cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Allergen-triggered airway hyperresponsiveness and lung pathology in mice sensitized with the biopesticide Metarhizium anisopliae.

Abstract Metarhizium anisopliae is an entomopathogenic fungus recently licensed for indoor control of cockroaches, a major source of allergens. While M. anisopliae has been shown to be non-infectious and non-toxic to mammals there has been only limited research on potential allergenicity. Using a mouse model, we previously demonstrated allergic immune and inflammatory responses to this agent. The present study was designed to determine whether these responses were associated with changes in pulmonary responses, lung pathology, and the cytokine profile in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Soluble factors from fungal components were combined in equal protein amounts to form M. anisopliae crude antigen (MACA). BALB/C mice were intratracheally (IT) challenged with 10 μg MACA 14 days post intraperitoneal sensitization with 25 μg fungal antigen in aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Physiological and cellular changes were examined. The mice were tested for airway hyperresponsiveness before (No Chal) and after (1, 3, and 8 days post challenge (DPIT)) MACA IT challenge. Subsequently, serum, BALF and the lungs were harvested. All treatment groups concurrently demonstrated significant non-specific pulmonary inflammation (neutrophil influx) and increased pulmonary sensitivity to methacholine (Mch) at 1 DPIT MACA challenge. Where as both adjuvant treated and naive mice airway responses had returned to near normal levels by 3 DPIT, mice which were previously sensitized with MACA were still hyperresponsive to Mch challenge at 3 and 8 DPIT. This hyperresponsiveness correlates with eosinophil and lymphocyte influx, which is maximal at 3 DPIT and still elevated at 8 DPIT. Interleukin (IL) 5 was elevated for all treatment groups at 1 DPIT but only the MACA sensitized mice maintained elevated levels for both 3 and 8 DPIT. Furthermore, MACA sensitized mice had a more extensive inflammatory histopathology at all examined time points with peribronchial and perivascular infiltrates, like those associated with allergic responsiveness, peaking at 3 DPIT. These pulmonary pathologic changes appeared to be consistent with elevated levels of serum and BALF total IgE, BALF IL-4, eosinophils, and lymphocytes following MACA IT challenge in MACA sensitized mice. There were no significant differences among the three treatment groups with regard to BALF interferon (IFN) γ. The cytokines profiled indicate a Th2-type response, which is reflected in the cellular influx and total IgE induction. These data further indicate that immune inflammatory responses, observed in mice following MACA sensitization and challenge, are associated with physiologic changes and histopathology characteristic of allergic disease.
JMP statistical discovery software

JMP is a statistical software environment that enables scientists, engineers, and business analysts to make discoveries through data exploration. One powerful method for beginning the process of discovery employs statistically designed experiments. A well-designed experiment ensures that the resulting data have large information content. We support this method with custom design, an innovative approach to the statistical design of experiments. But whether your results come from designed experiments or from an observational study, we provide analytical tools that put graphs up front. JMP's graphical user interface (GUI) makes these plots interactive and dynamically linked to each other and to the data. Moreover, in the design of JMP's user interface the priority was to make a smooth and natural workflow for data analysis. Notice how the data exploration flows in the following case study that investigates the relationship between life expectancy and health-care spending for 166 countries. WIREs Comp Stat 2011 3 188–194 DOI: 10.1002/wics.162 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website
Seasonal and annual variation in nitrogen mineralization and nitrification along an elevational gradient in New Mexico

Patterns and amounts of nitrogen loss from disturbed ecosystems vary widely. The mineralization of organic nitrogen to ammonium and then nitrification to nitrate are important processes regulating nitrogen cycling rates and nitrogen losses. Nitrification is a significant process because of the production of the nitrate anion which is easily leached or denitrified. Most studies of these processes do not evaluate their seasonal and yearly variations. This study demonstrates that marked seasonal and yearly variations can occur in these processes in different ecosystems and suggests that nitrogen loss or other system properties correlated with one arbitrarily selected collection can be misleading. Spruce-fir and ponderosa pine ecosystems demonstrated little actual orpotential nitrification. Aspen and mixed conifer ecosystems demonstrated distinct seasonal patterns with increased rates of mineralization and nitrification during spring and summer months and a precipitous decline in both rates coincident with autumn foliage litterfall.
Evidence for behavioral benefits of early dietary supplementation with CoEnzymeQ10 in a slowly progressing mouse model of Huntington's disease

