cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fungal and bacterial communities of 'Pinot noir' must: effects of vintage, growing region, climate, and basic must chemistry.

Background The geographic and temporal distributions of bacterial and fungal populations are poorly understood within the same wine grape cultivar. In this work, we describe the microbial composition from 'Pinot noir' must with respect to vintage, growing region, climate, and must chemistry across the states of California and Oregon, USA. Materials and Methods We sampled 'Pinot noir' clone 667 clusters from 15 vineyards existing in a latitudinal gradient spanning nearly 1,200 km in California and Oregon for two vintages (2016 and 2017). Regions included five American Viticultural Areas (AVA). In order from southern California to Oregon, these AVAs were Santa Barbara, Monterey, Sonoma, Mendocino, and Willamette Valley. Uninoculated grape musts were subjected to 16S rRNA gene and ITS-1 amplicon sequencing to assess composition of microbial communities. We also measured grape maturity metrics. Finally, to describe regions by precipitation and growing degree days, we queried the Parameter-elevation Regressions on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) spatial climate dataset. Results Most of the dominant bacterial taxa in must samples were in the family Enterobacteriaceae, notably the lactic acid bacteria or the acetic acid bacteria groups, but some, like the betaproteobacterial genus Massilia, belonged to groups not commonly found in grape musts. Fungal communities were dominated by Hanseniaspora uvarum (Saccharomycetaceae). We detected relationships between covariates (e.g., vintage, precipitation during the growing season, pH, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids) and bacterial genera Gluconobacter and Tatumella in the family Enterobacteraceae, Sphingomonas (Sphingomonodaceae), Lactobacillus (Lactobacillaceae), and Massilia (Oxalobacteraceae), as well as fungal genera in Hanseniaspora, Kazachstania, Lachancea, Torulaspora in the family Saccharomycetaceae, as well as Alternaria (Pleosporaceae), Erysiphe (Erysiphaceae), and Udeniomyces (Cystofilobasidiaceae). Fungal community distances were significantly correlated with geographic distances, but this was not observed for bacterial communities. Climate varied across regions and vintages, with growing season precipitation ranging from 11 mm to 285 mm and growing degree days ranging from 1,245 to 1,846. Discussion We determined that (1) bacterial beta diversity is structured by growing season precipitation, (2) fungal beta diversity reflects growing season precipitation and growing degree days, and (3) microbial differential abundances of specific genera vary with vintage, growing season precipitation, and fruit maturity metrics. Further, the correlation between fungal community dissimilarities and geographic distance suggests dispersal limitation and the vineyard as a source for abundant fungal taxa. Contrasting this observation, the lack of correlation between bacterial community dissimilarity and geographic distance suggests that environmental filtering is shaping these communities.
Optimization of a monolith reactor 3-D developed laminar flow model

Abstract In this work, the optimization of a monolith reactor 3-dimensional model is carried out, for a first order reaction, isothermal conditions and fully developed laminar flow. The obtained results are consistent with the optimal reactor design obtained under plug flow conditions, namely a maximum conversion reactor features maximum channel width, minimum hydraulic diameter, and maximum fluid velocity determined by an upper bound that is a function of the channel’s width, height, and the capital cost to compression cost ratio.
Vertebral artery hypoplasia influences age-related differences in blood flow of the large intracranial arteries

Abstract Our purpose was to compare cerebral blood flow in the large intracranial vessels between healthy adults with (VAH+) and without (No VAH) vertebral artery hypoplasia. We also evaluated age-related differences in regional blood flow through the large cerebral arteries. Healthy young (n = 20; age = 25 ± 3 years) and older adults (n = 19; age = 61 ± 5 years) underwent 4D flow MRI scans to evaluate blood flow in the internal carotid arteries (ICA) and basilar artery (BA). VAH was determined retrospectively from 4D flow MRI using both structural (vessel diameter ≤ 2 mm) and flow criteria (flow ≤ 50 mL/min). We identified 5 young and 5 older adults with unilateral VAH (prevalence = 26%). ICA flow was lower in the VAH+ group compared with the No VAH group (367 ± 75 mL/min vs. 432 ± 92 mL/min, respectively; p
Endocrine disrupting chemicals and the mammary gland.

