cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reproductive short-shoots of Ginkgo biloba: A quantitative analysis of the disposition of axillary structures.

Ginkgo biloba , the only living representative in an otherwise extinct clade, is of pivotal importance to understanding seed plant phylogeny. Although G. biloba and its fossil relatives have been studied for over two centuries, there are both gaps and contradictions in the information available. We present data documenting the distributions of strobili and consider what an understanding of the disposition of strobili along short-shoots in Ginkgo adds to knowledge of the evolution of reproductive structures in seed plants in general. The megasporangiate strobili are found at and around the boundary between bracts and foliage leaves, while the expanse of microsporangiate strobili centers on the fi fth bract back from that boundary. Quantitative analysis of the locations of the strobili along the short-shoot fi nds that increases in numbers of strobili are the result of recruitment of adjacent axils into morphogenetic activity. Gaps in the series of strobili are exceedingly rare. Further, while increased numbers of megasporangiate strobili arise from the symmetrical addition of axils into the fertile zone, increased numbers of microsporangiate strobili arise from a distinctly asymmetrical, basipetally biased, addition of axillary positions. This accurate morphological framework should orient molecular genetic studies that probe gymnosperm development itself or that consider gymnosperms as the proximate sources of gene expression redeployed in the origin of the angiosperm fl ower.
Strontium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus Content of Rat Incisors as Determined by Electron Microprobe Analysis

Divalent cation and phosphorus content of normal and strontium-laden rat maxillary incisors was determined by electron microprobe analysis. A high positive correlation of magnesium and strontium distributions was found. Where strontium was elevated, calcium was only slightly depressed. Phosphorus appeared to be distributed randomly.
A Study on Studies: Exploring the Metadata Associated with dbGaP Studies

The database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP) was developed by the National Heart Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to archive genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data. As of July 17th 2012, dbGaP contained 305 top-level studies. The metadata for each study (available from the dbGaP website) are organized into distinct sections, including a study description, inclusion/exclusion criteria, policies for authorized access requests, MeSH terms, PubMed identifiers, study histories, and the names of principal and co-investigators. We here tabulate the salient characteristics of dbGaP metadata as part of the Phenotype Discoverer (PhD) project, a research project at the University of California San Diego Division of Biomedical Informatics which aims to enhance the """"searchability"""" of the current dbGaP website through the alignment of phenotypes to a standard information model. In particular, we are interested in using the extracted metadata PubMed identifiers, principal investigator names, associated journal names, etc. as input to a statistical text
On-line HPLC/GC techniques for the analyses of biomass derived hydrocarbons

An automated on-line high-performance liquid chromatography/gas chromatography (HPLC/GC) technique was developed for the analysis of biomass extractables (biocrude) as renewable sources of energy. The method was developed with a simulated biocrude mixture of n-alkane and terpenoid standards, and was applied to a sample from Pedilanthus macrocarpus (Euphorbiaceae). Hydrocarbon group-type separations were achieved by using normal-phase HPLC. On-line injections into a GC equipped with glass capillary column provided separations of the individual constituents. The technique can be used to monitor the agronomic development of bioenergy crops to optimize the production of the economically significant components.
Personal Values and Media Usefulness of Mature Travelers

Abstract This study expands our understanding of the mature market by investigating the importance of nine personal values and the usefulness of 19 media sources in a travel context. Findings from a survey of 235 travelers are reported. Results suggest that the three dominant values are Self-Respect, Warm Relations with Others, and Security. The most useful media sources include recommendations from family/friends, feature stories in mass media, and quasi-governmental outlets. Implications for marketing professionals and future research are offered.
Measurement of Ambiguity Tolerance

Presented definitions for the construct of ambiguity tolerance. The measure of ambiguity tolerance (MAT-50) had high internal reliability (r = .88) and high test-retest reliability (r = .86) over a 10-to-12 week period. A content analysis of the measure and a subjective analysis by 20 graduate students indicated adequate content validity. A multivariate comparison with two other ambiguity measures, two rigidity measures, and a short dogmatism measure provided strong evidence for criteria-related validity. Finally, four independent empirical studies showed good construct validity.
An outcome-coded birth file from machine readable vital records

We developed a computer program which generates an outcome-coded birth file from a standard birth file and a matched birth-infant death file. This program uses only anonymous computerized vital records of the kind available to researchers in most states. Despite a large population (Illinois 1977 births totaled 178,728) all death records were uniquely matched with birth records, allowing creation of the desired file. Such a file permits the researcher to use a variety of standard software packages without the problems of data re-entry or the use of multiple input files. Creating this outcome-coded file is relatively inexpensive, can be done without enlisting special assistance from state vital records personnel, does not require access to restricted files, and greatly streamlines use of perinatal vital records for research applications, especially multivariable modeling.
Serum Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein Levels in Collegiate Soccer Athletes over the Duration of an Athletic Season A Pilot Study

