cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gravel-mantled megaripples of the Argentinean Puna: A model for their origin and growth with implications for Mars

Gravel “megaripples” in the Puna of Argentina are the most extreme aeolian megaripples on Earth and are useful analogs for aeolian processes on Mars. Field observations, supplemented by experimental and numerical constraints on wind characteristics and aeolian transport, reveal their conditions of formation and growth to be an aeolian geomorphology “perfect storm.” The bedforms are formed on a substrate of weakly indurated ignimbrite, aeolian deflation of which yields a bimodal lag of lithics and pumice clasts onto an undulating surface. Under normal wind conditions in this region, the lithics are organized into bedforms on local upslopes and “highs” through creep induced by the impact of saltating sand and pumice. The gravel bedforms grow through “shadowing” and trap sand and silt that is gradually kinetically sieved down to “lift” the gravel mantle upwards to form the megaripples. These observations connote that the largest features are not ripples in the sense of migrating bedforms, but rather nucleation sites of wind-transported sediment. Strong control by bedrock topography means that the largest bedform wavelengths are not a result of particle trajectories, and this complicates their comparison with other ripples and may require a new classification. Of relevance to Mars, the Puna megaripples are morphologically and contextually similar to small ripple-like transverse aeolian ridges (TARs). Moreover, the Puna gravels have similar equivalent weight ( mg ) to those composing granule ripples at Meridiani Planum, and their local origin may have implications for the origin of sediment in martian aeolian bedforms. Finally, the stable yet dynamic character of the Puna megaripples could help reconcile current models of TARs with periodic bedrock ridges that may be produced by aeolian erosion.
Long-term outcomes of cytomegalovirus infection and disease after lung or heart-lung transplantation with a delayed ganciclovir regimen.

Abstract: Background: Information is limited on long-term outcomes after preemptive use of ganciclovir to control cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in lung transplantation. Methods: We studied 78 lung recipients who received antithymocyte globulin induction from 1994 to 2000. All patients received six months of oral acyclovir (800 mg TID). This was interrupted three wk post transplantation for a two-wk course of IV ganciclovir. Additional courses of ganciclovir were administered based on serial virological monitoring. CMV-mismatched patients (R−D+) also received four doses of CMV immunoglobulin between weeks 2 and 8. Results: The one yr cumulative risk of CMV disease was 2% (1/61) in CMV seropositive (R+) patients, but was 37% (6/17) in R−D+ patients (p < 0.0001). Over 4.3 yr of follow-up, patients with CMV infection developed more chronic graft dysfunction caused by bronchiolitis obliterans or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome than patients without CMV infection (p = 0.012). This effect was also apparent in the subgroup of R+ recipients (p = 0.043). Acute rejection and overall survival were not associated with CMV infection. Conclusions: The use of prophylactic acyclovir and short preemptive courses of ganciclovir effectively controlled CMV disease in R+ patients, but was a relative failure in R−D+ patients. CMV infection was significantly associated with chronic graft dysfunction, even in R+ recipients who had good control of CMV symptoms.
Physical Properties of the B and Be Star Populations of h and χ Persei

We present a study of the B and Be star populations of the double cluster h and χ Persei. Blue optical spectroscopy is used to first measure projected rotational velocity, V sin i, effective surface temperature, T eff, and surface gravity, log g, for B-type sample stars, while available Stromgren photometry is used to calculate T eff and log g for the Be stars showing emission. In our sample of 104 objects for which we measured these stellar parameters, 28 are known or proposed Be stars. Of these Be stars, 22 show evidence of emission at the times of our observations, and furthermore, we find evidence in our data and the literature for at least 8 transient Be stars in the clusters. We find that the Be stars are not rotating near their critical velocity, contrary to the results of studies of similar open clusters. We compare the results of our analysis with other previous studies and find that the cluster members are more evolved than found by Huang & Gies but still retain much of their initial rotational angular momentum.
Detection of protein-DNA interaction and regulation using gold nanoparticles

The interaction between protein and DNA is usually regulated by a third species, an effector, which can be either a protein or a small molecule. Convenient methods capable of detecting protein-DNA interaction and its regulation are highly desirable research tools. In the current study, we developed a method to directly "visualize" the interaction between a protein-DNA pair and its effector through the coupling with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). As a proof-of-concept experiment, we constructed a model system based on the interaction between the lac repressor (protein) and operator (DNA) and its interplay with the lac operon inducer isopropyl beta-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG, which inhibits the interaction between the lac repressor and operator). We coated AuNPs with the lac operator sequences and mixed them with the lac repressor. Because the lac repressor homotetramer contains two DNA binding modules, it bridged the particles and caused them to aggregate. We demonstrated that the assembly of DNA-modified AuNPs correlated with the presence of the corresponding protein and effector in a concentration-dependent manner. This AuNP-based platform has the potential to be generalized in the creation of reporter and detection systems for other interacting protein-DNA pairs and their effectors.
The value systems of students in a teacher education program

