cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Satellite altimetry reveals seafloor tectonic fabric

During the 1980s satellite radar altimetry matured as a geophysical technique, quickly becoming the best way to map the gravity field of the world's oceans. Maps derived from SEASAT altimeter observations of sea surface topography (or geoid) revealed much that was previously unknown about the marine gravity field [Haxby, 1987] and underlying seafloor, particularly in the vast areas that are poorly charted by traditional shipboard observations. Seafloor topography, and to a lesser extent, crustal/upper mantle density variations, produce the short wavelength (<200 km) undulations in the marine gravity field. This is simply due to the gravitational attraction of the mass in the seamount or similar structure emplaced on the seafloor. For topographic structures beneath the sea that are 20-200 km in spatial extent, this attraction causes the gravity anomalies at the sea surface to vary in proportion to the relative height of the underlying structures. (This ignores isostasy or internal deformation of the Earth's crust and mantle, which acts to reduce this gravitational effect particularly over long-wavelength—greater than 200 km—topography.) The ratio between gravity anomalies and height variations is slightly less than 0.07 milligals per meter (1 mGal equals 10-5 m/sec2). Therefore, the fine structure in these marine gravity fields reflects the tectonic fabric imprinted in the seafloor. This fabric includes the mid-ocean ridge axes (where tectonic plates form), fracture zones, which record the directional history of seafloor spreading, seamount chains, rifted continental margins, and other features that chronicle the history of relative motion among the tectonic plates over the past 200 million years.
Instruction Matters for Nature of Science Understanding in College Biology Laboratories

Student understanding of the nature of science (NOS) improves in response to focused reflection about its aspects—an explicit, reflective (ER) pedagogy. However, whether this approach is effective within the two most common instructional models of undergraduate science laboratories— expository, which confirms predetermined outcomes, and inquiry, which is student driven and involves undetermined outcomes—is unknown. We manipulated underlying pedagogy (expository or inquiry based) and NOS treatment (ER or no ER) randomly across 31 sections of an introductory biology laboratory (n = 602 students). The students' understanding of several NOS aspects, assessed by their responses on two validated surveys, was significantly affected by the treatment. However, different NOS aspects were promoted by different treatments, which suggests that no single model or pedagogy can increase all aspects of NOS understanding. Instead, the instructional approach should be selected on the basis of the desired NOS learning outcomes.
LOW NUTRIENT R2A CULTURE MEDIUM FOR BACTERIAL ENUMERATION FROM POULTRY FEEDS

Poultry feed matrices can be particularly stressful to bacterial populations and limit recovery and accurate enumeration of viable organisms. The objectives in this study were to enumerate bacterial populations with either tryptic soy plate medium or an R2A minimal nutrient medium from commercial poultry and turkey dry feeds and compare enumerations from the two media with feed composition. Total population estimates from tryptic soy plates varied between 3.7 and log10 5.4 CFU per g feed and depended upon poultry feed source (P < 0.05). R2A plate counts varied between 2.7 and log10 5.4 CFU per g feed, but were not significantly different among poultry feed sources. Feed R2A plate count populations were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with tryptic soy plate count populations enumerated from the feed sources, but not protein and fat content of the feed source. It is apparent that bacterial counts recovered by minimal R2A medium are similar to enumerations using tryptic soy plate medium and that R2A medium could be substituted for tryptic soy plate medium for bacterial enumeration in poultry feeds.
Using Ontologies and Formal Concept Analysis to Integrate Heterogeneous Tourism Information

This paper presents an ontology-based approach and a formal concept analysis (FCA) approach to integrating heterogeneous tourism information for online tour planning. Two ontologies, an ontology for tourists and an ontology for tourism information providers, are developed with respect to their own perspective. The ontology for tourists is developed from the tourism literature. The ontology for tourism information providers is developed by integrating heterogeneous online tourism information using a FCA approach. The two ontologies are then mapped using the FCA and Bayesian analysis to evaluate tourists’ preferences against information published by tourism information providers. An example of planning a tour to New York City is used to illustrate the proposed ontology approach. An analytic hierarchy process is used to rank the tourism attractions suggested by the ontology and FCA-based approaches.
Modifications In Intratumor Microenvironment With PDT

We have been investigating the dose dependent modification of p02, pH, and phosphate metabolism within tumors subjected to PDT. The system employed in all studies has been the C3H mouse mammary adenocarcinoma tumor model. All tumors were treated at a size of 7.0 ± 0.5 mm (maximum diameter) with biologically defined "doses" ranging from the TCD10 to the TCD90 response level (i.e. from 200 J/cm2 to 600 J/cm2 in this system). The dose of Photofrin II employed in all studies was 12.5 mg/kg (IV) with light treatment 24 hours later (drug kindly supplied by QLT Inc.). All light treatments were at 632 nm (Coherent). Both microelectrodes and 31P NMR spectroscopy (Varian VXR 400) were employed to measure the intralesional values. Results indicate a "dose" dependent reduction in intracellular ATP occurring within 4 hours post treatment. At the TCD90 level, no detectible high energy phosphates are seen within 4 hours following treatment. A similar trend is observed when intralesional p02 is measured with significant decreases seen within 4 hours post treatment. Microelectrode measurements of pH (predominantly extracellular) showed no significant change for up to 72 hours post treatment, independent of "dose". However, some "dose" dependent changes in pH gradient [pH (intracellular) - pH (extracellular)] have been observed.
Equality, quality and quantity: challenges in inclusive education policy and service provision in India