Controversies surround the usefulness of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in Huntington's disease (HD), an autosomal dominant, fatal, neurodegenerative disease with no cure or disease modifying treatment. CoQ10, an endogenous substrate for electron transport and an anti-oxidant, has been shown in some but not all studies to improve symptoms and survival in mouse models of HD. Previous studies have been conducted in fast-progressing models that better mimic the juvenile forms of HD than the much more common middle-age onset form, possibly accounting for mixed results. Establishing the usefulness of CoQ10 to alter HD disease course in a model that better recapitulates the progressive features of the human disorder is important because clinical trials of CoQ10, which is safe and well tolerated, are being planned in patients. The CAG140 knock-in (KI) mouse model of HD in which an expanded (approximately 120) CAG repeat is inserted in the mouse gene provides a model of the mutation in the proper genomic and protein context. These mice display progressive motor, cognitive and emotional anomalies, transcriptional disturbances and late striatal degeneration. Homozygote mutant CAG140 KI mice and wild-type littermates were fed CoQ10 (0.2%, 0.6%) in chow, and behavioral and pathological markers of disease were examined. CoQ10 improved early behavioral deficits and normalized some transcriptional deficits without altering huntingtin aggregates in striatum. The lower dose (0.2%) was more beneficial than 0.6%. Similar to previous studies, this low dose also induced deleterious effects in open field and rotarod in WT mice, however these effects are of unclear clinical significance in view of the excellent safety profile of CoQ10 in humans. These data confirm that CoQ10 may be beneficial in HD but suggest that maximum benefit may be observed when treatment is begun at early stages of the disease and that dosage may be critical.
A Strong Compatibilist Account of Settling

AbstractIn A Metaphysics for Freedom (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012), Helen Steward argues that agents settle things when they act, and that in order for agents to settle things, the universe must be indeterministic. Steward suggests a ‘weak’ account of settling, on which settling is compatible with determinism, but she rightly claims that this weak account is unacceptable. In this paper, I argue that the weak account of settling is not the best account of settling available to the compatibilist. In the first part of this paper, I present a ‘strong’ compatibilist account of settling, and argue that this account avoids the problems faced by the weak account. In the second part of this paper, I argue against Steward's claim that compatibilist accounts of settling must depend on the truth of causal theories of action.
George W. Hill, Class of 1859

George W. Hill (1838-1914) was one of the most celebrated academics of his time. He received innumerable academic awards and honors, excelling in mathematics, nautical, astronomy, and celestial mechanics.
Helminth fauna of the wolf (Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758) in Belorussian Polesie

The results of our own long-term helminthological investigations (1980-2010) of wolves in Belorussian Polesie are presented. 87.2% of wolves were infected by helminths according to helminthological autopsy, and 98.5% by coproscopical data. 26 species of helminths were found: 5 trematode species, 9 cestode species, 11 nematode species and 1 acanthocephalan species. The wolf is a new host for nematode Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) in Belarus.
On the martingale framework for futures prices

We provide a framework for the martingale representation for futures prices which has some concrete advantages over the classical treatments of Duffie (Dynamic Asset Pricing Theory, 3rd Edition, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2001) or Karatzas and Shreve (Brownian Motion and Stochastic Calculus, 2nd Edition, Springer, New York, 1997). In particular, the new formulation accommodates models where the distribution of the associated risk-free rate has unbounded support. This relaxation is particularly useful in the theory of LIBOR futures.
An Algebra of Effects in the Formalism of Quantum Mechanics on Phase Space

Defining an addition of the effects in the formalism of quantum mechanics on phase space, we obtain a new effect algebra that is strictly contained in the effect algebra of all effects. A new property of the phase space formalism comes to light, namely that the new effect algebra does not contain any pair of noncommuting projections. In fact, in this formalism, there are no nontrivial projections at all. We illustrate this with the spin-1/2 algebra and the momentum/position algebra. Next, we equip this algebra of effects with the sequential product and get an interpretation of why certain properties fail to hold.
Clinical decisions. Management of stable coronary disease--polling results.

In late October, we presented the case of a patient with stable coronary artery disease in Clinical Decisions,1 an interactive feature designed to assess how readers would manage a clinical problem for which there may be more than one appropriate treatment. Our patient was a 65-year-old man with hypertension, obesity, and type 2 diabetes who presented with a 2-week history of exertional angina. He underwent an exercise-tolerance test on a treadmill, along with myocardial perfusion imaging, which showed a fixed anterior defect and a reversible anterolateral defect, both of moderate size. His subsequent cardiac catheterization revealed an occluded first diagonal . . .
I've got a little list.

We all enjoy top 10 lists or other numerical variants, be they selections of riverside pubs, classic rock guitarists or neurosurgeons, the world's best beaches, or the Mann-Booker shortlist. Such lists allow us to focus our own views and congratulate ourselves for our good taste or astute judgment: “The list seems valid, as they chose Mark Knopfler, Jeff Beck, and Eddie Van Halen.” They also permit us to scoff at the ignorance or lack of taste of the compilers: “Where are Joe Perry, Dickie Betts, and Stephen Stills?” But I digress. Rarely do these lists have the explicit quantitative criteria that would satisfy a Cochrane collaborator. But the fun—and frustration—is in the subjectivity of the choices. If readers find themselves in agreement with over half the list then some modicum of satisfaction is achieved. Thus all BMJ readers will have turned, with a sense of anticipation mixed with scepticism, to the list in this supplement of the top 15 (egregious inflation of the more decimally traditional 10 or the more familiar dozen) medical milestones of the past 166 years. The list was developed by …
Explicated models constructed under time pressure: Utility modeling versus process tracing

Abstract Two multiattribute utility models, the additive (AMAU) and the multiplicative (MMAU), were compared to the average process model (AP), a variation on the concepts used in the process tracing approach. The principal difference between the AP and the utility models is that the AP uses introspection as part of its modeling technique. The models were compared in the context of judging severity of heart problems. Seven experts, working under time pressure, served as subjects. All three models were constructed in 45-min interviews with the experts. Comparisons gave varied results, some clearer than others. The AP model was more accurate than the AMAU model. On one data set the AP and the MMAU had similar accuracy rates, whereas on another the AP was clearly more accurate. Despite variations, these results suggest that anticipatory introspection improved the predictive accuracy of utility models constructed under time pressure.
Glial membrane specializations in extraparanodal regions.

