cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitation of 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 and D3 in serum and plasma by LCMS/MS

Objective: We developed and validated an analytical method for quantifying 25-hydroxyvitamin D2 (25OHD2) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) in serum and plasma. Methods: Samples, pretreated with zinc sulfate and methanol, were extracted with hexane. Separation was achieved via UHPLC and 25OHD quantification was accomplished by a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Results: Imprecision was 3.6–15.1%CV and bias 88.0–126.0%. Extraction efficiency was 76.5–110.5%, whereas the matrix effect ranged from −46.7 to −32.0%. The method was applied to authentic specimens. The results showed no significant difference between serum and plasma; strong correlation with paired values from an external laboratory; and analyte stability for 15 days. Conclusion: This method provides reliable and accurate measurement of 25OHD for use in clinical practice.
Psychological Stress and Psychopathology: Outline for a Theory

Based on Selye's theory of stress the authors propose a model of psychopathology in which psychological stress, vulnerability to stress, and psychological defenses mediated by various brain neurotransmitters interact to produce psychiatric symptomatology. Acute psychiatric symptoms are viewed as a stage of a general psychological stress syndrome set in motion by psychological defenses mediated by overactivity or underactivity of brain neurotransmitters, whereas chronic psychiatric symptoms are regarded as disorders of psychological adaptation resulting from operation of psychological defenses beyond their emergency function.
Constitutive Equations Involving Functional Dependence of One Vector on Another

There are many physical situations for which the applicable constitutive equation involves the relation between the value of one vector at the instant of measurement and the values of another vector at times up to and including the instant of measurement. Examples of such situations are the relation between the magnetic intensity and magnetic induction fields in a hysteretic magnetic material and the relation between the electric displacement and electric fields in a ‘lossy’ dielectric. In this paper we discuss how restrictions may be placed on the form of such constitutive equations as a result of the material symmetry.
Eicosanoids and radiation

radiotherapy depends on the tolerance of the critical normal tissue within the radiation field. Consequently, any attempt to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy must be aimed at increasing tumour radioresponse and/or reducing normal tissue complications. To achieve this objective, many diverse approaches have been investigated, including modulation of levels of eicosanoids, especially prostaglandins (PCs), in both normal tissues and tumours. Eicosanoids are produced in response to a variety of cellular injuries, and exogenous eicosanoids have been shown to modulate injury induced by a wide array of agents. Therefore, it was logical to infer their involvement in tissue injury by ionising radiation. During the past 20 years, there has been significant research into the role of eicosanoids, primarily PGs, in radiation damage. Attempts have been made to modulate normal tissue damage by administering exogenous PGs or inhibiting endogenous PGs. Other studies have been conducted to increase tumour response to radiation by modulating PG levels in tumours. This overview considers major fmdings on the role of eicosanoids in the expression and modification of radiation damage, with special emphasis on its therapeutic potential. EICOSANOIDS Eicosanoids is a collective term for PGs, thromboxanes (TXs), leucotrienes (LTs), and various hydroxy and hydroperoxy fatty acids. They are metabolites of polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as arachidonic acid, and are produced by virtually all tissues via the cycle-oxygenase (for PGs and TXs) and lipoxygenase (for LTs) pathways. These end products of the arachidonic acid cascade are bioactive substances; for example, there is an array of PGs: PGEi, PGE2, PGF,,, PGD*, PGIz (prostacyclin), etc., each exhibiting different biological actions. It is no wonder then that eicosanoids display an astonishingly wide range of pharmacological, physiological, and pathological effects. They play a regulatory role in many physiological homeostatic processes including immunomodulation, vasomotility (constriction and dilatation) and platelet aggregation, along with regulating
Chemical composition of selected Kansas brines as an aid to interpreting change in water chemistry with depth

Abstract Chemical analyses of approximately 1,881 samples of water from selected Kansas brines define the variations of water chemistry with depth and aquifer age. The most concentrated brines are found in the Permian rocks which occupy the intermediate section of the geologic column of this area. Salinity decreases below the Permian until the Ordovician (Arbuckle) horizon is reached and then increases until the Precambrian basement rocks are reached. Chemically, the petroleum brines studied in this small area fit the generally accepted pattern of an increase in calcium, sodium and chloride content with increasing salinity. They do not fit the often-predicted trend of increases in the calcium to chloride ratio, calcium content and salinity with depth and geologic age. The calcium to chloride ratio tends to be asymptotic to about 0.2 with increasing chloride content. Sulfate tends to decrease with increasing calcium content. Bicarbonate content is relatively constant with depth. If many of the hypotheses concerning the chemistry of petroleum brines are valid, then the brines studied are anomolous. An alternative lies in accepting the thesis that exceptions to these hypotheses are rapidly becoming the rule and that indeed we still do not have a valid and general hypothesis to explain the origin and chemistry of petroleum brines.
Q spaces and Morrey spaces

Abstract We characterize functions in Morrey space by p -Carleson measures. We then reveal a simple relation between Q space and Morrey space, that is Q space can be viewed as a fractional integration of the Morrey space. Therefore, many results for Morrey space can be translated onto Q space. For example, we show that Q space is a dual space by identifying its predual.
Patient variables impacting hospital costs from 2008 to 2010.

