cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Augmenting homes with custom devices using .NET Gadgeteer and HomeOS

We describe how two of our recent research technologies, .NET Gadgeteer and HomeOS, complement each other in enabling research using custom devices in home deployments. .NET Gadgeteer enables rapid prototyping of custom devices based on solderless assembly from a wide range of publicly available hardware modules, and managed C# software. HomeOS provides abstraction layers so that "apps" can be written which leverage devices in the home (e.g. wireless sensors, webcams) using standard APIs. In combination, HomeOS and .NET Gadgeteer make it easy to construct custom devices which interact with HomeOS apps. We showcase an example custom device and application a plumbing leak sensor and leak notification application.
Molecular structure of 3-mesityl-1,4-benzoquinonemonoxime

The X-ray crystal structure of 3-mesityl-1,4-benzoquinonemonoxime is described. The structure reveals that hydrogen-bonds are formed between the oxime and keto groups to form one-dimensional hydrogen bonded ribbons. The structure (C15H15NO2) is orthorhombic with a = 8.9098(7), b = 10.6399(8), c = 13.7086(10) A and space group P212121.
Is quality of life different for men with erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer compared to men with erectile dysfunction due to other causes? Results from the ExCEED data base.

ABSTRACTPurpose: To our knowledge the relationship between the underlying etiology of erectile dysfunction and its impact on health related quality of life has not been studied. Such a study is important for men with prostate cancer, as the potential negative quality of life impact of erectile dysfunction may affect clinical decision making in newly diagnosed disease. We compare health related quality of life in impotent men with prostate cancer to that of impotent men without prostate cancer using the Exploratory and Comprehensive Evaluation of Erectile Dysfunction (ExCEED, TAP Pharmaceutical Products, Inc., Lake Forest, Illinois) data base, which is a multicenter, observational disease registry of men with erectile dysfunction.Materials and Methods: The cohort included 168 men in ExCEED who had baseline health related quality of life measurement. Of these men 47 reported a history of prostate cancer while 121 did not. Appropriate univariate and multivariate analyses were performed comparing health relat...
Synthesis of platform-aware attack-resilient vehicular systems

Over the past decade, the design process in the automotive industry has gone through a period of significant changes. Modern vehicles present a complex interaction of a large number of embedded Electronic Control Units (ECUs), interacting with each other over different types of networks. Furthermore, there is a current shift in vehicle architectures, from isolated control systems to more open automotive architectures with new services such as vehicle-to-vehicle communication, and remote diagnostics and code updates.
Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and oxygenated PAHs (OPAHs) in organic and mineral soil horizons from four U.S. remote forests.

Abstract We characterized distributions of 23 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (Σ23PAH) and nine oxygenated PAHs (Σ9OPAH) in four remote forests. We observed highest Σ23PAH and Σ9OPAH concentrations in a coniferous forest in Florida, particularly in organic layers which we attributed to frequent prescribed burning. Across sites, Σ23PAH and Σ9OPAH concentrations strongly increased from surface to humidified organic layers (+1626%) where concentrations reached up to 584 ng g −1 . Concentrations in mineral soils were lower (average 37 ± 8 ng g −1 ); but when standardized per unit organic carbon (OC), PAH/OC and OPAH/OC ratios were at or above levels observed in organic layers. Accumulation in litter and soils (i.e., enrichment factors with depth) negatively correlated with octanol–water partition coefficients ( K ow ) and therefore was linked to water solubility of compounds. Concentrations of Σ9OPAHs ranged from 6 ± 6 ng g −1 to 39 ± 25 ng g −1 in organic layers, and from 3 ± 1 ng g −1 to 11 ± 3 ng g −1 in mineral soils, and were significantly and positively correlated to Σ23PAHs concentrations ( r 2 of 0.90) across sites and horizons. While OPAH concentrations generally decreased from organic layers to mineral soil horizons, OPAH/OC ratios increased more strongly with depth compared to PAHs, in particular for anthrone, anthraquinone, fluorenone, and acenaphthenequinone. The strong vertical accumulation of OPAH relative to OC was exponentially and negatively correlated to C/N ratios ( r 2 = 0.67), a measure that often is used for tissue age. In fact, C/N ratios alone explained two-thirds of the variability in OPAH/OC ratios suggesting particularly high retention, sorption, and persistency of OPAHs in old, decomposed carbon fractions.
Identification of PRC1 as the p53 target gene uncovers a novel function of p53 in the regulation of cytokinesis