Abstract Development of the mammary gland requires coordination of hormone signaling pathways including those mediated by estrogen, progesterone, androgen and prolactin receptors. These hormones play important roles at several distinct stages of life including embryonic/fetal development, puberty, pregnancy, lactation, and old age. This also makes the gland sensitive to perturbations from environmental agents including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Although there is evidence from human populations of associations between EDCs and disruptions to breast development and lactation, these studies are often complicated by the timing of exposure assessments and the latency to develop breast diseases (e.g., years to decades). Rodents have been instrumental in providing insights—not only to the basic biology and endocrinology of the mammary gland, but to the effects of EDCs on this tissue at different stages of development. Studies, mostly but not exclusively, of estrogenic EDCs have shown that the mammary gland is a sensitive tissue, that exposures during perinatal development can produce abnormal mammary structures (e.g., alveolar buds, typically seen in pregnant females) in adulthood; that exposures during pregnancy can alter milk production; and that EDC exposures can enhance the response of the mammary tissue to hormones and chemical carcinogens. Other studies of persistent organic pollutants have shown that EDC exposures during critical windows of development can delay development of the gland, with lifelong consequences for the individual. Collectively, this work continues to support the conclusion that EDCs can harm the mammary gland, with effects that depend on the period of exposure and the period of evaluation.
Thermophilic and Pathogenic Amoebae From Hot Springs in Wyoming

The long range goal of this research is to document the occurrence of pathogenic amoebae in thermal habitats that have been altered or disturbed by human activity. Immediate goals for this year included the development of reliable methods of detection for use in the field, the determination of the incidence and prevalence of thermophilic Naegleria in selected hot springs of Wyoming, and the investigation of potential natural sources of Naegleria. In addition, we initiated a cooperative project with Dr. A. J. Pinter to document the endoparasites of small mammals of the Grand Teton National Park.
Strategic Intelligence Systems and the Salesforce

Information obtained from a Strategic Intelligence System (SIS) can provide valuable input to a firm’s strategic planning efforts. While gathering strategic intelligence arguably should be the responsibility of every employee, it is especially important that information available to the salesforce be collected and utilized.
Global Poverty and the United Nations

The impact of poverty on consumers’ lives has received considerable attention in the public policy and marketing literature, but primarily from the perspective of the United States. The purpose of ...
Reconceiving the Foundations of Education: An Ecological Model

While environmental education has become an established part of educational practice, the rise in ecological thinking since the early 1970s has only recently made an impression on the philosophy of education. This state of affairs is symptomatic of the direction that education, both in theory and practice, has taken since well before the beginning of modern environmental movements. That direction is an increasingly narrow economic conception of educational purposes. While there have been challenges to this tunnel-vision in the theoretical literature, there has been an unspoken agreement that economic growth and technological innovation exhaustively define progress. As such, ecological problems are addressed through a host of ad hoc measures, from school recycling to Earth Day cleanups and tree planting. While such projects are to be encouraged, they all happen, apparently without contradiction, alongside programs designed to increase our nation’s competitiveness in an extractive global economy. Such contradictions belie the attitude that ecological threats are not traceable to fundamental philosophical inadequacies, such as a human-nature dualism and a fragmented way of knowing that seeks dominion over our environment. Education is still considered a strictly social process that takes place essentially apart from and in opposition to the non-human environment. These are the assumptions that have left educational philosophy largely unresponsive to ecological thought. In this paper I want to evaluate the prevailing assumptions and then propose an ecological foundation that does more than add ecological crises to an already fragmented educational agenda. An ecological educational theory offers hope of reconnecting our many educational concerns while resolving contradictions that undermine the very purpose of education. This process rightly begins with a look at the icon of American educational thought.
Adam Finds an Exciting Mate

Although a principal focus of epilepsy research has been on ion channels, a ligand-receptor interaction in neurons may also be important in the disease.
Moral Responsibility, Freedom, and Alternate Possibilities

The paper opened with a story about Peter, Paul, and a locked door. Certain rough morals were seen to be perhaps derivable from the story. But the morals were too rough and required refinement. When they were refined, it became clear that the original story required refinement also. Then, given the modified story, five main positions were seen to be available for adoption with respect to this story's effect on principle P1' and, through this, on the traditional debate between compatibilists and incompatibilists. Which position is the correct one was left open to question, although I noted my tendency to subscribe to that position captured in claim (v). The important point to note is that all of these five positions (and others too) are available for adoption, for this seems to me to be a point that has been overlooked in recent discussion of the issue. Indeed, the issue is, I believe, clarified to a certain extent merely by noting this point.
The Effects of High Frequency Traders in a Simulated Market

High frequency trading (HFT) is the latest revolutionary force in financial markets, but good empirical data is notoriously difficult to obtain and analyze. To provide some basic insights into the effects of HFT on stock markets, this paper employs an agent-based simulation to examine the influence of a simple HFT strategy in a continuous double auction market. In the simulated market environment, market liquidity, efficiency, and total surplus each varied directly with the number of traders employing the HFT strategy, thereby strengthening the arguments of some proponents of HFT. However, results supported that market volatility increased with the number of HF traders, and the profits of those traders may come at the expense of long-term oriented investors. These findings may justify some of the concerns of regulators. The simulation setting helps isolate the effect of HFT, and the results bear further testing and validation in empirical markets.
An evaluation of per-chip nonuniform frequency scaling on multicores

Concurrently running applications on multiprocessors may desire different CPU frequency/voltage settings in order to achieve performance, power, or thermal objectives. Today's multicores typically require that all sibling cores on a single chip run at the same frequency/ voltage level while different CPU chips can have non-uniform settings. This paper targets multicorebased symmetric platforms and demonstrates the benefits of per-chip adaptive frequency scaling on multicores. Specifically, by grouping applications with similar frequency-to-performance effects, we create the opportunity for setting a chip-wide desirable frequency level. We run experiments with 12 SPECCPU2000 benchmarks and two server-style applications on a machine with two dual-core Intel "Woodcrest" processors. Results show that per-chip frequency scaling can save ∼20 watts of CPU power while maintaining performance within a specified bound of the original system.
Prostate cancer recurrence - new prognostic factors are needed.

