cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bismuth Surfactant Effects for GaAsN and Beryllium Doping of GaAsN and GaInAsN Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Abstract Bi was investigated as a possible surfactant for growth of GaAs 1− x N x layers on (1 0 0) GaAs substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) using a radio frequency (RF) plasma nitrogen source. Importantly, Bi extends the useable growth conditions producing smoother surfaces to a significantly higher group V fractional N content than without Bi, enhancing possibilities for growth of structures requiring a larger nitrogen content. The conductivity of Be-doped GaAsN and GaInAsN decreased significantly with increasing N concentration. Temperature-dependent Hall measurement suggests possible compensation and increased activation energy. SIMS and Raman measurements indicate that the N composition increased with introducing Be, and for low [N], with the presence of Bi. The addition of Bi during growth of Be-doped GaAsN only produced semi-insulating layers at all concentrations investigated suggesting it enhances the formation of compensating defects.
Marked early attenuation of hemodynamic effects of oral prazosin therapy in chronic congestive heart failure

Prazosin, in a single oral dose has been shown to induce balanced reduction in left ventricular preload and arteriolar resistance and therefore has been advocated as a potential agent of choice for the long-term treatment of patients with heart failure. However, preliminary reports have questioned the persistence of these beneficial effects. The effects of the first and the fifth consecutive administration of oral prazosin at Its maximal dose (3 to 10 mg every 6 hours) were compared in 11 patients with chronic congestive heart failure. Oral administration of the first dose resulted in a significant reduction in systemic vascular resistance (from 2,062 ± 498 to 1,560 ± 639 dynes sec cm−5, P < 0.05), mean pulmonary wedge pressure (from 23.5 ± 6.2 to 13.7 ± 6.2 mm Hg, P < 0.05) and mean systemic blood pressure (from 88.8 ± 10.4 to 79.8 ± 11.1, P < 0.05). The drug also produced a significant increase in cardiac index (from 1.96 ± 0.3 to 2.53 ± 0.6, liters/min per m2, P < 0.05), stroke volume index (from 22.2 ± 4.5 to 28.8 ± 6.4 ml/m2, P < 0.05) and stroke work index (from 19.4 ± 4.2 to 26 ± 7.1, g-m/m2, P <0.05), whereas the heart rate did not change significantly (87.7 ± 17 versus 88.4 ± 16 beats/ min). In contrast to the significant favorable effect demonstrated initially with prazosin, no significant hemodynamic changes were noted after the administration of the fifth consecutive dose. A comparison between the values at the peak response elucidated a complete abolishment of the effect on left ventricular filling pressure (13.7 ± 6.2 versus 22.5 ± 4.2 mm Hg, P < 0.05) with a greatly attenuated effect of the drug on systemic vascular resistance (1,560 ± 639 versus 1,816 ± 544 dynes sec cm−5, P < 0.05). These data suggest an early development of tolerance to the beneficial hemodynamic effects mediated by oral prazosin and raise doubt regarding the value of this agent in the ambulatory treatment of patients with chronic congestive heart failure.
The relevance of heterogeneous clubs in explaining contemporary NATO politics

This article expands the logic of the club goods theory as a framework for studying North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) politics and argues that NATO should be approached as a heterogeneous club that incorporates several different groups of allies with relatively similar characteristics. The successful decision-making in this club depends exclusively on the capacity of the allies to reach consensus. If the member states agree on a decision, it is usually optimal, while the lack of willingness to accommodate the diverging positions of the allies stimulates solutions outside of the club which for the most part are sub-optimal. The relevance of this model is illustrated with two cases: the negotiations within NATO preceding Operation ‘Iraqi Freedom’ in 2003 and the decision to start the NATO Training Mission in Iraq in 2004.
Output buffer design for low noise and load adaptability

A new output buffer design for low switching noise and load adaptability is presented. Instead of using a current source, a current limiter is proposed to reduce the switching noise and static power dissipation. Output ringing is lowered by turning off the driver stage near the end of the output transition automatically. Compared with previous designs, the proposed buffer has less switching noise and improved output ringing and speed. The proposed method is simple and effective, without the necessity for a feedback control circuit.
Texture evolution during multi-pass equal channel angular extrusion of copper : Neutron diffraction characterization and polycrystal modeling

Abstract Experimental characterization and polycrystal modeling of texture evolution in pure copper during equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) via routes BC (1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 passes) and C (1–4 passes) are conducted. Rigorous analysis of bulk textures measured by neutron diffraction is performed for the two routes. Textures in route BC show orientation concentrations along fibers that consist of the {1 1 1}θ and 〈1 1 0〉θ partial fibers, yet the locations and orientation densities of the main texture components vary significantly with pass number. For route C, the first pass texture is retained in subsequent passes, apart from slight variations in the strengths of the main texture components. Quantitatively good texture predictions for all passes in route BC and odd-numbered passes in route C are obtained using a viscoplastic self-consistent model with a grain co-rotation scheme and a simple shear deformation history though they are further improved when the deformation is provided by finite element (FE) simulations. For the even-numbered passes in route C, however, the simple shear deformation is not sufficient; the complex and inhomogeneous deformation captured by FE simulations is important for reproducing the retained shear texture. Regardless of the deformation history used, the full constraints Taylor model is shown to be insufficient for texture predictions in multi-pass ECAE.
Variation of whole and fractured porous rock permeability with confining pressure