Abstract Background Studying the variables associated with the increased costs of health care provides valuable insight. Methods A review and analysis of the pertinent variables and information collected for 118.3 million hospital admissions recorded as Nationwide Inpatient Samples database was done for the years 2008 to 2010. We used hospital charges as an approximation of costs in the analysis of the patient variables and other factors contributing to hospital costs. Results The top 5 factors with the most impact on charges were diagnostic category, length of stay, number of procedures, major operating room procedures, and ownership of the hospital. Conclusion The top 5 factors with the most impact on charges were length of stay, number of procedures, major diagnostic category, major operating room procedures, and ownership of the hospital.
Polarization and Color Filtering Applied to Enhance Photogrammetric Measurements of Reflective Surfaces

Techniques for enhancing photogrammetric measurement of reflective surfaces by reducing noise were developed utilizing principles of light polarization. Signal selectivity with polarized light was also compared to signal selectivity using chromatic filters. Combining principles of linear cross polarization and color selectivity enhanced signal-to-noise ratios by as much as 800 fold. More typical improvements with combining polarization and color selectivity were about 100 fold. We review polarization-based techniques and present experimental results comparing the performance of traditional retroreflective targeting materials, cornercube targets returning depolarized light, and color selectivity.
13C n.m.r. chemical shifts of carbodiimides

The 13C n.m.r. chemical shifts of the sp-hybridized carbons in dialkylcarbodiimides have values of δc ≃ 140. These shifts are compared with those of similarly hybridized carbons occuring in other classes of compounds.
Gender differences in eating disorder symptoms in young adults.

Objective The major goal of this study was to identify problematic eating behaviors and attitudes in young men and compare them with those of young women. Method A community sample of young adults (n = 1,056) completed a questionnaire that contained the Drive for Thinness, Bulimia, and Body Dissatisfaction subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory, as well as probes for inappropriate compensatory behaviors, excessive exercise, and episodes of binge eating. Results A five-factor structure fit both male and female samples. Women had substantially elevated scores on all of the factors except excessive exercise, for which men had significantly higher scores. The absolute proportion of men and women wanting or having sought treatment was very low. However, at comparable levels of problematic eating behaviors, women were more likely to have sought treatment than men. Discussion The questionnaire used in this study encompasses symptoms outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders symptoms, which should prove useful in future research. © 2002 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 32: 426–440, 2002.
Relationship of Academic Job Involvement to Biographical Data, Personal Characteristics, and Academic Performance

A job involvement measure adapted to reflect course involvement was related to biographical data, ability and personality characteristics, and academic performance and satisfaction for a sample of 223 college students. Academic job involvement was unrelated to age, sex, class rank, and tested verbal ability. However, involvement was significantly and positively related to the personality characteristics of resultant achievement motivation, locus of control, and Protestant Ethic attitudes, as well as to academic satisfaction and performance.
Does blood pressure reduction necessarily compromise cardiac function or renal hemodynamics? Effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor quinapril

Clinical studies indicate that the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor quinapril is an effective antihypertensive agent when administered once daily. At the end of a 4-week, double-blind crossover trial comparing quinapril and placebo, patients were admitted for a hemodynamic profile study 12 hours after taking the previous dose. A final 20 mg dose of quinapril had no additional effect on blood pressure. This is interesting inasmuch as the plasma half-life of the active metabolite quinaprilat is approximately 2 hours and the effective accumulation half-life is approximately 3 hours. The blood pressure reduction in patients with mild hypertension receiving long-term quinapril therapy may be more closely related to prolonged angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition or to an effect on tissue angiotensin II concentration than to the plasma half-life. This may be the case particularly for cardiac output and renal circulation, because quinapril lowers total vascular resistance without increasing cardiac output or disturbing autoregulation of renal blood flow. Reduced ventricular wall stress, improved diastolic function, and lower renal perfusion pressure may spare cardiac function and glomeruli from hypertensive vascular damage.
Delay in acute myocardial infarction: why don't they come to the hospital more quickly and what can we do to reduce delay?