Despite government efforts to provide services for children with disabilities in line with recommendations from international aid agencies, the 2003 Census of Individuals with Disabilities found that over 90% remain unserved. This paper identifies some of the limitations of these efforts in the context of the census findings, with particular reference to the issues of under‐representation of specific groups and identification. The 2003 Education For All (EFA) programme and recent policy initiatives, the Right to Education Bill 2005, the Action Plan for Inclusion in Education of Children and Youth with Disabilities (IECYD) 2005 and the National Policy for Persons with Disabilities 2006, are examined for their responsiveness to these concerns.
Reduced superhelicity of plasmid DNA produced by the rho-15 mutation in Escherichia coli.

The plasmid pJSF6, a derivative of pBR327, could be maintained at 30° C in strains of Escherichia coli containing the strong rho mutation, rho-15. Plasmids extracted from rho-15 cells were always less negatively supercoiled than plasmids from rho + cells. Transduction experiments designed to separate the rho gene from possible extragenic suppressors showed that the rho allele consistently determined the degree of plasmid superhelicity. Comparison of the superhelicity of plasmids extracted from the rho-15 and from a gyrB mutant showed that at 30° C the negative supercoiling was reduced by the amounts ΔWrho=4.0±0.3 and ΔWgyr=6.0±0.3 turns; the effect of the rho-15 mutation on supercoiling was thus comparable to that of the gyrB mutation. A similar effect of the rho-15 mutation on the superhelicity of pBR329 was observed. The observation that the Rho protein has a role in determining DNA superhelicity (though not necessarily a direct role) provides a new point of view for studying the pleiotropic properties of rho mutants.
Interplanet variations in scale of crater morphology - Earth, Mars, Moon.

Craters on the Earth, Mars, and the Moon show a spectrum of morphologies with diameter increasing from simple, bowl-shaped craters through craters with increasingly complex central peaks, to craters with 'peak rings' and basins with multiple concentric scarps. In each category there is a range of diameters, centered around a characteristic diameter, D sub c. It is found that D sub c decreases as the size of the planet increases. Several possible explanations are considered. It is suggested that the effect results from a certain gravity scaling law. It is believed that all geological structures in which gravity is the dominant parameter affecting the morphology should follow this law.
The Second Immutable Law of Security Administration

If security measures are too strict, users will find ways to circumvent them in order to do their jobs. Hence, systems can be lesssecure with stringent administrative policies than without them. IT Professional's editor in chief, Arnold W. Bragg, describes this conundrum in his final address to the magazine's readers.
Investigations into the visual assessment of ELISA end points: Application to determination of potato total glycoalkaloids

Three antibody‐conjugated enzymes (urease, alkaline phosphatase and horse radish peroxidase) were compared for their suitability in simple visual assessment of microtitration plate ELISA colours. The model system used was the ELISA determination of total glycoalkaloids in potato tubers. Probit analysis of results showed that peroxidase, with 2, 2‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzthiazoline) 3‐sulphonic acid (ABTS) as substrate, was the most useful of the three enzymes in terms of recognizing positive samples. Visual assessment was able to identify accurately all potato samples containing glycoalkaloids at greater than the chosen critical level. Visual assessment of ELISA results is applicable to many other areas of food analysis.
Director’s Forum - 340B Drug Pricing Program: Interpreting Regulations and Exploring Opportunities

The Director's Forum series is edited by Robert J. Weber and Scott M. Mark and is designed to guide pharmacy leaders in establishing patient-centered services in hospitals and health systems. This article focuses on an important program for expanding pharmacy practice models to uninsured and underinsured patients. The 340B program provides assistance to hospitals on drug pricing to allow organizations sufficient additional savings to channel to patients in need. The regulations surrounding eligibility, drug pricing, and pharmacy contracting are complex and can make participating in 340B seem intimidating and unattractive to potentially eligible organizations. By gaining further understanding of the intricacies of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, pharmacists and other health care providers can utilize the program to maximize the benefit for both their patients and their organization.
Toward a more systematic assessment of smoking: Development of a smoking module for PROMIS®

Introduction The aim of the PROMIS® Smoking Initiative is to develop, evaluate, and standardize item banks to assess cigarette smoking behavior and biopsychosocial constructs associated with smoking for both daily and non-daily smokers.
HIERARCHICALLY ASSEMBLED POROUS ZNO NANOPARTICLES:? SYNTHESIS, SURFACE ENERGY, AND PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY

We show an effective experimental method to prepare hierarchically porous zinc oxide (ZnO) spherical nanoparticles through a self-assembly pathway using surface-modified colloidal ZnO nanocrystallites as the building blocks and P-123 copolymers as the template in aqueous solution. Copolymers are thoroughly removed by Soxhlet extraction with ethanol and calcination at 400 °C. The final products have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) pattern, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. On the basis of calorimetric measurements reported separately, the surface enthalpy (γ) of the hydrated porous ZnO is 1.42 ± 0.21 J/m2, in good agreement with that of ZnO nanoparticles. The calorimetric results support the presence of self-assembled ZnO nanocrystallites in the nanoporous ZnO. Photocatalytic activitiy of porous ZnO nanoparticles has been tested on the photodegradation of phenol under ambient...
IgE-specific suppressor factors in normal human serum.

Abstract The effect of normal human serum on in vitro IgE production was studied in an attempt to determine whether IgE-specific suppressor factors are present in the circulation of nonallergic individuals. Sera from 10 nonatopic donors (serum IgE in vitro IgE synthesis by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with hyper-IgE states. Serum filtrates from all 10 nonatopic donors tested suppressed IgE synthesis (mean suppression = 70 ± 4%). IgE suppression was isotype specific because addition of the serum filtrates to pokeweed mitogen-stimulated normal PBMC or to spontaneously activated B cells from patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus did not suppress IgG or IgM production. The IgE suppressor activity was destroyed by treatment with trypsin but not with neuraminidase or exposure to heat. Substantial suppressor activity bound to IgE-Sepharose but not to a control IgG-Sepharose column. Further evaluation of the IgE-binding serum IgE suppressor factor(s) revealed a marked affinity for peanut agglutinin-Sepharose but minimal binding to lentil lectin-Sepharose. These results suggest that human serum from nonatopic donors contain low molecular weight IgE-binding factors which selectively suppress IgE production but not IgG production. Characterization of this IgE-binding suppressor factor(s) reveals physicochemical features similar to those previously described for rat T-cell-derived IgE-binding factors with IgE suppressive activity.
WACCM simulations of the mean circulation and trace species transport in the winter mesosphere

[1] Downwelling of air in the high latitude winter middle atmosphere causes perturbations in chemical composition. Species with sources in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, such as nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, can be locally enhanced in the polar region. We investigate the origin of the downwelling air and the timescale for transport using the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). Analysis of the middle atmosphere transformed Eulerian mean (TEM) circulation, also called the residual circulation, is presented. This circulation gives the net air motion in the meridional and vertical directions due to the combined effects of the zonally averaged winds and the wave transport. The summer to winter circulation in the upper mesosphere during the solstice seasons includes strong upward motion at the summer pole and downward motion at the winter pole. During most winters, the air that is transported down by the circulation originates from low to middle latitudes in the upper mesosphere, 85–95 km; the timescale for this transport is 2–3 months. Trace species transport by molecular and eddy diffusion can bring high concentrations of thermospheric molecules into the winter mesosphere, where they are then brought to lower altitudes by the circulation. The magnitudes of the net tendencies due to advection by the TEM circulation and diffusion are similar. A case study of an active NH winter shows that the origin of the downwelling air in the TEM circulation is similar to that during average winters although the downwelling velocity is stronger by about a factor of two.
Basic physiology of cerebrospinal fluid outflow.

The development of the experimental evidence for bulk flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) back into the venous blood at the arachnoid villi is reviewed. A number of physiological experiments indicated that there was a functional channel between the CSF and the blood. Initially, electron microscopic experiments suggested that the arachnoid villi were covered only by intact cellular membranes and the cells were joined by tight junctions. Subsequent reports have presented evidence of functional changes in the membranes of the villi whereby temporary channels are formed through the cell. These channels provide temporary connections between the two body compartments. Also, as pressure increases in the subarachnoid space, the cells of the arachnoid villi thin, the connection's between cells separate somewhat, and the number of pinocytotic vesicles formed on the CSF side of the cell increases greatly. The result is an increased bulk flow of CSF into the bloodstream as the pressure in the subarachnoid space increases.
EXPOSURE OF THE ANTERIOR SPINE: TECHNIQUE AND EXPERIENCE WITH 66 PATIENTS

Purpose: Anterior spinal fusion has become an increasingly popular technique used by orthopedic surgeons for a variety of lower spine pathology. At our institution urologists have assisted as retroperitoneal surgeons in achieving exposure of the appropriate spinal disk space. We report our experience with anterior spinal fusion in 66 patients.Materials and Methods: Since 1991 we have performed 66 exposures using the flank, modified Gibson, thoracoabdominal, paramedian and midline transperitoneal approaches. Exposure of each level has subtle technical issues which are reviewed.Results: During the study 34 men and 32 women 24 to 74 years old (mean age 43.8) underwent discectomy and anterior fusion of the spine. Access from T12 through L5-S1 interspace was required, and exposure of multiple spinal levels was necessary in 27. There was 1 death from massive pulmonary embolism in a patient with widely metastatic lung cancer. Retrograde ejaculation was reported by 2 men. There have been no episodes of deep or su...
N1 esophageal carcinoma: The importance of staging and downstaging☆☆☆

