cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative cytotoxicities of various morpholinyl anthracyclines

A series of quinone- and sugar-modified analogs of adriamycin have been tested for growth inhibition of adriamycin-sensitive (P388/S) and -resistant (P388/ADR) sublines of P388 murine leukemia cells in vitro. P388/ADR is less resistant to analogs of adriamycin containing either a 3′-deamino-3′-(4″-morpholinyl) group, MRA; or a-(3″-cyano-4″-morpholinyl) group, MRA-CN, than to adriamycin. However, MRA-CN was the most potent growth inhibitor of either subline. This potency is reduced by either modification of the quinone unit with a 5-imino substituent or restriction of the cyano-morpholinyl ring by an oxygen bridge to the daunosamine sugar. The calcium antagonist verapamil substantially increases the cytotoxicity of adriamycin to P388/ADR but has no appreciable effect on the cytotoxicity of either MRA or MRA-CN. The results suggest that increased uptake and retention by both MRA and MRA-CN may contribute to their increased cytotoxicity, but that the intense potency of the cyano-morpholinyl analogs must be due to other unique properties of these compounds.
Brief announcement: efficient flooding in power-law networks

Flooding is an effective mechanism for both broadcast and unicast modes of communication (in unstructured networks), providing broad coverage and guaranteeing minimum delay. However, flooding is not a scalable communication mechanism, mainly because of the communication overhead it imposes to the network. We use the percolation theory to formalize the main problem with flooding in the context of power-law networks, propose a remedial approach with our probabilistic flooding technique, and find the optimal operating point for probabilistic flooding rigorously, such that it improves scalability of the normal flooding by 99%.
Bilinear Model Predictive Control of a HVAC System Using Sequential Quadratic Programming

Abstract We study the problem of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control in a typical commercial building. We propose a model predictive control (MPC) approach which minimizes energy use while satisfying occupant comfort constraints. A sequential quadratic programming algorithm is used to efficiently solve the resulting bilinear optimization problem. This paper presents the control design approach and the procedure for computing its solution. Extensive numerical simulations show the effectiveness of the proposed approach. In particular, the MPC is able to systematically reproduce a variety of well-known commercial solutions for energy savings, which include demand response, “economizer mode” and precooling/preheating.
Techniques for the fabrication of lithium driftef germanium gamma detectors

Abstract Many new problems are encountered in attempting to apply silicon lithium drifting technology to germanium. Lithium is much more mobile in germanium and its equilibrium solubility at room temperature can be less than the acceptor concentration. The low intrinsic temperature requires drifting at low temperatures and large currents and this is frustrated by the lower thermal conductivity of germanium. Large crystals of germanium are also very fragile and are easily damaged by thermal or mechanical shock. However, techniques developed in this laboratory have permitted the manufacture of a large number of detectors with depletion depths to 1 cm, depleted volumes to 7 cm3 and energy resolution on 100 keV γ's as good as 2.1 keV fwhm. These techniques are described and some results obtained using the detectors are presented.
Faceted solidification morphologies in low-growth-rate Al-Si eutectics

In this article, recent findings from the investigation of solidification morphologies resulting from the lowvelocity directional solidification of Al-Si eutectic alloys are discussed. The development of a primary array of angular silicon rods is examined, and the twinned structure of the faceted silicon phase is shown to be an essential contributor to the mechanisms of growth, branching, spacing selection, and the evolution of 〈100〉 Si texture within the two-phase microstructure.
Strained-layer van der Waals epitaxy in a Langmuir-Blodgett film

Atomic force microscope images of Langmuir-Blodgett films of lead and manganese fatty acid salts show that these monolayers have long-range order and are oriented with respect to the mica substrate, although the lattice symmetries of the monolayers and substrate are dramatically different. The surface lattice of sequentially thicker films evolves toward the bulk structure while retaining the substrate alignment. This behavior is in distinct contrast to films of cadmium fatty acid salts on mica, or all films on amorphous silicon oxide, in which the monolayer structure is disordered and a three-layer-thick film displays the bulk structure.
Mechanical properties of simple condensed matter

Many mechanical properties of glasses and liquids, such as the large shear susceptibility compared to the compressibility, seem strange and unexpected. However, they are basically the same as those found for irradiated crystals at low defect concentrations. This finding is predicted by the Interstitialcy Theory of Condensed Matter (ITCM). According to the ITCM, a liquid is a crystal containing a few percent of interstitialcies (dumbbell configuration), while a glass is a frozen liquid. Recent computer simulations have supported this assertion. Among thermodynamic properties, changes of the shear modulus G and entropy S play a key role in explaining the physics of condensed matter. The sensitivity of measured shear modulus changes is typically about four orders of magnitude greater than that of the entropy. Simple mechanical models can be given for the mechanical properties. The large entropy of melting of the elements provides a proof that the agents of melting are interstitialcies. Shear modulus measurements provide strong evidence for the ITCM.
Formative time lags in the electric breakdown of liquid hydrocarbons