One of the greatest advances in cardiology of the last 20 years is the use of reperfusion therapy in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Whether by thrombolysis, angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass surgery, benefits of reperfusion in salvaging myocardium and prolonging life are well demonstrated in clinical trials. The phrase btime is muscle,Q usually applied to cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also applies to reperfusion in AMI. The length of time from the onset of the ischemia to the establishment of reperfusion is directly related to outcomes. The GISSI trial demonstrated that almost 20 years ago (Figure 1). It is increasingly evident that very early interventions can lead to interrupted infarcts, sparing the myocardium from damage. Reperfusion is a time-related intervention. Unfortunately, there are multiple sources of delay from the onset of ischemic symptoms to an appropriate intervention. Pre-hospital or patient delay describes the time from the onset of symptoms to the seeking of medical attention. Transport delay represents the time from identifying symptoms to presenting at a hospital. Hospital delay is the time taken for healthcare personnel to evaluate the patient and institute appropriate therapy. Transport delay and hospital delay periods have been significantly reduced with the advent of efficient triage systems and a prioritization of timely diagnosis and therapy of potential AMI victims. However, the major source of delay (60%-70% in most studies) is pre-hospital or patient delay. This portion of the delay, which has been recognized for many years, is the most stubborn and difficult to reduce.
Disclosure of Adverse Clinical Trial Results—Should Legal Immunity Be Granted to Drug Companies?

Liao and colleagues (2009) advance a well structured, incontrovertible argument regarding the rights of human research subjects who voluntarily participate in clinical drug trials—there is a moral ...
MEASUREMENT OF THE BED MATERIAL OF GRAVEL-BED RIVERS

The measurement of the physical properties of a gravel-bed river is important in the calculation of sediment transport and physical habitat values for aquatic animals. These properties are not always easy to measure. One recent report on flushing of fines from the Klamath River did not contain information on one location because the grain size distribution of the armour could not be measured on a dry river bar. The grain size distribution could have been measured using a barrel sampler and converting the measurements to the same as would have been measured if a dry bar existed at the site. In another recent paper the porosity was calculated from an average value relation from the literature. The results of that paper may be sensitive to the actual value of porosity. Using the bulk density sampling technique based on a water displacement process presented in this paper the porosity could have been calculated from the measured bulk density. The principle topics of this paper are the measurement of the size distribution of the armour, and measurement of the porosity of the substrate. The ‘standard’ method of sampling of the armour is to do a Wolman-type count of the armour on a dry section of the river bed. When a dry bar does not exist the armour in an area of the wet streambed is to sample and the measurements transformed analytically to the same type of results that would have been obtained from the standard Wolman procedure. A comparison of the results for the San Miguel River in Colorado shows significant differences in the median size of the armour. The method use to determine the porosity is not 'high-tech' and there is a need improve knowledge of the porosity because of the importance of porosity in the aquatic ecosystem. The technique is to measure the in-situ volume of a substrate sample by measuring the volume of a frame over the substrate and then repeated the volume measurement after the sample is obtained from within the frame. The difference in the volumes is the volume of the sample.
Extended Hartree-Fock crystal orbital schemes in different approximations

Ab initio extended Hartree-Fock LCAO crystal orbital schemes are given for three- and one-dimensional solids. The same method is formulated also in the CNDO approximation for molecules and linear chains. Expressions for the total energy of a molecule and of a periodic system are also derived.
Evaluation of lifestyle risk assessment andhealth education program

Abstract The lifestyle change scores of an employee group were analyzed to determine whether or not lifestyle change occurred after participation in the Good Health Program. Employees voluntarily participated in one, two, or three program phases, i.e. Screening, Results Session, and Education. Employee participants answered a 2-page Lifestyle Assessment Questionnaire prior toand 3 months after participating in the Good Health Program phases. Significant positive lifestyle change was reported by employees participating in one,two or three program phases. More change resulted from participation in three phases than in one or two; however, the difference was not significant.
The Importance of ADHD Subtype Classification for Educational Applications of DSM-V

Objective: An examination of the academic achievement of children with ADHD by stimulant treatment status must consider this heterogeneity of the disorder. With the dissemination of the final wave of data, the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study presents an opportunity to examine the academic achievement of students with ADHD using a large, community-based, and nationally representative sample over 4 years. Method: In Study 1, the association between stimulant treatment and academic achievement is examined over 4 years. In Study 2, the association between stimulant treatment and academic achievement is examined acknowledging the influence of subtype symptoms of ADHD using growth mixture modeling. Results: Results indicate significant differences in academic achievement according to long-term stimulant treatment status within each subtype symptom class. Conclusion: Research should acknowledge the influence of subtype symptoms when examining outcomes such as academic achievement. The upcoming DS...
Oxidation of a cyclometalated Pd(II) dimer with "CF3+": formation and reactivity of a catalytically competent monomeric Pd(IV) aquo complex.