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effects of clinical staging and downstaging by induction chemoradiation therapy in patients with N1 esophageal carcinoma. Methods: Sixty-nine consecutive patients with regional lymph node metastases (cN1) according to clinical staging received induction therapy before surgery. These were compared to 75 patients both clinically and pathologically N1 (cN1/pN1) who underwent surgery without induction therapy and 79 patients clinically and pathologically not N1 (cN0/pN0) who underwent surgery without induction therapy. Analyses focused on survival and the cost and benefit of therapy. Results: For comparison, the extremes of 5-year survival were 69% for cN0/pN0 patients who underwent surgery alone and 12% for cN1/pN1 patients who underwent surgery alone. Of 69 patients who received induction therapy, 37 were pN0 at resection (downstaged); they had an intermediate survival of 37% at 5 years. Those patients not downstaged with induction therapy had a 12% 5-year survival, similar to patients with cN1/pN1 who underwent surgery alone. After adjusting for the strongest predictors of poor outcome, pN1, and increasing N1 burden, a modest increased risk of death after induction therapy was identified. However, this cost of induction therapy was more than counterbalanced by the benefit of improved survival of downstaging to pN0. Conclusions: (1) pN1 is the strongest determinant of poor outcome. (2) cN1 patients who are downstaged by induction chemoradiation therapy to pN0 have an intermediate outcome. (3) cN1 patients who are not downstaged by induction therapy have a poor outcome. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;121:454-64)
Inner-Shell Photodetachment Thresholds: Unexpected Long-Range Validity of the Wigner Law

Threshold behavior in inner-shell photodetachment is studied for the first time, specifically with 2-, 3-, or 4-electron emission from He{sup -} and S{sup -}. The threshold shapes are surprisingly consistent with the Wigner threshold law in all cases, despite large PCI effects observed in He{sup -}. In S{sup -}, the s-wave law is observed to agree with the data over an unprecedented range, more than an order of magnitude greater than predictions, and allows for the observation of the d-wave component. The measurements also demonstrate a means for obtaining precise core-excitation energies of free atoms.
Diverse Paths to Midcell: Assembly of the Bacterial Cell Division Machinery

At the heart of bacterial cell division is a dynamic ring-like structure of polymers of the tubulin homologue FtsZ. This ring forms a scaffold for assembly of at least ten additional proteins at midcell, the majority of which are likely to be involved in remodeling the peptidoglycan cell wall at the division site. Together with FtsZ, these proteins are thought to form a cell division complex, or divisome. In Escherichia coli, the components of the divisome are recruited to midcell according to a strikingly linear hierarchy that predicts a step-wise assembly pathway. However, recent studies have revealed unexpected complexity in the assembly steps, indicating that the apparent linearity does not necessarily reflect a temporal order. The signals used to recruit cell division proteins to midcell are diverse and include regulated self-assembly, protein-protein interactions, and the recognition of specific septal peptidoglycan substrates. There is also evidence for a complex web of interactions among these proteins and at least one distinct subcomplex of cell division proteins has been defined, which is conserved among E. coli, Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Clinical events after surgical splenectomy in children with sickle cell anemia

Purpose Despite advances in immune prophylaxis, sepsis remains the most feared complication following splenectomy for acute splenic sequestration crisis (ASSC) in children with sickle cell anemia (SCA). We seek to investigate the true prevalence of sepsis and other complications of splenectomy in this patient population.
Understanding behavioral intent to participate in shared decision-making in medically uncertain situations.