Cancer remains a major health problem the world over. Approximately fifteen million people are predicted to be affected by malignancy in 2020, and 10 million will die of cancer each year according to WHO estimates. Prostate cancer is among the leading causes of cancer deaths in American men, with approximately two hundred and forty thousand men in the United States diagnosed each year.
Compressed streak imaging beam diagnostic

We are planning a new beam diagnostic based on Compressed Ultrafast Photography (CUP)1. A foil inserted in the beam path is used to generate a continuous optical image of the beam, which is the same technique used on the existing DARHT II beam imaging diagnostic. This existing diagnostic compresses the beam image with anamorphic lenses into four views that are streaked simultaneously on two streak cameras. In our new beam diagnostic design the anamorphic lenses are replaced with regular lenses and the beam image is stamped with a pseudo-random mask pattern. The full image is imaged onto a streak camera with its entrance slit expanded. Modifying the CUP technique, which uses a single streaked image, our design splits the image into four rotated copies and puts all four images on two streak cameras. A data cube of multiple image frames is reconstructed from the streak camera data through the use of the TwiST algorithm2 combined with total variation denoising3. The additional rotated images improve spatial resolution and reduce noise and image artifacts compared to using a single streaked image. In reconstructions of simulated data, fine detail in the beam profile can be seen and there is a remarkable absence of image artifacts compared to the existing DARHT II beam imaging diagnostic. Performance was evaluated using a pseudo-MTF derived from a simulated wave pattern test object.
Comparison of Newer Intraocular Lens Power Calculation Methods for Eyes after Corneal Refractive Surgery

Purpose To compare the newer formulae, the optical coherence tomography (OCT)-based intraocular lens (IOL) power formula (OCT formula) and the Barrett True-K formula (True-K), with the methods on the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) calculator in eyes with previous myopic LASIK/photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Design Prospective case series. Participants A total of 104 eyes of 80 patients who had previous myopic LASIK/PRK and subsequent cataract surgery and IOL implantation. Methods By using the actual refraction after cataract surgery as target refraction, predicted IOL power for each method was calculated. The IOL prediction error (PE) was obtained by subtracting the predicted IOL power from the power of the IOL implanted. Main Outcome Measures Arithmetic IOL PEs, variances of mean arithmetic IOL PE, median refractive PE, and percent of eyes within 0.5 diopters (D) and 1.0 D of refractive PE. Results Optical coherence tomography produced smaller variance of IOL PE than did Wang-Koch-Maloney (WKM) and Shammas ( P P Conclusions The OCT and True-K No History are promising formulas. The ASCRS IOL calculator has been updated to include the OCT and Barrett True K formulas. Trial registration: Intraocular Lens Power Calculation After Laser Refractive Surgery Based on Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT IOL); Identifier: NCT00532051; www.ClinicalTrials.gov.
Dose-response relationship between walking and the attenuation of inherited weight.

Objective Genetic factors account for 40%–70% of the variation in body mass index (BMI). We sought to test whether moderate intensity physical activity affected parent–offspring relationships for body mass index and regional adiposity in 26,587 female and 6428 male walkers surveyed in the United States in 2000.
Characterization of a human monocyte cytotoxicity-inducing factor (MCF)

Abstract Recently, we reported a lymphokine, monocyte cytotoxicity-inducing factor (MCF), which is distinct from interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). In this report, we provide further characterization of MCF. MCF is inactivated by chymotrypsin, but not trypsin, RNase, or DNase. The production of MCF is abolished in a dose-dependent manner by actinomycin D and is diminished by puromycin, and cycloheximide. Native MCF produced under serum-free conditions demonstrated charge heterogeneity with three species having isoelectric points at 2.7, 5.6, and 6.7 respectively, and two molecular weight species of 29 Kd and 14.7 Kd. MCF-activated monocytes were not only able to lyse both NK sensitive and resistant targets, but also secreted IL 1, but not TNF. In summary, MCF is a lymphokine distinct from TNF, IL 1, IL2, the IFNs, and the CSFs, which is able to activate monocytes to lyse tumor targets.
The metabolism of thymidine by murine leukemic lymphoblasts (L5178Y).

