/spl deg/ to the neutral axis of the plate or the rod axis. In this work the responses of nickel to shear stresses were studied under various dc applied fields. A model description was developed as a generalization of the theory of magnetomechanical effect to include shear stresses. This theory can be used as an aid to interpretation of the experimental results.
P3-30-4A CASE OF METASTATIC PARAGANGLIOMA WITH GOOD RESPONSE TO COMBINATION OF CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE, VINCRISTINE AND DACARBAZINE

Abstract Sympathetic paragangliomas are rare neuroendocrine tumors.Patients with progressive metastatic tumors are currently treated with systemic chemotherapy. We had a metastatic paraganglioma with good response to combination of cyclophosphamide, vincristine and dacarbazine(CVD). A 53-year-old woman underwent tumor resection of retroperitoneal paraganglioma in 2005. She had a repeat surgery of recurrence lesion in 2008. 2012, she had back pain, and computated tomography and MRI showed multiple bone metastasis.Radiation and CVD chemotherapy resulted in tumor regression and marked improvement of clinical symptoms. The combined chemotherapy with CVD appears to be effective for progressive metastatic paragangliomas.
Hostility and cardiovascular disease.

An association between hostility and coronary heart disease (CHD) was initially described one-half century ago. Two cardiologists, Friedman and Rosenman ([1,2][1]), identified a “coronary prone behavior pattern” that they called “type A,” which was primarily composed of competitiveness,
Implementing a Jury Option in Family Violence Proceedings

This article proposes that the law should afford litigants in family violence proceedings the option of jury trial in the adjudicatory phase of civil order of protection proceedings, and child protective proceedings, particularly in those cases involving physical violence or allegations of domestic violence. The proposition is drawn from the theory and research on procedural justice holding that litigants often focus on the appearance of fairness rather than on the actual outcome. Family violence proceedings are poised for the jury trial option because litigant satisfaction with the legal process is of particular importance to these proceedings, and because the issues in family violence proceedings are cyclical and repetitive in nature. A jury option in family violence cases will enhance the perception of unbiased decision-making and consequently may improve compliance with resulting court orders.This article is a condensed version of the article, Introducing the Construct of the Jury into Family Violence Proceedings and Family Court Jurisprudence, 13 Michigan Journal of Gender & Law 1 (2006). Available at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1339983
Relationship of Fruit Ripeness to Infestation in ‘Sharwil’ Avocados by the Mediterranean Fruit Fly and the Oriental Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Harvested and unharvested ‘Sharwil’ avocados, Persea Americana Mill., were individually exposed to gravid females of Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), or Oriental fruit fly, Dacus dorsalis Hendel. Infestations of 0-30% were obtained from avocados exposed at 0-2 postharvest; infestations of 66.7-100% at 3-7 d postharvest. Percent infestations of 15.8 and 4.8% were obtained from unharvested avocados exposed to C. capitata and D. dorsalis , respectively. Mean puparial recoveries ranged from 0 to 4.8 puparia per exposed fruit from the unharvested avocados and avocados exposed at 0-2 d postharvest, and recoveries ranged from 7.7 to 135.5 from avocados exposed at 3-7 postharvest. The hard avocado skin seemed to provide a physical barrier which resulted in lower infestations of both fruit fly species in unharvested avocados, and in avocados that were within 3 d postharvest.
Teachers' Responsiveness to Preschoolers' Utterances in Sociodramatic Play.

AbstractResearch Findings: This descriptive study used sequential analysis to examine both preschool teachers’ responsiveness to children’s utterances in sociodramatic play and the children’s responses to their teachers’ utterances. Eleven teachers in a Head Start program were videotaped while interacting with children in the dramatic play center. Salient findings of this study are threefold: (a) Teachers’ responsiveness and the children’s responsiveness to their teachers’ talk varied substantially, (b) the children responded frequently to the teachers’ topic-continuing utterances, and (c) the children responded frequently in the pretend play mode when teachers extended the children’s utterances following the topics initiated by the children. Practice or Policy: The current study contributes to the extant research by providing a more fine-grained analysis of children’s response modes in the sociodramatic play context. In addition, the current study suggests that teacher education and that practice and pol...
Environmental Compliance Cost and Productivity Growth: the Case of U.S. 2-Digit Manufacturing Group

