cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance characteristics comparison of major types of mechanical cryocoolers for aerospace applications

The three major types of mechanical cryocoolers in aerospace applications, namely reverse-Brayton cryocoolers, Stirling/pulse tube cryocoolers and Joule-Thomson cryocoolers, have significantly different performance characteristics. Some of these differences are due to the nature of their thermodynamic cycles; others come from their drastic differences in mean operating pressures and pressure ratios. This paper first provides an overview of the performance characteristics of these three types of cryocoolers, their unique performance benefits and main applications. It then derives an analytical expression for a cryocooler's Carnot efficiency, considering the effects of the system pressure ratio drop from the warm end to the cold end and heat leak due to the convective flow and axial conduction. The convective heat leak is related to the pressure drop and the figure of merit of the heat transfer surface using the Colburn-Chilton analogy. Based on this result, the paper discusses the key control parameters affecting the size and mass of the heat exchanger and thus the overall cooler system in each type of cryocooler.
Constant Stimulus and Tracking Procedures for Measuring Sensitivity

The methods of constant stimuli, adaptive tracking, and transformed tracking are fundamental tools for the study of sensory function of humans and animals. This chapter describes the adaptation of these procedures to the study of auditory sensitivity in the macaque monkey, outlines the primary advantages and disadvantages of each of these techniques, and describes situations in which one of these techniques might be more appropriate than another.
Nucleation of coupled body-centered-cubic and closed-packed structures in liquid Ni-Cr alloys

Abstract In the last four decades, the structure of pre-critical solid nuclei within a liquid phase of single-component face-centered-cubic (FCC) materials has been extensively investigated. These studies demonstrated that formation of equilibrium-FCC is mediated by metastable-body-centered-cubic (BCC) structured pre-critical nucleus. However, it is unknown if such nucleation mechanism is applicable to multi-component structural alloys that forms FCC and BCC structures as equilibrium phases. We have investigated this matter using Ni-35at.%Cr and Ni-50at.%Cr binary alloys via molecular-dynamics simulations. Our results indicated that the pre-critical and critical nucleus comprised of coupled Cr-rich BCC and Ni-rich closed-packed (FCC and hexagonal-closed-packed) structures. Formation of such multi-structured pre-critical nucleus was facilitated by prior phase-separation of alloy-melt into Cr-rich and Ni-rich liquid-pockets. BCC and closed-packed regions inside the nucleus formed with non-equilibrium compositions that evolved over time. Thus, a non-conventional nucleation mechanism in concentrated Ni-Cr alloys allows them to solidify into FCC-BCC microstructures.
Effects of the Obesity Epidemic on Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Demographics.

Abstract Background Higher body mass index (BMI) is a well-known risk factor for the development of hip and knee osteoarthritis and predicts total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at an earlier age. The purpose of this study is to document the nationwide trends in age and obesity in primary THA and TKA throughout the obesity epidemic. Methods A retrospective analysis of the National Inpatient Sample database was conducted on patients undergoing primary THA and TKA for primary OA between 2002 and 2017. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests were performed to examine changes in age and obesity percentage over time, respectively. Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationship between patient age, BMI, and year of surgery. Results A total of 688,371 THA and 1,556,651 TKA were identified over the sixteen-year period. Between 2002 and 2017, the proportion of obese patients increased for both THA (7.0% to 22.7%, P Conclusion THA and TKA patients have become younger and increasingly more obese throughout the obesity epidemic, as obesity rates have tripled over this time period. The current investigation is the first to demonstrate significant trends in both age and obesity in the THA and TKA populations on a national level. Level of Evidence III.
Cross-cultural and gender invariance of emotion regulation in the United States and India.

Abstract Background The ability to effectively regulate one's emotions has been established as an important transdiagnostic mechanism in the development and maintenance of psychopathology. To date, much of the research on emotion regulation (ER) has been conducted in Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) samples. Specifically, there is a dearth of cross-cultural construct equivalence studies on measures of ER. Establishing measurement equivalence is an important first step to facilitate future research on ER in culturally diverse samples. Methods The present study sought to validate the latent structures of three commonly used ER measures: the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS-10), and Acceptance subscale of the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-AS). Measurement equivalence was examined across 123 American and 121 Indian participants (Mage = 36.60) and across gender. Results Cross-cultural confirmatory factor analyses revealed configural equivalence (i.e., same factor structures) in both cultural groups across all three measures. The RRS-10 met weak invariance across cultures; however, factor loadings were not equal across the two samples for all items on the ERQ or FFMQ-AS. Consequently, a partial invariance solution was identified, and all measures subsequently met criteria for Level 2 strict cross-cultural invariance. Across gender, full invariance was found on all measures except the FFMQ-AS. Conclusion Findings suggest that the structure of ER processes is largely invariant across these two cultural groups, with a few notable exceptions, pointing to the importance of continued work in this area.
Incidence and Outcomes of Acute Kidney Injury in COVID-19: A Systematic Review.

