cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nuclear Factor-κB and Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Mediate Adaptive Radioresistance in Low-Dose Irradiated Mouse Skin Epithelial Cells

Mechanisms governing inducible resistance to ionizing radiation in untransformed epithelial cells pre-exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR; </=10 cGy) are not well understood. The present study provides evidence that pre-exposure to 10 cGy X-rays increases clonogenic survival of mouse skin JB6P+ epithelial cells subsequently exposed to 2 Gy doses of gamma-rays. To elucidate the molecular pathways of LDIR-induced adaptive radioresistance, the transcription factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and a group of NF-kappaB-related proteins [i.e., p65, manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, cyclin B1, and 14-3-3zeta] were identified to be activated as early as 15 min after LDIR. Further analysis revealed that a substantial amount of both 14-3-3zeta and cyclin B1 accumulated in the cytoplasm at 4 to 8 h when cell survival was enhanced. The nuclear 14-3-3zeta and cyclin B1 were reduced and increased at 4 and 24 h, respectively, after LDIR. Using YFP-fusion gene expression vectors, interaction between 14-3-3zeta and cyclin B1 was visualized in living cells, and LDIR enhanced the nuclear translocation of the 14-3-3zeta/cyclin B1 complex. Treatment of JB6P+ cells with the NF-kappaB inhibitor IMD-0354 suppressed LDIR-induced expression of MnSOD, 14-3-3zeta, and cyclin B1 and diminished the adaptive radioresistance. In addition, treatment with small interfering RNA against mouse MnSOD was shown to inhibit the development of LDIR-induced radioresistance. Together, these results show that NF-kappaB, MnSOD, 14-3-3zeta, and cyclin B1 contribute to LDIR-induced adaptive radioresistance in mouse skin epithelial cells.
Evaluation of novel drugs using fMRI in early-phase clinical trials: safety monitoring

A advances in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) permit the possibility of helping with dose ranging, as well as potential drug efficacy and side-effect profiles. However there are no current guidelines or standards for fMRI that meet established standards of care. Guidelines must be adopted to be used when patients are exposed to novel drugs, in particular, when immediate access to the patient is limited. When used in initial, MRI mandates certain safety standards because subjects are positioned in the magnet thereby limiting direct observation, communication or immediate access in an emergency; in testing new drugs using fMRI, we suggest that safety guidelines merit discussion and definition. This could lead to the adoption of standards. Some of these issues are unique to the application of the technology in early-phase trials.
Advances in pig genomics and functional gene discovery

Advances in pig gene identification, mapping and functional analysis have continued to make rapid progress. The porcine genetic linkage map now has nearly 3000 loci, including several hundred genes, and is likely to expand considerably in the next few years, with many more genes and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers being added to the map. The physical genetic map is also growing rapidly and has over 3000 genes and markers. Several recent quantitative trait loci (QTL) scans and candidate gene analyses have identified important chromosomal regions and individual genes associated with traits of economic interest. The commercial pig industry is actively using this information and traditional performance information to improve pig production by marker-assisted selection (MAS). Research to study the co-expression of thousands of genes is now advancing and methods to combine these approaches to aid in gene discovery are under way. The pig's role in xenotransplantation and biomedical research makes the study of its genome important for the study of human disease. This review will briefly describe advances made, directions for future research and the implications for both the pig industry and human health.
MicL, a new σE-dependent sRNA, combats envelope stress by repressing synthesis of Lpp, the major outer membrane lipoprotein

In enteric bacteria, the transcription factor σE maintains membrane homeostasis by inducing synthesis of proteins involved in membrane repair and two small regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) that down-regulate synthesis of abundant membrane porins. Here, we describe the discovery of a third σE-dependent sRNA, MicL (mRNA-interfering complementary RNA regulator of Lpp), transcribed from a promoter located within the coding sequence of the cutC gene. MicL is synthesized as a 308-nucleotide (nt) primary transcript that is processed to an 80-nt form. Both forms possess features typical of Hfq-binding sRNAs but surprisingly target only a single mRNA, which encodes the outer membrane lipoprotein Lpp, the most abundant protein of the cell. We show that the copper sensitivity phenotype previously ascribed to inactivation of the cutC gene is actually derived from the loss of MicL and elevated Lpp levels. This observation raises the possibility that other phenotypes currently attributed to protein defects are due to deficiencies in unappreciated regulatory RNAs. We also report that σE activity is sensitive to Lpp abundance and that MicL and Lpp comprise a new σE regulatory loop that opposes membrane stress. Together MicA, RybB, and MicL allow σE to repress the synthesis of all abundant outer membrane proteins in response to stress.
Imipramine for therapy resistant enuresis: a retrospective evaluation.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Imipramine has a proven effect in enuresis but is now seldom used. We reviewed the records of children who had been treated with imipramine to determine prognostic indicators. Materials and Methods: The records of all enuretic children treated with imipramine at our clinic were retrospectively evaluated, with special emphasis on history, and for most children bladder volume, renal concentrating capacity and urine production. Results: All 49 children included in the study had previously received desmopressin, alarm and anticholinergic treatment without success. Of the children 31 (64.6%) were responders (R), with at least 50% reduction in enuresis frequency (22 became completely dry) and 17 (35.4%) were nonresponders (NR). Older age (R 11.4 ± 3.4, NR 8.7 ± 1.8 years, p = 0.004) and low spontaneous bladder capacity (R 2.6 ± 0.9, NR 3.4 ± 0.9 ml/kg body weight, p = 0.03) were prognostically favorable, whereas constipation (p = 0.02) and a history of daytime incontinence (p = 0.04) indicated poor prognosis. Ten children experienced nausea or other minor problems. Seven children with attention deficit and hyperactivity became more focused during treatment. Conclusions: Imipramine is a useful treatment for enuresis when everything else has failed, especially among older children. Factors related to detrusor function provide prognostic information.
Structure of the NiFe2O4(001) surface in contact with gaseous O2 and water vapor

