cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Forage Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Warm-Season Annual Grasses in a Swine Effluent Spray Field

Five warm-season annual grasses were compared for dry matter (DM) yield and nutrient uptake alongside bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] on a Brooksville silty clay (fine, montmorillonitic, thermic Aquic Chromuderts) in a field that had swine (Sus scrofa) effluent applied through a center pivot sprinkler system. Annuals were browntop millet [Panicum ramosum (L.) Stapf in Prain], pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], sorghum-sudan, [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], and crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.]. Grasses were tested in 3 yr (1999-2001), but results in 2000 were incomplete due to poor growing conditions. In 1999 (establishment year for bermudagrass) sorghum-sudan had the highest DM yield (18.9 Mg ha -1 ') and P uptake (50.3 kg ha -1 ). In 2001, sorghum-sudan DM yield (20.6 Mg ha -1 ) and P uptake (56.3 kg ha -1 ) were equivalent to established bermudagrass (21.3 Mg ha -1 and 56.1 kg ha -1 , respectively). In 2001 sudangrass and pearl millet DM yields (17.4 and 15.7 Mg ha -1 , respectively) were equal to and lower than sorghum-sudan, but P uptake of pearl millet (49.5 kg ha -1 ) did not differ from sorghum-sudan, due to the high P concentration (3.2 g kg -1 ') in pearl millet. Browntop millet and crabgrass DM yields and P uptake were less than those of sorghum-sudan in both years. Sorghum-sudan and pearl millet were higher in DM yield and P uptake than the other annuals in both years, equal to established bermudagrass, and therefore should be the most useful in nutrient management hay systems in the southeastern USA.
Values as the core of personal identity: Drawing links between two theories of self.

Personal identity is an underanalyzed level of the self often regarded erroneously as too idiosyncratic for proper social psychological analysis. The two dominant theories of self, identity theory and social identity theory, mention but rarely explicate the concept of personal identity. In this paper I address this gap by making two moves, one conceptual and one empirical. First, I argue that values are a cohesive force within personal identity. Conceptualizing values as the core of one's personal identity leads toward understanding the cohesion experienced among one's various social identities. In the second, empirical move, I use measures of a key dimension along which values are arrayed (self-enhancement vs. self-transcendence) to illustrate how a values-based conception of personal identity influences the formation of a role identity. Specifically, theoretically relevant values along the self-enhancement/self-transcendence dimension are significant predictors of the volunteer identity, even when previous measures of the identity are controlled. I conclude by discussing the utility of values for studying a level of the self often considered too ideographic for sociological analysis.
Management and coordination of postacute medical care for electrical trauma survivors.

The clinical spectrum of electrical injury ranges from the absence of any external physical signs to severe multiple trauma. Reported neuropsychiatric sequelae can vary from vague complaints, which may seem unrelated to the injury in their occurrence over time or by their apparent severity, to sequelae consistent with brain injury accompanying an electrical trauma. In this report, a case study and discussion are presented on the management and coordination of post-acute care of an electrical trauma survivor. Expertise and a multidisciplinary team are essential to cohesive patient care. Patient monitoring for progressive changes and prompt intervention are needed to address the potential difficulties experienced by trauma survivors as they rehabilitate to return to their work and their activities of daily living. Language: en
Binding of Injected Laminin to Developing Kidney Glomerular Mesangial Matrices and Basement Membranes In Vivo

During glomerular development, subendothelial and -epithelial basement membrane layers fuse to produce the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) shared by endothelial cells and epithelial podocytes. As glomeruli mature, additional basement membrane derived from podocytes is spliced into the fused GBM and loose mesangial matrices condense. The mechanisms for GBM fusion, splicing, and mesangial matrix condensation are not known but might involve intermolecular bond formation between matrix molecules. To test for laminin binding sites, we intravenously injected mouse laminin containing alpha1-, beta1-, and gamma1-chains into 2-day-old rats. Kidneys were immunolabeled for fluorescence and electron microscopy with domain-specific rat anti-mouse laminin monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), which recognized only mouse and not endogenous rat laminin. Intense labeling for injected laminin was found in mesangial matrices and weaker labeling was seen in GBMs of maturing glomeruli. These patterns persisted for at least 2 weeks after injection. In control newborns receiving sheep IgG, no binding of injected protein was observed and laminin did not bind adult rat glomeruli. To assess which molecular domains might mediate binding to immature glomeruli, three proteolytic laminin fragments were affinity-isolated by MAbs and injected into newborns. These failed to bind glomeruli, presumably owing to enzymatic digestion of binding domains. Alternatively, stable incorporation may require multivalent laminin binding. We conclude that laminin binding sites are transiently present in developing glomeruli and may be functionally important for GBM assembly and mesangial matrix condensation.
Suppression by delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol of induction of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase and tryptophan oxygenase.

