cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pervasive Mitochondrial Sequence Heteroplasmy in Natural Populations of Wild Carrot, Daucus carota spp. carota L

Exceptions to the generally accepted rules that plant mitochondrial genomes are strictly maternally inherited and that within-individual sequence diversity in those genomes, i.e., heteroplasmy, should be minimal are becoming increasingly apparent especially with regard to sequence-level heteroplasmy. These findings raise questions about the potential significance of such heteroplasmy for plant mitochondrial genome evolution. Still studies quantifying the amount and consequences of sequence heteroplasmy in natural populations are rare. In this study, we report pervasive sequence heteroplasmy in natural populations of wild carrot, a close relative of the cultivated crop. In order to assay directly for this heteroplasmy, we implemented a quantitative PCR assay that can detect and quantify intra-individual SNP variation in two mitochondrial genes (Cox1 and Atp9). We found heteroplasmy in > 60% of all wild carrot populations surveyed and in > 30% of the 140 component individuals that were genotyped. Heteroplasmy ranged from a very small proportion of the total genotype (e.g., 0.995:0.005) to near even mixtures (e.g., 0.590:0.410) in some individuals. These results have important implications for the role of intra-genomic recombination in the generation of plant mitochondrial genome genotypic novelty. The consequences of such recombination are evident in the results of this study through analysis of the degree of linkage disequilibrium (LD) between the SNP sites at the two genes studied.
Kafkas Akademiebericht: Die auflösende ‘Ruhe’ als lebendige Varieténummer

This paper explores the key concept of ‘Ruhe’ in “A Report to an Academy” (1917), essential for an understanding of its inception and Kafka’s spiritual ties to the Christian and Greek tradition. While Kafka scholarship has already made some reference to Schiller’s irony and typological writing “On Naive and Sentimental Poetry” (1795), it has yet to recognize Kafka’s poetic appropriation of Goethe’s observing mode of ‘Ruhe’ as narrative mode. The entertaining variety show acts, along with making the ape’s philosophical reflections on his mortifying cage experience evident to the critical eye, help create a streaming gaze that morphs all activities and gestures into simple human rituals. The ship (a modern version of Noah’s Ark), a microcosm of human society, entails in embryo all elements that will shape the ape’s life on the continent after achieving a certain degree of ‘humanity.’ The report culminates in a drinking parody of Goethe’s theoretical writing “Simple Imitation, Manner, Style” (1789), depictin...
Using multidimensional scaling to improve functionality of the Revised Learning Process Questionnaire

The Revised Learning Process Questionnaire has been part of the development of a conceptual understanding of how students learn and what motivates them to engage in particular tasks. We obtained responses from 329 student volunteers at a mid‐sized public university in the southeast USA. We first investigated whether the psychometric properties and latent factor structure of this questionnaire are replicable in a different educational context and with students from a different country than that originally used to create and validate the questionnaire. We found this to be true. Second, we used Profile Analysis via Multidimensional Scaling (PAMS) to improve the diagnostic functionality of the instrument as well as further explore the latent structure of the questionnaire. The factor structure was evident in this solution, but we found that interpreting the latent structure in terms of the dimensions of Strategy and Motive as opposed to the factors of Deep and Surface approaches to be more appropriate for dia...
Transformations in the analysis of non-uniform transmission lines

Abstract This paper is concerned with the analysis of non-uniform transmission lines whereby their characteristic equations are transformed to corresponding equations for other transmission lines whose solutions are known. Such techniques have been described in the literature for specific cases. What is attempted here is a systematic approach which develops some of the rules that govern such transformations.
Intraoperative Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation as an Alternative to Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Lung Transplantation

Purpose Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be used for intraoperative support as an alternative to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during lung transplantation. We sought to evaluate its efficacy. Methods and Materials We reviewed lung transplants with intraoperative support (CPB or ECMO) from 8/09-11/12. Patients were stratified into groups by type of support. Postoperative ECMO utilization, graft and overall survival were compared along with blood product utilization and complications. For comparisons, a 2:1 propensity matched cohort of CPB:ECMO was analyzed. Results 169 patients underwent lung transplantation with mechanical support during the study period (17 ECMO and 152 CPB). Demographic were similar in both groups with higher mean Lung Allocation Score (LAS; 83 vs 56) in the ECMO group. Patients transplanted on ECMO in the overall groups were extubated earlier (0.8 vs 4.8 days; p=0.11) and had significantly decreased rates of respiratory failure post transplantation (29% vs 6%; p=0.04) with similar trends in the propensity matched cohort. There were no differences in postoperative ECMO utilization between groups. A trend toward improved overall survival was seen with ECMO at 1 year (100% vs 77%) and 3 years (100% vs 66%; p=0.13). Graft survival was significantly improved in the ECMO group (p=0.05). [ figure 1 ] Conclusions Intraoperative ECMO support for primary lung transplantation is comparable to CPB and is associated with earlier extubation, significant reduction in respiratory complications, a trend toward lower transfusion requirement and improved overall survival. Graft survival was significantly improved with the use of ECMO. Further longitudinal data is necessary.
Peptide Mapping of Bacterial Fimbrial Epitopes Interacting with Pattern Recognition Receptors