Abstract A study has been made of the toxicity of a number of compounds for L5178Y cells in culture; these compounds included thymidine, 5-fluoro-, 5-bromo- and 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine. Under certain conditions the cells underwent only one division in the presence of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine before death of the cells occurred. This phenomenon was shown to be associated with the extensive incorporation of the iodo-compound into DNA, as 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate, in place of thymidine 5'-phosphate. Various attempts to induce synchronous division of culture of L5178 have been described.
Subsequence based recovery of missing samples in oversampled bandlimited signals

A new approach for recovering an arbitrary finite number of missing samples in an oversampled bandlimited signal is presented. This correspondence also proposes an approach for recovering the original signal's spectrum from the spectra of a certain number of subsequences, obtained by downsampling the original sequence. Closed-form expressions for the missing samples in terms of the known samples are obtained by exploiting the linear dependence relationship among the spectra of downsampled subsequences.
HIGH ENERGY INDUCED FLUORESCENCE IN ORGANIC LIQUID SOLUTIONS (ENERGY TRANSPORT IN LIQUIDS). III

Experimental results on the fluorescence of a large number of efficient solutions under both gamma-ray and alpha-particle excitation are presented. These results are compared with the theory to be found in Part I, and very good agreement is obtained in almost all cases. The physical efficiencies of some of these solutions under gamma-ray excitation are found to be quite high when compared with an anthracene crystal. The light output for the same amount of absorbed energy is considerably less for alpha-particle excitation than for gamma-rays in all of the solutions. The experimental data are discussed in conjunction with the theoretical considerations, and the physical processes involved in the large fluorescence of the solutions are analyzed.
Fundamental Studies of airborne chemical contamination of chemically amplified resists.

The susceptibility of most chemically amplified resists to performance degradation caused by low levels of airborne basic chemical substances presents a significant barrier to their practical implementation. We have carried out a series of systematic studies intended to improve our understanding of the mechanism of such degradation. We summarize here our investigation of how the contaminant/resist interaction is influenced by resist film composition. Our results suggest that contamination effects can be minimized by targeting specific ranges of physical properties when designing the matrix polymer.
Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography coupled with an early neurologic examination enhances prediction of term infants at risk for persistent encephalopathy.

Objectives. The objectives of this study were to determine, first, whether an early neurologic examination could predict a persistent abnormal neonatal neurologic state comparable to the amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (a-EEG) and, second, whether a combination of the 2 methods would further enhance early identification of high-risk infants. Methods. Fifty term infants were enrolled prospectively when they had evidence of intrapartum distress, Apgar score ≤5 at 5 minutes, or cord arterial pH ≤7.00 and were admitted to intensive care. Each enrolled infant underwent an early neurologic examination using a modified Sarnat staging system (stages 2 and 3 were regarded as abnormal) and a blinded simultaneous a-EEG measurement. Predictive values were calculated for a short-term abnormal outcome defined as persistent moderate to severe encephalopathy beyond 5 days. Results. An abnormal short-term outcome was present in 14 (28%) of 50 infants. The neurologic examination was performed at 5 ± 3 hours after delivery. A short-term abnormal outcome occurred in 9 (53%) of 17 infants with initial stage 2 and in both infants with initial stage 3 encephalopathy. In addition, 13 infants manifested features of both stage 1s and 2 and post hoc were classified (S1–2). Three of the latter infants (23%) developed an abnormal short-term outcome. The a-EEG was abnormal in 15 (30%) infants, 11 (73%) of whom developed an abnormal outcome. An abnormal a-EEG was more specific (89% vs 78%), had a greater positive predictive value (73% vs 58%), and had similar sensitivity (79% vs 78%) and negative predictive value (90% vs 91%) when compared with an abnormal early neurologic examination. A combination of abnormalities had the highest specificity (94%) and positive predictive value (85%). Conclusion. The combination of the a-EEG and the neurologic examination shortly after birth enhances the ability to identify high-risk infants and limits the number of infants who would be falsely identified compared with either evaluation alone.
Aromatic Recovery Unit (ARU): A Process Enhancement for Glycol Dehydrators

A process enhancement to the standard glycol dehydration unit (GDU) was developed to recover hydrocarbons (including the aromatic compounds) normally vented with vapor during glycol regeneration. The gaseous hydrocarbons are recovered as a condensate product (stock-tank oil) and regenerator fuel. This paper describes the technology and proposes a proactive compliance strategy with the US Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA).
A Zero-Crossing-Based 8b 200MS/s Pipelined ADC

A zero-crossing-based 8b 200MS/S pipelined ADC is implemented in a 0.18 mum CMOS process. It uses dynamic zero-crossing detectors and digital FFs that replace the functions of opamps and comparators. The ADC draws no static current. The power consumption is 8.5mW. The FOM is 0.51pJ/step
Pfiesteria piscicida and other Pfiesreria‐like dinoflagellates: Behavior, impacts, and environmental controls