Previous freeze-fracture studies of central myelinated nerve fibres have demonstrated a distinctive junction in the paranodal region formed between the terminal loops of the glial cell and the axolemma. This unique junction is characterized by the presence of diagonally oriented rows of particles in the P face and to a lesser extent in the E face of the glial cell and an equivalent pattern in the axolemma. In both, the rows are spaced at 250–300 A intervals. Although this junction was originally thought to be peculiar to the paranodal region, examples of the same pattern have now been seen in extraparanodal regions in the central nervous system where they appear as circumscribed patches of membrane exhibiting a pattern identical to that in the paranodal glial loops. All examples found were in the immediate vicinity of myelinated nerve fibres and in one case the membrane containing the specialized patch was identified as a lamella of a myelin sheath. These observations constitute evidence that this distinctive membrane specialization is not limited to the paranodal axoglial junction but can also be found in glial membranes not in immediate contact with the specialized membrane of the paranodal axolemma.
Optimal h-p finite element methods

Abstract A theory of optimal Petrov-Galerkin, h-p version, finite element approximations is presented. The optimal scheme is denned relative to a fine mesh solution space and relative to an arbitrary symmetric bilinear form. The optimal method leads to a symmetric, positive-definite stiffness matrix which is independent of the coefficients of the given problem, exhibits ‘extra superconvergence’ properties, and has a relative error that can be calculated exactly, at each point in the problem domain. Various generalizations are also discussed, including the connection of these methods with certain preconditioning schemes.
Ventilatory Effects of the Nonimmobilizer 1,2-dichlorohexafluorocyclobutane (2n) in Swine

UNLABELLED Nonimmobilizers (inhaled compounds that do not suppress movement in response to a noxious stimulus) resemble anesthetics in their capacity to suppress memory, but unlike anesthetics, they can cause convulsions. Higher concentrations of nonimmobilizers may cause death, even with apparent suppression of convulsions by the concurrent administration of conventional inhaled anesthetics. We hypothesized that nonimmobilizers can depress ventilation and can cause death by adding to the depression of ventilation produced by conventional anesthetics. To test these hypotheses, we administered 1,2-dichlorohexafluorocyclobutane (2N) to four pigs anesthetized with desflurane. The addition of 2N decreased PaCO2 and tended to increase the slope of the ventilatory response to imposed increases in PETCO2. Limited results from study of two other nonimmobilizers (2,3-dichlorooctafluorobutane and perfluoropentane), in two pigs each, were consistent with the findings for 2N. However, experimental limitations (e.g., toxicity of 2,3-dichlorooctafluorobutane, and hypoxia from perfluoropentane) confound interpretation of these latter results. Our findings do not support our hypotheses--2N (and presumably all nonimmobilizers) seems to be a respiratory stimulant, not a depressant. IMPLICATIONS A new class of inhaled compounds, nonimmobilizers, allow tests of how inhaled anesthetics act. Nonimmobilizers may act like anesthetics (e.g., impair learning) or may not (e.g., do not prevent movement in response to a noxious stimulus). The present work shows that, unlike anesthetics,nonimmobilizers do not depress breathing.
Efficient online top-K retrieval with arbitrary similarity measures

The top-k retrieval problem requires finding k objects most similar to a given query object. Similarities between objects are most often computed as aggregated similarities of their attribute values. We consider the case where the similarities between attribute values are arbitrary (non-metric), due to which standard space partitioning indexes cannot be used. Among the most popular techniques that can handle arbitrary similarity measures is the family of threshold algorithms. These were designed as middleware algorithms that assume that similarity lists for each attribute are available and focus on efficiently merging these lists to arrive at the results. In this paper, we explore multi-dimensional indexing of non-metric spaces that can lead to efficient pruning of the search space utilizing inter-attribute relationships, during top-k computation. We propose an indexing structure, the AL-Tree and an algorithm to do top-k retrieval using it in an online fashion. The ALTree exploits the fact that many real world attributes come from a small value space. We show that our algorithm performs much better than the threshold based algorithms in terms of computational cost due to efficient pruning of the search space. Further, it out-performs them in terms of IOs by upto an order of magnitude in case of dense datasets.
An updated probabilistic fracture mechanics methodology for application to pressurized thermal shock