Abstract Nickel ferrite, NiFe2O4, is a material with interesting physical properties and useful technological applications. We have used Density-functional theory with on-site Coulomb repulsion U term to study the structure, electronic properties, and energetics of the NiFe2O4(001) surface and its interaction with water both in the absence and in the presence of surface oxygen vacancies. In a humid environment, water adsorbs dissociatively on the surface oxygen vacancies leading to the formation of surface hydroxyls. At high temperature, water desorbs leaving a surface containing oxygen vacancies. These defects could represent useful reactive sites for various catalytic reactions.
Metastatic Risk for Distinct Patterns of Postirradiation Local Recurrence of Posterior Uveal Melanoma

Abstract Objective: The purpose of the study is to compare the prognostic significance of horizontal/marginal versus vertical/diffuse patterns of postirradiation local recurrence of posterior uveal melanoma. Design: The study design was a nonrandomized, retrospective clinical study. Semiparametric and nonparametric statistical techniques were used. Participants: Seven hundred sixty-six posterior uveal melanoma patients were studied. Intervention: Either iodine-125 plaque or helium ion radiation therapy was performed. Main Outcome Measures: Local tumor recurrence and systemic metastasis were measured. Results: Local tumor recurrence was detected in 66 (8.6%) of 766 irradiated tumors. The 5-year actuarial rate of local recurrence was 10%. The recurrence pattern was horizontal/marginal in 27 patients (41%) and vertical/diffuse in 39 patients (59%). Systemic metastasis was detected in 5 patients (19%) with horizontal/marginal recurrence and in 19 patients (49%) with vertical/diffuse recurrence. After known metastatic risk factors were controlled, the relative risk for metastasis was 2.2 for horizontal/marginal recurrence and 5.1 for vertical/diffuse recurrence ( P = 0.05). The actuarial rate of systemic metastasis was 2.9% per year for all patients, 6.3% per year for patients with horizontal/marginal recurrence, and 15.5% per year for patients with vertical/diffuse recurrence. Conclusions: Postirradiation local recurrence of posterior uveal melanoma is a risk factor for systemic metastasis. Vertical/diffuse recurrences may be associated more strongly with metastatic disease than horizontal/marginal recurrences.
Deriving link-context from HTML tag tree

HTML anchors are often surrounded by text that seems to describe the destination page appropriately. The text surrounding a link or the link-context is used for a variety of tasks associated with Web information retrieval. These tasks can benefit by identifying regularities in the manner in which "good" contexts appear around links. In this paper, we describe a framework for conducting such a study. The framework serves as an evaluation platform for comparing various link-context derivation methods. We apply the framework to a sample of Web pages obtained from more than 10,000 different categories of the ODP. Our focus is on understanding the potential merits of using a Web page's tag tree structure, for deriving link-contexts. We find that good link-context can be associated with tag tree hierarchy. Our results show that climbing up the tag tree when the link-context provided by greater depths is too short can provide better performance than some of the traditional techniques.
The Motivational Impact of Utility Analysis and HR Measurement

This paper addresses the fact that many companies lack insight into the uses of utility theory in HR. Most utility research has been conducted with a view to developing measurement systems rather than measurement effects. Some selected theories of information effects are presented, together with their implications for the application of HR measurement systems. These theories relate to information receivers and goals , HR measurement as decions support as well as decision theory and bias. Special attention is devoted to HR measurements as persuasion , with reference to transmission, receiver and organisation characteristics. Other factors of importance are the selfinterest of senders and the role of “fashion setting” for innovation. One conclusion is that the study of the effects of HR measurements on their receivers provides a fruitful field for empirical research.
Enhanced polymerization of polar macromolecules by an applied electric field with application to mitosis

Numerous cellular processes are characterized by the rapid polymerization of protein molecules to form rod-like structures. Examples include the formation of spindle fibers from tubulin during cell division and the polymerization of actin into the actin filaments of the pseudopod in chemotaxis. It has been proposed that these proteins possess an electric dipole moment and that the onset of an internal electric field triggers polymerization. In this theoretical study, the relative probability of polymerization of a polar protein species is calculated in the presence and absence of an electric field. There is a significant enhancement of polymerization in the presence of an electric field, which increases as the size of the attachment site decreases. We conclude that a cytoplasmic pool of suitable proteins will rapidly polymerize if an electric field is applied, while remaining in a random configuration in the absence of a field. This mechanism is applied to the mitotic spindle structure, and by assuming that the spindle poles become oppositely charged during mitosis, a finite difference method is used to calculate the spindle structure at metaphase. Good agreement is obtained with experiment data.
Response surface methodology for the optimization of ubiquinone self-nanoemulsified drug delivery system.