The fimbriae of the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis induce Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)-dependent macrophage activation upon their recognition by CD14 and the beta(2) integrin CD11b/CD18. To map functional epitopes of fimbriae that interact with these pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), we examined 20 synthetic peptides covering the entire length of the 41-kDa fimbrillin subunit. Using direct or competitive inhibition assays for receptor binding or cell activation, the CD14 binding activity of fimbriae was localized to residues 69-90 and was essential for TLR2-dependent cytokine induction. The CD11b/CD18 binding activity of fimbriae was localized to two neighboring epitopes defined by residues 166-185 and 206-225. Unlike epitope 69-90 that constitutively bound CD14, the CD11b/CD18 binding activity of epitopes 166-185 and 206-225 was inducible by integrin activators. The CD11b/CD18 binding activity played a contributory role to TLR2-dependent induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by fimbriae but was involved in specific down-regulation of interleukin-12. Cell activation by a combination of fimbrillin peptides corresponding to the CD14 and CD11b/CD18 binding activities resulted in higher tumor necrosis factor-alpha responses than would be expected from a simply additive effect, attributable to CD14-dependent inside-out signaling leading to enhanced binding interactions with CD11b/CD18. These data suggest that P. gingivalis fimbriae display a modular structure that interacts through discrete epitopes and in a regulated mode with distinct PRRs, which in turn differentially modulate the state of cell activation. Elucidation of pathogen interactions with PRRs at the molecular level may glean insight into host defense mechanisms as well as into microbial strategies that subvert innate immunity.
Measurement of the B∗ cross section at

Abstract Using the CUSB-II detector at CESR we have measured the B ∗ cross section in the energy range from s = 10.61–10.65 GeV and 10.70 GeV to be 0.16±0.03 nb and 0.33±0.13 nb respectively. The photon energy for B ∗ →Bγ decays is measured to be 45.4±0.8 MeV, in agreement with our earlier determination. The implication of this measurement for future B factories is discussed.
Interpretation of Plasma Concentration-Time Curves after Oral Dosing

The pharmacokinetic information obtained after oral administration is examined using the two-compartment model. Data were obtained by simulation and experimentally by administering sulfisoxazole by an exponential infusion to rabbits. When the absorption rate constant is allowed to approach alpha, a typical two-compartment oral absorption curve is obtained, which is described by a triexponential equation. However, if the absorption rate constant approaches E2 (the sum of the elimination rate constants out of the peripheral compartment), the data are adequately fit by a one-compartment model, with the calculated absorption rate equal to alpha. The relative error in using a one-compartment model to calculate absorption rate constants for two-compartment data is also evaluated.
Beauty—how Hopkins pied it

Abstract I propose to look as closely as possible at Gerard Manley Hopkins’ brilliant and famous poem, ‘Pied Beauty.’ Hopkins was a Jesuit priest; his life and art were centered in a mystic’s vision. The mystic sees in all things the immanence of the Divine. In a sense, all things are thus equal; but nonetheless, Hopkins superimposes upon all things an asymmetric cline, which orders them from low to high, from far away from us to near, perhaps as a metaphor for the inner journey of self-purification that each human being is offered, to come personally to experience their own Divinity within. Let us agree to call this sequence the cline of person, and to say that the cline goes not only from third to first person, but from less first to firster (in a way which I take to be in accord with the spirit, though not the letter, of Peirce’s notion of firstness). This is the cline that points us towards Self.
Latitudinal distribution of solar-wind speed from magnetic observations of the Sun

Empirical studies suggest a close relationship between the solar-wind speed near the earth and the magnetic structure of the solar corona. The correlation can be used to infer the latitudinal distribution of wind speed at different phases of the sunspot cycle, and to identify the sources of fast, high-latitude wind streams such as those that might be encountered by the Ulysses spacecraft on its journey toward the solar poles during 1992-1995.
A general framework of persistence strategies for biological systems helps explain domains of life.