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is, in concert with the US nuclear industry, currently revisiting its rule and analysis requirements for pressurized thermal shock (PTS) scenarios. This paper provides an overview of an updated probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) methodology that is continuing to evolve as part of that effort. The evolution process includes a careful assessment of recent advancements that have been made in the various parts of the computational methodologies. The process also involves interactions between experts in relevant disciplines (thermal hydraulics, PRA, materials, fracture mechanics, and non-destructive and destructive examination). Representatives include staff members from the USNRC staff, research laboratories, and the nuclear industry. The updated methodology is being integrated into the FAVOR (Fracture Analysis of Vessels: Oak Ridge) computer code for application to re-examine the adequacy of the current regulations and to determine if the updates provide sufficient technical bases for revisions. This paper also discusses recent modifications to the probabilistic fracture mechanics (PFM) methodology that is central to FAVOR.
Asymmetric Gasdynamic Mirror Fusion Propulsion Concept

The gasdynamic mirror (GDM) fusion propulsion concept utilizes a high density plasma in which the collision mean free path far exceeds the length of the system allowing the plasma to behave much like a fluid with confinement properties described by the gasdynamic laws. The symmetric system characterized by equal mirror ratios at each end (suitable for a power reactor) is not particularly useful as a thruster unless the magnetic fluid at one mirror is so tailored as to not cancel the thrust generated at the opposite end. Clearly, an asymmetric device is more appropriate for a propulsion engine especially when one end can be utilized to direct the escaping charged particles to a direct converter that can be used in conjunction with other energy conversion components to allow the system to be self-sustaining once it is ignited. In this paper we present the relevant analysis that underlies the performance of an asymmetric gasdynamic mirror propulsion device.
Pulmonary fissure segmentation on CT.

A pulmonary fissure is a boundary between the lobes in the lungs. Its segmentation is of clinical interest as it facilitates the assessment of lung disease on a lobar level. This paper describes a new approach for segmenting the major fissures in both lungs on thin-section computed tomography (CT). An image transformation called “ridge map” is proposed for enhancing the appearance of fissures on CT. A curve-growing process, modeled by a Bayesian network, is described that is influenced by both the features of the ridge map and prior knowledge of the shape of the fissure. The process is implemented in an adaptive regularization framework that balances these influences and reflects the causal dependencies in the Bayesian network using an entropy measure. The method effectively alleviates the problem of inappropriate weights of regularization terms, an effect that can occur with static regularization methods. The method was applied to segment and visualize the lobes of the lungs on chest CT of 10 patients with pulmonary nodules. Only 78 out of 3286 left or right lung regions with fissures (2.4%) required manual correction. The average distance between the automatically segmented and the manually delineated “ground–truth” fissures was 1.01 mm, which was similar to the average distance of 1.03 mm between two sets of manually segmented fissures. The method has a linear-time worst-case complexity and segments the upper lung from the lower lung on a standard computer in less than 5 min.
Temperature-Actuated Changes in Wettability at Elastomer/Water Interfaces

Surface modification of 1,4-polybutadiene and cis-1,4-polyisoprene to introduce polar functional groups provided surfaces that reconstructed reversibly against water as a function of temperature. These surfaces became hydrophobic in contact with hot water, but their original hydrophilicity returned upon equilibration against cold water. Repeated cycling between hot and cold water, however, led to a damping of this reversibility. A series of parallel experiments on both the interfacial and bulk behavior of these elastomers strongly indicated that this damping was due to the alignment of extended interfacial chains during temperature cycling and to a decay of the restoring force on the interfacial chains under extension. These studies thus demonstrate that the interfacial behavior of elastomers can display close analogies to the bulk viscoelastic properties of the solid.
A game theoretic analysis of faculty competition and academic standards

Grade inflation, particularly but not exclusively in higher education, is a serious concern of educators, educational policy-makers and researchers. It has been suggested that student evaluations of faculty are among its principal causes because students tend to give favorable evaluations to professors who give high grades, and that these evaluations are used by university administrators as part of the criteria for promotions, salary increases and similar faculty benefits. This explanation suggests that faculty members compete for favorable student evaluations. It can be generalized to state that faculty members cooperate and compete not only for favorable evaluations, but also for the enrollment of students in the courses they teach. The relevance of faculty cooperation and competition suggests that the Theory of Games could be a useful instrument to analyze the interactions among university professors. The object of this paper is to present a model based on these assumptions and to analyze the consequences that can be derived from it that are relevant for university policy decisions.
Note on the Atiyah-Singer index theorem

The Atiyah-Singer index theorem has recently been used to determine the number of parameters entering the general self-dual Euclidean Yang-Mills configuration with a given topological charge. We give a simple derivation of the form which the index theorem takes in this application.
A CCD Implemented Adaptive Filter for Estimation and Suppression of Narrowband Interference in a PN Spread Spectrum Receiver

Analytical results have shown that adaptive filtering can be a powerful tool for the rejection of narrowband interference in a spread spectrum receiver. However, the complexity of adaptive filter hardware has stymied the experimental verification of these results. This paper describes a 16-tap LMS adaptive filter which uses a burst processing technique to obtain both hardware savings and simplification in implementation. The suppression of a single tone jammer in a direct sequence spread spectrum receiver is investigated, and a probability of error curve demonstrating quantitatively the effectiveness of the adaptive filter is presented.
Biochemical and hormonal variables in black and white women matched for age and weight.