The aim of the present study was to prepare and evaluate an optimized, self-nanoemulsified drug delivery system of ubiquinone. A 3-factor, 3-level Box-Behnken design was used for the optimization procedure with the amounts of Polyoxyl 35 castor oil (X1), medium-chain mono- and diglyceride (X2), and lemon oil (X3) as the independent variables. The response variable was the cumulative percentage of ubiquinone emulsified in 10 minutes. Different ubiquinone release rates were obtained. The amount released ranged from 11% to 102.3%. Turbidity profile revealed 3 regions that were used to describe the progress of emulsion formation: lag phase, pseudolinear phase, and plateau turbidity. An increase in the amount of surfactant decreased turbidity values and caused a delay in lag time. Addition of cosurfactant enhanced the release rates. Increasing the amount of the eutectic agent was necessary to overcome drug precipitation especially at higher loading of surfactants and cosurfactants. Mathematical equations and response surface plots were used to relate the dependent and independent variables. The regression equation generated for the cumulative percentage emulsified in 10 minutes was Y1=90.9–22.1X1+5.03X2+13.95X3+12.13X1X2+15.13X1X3-14.40X12-6.25X32. The optimization model predicted a 93.4% release with X1, X2, and X3 levels of 35, 35, and 30 respectively.
Microstructure‐based processing parameters of thermoplastic composite materials. Part II: Experimental results

The permeability of thermoplastic composites and the elastic behavior of their fiber networks were measured during compression molding. As these processing parameters depend on the microstructure of the composite, experiments were performed to determine them for tape prepreg, commingied two prepreg, and powder-coated tow prepreg. The experimental results agree closely when compared to the theoretical predictions
Navigating with the IFRS convergence roadmap

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been moving toward letting U.S. firms prepare financial statements using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs), “converging” U.S. and international reporting standards. Even firms not otherwise involved in international trade may have to follow IFRSs. The author takes a close look at the SEC's proposed convergence road map, discusses the possible effects of IFRS convergence, pinpoints issues and concerns, and examines strategies to handle the changes ahead. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mixed isocyanide-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene complexes of molybdenum and tungsten-II. Species of the type [M(CO)3(CNR)(R′-DAB)]1+,0,1−

Abstract The complexes M(CO) 4 (R′-DAB) (M = Mo or W; R′-DAB = R′NCHCHNR′; R′ = i -Pr, t -Bu, Cy or p -tol) undergo substitution of a single CO ligand by isocyanide ligands RNC (R = Me, CHMe 2 , CMe 3 , C 6 H 11 or xylyl), in refluxing toluene to give fac -M(CO) 3 (CNR)(R′-DAB). Synthesis of the latter complexes can also be achieved, at ambient temperature, through the use of the nitrile complexes, Mo(CO) 3 (NCMe) 3 and W(CO) 3 (NCEt) 3 : the method involves substitution of the nitrile ligands first by R′-DAB, then by RNC. The intermediate compounds Mo(CO) 3 (NCMe)(R′-DAB) and W(CO) 3 (NCEt)(R′-DAB) have also been isolated and characterized. Oxidation of dark blue-purple Mo(CO) 3 (NCMe)( t -Bu-DAB) and Mo(CO) 3 (CNR)( t -Bu-DAB)(R = Me or CMe 3 ) with [Cp 2 Fe]PF 6 in dichloromethane solution produces the paramagnetic (17-electron), orange complexes [Mo(CO) 3 (NCMe)( t -Bu-DAB)PF 6 and [Mo(CO) 3 (CNR)( t -Bu-DAB)]PF 6 , respectively. The molybdenum cations, [Mo(CO) 3 (NCMe)( t -Bu-DAB)]PF 6 and [Mo(CO) 3 (CNCMe 3 )( t -Bu-DAB)]PF 6 , react with two and one equivalent of tert -butyl isocyanide, respectively, to yield dark red cis , trans -[Mo(CO) 2 (CNCMe 3 ) 2 ) t -Bu-DAB)]PF 6 . Reduction of cis , trans -[Mo(CO) 2 (CNCMe 3 ) 2 )( t -Bu-DAB)]PF 6 with cobaltocene in acetone yields the analogous dark blue zerovalent species cis , trans -Mo(CO) 2 (CNCMe 3 ) 2 ( t -Bu-DAB). The compounds [Mo(CO)(CNR) 4 ( t -Bu-DAB)](PF 6 ) 2 and Mo(CO) 3 (CNR)( t -Bu-DAB) are produced, via a disproportionation reaction, when solutions of the cations [Mo(CO) 3 (CNR)( t -Bu-DAB)] + (R = Me or CMe 3 ) are reacted with ∼three equivalents of RNC. On the other hand, the reaction between tert -butyl isocyanide and [Mo(CO) 3 (CNCMe 3 )( i -Pr-DAB)] + gives seven-coordinate [Mo(CNCMe 3 ) 5 ( i -Pr-DAB)](PF 6 ) 2 and Mo(CO) 3 (CNCMe 3 )( i -Pr-DAB). The ligand-based reduction of the complexes M(CO) 3 (CNR)(R′-DAB) (M = Mo or W) is readily accessible in THF upon addition of one molar equivalent of THF-soluble LiEt 3 BH to yield solutions that contain the radical anions [M(CO) 3 (CNR)(R′-DAB)] −. . The complexes synthesized in this work have been characterized on the basis of their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties, including ESR spectral studies on the paramagnetic 17- and 19-electron complexes.
An efficient visualization method for analyzing biometric data