The nature and cause of the division of organisms in superkingdoms is not fully understood. Assuming that environment shapes physiology, here we construct a novel theoretical framework that helps identify general patterns of organism persistence. This framework is based on Jacob von Uexkull’s organism-centric view of the environment and James G. Miller’s view of organisms as matter-energy-information processing molecular machines. Three concepts describe an organism’s environmental niche: scope, umwelt, and gap. Scope denotes the entirety of environmental events and conditions to which the organism is exposed during its lifetime. Umwelt encompasses an organism’s perception of these events. The gap is the organism’s blind spot, the scope that is not covered by umwelt. These concepts bring organisms of different complexity to a common ecological denominator. Ecological and physiological data suggest organisms persist using three strategies: flexibility, robustness, and economy. All organisms use umwelt information to flexibly adapt to environmental change. They implement robustness against environmental perturbations within the gap generally through redundancy and reliability of internal constituents. Both flexibility and robustness improve survival. However, they also incur metabolic matter-energy processing costs, which otherwise could have been used for growth and reproduction. Lineages evolve unique tradeoff solutions among strategies in the space of what we call “a persistence triangle.” Protein domain architecture and other evidence support the preferential use of flexibility and robustness properties. Archaea and Bacteria gravitate toward the triangle’s economy vertex, with Archaea biased toward robustness. Eukarya trade economy for survivability. Protista occupy a saddle manifold separating akaryotes from multicellular organisms. Plants and the more flexible Fungi share an economic stratum, and Metazoa are locked in a positive feedback loop toward flexibility.
The Role of Trust in Channels of Strategic Communication for Building Civil Society

In these turbulent times, development communication is a growing and important area of both academic research and practice. This article explores the role of strategic communication channels in the development of civil society in Bosnia. This case study reports the results of a survey that asked Bosnians about their levels of trust in government officials, alternative media, and state-controlled media outlets. The findings suggest that shortly after the war Bosnians had medium levels of trust in their communication channels, and when it comes to obtaining important information, it appears that alternative media were considered more trustworthy than either the state media or local government officials. Finally, political affiliation and ethnicity affect trust in communication channels in complex ways.
In Defense of World Social Forum VII

A radically democratic change in the perception of global justice and human rights has occurred in the last seven years. Th e World Social Forum (WSF), as a meeting space and a process, is an innovation that has shifted the way NGOs, grassroots activists, and national movements strategize to meet their goals. Engagement in the WSFs is growing – an increasing number of participants: activists, organizers, and academics are following the evolving process of the Forums. Th is essay contends that the overall WSF process embodies an uneven, often contradictory, but evolving democra tization with WSF7 advancing this agenda via its presence in one of the most peripheralized countries that included a substantially improved gender discussion and representation in comparison to previous Forums. In the weeks following a WSF event, the Forums are subject to evaluations that are found on blogs, at the websites of organizations that participated, and are spread through listserves 1 that we believe largely influence
On the real-time measurement of particles in air by direct-inlet surface-ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract Basic investigations have been made of the use of surface-ionization mass spectrometry to analyze directly particles in air. The investigations have focused on the analysis of individual particles, with the objective of measuring, in real time, the size distributions of homogeneous particulate materials in air. The materials used in the investigations include cesium nitrate, uranyl nitrate and uranium dioxide. The decay times of the ion signals as a function of filament temperature are reported for all three materials. The relative ion yield of cesium nitrate as a function of filament temperature is reported. Measurements of the integrated ion yield from individual monodisperse particles of cesium nitrate are also reported. These measurements show that information on particle size can be derived from the ion signals. The integrated ion yield from cesium nitrate particles impinging on a rhenium filament at 970° C was found to be proportional to the square of the particle diameter, rather than to the cube. Bouncing of particles on impact with the ionizing filament, resulting in a drastic loss of measurement sensitivity, has been observed. The occurrence of bounce varies with particle material and size. The use of an oven ionizer to overcome the problem of particle bounce has been demonstrated.
The Zigzag Broadband Raman Amplifier

The use of angle-tuned phase matching can greatly reduce limitations on the pump laser bandwidth in crossed-beam Raman amplifiers. Potential advantages over collinear broadband amplifiers predicted to be attainable with this technique include improved intensity homogeneity, reduction of intensity-phase print-through, simplified beam combining, and avoidance of competing nonlinear processes. Expressions for allowed bandwidth are given.
NEW AGENTS FOR PROSTATE CANCER

Huggins and Hodges determined that the initial growth of prostate cancer cells depends on testosterone. Since then, the standard primary treatment for advanced prostate cancer has been androgen deprivation through medical or surgical castration. Although hormonal therapy results in tumor responses in most patients, it is palliative and not curative. Eventually, all patients develop disease progression, manifested by rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, local or distant tumor growth, and symptoms such as bone pain or urinary obstruction. To achieve more effective antitumor responses, novel nonhormonal therapeutics must be developed. Advances in the understanding of prostate cancer biology have led to the development of drugs directed against precise molecular alterations in the prostate tumor cell. Biologic agents now in development include agents capable of altering signal transduction, blocking angiogenesis, inhibiting cell cycle progression, and stimulating apoptosis. Several new monoclonal antibodies also are being investigated. Evaluating these drugs and incorporating them into existing regimens are major goals of ongoing clinical research in advanced prostate cancer.
Realities of Life Before and After Welfare Reform: Perspectives of Women of Color

