cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The OH-initiated oxidation of 1,3-butadiene in the presence of O2 and NO: a photolytic route to study isomeric selective reactivity.

We report the study of the isomeric selective OH-initiated oxidation of 1,3-butadiene in the presence of O2 and NO using the LP/LIF technique. The photolysis of monodeuterated 1-iodo-3-buten-2-ol provides only one of the possible OD-butadiene adducts, the minor addition channel product, simplifying the oxidation mechanism. We find, based on analysis of OD time-dependent traces that prompt rearrangement of initial β-hydroxyalkyl radicals to α-hydroxyalkyl radicals occurs in agreement with RRKM/ME theoretical predictions. We report a rate constant of (3.3±1.0) × 10-11 cm3 molecules-1 s-1 for deuterium abstraction from the α-hydroxyalkyl radical at 298 ±2 K. Our approach demonstrates the feasibility of isomeric selective kinetic studies of the OH-initiated oxidation of unsaturated hydrocarbons.
Centralizers of partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms

It has been conjectured that a generic diffeomorphism on a compact manifold will have trivial centralizer. In this paper we show that the conjecture is true within certain classes of partially hyperbolic diffeomorphisms.
Adsorption of heavy metal ions on mesoporous silica-modified montmorillonite containing a grafted chelate ligand

Abstract The objective of this work is development of a new adsorbent on the base of an organoclay with a chelating ligand covalently attached to the clay mineral surface. The presence of a chelating ligand in the clay structure significantly improves its ability to immobilize heavy metal ions from contaminated sludge of wastewater. Montmorillonite and kaolinite were chosen as typical examples of expandable and non-expandable clay minerals. A two-step modification procedure comprised of sequential modification with oxides and grafting of a chelating agent to the modified clay minerals was used. Modifications with silica and ferric oxide were conducted by reacting the dispersed raw clay minerals with tetraethoxysilane and ferric nitrate solution. A chelating ligand, N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine triacetic acid trisodium salt, was introduced into interlayer space of raw and modified clay minerals in aqueous solutions. Laboratory tests of the organoclay efficiency for purification of wastewater were conducted with the most promising sample, i.e., organoclay with the highest specific loading of chelating agent. Experiments were conducted with model wastewater containing either individual or mixed heavy metal ions. The modified organoclay displayed high adsorption capacity for heavy metal cations even in acidic media. The method of modification presented in this work can be used for synthesis of efficient adsorbents for applications in contaminated areas.
Respiratory adaptations of a fossorial mammal, the pocket gopher (Thomomys bottae)

1. Fossorial rodent burrows exhibit relatively stable environmental conditions with regard to light, y. However, vastly different concentrations of CO2 and O2 are encountered in these burrows. Field observations of shallow pocket gopher burrows (Thomomys bottae) reveal CO2 concentrations to 3.8%, and O2 concentrations from 15.5% to 20.5% (Darden, 1970). Values similar to these have been reported for another genus of gopher,Geomys, by Kennerly (1964) and McNab (1966). 2. The sensitivity of the respiratory control mechanisms of the pocket gopher (T. bottae) O2 was tested and expressed as percent increase in minute volume as a function of the level of inspired CO2 (2% to 8%). The CO3 response curve is markedves for other terrestrial and diving mammals (Figs. 1 and 3). 3. Except for a reduction in slope, the respiratory response to CO2 of gophers can be described as similar to that recorded for humans. Carbon dioxide stimulates both increased ventilatory frequency and tidal volume in a near linear fashion. Individual difference in CO2 sensitivity among gophers was demonstrated (Table 2). 4. The level of alveolar CO2 (PA,CO2) in anesthetized pocket gophers is not significantly altered from values normally observed in man at sea level (Table 4). The reduced ventilatory response is due to a reduction in the slope of the response curve. The possible causes for the decreased sensitivity are discussed. 5. Comparisons of predicted and observed values of tidal volume (VT), rate of ventilation (f), minute volume (\(\dot V_{\min } \)) and respiratory dead space (VD) were made (Table 3). Of these,VD and f and consequently\(\dot V_{\min } \) were smaller than expected. The reduced value ofVD offsets the low\(\dot V_{\min } \) and thus alveolar ventilation (\(\dot V_A \)) is only slightly lower than expected. The possible biological significance of the alterations in f andVD are discussed.
Rheology of Dairy Foods that Gel, Stretch, and Fracture

Casein gels are found in hard and soft dairy foods such as cheese and yogurt, and their rheological properties can be analyzed with various instrumental techniques. Empirical tests of cheese have been used since cheese making began, and imitative tests have been conducted in laboratories since the 1930s. Texture profile analysis is now the most frequently used imitative test. Fundamental tests provide a better representation of cheese and yogurt rheology because of the systematic mathematical treatment involved. Uniaxial compression and stress and strain relaxation tests are among the fundamental tests performed on cheese, and viscosity data are often used to investigate the physical characteristics of yogurt. Small amplitude oscillatory shear measurements are applicable to both products. Food scientists can acquire a clearer picture of the structure of dairy foods by performing appropriate rheological studies of the casein matrix.
Quantized non-Abelian monopoles on S 3