Toxic Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellates have been implicated as causative agents of major fish kills (affecting 10 3 -10 9 fish) in estuaries and coastal waters of the mid-Atlantic and southeastern U.S. Transformations among an array of flagellated, amoeboid, and encysted stages in the complex life cycle of the representative species, Pfiesteria piscicida, are controlled by the availability of fresh secretions, blood, or other tissues of fish prey. P. piscicida also is a voracious predator on other estuarine microorganisms. Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellates require an unidentified substance(s) commonly found in fresh fish excreta-secreta to initiate toxin production. P. piscicida is lethal to fish at low cell densities (>250-300 cells ml -1 ), and at sublethal levels (∼100-250 cells ml-') it has been shown to cause ulcerative fish diseases. P. piscicida also has been linked to serious human health impacts. This dinoflagellate is eurythermal and euryhaline, with optima for toxic activity by the most lethal stage (toxic zoospores, TZs) at ≥26°C and 15 psu, respectively. Thus far it has shown no light optimum and is capable of killing fish at any time during a 24-h cycle. In warmer waters (≥15°C) flagellated stages predominate while fish are dying, whereas amoebae predominate in colder conditions and when fish are dead. Nutritional stimuli influencing P. piscicida are complex; inorganic phosphate apparently can directly stimulate TZs, whereas inorganic phosphate and nitrate indirectly promote increased production of nontoxic zoospores (NTZs, maintained in the absence of live fish, as potential precursors to lethal TZs) by stimulating their algal prey. Organic phosphate (P o ) and nitrogen are taken up by P. piscicida osmotrophically, and P o is stimulatory to both TZs and NTZs. The available data point to a critical need to characterize the chronic and acute impacts of toxic Pfiesteria-like dinoflagellates on fish and other targeted prey in estuarine and coastal waters that are adversely affected by cultural eutrophication.
Antitumor tests of amygdalin in spontaneous animal tumor systems.

In a series of 6 experiments with CD8F1 mice with spontaneous mammary adenocarcinomas Sugiura noted by macrovisual observation with some histology an overall average of 21% of mice with lung metastases when treated with 1,000–2,000 mg/kg/day of amygdalin compared with 90% of the control mice. The significance attributed to those early observations is seriously challenged by the negative findings of 3 independent investigators, by 2 out of 3 negative cooperative experiments in which Sugiura participated, and particularly by the blind experiment in which he and others under blind readings found no anticancer activity. Treatment of Swiss albino mice showed no destructive effect upon their spontaneous mammary adenocarcinomas. Of the treated mice, 22% were found by macrovisual observation to have lung metastases while 91% were noted among the controls. The results are subject to questions raised in the discussion. Amygdalin at 2,000 mg/kg/day was ineffective both in treating and preventing the development of spontaneous leukemia in AKR mice. At 1,000 mg/kg/day it was not found effective in preventing or significantly delaying the development of spontaneous mammary tumors in CD8F1 mice. In summary, we do not have evidence to support taking amygdalin to clinical trial, although other considerations may require that one be conducted.
Photophysics of π-conjugated oligomers and polymers that contain transition metal complexes

Abstract There has been a surge of interest concerning the synthesis, optical and electronic properties of π-conjugated polymers that contain transition metal complexes. The integration of transition metal chromophores that feature metal to ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited states into a π-conjugated polymer permits easy variation of the material’s optical and electronic properties. In this review, we survey a number of recent photophysical studies that examine π-conjugated oligomer or polymer/transition metal complex hybrids. The effects of the types of π-conjugated backbone, oligomer and polymer structure, the conjugation length and coordination to a variety of metal chromophores on the photophysics of the organic-metal hybrids are discussed. The degree of interaction between the polymer (or oligomer) and metal complex based excited states dramatically modulates the observed photophysics.
Personality in DSM–5: Helping Delineate Personality Disorder Content and Framing the Metastructure

The transition from the Diagnostic and Statistical Model of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text revision [DSM–IV–TR]; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) to the fifth edition (DSM–5) represents an unprecedented opportunity to integrate dimensional personality trait models into the official nosology. Not surprisingly, a variety of issues have arisen in contemplating this challenging integration. In this article, we address how a dimensional personality trait model could be a helpful component of DSM–5, from the perspective of our roles as work group members and advisors involved in the creation of a trait model and corresponding assessment instrument. We focus in particular on two potential roles for a trait model in DSM–5 that are under official consideration. First, a dimensional personality trait model might be helpful in delineating the content of personality disorders. Second, a trait model might assist in organizing the “metastructure” of DSM–5 (i.e., the arrangement of chapters and other broader cla...
Advanced nuclear data for radiation damage calculations