An important aspect of counselling is the recognition of value systems. Although teachers are often prepared to provide classroom opportunities for Values Clarification, few students in teacher education programs are assisted in the recognition of their own value system. To achieve Values Clarification, 246 students in the professional year of Education at the University of Victoria completed Rokeach's Value Survey. Their Values System was characteristic of smokers. They had a common value system, shared with students at another Canadian public university, but differing from students at a Canadian Catholic college, an American university, and an Australian university.
Proposal for the Use of the Input–Output Approach in the Analysis of the Structure of Interdisciplinary Relationships

There exists a close similarity between the input–output structure of a national economy and the structure of the system of scientific knowledge. The flow of commodities between the different disciplines is analogous to the flow of goods and services between industries. The so-called citation indexes listing the subjects of articles published in different scientific journals and references made in them to articles published in other journals can be used to construct input–output tables describing the interrelationship between the creation and use of different scientific ideas.
The crystal chemistry of phases in the BaFeS and Se systems

Abstract The crystal structures of a number of new phases synthesized in the BaFeS and Se systems were investigated by X-ray diffraction techniques. Ba2FeS3 is orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 12.087(5)A, b = 4.246(2)A, c = 12.359(5)A, ϱmeas = 4.0 g/cm3, ϱcalc = 4.47 g/cm3, Z = 4, mp >1300°C. The compound is isostructural with Ba2ZnS3 and the structure consists of FeS4 tetrahedrons sharing corners to form an infinite linear chain. Ba2FeSe3 is isostructural with the sulfide and its parameters are a = 12.350(7)A, b = 4.439(2)A, c = 12.921(5)A. BaFe2S3 is orthorhombic, Cmcm, a = 8.7835(9)A, b = 11.219A, c = 5.2860A, ϱmeas = 4.0 g/cm3, ϱcalc = 4.40 g/cm3, Z = 4, mp 765 ± 10°C. Three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data were used to refine the structure which consists of two FeS4 tetrahedrons sharing edges and this binuclear unit in turn shares edges with others to form an infinite chain. The structure of BaFe2Se3 is essentially the same as that of the sulfide but they are not isostructural. The selenide is orthorhombic, Pnma, a = 11.878(3)A, b = 5.447(2)A, c = 9.160(2)A, ϱcalc = 5.44 g/cm3, Z = 4; decomposes above 750°C. Ba6Fe8S15 is tetragonal, I4 m , a = 11.408(2) A, c = 10.256(2)A, ϱmeas = 4.30 g/cm3, ϱcalc = 4.36 g/cm3, Z = 2, mp 880 ± 10°C. The structure was determined from three-dimensional X-ray diffraction data and consists of a tetranuclear unit formed by 4 FeS4 tetrahedrons sharing corners and these units then share edges to form an infinite column. Ba3Fe3Se7 is hexagonal, P63mc, a = 10.843(3)A, c = 7.384(2)A, ϱcalc = 5.00 g/cm3, Z = 2. The structure was determined using three-dimensional single crystal X-ray diffraction data and consists of isolated trinuclear units formed by edge sharing of three FeSe4 tetrahedrons. In the several compounds the FeFe distances between chains are 6 A, and vary from 2.6 to 4.2 A within the chains. The FeS distances are 2.3 – 2.4 A, the SFeS angles are tetrahedral and the BaS distances are essentially equal to the sum of the ionic radii. The corresponding distances in the selenides reflect the larger size of the anion.
Computational analysis of gene expression space associated with metastatic cancer

Prostate carcinoma is among the most common types of cancer affecting hundreds of thousands people every year. Once the metastatic form of prostate carcinoma is documented, the majority of patients die from their tumors as opposed to other causes. The key to successful treatment is in the earliest possible diagnosis, as well as understanding the molecular mechanisms of metastatic progression. A number of recent studies have identified multiple biomarkers for metastatic progression. However, most of the studies consider only direct comparison between metastatic and non-metastatic classes of samples. We propose an alternative concept of analysis that considers the entire multidimensional space of gene expression and identifies the partition of this space in which metastatic development is possible. To apply this concept in cancer gene expression studies we utilize a modification of high-dimension natural taxonomy algorithm FOREL. Our analysis of microarray data containing primary and metastatic cancer samples has revealed not only differentially expressed genes, but also relations between different groups of primary and metastatic cancer. Metastatic samples tend to occupy a distinct partition of gene expression space. Further pathway analysis suggests that this partition is delineated by a specific pattern of gene expression in cytoskeleton remodeling, cell adhesion and apoptosis/cell survival pathways. We compare our findings with both report of original analysis and recent studies in molecular mechanism of metastasis. Our analysis indicates a single molecular mechanism of metastasis. The new approach does not contradict previously reported findings, but reveals important details unattainable with traditional methodology.
RECEPTOR-MEDIATED RIBOSOME BINDING TO LIPOSOMES DEPENDS ON LIPID COMPOSITION