Our previous studies conducted in MCF7-ptsp53 cells have demonstrated that overexpression of the wild-type (wt) p53 at permissive temperature 32°C leads to growth arrest at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. To identify novel p53-regulated genes that are responsible for the p53-induced G2/M arrest, we conducted cDNA microarray analyses. The array results indicated that the mRNA level of protein regulator of cytokinesis (PRC1) was significantly decreased when the p53 transactivation activity was turned on, suggesting that PRC1 transcription could be downregulated by p53. In this study, we have extensively examined the functional role of p53 in the regulation of PRC1, a cell cycle protein that plays important roles during cytokinesis. We demonstrate that increased expression of the wt p53 either by exogenous transfection or chemical induction results in reduced mRNA and protein expression of PRC1 in HCT116 p53+/+, HCT116 p53−/−, MCF-7, T47D, and HeLa cells. Importantly, we show that the decreased PRC1 expression is accompanied by the appearance of binucleated cells, indicating the process of cell division after mitosis being inhibited. By isolation and characterization of a 3 kb genomic fragment containing the 5′-flanking region and part of exon 1 of PRC1 gene, we demonstrate that p53 directly suppresses PRC1 gene transcription. We further locate the p53-responsive sequence to the proximal promoter region −214 to –163, relative to the transcriptional start site. The in vivo interaction of p53 with PRC1 gene promoter is further demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Taken together, these new findings suggest that p53 may have important roles in the regulation of cytokinesis through controlling the transcription of PRC1.
The mechanism of estrin therapy in the relief of dysmenorrhea.

THE EXACT CAUSE of pain in most cases of so-called essential dysmenorrhea is II still far from clear. Estrin therapy has been widely used and satisfactory results in as high as 70% of the cases (1), have been recorded. The purpose of this paper is to report that within certain well-defined limitations of procedure the relief from such therapy is not only dramatic and sure but associated with a consistent change in ovarian function. The nature of this change was quite unexpected in view of certain facts from the literature pointing in another direction. Thus, Novak and Reynolds (2) ascribed the severe pelvic cramps of dysmenorrhea to a relative deficiency of progesterone, the hormone of the corpus luteum. In favor of such a thesis is the apparent function of the corpus luteum during pregnancy in certainanimals to protect the products of conception by rendering the uterus unresponsive to stimuli (3).
Indentation analysis of biphasic articular cartilage : nonlinear phenomena under finite deformation

The nonlinear indentation response of hydrated articular cartilage at physiologically relevant rates of mechanical loading is studied using a two-phase continuum model of the tissue based on the theory of mixtures under finite deformation. The matrix equations corresponding to the governing mixture equations for this nonlinear problem are derived using a total Lagrangian penalty finite element method, and solved using a predictor-corrector iteration within a modified Newton-Raphson scheme. The stress relaxation indentation problem is examined using either a porous (free draining) indenter or solid (impermeable) indenter under fast and slow compression rates. The creep indentation problem is studied using a porous indenter. We examine the finite deformation response and compare with the response obtained using the linear infinitesimal response. Differences between the finite deformation response and the linear response are shown to be significant when the compression rate is fast or when the indenter is impermeable. The finite deformation model has a larger ratio of peak-to-equilibrium reaction force, and higher relaxation rate than the linear model during the early relaxation period, but a similar relaxation time. The finite deformation model predicts a slower creep rate than the linear model, as well as a smaller equilibrium creep displacement. The pressure distribution below the indenter, particularly near the loaded surface is also larger with the finite deformation model.
Tetrad analysis with translocation heterozygotes in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.): Interstitial chiasma and directed segregation of centromeres

Tetrad analysis of translocation heterozygotes was used in cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.) to study the co-orientation of centromeres during meiosis 1 and its relationship with the frequency of interstitial chiasma. Pollen tetrads from one reciprocal and three cyclical translocation heterozygotes were analyzed and their frequency distribution, as manifest in pollen stainability, was determined. Pollen tetrads were characterized as having four, two, one or zero stained pollen grains. The occurrence of each type was the result of the type of centromere segregation and the presence of crossing over in the interstitial region(s). Based on this information, the predominance of alternate segregation was found to be correlated with a reduction of the crossing over in the interstitial region. Significant differences were found in the tetrad frequency distribution for pollen stainability between years, and for cultivars carrying the same translocation. This variation was correlated with significant differences in the frequency of crossing over between years and among cultivars, which indicates that the estimation of recombination frequencies was influenced by both environment and genotype. The occurrence of translations in cultivars selected from wild populations indicates the possible advantage of maintaining heterozygosity or a block of genes as a linkat through this chromosome aberration in a self-pollinated crop like cranberry.
Effects of parathyroid hormone on cytosolic calcium of rat adipocytes

Available data indicate that adipocytes are targets for PTH action, and chronic excess of PTH increases calcium burden of fat tissue, suggesting that PTH increases entry of calcium into adipocytes. The present study examined the effects of PTH-(1-84) and its amino-terminal fragment, PTH-(1-34), on cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) of adipocytes and evaluated the cellular pathways that mediate the potential effect of PTH on [Ca2+]i of these cells. PTH-(1-84) but not PTH-(1-34) produced a dose-dependent rise in [Ca2+]i of adipocytes. This effect occurred in the presence or absence of calcium in the media, but the magnitude of the rise in [Ca2+]i was significantly greater when calcium was present in the media. The PTH antagonist [Nle8,18Tyr34]bPTH(7-34)NH2, verapamil, and nifedipine blocked to variable degrees the PTH-induced rise in [Ca2+]i. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate, and the GTP-binding protein (G protein) GTP gamma S also produced a dose-dependent rise in [Ca2+]i of adipocytes. The...
The Western Washington Myocardial Infarction Registry and Emergency Department Tissue Plasminogen Activator Treatment Trial.