The reaction of [(bzq)Pd(OAc)]2 (bzq = benzo[h]quinoline) with “CF3+” reagents to afford the monomeric PdIV aquo complex (bzq)Pd(CF3)(OAc)2(OH2) is demonstrated. Heating this PdIV adduct at 60 °C for 12 h leads to highly chemoselective aryl−CF3 bond-forming reductive elimination. The rate and yield of this transformation are both significantly enhanced by the addition of Bronsted and Lewis acidic additives. The mechanism of C−CF3 bond formation from (bzq)Pd(CF3)(OAc)2(OH2) has been studied, and the major pathway is proposed to involve pre-equilibrium acetate dissociation followed by C−CF3 coupling. Finally, this monomeric PdIV complex is shown to be a kinetically competent intermediate for C−H trifluoromethylation with “CF3+” reagents. Collectively, these studies provide valuable insights about the speciation, nuclearity, and reactivity of Pd intermediates in catalytic C−H trifluoromethylation reactions.
Normal blood glucose level and 18F-FDG PET/CT

Patient preparation for FDG PET studies is perhaps more critical and more complex than for any other commonly performed imaging procedure. We report a patient with normal blood glucose level prior to the execution of a PET study in which FDG uptake was virtually zero in internal organs and was very extense in large muscle groups. The patient recognizes ingestion several minutes before the test. Ten days later, a repeated PET scan with normal blood glucose level, showed a normal organs distribution of FDG.
The protective role of glutathione in penicillic acid-induced hepatotoxicity in male mice and possible involvement of an active metabolite

Abstract In addition to being carcinogenic, penicillic acid (PA) has been reported to be an hepatotoxin. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of PA on hepatic function in male ICR mice. Levels of hepatic glutathione (GSH) were decreased as early as 15 min with maximal depletion between 30 and 60 min after a single ip dose of PA (90 mg/kg). The reduction in heptic GSH was dose dependent with more than 83% depletion at the highest dose level. GSH levels in extrahepatic tissues (kidney, heart, and lung) were, for the most part, not affected by PA. Oxidized GSH was not altered in the tissues examined. A dose- and time-dependent increase in serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), and plasma bilirubin but not in alkaline phosphatase was observed in PA-treated mice. Plasma concentrations of sulfobromophthalien and serum indocyanine green were increased in PA-treated mice. While cysteine pretreatment protected PA-treated mice against depletion of hepatic GSH, against elevation of SGPT and SGOT and against increased sulfobromophthalien and indocyanine green retention, diethylmaleate pretreatment enhanced these effects. Phenobarbital, but not 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment, potentiated the elevation of SGPT; neither pretreatment had an effect on PA-induced hepatic GSH depletion. These results supported the suggestion that PA is hepatotoxic and that GSH protects against PA hepatotoxicity.
A Homoleptic Molybdenum(IV) Enolate Complex: Synthesis, Molecular and Electronic Structure, and NCN Group Transfer To Form a Terminal Cyanoimide of Molybdenum(VI)

A monomeric molybdenum(IV) tetrakis enolate complex Mo(OC[Ad]Mes)4, 1, where Ad = 2-adamantylidene and Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2, has been synthesized and characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction, chemically through NCN group-transfer reactivity, and computationally to investigate the origins of the observed structure that is intermediate between tetrahedral and square planar. No prior examples of Mo(OR)4 have been structurally characterized despite having been the subject of both experimental and theoretical interest. Complex 1 has a singlet ground state and thus a metal-based lone pair of electrons. The latter has been visualized with the aid of the electron localization function (ELF) and appears as a two-bladed propeller with D2d symmetry. Complex 1 makes a simple 1:1 adduct with t-BuNC that is trigonal bipyramidal with an axial isocyanide as demonstrated by X-ray crystallography. This trigonal bipyramidal 1:1 adduct has a triplet ground state and provides a model for the way in which 1 interacts wit...
Enhanced expression of matrix metalloproteinase-12 contributes to Npc1 deficiency-induced axonal degeneration.

Abstract Niemann–Pick type C (NPC) disease is a genetic disorder associated with intracellular cholesterol accumulation in the brain and other organs, and neurodegeneration is generally believed to be the fatal cause of the disease. In view of the emerging role of matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) in neuronal injury, we investigated its expression and potential roles in axonal degeneration in Npc1 −/− mouse brain. Microarray and quantitative real-time reversed transcription PCR analysis indicated a marked increase in MMP-12 mRNA levels in cerebellum of 3 week-old Npc1 −/− mice, as compared to wild-type littermates. Western blots showed that the ratio of mature MMP-12 over pro-MMP-12 was significantly increased in cerebellum of Npc1 −/−, as compared to wild-type mice. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed that MMP-12 expression was increased, especially in the cell bodies of Purkinje neurons in Npc1 −/− mice. Neuritic growth was significantly reduced by Npc1 siRNA knockdown in nerve growth factor-differentiated PC-12 cells, and this effect was completely reversed by treatment with an MMP-12 specific inhibitor. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that chronic treatment with the MMP-12 inhibitor ameliorated Npc1 deficiency-induced axonal pathology in the striatum. Our results indicate that abnormal neuronal expression of MMP-12 may contribute to axonal degeneration in NPC disease, thus providing a potential novel target for treatment.
The thermal conductivity of SX-5 graphite