Abstract Weight and age may influence the levels of indexes of bone remodeling and the calciotropic hormones. In a study of interracial differences in these women, our black population was heavier than our white population. We therefore matched a subset of 96 black and 96 white women from our larger population for age and weight to determine whether a racial difference exists independent of the effects of weight and age. In addition, we were able to measure other indexes of bone remodeling (N-telopeptide of cross-linked collagen and pyridinoline cross-links), as well as hormones that may influence calcium metabolism (insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin, calcitonin, and gastrin) in this subset. All indexes of bone remodeling were lower in black women. Black postmenopausal women had lower serum levels of calcidiol and higher parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. The higher bone mass of black women is associated with lower bone remodeling in the presence of skeletal resistance to PTH. Serum IGF-1, insulin, and calcitonin levels did not differ significantly between races. Serum gastrin levels were higher in black women. The higher levels of gastrin in black women should be investigated further for its possible effect on the absorption of calcium salts.
Induction of luciferase synthesis in Beneckea harveyi by other marine bacteria

It has been previously demonstrated that luciferase synthesis in the luminous marine bacteria, Beneckea harveyi and Photobacterium fischeri is induced only when sufficient concentrations of metabolic products (autoinducers) of these bacteria accumulate in growth media. Thus, when cells are cultured in liquid medium there is a lag in luciferase synthesis. A quantitative bioassay for B. harveyi autoinducer was developed and it was shown that many marine bacteria produce a substance that mimics its action, but in different amounts, (20–130% of the activity produced by B. harveyi) depending on the species and strain. This is referred to as alloinduction. None of the bacteria tested produced detectable quantities of inducer for P. fischeri luciferase synthesis. These findings may have significance with respect to the ecology of B. harveyi and P. fischeri.
A software product line architecture for distributed real-time and embedded systems: a separation of concerns approach

This paper presents a separation of concerns approach to solve the tangling problem of functional and Quality of Service (QoS) concerns in traditional Component-based Software Engineering (CBSE) and Software Product Line (SPL) technologies applied to Distributed Real-time and Embedded (DRE) systems. This problem originates from the interchangeability for fulfilling functional and QoS concerns during composition. The approach utilizes the perspective of QoS to design and analyze a set of software systems represented by a collection of QoS systemic paths, which determine how well functional tasks perform in terms of flows of application-specific and functionality-determined information between components. Our approach not only reserves the virtues of reusability, changeability, productivity and expeditiousness that traditional CBSE and SPL technologies possess, but also dedicates the contributions in terms of separation of concerns, design space exploration, fine-grained commonality and reusability evaluation and less subjective feasibility analyses for a component-based SPL.
Responding to Security Threats in the Post-9/11 Era: A Portrait of U.S. Urban Public Transit

The 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, and subsequent public transit system attacks in Madrid in 2004 and London in 2005, dramatically elevated concerns about the security of open, accessible transit systems. Accordingly, the authors report on a survey of 113 U.S. transit systems regarding their post-9/11 policies and practices. Sixteen of the 80 surveyed systems with rail service and/or enclosed bus or ferry terminals reported receiving a credible threat (e.g., bomb, chemical, biological, fire attacks) in the previous year, with most threats concentrated on just a few of the largest systems. Not surprisingly, attention to transit security increased significantly after 9/11, partly in response to federal mandates. Although attention to policing, security technologies, and public education all increased since 9/11, crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) strategies increased the most. Despite measurable programmatic progress, however, many respondents believe that meaningfully securing urban transit systems remains a daunting, perhaps insurmountable, challenge.
Type A-Type B behavior and daily milk consumption in college students

A comparison of the daily milk consumption of students demonstrating Type A and Type B behavior patterns was performed as an indication of their daily calcium intake. Results indicate that Type As ingest an average of 35% less milk per day than do Type Bs. A link between Type As’ reduced calcium intake and increased incidence of hypertension and coronary disease is suggested.
Effects of environmental dilution on body fluid regulation in the yellow stingray, Urolophus jamaicensis.

Abstract Adult yellow stingrays ( Urolophus jamaicensis ), collected off the southeast Florida coast, were maintained in filtered and re-circulated synthetic sea water (33‰) for 5–13 days at 30°C. Animals exposed to 82%, 74% and 66% SW in gradual steps exhibited rapid and significant weight gains followed by recovery to pre-dilution levels in 2–6 days. Acclimated animals at each salinity [100% ( N =12), 82% (7), 74% (4) and 66% SW (3)] were anesthetized (MS222) and bled from the caudal vein. In 100% SW, stingray plasma was slightly hypo-osmotic to the external medium. Plasma osmolality decreased with stepwise dilutions, but became increasingly hyperosmotic to the bathing media. Plasma [Na] and [Cl] each decreased by approximately 13%, 23% and 16%, respectively, in 82%, 74% and 66% SW. Plasma [urea] decreased by 21%, 25% and 59%, respectively. Changes in plasma [K] and [Ca] were minor. Mean corpuscular [Hb] measurements suggest that stingray red cells swelled less at each dilution than predicted for a passive erythrocyte osmometer. RBC [K] decreased by 12%, 36% and 29%, respectively, in 82%, 74% and 66% SW. Quantitatively, the other measured electrolytes (Cl, Na and Ca) changed by lesser amounts. Results suggest that for mild and moderate dilutions (82% and 74% SW), yellow stingrays release both ions and urea from intracellular and extracellular compartments. With further dilution (66% SW), the elasmobranchs retain electrolytes at the expense of urea.
Asymptotic Behavior of Müntz Orthogonal Polynomials