Objective:The primary objective of this study was to measure serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (sCOMP) levels weekly in a group of collegiate soccer athletes over the duration of a spring s...
Correlations in High-Energy Production Processes

Rapidity distributions for two-particle inclusive reactions are calculated from the nova model which has been successful at reproducing the single-particle distributions. Particular attention is given to the $2{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ correlations in ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}p$ and $\mathrm{pp}$ collisions for which data are available. Good agreement with data provides further evidence for a strong clustering of secondaries in particle production at present machine energies, a feature inferred previously from the analysis of single-particle distributions. We stress the importance of measuring the energy dependence of $〈n(n\ensuremath{-}1)〉$, the quantity which normalizes the two-particle distribution. A number of other features of correlation experiments are discussed. General properties of particle production are emphasized in reviewing the nova model.
Orbital Debris Mitigation Using Minimum Uncertainty Optical States [Point of View]

A large amount of space debris has already accumulated in near-Earth space at an alarming rate. If scientists and engineers still cannot figure out a way to clean up the accumulating junk in space, some of this debris will likely fall into the Earth's atmosphere. This article discusses an option for cleaning up this space debris based on minimum uncertainty optical states. In this concept, these states are formed routinely as specific spatial and temporal distribution of light generated by optically adjusted lasers from the International Space Station (ISS), and is transmitted to a microsatellite as a minimum uncertainty spatial mode. The transmitted power is then converted to a train of minimum uncertainty space-time pulses at nearby microsatellite and is used to push space debris away from the ISS. However, the suggested experiment requires the installation of a state-of-the-art laser on the Kibo facility, which is now found on the ISS. This laser facility can provide adequate power and cooling capabilities, as well as a location for the laser, the optics, and the pointing and tracking required in performing the experiment. Though potential problems are expected to arise in implementing this experiment, the possibility of mitigating this orbital debris to keep the Earth's path into space open is still good news. It will be up to engineers and scientists to use these tools wisely and in a timely manner.
Effects of chemical competition for multi-metal binding by Medicago sativa (alfalfa).

Abstract Alfalfa shoot biomass has demonstrated the ability to bind an appreciable amount of cadmium(II), chromium(III), copper(II), lead(II), nickel(II), and zinc(II) separately from aqueous solutions. Since most heavy metal contaminated waters contain more than one heavy metal ion, it was necessary to determine the binding abilities of the alfalfa biomass with multi-metal solutions. Batch laboratory experiments were performed with a solution containing 0.1 mM of each of the following metal ions: cadmium(II), chromium(III), copper(II), lead(II), nickel(II), and zinc(II). We determined the pH profile, time dependency, and binding capacity by the alfalfa biomass of each metal ion under multi-elemental conditions. For all the metal ions studied, the alfalfa biomass showed to have a high affinity for metal binding around pH 5.0 within a time period of approximately 5 min. The binding capacity experiments showed that there was a preferential binding of the metal ions from the multi-elemental solution with the following amounts of metal ion bound per gram of biomass: 368.5 μmol/g for copper(II), 215.4 μmol/g for chromium(III), 168.0 μmol/g for lead(II), 56.9 μmol/g for zinc(II), 49.2 μmol/g for nickel(II), and 40.3 μmol/g for cadmium(II). Reacting the biomass from the capacity experiments with 0.1 M HCl resulted in 90% or greater recovery of bound cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc. However, only 44% of the bound chromium was recovered. These experiments show the ability of Medicago sativa (alfalfa) to bind several metal ions under multi-contaminant conditions. Similar results were obtained when the experiments were performed under flow conditions using silica-immobilized alfalfa biomass. Chromium bound on the silica-immobilized biomass was also difficult to be desorbed with 0.1 M HCl. The information obtained will be useful for the future development of an innovative technology to remove heavy metal contaminants from polluted ground waters.
The Structure of Southern Electoral Behavior

The distinctiveness of southern electoral behavior has been a well-studied aspect of politics in the region. While distinctiveness can refer to absolute differences in attitudes and behavior, it also can refer to the structure of electoral behavior, and that is the focus of this article. Developments in the region and in the nation suggest that the structure of electoral behavior may no longer be different in the North and the South. This possibility is examined using data from several recent General Social Surveys, merged to yield large Ns for the regions. The analysis results show little difference between the regions in both the social and the attitudinal sources of partisan choice.
Abstract LB-381: Biochemical characterization of recombinant β-glucosyltransferase and analysis of global 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in unique genomes

