cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tyrosine hydroxylase expression in rat adrenal medulla: influence of age and cold.

Abstract Chronic and cold exposure is associated with an increase in adrenal medullary tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and expression that may be important for the regulatory response to cold. Senescent rats do not maintain their body temperature as well as young rats. We investigated the ability of the catecholaminergic system of older rats to respond to cold stimulus. TH activity, TH immunoreactivity, and TH mRNA were assessed in adrenal medullae of male F-344 rats of 3 and 24 months of age following 48 h of mild (8 °C) cold exposure. In control rats, basal levels of TH activity were increased by 2.9-fold, TH immunoreactivity by 1.3-fold, and TH mRNA by 2.3-fold with age. In the young rats there were increases after a 48-h cold exposure in TH activity, TH immunoreactivity, and TH mRNA per pair of adrenal medullae. In contrast, in senescent rats there were no significant changes in these parameters following cold exposure. These data suggest that the induction of TH activity is impaired in senescent rats following cold exposure and that there is a loss of plasticity with respect to the TH gene expression.
Autoantibody production in hepatitis B e antigen transgenic mice elicited with a self T-cell peptide and inhibited with nonself peptides.

Abstract Studies in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-expressing transgenic mice indicate that self tolerance to two T-cell determinants on the same transgenic self molecule can differ markedly. The dominant T-cell site on HBeAg is tolerogenic, whereas a proportion of T cells recognizing a second T-cell site evade tolerance induction, persist in the periphery, and can be activated in vivo by a single injection of a 12-residue T-cell self peptide. The self-reactive T cells mediate in vivo autoantibody production sufficient to neutralize detection of the autoantigen in serum. Furthermore, autoantibody production can be inhibited by nonself peptides that compete with the self peptide for binding to major histocompatibility complex molecules. This model illustrates that T cells specific for an immunogenic T-cell site on a nonsequestered autoantigen can escape tolerance induction and, more importantly, can mediate autoreactivity in vivo. Furthermore, these results suggest that synthetic T-cell sites may be useful as immunotherapeutic agents for the purpose of circumventing nonresponse to HBeAg during persistent hepatitis B virus infection.
Modeling the dynamic folding and surface-activity of a helical peptide adsorbing to a pendant bubble interface.

Abstract We have designed a peptide with switchable surface activity, where the folded (α-helical) form of the peptide is amphiphilic and the unfolded form is not. To understand the factors influencing the dynamics of the switchability, a model is developed for the transport of the surface active form of the peptide from the solution onto air–water interface. As is the case with the low molecular weight head–tail surfactants, the transport involves the bulk diffusion of the folded form to the surface and the kinetic adsorption onto the interface. Unlike the head–tail surfactants, the diffusion can be augmented by the kinetics of the folding of the peptide from the unfolded form. The model is formulated within the context of the transport of the peptide from a uniform bulk solution onto an initially clean air–water interface in a pendant bubble system, where the transport rate can be measured by recording the reduction in surface tension using the shape analysis of the bubble. Experiments are undertaken and compared to the predictions of the model simulations of the tension reduction for a range of values of the kinetic adsorption constant and the folding kinetic constant. The results indicate that the kinetic adsorption rate of the folded peptide onto air–water interface dominates the dynamic process, which contrasts many head–tail surfactants where diffusion typically dominates over kinetics adsorption. Moreover, our ‘best-fits’ suggest that there is a phase transition at high surface concentrations that slows the long-time adsorption of the peptides to the interface. Finally, the numerical solution is compared with an asymptotic solution, showing agreement with our findings that the fundamental dynamics of the tunable surface-active peptide are indeed controlled by the adsorption step.
Multisite Binding of Anesthetics to GLIC, a Pentameric Ligand-Gated Ion Channel

Volatile and intravenous anesthetics inhibit channel function of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).Here we report the putative general anesthetic binding sites in Gloeobacter vioaceus pentameric ligand-gated ion channel (GLIC), a bacterial homolog of nAChR, using fluorescence quenching, multi-ns molecular dynamics (MD), and docking analysis. Fluorescence quenching results of halothane (Qmax∼ 85%, Kd ∼ 2 mM−1) and thiopental (Qmax∼ 100%, Kd ∼ 0.1 mM−1) suggest these two anesthetics bind to almost all TRPs. However, ketamine and etomidate only quenched about 20 ∼ 30% with nonspecific binding, indicating other non-TRP binding sites may exist. X-ray structure of GLIC (PDB: 3EAM) reveals three tryptophan (TRP) sites: A) W47 and W72 in the extracellular domain (ECD); B) W160 at the interface between ECD and transmembrane domain (TMD); and C) W213 and W217 in the TMD. Fluorescence quenching of three site-directed mutants, where A, B, or C site was singly remained, demonstrated similar binding affinities to all three sites for both halothane (Qmax: 84 ∼ 90%, Kd : 1.3 ∼ 2.1 mM−1) and thiopental (Qmax: 94 ∼ 100%, Kd : 0.07 ∼ 0.1 mM−1). Of these three sites, halothane prefers W47 and W72 (Qmax = 90 ± 2%, Kd = 1.3 ± 0.2 mM−1) while thiopental prefers W160 (Qmax = 94 ± 2%, Kd = 0.067 ± 0.005 mM−1). In consistent with fluorescence quenching experiments, our theoretical study also finds that both anesthetics bind to all TRPs though both prefer W160. Furthermore, non-TRP sites are discovered by our theoretical study: one near the TM2-3 loop and the other near D86 in the ECD. Collectively, This investigation will elucidate where volatile and intravenous anesthetics interact with pLGICs and reveal how the binding may lead channel functional changes. (Supported by NIH R01GM056257, R01GM069766, R37GM049202, R01GM066358).
Comprehensive assessment of educational systems