We introduce a novel application for biometric data analysis. This technology can be used as part of a unique and systematic approach designed to augment existing processing chains. Our system provides image quality control and analysis capabilities. We show how analysis and efficient visualization are used as part of an automated process. The goal of this system is to provide a unified platform for the analysis of biometric images that reduce manual effort and increase the likelihood of a match being brought to an examiner’s attention from either a manual or lights-out application. We discuss the functionality of FeatureSCOPE™ which provides an efficient tool for feature analysis and quality control of biometric extracted features. Biometric databases must be checked for accuracy for a large volume of data attributes. Our solution accelerates review of features by a factor of up to 100 times. Review of qualitative results and cost reduction is shown by using efficient parallel visual review for quality control. Our process automatically sorts and filters features for examination, and packs these into a condensed view. An analyst can then rapidly page through screens of features and flag and annotate outliers as necessary.
Describing Grief Under Cyclical Versus Linear Conceptions of Time

Priming linear versus cyclical conceptions of time influences affective forecasts and descriptions of grief. Relative to a linear or static prime, a cyclical prime prompted predictions of shorter g...
How Puerto Rico Became White: Boundary Dynamics and Intercensus Racial Reclassification

According to official census results, the Puerto Rican population became significantly whiter in the first half of the twentieth century. Social scientists have long speculated about the source of this trend, but until now, available data did not permit competing hypotheses of Puerto Rico's whitening to be evaluated empirically. This article revisits the question of how Puerto Rico whitened using newly available Public Use Micro-Samples from the 1910 and 1920 U.S. Censuses of Puerto Rico. Demographic analysis reveals that racial reclassification between censuses generated a “surplus” of nearly 100,000 whites in the 1920 enumerated population. Previous studies of intercensus change in the racial composition of populations have demonstrated that racial reclassification occurs. Going beyond previous studies, we investigate empirically the underlying social mechanisms that fueled change in categorical membership. Reclassification between censuses may reflect the movement of individuals across racial boundarie...
Influence of coronary occlusion on pulmonary vascular resistance in anesthetized dogs

The effects of occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery on pulmonary hemodynamics and calculated pulmonary vascular resistance were measured in 17 open chest dogs anesthetized with chloralose. Coronary occlusion was associated with a slight but insignificant increase in mean pulmonary arterial pressure together with a significant elevation in mean left atrial pressure ( P P P
Development, Field Testing, and Implementation of Improved Bridge Parapet Designs

Premature cracking of concrete bridge parapets is a potentially complex problem, with several possible causes. The objectives of this study were to determine the reasons for uncontrolled concrete bridge parapet cracking and to provide recommendations to the Ohio Department of Transportation to prevent such cracking in the future. Potential factors examined in this study included properties of the concrete mixtures used, construction methods, joint details, composite structural action, and durability of the concrete and reinforcement. A total of 22 test bridge parapets were or will be constructed as part of this project to evaluate different approaches to address premature bridge parapet cracking. Both the use of polypropylene fibers and deep saw cuts through glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforcement provided positive results for preventing early-age cracking. The use of fibers prevented the occurrence of any shrinkage or temperature cracking even though the control joints did not appear to funct...
Conversion of steviol to a gibberellin-like compound by Fusarium moniliforme.

Abstract Fusarium moniliforme converts C 14 -labeled steviol to a gibberellin-like compound, which is apparently not identical with the gibberellins of known structure.
Development of Piezoelectric RF MEMS Switch and Phase Shifter

Piezoelectric materials offer unique material characteristics, where elastic deformation is induced by electric field stimulation. These novel material properties can be exploited to create RF MEMS switches and phase shifters with the added benefit of low voltage actuation, reduced power consumption, low cost, and improved reliability with larger contact force and bi-directionality. A novel design for a RF phase shifter has been created for military applications. AMRDEC has developed bond and etch processes, analyzed material combinations and performed extensive test and evaluation of both coplanar waveguides and RF actuators. Significant effort has gone into reducing stress in the structural layers to prevent excessive deformation in switch structures. Improvements in post-release residual stress can be realized by eliminating thermal oxide layers and employing deep silicon etches from the backside for release. Test results indicate that low voltage (~10 V) actuation is achievable.
Timing of Quantal Release from the Retinal Bipolar Terminal Is Regulated by a Feedback Circuit