5-Hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) is an enzymatic oxidative product of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC). The Ten Eleven Translocation (TET) family of enzymes catalyze the conversion of 5-mC to 5-hmC. Phage-encoded glucosyltransferases are known to glucosylate 5-hmC, which can be utilized to detect and analyze the 5-hmC as an epigenetic mark in the mammalian epigenome. Here we have performed a detailed biochemical characterization and steady-state kinetic parameter analysis of T4 phage β-glucosyltransferase (β-GT). Recombinant β-GT glucosylates 5-hmC DNA in a nonprocessive manner, and binding to either 5-hmC DNA or uridine diphosphoglucose (UDP-glucose) substrates is random, with both binary complexes being catalytically competent. Product inhibition studies with β-GT demonstrated that UDP is a competitive inhibitor with respect to UDP-glucose and a mixed inhibitor with respect to 5-hmC DNA. Similarly, the glucosylated-5-hmC (5-ghmC) DNA is a competitive inhibitor with respect to 5-hmC DNA and mixed inhibitor with re...
On the stability of laminar plumes: Some numerical solutions and experiments

Abstract An investigation of the hydrodynamic stability of a laminar plume arising from a horizontal line source of heat was carried out using the Tollmien-Schlichting theory of small disturbances. Inviscid solutions of the Orr-Sommerfeld equation were obtained for both symmetric and asymmetric disturbances and the effect of the Prandtl number on the inviscid stability was calculated for asymmetric disturbances. The base flow was found to be less stable for the asymmetric mode. In addition, the full disturbance momentum equations, coupled and uncoupled from the energy equation, were numerically integrated with the boundary conditions appropriate for asymmetric disturbances superimposed on the symmetric plume base flow. Neutral stability curves have been obtained in terms of the Grashof number. The predominance of the assumed asymmetric mode of flow oscillation was verified experimentally by perturbing a plume, in air, with a vibrating ribbon. A Mach-Zehnder interferometer was used to observe the disturbances as they were converted downstream. The experimental results demonstrate that sufficiently high frequency disturbances are stable as they are converted downstream.
Electronic Document Delivery: New Options for Libraries.

Abstract New document delivery services are enabling librarians to revisit collection development issues. This article examines several remote 'and on-site access systems.
The course of the explosions of combustible/O2/N2 mixtures in vessel-like geometry

The course of explosions of propene/O2/N2 mixtures is determined for initial pressures of 1, 5, 10 and 30 bar abs and initial temperatures of 25 °C and 200 °C in a spherical vessel of 20 l. In the explosion triangle one can distinguish three different regimes where the combustion proceeds deflagrative, detonative and – in a narrow region inbetween these two regimes – in some transitional manner. What really happens in the transitional regime is not yet understood. Pressures turn out to be largest at the outer border of the detonative regime and not in it’s center. This is due to precompression of the yet unreacted mixture caused during the initial deflagrative stage of the combustion. Experiments performed in larger vessels up to 2.5 m3 indicate that these regimes do not vary too much with vessel volume. This observation can at least partly be explained by regarding the predetonation distances determined for these ternary mixtures in pipes as function of composition. Finally, an abundant set of explosion characteristics (explosion limits, deflagration pressure ratios, rates of pressure rise and combustion times) are determined.
Fitting growth curves to retrospective size-at-age data

Abstract The bones and scales of fish are a rich source of information, for they encode in their microstructure the fish’s age and growth history. The growth history in the hard part is used to estimate the somatic growth history of an individual. This, in turn, is used to estimate the growth of the population. Although straightforward in concept, the estimation of retrospective-growth histories and their subsequent use has been problematic. Fisheries scientists have paid a great deal of attention to the proper techniques to estimate somatic growth from hard-part growth. In contrast, little attention has been paid to the use of these retrospective data to estimate population growth. To date, improper analysis of these estimated growth histories abounds in the literature. This first application of nonlinear repeated-measures analysis of the von Bertalanffy growth function, shows that parameter estimates are accurate and precise. I used retrospective sequences of size-at-age for red grouper, Epinephelus morio , to test bias in the use of nonlinear least-squares (NLLS) regression compared with a repeated-measures approach. An NLLS regression assumes that each datum is independent; when this assumption is violated, the parameter estimates that it produces are biased. The results show that the estimate for asymptotic length L ∞ , increasingly underestimates true L ∞ with increased mean age in the catch through the use of observed and simulated data. Although the bias is not large, use of the correct analytic procedure eliminates this bias entirely. Hence, I strongly recommend the use of repeated-measures analysis of these retrospective-growth histories.
An integrated system approach for cash management system internal control

This paper demonstrates a concept model of cash management based on nowadays cash management analysis set up and theory. The relationships in the model are designed to be simple and functional and do not necessarily represent any particular cash management environments. It is meant to be a generic cash management model with implications for represents all the costs of products and operations result from management decisions. It allows the cash managers oversees the activities of all components and interacts with many other sectors that are responsible for the use of an organization's resources. The interrelationships of five primary sectors that are at the cash management system are presented in this paper. This integrated model includes [1] Operating Revenue, [2] Inventory/Purchasing, [3] Investments, [4] Financing, and [5] Accounts Payable. There are interactions within each of these sectors depicted by system loop map.
Action of Bacteriophage on Mixed Strain Starter Cultures. II. Relation to Acid Production of the Proportion of Resistant Bacteria