Abstract The present study characterizes the action of Δ9-THC on enzyme induction by studying its effects on the induction of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) by steroids. In none of our studies did Δ9-THC inhibit TAT activity in the absence of steroid. Although treatment with hydrocortisone (HC, 150 mg/kg, 2 hr prior to sacrifice) caused a 2.1-fold induction of enzyme activity, pretreatment with Δ9-THC (200 mg/kg, 2 hr prior to sacrifice) decreased this induction to 1.3-fold. When mice were treated with Δ9-THC 1 hr prior to HC induction, TAT activity was induced only 1.1-fold over control while HC alone induced TAT activity 2.5-fold. Even when steroid treatment preceded Δ9-THC administration by 3 hr, there was significant inhibitory activity. Enzyme activity at 0, 3, and 6 hr after steroid was 18.7, 41.4, and 55.5 μmol of PPA/g of liver/hr, respectively. When Δ9-THC was administered at 3 hr after steroid and mice killed 3 hr later, enzyme activity was reduced to 36.2 μmol PPA/g liver/hr. Inhibition of steroid induction was dose-related over a range of 50–400 mg/kg of Δ9-THC. Δ9-THC had little effect on induction of TAT or tryptophan oxygenase in mouse liver by tryptophan and had no effect on tryptophan induction of tryptophan oxygenase in rat liver.
Cooling following large volcanic eruptions corrected for the effect of diffuse radiation on tree rings

[1] The lack of a larger cooling in proxy records of climate change following large volcanic eruptions such as those of Tambora in 1815 and Krakatau in 1883 has long been a puzzle for climatologists. These records, however, may have been biased by enhanced tree growth for several years following each eruption induced by additional diffuse radiation caused by the stratospheric volcanic aerosol clouds from the eruptions. By comparing proxy reconstructions of climate with and without tree ring data, this effect is demonstrated for the five largest eruptions for the period 1750–1980. When proxy records of Northern Hemisphere climate change are corrected for this proposed diffuse effect, there is no impact on climate change for time scales longer than 20 years. However, it now appears that there was a hemispheric cooling of about 0.6°C for a decade following the unknown volcanic eruption of 1809 and Tambora in 1815, and a cooling of 0.3°C for several years following the Krakatau eruption of 1883.
Peroxisomes in absorptive cells of mammalian small intestine.

Huge numbers of peroxisomes are present in guinea pig duodenum, jejunum, and ileum, and in rat duodenum. The peroxisomes have been studied by light and electron microscopy, including visualization by incubation in a newly-developed alkaline 3,3' diaminobenzidine (DAB) medium. Electron micrographs of more than 3700 guinea pig peroxisomes have been studied. The diameter of most peroxisomes ranges from 0.15 µ. to 0.25 µ. They often appear in clusters, surrounded by and continuous, in numerous places, with smooth endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The ER is extremely tortuous in these regions. Serial sectioning is valuable for studying the ER-peroxisome relationships but viewing sections at different angles, tilted with a goniometer stage, is more informative. The intimate relations of the two organelles appear the same in tissue fixed in four different fixatives. The peroxisomes may be interpreted as localized dilatations of smooth ER retaining multiple membranous continuities. This interpretation is discussed in light of the turnover data on peroxisomal proteins of rat hepatocytes reported by Poole and colleagues. The very large numbers of peroxisomes in intestinal epithelium lead to speculations concerning their functional significance. They resemble the small peroxisomes described in many other cell types. Although the distinctive relationship of these peroxisomes to the ER is probably more significant than their small size, for practical purposes we propose the term "microperoxisomes" to distinguish these peroxisomes from the better-known larger peroxisomes of liver and kidney.
Sleep changes and disorders in the elderly patient.