Phenomenological models have been devised to determine the variation with pressure of the permeability of whole and fractures porous rock. For whole porous rock, the permeability variation with pressure is based upon the Hertzian theory of deformation of spheres. This model gives a permeability variation with pressure given by k(P) = k0 {1 − C0[(P + P1)/P0]sol23}4 where k0 is the initial permeability of the loose-grain packing, C0 is a constant depending upon the packing (and is of the order of 2), P1 is the ‘equivalent pressure’ due to the cementation and permanent deformation of the grains and P0 is the effective elastic modulus of the grains (and is of the order of the grain material bulk modulus). The permeability variation of a fracture (or fractured rock) with confining pressure is determined by using a ‘bed of nails’ model for the asperities of the fracture. Its functional dependence is k(P) = k0 [1 − (P/P1)m]3 where ko is the zero pressure permeability, P1 is the effective modulus of the asperrities (and is of the order of one-tenth to one-hundredth of the asperity material bulk modulus) and m is a constant (0 < m < 1) which characterizes the distributions function of the asperity lengths. The above expression assumes a simple power-law variation for the asperity-length distribution. More complicated asperity-length distributions can be used, but the data quality and the fracture-to-fracture variability does not warrant the use of such distributions. A comparison of experimental data with the theoretical curves shows good correlation between the two and gives reasonable values for the constants k0, P1 and m.
Franco Moretti. The Bourgeois: Between History and Literature. New York: Verso, 2013. 203 pp.

Franco Moretti's The Bourgeois: Between History and Literature surveys eighteenth- and nineteenth-century prose, in search of connections between the poetics of fiction and the bourgeoisie's parado...
Protection of fatty acids against ruminal biohydrogenation in cattle

The increased need for intestinal absorption of unsaturated fatty acids in cattle is driven mainly by nutritional guidelines that promote reduced intake of saturated fatty acids by humans, and by reports of enhanced animal performance (such as reproductive performance) when additional essential fatty acids are supplied. A duodenal flow dataset was compiled from 25 published studies that provided up to 93 observations on fatty acid intakes and ruminal outflows across a multitude of unprotected and protected fat sources. Control diets with no added fat and diets containing unprotected fat sources had similar and predictable ruminal losses of unsaturated fatty acids (86% for linolenic and oleic acids, and 82% for linoleic acids). Rumen protection technologies that have emerged over the years involve either encapsulation of unsaturated fatty acids inside a microbial-resistant shell (such as formaldehyde-treated or lipid encapsulated), or alteration of fatty acid structure (such as calcium salts or fatty amides) to resist action of microbial enzymes. Calcium salts of fatty acids, because they are available commercially, comprised the majority of observations in the duodenal flow dataset. Meta-analysis of the duodenal dataset that included random study effects revealed only a few instances where protected fat sources gave ruminal losses of polyunsaturated fatty acids that were appreciably lower than what was seen for unprotected fats. Future challenges include enhancing protection characteristics of existing rumen-protected fat sources, and development and commercialization of novel protection strategies.
Cytotoxicity, Radiosensitization, and DNA Interaction of Platinum Complexes of Thiazin and Xanthene Dyes

Complexes of the platinum(II) tetrachlorodianion with positively charged nuclear dyes have been prepared in an effort to produce neutral molecules which could gain ready access to the nuclear DNA where the platinum(II) tetrachlorodianion could function as a radiosensitizing and a bifunctional alkylating agent. The thiazin dyes Thionin, Azure B, and Methylene Blue, the aminoxanthene dye Pyronin Y, and the thiazole dye Thioflavin have each been complexed to the platinum(II) tetrachlorodianion ( PtCl4) in a ratio of 2:1 ( $\text{dye}\colon {\rm PtCl}_{4}$). Studies of the interaction of these complexes and of the dyes with the pBR322 plasmid superhelical DNA demonstrated that while each complex and dye readily associated with the DNA in a dose-dependent manner, only ${\rm Pt}(\text{Thioflavin)}_{2}$ and Thioflavin produced irreversible DNA changes (single-strand breaks). In exponentially growing EMT6 cells the cytotoxicity of these drugs was assessed in normally oxygenated and hypoxic cells at both pH 7.4 an...
Stepwise charge separation in heterotriads. Binuclear Ru(II)-Rh(III) complexes on nanocrystalline titanium dioxide