This article presents a case study of four women of color who were facing the welfare reform of 1996. The women narrate how they grew up and came to be on welfare, their on-going struggle in and out of welfare, their current life realities as they cope with welfare reform, and their recommendations for welfare reform. Eventually, two of these women leave while two others remain in the welfare system. The article compares and contrasts these four narratives, and applies choice, expectancy, class-culture, and social support theories (Bane and Ellwood, 1994; Edin and Lein, 1997) to arrive at a framework that explains their welfare exit/stay. The article recommends social work interventions in welfare policy, program, and practice contexts.
979-37 Endothelin-1 at Pathophysiological Concentrations Induces Coronary Vasoconstriction via the ET-A Receptors

Endothelin-1 (ET-l) is an endothelial-derived coronary vasoconstrictor peptide which mediates its actions through the Endothelin-A and the Endothelin-B receptors. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that at low-dose ET-l to mimic pathophysiologic concentrations, ET-1 mediates coronary vasoconstriction through the ET-A receptor. Therefore, ET-1, (Group 1, n = 5). Sarafotoxin—a specific ET-B receptor agonist (Group 2, n = 5)—each at 2 ng/kg/min were infused into the left circumflex coronary artery in the anesthetized dog. In Group 3 (n = 5) the same dose of ET-1 was infused with 4 μ/kg/min of the specific ET-A receptor antagonist FR 139317. No difference in hemodynamics and coronary blood flow (CBF), coronary vascular resistance (CVR), and coronary artery diameter(CAD) were observed at baseline between the groups, and no alterations in systemic hemodynamics and plasma ET concentrations were observed during the protocol. CBF, CVR, and CAD were determined at baseline and during infusions and were calculated as % change (Δ) from baseline. Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 %ΔCBF -48 ± 7 * -9 ± 3 -12 ± 3 %ΔCVR 105 ± 24 * 24 ± 9 7 ± 6 %ΔCAD 4.6 ± 0.9 * -1.0 ± 0.3 -1.4 ± 0.7 Data are mean ± SEM * p l 0.01 vs. Group 2 and Group 3 This study demonstrates in vivo that: ET-l at pathophysiologic concentrations predominantly induces coronary vasoconstriction via the ET-A receptors at the level of the resistance vessels.
Optimal sharing arrangements for a commodity like oil under the threat of selective embargo

Abstract A model is developed in which each of n independent commodity importers faces the risk of selective embargo. The probability that an embargo will occur increases as total imports increase: the probability that a particular importer will be the embargo victim is an increasing function of its own commodity import rate. Each importer takes other countries' import rates as given and chooses the import rate that maximizes lifetime consumption of its Final product. By ignoring the fact that its own import decisions will induce changes in other countries' import rates, an independent decision maker suboptimizes and in Nash equilibrium all importers consume less than the maximum possible quantity of final product. However, a surprisingly simple contingency plan for sharing the burden of an embargo can compensate fully for these suboptimizing tendencies, ‘guiding’ independent actors to choose the optimal import rates.
Antigenic changes in developing hamster brain using antisera to myelinated and unmyelinated brain.

Abstract Saline-perfused brain tissue of either adult or 5-day neonatal hamsters, homogenized in saline solution and complete Freund's adjuvant, was injected into a separate series of Polish rabbits. “Fresh”, perfused adult brain and perfused adult brain which had undergone alternate freezings and thawings were compared for use in antisera production and in precipitin reactions. Five tissues other than brain were utilized for observing cross-reactions and for inhibition studies. Sera from rabbits injected with perfused fresh adult brains reacted negligibly in agar with perfused adult and 5-day old (unmyelinated) brain. Sera from rabbits injected with perfused, sequentially frozen-thawed adult brain or perfused, fresh 5-day old brain formed a series of precipitin lines in agar with adult frozen-thawed or fresh 5-day old brain. Antisera to 5-day brain always was stronger. Cross-reactions and inhibition tests with other tissues indicate that the 5-day brain antiserum is organ-specific whereas adult brain antiserum is not. These studies indicate that in nervous tissue the antigenic sites have become masked during the process of myelination to such a degree that good humoral antibody production is inhibited. Freeze-thawing tends to “unmask” adult brain antigen so that it reacts immunologically more like unmyelinated brain. Our observations also suggest that erroneous conclusions can result from studies on the development of antigenicity in nervous tissue which use only adult brain antisera as a level for reference.
Relationship of Functional Residual Capacity to Static Pulmonary Mechanics in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Static pulmonary mechanics may not be the sole determinant of the functional residual capacity (FRC) in the chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). To assess the relationship of FRC to pulmonary mechanics, pulmonary function tests such as spirometry, lung volumes, maximum expiratory flow volume curves, and single-breath diffusing capacity were related to compliance measurements in 65 patients with stable COPD. Compliance studies were examined over the range of tidal volume and at maximum lung inflation. The results showed that there was a poor correlation between the degree of hyperinflation at FRC and static compliance in the tidal range. However, there was a highly significant correlation between FRC and static lung mechanics at maximum lung inflation, as well as between FRC and diffusing capacity. Thus, in patients with stable COPD, FRC is a useful guide to static recoil properties of the lung as assessed at maximum lung inflation. Lung compliance measurement in tidal range may not reflect this relationship. An increase in FRC remains a useful index of pulmonary emphysema, even in the presence of chronic airway disease.
γ-Catenin expression is reduced or absent in a subset of human lung cancers and re-expression inhibits transformed cell growth

Lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease categorized into multiple subtypes of cancers which likely arise from distinct patterns of genetic alterations and disruptions. Precedent exists for a role of β-catenin, a downstream component of the Wnt signaling pathway that serves as a transcriptional co-activator with TCF/LEF, in several human cancers including colon carcinomas. In this study, we observed that β-catenin was highly and uniformly expressed in a panel of NSCLC cell lines and primary lung tumors. By contrast, γ-catenin was weakly expressed or absent in several NSCLC cell lines and immunohistochemical analysis of primary NSCLC tumors revealed negligible to weak γ-catenin staining in ∼30% of the specimens. Treatment of NSCLC cells expressing reduced γ-catenin protein with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5aza2dc), a DNA methylation inhibitor, or trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, increased γ-catenin protein content in NSCLC cells with low γ-catenin expression. Significantly, the activity of a β-catenin/TCF-dependent luciferase reporter was markedly elevated in the NSCLC cell lines that underexpressed γ-catenin relative to those lines that highly expressed γ-catenin. Moreover, transfection of these cells with a γ-catenin expression plasmid reduced the elevated TCF activity by 85% and strongly inhibited cell growth on tissue culture plastic as well as anchorage-independent growth in soft agar. This study shows that γ-catenin can function as an inhibitor of β-catenin/TCF-dependent gene transcription and highlights γ-catenin as a potentially novel tumor suppressor protein in a subset of human NSCLC cancers.
A Courtier or a Prince: Shakespeare's Richard II as a Dramatization of Conflicting Paradigms of Political Craftsmanship

This essay explores Shakespeare's Richard II as a dramatic case study for the political methodologies of Machiavelli and Castiglione, as well as Pico della Mirandola's Oration on the Dignity of Man, which are examined as intersecting paradigms for self-fashioning and political dominance. Shakespeare's Richard is presented as a prince who, in addition to making serious strategic mistakes, fails to project a virtu sufficient to overcome the devastating peripheral conditions of his reign. Though the usurper of the throne, Richard's cousin Harry Bolingbroke, emerges as a consummate Machiavellian prince, his position is troubled by his inability to entirely disregard the spiritual nature of power which he has rejected with his bid for the crown.The public display of power necessitates ritual manifestation, which is utterly at odds with a utilitarian characterization of power, but quite consistent with a numinous or spiritually endowed basis for kingship. Bolingbroke, however, skillfully glosses his utilitarian...
Immunocytochemical studies with antisera against Leu-enkephalin and an enkephalin-precursor fragment (BAM-22P) in the rat brain

Abstract Rats given high doses of colchicine (300–400 ug, i.c.v.) were used to investigate the comparative distribution of Leu-enkephalin and bovine adrenal medullary enkephalin-precursor fragment (BAM-22P) in the brain. Leu-enkephalin immunoreactive neurons have a widespread distribution throughout the neuraxis. In most areas adjacent section analysis showed BAM-22P and Leu-enkephalin immunoreactive perikarya to be similarly localized. Brain enkephalin biosynthetic mechanisms might therefore be similar to those regulating adrenal medullary enkephalin biosynthesis.
Efficient controls for finitely convergent sequential algorithms

Finding a feasible point that satisfies a set of constraints is a common task in scientific computing; examples are the linear feasibility problem and the convex feasibility problem. Finitely convergent sequential algorithms can be used for solving such problems; an example of such an algorithm is ART3, which is defined in such a way that its control is cyclic in the sense that during its execution it repeatedly cycles through the given constraints. Previously we found a variant of ART3 whose control is no longer cyclic, but which is still finitely convergent and in practice usually converges faster than ART3. In this article we propose a general methodology for automatic transformation of finitely convergent sequential algorithms in such a way that (1) finite convergence is retained, and (2) the speed of convergence is improved. The first of these properties is proven by mathematical theorems, the second is illustrated by applying the algorithms to a practical problem.
The Regional Energy & Water Supply Scenarios (REWSS) model, part II: Case studies in Pennsylvania and Arizona