Sleep disorders are very common among older patients. Our population as a whole is experiencing substantial growth in the geriatric population. Thus, it is all the more prudent that healthcare professionals become familiar with the major sleep disorders that affect the older patient, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of these disorders. This paper deals with the various sleep changes that take place in the course of the aging process and with the assessment of sleep disorders in the older patient. Special attention is paid to sleepdisordered breathing, periodic limb-movement disorder of sleep, insomnia, and circadian rhythm anthology, as well as parasomnias that are unique to the older patient. The final section of the paper deals with specific neurologic disorders and their impact on sleep patterns.
Power density, field intensity, and carrier frequency determinants of RF-energy-induced calcium-ion efflux from brain tissue

To explain a carrier frequency dependence reported for radiofrequency (RF)-induced calcium-ion efflux from brain tissue, a chick-brain hemisphere bathed in buffer solution is modeled as a sphere within the uniform field of the incident electromagnetic wave. Calculations on a spherical model show that the average electric-field intensity within the sample remains the same at different carrier frequencies if the incident power density (Pi) is adjusted by an amount that compensates for the change in complex permittivity (epsilon *r) and the change of wavelength, as a function of carrier frequency. The resulting formula for transforming Pi is seen to follow the pattern of both positive and negative demonstrations of calcium-ion efflux that have been observed at carrier frequencies of 50, 147, and 450 MHz. Indeed, all results obtained at these three frequencies, when related by Pi's that produce the same average electric-field intensity within the sample, are seen to be in agreement; no prediction is contradicted by an experiment.
Gender parity thwarted? The effect of electoral reform on Senate and European Parliamentary elections in France, 1999–2011

This research examines recent electoral reform in French politics, and whether such reforms have served to minimize the overall impact of the earlier passage of gender parity law in 2000. As such, this is a study of how party elites often take steps to thwart any changes in the status quo that will endanger their own existing advantage or position. Specifically, we examine the increase in the number of two-round plurality districts for the Senate and the change from nationwide to regional districts for elections to the European Parliament (EP). Analysis of the 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2011 Senate elections suggests that the plurality method resulted in fewer women being elected to office, as compared with those Senate districts that used a closed-list proportional method, especially as a greater number of Senate districts began using the plurality method after the 2003 Raffarin reforms. Examining the 2004 and 2009 EP elections, we also find that the change to eight regional districts had an adverse effect on the election of female MEPs, primarily because fewer women were at the head of the regional party lists. Party proliferation in the 2004, 2008 and 2011 Senate elections also served to reduce the number of women elected in these races.
The complexity of terrorist networks

Complexity science affords a number of novel tools for examining terrorism, particularly network analysis and NK Boolean fitness landscapes. This paper explores various aspects of terrorist networks which can be illuminated through applications of nonlinear dynamical systems modelling to terrorist network structures. Of particular interest are some of the emergent properties of terrorist networks as typified by the 9/11 hijackers network, properties of centrality, hierarchy and distance, as well as ways in which attempts to disrupt the transmission of information through terrorist networks may be expected to produce greater or lesser levels of fitness in those organisations.
Loss of the transcription factor p45 NF-E2 results in a developmental arrest of megakaryocyte differentiation and the onset of a high bone mass phenotype

NF-E2 is a transcription factor required for megakaryocyte differentiation. The phenotype of mice deficient in p45 NF-E2 has been characterized by increased numbers of immature megakaryocytes and the absence of functional platelets. These mice also exhibited a high bone mass phenotype with up to a 6-fold increase in trabecular bone volume and a 3- to 5-fold increase in the bone formation rate. Our data indicated that both osteoblast and osteoclast numbers were increased in vivo with a 4- to 10-fold increase in osteoblast number/tissue area and approximately a 5-fold increase in osteoclast number/tissue area. Serum osteocalcin levels were also increased in NF-E2-deficient mice, corroborating the histomorphometric data and confirming that the osteoblasts were functional. Urinary cross-links levels were measured to confirm osteoclast activity. Interestingly, the increased bone was observed only in bony sites of hematopoiesis, and was not seen in flat bones such as calvariae. We showed that cells of the osteoblast lineage do not express NF-E2 mRNA. The increased bone phenotype was adoptively transferred into irradiated wild-type mice using spleen cells from NF-E2-deficient mice. These observations suggest that a megakaryocyte-osteoblast interaction occurs which is anabolic for bone.
Modulation of the stress response by ethanol in the rat frontal cortex