Background and objectives The recent worldwide pandemic of COVID-19 has been a serious, multidimensional problem that has left a detrimental worldwide impact on individuals of all ages and several organ systems. The typical manifestation of kidney involvement is acute kidney injury (AKI); however, there is a lack of consensus data regarding AKI epidemiology in COVID-19. This systematic literature review aims to bridge this knowledge gap. Design, setting, participants, and measurements MEDLINE and Cochrane library were systematically searched for the literature related to AKI in COVID-19 patients of all ages. MedRxIV was searched for relevant unpublished manuscripts. Two reviewers independently assessed the literature on the incidence of AKI and mortality, extracting the need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Results Sixty studies (n = 43,871 patients) were included in this review. The pooled incidence of AKI among COVID-19 patients was 19.45% (95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 14.63-24.77%), while the pooled incidence of AKI COVID-19 patients requiring KRT was 39.04% (16.38-64.57%). The pooled proportion of COVID+ patients was significantly lower at 8.83% (5.64% to 12/66%). The overall mortality of COVID-19 patients was calculated to be 17.71% (95% CI: 11.49-24.93%), while the mortality among patients with AKI was higher at 54.24% (95% CI: 44.70-63.63%). Conclusion This comprehensive systematic review summarizes the available literature pertaining to AKI epidemiology in COVID-19 patients and highlights the incidence, associated mortality, and the need for KRT in this susceptible population.
Outdoor Production of Biomass and Biomolecules by Spirulina (Arthrospira) and Synechococcus cultivated with Reduced Nutrient Supply

Microalgal production conducted outdoors using low-cost cultivation media is important for the consolidation of this bioprocess on a large scale. In this context, the use of a chemically defined medium with reduced costs can not only provide nutritional security but also contribute to an increase in the concentration of biomolecules without a loss of microalgal biomass productivity. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the biomass production and biomolecule concentrations of Spirulina sp. LEB 18 and Synechococcus nidulans LEB 115 in outdoor cultivation using media containing reduced nutrients. Algal performance was assessed in open raceway bioreactors, using three different culture media, namely, BG-11, standard Zarrouk, and a modified Zarrouk [reduction in the sources of carbon (83%), phosphorus (94%), nitrogen (40%), and magnesium (63%) concerning the standard Zarrouk medium]. Cultivation of Spirulina sp. LEB 18 in the modified Zarrouk medium promoted the shortest generation time (2.10 days), with the concentration of carbohydrate produced (37.1%) being 346% higher than that produced using the standard Zarrouk medium (8.3%). Similarly, compared with the Zarrouk medium, the modified Zarrouk medium promoted higher biomass productivity of S. nidulans LEB 115 (0.19 g L−1 d−1) along with a 160% increase in the concentration of carbohydrates (21.6%) produced by this strain. Thus, for the examined microalgal strains, the use of the modified Zarrouk medium enhanced the potential carbohydrate production and maintained the protein concentration above 39%, thereby indicating that this medium would be a promising candidate for the cost-effective large-scale production of microalgal biomass.
Hybridization of pPGl with Other Plasmids of Pseudomonas Syringae PV. Glycinea

The 8.3 kb plasmid pPGl is found in the coronatine-producing (Tox+) Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea strains 4180 and 4182. The plasmid was cloned and transfered by triparental mating to the coronatine-nonproducing strain (Tox-) 4 327. The transcon-jugants produced a phytotoxic compound which could be partially purified by the protocol used for extracting coronatine, had an Rf very similar to coronatine when analyzed by thin layer chro-motography and caused chlorosis in soybean leaves and reacted positively in ELISA to coronatine-specific antibodies. Analyses with HPLC revealed that the partially purified toxin produced two major peaks with retention times very similar to those of coronafacic acid and coronatine. However, the UV absorbancy/refractive index ratio is significantly different and it was concluded that the compound is not coronatine ((J. J. Sims, UC Riverside, personal communication). This conclusion was confirmed by R. Mitchell (DSIR, Auckland, New Zealand, personal communication). The identity of the toxic compound is not yet determined.
Parallel-Vector Unsymmetrical Equation Solver

Unsymmetric matrices are not uncommon in large-scale structural analysis. In panel flutter analysis, for example, one has to deal with unsymmetric equations due to the appearance of the unsymmetric aerodynamic influence matrix. When large deflections and unsteady third-order piston theory aerodynamics are considered in the flutter analysis, it is necessary to solve the unsymmetric equations incrementally and/or to solve the unsymmetric generalized eigen-problems interactively. Thus, an efficient and accurate unsymmetric equation solver plays an important role in structural analysis.
Activation of platelet protein kinase C by ultraviolet light B mediates platelet transfusion-related acute lung injury in a two-event animal model.