Abstract Measurements of the thermal conductivity of SX-5 graphite from — 100°C to 2500°C are reported. The temperature range was covered by three techniques: a transient technique at the lower temperatures, a series-comparison method for the intermediate range, and a radial heat flow method for the high temperatures. The radial heat flow method, when used with anisotropic materials, requires a two-dimensional heat flow analysis of the data; the approach which was used in this work is described. At temperatures above 250°C the conductivity appears to follow a 1/T relation, which is characteristic of graphites in particular and of Umklapp thermal resistive processes in general.
Spanners and sparsifiers in dynamic streams

Linear sketching is a popular technique for computing in dynamic streams, where one needs to handle both insertions and deletions of elements. The underlying idea of taking randomized linear measurements of input data has been extremely successful in providing space-efficient algorithms for classical problems such as frequency moment estimation and computing heavy hitters, and was very recently shown to be a powerful technique for solving graph problems in dynamic streams [AGM'12]. Ideally, one would like to obtain algorithms that use one or a small constant number of passes over the data and a small amount of space (i.e. sketching dimension) to preserve some useful properties of the input graph presented as a sequence of edge insertions and edge deletions. In this paper, we concentrate on the problem of constructing linear sketches of graphs that (approximately) preserve the spectral information of the graph in a few passes over the stream. We do so by giving the first sketch-based algorithm for constructing multiplicative graph spanners in only two passes over the stream. Our spanners use ~O(n1+1/k) bits of space and have stretch 2k. While this stretch is larger than the conjectured optimal 2k-1 for this amount of space, we show for an appropriate k that it implies the first 2-pass spectral sparsifier with n1+o(1) bits of space. Previous constructions of spectral sparsifiers in this model with a constant number of passes would require n1+c bits of space for a constant c > 0. We also give an algorithm for constructing spanners that provides an additive approximation to the shortest path metric using a single pass over the data stream, also achieving an essentially best possible space/approximation tradeoff.
Large area forest inventory using Landsat ETM+: A geostatistical approach

Large area forest inventory is important for understanding and managing forest resources and ecosystems. Remote sensing, the Global Positioning System (GPS), and geographic information systems (GIS) provide new opportunities for forest inventory. This paper develops a new systematic geostatistical approach for predicting forest parameters, using integrated Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) images, GPS, and GIS. Forest parameters, such as basal area, height, health conditions, biomass, or carbon, can be incorporated as a response variable, and the geostatistical approach can be used to predict parameter values for uninventoried points. Using basal area as the response and Landsat ETM+ images of pine stands in Georgia as auxiliary data, this approach includes univariate kriging (ordinary kriging and universal kriging) and multivariable kriging (co-kriging and regression kriging). The combination of bands 4, 3, and 2, as well as the combination of bands 5, 4, and 3, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and principal components (PCs) were used in this study with co-kriging and regression kriging. Validation based on 200 randomly sampling points withheld field inventory was computed to evaluate the kriging performance and demonstrated that band combination 543 performed better than band combination 432, NDVI, and PCs. Regression kriging resulted in the smallest errors and the highest R-squared indicating the best geostatistical method for spatial predictions of pine basal area.
Biodistribution of p-boronophenylalanine in patients with glioblastoma multiforme for use in boron neutron capture therapy

OBJECTIVE The success of boron neutron capture therapy depends on the safety and specificity of the boron delivery agent. As a preface to clinical boron neutron capture therapy of glioblastoma multiforme, a biodistribution study of intravenous p-boronophenylalanine (BPA) in patients undergoing craniotomy for resection of glioblastoma was performed. METHODS Varying doses of intravenously administered BPA-fructose (130-250 mg BPA per kilogram of body weight) were given to patients 2 to 3 hours prior to the start of craniotomy for either suspected or known glioblastoma multiforme. Blood samples were collected over a 48-hour period for boron assay. At surgery, multiple samples of tumor, brain, and scalp were obtained for boron and histological analysis. RESULTS Seventeen patients were studied; all but one had glioblastoma multiforme. No adverse effects from the BPA infusions were noted. The boron concentration in the blood reached a maximum at the end of the BPA infusion and was proportional to the administered dose of BPA. Normal brain concentrations of boron generally were equal to or less than that in blood. Tumor-blood boron ratios were highly variable: 1.6 +/- 0.8 (mean +/- standard deviation; n = 187; range, 0.3-3.5). The observed heterogeneity of BPA uptake in glioblastoma samples appears to correlate with the degree of cellularity observed on histological examination. CONCLUSION Intravenous BPA administration up to a dose of 250 mg/kg is safe and well tolerated. BPA uptake in surgical samples of glioblastoma tissue is variable and may depend on the fraction of viable tumor cells in the individual sample. Further clinical studies using BPA as a boron delivery agent for boron neutron capture therapy of glioblastoma multiforme appear warranted.
Time-Variant Reliability Analysis of Linear Elastic Systems Subjected to Fully Nonstationary Stochastic Excitations

