cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic Growth and Fermentation Rates of Alginate‐Entrapped Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Experiments were conducted under anaerobic conditions to determine the intrinsic specific rates of growth, glucose uptake, and ethanol production for Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilized in calcium alginate. The simultaneous processes of diffusion and reaction in an alginate membrane were analyzed to determine the intrinsic specific growth and reaction rates from glucose and ethanol concentration measurements made outside the alginate phase. Under anaerobic conditions, the specific growth rate of immobilized S. cerevisiae decreased by 20% compared to the growth rate for suspended cells. The specific glucose uptake rate and specific ethanol production rate increased by a factor of 4 compared to those for suspended cells. The ethanol yield remained the same, and the biomass yield decreased to one-fifth the yield for suspended cells. Further experiments were conducted under aerobic conditions to investigate the effects of dissolved oxygen concentration on the specific rates of growth, glucose uptake, and ethanol production of immobilized S. cerevisiae. Although the obtained results cannot be interpreted unambiguously, oxygen appears to affect immobilized cells in a way similar to the way it affects suspended cells, while the observed differences between immobilized and suspended cells under anaerobic conditions remain the same in the presence of oxygen. Due to rate variability with oxygen, the obtained results are representative of average rate values. Experimental data and simulations indicate that glucose mitigates oxygen effects, yielding relatively small rate variations with aeration rates and relatively constant ethanol yields.
Impact of early methadone initiation in critically injured burn patients: a pilot study.

Numerous studies have identified strategies to reduce mechanical ventilation duration by targeting appropriate sedation levels. However, applicability of these strategies to critically injured patients with burn injury has not been established. At our medical center, methadone is commonly used early in the care of burn patients to treat background pain and limit the development of opioid tolerance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of early methadone initiation in critically injured burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation. This retrospective study compared patients who received early methadone with patients who did not while mechanically ventilated with the primary outcome of ventilator-free days in a 28-day period. Those who received methadone within 4 days of intubation and remained ventilated for 2 days after the first dose were included in the methadone group. Propensity scores were used to match up to three control patients to each methadone patient. Seventy patients (18 methadone and 52 matched control patients) were included in the final evaluation. Patients in the methadone group aver aged 16.5 ventilator-free days compared with 11.5 in the control group (P = .03). There was no statistical difference in the duration of intensive care unit or hospital length of stay between groups. Our results suggest that early methadone initiation may have a significant effect on ventilator outcomes in critically injured patients with burn injury. However, further research is warranted. (J Burn Care Res 2013;34:342–348)
Fish Functional Traits Correlated with Environmental Variables in a Temperate Biodiversity Hotspot

The global biodiversity crisis has invigorated the search for generalized patterns in most disciplines within the natural sciences. Studies based on organismal functional traits attempt to broaden implications of results by identifying the response of functional traits, instead of taxonomic units, to environmental variables. Determining the functional trait responses enables more direct comparisons with, or predictions for, communities of different taxonomic composition. The North American freshwater fish fauna is both diverse and increasingly imperiled through human mediated disturbances, including climate change. The Tennessee River, USA, contains one of the most diverse assemblages of freshwater fish in North America and has more imperiled species than other rivers, but there has been no trait-based study of community structure in the system. We identified 211 localities in the upper Tennessee River that were sampled by the Tennessee Valley Authority between 2009 and 2011 and compiled fish functional traits for the observed species and environmental variables for each locality. Using fourth corner analysis, we identified significant correlations between many fish functional traits and environmental variables. Functional traits associated with an opportunistic life history strategy were correlated with localities subject to greater land use disturbance and less flow regulation, while functional traits associated with a periodic life history strategy were correlated with localities subject to regular disturbance and regulated flow. These are patterns observed at the continental scale, highlighting the generalizability of trait-based methods. Contrary to studies that found no community structure differences when considering riparian buffer zones, we found that fish functional traits were correlated with different environmental variables between analyses with buffer zones vs. entire catchment area land cover proportions. Using existing databases and fourth corner analysis, our results support the broad application potential for trait-based methods and indicate trait-based methods can detect environmental filtering by riparian zone land cover.
Hindi pseudo-incorporation

This paper argues that Hindi incorporation is, in fact, pseudo-incorporation, involving noun phrases rather than nouns. Furthermore, it shows that there is no requirement that the incorporated nominal surface as a morphological or even a syntactic unit with the verb. Such loosely aligned nominals can nevertheless be identified as incorporation on the basis of semantic intuitions having to do with number interpretation, anaphora, and certain properties typically associated with lexical processes. Contrary to standard assumptions, it is argued that the target of pseudo-incorporation is specified for number. Singular incorporated nominals in Hindi are shown to be semantically singular, with number neutrality arising as a consequence of interaction with aspectual operators. Taking aspectual information into account is also shown to have interesting implications for current approaches to the semantics of incorporation, one in which the incorporated nominal introduces a discourse referent, and one in which it functions as a predicate modifier. A closer look at the effect of aspect on anaphora, for example, does not unequivocally support the predicate modification view of pseudo-incorporation. The paper draws on data from Hungarian, and to some extent Danish, to explore the cross-linguistic applicability of the claims made on the basis of Hindi. Most notably, a distinction between Hungarian verbs with respect to incorporation of bare singulars provides striking confirmation of the claim that number morphology is semantically visible in pseudo-incorporation. It also addresses restrictions on the productivity of pseudo-incorporation in light of the proposed analysis of pseudo-incorporation.
Inhibition of glyoxalase I by thermal copolyamino acids