We provide a representation for the Muntz orthogonal polynomials as a real integral. This allows us to establish a general result on their asymptotic behavior within the interval of orthogonality. This is the first time that such asymptotics have been obtained for general Muntz exponents {λn}. We consider some special cases, particularly when the exponents satisfy the asymptotic relation $$\lim_{n\rightarrow\infty}\frac{n}{\lambda_n}=\rho $$ for some constant ρ>0.
The comparative growth promoting action of indole-3-acetic acid and Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

LooMIs, W. E. 1935. The translocation of carbohydrates in maize. Iowa State Coll. Jour. Sci. 9: 509-520. LUCKWILL, L. C. 1948. The hormone content of the seed in relation to endosperm development and fruit drop in the apple. Jour. Hort. Sci. 24: 32-44. MANGELSDORF, P. C. 1926. The genetics and morphology of some endosperm characters in maize. Connecticut Agric. Exp. Sta. Bull. 279: 513-614. 9AND R. G. REEVES. 1931. Hybridization of maize, Tripsacum, and Euchlaena. Jour. Heredity 22: 329343. , and . 1939. The origin of Indian corn and its relatives. Texas Agric. Exp. Sta. Bull. 574. MULLER-THURGAU, H. 1908. Kernlose Traubenbeeren und Obstfruchte. Landw. Jahrb. Schweiz 22: 560593. MURNEEK, A. E. 1937. Recent advances in physiology of reproduction of plants. Science 86: 43-47. PETERSON, D. F. 1942. Duration of receptiveness in corn silks. Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron. 34: 369-371. SWINGLE, W. T. 1928. Metaxenia in the date palm. Possibly a hormone action by the embryo or endosperm. Jour. Heredity 19: 257-268. SYLVAIN, P. G. 1945. Correlative development of the ear shoot of maize. Iowa State Coll. Jour. Sd. 20: 49-52. VAN OVERBEEK, J., MARIE E. CONKLIN, AND A. F. BLAKESLEE. 1941. Chemical stimulation of ovule development and its possible relation to parthenogenesis. Amer. Jour. Bot. 28: 647-656. WITTWER, S. H. 1943. Growth hormone production during sexual reproduction of higher plants. Missouri Agric. Exp. Sta. Res. Bull. 371.
Redescription of Sagum Epinepheli (Yamaguti & Yamasu) With Comments On the Validity of Pseudolernanthropus (Copepoda, Anthosomatidae)

[L'etude ci-dessus comprend une classification detaillee de Pseudolernanthropus epinepheli Yamaguti & Yamasu. Une comparaison de cette espece avec Sagum flagellatum et S. texanum a montre que Pseudolernanthropus est synonyme de Sagum. Toutes les especes placees par Yamaguti dans le genre Pseudolernanthropus sont donc a transferer a Sagum. Une definition revisee de Sagum Wilson est aussi donnee., L'etude ci-dessus comprend une classification detaillee de Pseudolernanthropus epinepheli Yamaguti & Yamasu. Une comparaison de cette espece avec Sagum flagellatum et S. texanum a montre que Pseudolernanthropus est synonyme de Sagum. Toutes les especes placees par Yamaguti dans le genre Pseudolernanthropus sont donc a transferer a Sagum. Une definition revisee de Sagum Wilson est aussi donnee.]
Examining the mechanisms of short-term solubilization of ground food waste for high-rate anaerobic digestion

Abstract Optimizing short-term solubilization is essential for high-rate anaerobic digestion of food waste. The purpose of this study was to measure the short-term kinetics of food waste solubilization and understand what mechanisms are responsible for driving food waste solubilization. Two solubilization assays were conducted to measure the solubilization of mechanically processed food waste. Three methods of mechanical grinding were utilized: an in-sink food disposer and a manual meat grinder with either small or medium size plate openings. A control assay was conducted to measure the release of endogenous soluble material into an aqueous medium. An enzyme assay was conducted to examine short-term food waste hydrolysis. The assays were diluted and buffered to prevent product and pH inhibition, respectively, and allow maximum solubilization to occur. Percent solubilization was calculated as the soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) fraction of total COD. Data from the two assays were used to calculate the kinetics of endogenous solubilization and enzymatic hydrolysis. Regardless of grinding method, food waste was 27% solubilized within 1 h through endogenous solubilization. Enzymatic hydrolysis was responsible for an additional 29–31% solubilization by 4 h. This study showed that ground food waste was approximately 60% solubilized within 4 h under optimal conditions.
Nucleic Acid Metabolism in Peanut Cotyledons.