A possible electric-magnetic duality suggests that the confinement of non-Abelian electric charges manifests itself as a perturbative quantum effect for the dual magnetic charges. Motivated by this possibility, we study vacuum fluctuations around a non-Abelian monopole-antimonopole pair treated as point objects with charges g={+-}n/2 (n=1,2,...), and placed on the antipodes of a three sphere of radius R. We explicitly find all the fluctuation modes by linearizing and solving the Yang-Mills equations about this background field on a three sphere. We recover, generalize, and extend earlier results, including those on the stability analysis of non-Abelian magnetic monopoles. We find that for g{>=}1 monopoles there is an unstable mode that tends to squeeze magnetic flux in the angular directions. We sum the vacuum energy contributions of the fluctuation modes for the g=1/2 case and find oscillatory dependence on the cutoff scale. Subject to certain assumptions, we find that the contribution of the fluctuation modes to the quantum zero-point energy grows as {approx}-R{sup -2/3} and hence decays more slowly than the classical -R{sup -1} Coulomb potential for large R. However, the growth of the zero-point energy does not agree with the linear growth expected if the monopoles are confined.
Relaxation Time and Steady Evaporation Rate of Freely Falling Raindrops

Abstract Relaxation times and equilibrium temperatures and evaporation rates of stationary and falling water drops are predicted using beat and mass transfer analyses. Except possibly for very large drops the relaxation time is small and steady-state evaporation takes place over most of the lifetime of a drop. The steady-state temperature is equal to the wet-bulb temperature for both the stationary and the translating cases. The form of the ventilation coefficient measured by Kinzer and Gunn for low Reynolds number is predicted by an asymptotic theory of Acrivos and Taylor. Limiting analyses for heat transfer to spheres from fluids with high and low Prandtl numbers bracket the high Reynolds number data. Analytical expressions are suggested for predicting mass transfer rates at various Reynolds numbers.
Comprehension of two-word instructions by children in the one-word stage

Twelve one-word-stage children (aged 1; 4 to 2; 0) were given minimally contrasting two-word instructions, e.g. kiss duck, kiss car, bang duck and bang car. Since non-linguistic cues were eliminated, comprehension involved making non-syntactic inferences from the word combinations. The children could respond correctly to some of the instructions, and even carried out some unfamiliar activities such as tickle book. Observations of mother–child interactions revealed play routines that may help the child learn to understand more than one word at a time.
High-Frequency Jet Ventilation: Theoretical Considerations and Clinical Observations

High-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) describes a technique of mechanical respiratory support based on the delivery of gases under conditions of constant flow and low pressure. Among the benefits ascribed to HFJV are lessened interference with hemodynamic function and reduced danger of barotrauma. The theoretical and technical aspects of HFJV are discussed and the clinical experience with 39 patients in respiratory failure reported. Synchronization of HFJV with heart rate was attempted in three patients. Cardiac output and ejection fraction increased in all of them. At present, results suggest that HFJV may be the ideal form of support for patients with major airway disruption. The available data also indicate that extensive clinical trials are warranted to define advantages and limits of this form of ventilation.
Corrosion of Nickel Metal by Hydrothermal Sodium Tungstate Solution Observed by In-Situ Infrared Spectroscopy

Abstract Corrosion of nickel metal in a high-temperature aqueous tungstate solution was described. The corrosion altered the solution's pH, which affected the equilibrium of the solution chemistry. These secondary effects of the corrosion process were observed with in-situ infrared (IR) spectroscopy, demonstrating that important information on corrosion phenomena at the solid-fluid interface may be obtained from in-situ spectroscopic studies of the fluid phase. Subsequent scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the corroded nickel metal and solid corrosion products support conclusions drawn from solution chemistry measurements. The presented findings are of interest to researchers and engineers that use pure nickel or nickel-bearing alloys as a material for high-temperature, high-pressure applications in aqueous solutions.
A reassessment of the evolutionary timescale of bat rabies viruses based upon glycoprotein gene sequences