Abstract Accurate calculations of atomic displacement damage in materials exposed to neutrons require detailed spectra for primary recoil nuclei. Such data are not available from direct experimental measurements. Moreover, they cannot always be computed accurately starting from evaluated nuclear data libraries such as ENDF/B-V that were developed primarily for neutron transport applications, because these libraries lack detailed energy-and-angle distributions for outgoing charged particles. Fortunately, a new generation of nuclear model codes is now available that can be used to fill in the missing spectra. One example is the preequilibrium statistical-model code GNASH. For heating and damage applications, a supplementary code called RECOIL has been developed. RECOIL uses detailed reaction data from GNASH, together with angular distributions based on Kalbach-Mann systematics to compute the energy and angle distributions of recoil nuclei. The energy-angle distributions for recoil nuclei and outgoing particles are written out in the new ENDF/B “File 6” format. The result is a complete set of nuclear data that can be used to calculate displacement-energy production, heat production, gas production, transmutation and activation. Sample results for iron are given and compared to the results of conventional damage models such as those used in NJOY.
Short- and medium-term outcome differences in women and men after primary percutaneous transluminal mechanical revascularization for acute myocardial infarction.

Women presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have a higher mortality with conventional medical and thrombolytic therapy when compared with men. The outcome after primary percutaneous transluminal mechanical revascularization has not yet been fully investigated. This study was performed to compare the characteristics and the short- and medium-term outcomes of women and men with AMI treated with primary percutaneous revascularization. A total of 182 consecutive patients (62 women and 120 men) were included. Baseline clinical characteristics were similar except that women were older than men, presented more often in cardiogenic shock, and had smaller reference vessel diameters. Stents and abciximab were used equally, but abciximab was stopped more often in women before completion of the 12-hour infusion because of higher bleeding rates. Acute procedural success rates were similar (92% and 97%) but mortality was much higher in women, both at 30-day follow-up (10% vs 0.9%; p <0.05) and during a mean follow-up of 6.9 ± 4.1 months (15% vs 4.4%; p <0.05). Women also experienced more unfavorable cardiovascular events (recurrent unstable angina or AMI, target vessel revascularization) than men. However, after control for baseline clinical differences in a multivariate analysis, gender was not an independent predictor of survival, whereas age, cardiogenic shock, and completion of a 12-hour abciximab infusion were.
Effects of ruthenium red and KCL on responses of guinea pig umbilical veins.

Abstract 5-Hydroxytryptamine (10−5 M), norepinephrine (10−5 M) and acetylcholine (10−5 M) induced maximal contractions in isolated guinea pig umbilical vein strips. Pretreatment with ruthenium red (2.7–90 μg/ml) for ten minutes reduced 5-hydroxytryptamine and norepinephrine responses in a dose-related manner but did not affect acetylcholine-induced responses. Ruthenium red alone did not produce contractions. In the presence of KCl (125 mM) the responses to norepinephrine and acetylcholine were enhanced significantly. The sensitivity of umbilical veins to ruthenium red may be useful in determining to what extent various vasoactive agents utilize extracellular calcium to induce contractions.
Ultrastructural Findings in Cardiac Transplant Recipients

Ultrastructural findings in 350 endomyocardial biopsy specimens and 59 autopsy or explanted hearts from cardiac transplant recipients are reviewed. Myocyte degeneration can be readily distinguished from necrosis by the technique described. Vascular changes of endothelial activation, endothelial cell damage, and basement membrane reduplication can be readily identified. In addition, the myofilament composition of ischemic hearts in patients with allograft coronary artery disease is distinctive: There is a disproportionate loss of actin over myosin, giving a coarse appearance to the myofilaments. These changes are useful in further defining the morphologic features associated with rejection and ischemia in cardiac transplant recipients.
Use of Terrestrial Arthropods to Evaluate Restored Riparian Woodlands

The goal of this study was to use terrestrial arthropods to help evaluate the progress of a riparian restoration effort along the San Luis Rey River in California by comparing characteristics of the arthropod community at the reconstructed system to those of a naturally occurring riparian woodland used as a reference site. Insects and other arthropods were sampled throughout 1989–1991 using pan trapping and sweep sampling of dominant plants. Assemblages of taxa were monitored as indicators of functional groups that influence ecosystem processes: pollinators, herbivores, predators, parasites, and detritivores. Relative abundances of indicator assemblages were compared between sites to evaluate the establishment and maintenance of processes critical for the natural function of the reconstructed riparian ecosystem. A major objective of this project was to create habitat for the Least Bell's Vireo, so a group of potential prey items was designated to indicate vireo food resources. Over 230,000 arthropods were identified to order or family and by size. Insect communities developed rapidly at the restored habitat. Although the abundance of all arthropods was lower at the reconstructed site than at the reference site, the same orders were present after three years in similar proportions at both locations, and mean abundances were within an order of magnitude of each other. Abundance of certain groups, such as detritivores, suggested that arthropods had propagated rapidly at the restoration site, a possible indication of resiliency. Relatively low numbers of other arthropods, such as predators and parasites, at the reconstructed site indicated the need for continued monitoring. The decline of pollinators and herbivores by 1991 at the reconstructed site suggested that they may have immigrated or been introduced with transplanted vegetation in 1989, but have had difficulty colonizing the site. Although the Least Bell's Vireos were seen foraging at the restored site after three years, no nests were found. Nesting is anticipated, however, as the site matures.
Caspase-9 activation and caspase cleavage of tau in the Alzheimer's disease brain

