cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Whole-Tree and Stem-Only Clearcutting on Postharvest Hydrologic Losses, Nutrient Capital, and Regrowth

Nutrient removal by sawlog or pulpwood harvest (SAW), and whole-tree harvesting (WTH) was determined for 11 forest stands located throughout the United States. Data from this study combined with previously published nutrient budgets indicated potential net losses of Ca and K at most sites without harvest, and net losses of N, P, K, and Ca with either SAW or WTH. Total stem biomass and nutrients were significantly correlated with total above-stump biomass, providing a means for estimating nutrient removals with WTH and SAW in commercial forests. Limited data from harvested stands indicated greater regrowth biomass with SAW than with WTH on some sites. In the 11 harvested stands, hydrologic losses of N, K. and Ca generally increased immediately after harvest, but returned to levels comparable to control areas within 3 years. Because of the short duration of elevated nutrient losses, the hydrologic losses are considered minor relative to harvest removals. Ca and K are possible exceptions. The large difference in amounts of nutrients left on site in logging slash after SAW compared with WTH did not result in major differences in leaching or runoff at sites where comparisons were made.
Consumption of low-calorie sweetened beverages is associated with higher total energy and sugar intake among children, NHANES 2011-2016.

OBJECTIVE To examine associations between consumption of low-calorie sweetened beverages (LCSBs), sugar, and total energy intake in children in the United States. METHODS We used 24-hour dietary recalls from 7026 children enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011 to 2016 to assess energy and macronutrient intake among LCSB (≥4 oz LCSB, <4 oz SB), SB (≥4 oz SB, <4 oz LCSB), and LCSB + SB consumers (≥4 oz each) compared with water consumers (≥4 oz water, <4 oz LCSB and SBs). Sample weights and complex survey procedures were used for all analyses. RESULTS Adjusting for body mass index (BMI) percentile, LCSB, SB, and LCSB + SB consumption was associated with 196, 312, and 450 more total calories and 15, 39, and 46 more grams of added sugar, which amounts to 60, 156, 184 more calories from added sugar, compared with water consumers (P < .05 for all pairwise comparisons). No differences in energy intake were observed between LCSB and SB consumers. [Correction added on 28 May 2019, after first online publication: In the preceding sentence, quantities of added sugar reported are in grams. The corresponding calories have also been specified in this version.] CONCLUSIONS: These findings challenge the utility of LCSB for weight management in children and adolescents.
EFFECTS OF RADIATION ON MAN – NOW AND IN THE FUTURE

Although much remains to be learned about chronic effects of ionizing radiation, we know more about these effects than those produced by other pollutants. Acute radiation damage requires a threshold dose before becoming manifest while chronic damage increases more-or-less linearly. Considerable human low dose exposure data support the linear hypothesis. Evidence suggests the linear hypothesis is non-conservative for high LET radiations. Persons worried about population exposure should be concerned about unnecessary medical exposure. The radiation risk of nuclear power plants can be made acceptable but several improvements are required.
Abstract A129: Vertical inhibition overcomes adaptive resistance to KRASG12C inhibition

The three RAS genes are the most commonly mutated oncogenes in cancer and have long been considered an “undruggable” target. Alterations in KRAS occur at the highest frequency, with G12D, G12V, and G12C mutations being the most common. The recent development of novel covalent inhibitors selective for the KRASG12C mutation offers the unprecedented opportunity to target KRAS directly. However, prior efforts to target the RAS-MAPK pathway in have been hampered by adaptive feedback, which drives pathway reactivation and resistance. We find evidence of rapid adaptive RAS-MAPK pathway feedback reactivation following KRASG12C inhibition in the majority of KRASG12C models, including lung, colon, and pancreatic lines. Reactivation of the RAS-MAPK pathway correlates with activation of multiple upstream RTKs and subsequent increase of wild-type RAS activity. We find that co-inhibition of SHP2, a common node downstream of RTKs, or co-inhibition of individual RTKs such as EGFR or FGFR enhances the efficacy of KRASG12C inhibition both in vitro and in vivo by overcoming adaptive reactivation of the RAS-MAPK pathway. Notably, only the combination of KRASG12C and SHP2 inhibitor treatment displays tumor regressions in vivo in multiple models when compared to either inhibitor alone. We also see evidence that combining KRASG12C inhibitors with MEK or ERK inhibitors as an additional potential vertical inhibition strategy in KRASG12C models. We propose a vertical inhibition strategy anchored with KRASG12C inhibitors with either RTK or SHP2 inhibitors as a potential strategy for the treatment of KRASG12C mutant tumors. Citation Format: Meagan B Ryan, Ferran Fece de la Cruz, Sarah Phat, David T Myers, Heather A Shahzade, Catriona B Hong, Ryan B Corcoran. Vertical inhibition overcomes adaptive resistance to KRASG12C inhibition [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2019 Oct 26-30; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2019;18(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A129. doi:10.1158/1535-7163.TARG-19-A129
Parallel Algorithms and Fault-Tolerant Reconfigurable Architecture for Robot Kinematics and Dynamics Computations