AbstractThis paper presents closed-form solutions for the nongeometric spectral characteristics of nonstationary stochastic processes representing the response of linear elastic structural models subjected to fully nonstationary excitation processes. These spectral characteristics provide a complete description of the nonstationary stochastic processes representing the dynamic response of linear structural models when the input excitation is a Gaussian process. In particular, the nongeometric spectral characteristics can be used to evaluate the time-variant central frequency and bandwidth parameters of nonstationary stochastic processes. The closed-form solutions derived in this paper are used to evaluate the time-variant statistics and the first-passage probability of the response of single-degree-of-freedom and multidegree-of-freedom linear elastic structural models subjected to a well-known, fully nonstationary earthquake ground motion model. The new analytical results presented in this paper can be us...
Nonstationary and stationary noise

Many man made and natural noises in nature are nonstationary, however most methods that have been devised to study noises, theoretically or experimentally, have been devised for the stationary situations. We have developed a number of methods to study noises that are nonstationary. We use the Wigner spectrum and other time-frequency representations to represent time-varying noises. These representations can be thought of as a generalization of the standard power spectrum. In this paper we study simple models of nonstationary noises and obtain the Wigner spectrum numerically from realizations of the noises and also by direct calculation. We show that for our test cases the Wigner spectrum clearly shows the nonstationarities of the noise. We also present a method to generate nonstationary white noise that has very different behavior than the standard white Gaussian noise.
The interaction of cobalt(II) complexes with bovine apocarbonic anhydrase B

Abstract The second-order rate constants for interaction of a number of cobalt(II) complexes (including the aquated ion) with bovine apocarbonic anhydrase have been measured at pH = 7.5, 25°C and I = 0.1 M. The ease of entry of cobalt decreases, in general, as the number of its coordinated waters decreases. The highest complexes ( bis or tris ) do not react. The Mono cobalt(II)-8-quinolinol-5-sulfonate and, particularly, 8-quinolinol complexes react very much more rapidly with apoenzyme than does Co(H 2 O) 6 2+ ion. The results are discussed.
Secondary shocks in magnetohydrodynamic channel flows

Abstract The linearized analysis used to determine the perturbation produced when an initially uniform magnetohydrodynamic shock wave of arbitrary strength encounters a section of non-uniform cross-sectional area is singular when the flow behind the incident shock is initially close to the true sonic speed. A modified perturbation theory, based on small area variations and valid for all flow speeds, is derived, and it is seen that the mentioned singularity masks the formation of secondary shocks. The present theory includes results on the propagation of non-uniform gas dynamic shocks as a special case.
Regional reciprocal interstate banking: The Supreme Court and the resolution of uncertainty☆

Abstract In 1985, the Supreme Court affirmed the ability of the states to enter into regional reciprocal compacts in Northeast Bancorp, Inc., et al., v. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The current study tests the hypotheses that the Court's decision exerted a material influence on the wealth of shareholders in bank holding companies (BHCs) operating within regional banking compacts and that shareholder reactions were affected by the size of their BHC as a proxy for the likelihood that a BHC would be an acquiror vs. a target in the new legislative climate. The analysis uses a sample of 52 BHCs that were members of regional interstate banking compacts and a control sample of 107 BHCs based in states that had not passed such enabling legislation as of the event date. Both portfolios of BHCs exhibited a statistically significant average positive reaction to the Supreme Court decision. Further, there is evidence that the average BHC in each group reacted significantly differently to that event. The reactions of BHCs in regional compacts were associated negatively with their relative size within their respective regional compact but related positively to their absolute size. Interestingly, the reactions of BHCs in the control sample were also negatively associated with their relative size within their home office's state but also positively related to their absolute size. All in all, shareholders viewed the interstate banking opportunities brought by the Supreme Court decision to be consistent with their interests.
Provenance Characteristics of Detrital Opaque Fe-Ti Oxide Minerals