Peanutt seeds are a unique material for the study of nutcleic acid metabolism. At the onset of germinatioln RNA synthesis is initiated in the cotyledons an(l the content per cotyledon doubles by a week after plantinig (4, 9). Subsequently the RNA content rapidly declines with age of the plant (4). The in vivo degradation of RNA is matched by an increase in ribonuclease activity. Concomitant with this increase and decrease in net RNA content many enizymnes follow a similar developmental pattern (5). The peanut cotyledon therefore is a useful tissue to study nucleic acid and enzyme synthesis in the absence of cell division. Its cell population is primarily composed of large parenchyma cells whose major role is to supply the embryonic axes with nutrients during the early stage of germination. WVe therefore have selected the peanut seed to sttudy niucleic acid metabolism during seed germinationl and(l subsequent growth of the plant. In order to better tuinderstanid the chaniges in RNA and DNA whicl occulr (lurinig germiniationi this pl)per l)resenlts an atteml)t to study patternis of P32 labelinig of the nucleic aci(ds of l)eantit cotyledonis awl(i their partial characterizationi by chromatograplhy oni niiethylated albumin (MAK) colutmniis.
Enhanced electrical transport in multiphase systems

Abstract Electrical conductivity (ac) of AgI containing a variety of dispersions such as Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , fly ash etc. and also the AgI-AgBr system without dispersions has been measured as a function of composition, temperature and frequency. While conductivity (σ) enhancements of up to 3 orders of magnitude have been obtained, the data suggest however that the maximum enhancement obtainable by such dispersions (or in multiphase systems) is generally limited to a factor of ≈50 (1.7 orders of magnitude). The particle size and the concentration of the dispersoids strongly affect the magnitude of enhancement in σ. Extensive SEM studies coupled with the frequency-dependent conductivity data suggest that the enhancement is due to bulk rather than grain-boundary or surface conduction. Further, the enhancement is usually accompanied by a decrease in activation energy which suggests perhaps the fact that the dispersoids generate excess of lattice defects and thereby enhance the conductivity, which is consistent with a recent theoretical model and the latest thermoelectric power measurements.
Hole superconductivity in oxides

Abstract We discuss a mechanism that can give rise to high temperature superconductivity in oxides and explain the origin of their anomalous normal state properties.
Modulation of hemispheric sea-ice cover by ENSO events

The El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a quasiperiedic variation in climate which arises from a complex interaction between the tropical Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere 1 . ENSO events, which occur every two to seven years, arc the largest source of interannual variability of temperature and precipitation on a global scale, although their effects are most profound in the tropics 1 . Observations of sea-ice margins have been used to monitor global climate changes on timescales of greater than a decade 2 , and there is some evidence for interannual variations in records of sea-ice cover 3 . But short-term changes in sea-ice cover are masked by pronounced seasonal variations, making it difficult to correlate them with specific climate phenomena. Using a multiple-window harmonic analysis technique 4-8 , I show here that time series of sea-ice cover from the Arctic and Antarctic contain statistically significant quasi-biennial and quasi-quadrennial periodicities that agree well with variations in the ENSO index. The response of sea ice to these two frequency components varies greatly for different regions
The research and development of ecomaterials in Taiwan

Abstract Taiwan’s booming industrial development within the last 40 years have not only raised the living standards of its people but also aroused their environmental awareness. The latter is an important driving force for environmental improvement activities in Taiwan. A balance between economic prosperity and a clean environment is essential for pursuing sustainable development. It is found that advanced materials and related technologies are not only the driving forces for industrial developments, but are also the essential means for solving environmental problems. Thus, it is necessary for Taiwan to develop and to effectively use these environmental materials and technologies in order to achieve a balance between economic growth and environment protection.
The scorpion walking leg motor system: Muscle fine structure

Abstract 1. 1. The fine structure of 7 leg muscles in the scorpion Paruroctonus mesaensis was studied. These muscles control the 3 leg joints most active during walking. 2. 2. The muscle fibers are small (15–30 μm diameter), and closely packed within each muscle. The fibers are tubular, consisting of a central region of nuclear material surrounded by radially arranged myofibrils, which occupy about 65% of the cross-sectional area. 3. 3. For all muscle fibers, the sarcomere lengths are relatively short, from 2 to 5 μm with a mean of about 3 μm (Fig. 5). Sarcomere lengths are relatively uniform, both within and between the 7 leg muscles studied (Table 1). 4. 4. The organization of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and transverse tubular system (TTS), the numbers and distribution of mitochondria, and the thin-thick filament ratios are similar for all 7 muscles. 5. 5. There is no structural evidence of specialized fast and slow muscle fibers in the scorpion walking leg muscles. This is in contrast to the better described insect and crustacean systems.
V → V energy transfer in HCI with tunable optical parametric oscillator excitation