The physical processes operative in the development of electrical breakdown in a dielectric are often reflected in the time interval between the application of a d.c. voltage and the appearance of the spark. This time may include both the time required for a free electron to appear near the cathode (statistical time lag) and the time required for the spark to develop after such an electron begins to multiply by collision ionization (formative time lag). It is the latter that provides the most information about the breakdown process.
Penetration of Somatic Mammalian Cells by Sperm

Penetration of somatic mammalian cells by spermatozoa occurred after simple admixture in culture. With sperm labeled in vivo, autoradiography revealed incorporation of DNA into nuclei of recipient cells, indicating release of DNA after entrance by sperm. This system provides a new approach to study the molecular biology of information transfer and of haploid gene expression.
Science is neither sacred nor a confidence trick

The Old Deferentialism, taking science to enjoy a privileged epistemic standing because of its uniquely rational and objective method, is over-optimistic. But there is no need to conclude, like the New Cynics, that appeals to evidence, rationality, objectivity are mere rhetorical bullying. A new theory of scientific method and knowledge is developed, which combines logical and social elements, and reveals science to be not epistemologically privileged, but epistemologically distinguished.
Isotope exchange between gaseous hydrogen and uranium hydride powder

Abstract Isotope exchange between gaseous hydrogen and solid uranium hydride has been studied by flowing hydrogen (deuterium) gas through packed powder beds of uranium deuteride (hydride). We used a residual gas analyzer system to perform real-time analysis of the effluent gas composition. We also developed an exchange and transport model and, by fitting it to the experimental data, extracted kinetic parameters for the isotope exchange reaction. Our results suggest that, from approximately 70 to 700 kPa and 25 to 400 °C, the gas-to-solid exchange rate is controlled by hydrogen and deuterium transport within the ∼0.7 μm diameter uranium hydride particles. We use our kinetic parameters to show that gas chromatographic separation of hydrogen and deuterium using uranium hydride could be feasible.
Numerical solutions of shock curves of hyperbolic 1-conservation laws

Abstract We consider hyperbolic 1-conservation laws. Such laws appear in problems of traffic flow, flood waves, and chemical exchange processes, etc., as illustrated by Whitham. We present certain numerical methods that estimates the shock curves of such laws. These include (i) linear and quadratic interpolations to approximate the left and right states of a shock curve (ii) predictor-corrector methods to solve shock differenhtial equations.
Symbolic Representation of Identity in Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God

(2008). Symbolic Representation of Identity in Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. The Explicator: Vol. 66, No. 2, pp. 102-104.
Measurements of effective Henry's law constants for hydrogen peroxide in concentrated salt solutions

Abstract The solubility of hydrogen peroxide was measured in aqueous salt solutions containing ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium chloride, and sodium nitrate. Effective Henry's law constants are reported for these salts at 292 K for concentrations up to 10 M. Salts containing ammonium ions were found to increase the solubility of hydrogen peroxide by up to a factor of two compared to pure water. The data are consistent with a reversible chemical reaction between ammonium ions and hydrogen peroxide. Implications for the aerosol mass loadings of hydrogen peroxide in atmospheric particulate matter and their associated health effects are discussed.
Does a patient-administered titration algorithm of insulin glargine improve glycemic control?

Does a patient-administered titration algorithm of insulin glargine improve glycemic control?
Presence in Various Grains of Factors Inhibiting Tumor Growth.

SummaryTumor growth-inhibiting substances are demonstrated in various grains with the aid of a rapid test on Sarcoma 180. They are effective by feeding in combination with injections of a standard solution of yeast extracts. Extracts of these grains are effective upon intravenous injection.
How Many Parents Give the Highest Yield in Predicted Synthetic and Composite Populations of Maize

Some U.S. farmers are still interested in openpollinated (OP) maize (Zea mays L.), but most varieties are low yielding. How would one develop high-yielding OP varieties, and what are their commercial prospects? To answer this question, we analyzed data from published diallel experiments using Wright's equation. There were seven diallels with inbreds and 14 with populations. The number of inbreds needed to form high yielding synthetics was on average from five to eight lines. The highest predicted yields for composites were on average with three to seven populations. The potential of synthetics and composites as OP varieties in the USA has not been fully examined, though these would probably not be economical for grain in the U.S. Corn Belt. However, their yields may show improvement over current OP varieties and they may be commercially viable in some limited circumstances.
Vapor Phase Conversion Synthesis of Higher Manganese Silicide (MnSi1.75) Nanowire Arrays for Thermoelectric Applications