Variations in the composition of thermal copolyamino acids inhibitory for glyoxalase I have been studied. Those produced from both tryptophan and cysteine are the most active. The activity requires the polymeric state since the free amino acids are devoid of activity. On the basis of these studies and others elsewhere, hydrophobicily appears to be a significant physical property contributing to the activity of some of the inhibitors.
Conservation science: A market approach to saving the whales.

The future of the International Whaling Commission is tenuous. A 'whale conservation market' might rescue it, say Christopher Costello, Leah R. Gerber and Steven Gaines.
Low-profile broadband planar antennas for DVB-H, DCS-1800, and IMT-2000 applications

A new type of low-profile broadband planar antenna is developed for DVB-H, DCS-1800, and IMT-2000 handsets. The planar antenna for UHF-band DVB-H terminals has a height of 8 mm while the antenna height for DCS-1800 and IMT-2000 applications is only 4.8 mm which is much lower than previously published antenna configurations. The broadband planar antennas consist of an S-strip and a folded T-strip which are separately printed on the two sides of a thin planar substrate. The bandwidth enhancement is realized by the mutual coupling between the S-strip and the T-strip. It has been demonstrated that the antenna for DVB-H terminals can achieve a gain of -2 to -4 dBi (3-7 dB higher than the standard specification) over the DVB-H band (470-702 MHz) while the antenna for the DCS-1800 and IMT-2000 handsets can achieve a bandwidth of-30% for return loss <-10 dB.
On the reactivity of cellulose free radicals in graft copolymerization reactions

The formation and behavior of photo-and mechanoinduced free radicals in cellulose were studied by ESR spectroscopy and the capability of these free radicals to initiate graft copolymerization reactions was demonstrated. Although an 11-line ESR signal was detected from cellulose irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light, a higher-intensity ESR signal with a five-line pattern was detected from a sample mechanically milled at 77 K. The decay of photoinduced free radicals when heated took place monotonously, whereas mechanoradicals exhibited an anomalous behavior with an increased signal intensity at 150 K before decaying at a higher temperature. Mechanoradicals have been found to react more efficiently and rapidly with oxygen and methyl methacrylate (MMA) than photoinduced free radicals. The peroxy mechanoradicals, however, were mobile and decayed more rapidly than the peroxy photoinduced radicals. Simultaneous graft copolymerizations of MMA to cellulose demonstrated that mechano-and photoinduced free radicals are capable of initiating grafting reactions, but a higher degree of grafting efficiency was obtained from cellulose treated mechanically.
Understanding Affective Organizational Commitment The Importance of Institutional Context

This study proposes and tests a model of affective organizational commitment that seeks to capture aspects of the unique institutional context of public organizations. An analysis of survey data fr...
Association between DPYSL2 gene polymorphisms and alcohol dependence in Caucasian samples

The DPYSL2 gene at 8p22-p21 is expressed widely in neuronal tissues and has been implicated in multiple psychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. We therefore hypothesized that DPYSL2 gene polymorphisms may play a role in alcohol dependence (AD). We investigated the genetic associations of 57 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the DPYSL2 gene with AD using two Caucasian samples—the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) sample (660 AD cases and 400 controls), and the Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment (SAGE) sample (623 cases and 1,016 controls). The SNP rs11995227 was most significantly associated with AD (p = 0.000122) in the COGA sample while one flanking SNP rs7832576 revealed the second most significant association with AD (p = 0.00163) in the COGA sample and association with AD (p = 0.0195) in the SAGE sample. Meta-analysis of two samples showed both rs119952227 and rs7832576 were associated with AD (p = 0.000363 and 0.000184, respectively). Furthermore, the C-A haplotype from rs11995227 and rs7832576 revealed significant association with AD (p = 0.0000899) in the COGA sample while the T-G haplotype revealed association with AD both in the COGA and SAGE samples (p = 0.00098 and 0.021, respectively). These findings suggest that genetic variants in DPYSL2 may play a role in susceptibility to AD.
Absorption Spectroscopy in Laser-Generated Plumes by Surface Reflection

Absorption measurements can be used to study the laser-generated plume even at the very initial moments of plume formation. This new optical scheme is based on reflecting a probe beam off the surface. A high degree of penetration of the plume is possible at high probe powers. Saturation of the absorption is found to occur at higher powers than normal. Relatively broad spectral features due to pressure broadening have been obtained.
Urinary Tract Undiversion

