cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of recovery methods on taxonomic richness in Roman faunal assemblages

Recovery methods can affect species richness in faunal assemblages, which can in turn impact interpretations of diet. A comparison of sample size to species richness across faunal collections from screened and from unscreened deposits associated with Roman occupations clearly shows these influences. Not surprisingly, the rate of species input was higher for collections recovered using screening methods than for collections not recovered from screens. Syntheses of published data and comparative analyses of faunal assemblages must be cognizant of whether or not included assemblages were recovered using screens.
Metformin in Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Metformin is an oral antihyperglycemic agent that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. It differs from the sulfonylureas in that it is does not enhance insulin secretion and normally does not produce hypoglycemia. Metformin acts to decrease preprandial and postprandial blood glucose concentrations by increasing skeletal muscle uptake of glucose, decreasing gluconeogenesis, and decreasing absorption of glucose. The addition of metformin to maximum dosages of a sulfonylurea may synergistically improve glucose control. The drug may offer other potential benefits, such as weight loss or minimal weight gain, improved blood flow in patients with peripheral vascular disease, reduction of tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor, and improved lipid profiles. It is relatively safe if taken appropriately. Its most common side effects are gastrointestinal (nausea, diarrhea, anorexia), metallic taste, and vitamin B12 malabsorption. Lactic acidosis may also occur, but it is rare if metformin is avoided in patients with contraindications to its use. With careful monitoring, the agent may be considered for the initial treatment of obese patients who fail dietary measures, and those whose disease is refractory to maximum dosages of sulfonylureas or who do not tolerate them.
Comparison of brain mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity with cyanide LD50 yields insight into the efficacy of prophylactics

Cyanide inhibits cytochrome c oxidase, the terminal oxidase of the mitochondrial respiratory pathway, therefore inhibiting the cell oxygen utilization and resulting in the condition of histotoxic anoxia. The enzyme rhodanese detoxifies cyanide by utilizing sulfur donors to convert cyanide to thiocyanate, and new and improved sulfur donors are actively sought as researchers seek to improve cyanide prophylactics. We have determined brain cytochrome c oxidase activity as a marker for cyanide exposure for mice pre-treated with various cyanide poisoning prophylactics, including sulfur donors thiosulfate (TS) and thiotaurine (TT3). Brain mitochondria were isolated by differential centrifugation, the outer mitochondrial membrane was disrupted by a maltoside detergent, and the decrease in absorbance at 550 nm as horse heart ferrocytochrome c (generated by the dithiothreitol reduction of ferricytochrome c) was oxidized was monitored. Overall, the TS control prophylactic treatment provided significant protection of the cytochrome c oxidase activity. The TT3-treated mice showed reduced cytochrome c oxidase activity even in the absence of cyanide. In both treatment series, addition of exogenous Rh did not significantly enhance the prevention of cytochrome c oxidase inhibition, but the addition of sodium nitrite did. These findings can lead to a better understanding of the protection mechanism by various cyanide antidotal systems.
Measurement of the photon statistics and the noise figure of a fiber-optic parametric amplifier.

We report measurement of the noise statistics of spontaneous parametric fluorescence in a fiber parametric amplifier with single-mode, single-photon resolution. We employ optical homodyne tomography for this purpose, which also provides a self-calibrating measurement of the noise figure of the amplifier. The measured photon statistics agree with quantum-mechanical predictions, and the amplifier’s noise figure is found to be almost quantum limited.
Ginzburg-Landau equation and motion by mean curvature, II: Development of the initial interface

In this paper, we study the short time behavior of the solutions of a sequence of Ginzburg-Landau equations indexed by ∈. We prove that under appropriate assumptions on the initial data, solutions converge to ±1 in short time and behave like the one-dimensional traveling wave across the interface. In particular, energy remains uniformly bounded in ∈.
M2,3 magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) measurements of Fe, Co and Ni using a newly developed quadruple reflection phase shifter

Abstract We report magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) experiments around the M2,3 edges of Fe, Co and Ni films using a quadruple reflection polarizer. The quadruple reflector converts linearly polarized synchrotron radiation into left (LCP) and right (RCP) circularly polarized light. The MCD effect decreases strongly from peak to peak variations of ∼ 18% for Fe towards ∼ 4% for Ni. The data also show strong variations as a function of reflection angle. From the angular measurements of the MCD-effect we determined the frequency dependence of the off-diagonal element exy = e1xy + ie2xy of the dielec tensor of Fe around the M2,3 transition.
Gender differences concerning Wikipedia: A follow-up study

This follow-up study of Lim and Kwon (2010) examined whether gender differences persist in certain aspects concerning Wikipedia. Additionally, this study examined other new variables, such as satisficing (satisfying and sufficing) and peer approval in relation to gender. Data were collected using a web survey in fall 2011. A total of 123 surveys were usable for this study. The key findings show that two data sets collected three years apart were consistent with each other, demonstrating that the persistence of gender differences in college students with respect to Wikipedia use, their perceived credibility of Wikipedia, and self-evaluation of their ability discerning the credibility of Wikipedia information. In addition, this study found that male students showed a higher level of satisficing with Wikipedia and tended to report a higher level of their peer's approval for Wikipedia than their female counterparts did. The findings call for attention to educational interventions to narrow the gender gap concerning Wikipedia or user-generated content (UGC).
Sitosterol-β-glucoside as Primer for Cellulose Synthesis in Plants