Two novel Ru(II)-Rh(III) polypyridine dyads, containing carboxylic functions at the Rh(III) unit, RhIII(dcb)2-(BL)-RuII(dmp)2 and RhIII(dcb)2-(BL)-RuII(bpy)2 (bpy = 2,2‘-bipyridine; dcb = 4,4‘-dicarboxy-2,2‘-bipyridine; dmp = 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline; BL = 1,2-bis[4-(4‘-methyl-2,2‘-bipyridyl)]ethane), have been synthesized. Their photophysical behavior in solution, compared with that of the mononuclear RuII(dcb)2(dmb) model (dmb = 4,4‘-dimethyl-2,2‘-bipyridine), indicates the occurrence of fast (108−109 s-1) and efficient (>95%) Rh(III)-*Ru(II) → Rh(II)-Ru(III) photoinduced electron transfer. These species adsorb firmly on nanoporous TiO2 films, via the dcb ligands of the Rh(III) units. The behavior of the adsorbed species has been studied by means of nanosecond time-resolved emission and absorption measurements, as well as by photocurrent measurements. Photocurrent action spectra demonstrate that light absorption by the Ru(II) chromophore leads to electron injection into the semiconductor. A deta...
Prostaglandin E2 prevents ovariectomy-induced cancellous bone loss in rats.

The object of this study was to determine whether prostaglandin E2, (PGE2) can prevent ovariectomy induced cancellous bone loss. Thirty-five 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups. The rats in the first group were ovariectomized (OVX) while the others received sham operation (sham-OVX). The OVX group was further divided into three treatment groups. The daily doses for the three groups were 0,1 and 6 mg PGE2/kg for 90 days. Bone histomorphometric analyses were performed on double-fluorescent-labeled undecalcified proximal tibial metaphysis (PTM). We confirmed that OVX induces massive cancellous bone loss (-80%) and a higher bone turnover (+143%). The new findings from the present study demonstrate that bone loss due to ovarian hormone deficiency can be prevented by a low-dose (1 mg) daily administration of PGE2. Furthermore, a higher-dose (6 mg) daily administration of PGE2 not only prevents bone loss but also adds extra bone to the proximal tibial metaphyses. PGE, at the 1-mg dose level significantly increased trabecular bone area, trabecular width, trabecular node density, density of node to node, ratio of node to free end, and thus significantly decreased trabecular separation from OVX controls. At this dose level, these same parameters did not differ significantly from sham-OVX controls. However, at the 6-mg dose level PGE2, there were significant increases in trabecular bone area, trabecular width, trabecular node density, density of node to node, and ratio of node to free end, while there was significant decrease in trabecular separation from both OVX and sham-operated controls. The changes in indices of trabecular bone microanatomical structure indicated that PGE2 prevented bone loss as well as the disconnection of existing trabeculae. In summary, PGE2, administration to OVX rats decreased bone turnover and increased bone formation parameters resulting in a positive bone balance that prevented bone loss (in both lower and higher doses) and added extra bone to metaphyses of OVX rats (in higher dose). These findings support the strategy of the use of bone stimulation agents in the prevention of estrogen depletion bone loss (postmenopausal osteoporosis).
The Value of a Smile: Child Positive Affect Moderates Relations Between Maternal Emotion Dysregulation and Child Adjustment Problems

Little is known about how processes underlying maternal psychopathology, such as emotion dysregulation, are related to children’s adjustment problems. Further, scant research has explored child protective factors that can buffer these associations. We used a multi-method approach to examine whether child positive affect functions as a protective and/or promotive factor in the context of maternal emotion dysregulation in a cross-sectional sample of 95 mothers (M age = 30.38 years, SD = 6.10) and their preschool-age children (M age = 3.52 years, SD = .52). We assessed maternal emotion dysregulation using respiratory sinus arrhythmia data and a self-report measure. Mothers reported on their children’s positive affect as well as their internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Results yielded significant bivariate relations between maternal self-reported emotion dysregulation and children’s internalizing and externalizing problems. Moderation analyses indicated that high child positive affect facilitated adjustment across both internalizing and externalizing domains when maternal physiological emotion dysregulation was low. In addition, high child positive affect facilitated adjustment in the internalizing domain when self-reported maternal emotion dysregulation was low. The identification of factors contributing to adjustment problems during the preschool period is crucial given the potential for the prevention of long-term maladaptation, and our results suggest that child positive affect and maternal emotion dysregulation may be important targets for prevention and intervention work.
RADIOTAGGING STUDIES OF BELUKHA WHALES (DELPHINAPTERUS LEUCAS) IN BRISTOL BAY, ALASKA

Research was conducted in Bristol Bay, Alaska, to determine the applicability of radiotagging to studies of behavior, distribution and movements of belukha whales. Backpack-style VHF transmitters were attached to two belukhas by pinning through the dorsal ridge. Both packages were shed after about 2 wk due to migration of the pin through the tissue. Movements of radio-tagged whales were essentially local within Kvichak Bay. Three basic respiration patterns were identified: surfacings that were grouped into breathing periods separated by longer dives; surfacings that did not occur during restricted breathing periods; and long-to-very-long surfacings separated by short-to-very-short dives. These patterns were interpreted as representing traveling, feeding and feeding or resting in very shallow water. Surface and dive interval data were used to calculate a correction factor of 2.75, which could then be applied to aerial survey counts to estimate the total number of belukha whales in the study area. Modifications to radio packages are necessary in order to increase retention time.
Structure and Permeability of Ion-channels by Integrated AFM and Waveguide TIRF Microscopy