Comprehensive assessment can lead to informed decision making in our schools. In the past, the focus of evaluation has been too narrow.
Synthesis of Polyglycerol, Porphyrin‐Cored Dendrimers Using Click Chemistry

Polyglycerol, porphyrin-cored dendrimers were synthesized by the click reaction of azide-cored polyglycerol dendrons and octaazidoporphyrin 19. The dendrons were synthesized divergently starting with TBDPS protected allyl alcohol 2. Two, three and four cycles of dihydroxylation-allyl etherification gave dendrons [G-2.5] 6, [G-3.5] 8, [G-4.5] 11, with four, eight, and sixteen alkene groups, respectively. Dendron 11 was readily prepared on large scale with an overall yield of 45%. Dendron 8 was deprotected and converted to the corresponding alkyne - and azide-cored dendron 13 and 15 in 89% and 75% yield, respectively. Dendron 11 was deprotected and converted to the corresponding alkyne - and azide-cored dendron 16 and 18 in 68% and 24% yield, respectively. Both the [G-3.5]-azide 15 and [G-4.5]-azide 18 were separately "clicked" to polyalkyne core 19 via the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to afford 20 and 21 in 65% and 66% yield, respectively. Dendrimer 21 has a MW ~ 16,000 and 128 peripheral alkene groups.
Effect of the deoxyriboside of 6-azathymine (azathymidine) on the biosynthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid by bone marrow and neoplastic cells (in vitro)

Abstract Incorporation in vitro of radioactive formate into the bases of the DNA of rabbit bone marrow and Ehrlich ascites tumor cells was related predominantly to the formation of thymine. Thymine deoxyriboside by dilution, and 6-azathymine deoxyriboside and Aminopterin by inhibition, caused a marked decreased in the utilization of formate for the biosynthesis of DNA-thymine. Deoxyuridine and deoxycytidine each may serve as an acceptor of formate-carbon for the biosynthesis (of the methyl group) of DNA-thymine. Certain implications of these findings are discussed.
Incentives for Teaching Psychiatry

A questionnaire was sent to chairs and faculty in 137 academic departments of psychiatry regarding the methods used to promote teaching and their perceived value. The incentives most often used included promotion and retention, nomination to committees, and peer recognition. Least often used were bonuses and a designated teachers’ career track. Chairs and their faculty often disagreed as to whether some incentives were being used at all Recognition of teaching excellence was generally most highly valued as a useful incentive. Clarification of the nature and purpose of teaching incentives would likely improve their effectiveness.
Io - An intense brightening near 5 micrometers

Spectrophotometric observations of the Jovian satellite Io on February 20 and 21, 1978, (Universal Time) were made from 1.2 to 5.4 micrometers. Io's brightness at 4.7 to 5.4 micrometers was found to be three to five times greater at an orbital phase angle of 68 deg than at orbital phase angles of 23 deg (5.5 hours before the brightening) and 240 deg (20 hours after the brightening). Since the 5-micrometer albedo of Io is near unity under ordinary conditions, the observed transient phenomenon must have been the result of an emission mechanism. Although several such mechanisms were examined, the actual choice is not clear.
Distribution of lactic dehydrogenase and transaminase in the genital tissues of Holstein-Friesian bulls.

Abstract The determination of LDH, LDH-1, LDH-5, GO-T, and GP-T has been performed in the various reproductive organs from five healthy young Holstein-Friesian bulls. No pathological ejaculates were obtained at any time during this investigation. The LDH activity in the various male reproductive organs was significantly (P
Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) mediates CD154 expression in megakaryocytes

Platelets are an abundant source of CD40 ligand (CD154), an immunomodulatory and proinflammatory molecule implicated in the onset and progression of several inflammatory diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Heretofore considered largely restricted to activated T cells, we initiated studies to investigate the source and regulation of platelet-associated CD154. We found that CD154 is abundantly expressed in platelet precursor cells, megakaryocytes. We show that CD154 is expressed in primary human CD34+ and murine hematopoietic precursor cells only after cytokine-driven megakaryocyte differentiation. Furthermore, using several established megakaryocyte-like cells lines, we performed promoter analysis of the CD154 gene and found that NFAT, a calcium-dependent transcriptional regulator associated with activated T cells, mediated both differentiation-dependent and inducible megakaryocyte-specific CD154 expression. Overall, these data represent the first investigation of the regulation of a novel source of CD154 and suggests that platelet-associated CD154 can be biochemically modulated.
Neural correlates of learning and working memory in the primate posterior parietal cortex