Cellulose synthesis in plants requires beta-1,4-glucan chain initiation, elongation, and termination. The process of chain elongation is likely to be distinct from the process of chain initiation. We demonstrate that a CesA glucosyltransferase initiates glucan polymerization by using sitosterol-beta-glucoside (SG) as primer. Cotton fiber membranes synthesize sitosterol-cellodextrins (SCDs) from SG and uridine 5'-diphosphate-glucose (UDP-Glc) under conditions that also favor cellulose synthesis. The cellulase encoded by the Korrigan (Kor) gene, required for cellulose synthesis in plants, may function to cleave SG from the growing polymer chain.
An Examination of the Relationship Between Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Functioning, and Social Skills in Children

There is a dearth of research looking at how autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and IQ scores impact social skills. The present study aimed to extend the literature in this area by evaluating how ASD and IQ scores are related to ratings on a measure of appropriate and inappropriate social skills. Children without ASD and children with ASD participated in this study. Adaptive and maladaptive social skills were assessed with the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for Youngsters-II (MESSY-II). Correlational and multiple regression analyses were then conducted. ASD diagnosis significantly predicted both adaptive/appropriate and hostile/inappropriate social skills. Children with ASD tended to have lower scores on the measure of adaptive/appropriate social skills, while displaying higher scores on the measure of hostile/inappropriate social skills. Children with higher IQ scores tended to have higher scores on the measure of adaptive/appropriate social skills. The implications of these findings are discussed.
An expert system for drafting legal documents

ABF is an expert system that assists attorneys in designing legal documents. The system starts by extracting from a library of legal forms a skeleton template that has embedded within it programming constructs such as conditionals and loops, references to other texts, and variables, which are later replaced by client-specific information in the course of a legal interview. Alternative passages are included or excluded dynamically as the interpreter encounters loops and conditionals. As the system analyzes the document, when it discovers that information is missing, it first looks in the client data file, then it tries to compute it, calling a subprogram if necessary. If all else fails, it generates an English question asking the user for the missing data. The user can stop the interpreter at any time, edit the draft, and reinitiate processing at any point. ABF has been implemented in PASCAL and runs on an IBM PC.
Cancer stem cells and glioma

Despite continued advances in surgical and medical therapies, the outcomes for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme remain dismal. Recent data suggest that progression of these brain tumors is driven by a small subpopulation of tumor cells, which are termed cancer stem cells (CSCs) because of their capability to self-renew, proliferate and give rise to progeny of multiple neuroepithelial lineages. According to the CSC hypothesis, current therapies that are extremely cytotoxic to the bulk of highly proliferative tumor cells fail to obliterate the relatively quiescent and resistant CSC compartment, thereby allowing these cells to survive and drive tumor recurrence. This Review summarizes current knowledge regarding neural stem cells in the normal adult brain and CSCs in glial tumors and discusses the implications of the CSC hypothesis for the development of future therapies for brain tumors.
Crossover in an exactly solvable dimer model of domain walls with dislocations

An exactly solvable generalized dimer model is proposed. In one limit this model is the isotropic Ising model and in another limit it is the anisotropic Kasteleyn model with radically different critical behavior. The value of the crossover exponent $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ near the multicritical point is determined to be \textonehalf{}. The proposed model is isomorphic to a domain-wall model with dislocations, thereby providing an example of dislocation-mediated crossover in uniaxial commensurate-incommensurate transitions.
Optical Stark spectroscopy of the A˜2Πr (0 0 0) ← X˜2Σ+ (0 0 0) system of barium monohydroxide, BaOH

Abstract The A ˜ 2 Π r (0 0 0) ← X ˜ 2 Σ + (0 0 0) system of a cold beam of barium hydroxide, BaOH, has been studied field-free and in the presence of a static electric field. Stark tuning of the low-J branch features in the A ˜ 2 Π 3 / 2 (0 0 0) ← X ˜ 2 Σ + (0 0 0) transition were analyzed to give permanent electric dipole moments, μ, for the A ˜ 2 Π 3 / 2 (0 0 0) and X ˜ 2 Σ + (0 0 0) states of 0.477(7) D and 1.43(4) D, respectively. The results are compared with other alkaline earth monohydroxides and values predicted using an electrostatic polarization model and ligand field theory.
The Analysis of Two-Factor Rolling Contact Fatigue Test Results

Experiments conducted at all combinations of the levels of two or more factors are called factorial experiments. Factorial experiments have been shown to be more efficient in exploring the effects of external factors on a response variable than nonfactorial arrangements of factor levels. This paper presents a methodology for the analysis of life test results obtained at all combinations of the levels of two factors. Item life is assumed to follow the two-parameter Weibull distribution with a shape parameter that, although unknown, does not vary with the factor levels. The purpose of the analysis is to compute interval estimates of the common shape parameter and to assess whether either factor has an effect on the Weibull scale parameter and hence on any percentile of the fatigue life distribution which might be used as rating life. Presented at the 50th Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois May 14–19, 1995
Electrical transport in rings of single-wall nanotubes: one-dimensional localization