Membrane ion channels regulate key cellular functions and their activity is dependent on their 3D structure. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images 3D structure of membrane channels placed on a solid substrate. Solid substrate prevents molecular transport through ion channels thus hindering any direct structure-function relationship analysis. Here we designed a ~70 nm nanopore to suspend a membrane, allowing fluidic access to both sides. We used these nanopores with AFM and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) for high resolution imaging and molecular transport measurement. Significantly, membranes over the nanopore were stable for repeated AFM imaging. We studied structure-activity relationship of gap junction hemichannels reconstituted in lipid bilayers. Individual hemichannels in the membrane overlying the nanopore were resolved and transport of hemichannel-permeant LY dye was visualized when the hemichannel was opened by lowering calcium in the medium. This integrated technique will allow direct structure-permeability relationship of many ion channels and receptors.
Algorithm-based fault detection for signal processing applications

The increasing demands for high-performance signal processing along with the availability of inexpensive high-performance processors have results in numerous proposals for special-purpose array processors for signal processing applications. A functional-level concurrent error-detection scheme is presented for such VLSI signal processing architectures as those proposed for the FFT and QR factorization. Some basic properties involved in such computations are used to check the correctness of the computed output values. This fault-detection scheme is shown to be applicable to a class of problems rather than a particular problem, unlike the earlier algorithm-based error-detection techniques. The effects of roundoff/truncation errors due to finite-precision arithmetic are evaluated. It is shown that the error coverage is high with large word sizes. >
Membrane vibration experiments: An historical review and recent results

Although dozens of theoretical studies have been published on membrane vibrations, very little experimental work exists in the literature. We provide here a concise review of the experimental membrane vibration literature. A membrane by definition has insignificant bending stiffness. From a vibration point of view, this in effect decouples domains of the membrane from one another in transverse displacement. In this article we show both experimentally and theoretically that this unique character allows for a local response to local excitation. Practical applications of these results may find value in the control-structure-interaction community.
The Economic Value of Scuba-Diving Use of Natural and Artificial Reef Habitats

Artificial reefs may attract and sustain fish populations, but whether they resemble natural reefs is open to conjecture. This article addresses the question of whether artificial reefs are functionally acceptable to scuba divers. Research objectives were (1) to identify the nonmarket value of recreational scuba diving in offshore marine waters and (2) to ascertain whether the willingness to pay for scuba diving varied between users of natural and artificial reef habitats. A random sample of 1,059 scuba divers was used to estimate consumer's surplus associated with the diving experience. While natural and artificial habitats provide substantial economic value associated with diving, results indicate divers using natural reef habitats value their diving experience significantly more highly than those using artificial reef habitats. Also, substantial value from recreational diving use of artificial reefs suggests they serve as potential substitutes and thus may alleviate pressures on natural reef areas for ...
How to Buy the

If you've never spent much time around computers and the thought of shopping for one panics you, take heart. Finding the right personal computer for you has very little to do with the intimidating sight of sleek machinery, glowing video monitors, and salespeople who begin their pitches with ROM, RAM, and Ks. It has everything to do with simple English and a good look at your own needs.
Direct calorimetric analysis of turf grass sod for storage life assessment

Abstract Heating of stacked turfgrass sod post-harvest, causes rapid plant tissue deterioration and is a major factor for stacking arrangement, storage time and the geographic distance that sod can be shipped. Direct calorimeters were designed, built, and tested to measure heat production and heat transfer rates through material with known thermal properties. They were calibrated using electrical resistance heating and analyzed as steady-state systems. Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) sod sections with moisture contents ranging from 6 to 30% were placed in calorimeters throughout the summer and fall of 2002 to determine the influence of moisture content on heat production. Energy production had a positive linear relationship with moisture content. Transient temperatures cycles were found to be small. The rate of increase was 0.0032 W kg −1 dry weight for each percent sod moisture content between 6 and 30%. This suggests that lower moisture content is more desirable for generating less heat, but sod must be irrigated prior to harvest to provide adequate handling properties. Further research needs to be conducted to determine the minimum sod moisture content to reduce heating, while maintaining handling properties. Controlling sod heat production could expand the shipping area for sod producers.
The Effect of Experience on Classification of Voice Quality

Summary Objectives/Hypothesis The purpose of this study was to compare the agreement among several groups of listeners with different types of experience in regard to classifying voice quality. Study Design This is a retrospective cross-sectional quasi-experimental design. Method This study compared three groups: speech-language pathologists who specialize in voice, singing voice teachers, and inexperienced listeners. All groups were asked to classify voice samples as breathy, rough, or normal. Results Results show a significant difference across all groups with speech-language pathologists demonstrating a substantial interrater agreement, κ =0.67, z =103.07 ( P κ =0.53, z =79.10 ( P κ =0.24, z =35.82 ( P Conclusions Experienced listeners demonstrated a higher interrater agreement as compared with inexperienced listeners, with speech-language pathologists demonstrating a superior agreement as compared with all groups.
Palaeontology: A fly in the biogeographic ointment

A tiny fossil provides a clue as to how things were in Antarctica millions of years ago. We have discovered a fossil of a higher fly (Diptera: Cyclorrhapha) from Antarctica, a finding that goes against the long-held belief that the continent was never inhabited by these insects1. The fly must either have colonized Antarctica during a warm interval in the Neogene epoch, between 3 million and 17 million years ago, or it was an original member of the Gondwana fauna that survived in Antarctica for tens of millions of years before becoming extinct.
The Effects of Charter School Competition on School District Resource Allocation.