Summary— Nine children underwent urinary diversion for lower urinary tract obstruction and were followed for periods of 2.5 to 15 years (median 10 years). Eight had cutaneous ureterostomies and the ninth had an ileal conduit. Undiversion was performed because of the return of normal function, the possibility of renal transplantation and ileal conduit stomal obstruction. The patients have been followed for periods ranging from 6 months to 9 years (median 2.5 years) after undiversion. To date, eight have moderate to good renal function. The remaining child has progressive renal failure. Eight are continent and one has mild stress incontinence.
Origin and early development of the earth's crust

Abstract A three-stage model for crustal origin is proposed in which Stage I (4.5-4.0 Ga) is characterized by the production of a transient ultramafic crust rapidly displaced by a widespread mafic crust formed at divergent plate boundaries, consumed at sinks, and recycled through the mantle. During Stage II (4.0–3.5 Ha) a falling geothermal gradient results in the production of isolated andesitic arc systems from partial melting of descending mafic crust. Further decreases in temperature during this stage result in decreased melting and the production of tonalitic magmas which rise, overplating the andesitic crust which is partially melted to produce high-K granites. Sialic arcs grow by tonalitic plutonism and arc collisions into two supercontinents during Stage III (3.5-2.7 Ga). During this stage, greenstone belts form in continental-rift and marginal-basin environments.
Superconductors beyond 1-2-3

In 1986 physicists K. Alex Mueller and J. Georg Bednorz of the IBM Zuerich Research Laboratory realized that La-Ba-Cu ceramics were the key to developing a new class of high-temperature superconductors that would revitalize superconductivity research and technology. Their discovery began one of the most startling revolutions in solid-state physics. In February, 1987, Maw-Kuen Wu of the University of Alabama, Ching-Wu (Paul) Chu of the University of Houston and their co-workers replaced lanthanum in the Bednorz-Mueller compound with yttrium--a smaller rare-earth element--to form a superconductor whose transition temperature was 90 kelvins. Soon after, R.Bruce van Dover, Bertram Batlogg and the author at AT T Bell Laboratories were the first to determine that the superconductor was the chemical compound now known as 1-2-3 because of the ratio of yttrium to barium to copper atoms. The 1-2-3 material was the first superconductor with a transition temperature above 77 kelvins and therefore could be cooled easily and inexpensively in a bath of liquid nitrogen. During the past four years the efforts of thousands of investigators around the world have produced about a dozen superconductors that have transition temperatures above 40 kelvins as well as a handful above 77 kelvins. So far the highestmore » transition temperature--which was achieved in a compound composed of thallium, barium, calcium, copper and oxygen--is an astounding 125 kelvins.« less
Behaviour of asymmetric building systems under a monotonic load. II

Abstract Buildings subjected to a large intensity ground motion deform well into the inelastic range. In particular asymmetric buildings undergo coupled inelastic lateral and torsional deformations that could be the governing factors in their design. The relationship between the system's asymmetry and its inelastic deformations is yet to be determined. This study is a detailed examination of the effects of the stiffness and strength eccentricities on the inelastic behaviour of the asymmetric building system. Results showing the asymmetric building system's deformations under possible combinations of stiffness and strength eccentricities are examined. Ultimately the questions of what type of deformations the asymmetric building system will undergo and what happens to its behaviour as it approaches collapse will be answered. Two asymmetric building models are used. One model is laterally supported on wall-column elements which provide resistance in one principal direction. The second model is laterally supported on columns which provide resistance in both principal directions making biaxial bending effects significant. For simplicity, the analytical models are a monosymmetric one-bay, one-storey frame; the lateral-load resisting elements are replaced by nonlinear springs; and the loading is a monotonic static load applied at the centre of mass.
The Smear Technic in Plant Cytology

The following method of making permanent smears of pollen mother cells is in general use and gives excellent results. Determine the stage of meiosis from aceto-carmin mounts. Smear the pollen mother cells on a dry slide. Fix in Navaschin's or a modified Flemming's solution from 1 to 2 hours. Wash in 10 to 20% alcohol from 15 to 30 minutes. Stain in 1% aqueous crystal violet from 1 to 5 minutes. Rinse in water and pass thru 30 to 50% alcohol, about 15 to 20 seconds in each. Transfer to 80% alcohol containing 1% iodine and 1% potassium iodide for 30 seconds. Destain with absolute alcohol, followed by clove oil. xylol, balsam and cover.Permanent smears for chromosome counts can be quickly made by smearing pollen mother cells on a dry slide, fix and stain with aceto-carmin, dehydrate with mixtures of absolute alcohol and acetic acid, follow with xylol, balsam, and cover.
Contrasting genomic properties of free-living and particle-attached microbial assemblages within a coastal ecosystem.