We report low-temperature magnetoresistance (MR) measurements on rings of single-wall carbon nanotubes. Negative MR characteristic of weak one-dimensional localization is clearly observed from 3.0 to 60 K, and the coherence length Lφ is obtained as a function of temperature. The dominant dephasing mechanism is identified as electron-electron scattering. Below 1 K, we observe a transition from weak to strong localization, and below 0.7 K a weak antilocalization is induced by spin-orbit scattering..
Fatty acid reesterification but not oxidation is increased by oral contraceptive use in women.

We evaluated the hypothesis that fatty acid reesterification would be increased during rest and exercise in the midluteal menstrual cycle phase and during oral contraceptive use, when ovarian hormo...
Forage Quality Responses of C3 and C4 Perennial Grasses to Shade

Both C 3 and C 4 grasses exhibit similar morphological responses to shade, but they differ in photosynthesis-related responses to shade, such as forage yield and growth rate. Morphological adaptation and reduced photosynthesis under shade may affect forage quality. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of adaptation to shade on forage quality of C 3 and C 4 grasses (.)
A candidate H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine elicits protective immunity in mice.

Background In 2009 a new pandemic disease appeared and spread globally. The recent emergence of the pandemic influenza virus H1N1 first isolated in Mexico and USA raised concerns about vaccine availability. We here report our development of an adenovirus-based influenza H1N1 vaccine tested for immunogenicity and efficacy to confer protection in animal model.
Association of endogenous substrate with solubilized bovine brain sialidase

Nonidet P40 solubilized up to 90% of the sialidase, active towards added ganglioside substrate, that was associated with the total membrane fraction prepared from gray matter of bovine brains. Solubilized sialidase acted upon endogenous substrate (sialic acid containing compounds solubilized with the enzyme), hydrolyzing approximately 50% of the readily available sialosyl residues within 20 min. During a 2-hr reaction time 80% of the polysialylated gangliosides solubilized with the enzyme were acted upon. A 20-min lag was observed before sialidase acted upon added ganglioside substrate. The lag could be reduced to less than 2 min when the enzyme was allowed to act on endogenous substrate prior to exposure to exogenous substrate, suggesting that the solubilized enzyme acted preferentially on endogenous substrate. A protease inhibitor prevented much of the 86% loss of activity towards added substrate that was seen when the enzyme was stored at 4 degrees C for 6 days; activity towards endogenous substrate decreased only 34%.
Coastal sea surface temperature variability from Landsat infrared data

Abstract A time series of 23 Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) band 6 thermal infrared images over the period 1986–1996 is used to quantify variability of sea surface temperature (SST) along the central coast of Maine, a morphologically complex region of bays, estuaries, and islands. An iterative regression scheme using coregistered, temporally coincident, daily composites of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) Pathfinder SST data is used to scale the TM digital numbers in each scene to SST, approximating an atmospheric correction. This approach provides temporally concurrent match-ups, even for Landsat scenes more than 10 years old and over 1000 data points to most regressions. Analysis of the TM scenes by year–day delivers temporal resolution sufficient for insight into overall seasonal pattern and allows identification of recurring seasonal features within the study area. The dominant seasonal patterns is a cross-shelf SST gradient of coldest water nearshore in winter which reverses sign in summer and disappears in spring and fall. Differences in summer SST are evident between four adjacent bays, attributable to differences in residual circulation, freshwater input, and flushing. Recurrent frontal zones evident in summer are identified and compare well to available but noncoincident in situ hydrographic data.
Adjunctive magnesium sulfate infusion does not alter metabolic changes associated with ritodrine tocolysis

Magnesium sulfate, an agent whose cellular actions might cause metabolic disturbances, has been used concomitantly with ritodrine hydrochloride for preterm labor tocolysis. Although the profound metabolic effects of beta-adrenergic agents have been well described, the possibility that adjunctive magnesium might cause further or unexpected alterations in maternal metabolic parameters has not been fully evaluated. To investigate this question, we prospectively randomized patients, in a blinded fashion, to receive ritodrine plus placebo or ritodrine plus adjunctive magnesium sulfate for preterm labor tocolysis. Serial measurements of potassium, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, and hematocrit were obtained and compared between tocolytic treatment groups. The metabolic changes found were similar in each group and appear to result predominantly from beta-adrenergic stimulation with no apparent perturbations caused by the direct cellular actions of magnesium sulfate. From the metabolic standpoint, it appears that the clinician may use adjunctive magnesium sulfate without fear of accentuating or obscuring the expected beta-adrenergic-induced alterations in the above-mentioned maternal metabolic parameters.
Alkali-activated cements Opportunities and challenges