Rabies, an acute progressive encephalomyelitis caused by viruses in the genus Lyssavirus, is one of the oldest known infectious diseases. Although dogs and other carnivores represent the greatest threat to public health as rabies reservoirs, it is commonly accepted that bats are the primary evolutionary hosts of lyssaviruses. Despite early historical documentation of rabies, molecular clock analyses indicate a quite young age of lyssaviruses, which is confusing. For example, the results obtained for partial and complete nucleoprotein gene sequences of rabies viruses (RABV), or for a limited number of glycoprotein gene sequences, indicated that the time of the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) for current bat RABV diversity in the Americas lies in the seventeenth to eighteenth centuries and might be directly or indirectly associated with the European colonization. Conversely, several other reports demonstrated high genetic similarity between lyssavirus isolates, including RABV, obtained within a time interval of 25–50 years. In the present study, we attempted to re-estimate the age of several North American bat RABV lineages based on the largest set of complete and partial glycoprotein gene sequences compiled to date (n = 201) employing a codon substitution model. Although our results overlap with previous estimates in marginal areas of the 95 % high probability density (HPD), they suggest a longer evolutionary history of American bat RABV lineages (TMRCA at least 732 years, with a 95 % HPD 436–1107 years).
Decreased cervical proinflammatory cytokines permit subsequent upper genital tract infection during pregnancy.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that suppressed immune function in the lower genital tract, as represented by decreased concentrations of cervical proinflammatory cytokines early in pregnancy, is a risk factor for clinical chorioamnionitis. STUDY DESIGN: Interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cervical fluid from a cohort of 403 women at 8 to 20 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Of the 88 women with one low cytokine concentration, 8.0% of the women had clinical chorioamnionitis compared with 4.4% among the 228 women with no low cytokines (adjusted odds ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 0.7-5.8). Clinical chorioamnionitis occurred in 15 of the 87 women (17.2%), with two or three depressed cytokine concentrations compared with women with no low cytokines (adjusted odds ratio, 5.1; 95% CI, 2.0-13.0). CONCLUSION: Genital tract immune hyporesponsiveness, as represented by low cervical concentrations of multiple cytokines, permits subsequent clinical chorioamnionitis.
Far-field flexural response of Lake Bonneville from paleopluvial lake elevations

May, G.M., Bills, B.G. and Hodge, D.S., 1991. Far-field flexural response of Lake Bonneville from paleopluvial lake elevations. Phys. Earth Planet. Inter., 68: 274-284. There are 18 paleopluviallakes in east-central Nevada that were contemporaneous with ancient Lake Bonneville. Shoreline elevations from three of these lakes (lakes Waring, Clover and Franklin) have been measured at 201 locations. The measurements reveal that these shorelines record the far-field flexural response of an isostatically rebounding Lake Bonneville. Linear regression analysis on each shoreline data set yields west-dipping slope values of 0.23 m km- 1, 0.19 m km-1 and 0.11 m km -1 for lakes Waring, Clover and Franklin, respectively. These values decrease in magnitude with increasing distance from the point of maximum uplift and are consistent with flexure theory. An east-west profile of the ancient shoreline elevations provides an extended lithospheric deflection datum for comparison of various lithospheric models. The new data support the results of Bills and May and suggest that the lithosphere underlying the Bonneville basin is 21-25 km thick and overlies mantle with an effective viscosity of (1.0-1.4) X 10 20 Pa s.
Electrochemical Properties of Different Carbon‐Fiber Microelectrodes Using Fast‐Scan Cyclic Voltammetry

In this study, fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) was used to compare responses to neurochemicals of various carbon fibers, with different conductivities and carbon precursors. Pitch-based P-25 and P-55 fibers were compared to polyacrylonitrile-based T-650 and HM fibers. Highly conductive fibers such as P-55s or HMs have larger background charging currents than lower conductivity fibers. Using a standard waveform, PAN-based fibers and less conductive fibers experience faster kinetics. With a more positive switching potential, higher conductivity fibers show faster kinetics for catecholamines and larger oxidation peak currents for anions such as ascorbic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC). Conductivity was found to have the greatest impact on fiber performance, but the nature of its effect depends on the waveform used and the analyte detected.
Determination of boron in high-temperature alloy steel using non-linear inter-element correction and microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

The determination of B in high-temperature alloy steel using microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (MP-AES) is presented. This instrumental emission technique was developed recently using 2.45 GHz microwaves to generate atmospheric pressure N2-plasma, self-sustained inside a modified inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch. The sample introduction to the MP is pneumatic using a conventional concentric nebulizer and a cyclonic spray chamber system. The emission line detection is sequential using a Czerny-Turner monochromator and charge-coupled device (CCD) system. Boron in steel, generally considered an analytically difficult element in a highly impacted matrix, was determined using HNO3–HCl digested steel solutions and 249.773 nm B emission line. Iron spectral interference on this B emission line was corrected using a non-linear inter-element correction (NL-IEC) method. Steel matrix effects on B recovery were attenuated using the method of standard addition. The amount of B in NBS 348a steel is found to be 58 ± 1 mg kg−1 and the certified amount of B is 55 ± 4 mg kg−1.
Evaluation of the Nova StatStrip glucometer in a pediatric hospital setting.