BACKGROUND: We recently reported that infusion of ultraviolet light B (UVB)-exposed human platelets (HPs) can be the second event that mediates acute lung injury (ALI) in a two-event mouse model of transfusion-related acute lung injury (mTRALI). We have now identified changes in HPs induced by UVB light and responses of the recipient animal that mediate the mTRALI. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Effects of UVB on HPs were monitored by flow cytometry and aggregation. HPs exposed to UVB, with or without inhibitors to specific biochemical pathways, were infused into lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. ALI was monitored by protein elevations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). RESULTS: UVB increased fibrinogen binding and potentiated HP aggregation. Infusion of UVB HPs into LPS-primed SCID mice led to macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) elevations in plasma and BALF and resulted in ALI. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors prevented UVB-induced HP changes in vitro and reduced MIP-2 elevation and mTRALI in vivo. Blocking of fibrinogen binding to HP αIIbβ3 with c7E3 monoclonal antibody prevented mTRALI. MIP-2 elevation in vivo in response to UVB HPs was essential for ALI since blocking of MIP-2 receptor in vivo prevented mTRALI. CONCLUSION: PKC signaling mediates UVB-induced HP fibrinogen binding and aggregation in vitro. The host animal responds to an infusion of UVB HPs by MIP-2 elevation that mediates downstream mTRALI. Elucidation of molecular mechanisms in UVB HP–mediated mTRALI may provide insight into pulmonary adverse events reported with UV-irradiated pathogen-reduced platelets.
Some comparative kinetic data on the enzyme imidazoleacetol phosphate:L-glutamate aminotransferase derived from mutant strains of Salmonella typhimurium.

Abstract A comparison was made of the kinetic properties of the aminotransferase derived from two his mutants and coded for by the C gene of the histidine operon. The data presented show that, in addition to imidazoleacetol phosphate and l-histidinol phosphate, l-histidine is an effective substrate for the enzyme. One of the mutants, hisEIFAHB612 produces wild type enzyme, the other, hisHB22, produces a protein which is indistinguishable from wild type on the basis of kinetic studies. Since hisHB22 produces extracts of lower specific activity compared to either wild type strains or to other his mutants not defective in C gene function as a result of polar mutations in the operon or to other mutational effects bearing directly on the C gene, we conclude that the different behavior in this strain is related to the number of catalytically active molecules synthesized or maintained.
On the _{}-Minkowski problem

A volume-normalized formulation of the Lp-Minkowski problem is presented. This formulation has the advantage that a solution is possible for all p > 1, including the degenerate case where the index p is equal to the dimension of the ambient space. A new approach to the Lp-Minkowski problem is presented, which solves the volume-normalized formulation for even data and all p ≥ 1.
Estriol concentrations in blood during pregnancy.

Abstract Total plasma estriol concentrations and 24 hour total urinary estrogen excretions were measured at frequent intervals during the last half of gestation in a group of selected subjects. The blood analyses frequently gave a more reliable indication of well-being of the infant in utero than the urine analyses and was less inconvenient to the subject. Plasma estriol determination is not substantially more difficult or costly than accurate measurement of the hormone in urine, and the blood analysis therefore should replace the older method.
Arterial endothelial methylome: differential DNA methylation in athero-susceptible disturbed flow regions in vivo

Atherosclerosis is a heterogeneously distributed disease of arteries in which the endothelium plays an important central role. Spatial transcriptome profiling of endothelium in pre-lesional arteries has demonstrated differential phenotypes primed for athero-susceptibility at hemodynamic sites associated with disturbed blood flow. DNA methylation is a powerful epigenetic regulator of endothelial transcription recently associated with flow characteristics. We investigated differential DNA methylation in flow region-specific aortic endothelial cells in vivo in adult domestic male and female swine. Genome-wide DNA methylation was profiled in endothelial cells (EC) isolated from two robust locations of differing patho-susceptibility: − an athero-susceptible site located at the inner curvature of the aortic arch (AA) and an athero-protected region in the descending thoracic (DT) aorta. Complete methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeDIP-seq) identified over 5500 endothelial differentially methylated regions (DMRs). DMR density was significantly enriched in exons and 5’UTR sequences of annotated genes, 60 of which are linked to cardiovascular disease. The set of DMR-associated genes was enriched in transcriptional regulation, pattern specification HOX loci, oxidative stress and the ER stress adaptive pathway, all categories linked to athero-susceptible endothelium. Examination of the relationship between DMR and mRNA in HOXA genes demonstrated a significant inverse relationship between CpG island promoter methylation and gene expression. Methylation-specific PCR (MSP) confirmed differential CpG methylation of HOXA genes, the ER stress gene ATF4, inflammatory regulator microRNA-10a and ARHGAP25 that encodes a negative regulator of Rho GTPases involved in cytoskeleton remodeling. Gender-specific DMRs associated with ciliogenesis that may be linked to defects in cilia development were also identified in AA DMRs. An endothelial methylome analysis identifies epigenetic DMR characteristics associated with transcriptional regulation in regions of atherosusceptibility in swine aorta in vivo. The data represent the first methylome blueprint for spatio-temporal analyses of lesion susceptibility predisposing to endothelial dysfunction in complex flow environments in vivo.
Industry Update: Airlines

Recent developments in the airline industry are notable in three respects. A rising tide of concentration, which is accelerating and expanding through a proliferation of “alliances” among major carriers at home and abroad; a recurring resort to predatory pricing by the majors which continues to subvert competition by low-cost independents; and an intensification of the tacitly collusive, noncompetitive pricing behavior expected to emerge in such a highly concentrated structural milieu.
Clinical Informatics Subspecialty Certification and Training