Objective: This article describes the process undertaken to identify and validate behavioral and normative beliefs and behavioral intent based on the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and applied to men between the ages of 45 and 70 in the context of their participation in shared decision-making (SDM) in medically uncertain situations. This article also discusses the preliminary results of the aforementioned processes and explores potential future uses of this information that may facilitate greater understanding, efficiency and effectiveness of clinician-patient consultations. Materials and Methods: Twenty-five male subjects from the Philadelphia community participated in this study. Individual semi-structure patient interviews were conducted until data saturation was reached. Based on their review of the patient interview transcripts, researchers conducted a qualitative content analysis to identify prevalent themes and, subsequently, create a category framework. Qualitative indicators were used to evaluate respondents’ experiences, beliefs, and behavioral intent relative to participation in shared decision-making during medical uncertainty. Results: Based on the themes uncovered through the content analysis, a category framework was developed to facilitate understanding and increase the accuracy of predictions related to an individual’s behavioral intent to participate in shared decision-making in medical uncertainty. The emerged themes included past experience with medical uncertainty, individual personality, and the relationship between the patient and his physician. The resulting three main framework categories include 1) an individual’s Foundation for the concept of medical uncertainty, 2) how the individual Copes with medical uncertainty, and 3) the individual’s Behavioral Intent to seek information and participate in shared decision-making during times of medically uncertain situations. Discussion: The theme of Coping (with uncertainty) emerged as a particularly critical behavior/characteristic amongst the subjects. By understanding a subject’s disposition with regard to coping, researchers were better able to make connections between a subject’s prior experiences, their knowledge seeking activities, and their intent to participate in SDM. Despite having information and social support, the subjects still had to cope with the idea of uncertainty before determining how to proceed with regard to shared decision-making. In addition, the coping category reinforced the importance of information seeking behaviors and preferences for shared decision-making. Conclusions: This study applies and extends the field of behavioral and health informatics to assist medical practice and decision-making in situations of medical uncertainty. More specifically, this study led to the development of a category framework that facilitates the identification of an individual’s needs and motivational factors with regard to their intent to participate in shared decision-making in situations of medical uncertainty.
Does base composition help predispose the complementarity-determining regions of antibodies to hypermutation?

Abstract A survey of the base usage in genes coding for human antibodies reveals that more (A + T) and less (C + G) are found in the segments coding for the complementarity-determining regions, while the opposite is true for the segments coding for framework and constant regions. The possibility that this bias in base usage may contribute to hypermutation is explored.
The hematopoietic-specific rho gtpase, RAC2, is essential for normal adhesion and controlled movement of hematopoietic progenitor cells In vitro And In vivo

Abstract The mechanism of hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) migration and mobilization from bone marrow (BM) to peripheral blood (PB) has not yet been clearly defined. Since we have previously reported that absence of the Rho GTPase Rac2 results in defective movement and adhesion of mast cells and neutrophils, we speculated that the Rac2 protein might play a pivotal role in this process. Since previous reports have implicated the integrin VLA4 in HPC mobilization, we measured adhesion of purified HPC (mature cell lineage antigen negative (Lin−) c-kit+Sa-1+ cells isolated from Rac2−/− and wild type (WT) mice) to the VLA4 binding site, CS-1, on the recombinant HPC to this peptide was observed (21±5% in Rac2−/− cells, vs 61±8% in WT cells, P In vitro analysis of directed movement (modified Boyden chambers) by these cells towards stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) demonstrated that, in contrast to the response of differentiated hematopoietic cells, migration of Rac2−/− HPC was increased 4-fold, compared with WT cells (12% versus 3% of cells migrated, respectively, P in vivo was investigated by analysis of mobilization in Rac2−/− versus WT mice. Injection of 250μg of G-CSF/kg/day over 5 days resulted in mobilization of 2.8-fold more progenitors into PB of Rac2−/− mice compared with WT. Simultaneous injection of anti-VLA4 antibody with G-CSF into Rac2−/− mice resulted in significantly reduced augmentation of mobilization, compared with WT mice ( in vitro colony forming cells in PB=50% of WT; day 8 CFU-S in PB=69% of WT), consistent with defective VLA4-mediated function in Rac2−/− HPC. These data demonstrate that Rac2 is essential for normal adhesion and controlled movement of HPC, both in vivo and in vitro , and implicate this GTPase downstream of the integrin VLA-4. The data suggest that lack of Rac 2 in HPC may be associated with increased activity of other GTPases, possibly Cdc42.
Steroid-induced ocular hypertension with loteprednol etabonate 0.2%—A case report

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to present a case of a patient who showed a significant increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) with topical administration of loteprednol etabonate 0.2%. Case Report A 29-year-old man administered 1 drop of loteprednol etabonate 0.2% (Alrex ® ) to both eyes 4 times a day for 3 days as an off-label treatment for chronic red eye. By the third day of treatment, IOPs increased to 50 mmHg in each eye. The patient had no previous history of glaucoma. Gonioscopy found open angles in each eye. IOP returned to normal levels after discontinuation of Alrex. Steroid response in the same patient was confirmed on a second trial of Alrex. Conclusions Although loteprednol etabonate has been shown to have a minimal effect on IOP in most patients, close follow-up is necessary whenever therapy is initiated.
Importance of orographic precipitation to the water resources of Monteverde, Costa Rica