ABSTRACT The computations of kinematics, dynamics, Jacobian, and their corresponding inverses are six essential problems in the control of robot manipulators. Efficient parallel algorithms for these computations are discussed and analyzed, and their characteristics are identified based on type of parallelism, degree of parallelism, uniformity of the operations, fundamental operations, data dependencies, and communication requirement. It is shown that most of the algorithms for robotic computations possess highly regular properties and some common structures, especially the linear recursive structure. They are well-suited to be implemented on a single-instruction-stream multiple-data-stream (SIMD) computer with reconfigurable interconnection networks. A reconfigurable, dual-network, SIMD (DN-SIMD) machine with internal direct feedback that best matches these characteristics has been designed. To achieve high efficiency in the computations of robotic algorithms on the proposed parallel machine, a Generalized Cube interconnection network is proposed and investigated. A centralized network switch control scheme is also developed to support the pipeline timing of this machine. Moreover, to maintain a high reliability in the overall system, a fault tolerant Generalized Cube network is designed to improve the original network. With this improvement, it is shown that the proposed parallel architecture performs correctly even under a single fault condition including a processing element fault or a network component fault. The use of the DN-SIMD machine is illustrated through an example of the inverse dynamics computation. A systematic procedure to map these computations to the proposed machine is presented. A new scheduling problem for SIMD machines is investigated and a heuristic algorithm, called neighborhood scheduling, that reorders the processing sequence of subtasks to reduce the communication time is described.
New and rare micro-pagurid hermit crabs (Crustacea: Anomura: Paguridae) from the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

Six species of hermit crabs of the family Paguridae from the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico region, including two new species, Anisopagurus asteriscus sp. nov. and Pagurus alarius sp. nov., are documented. The two new species are described, and recognition characters summarized for the four previously known species. Reports of the latter, Nematopaguroides fagei Forest & de Saint Laurent, 1968, N. karukera Lemaitre, Felder & Poupin, 2017, Paguriscus robustus Lemaitre, Felder & Poupin, 2017, and Pylopaguridium markhami McLaughlin & Lemaitre, 2001, represent range extensions for all four species. Color photographs are included for four of the species, as well as remarks on their taxonomy and distributions. All six species included can be categorized as micro-pagurids (with shield length rarely exceeding 2.0 mm), and were collected from cryptic reef habitats in Bocas del Toro, Panama; the French Antillean island of Guadeloupe; and the Gulf of Mexico coasts of Louisiana, Yucatan, and Florida Keys. The discovery of these new or rare species supports the conclusion of recent studies that the diversity of pagurids from the Caribbean region has yet to be fully realized.
Design of Automated Seed Sowing Robot for BT Cotton Seed

Automation is a growing trend across multiple sectors, and agriculture is no exception. Traditionally, agriculture requires numerous repetitions and hard labor with considerably low speed for planting, irriaation, fertilization, monitoring, and harvesting a large area of crops. But with today's development in technologies, a robot is capable of performing these processes with less dependency on human labor. After taking into consideration, several problems faced by the cotton cultivators in India: non-availability of labor, high wage rate and inadequate technical know-how, a part of the solution to these issues lies into automating an important agricultural activity is realized i.e. seed sowing. This paper is progress on the research about the chassis of the automated seed sowing robot. And now it includes the design and the working procedure of the seed sowing mechanism, and it's various components involved for the successful sowing of the BT cotton seed by the Robot.
Mitochondrial calcium uniporter complex activation protects against calcium alternans in atrial myocytes.

This study provides conclusive evidence that mitochondrial Ca uptake and retention protects from Ca alternans, whereas uptake inhibition enhances Ca alternans. The data suggest pharmacological mito...
Abstract P224: Cyclooxygenase-dependent Mechanisms Mediate In Part The Anti-dilatory Effects Of Uterine Perivascular Adipose Tissue In Rat Pregnancy

Introduction: Uterine perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) contributes to uterine blood flow regulation in pregnancy, at least in part, due to its effects on uterine artery tone. We hypothesized that...
Rapid and robust assembly and decoding of molecular tags with DNA-based nanopore signatures

Molecular tagging is an approach to labeling physical objects using DNA or other molecules that can be used when methods such as RFID tags and QR codes are unsuitable. No molecular tagging method exists that is inexpensive, fast and reliable to decode, and usable in minimal resource environments to create or read tags. To address this, we present Porcupine, an end-user molecular tagging system featuring DNA-based tags readable within seconds using a portable nanopore device. Porcupine’s digital bits are represented by the presence or absence of distinct DNA strands, called molecular bits (molbits). We classify molbits directly from raw nanopore signal, avoiding basecalling. To extend shelf life, decrease readout time, and make tags robust to environmental contamination, molbits are prepared for readout during tag assembly and can be stabilized by dehydration. The result is an extensible, real-time, high accuracy tagging system that includes an approach to developing highly separable barcodes. Molecular tagging using DNA is an attractive option in cases that are not suitable for RFID tags or QR codes. Here, the authors present Porcupine, DNA tags directly classifiable from raw nanopore signals.
Confronting the Bleak Economics of CCS in the United States