Although the clinical informatics subspecialty is new, the term “clinical informatics” first appeared in the informatics literature in 1983 in an article in the Proceedings of the American Association for Medical Systems and Informatics (AAMSI) Congress by Michael A. Jenkin entitled “Clinical specialty systems as an introduction to Clinical Informatics.” Over the succeeding years there has been a great deal of research and development in clinical informatics, and at least a decade of effort to form the subspecialty. Finally, in 2011 the discipline was first recognized as a subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Specialties and the first specialty board certification examination was in 2013. This chapter describes the background about the development of the subspecialty as well as the core content and training requirements.
Puerperal morbidity and internal fetal monitoring

Abstract Analysis was undertaken of 148 patients who were monitored during labor with the internal fetal monitor. The patients were studied for the incidence of puerperal morbidity and endometritis by method of delivery, either by normal spontaneous delivery (NSD) or by cesarean section. Compared to the control group, there was no significant difference in the incidence of either puerperal morbidity or endometritis.
Proof theory for Kleene algebra

The universal Horn theory of relational Kleene algebra with tests (RKAT) is of practical interest, particularly for program semantics. We develop an (infinitary) proof system, based on well-founded trees of finite automata, which is sound and complete for this theory. A small modification of this system yields a proof system which is sound and complete for the universal Horn theory of *-continuous Kleene algebras with tests (KAT*). This sheds light on the relationship between RKAT and KAT*.
Further experiments on narrow-band conduction noise in NbSe3

Abstract Further measurements of the conduction noise associated with motion of the higher temperature charge-density wave in NbSe3 are reported. The individual harmonic amplitudes fluctuate randomly and independently. The spectral width is fully represented on timescales of 10 ms or less. The Gaussian nature of the noise is employed to make reproducible measurements of the bias dependence of the total noise amplitude (summed over harmonics), which increases with increasing bias above threshold, then saturates when its fundamental frequency exceeds fk. The magnitude of the saturation noise voltage varies with temperature in the manner of an order parameter, while fk largely mimics the threshold field. The harmonic content is roughly independent of bias and temperature.
Affine minimax confidence intervals for a bounded normal mean

Abstract Consider the problem of constructing a fixed-length confidence interval for θ0 from the observation Y ∼ N(θ0, σ2), when we know a priori that θ0 ϵ[−τ, τ]. The length of the minimax confidence interval centered at an affine functional of Y can be computed numerically — this paper gives tables for confidence levels 95%, 99% and 99.9% and a variety of values of the ‘signal to noise ratio’, τ σ . The lengths of minimax confidence intervals centered at arbitrary measurable functionals of Y can be bounded from above and below using the affine results. For sufficiently small values of τ σ , the minimax intervals offer arbitrarily large improvements over the standard interval [Y − σ Z 1−α , Y + σ Z 1−α ] . Asymptotically as τ σ →∞ , they offer no improvement. For moderate values 2 ⩽ τ/gs ⩽ 5 and confidence levels between 95% and 99.9%, affine minimax intervals are about 3% to 39% shorter than the standard interval.
An international survey of cytomegalovirus prevention and treatment practices in intestinal transplantation.

BACKGROUND Practice variation regarding cytomegalovirus (CMV) prevention and treatment across intestinal transplantation (IT) programs is unknown. METHODS An electronic survey was sent to IT programs registered with the Intestinal Transplant Association. Proportions were analyzed for categorical variables; means and SDs were analyzed for continuous variables. RESULTS Seventy-seven percent of IT programs responded to the survey. For CMV D+/R- recipients, 39.1% programs used universal prophylaxis (UP), 8.7% preemptive strategy (PE), and 52.2% hybrid strategy. For CMV R+ recipients, 45.8% programs used UP, 12.5% PE, 37.1% hybrid strategy, and 4.2% none. For CMV D-/R- recipients, 39.1% programs used UP, 21.7% PE, 26.1% hybrid strategy, and 13% none. Frequency of monitoring for PE was weekly 71.4% of programs, every 2 weeks 21.4%, and monthly 7.1%. For CMV viremia, syndrome and disease, the most common first-line agents used were ganciclovir (100% and 96.2%) and valganciclovir (23.1%) and the second-line agent was foscarnet (73.1% and 84.6%). Immunoglobulins were administered in 65.4% of the programs for pneumonia (69.2%), meningoencephalitis (50%), enteritis (46.2%), colitis (38.5%), syndrome (42.3%), viremia (30.8%), and resistant/refractory infections (11.5%). CONCLUSIONS Prophylaxis and hybrid strategy were the most commonly used. Treatment practices were consistent and mainly involved ganciclovir as first-line agent and foscarnet as second-line agent. The use of immunoglobulins appeared to be more common than in other allografts.
A Mexico City–Based Immersion Education Program: Training Mental Health Clinicians For Practice With Latino Communities