Abstract Context Routine point-of-care (POC) glucose monitoring in the pediatric setting has become increasingly important, both for assessing hypoglycemia as well as hyperglycemia. A reliable and precise system is required to monitor pediatric patients. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the Nova Biomedical StatStrip POC glucometer against the Roche ACCU-CHEK Inform in lieu of our currently used LifeScanSureStepFlexx POC glucose analyzer. Design and methods Intra-assay and inter-assay precision, linearity, correlation and interference studies were performed as per the NCCLS criteria. An analysis of 37 pediatric samples across the linearity ranges of all the meters was used to assess concordance between the systems. Results The Nova StatStrip glucometer demonstrated an excellent coefficient of variation ( r 2 = 0.01), while Roche Inform had poorer correlation (Bland–Altman plots r 2 = 0.46). We also evaluated the effect of hematocrit (20–60%) and maltose (100–500 mg/dL) on the Nova StatStrip analyzer and demonstrated that there is little to no interference by either. Conclusions The Nova StatStrip system gave the best performance with acceptable imprecision, good correlation, and minimal to no interference from hematocrit levels or maltose. The Nova StatStrip is a satisfactory replacement for our POC glucometer system and, additionally, provides results in less time (just 6 s) utilizing a lower amount of blood with the advantage of being immediately interfaced to our laboratory information systems.
Brownian networks with discretionary routing

Motivated by scheduling problems that arise in flexible manufacturing systems, we develop a heuristic procedure to obtain effective flow control sequencing, routing, and input control policies for multiclass queueing networks. The procedure employs a Brownian model of J. M. Harrison that approximates a multiclass queueing network with dynamic scheduling capability, if the total load imposed on each station in the queueing network is approximately equal to that station's capacity. In this paper, each customer class may be served at any of several different stations, and thus dynamic routing decisions are added to the sequencing and input control decisions already present in Harrison's model. Using previous heavy traffic results as a guide, we observe that, under heavy traffic conditions, a queueing network routing its customers to the queue where they will incur the shortest expected delay behaves very much like the reduced queueing network formed by pooling the appropriate servers. This observation leads to a proposed reduction of a Brownian network with discretionary routing to a simpler Brownian network without discretinary routing. Computational results indicate that combining this reduction with previous analysis of Brownian networks without discretionary routing leads to effective flow control policies for many moderately sized queueing network scheduling problems.
Linkage and Association Study of Late‐Onset Alzheimer Disease Families Linked to 9p21.3

Summary A chromosomal locus for late-onset Alzheimer disease (LOAD) has previously been mapped to 9p21.3. The most significant results were reported in a sample of autopsy-confirmed families. Linkage to this locus has been independently confirmed in AD families from a consanguineous Israeli-Arab community. In the present study we analyzed an expanded clinical sample of 674 late-onset AD families, independently ascertained by three different consortia. Sample subsets were stratified by site and autopsy-confirmation. Linkage analysis of a dense array of SNPs across the chromosomal locus revealed the most significant results in the 166 autopsy-confirmed families of the NIMH sample. Peak HLOD scores of 4.95 at D9S741 and 2.81 at the nearby SNP rs2772677 were obtained in a dominant model. The linked region included the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A gene (CDKN2A), which has been suggested as an AD candidate gene. By re-sequencing all exons in the vicinity of CDKN2A in 48 AD cases, we identified and genotyped four novel SNPs, including a non-synonymous, a synonymous, and two variations located in untranslated RNA sequences. Family-based allelic and genotypic association analysis yielded significant results in CDKN2A (rs11515: PDT p = 0.003, genotype-PDT p = 0.014). We conclude that CDKN2A is a promising new candidate gene potentially contributing to AD susceptibility on chromosome 9p.
Amygdala Perfusion Is Predicted by Its Functional Connectivity with the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex and Negative Affect

Background Previous studies have shown that the activity of the amygdala is elevated in people experiencing clinical and subclinical levels of anxiety and depression (negative affect). It has been proposed that a reduction in inhibitory input to the amygdala from the prefrontal cortex and resultant over-activity of the amygdala underlies this association. Prior studies have found relationships between negative affect and 1) amygdala over-activity and 2) reduced amygdala-prefrontal connectivity. However, it is not known whether elevated amygdala activity is associated with decreased amygdala-prefrontal connectivity during negative affect states.
Ex vivo programming of dendritic cells by mitochondria-targeted nanoparticles to produce interferon-gamma for cancer immunotherapy.

One of the limitations for clinical applications of dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapy is the low potency in generating tumor antigen specific T cell responses. We examined the immunotherapeutic potential of a mitochondria-targeted nanoparticle (NP) based on a biodegradable polymer and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) photosensitizer (T-ZnPc-NPs). Here, we report that tumor antigens generated from treatment of breast cancer cells with T-ZnPc-NPs upon light stimulation activate DCs to produce high levels of interferon-gamma, an important cytokine considered as a product of T and natural killer cells. The remarkable ex vivo DC stimulation ability of this tumor cell supernatant is a result of an interleukin (IL)-12/IL-18 autocrine effect. These findings contribute to the understanding of how in situ light activation amplifies the host immune responses when NPs deliver the photosensitizer to the mitochondria and open up the possibility of using mitochondria-targeted-NP-treated, light-activated cancer ce...
Evidence That Angiotensin II and Lipoxygenase Products Activate c-Jun NH2-Terminal Kinase