Abstract Alkali-activated cements as discussed here are those with compositions falling in the Me2O-MeO-Me2O3-SiO2-H2O system. This paper reviews their history of development and discusses their present status. Currently, there are major opportunities for such cements based upon (a) substantial knowledge of properties and mechanisms; (b) good track record of field performance in various applications and; (c) future orientation as environmentally friendly materials in accord with making use of substantial amounts of by-product and waste materials, thereby consuming less energy and generating less waste. The equivalent performance to Portland cement materials is one target for these cements, but, in many cases, the properties of alkali-activated cements actually are superior. It is important for assuring long-term durability to characterize more fully the complex solid phases, including determining the combined state of alkali in the solid hydration products, and of the residual soluble species in the pore fluids as a function of time.
A Possible Relationship between Mercury Retention and Resistance to Lymphoid Leukosis

Abstract MILLER et al. (1959a, b, 1967) have investigated the retention of injected mercury from mercuric chloride or phenylmercuric acetate by two strains of chicks, selected by Bearse et al. (1963) for resistance (R) and susceptibility (S) to the avian leukosis complex. Several other investigators have made independent selections for leukosis resistance and susceptibility. This report covers the retention of mercury by resistant and susceptible chicks from four separate selective breeding programs. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two of the programs were represented by stock obtained as eggs from the USDA Regional Poultry Research Laboratory (RPL) strains 151, susceptible; 6, moderately resistant; and 7, resistant to leukosis, Burmester et al. (1959), and from Cornell University strains C and K, resistant; and S, susceptible (Hutt and Cole, 1957). The Cornell S chicks are designated CS in this paper to distinguish them from the Western Washington Research and Extension Center (WWREC) R, resistant; and S,…
Reactions of adriamycin with microsomal iron and lipids.

Iron plays a central role in oxidative injury, reportedly because it catalyzes superoxide- and hydrogen peroxide-dependent reactions yielding a powerful oxidant such as the hydroxyl radical. Iron is also thought to mediate the cardiotoxic and antitumour effects of adriamycin and related compounds. NADPH-supplemented microsomes reduce adriamycin to a semiquinone radical, which in turn re-oxidizes in the presence of oxygen to form superoxide and hence hydrogen peroxide. During this redox cycling membrane-bound nonheme iron undergoes superoxide dismutase- and catalase-insensitive reductive release. Membrane iron mobilization triggers lipid peroxidation, which is markedly enhanced by simultaneous addition of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The results indicate that : i) lipid peroxidation is mediated by the release of iron, yet the two reactions are governed by different mechanisms; and ii) oxygen radicals are not involved in or may actually inhibit adriamycin-induced lipid peroxidation. Microsomal iron de...
Use of binary ethanol/water model solutions to mimic the interaction between a plastic material and pharmaceutical formulations

The interaction of model compounds with a polyolefin plastic material was examined in binary mixtures of ethanol/water to assess the impact of the solvent polarity on the magnitude of the interaction. The interactions investigated included both compound sorption from the solution by the plastic material and leaching of plastic components into the solution. The magnitude of the interaction at equilibrium, expressed as an equilibrium interaction constant, could be linearly related to the compound's octanol–water partition coefficient (Po/w) and the solvent's polarity (Pm). The utility of the resulting mathematical interaction model was assessed by examining the compatibility of the sample plastic system with a simulated pharmaceutical product vehicle containing a typically encountered surfactant. The nature of the plastic–solution interaction in the surfactant was unlike that observed in the binary model systems, consistent with the expectation that a surfactant's behavior is mediated by mechanisms other than simple polarity. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1049–1057, 2003
Heat Transfer Enhancement in a Rectangular (AR = 3:1) Channel With V-Shaped Dimples

An alternative to ribs for internal heat transfer enhancement of gas turbine airfoils is dimpled depressions. Relative to ribs, dimples incur a reduced pressure drop, which can increase the overall thermal performance of the channel. This experimental investigation measures detailed Nusselt number ratio distributions obtained from an array of V-shaped dimples (δ/D = 0.30). Although the V-shaped dimple array is derived from a traditional hemispherical dimple array, the V-shaped dimples are arranged in an in-line pattern. The resulting spacing of the V-shaped dimples is 3.2D in both the streamwise and spanwise directions. A single wide wall of a rectangular channel (AR = 3:1) is lined with V-shaped dimples. The channel Reynolds number ranges from 10,000–40,000. Detailed Nusselt number ratios are obtained using both a transient liquid crystal technique and a newly developed transient temperature sensitive paint (TSP) technique. Therefore, the TSP technique is not only validated against a baseline geometry (smooth channel), but it is also validated against a more established technique. Measurements indicate that the proposed V-shaped dimple design is a promising alternative to traditional ribs or hemispherical dimples. At lower Reynolds numbers, the V-shaped dimples display heat transfer and friction behavior similar to traditional dimples. However, as the Reynolds number increases to 30,000 and 40,000, secondary flows developed in the V-shaped concavities further enhance the heat transfer from the dimpled surface (similar to angled and V-shaped rib induced secondary flows). This additional enhancement is obtained with only a marginal increase in the pressure drop. Therefore, as the Reynolds number within the channel increases, the thermal performance also increases. While this trend has been confirmed with both the transient TSP and liquid crystal techniques, TSP is shown to have limited capabilities when acquiring highly resolved detailed heat transfer coefficient distributions.
LambdaBridge: A Scalable Architecture for Future Generation Terabit Applications