The Columbia River (CR) is a powerful economic and environmental driver in the US Pacific Northwest. Microbial communities in the water column were analyzed from four diverse habitats: 1) an estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM); 2) a chlorophyll maximum of the river plume; 3) an upwelling-associated hypoxic zone; and 4) the deep ocean bottom. Three size fractions, 0.1-0.8, 0.8-3 and 3-200 μm were collected for each habitat in August 2007, and used for DNA isolation and 454 sequencing, resulting in 12 metagenomes of >5 million reads (>1.6 Gbp). To characterize the dominant microorganisms and metabolisms contributing to coastal biogeochemistry, we used predicted peptide and rRNA data. The 3- and 0.8-μm metagenomes, representing particulate fractions, were taxonomically diverse across habitats. The 3-μm size fractions contained a high abundance of eukaryota with diatoms dominating the hypoxic water and plume, while cryptophytes were more abundant in the ETM. The 0.1-μm metagenomes represented mainly free-living bacteria and archaea. The most abundant archaeal hits were observed in the deep ocean and hypoxic water (19% of prokaryotic peptides in the 0.1-μm metagenomes), and were homologous to Nitrosopumilus maritimus (ammonia-oxidizing Thaumarchaeota). Bacteria dominated metagenomes of all samples. In the euphotic zone (estuary, plume and hypoxic ocean), the most abundant bacterial taxa (≥40 % of prokaryotic peptides) represented aerobic photoheterotrophs. In contrast, the low-oxygen, deep water metagenome was enriched with sequences for strict and facultative anaerobes. Interestingly, many of the same anaerobic bacterial families were enriched in the 3-μm size fraction of the ETM (2-10X more abundant relative to the 0.1-μm metagenome), indicating possible formation of anoxic microniches within particles. Results from this study provide a metagenome perspective on ecosystem-scale metabolism in an upwelling-influenced river-dominated coastal margin.
Recovery of function with two-stage lesions of the fornix

Abstract A brain lesion administered in two stages produces less debilitation of behavior than a comparable lesion administered in one operation. The present research investigated the effects of one- and two-stage lesions of the fornix on the ability of rats to perform a spatial alternation habit. Two-stage lesions produced less impairment of alternation, confirming the generality of this recovery-enhancement phenomenon. The first unilateral lesion appears to have initiated some form of compensation even though it did not impair alteration performance.
Frequency-dependent mating advantage in Drosophila.

It has been found inDrosophila that the mating success of genetically different individuals is often inversely related to their relative abundance. Frequency-dependent mating success can be measured by the regression of the logarithm of the ratios of mated individuals on the logarithm of the ratios at which the individuals are present. A survey of the published literature on mating success at different frequencies indicates that a linear frequency-dependent function fits the observed results well. Such a function provides a statistical test of significance. Moreover, it gives information on how strong the frequency dependence is and on the frequencies at which stable or unstable equilibria may exist.
AREVA's realistic large break LOCA analysis methodology

The AREVA realistic large break loss-of-coolant-accident (LOCA) analysis methodology received approval by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) in April 2003. The methodology references the 1988 amended 10 CFR 50.46 allowing best-estimate calculations of emergency core cooling system performance. In addition, it conforms to the code scaling, applicability, and uncertainty (CSAU) methodology developed by the Technical Program Group for the USNRC in the late 1980s; however, it also incorporates the nonparametric statistical approach originally incorporated in the Gesellschaft fur Anlagen und Reaktorsicherheit (GRS) methodology for LOCA analysis. This paper provides a methodology summary, lessons learned and insight about current LOCA issues.
Upper limits on the contribution of flux transfer events to ionospheric convection

The possibility that merging might largely consist of bursts of subsolar merging repeating every 8 minutes (Flux Transfer Events — FTEs) has been raised. We examine the maximum possible contribution to the cross polar cap potential from FTEs. Assuming each candidate FTE actually transfers flux, we calculate the contribution from: (i) FTEs which fit statistical magnetopause observations; (ii) FTEs which fit typical ionospheric observations; (iii) The largest reported FTEs in case studies at low and high altitude. We find that FTEs account for less than 10% of a normal active time polar cap potential (∼100 kV); although some individual reported cases could, with optimistic assumptions, account for 20–33%. Two new limits on the size of FTEs are introduced. The requirement that FTEs form within ±6 Re of the subsolar point limits FTEs to producing about 38 kV average potential. An even more fundamental limit is imposed by coherence: to represent a merging burst which starts and stops in 2 minutes, an FTE size is limited by the fast mode wave velocity. The coherence limit is about 14.5 kV, meaning that larger pulses consist of independently active merging sites. Simulation results in which bursty merging dominates are reconsidered, and shown to have geometrical assumptions that may be applicable locally, but not globally. A burst of subsolar merging every 8 minutes therefore cannot contribute most of the cross polar cap potential.
Pregnancy Risk among Black, White, and Hispanic Teen Girls in New York City Public Schools