This article describes the philosophical foundations and educational methods of a Spanish language and cultural immersion program based in Mexico City, Mexico. The program is designed to assist U.S. graduate students in marriage and family therapy and clinical psychology programs to improve clinical service delivery with Latino clients. Utilizing critical pedagogy, the program works with future clinicians to develop multicultural and international competencies; acquire increased Spanish language skills; engage in self-of-the-therapist work; and expand their understanding of the historical and cultural influences shaping the mental healthcare needs of Latin American clients. A report of the themes from postimmersion surveys is provided and the implications for training are discussed.
Universal quantum computation with the ν = 5 ∕ 2 fractional quantum Hall state

We consider topological quantum computation (TQC) with a particular class of anyons that are believed to exist in the fractional quantum Hall effect state at Landau-level filling fraction v =5/2. Since the braid group representation describing the statistics of these anyons is not computationally universal, one cannot directly apply the standard TQC technique. We propose to use very noisy nontopological operations such as direct short-range interactions between anyons to simulate a universal set of gates. Assuming that all TQC operations are implemented perfectly, we prove that the threshold error rate for nontopological operations is above 14%. The total number of nontopological computational elements that one needs to simulate a quantum circuit with L gates scales as L(ln L)to the 3rd.
Detection of mycoplasma contamination in viral stocks by a polymerase chain reaction technique

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification procedure is described for the detection of mycoplasma contaminants in virus stocks. The method uses primers based upon the DNA coding sequence for mycoplasma 16S and 23S ribosomal RNA. The primers evaluated amplified DNA from commonly encountered mycoplasma contaminants to levels readily detectable on ethidium-stained electrophoresis gels. The same primers did not yield detectable DNA bands when human DNA, mouse DNA, and DNA from related genera of bacteria were amplified. The assay is specific and sensitive and useful in testing a wide range of viral stocks for the presence of mycoplasma contaminants. This PCR-based mycoplasma detection test has proven capable of quickly clarifying the status of viral stocks that occasionally yield indeterminate results when tested for mycoplasma by the Hoechst-staining method.
Cyclin-dependent kinases regulate splice-specific targeting of dynamin-related protein 1 to microtubules

Fission and fusion reactions determine mitochondrial morphology and function. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is a guanosine triphosphate–hydrolyzing mechanoenzyme important for mitochondrial fission and programmed cell death. Drp1 is subject to alternative splicing of three exons with previously unknown functional significance. Here, we report that splice variants including the third but excluding the second alternative exon (x01) localized to and copurified with microtubule bundles as dynamic polymers that resemble fission complexes on mitochondria. A major isoform in immune cells, Drp1-x01 required oligomeric assembly and Arg residues in alternative exon 3 for microtubule targeting. Drp1-x01 stabilized and bundled microtubules and attenuated staurosporine-induced mitochondrial fragmentation and apoptosis. Phosphorylation of a conserved Ser residue adjacent to the microtubule-binding exon released Drp1-x01 from microtubules and promoted mitochondrial fragmentation in a splice form–specific manner. Phosphorylation by Cdk1 contributed to dissociation of Drp1-x01 from mitotic microtubules, whereas Cdk5-mediated phosphorylation modulated Drp1-x01 targeting to interphase microtubules. Thus, alternative splicing generates a latent, cytoskeletal pool of Drp1 that is selectively mobilized by cyclin-dependent kinase signaling.
A Left-Handed RNA Double Helix Bound by the Zα Domain of the RNA-Editing Enzyme ADAR1

The A form RNA double helix can be transformed to a left-handed helix, called Z-RNA. Currently, little is known about the detailed structural features of Z-RNA or its involvement in cellular processes. The discovery that certain interferon-response proteins have domains that can stabilize Z-RNA as well as Z-DNA opens the way for the study of Z-RNA. Here, we present the 2.25 A crystal structure of the Zalpha domain of the RNA-editing enzyme ADAR1 (double-stranded RNA adenosine deaminase) complexed to a dUr(CG)(3) duplex RNA. The Z-RNA helix is associated with a unique solvent pattern that distinguishes it from the otherwise similar conformation of Z-DNA. Based on the structure, we propose a model suggesting how differences in solvation lead to two types of Z-RNA structures. The interaction of Zalpha with Z-RNA demonstrates how the interferon-induced isoform of ADAR1 could be targeted toward selected dsRNAs containing purine-pyrimidine repeats, possibly of viral origin.
Pleistocene Chronology of the Puget Lowland and San Juan Islands, Washington