LambdaGrid applications as typified by data-intensive collaborative visualization are likely to be the first users of terabit-level networking. This paper features a main enabler of collaborative visualization over LambdaGrid, the Scalable Adaptive Graphics Environment (SAGE) in particular, and anticipates the future needs of LambdaGrid applications in general. We present a scalable architecture called LambdaBridge to 'bridge' LambdaGrid applications with the terabit optical core networks. LambdaBridge will provision and control predictable- performance networks for end-systems (i.e. Grid clusters) using on-demand lambda/VLAN provisioning and end-system traffic shaping. The chief contribution of LambdaBridge is a deep understanding of how to synergistically bridge provisionable networks, end-systems, and future generation distributed terabit applications. This paper also introduces Scalable Visualcasting - a multicasting service for LambdaGrid that incorporates IP multicasting and optical multicasting.
The influence of environmental conditions on inflorescence development in some long-day grasses.

Summary There is a reasonably close relation between the length and the stage of morphological development of the inflorescences of Lolium temulentum and L. perenne over a wide range of environmental conditions. Since inflorescence length increases exponentially under constant conditions the relative growth rate of the inflorescence provides a suitable index of the rate of inflorescence development. The rate of inflorescence development in various grasses has been found to be unaffected by the extent of vernalization, and to be increased by increasing temperature, photoperiod length and number of long days given. Under standardized temperature and photoperiod conditions during inflorescence development there is a hyperbolic relation between the rate of inflorescence development and the number of inductive long days given to plants of L. temulentum, and to fully vernalized plants of Cynosurus cristatus. Lolium temulentum plants require exposure to only I long day for induction to occur. The rate of inflorescence development is only slightly affected by the interpolation of short days between the inductive long days given to plants of L. temulentum. Cynosurus cristatus plants exposed to only 4 to 8 long days bore inflorescences with proliferous fertile spikelets, while in those given 9 to 11 long days, vegetative proliferation was restricted to the sterile spikelets. With Lolium perenne plants teratological features of the inflorescence were associated with the interpolation of a period in short days at moderately high temperatures between vernalization and exposure to long-day conditions. It is concluded that the rate of inflorescence development may, under standardized conditions, provide an index of the intensity of photoperiodic induction, although the way in which the inductive stimulus influences this rate is not clear.
Solubility Modeling with a Nonrandom Two-Liquid Segment Activity Coefficient Model

A segment contribution activity coefficient model, derived from the polymer nonrandom two-liquid model, is proposed for fast, qualitative estimation of the solubilities of organic nonelectrolytes in common solvents. Conceptually, the approach suggests that one account for the liquid nonideality of mixtures of complex pharmaceutical molecules and small solvent molecules in terms of interactions between three pairwise interacting conceptual segments: hydrophobic segment, hydrophilic segment, and polar segment. In practice, these conceptual segments become the molecular descriptors used to represent the molecular surface characteristics of each solute and solvent molecule. The treatment results in component-specific molecular parameters: hydrophobicity X, polarity Y, and hydrophilicity Z. Once the molecular parameters are identified from experimental data for common solvents and solute molecules, the model offers a simple and practical thermodynamic framework to estimate solubilities and to perform other p...
3,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyllithium

Abstract The 3,4,5-trimethoxypIieiiyl substituent is a frequently encountered substructure in a variety o f natural products. Therefore, it would be useful if this group could be introduced via a carbon-carbon bond forming reaction of the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl carbanion and an appropriate carbon electro-phile. We recently encountered a need to effect such a transformation and were surprised to learn of only a single report' regarding the preparation and use of thls anion. 3,4,5-Trimetlioxyphenyl bromide (1) was lithiated with E-butyllithium and carboxylated to generate 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid in 15% yield. In contrast 2,3,4-trimethoxyphenyl bromide has been lithiated and then methylated quite effiiently. We report here that the generation of 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyllithium (2) from the bromide or iodide and Its subsequent addition to a variety of electrophiles is a straightforward and effective method for incorporation of this unit via C-C bond formation.
Isotopic investigations of xenoliths and host basalts from the Honolulu volcanic series

Abstract Oxygen, carbon and strontium isotope ratios point to a ground-water origin for the carbonates found in Hawaiian Volcanic Series rocks. Strontium isotope ratios in the xenoliths and host basalts indicate a genetic relationship between them.
Response of snowmelt hydrology to climate change

In mountainous regions where the accumulation and melt of seasonal snow cover are important for runoff production, the timing and quantity of water supply could be strongly affected by regional climate change, particularly altered temperature and precipitation regimes. In this paper, the hydrological response to climate change scenarios is examined using a semi-distributed snowmelt runoff model. The model represents an improvement over simple temperature-based models, in that it incorporates the net radiation into the snowpack. Thus it takes into account the basin’s topography and slope orientation when computing snowmelt. In general, a warmer climate is expected to shift snowmelt earlier into the winter and spring, decreasing summer runoff. The effects of other potential climate changes (such as precipitation and cloudiness patterns) are explored. The uncertainties in these predictions are discussed.
Neuronal LRP1 Knockout in Adult Mice Leads to Impaired Brain Lipid Metabolism and Progressive, Age-Dependent Synapse Loss and Neurodegeneration