Disparities in teen pregnancy rates are explained by different rates of sexual activity and contraceptive use. Identifying other components of risk such as race/ethnicity and neighborhood can inform strategies for teen pregnancy prevention. Data from the 2005 and 2007 New York City Youth Risk Behavior Surveys were used to model demographic differences in odds of recent sexual activity and birth control use among black, white, and Hispanic public high school girls. Overall pregnancy risk was calculated using pregnancy risk index (PRI) methodology, which estimates probability of pregnancy based on current sexual activity and birth control method at last intercourse. Factors of race/ethnicity, grade level, age, borough, and school neighborhood were assessed. Whites reported lower rates of current sexual activity (23.4%) than blacks (35.4%) or Hispanics (32.7%), and had lower predicted pregnancy risk (PRI = 5.4% vs. 9.0% and 10.5%, respectively). Among sexually active females, hormonal contraception use rates were low in all groups (11.6% among whites, 7.8% among blacks, and 7.5% among Hispanics). Compared to white teens, much of the difference in PRI was attributable to poorer contraceptive use (19% among blacks and 50% among Hispanics). Significant differences in contraceptive use were also observed by school neighborhood after adjusting for age group and race/ethnicity. Interventions to reduce teen pregnancy among diverse populations should include messages promoting delayed sexual activity, condom use and use of highly effective birth control methods. Access to long-acting contraceptive methods must be expanded for all sexually active high school students.
Experimental Transmission of the Fungus Phoma herbarum to Chinook Salmon

Abstract The fungus Phoma herbarum is an incidental pathogen for salmonid fish, and experimental studies were conducted to determine whether it could be transmitted to juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha by oral and airborne exposures. Phoma herbarum that had been isolated from juvenile Chinook salmon sustaining a low-level mortality in a hatchery was grown in the laboratory and quantified using a hemocytometer. The quantified inoculum of fungal conidia was mixed with dry fish food for the feeding studies, sprayed on the surface of the water for the airborne study, and injected into fish to verify the pathogenicity of the fungus. Histological examination revealed no mortality or internal fungal infection in either the oral or airborne exposures. Average cumulative mortality in the replicate groups injected with fungal conidia was 65% in the fingerlings and 56% in the fry, both groups showing clinical signs of hemorrhage and invasion of tissues by visible fungus. Histological examination of in...
Sample preparation methods of tree-rings for PIXE-PIGE multielemental analysis

Abstract Tree-rings were collected from various sites within the United States to investigate the effects of atmospheric deposition on the growth of trees. Three different sample preparations were investigated to maximize detection limits and sample throughput, and to minimize element losses and sample contamination. The preparation methods included dry ashing at 450° C, cryogenic pulverization, and microwave wet digestion. Since PIXE-PIGE was used to determine the elements Li-U in the tree-rings at low concentrations, the method of cryogenic pulverization could not be used. Dry ashing was the preferred method and it was used to analyze the trace element concentrations in individual tree-rings. Detailed sample preparation methods are described along with applications for studying the affects of climate on the uptake of different elements in the rings.
Metric Entropy of Some Classes of Sets with Differentiable Boundaries

Let I(k, α, M) be the class of all subsets A of R k whose boundaries are given by functions from the sphere S k −1 into R k with derivatives of order % α, all bounded by M. (The precise definition, for all α > 0, involves Holder conditions.) Let N d (e) be the minimum number of sets required to approximate every set in I(k, α, M) within e for the metric d, which is the Hausdorff metric h or the Lebesgue measure of the symmetric difference, d λ . It is shown that up to factors of lower order of growth, N d (e) can be approximated by exp(e −r ) as e ↓ 0, where r = (k − 1)/α if d = h or if d = d λ and α > 1. For d = d λ and (k − 1)/k < α < 1, r < (k − 1)/(kα − k + 1). The proof uses results of A. N. Kolmogorov and V. N. Tikhomirov [4].
Social barriers to biophilia: Merging structural and ideational explanations for environmental degradation

Abstract Erich Fromm argues that the only reliable way to solve the environmental crisis is to alter current social formations in a way in which biophilia can flourish, so humankind can solve its existential dichotomy as well as meet survival needs in an ecologically sound way. However, society's preoccupation with the non-alive—elements such as technique, the mechanical, gadgets, and commodities—shows that the modern social character is far from biophilous. Instead, modern societies are inherently ecologically destructive due to systematic processes and attraction to its progress is a less acute form of, what Fromm terms, necrophilia. His insights can help formulate a social theory of environmental degradation that includes structural and ideational variables. Prescriptively, this means appeals for value changes must correspond with fitting appeals for structural changes in social systems.
Improving touchscreen keyboards: design issues and a comparison with other devices

Abstract The study explored touchscreen keyboards using high precision touch-screen strategies. Phase one evaluated three possible monitor positions: 30°, 45°, and 75° from horizontal. Results indicate that the 75° angle, approximately the standard monitor position, resulted in more fatigue and lower preference ratings. Phase two collected touch bias and key size data for the 30° angle. Subjects consistently touched below targets, and touched to the left of targets on either side of the screen. Using these data, a touchscreen keyboard was designed. Phase three compared this keyboard with a mouse-activated keyboard, and the standard QWERTY keyboard for typing relatively short strings of 6,19, and 44 characters. Results indicate that users can type approximately 25 words/minute (wpm) with the touchscreen keyboard, compared to 17 wpm using the mouse, and 58 wpm when using the keyboard. Possible improvements to touchscreen keyboards are suggested.
Clay-Mineral Distribution in Recent Sediments from Northern Pacific Coast of Mexico: ABSTRACT