Purpose: This article examines two questions: (a) How does resource allocation change in school districts experiencing sustained charter school competition? (b) Among districts exposed to charter competition, are there differences in the resource allocation adjustments between those that do and do not succeed in stemming further enrollment loss to charters? Research Design: The authors utilize fixed effect models to analyze a statewide panel data set of Michigan school districts from 1994 to 2006. The authors consider several dimensions of resource allocation—for example, average class size, teacher salaries, and spending shares devoted to a variety of disaggregated instructional and noninstructional functions, including administration. Findings: Overall, the results do not support the hypothesis that competition from charter schools spurs regular public schools to shift resources to achievement-oriented activities. Charter competition has had remarkably little impact on standard measures of district reso...
A statistical journey to the centre of the Earth

What lies beneath our feet? Huge quantities of data and complex analysis have revealed an Earth that is spinning at its core, says Ping Ma.
Organic photochemical mechanisms

Article de synthese sur les mecanismes des reactions photochimiques et les methodes d'etude utilisees
Retained Austenite Stabilization Through Solute Partitioning During Intercritical Annealing in C-, Mn-, Al-, Si-, and Cr-Alloyed Steels

Retained austenite fractions, predicted to be stable at room temperature assuming ortho-equilibrium solute distribution during intercritical annealing, were calculated for “medium-Mn” steels with varying Mn, C, Al, Si, and Cr additions using SSOL 2 and TCFE 7 Thermo-Calc® databases. While Mn additions increase retained austenite levels, increased C levels are not predicted to greatly impact austenite fractions. Additions of Si reduce the levels, whereas opposing trends are predicted for Al additions by the employed Thermo-Calc® databases. Chromium significantly reduces the dependence of retained austenite fraction on annealing temperature. Alloying effects are explained through four critical phase transformation temperatures.
Estimation of optimal Kalman filter gain from nonoptimal filter residuals

This paper presents a novel method of estimating the optimal steady state Kalman filter gain of a linear discrete time-invariant system from a non-optimal Kalman filter residual sequence. The relation between the optimal residual sequence and a signal derived from the non-optimal residual sequence is described by a Moving Average (MA) model whose coefficients are expressed in terms of the state space parameters and the optimal steady state Kalman filter gain. In order to identify the MA model, a whitening filter of the derived signal, which corresponds to an AutoRegressive (AR) model of the signal, is first identified using the least-squares method. Then the inverse filter of the whitening filter, which corresponds to the MA model, is calculated. From the coefficients of the identified MA model, the optimal steady state Kalman filter gain can be obtained. Numerical example is provided to illustrate the feasibility of this approach.
The seismological program of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II

Conditions permitting, the following seismological program will be carried on during the stay of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II at little America on the Bay of Whales, Antarctica. Latitude 78° 34′ S, longitude 163° 45′ W. It has been rather definitely shown that the shelf ice at the Bay of Whales is not floating, but rests on the underlying rock. For this reason it is believed that, if a shaft is sunk down through the snow to the surface of the ice and the recording seismometers mounted on piers frozen into the ice, fairly good results should be obtained. A clock-driven recorder will be used, having two drums each 12 inches in diameter and 24 inches long. This recorder is adjustable as to the rate at which the drums move endwise so that from three to seven days' record can be obtained on the same sheet of bromide paper.
ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE SIGNALS AND CELL STRUCTURE OF CHLORELLA PYRENOIDOSA GROWN UNDER DIFFERENT LIGHT INTENSITIES.

Chlorella pyrenoidosa grown under low (100 foot-candles) and high light intensity (1050 foot-candles) exhibit marked changes in electron spin resonance signals. The ratio of the light-induced fast rise, fast decay signal (signal I) to the broader, slow decay signal (signal II) is greater in the low-light grown cells. The ratios of paramagnetic ion signals apparently due to ferric (Fe3+) ion and manganous (Mn2+) ion are also greater in the low-light grown cells. Electron micrographs show that the most salient change in cell structure of the cells grown under low light is a marked increase in the number and density of the lamellae. The effect of heat treatment of cells on cell structure and electron spin resonance signals also is discussed.
Revaluation of the local field