The vast majority of Alzheimer's disease (AD) cases are late onset with progressive synapse loss and neurodegeneration. Although the amyloid hypothesis has generated great insights into the disease mechanism, several lines of evidence indicate that other risk factors might precondition the brain to amyloid toxicity. Here, we show that the deletion of a major lipoprotein receptor, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), in forebrain neurons in mice leads to a global defect in brain lipid metabolism characterized by decreased brain levels of cholesterol, sulfatide, galactosylceramide, and triglyceride. These lipid deficits correlate with progressive, age-dependent dendritic spine degeneration, synapse loss, neuroinflammation, memory loss, and eventual neurodegeneration. We further show that the levels of glutamate receptor subunits NMDA receptor 1 and Glu receptor 1 are selectively reduced in LRP1 forebrain knock-out mice and in LRP1 knockdown neurons, which is partially rescued by restoring neuronal cholesterol. Together, these studies support a critical role for LRP1 in maintaining brain lipid homeostasis and associated synaptic and neuronal integrity, and provide important insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms in AD.
Nitrogen implantation of steels: A treatment which can initiate sustained oxidative wear

Abstract Falex wear tests on mild (SAE 3135) steel samples treated by either nitrogen implantation (2.5 × 1017N2+cm−2 at 180 ke V) or low temperature (about 315 °C) oxidation are reported. The results show that both treatments lead to about an order-of-magnitude reduction in the long-term wear rate of the steel. In addition to the wear rate measurements, the wear member asymmetry behavior, scanning electron microscopy studies, Auger spectra and sputter profiles all indicate that the wear modes induced by both treatments are the same and are oxidative wear. These results confirm the previously proposed initiator-sustainer wear model in which implanted nitrogen simply acts as an initiator of favorable oxidative wear but is not directly involved in maintaining the sustained wear resistance. Possible mechanisms for both the initiation process and the sustained wear process are reviewed and discussed.
Pitfalls of tungsten multileaf collimator in proton beam therapy.

Purpose: Particle beam therapy is associated with significant startup and operational cost. Multileaf collimator (MLC) provides an attractive option to improve the efficiency and reduce the treatment cost. A direct transfer of the MLC technology from external beam radiation therapy is intuitively straightforward to proton therapy. However, activation, neutron production, and the associated secondary cancer risk in proton beam should be an important consideration which is evaluated. Methods: Monte Carlo simulation with FLUKA particle transport code was applied in this study for a number of treatment models. The authors have performed a detailed study of the neutron generation, ambient dose equivalent [H*(10)], and activation of a typical tungsten MLC and compared with those obtained from a brass aperture used in a typical proton therapy system. Brass aperture and tungsten MLC were modeled by absorber blocks in this study, representing worst-case scenario of a fully closed collimator. Results: With a tungsten MLC, the secondary neutron dose to the patient is at least 1.5 times higher than that from a brass aperture. The H*(10) from a tungsten MLC at 10 cm downstream is about 22.3 mSv/Gy delivered to water phantom by noncollimated 200 MeV beam of 20 cm diameter compared to 14more » mSv/Gy for the brass aperture. For a 30-fraction treatment course, the activity per unit volume in brass aperture reaches 5.3 x 10{sup 4} Bq cm{sup -3} at the end of the last treatment. The activity in brass decreases by a factor of 380 after 24 h, additional 6.2 times after 40 days of cooling, and is reduced to background level after 1 yr. Initial activity in tungsten after 30 days of treating 30 patients per day is about 3.4 times higher than in brass that decreases only by a factor of 2 after 40 days and accumulates to 1.2 x 10{sup 6} Bq cm{sup -3} after a full year of operation. The daily utilization of the MLC leads to buildup of activity with time. The overall activity continues to increase due to {sup 179}Ta with a half-life of 1.82 yr and thus require prolonged storage for activity cooling. The H*(10) near the patient side of the tungsten block is about 100 {mu}Sv/h and is 27 times higher at the upstream side of the block. This would lead to an accumulated dose for therapists in a year that may exceed occupational maximum permissible dose (50 mSv/yr). The value of H*(10) at the upstream surface of the tungsten block is about 220 times higher than that of the brass. Conclusions: MLC is an efficient way for beam shaping and overall cost reduction device in proton therapy. However, based on this study, tungsten seems to be not an optimal material for MLC in proton beam therapy. Usage of tungsten MLC in clinic may create unnecessary risks associated with the secondary neutrons and induced radioactivity for patients and staff depending on the patient load. A careful selection of material for manufacturing of an optimal MLC for proton therapy is thus desired.« less
EFFECTS OF TYPES OF FAT AND OF RATES AND TEMPERATURES OF COMMINUTION ON DISPERSION OF LIPIDS IN FRANKFURTERS