Abstract This study comprised a registry and an emergency department treatment trial using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. During 1 year, 1,028 patients with documented acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were evaluated for eligibility for thrombolytic therapy. Of these, 221 patients (22%) were eligible for thrombolytic therapy under currently accepted criteria, 175 (79%) of them were correctly identified by emergency department physicians for thrombolytic therapy, and 160 were enrolled in the trial. Only 3 patients (2%) enrolled by emergency department physicians did not subsequently evolve documented AMI. In all, 807 patients (78%) Were ineligible for thrombolytic therapy: 335 (33%) because of ≥1 contraindications, 364 (36%) because of nondiagnostic electrocardiograms on presentation, and 105 (10%) because of age >75 years, or >6 hours of chest pain at presentation, or both. Mortality in treated patients at 14 days was 5.6%, and survival at 1 year was 92%. The mean time from hospital arrival to thrombolytic treatment was 55 ± 27 minutes. Initial management of AMI with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in the emergency department provided rapid and safe treatment comparable to that reported in trials that started treatment in the coronary care unit. The proportions of eligible patients could be increased from 1 in 5 to 1 in 3, if patients currently excluded only because of age >75 years or because of >6 hours of chest pain were offered treatment.
Alterations of the BRAF gene in thyroid tumors

BRAF belongs to the RAF family of protein kinases that are important components of the MAPK signaling pathway mediating cell growth, differentiation and survival. Activating point mutation of the BRAF gene resulting in V600E (previously designated as V599E) is a common event in thyroid papillary carcinoma, being found in approx 40% of this tumor. It has strong association with classical papillary carcinoma and tall cell and possibly Warthin-like variants. This mutation also occurs in thyroid poorly differentiated and anaplastic carcinomas, usually those containing areas of papillary carcinoma. Alterations in the BRAF gene do not overlap with RAS mutations and RET/PTC rearrangement, indicating that activation of one of the effectors of the MAPK pathway is sufficient for papillary thyroid carcinogenesis. Recently, another mechanism of BRAF activation has been identified, which involves chromosome 7q inversion that results in the AKAP9-BRAF fusion. It is rare in sporadic papillary carcinomas and is more common in tumors associated with radiation exposure. Yet another mechanism of BRAF activation may involve copy number gain, which is seen in a significant portion of thyroid follicular tumors of both conventional and oncocytic (Hurthle cell) types.
Stilbenes as enhancers for gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) nucleopolyhedrovirus

Les stilbenes, l'acide 4,4'-diaminostilene-2,2'-disulfonique, l'acide 4-aminostilbene disulfonique et l'acide dinitrostilbene-2,2'-disulfonique, ont ete evalues pour leurs effets stimulants sur le nucleopolyedrovirus (LdNPV) de la spongieuse Lymantria dispar (L.). L'acide 4-aminonitrostilbene disulfonique reste sans effet sur l'activite (LC 50 ) de LdNPV, alors que les acides 4,4'-diaminostilbene-2,2'-disulfonique et 4-aminostilbene disulfonique ont des effets inhibiteurs. Le diethyl-stilbestrol, un oestrogene synthetique a base de stilbene, et deux oestrogenes synthetiques (i.e. l'acetate d'oestradiol-17 et l'acetate d'œstrone) se sont reveles sans effet sur l'activite du virus. Deux colorants (jaune direct 62 et jaune brillant 6) et un azurant optique a base de stilbene (i.e. le Tinopal LPW) augmentent significativement l'activite de LdNPV. L'activite est multipliee par un facteur de 230 par le Tinopal LPW, par un facteur de 26 par le jaune direct 62 et par un facteur de 36 par le jaune brillant 6. Cette etude demontre que certains stilbenes peuvent avoir un effet stimulant et d'autres pas.
Biochemical and energetic composition, population biology, and chemical defense of the antarctic ascidian Cnemidocarpa verrucosa Lesson

Abstract The biochemical and energetic composition, population biology (size-weight relationship, abundance and size-frequency distribution) and chemical defense of the antarctic ascidian Cnemidocarpa verrucosa Lesson was investigated at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, during the austral summer of 1989. The organic content (% organic material · g −1 dry tissue wt) of individual body components (tunic, body wall, endocarps, intestines, mature ovitestes and branchial basket) was generally high, with values ranging from 44.5% in the endocarps to 83.9% in the gonads. Most of this material was in the form of NaOH-soluble and insoluble protein. Tissue energy values ranged from 15.1 (tunic) to 22.4 (gonad) kJ · g −1 dry wt. Body height (cm) was positively related to body weight (g dry wt) by an exponential function. A representative individual (14 cm height, 550 g wet wt) contained a total of 493 kJ with most (75%) of this energy attributable to the body wall and tunic. The gonadal index [(kJ ovitestes · total kJ −1 ) x 100] for sexually mature individuals collected in November was 17.2 ± 4.7 ( n = 6). Population densities of C. verrucosa at depths of 20–30 m were 0.4 ind · m −2 at a site 3 km north of McMurdo Station. Energetic densities were estimated to be 197 kJ · m −2 . Size-frequency analysis revealed four modal peaks that probably represent distinct age cohorts, and may indicate predictable, annual recruitment events. Bioassays revealed that the tunic was noxious to sympatric pelagic and benthic fish, as well as an allopatric model fish. However, aqueous tunic extracts did not cause mortality in sea urchin sperm indicating the noxious compound(s) is not cytotoxic. pH values for body components were weakly acidic or neutral (5.86–6.93). Mature ovitestes were rejected by sympatric pelagic fish suggesting that gametes may be chemically defended. Although this common antarctic ascidian represents a significant resource of materials and energy, its tunic is tough and noxious, and probably provides an effective means of defense against potential predators.
Medical risks and benefits of the sweat lodge.