This chapter will argue that carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) policies must be reevaluated in light of the dramatic changes in electricity markets. Coal-fired power has progressed from being the cheapest to one of the most expensive sources of electricity in the United States, and while it will remain an important source of electricity for decades, it is projected to be in “terminal decline” by 2020. The Donald J. Trump Administration may prolong the transition away from coal, but the underlying economics will prevent its reversal. Three factors are driving this transformation: (1) dramatic declines in the cost of renewables; (2) the projected long-term low price of natural gas; and (3) strong signs that electricity storage will be widely cost-competitive by the mid-2020s. I have omitted environmental and climate change regulations because, though important, their status is highly uncertain in the near term given the current political climate in the United States. The changes in the electricity sector necessitate a reevaluation of the strategy for deploying CCS that is built around coal-fired generation. If, as many energy experts believe, rising market competition is inexorably undercutting the viability of coal-fired generation, plans and policies for CCS must adapt to the new economic realities. The greatest barrier to deployment of CCS is the low price of natural gas, which is displacing coal-fired generation and foreclosing the construction of new plants — a factor also independent of the expected demise of President Obama’s Clean Power Plan. At the same time, the cost of renewables and electricity storage are projected to continue their decline and to reach grid parity long before widespread commercialization of CCS. As a consequence, even under optimistic scenarios coal plants with CCS will have to compete in a market increasingly dominated by technologies with more rapid innovation cycles, modularity, and low barriers to deployment at both the utility-scale and as distributed generation.
Sudden Cardiac Death Among Women in the United States

To the Editor: The recent article by Albert and colleagues1 is on a topic of much interest because, as noted by the authors, the rate of sudden cardiac death among middle-aged women is increasing. The authors investigated relationships between potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease and sudden death in the Nurses’ Health Study. I cannot understand why the authors failed to comment on or even discuss the potential role of medications or pharmacologically active agents that the women with sudden death may have been consuming. An …
Infused autograft lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio and survival in T-cell lymphoma post-autologous peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The infused autograft lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (A-LMR) is a prognostic factor for survival in B-cell lymphomas post-autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (APHSCT). Thus, we set out to investigate if the A-LMR is also a prognostic factor for survival post-APHSCT in T-cell lymphomas. From 1998 to 2014, 109 T-cell lymphoma patients that underwent APHSCT were studied. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) were used to identify the optimal cut-off value of A-LMR for survival analysis and k-fold cross-validation model to validate the A-LMR cut-off value. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the prognostic discriminator power of A-LMR. ROC and AUC identified an A-LMR ≥ 1 as the best cut-off value and was validated by k-fold cross-validation. Multivariate analysis showed A-LMR to be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Patients with an A-LMR ≥ 1.0 experienced a superior OS and PFS versus patients with an A-LMR < 1.0 [median OS was not reached vs 17.9 months, 5-year OS rates of 87 % (95 % confidence interval (CI), 75–94 %) vs 26 % (95 % CI, 13–42 %), p < 0.0001; median PFS was not reached vs 11.9 months, 5-year PFS rates of 72 % (95 % CI, 58–83 %) vs 16 % (95 % CI, 6–32 %), p < 0.0001]. A-LMR is also a prognostic factor for clinical outcomes in patients with T-cell lymphomas undergoing APHSCT.
Relevance, Fed.R.Evid. 401, and the Exclusion of Relevant Evidence, Fed.R.Evid. 403: ‘Many Prayers are Heard, Few are Answered’

This article explores the "any tendency" standard for relevance provided for in Fed.R.Evid. 401 and its relationship to Fed.R.Evid. 403 that provides for the exclusion of relevant evidence when its probative value is substantially outweighed by trial concerns, particularly the danger of unfair prejudice. As applied, Fed.R.Evid. 403, by viewing both probative value and the danger of unfair prejudice most favorably toward the proponent of the evidence, in practice sparingly at best results in the exclusion of relevant evidence.
Size, Overreaction, and Book-to-Market Effects as Default Premia

This study explores the hypothesis that firm size, past returns, and book-to-market equity predict stock returns because of a premium for default or distress risk. Small size, low past returns, and high leverage all forecast default. However, book-to-market is only weakly correlated with default risk. The firm-specific probability of default is both statistically and economically significant in returns regressions. Furthermore, both size and past returns lose their ability to forecast returns when combined with default risk in regressions. The size and overreaction effects may be manifestations of a default premium, but the book-to-market effect cannot be described as a distress effect.
Latin@ Sobrevivientes de Abuso Sexual Infantil en los Estados Unidos: Un Acercamiento Relacional al Diagnóstico e Intervención