If nanostructured thermoelectric materials are to be used for future energy harvesting and power generation applications, scalable production of thermoelectric nanostructures must be developed. Herein we report a vapor phase conversion method to synthesize nanowire (NW) arrays of semiconducting higher manganese silicides (HMS, or MnSi1.75) for enhanced thermoelectric applications. Dense arrays of silicon NWs obtained by metal-assisted chemical etching were converted to single-crystalline HMS NW arrays with the original nanoscale morphology preserved by reacting with Mn vapor in a sealed stainless steel reactor at 950 °C. Structural characterization by X-ray and electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirm that the converted NWs are single-crystalline NWs of HMS phases such as Mn7Si12, Mn27Si47, and Mn39Si68. Investigations of the conversion process using in situ high resolution powder X-ray diffraction (HRPXRD) and mechanistic experiments reveal that the presence of ex...
Sexual Risk Behavior Among Black Adolescents

This study investigates sexual risk behavior among a national sample of Black adolescents. While risky behavior among black adolescents has been studied, many studies are limited methodologically, and are not sufficiently focused on family factors. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, findings indicate that there is a substantial overlap in risky behaviors among black adolescents, in that sexual behavior is strongly related to substance use. Family factors play a role in sexual behavior among black adolescents, in that maternal warmth is associated with less involvement in sexual behavior. The impact of peer drug use, family structure and religious involvement is of limited significance in sexual behavior. These results differ from previous research. We interpret the results and make suggestions for future research on black adolescent sexual behavior.
No objects, no problem?

One familiar form of argument for rejecting entities of a certain kind is that, by rejecting them, we avoid certain difficult problems associated with them. Such problem-avoidance arguments backfire if the problems cited survive the elimination of the rejected entities. In particular, we examine one way problems can survive: a question for the realist about which of a set of inconsistent statements is false may give way to an equally difficult question for the eliminativist about which of a set of inconsistent statements fail to be ‘factual’. Much of the first half of the paper is devoted to explaining a notion of factuality that does not imply truth but still consists in ‘getting the world right’. The second half of the paper is a case study. Some ‘compositional nihilists’ have argued that, by rejecting composite objects (and so by denying the composition ever takes place), we avoid the notorious puzzles of coincidence, for example, the statue/lump and the ship of Theseus puzzles. Using the apparatus dev...
Changes in phospholipid composition and in fatty acids of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in tadpoles of Rana pipiens after hypophysectomy

Abstract 1. 1. Hypophysectomy of R. pipiens tadpoles leads to an increase in phosphatidylcholine and a decrease in phosphatidylethanolamine as the embryo develops. 2. 2. Two weeks after hypophysectomy, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and triglycerides contain more 16:0 but less 16:1, and 18:3 fatty acids. 3. 3. Four weeks after hypophysectomy the lipid of liver show an increase in 16:0, 16:1, and 18:0 fatty acids and a decrease in 18:2 and 18:3 fatty acids. 4. 4. The fatty acids of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine in all tissues studied show an increase in 16:1 and 18:1 fatty acids but a decrease in 18:2 and 18:3 fatty acids. 5. 5. These data suggest the fatty acid desaturase may compensate for the decrease in 18:2 and 18:3 fatty acids caused by removal of the pituitary gland.
Epidemiology and Course of Disease in Childhood Uveitis

Purpose To describe the disease characteristics and visual outcome of pediatric uveitis. Design Retrospective, longitudinal observation. Participants Five hundred twenty-seven pediatric uveitis patients from the National Eye Institute, University of Illinois, Chicago, and Oregon Health Sciences University. Methods Retrospective chart review. Main Outcome Measures Demographics, uveitis disease characteristics, complications, treatments, and visual outcomes were determined at baseline and at 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year time points. Results The patient population was 54% female; 62.4% white, 12.5% black, 2.7% Asian, 2.1% multiracial, and 14.61% Hispanic. Median age at diagnosis was 9.4 years. The leading diagnoses were idiopathic uveitis (28.8%), juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis (20.9%), and pars planitis (17.1%). Insidious onset (58%) and persistent duration (75.3%) were most common. Anterior uveitis was predominant (44.6%). Complications were frequent, and cystoid macular edema (odds ratio [OR] 2.94; P = 0.006) and hypotony (OR, 4.54; P = 0.026) had the most significant visual impact. Ocular surgery was performed in 18.9% of patients. The prevalence of legal blindness was 9.23% at baseline, 6.52% at 1 year, 3.17% at 3 years, 15.15% at 5 years, and 7.69% at 10 years. Posterior uveitis and panuveitis had more severe vision loss. Hispanic ethnicity was associated with a higher prevalence of infectious uveitis and vision loss at baseline. Conclusions The rate and spectrum of vision threatening complications of pediatric uveitis are significant. Prospective studies using standard outcome measures and including diverse populations are needed to identify children most at risk. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.
Dinitrogen Borylation with Group 4 Metallocene Complexes

Borylation of hafno- and zirconocene complexes [(η5-C5H2-1,2,4-Me3)2M]2(μ2,η2,η2-N2), containing strongly activated dinitrogen ligands, with pinacolborane (HBPin) resulted in N–B and M–H bond formation. Treatment of the borylated products with carbon monoxide triggered N–N bond scission with concomitant N–C bond formation to produce μ-borylimido and μ-formamidido fragments. Conversely, addition of tBuNC resulted in insertion of the isocyanide ligand into the M–H bonds and furnished the corresponding η2-iminoacylhafnocene complexes.
Trickeries of Grant Work