Ribosome binding to the endoplasmic reticulum has been traditionally studied using an in vitro assay in which potential ribosome receptors have been purified, incorporated into synthetic liposomes, and tested for activity. One such receptor (180 kDa; "p180") has been shown to bind ribosomes with high affinity in such a system when purified to homogeneity. This result has been challenged by data generated in other laboratories, and as a result, doubt has lingered as to the authenticity of p180 as a ribosome receptor. The contribution of the major difference between these studies, the lipid composition of the liposomes used in the in vitro assays, was assessed when identical fractions of rough endoplasmic reticulum-specific membrane proteins were incorporated into liposomes composed of only phosphatidylcholine (as used in other laboratories), a 50:50 mix of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine (as used in our original studies), or lipids derived from canine pancreatic microsomes (as a physiologically relevant control). The presence of PS was found to be crucial for the incorporation into and ribosome binding activity of p180 in liposomes. These observations are compatible with published studies on the importance of acidic phospholipids in ribosome binding to intact microsomes and reconcile the apparently conflicting in vitro results surrounding the assignment of p180 as a ribosome receptor.
Marcus and the New Theory of Reference: A Reply to Scott Soames

We are engaged in an inquiry in the history of philosophy. Specifically, we are inquiring into the historical origins of the New Theory of Reference. Relevant to this inquiry are arguments about the meaning of texts by Marcus, Kripke and others. I do not believe it is relevant or helpful to adopt the sort of language that Soames uses in his reply, when he sees fit to call my work “careless, incompetent, grotesquely inaccurate, shameful, scandalous, and irresponsible”. Philosophical disagreements are not solved by the disputants labelling each other’s work with a variety of negative and emotive epithets; they are solved by presenting sound arguments, and I shall confine myself to presenting arguments in my reply to Soames.
Comparison of an In Vitro Skin Model to Normal Human Skin for Dermatological Research

EpiDermy, an in vitro human skin equivalent (HSE), was compared to normal human breast skin (NHS) to morphologically and biochemically assess its feasibility for dermatologi- cal research. Intralot and interlot variability was studied in day 0, 1, 2, and 3 in vitro cultures and in day 0, 3, 5, and 7 NHS. For NHS, light microscopy (LM) at day 0 showed stratified epidermis which exhibited an increase in vacuoles and dark basal cells as storage increased to 3, 5, and 7 days. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed typical organelles in the epidermis and a convoluted basement membrane at day 0. With increased storage, vacuoles and paranuclear clefts became numerous, necrosis increased, tonofilaments became less organized, and overall cellular integrity decreased. Biochemical data showed consistent MTT and glucose utilization (GU) through day 5, while lactate production decreased to 75% by day 3. By LM, day 0 HSE consisted of a thick, compact, stratum corneum that sent projections between the stratum granulosum cells. By TEM, the configuration, organization, differentiation, distribution, and frequency of the organelles differed slightly from NHS. In addition, the basement membrane of the HSE was not completely differentiated, and the dermis was thin and acellular. Although day 1 and 2 cultures showed little change, day 3 exhibited an overall degeneration. Biochemical analysis showed GU and lactate production decreased through day 3. In conclusion, the EpiDermy HSE, although exhibiting slight differences, was morphologically and biochemically similar to normal human epidermis and may be a valuable model in assessing the toxicology, metabolism, or pharmacology of nonvesicating compounds.Microsc. Res. Tech., 37:172-179, 1997. r 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Long-term outcome of prostatic stent treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate the long-term result of prostatic stent treatment for patients with benign prostatichyperplasia (BPH). Methods. We reviewed our experience with prostatic stents in 24 patients with bladder outlet obstruction caused by BPH for whom up to 63 months of follow-up data were available. Results. Prostatic stents were successfully placed in 24 of 25 patients enrolled in the study. All 9 patientstreated for urinary retention voided spontaneously after stent placement. In 14 (93%) of 15 patients with nonretention, voiding symptoms decreased by 50% or more. The stent was removed in 9 patients for persistence of symptoms, symptom recurrence, or stent migration. Nine patients died of unrelated causes during the follow-up period. The stents functioned adequately in these patients until death. In the remaining 6 patients, the stent was still in place at the last follow-up visit (range 12 to 52 months, average 35) after placement, and their Madsen-Iversen symptom scores ranged from 3 to 10. Fourteen patients underwent cystoscopy 1 to 37 months after stent placement. Epithelium did not completely cover the stent in any of these patients; however, no stone formation was noted. Conclusions. Prostatic stents can be effective in relieving bladder outlet obstruction caused by BPH. They appear to be most useful in patients at high surgical risk and with a limited life expectancy. However, stent removal, which can be difficult, may be required in more than one-third of patients. We recommend prostatic stent placement primarily in patients who would otherwise be relegated to an indwelling catheter.
Aortopulmonary septal defect due to staphylococcal endocarditis.