Utilizando una perspectiva relacional y sistemica, este articulo analizael caso de los Latinos sobrevivientes de abuso sexual en Estados Unidos. La revision de la literatura analiza una serie de mitos que aun persisten en las practicas clinicas y de investigacion acerca del problema del abuso sexual. El autor utilizo datos de su investigacion con terapeutas que trabajan con familias latinas y sus propias experiencias de evaluacion y tratamiento clinico para ejemplificar aspectos importantes del tema. Casos clinicos son empleados para describir un acercamiento clinico que es relaiconal y focalizado en el contexto cultural de los pacientes. Finalmente, el autor presenta una serie de recomendaciones especificas para el diagnostico y tratamiento de esta poblacion, recomendaciones que deben leerse dentro del contexto de la amplia gama de informacion que ya existe acerca del diagnostico y tratamiento de sobrevivientes de abuso sexual que necesitan ayuda clinica.
Lyapunov Exponents in Continuum Bernoulli-Anderson Models

We study one-dimensional, continuum Bernoulli-Anderson models with general single-site potentials and prove positivity of the Lyapunov exponent away from a discrete set of critical energies. The proof is based on Furstenberg’s Theorem. The set of critical energies is described explicitly in terms of the transmission and reflection coefficients for scattering at the single-site potential. In examples we discuss the asymptotic behavior of generalized eigenfunctions at critical energies.
Smart Products, Smarter Services: Connected machines and consumer value

The machines of the world may not be smarter than human beings, at least not yet, but they certainly have us outnumbered. An estimated fifty billion machines are already at work around the globe, compared to the world population of 6.7 billion people in 2009 (M2M Magazine, 2008). Population growth in most developed countries is slowing, but billions of new microcontrollers and machines go into operation every year. Connecting those machines to each other and to a network of wireless modules and sensors is the business of M2M (machine to machine), a well-established industry with enormous global growth potential. Until quite recently the M2M sector has focused on solutions for the government and for enterprise customers in security-conscious and infrastructure-dependent industries such as energy resource management, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics. With the proliferation of smart products and connected devices in homes, automobiles, and the pockets of more than four billion cellphone subscribers, some M2M vendors and wireless carriers are now eyeing the consumer market as part of a strategy to rebrand M2M as smart services. This chapter analyzes the evolution of enterprise smart services from a foundation of M2M systems and the challenge of transplanting a technology and service culture designed for industrial customers and machines into the consumer environment. It describes the benefits that enterprise managers expect from M2M implementations and contrasts these benefits with the requirements for creating a consumer-oriented value proposition for connected smart services.
Aflatoxin B1 dihydrodiol antibody: production and specificity

A specific antibody for 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxyaflatoxin B1 (AFB1-diol) was prepared, and its reactivity was characterized for the major aflatoxin (AF) B1 (AFB1) metabolites. Reductive alkylation was used to conjugate AFB1-diol to ethylenediamine-modified bovine serum albumin (EDA-BSA) and horseradish peroxidase for use as an immunogen and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) marker, respectively. High reactant ratios, 1:5 and 1:10, for AFB1-diol-EDA-BSA (wt/wt) resulted in precipitated conjugates which were poorly immunogenic. However, a soluble conjugate obtained by using a 1:25 ratio of AFB1-diol to EDA-BSA could be used for obtaining high-titer AFB1-diol rabbit antibody within 10 weeks. Competitive ELISAs revealed that the AFB1-diol antibody detected as little as 1 pmol of AFB1-diol per assay. Cross-reactivity of AFB1-diol antibody in the competitive ELISA with AF analogs was as follows: AFB1-diol, 100%; AFB1, 200%; AFM1, 130%; AFB2a, 100%; AFG1, 6%; AFG2, 4%; aflatoxicol, 20%; AFQ1, 2%; AFB1-modified DNA, 32%; and 2,3-dihydro-2-(N7-guanyl)-3-hydroxy AFB1, 0.6%. These data indicated that the cyclopentanone and methoxy moieties of the AF molecule were the primary epitopes for the AFB1-diol antibody. The AFB1-diol competitive ELISA was subject to substantial interference by human, rat, and mouse serum albumins but not by BSA, Tris, human immunoglobulin G, or lysozyme. By using a noncompetitive, indirect ELISA with an AFB1-modified DNA solid phase, a modification level of one AFB1 residue for 200,000 nucleotides could be determined.
Public and Private Lives: Institutional Structures and Personal Supports in Low-Income Single Mothers' Educational Pursuits.