This paper blends various accounts, materials, sources, and discourses involved in what I call “trickeries” of grant work. By combining different texts—academic, published, imagined, creative, and personal—I portray particular practices that highlight unpredictable and unreal processes of grant work. I share my experiences as a co-principal investigator (PI) in federally funded projects and offer images of projected conversations that have shaped my approaches to grant work. Even though I address some elements of grant proposals that have helped me secure external funding (e.g., the focus, innovativeness, manageability, collaboration, degree of detail, and epistemological and theoretical groundings of proposals), I also resist closure, singularity, and overly simplistic ways to describe how one can become or stay involved in funded research.
Multimodel, Multiple Watershed Examination of In-Stream Bacteria Modeling

AbstractExcessive bacteria levels are a major water-quality problem in U.S. water bodies, and this study looked at the use of watershed-scale computer models to predict in-stream bacteria concentrations. The study site was the Little River Experimental Watershed (LREW) in Tifton, Georgia, and fecal coliform fate and transport models were built for four of the LREW subwatersheds over the period January 1996–December 2002. Three models were examined: HSPF, the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT), and the characteristic concentration (CC) model based on the principles of hydrograph separation. It was found that the most sensitive HSPF and SWAT water-quality parameters were associated with the in-stream bacteria processes, whereas parameters relating to terrestrial activity varied from sensitive to completely insensitive. Model performance was evaluated using the Nash–Sutcliffe statistic, and HSPF, SWAT, and the CC model performed comparably while showing distinct performance capabilities.
Genotoxicity and mutagenicity of chromium(VI)/ascorbate-generated DNA adducts in human and bacterial cells.

Reduction of carcinogenic Cr(VI) by vitamin C generates ascorbate−Cr(III)−DNA cross-links, binary Cr(III)−DNA adducts, and can potentially cause oxidative DNA damage by intermediate reaction produc...
Impact Of Pediatricians’ Perceived Self-Efficacy and Confidence on Violence Prevention Counseling: A National Study

Objective To measure impact of pediatricians’ perceived self-efficacy and confidence on current practices and attitudes regarding four violence prevention (VP) topics (gun storage, gun removal, limiting exposure to media violence, discipline techniques) during health supervision for children ages 2–11.
Calculation of multidimensional stable densities

Stable random variables are used in economics, engineering, hydrology and physics to model situations where the underlying distributions are heavy tailed. Stable densities do not generally have explicit formula, even in one variable. This paper describes the steps necessary to calculate multivariate stable densities by numerically inverting the characteristic function. We give a program tocalculate two dimensional stable densites that uses a recent two dimensional adaptive quadratureroutine. Graphs of families of such densities are given for a range of values of a and various spectral measures
A Framework for Efficient and More Realistic Haptics Applications

This paper describes the development of a generic framework for implementing realistic cross-platform haptic virtual reality applications. Currently, freely available Software Development Kits (SDKs) deal with a single Haptic Interaction Point (HIP), i.e. the tip of the haptic probe. However, many applications as path planning, virtual assembly, medical or dental simulations, as well as scientific exploration require object-object interactions, meaning any part of the complex 3D object attached to the probe collides with the other objects in the virtual scene. Collision detections and penetration depths between 3D objects must be quickly computed to generate forces to be displayed by the haptic device. In these circumstances, implementation of haptic applications is very challenging when the numbers, stiffness and/or complexity of objects in the scene are considerable, mainly because of high update rates needed to avoid instabilities of the system. The proposed framework meets this high requirement and provides a high-performance test bed for further research in algorithms for collision detection and generation of haptic forces.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Evaluation of Epic® label-free technology to quantify functional recombinant hemagglutinin

Alternative methods are being sought to measure the potency of influenza vaccines. Label-free technologies that do not require the use of hemagglutinin (HA)-specific antisera are particularly attractive as the preparation of antiserum delays availability of potency reagents. The objective of these experiments was to evaluate the use of a Corning Epic® label-free method to quantify functional influenza hemagglutinin in rHA preparations. The method was optimized to quantify recombinant HA (rHA) of B/Brisbane/60/2008 (B/BR/08). Fetuin was immobilized onto plates and the change in wavelength of refracted light measured using an Enspire (Perkin Elmer) instrument. The change in wavelength measured in response to addition of rHA of B/BR/08 was proportional to its concentration and was optimal in the presence of native rHA conformations. However, the assay was strain-dependent and did not correlate with HAU measured using turkey red blood cells. The Corning Epic® label-free method is suitable for quantifying the native forms of rHA for B/BR/08 and A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1) and A/Hangxhou/3/2013 (H7N9). This method is a useful tool for research purposes but further investigation is needed to identify suitable glycoproteins to use as ligands that allow quantification of HAs from a broader range of virus strains.
Measurement of minority-carrier lifetime by time-resolved photoluminescence