Accumulating evidence supports a role for the activation of proteolytic enzymes, caspases, in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. Neurons committed to apoptosis may do so through a mitochondrial pathway employing caspase-9 or through an alternative, receptor-mediated pathway involving caspase-8. Considering the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in AD, we examined the possible activation of caspase-9 in the AD brain using an antibody that recognizes the active fragments of caspase-9, but not the full-length proform of the enzyme. In vivo immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated little caspase-9 activation in the majority of hippocampal brain sections from control brains. However, labeling of neurons as well as dystrophic neurites within plaque regions was observed in all AD hippocampal brain sections examined. In addition, active caspase-9 was colocalized with active caspase-8 and the accumulation of caspase-3-cleavage products of fodrin. The activation of caspase-9 was also observed in neurons positive for oxidative damage to DNA/RNA. A quantitative analysis indicates that as the number of neurons containing neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) increases, the extent of caspase-9 activation decreases, supporting the idea that caspase-9 activation may precede NFT formation. In addition, a site-directed caspase-cleavage antibody was designed to the amino-terminal caspase-3 consensus cleavage site located in tau, and shown to be an effective marker for caspase-cleaved fragments of tau in vitro. Analysis with this antibody using age-matched control or AD brain sections demonstrated no staining in control brains while widespread labeling of NFTs, neuropil threads, and dystrophic neurites was observed in AD sections. Taken together, these results demonstrate the activation of caspases and cleavage of tau in the AD brain, events which may precede and lead to the formation of NFTs.
Membrane Introduction Mass Spectrometry in a Pilot Plant: On-line Monitoring of Fermentation Broths

The performance of a membrane introduction mass spectrometry (MIMS) system has been tested under pilot plant conditions. The work employed a Finnigan ITS-40 ion trap instrument, coupled to MIMS experiments by the addition of an external membrane/jet separator interface and packaged to operate in an industrial production environment. A representative sample from a 9000 L fermentation reactor was taken continuously and monitored on line, using a stainless steel tangential filter as the only sample pretreatment. This filter was capable of withstanding the temperature and pressure of 30 psig steam sterilizationn as well as the 10-30 psig operating pressure from a sample stream containing in excess of 10% solids. The filtrate was sampled using a flow injection analysis system which allowed quantification using external standards. Calibration experiments established that the system displayed a lineral response to ethanol at concentrations between 1 and 10% by volume. During subsequent on-line experiments, ethanol standard and sample streams were examined alternately. The response of the standard solutions was used to quantitate the response of the sample stream and reduce errors associated with long term instrumental drift. Ethanol concentrations were found to be 2.97 = 0.07% and were quantitatively in agreement with off-line high-performance liquid chromatographicmore » data. Minor components identified during on-line reactor monitoring included acctic and lactic acid. After one week of off-line operation in the pilot plant, on-line monitoring was continued for a period of four days.« less
Levels of introspection in mathematics instruction

Case studies of five teachers who participated in a three-year staff-development project formed the basis for this grounded study which focused on primary factors that dominated teachers’ instructional decision making. As the analysis progressed, qualitatively different levels of introspection, rank ordered by the degree to which children’s thinking was utilised in the decision-making process, were identified. These distinct levels were robust in that they consistently reappeared across all coded categories of decisions made by these teachers. Moreover, these levels were positively correlated with the quality of students’ thinking based on what they said or did during instruction (ρ = .60). Further, when all project teachers were categorisation the basis of their dominant level of introspection, a positive correlation was found between these levels and their belief scores on a mathematics teaching and learning survey (ρ = .61).
Composites based on drawn strands of thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer reinforced polypropylene

This paper is concerned with the use of two thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers (TLCPs), HX1000 and Vectra B950, to reinforce a thermoplastic matrix of polypropylene (PP). The goal was to pregenerate the optimal TLCP reinforcement in PP and then process the material at a lower temperature than the melting point of the TLCP to form a composite structure. Specifically, strands of the blend were produced using a dual extrusion process, which resulted in the formation of axially continuous TLCP fibrils within the PP matrix. It was found that the mechanical properties of the strands were greatly improved by increased draw ratio and that optimal reinforcement, as predicted by the rule of mixtures, could be achieved. Initial studies indicated that injection molding and sheet extrusion of the pelletized strands caused the TLCP phase to agglomerate and deform, which resulted in a reduction of the mechanical property enhancement. However, the TLCP fibrillar morphology in the pregenerated strands was maintained during compression molding, which resulted in uniaxial composites with properties equal to or greater than properties of the strands. In addition, composites were made using compression molding in which strands were randomly oriented prior to consolidation to show the limits of properties possible in composites produced from the pregenerated strands. It was found that this process could be used to produce composites in which the mechanical properties were isotropic in the plane of the sample and approached the properly limits predicted by composite theory. Additionally, it was found that many of the mechanical properties of the VB/PP materials were greatly enhanced by the addition of a maleated PP throughout the composite forming process.
Collimation Techniques For Dense Object Flash Radiography