Drawing on a case study of 60 low-income single mothers in California, I present a grounded account of the barriers and supports single mothers encounter in their pursuit of postsecondary education (PSE) and detail what the women themselves attributed to their success. I highlight the role both significant others (peers, family, friends) and institutional structures (the county welfare department and a community college district) played in their access and persistence within a community college district. In doing so, I provide a rich portrait of single mothers’ pursuits of postsecondary education to inform the empirical research gaps in the literature on the effects of welfare reform on the pursuit of PSE. I find that not only does the support of significant others play an important role in single mothers’ access of PSE, but that referrals to PSE from the county welfare department were as equally important—a finding that counters the dominant discussion in scholarly work on the barriers welfare departments pose to welfare recipients’ pursuit of PSE. Supportive significant others remained an important factor in the women’s abilities to persist in their postsecondary pursuits, but the women also cited student support programs designed to address the needs of low-income students as facilitating their persistence. The implications for the impact of welfare department practices, community college support structures and close networks of significant others on low-income single mothers’ access and persistence in a community college district are discussed.
Evacuation Documentation and Testimonies as Sources for the Study of Soviet Jewish Population Losses during World War II

The number of people evacuated from western Soviet territories ahead of the German advance in 1941-1942 has yet to be definitively established. In particular, these figures could shed light on Soviet Jewish population losses during the war. The author of this article cautions that in order to estimate the numbers as accurately as possible, scholars must examine not only official records on evacuees, but also oral histories and memoirs. He uses the story of his own family as an example of the "unofficial" evacuation of Soviet citizens to the East.
Sensitivity of closed-loop eigenvalues and robustness

Analytical results are obtained in a present investigation of the way in which full state feedback controller and estimator eigenvalues in a closed-loop linear control system affect these eigenvalues' sensitivity with respect to uncertain plant parameters. A controller eigenvalue lying near an estimator eigenvalue yields large eigenvalue sensitivity, which should be reduced through the separation of controller eigenvalues from estimator eigenvalues.
Differing patterns of matrix metalloproteinase expression in patients with ascending aortic aneurysms and bicuspid aortic valves

Abstract Purpose: Abnormal matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression contributes to the development of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms. Recent data have suggested that MMP-2 and MMP-9 may also play a role in thoracic aortic disease. We sought to determine whether the presence of a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) had an impact on the pattern of MMP expression in ascending aortic aneurysms. Methods: Intraoperative samples of ascending aorta were obtained from 19 patients with ascending aortic aneurysms, 8 (42%) of which also had a BAV. Control samples of ascending aorta were obtained from 6 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass or organ donation/transplantation. None of the patients had aortic dissection or Marfan syndrome. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 within the aortic wall. Results: The frequency of MMP-2 expression did not differ between BAV patients (5/8, 63%) and non-BAV aneurysm patients (9/11, 82%; p = 0.6); MMP-2 expression was absent in the control group (0/6; p = 0.03 vs. BAV and 0.002 vs. non-BAV). MMP-9 expression, however, occurred rarely in both the BAV groups (1/8, 13%) and the control group (1/6, 17%; p = 1.0); positive MMP-9 staining was substantially more common in the non-BAV patients (7/11, 64%) than in the BAV group (p = 0.06). Conclusions: Ascending aortic aneurysms are associated with increased MMP-2 expression, regardless of the presence of a BAV. Increased MMP-9 expression, however, primarily occurred in aneurysms without a BAV. Variations in MMP expression patterns among different types of thoracic aortic aneurysms warrant further investigation.
Bulk dynamic response modeling of carbon nanotubes using an intrinsic finite element formulation incorporating interatomic potentials

Abstract This article presents an efficient explicit dynamic formulation for modeling curved and twisted carbon nanotubes (CNT’s) based on a recently-developed intrinsic continua description (i.e., the dynamic state given by curvatures, strains, and velocities only) [Hodges, D.H., 2003. Geometrically-exact, intrinsic theory for dynamics of curved and twisted, anisotropic beams. AIAA Journal 41(6), 1131–1137.] together with a finite element discretization incorporating atomistic potentials. This approach offers several advantages primarily related to the model’s computational efficiency: (1) the resulting partial differential equations governing motion are in first-order form (i.e., have first-order time derivatives only), (2) the system nonlinearities appear at low order, (3) the intrinsic description incorporating curvature allows low-order interpolation functions to describe generally curved and twisted nanotube center-lines, (4) inter-element displacements, slopes, and curvatures are matched at the element boundaries, and (5) finite rotational variables are absent, along with their inherit complexities. In addition, the developed model and finite element discretization are able to capture the nanotube’s bulk (equivalently, zero-temperature) dynamic response, without the expense of calculating the dynamic response of individual atoms as per Molecular Dynamics models. Simulation results are presented which illustrate the bulk dynamic response of a typical CNT to axial, bending, and torsional loading. Results from the simulations are compared to similar results available in the literature, and close agreement is documented.
Factors affecting the establishment of Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (C.C. Gmel.) Palla in urban lakeshore restorations