Abstract Water and energy are interconnected resources that face regional supply limitations and contribute to environmental issues such as climate change. Pennsylvania and Arizona are creating policies to steer large transitions in their energy and water sources, respectively. This paper provides case studies using the newly developed Regional Energy & Water Supply Scenarios (REWSS) model to explore potential impacts of different pathways in these two states. Part I of this work discusses model structure, procedure, and validation. Pennsylvania has become a major producer of shale gas, but the potential for greenhouse gas emissions reductions from shale gas are uncertain. Results show only small decreases in GHG emissions if shale gas is used for electricity due to limited reductions in transportation and heating-related emissions. PA results also highlight potential water for energy issues around biofuels if irrigated feedstocks are used. Arizona faces water supply issues due to population growth and overused groundwater. Scenarios examined focus on replacing groundwater with imports or desalination. AZ results show that the use of desalination could show marginal increases in GHGs and energy consumption (2%), but the widespread deployment of solar power to offset additional GHGs would likely have a high upfront energetic cost.
Analysis of Linear Encroachment in Two-Immiscible Fluid Systems in a Porous Medium

The flow of two immiscible fluids in a porous medium was analyzed accounting for boundary and inertia effects. This problem was first solved by Muskat using Darcy's equation for fluid flow in a saturated porous medium. In the present analysis the boundary and inertia effects have been included to predict the movement of the interfacial front that is formed as one fluid displaces the other. In the present work a theoretical study that accounts for the boundary and inertia effects in predicting the movement of the interface for linear encroachment in two immiscible fluid system in a porous material is presented for the first time. The results of the present study when compared with the Muskat's model show that consideration of the boundary and inertia effects becomes important for low value of mobility ratio ([epsilon] 1.0 [times] 10[sup [minus]10] m[sup 2]).
Insensitivity of guinea pig ventricular delayed rectifier IK to intracellular trypsin: implications for channel structure and function.

Objective: Intracellular application of proteolytic agents modifies the function of many voltage gated ion channels. The presence of a trypsin sensitive inhibitory domain in a channel protein may be important for G protein dependent activation. Guinea pig ventricular IK is modulated by a direct G protein pathway. The aim was to determine if guinea pig ventricular IK is also modified by intracellularly applied trypsin. Methods: Whole cell and excised inside out configurations of patch clamp were used to record IK from guinea pig ventricular myocytes before and after cytosolic application of trypsin (1 mg·ml−1). We used previously reported effects of trypsin on the L type calcium current (ICa) to monitor dialysis time and enzyme activity in whole cell experiments where IK and ICa were measured concomitantly. Results: Addition of trypsin to the solution bathing the cytosolic face of excised membrane patches had no effect on the amplitude or kinetics of Ik. When added to the pipette solution and introduced by cell dialysis, trypsin had no effect on whole cell Ik, even when significant effects on the amplitude and kinetics of ICa were evident. Conclusions: Guinea pig ventricular IK is not enhanced or otherwise altered by intracellularly applied trypsin. Therefore direct phosphorylation independent enhancement of IK by guanine nucleotides cannot depend on interactions between G protein subunits and trypsin sensitive inhibitory channel domains. The lack of trypsin modification of cardiac ventricular IK suggests that the structure of the endogenous delayed rectifier K+ channel may be different than that of other voltage gated channels. Cardiovascular Research 1992; 26 :1131-1136
Vector LLVA: a virtual vector instruction set for media processing

We present Vector LLVA, a virtual instruction set architecture (VISA) that exposes extensive static information about vector parallelism while avoiding the use of hardware-specific parameters. We provide both arbitrary-length vectors (for targets that allow vectors of arbitrary length, or where the target length is not known) and fixed-length vectors (for targets that have a fixed vector length, such as subword SIMD extensions), together with a rich set of operations on both vector types. We have implemented translators that compile (1) Vector LLVA written with arbitrary-length vectors to the Motorola RSVP architecture and (2) Vector LLVA written with fixed-length vectors to both AltiVec and Intel SSE2. Our translatorgenerated code achieves speedups competitive with handwritten native code versions of several benchmarks on all three architectures. These experiments show that our V-ISA design captures vector parallelism for two quite different classes of architectures and provides virtual object code portability within the class of subword SIMD architectures.
The computer in the nuclear science laboratory

Abstract The principles of computer-based nuclear physics experimentation are surveyed in tutorial fashion.
Quality of Reagents in Micro Iodine Methods

Iodine, present as an impurity, has been found in widely varying amounts in different batches of certain reagent chemicals used in iodine assay methods. Reagents containing iodine impurities cannot be used in sensitive analytical procedures for the determination of trace levels of iodine in biological materials. Methods are described for the estimation of the iodine (or iodine-like) content of reagent grade chemicals. Maximum permissible levels of iodine impurities in chemicals used to prepare reagents for iodine assay methods are specified.
The Taxonomy of Developmental Control in Caenorhabditis elegans

The Caenorhabditis elegans genome sequence was surveyed for transcription factor and signaling gene families that have been shown to regulate development in a variety of species. About 10 to 25 percent of the genes in most of the gene families already have been genetically analyzed in C. elegans, about half of the genes detect probable orthologs in other species, and about 10 to 25 percent of the genes are, at present, unique to C. elegans. Caenorhabditis elegans is also missing genes that are found in vertebrates and other invertebrates. Thus the genome sequence reveals universals in developmental control that are the legacy of metazoan complexity before the Cambrian explosion, as well as genes that have been more recently invented or lost in particular phylogenetic lineages.
Simulated De Novo Assembly of Golgi Compartments by Selective Cargo Capture during Vesicle Budding and Targeted Vesicle Fusion