Abstract Microdialysis was used to characterize the effects of two doses of ethanol, stress, and their interaction on the dopaminergic system. Saline-treated animals showed no changes in levels of dopamine (DA) or dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), Neither a 0.5- nor a 2-g/kg IP injection of ethanol had an effect on DA or DOPAC in resting animals. Immobilization caused marked increases in DA levels and smaller increases in DOPAC. Pretreatment with 0.5 g/kg ethanol did not reduce the stress-induced increase in DA or DOPAC. However, pretreatment with 2 g/kg ethanol strongly reduced and antagonized the stress-induced increases in DA and potentiated the stress-induced increase in extracellular DOPAC. Our data show that ethanol can have different, dose-dependent effects in resting vs. stressed animals, that it has different effects on DA and DOPAC, and that the antagonized stress-induced increases in DA. The latter adds biochemical evidence to the tension-reduction hypothesis of ethanol by perhaps implicating a reduction in the DA stress response by ethanol as a contributing factor in the development of alcoholism.
Uses and Abuses of Brain Mapping

Brain mapping is a term now often applied to specific computer-based electroencephalographic (EEG) techniques, especially EEG and evoked potential topographic mapping and frequency analysis. Several types of color displays are available. Patient EEG data can be compared digitally to a normative database. About a dozen vendors offer commercial equipment to perform such tests, and between 300 and 500 units are in use in the United States. The reading of routine EEGs has required substantial training and experience. Color-coded EEG topographic maps might present EEG information in a more understandable way, especially for persons unfamiliar with interpreting routine EEGs. Unfortunately, a substantial number of technical and clinical problems interfere with such a simple clinical application. 1 These problems can easily mislead interpretations, sometimes in subtle ways. References are often active. Traditional EEG artifacts can appear in unusual and surprising ways, and new artifacts can be caused by the processing
The efficacy of regional anesthesia for outpatient anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Arthroscopically assisted anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a common orthopaedic procedure. Until recently, the majority of these procedures have been performed on an impatient basis. This retrospective study evaluated 67 consecutive patients who underwent an arthroscopically assisted, autogenous bone-patellar ligament-bone ACL reconstruction that was supervised by the same surgeon. General endotracheal anesthesia was used for 36 patients and a femoral sciatic nerve block was used in 31 patients. Only patients who underwent either isolated ACL reconstructions, or those combined with either medial or lateral meniscectomies, were included. No statistically significant differences in either the mean anesthesia time or operative time existed between the general anesthesia and regional anesthesia groups. Patients receiving regional anesthesia did require a significantly longer recovery room stay than those who received general anesthesia. Most of the patients who received general anesthesia had inpatient procedures. In the general anesthesia group, 31 of 36 patients spent at least one night in the hospital. Three of 30 patients who received regional anesthesia required hospital admission. There were no differences between anesthesia-related complication between groups. The cost saving of performing ACL reconstructions under regional anesthesia compared with general anesthesia was calculated to be $2,907 per case and predominantly reflected the outpatient approach used in these cases. This study supports the use of femoral sciatic nerve block anesthesia as a safe and reliable alternative to general anesthesia for patients undergoing outpatient ACL reconstruction. The use of this technique was not found to compromise operating room efficiency. Patients receiving regional anesthesia did require a slightly longer recovery room stay. ACL reconstruction performed under regional anesthesia with same-day discharge was well tolerated by our patients and it provides a cost-efficient alternative to ACL reconstructions performed as inpatient procedures.
Equation-free dynamic renormalization: Self-similarity in multidimensional particle system dynamics

We present an equation-free dynamic renormalization approach to the computational study of coarse-grained, self-similar dynamic behavior in multidimensional particle systems. The approach is aimed at problems for which evolution equations for coarse-scale observables (e.g., particle density) are not explicitly available. Our illustrative example involves Brownian particles in a 2D Couette flow; marginal and conditional inverse cumulative distribution functions (ICDFs) constitute the macroscopic observables of the evolving particle distributions.
Calcification in a Deflux™ bleb thought to be a ureteral calculus in a child