Abstract Much of the current compound semiconductor device research is based on minority-carrier devices such as heterojunction bipolar transistors and diode lasers. The improvement of minority-carrier-parameters is the focal point of much ongoing materials research. The minority-carrier lifetimes of III-V compound semiconductors are most easily characterized by time-resolved photoluminescence. This is a quick and contactless technique which directly measures the excess minority-carrier carrier density. By using a focused laser beam as the excitation source, the required sample area may be very small. In special diagnostic structures which utilize a confinement or passivating layer, the interface recombination velocity can be determined. Here I will describe the measurement theory and measurement techniques which are used in our laboratory. Recent developments in the III-V materials technology will be reviewed.
Modulation of prostaglandin E2 catabolism and action by fuel substrates in rat hepatocytes

The hepatic level of prostaglandins will reflect the balance between synthesis of prostaglandins and their rapid catabolism via beta-oxidation by hepatocytes. In the present study we examined the effect of physiological fuel substrates on the breakdown and action of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in isolated rat hepatocytes. Palmitic acid (0.32 mM), a long-chain fatty acid, inhibited the rate of PGE2 breakdown (10(-7) M) by approx. 80%. As the palmitic acid concentration was increased from 0 to 0.8 mM, the percentage of PGE2 remaining in the incubation 5 min following prostaglandin addition was raised from approx. 10% to over 98%. Octanoic acid (0.8 mM) also inhibited PGE2 catabolism, while butyric acid (0.8 mM) and pyruvic acid (2.5 mM) were without effect. The inhibition of glucagon-stimulated glycogenolysis by PGE2 was increased in the presence of 0.6 mM palmitic acid, consistent with decreased PGE2 catabolism. These studies demonstrate that changes within the range of free fatty acid concentrations seen physiologically in vivo may dramatically alter PGE2 catabolism and, therefore, the effect of PGE2 to modulate hormonal action in the liver.
Menstrual cycle markers of ovarian aging and sex steroid hormone genotypes.

Abstract We related variation in 4 sex steroid genes to 3 phenotypic indicators of ovarian aging, including no evidence of luteal activity as a marker of anovulatory cycles, shorter or longer menstrual cycle lengths, and the profiles of metabolites of estrogens, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone measured in urine samples collected daily across a menstrual cycle in women aged 43 to 53 years. The study sample included 485 menstruating women without hormone therapy who had collected daily urine hormone samples across 1 menstrual cycle or 50 days, whichever occurred first. There were 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms from 4 genes, including estrogen receptor–α ( ESR1 ), estrogen receptor–β, aromatase, and 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1, related to ovarian aging phenotypes that include the presence or absence of luteal activity, menstrual cycle lengths 24 to 31 days, and profiles of urinary hormone metabolites. Women with the TT genotype of ESR1 rs3798577 have evidence of advanced ovarian aging compared with women with the CT or CC genotypes, after adjustment for race/ethnicity, chronologic age, and race/ethnicity-specific body mass index. Further, women with the TC and CC genotypes of ESR1 rs2234693 may have a greater likelihood of more advanced ovarian aging than do women with the TT genotype, adjusting for covariates. Using a candidate gene approach, 2 ESR1 polymorphisms are related to 3 phenotypic markers of ovarian aging, suggesting a possible role for the ESR1 gene in the timing of the menopausal transition.
Using the Point Source Microscope (PSM) to find conjugates of parabolic and elliptical off-axis mirrors

Although the PSM is primarily an alignment instrument, it can also be used to determine the conjugates of parabolic and elliptical off-axis mirrors. By positioning the PSM at the sagittal and tangential foci of the mirrors, the conjugate distances of the mirror can be found using a laser range finder, for example. Knowing the sagittal and tangential radii of curvature (Rs and Rt), the vertex radius (Rv) is easily calculated. This information is used to verify that the mirror has been correctly manufactured and to aid in positioning the mirror in an optical system. Examples are shown of these steps.
Mapping shallow underground features that influence site-specific agricultural production

Modern agricultural production practices are rapidly evolving in the United States of America (USA). These new production practices present significant applications for nonintrusive subsurface imaging. One such imaging technology is GPR, and it is now being incorporated within site-specific agriculture in the detection of soil horizons, perched water (episaturation), fragipans, hydrological preferential flow paths, and soil compaction. These features traditionally have been mapped by soil scientists using intrusive measurements (e.g., soil augers, soil pits, coring tools). Rather than developing a tool for soil mapping, our studies are targeting the identification, dimensioning, and position of subsurface features that directly influence agricultural productivity. It is foreseen that this information will allow for an increase in agricultural efficiency through infield machinery automation, and it will also greatly enhance development of highly efficient crop production strategies. The field sensing methodologies that we have developed using existing geophysical technologies are highly dependent upon both the soil and site characteristics due to seasonal variations. The GPR applications presented herein were conducted primarily in a region of loess soil that extends east of the Mississippi River into western Tennessee. GPR studies were also conducted in central Tennessee on the Cumberland Plateau within a region of shallow, sandy loam soils. Additional studies were conducted on the karst area of central Kentucky. Although targeting site-specific agriculture, our results and procedures may benefit the traditional users of GPR technology. We suggest that large-scale agricultural applications of the technology would be enhanced by integrating global positioning (GPS) technology in future hardware and software products.
Chiral capillary electrophoresis with noncyclic oligo‐and polysaccharide chiral selectors