In explosively driven experiments, flash radiography can record a wealth of information about material densities and boundaries. Obtaining accurate quantitative data from these radiographs requires careful design of the experiment so that one can control and measure the scattered radiation background that is a part of any experiment. We have used collimators at the x-ray source to match the incident x-ray flux to the transmission of the object, thereby reducing the production of scattered radiation while still preserving a complete view of the object. Multi-hole collimators (at the film plane) with a length-to-diameter ratio of -20:1 have been used to measure the scatterad radiation field with several exposure geometries and with various shielding methods.
A relationship between wind and heat change observed in a vertical column of the sea

Few satisfactory conclusions have been reached as to the influence of the atmosphere on short-term heat changes in the sea. This paper reports a simple, empirical result in this regard, the rationalization of which may prove profitable. Direct comparison has been made of certain local heat changes observed in the sea and wind stresses computed from observed velocities. Data used are those gathered by ocean-station vessels occupying COCA (52° 45′ N, 35° 30′ W) during the autumn months of 1947 and 1948. No apparent relationship existed between the local wind stress and the heat change occurring either within the mixed layer or, separately below the mixed layer. But there seemed to be a connection between the cumulative effect of wind stress acting during one week and the total heat-change in a 600-ft column of the sea the following week. For each year studied it was possible to find a direction such that the components of the individually observed winds in that direction varied in sign exactly as the heat-change. The directions were different for the two years. A significant correlation was found to exist between the magnitude of the appropriate component of wind stress and the heat-change, having taken the lag into account.
Evaluation of the gas collection of an annular denuder system under simulated atmospheric conditions

Abstract Laboratory studies evaluated the performance of a combined gas and particle sampling instrument. Results of these investigations indicated that the system had the ability to reliably sample atmospheric gases. The sampler consists of a glass inlet/impactor, two Na 2 CO 3 -coated annular denuders to collect gaseous SO 2 , HNO 3 and HNO 2 , a citric acid-coated annular denuder to trap NH 3 , and a filter pack to collect fine particles and artifact gases. The inlet walls may be extracted to measure the extent of gas deposition on the inlet surfaces. Inlet transmission efficiencies and denuder gas collection efficiencies indicated excellent performance under a wide range of simulated conditions. Laboratory experiments with SO 2 , HNO 3 and NH 3 at various concentrations and relative humidities (10−90%) indicated that the annular denuders achieve collection efficiencies near 100%. Tests to investigate the deposition of SO 2 , HNO 3 and NH 3 on the walls of the glass inlet showed a small loss ( 3 and NH 3 . No loss of SO 2 on inlet walls was detected. By extracting the inlet walls the deposited HNO 3 and NH 3 can be recovered.
Effects of intracerebroventricular L-hyoscyamine, ethybenztropine and procaine on cardiac arrhythmias induced in dogs by pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin or deslanoside

Abstract L -hyoscyamine or ethybenztropine, but not procaine, when administered via the fourth ventricle, prevented or converted cardiac arrhythmia induced in dogs by pentylenetetrazol or picrotoxin administered intravenously or via the fourth ventricle, or by deslanoside via the latter route. Administered via the fourth ventricle, these two anti-arrhythmic agents also blocked the reflex vagal bradycardia induced by epinephrine or release of carotid artery occlusion. They also reduced the carotid occlusion pressor responses without markedly affecting the bradycardia induced by peripheral vagal stimulation. The anti-arrhythmic action of l -hyoscyamine and ethybenztropine is therefore central, and most likely to be specifically related to the central anticholinergic properties of these agents and not to their possible local anesthetic or other non-specific depressant actions. It is suggested that the central vagal, and perhaps also the central vasomotor, mechanism contains at least one cholinergic synapse which is blocked by intraventricular l -hyoscyamine or ethybenztropine.
An Inexpensive Cardiac Bypass Cannulation Simulator: Facing Challenges of Modern Training

The importance of surgical simulation has grown in the quickly changing climate of modern surgical training. As the expectation of basic skills acquisition has shifted to forums outside the operating room, residency programs have struggled to provide realistic teaching simulations for their trainees. We have developed and tested a realistic and low-cost porcine cannulation model. This model provided a platform for both technical and cognitive skills acquisition at the first session of the cardiothoracic or "CT Surgery Boot Camp" during the summer of 2008.