The first known case of aortopulmonary septal defect due to infective endocarditis is reported. A 21-year-old man with aortic insufficiency due to active staphylococcal endocarditis required aortic valve replacement. A week later a faint continuous murmur was first heard, which became very loud the next day. An aortopulmonary septal defect was confirmed by cardiac catheterization. Fifty-six hours after the continuous murmur was first heard, he developed florid pulmonary edema and died. Aortopulmonary septal defect due to staphylococcal endocarditis was confirmed at postmortem examination. This case illustrates the malignant nature of an aortopulmonary septal defect due to staphylococcal endocarditis.
Comparative nephrotoxicity of gentamicin and tobramycin in rats

A rat model was utilized to compare the nephrotoxic potential of gentamicin and tobramycin. Gentamicin, 40 mg/kg per day, predictably produced renal failure and morphological evidence of proximal tubular necrosis over 14 days of treatment. An identical dosage of tobramycin was associated with only minimal morphological changes and normal concentrations of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Similar results were obtained even after the tobramycin dosage was tripled to 120 mg/kg per day. A decrease in urine osmolality, mechanism unknown, was observed in all aminoglycoside-treated rats, but the lowest osmolalities were found in the gentamicin-treated rats. According to both histological criteria and renal function measurements, gentamicin was more nephrotoxic than tobramycin in this animal model.
The stability of thermally induced flow in the coreless induction furnace

Abstract The stability of the previously derived steady laminar flow of an idealized induction furnace is analysed by means of the perturbation technique commonly used for stability analyses [1]. It is shown that the minimum critical Grashof number for molten iron is 19 000 occurring for a skin depth to radius ratio of one half. Calculation then shows that the tolerable temperature gradient across a radius is very small so that stirring action under the influence of thermal buoyancy forces is generally turbulent.
Psychotropic medication use at a private eating disorders treatment facility: A retrospective chart review and descriptive data analysis.

Background: The extent of psychotropic medication use in patients with eating disorders worldwide is unknown.
Erosional Consequence of Saltcedar Control

Removal of nonnative riparian trees is accelerating to conserve water and improve habitat for native species. Widespread control of dominant species, however, can lead to unintended erosion. Helicopter herbicide application in 2003 along a 12-km reach of the Rio Puerco, New Mexico, eliminated the target invasive species saltcedar (Tamarix spp.), which dominated the floodplain, as well as the native species sandbar willow (Salix exigua Nuttall), which occurred as a fringe along the channel. Herbicide application initiated a natural experiment testing the importance of riparian vegetation for bank stability along this data-rich river. A flood three years later eroded about 680,000 m3 of sediment, increasing mean channel width of the sprayed reach by 84%. Erosion upstream and downstream from the sprayed reach during this flood was inconsequential. Sand eroded from channel banks was transported an average of 5 km downstream and deposited on the floodplain and channel bed. Although vegetation was killed across the floodplain in the sprayed reach, erosion was almost entirely confined to the channel banks. The absence of dense, flexible woody stems on the banks reduced drag on the flow, leading to high shear stress at the toe of the banks, fluvial erosion, bank undercutting, and mass failure. The potential for increased erosion must be included in consideration of phreatophyte control projects.
Entropy evolution for the Baker map

Gibbs entropy is invariant for the Baker map. A Jordan basis spectral decomposition of the Baker Frobenius-Perron operator suggests that any initial density evolves to the stationary density that has maximal entropy. This entropy conundrum is resolved by considering the difference between weak and strong convergence. A binary representation is used to make these points transparent.
Expedient generation of patterned surface aldehydes by microfluidic oxidation for chemoselective immobilization of ligands and cells.

An expedient and inexpensive method to generate patterned aldehydes on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold with control of density for subsequent chemoselective immobilization from commercially available starting materials has been developed. Utilizing microfluidic cassettes, primary alcohol oxidation of tetra(ethylene glycol) undecane thiol and 11-mercapto-1-undecanol SAMs was performed directly on the surface generating patterned aldehyde groups with pyridinium chlorochromate. The precise density of surface aldehydes generated can be controlled and characterized by electrochemistry. For biological applications, fibroblast cells were seeded on patterned surfaces presenting biospecifc cell adhesive (Arg–Glyc–Asp) RGD peptides.
Identification of anion and cation pathways in the inner mitochondrial membrane by patch clamping of mouse liver mitoplasts.