Abstract Background: The ancient practice of the sweat lodge is increasingly common as part of healing practice in substance abuse and other programs for American Indians. It is popular outside Indian culture as well. Reported deaths of four whites in sweat-type ceremonies, however, suggest a need for medical caution. Objectives: This review of the available literature summarizes psychologic, spiritual, and medical benefits and risks, using Finnish sauna as the nearest physiologic model for some aspects. Conclusions: Alcohol use just before, ischemic heart disease, and sweating alone appear to be major risk factors.
Adulthood and Aging in Social Psychology Texts

Content analysis by journal and by year shows less than satisfactory attention to the aged, so ways of supplementing resources are suggested.
ELF wave production by an electron beam emitting rocket system and its suppression on auroral field lines: Evidence for Alfven and drift waves

Orthogonal probes on a free-flying plasma diagnostics payload are used to study ELF electric disturbances in the auroral ionosphere that are due to the injection of powerful electron beams. Frequency spectrograms are presented for various pitch angles, pulsing characteristics, and other properties of the injected beams; the large scale DC ionospheric convection electric field is measured, together with auroral particle precipitation, visual auroral forms, and ionospheric parameters. In view of the experimental results obtained, it is postulated that the observed ELF waves are in the Alfven and drift modes, and are generated by the positive vehicle potential during beam injection.
Overview of Gold-Bearing Skarns of Southern Alaska: ABSTRACT

Although skarn deposits occur throughout Alaska, skarns with appreciable gold production/reserves are largely limited to an arcuate belt that stretches through southeastern and southern Alaska to the Alaska Peninsula. Within this belt are nearly 100 known gold-bearing skarn prospects and deposits. They occur in a variety of tectono-stratigraphic terranes, with no consistent age or character of the host carbonate unit. These skarns are, however, characterized by specific geologic associations, including intrusives, alteration, ore and gangue mineralogy, and trace metals. Intrusions associated with gold skarns are typically medium-grained, equigranular to slightly porphyritic members of gabbro-diorite-tonalite or diorite-quartz monzodiorite suites. Intrusive alteration, if present, consists predominantly of secondary albite, actinolite, and epidote, with little secondary quartz and sulfide and very rare secondary K-feldspar and muscovite. Typical "identifying" mineralogies include an abundance of epidote, chalcopyrite, and chlorite; the presence of pyrrhotite, "specular magnetite," idocrase, scapolite, hornblende, and albite; and the general absence of bornite, sphalerite, and galena. Generally, only minor amounts of sulfides and magnetite in gold skarns are present in the skarns per se or the associated plutons; most of the (gold-bearing) sulfide and agnetite is present at the marble front. Trace elements found at anomalous levels in gold skarns include Ni, Co, As, V, Mo, Sb, and Bi. Elements that are inevitably low in gold skarns include Zn, Pb, F, Sn, Be, W, and Ba. These elemental characteristics contrast strongly with those of gold-poor skarns and with metamorphosed volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. End_Page 672------------------------------ Although gold skarns are generally small deposits (< 1 mmt), their consistent geologic characteristics make them relatively predictable ore-deposit targets in Alaska. End_of_Article - Last_Page 673------------
A wideband profiled corrugated horn for multichroic applications

A wideband profiled corrugated feedhorn was developed for multichroic applications. This feedhorn features a return loss of better than −25 dB and cross polarization peaks below −30 dB, over a fractional bandwidth of >50%. Its performance is close to that of the ring-loaded corrugated feedhorn; however, the design presented is much easier to fabricate at millimeter wavelengths.
On VLSI statistical timing analysis and optimization

Performance variation has become an increasingly critical design objective as VLSI technology scales into the nanometer domain wherein parametric variations are inevitably significant. This paper presents an overview of statistical timing analysis in a new perspective, including clarification of problem formulation, an iterative refinement methodology, and iterative signal integrity effects aware statistical timing analysis methods. This paper also demonstrates that statistical physical design optimization does not produce noticeably different results than traditional physical design, and performance variation tolerance needs to be achieved by other techniques, e.g., asynchronous circuit design.
Reaction of SO2 with ZnO(0001̄)–O and ZnO powders: photoemission and XANES studies on the formation of SO3 and SO4