Abstract A child admitted for abdominal pain was evaluated with an abdominal computed tomography scan. Calcification was noted at the ureterovesical junction. The child had undergone successful bilateral Deflux™ injection 3 years earlier. No hydronephrosis was noted and an intravenous pyelogram was normal. Ureteroscopy revealed no intraluminal stones, and a follow-up scan showed the lesion to be still present and unchanged. This case illustrates that calcifications within a Deflux™ bleb can be mistaken for a ureteral calculus, and the entire clinical picture should be kept in mind when evaluating a patient with abdominal pain. Due to the widespread use of Deflux™ to treat vesicoureteral reflux, this phenomenon may be seen more frequently as this population ages.
Conductivity of Silver Iodide Pellets for Solid‐Electrolyte Batteries

Silver amalgam electrodes were found to provide polarization‐free contacts for the measurement of the conductivity of compressed powder pellets. Correlation of the conductivity data with x‐ray diffraction studies established the presence of a deformed hexagonal phase as an important factor in determining pellet conductivity. Deformation can be induced by compression, but care must be taken to avoid transformation into the face‐centered cubic phase with some resultant decrease in conductivity. Preliminary evidence is presented that hexagonal deformation can be induced by suitable thermal or mechanical pretreatment of the powder.
Plant Cell Growth in Tissue

Cell walls are part of the apoplasm pathway that transports water, solutes, and nutrients to cells within plant tissue. Pressures within the apoplasm (cell walls and xylem) are often different from atmospheric pressure during expansive growth of plant cells in tissue. The previously established Augmented Growth Equations are modified to evaluate the turgor pressure, water uptake, and expansive growth of plant cells in tissue when pressures within the apoplasm are lower and higher than atmospheric pressure. Analyses indicate that a step-down and step-up in pressure within the apoplasm will cause an exponential decrease and increase in turgor pressure, respectively, and the rates of water uptake and expansive growth each undergo a rapid decrease and increase, respectively, followed by an exponential return to their initial magnitude. Other analyses indicate that pressure within the apoplasm decreases exponentially to a lower value after a step-down in turgor pressure, which simulates its behavior after an increase in expansive growth rate. Also, analyses indicate that the turgor pressure decays exponentially to a constant value that is the sum of the critical turgor pressure and pressure within the apoplasm during stress relaxation experiments in which pressures within the apoplasm are not atmospheric pressure. Additional analyses indicate that when the turgor pressure is constant (clamped), a decrease in pressure within the apoplasm elicits an increase in elastic expansion followed by an increase in irreversible expansion rate. Some analytical results are supported by prior experimental research, and other analytical results can be verified with existing experimental methods.
Mutagen sensitivity of Drosophila melanogaster. VI. Evidence from the excision-defective mei-9AT1 mutant for the timing of DNA-repair activity during spermatogenesis.

Abstract The sex-linked recessive lethal test has been used to compare mutation induction by ethyl methanesulfonate and methyl methanesulfonate in spermatogenic stages of the DNA repair-deficient mei-9 AT1 mutant and a repair-proficient control strain. For both agents, the data demonstrate that induced mutation rates are similar in both strains for the meiotic and post-meiotic broods. Conversely, for spermatogonial broods, the data indicate that the excision-deficient strain exhibits a 4–8-fold increase in induced mutation rate in comparison to the excision-proficient control strain. These experiments suggest that the low mutability of gonial cells normally observed for these agents is due to effective excision-repair processes which function until the commencement of meiosis. From alkylation mutagenesis experiments with repair-deficient E. coli strains, we note that the mei-9 strain exhibits pleiotropic mutant phenotypes very similar to those displayed by the uvr D mutant. By analogy with these studies, we speculate that mei-9 , like uvr D , is deficient in a DNA unwinding protein.
Developing democracy in Africa: African and international imperatives

The article investigates the relationship between democratic and economic development in Africa, emphasising the reciprocal linkage between democratic politics and economic growth. It critically examines the main factors in viable state‐building and democratic development in Africa: combating corruption; strengthening civil society; reforming and constraining the military; and constructing accountable and inclusive political institutions, most notably instituting an electoral system based on proportional representation (PR). The article calls for increased western aid to sustain the interrelated processes of democratic and economic development, but based on strict conditionalities: freedom of press; freedom of association; judicial independence; electoral accountability; and independent means for monitoring the conduct of public officials and punishing corruption. Thus, the article challenges the prevailing trend of ‘Afro‐pessimism’ in the West and concludes that the developmental challenge in Africa is m...
The underutilization of information and communication technology-assisted collaborative project-based learning among international educators: a Delphi study