The Golgi apparatus is comprised of stacked cisternal membranes forming subcompartments specialized for posttranslational processing of newly synthesized secretory cargo. Recent experimental evidence indicates that the Golgi apparatus can undergo de novo biogenesis from the endoplasmic reticulum, but the mechanism by which the membranes self assemble into compartmentalized structures remains unknown. We developed a discrete-event computer simulation model to test whether two fundamental mechanisms—vesicle-coat-mediated selective concentration of soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins during vesicle formation, and SNARE-mediated selective fusion of vesicles—suffice to generate and maintain compartments. Simulations verified that this minimal model is adequate for homeostasis of preestablished compartments, even in response to small perturbations, and for de novo formation of stable compartments. The model led to a novel prediction that Golgi size is in part dependent on target SNARE expression level. This prediction was supported by a demonstration that exogenous expression of the Golgi target SNARE syntaxin-5 alters Golgi size in living cells.
Methemoglobin-induced signaling and chemokine responses in human alveolar epithelial cells

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is characterized by the presence of red blood cells and free hemoglobin in the alveoli and complicates a number of serious medical and surgical lung conditions including the pulmonary vasculitides and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this study we investigated the hypothesis that exposure of human alveolar epithelial cells to hemoglobin and its breakdown products regulates chemokine release via iron- and oxidant-mediated activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. Methemoglobin alone stimulated the release of IL-8 and MCP-1 from A549 cells via activation of the NF-κB pathway; additionally, IL-8 required ERK activation and MCP-1 required JNK activation. Neither antioxidants nor iron chelators and knockdown of ferritin heavy and light chains affected these responses, indicating that iron and reactive oxygen species are not involved in the response of alveolar epithelial cells to methemoglobin. Incubation of primary cultures of human alveolar type 2 cells with methemoglobin resulted in a similar pattern of chemokine release and signaling pathway activation. In summary, we have shown for the first time that methemoglobin induced chemokine release from human lung epithelial cells independent of iron- and redox-mediated signaling involving the activation of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. Decompartmentalization of hemoglobin may be a significant proinflammatory stimulus in a variety of lung diseases.
Some ecological effects of feral sheep on Santa Cruz Island, California, USA.

Abstract Long-term overgrazing by feral sheep has resulted in moderate to severe ecological impacts to about one-half of Santa Cruz Island. Feral sheep were generalist herbivores, consuming a variety of plants according to availability and phenology. Insular endemic species in particular were preferred, and sheep reared on their hind legs to reach leaves of endemic shrubs. Effects of sheep on a grassland community included reduced herbaceous cover, increased bare ground, altered community structure, decreased litter, and increased erosion. Sheep browsing impacted shrubs by altering growth form and preventing regeneration, and by completely defoliating lower-growing shrubs. Trailing by sheep denuded 7% of some areas. Sheep-caused modifications of one plant community were associated with a dramatic decrease in density, species richness, and diversity of birds, including several insular endemic taxa. These results, along with those of other recent studies, demonstrate that feral sheep cause serious and unacceptable damage to sensitive insular ecosystems.
Coulomb correlated electronic band structure of cuprate superconductors

Abstract The effect of Coulomb correlations on the electronic structure of Cu-oxide superconductors are determined with the many-body corrections to the known band structure made by calculating perturbatively the self-energy due to the on-site Coulomb interaction at the Cu sites. The effective mass enhancement at E F , renormalized band dispersions, and the energy dependence of the band state broadening for Nd 2− x Ce x CuO 4 are predicted and found to be in agreement with observations in other Cu-oxide superconductors with a choice of the effective Coulomb interaction parameter U =3 eV.
Characteristics of a high-performance lead/acid battery for electric vehicles — an ALABC view

Abstract As the electric automobile at last becomes available to customers of the major automobile manufacturers, thedebate over what are the essential performance characteristics that will encourage large-scale electric vehicle (EV) penetration of the domestictransport sector continues unresolved. All are agreed that the EV battery is a key element in this consideration and, accordingly, thedevelopment of candidate batteries is currently proceeding at an unprecedented rate. This paper considers the several parameters that will influence strongly the purchase decision for EVs and proposes a simple methodology for rating the performance of candidatebatteries against a single benchmark. The progressive development of the valve-regulated lead/acid (VRLA) battery through the 1990s to meetthe required performance is then reviewed.
Polynomial splines and nonparametric regression