The posterior parietal cortex has been traditionally associated with coordinate transformations necessary for interaction with the environment and with visual-spatial attention. More recently, involvement of posterior parietal cortex in other cognitive functions such as working memory and task learning has become evident. Neurophysiological experiments in non-human primates and human imaging studies have revealed neural correlates of memory and learning at the single neuron and at the brain network level. During working memory, posterior parietal neurons continue to discharge and to represent stimuli that are no longer present. This activation resembles the responses of prefrontal neurons, although important differences have been identified in terms of the ability to resist stimulation by distracting stimuli, which is more evident in the prefrontal than the posterior parietal cortex. Posterior parietal neurons also become active during tasks that require the organization of information into larger structured elements and their activity is modulated according to learned context-dependent rules. Neural correlates of learning can be observed in the mean discharge rate and spectral power of neuronal spike trains after training to perform new task sets or rules. These findings demonstrate the importance of posterior parietal cortex in brain networks mediating working memory and learning.
Evaluation of Near Infrared Dyes as Labels for Immunoassays Utilizing Laser Diode Detection: Development of Near Infrared Dye Immunoassay (NIRDIA)

Abstract Many recent studies of near infrared (NIR) dyes have shown their usefulness as probes for many analytical applications. Since these dyes have absorption maxima between 600 and 1000 nm, a region of low interference by most bioorganic molecules, their use as a label for biomolecules is practical. We report here the first study to evaluate the use of near infrared dyes as a quantitative label for immunoassays. A near infrared dye was derivatized with an isothiocyanate functional group and conjugated to goat anti-human immunoglobulins (GAHG). After purification by G-25 size exclusion chromatography, the conjugate was used in an immunoassay to detect and quantitate human immunoglobulins (Ig), the antigen for GAHG. Polystyrene microtiter plate wells were coated with varying amounts of human Ig. The Ig-coated wells were then exposed to an excess of NIRD-GAHG, and were subsequently read and quantitated by laser diode spectroscopy. An identical immunoassay was performed which utilized an enzyme(peroxidase...
Rapid identification of bacterial isolates from aqueous kava (Piper methysticum) extracts by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing

Aim: Fresh kava beverages have a limited shelf life under refrigerated conditions. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify bacteria in aqueous extracts of kava rhizome. Methods and Results: The internal part of kava rhizome was used to minimize soil contamination. Three kava extracts were prepared, serially diluted and plated on nutrient agar. Isolated colonies were identified by sequencing polymerase chain reaction amplicons targeting the eubacterial 16S rDNA and the tuf gene of Staphylococcus. Seventy-five bacterial isolates belonged to 16 genera. Bacillus, Cellulomonas, Enterococcus, Pectobacterium and Staphylococcus were identified in all kava extracts. Conclusions: Kava rhizome contains large amounts of starch and fibre, which justify the presence of polysaccharide-degrading bacteria in the extracts. Bacillus cereus group and Staphylococcus species may produce toxins and cause foodborne illness. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results of this study provide fundamental information that may be used to enhance the microbial quality and safety of kava beverages.
Fiber-reinforced concrete: An overview after 30 years of development

Abstract This paper presents a rhetorical discussion on the subject of fiber-reinforced concrete, FRC. It is intended as an overview of the types of commercially available FRCs and how they work. It discusses commonly applied terminology and models of mechanical behavior that form a basis for understanding material performance without presenting mathematical details. Historical review is intended to help build a background for what is currently understood about FRC rather than as historical reporting. References from both early and contemporary authors are included as a means of tying the subject together along a time line.
Spectroscopic study of extracellular polymeric substances from Bacillus subtilis: aqueous chemistry and adsorption effects.

Reactions at ionizable functional groups in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from Bacillus subtilis are found to affect aqueous phase conformation and adsorption to mineral surfaces. Characterization by HPSEC, XPS, and FTIR indicates a wide range in apparent molecular mass (0.57-128 kDa), with functional group composition depending on cell growth phase (exponential vs stationary) and location in suspension (free vs cell-bound). ATR-FTIR spectroscopy shows complexation and dissociation of protons on acidic functional groups that result in R-helical protein conformation at pH 6). EPS exhibit higher affinity for adsorption to R-FeOOH than amorphous SiO2 because of surface charge effects. Increased amide II band intensity and an amide I band shift to higher frequency indicate changes in protein structure upon adsorption. Goethite-EPS spectra show emergent vibrations consistent with P-O-Fe bonding, which suggests a role of phosphodiester groups in the adsorption reaction.
Mental Imagery: A memory aid for the Older Adult?