Summary Plate counts and titratable acidity values were subnormal following the action of bacteriophage on a mixture of one susceptible and one resistant strain of bacteria. When the susceptible strain was used to make up 50 per cent of the total bacterial inoculum, plate counts and titratable acidity values were only slightly below normal. Differences in plate counts were negligible 2 to 3 hr. after the bacteriophage had caused lysis of the susceptible strain. Use of the susceptible strain as 75 per cent of the mixture permitted bacteriophage to cause greater deviations in plate counts and in titratable acidity, but even in mixtures which contained susceptible bacteria as 90 and 95 per cent of the total bacterial inoculum, the production of acid was appreciable and greater than that in cultures which had been inoculated with only resistant bacteria in amounts equal to those used in mixtures.
GaN-Based Light-Emitting Diodes: Efficiency at High Injection Levels

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have become quite a high-performance device of late and are revolutionizing the display and illumination sectors of our economy. Due to demands for better performance and reduced energy consumption there is a constant race towards converting every single electron hole pair in the device to photons and extracting them as well while using only the minimum required voltage. This raises the bar on GaN-based LEDs in terms of elimination of nonradiative recombination processes not just at low but just as importantly if not more at very high injection levels needed for high brightness sources, and design of heterostructures for efficient electron and hole recombination without carrier loss and voltage/photon energy conversion loss. The haunting efficiency droop observed in GaN-based LEDs at high injection levels has been attributed to nonradiative Auger recombination, but can be simply explained by electron spillover. Investigations of quantum well (QW) InGaN LED structures with different barrier heights, widths, and doping suggest that limited hole transport in the active region and the resulting electron spillover is responsible for efficiency droop at high injection levels. In this paper, highly critical, demanding, and challenging nature of high-efficiency high-brightness LEDs, in particular the basics surrounding the internal quantum efficiency of LED structures and the ongoing research/development, will be discussed.
Reexposure breeds recall: effects of experience on 9-month-olds' ordered recall.

On the basis of three experiences, 9-month-olds recall specific events after one month. We tested whether multiple experiences are necessary, or merely facilitative, of 9-month-olds' long-term recall. In two experiments, using deferred imitation, infants were exposed to multi-step sequences either one time, two times, or three times prior to a one-month delay. In Experiment 1, regardless of the number of experiences, infants did not demonstrate recall. In Experiment 2, infants were tested on and reexposed to the events after one week; recall was tested again one month later. Performance after 1 week in Experiment 2 was greater than performance after one month in Experiment 1. Moreover, presumably as a function of reexposure after one week, infants recalled the individual actions of the events one month later. Infants in the three-experience condition also evidenced ordered recall after one month. Implications for the developmental status of the neural substrate supporting long-term recall are discussed.
A Phase II Prospective Multi-Institutional Trial of Adjuvant Active Specific Immunotherapy Following Curative Resection of Colorectal Cancer Hepatic Metastases: Cancer and Leukemia Group B Study 89903

Patients with curatively resected colorectal cancer hepatic metastases often harbor occult metastatic disease and are at high risk of experiencing recurrence. This patient cohort is ideally suited to test novel therapies such as immunotherapy. We treated patients—post-hepatic resection—with anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody vaccines to the tumor-associated antigens carcinoembryonic antigen (CeaVac) and human milk fat globule (TriAb), both of which are co-expressed in more than 90% of colorectal cancer patients. Vaccinations commenced 6–12 weeks post-hepatic resection and consisted of four biweekly treatments of 2 mg CeaVac and TriAb, then monthly treatments for 2 years, then on every other month for 3 years. The primary endpoint was to investigate the proportion of patients recurrence-free at 2 years, and the objective of the study was to demonstrate that at least 58% would be recurrence-free at this time to consider the regimen worthy of further study. Between July 2001 and October 2004, 56 patients were accrued; 52 patients with margin-negative resection were eligible for analysis. Hepatic lobectomy was performed in 56% of patients with a median of one metastasis (range 1–3). Of the 52 eligible patients, 49 were evaluable for the primary end point. Median follow-up was 3.1 years. The proportion of patients recurrence-free at 2 years was 39%, with a lower confidence bound (LCB) of 0.29. Median recurrence-free survival was 16 months. The 2-year overall survival was 94% (95% CI, 0.81, 0.98). Only 10% of patients had documented grade-3 adverse events. Anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody vaccine therapy with CeaVac and TriAb as an adjuvant to curative resection of colorectal cancer hepatic metastases is well tolerated but did not improve 2-year recurrence-free survival when compared with the expected value of 40% reported for hepatic resection alone.
Dose in bone and tissue near bone-tissue interface from electron beam.