While the decade of 1970s is generally known for the chronic oil shortages and the dramatic ris in the price of oil a significant slow down in rate of growth of productivity has also marked this and the subsequent decade of 1980s in the U.S. Though many studies have provided insight into the effect of these higher oil prices on industrial output and input demands etc., the reasons for this productivity slow down still remains somewhat of mystery. Complicating the task of unraveling this mystery is the fact that the 1970s also marks a period of unprecedented tight environmental regulations as a series of Amendments to the Clean Air Act Legislation were passed by U.S. Congress. Consequently many industries have faced substantial increases in cost of compliance with new environmental regulations. While environmental regulations are generally believed to impair growth empirical research on the subject has been rather slow so that the real impact of these tighter environmental regulations on industrial productivity is not yet clearly understood.
Vibrational Spectroscopy and Mass Spectrometry for Characterization of Soft Landed Polyatomic Molecules

We report implementation of two powerful characterization tools, in situ secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and ex situ surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), in analyzing surfaces modified by ion soft landing (SL). Cations derived from Rhodamine 6G are soft landed onto Raman-active silver colloidal substrates and detected using SERS. Alternatively and more conveniently, high-quality SERS data are obtained by spin coating a silver colloidal solution over the modified surface once SL is complete. Well-defined SERS features are observed for Rhodamine 6G in as little as 15 min of ion deposition. Deposition of ~3 pmo1 gave high-quality SERS spectra with characteristic spectroscopic responses being derived from just ~0.5 fmol of material. Confocal SERS imaging allowed the enhancement to be followed in different parts of deposited dried droplets on surfaces. Characteristic changes in Raman spectral features occur when Rhodamine 6G is deposited under conditions that favor gas-phase ion fragmentation. Simultaneous deposition of both the intact dye and its fragment ion occurs and is confirmed by SIMS analysis. The study was extended to other Raman active surfaces, including Au nanostar and Au coated Ni nanocarpet surfaces and to SL of other molecules including fluorescein and methyl red. Overall, the results suggest that combination of SERS and SIMS measurements are effective in the characterization of surfaces produced by ion SL with significantly enhanced molecular specificity.
A new trend of inhaled corticosteroid therapy in Japan

Bronchial asthma is characteristic of chronic airway inflammatory disorder which many inflammatory cells play a role, BDP therefore has become a basic drug (controller) in the treatment of asthma. Recently new dry powder inhalation systems of corticosteroid such as fluticasone propionate (Diskhaler) and budesonide (Turbuhaler) have been studied to examine the dose response clinical efficacy to BDP. Clinical efficacy of both drugs are equivocal to double dose of BDP. These excellent drugs will be soon available for clinical use in Japan.
Using CEP-based blackboards for coordinating mobile RFID agents

In huge warehouses or stockrooms, it is often very difficult to find a certain item, because it has been misplaced and is therefore not at its assumed position. This position paper presents an approach on how to coordinate mobile RFID agents using a blackboard architecture based on Complex Event Processing.
CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPERATURE-COMPENSATED PIEZOELECTRIC STATIC LOAD CELL

Abstract —A static load cell with a stiffness of 105 lb/in. or higher was required for measurement of a load of 10 lb. in contact-stress experiments. Three load cells were constructed with piezoelectric disks as sensing elements. The first 2 cells were far too sensitive to small changes in ambient temperature, but observations on their behavior led to the design of a third cell which was adequately temperature compensated. The procedure used to calibrate the third cell is described and suggestions are given for making load cells of more general usefulness.
Digesta flows in sheep fed poor-quality hay supplemented with urea and carbohydrates.

Two metabolism trials were conducted with 12 yearling crossbred wethers per trial (34 and 38 kg for trials 1 and 2, respectively). The wethers, equipped with ruminal, abomasal and ileal cannulae, were randomly allotted for each trial to the following treatments: 1) hay alone or hay supplemented with 2) .9% urea, 3) 1% urea and 6.5% molasses or 4) 1% urea and 5.2% corn. Two digestive flow markers were used: Cr2O3 powder and Co-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Co-EDTA). Urea and Co-EDTA were infused continuously into the rumen via cannula. Daily dry matter (DM) intake averaged 517 g. Urea supplementation improved N retention (P less than .01). Apparent digestibility of DM, acid detergent fiber (ADF) and energy was not affected by treatment. Urea and carbohydrate supplementation increased ruminal propionic acid molar proportions (P less than .05). Apparent ruminal DM digestion accounted for 41% of the total DM degraded, whereas 77.4% of the digestible ADF was degraded in the rumen. Urea supplementation increased ADF digestion in the large intestine (P less than .01). Urea and carbohydrate supplementation resulted in a stepwise increase in N flowing with the liquid phase at the abomasum. Mean retention times of the solid and liquid phases of digestive contents were similar across treatments. Overall, benefits of supplementation of poor-quality fescue hay diets by small amounts of urea and readily available carbohydrates remain questionable for sheep fed at a fixed level of intake below maintenance.
Ultrafast Studies on Intramolecular Charge Transfer and Solvation