Older adults demonstrate poor memory performance relative to young adults. This age-related difference in cognitive ability is reliably shown in most laboratory tests. Memory loss with age is also commonly reported by individuals as they reflect on developmental changes in their own behavior. Poor memory is so strongly associated with old age that is has become part of the stereotype of aging, alson with wrinkles and gray hair. It is a common belief that forgetting is one of the first signs of old age and that as we age it is natural and inevitable that we lose our memory. Further, many believe that memory loss is irreversible. The goal of researchers studying age-related changes in cognitive functioning is to determine to what extent decline with age can be prevented and to what extent memory problems associated with aging can be eliminated through mnemonic training. There is evidence that the poorer performance of the elderly may be due, in part, to age-related differences in the use of imaginai processing. Consequently, the use of mental imagery as a memory aid has become an important area of research for gerontologists.
A Theory of Escalation And International Conflict

Escalation processes are found in many types of international conflict. However, a great deal of the theoretical and empirical literature on escalation is context specific and concentrates on expla...
Total pancreatectomy and autologous islet cell transplantation as a means to treat severe chronic pancreatitis.

Autologous islet cell transplantation after near-total or total pancreatic resection can alleviate pain in patients with severe chronic pancreatitis and preserve endocrine function. From February 2000 to February 2003, a total of 22 patients, whose median age was 38 years, underwent pancreatectomy and autologous islet cell transplantation. Postoperative complications, metabolic studies, insulin usage, pain scores, and quality of life were recorded for all of these patients. The average number of islet cells harvested was 245,457 (range 20,850 to 607,466). Operative data revealed a mean estimated blood loss of 635 ml, an average operative time of 9 hours, and a mean length of hospital stay of 15 days. Sixty-eight percent of the patients had either a minor or major complication. Major complications included acute respiratory distress syndrome (n = 2), intra-abdominal abscess (n = 1), and pulmonary embolism (n = 1). There were no deaths in our series. All patients demonstrated C-peptide and insulin production indicating graft function. Forty-one percent are insulin independent, and 27% required minimal amount of insulin or a sliding scale. All patients had preoperative pain and had been taking opioid analgesics; 82% no longer required analgesics postoperatively. Pancreatectomy with autologous islet cell transplantation can alleviate pain for patients with chronic pancreatitis and preserve endocrine function.
Development of a mix-design based Rapid Chloride Permeability assessment model using neuronets

Corrosion of reinforcing steel due to chloride penetration is one of the most common causes of deterioration in concrete pavement structures. On an annual basis, millions of dollars are spent on corrosion-related repairs. High incidence rates and repair costs have stimulated widespread research interests in order to properly assess the durability problem of concrete pavements. Chloride penetration of concrete pavement structures is determined through the Rapid Chloride Permeability test (RCPT), which typically measures the number of coulombs passing through a concrete sample over a period of six hours at a concrete age of 7, 28, and 56 days. In a composite material, such as concrete, the parameters of the mixture design and interaction between them determine the behavior of the material. Previous studies have shown that Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based material modeling approach has been successfully used to capture complex interactions among input and output variables. In this study, back-propagation ANN, and Regression-based permeability response prediction models were developed to assess the permeability potential of various concrete mixes using data obtained from actual Rapid Chloride Permeability tests. The back-propagation ANN learning technique proved to be an efficient method to produce relatively accurate permeability response prediction models. Comparison of the prediction accuracy of the developed ANN models and the regression model proved that the developed ANN model outperformed the regression-based model. The developed ANN models have high predictive capability to properly assess the chloride permeability of concrete mixes based on various mix-design parameters. These models can reliably be used for permeability prediction tasks in order to reduce or eliminate the duration of the testing as well as the sample preparation periods required for proper RCP testing.
An Analysis of Respiratory Activity, Q10, and Microbial Community Composition of Soils from High and Low Tussock Sites at Toolik, Alaska

ABSTRACT. High latitude microbial communities, incurring increased global warming, are a potential major source of respiratory CO2 contributing to an enhanced greenhouse effect. Data on respiration and microbial density are presented for a moist, high tussock site compared with a low, water saturated site. The density of bacteria and eukaryotic microbes was nearly equivalent at both sites and potentially could yield substantial release of respiratory CO2 with continued warming. Respiratory rates for soil from the high site were greater than the low. The Q10 of 2.4 for the high tussock sample was approximately 1.3 × that of the low site sample (Q10 of 1.7).
Improved memory functioning and frontal lobe maturation between childhood and adolescence: A structural MRI study