A number of noncyclic oligo- and polysaccharides have been used as chiral additives in capillary electrophoresis (CE). This review offers a broad survey of the types of oligo- and polysaccharides which have been investigated and also some of the conditions developed for the enantioseparation of a wide range of drugs and other racemic compounds. Details of enantioseparation mechanisms are also discussed, in addition to some of the parameters required for optimization of the enantioresolution of chiral molecules.
GraphLens: Mining Enterprise Storage Workloads Using Graph Analytics

Conventional methods used to analyze storage workloads have been centered on relational database technology combined with attributes-based classification algorithms. This paper presents a novel analytic architecture, GraphLens, for mining and analyzing real world storage traces. The design of our GraphLens system embodies three unique features. First, we model storage traces as heterogeneous trace graphs in order to capture diverse spatial correlations and storage access patterns using a unified analytic framework. Second, we employ and develop an innovative graph clustering method to discover interesting spatial access patterns. This enables us to better characterize important hotspots of storage access and understand hotspot movement patterns. Third, we design a unified weighted similarity measure through an iterative learning and dynamic weight refinement algorithm. With an optimal weight assignment scheme, we can efficiently combine the correlation information for each type of storage access patterns, such as random v.s. sequential, read v.s. write, to identify interesting spatial correlations hidden in the traces. Extensive evaluation on real storage traces shows GraphLens can provide scalable and reliable data analytics for better storage strategy planning and efficient data placement guidance.
Intermedin (MSH)-like effect of a thermal polymer on vertebrate chromatophores.

Der Einfluss der Hitzepolymerisate Arginin, Glutaminsaure, Histidin, Phenylalanin und Tryptophan auf die Chromatophoren wurde gepruft. Die Reptilienhaut (Anolis carolinensis) zeigte auf Grund von photometrischen Reflexionsmessungen eine starkere MSH-Reaktion gegenuber einem synthetischen kleinen Peptid als die Amphibienhaut (Rana pipiens). Die hautverdunkelnde Wirkung kann durch Noradrenalin und einen Blocker wieder wieder aufgehoben werden.
Age and the Risk of In‐Hospital Death: Insights from a Multihospital Study of Intensive Care Patients

OBJECTIVES: To determine independent relationships between age and the risk of in-hospital death. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Thirty-eight intensive care units (ICUs) in 28 hospitals in a large Midwest metropolitan region. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty-six thousand, one hundred thirty-six consecutive admissions to medical, surgical, neurological, and mixed medical/surgical ICUs between March 1, 1991, and March 31, 1997. MEASUREMENTS: In-hospital death rates were compared at successive 5-year age intervals, adjusting for gender, diagnosis, admission source, comorbidity, and acute physiology scores. Acute physiology scores were determined using a validated methodology based on abnormalities in 17 physiological measures collected during the first 24 hours of ICU admission. RESULTS: The adjusted odds of death increased with each 5-year age increment. For example, relative to patients younger than 35, adjusted odds of death in patients aged 40 to 44, 50 to 54, 60 to 64, 70 to 74, 80 to 84, and 90 and older were 1.51, 1.73, 2.38, 2.98, 3.86, and 4.74, respectively. In stratified analyses, age-related increases in the odds of death were somewhat higher in surgical than medical patients or patients with lower severity of illness at admission. Although acute physiology scores had excellent discrimination in all age groups, discrimination decreased with age (e.g., c-statistics of 0.928 and 0.835 in patients younger than 45 and 85 and older, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate incremental increases in the risk of hospital death associated with age that was independent of severity of illness and other prognostic factors. Although the current results may be less biased by differences in treatment goals than studies of general hospitalized patients, the lower discrimination of physiology scores in older patients suggests that unmeasured factors (e.g., functional status, patient preferences for care, differences in physician practices) may be of greater prognostic importance in older than in younger patients. From the *Research Service, Iowa City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa; D ivision of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa College of Medicine and University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa; and 1 Health Evaluation Systems Delivery Team, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittshurgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Structure and dynamics of water between segments of parallel DNA molecules

Abstract To study the structural and dynamical properties of liquid water between DNA molecules we have performed two molecular dynamics simulations. In both simulations the helix axes of the DNA were parallel; the distance between the axes was 29A in the first simulation and 40A in the second. Analysis revealed greater H2O polarization in the first simulation and a marked tendency for the H2O dipoles to orient perpendicular to the helix axes in both simulations. The observed ordering of H2O near the surfaces concurs with the theory, proposed to explain the strong hydration forces between macromolecular surfaces.
Integrating Participatory Action Research and GIS Education: Negotiating Methodologies, Politics and Technologies