— The effect of time, temperature and rpm of comminution of emulsions was determined on the dispersion of approximately 25% of beef fat, pork fat or cottonseed oil in frankfurters. The numbers of lipid particles 5 μ or less in diameter increased in frankfurters containing either beef or pork fat as comminution was continued to higher temperatures, with pork fat dispersed more thoroughly. Fat tended to separate from frankfurters containing beef fat in particles 200 μ or more in diameter. In contrast, no specific degree of dispersion of particles 5 μ or less in diameter consistently indicated emulsion stability, or its lack. Increased rpm during comminution produced an increased dispersion of beef or pork fat. Under the same conditions pork fat was dispersed more finely than beef fat. Dispersion of cottonseed oil produced finely dispersed particles beyond the resolution of light microscopy, as was confirmed by electron microscopy which showed a substantial number of particles to be less than 1 μ in diameter.
Isolated effect of geometry on mitral valve function for in silico model development.

Computational models for the heart's mitral valve (MV) exhibit several uncertainties that may be reduced by further developing these models using ground-truth data-sets. This study generated a ground-truth data-set by quantifying the effects of isolated mitral annular flattening, symmetric annular dilatation, symmetric papillary muscle (PM) displacement and asymmetric PM displacement on leaflet coaptation, mitral regurgitation (MR) and anterior leaflet strain. MVs were mounted in an in vitro left heart simulator and tested under pulsatile haemodynamics. Mitral leaflet coaptation length, coaptation depth, tenting area, MR volume, MR jet direction and anterior leaflet strain in the radial and circumferential directions were successfully quantified at increasing levels of geometric distortion. From these data, increase in the levels of isolated PM displacement resulted in the greatest mean change in coaptation depth (70% increase), tenting area (150% increase) and radial leaflet strain (37% increase) while a...
Fermi Surface and Effective Mass in Doped GaSb

An analytic representation has been obtained for the conduction band and valence bands near k=0 for GaSb. The periods of the magnetoresistance oscillations are calculated as functions of the Fermi energy for the three magnetic field directions: $〈100〉$, $〈110〉$, and $〈111〉$. The Fermi-level dependence and the anisotropy of the periods are in excellent agreement with experiment. The beating effect due to the inversion asymmetry splitting is estimated. The effective masses for the conduction, heavy-hole, light-hole, and split-off bands are evaluated as functions of Fermi energy in the three major directions. The carrier-concentration dependence of the effective mass is obtained for the conduction band. The calculated Fermi energy dependence and anisotropy of the effective masses are compared with experiment.
Musculoskeletal tumors: use of proton MR spectroscopic imaging for characterization.

Purpose To determine the value of multivoxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) in distinguishing malignant skeletal tumors from benign tumors and normal bone marrow using the metabolite choline (Cho) as a marker for malignancy. Materials and Methods Pathologic specimens obtained from 13 patients who had undergone wide resection for skeletal tumors underwent evaluation by MRSI at 1.5 T. Coronal T1-weighted gradient-echo sequence obtained for localization purposes (TR/TE = 250/1.8 msec, field of view [FOV] = 18 × 18), and single-slice MRSI (TR/TE = 2000/272 msec, FOV = 18 × 18, 10-mm slice-thickness) were performed. Water, lipid, and Cho images were reconstructed from MRSI data. Cho signal was measured in each specimen and expressed relative to background noise level (signal-to-noise ratio [SNR]) where noise was measured between 7.0 and 9.0 ppm. Cho SNRs were compared between areas containing malignant tumor and nonmalignant tissue (benign lesion or normal bone marrow) as determined by histopathology. Results Specimens included 13 skeletal sarcomas (seven osteosarcomas, three chondrosarcomas, one malignant fibrous histiocytoma, one fibrosarcoma, and one leiomyosarcoma). All specimens included a sample of normal bone marrow and two specimens also contained benign lesions. All sarcomas demonstrated a signal at 3.2 ppm assigned to Cho-containing metabolites in areas of malignancy. Peak Cho SNR was significantly different for areas containing histologically-proven malignancy compared to nonmalignant tissue (9.8 ± 5.1 vs. 2.7 ± 1.4, respectively, P < 0.002). Conclusion These preliminary results indicate that MRSI at 1.5 T is a promising noninvasive method of differentiating malignant skeletal tumors from nonmalignant tissue. Using MRSI, Cho can be detected in skeletal tumors and may serve as a marker for malignancy. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Development of the major pathways for neurite outgrowth in the chick hindlimb