Abstract In isolation, a presynaptic terminal generally releases quanta according to Poisson statistics, but in a circuit its release statistics might be shaped by synaptic interactions. We monitored quantal glutamate release from retinal bipolar cell terminals (which receive GABA-ergic feedback from amacrine cells) by recording spontaneous EPSCs (sEPSCs) in their postsynaptic amacrine and ganglion cells. In about one-third of these cells, sEPSCs were temporally correlated, arriving in brief bursts (10–55 ms) more often than expected from a Poisson process. Correlations were suppressed by antagonizing the GABA C receptor (expressed on bipolar terminals), and correlations were induced by raising extracellular calcium or osmolarity. Simulations of the feedback circuit produced "bursty" release when the bipolar cell escaped intermittently from inhibition. Correlations of similar duration were present in the light-evoked sEPSCs and spike trains of sluggish-type ganglion cells. These correlations were suppressed by antagonizing GABA C receptors, indicating that glutamate bursts from bipolar terminals induce spike bursts in ganglion cells.
Short-term physical inactivity impairs vascular function

Abstract Background Sedentarism, also termed physical inactivity, is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Mechanisms thought to be involved include insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and increased inflammation. It is unknown whether changes in vascular and endothelial function also contribute to this excess risk. We hypothesized that short-term exposure to inactivity would lead to endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffening, and increased vascular inflammation. Methods Five healthy subjects (four men and one woman) underwent 5 d of bed rest (BR) to simulate inactivity. Measurements of vascular function (flow-mediated vasodilation to evaluate endothelial function; applanation tonometry to assess arterial resistance), inflammation, and metabolism were made before BR, daily during BR, and 2 d after BR recovery period. Subjects maintained an isocaloric diet throughout. Results BR led to significant decreases in brachial artery and femoral artery flow-mediated vasodilation (brachial: 11 ± 3% pre-BR versus 9 ± 2% end-BR, P = 0.04; femoral: 4 ± 1% versus 2 ± 1%, P = 0.04). The central augmentation index increased with BR (−4 ± 9% versus 5 ± 11%, P = 0.03). Diastolic blood pressure increased (58 ± 7 mm Hg versus 62 ± 7 mm Hg, P = 0.02), whereas neither systolic blood pressure nor heart rate changed. 15-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, an arachidonic acid metabolite, increased but the other inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers were unchanged. Conclusions Our findings show that acute exposure to sedentarism results in decreased endothelial function, arterial stiffening, increased diastolic blood pressure, and an increase in 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. We speculate that inactivity promotes a vascular “deconditioning” state characterized by impaired endothelial function, leading to arterial stiffness and increased arterial tone. Although physiologically significant, the underlying mechanisms and clinical relevance of these findings need to be further explored.
Labile protein reserves and protein turnover.

The concept of a labile protein reserve is based on the relatively slow establishment of a new equilibrium in the rate of nitrogen excretion after an abrupt change in dietary supply. The evidence reviewed shows that a majority of this nitrogen is derived from or deposited in skeletal muscle proteins. The rates of synthesis and degradation of total body protein are rapid in large animals (man and swine) and are correlated with heat production. The rate of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle greatly exceeds the rate of growth and is sensitive to nutritional status. The rate exceeds the rate of degradation in response to the ingestion of an adequate diet so that tissue proteins are accumulated, but it decreases below the rate of degradation under conditions of deprivation. In this latter state, proteins of skeletal muscle supply amino acids for energy or for the synthesis of other more essential proteins, e.g., milk proteins during lactation. Thus, we conclude that the labile protein reserve is a product of the normal, dynamic metabolism of protein.
Adolescent alcohol exposure and persistence of adolescent-typical phenotypes into adulthood: a mini-review

Alcohol use is typically initiated during adolescence, which, along with young adulthood, is a vulnerable period for the onset of high-risk drinking and alcohol abuse. Given across-species commonalities in certain fundamental neurobehavioral characteristics of adolescence, studies in laboratory animals such as the rat have proved useful to assess persisting consequences of repeated alcohol exposure. Despite limited research to date, reports of long-lasting effects of adolescent ethanol exposure are emerging, along with certain common themes. One repeated finding is that adolescent exposure to ethanol sometimes results in the persistence of adolescent-typical phenotypes into adulthood. Instances of adolescent-like persistence have been seen in terms of baseline behavioral, cognitive, electrophysiological and neuroanatomical characteristics, along with the retention of adolescent-typical sensitivities to acute ethanol challenge. These effects are generally not observed after comparable ethanol exposure in adulthood. Persistence of adolescent-typical phenotypes is not always evident, and may be related to regionally specific ethanol influences on the interplay between CNS excitation and inhibition critical for the timing of neuroplasticity.
On ordered weighted averaging aggregation operators in multicriteria decisionmaking

The author is primarily concerned with the problem of aggregating multicriteria to form an overall decision function. He introduces a type of operator for aggregation called an ordered weighted aggregation (OWA) operator and investigates the properties of this operator. The OWA's performance is found to be between those obtained using the AND operator, which requires all criteria to be satisfied, and the OR operator, which requires at least one criteria to be satisfied. >
Hydraulic Benchmark Data for PWR Mixing Vane Grid