The Puget Lowland and San Juan Islands, lying in the Puget Trough between the Cascade Range and the Olympic Mountains, were in the path of Pleistocene ice sheets which flowed southward from Canada. Floodplain, silt, sand, and peat of the Whidbey Formation were deposited prior to 40,000 years ago, during an interglaciation believed to be equivalent to the Puyallup and Sangamon Interglaciations. Possession Drift, which overlies sediments of the Whidbey Formation, is radiocarbon dated at 34,000 years B.P. in its upper part and is limited by a radiocarbon age of >39,900 in its lower part. The Possession is correlated with late phases of the Zyriansk Glaciation in Russia and the early Wurm in Europe. Peat lying on Possession Drift yielded radio-carbon dates between 27,200 and 22,700 ± 550, representing the Olympia Interglaciation which is correlated with the Karginsk Interglaciation of Russia, the Paudorf Interval of Europe and the Farmdalian of the midwestern United States. Esperance Sand, deposited by meltwater streams in front of advancing ice during the Fraser Glaciation and subsequently overridden during the Vashon Stade, was radiocarbon dated at 18,000 ± 400 years. During deglaciation, the ice sheet thinned until it floated in marine water and poorly sorted, fossiliferous glaciomarine drift was deposited in the Everson Interstade. Shell-bearing sediment at altitudes up to 400 feet above present sea level and unfossiliferous glaciomarine drift up to 600 feet indicate that relative sea level at that time was 500 to 700 feet higher. Eighteen radio-carbon dates from marine shells in Everson glaciomarine drift vary from 10,370 ± 300 to 13,010 ± 170 years. The Everson Interstade ended with lowering of relative sea level to approximately its present position and the disappearance of floating ice. The following Sumas Stade ended shortly before 9,920 ± 760 years ago.
The fine structure of the protonephridia in the rotifer Asplanchna.

The Asplanchna protonephridial system, a primitive excretory organ concerned with water and salt balance, consists of 3–4 multinucleate cells with diverse structural and functional characteristics. The cells form a system of tubules lying in the pseudocoel cavity, one of which bears numerous ciliated flame bulbs. Pseudocoel fluid is filtered across the slotted flame bulb wall into the bulb lumen, presumably by a negative filtration pressure induced by the beating of the flame cilia. The cilia were shown to beat in a two-dimensional sinusoidal stroke pattern showing ciliary axial microtubule alignment in the electron microscope. The pseudocoel filtrate is circulated through the two main protonephridial tubules, where electrolyte and water reabsorption apparently occur. The hypotonic filtrate then flows into the bladder and is expelled from the organism. The tubules show quite different lumen and cytoplasmic characteristics, thereby suggesting diverse functions for the various regions of the system.
Fatal Septicemia Due to Providence Group Bacilli

: There has been an increase in the frequency and severity of infections due to Gram negative bacilli of the Providence group. Eight cases are presented in which these organisms caused septicemia; 6 of the 8 patients died. Infections with Providence bacilli are considered to be nosocomial or iatrogenic. The rapid appearance of resistant bacteria in this group requires more efficient therapeutic agents.
Rapid 3D NMR using the filter diagonalization method: application to oligosaccharides derivatized with 13C-labeled acetyl groups

Abstract Rapid 3D NMR spectroscopy of oligosaccharides having isotopically labeled acetyl “isotags” was made possible with high resolution in the indirect dimensions using the filter diagonalization method (FDM). A pulse sequence was designed for the optimal correlation of acetyl methyl protons, methyl carbons, and carbonyl carbons. The multi-dimensional nature of the FDM, coupled with the advantages of constant-time evolution periods, resulted in marked improvements over Fourier transform (FT) and mirror-image linear prediction (MI-LP) processing methods. The three methods were directly compared using identical data sets. A highly resolved 3D spectrum was achieved with the FDM using a very short experimental time (28 min).
Entrepreneurship: not an easy path to top management for women

Despite the increased gender parity in the workforce today, few women attain top management positions in America's largest corporations. Instead, an increasing number of women are achieving CEO status as entrepreneurs. In‐depth interviews with women who have lived in both worlds – that of the stable company and one launched and run on their own – give some insight as to the nature of the problems and perceptions faced by women as managers and entrepreneurs. Issues such as gender‐role bias and work/life balance are concerns for women with and without children. Gathering information from women who decided to form their own organizations after they had worked in a large organization, this paper examines some of the decision‐making factors and socio‐personal constraints that affect such entrepreneurship.
Fabrication and physical properties of very thin HgBa2CaCu2O6+δ films

Abstract Epitaxial c -axis-oriented HgBa 2 CaCu 2 O 6+ δ (Hg-1212) films ∼50–80 nm thick have been grown on (0 0 1) LaAlO 3 substrates using a cation-exchange process. These films show smooth surface morphology and high-quality epitaxy. The superconducting transition temperatures are up to 118 K. In zero applied magnetic fields, the critical current densities of these films are typically above 10 7 A/cm 2 at 5 K and remain up to 3.54×10 5 A/cm 2 at 100 K.
Infrared absorption spectroscopy of solid propellant flames using a Pt-Si array detector

A multichannel infrared absorption technique has been developed and applied to the study of solid propellant flames. Infrared absorption spectra of HCN, H2CO, CH4, CO, CO2, N2O, and H2O have been obtained in the dark zone of solid propellant flames during steady state combustion conditions through the use of a 1024 element platinum silicide (Pt-Si) array detector. The experiment consists of a quartz tungsten halogen lamp as the source, a 0.320 m spectrometer with a 75 grooves/mm grating, the Pt-Si array detector and a windowed strand burner where cylindrical propellant samples are burned cigarette fashion in the presence of an inert buffer gas. Results for a nitramine propellant M43 are presented along with estimates for the temperature and species concentrations through the use of the HITRAN database and associated PC programs.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Descriptive Study of Credit Card Fraud Pattern