Abstract This work has quantitatively studied the variation of dose both within bone and in unit density tissue near bone-tissue interfaces. Dose upstream of a bone-tissue interface is increased because of an increase in the backscattered electrons from the bone. The magnitude of this effect was measured using a thin parallel-plate ionization chamber upstream of a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-hard bone interface. The electron backscatter factor (EBF) increased rapidly with bone thickness until a full EBF was achieved. This occurred at approximately 3.5 mm at 2 MeV and 6 mm at 13.1 MeV. The full EBF at the interface ranged from approximately 1.018 at 13.1 MeV to 1.05 at 2 MeV. It was also observed that the EBF had a dependence on the energy spectrum at the interface. The penetration of the backscattered electrons in the upstream direction of PMMA was also measured. The dose penetration fell off rapidly in the upstream direction of the interface. Dose enhancement to unit density tissue in bone was measured for an electron beam by placing thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) in a PMMA-bone-PMMA phantom. The maximum dose enhancement in bone was approximately 7% of the maximum dose in water. However, the pencil-beam algorithm of Hogstrom et al. predicted an increase of only 1%, primarily owing to the inverse-square correction. Film was also used to measure the dose enhancement in bone. The film plane was aligned either perpendicular or parallel to the central axis of the beam. The film data indicated that the maximum dose enhancement in bone was approximately 8 % for the former film alignment (which was similarly predicted by the TLD measurements) and 13% for the latter film alignment. These results confirm that the X ray film is not suitable to be irratiated "edge on" in an inhomogeneous phantom without making perturbation corrections resulting from the film acting as a long narrow inhomogeneous cavity within the bone. In addition, the results give the radiotherapist a basis for clinical judgment when electron beams are used to treat lesions behind bone or near bony structures. We feel these data enhance the ability to recognize the shortcomings of the current dose calculation algorithm used clinically.
The climatology of hailstone embryos

Abstract Data on hailstone embryo types, using a broad classification as graupel or frozen drops, are presented from several geographical areas representing distinctly different storm “climatologies.” The relative frequency of the two embryo types varies greatly from area to area, in a Way that correlates rather well with average cloud-base temperature. The warmer based clouds produce hail with more frozen drop embryos. The correlation may be explainable either in terms of the dominant precipitation growth process—liquid coalescence or the ice process—or in terms of recycling of embryos, or both. In light of these results, the transferability of any hail suppression technology from one area to another should not be considered to be automatic.
Gonadal mosaicism and familial adenomatous polyposis

De novo mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene are estimated to constitute approximately 25% of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) cases. A small percentage of these arise in the mosaic form, affecting only a subset of cells in the affected individual. A family is described here whereby an unaffected mother with no detectible mutation in APC, transmitted the identical APC c.4729G>T (p.Glu1577X) mutation to two children. A third child, with the same APC allelic haplotype received a normal APC allele, suggesting that the mutation originated in the gonadal tissues of the mother. These results underscore the utility of mutation-specific genetic testing for the parents and siblings of a proband of an adult-onset disease, even if the proband appears to have a de novo mutation. Parents who test negative for the mutation should be counseled about the possibility of having another affected child due to gonadal mosaicism.
Double-access sentences and reference to states

This article deals with the semantics of “double-access” sentences. They are defined as English sentences which have a past tense morpheme in the matrix clause and a present tense morpheme in a subordinate clause in the immediate scope of the matrix past tense. They receive a very peculiar interpretation, which we will refer to as a “double-access interpretation.” The episode described in the embedded clause makes reference to two times: the time referred to by the matrix predicate and the utterance time of the whole sentence. Previous studies on this construction are largely descriptive and do not attempt to analyze it formally, with one important exception. Abusch (1991) addresses the problems connected with the construction and proposes that double-access interpretations involvede re attitudes about intervals. Her proposal contains an important insight and provides one possible account of the double-access construction. My proposal was independently developed at approximately the same time as Abusch's and offers an alternative explanation for the phenomena. I consider a series of hypotheses and conclude that double-access readings involvede re attitude reports about state individuals. This account is couched in an eventuality-based framework and employs the techniques proposed by Cresswell and von Stechow (1982). In order to yield the desired reading, the tense must first adjoin to the complement S, then to the matrix S, leaving two traces in the process.
Measuring Nursing Practice Models using Multi-Attribute Utility theory.

Nursing Practice Models (NPMs) represent the structural and contextual features that exist within any group practice of nursing. Currently, measurement of NPMs relies on costly and nonreproducible global judgments by experts. Quantitative measurement techniques are needed to provide a useful evaluation of nursing practice. Guided by Multi-Attribute Utility theory (MAU theory), an expert panel identified 24 factors representative of NPMs. The factors became elements in a computational index that, when summed, assigns a score to a given nursing unit reflecting the extent to which that unit's nursing practice model achieves the nursing professional ideal. Initial validation of the index and its elements consisted of comparing assessments of 40 nursing units generated by the index with a global evaluation provided by each of the expert panelists who proposed the model factors. Pearson correlations between the index-generated scores and the global assigned scores provided evidence supporting the preliminary validation of the index. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 23:372–382, 2000.
Effects of arachidonic acid metabolites and other compounds on the CTLL assay for interleukin-2.