This paper explores some of the unique opportunities and challenges of integrating participatory action research into undergraduate GIS courses, drawing evidence from two undergraduate courses that contributed to a long-term participatory action research project. The author shows that incorporating participatory action research in undergraduate GIS courses can enhance students' learning of fundamental concepts in GIS, as well as their understanding of the social and political construction and impacts of digital spatial data and GIS technologies. As well, this approach can foster critical reflection on research design and methodologies.
Technical Basis of Dose Reconstruction

The purpose of this paper is to consider two general topics: technical considerations of why dose-reconstruction studies should or should not be performed and methods of dose reconstruction. The first topic is of general and growing interest as the number of dose-reconstruction studies increases, and one asks the question whether it is necessary to perform a dose reconstruction for virtually every site at which, for example, the Department of Energy (DOE) has operated a nuclear-related facility. And there is the broader question of how one might logically draw the line at performing or not performing dose-reconstruction (radiological and chemical) studies for virtually every industrial complex in the entire country. The second question is also of general interest. There is no single correct way to perform a dose-reconstruction study, and it is important not to follow blindly a single method to the point that cheaper, faster, more accurate, and more transparent methods might not be developed and applied.
Simulation of Laser-Induced Thermotherapy Using a Dual-Reciprocity Boundary Element Model With Dynamic Tissue Properties

This paper presents a nonlinear dual-reciprocity boundary element method (DRBEM) for bioheat transfer in laser-induced thermotherapy. The nonlinearity stems from the dynamic changes of tissue thermophysical and optical properties and the blood perfusion rate during laser heating. The proposed DRBEM is coupled with a modified Monte Carlo method and the Arrhenius rate equation to investigate laser light propagation, bioheat transfer, and irreversible thermal damage in tumors. The computer code is justified by comparing the DRBEM results with the finite-difference results. The photothermal processes in interstitial laser thermotherapy with single or double laser fiber scattering applicators are chosen as the demonstrative examples. The dynamic nature, together with the unique advantages of ?boundary-only? and excellent adaptability to complex anatomical geometries that the DRBEM method offers, makes the present nonlinear DRBEM a powerful tool for analysis and optimization of the parameters in laser surgical procedure.
Accelerometry measured ethnic differences in activity in rural adolescents.

Background: To determine if there are differences in time spent in physical activity and sedentary behavior between rural African American and Caucasian children. Methods: Children wore accelerometers for 3 weekdays. The students were randomly selected from a larger sample of children participating in a weight gain prevention intervention. Usable data were obtained from 272 of the 310 students who agreed to participate. The outcome data included counts per minute (CPM), time spent in moderate to vigorous (MVPA), light (LPA), and sedentary (SED) activity. The equation and cutoff used to analyze national accelerometry data were used for the current study. Results: The sample had an average age of 10.4 (1.1) years and 76% were African American. Lower SES African Americans had more CPM (P = .012) and spent more time in MVPA (P = .008) compared with middle SES African American and lower SES Caucasian children. Lower SES African American children also spent fewer minutes in SED activity (P = .044) compared with...
Animal models for evaluating antiepileptogenesis

The development of any new therapy for the treatment of a human disorder or disease depends heavily on the demonstration of efficacy in a validated animal model. The need for finding a therapy that would prevent or delay the development of epilepsy in the susceptible individual is evident, and many of the required tools have been developed in recent years. However, there are many practical challenges and hurdles that must be overcome before a "cure" can be realized. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper's basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
Settler urban legacies: A case study of Taipei City

Abstract Similar to a colonial state, a settler state is governed by an outside regime. In comparison with conventional colonists, however, the settler rulers regard the settled land as their homeland, rather than just a land with exploitable resources. To secure its legitimacy, the settler government has to strongly control the locals. Democratization could undermine settler rule and the settler state’s built environment could be affected by such a political transition and subsequent political transformation. This article explores the implications of settler urban legacies by examining an iconic landmark and public housing policies in Taipei City, Taiwan. The results suggest that the transition of settler rule has given rise to urban changes related to the interests of the locals. The paper outlines the city’s future urban scene, because settler urban legacies were deeply rooted in the political and urban landscapes of the nation.
Cyclic AMP receptor protein and RhaR synergistically activate transcription from the L-rhamnose-responsive rhaSR promoter in Escherichia coli.