Despite their central role in lakeshore restoration, most littoral wetland plantings fail. The reasons for these failures are poorly understood, in part due to limited information on the effects of planting time, water depth, and propagation on the survival of emergent macrophyte plantings. We planted pots and prevegetated mats of softstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (C.C. Gmel.) Palla) at two different water depths (0–30 and 31–60 cm) in five lakes each month between May and September 2006 to evaluate the effects of planting month, water depth, and transplant type on the survival of planted S. tabernaemontani. Overall survival decreased from 73% at 30 days after planting to 40% pre-winter to 15% post-winter. The timing of planting was the most important factor influencing bulrush survival. Survival of bulrush planted later in the growing season is poor, regardless of the transplant type used, and should be avoided. During the optimal planting season of early-to-mid summer, transplants from pots are more likely to outperform mats, despite lower pre-planting biomass. Water depth is only important immediately after planting, after which time, its influence on successful establishment diminishes. Overall, our research indicated that key choices made by the practitioner can improve the likelihood that transplants establish in littoral wetland restorations.
Anomalies of Convolutional Smoothing and Differentiation

The original Savitzky−Golay convolutional smoothing method for simultaneous data smoothing and differentiation has been a useful tool for processing experimental data for nearly 30 years. However, unlike splining techniques, it leads to truncation of the end sections due to the center-point moving window approach. For a long time this was considered to be a necessary evil that could not be overcome. In 1990, Gorry addressed the truncation problem for uniformly spaced data in a mathematically elegant way. We implemented and tested this algorithm in our laboratory and observed some anomalies in the results produced. We offer explanations for these anomalies and suggestions of modifications so that the observed undesirable effects can be avoided.
Response decrement as a function of effort.

Albino rats were given acquisition training on a 6 ft. enclosed straight alley runway which could be adjusted for inclinations of 0°, 20°, and 40°. After receiving equal training on each of the three effort conditions, three groups of subjects were given massed extinction trials for 30 min. on only one effort condition. Results indicated fewer responses during extinction under the greater effort conditions. These results support a relation between effort and response decrement in extinction, consistent with the predictions of Hull's theory of reactive inhibition.
Iatrogenic pheochromocytomatosis: a previously unreported result of laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Abstract Background. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is now regarded as the procedure of choice for treatment of small or benign adrenal tumors, including pheochromocytoma. However, long-term outcomes have not been critically assessed. We report here 3 cases of pheochromocytomatosis recurring 3 to 4 years after laparoscopic adrenalectomy. We postulate laparoscopic-induced seeding of tumor as the mechanism of recurrence. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 3 patients with documented biochemical and radiolabeled metaiodobenzylguanidine evidence of recurrent pheochromocytoma after prior presumed curative laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Results. Original pheochromocytomas were 5.5 to 6.5 cm in diameter. At the time of laparoscopic adrenalectomy, tumors were not believed to be malignant, based on clinical or histopathologic data. However, on 3- to 4-year follow-up, each patient developed symptoms, elevated urinary catecholamine levels, and metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging consistent with recurrence. At reoperation, multiple small tumor nodules were found in the adrenal bed near the site of the initial laparoscopic resection. The original operative notes suggested some possible method of local seeding: tumor fragmentation and spillage or excessive tumor manipulation. Conclusions. Pheochromocytoma recurrence may occur as a result of local spillage of tumor during laparoscopic adrenalectomy. The relative risk of recurrence between open and laparoscopic resection needs to be assessed. Long-term follow-up will continue to be important, regardless of operative approach. (Surgery 2001;130:1072-7.)
A Lumped Numerical Model for the Design of Hydraulic Fractures

This paper presents some derivations and results of lumped numerical models which describe the growth and final geometry of hydraulic fractures. Using generally averaged reservoir and fracture parameters the model employs simple numerical routines to solve coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations for the pressure and dimensions of the fracture. Results of more complex models are included as a data-base in the spatial lumping process; thus the models represent all the essential features of fully 3-D, physically realistic hydraulic fractures. The present model provides a consistent description of fracture growth and includes the effects of mechanisms such as fluid loss, backstress, heat transfer, proppant and variable fracture geometry. Results are presented for a variety of typical field applications and show the general usefulness of these models for fracture design and on-site interpretation of observed versus predicted downhole pressures.
Effects of omega-3 fatty acids and progesterone on prostaglandin production in response to the inflammatory cytokine IL-1

205 EFFECTS OF OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS AND PROGESTERONE ON PROSTAGLANDIN PRODUCTION IN RESPONSE TO THE INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINE IL-1 ASHLEY ROMAN, GREG DORSAINVILLE, PETER NATHANIELSZ, New York University, Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York, New York, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Obstetrics and Gynecology, San Antonio, Texas OBJECTIVE: Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy has been shown to decrease the incidence of spontaneous preterm birth. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of docosohexaenoic acid (DHA) with or without progesterone on prostaglandin (PG) production and prostanoid enzyme expression in cultured decidual cells (DC). STUDY DESIGN: DC were obtained from human placentas of non-laboring patients at term cesarean delivery (N=4) and cultured using standard techniques. DC were pre-incubated in defined media with various concentrations of vehicle, DHA, or medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) for one hour. IL-1b (10 ng/ml) was then added to the media, and experiments were terminated 12 hours later. PGE2 concentrations in conditioned media were measured by ELISA; cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, COX-2, microsomal PGE synthase (mPGES)-1 and 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (PGDH) SMFM Abstracts S71
Emergence of fibrillar composites due to chaotic mixing of molten polymers