Abstract The purpose of the present study is to present new hydraulic benchmark data obtained for PWR rod bundles for the purpose of benchmarking computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of the rod bundle. The flow field in a PWR fuel assembly downstream of structural grids which have mixing vane grids attached is very complex due to the geometry of the subchannel and the high axial component of the velocity field relative to the secondary flows which are used to enhance the heat transfer performance of the rod bundle. Westinghouse has a CFD methodology to model PWR rod bundles that was developed with prior benchmark test data. As improvements in testing techniques have become available, further PWR rod bundle testing is being performed to obtain advanced data which have high spatial and temporal resolution. This paper presents the advanced testing and benchmark data that has been obtained by Westinghouse through collaboration with Texas A&M University.
Stability implications of the state factor model of soils as a nonlinear dynamical system

Abstract The dominant conceptual framework in pedology and soil geomorphology, the state factor model as exemplified by Jenny's “clorpt” equation, is reinterpreted as a nonlinear dynamical system. While the model in its most general form is insoluble, it may be solved with respect to the stability of the soil system for a particular soil property or phenomenon. A conceptual model of the degree of soil profile development in the context of the state factor model is shown to be asymptotically unstable and to have the potential to exhibit deterministic chaos. This suggests that spatial and temporal complexity in patterns of soil properties and soil development may be inherent in system dynamics, independently of any stochastic forcings or a priori variation in environmental controls.
Role of calcium antagonists as initial pharmacologic monotherapy for systemic hypertension in patients over 60 years of age

Hypertension is most prevalent in older patients and is associated with increasing morbidity and mortality with age. The ability of antihypertensive treatment to reduce these complications in the elderly is now well established. However, several aspects of the treatment of hypertension are being evaluated. In particular, there is a growing trend to avoid individualizing the choice of medication. This is of particular concern in older patients who may differ in the pathophysiology of their hypertension, in their accompanying medical conditions, and in how they may respond to antihypertensive drugs. In addition, elderly hypertensives are often taking a number of medications in addition to antihypertensive drugs. This, along with the fact that the elderly often metabolize drugs more slowly, makes this group particularly susceptible to drug-drug interactions and pharmacologically induced toxic side effects. Considering these points, it appears that the calcium channel blockers are attractive antihypertensive agents for the elderly population.
Quarkonia correlators above deconfinement

We study the quarkonia correlators above deconfinement using the potential model with screened temperature-dependent potentials. We find that while the qualitative features of the spectral functions, such as the survival of the 1S state, can be reproduced by potential models, the temperature dependence of the correlators disagree with the recent lattice data.
Surface Reconstruction of Pt/Si(001)

Platinum-induced surface reconstructions on Si(001) were investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. The Si(001) surface shows c(4×6)+c(4×2)-type reconstruction after Pt hot deposition at 750 °C. The c(4×2) reconstruction is formed by regular arrangement of Pt ad-atoms at the hollow sites between two Si dimers on Si(001). The c(4×6) structure is formed by long-range ordering of Si dimers superimposed on the c(4×2) reconstruction. The surface reconstruction changes with the local Pt coverage and missing dimer density. An atomic model for c(4×6)+c(4×2) is proposed based on the observed c(4×4) surface reconstruction, a new surface reconstruction, which is observed following a high-temperature anneal at 900 °C. The c(4×4) surface reconstruction is regular and ordered in both the dimer-row direction and the direction perpendicular to the dimer rows. The reconstruction is formed by the regular arrangement of Si dimers and Pt ad-atoms sitting on top of the hollow sites surrounded by two dimers. An atomic model for this new reconstruction is proposed.
Acquisition and extinction as a function of magnitude and percentage of reinforcement

Twelve groups of six rats each were trained and extinguished on a discrete-trial barpress response under three levels of amount of reinforcement (1, 4, and 16 20-mg food pellets) and four levels of percentage of training reinforcement (25, 50, 75, and 100%). Factorial analyses of variance indicated that there was a linear relationship between acquisition scores and percentage of reinforcement, with no relative advantage for the partially reinforced groups over the 176 training trials, and that the usual runway result of greater resistance to extinction in partially reinforced groups with high amounts of reinforcement did not occur.
Regulation of transportation noise in the United States

Abstract An overview is provided of the status of transportation-noise regulation in the U.S.A., with special emphasis upon community-noise aspects, upon actions at the Federal level, and upon current events resulting from the Noise Control Act of 1972. The Noise Control Act of 1972 is first reviewed, with emphasis on portions which can affect transportation noise. Regulatory actions affecting surface-transportation noise are reviewed, including those which recently have been or are about to be proposed by the EPA: Operational noise-emission regulations for interstate rail and motor carriers in use, and new vehicle noise-emission standards for medium- and heavy-duty trucks. In a review of regulation of noise from air transportation, emphasis is placed on current efforts under way, at both EPA and FAA, to develop a comprehensive set of regulations (for FAA promulgation) on (a) flight operational rules for aircraft, (b) design or modification of aircraft for limitation of their noise-emission characteristics, and (c) design and operation of airports and adjacent land uses for mutual compatibility.
Effects of Experimental Seaweed Deposition on Lizard and Ant Predation in an Island Food Web