Ultrafast fluorescence spectroscopy has been used to study the solvent mediated excited state intramolecular electron (charge) transfer of 9,9’—bianthryl. The excited state electron transfer (et) kinetics are well modeled by an electronically adiabatic approach, employing an “outer sphere” generalized Langevin equation description of motion along the et reaction coordinate. The relationship between solvation and electron transfer dynamics is discussed.
On the Asymptotic Properties of Hogg's Q Statistic

The asymptotic properties of Qn, a measure of tail thickness introduced by Hogg, are investigated. The nondegenerate limit distribution of Qn is obtained as an application of a bivariate extension of a result on smooth linear functions of order statistics, due to Stigler. The limiting result is helpful in indicating the optimum proportion of the sample data to be used in the construction of Qn for discriminating between members of a symmetric family of distributions. The asymptotic theory is also used to find a close approximation to the expected value of Qn. This approximation works well for moderate sample sizes for distributions in the symmetric family.
Evaluation of Retail and Palatability Characteristics of Electrically Stimulated U.S. Choice Beef After Commercial Transport-Distribution.

The left sides of U.S. Choice carcasses were electrically stimulated (ES) and the right sides were not (Not-ES); sides were transported to a retail distribution center, cut and packaged. Vacuum-packaged subprimal cuts (top round; outside round; full loin, trimmed; ribeye roll; chuck--blade portion; shoulder clod roast) were shipped to a retail store and cut into retail cuts. Weight loss of vacuum-packaged primals during storage did not differ (P>0.05) between ES and Not-ES treatments for any of the six subprimal cuts. Muscle color of 7-bone roasts at the beginning of retail display was the only appearance characteristic improved (P 0.05) were observed between ES and Not-ES beef for muscle color, surface discoloration or overall appearance of top round or porterhouse steaks. ES did not (P>0.05) affect the shrink loss of retail cuts at 2 or 3 days of display. Microbiological evaluations of ES and Not-ES retail cuts did not produce consistent results. Muscle fiber tenderness for sirloin steaks ( gluteus medius ) increased (P 0.05) between treatments for bottom round roasts; however, shoulder pot roasts from ES sides had more detectable connective tissue (P<0.03), less overall tenderness (P<0.008) and less overall palatability (P<0.04) than did shoulder pot roasts from Not-ES sides.
Assessment and management of cumulative impacts in California's network of marine protected areas

Abstract In response to concerns about human impacts to coastal ecosystems, conservationists and practitioners are increasingly turning to networks of marine protected areas (MPAs). Although MPAs manage for fishing pressure, many species and habitats in MPAs remain exposed to a multitude of stressors, including stressors from global climate change and regional land- and ocean-based activities. To support the adaptive management of MPAs that are subject to multiple interacting stressors, coastal managers need to understand the potential impacts from other single and multiple stressors. To demonstrate how this can be done, we quantify and map cumulative impacts resulting from multiple stressors to California's network of MPAs, using a widely available cumulative impacts mapping tool. Among individual stressors, those related to climate, including ocean acidification, UV radiation increases, and SST anomalies, were found to have the most intense impacts, especially on surface waters and in the rocky intertidal. Climate stressors are challenging to limit at the local MPA scale, but intense land- and ocean-based impacts that were found to affect a majority of MPAs, such as sediment increases, invasive species, organic pollutants and pollution from shipping and ports, may be more easily regulated at a regional or local scale. This is especially relevant for South and Central coast MPAs where these impacts are the greatest on beaches, tidal flats, and coastal marshes. Accounting for cumulative impacts from these and other stressors when developing monitoring and management plans in California and across the world, would help to improve the efficacy of MPAs.
Revised Annotated Checklist of Robber Flies (Diptera: Asilidae) of Arkansas, U.S.A.