A technique is presented in which fine fibers (2 μm–20 μm) emerge within a cavity containing randomly distributed molten pellets of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and poly(ethylene-stat-vinyl acetate) (EVA) or polystyrene (PS) and LDPE as a result of three-dimensional chaotic mixing. Initially coarse mixtures processed with this technique adopted fibrillar morphologies because of the interaction of interfacial tension and flow structures that are characteristic of chaotic mixing. Similar fibrillar structures were obtained for inverse viscosity ratios and different interfacial tensions, suggesting that chaotic mixing is a robust process to produce fibrillar composites. Mechanisms for the emergence of fibrils during chaotic mixing are presented. The unique characteristics of this novel technique are highlighted and possible applications in the polymer processing industry are discussed.
Microchemical studies on acid glycosaminoglycans of the epiphyseal zones during endochondral calcification.

The acid glycosaminoglycans of resting, columnar, hypertrophic and calcified zones of calf epiphyseal growth plate and of nasal septum cartilage were extracted with a dissociative solvent, 3M GuCl, according to Sajdera and Hascall (1969), to separate the glycosaminoglycans into an extractable pool and an unextractable pool which remains bound within the tissue. Epiphyseal cartilage required longer extraction times than did nasal septum cartilage to extract comparable amounts of acid glycosaminoglycans suggesting a stronger binding of proteoglycans within the tissue. Towards the calcification front the glycosaminoglycans were extracted more easily while in calcified zone not more than 30% could be extracted. Data obtained by the CPC microfractionation procedure of Antonopouloset al. (1964) indicated similar distribution according to molecular weight and/or charge density for extractable and unextractable chondroitin sulphate in nasal septum cartilage and in resting and columnar zones of epiphyseal growth plate. Unextractable glycosaminoglycans in hypertrophic and calcified zones were of predominantly low molecular weight and/or charge density compared to the extractable pool. Hyaluronic acid was unextractable in nasal septum and in resting, columnar and hypertrophic zones with increasing concentrations towards the calcification front. In calcified zone a shift to mainly extractable hyaluronic acid occurred. The significance of these findings is discussed.
Reverse microdialysis of a dopamine uptake inhibitor in the nucleus accumbens of alcohol-preferring rats: effects on dialysate dopamine levels and ethanol intake.

Background: The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system has been implicated in mediating the reinforcing actions of ethanol (EtOH). This study examines the effects of local perfusion of the DA uptake inhibitor GBR12909 (GBR) on (1) DA levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and (2) EtOH drinking in alcoholpreferring rats. Methods: Stable drinking of a 15% (v/v) EtOH solution (minimum of 0.75 g/kg body weight) was established in daily I hr limited access sessions. Rats were then implanted with bilateral guide cannulae aimed 4 mm above the NAc. After recovery from surgery, concentric microdialysis probes (2 mm dialysis membrane surface) were inserted into the NAc. Most placements were in the shell or overlapping both shell and core. Two days later, the probes were perfused at 1.0 μl/min with artificial cerebral spinal fluid (aCSF) for at least a 90 min washout period followed by collection of five basal samples over 150 min. Rats were then perfused with either aCSF alone or 10, 25, 100, or 200 μM of GBR for 240 min on the first day of microdialysis. During the last 60 min of the drug treatment phase, rats were given their scheduled access to 15% EtOH. All rats were then perfused with aCSF for the last 90 min of the experiment. The following day, the procedure was repeated, but animals that received aCSF on the first day were given a dose of GBR and rats given GBR on the first day received only aCSF. Results: GBR perfusion increased extracellular NAc DA levels dose dependently to more than 800% of basal levels at 100 to 200 μM but failed to alter EtOH intake (p > 0.05, paired t test) at any concentration tested. Moreover, after 100 μM of GBR perfusion had terminated, the extracellular levels of DA in the NAc remained elevated for approximately 24 hr (790% of day 1 basal; p <0.05). The increase in dialysate DA levels observed during GBR perfusion with 100 μM was significantly greater for EtOH-experienced rats than for EtOH-naive rats [F(7,59) = 14.85, p< 0.0001, analysis of variance, Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test]. Conclusions: The results suggest (1) that EtOH drinking experience induces neuroadaptations that increase DA release in the NAc, and (2) that additional elevation in synaptic levels of DA in the NAc does not influence the maintenance of ongoing alcohol drinking under scheduled access conditions in alcohol-preferring animals.
Epidermal Growth Factor Serum Levels and the 61 G/A Polymorphism in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) binds to pancreatic acinar cells and facilitates recovery from acute pancreatitis (AP). In animal models, EGF protects against pancreatic injury and prevents septic complications. The role of EGF in human AP is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess EGF serum levels in AP patients and whether the EGF +61 G/A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) affects susceptibility and/or severity of AP. Hospitalized AP patients were prospectively enrolled. Demographics, clinical features, DNA and early serum samples were collected when available. Patients were classified into mild (79%) and severe AP (21%) based on organ failure for ≥48 h. Early serum samples were quantitatively assayed for EGF levels. The EGF +61 G/A SNP was evaluated by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. There were 179 patients ascertained with AP. EGF levels were measured in a subgroup of 60 patients with early serum samples (17 severe) and in serum from 58 healthy controls. Serum EGF levels within 48 h from the onset of pain were significantly lower in AP patients (mean 13.5 pg/ml) compared to controls (25.2 pg/ml; P = 0.015). Furthermore, EGF levels were significantly lower in severe patients when compared to mild (7.8 vs. 14.3 pg/ml; P = 0.026). DNA from all 179 patients and 189 healthy controls was sequenced. The EGF +61 G/A SNP did not affect susceptibility to or severity of AP. EGF serum levels are decreased early in the course of AP and are further suppressed in severe AP. The EGF +61 G/A polymorphism has no effect on AP.
Transcription of chromatin by human RNA polymerase.