Abstract Synchrotron-based high-resolution photoemission and X-ray absortion near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) have been used to study the interaction of SO2 with ZnO(0001)–O and polycrystalline films and bulk powders of ZnO. The adsorption of SO2 on the (0001) oxygen-terminated face of ZnO at 110 K produced SO3 species which were stable up to temperatures well above 400 K. On polycrystalline ZnO, the Zn↔SO2 interactions were very weak, there was no decomposition of the admolecule, and evidence for bonding of zinc to SO2 was found only at low temperatures (∼100 K) when the adsorbate had a limited mobility on the surface. At 300 K and moderate pressures, SO2 only reacted with the oxygen centers of ZnO forming mainly SO3 groups. Part of the formed SO3 decomposed at temperatures between 400 and 600 K with evolution of SO2 into the gas phase (ZnSO3,solid→SO2,gas+ZnOsolid). At 600 K, a significant amount of SO3 was still present on the ZnO systems. Reaction with O2 led to an SO3→SO4 transformation on ZnO(0001)–O and powders of ZnO previously exposed to SO2. SO4 was directly formed during the adsorption of SO2 on polycrystalline surfaces of zinc oxide that were rich in oxygen atoms which had a low coordination number ( ( 3 × 3 )- K/ZnO (000 1 )– O and ( 3 × 3 )- Cs/ZnO (000 1 )– O at 300 K, several sulfur species (S, SO3, SO4) coexisted on the alkali-metal-promoted surfaces whereas only SO3 was formed on the pure ZnO(0001)–O system.
DAVE: a plug-and-play model for distributed multimedia application development

We created the Distributed Audio Video Environment for developing applications. DAVE is unique in that it provides a distributed plug-and-play application programming interface, is object-oriented, offers device and media extensibility, uses traditional Unix network facilities for transmission, and employs existing audio and video hardware commonly found on many workstations. To demonstrate DAVE's usefulness, we used it to develop two multimedia applications applicable to collaborative engineering: desktop videoconferencing and video broadcasting/receiving. DAVE's object-oriented techniques provide a high level of abstraction for devices. Application developers can treat media devices (such as cameras and microphones) as distributed resources, much as workstations treat graphics and windows. This flexibility and accessibility lets developers easily integrate multimedia into existing distributed environments. Through inheritance and data independence, developers can define additional devices and media types and integrate them into the environment. This plug-and-play approach provides easy access for application developers who want to avoid learning the details of media devices or who want to dynamically change their applications at runtime. >
Formation of Nitric Oxide Myoglobin: Mechanisms of the Reaction with Various Reductants

SUMMARY– The concentration, temperature and pH dependences of the formation of nitric oxide myoglobin (NOMb) from metmyoglobin nitrite (MetMb·NO2) were determined for nitrite and the reductants, ascorbic acid, cysteine, hydro-quinone, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and glyceraldehyde. The reaction for all reductants except glyceraldehyde involves the production of a nitroso-reductant intermediate which breaks down to release nitric oxide. The latter forms a nitric oxide metheme complex (Fe+++) which is then reduced to the ferrous state (Fe++). With cysteine and NADH there is a second pathway which probably involves the direct reduction of MetMb NO2. Ascorbate and hydro-quinone form nitroso intermediates that are stabilized in alkali. The effects of oxygen, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and cytochrome c on the reaction were determined. Oxygen slows or inhibits the reaction, while the latter two have no effect on the reaction as studied.
Factors controlling net ecosystem metabolism in U.S. estuaries

High frequency dissolved oxygen data were analyzed to calculate primary production, respiration and net ecosystem metabolism (NEM) from 42 sites within 22 National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR), 1995–2000. NERR sites are characterized by a variety of dominant plant communities including phytoplankton, salt marsh, seagrass, macroalgae, freshwater macrophyte, and mangrove, and are representative of the coastal bioregions of the United States. As expected from the wide diversity of sites, metabolic rates were temporally and spatially variable with the highest production and respiration occurring during the summer in Southeastern estuaries. Sites within different regions exhibited consistent seasonal trends in production, respiration, and NEM. Temperature was the most important environmental factor explaining within-site variation in metabolic rates; nutrient concentrations were the second most important factor. All but three of the 42 sites were heterotrophic (respiration was greater than production) on an annual basis. Habitat adjacent to the monitoring site, estuarine area, and salinity explained 58% of the variation in NEM. Open water sites or sites adjacent to mangroves or in marsh creeks were heterotrophic, while sites in or adjacent to submerged aquatic vegetation (eelgrass or macroalgal beds) were either autotrophic or near balance. Estuarine area was also a significant factor explaining variability in NEM; larger systems were closer to balance than smaller systems that trended toward heterotrophy. Freshwater sites were more heterotrophic than saline sites. Nutrient loading explained 68% of the variation in NEM among some of the sites. When these estimates were compared to the literature, metabolic rates from the NERR sites were much larger, often two to five times greater than rates from other estuarine and coastal systems. One explanation is that these small, generally shallow sites located near shore may have greater allochthonous organic inputs as well as significant benthic primary production than the large, deeper systems represented by the literature.
A structural study on oxidative stabilization of mesophase pitch fibers derived from coaltar