The Escherichia coli rhaSR operon encodes two AraC family transcription activator proteins, RhaS and RhaR, which regulate expression of the l-rhamnose catabolic regulon in response to l-rhamnose availability. RhaR positively regulates rhaSR in response to l-rhamnose, and RhaR activation can be enhanced by the cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein (CRP) protein. CRP is a well-studied global transcription regulator that binds to DNA as a dimer and activates transcription in the presence of cAMP. We investigated the mechanism of CRP activation at rhaSR both alone and in combination with RhaR in vivo and in vitro. Base pair substitutions at potential CRP binding sites in the rhaSR-rhaBAD intergenic region demonstrate that CRP site 3, centered at position −111.5 relative to the rhaSR transcription start site, is required for the majority of the CRP-dependent activation of rhaSR. DNase I footprinting confirms that CRP binds to site 3; CRP binding to the other potential CRP sites at rhaSR was not detected. We show that, at least in vitro, CRP is capable of both RhaR-dependent and RhaR-independent activation of rhaSR from a total of three transcription start sites. In vitro transcription assays indicate that the carboxy-terminal domain of the alpha subunit (α-CTD) of RNA polymerase is at least partially dispensable for RhaR-dependent activation but that the α-CTD is required for CRP activation of rhaSR. Although CRP requires the presence of RhaR for efficient in vivo activation of rhaSR, DNase I footprinting assays indicated that cooperative binding between RhaR and CRP does not make a significant contribution to the mechanism of CRP activation at rhaSR. It therefore appears that CRP activates transcription from rhaSR as it would at simple class I promoters, albeit from a relatively distant position.
The kiss of the porcupines: From attributing responsibility to forgiving

How to maintain relatedness in the context of being harmed by others, especially an intimate partner, is a fundamental human challenge. Forgiveness provides a way of meeting this challenge as it removes the barrier to relatedness caused by a transgression. But scientists know very little about forgiveness and its role in close relationships. This article therefore offers a conceptual analysis of forgiveness. The analysis then serves as the foundation for an organizational framework that can be used to study forgiveness in close relationships. Finally, preliminary data are presented that speak to some of the issues introduced in the article.
HIV-associated primary CNS lymorbidity and utility of brain biopsy

Abstract Introduction : Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with several central nervous system (CNS) infections and neoplasms. These opportunistic processes generally occur with advanced immunosuppression, but if an accurate diagnosis is made, effective treatment can frequently be initiated. Methods : In an attempt to assess the safety, diagnostic yield, and utility of stereotactic brain biopsy in the clinical management of suspected HIV-associated primary CNS lymphoma, we retrospectively studied the performance of biopsy in HIV-seropositive patients presenting with focal intracranial lesions. This analysis included 435 patients undergoing brain biopsy, identified through a local case series ( n =47) combined with all published cases ( n =388). The years of analysis for this study were 1984 and 1997. We also assessed the survival of HIV-associated intracranial mass lesions and of PCNSL patients treated at JHU. Results: Definitive histopathological diagnoses were established in eighty-eight percent of biopsied cases: primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) (30%), CNS toxoplasmosis (CNS TOXO) (16%), progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) (25%), and other specific diagnoses (17%). Post-biopsy morbidity within thirty days was 8.4% and mortality was 2.9%. PCNSL was the most common diagnosis among cases biopsied after failure of anti-toxoplasmosis therapy, 134/205 (65%). In the local case series, biopsy-related morbidity was associated with poor functional status, decreased platelet count, and number of lesions at presentation. The median survival of irradiated PCNSL cases was 29 days longer than untreated cases (median survival 50 days versus 21 days, respectively, Chi-square=6.73, P Discussion: Stereotactic brain biopsy had a high diagnostic yield for HIV-associated focal intracranial lesions, however, the biopsy complication rate in this patient population was relatively high. PCNSL was diagnosed in the majority of patients failing anti-toxoplasmosis therapy. Survival after irradiation for PCNSL remains very poor.
Mortality and Greenhouse Gas Impacts of Biomass and Petroleum Energy Futures in Africa

We analyzed the mortality impacts and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by household energy use in Africa. Under a business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, household indoor air pollution will cause an estimated 9.8 million premature deaths by the year 2030. Gradual and rapid transitions to charcoal would delay 1.0 million and 2.8 million deaths, respectively; similar transitions to petroleum fuels would delay 1.3 million and 3.7 million deaths. Cumulative BAU GHG emissions will be 6.7 billion tons of carbon by 2050, which is 5.6% of Africa's total emissions. Large shifts to the use of fossil fuels would reduce GHG emissions by 1 to 10%. Charcoal-intensive future scenarios using current practices increase emissions by 140 to 190%; the increase can be reduced to 5 to 36% using currently available technologies for sustainable production or potentially reduced even more with investment in technological innovation.
Muslims in the United States: Pluralism under Exceptional Circumstances

In the contemporary United States, can Muslims draw on religious authorities living in other, very different societies and to the normative ideas those authorities espouse? Or is this a challenge that cannot be tolerated by distinctively American dogmas of what constitutes a good society? The concept of pluralism, as fact and theory, is discussed in light of what the Muslim American experience has to tell us about the limits of tolerance. The idiosyncratic circumstances of Muslim Americans gives rise to both an internal struggle to be pluralists and an outward struggle to negotiate rights and liberties in a climate of fear. The study of Muslims in the United States illustrates the need to rethink what the term pluralism means in America.