Abstract Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a peptide lymphokine which plays a central role in many immune responses. Production of IL-2 is blocked in the presence of various chemical constituents including arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites, however, the effects of these compounds on preformed IL-2 is less clear. This study was designed to observe whether commonly employed drugs and AA metabolites will inhibit the ability to measure IL-2 in a standard bioassay. We measured cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTLL) proliferation in response to IL-2 in the presence of increasing concentrations of drugs or AA metabolites. Our data provides clear evidence that no suppression of cell replication occurs with PGE 2 , PGF 2α , LTB 4 , LTC 4 , LTD 4 , and LTE 4 at concentrations of 10 −5 –10 −9 M. At high concentrations, both dexamethasone (10 −5 M) and indomethacin (10 −5 and 10 −6 M) resulted in a suppressive effect on CTLL proliferation, while low concentrations of either compound (10 −7 –10 −9 M) had no effect. This study shows that AA metabolites will not block the ability of IL-2 to induce CTLL proliferation, and neither will dexamethasone or indomethacin at low concentrations.
Business Process Modeling from the Control Perspective: The AI Planning Approach

This paper proposes a new approach for modeling business processes using the AI-Planning paradigm. Based on the concepts of agents, actions, constraints and goals, the AI-Planning approach allows explicit representation of various types of internal controls. Different threats to business processes, such as fraud, can be modeled as planning tasks—that is, finding a sequence of actions that intend to achieve a defined set of goals. Applying modeled threats to models of business processes, a planning reasoner can generate hypothetical scenarios of exposures. Because of its ability to explicitly represent threats, controls and exposures, we argue that the AI-Planning approach is useful for business process modeling from the control perspective. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glomerular filtration rate as a function of the net transcapillary hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract This report briefly reviews two current hypotheses of glomerular dynamics. Each predicts a fundamentally different effect of net hydrostatic pressure across the glomerular capillary wall ( Δ P ) and glomerular plasma flow on glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Filtration pressure equilibrium, in which the net ultrafiltration pressure declines to zero before the end of the capillary, predicts that GFR is insensitive to changes in Δ P . In contrast, filtration pressure disequilibrium, in which the net ultrafiltration pressure favors filtration along the entire capillary, predicts that GFR is dependent on changes in Δ P . In the dog, a species characterized by filtration disequilibrium, few studies have addressed quantitatively either the theoretical or experimental description of the relationship between GFR and Δ P . To evaluate the expected relationship between Δ P and GFR we used computer analysis of a mathematical model of ultrafiltration. The values obtained were compared to experimental data from the literature. This analysis provides a basis for understanding the hemodynamic mechanism by which a drug or hormone alters GFR under conditions of filtration disequilibrium.
Bilateral abductor paresis masquerading as asthma.

Abstract Rare upper airway lesions may be mistaken for asthma. A 16-year-old Hispanic male athlete presented to our allergy clinic with a 4-month history of wheezing and snoring with hoarseness and progressive fatigue on exertion or during sleep. His mother taped periods of harsh stridor and sleep apnea. There was no family history of vocal cord abnormalities. A year before the onset of symptoms, he suffered injury to his oral cavity with a loss of consciousness during a wrestling match. He denied dysphagia or dysphonia. He failed to respond to bronchodilators, cromolyn, or prednisone therapy during 4 weeks. On referral to our clinic, his physical examination and tape recording were characterized by harsh inspiratory stridor. His pulmonary function tests were significant for peak flow depressed out of proportion to FEV 1 with reduced FVC, no response to bronchodilator, and flattened inspiratory loop unresponsive to cough or panting. Fluoroscopy and endoscopy of the upper airway was consistent with "marked bilateral limitation of vocal cord abduction." Sleep study demonstrated desaturation with CO 2 s in the 60s during sleep. He was started on continuous positive airway pressure, 10 cm at night, with no desaturation or sleep disturbance on follow-up.
Characterization of Mocvd Grown Epitaxial Ceramic Oxide Thin Films

Characterization of TiO2 films grown by the MOCVD technique was carried out using micro-Raman scattering. The effects of processing parameters on the film composition and morphology were investigated. The micro-Raman technique was shown to be a useful tool for characterizing oxide thin films grown by the MOCVD technique.
Direct use of 15N relaxation rates as experimental restraints on molecular shape and orientation for docking of protein-protein complexes.