Abstract Rigorous formulation of macroscopic fields through cell averages of microscopic fields and strict avoidance of self-interaction make a derivation of the local field possible through surface integrals over just one molecular cell in contrast to the traditional cavity method. As an example we present the local field for an orthorhombic cell in terms of analytical geometry factors. An analysis of approximations permits a reevaluation of the cavity method. The Lorentz formula for a cubic cell, E loc = E + ( 4π 3 )P , is found to be accurate to second order. The wide-spread belief that the difference between the local field and the Maxwell field arises from dipoles near the molecule under consideration must be repudiated as a misconception. We show that this field difference originates solely from the self-field of the charge distribution in the molecular cell.
Detection of Acute Hypoxia in Cardiac Myocytes using Calcium Channel Activity and O2-Sensitive Coverslips

Acute and chronic hypoxias are common diseases that often lead to arrhythmia and impaired contractility. At the cellular level it is unclear whether the suppression of cardiac Ca2+ channels (CaV1.2) results directly from oxygen deprivation on the channel protein or functions through intermediary proteins affecting the channel. To address this question we measured the time-course of suppression of the Ba2+-current (IBa) through L-type Ca2+-channels while monitoring the concentration of dissolved O2 in the immediate vicinity of the voltage-clamped cell. Cells were plated onto glass coverslips coated with a fluorescent ruthenium-based O2-sensor (Ruthenium-tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) dichloride) imbedded in ORMOSIL matrix. using the glass coverslips as a light guide, the O2-sensor was excited by evanescent illumination at 473 nm from a 400 mW diode laser, while emitted light (> 515 nm) from the para-cellular vicinity was detected by a photomultiplier. using this optical system we verified that our perfusion system was capable of changing the O2 concentration around the cell within 140 ms (τ1/2). IBa was activated every 5 sec using 30 ms depolarizing pulses from −50 mV to 0 mV and cells were exposed every third episode to hypoxic solutions lasting 0.25-2.5 sec. Under these conditions the suppression of IBa increased gradually with the duration of hypoxia. This effect was >80% reversible within 5 sec. These results support the notion that hypoxia has a rapid and direct suppressive effect on the Ca2+ channel and are consistent with our previous findings that suggested that the binding of heme oxygenase to the CaM/CaMKII-specific motifs on Ca2+ channel may mediate the rapid response of the channel to hypoxia (Rosa et al., 2012, J Physiol, 590:4223-4237). Supported by: RO1 HL 107600.
Sleep induced by the administration of melatonin (5-methoxy-N-acetyltryptamine) to the hypothalamus in unrestrained cats

An nicht narkotisierten Katzen wurde die Wirkung einer direkten lokalen chemischen Reizung subkortikaler Strukturen durch Melatonin untersucht. Diese Substanz, appliziert im Bereich der Area praeoptica, loste trophotropische Effekte und Schlaf aus.
Performance issues in non-blocking synchronization on shared-memory multiprocessors

This paper considers the implementation of non-blocking concurrent objects on shared-memory multiprocessors. Real multiprocessors have properties not present in theoretical models; these properties can be exploited to design non-blocking protocols that are more efficient in practice than those allowed by theoretical models. These new protocols rely on the operating system to take action when a thread of control is delayed during its non-blocking update. We illustrate the effectiveness of this approach by presenting two protocols that address factors hindering the performance of Herlihy's standard non-blocking protocol [Herlihy 90, Herlihy 91a]. These factors are: resources wasted by attempted non-blocking operations that fail, and the cost of data copying. We demonstrate the importance of these factors experimentally, and show how they can be reduced using protocols that rely on operating system support. To reduce the overhead of failing non-blocking operations, our first protocol maintains information about the utilization of the shared object; experiments show that this protocol performs better than the known alternatives. To reduce the cost of data copying, we introduce a second, optimistic protocol that avoids copying, except in the case when a thread of control is delayed during its attempted update.
Geochemical characteristics of oils from Taiwan

Abstract Geochemical studies on a number of oils from Taiwan have shown that they are sourced predominantly from terrigenous organic matter. Biomarker characteristics include the presence of high amounts of long-chain regular isoprenoids, bicyclic sesquiterpanes, diterpanes, low concentrations or absence of tricyclic terpanes, presence of several C 24 tetracyclic terpanes and some source-specific pentacyclic terpanes and a predominance of C 29 steranes. For most of the oils, the n -alkanes extended to C 30 or above and have CPI values of approximately 1, indicating the mature nature of these oils. The pristane/phytane ratios, generally in excess of 5, suggest the likely prevalence of a highly oxic, nearshore, marine-open peat swamp depositional environment which incorporated large amounts of terrigenous organic matter. The long-chain isoprenoids extending to C 42 , and possible higher, are proposed to be regular head-to-tail isoprenoids possibly derived from polyprenols in higher plants. The sesquiterpanes present in the oils range from C 15 and C 17 and are dominated by 8β(H)-drimane and 8β (H)-homodrimane. The diterpanes include C 17 -C 20 tricyclic and C 19 and C 20 tetracyclic diterpanes. The presence of diterpanes in these oils suggests that resins derived from conifers contributed to the source of these oils. At least nine tetracyclic terpanes with carbon numbers ranging 24 to 27 were detected in Taiwan oils. Two series of tetracyclic terpanes are apparent, one is the de-A-oleanane/ursane series and the other is the 17,21-secohopane series. The former is more source-specific than the latter and is probably related to the presence of oleanane. A number of pentacyclic terpanes, including oleanane, have been detected and many of these compounds may be of terrigenous origin and source-specific. Oleanane, de-A-oleanane/ursane and de-A-lupane can be used as indicators for angiosperms which have evolved since the late Cretaceous. Sterane distributions in the Taiwan oils are dominated by the C 29 steranes and include regular and rearranged steranes, indicating the terrigenous nature of the organic matter in the source rocks. The significance of the variations observed in the biomarker distributions of the oils from Taiwan is discussed in some detail in this paper.
EFFECTS OF PH and MIXING TIME ON PROTEIN SOLUBILITY DURING THE WASHING OF MECHANICALLY DEBONED CHICKEN MEAT