Previous studies conducted by our group have provided evidence for age-related reductions in cortical thickness in dorsal frontal and parietal regions between childhood and adulthood, and gray matter volume increases of mesial temporal and anterior diencephalic structures. The purpose of this study was to describe neurobehavioral correlates of these brain maturational changes using morphometric analyses of brain magnetic resonance images (MRI) and two tests of cognitive abilities. Participants were 35 normal children roughly stratified by age (7 to 16 years) and sex (20 boys and 15 girls) and frontal and mesial temporal regions were anatomically defined in each subjects' MRI data. The California Verbal Learning Test-Children's Version and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure test were used as measures of verbal and visuospatial memory and organizational abilities. Analyses designed to show regionally specific relationships between the brain and behavioral measures revealed interesting results. Specifically, frontal lobe gray matter thinning was more strongly predictive of delayed verbal memory functioning than was the mesial temporal lobe gray matter volume, and this relationship did not appear to be mediated by factors indexed in chronological age. Similar, but less regionally specific relationships were observed for measures of visuospatial memory abilities and frontal lobe maturation. Functional imaging studies in the literature consistently report activation in frontal regions in adults during retrieval tasks. The relationship between frontal lobe maturation and delayed recall observed here may be reflective of the children's development towards the more adult-like frontal lobe function revealed in the functional imaging studies.
Self-Tuning Electrostatic Energy-Harvester IC

Miniature self-powered systems like wireless microsensors that rely only on easily exhaustible tiny in-package batteries suffer from short lifetimes. Harvesters, however, extend life by replenishing consumed energy with energy from the environment. The problem is harvesters generate considerably low power so producing a net gain with which to recharge a battery requires ultra low-energy circuits. This brief presents a 1.5 x1.5 mm2 0.7-μm BiCMOS self-tuning electrostatic energy-harvester integrated circuit (IC) that adapts to changing battery voltages (VBAT) to produce usable power from vibrations across VBAT's entire operating range. The prototype holds CVAR's voltage so that kinetic energy in vibrations can generate and steer current into the battery when capacitance decreases. Unlike in [13], the inductor-based precharger that charges CVAR to VBAT adapts to a constantly shifting VBAT target. Collectively, the precharger and its self-tuning reference, system monitors, and other control circuits draw sufficient power to operate yet dissipate low enough energy to yield a net gain. Experimentally, the harvester IC generates 1.93, 2.43, and 3.89 nJ per vibration cycle at battery voltages 2.7, 3.5, and 4.2 V, which at 30 Hz produce 57.89, 73.02, and 116.55 nW. Accordingly, the system charges 1 μF from 2.7 to 4.2 V (a thin-film lithium-ion range) in 69 s and harnesses 47.9% more energy than with a fixed reference in the same time frame.
Credential authenticated identification and key exchange

This paper initiates a study of two-party identification and key-exchange protocols in which users authenticate themselves by proving possession of credentials satisfying arbitrary policies, instead of using the more traditional mechanism of a public-key infrastructure. Definitions in the universal composability framework are given, and practical protocols satisfying these definitions, for policies of practical interest, are presented. All protocols are analyzed in the common reference string model, assuming adaptive corruptions with erasures, and no random oracles. The new security notion includes password-authenticated key exchange as a special case, and new, practical protocols for this problem are presented as well, including the first such protocol that provides resilience against server compromise (without random oracles).
A measurement of the cross section for four-pion production in λλ collisions at spear

Abstract We present a measurement of the cross section for the reaction e + e − → e + e − π + π − π + π − at SPEAR. This channel is found to be large and dominated by the process γγ → ϱ 0 ϱ 0 → π + π − π + π − . The cross section, which is small just above the four-pion threshold, exhibits a large enhancement near the ϱ 0 ϱ 0 threshold.
X-linked inheritance of a structural gene for alpha-galactosidase in Mus musculus

A thermolabile variant of α-galactosidase has been found in a stock of Mus musculus molossinus. Analysis of the F1 generation shows that this variant is inherited as an X-linked gene.
An experiential course in wireless networks and mobile systems

In spring 2005, for the third time, the electrical and computer engineering faculty and computer science faculty at Virginia Tech are teaching the course Wireless Networks and Mobile Systems, ECE/CS 4570. This course has some particularly interesting features. It offers integrated coverage of a broad set of topics that we would normally find in separate courses, often in different departments. It gives undergraduate students access to cutting-edge topics usually reserved for graduate courses. It also departs from the traditional lecture format to combine lectures with moderated laboratory sessions and at-home exercises and design projects. In this paper, we describe an innovative, senior- and graduate-level course on wireless networks and mobile systems. We discuss the course's history and guiding principles, the laboratory exercises and design projects, and outcomes, including dissemination activities.
Research On Graphing Calculators at the Secondary Level: Implications for Mathematics Teacher Education

This article focuses on three key factors that a survey of literature indicated impact the teaching and learning of mathematics with graphing calculators: access to graphing calculators, the place of graphing calculators in the mathematics curriculum, and the connection between graphing calculators and pedagogical practice. Access to graphing calculators is associated with student achievement gains and a wide array of problem-solving approaches. The research suggests students’ achievement is positively affected when they use curricula designed with graphing calculators as a primary tool. Studies of teachers’ use and privileging of graphing calculators illustrate the impact professionals have on students’ mathematical knowledge and calculator expertise. Implications of these research findings for preservice and in-service teacher education are summarized.
Fine Aerosol Bulk Composition Measured on WP-3D Research Aircraft in Vicinity of the Northeastern United States - Results from NEAQS