The clay-mineral composition of 86 samples from the Northern Pacific coast of Mexico was identified and the relative abundance of each clay mineral was obtained. The known minus 2µ fraction was analyzed in oriented aggregates using X-ray diffraction. Prior to X-ray, the samples were freed of carbonates, organic End_Page 637------------------------------ matter, iron oxides, and colloidal silica and alumina. Montmorillonite, illite, and chlorite were found to be the most abundant clay minerals. Kaolinite and vermiculite were present in some samples, usually in minor amounts. The distribution patterns of clay minerals in the lower Gulf of California are determined by the source areas and strong diagenetic effects ensuing on contact with sea water. The clay-mineral distribution shows a sharp contrast in clay-mineral assemblages between the marine and non-marine sediments. The montmorillonite, illite, and chlorite content of the normal marine samples is very uniform. In the warmer hypersaline environment of the swamps, formed in the depressions between cheniers, the clay-mineral assemblages have greater proportions of chlorite, indicating that intense chemical conditions behind cheniers are particularly effective in modifying the composition and structure of the clays entering the sea from rivers. The clay mineralogy of the terrestrial samples is controlled by the source material and the weathering conditions of the area. In both terrestrial and marine environments, anomalous clay-mineral assemblages reflect small-scale or local geographic conditions (provenance). End_of_Article - Last_Page 638------------
Comparison between the Acute Pulmonary Vascular Effects of Oxygen with Nitric Oxide and Sildenafil

Objective. Right heart catheterization is performed in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension to determine the severity of disease and their pulmonary vascular reactivity. The acute pulmonary vascular effect of inhaled nitric oxide is frequently used to identify patients who will respond favorably to vasodilator therapy. This study sought to determine whether the acute pulmonary vascular effects of oxygen with nitric oxide and intravenous sildenafil are similar. Methods. A retrospective, descriptive study of 13 individuals with pulmonary hypertension who underwent heart catheterization and acute vasodilator testing was performed. The hemodynamic measurements during five phases (21% to 53% oxygen, 100% oxygen, 100% oxygen with 20 ppm nitric oxide, 21% to 51% oxygen, and 21% to 51% oxygen with 0.05 mg/kg to 0.29 mg/kg intravenous sildenafil) of the procedures were compared. Results. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance acutely decreased with 100% oxygen with nitric oxide, and 21% to 51% oxygen with sildenafil. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mm Hg, mean ± standard error of the mean) was 38 ± 4 during 21% to 53% oxygen, 32 ± 3 during 100% oxygen, 29 ± 2 during 100% oxygen with nitric oxide, 37 ± 3 during 21% to 51% oxygen, and 32 ± 2 during 21% to 51% oxygen with sildenafil. There was not a significant correlation between the percent change in pulmonary vascular resistance from baseline with oxygen and nitric oxide, and from baseline with sildenafil (r2 = 0.011, p = 0.738). Conclusions. Oxygen with nitric oxide and sildenafil decreased pulmonary vascular resistance. However, the pulmonary vascular effects of oxygen and nitric oxide cannot be used to predict the acute response to sildenafil. Additional studies are needed to determine whether the acute response to sildenafil can be used to predict the long-term response to treatment with an oral phosphodiesterase V inhibitor.
Investigations of the new trigonal Gd 3+ ESR center produced in irradiated alkaline-earth fluoride crystals

A detailed account is given of various properties of the new trigonal ${\mathrm{Gd}}^{3+}$ ESR center produced by x-ray irradiation in single crystals of Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ and Sr${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ containing gadolinium ions. The fine-structure splitting of the new center is characterized (in units of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$) by ${b}_{2}^{0}=\ensuremath{-}2905.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5$, ${b}_{4}^{0}=+12.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2$, ${b}_{6}^{0}=0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3$, ${b}_{4}^{3}=\ensuremath{-}547\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10$, ${b}_{6}^{3}=+30\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15$, ${b}_{6}^{6}=+11\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15$ in Ca${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$; and ${b}_{2}^{0}=\ensuremath{-}2671.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5$, ${b}_{4}^{0}=+11.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2$, ${b}_{6}^{0}=0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3$, ${b}_{4}^{3}=\ensuremath{-}346\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10$, ${b}_{6}^{3}=+22\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15$, ${b}_{6}^{6}=+24\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15$ in Sr${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$. Despite extensive experimentation, the new center has not been produced in Ba${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ crystals.
The Role of PTHrP in Skeletal Metastases and Hypercalcemia of Malignancy

Since its discovery as the principal mediator of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy, parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) has emerged as a key player in skeletal complications associated with solid tumor metastasis to bone. In addition to functioning as an endocrine factor, this pleiotropic peptide mediates its actions locally on tumor and stromal cells in paracrine, autocrine, and intracrine fashion when cancer metastasizes to the bone compartment. Multiple splice variants and newly described PTHrP fragments confer diverse functions to PTHrP that extend beyond binding to its common receptor with parathyroid hormone. Here, we summarize the causal role of PTHrP in humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy and its local involvement in the progression of osteolytic and osteoblastic cancer bone metastases. Clinical and preclinical findings describing how PTHrP regulates tumor and stromal cell interactions are summarized, with emphasis on emerging evidence of PTHrP’s role in tumorigenesis and cancer cell proliferation. Finally, we examine therapeutic opportunities and limitations to targeting PTHrP directly and indirectly in cancer patients.
A methodology for using nonlinear aerodynamics in aeroservoelastic analysis and design