Abstract Monteverde, Costa Rica harbors montane forests that exemplify the delicate balances among climate, hydrology, habitat, and development. Most of the annual precipitation to this region arrives during the wet season, but the importance of orographic precipitation during the dry and transitional seasons should not be underestimated. Development associated with ecotourism has put significant stress on water resources, and recent work has shown evidence that changes in regional land-cover and global climate may lead to reduced precipitation and cloud cover and a subsequent decline in endemic species. Precipitation samples collected from 2003 to 2005 reveal a seasonal signal in stable isotope composition, as measured by δ 18 O and δ 2 H, that is heaviest during the dry and transitional seasons. Attenuated versions of this signal propagate through to stream samples and provide a means of determining the importance of precipitation delivered by the trade winds during the dry and transitional seasons to water resources for the region. Results from six catchments on the leeward slope indicate that topography exerts a strong control on the importance of orographic precipitation to stream baseflow. The contributions are greatest in those catchments that are close to the Brillante Gap in the Continental Divide. Differences in the temporal variation of precipitation and streamflow isotope compositions provide insight to the hydrologic pathways that move water to the streams.
Meshless solutions of 2D contact problems by subdomain variational inequality and MLPG method with radial basis functions

A subdomain variational inequality and its meshless linear complementary formulation are developed in the present paper for solving two-dimensional contact problems. The subdomain variational inequality will be defined in detail. The meshless method is based on a local weighted residual method with the Heaviside step function as the weighting function over a local subdomain and radial basis functions as trial functions for interpolation. Three different radial basis functions (RBFs), i.e. Multiquadrics (MQ), Gaussian (EXP) and Thin Plate Splines (TPS) are examined and the selection of their shape parameters is studied based on 2D solid stress problems with closed-form solutions. The developed meshless/linear complementary method is applied to solve two frictionless contact problems. For the RBFs, it has been found that the TPS shape parameter is not sensitive to nodal distance and a value of 4 is found as a good choice for TPS from this research.
Intramuscular pH needle microelectrode: a preliminary report.

THE GLASS ELECTRODE has been historically the means of measuring interstitial pH. Eisenman and his associates [3] have documented it’s performance characteristics. The disadvantages of the glass electrode are its bulk, fragility, and the distance bet,meen the sensing electrode and the reference electrode. More recently, miniature pH electrodes and microelectrodes have become available 11, 2, 4-61 but most of them require special care. The distance between the sensing surface and the reference surface has been reduced in some of these models, but in most, these surfaces are still too widely separated. A new type of electrode utilizing no glass has been developed and is t,he subject of this report. The pH needle electrode (Fig. 1) is of all-metal construction and is contained within an N-gauge hypodermic ncedlc. Although the needle has been made as short as 2 cm, we have chosen 9 cm as a more convenient size. The ele&rode assembly (Fig. 2) consists of a mercury/mercuric oxide (Hg/HgO) or silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) reference surface and an antimony oxide (Sb,O,) pH sensing surface. The needle electrode is a roncent’ric assembly of the pH sensitive film on a stainless steel subsurface and of the reference surface, which is a silver wire conditioned with either mercury or silver
A comparison of three techniques for fabricating metal molds

Investigation on the dimensional accuracy and techniques variability of metal molds and refractory casts for the construction of maxillofacial external prostheses have resulted in the following conclusions. 1. A relative comparison of the box-pour, open-cast, and wax-sprue techniques for constructing metal molds for external prostheses showed the open-cast technique to be the most accurate and easiest techniques. 2. The wax-sprue technique was the most complex and consumed maximum time and materials. This technique also offered the greatest possibility for introducing errors and obtaining inconsistent results because of multiple steps. 3. For all techniques the positive metal molds always demonstrated a poorer fit in comparison to the negative metal molds. The positive metal molds were larger castings. 4. Most metal molds were significantly larger than the standard brass die in length and width dimensions. 5. A direct comparison of a theoretic calculation and experimental measurements for dimensional accuracy shows the construction of metal molds to be very dependent on the manipulation of materials and reproducibility of methods.
Evaluation of Criteria Used to Group Lactating Cows Using a Dairy Production Model

Abstract A dairy herd production simulation model was used to evaluate the effectiveness of seven grouping strategies in terms of annual income over feed cost per cow. The strategies (1 to 7) were characterized by the criteria used to rank individual lactating cows for placement into feeding groups: 1, required nutrients (energy and protein) per kilogram of DMI; 2, required nutrients (energy and protein) per kilogram of NDF intake capacity; 3, DIM; 4, test day milk; 5, test day FCM; 6, dairy merit (kilograms of FCM per kilogram of BW .75 ); and 7, dairy merit weighted by DIM. In terms of annual income over feed cost per cow, strategies 1 and 2 were found to be the most effective and strategy 4 the least effective, with average potential production levels of 8000, 9000, and 10,000kg of milk per 305-d lactation, using two of three feeding groups. With the milk-feed price relationships used, mean annual income over feed cost per cow for grouping strategies 1 and 2 with three feeding groups was $21, $33, and $40 greater than with two feeding groups for potential production levels of 8000, 9000, and 10,000kg of milk per 305-d lactation, respectively.
Identification of a urea bioisostere of a triazole oxytocin antagonist.