Abstract DNA-dependent RNA polymerase isolated from lymphocytes of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was used to study the transcription of human DNA and chromatins. The α-amanitin sensitive CLL RNA polymerase responds to fewer binding sites on chromatin than on DNA, but both templates have about the same number of binding sites for Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. Both RNA polymerases synthesize RNA with approximately the same efficiency when human chromatin is used as template suggesting that the proportion of DNA available for transcription is the same for the polymerases. Molecular hybridization studies showed that human polymerase transcripts of purified DNA contain more repetitive sequences than do transcripts of DNA complexed in chromatin, whereas bacterial polymerase transcripts are composed of relatively equal amounts of repetitive sequences from both templates.
A thermodynamic property formulation for nitrogen from the freezing line to 2000 K at pressures to 1000 MPa

A new fundamental equation explicit in Helmholtz energy for thermodynamic properties of nitrogen from the freezing line to 2000 K at pressures to 1000 MPa is presented. A new vapor pressure equation and equations for the saturated liquid and vapor densities as functions of temperature are also included. The techniques used for development of the fundamental equation are those reported in a companion paper for ethylene. The fundamental equation and the derivative functions for calculating internal energy, enthalpy, entropy, isochoric heat capacity (C v), isobaric heat capacity (C p), and velocity of sound are also included in that paper. The property formulation using the fundamental equation reported here may generally be used to calculate pressures and densities with an uncertainty of ±0.1%, heat capacities within ± 2%, and velocity of sound values within ±2%. The fundamental equation is not intended for use near the critical point.
Developing an expert system to control a beam line at the Los Alamos meson physics facility

Abstract This paper discusses expert systems and how they might be applied to control a charged particle beam line. Also discussed is how models of the beam line can be used with the expert system.
Hematology of the ursidae.

Abstract 1. 1. A total of fifty-nine blood samples from fifty-three bears, representing the genera Ursus, Tremarctos, Thalarctos, Selenarctos, Melursus and Helarctos have been analyzed. Measurements made included hemoglobins, hematocrits, red blood cell counts, and total white blood cell counts. 2. 2. The erythrocyte indices, including mean cell volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were calculated. Statistically significant differences between species, ages, and seasons were found in the measurements, particularly as reflected in the mean cell volume. 3. 3. Three pregnant females exhibited a 1–3 g per cent decrease in hemoglobin concentration during the last month of pregnancy. The mean red cell volume of newborn cubs of Selenarctos thibetanus and Ursus arctos horribilis was 50 per cent greater than that of the adults. 4. 4. Hemoglobin samples from sixty-six bears were examined by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel. A single major hemoglobin, of identical electrophoretic mobility was found in all species and all specimens, including young and newborn cubs.
Changing patterns in age distribution of renal carcinoma patients

Abstract A review of 890 cases of renal carcinoma in patients admitted to M. D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute from 1957 to 1976 has revealed a significant increase in the proportion of patients in the age group forty to forty-nine years.
The fluorescence emission of the apo-glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger as probe to estimate glucose concentrations.

We developed a new method of glucose sensing using an inactive form of glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger. Glucose oxidase was rendered inactive by removal of the FAD cofactor. The resulting apo-glucose oxidase still binds glucose as observed from a decrease in its intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence. 8-Anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) was found to bind spontaneously to apo-glucose oxidase as seen from an enhancement of the ANS fluorescence. The steady state intensity of the bound ANS decreased 25% upon binding of glucose, and the mean lifetime of the bound ANS decreased about 40%. These spectral changes occurred with a midpoint from 10 to 20 mM glucose, which is comparable to the K(D) of holo-glucose oxidase. These results suggest that apo-glucose oxidase can be used as a reversible nonconsuming sensor for glucose.