The effect of environmental change on ecosystems is mediated by species interactions. Environmental change may remove or add species and shift life-history events, altering which species interact at a given time. However, environmental change may also reconfigure multispecies interactions when both species composition and phenology remain intact. In a Caribbean island system, a major manifestation of environmental change is seaweed deposition, which has been linked to eutrophication, overfishing, and hurricanes. Here, we show in a whole-island field experiment that without seaweed two predators—lizards and ants—had a substantially greater-than-additive effect on herbivory. When seaweed was added to mimic deposition by hurricanes, no interactive predator effect occurred. Thus environmental change can substantially restructure food-web interactions, complicating efforts to predict anthropogenic changes in ecosystem processes.
Emergence of Ixodes scapularis and Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease vector and agent, in Ohio

Lyme disease, the most common vector-borne disease in the United States, is caused by a tick-borne infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Currently, Ohio is considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be non-endemic for Lyme disease. The low incidence of Lyme disease in this state was largely attributed to the absence of the transmitting vector, Ixodes scapularis, commonly known as the blacklegged tick. However, a tick surveillance program established by Ohio Department of Health indicated that the number of I. scapularis ticks in Ohio had increased sharply in recent years, from 0 - 5 ticks per year during 1983 - 2008 to 15 in 2009, 40 in 2010, and 184 in 2011. During the fall deer hunting season, examination of deer heads submitted to Ohio Department of Agriculture found 29 I. scapularis from 7 counties in 2010 and 1,830 from 25 counties in 2011. As of 2012, the tick had been found in 57 of the 88 counties of Ohio. In addition, all three active stages (larva, nymph, and adult) of I. scapularis were found in Tiverton Township of Coshocton County, demonstrating the presence of established tick populations at this central Ohio location. Of 530 nymphal or adult I. scapularis analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), 32 (6.1%) tested positive for the B. burgdorferi flaB gene, ranging from 36 to 390,000 copies per tick. Antibodies to B. burgdorferi antigens were detected in 2 of 10 (20%) field-captured Peromyscus leucopus from Tiverton Township, and in 41 of 355 (11.5%) dogs residing in Ohio. Collectively, these data suggest that the enzootic life cycle of B. burgdorferi has become established in Ohio, which poses risk of Lyme disease to people and animals in the area.
Hollow Cathode and Keeper-region Plasma Measurements Using Ultra-fast Miniature Scanning Probes

In order to support the development of comprehensive performance and life models for future deep space missions that will utilize ion thrusters, we have undertaken a study of the plasma structure in hollow cathodes using an new pneumatic scanning probe diagnostic. This device is designed to insert a miniature probe directly into the hollow cathode orifice from either the upstream insert region in the interior of the hollow cathode, or from the downstream keeper-plasma region at the exit of the hollow cathode, to provide complete axial profiles of the discharge plasma parameters. Previous attempts to diagnose this region with probes was Limited by the melting of small probes in the intense discharge near the orifice, or caused significant perturbation of the plasma by probes large enough to survive. Our new probe is extremely compact, and when configured as a single Langmuir probe, the ceramic tube insulator is only 0.5mm in diameter and the current collecting conductor has a total area of 0.002 cm2. A series of current-voltage characteristics are obtained by applying a rapid sawtooth voltage waveform to the probe as it is scanned by the pneumatic actuator into and out of the plasma region, The bellow-sealed pneumatic drive scans the probe 4 cm in the cathode insert region and 10 cm in the anode/keeper plasmas region at average speeds of about 1 mm/msec, and the residence time at the end of the insertion stroke in the densest part of the plasma near the orifice is measured to be only 10 msec. Since the voltage sweep time is fast compared to the motion of the probe, axial profiles of the plasma density, temperature and potential with reasonable spatial resolution are obtained. Measurements of the internal cathode pressures and the axial plasma-parameter profiles for a hollow cathode operating at discharge currents of up to 35 A in xenon will be presented.
Infradiaphragmatic extralobar pulmonary sequestration masquerading as an intra-abdominal, suprarenal mass

Three infants were found to have infradiaphragmatic masses by prenatal ultrasound. Postnatal imaging studies confirmed the presence of these masses, which were suspected of being intra-abdominal malignancies (neuroblastoma). The other principal differential diagnosis was extralobar pulmonary sequestration (EPS). Intraoperative findings were consistent with EPS, which was confirmed by histologic examination. We present these three infants, review the literature, and discuss the evaluation and treatment of infradiaphragmatic EPS.
Direct Evidence For Diazepam Modulation of GABAA Receptor Microscopic Affinity