Abstract The oxidized fiber of coal-tar based mesophase pitch showed the maximum weight gain at a particular oxidation temperature according to the heating rate to the temperature as the balance of oxygen uptake and decomposition of oxygen functional groups. The graphitized fiber showed the maximum tensile properties whenever the oxidized fiber gained the maximum weight, regardless of the heating rates of 0.5-2.0°C/min. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated the dominant presence of the conjugated carbonyl after oxidation at lower temperatures (below 350°C). NMR study revealed that these groups could be triggers for oxygen bridges such as ethers and esters and for dehydrogenative coupling to form the larger molecular weight components in successive carbonization at the elevated temperature. In contrast, more carboxylic acids were introduced after oxidation at higher temperatures (above 400°C) through the cleavage of the hexagonal ring. Such extensive oxidation may reduce the tensile properties of graphitized fibers.
Atomistic studies of defect nucleation during nanoindentation of Au(001)

Atomistic studies are carried out to investigate the formation and evolution of defects during nanoindentation of a gold crystal. The results in this theoretical study complement the experimental investigations [J. D. Kiely and J. E. Houston, Phys. Rev. B $57,$ 12 588 (1998)] extremely well. The defects are produced by a three step mechanism involving nucleation, glide, and reaction of Shockley partials on the ${111}$ slip planes noncoplanar with the indented surface. We have observed that slip is in the directions along which the resolved shear stress has reached the critical value of approximately 2 GPa. The first yield occurs when the shear stresses reach this critical value on all the ${111}$ planes involved in the formation of the defect. The phenomenon of strain hardening is observed due to the sessile stair-rods produced by the zipping of the partials. The dislocation locks produced during the second yield give rise to permanent deformation after retraction.
Interfacial tension between solutions of lipoproteins and heptane

Abstract The interfacial tensions of aqueous solutions of centrifugally isolated low-density lipoproteins from human blood serum and hen's egg yolk in contact with heptane have been studied by the pendant drop method. The materials were highly interfacial active and showed pronounced time-dependent adsorption behavior. The lipoprotein from egg yolk and the S f 10–20 fraction from serum aged at the same rate and more rapidly than the S f 3–8 fraction from serum. At a concentration of 0.02% the yolk lipoprotein reached a stable interfacial tension of about 2 dynes/cm, whereas, the two serum fractions were similar to each other and in the range 9–14 dynes/cm. The effects of concentration, pH, storage, extraction, and presaturation with heptane suggest that two types of thick viscoelastic interfacial films may be formed, one protein-like and the other a mixture of lipids and protein. Possible sequential steps are discussed.
STRAIN RATE RELAXATION EFFECT ON FREEZING FRONT GROWTH INSTABILITY DURING PLANAR SOLIDIFICATION OF PURE METALS, PART 2. COUPLED THEORY

In this second pan we modify the mathematical developments of the growth instability problem in Part 1 based upon the assumption that the thermal and mechanical problems are coupled along the mold interface through a pressure-dependent thermal contact resistance. Thermomechanical coupling results from the fact that heat is extracted from the casting across the thermal resistance. The thermal boundary condition, which contains a spatial perturbation in heat flux, is accompanied by a similar perturbation in the contact resistance at the mold interface. Using the plane strain thermoviscoelasticity theory developed in the companion paper, coupled differential equations are derived for the function representing residual stress and the spatial perturbation of the mean casting thickness. The two differential equations are then decoupled, and this leads to a single equation for the casting thickness perturbation. Then the evolution of the contact pressure perturbation can be calculated, and the results used to de...
Distinction and quantitation of leucine-isoleucine isomers and lysine-glutamine isobars by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MSn, n = 2, 3) of copper(II)-diimine complexes

Electrospray ionization of mixtures of isomeric and isobaric amino acids was investigated with the goal of distinguishing and quantifying the components. Isomeric amino acids leucine and isoleucine were readily distinguished and quantified in 90 : 10 to 10 : 90 binary mixtures using two-stage (MS(2)) and three-stage (MS(3)) tandem mass spectrometric dissociations of ternary Cu(2+)-2, 2'-bipyridyl (bpy) complexes, [Cu(AA - H)bpy](+). The complexes self-assembled in solution upon mixing the components and provided a convenient means of efficient derivatization that increased the efficiency of amino acid ionization by electrospray and shifted the mass of the analytes to a region which was free of solvent interferences. Low-energy dissociations of [Cu(AA - H)bpy](+) complexes in a quadrupole ion trap were achieved at >90% conversions and >80% trapping efficiencies for the MS(2) and MS(3) precursor and fragment ions. Isobaric amino acids glutamine and lysine were also distinguished through MS(2) and MS(3) of their ternary complexes with Cu(2+) and bpy. ESI of [Cu(Gln - H)bpy](+) was enhanced in the presence of [Cu(Lys - H)bpy](+), which resulted in non-linear response at low Lys concentrations.
Survivor memory reduction in the Viterbi algorithm

This paper presents a novel approach for implementation of the Viterbi algorithm, wherein survivor paths are generally kept in as low as one half of the storage required for traditional trace-back methods. Survivor memory reduction is obtained by storing only the useful part of the survivor paths. In other words, the redundancy in the survivor paths is removed. A decoder using this approach not only requires significantly less memory, but also runs faster than conventional decoders. Some instances of this approach are explicitly presented.
The ABCs of the doctor of nursing practice: assessing resources, building a culture of clinical scholarship, curricular models.