During the New England Air Quality Study (NEAQS) in the summer of 2004, airborne measurements were made of the major inorganic ions and the water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC) of the submicron (PM(sub 1.0)) aerosol. These and ancillary data are used to describe the overall aerosol chemical characteristics encountered during the study. Fine particle mass was estimated from particle volume and a calculated density based on measured particle composition. Fine particle organic matter (OM) was estimated from WSOC and a mass balance analysis. The aerosol over the northeastern United States (U.S.) and Canada was predominantly sulfate and associated ammonium, and organic components, although in unique plumes additional ionic components were also periodically above detection limits. In power generation regions, and especially in the Ohio River Valley region, the aerosol tended to be predominantly sulfate (approximately 60% micro gram /micro gram) and apparently acidic, based on an excess of measured anions compared to cations. In all other regions where sulfate concentrations were lower and a smaller fraction of overall mass, the cations and anions were balanced suggesting a more neutral aerosol. In contrast, the WSOC and estimated OM were more spatially uniform and the fraction of OM relative to PM mass was largely influenced by sources of sulfate. The study median OM mass fraction was 40%. Throughout the study region, sulfate and organic aerosol mass were highest near the surface and decreased rapidly with increasing altitude. The relative fraction of organic mass to sulfate was similar throughout all altitudes within the boundary layer (altitude less than 2.5 km), but was significantly higher at altitude layers in the free troposphere (above 2.5 km). A number of distinct biomass burning plumes from fires in Alaska and the Yukon were periodically intercepted, mostly at altitudes between 3 and 4 km. These plumes were associated with highest aerosol concentrations of the study and were largely comprised of organic aerosol components (approximtely 60%).
Evaluation of coplanar waveguide‐to‐microstrip transitions for precision S‐parameter measurements

The metric of unaccounted power is introduced as a sufficient condition to successful thru-reflect-line (TRL) calibrations for microstrip circuits. It is then demonstrated how this metric can be used both a priori, with simulation data, and a posteriori, with measured data, to evaluate the efficacy of coplanar waveguide to microstrip transitions in TRL calibrations. This demonstration is performed with four different transition topologies, two of which utilize coaxial edge mount connectors and two of which utilize ground-signal-ground coplanar probes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 2667–2671, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23755
Partitioning and scheduling for parallel image processing operations

Many computer vision and image processing (CVIP) operations can be represented as a sequence of tasks with nested loops, specified by the visual programming language Khoros. This paper addresses the automatic partitioning and scheduling of such operations on distributed memory multiprocessors. The major difficulties in determining the optimal image data distribution for each task are that the number of processors available and the size of the input image may vary at the run time, and the cost of some image processing operations may be data-dependent. This paper proposes a compile-time processor assignment and data partitioning scheme that optimizes the average run-time performance of task chains with nested loops by considering the data redistribution overheads and possible run-time parameter variations. This paper presents the theoretical analysis and experimental results on a Meiko CS-2 distributed memory machine.
Aggressor alignment for worst-case coupling noise

In this paper we study signal alignment resulting in maximum peak interconnect crosstalk noise. We consider two cases. In the first one we assume that arbitrary arrival times of input signals are feasible. In the second case we assume that timing windows are given for each aggressor input. We propose a simple procedure to find aggressor alignment for worst-case coupling in both cases.
EFFECTS OF ROADSIDE DISTURBANCE ON SUBSTRATE AND VEGETATION PROPERTIES IN ARCTIC TUNDRA

Tundra adjacent to the gravel Dalton Highway in northern Alaska was ex- amined for effects of 15 yr of chronic road and road dust disturbance. Road effects at a nonacidic site (soil pH 2 5.0) and an acidic site (soil pH < 5.0) were compared to examine differential susceptibility. Overall, effects on vegetation were more pronounced in acidic tundra. Initial substrate pH appears to control the degree of response to disturbance by road and calcareous road dust. Soil at the acidic site is normally pH 4.0, whereas in the disturbed area next to the road soil pH was as high as 7.3 + 0.07 (at 2 m from the road edge). Soils next to the road had lower nutrient levels, altered organic horizon depth, higher bulk density, and lower moisture. Effects on snowpack include both increased drifting in the lee of the road and earlier meltout near the road due to dust-induced change in albedo. Permafrost thaw was deeper next to the road at both sites, and potentially could affect road structure detrimentally. Vegetation biomass of most taxa was reduced near the road at both sites. Total aboveground biomass of nonacidic tundra ranged from 330.0 ? 34.72 g/m2 (mean + 1 SE) at 2 m from the road to 690.7 ? 94.52 g/m2 at 100 m away from the road. Total biomass of acidic tundra ranged from 150.5 + 16.60 g/m2 at 5 m from the road to 743.1 ? 168.98 g/m2 at 100 m from the road. Species richness in acidic tundra next to the road was less than half of that at 100 m away from the road. Community composition was altered most noticeably in acidic tundra. The moss Tomentypnum nitens, dominant in nonacidic arctic tussock tundra, was nearly equally abundant at all distances from the road at the nonacidic tundra site, whereas Sphagnum mosses, dominant in acidic low arctic tussock tundra, were virtually eliminated near the road at the acidic tundra site. Salix lanata was more abundant next to the road at the nonacidic site. Ordinations indicate that variation in vegetation cover is explained by distance from the road. Knowledge of differential effects of road construction and use, including the long-term effects of hydrological alterations and dust mobilization on local corridors, is key information for planning development in areas of arctic tundra. Planned placement of roads in the future should consider the impact of such changes to sensitive (acidic) tundra areas in the Arctic.
A wireless sensor data fusion framework for contaminant detection