Alteration of agonist affinity is a potential mechanism for pharmacological modulation of ligand-gated receptor channel function. The time course for receptor activation and current onset is determined by the combined rates for two kinetic transitions that underlie the protein confirmations for binding agonist and channel gating. Using ultrafast ligand exchange techniques, we distinguish between these previously difficult to separate events and demonstrate their independent pharmacological modulation. Diazepam, which increases apparent affinity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to GABAA receptors, was used to examine its effects on GABA binding and ion channel gating of expressed alpha 2 beta 1 gamma 2 receptors from excised outside-out patches of acutely transfected HEK 293 cells. Diazepam increased rates of current onset evoked by low concentrations (< 1 mM) but not at saturating GABA concentrations. Furthermore, rates of current decay were not affected during brief applications of GABA, and thus, demonstrated a diazepam specific effect on ligand binding affinity and not channel gating kinetics. However, current decay during and following prolonged GABA applications were altered by diazepam in a fashion similar to that for higher concentrations of GABA which also increased receptor desensitization. These findings and analysis by computer modeling indicated that diazepam likely enhances GABA receptor currents primarily by accelerating GABA association to its receptor at the first agonist binding site. These results provide the first direct physiological evidence for pharmacological modulation of microscopic binding affinity of GABA receptors.
Iron Binding Proteins in Selected Human Peripheral Blood Cell Sets: Immunofluorescence

Summary. Selected populations of human peripheral blood T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, monocytes and polymorphonuclear cells were examined for their intracellular content of lactoferrin transferrin and ferritin by an indirect inimunofluorescence technique. Lactoferrin was found in polymorphs but not in lymphoid cells. Two different lactoferrin staining patterns were observed which we designated ‘perinuclear’, characterized by a ring of positive material round the nucleus, and cytoplasmic, in which most positive material was distributed in the cytoplasm. The former staining pattern was found in high density polymorphs the latter was associated with low density polymorphs occasionally found contaminating the peripheral blood mononuclear cell suspension. After incubation in vitro, the peri-nuclear pattern changed to cytoplasmic staining. Transferrin was found in T cells and polyniorphs. In contrast, only a few transferrin containing cells were detected in the B cell and monocyte fractions. Following overnight incubation, a halo of positive material was found surrounding T cells stained for transferrin, suggesting that T cells released transferrin during incubation. Ferritin was also found in T cells and adherent cells. Following latex particle ingestion, the intensity of ferritin staining was markedly increased. Only a small proportion of lymphoid cells and monocytes stained for transferrin or ferritin in the total peripheral blood mononuclear cell suspension. The results indicate, therefore, that in response to manipulation procedures used routinely for the selection of human peripheral blood lymphoid cells, detectable amounts of transferrin and ferritin are present in T but not B cells. The fact that T cells are equipped with proteins known to participate in binding and storage of iron may constitute, at least in part, the basis for the contribution of these cells to the regulation of other major biological systems.
Feeding Channel Catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, Diets Amended with Refined Marine Fish Oil Elevates Omega-3 Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Fillets

Channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, 88.4 ± 2.6 g/fish, were fed a basal diet amended with 4% of three processed menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus, oils. These were compared with basal diets amended with 4% corn oil or 4% canola oil. Three replicate aquaria of nine fish each were fed assigned diets twice daily. At 6 wk, fish were group weighed, fillets were collected for sensory evaluation, fatty acid analysis by gas chromatography (GC). In a second study, catfish, 118.8 ± 3.2 g/fish, were stocked into fifteen 0.04-ha earthen ponds and fed once daily for 16 wk one of four diets containing 2 or 4% of either catfish offal oil or refined (RF) menhaden oil. At harvest, fillets were saved for sensory evaluation and fatty acid analysis. Results showed no significant (P > 0.05) differences among treatments for aquarium study and pond study variables such as weight gain, fillet proximate analysis, or pond production. GC analysis showed that levels of omega-3 (n-3) highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) in fillet lipid were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated for fish fed menhaden oil diets. Sensory evaluation revealed that fillets from fish fed RF menhaden oil had satisfactory flavor and could be a source of n-3 HUFA for humans.
Extracting roads from dense point clouds in large scale urban environment

Abstract This paper describes a method for extracting roads from a large scale unstructured 3D point cloud of an urban environment consisting of many superimposed scans taken at different times. Given a road map and a point cloud, our system automatically separates road surfaces from the rest of the point cloud. Starting with an approximate map of the road network given in the form of 2D intersection locations connected by polylines, we first produce a 3D representation of the map by optimizing Cardinal splines to minimize the distances to points of the cloud under continuity constraints. We then divide the road network into independent patches, making it feasible to process a large point cloud with a small in-memory working set. For each patch, we fit a 2D active contour to an attractor function with peaks at small vertical discontinuities to predict the locations of curbs. Finally, we output a set of labeled points, where points lying within the active contour are tagged as “road” and the others are not. During experiments with a LIDAR point set containing almost a billion points spread over six square kilometers of a city center, our method provides 86% correctness and 94% completeness.
Resonance Raman of viologen radicals

Abstract The resonance Raman effect of the radical cation of4,4'-bipyridinium salts was recorded and correlated with the Raman spectra of the parent molecules. The radicals were produced either chemically or radiolytically. The correlation between the radical cation and its parent salt is then compared with the correlation between the radical anion of biphenyl and its parent molecule.