Abstract The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree prepares nurses to provide comprehensive care across sites and over time. It is absolutely crucial–for both patient care and the nursing profession–that broadly recognized standards of competency for these new practitioners be established. The Council for the Advancement of Comprehensive Care has met since 2000 to build consensus on competency standards and a process for certifying these graduates. Deans of five nursing schools discuss their experiences and provide guidance for schools interested in developing DNP programs.
TLR4 promotes Cryptosporidium parvum clearance in a mouse model of biliary cryptosporidiosis.

abstract: Cholangiocytes, the epithelial cells lining intrahepatic bile ducts, express multiple toll-like receptors (TLRs) and, thus, have the capacity to recognize and respond to microbial pathogens. In previous work, we demonstrated that TLR4, which is activated by gram-negative lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is upregulated in cholangiocytes in response to infection with Cryptosporidium parvum in vitro and contributes to nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB) activation. Here, using an in vivo model of biliary cryptosporidiosis, we addressed the functional role of TLR4 in C. parvum infection dynamics and hepatobiliary pathophysiology. We observed that C57BL mice clear the infection by 3 wk post-infection (PI). In contrast, parasites were detected in bile and stool in TLR4-deficient mice at 4 wk PI. The liver enzymes alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST), and the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon (IFN)-γ, and interleukin (IL)-6 peaked at 1 to 2 wk PI and normali...
The antigenic and molecular alterations of C3 in the fluid phase during an immune reaction in normal human serum. Demonstration of a new conversion product, C3x.

During the reaction of an immune precipitate with fresh human serum, C3 undergoes a number of molecular alterations with the formation of conversion products differing from those obtained when purified components react. Those products which remain in the fluid phase, the subject of the present paper, have been identified by their reaction with monospecific antisera to the three antigenic determinants of C3, A, B, and D, after electrophoresis in agar or polyacrylamide gel. When purified C3 reacts with EAC1,4,2, C3i is found in the fluid phase. C3i, a loose complex of C3a and C3b, is in a conformational state whereby only the A and D antigens, present on its C3b portion, will consume antibody. The B antigen, present on the C3a portion of C3i, is unavailable for combination with antibody until C3i dissociates. In the fluid phase of the reaction of an immune precipitate with whole serum, C3i, C3a, and C3b, formed when purified components react, cannot be found. Instead the end products of the reaction appear to be C3c, which contains the A antigen, and C3d, which contains the D antigen. C3c and C3d are similar to the β1A and α2D produced by the aging of serum but differ in their mobilities in acrylamide gel and in agar. The C3c and C3d generated by an immune precipitate also differ slightly from the C3c and C3d produced by the reaction of trypsin with C3 in whole human serum. As human serum reacts with an immune complex, native C3 appears to undergo a primary alteration before conversion. This alteration results in a molecular species of C3 which is labile at 56°C for 30 min, fails to expose additional A and D antigenic sites upon aging, and which forms β1A and C3d rather than β1A and α2D during aging. In addition to this altered form of native C3, a new conversion product, C3x, is formed as whole serum reacts with an immune complex. C3x is not found in systems utilizing pure complement components. C3x is like C3 in that it bears all three antigenic determinants but differs in that it has a slightly faster mobility in polyacrylamide gel than does native C3. C3x is not only found in the fluid phase but is also bound to the immune precipitate. Finally, the fluid-phase kinetics of each of the antigens of C3 have been determined as normal human serum reacts with an immune precipitate. These illustrate that nearly the entire population of native C3 molecules undergoes conversion rapidly as manifested by the disappearance of the B antigen from the fluid phase. Moreover, the kinetics of the fluid-phase A and D antigens reflect that the conversion of C3 in serum is quantitatively not the same as when purified C3 reacts with C4,2.
Maturation affects the maximal pulmonary response to methacholine in rabbits

Maximal bronchoconstriction in normal adults produces only small reductions in pulmonary function; however, in normal infants severe airway obstruction limits testing to low agonist concentrations. In this study, maximal pulmonary response to methacholine was evaluated in 5 immature (1 month old) and 5 mature (6 months old) rabbits. Animals were anesthetized, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated via a tracheostomy tube. Changes in pulmonary function were assessed from maximal deflation flow volume curves following inhalation of doubling concentrations of methacholine between 0.6 and 320 mg/mL. Following 320 mg/mL methacholine, the immature rabbits had a greater percent decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) than the mature animals (55 ± 15% vs. 36 ± 10%; P < 0.05). At 50% FVC, isovolume flows were measurable in the 5 mature rabbits, and 4 of 5 had plateaus in their dose-response curves. At the higher methacholine doses, only 1 of 5 immature animals had measurable isovolume flows because of the decrease in FVC. There was no significant difference between immature and mature animals in the methacholine dose required to decrease baseline flows by 50%. We conclude that in rabbits maturation affects maximal pulmonary response but not the sensitivity to methacholine. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1993; 16:48–53. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Water deficit effects on root distribution of soybean, field pea and chickpea