Abstract Energy transfer rates for the V → V processes: have been measured following excitation of specific levels with a tunable optical parametric oscillator.
Lead Naphthenate Tribochemistry Under Vacuum and Gaseous Nitrogen Test Conditions

In order to assess the lifetime performance of the moving mechanical assemblies (MMAs) on board satellites that operate under low-pressure conditions in the orbital environment, it is desirable to test them under the same conditions they will experience during mission operation. Spacecraft contractors often test MMAs in a nitrogen gas environment at near-ambient pressure to reduce costs and complexity, assuming that the test results will be comparable to those obtained in a vacuum environment due to the chemical inertness of nitrogen gas. However, trace impurities in nitrogen gas could lead to different chemistry and rates of reaction than in vacuum. In order to test this hypothesis, we performed a series of experiments, performance tests, and chemical analyses to discern whether there were any differences in performance that could be attributed to the test environment. Under our test conditions, the additive chemically reacts with the metal surfaces significantly more under vacuum than in a nitrogen gas atmosphere, and the lifetimes of the tests were much longer in the nitrogen gas environment. We conclude from our test results that nitrogen gas at near-ambient pressure is not a realistic substitute for vacuum conditions for life testing of MMAs that will operate under low-pressure orbital conditions.
Strontium-89 in metastatic prostate cancer

Abstract Objectives This article reviews the role of strontium-89 in the managementof prostate cancer, focusing on its kinetics and the clinical trial portfolio that is now available. Methods Strontium-89, a pure beta emitter with a half-life of 50 days, is taken up into bones, analogously to calcium. By strontium's favorable retention characteristics within the osteoclast/osteoblast reaction around bony metastases, it delivers a high dose of radiation to prostate cancer metastatic to bone, with a low dose to normal tissues. The results of clinical trials are presented. Results Phase II studies have demonstrated a 20% complete response rate to strontium-89 therapy in terms of pain. Phase III trials have demonstrated that isotopic strontium-89 is responsible for this effect, not molecular strontium. The TransCanadian Study has evaluated the use of strontium-89 as an adjuvant to local field radiation therapy and has demonstrated improvements in pain control and in duration of pain control. Optimization of strontium-89 therapy—for example, the combination of strontium and cisplatin therapy—may lead to an increase in subjective and objective response rates. Conclusions Strontium-89 is a good choice of therapy to palliate painful symptomatology in patients with endocrine refractory osseous disease secondary to prostate cancer.
COMPARATIVE FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY STAINING OF HISTOPLASMA CAPSULATUM AND HISTOPLASMA DUBOISII WITH A SPECIFIC ANTI-YEAST PHASE H. CAPSULATUM CONJUGATE.

The specific anti-yeast phaseHistoplasma capsulatum conjugate has been tested against 13 yeast phase strains ofH. capsulatum and 9 ofH. duboisii. The conjugate was specific forH. capsulatum, no yeast phase form ofH. duboisii obtained in vitro or in vivo reacted with it. The taxonomic implications of these results are discussed.
Coronary artery disease confined to secondary branches of the left coronary system

Among 3,000 patients studied by coronary arteriography during a 4-year period, 31 patients (1%) had coronary artery disease limited to a diagonal branch of the left anterior descending (15 patients), marginal branch of the left circumflex (10 patients), or to both branches (6 patients). Ten patients had 50-69% and twenty-one had greater than or equal to 70% diameter narrowing. The suitability for grafting was noted in 20 patients as judged by the caliber and distribution of the diseased branches. Collaterals were noted in seven patients. Disease was present in 28 men and 3 women (age range 38-70 years). At least one major coronary risk factor was present in 27 patients. Angina was noted in 27 patients; prior myocardial infarction was noted in 5 patients by history and in 4 by ECG. The left ventriculogram was normal in 22 patients and showed mild segmental asynergy in 9; ejection fraction was normal in all. Exercise ECGs were positive in 12 of 25 patients; exercise 201thallium scans were positive in 13. All patients responded to medical therapy. In conclusion, among the population of patients who undergo catheterization, coronary branch disease is rare. The clinical findings are indistinguishable from patients with major coronary disease.more » Prognosis remains benign and patients respond to medical therapy.« less
Effects of age, hypertension history, and neuroticism on health perceptions.

Abstract The effects of measured blood pressure, history of hypertension diagnosis, age, and neuroticism on number of somatic complaints and self-rated health were examined in a sample of 970 non-health-care-seeking adult men and women. Significant differences in number of somatic complaints and self-rated health were found due to age, neuroticism, and history of hypertension diagnosis. Measured blood pressure, however, was unrelated to both measures of health perception. With the exception of the effect of neuroticism on somatic complaints, the effects of the independent variables on health perceptions were rather small in magnitude and explained only small proportions of the variance. Age differences had a particularly weak effect on health perceptions, accounting for less variance than either neuroticism or history of hypertension diagnosis. A significant interaction of neuroticism with awareness of hypertension was found, but only for number of somatic complaints. These results suggest that hea;th perception is a complex, multidimensional construct. The relatively weak influence of hypertension diagnosis on health perception may account for the difficulties in maintaining patient compliance with antihypertensive treatment.