Let (X, Y) ∈ [0, 1]d × R be a random vector and let the conditional distribution of Y given X = x have mean θ(x) and satisfy an appropriate moment condition. It is assumed that the density function of X is bounded away from zero and infinity on [0, 1]d. Suppose that θ(x) is known to be a general d-dimensional smooth function of x only. Consider an estimator of θ having the form of a polynomial spline with simple knots at equally spaced grids over [0, 1]d where the coefficients are determined by the method of least-squares based on a random sample of size n from the distribution of (X, Y). It is shown that this estimator achieves the optimal rates of convergence for nonparametric regression estimation as defined in Stone [14] under L 2 norm and supnorm, respectively.
A Circumferential Slot In-Line Virtual Impactor

An In-line Virtual Impactor is presented, which has an application as a pre-separator for sampling inlets, where the device scalps large particles from the aerosol size distribution. Numerical simulation was the principal tool employed in the design process, with physical experiments used to verify computational predictions. Performance investigations were primarily carried out for a configuration that provides a nominal cutpoint particle size of 10 μ m aerodynamic diameter at an inlet flow of 111 L/min and a major flow exhaust of 100 L/min; however, the concept is scalable in terms of both flow rates and cutpoint sizes. An inverted dual cone configuration contained within a tube provides a characteristic circumferential slot of width 2.54 mm (0.100 inches) and a slot length of 239 mm (9.42 inches) at the critical zone. The upper cone causes the flow to accelerate to an average throat velocity of 3.15 m/s, while the lower cone directs the major flow toward the exit port and minimizes recirculation zones t...
A study of the differentiated electromyogram.

Abstract The electromyogram and its first two derivatives were studied by measuring zero crossing rate and average rectified voltage. The parameters so obtained allowed identification of abnormalities in motor unit interference patterns produced by subjects known to have muscle disease. This quantitative method is adaptable to clinical electromyography to assist. in detection of the myopathic state.
Metamorphosed soils as stratigraphic indicators in deformed terranes: An example from the Eastern Alps

Amphibolite facies schists of anomalously high aluminum and iron content occur along a major unconformity in the Tauern window, Austria. Their stratigraphic position is consistent with a weathering, or paleosol, origin for the protolith; this interpretation is supported by geochemical data. Previous paleosol studies have concentrated on their significance as paleoenvironmental indicators. The use of the Tauern window schists for this purpose is precluded by their metamorphic grade and degree of deformation; however, these and other similar metasoils can serve as valuable field indicators in structurally complicated areas.
Reversal learning tasks may provide rapid determination of cognitive deficits in lead-exposed children

Abstract An historical cohort study of twins, aged 6 to 15 years, found reduced cognitive performance related to subclinical exposure to lead (Pb) much earlier in life. Pairs of twins discordant for blood Pb (low-Pb twins ranged from 30–50 μg/dl and high-Pb twins ranged from 43–80 μg/dl) exhibited reduced learning of a computer-administered visual discrimination and reversal by the twin having the higher exposure. There was no evidence that sensory or motor impairment contributed to the cognitive deficit. Performance of a reference group indicated that test's validity for age-related cognitive development and the method's suitability for children of varying socio-economic or racial status. Because the reversal learning approach required only one 20-min test session and was powerful enough to document Pb-related deficits in a small sample ( n = 8), it may indicate a practical method for obtaining early evidence of environmentally induced developmental delays. An advantage of the test is that it can be used with both humans and animals. Tests capable of direct comparison of behavioral data from humans and animals can guide the search for behavioral and biological mechanisms in experiments that can be done only with animals. They also can augment the clinical procedures currently used.
Gradient-index lens design with quasi-conformal transformation optics for energy concentration

Transformation Optics (TO) has enabled new methodologies for the design and specification of gradient-index (GRIN) lenses for radio-frequency and optical applications by linking refractive index gradients to a mathematically equivalent change in geometry in another dimension. With the new mathematical design tools, there have been many interesting devices introduced in the literature, such as optical collimators and absorbers (optical “black holes”), GRIN couplers and bends for optical waveguides, and compressed or flattened collimating lenses for imaging and non-imaging applications. Many of the most interesting TO designs are not feasible for implementation, however, due to the complex anisotropic, inhomogeneous material parameters required by the full TO formulation. Instead, restricting the geometric transformations to be mathematically conformal or quasi-conformal (qTO) eliminates the anisotropic material requirements and allows implementation with an isotropic 2D or 3D GRIN profile, for which multiple fabrication methods exist in the RF and IR wavelength ranges and are under development for the complete optical spectrum. We present an overview of the usefulness of combining TO, qTO, and GRIN optics for energy concentration along with the associated design and analysis techniques. Moving away from traditional lenses to GRIN and TO optics for which, in general, no analytical geometric optics or full-wave solution exists, involves the development of new design strategies for individual lenses and systems of lenses. We demonstrate results obtained using advanced, multivariate optimizations that are tightly coupled to a fast, advanced inhomogeneous ray tracing engine for electrically-large lenses, and to an efficient body-of-revolution solver for electrically-small cylindrically-symmetric lenses.