This study explores the barriers associated with teachers implementing information and communication technology-assisted collaborative project-based learning (ICTCPrjBL) as a classroom teaching methodology with students. We used a Web-based Delphi method to engage experienced educators in anonymous consensus building consisting of three rounds of surveys. The Round 1 analysis yielded 51 barriers. The Round 2 analysis produced descriptive statistics (range, mean, and standard deviation) on the importance of each barrier. The Round 3 analysis confirmed 16 out of the 51 (31.4%) barriers as “moderately significant” to “very significant” to implementing ICTCPrjBL. Important contributions of this study include: (a) identification of barriers to implementing ICTCPrjBL that can inform the literature and promote greater utilization throughout the educational community and (b) a cross comparison of barriers between North America, Eastern Europe, and Africa to examine regional differences.
Diffraction limited focusing with controllable arbitrary three-dimensional polarization

We propose a new approach that enables full control over the three-dimensional state of polarization and the field distribution near the focus of a high numerical aperture objective lens. By combining the electric dipole radiation and a vectorial diffraction method, the input field at the pupil plane for generating arbitrary three-dimensionally oriented linear polarization at the focal point with a diffraction limited spot size is found analytically by solving the inverse problem. Arbitrary three-dimensional elliptical polarization can be obtained by introducing a second electric dipole oriented in the orthogonal plane with appropriate amplitude and phase differences.
Increasing real-world security of user IDs and passwords

While there are many highly secure authentication systems, the user ID and password credential pair remains the most commonly used means of authentication even though it is one of the easiest to break. It is vulnerable to technical and social attacks but proper application of people, process and technical controls in the selection, use and monitoring of passwords can decrease the likelihood of compromise. This paper investigates the technical and social uses, weaknesses, vulnerabilities, attacks and defenses of the user ID and password combination. This reviews existing technology, use and attacks of user IDs and passwords; it will consider what can be done as well as suggest what should be done. Academic research and industry practice are addressed.
Questions People Ask about the Role of Phonological Processes in Learning to Read.

A growing reliance on research to guidedecisions about reading instruction hasresulted in a swing toward approaches thatemphasize phoneme awareness and the relationsbetween speech and alphabetic writing. Becausethis is a time of innovation andexperimentation in the schools, and because thenew emphasis has not won universal acceptance,there is a need to address recurring questionsabout the role of phonology in readingacquisition. These questions concern: (1) therelevance of phoneme awareness instructionto reading; (2) the consequences of thecomplexity of English spelling for decisionsabout explicit instruction in the alphabeticcode; and (3) the causes and symptoms of readingdifficulties and implications for remediation. In this paper, we offer our answers to suchquestions and discuss the research bases forthem.
Factor required for mammalian spliceosome assembly is localized to discrete regions in the nucleus

A monoclonal antibody raised against mammalian spliceosomes specifically recognizes a non-snRNP factor required for spliceosome assembly. This splicing factor is highly concentrated in discrete regions within the nucleus, in a pattern that is a distinct subset of that seen with anti-snRNP antibodies. These observations are evidence that spliceosome assembly could be compartmentalized within the nucleus.
Environmental Factors Affecting Growth and Chlorophyll Synthesis in Euglena. I. Physical and Chemical. II. The Effectiveness of the Spectrum for Chlorophyll Synthesis.

SUMMARY. Light ⇌ dark reactions in the algal flagellate, Euglena gracilis, were studied. When cultures are aged, dark-adapted, or subjected to elevated temperatures, analysis of absorption spectra indicates the magnesium is removed from the chlorophyll molecule and the chlorophyll is transformed to pheophytin. It also appears from chemical analyses, that the dark-adapted and heat-treated organisms are similar. The kinetics in terms of activation-energy for growth and chlorophyll synthesis can be evaluated by their effective response to temperature. The action spectrum for greening indicates that in Euglena protochlorophyll is probably the light-acceptor, as has been found for higher plants.
Formation of fluidization pipes during liquefaction: examples from the Uratanna Formation (Lower Cambrian), South Australia