Alkalinization of the matrix side of the mitochondrial inner membrane by pH shifts from 6.8 to 8.3 caused a reversible increase in current of 3.2±0.2 pA (mean±se,n=21) at±40 mV measured using patch-clamp techniques. The current increase was reversed in a graded fashion by the addition of Mg2+ in 0.15m KCl corresponds to approximately 15 pS. Reversal potentials derived from whole patch currents indicated that the inner mitochondrial membrane was primarily cation selective at pH 6.8 with aP k/P Cl=32 (n=6). Treatment with alkaline pH (8.3) increased the current and anion permeability (P K/P Cl=16,n=6). The membrane becomes completely cation selective when low concentrations (12 μm) of the drug propranolol are added. The amphiphilic drugs amiodarone (4 μm), propranolol (70 μm) and quinine (0.6mm) blocked almost all of the current. The pH-dependent current was also inhibited by tributyltin. These results are consistent with the presence of two pathways in the inner mitochondrial membrane. One is cation selective and generally open and the other is anion selective and induced by alkaline pH. The alkaline pH-activated channel likely corresponds to the inner membrane anion channel postulated by others from suspension studies.
Fusions of character tables III: Fusions of cyclic groups and a generalisation of a condition of Camina

In this paper we characterise finite groups whose character tables fuse from the character table of a cyclic group. We also show a connection with a generalisation of the Camina pair condition introduced by Camina in [Ca].
Nonlinear dynamic range transformation in visual communication channels

The article evaluates nonlinear dynamic range transformation in the context of the end-to-end continuous-input/discrete processing/continuous-display imaging process. Dynamic range transformation is required when we have the following: (i) the wide dynamic range encountered in nature is compressed into the relatively narrow dynamic range of the display, particularly for spatially varying irradiance (e.g., shadow); (ii) coarse quantization is expanded to the wider dynamic range of the display; and (iii) nonlinear tone scale transformation compensates for the correction in the camera amplifier.
Occult Pneumococcal Bacteremia and the Febrile Infant and Young Child A Clinical Review

Occult pneumonoccemia (OP) is unsuspected Streptococcus pneumoniae bac teremia occurring in a previously well child who presents with fever associated with either no focus or an upper respiratory focus of infection. In this report, four cases of OP are presented and the literature is reviewed. The risk of OP appears highest for children, seen in urban emergency rooms and clinics, who are 6 to 24 months of age with rectal temperatures ≥ 38.9 C (102 F) and who have white blood cell counts ≥ 15,000/mm3. Other symptoms associated with OP include irritability, rhinorrhea, and febrile seizures. When recalled because of positive blood cultures, 40 per cent of untreated patients with OP had had spontaneous resolution of their illness, 29 per cent had per sistent fever or symptoms and sterile blood cultures, 22 per cent had persistent fever or symptoms and positive blood cultures, while 10 per cent had a febrile course complicated by pneumococcal meningitis.
Fecundity selection in a sunflower crop-wild study: can ecological data predict crop allele changes?

Genes that spread from transgenic crops to populations of weedy relatives can be a cause of concern if fitness-related, transgenic traits persist and enhance weed invasiveness. Studies of the prevalence of crop-specific genetic markers in wild populations can provide data on such introgression. We conducted a field experiment in eastern Kansas to measure changes in frequencies of crop-specific genetic markers in wild sunflower (Helianthus an- nuus). Three allozyme markers were monitored in three artificial populations that each initially consisted of 100 wild and 100 F1 hybrid plants. Survival, flowering time, and average seed production per plant were quantified during the first year of the study (1997). Hybrid plants produced only 1-2% as many seeds per plant as wild plants but did not differ in survivorship. Simple selection models incorporating fecundity differences between wild and F1 hybrids accurately predicted crop allele frequencies in the 1998 seedlings. We predicted that fre- quencies of crop alleles in 1998 would average ;0.03 for the three populations. Crop-specific allele frequencies dropped from the initial level of 0.25 to a mean of 0.03 in the 1998 seedlings and averaged 0.05 in the next generation of seeds. Accounting for differences in flowering phenology and predispersal seed predation did not improve the accuracy of our predictions for 1998 seedlings. Our results suggest that ecological data can be useful for estimating the frequencies of crop genes following episodes of crop-wild hybridization in sunflowers. This approach can be applied to other study systems in which data on survivorship and fecundity are used to estimate a genotype's evolutionary fitness.
Mentoring Talented Science Students: Knowing the Options

The dilemma that propelled Jeff and his older brother Mark to an international high school science competition began when their mother, who feared they would contract the West Nile virus, insisted that the boys cover any exposed skin when outside. Determined to prove that it was not necessary to wear long sleeved shirts and pants on hot summer days, Jeff and Mark explored methods to assess their chances of contracting the West Nile virus if bitten by a mosquito in their Connecticut hometown. “The Science Boys,” a title bestowed by a local newspaper reporter (Murphy, 2004), worked with chemistry teacher and mentor David White, who helped the boys master a powerful software program necessary for their investigation. Jeff and Mark's curiosity, persistence and hard work led to their participation in the Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science and Technology and a prize of $100,000. Why were Jeff and Mark successful in their endeavor when evidence shows that many students with high aptitude in scienc...
Effects of Spironolactone on Laying Pullets