Abstract A series of azetidine ureas were investigated as potential bioisosteres of previously reported azetidinyltriazole oxytocin antagonists. Although potency was somewhat reduced in several close-in analogues, one compound, 9, was both a potent oxytocin antagonist and demonstrated significant selectivity over the closely related vasopressin V1A receptor.
Patterns of root decomposition in response to soil moisture best explain high soil organic carbon heterogeneity within a mesic, restored prairie.

Abstract Spatially heterogeneous patterns of soil organic carbon (SOC) are related to topographically-defined soil moisture levels within Midwestern tallgrass prairies. While roots are regarded as the main contributor to SOC formation, relatively little is known about how fine root dynamics respond to landscape-level changes in soil moisture, and thus the mechanisms promoting spatial heterogeneity of SOC remain uncertain. We evaluated SOC, fine root (≤2 mm) biomass, production, decomposition, and vertical rooting distributions among landscape positions varying in soil moisture within 25+ year old restored tallgrass prairies in Wisconsin, USA. We hypothesized that SOC, root biomass, and root production would increase, while root decomposition would decline with increasing soil moisture. Additionally, we hypothesized that relative root biomass and production distributions would become shallower as soils became wetter. We found no relationship between soil moisture and root biomass, production, or their vertical distributions, but decomposition decreased and SOC increased as expected with increasing soil moisture. However, we also observed a strong relationship between soil moisture and species assemblages, suggesting that community composition changed in response to soil moisture. Our findings indicate that SOC was highest in seasonally wet, lowland landscape positions due to greatly reduced root decomposition, not due to changes in root production or relative distributions. We suggest that species turnover may have reduced the effect of soil moisture on root biomass and production, thereby maintaining similar root production under notably disparate soil moisture conditions. Considering continued interest in monoculture biofuel plantings and their potential to sequester C in roots and soils, additional research is necessary at the landscape scale to elucidate the importance of species spatial heterogeneity on grassland belowground C dynamics.
In vivo noninvasive monitoring of microhemodynamics using optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy

Microvascular autoregulation is an intrinsic ability of vascular beds to compensate for the fluctuation in blood flow and tissue oxygen delivery. This function is crucial to maintaining the local metabolic activity. Here, using optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM), we clearly observed vasomotion and vasodilation in the intact mouse microcirculation in vivo in response to the changes in physiological state. Our results show that a significant lowfrequency vasomotion can be seen under hyperoxia but not hypoxia. Moreover, significant vasodilation is observed when the animal status is switched from hyperoxia to hypoxia. Our data show that arterioles have more pronounced vasodilation than venules.
An index of item validity providing a correction for chance success.

The KG Index described below is proposed for evaluation as one approach to the problem of providing an index giving comparable values for items (1) of equal discriminative power at all levels of difficulty and (2) of different numbers of alternative responses.
Automated adaptive 3D forming simulation processes

In this study, an automated adaptive mesh control scheme, based on local mesh modifications, is developed for the finite element simulations of 3D metal-forming processes. Error indicators are used to control the mesh discretization errors, and an h-adaptive procedure is conducted. The mesh size field used in the h-adaptive procedure is processed to control the discretization and geometric approximation errors of the evolving workpiece mesh. Industrial problems are investigated to demonstrate the capabilities of the developed scheme.
Application of a 3D delta-Eddington radiative transfer model to calculation of solar heating and photolysis rates in a stratocumulus cloud layer

A number of problems of aerosol/cloud and radiation/cloud interactions, as well as cloud chemistry, related to climate change study, which could be addressed with 3-D cloud structure models which incorporate a detailed `inventory' of physical processes. Also, cloud remote sensing problems can be sensitive to the 3-D structure of clouds. Those problems motivate us to develop a 3-D Large Eddy Simulation model with explicit description of cloud microphysical processes. The model output contains fields of aerosol and drop size distributions, among other output parameters. Some results of recent model runs are presented. In order to study a 3-D radiance response of the system we derive a `two-stream' approximation of radiative transfer for a 3-D inhomogeneous medium based on a 3-D delta- Eddington method. The basic equations of the method are derived and the solution method is outlined. Relevance of the model to investigation of arctic stratus layers is discussed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Enhancing Palliative Care for Low-Income Elders with Chronic Disease: Feasibility of a Hospice Consultation Model

Challenges exist in assimilating palliative care within community-based services for nursing home eligible low-income elders with complex chronic illness as they approach the end of life (EOL). This study assessed the feasibility of a consultation model, with hospice clinicians working with three Care Wisconsin Partnership Program teams. Consults occurred primarily during team meetings and also informally and on joint patient visits and were primarily with the palliative care nurse addressing physical issues. Fifty-seven percent of consultant recommendations were implemented. Benefits of consultation were identified with focus groups of clinical staff as were opportunities and barriers to the implementation. Models of integration are proposed.
Immunological characterization of embryonic cell surface antigens recognized by antiblastocyst serum.