In recent years, much research has been done on wireless sensor networks and sensor data fusion, however there has been limited work regarding implementation of real systems that are capable of providing a highly connected sensor network for data logging and data fusion applications. This paper describes the design and implementation of a wireless, portable, and reconfigurable sensor network framework. This sensor node design has proven to be effective for monitoring environmental conditions of aircraft cabins and is well suited to environmental monitoring and detection of contaminants in large areas when utilizing sensor data fusion features.
Motion tracking for palpation imaging

We are developing a method for imaging the elastic properties of tissue using unmodified clinical equipment and techniques that are similar to standard clinical exams. Our work with in vivo data from human subjects suggests that elasticity imaging provides new diagnostically significant information. For example, we can observe a nonlinear stress-strain relationship among tissues. Both the accuracy and variance of the displacement estimates must be understood to verify that observation. A significant body of work in algorithm development, computer simulation and phantom experiments precedes this effort. Much of that work addressed the variance in 1-D displacement estimates. The displacement estimate variance for a two-dimensional (2D) search with a 2-D data kernel can be adequately studied using simulated echo data. The accuracy of displacement estimates when the true displacement is unknown, as with biological tissue experiments, is more difficult to mimic and is studied using data acquired from in vivo breast imaging. Methods to reduce displacement estimate variance and verify displacement estimate accuracy are presented.
Penetrating cardiac trauma and the use of emergent extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and therapeutic hypothermia: When cooler heads prevail

This is a case of penetrating chest trauma with traumatic arrest from cardiac tamponade, right and left ventriculotomies, mitral valve injury and ventricular septal defect. Patient underwent resuscitative thoracotomy converted to clamshell thoracotomy for haemorrhage control. Ventriculotomies were repaired on initial damage control operation. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation and therapeutic cooling bridged to definitive cardiac repair several days later. Patient was discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility in 16 days.
Mass Culture of Amphibian Cells: Methods and Observations Concerning Stability of Cell Type

A large number of workers have reported the culture of amphibian cells, but most of the accounts are found in older literature and few of them report success in maintaining monolayer strains through serial subculture. The first permanent amphibian line is that of Wolfe and Quimby (27), derived from bullfrog tongue. This line subsequently proved to be fibroblastic in morphology and subtetraploid in chromosome number. To date, it has passed through hundreds of cell generations in culture. Freed et al. (13, 14) and Seto (26) have also reported extended serial subculture of amphibian cell lines.
Cycling with Functional Electrical Stimulation Before and After a Distal Femur Fracture in a Man with Paraplegia

Case Presentation: A man with chronic paraplegia sustained a distal femur fracture following an unrelated fall while enrolled in a study examining musculoskeletal changes after 6 months of cycling with functional electrical stimulation (FES). After healing, he restarted and completed the study. Management and Outcome: Study measures included areal bone mineral density, trabecular bone microarchitecture, cortical bone macroarchitecture, serum bone formation/resorption markers, and muscle volume. The patient made small gains in bone- and muscle-related measures. Bone markers had not returned to baseline prior to restarting cycling, which may have impacted results. Discussion: This case shows that cycling with FES may be safely resumed after distal femur fracture.
Effect of Dapagliflozin With and Without Acipimox on Insulin Sensitivity and Insulin Secretion in T2DM Males

Aim: To investigate the effect of lowering the plasma glucose and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations with dapagliflozin and acipimox, respectively, on insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion in T2DM individuals. Methods: Fourteen male T2DM patients received an oral glucose tolerance test and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp at baseline and were treated for 3 weeks with dapagliflozin (10 mg per day). During week 3, acipimox (250 mg four times per day) treatment was added to dapagliflozin. The oral glucose tolerance test and insulin clamp were repeated at the end of weeks 2 and 3. Results: Dapagliflozin caused glucosuria and significantly lowered the plasma glucose concentration (by 35 mg/dL; P < .01), whereas the fasting plasma FFA concentration was unaffected. Acipimox caused a further decrease in the fasting plasma glucose concentration (by 20 mg/dL; P < .01) and a significant decrease in the fasting plasma FFA concentration. Compared to baseline, insulin-mediated glucose disposal increased signific...
Two-Time-Variable Perturbation Theory for Liquid-Rocket Combustion Instability