Abstract IN AN earlier paper (Mueller, 1962) it was reported that the diuretics mercuhydrin, cardalin and acetazolamide interfered with egg shell formation. The present report deals with the aldosterone antagonist spironolactone which causes diuresis in mammals. Reviews on aldosterone antagonists have been prepared by Bartter (1960) and DeStevens (1963). It is generally agreed that spironolactone causes diuresis by blocking the urinary electrolyte effects of aldosterone and other mineralocorticoids. Thus, spironolactone causes an increase in sodium and a decrease in potassium excretion. All evidence indicates that spironolactone acts at the kidney level; it does not inhibit aldosterone formation at normal dosages. The effectiveness of spironolactone in mammals is limited. The changes in electrolyte balance are usually observed only in the presence of hyperaldosteronism (Salassa et al., 1958) or in adrenalectomized animals (Kagawa, 1960). In intact rats and dogs Kagawa (1960) found no changes in urine volume and sodium excretion after spironolactone doses …
Extracting Experimental Information from Large Matrixes. 1. A New Algorithm for the Application of Matrix Rank Analysis

For many, especially complex, systems, modern spectroscopic measurements can be generated as large experimental data sets in matrix form. We report a new algorithm for the application of matrix rank analysis to extract significant experimental information from these large matrixes. The algorithm may be used to detect and remove erroneous rows and/or columns from the matrixes and to monitor the most significant experimental information along the rows and/or columns of the data sets. A new method for determining the number of absorbing species and a new concept for the treatment of experimental errors are presented. The algorithm is illustrated on real experimental examples.
A cooperative beads-on-a-string approach to exceptionally stable DNA triplexes

A poly(dT) oligomer can serve as the string on which synthetic hairpins possessing poly(dA) and poly(dT) arms connected by a hydrophobic perylene diimide linker are assembled like beads on a string. The synthetic hairpins form head-to-head dimers and trimers, respectively, in the absence of the poly(dT) string and in the presence of a string with inverted polarity at mid-strand. However, they assemble in cooperative head-to-tail fashion on normal poly(dT) oligomers.
A Treatment-Based Classification Approach to Low Back Syndrome: Identifying and Staging Patients for Conservative Treatment

We present a treatment-based classification approach to the conservative management of low back syndrome. The approach has three levels of classification based on historical information, behavior of symptoms, and clinical signs. We first distinguish patients whose conservative care can be managed predominantly and independently by physical therapists versus patients who require consultation with other services (eg, psychology) or who require referral because of possible serious nonmusculoskeletal pathology. Once patients who can be managed by physical therapists are identified, the next level of classification is to stage their condition with regard to severity. We propose three stages: stage I for patients in the acute phase where the therapeutic goal is symptom relief, stage II for patients in a subacute phase where symptom relief and quick return to normal function are encouraged, and stage III for selected patients who must return to activities requiring high physical demands and who demonstrate a lack of physical conditioning necessary to perform the desired activities safely. The remainder of the article focuses on a third level of classification for stage I only in which patients are classified into distinct categories that are treatment-based and that specifically guide conservative management. The entire approach is diagnosis based, with specific algorithms and decision rules as well as examples presented.
New visiting scientists in NSF's Earth sciences

The National Science Foundation's Division of Earth Sciences has hired two new rotators to serve as program directors, as part of the ongoing visiting scientists program. The new directors are Jonathan Fink in Geochemistry and Petrology, and L. Douglas James in Hydrological Sciences. Fink has exchanged roles for 1 year with NSF's John Snyder, who is on sabbatical at Arizona State University. Fink's current research includes studies of how the Theological properties of magma govern the emplacement of volcanic domes and lava flows, and the gravitational control on their mass movements. This research extends to the mechanisms of igneous intrusion and interpretation of volcanic features in extraterrestrial and submarine environments.
Recombinant Factor VIIa for Refractory Bleeding Following Orthotopic Heart Transplantation

OBJECTIVETo report a case of successful use of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) for the treatment of refractory bleeding in a patient undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation.Case SummaryA 57-year-old white male with idiopathic cardiomyopathy was taken to the operating room for explantation of his left-ventricular assist device and orthotopic heart transplantation. He experienced excessive generalized oozing that required transfusions of multiple units of blood products and significant amounts of Cellsaver (washed red blood cells via autotransfusion) without achieving adequate hemostasis. After ruling out any obvious surgical sources of bleeding and attempting to correct all coagulation deficiencies, the clinicians administered rFVIIa 90 μg/kg. The oozing rapidly declined to a negligible level, chest tubes and sternal wires were placed, and the chest was closed. The patient was on minimal inotropic support and was transferred to the intensive care unit in stable condition.DISCUSSIONCardiac surgery is o...
EFFECT OF PLATFORM EXPOSURE DURATION ON ACQUISITION PERFORMANCE IN AN AUTOMATED ONE-WAY AVOIDANCE PROCEDURE