Abstract The effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) to activate c-Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) was studied in a Chinese hamster ovary fibroblast cell line overexpressing the rat vascular type-1a Ang II receptor (CHO-AT1a). Ang II treatment induced a time-dependent activation of JNK. Ang II (10−7 mol/L) activated JNK activity, with a peak at 30 minutes (9.39±2.52-fold, n=7, P<.02 versus control), which was maintained until 3 hours (2.7±0.65-fold, n=3, P<.02 versus control). Ang II–induced JNK activation at 30 minutes was inhibited by a specific lipoxygenase (LO) pathway inhibitor, cinnamyl-3,4-dihydroxy-α-cyanocinnamate (1 μmol/L) by 87.5% (n=4, P<.01 versus Ang II–induced JNK activity). The direct addition of 12-HETE also induced a time-dependent JNK activation. 12-HETE (10−7 mol/L) activated JNK activity, with a peak at 10 minutes (3.43±0.87-fold, n=6, P<.02 versus control), which remained elevated until 1 hour. These results suggest that the LO pathway is a mediator of Ang II–induced JNK activation. 15-HE...
Glomerular platelet-activating factor levels and origin in experimental glomerulonephritis

Glomerular platelet-activating factor levels and origin in experimental glomerulonephritis. The content of platelet activating factor (PAF) in glomeruli isolated from rats with nephrotoxic serum glomerulonephritis (NSGN) was quantified at various stages of the disease and the role of complement, platelets and neutrophils in mediating changes in glomerular PAF levels was evaluated. PAF content was assessed following extraction, isolation and quantification of this alkyl ether lipid using a bioassay based on [ 3 H]-serotonin release from labelled rabbit platelets. Following induction of NSGN using proteinuric doses of rabbit immune serum raised against rat glomerular basement membrane, enhanced glomerular PAF levels were observed at 3 hours, 24 hours and on day 15 following induction of the disease. In complement depleted rats and at three hours following induction of NSGN, glomerular PAF levels were significantly lower than in complement replete controls studied in parallel. At the same time point of the disease, platelet depleted rats with NSGN demonstrated significantly lower glomerular PAF levels than parallel controls, whereas in neutrophil depleted rats glomerular PAF levels were no different than controls. These observations indicate that in infiltrative and complement dependent forms of glomerular immune injury, glomerular PAF levels are increased via a complement mediated mechanism. Infiltrating platelets, but not neutrophils, partially account for the enhanced glomerular PAF levels. The observations are of potential importance in the pathophysiology of glomerulonephritis.
Designing for decision making

Decision making is the most common kind of problem solving. It is also an important component skill in other more ill-structured and complex kinds of problem solving, including policy problems and design problems. There are different kinds of decisions, including choices, acceptances, evaluations, and constructions. After describing the centrality and importance of decision making to problem solving and everyday cognition, this paper contrasts normative (rational) with naturalistic approaches to decision making. Normative approaches, such as decision matrices, SWOT, and force field analyses, scaffold rational decision-making approaches. Naturalistic approaches such as constructing stories, mental simulations, scenarios, and arguments, emphasize the meanings of decision options and the role of unconscious emotions in decision making. Recommendations about instructional designs to support both conceptions are followed by recommendations about assessing decisions and decision-making ability. These recommendations provide many researchable questions.
The effects of raloxifene on tibia histomorphometry in ovariectomized rats

Tissue-specific estrogen agonists may be useful in protecting against osteoporosis and the increased risk of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women with minimal undesired effects on reproductive tissues. The actions of the mixed estrogen agonist/antagonist raloxifene on selected estrogen target tissues were determined in ovariectomized (OVX) rats immediately postovariectomy. Five groups of 75-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were studied; baseline controls, sham-operated controls, OVX controls, OVX animals treated with estrogen (0.1 mg 17 alpha-ethynyl estradiol/kg.day), and OVX animals treated with raloxifene (3 mg/kg.day). Fluorochrome labels were given on days 1, 28, and 34. The baseline controls were killed on day 2, and the remaining groups on day 35. Ovariectomy increased tibial longitudinal growth rate as well as measurements related to radial growth and cancellous bone turnover. Ovariectomy decreased cancellous bone area and uterine weight, and increased serum cholesterol, bone elongation, and ...
Angiographic film substraction using a laser digitizer and computer processing

Digital subtraction angiography has been accepted as an invaluable clinical tool over the past decade; however, film-screen-based angiography is still performed routinely when high-resolution or large field-of-view angiograms are needed. A technique is presented whereby two films from an angiographic sequence are digitized using a high-resolution laser digitizer, and the digitized images are aligned, subtracted, and displayed using the computer. To accommodate for some types of patient motion, an image warping algorithm is presented and discussed in detail. The warping algorithm is piecewise linear, using triangular regions for warping, resulting in a global nonlinear transform across triangle elements. An algorithm describing optimal triangle selection also is discussed. The results show that subtraction images of excellent quality can be produced by the proposed technique, and suggest that, in some settings, digitized subtraction films may be preferred over conventional film subtraction.
Mathematical modeling of mass transfer in microvascular wall and interstitial space.