Abstract Cropping diversity in the central Great Plains of the United States could be increased by including suitable legumes in crop rotations. Water is limiting to all crops grown in this region and agronomic crops frequently experience water deficit stress during their life cycle. The ability of a plant to change its root distribution to exploit deeper stored soil water may be an important mechanism to avoid drought stress. An experiment was conducted to examine legume root system response to water deficit stress. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), field pea (Pisum sativum L.), and soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) were grown at two water regimes: under natural rainfall conditions and irrigated to minimize water deficit stress. Root distributions for each species were measured at 0.23 m depth intervals to a depth of 1.12 m directly beneath the plants at the late bloom and mid pod fill growth stages. Roots were washed free of soil and were separated from soil debris by hand. Root surface area measurements were made and root weights were recorded for each depth interval. Water deficit did not affect the relative soybean root distribution. Approximately 97% of the total soybean roots were in the surface 0.23 m at both sampling times and under both water regimes. In contrast, water deficit stress resulted in a greater proportion of chickpea and field pea roots to grow deeper in the soil. Under irrigated conditions, about 80% of the chickpea and field pea roots were in the surface 0.23 m. Under dry conditions, about 66% of the total chickpea and field pea roots were in the surface 0.23 m and the remainder of the roots was deeper in the soil profile. Field pea had a root surface area to weight ratio (AWR) of 35–40 m2 kg−1, chickpea had a AWR of 40–80 m2 kg−1, whereas soybean had a AWR of 3–7 m2 kg−1, depending on plant growth stage. The greater AWR indicates a finer root system for the field pea and chickpea compared with soybean. From a rooting perspective, chickpea may be the best suited of these species for dryland crop production in semi-arid climates due to an adaptive root distribution based on water availability and large root surface area per unit root weight.
Microstructure and stray electric fields at surface cracks in ferroelectrics

Ferroelectric perovskites are widely used in transducer, memory and optical applications due to their attractive electromechanical and optical properties. In these brittle materials, reliability and failure of devices is dominated by the behavior of cracks. The electromechanical coupling causes cracks to interact strongly with both mechanical as well as electrical fields. Additionally, cracks and domain patterns interact strongly with each other. Hence, an understanding of the electromechanics of cracks requires an accounting of all these interactions. In this work, we apply a real-space phase-field method to compute the stresses, domain patterns, and stray electric fields in the vicinity of a stationary crack, defined here as a geometric feature that causes large but bounded stress. We investigate the effects of charge compensation on the crack face, crack orientation with respect to the crystal lattice, and applied far-field stress and electric fields.
Bunchgrass architecture, light interception, and water-use efficiency: assessment by fiber optic point quadrats and gas exchange.

The bunchgrass growth form, which is very prominent in water-limited environments, can result in considerable self-shading of photosynthetically active foliage. The consequences of this growth form for light interception and water-use efficiency (photosynthesis/transpiration, P/T) were investigated for two Agropyron species which differ in tussock density and degree of self-shading. During the period of most active gas exchange, the tussocks were very compact and photosynthesis of shaded foliage was markedly light-limited. Stomatal control of older shaded foliage was poorly attuned for water-use efficiency. At low light, P/T decreased and intercellular CO2 concentrations increased. Despite differences in architecture and amount of shaded foliage, P/T of whole tussocks under ambient field conditions did not differ between these species. Partial defoliation decreased, rather than increased, P/T, primarily as a result of the poor photosynthetic light harvesting by the remaining foliage. Despite self-shading, the architecture of widely-spaced bunchgrasses provides for interception of as much direct beam solar radiation as is calculated for a rhizomatous grass occupying an area six-fold greater than the ground area underneath the canopy of these bunchgrasses.
Systematic development of analog circuit structural macromodels through behavioral model decoupling

This paper presents a systematic methodology to create customized structural macromodels for a specific analog circuit. The novel contributions of the method include definition of the building block behavioral concept and two original algorithms to generate structural models. Experiments are offered for two-stage opamp and operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) circuits. The automatically produced models are accurate, offer design insight, and require low modeling effort.
Phenotypic and functional analysis of CD8(+) T cells undergoing peripheral deletion in response to cross-presentation of self-antigen.

Not all T cells specific for autoantigens are eliminated in the thymus, and therefore alternate mechanisms are required to prevent potentially autoreactive T cells from developing into effectors. Adoptive transfer of CD8+ T cells from influenza hemagglutinin-specific Clone 4 TCR transgenic mice into mice that express hemagluttinin in the pancreatic islets results in tolerance. This is preceded by activation of Clone 4 T cells that encounter antigen cross-presented in the draining lymph nodes of the pancreas. In this report we compare the phenotype, function, and costimulatory requirements of Clone 4 T cells activated by endogenous self-antigen, with Clone 4 T cells stimulated by influenza virus. The cells undergoing tolerance upregulate both CD69 and CD44, yet only partially downregulate CD62L, and do not express CD49d or CD25. Most importantly, they lack the ability to produce interferon-γ in response to antigen and show no cytolytic activity. Clone 4 T cells disappear after several cycles of division, apparently without leaving the site of initial activation. Surprisingly, despite the fact that such stimulation occurs through recognition of antigen that is cross-presented by a professional antigen-presenting cell, we find this activation is not dependent on costimulation through CD28. These data demonstrate that the recognition by naive CD8+ T cells of cross-presented self-antigen results in localized proliferation and deletion, without the production of effector cells.