15N relaxation rates contain information on overall molecular shape and size, as well as residue specific orientations of N−H bond vectors relative to the axes of the diffusion tensor. Here we describe a pseudopotential Erelax that permits direct use of 15N relaxation rates, in the form of R2/R1 ratios, as experimental restraints in structure calculations without requiring prior information to be extracted from a known molecular structure. The elements of the rotational diffusion tensor are calculated from the atomic coordinates at each step of the structure calculation and then used together with the N−H bond vector orientations to compute the 15N R2/R1 ratios. We show that the Erelax term can be reliably used for protein−protein docking of complexes and illustrate its applicability to the 40 kDa complex of the N-terminal domain of enzyme I and the histidine phosphocarrier protein HPr and to the symmetric HIV-1 protease dimer.
Emission of linalool from Valencia orange blossoms and its observation in ambient air

Emission measurements made over a 5-month period of a Valencia orange tree showed the significant emission of the terpenoid linalool (C10H18O) from Valencia orange blossoms. The average annual emission rate of this Olinda Valencia orange, derived from emission measurements which include the blossoming season, is a factor of ∼10 higher than the average annual emission rate derived from measurements taken outside of the blossom season. Ambient monoterpene and linalool concentrations were measured in Riverside, California, in the spring and supported the chamber plant emissions data, with linalool concentrations as high as 17 μg m−3 being observed in an orange grove. These results show that current biogenic emission inventories which are formulated from limited survey data, generally not including seasonal variations in the vegetative emissions, can be subject to large uncertainties.
GaAl)as laser requirements for local attached data link applications

The characteristics of (GaAl) As double heterostructure stripe contact injection lasers as they relate to applications in fiber optic data transmission systems are reviewed. The laser characteristics are treated as optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical interfaces to the system in order to emphasize the necessity of designing devices as a functional part of a system or subsystem. It is concluded that the laser is generally well suited as an optical source in a card-mountable hybrid module transmitter for data links up to a few km and ≅ 100 Mbit/s data rates. Areas requiring further development include lowering of the laser threshold current, improving the modal stability, packaging the laser with electronics and fiber optic transmission lines, and improving the laser lifetime under varying ambient temperature conditions.
Earthquake simulations with time-dependent nucleation and long-range interactions

Abstract. A model for rapid simulation of earthquake sequences is introduced which incorporates long-range elastic interactions among fault elements and time-dependent earthquake nucleation inferred from experimentally derived rate- and state-dependent fault constitutive properties. The model consists of a planar two-dimensional fault surface which is periodic in both the x- and y-directions. Elastic interactions among fault elements are represented by an array of elastic dislocations. Approximate solutions for earthquake nucleation and dynamics of earthquake slip are introduced which permit computations to proceed in steps that are determined by the transitions from one sliding state to the next. The transition-driven time stepping and avoidance of systems of simultaneous equations permit rapid simulation of large sequences of earthquake events on computers of modest capacity, while preserving characteristics of the nucleation and rupture propagation processes evident in more detailed models. Earthquakes simulated with this model reproduce many of the observed spatial and temporal characteristics of clustering phenomena including foreshock and aftershock sequences. Clustering arises because the time dependence of the nucleation process is highly sensitive to stress perturbations caused by nearby earthquakes. Rate of earthquake activity following a prior earthquake decays according to Omori's aftershock decay law and falls off with distance.
Competition and the canonical ensemble.

Gibbs' canonical ensemble model from equilibrium statistical mechanics furnishes solutions to Eigen's phenomenological rate equations under constant total organization in cases with or without mutability. The evolution of species with mutation under constant total organization reduces to the evolution of susbstantial virtual species without mutation under the same constant total organization. Application of the canonical ensemble model provides an exact correspondence between thermodynamic and biological parameters. In particular, evolutionary time, as the analog of temperature, emerges as a statistical aggregate of the condition of the evolving system.
Optoelectronic recoded and nonrecoded trinary signed-digit adder that uses optical correlation

A symbolic-substitution-based optical numeric processor that uses recoded and nonrecoded trinary signed-digit (TSD) number representations is proposed. Also, we propose new joint spatial encodings for the TSD numbers that reduce the symbolic-substitution computation rules involved in the processor. Optoelectronic implementation of the proposed recoded adder is feasible. Also, the nonrecoded TSD addition can be performed optically in two steps. Both the proposed recoded and nonrecoded adders are more compact than a recently reported modified signed-digit counterpart and use fewer correlators and spatial light modulators.
Effect of intrauterine position on conceptus development, placental and endometrial release of progesterone and estrone in vitro, and concentration of steroid hormones in fetal fluids throughout gestation in swine

Twenty intact and 25 unilaterally hysterectomized-ovariectomized gilts were used to study the effect of fetal intrauterine position on conceptus development, concentrations of endogenous progesterone (P4) and estrone (E1) in the placenta and endometrium, and steroid hormone concentrations in amniotic and allantoic fluids during gestation. Gilts were hysterectomized at 40, 60, 80, or 100 d of gestation. Placental and endometrial tissues were pooled individually by the intrauterine position of the associated fetus and incubated separately, and concentrations of P4 and E1 in the medium were determined. Uterine status (intact or unilaterally hysterectomized-ovariectomized) did not affect any of the variables measured. Intrauterine position affected fetal and placental weights (P < 0.02 and 0.01, respectively) only at Day 40 of gestation. The weights of female fetuses bordered in utero by two males and their associated placentas were lower than those from other intrauterine positions. Intrauterine position had no effect on placental and endometrial P4 release or on E1, P4, and androgen concentrations in fetal fluids at any stage of gestation. At Day 100 of gestation, placentas associated with fetuses bordered by those of the same sex released more E1 than did placentas associated with fetuses bordered by those of the same opposite sex (P < 0.01). This study indicates that intrauterine position in swine has a limited effect on conceptus development and on placental and endometrial steroidogenic activity.
Effects of five insect growth regulators on laboratory populations of the North American house-dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae.