ABSTRACT: An updated checklist of 137 species of robber flies from Arkansas is presented. It includes 111 confirmed species, of which 6 are new to the Arkansas checklist. Four more species have been recorded in the literature, but they have not been confirmed, and 18 species that might occur in the state have never been recorded. Known flight periods by month and distributions by counties are given.
Semi-markov decision processes: Nonstandard criteria

Considered are semi-Markov decision processes (SMDPs) with finite state and action spaces. We study two criteria: the expected average reward per unit time subject to a sample path constraint on the average cost per unit time and the expected time-average variability. Under a certain condition, for communicating SMDPs, we construct (randomized) stationary policies that are e-optimal for each criterion; the policy is optimal for the first criterion under the unichain assumption and the policy is optimal and pure for a specific variability function in the second criterion. For general multichain SMDPs, by using a state space decomposition approach, similar results are obtained.
Receptor and βγ Binding Sites in the α Subunit of the Retinal G Protein Transducin

Transmembrane receptors for hormones, neurotransmitters, light, and odorants mediate their cellular effects by activating heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins). Crystal structures have revealed contact surfaces between G protein subunits, but not the surfaces or molecular mechanism through which Gαβγ responds to activation by transmembrane receptors. Such a surface was identified from the results of testing 100 mutant α subunits of the retinal G protein transducin for their ability to interact with rhodopsin. Sites at which alanine substitutions impaired this interaction mapped to two distinct Gα surfaces: a βγ-binding surface and a putative receptor-interacting surface. On the basis of these results a mechanism for receptor-catalyzed exchange of guanosine diphosphate for guanosine triphosphate is proposed.
Arynes and Cyclic Alkynes as Synthetic Building Blocks for Stereodefined Quaternary Centers

We report a facile method to synthesize stereodefined quaternary centers from reactions of arynes and related strained intermediates using β-ketoester-derived substrates. The conversion of β-ketoesters to chiral enamines is followed by reaction with in situ generated strained arynes or cyclic alkynes. Hydrolytic workup provides the arylated or alkenylated products in enantiomeric excesses as high as 96%. We also describe the one-pot conversion of a β-ketoester substrate to the corresponding enantioenriched α-arylated product. Computations show how chirality is transferred from the N-bound chiral auxiliary to the final products. These are the first theoretical studies of aryne trapping by chiral nucleophiles to set new stereocenters. Our approach provides a solution to the challenging problem of stereoselective β-ketoester arylation/alkenylation, with formation of a quaternary center.
Lumbar Arthroplasty Core Herniation Presenting With Cauda Equina Syndrome: Case Report of a Rare Complication

BACKGROUND Treatment failures of artificial disc implantation are well-described, but posterior herniation of the arthroplasty core is rare. We present a case of posterior herniation of the arthroplasty core resulting in cauda equina syndrome in a 36-yr-old woman. Preoperative imaging studies including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT Myelogram were performed; only the CT Myelogram demonstrated the severe compression well. This report highlights the radiographic findings on multiple imaging modalities, clinical implications, and management considerations of posterior arthroplasty failures. OBJECTIVE To demonstrate a rare complication of lumbar arthroplasties. The biomechanical considerations, surgical management, and thorough radiographic work-up demonstrate successful diagnosis and treatment of this unusual complication. METHODS The patient's chart was reviewed for medical history, laboratory and radiographic studies, and outpatient clinical follow-up. RESULTS After imaging work-up, this patient was found to have a herniation of the arthroplasty core at L5-S1. She was taken emergently to the operating room for a decompression at L5-S1 and arthroplasty core removal. She made some recovery neurological, but over 3 mo time, she developed a spondylolisthesis with new back pain and radiculopathy. This ultimately responded well to an L5-S1 instrumented posterior fusion. CONCLUSION Posterior herniation of the lumbar arthroplasty core is a rare complication from implantation of an artificial lumbar disc. Confirmation of the diagnosis is best confirmed with a CT Myelogram. Furthermore, this case underscores the biomechanical importance of the artificial disc given the development of the spondylolisthesis after removal, and fusion after arthroplasty core removal should be considered.
Multi-Agent Systems for Resource Allocation and Scheduling in a Smart Grid

With the increasing integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) in the power grid, a decentralized approach becomes essential for scheduling and allocation of resources in a smart grid. Economic Dispatch (ED) and Unit Commitment (UC) are the two major resource allocation problems that play critical role in the safe and stable operation of a grid system. The uncertainty associated with renewable energy sources have made the resource allocation problems even more challenging for grid operators. The future grid will have a higher generation mix of renewable energy sources and a large load of Electrical vehicles, with the possibility of bi-directional power flow. This complex smart grid system necessitates the development of a decentralized approach to resource allocation problem, which allows inter-node communication and decision making. Multi-agent systems (MAS) is a promising platform to decentralize the traditional centralized resource allocation aspects of smart grid. This paper presents a comprehensive literature review on the application of MAS to Economic Dispatch (ED) and Unit Commitment (UC) in smart grids.
Epidemiology and Pathology of T- and NK-Cell Lymphomas.

Purpose: This review will describe and update readers on the recent changes in the 2017 WHO classification regarding peripheral T-cell lymphomas.