Abstract Stage-specific cell surface antigens expressed during mouse preimplantation development and detected by a rabbit antiserum prepared against mouse blastocysts (A-BL2) have been characterized by serological and biochemical techniques. Immunofluorescence, immunoradiolabeling, and complement-mediated cytotoxicity assays reveal the expression of A-BL2 surface antigens beginning at the 4-cell stage and reaching a maximum at the 8-cell to morula stages. At earlier times in development A-BL2 antigens are not detectable, and there is a decline in expression at the blastocyst stage. No antibody reactivity is detected against adult mouse tissues or teratocarcinoma cell lines. The presence of A-BL2 antibodies during in vitro embryo culture interferes with normal development. Treatment of embryos with β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, but not other glycosidases, proteases, or lipases, results in a quantitative decrease in the binding of A-BL2 antibodies to surface antigens. Immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic analyses of A-BL2 antigens demonstrate specific antibody activity against a pair of embryonic glycoproteins of 65,000 to 70,000 daltons which can be metabolically labeled with 35S-methionine and 3H-glucosamine. Tunicamycin treatment alters the form of the A-BL2 immunoprecipitate to a single 60,000-dalton protein.
Arrestin/Clathrin Interaction LOCALIZATION OF THE ARRESTIN BINDING LOCUS TO THE CLATHRIN TERMINAL DOMAIN

Previously we demonstrated that nonvisual arrestins exhibit a high affinity interaction with clathrin, consistent with an adaptor function in the internalization of G protein-coupled receptors (Goodman, O. B., Jr., Krupnick, J. G., Santini, F., Gurevich, V. V., Penn, R. B., Gagnon, A. W., Keen, J. H., and Benovic, J. L. (1996) Nature 383, 447–450). In this report we show that a short sequence of highly conserved residues within the globular clathrin terminal domain is responsible for arrestin binding. Limited proteolysis of clathrin cages results in the release of terminal domains and concomitant abrogation of arrestin binding. The nonvisual arrestins, β-arrestin and arrestin3, but not visual arrestin, bind specifically to a glutathioneS-transferase-clathrin terminal domain fusion protein. Deletion analysis and alanine scanning mutagenesis localize the binding site to residues 89–100 of the clathrin heavy chain and indicate that residues 1–100 can function as an independent arrestin binding domain. Site-directed mutagenesis identifies an invariant glutamine (Glu-89) and two highly conserved lysines (Lys-96 and Lys-98) as residues critical for arrestin binding, complementing hydrophobic and acidic residues in arrestin3 which have been implicated in clathrin binding (Krupnick, J. G., Goodman, O. B., Jr., Keen, J. H., and Benovic, J. L. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 15011–15016). Despite exhibiting high affinity clathrin binding, arrestins do not induce coat assembly. The terminal domain is oriented toward the plasma membrane in coated pits, and its binding of both arrestins and AP-2 suggests that this domain is the anchor responsible for adaptor-receptor recruitment to the coated pit.
A computer model of sheath-nappes formed during crustal shear in the Western Gneiss Region, central Norwegian Caledonides

Abstract The eastern Western Gneiss Region of central Norway is part of the deepest exposed Norwegian Caledonides, where basement gneisses and an overlying thrust-nappe sequence have been folded into large fold-nappes. Structural analysis of a fold-nappe within the central part of the district (the Grovudal area) suggests that it has a strongly sheath-like form, and that other fold-nappes of the Western Gneiss Region may also have sheath-like forms. The structural history within the Grovudal area is dominated by intense east-directed subhorizontal shear in an overthrust sense, followed by asymmetric refolding with an easterly vergence. A computer-generated kinematic model was developed to test whether the regional interference patterns could be explained by sheath-fold development during this type of deformation. The computer model shows that the major regional interference patterns could have been formed by such a kinematic history, but does not rule out other possibile histories. The proposed kinematic history is, however, compatible with the regional tectonic history of the main Caledonian nappe pile, suggesting that the complex nappe interference patterns typical of the region were formed in a kinematically simple, but intense, ductile deformation associated with Caledonian continental imbrication.
Socioemotional trajectories in black boys between kindergarten and the fifth grade: the role of cognitive skills and family in promoting resiliency.

Relatively little attention has been paid to emotional functioning of Black boys in contrast to the attention paid to externalizing problems, even though internalizing problems are strong predictors of later well-being. This study tests a multilevel risk model of emotional well-being assessing the relation of poverty, maternal functioning, and child cognitive competence to changes in Black boys' internalizing symptoms between kindergarten and the fifth grade. The study utilizes data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K) to describe development of internalizing problems in a nationally representative sample of Black boys (N = 1603) over the period. Through Latent Growth Curve Analysis, trajectories were identified that showed some boys with stable levels of internalizing symptoms (high and low levels), and one trajectory showing increases in internalizing problems over time. The model testing confirms that differences in these trajectories can be explained by environmental risks, maternal distress, and boys' cognitive skills. Early cognitive skills proved to be especially valuable in reducing the risk of internalizing problems. Language: en