Mechanically deboned chicken meat (MDCM) was subjected to washing with either tap water, 0.1 M sodium chloride, sodium phosphate (ionic strength = 0.1) or 0.5% sodium bicarbonate to remove heme pigments and fat. The washing conditions including pH (5.0 ± 0.2, 6.0 ± 0.2, 7.0 ± 0.2, 8.0 ± 0.2) and mixing time (10, 20, 30 min) were investigated. A significant increase (P 0.05) further advantage of increased concentration of the salt extractable proteins when using the mixing time of 30 min.
Non-linear compensation of vehicle signatures captured from electromagnetic sensors with application to vehicle re-identification

The distribution of travel times over a link in a transportation network can be estimated by observing the actual travel times of individual vehicles traversing the link and creating a histogram of the observations. The fundamental building block of travel time estimation is the re-idenfication of vehicles. A variety of techniques can be used for re-identification, but this paper focuses on electromagnetic signatures. The travel time distribution can be sampled using time-stamped signatures captured from vehicles along with an algorithm for signature matching. The method works well for free flowing traffic on a limited access highway, but to apply it on arterials it is necessary to compensate for vehicle acceleration over the sensors, which is manifested as a nonlinear scaling of the time axis in the captured signatures. In this paper we show how to estimate the acceleration from signatures captured from a loop trap and how to compensate for the effect of both varying velocities and acceleration. The results are summarized in terms of receiver operating characteristics to demonstrate the performance improvements associated with velocity and acceleration compensation. When applied to signature matching over a relatively long link it is shown that acceleration compensation offers significant improvement in matching performance.
Prophylactic and symptomatic treatment of influenza. Current and developing options.

The influenza vaccine is the primary method for the prevention and control of influenza. Anti-influenza drugs also have been shown to be useful pro- phylactically and to shorten the duration of ill...
Prediction of depression in parents of Turner Syndrome adolescents as a function of growth hormones, family conflict, and coping style

We investigated differences in parents' adjustment (depression) to their daughter's Turner Syndrome as a function of parent coping style, family conflict, and growth hormone. Forty-four mothers and fathers of adolescents with Turner Syndrome (taking and not taking growth hormone) served as subjects. Parents independently completed the Family Environment Scale, the Ways of Coping Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Regression analyses revealed that mothers who utilized wishful thinking as a coping style and who did not have daughters receiving growth hormone reported more symptoms of depression than those mothers who did not have this coping style and daughters taking growth hormone. However, for fathers, neither growth hormone nor wishful thinking accounted for any variance in their depression scores. Family conflict did not contribute to depression scores for mothers or fathers. Variations in parent adjustment were attributed to differing roles parents have in caretaking the pediatric patient as well as divergent coping styles. The tendency for parents to infantalize their adolescents with Turner Syndrome may explain the lack of relationship between family conflict and parental report of depression.
Element-selective detection after supercritical fluid chromatography by means of a Surfatron plasma in the near-infrared spectral region

Abstract A microwave-induced plasma, known as the Surfatron, is evaluated as a detector for supercritical fluid chromatography. The spectral range that is investigated is the near-infrared region because of its relative freedom from many spectral interferences, compared to the UV and visible regions. A Novel method of heating the column restrictor is described, which is compatible with the very limited space and inaccessibility of the discharge tube configuration in the Surfatron cavity. Sensitivities and selectivities are determined for sulfur, chlorine, and bromine, using both a carbon dioxide and a nitrous oxide mobile phase. The detector is also evaluated in the “universal detection” mode by monitoring the carbon line when a nitrous oxide mobile phase is used. An application is demonstrated through the analysis of a mixture of sulfur-containing pesticides.
The micro-determination of glycerol in Acetobacter culture media