A methodology is presented for using the Volterra-Wiener theory of nonlinear systems in aeroservoelastic (ASE) analyses and design. The theory is applied to the development of nonlinear aerodynamic response models that can be defined in state-space form and are, therefore, appropriate for use in modern control theory. The theory relies on the identification of nonlinear kernels that can be used to predict the response of a nonlinear system due to an arbitrary input. A numerical kernel identification technique, based on unit impulse responses, is presented and applied to a simple bilinear, single-input single-output (SISO) system. The linear kernel (unit impulse response) and the nonlinear second-order kernel of the system are numerically-identified and compared with the exact, analytically-defined and linear and second-order kernels. This kernel identification technique is then applied to the CAP-TSD (Computational Aeroelasticity Program-Transonic Small Disturbance) code for identification of the linear and second-order kernels of a NACA64A010 rectangular wing undergoing pitch at M = 0.5, M = 8.5 (transonic), and M = 0.93 (transonic). Results presented demonstrate the feasibility of this approach for use with nonlinear, unsteady aerodynamic responses.
The effect of strained Al 0.7 In 0.3 as emitter layers on abrupt N-p + AllnAs-GaInAs heterojunction diodes and heterojunction bipolar transistors

Strained AlxIn1-xAs/Ga0.47In0.53As heterojunction N-p+ diodes and heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs) have been grown on InP substrates by solid-source molecular-beam epitaxy, fabricated, and characterized. To determine the effects of the conduction-band discontinuity at the emitter-base hetero-junction on turn-on voltage and ideality factor, a strained Al0.7In0.3As layer is inserted in the emitter near the base. Changes in transport across the junction are observed as a function of the strained-layer position and thickness. These results were used to implement strained emitter HBTs.
Selective inhibition and selective induction of multiple microsomal epoxide hydrolases.

Abstract The inhibition in vitro and induction in vivo of microsomal trans -stilbene oxide hydrolase have been studied. This microsomal epoxide hydrolase activity is distinguishable from the previously well-defined microsomal arene oxide hydrolase by a number of catalytic criteria. Two substituted chalcone oxides, 4-phenylchalcone oxide and 4′-phenylchalcone oxide, are potent inhibitors of microsomal trans -stilbene oxide hydrolase, but have no apparent activity against benzo[ a ]pyrene 4,5-oxide hydrolase. Conversely, compounds that are potent inhibitors of benzo[ a ]pyrene 4,5-oxide hydrolase, including styrene oxide, cyclohexene oxide, and trichloropropene oxide, inhibit microsomal transstilbene oxide hydrolase only at very high (millimolar) concentrations. The chalcone oxides inhibit microsomal trans -stilbene oxide hydrolase noncompetitively, and have micromolar or nanomolar affinity constants for the enzyme. Attempts were made to induce microsomal trans -stilbene oxide hydrolase in vivo . Compounds that induced microsomal benzo[ a ]pyrene 4,5-oxide hydrolase levels in mice did not simultaneously induce trans -stilbene oxide hydrolase levels. Clofibrate was an exception; it induced levels of both enzymes to a small but statistically significant degree. The two microsomal hydrolase activities have, therefore, very different catalytic sites and appear to be under separate genetic control. 4-Phenylchalcone oxide and 4′-phenylchalcone oxide are selective inhibitors of microsomal trans -stilbene oxide hydrolase and may prove to be very useful in assessing the involvement of this enzyme in the metabolism of endogenous or xenobiotic epoxides.
Current-limiting resistor for polarizing batteries.

The addition of a current limiting resistor to the high‐voltage polarizing batteries of an ionization chamber is described to reduce accidental shock to personnel and possible equipment damage.
Dance Medicine of the Foot and Ankle: A Review

All forms of dance are highly demanding activities, with a lifetime injury incidence of up to 90%. Most dance types are stressful, particularly on the dancer's forefoot, but certainly there is no area of the foot or ankle that is exempt from potential injury. Dancers often have unusual difficulties related to the dynamic biomechanical forces required by their individual dance form. A thorough understanding of these movements guides the physician to the cause of the injury, particularly in understanding specific overuse injuries. This article discusses biomechanics of the foot and the imaging and treatment of dance-related injuries.
Aeolian iron mobilisation by dust-acid interactions and their implications for soluble iron deposition to the ocean: a test involving potential anthropogenic organic acidic species