An automated one-way avoidance procedure was used to study the effect of platform exposure duration on the acquisition of an avoidance response. Rats were required to jump onto a raised platform at one end of the chamber either to avoid or escape a footshock preceded by a buzzer. The platform was made unavailable to the rat when the movable sliding wall closed and covered the platform. The duration of the interval the rat was allowed to remain on the exposed platform was varied. Acquisition of the avoidance response was shown to be a function of the platform exposure duration.
The design of an array visualization

We present the visualization of an array for a visual programming language, designed with the qualities of transparency, clarity, visual appeal and efficiency in mind. These qualities are essential to making the array useful to our target users, people without significant programming experience or computer-science background. We then implemented the visualization in the visual programming language known as the Data Factory, and ran a preliminary experiment to help us evaluate the design.
GRIFT: A graphical model for inferring visual classification features from human data

This paper describes a new model for human visual classification that enables the recovery of image features that explain human subjects' performance on different visual classification tasks. Unlike previous methods, this algorithm does not model their performance with a single linear classifier operating on raw image pixels. Instead, it represents classification as the combination of multiple feature detectors. This approach extracts more information about human visual classification than previous methods and provides a foundation for further exploration.
FOSL1 Is Integral to Establishing the Maternal-Fetal Interface

Remodeling of uterine spiral arteries by trophoblast cells is a requisite process for hemochorial placentation and successful pregnancy. The rat exhibits deep intrauterine trophoblast invasion and accompanying trophoblast-directed vascular modification. The involvement of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), AKT, and Fos-like antigen 1 (FOSL1) in regulating invasive trophoblast and hemochorial placentation was investigated using Rcho-1 trophoblast stem cells and rat models. Disruption of PI3K/AKT with small-molecule inhibitors interfered with the differentiation-dependent elaboration of a signature invasive-vascular remodeling trophoblast gene expression profile and trophoblast invasion. AKT isoform-specific knockdown also affected the signature invasive-vascular remodeling trophoblast gene expression profile. Nuclear FOSL1 increased during trophoblast cell differentiation in a PI3K/AKT-dependent manner. Knockdown of FOSL1 disrupted the expression of a subset of genes associated with the invasive-vascular remodeling trophoblast phenotype, including the matrix metallopeptidase 9 gene (Mmp9). FOSL1 was shown to occupy regions of the Mmp9 promoter in trophoblast cells critical for the regulation of Mmp9 gene expression. Inhibition of FOSL1 expression also abrogated trophoblast invasion, as assessed in vitro and following in vivo trophoblast-specific lentivirally delivered FOSL1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA). In summary, FOSL1 is a key downstream effector of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway responsible for development of trophoblast lineages integral to establishing the maternal-fetal interface.
Noise coupling in multi-voltage power distribution systems with decoupling capacitors

Multiple supply voltages are often used in modern high performance ICs, such as microprocessors, to decrease power consumption without affecting circuit speed. A decoupling capacitor system for use in multiple supply power distribution systems is described. In order to minimize the total impedance of a multi-voltage power delivery system, as seen from a particular power supply, a decoupling capacitor is placed between the power supplies. The noise at one power supply can propagate to the other power supply, causing power and signal integrity problems in the overall system. With the introduction of a second power supply, therefore, the interaction between the two power distribution networks must be considered. The dependence of the magnitude of the voltage transfer function on the parameters of the power distribution system is investigated. It is shown that the magnitude of the voltage transfer function is strongly dependent on the parasitic inductance of the decoupling capacitors, decreasing with smaller inductance. It is also shown that it is highly desirable to maintain the effective series inductance of the decoupling capacitors as low as possible to decrease the overshoot of the response of the dual voltage power distribution system over a wide range of operating frequencies. Finally, a criterion for an overshoot-free voltage response is presented.
The simulation automation system (SAS); concepts, implementation, and results

The simulation automation system (SAS) was developed to provide an efficient simulation environment, by automating the entire simulation process. This system can be classified, by its salient unique features, into: automatic model generator (AMG), automatic simulator developer (ASD), and design error simulation and test system (DEST). The system can automatically generate multivalued simulation models and automatically develop various simulators, using domain specific automatic programming techniques. The automatic model generation feature can be used when a new model library is built or when an existing library is upgraded. The automatic simulator development feature allows a user who may not be knowledgeable about simulators, to easily develop unique simulators, which can be used for special purposes or special designs. SAS can also verify designs using the Design Error Simulation and Test System. It provides a confidence measure of the verification, as well as simulation results. When users are not satisfied with the confidence level achieved after simulation, they can automatically generate additional simulation patterns for design errors in order to achieve a higher confidence level. Using this approach, design verification time and cost can be considerably reduced, and an actual measure of verification is provided. Consequently, the design cycle can be considerably reduced. This is especially significant for large, complex systems. >
Photosynthesis and carbohydrate partitioning in sweet cherry: Fruiting effects