A one-dimensional, unsteady-state mathematical model was developed to describe the transfer of macromolecules across a microvascular wall and into the interstitial space. The proposed theoretical model accounts for both molecular diffusion and convective transfer through the microvascular wall as well as in the interstitial space. The resulting partial differential equations were simultaneously solved using the Laplace transform method. The inversion of the Laplace transformed equations was obtained by using contour integration in the complex region. The final solution is represented by two equations expressing the macromolecule concentration in the microvascular wall region and in the interstitial space, respectively, as functions of time, spatial coordinate, macromolecule concentration in the microvascular wall at the plasma-wall interface, wall thickness, wall-interstitial space equilibrium constant for the macromolecules, ratio of the cross-sectional area of the two regions, sieving coefficients, diffusivity coefficients, and average fluid velocity terms in the two regions. Plots of the macromolecule concentration in both regions as a function of time are presented and discussed for selected values of the parameters. An analytical expression for the total amount of mass which has accumulated in a portion of the interstitial space at any given time was also derived and used to determine the average fluid velocity term and the diffusivity coefficient for each of the two regions from published experimental data (A. Y. Bekker, A. B. Ritter, and W. N. Duran, 1989, Microvasc. Res. 34, 200-216). A numerical nonlinear regression method was used for this purpose. The values for the diffusivity coefficients found in this work for this particular data set compare favorably with the results previously obtained by other workers in similar systems. It is expected that our model will be used in the future to describe the dynamics of mass transfer across a microvascular wall and into the interstitial space, on the basis of the molecular diffusion and/or convective transport mechanisms, thus contributing to the solution of the controversy regarding the nature of the transfer mechanism controlling macromolecule transport in living systems.
Norm bounds for Hadamard products and an arithmetic - geometric mean inequality for unitarily invariant norms

Abstract An arithmetic-geometric mean inequality for unitarily invariant norms and matrices, 2∥A∗XB∥⩽∥AA∗X+XBB∗∥ , is an immediate consequence of a basic inequality for singular values of Hadamard products.
Design and analysis of a cineradiographic x-ray imaging system for capturing dynamic deformation of materials

Innovations in x-ray imaging are described to evaluate spatial and temporal dissipation and relaxation dynamics in materials. A system is constructed employing five sets of image planes orthogonal to the target, such that the centerline image-plane orthogonal axes are coplanar. Variable pulser firing sequences flash five x-ray tubes, capturing temporal sequences of interest, and controlled coincident firing sequences characterize ballistic impact events in three dimensions.
Highlights of Nuclei in the Cosmos-IV

Abstract Many new results were presented in Nuclei in the Cosmos-IV. The following is an attempt both to summarize the results presented, and to give special attention to the new results.
Vibration analysis of hysteretically damped mass-loaded beams

Abstract A procedure for determining the dynamic displacement and dynamic strain of a hysteretically damped mass-loaded free-free beam, subjected to simple harmonic, half-sine pulse and white noise excitations, is presented. Although free-free beams are considered in the analysis, the same procedure could also be used for vibration analysis of mass-loaded beams with other end conditions. The mode shapes for free vibration, displacement and strain due to simple harmonic and half-sine pulse force excitation are presented in graphical form. The maximum mean square displacement and mean square strain are tabulated for Gaussian white noise excitation. The analysis is used to analyze a space structure, which was modelled as a mass-loaded free-free beam. An exhaustive optimization search was made to obtain a structure with minimum dynamic response, when it is subjected to simple harmonic and half-sine pulse force excitations and minimum mean square response when subjected to Gaussian white noise excitation.
DIRECT OBSERVATION OF URINARY STONE ULTRASTRUCTURE1

SUMMARY A survey of stone ultrastructure was made by transmission electron microscopy of thinsectioned material. Uric acid, oxalate, and phosphate stones have distinct, readily recognisable patterns. The feature common to all the stone material visualised is that the material is very finely divided and highly aggregated. Stereologic estimates of stone density made from electro-micrographs differ sufficiently from macroscopically measured stone density to suggest that stone material visualised in the micrographs is not a random sample of a macroscopic stone.
New Designs for Dense Processor Interconnection Networks

Distributed computer systems can be modeled using graph theory to evaluate potential network topologies. A good network from a communication standpoint should have a small diameter because this allows all pairs of processors to communicate quickly. This paper presents a new construction method for interconnection networks, which is a generalization of the chordal ring networks of Arden and Lee. The graphs produced by this method are the largest known for many degrees and diameters.
Restoration of sodium-deficient frog nerve fibres by onium ions.

SINCE guanidinium ions have proved to be able to restore conduction of impulses by sodium-deficient frog A fibres1, it seemed desirable to ascertain whether other ionized compounds possessing a tetracovalent nitrogen atom (onium ions) also can substitute for sodium. An extensive, but not exhaustive, research has revealed that, in addition to guanidinium ions, five onium ions can restore conduction by sodium-deficient frog A fibres: formamidinium, amino-guanidinium, hydrazinium, hydroxylammonium and ammonium ions.
Influence of nonstarter bacteria on calcium lactate crystallization on the surface of Cheddar cheese.