ABSTRACT We have investigated petrogenetic characteristics of detrital opaque Fe-Ti oxide minerals (DOPQ) in sand samples collected from Holocene streams draining exclusively igneous and metamorphic source rocks in the Rocky Mountain region under a semi-arid climate, and from the Appalachian Mountains under a humid climate. Our sampling strategy allows us to compare and contrast the properties of detrital mineral grains not only from igneous and metamorphic source rocks, but also those from dissected-arc and recycled-orogen provenances. Reflected-light petrography including extensive modal analysis and electron probe microanalysis of polished grain mounts were the two principal methods of data gathering. Between 25% and 50% of all DOPQ show oxidation exsolution and/or other lamellar intergrowth textures, i.e., they are polymineralic grains. Lamellar intergrowth texture is present in about twice as many grains derived from igneous source rocks as from metamorphic source rocks. Lamellae thinner than 2 µm are predominant in grains derived from dissected-arc provenance, whereas lamellae thicker than 10 µm are predominant in grains derived from recycled-orogen provenance. Exsolution lamellae along {111} planes of magnetite (three directions) and presumably along {0001} planes of ilmenite (one direction) characterize dissected-are and recycled-orogen provenance, respectively. Detrital ilmenites derived from the igneous source rocks studied show a wide range of TiO2 co tent with a mode around 47%, whereas those from the metamorphic source rocks show a tight cluster around 52% TiO2 content. DOPQ derived from metamorphic source rocks contain < 0.5% MgO, whereas those from igneous rocks may contain up to 1.2% MgO. Both MgO and MnO are low, 0.3% and 2.5%, respectively, in DOPQ derived from dissected-arc provenance, but may be relatively high, up to 1.2% and 8.0%, respectively, in grains derived from recycled-orogen provenance. Whereas no single character of DOPQ may be diagnostic of provenance, discriminant function analysis of the complete set of data show that collectively they are diagnostic in 95% to 100% of cases. We recommend the use of 1) presence of exsolution texture, 2) minimum lamellae widths and the number of crystallographic orientation of the lamellae, and 3) chemical composition including minor elements of DOPQ as important properties for provenance identification. This should supplement and refine existing criteria for provenance determination.
Using xenon-129 NMR spectrometry to measure diffusivity of water in microporous Y zeolites

Abstract A technique for the measurement of diffusivities of adsorbates through microporous materials such as zeolites is described. The technique relies on the fact that the resonance of coadsorbed xenon gas is sensitive to the concentration of other adsorbed species. Changes observed in xenon chemical shift in a two-region sample are attributed to migration of the coadsorbate from one region to another. The technique is demonstrated for the movement of water at 373 Kin a Ni Na Y zeolite.
A model for monitoring and debugging parallel and distributed software

Several aspects of the multidimensional problem of providing monitoring support for the debugging and performance analysis of distributed and parallel systems and parallel applications are presented. The key elements of the solution to the problem are a formal event-action model at the process level and a layered architectural model. The application of the event-action model to the development of the abstract layered architectural model is shown, as well as a proposed implementation sketch of a nonintrusive monitor for the PASM parallel processing system. >
Longitudinal Instabilities in the Fermilab 400-GeV Main Accelerator

At beam intensities greater than 8 × 1012 protons per pulse longitudinal bunch instabilities are observed in the Fermilab main accelerator. The oscillations are primarily dipole coherent bunch motion with small mixtures of higher order modes. The oscillations grow during acceleration to amplitudes of about ± twenty degrees and remain constant at that amplitude, apparently in equilibrium with the Landau damping process. If sufficient bucket area exists there is no significant beam loss associated with the longitudinal motion but selective extraction and irregular spill structure occurs. "Mountain range" data on bunch motion and spectrum analysis of Fourier components of the circulating beam have indicated that the primary sources of the observed instabilities are resonances with high shunt impedances within the accelerating cavities. Although the RF cavities had already been provided with spurious mode damping devices additional damping systems consisting of ferrite loaded coaxial waveguide filters have been designed and are being installed on all accelerating cavities.
Phosphorylation of linker histones by a protein kinase A-like activity in mitotic nuclei.

Abstract Micronuclear linker histones of the ciliated protozoan, Tetrahymena thermophila, are extensively phosphorylated in vivo. Each of these polypeptides, α, β, γ, and δ, contains sites for phosphorylation by cyclic-AMP dependent protein kinase (PKA) but not Cdc2 kinase, and some data have been presented implicating PKA kinase in their phosphorylation in vitro and in vivo (Sweet, M. T., and Allis, C. D. (1993) Chromosoma 102, 637-647; Sweet, M. T., Jones, K., and Allis, C. D. (1996) J. Cell Biol., in press). In this report we have extended these analyses by showing that Cdc2 and PKA kinase are not evenly distributed between micro- and macronuclei. Macronuclei, but not micronuclei, contain a 36-kDa polypeptide that is immunoreactive with p34Cdc2 antibodies. In contrast, a 40-kDa polypeptide is detected with PKA antibodies in micronuclei, that is not detected in macronuclei. In support, extracts from micronuclei, but not macronuclei, contain a kinase activity that resembles some, but not all, characteristics of PKA from other sources. Immunodepletion experiments using anti-PKA antibodies show that a 40-kDa polypeptide can be specifically removed from these extracts with a concomitant loss in kinase activity. Microsequence analyses of δ demonstrate that this linker histone is phosphorylated in vivo on two PKA consensus sequences located in its carboxyl-terminal domain, an optimum PKA consensus sequence, Arg-Lys-Asn-, and a less optimal PKA sequence, Lys-Ser--Val. Collectively, these results suggest that PKA or a PKA-like kinase is responsible for the phosphorylation of linker histone in mitotically dividing micronuclei. In contrast, macronuclei, which divide amitotically, phosphorylate linker histone H1 using a distinct, Cdc2-like kinase.
USE OF GLYCOSIDASE DIGESTED HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN β-SUBUNIT TO EXPLAIN THE PARTIAL BINDING OF ECTOPIC GLYCOPROTEIN HORMONES TO CON A