The effect of fruiting on carbon fixation and retention in leaves was monitored by measuring net photosynthesis (Pn) and total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) on a seasonal basis on mature fruiting and non-fruiting sweet cherry trees (Prunus avium L. cv. Bing). Pn was also measured diurnally during stages II and III of fruit development. Pn rates increased to between 18 and 20 mg CO2 dm-2 h-1 during stage II of fruit development and were maintained until harvest. Diurnally, Pn increased in the morning to 20 mg CO2 dm-2 h-1 and this rate continued until sunset. Leaf carbohydrate levels decreased in both fruiting and non-fruiting trees beginning at the equivalent of stage II of fruit growth. Carbohydrates were lower in leaves and woody portions of current, 1- and 2-year-old shoots of fruiting trees. Although differences were found in levels of non-structural carbohydrates, no differences in Pn were found in fruiting vs non-fruiting plants on either a seasonal or a diurnal basis. Pn rates in swet cherry in the field were primarily affected by ontogeny and environment and not by sink strength.
Democracy and the Management of International Conflict

The research reported here extends investigation of the democracy-war hypothesis by focusing on the norms of dispute resolution integral to the democratic process. If we extend these norms to the international arena, then it becomes reasonable to expect democratic states to adopt compromise solutions to international problems. One implication of this logic is that democracies are likely to be more amenable than others to efforts of third parties to resolve or ameliorate interstate disputes. This hypothesis is examined in the present study. A sample of strictly interstate disputes acquired from the Alker-Sherman disaggregated conflict set provide the basis for this inquiry. Democracy is assessed for each disputant party with the composite index from the Polity II data collection. In order to control for extraneous effects on the probability of management, the author develops a baseline model consisting of prior management activity, the costs of conflict, and the power of the disputants. Because the depende...
Listening into the Dark: An Essay Testing the Validity and Efficacy of Collaborative Developmental Action Inquiry for Describing and Encouraging Transformations of Self, Society, and Scientific Inquiry

Collaborative Developmental Action Inquiry (CDAI) is introduced as a meta- paradigmatic approach to social science and social action that encompasses seven other more familiar paradigms (e.g., behaviorism, empirical positivism, and postmodern interpretivism) and that triangulates among third-person, objectivity-seeking social scientific inquiry, second-person, transformational, mutuality-seeking political inquiry, and first-person, adult, spiritual inquiry and consciousness development in the emerging present. CDAI tests findings, not only against third-person criteria of validity as do quantitative, positivist studies and qualitative, interpretive studies, but also against first- and second-person criteria of validity, as well as criteria of efficacy in action. CDAI introduces the possibility of treating, not just formal third-person studies, but any and all activities in one's daily life in an inquiring manner. The aim of this differently-scientific approach is not only theoretical, generalizable knowledge, but also knowledge that generates increasingly timely action in particular cases in the relationships that mean the most to the inquirer. To illustrate and explain why the CDAI approach can explain unusually high percentages of the variance in whether or not organizations actually transform, all three types of validity-testing are applied to a specific study of intended transformation in ten organizations. The ten organization study found that adding together the performance of each organization's CEO and lead consultant predicted 59% of the variance, beyond the .01 level, in whether and how the organization transformed (as rated by three scorers who achieved between .90 and 1.0 reliability). The essay concludes with a comparison between the empirical positivist paradigm of inquiry and the Collaborative Developmental Action Inquiry paradigm.
2-Facility manifold location routing problem

The location routing problem (LRP), known to be the combination of the facility location and vehicle routing problems, is solved in the literature by either assuming planar or spherical surfaces. In this work, the manifold location routing problem (MLRP), that is an LRP on Riemannian manifold surfaces, is explained for the 2-facility (2-MLRP) case with the corresponding heuristic algorithm solution. The 2-MLRP problem is a mixed integer non-linear programming problem that is determined to be NP-hard. Special cases of MLRP include LRP on planar surfaces, when the manifold’s curvature is 0, and LRP on spherical surfaces when the curvature of the manifold is 1.
A Turnpike Property Of Optimal Programs For A Class Of Simple Linear Models Of Production

This paper establishes a `turnpike theorem' for a closed linear model of production with a primitive input requirement matrix. Optimal programs of resource allocation have a `turnpike property' if the growth factor of every sector in the economy converges, in the long run, to a common value. The usefulness of such a theorem is due to the fact that the input requirement matrix for an economy with a large number of goods may be primitive (some power of the matrix is strictly positive).
Defense Applications

The High-Performance Computing Modernization Program's software development efforts help provide the DoD with superior technology faster and at a reduced cost.