We analyzed a dataset of fraudulent credit card transactions to uncover patterns in fraudulent transactions and to demonstrate the importance of focusing on suspicious transactions. We argue that r...
AN ECOLOGICAL STUDY OF A REGULATED PRAIRIE STREAM IN WESTERN MONTANA

Longitudinal and seasonal changes in biophysical variables were examined in this seminal study of an intermountain (Palouse) prairie stream. Hypolimnial releases from an irrigation reservoir controlled discharge, temperature and other habitat variables, thereby influencing distribution and abundance of zoobenthos. Dramatic changes in turbidity and nutrient concentrations occurred during the spring runoff and summer irrigation periods and following wind-driven sediment resuspension in the reservoir. Seasonal changes in the relative dominance of certain macroinvertebrate taxa were correlated with physical and chemical dynamics. Based on detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), specific conductance, temperature, dissolved oxygen and nitrates + nitrites were the variables most associated with seasonal macroinvertebrate biomass. Changes in taxa composition downstream from the dam were mainly related to species additions from site to site. Changes in pH and substratum were associated with longitudinal changes in biomass. For instance, the observed bimodal distribution of Cheumatopsyche sp. was correlated with percentage boulder substratum among the sites. On the other hand, DCA performed on macroinvertebrate densities emphasized pH, total ammonia, discharge and substratum. Species composition throughout the prairie segment of the stream was very different from that in the mountain canyon segment. The effects of regulation ameliorated significantly in a downstream direction from the dam. Presence of warm water species (e.g. Helicopsyche sp.) upstream and downstream of the reservoir were indicative of the native stream fauna of the intermountain prairies. Faunal responses to the ‘recovery’ gradient downstream from the dam provided a basis for the development of remedial management actions.
Inhibition of neutrophil elastase prevents cathelicidin activation and impairs clearance of bacteria from wounds

The host defense roles of neutrophil elastase in a porcine skin wound chamber model were explored. Analysis of wound fluid by acid-urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western blot, and bacterial overlay confirmed that the neutrophil-derived protegrins constituted the major stable antimicrobial polypeptide in the wound fluid. The application to the wound of 0.10 and 0.25 mM N-methoxysuccinyl-alanine-alanine-proline-valine (AAPV) chloromethyl ketone, a specific neutrophil elastase inhibitor (NEI), blocked the proteolytic activation of protegrins and diminished the associated antimicrobial activity as detected by radial diffusion assay against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans or by bacterial gel overlay against S epidermidis and E coli. The application of the related cathepsin G inhibitor (CGI), benzyloxycarbonyl-glycine-leucine-phenylalanine (ZGLF) chloromethyl ketone, had no effect. In wound chambers that received 10(6) colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL of S epidermidis, the presence of NEI significantly decreased the 24-hour clearance of bacteria from the wound compared to wounds treated with CGI or solvent only. Neither inhibitor, at 0.10 or 0.25 mM concentration, affected leukocyte accumulation or degranulation in the wound chambers. The in vitro microbicidal decrement due to NEI was restored by an amount of the specific protegrin (PG-1), which was equivalent to the measured difference of protegrin between control and inhibited chambers. Administration of 1 microg/mL exogenous PG-1 4 hours after chamber preparation was sufficient to normalize in vivo antimicrobial activity. Although pharmacologic NEIs are promising candidates as anti-inflammatory drugs, they may impair host defense in part by inhibiting the activation of cathelicidins by neutrophil elastase.
In Vivo Assessment of Trabecular Smooth Muscle Tone, its Application in Pharmaco-Cavernosometry and Analysis of Intracavernous Pressure Determinants

AbstractA pharmaco-cavernosometry based clinical study was designed to define hemodynamic parameters consistent with complete trabecular smooth muscle relaxation, establish a methodology for overcoming incomplete trabecular smooth muscle relaxation, and determine under controlled conditions the contribution of venous outflow and arterial inflow to the steady-state equilibrium intracavernous pressure. Flow-pressure relationships were analyzed in 21 patients each of whom was assumed to have complete smooth muscle relaxation by virtue of the full, rigid and maintained erectile response following intracavernous vasodilator administration, which required intracavernous adrenergic agonists to achieve detumescence. Flow-to-maintain values increased linearly with intracavernous pressure while venous outflow resistance values were high and constant. Based on these relationships, trabecular smooth muscle tone was assessed in 123 impotent patients. In 14 percent, 63 percent and 14 percent of the patients (112 of 123...
Optimizing the CD34 + cell dose for reduced-intensity allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Low CD34 + cell doses increase allograft-related mortality and very high doses increase the risk of graft-versus-host disease. The optimum CD34 + cell dose remains undefined. The effect of the CD34 + cell dose based on ideal weight was analyzed in 130 patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing reduced-intensity allogeneic blood cell transplantation in the context of factors known to affect the outcome: chemosensitivity, donor age, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match, performance status, and platelet count. The survival of patients receiving >8 × 106/kg CD34 + cells was not significantly different from those receiving <6. The outcome of those receiving 6–8 × 106/kg CD34 + cells was significantly better than the rest. This superiority was confirmed in multivariable analysis. Among patients receiving ≤8 × 106/kg CD34 + cells, an increasing number of infused cells was associated with higher overall survival in a continuous fashion (Risk ratio (RR) 0.8759; p = 0.045). Cell d...
Ethanol protects from injury due to ischemia and reperfusion by increasing vascularity via vascular endothelial growth factor.