Recent studies have demonstrated that ectopic glycoprotein hormones only partially bind Con A. To investigate the basis for these findings, the Con A binding of ectopic hCG beta from DoT cervical carcinoma cells was examined after digestion with various glycosidases. Ectopic hCG beta only partially bound Con A, as was the case after digestion with neuraminidase and beta-galactosidase. However, subsequent digestion with N-acetylhexosaminidase increased Con A binding to 96%. It is apparent that Con A binding of ectopic hCG can be inhibited by a residue removed by N-acetylhexosaminidase, probably extra beta-N-acetylglucosamine linked to beta-mannose on N-linked oligosaccharides. The method used involved the glycosidase digestion of glycoprotein alkylated under denaturing conditions and was first validated with milligram amounts of standard hCG beta.
Avian Pneumovirus (APV) RNA from Wild and Sentinel Birds in the United States Has Genetic Homology with RNA from APV Isolates from Domestic Turkeys

Nasal turbinates or swabs were collected from wild ducks, geese, owls, sparrows, swallows, and starlings and from sentinel ducks placed next to turkey farms experiencing avian pneumovirus (APV) infections and were analyzed for APV genome and infectious particles. APV RNA was detected in samples examined from geese, sparrows, and starlings. APV RNA and antibodies were also detected in two different groups of sentinel ducks. Infectious APV was recovered from sentinel duck samples. The APV M gene isolated from the wild birds had over 96% predicted amino acid identity with APV/Minnesota 2A, which was isolated earlier from domestic turkeys showing respiratory illness, suggesting that wild birds may be involved in spreading APV infection.
Divisions of labour. Social groups and occupational allocation

This paper explores the multidimensional contours of occupational segregation and the causal processes that generate occupational distributions. Previous research in this field has focused on a single classificatory dimension (e.g. gender or race or citizenship status) or has examined segregation across a limited subset of occupations. Little is therefore known about how distributional patterns differ across cross-classified social groups, considerably less about how these patterns change in response to social and economic pressures. Based on multivariate analysis of Swiss occupational data for 1980 and 1990, trends in occupational composition are examined across two dimensions simultaneously: gender and citizenship-status. Evidence is found to support a number of substantive arguments, in particular those suggesting opportunity-enhancing effects of occupational growth, and segregative effects of post-industrial economic restructuring. But in each case, effects are group-specific: growth effects are restricted to women (both native and foreign); economic rationalization results in inflows of foreigners; and service-sector expansion effects growing representation of native women. While the distributional particularities of the various 'secondary'social groups have been well documented in previous research, the present analysis also reveals fundamental intergroup differences in allocative processes, with some relationships clearly reflecting the logic of gender, and others apparently driven by citizenship dynamics
PubChem3D: Diversity of shape

The shape diversity of 16.4 million biologically relevant molecules from the PubChem Compound database and their 1.46 billion diverse conformers was explored as a function of molecular volume. The diversity of shape space was investigated by determining the shape similarity threshold to achieve a maximum on the count of reference shapes per unit of conformer volume. The rate of growth in shape space, as represented by a decreasing shape similarity threshold, was found to be remarkably smooth as a function of volume. There was no apparent correlation between the count of conformers per unit volume and their diversity, meaning that a single reference shape can describe the shape space of many chemical structures. The ability of a volume to describe the shape space of lesser volumes was also examined. It was shown that a given volume was able to describe 40-70% of the shape diversity of lesser volumes, for the majority of the volume range considered in this study. The relative growth of shape diversity as a function of volume and shape similarity is surprisingly uniform. Given the distribution of chemicals in PubChem versus what is theoretically synthetically possible, the results from this analysis should be considered a conservative estimate to the true diversity of shape space.
Selection diversity and linear equalization over frequency selective channels for single carrier filter bank-based transmissions

This paper investigates the filter bank (FB) based selection diversity combining as well as linear equalization for single carrier (SC)transmissions over frequency selective channels. In contrast to the multicarrier carrier (MC) transmissions, e.g., OFDM, the FB based approach avoids the use of cyclic prefix (CP) or guard band and offers a number of superior properties such as synchronization, and peak to average power ratio (PAPR), etc. However, due to the lack of practical diversity techniques and cost effective equalizers, the broadband SC signal can hardly be deployed under highly dispersive channel environment. We propose a practical FB based selection diversity based on non-maximally decimated filter banks with perfect reconstruction support (PR-NMDFB) with its companion linear equalizer in the FB transformed domain. We shall give detailed minimum mean square error (MMSE) and bit error rate (BER) analysis and compare it to the optimal maximum ratio combining (MRC) solution.