The potential of insect growth regulators (methoprene, hydroprene, fenoxycarb, diflubenzuron and triflumuron) to control populations of the North American house-dust miteDermatophagoides farinae (Hughes) was assessed in laboratory bioassays. Methoprene was most effective at suppressing population growth, especially at concentrations of 1.0% (10 000 ppm) and 5.0% (5000 ppm) active ingredient. Hydroprene, structurally related to methoprene, also suppressed house-dust mite populations but not as consistently as methoprene. Fenoxycarb may be effective at controlling house-dust mites but at greater concentrations than were tested. Diflubenzuron and triflumuron, two chitin-synthesis inhibitors, failed to suppress mite numbers and may, in fact, stimulate reproduction in some cases. Almost all concentration of the insect growth regulators were shown to be ineffective when assayed 90 days after treatment.
Epidemiology and predictors of post-concussive syndrome after minor head injury in an emergency population

Objective : To determine if clinical variables or neurobehavioural test (NBT) scores obtained in the ED within 24 hours of minor head injury (MHI) predict the development of postconcussive syndrome (PCS). Methods : Prospective, observational study of 71 MHI patients and 60 orthopaedic controls. MHI defined as loss of consciousness < 10 minutes or amnesia, GCS 15, no skull fracture or new neurologic focality on PE, and no brain injury on CT (if done). All patients received a seven part NBT battery in the ED. Telephone follow-up was done at 1, 3 and 6 months to determine if patients met the DSM IV definition of PCS. Analysis : Stepwise, multivariate, logistic regression. Results : Predictors of PCS at 1 month were female gender (OR 7.8; 95% CI 41.6, 1.98), presence of both retrograde and anterograde amnesia (OR 0.055; CI 0.002, 0.47), Digit Span Forward Scores (OR 0.748; CI 0.52, 1.03) and Hopkins Verbal Learning A scores (OR 0.786; CI 0.65, 0.91); at 3 months, presence of both retrograde and anterograde...
Cyclic fatigue and resistance-curve behavior of an in situ toughened silicon carbide with Al-B-C additions

The room-temperature crack-growth properties of an in situ toughened, monolithic silicon carbide are reported. Hot pressing was performed at 1900°C with 3 wt.% Al, 2 wt.% C and 0.6 wt.% B additions. Compared to a commercial SiC (Hexoloy SA), significant improvements in both the fracture toughness and cyclic fatigue-crack propagation resistance have been achieved through control of the β to α transformation. Using fatigue-precracked, disk-shaped compact-tension specimens, marked rising resistance-curve behavior was measured over the first ∼ 600 μm of crack extension, leading to a “plateau” fracture toughness of Kc ∼ 9.1 MPa√m; this represents more than a threefold increase over the toughness of Hexology, where a Kc value of 2.5 MPa√m was measured with no evidence of a resistance curve. Cyclic fatigue-crack growth rates in the toughened SiC were found to be faster than those under sustained loads (static fatigue) at the same stress-intensity level. The cyclic fatigue-crack growth resistance was found to be far superior to that of Hexology. Whereas cracking in the commercial SiC became unstable when the maximum stress intensity Kmax exceeded ∼ 2 MPa√m, thresholds for fatigue-crack growth in the in situ toughened material exceeded a Kmax of 7 MPa√m. Such dramatic improvements in the crack-growth resistance of SiC are attributed to a microstructure consisting of a network of interlocking, plate-like predominantly α-phase grains, which combine to both bridge and deflect the crack. Under cyclic loads, fatigue-crack growth is promoted by the cycle-dependent decay in such crack-tip shielding due to frictional-wear degradation of the zone of grain bridging ligaments in the crack wake. These results represent the first reported evidence of cyclic fatigue behavior in a monolithic silicon carbide and the first direct measurement of the resistance curve properties in this ceramic.
Identification of a novel gene encoding an insulin-responsive glucose transporter protein

Abstract Insulin, rapidly and independently of new protein synthesis, stimulates glucose transport in sensitive target tissues. A cDNA has been cloned from a skeletal muscle library that encodes a novel glucose transporter protein exhibiting the following properties of an insulin-regulated hexose carrier protein: it is expressed exclusively in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle and heart, the principal organs with insulin-responsive glucose transport; RNA transcribed from the muscle cDNA, when expressed in Xenopus oocytes, encodes a protein capable of cytochalasin B inhibitable 2-deoxyglucose transport; and treatment of isolated rat adipocytes with insulin effects a redistribution of "muscle" transports from low density microsomes to the plasma membrane to an extent comparable to the activation of glucose transport.