A method is presented for the colorimetric estimation of glycerol in the presence of the metabolism products which it yields when submitted to the action of Acetobacter acetigenum. The interference of dihydroxyacetone (DHA) is eliminated by selective oxidation with ceric sulphate and hypoiodite. The method is suitable for multiple routine analyses and allows 0.1-0.5 mg. of glycerol to be determined accurately in the presence of 0.76 mg. of DHA. The precision of the method is related to the accuracy of prediction, from standard curves, of the glycerol content of unknown solutions, for which 95% confidence limits at the extreme values of the determinative range are given as 0.1 ± 0.01 mg. and 0.5 ± 0.011 mg.
Hepatic Stellate Cells: Protean, Multifunctional, and Enigmatic Cells of the Liver

The hepatic stellate cell has surprised and engaged physiologists, pathologists, and hepatologists for over 130 years, yet clear evidence of its role in hepatic injury and fibrosis only emerged following the refinement of methods for its isolation and characterization. The paradigm in liver injury of activation of quiescent vitamin A-rich stellate cells into proliferative, contractile, and fibrogenic myofibroblasts has launched an era of astonishing progress in understanding the mechanistic basis of hepatic fibrosis progression and regression. But this simple paradigm has now yielded to a remarkably broad appreciation of the cell's functions not only in liver injury, but also in hepatic development, regeneration, xenobiotic responses, intermediary metabolism, and immunoregulation. Among the most exciting prospects is that stellate cells are essential for hepatic progenitor cell amplification and differentiation. Equally intriguing is the remarkable plasticity of stellate cells, not only in their variable intermediate filament phenotype, but also in their functions. Stellate cells can be viewed as the nexus in a complex sinusoidal milieu that requires tightly regulated autocrine and paracrine cross-talk, rapid responses to evolving extracellular matrix content, and exquisite responsiveness to the metabolic needs imposed by liver growth and repair. Moreover, roles vital to systemic homeostasis include their storage and mobilization of retinoids, their emerging capacity for antigen presentation and induction of tolerance, as well as their emerging relationship to bone marrow-derived cells. As interest in this cell type intensifies, more surprises and mysteries are sure to unfold that will ultimately benefit our understanding of liver physiology and the diagnosis and treatment of liver disease.
IRE1-Dependent Activation of AMPK in Response to Nitric Oxide

While there can be detrimental consequences of nitric oxide production at pathological concentrations, eukaryotic cells have evolved protective mechanisms to defend themselves against this damage. The unfolded-protein response (UPR), activated by misfolded proteins and oxidative stress, is one adaptive mechanism that is employed to protect cells from stress. Nitric oxide is a potent activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and AMPK participates in the cellular defense against nitric oxide-mediated damage in pancreatic β-cells. In this study, the mechanism of AMPK activation by nitric oxide was explored. The known AMPK kinases LKB1, CaMKK, and TAK1 are not required for the activation of AMPK by nitric oxide. Instead, this activation is dependent on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-activated protein IRE1. Nitric oxide-induced AMPK phosphorylation and subsequent signaling to AMPK substrates, including Raptor, acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, and PGC-1α, is attenuated in IRE1α-deficient cells. The endoribonuclease activity of IRE1 appears to be required for AMPK activation in response to nitric oxide. In addition to nitric oxide, stimulation of IRE1 endoribonuclease activity with the flavonol quercetin leads to IRE1-dependent AMPK activation. These findings indicate that the RNase activity of IRE1 participates in AMPK activation and subsequent signaling through multiple AMPK-dependent pathways in response to nitrosative stress.
Modeling the charge injection process in acoustic charge transport devices

A method for modeling the charge injection process in monolithic acoustic charge transport (ACT) devices on GaAs has been developed. The method uses solutions of the two-dimensional Poisson equation to obtain the potential and charge distributions in the charge-injection region of an ACT device. The model predicts dependence of injected packet size and overall delay on the input bias. It has been left flexible to allow variations in all simulation parameters, including SAW (surface acoustic wave) wavelength, surface-metallization structure, and nonconstant epilayer doping, in order to investigate their effects on the charge injection process. Derivation of the method and results of simulations are presented. >
Comparison of blood lipids and blood pressure in black and white collegiate male athletes.

Blood lipids, lipoproteins, and blood pressure (BP) were examined in 74 black and 93 white male NCAA Division I-A collegiate football athletes. Subjects were involved in resistance training and anaerobic running and all ate at the same training table. All measurements were done in the morning following a 12 hour fast. No significant differences were found in mean systolic (128 mm Hg) or diastolic (77 mm Hg) BPs. Blacks and whites were similar in age, height, weight, VO2max estimated from a 12 minute run test, total serum cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). However, the black athletes had significantly (P < 0.01) lower serum triglycerides, total cholesterol to HDL-C ratio, and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) compared to whites. In a subgroup of 34 subjects, there were no differences in dietary fat, carbohydrate, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, calcium, or fiber intake. These data suggest a race-related difference in some blood lipids-lipoproteins without a concomitant difference in BP within a group of young adult male athletes.
Dynamic and static communication in electronic media

Some years before electronic mail and Web-based hypertext became important features of professional communication, Robert Pirsig observed that information has always had higher value if it was organized in small chunks that could be accessed and sequenced at random. The paper discusses dynamic and static communication in electronic media.