Abstract Cheddar cheese was manufactured under conditions inducing calcium lactate crystal formation. The cheeses were analyzed for lactic acid and nonstarter bacteria and examined for crystal growth. There was a strong correlation between calcium lactate crystallization, lactic acid enantiomer, and numbers of nonstarter bacteria. As the cheese aged, the nonstarter bacteria counts increased concomitantly with a change from a predominantly L(+)-lactic acid in the cheese to a racemic mixture of L(+)- and D(−)-lactic acid. Enzymatic analysis of the crystals and cheese with crystals showed that both contained a racemic mixture of lactic acid. Lactobacilli able to racemize lactic acid were isolated from these cheeses. A pure culture of a racemase-positive Lactobacillus was added to milk for cheese making. The resultant cheeses were initially stored at 7.2 and 10°C. After 1 mo the cheeses were cut and packaged with or without vacuum and stored at 7.2, 10, or 3.3°C. Cheeses stored at 3.3°C (regardless of initial storage temperature) developed crystals to a much greater extent than cheese stored at 7.2 or 10°C. Vacuum packaging curtailed the development of crystals. No crystals were observed on control (no lactobacilli added) cheeses. Control of the growth of nonstarter bacteria and vacuum packaging appear to be important in the prevention of calcium lactate crystallization.
What we know about pesticides and breast cancer

Pesticides are, by definition, poisons. Designed to kill living organisms, they are one of the few substances that are both toxic and deliberately released into the environment. These twin properties make pesticides unique as environmental contaminants /!/. Pesticides are present in almost every environmental media that has been monitored—including surface water, ground water, ambient air, household dust, soil, fog, rain, and snow 121. A recent national survey by the United States (U.S.) Geological Survey found pesticide residues in every stream monitored 737. Of common foods sampled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Pesticide Data Program, pesticide residues were found in more than 70 percent of fruits and vegetables, more than 60 percent of wheat samples, and 99 percent of milk samples /1,47. They are also found in the bodies of nearly all U.S. adults and children 71,5,6-87. Concerns about a possible link between pesticides and breast cancer are longstanding. Ten common pesticides have been associated with increases in
A Comparative Theory Test of Democratic Peace Arguments, 1946—2000:

Multiple theories posit the existence of a dyadic democratic peace. The authors extend the logic of three theories of the democratic peace — informational, normative, and preferences — and find that they make different predictions with respect to the onset and escalation of disputes across the range of similar regime dyads. First, regarding dispute onset, the preferences argument, but not the normative and informational arguments, expects autocratic dyads of similar type to have less conflict onset than mixed dyads. Second, the normative argument expects democratic, but not non-democratic, dyads to be less likely to escalate their disputes, while the informational argument expects democracy to have little impact, after conflict onset has been taken into account. The preferences argument expects all dyads of similar regime type to be less likely to escalate their disputes. Critical tests of these expectations are conducted by estimating a censored choice model of conflict onset and escalation, using multip...
The effect on synaptic physiology of synaptotagmin mutations in drosophila

Synaptotagmin is a synaptic vesicle protein implicated in neurotransmitter release. Molecular characterization of four mutant alleles of this protein in Drosophila melanogaster has permitted an investigation of synaptotagmin's role in synaptic physiology and of some of the structural requirements for its function. Reduced levels of synaptotagmin resulted in a substantial alteration in synaptic function in the eye and at larval neuromuscular junctions. Decreased neurotransmitter release caused smaller evoked synaptic potentials. However, the frequency, but not the size, of spontaneous quantal events was simultaneously increased. These abnormalities do not appear to be secondary to a detectable morphological change in the arborization of the synapse. The increased frequency of spontaneous events was insufficient to deplete significantly the vesicle supply and thereby account for reduced transmission. These data are discussed in the context of models in which synaptotagmin's function includes a role in vesicle docking.
Putting Patient-Focused Care Into Practice

Abstract Patient-focused care relies on a framework supported by staff member empowerment and cross training, decentralization, patient care teams, and computerization. Decisions are made based on what is best for the patient rather than what is best for the staff members. How patient-focused care is applied is influenced by the basic structure, beliefs, and values of the institution. Empowering staff members and physicians and creating specialty cluster teams were our first steps toward a patient-focused care model. Cross training ancillary personnel to perform all tasks reduced nursing staff members' overtime and allowed for quicker response times during emergencies. Switching to a computerized documentation system enhanced departmental efficiency, removed much of the paperwork burden from nurses, and reduced costs. Patient-focused care is measurable. We have reduced operating expenses, reduced staff turnover, increased productivity, and increased patient and physician satisfaction. AORN J 60 (August 1994) 242–245
Plant species richness, elevated CO2, and atmospheric nitrogen deposition alter soil microbial community composition and function