To elucidate mechanisms that may control development of the gross anatomical nerve pattern, motoneuron outgrowth into the chick hindlimb was examined using orthograde labeling, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and Alcian blue staining. Results show that growth cones are not guided by contact with oriented extracellular fibrils, aligned mesenchyme cells, the myotome, or the vasculature. Pathways are not delineated by cell-free space or channels of lower cell density; however, densely packed mesenchyme may form barriers that channel outgrowth. In addition, abundant mesenchymal cell death was seen at the nerve front. This cell death may provide space that encourages growth cone advancement. Pathways often lie along interfaces between areas that stain darkly and lightly with Alcian blue, which specifically stains glycosaminoglycans, and growth cones never penetrate areas that stain intensely, such as the pelvic girdle, which is known to be a barrier to outgrowth. Leading growth cones form specialized contacts with mesenchyme cells, but the predominant contacts are interneuronal. It is proposed that the anatomical pattern of outgrowth is determined by the distribution of preferred substrata, the most preferred substratum being other neurites. Further, neurites tend to prefer loose mesenchyme to dense mesenchyme or areas rich in glycosaminoglycans.
Alcohol ingestion following intracerebral angiotensin administration and water deprivation

Abstract Rats which drank a significant amount of water when angiotensin was injected into the septum were allowed to choose between 4, 8 and 12% ethanol following angiotensin administration and following 24 hr water deprivation. Ethanol intake was similar under both conditions. The results indicate that drinking following central angiotensin administration has some of the motivational properties of normal thirst.
Preferential Oxidation of Tryptophan Residues in κ-Casein with N-Bromosuccinimide

Abstract Tryptophan in κ -casein was oxidized with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) showing four residues in 56,000g. Careful oxidation of four tryptophan residues in κ -casein resulted in only slight degradation of the molecule and did not change its stabilizing ability to α s1 -casein against Ca ++ .
Cocaine Self-Administration Selectively Decreases Noradrenergic Regulation of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor-Mediated Inhibition in Dopamine Neurons

Stimulant drugs of abuse have several effects on neural activity, including altering the excitability of dopamine neurons via the noradrenergic and glutamatergic systems. Thus, an interaction between noradrenergic and glutamatergic systems may play a role in drug-seeking behavior. Although many of the direct pharmacological effects of psychostimulants on dopamine neuron physiology are well established, the neurophysiological bases of drug-seeking behavior have yet to be fully elucidated. The present study measured short-term (3 d) and long-term (14 d) access to cocaine, by self-administration or passive exposure, and the regulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-mediated inhibition of dopamine cells in rat midbrain slices. The results indicated that α-adrenoreceptor modulation of the mGluR-mediated inhibition is selectively reduced in animals that self-administered cocaine for 3 d. This effect was not observed in slices from either yoked cocaine animals, which were given cocaine in an amount and pattern equal to that used for the self-administering animals, or saline control animals. However, after 14 d of cocaine, α-adrenoreceptor regulation of the mGluR-mediated inhibition was equally reduced in both self-administering and yoked cocaine animals relative to saline controls. The results suggest that α-adrenoreceptor regulation of the mGluR-mediated inhibition is an adaptive cellular mechanism involved in early cocaine self-administration that is distinct from a direct pharmacological effect of cocaine on dopamine neurons. The noradrenergic system could therefore serve to alter the reward value of stimuli that have significant effects on dopamine neuron firing pattern through mGluRs.
Autonomous functions for the Sec14p/spectrin-repeat region of Kalirin

Abstract Kalirin is a GDP/GTP exchange factor (GEF) for Rho proteins that modulates the actin cytoskeleton in neurons. Alternative splicing generates Δ-isoforms, which encode the RhoGEF domain, but lack the N-terminal Sec14p domain and first 4 spectrin-like repeats of the full-length isoforms. Splicing has functional consequences, with Kal7 but not ΔKal7 causing formation of dendritic spines. Cells lacking endogenous Kalirin were used to explore differences between these splice variants. Expression of ΔKal7 in this system induces extensive lamellipodial sheets, while expression of Kal7 induces formation of adherent compact, round cells with abundant cortical actin. Based on in vitro and cell-based assays, Kal7 and ΔKal7 are equally active GEFs, suggesting that other domains are involved in controlling cell morphology. Catalytically inactive Kal7 and a Kalirin fragment which includes only Sec14p and spectrin-like domains retain the ability to produce compact, round cells and fractionate as high molecular weight complexes. Separating the Sec14p domain from the spectrin-like repeats eliminates the ability of Kal7 to cause this response. The isolated Sec14p domain binds PI(3,5)P2 and PI3P, but does not alter cell morphology. We conclude that the Sec14p and N-terminal spectrin-like domains of Kalirin play critical roles in distinguishing the actions of full-length and Δ-Kalirin proteins.
THE POTENCY OF CERTAIN COMMERCIAL HORMONE PREPARATIONS. SECOND STUDY

BECAUSE of the interest shown by many physicians in a previous report1 on the same subject, it seemed desirable to determine again the biologic potency of a number ofcommercial hormone preparations. Several years have elapsed since the original assays were made, during which time endocrine therapy has become even more popular, a number of new products have been introduced and some changes in methods of preparation and administration of older products have been made. The author wishes to emphasize again that the purpose of this study is not to ‘show up’ unsatisfactory products, but to indicate that the number of ‘units’ on a given vial may not be a reliable indication of biologic potency unless the question of assay method and possible deterioration is taken into account. It was, of course, impossible to study all commercial hormone preparations on the market, those included represent the ones having the widest sale in this region.