Environmental context. Studying the input of atmospheric soluble iron to the ocean is important as the soluble form of iron is bioavailable for phytoplankton uptake in the surface ocean to support photosynthesis. In this paper, the effect of organic acidic species on atmospheric iron dissolution is addressed through a global model for the first time. The new results contribute to a better understanding of iron dissolution processes in the atmosphere and the role of atmospheric iron in ocean biogeochemical cycles. Abstract. Dust deposition is a major source of iron in certain oceanic regions. Many atmospheric processes, such as heterogeneous reactions with acidic species, may convert insoluble iron in dust to soluble forms that become bioavailable for phytoplankton uptake in the surface ocean. Here we report for the first time the effects of organic acidic species on iron dissolution using laboratory-measured conversion rates by oxalate, simulated in a global model to estimate soluble iron fluxes to the ocean. With the complexity and limited data from measurements relating to different sources for oxalate, we focus on the effect of oxalate of anthropogenic origin in this work as a first-step testing, and we apply a scaling factor for oxalate based on its relationship with aerosol sulfate observed by in situ measurements in the continental sites. The results show better correlation with the observations than the work including inorganic acids alone, suggesting the contribution of organic acids to Fe dissolution. However, the simulated iron solubility is lower than that derived from measurements, suggesting additional processes may contribute to Fe dissolution that should be included in the model. Total deposition of soluble iron to the global ocean including the effect by anthropogenic oxalate is ~0.34 Tg year–1.
Increasing Geothermal Energy Demand: The Need for Urbanization of the Drilling Industry.

Drilling wells in urban spaces requires special types of rigs that do not conflict with the surrounding environment. For this, a mutation of the current drilling equipment is necessary into what can be defined as an “urbanized drilling rig.” Noise reduction, small footprint, and “good looking” rigs all help persuade the general public to accept the presence of drilling rigs in their neighborhood. This article reviews international projects that aim to integrate drilling with the urban infrastructures with a special focus on geothermal projects. Case studies are presented where tailored drilling rigs and new technology have already been implemented. The review aids the analysis of the main urban-related technical aspects of modern drilling rigs. Finally, the new trends in integrating architecture, urbanism, and drilling rig design are discussed.
MHC class I alloantigen specificity of Ly-49+ IL-2-activated natural killer cells

THE molecular basis of target cell recognition by CD3− natural killer (NK) cells is poorly understood, despite the ability of NK cells to lyse specific tumour cells1,2. In general, target cell major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen expression correlates with resistance to NK cell-mediated lysis3–9, possibly because NK cell-surface molecules engage MHC class I antigens and consequently deliver inhibitory signals3,4. Natural killer cell allospecificity involves the MHC class I peptide-binding cleft10, and further understanding of this allospecificity should provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of NK cell recognition. The Ly-49 cell surface molecule is expressed by 20% of CD3− NK cells11 in C57BL/6 mice (H–2b). Here we show that C57BL/6-derived, interleukin-2-activated NK cells expressing Ly-49 do not lyse target cells displaying H–2d or H–2k despite efficient spontaneous lysis by Ly-49− effector cells. This preferential resistance correlates with expression of target cell MHC class I antigens. Transfection and expression of H–2Dd, but not H–2Kd or H–2Ld, renders a susceptible target (H–2b) resistant to Ly-49+ effector cells. The transfected resistance is abrogated by monoclonal anti-bodies directed against Ly-49 or the α1/α2 domains of H–2Dd, suggesting that Ly-49 specifically interacts with the peptide-binding domains of the MHC class I alloantigen, H–2Dd. Inas-much as Ly-49+ effector cells cannot be stimulated to lyse H–2Dd targets, our results indicate that NK cells may possess inhibitory receptors that specifically recognize MHC class I antigens.
A new sialyloligosaccharide from human milk: Isolation and characterization using anti-oligosaccharide antibodies

A previously undescribed sialyloligosaccharide has been isolated from human milk using a specific anti-sialyloligosaccharide antibody. Structural studies of the radiolabeled oligosaccharide by enzyme degradation and binding by specific anti-oligosaccharide sera are consistent with the following structure: (sequence in text) The oligosaccharide is present only in milk from donors who secrete A, B, or H blood group substances; this is consistent with the requirement of at least one copy of the Se (Secretor) gene necessary for the synthesis of oligosaccharides with Fuc alpha 1-2Gal . . . linkages.
Mapping the iron binding site(s) on the small tetraheme cytochrome of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1.

In the model microbe Shewanella oneidensis, multi-heme proteins are utilized for respiratory metabolism where metals serve as the terminal electron acceptor. Among those is the periplasm-localized small tetraheme cytochrome (STC). STC has been extensively characterized structurally and electrochemically to which electron flow in and out of the protein has been modeled. However, until the present work, no kinetic studies have been performed to probe the route of electron flow or to determine the iron-binding site on STC. Using iron chelated by EDTA, NTA, or citrate, we have used chemical modification, site-directed mutagenesis along with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and stopped-flow measurements to identify the iron binding site of STC. Chemical modifications of STC revealed that carboxyl groups on STC are involved in binding of EDTA–Fe3+. Scanning mutagenesis was performed on Asp and Glu to probe the putative iron-binding site on STC. Two STC mutants (D21N; D80N) showed ∼70% decrease in observe...