Abstract The cardioprotective effects of moderate ethanol consumption have been known for years and have generally been ascribed to long-term effects of alcohol on blood lipids. However, other mechanisms, particularly ethanol-induced increase in blood vessel density, may also be involved. Our goal was to understand the relationship between ethanol consumption, new blood vessel formation in vivo and protection from injury due to ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion. Using paired ethanol fed and control rats, we assessed capillary density in the heart, brain and skeletal muscle by immunostaining and quantified expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by Western blot analysis and immunocytochemistry. Numbers of vessels were significantly increased in the brain, heart and skeletal muscle of animals fed ethanol-rich diets. VEGF (and its receptors) were upregulated in these organs. These effects were very rapid: highly significantly increased vascularization was seen within 2 weeks of commencing alcohol feeding. A neutralizing VEGF antibody, bevacizumab, inhibited new blood vessel formation induced by moderate doses of ethanol. Ethanol consumption increased vascularization and promoted skeletal muscle regeneration following hindlimb ischemia; these effects were prevented by bevacizumab. Finally, ethanol consumption protected myocardium following experimental ischemia/reperfusion. Conclusion: Experimental ethanol ingestion rapidly increases VEGF production, significantly increasing the capillary bed in the heart, brain, and skeletal muscle. Moreover, the ethanol-induced increase of blood vessel density is protective against ischemic events (i.e., hindlimb ischemia and myocardium ischemia/reperfusion) and promotes skeletal muscle regeneration.
Functional MRI using molecular imaging agents

Contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have recently been used as cellular-level probes of neural function. New in vivo labeling strategies now enable researchers to follow plasticity of brain activation patterns and cellular structure over time. On the horizon is the prospect that molecular imaging agents specifically designed for functional imaging (fMRI) on a relatively fast timescale could offer an alternative to conventional hemodynamics-based approaches. Development of several MRI sensors has defined principles by which imaging agents for ‘molecular fMRI' can be constructed; application of engineered sensors for cellular-level correlates of neuronal activity would allow researchers to combine the noninvasiveness of MRI with spatial resolution of tens of microns and temporal resolution of 100ms or less. Facilitated by advances in imaging-agent delivery methods and model systems appropriate for high-resolution neuroimaging, novel molecular imaging strategies continue to potentiate MRI as a tool for mechanistic investigation of neural systems.
Sensitivity to X-radiation of strains of Escherichia coli K-12 which lack DNA polymerase II

The polB1 and polA1 polB1 strains of E. coli K-12, wihch are deficient in DNA polymerase II and in DNA polymerases I and II, respectively, were found to have essentially the same sensitivity to anoxic or aerobic X-irradiation as their related wild-type and polA1 strains, respectively. Thus, DNA polymerase II appears to play no major role in the repair of X-ray damage.
Acquisition and retention in compound matching with hue and peck number elements

Abstract Pigeons learned and retained compound samples composed of hue (red vs. green) and peck number value [fixed-ratio (FR) 5 vs. FR 20] in a modified matching-to-sample (MTS) task. For different groups both FR and hue were relevant, or hue alone or FR value alone were relevant. Both acquisition and short-term retention of the samples were assessed. The rate of acquisition differed among the groups, with hue/FR > hue > FR. For groups hue/FR and hue, sample FR influenced the rate of learning, with larger sample FRs promoting faster learning. Sample FR also influenced working memory. When both hue and sample FR were relevant, and when FR alone was relevant, pigeons displayed better retention of the smaller (FR 5) sample—the “choose-small” effect. This dissociation of sample FR effects during acquisition and retention could be taken to indicate differences in the sources of immediate and delayed stimulus control.
PCalign: a method to quantify physicochemical similarity of protein-protein interfaces

Structural comparison of protein-protein interfaces provides valuable insights into the functional relationship between proteins, which may not solely arise from shared evolutionary origin. A few methods that exist for such comparative studies have focused on structural models determined at atomic resolution, and may miss out interesting patterns present in large macromolecular complexes that are typically solved by low-resolution techniques. We developed a coarse-grained method, PCalign, to quantitatively evaluate physicochemical similarities between a given pair of protein-protein interfaces. This method uses an order-independent algorithm, geometric hashing, to superimpose the backbone atoms of a given pair of interfaces, and provides a normalized scoring function, PC-score, to account for the extent of overlap in terms of both geometric and chemical characteristics. We demonstrate that PCalign outperforms existing methods, and additionally facilitates comparative studies across models of different resolutions, which are not accommodated by existing methods. Furthermore, we illustrate potential application of our method to recognize interesting biological relationships masked by apparent lack of structural similarity. PCalign is a useful method in recognizing shared chemical and spatial patterns among protein-protein interfaces. It outperforms existing methods for high-quality data, and additionally facilitates comparison across structural models with different levels of details with proven robustness against noise.