Nonlinear, transverse-mode, liquid-propellant-rocket-motor combustion instability is examined for the first time via a two-time-variable perturbation expansion in an amplitude parameter. Both triggered and spontaneous instability domains are studied. A specific coaxial multi-injector example demonstrates the matching process between wave dynamics and injection/combustion mechanisms. The combustion has a characteristic time for mixing, producing a time lag in the energy release rate relative to pressure. The coupled combustion process and wave dynamics are calculated for the first tangential mode. Two first-order ordinary differential equations are developed and solved for the amplitude and phase angle in the slow time. Limit cycles and transient behaviors are resolved. Nonlinear triggering is predicted in certain operational domains; above a critical initial amplitude, the amplitude grows; otherwise, it decays with time. A linear representation of the combustion process suffices to balance nonlinear nozzl...
The Calculation of the Tear Energy of Elastomers from Their Viscoelastic Behavior

Abstract The creep behavior and the rate dependence of the tear energy have been determined on nine elastomers with widely varying structures. When compared at their glass temperatures the short-time creep compliances, J(t), were located at the same positions on the time scale. Therefore, the terminal zones of response were widely spaced depending on the breadth of the viscoelastic spectra. The positions of the tear energy curves were similarly positioned on the reciprocal rate scale. An equation is proposed for the calculation of tear energy curves from the viscoelastic retardation spectrum.
The “Pre-History” of an “Asian American” Writer: N.V.M. Gonzalez' Allegory of Decolonization

(1998). The “Pre-History” of an “Asian American” Writer: N.V.M. Gonzalez’ Allegory of Decolonization. Amerasia Journal: Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 126-142.
Panacea or Placebo? An Evaluation of the Value of Emotional Intelligence in Healthcare

In this study we sought to identify desirable nursing behaviors (which we measured as organization citizenship - OCB) that are empirically linked to emotional intelligence (EI). A review of the lit...
Scattering of ultracold molecules in the highly resonant regime

Compared to purely atomic collisions, ultracold molecular collisions potentially support a much larger number of Fano-Feshbach resonances due to the enormous number of rovibrational states available. In fact, for alkali-metal dimers we find that the resulting density of resonances cannot be resolved at all, even on the sub-$\ensuremath{\mu}$K temperature scale of ultracold experiments. As a result, all observables become averaged over many resonances and can effectively be described by simpler, nonresonant scattering calculations. Two particular examples are discussed: nonchemically reactive RbCs and chemically reactive KRb. In the former case, the formation of a long-lived collision complex may lead to the ejection of molecules from a trap. In the latter case, chemical reactions broaden the resonances so much that they become unobservable.
Lectin Binding to Insect Brush Border Membranes

It has been hypothesized that plant lectins play a role in the defense of the plant from fungal and insect attack. Several insects species have been shown to be sensitive to lectins. However, the mechanism by which lectins exert their insecticidal activity is unknown. The results presented in this article compare the insecticidal activity of lectins with their apparent ability to bind to brush border membrane proteins of European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hubner, and Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera Le-Conte. Lectins that caused significant mortality or a decrease in weight gain in O. nubilalis also bound strongly to O. nubilalis brush border membrane proteins, but not all lectins that bound strongly were insecticidal. Relationships between binding and mortality were less consistent in D. virgifera virgifera.
Dynamic Cerebrovascular and Intracranial Pressure Reactivity Assessment of Impaired Cerebrovascular Autoregulation in Intracranial Hypertension

We previously suggested that the discrepancy between a critical cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) of 30 mmHg, obtained by increasing intracranial pressure (ICP), and 60 mmHg, obtained by decreasing arterial pressure, was due to pathological microvascular shunting at high ICP [1], and that the determination of the critical CPP by the static cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation curve is not valid with intracranial hypertension. Here, we demonstrated that induced dynamic ICP reactivity (iPRx), and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVRx) tests accurately identify the critical CPP in the hypertensive rat brain, which differs from that obtained by the static autoregulation curve. Step changes in CPP from 70 to 50 and 30 mmHg were made by increasing ICP using an artificial cerebrospinal fluid reservoir connected to the cisterna magna. At each CPP, a transient 10-mmHg increase in arterial pressure was induced by bolus intravenous dopamine. iPRx and iCVRx were calculated as ΔICP/Δ mean arterial pressure (MAP) and as ΔCBF/ΔMAP, respectively. The critical CPP at high ICP, obtained by iPRx and iCVRx, is 50 mmHg, where compromised capillary flow, transition of blood flow to nonnutritive microvascular shunts, tissue hypoxia, and brain–blood barrier leakage begin to occur, which is higher than the 30 mmHg determined by static autoregulation.