We determined soil microbial community composition and function in a field experiment in which plant communities of increasing species richness were exposed to factorial elevated CO2 and nitrogen (N) deposition treatments. Because elevated CO2 and N deposition increased plant productivity to a greater extent in more diverse plant assemblages, it is plausible that heterotrophic microbial communities would experience greater substrate availability, potentially increasing microbial activity, and accelerating soil carbon (C) and N cycling. We, therefore, hypothesized that the response of microbial communities to elevated CO2 and N deposition is contingent on the species richness of plant communities. Microbial community composition was determined by phospholipid fatty acid analysis, and function was measured using the activity of key extracellular enzymes involved in litter decomposition. Higher plant species richness, as a main effect, fostered greater microbial biomass, cellulolytic and chitinolytic capacity, as well as the abundance of saprophytic and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Moreover, the effect of plant species richness on microbial communities was significantly modified by elevated CO2 and N deposition. For instance, microbial biomass and fungal abundance increased with greater species richness, but only under combinations of elevated CO2 and ambient N, or ambient CO2 and N deposition. Cellobiohydrolase activity increased with higher plant species richness, and this trend was amplified by elevated CO2. In most cases, the effect of plant species richness remained significant even after accounting for the influence of plant biomass. Taken together, our results demonstrate that plant species richness can directly regulate microbial activity and community composition, and that plant species richness is a significant determinant of microbial response to elevated CO2 and N deposition. The strong positive effect of plant species richness on cellulolytic capacity and microbial biomass indicate that the rates of soil C cycling may decline with decreasing plant species richness.
Enhancing security of fingerprints through contextual biometric watermarking

This paper presents a novel digital watermarking technique using face and demographic text data as multiple watermarks for verifying the chain of custody and protecting the integrity of a fingerprint image. The watermarks are embedded in selected texture regions of a fingerprint image using discrete wavelet transform. Experimental results show that modifications in these locations are visually imperceptible and maintain the minutiae details. The integrity of the fingerprint image is verified through the high matching scores obtained from an automatic fingerprint identification system. There is also a high degree of visual correlation between the embedded images, and the extracted images from the watermarked fingerprint. The degree of similarity is computed using pixel-based metrics and human visual system metrics. The results also show that the proposed watermarked fingerprint and the extracted images are resilient to common attacks such as compression, filtering, and noise.
Oxygen adsorption on Cu3Au(100) above 350 K

Abstract The initial stage of oxygen adsorption on Cu 3 Au(100) above 350 K has been investigated using Auger electron spectroscopy. In the temperature range 350–550 K the adsorption isotherms tend to saturate at levels which increase with temperature. Initial sticking coefficients in this temperature range are at least an order of magnitude less than those on Cu(100) and saturation levels vary from ⪅5% of a monolayer at 350 K to ⪅15% of a monolayer at 550 K. As the temperature is increased to within 100 K of the bulk order-disorder transformation, the rate of adsorption increases dramatically accompanied by apparent adsorption-induced rearrangement of the alloy surface. The degree of annealing following Ar + bombardment is observed to affect the initial uptake of oxygen throughout the entire temperature range.
Has Scala Naturae Thinking Come Between Neuropsychology and Comparative Neuroscience

Within the broad domain of neuroscience there is a divergence between those journals that focus on human clinical topics and those that take a decidedly comparative evolutionary and nonhuman approach. This distinction reflects a deeper separation between two branches of neuroscience: the human neuropsychological and the comparative neuroscience fields. I argue that this divergence is a reflection of scala naturae thinking and that greater strides in scientific thinking can be gained by overcoming this bias in favor of deep continuity across the human and nonhuman subdomains of neuroscience. Two Separate Disciplines If one takes even a superficial glance at the distribution of scientific journals in the broad domain of neuroscience it would be difficult to ignore a particularly obvious divergence between those journals that focus on human clinical issues and those categorized by a comparative evolutionary approach. As just one example, The American Psychological Association’s description of its prominent journal Neuropsychology reads as follows: Sought are submissions of human experimental, cognitive, and behavioral research with implications for neuropsychological theory and practice. Articles that increase understanding of neuropsychological functions in both normal and disordered states and across the lifespan are encouraged. Applied, clinical research that will stimulate systematic experimental, cognitive, and behavioral investigations as well as improve the effectiveness, range, and depth of application is germane. This is a fairly general definition that encompasses three main characteristics of neuropsychology. It deals with the brain and its effect on behavior. It is mainly clinical in orientation and is almost always applied within the context of understanding the effects of brain damage or pathology. Lastly, it is human targeted. When other species are employed it is almost exclusively as “models” to address questions experimentally about human brains. Therefore, neuropsychology is a heavily applied area aimed at addressing human problems. It is closely aligned with and similar to the fields of neuropsychiatry, behavioral neurology, and clinical psychology. All of these disciplines deal with the relationship between neurological conditions and psychological function, almost exclusively in humans. Comparative neuroscience is a discipline steeped in a very different tradition than neuropsychology. Comparative neuroscience is rooted in the broad field of comparative psychology and parallel fields concerned with the biological