Usually well preserved fluidization pillars and sand filled fluidization pipes occur within submarine channel sands of the basal Uratanna Formation (Lower Cambrian) in the Adelaide Geosyncline of South Australia. The morphology of these structures reflects complex lateral and vertical movement of fluids during liquefaction and dewatering. Fluidization pipes acted as conduits for highly concentrated, upward directed fluid flow. The formation and maintenance of these pipes was dependent upon the development of a pipe wall composed of clay plugged fine sand. Formed during initial fluidization, this lining acted as a permeability barrier, confining and concentrating fluidized flow within the pipe. Each of the pipes is surrounded by a cylindrical fluidization halo in which leakage through the pipe lining produced partial fluidization of the surrounding sediment. Fine scale structures within these haloes indicate that fluids flowed radially and upward out of the fluidization pipes at an acute angle. These fluids merged with and influenced the orientation and size of adjacent fluidization pillars. The fluidization pipes of the Uratanna Formation may represent unusual preservation of the unstable fluid flow conditions that occur during incipient fluidization of sand beds.
Unfulfilled Promise: Laboratory experiments in public management research

AbstractWe make the case for increased laboratory experimentation in public management research. Laboratory experiments can generate useful knowledge, particularly in testing causal relationships among constructs of interest. The challenge in this regard is one of identifying the appropriate role for experiments in a greater knowledge production enterprise. Although laboratory experiments are underutilized, they have proffered important knowledge contributions to the field, especially in areas of decision-making and, increasingly, motivation. Because practical problems may pose a greater obstacle to laboratory experimentation in public management than epistemological issues, we address external validity and the cost of conducting laboratory experiments before concluding with suggestions for future research.
The persistent diagnostic challenge of thoracoabdominal stab wounds.

BACKGROUNDPenetrating thoracoabdominal trauma, with potential injury to two anatomic cavities, significantly challenges surgical management, yet this injury pattern has not been reviewed across a large patient series.METHODSThe trauma registry of a major level 1 center was queried for all adult pati
Profiling Cys34 Adducts of Human Serum Albumin by Fixed-Step Selected Reaction Monitoring

A method is described for profiling putative adducts (or other unknown covalent modifications) at the Cys34 locus of human serum albumin (HSA), which represents the preferred reaction site for small electrophilic species in human serum. By comparing profiles of putative HSA-Cys34 adducts across populations of interest it is theoretically possible to explore environmental causes of degenerative diseases and cancer caused by both exogenous and endogenous chemicals. We report a novel application of selected-reaction-monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry, termed fixed-step SRM (FS-SRM), that allows detection of essentially all HSA-Cys34 modifications over a specified range of mass increases (added masses). After tryptic digestion, HSA-Cys34 adducts are contained in the third largest peptide (T3), which contains 21 amino acids and an average mass of 2433.87 Da. The FS-SRM method does not require that exact masses of T3 adducts be known in advance but rather uses a theoretical list of T3-adduct m/z values separated by a fixed increment of 1.5. In terms of added masses, each triply charged parent ion represents a bin of ±2.3 Da between 9.1 Da and 351.1 Da. Synthetic T3 adducts were used to optimize FS-SRM and to establish screening rules based upon selected b- and y-series fragment ions. An isotopically labeled T3 adduct is added to protein digests to facilitate quantification of putative adducts. We used FS-SRM to generate putative adduct profiles from six archived specimens of HSA that had been pooled by gender, race, and smoking status. An average of 66 putative adduct hits (out of a possible 77) were detected in these samples. Putative adducts covered a wide range of concentrations, were most abundant in the mass range below 100 Da, and were more abundant in smokers than in nonsmokers. With minor modifications, the FS-SRM methodology can be applied to other nucleophilic sites and proteins.
A Tunable Passive Filter for Low-Power High-Speed Equalizers

This paper presents the design and implementation of an integrated tunable passive filter for low-power continuous-time adaptive equalization. Based on a broadband matched high-pass filter topology, a PMOS biased in linear region is used to adjust the low-frequency attenuation for equalizing channel losses. A 0.13-mum prototype demonstrates gain compensation up to 17 dB at 5 GHz without any power consumption
High prevalence and incidence of sexually transmitted diseases in urban adolescent females despite moderate risk behaviors

To better understand the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among female adolescents, a prospective 6-month cohort study was conducted at four teen clinics in a southeastern city. At enrollment, 260 (40%) of 650 sexually active females ages 14-19 years had an STD: chlamydia, 27%; herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), 14%; gonorrhea, 6%; trichomoniasis, 3%; and hepatitis B, 2%. At follow-up, 112 (23%) of 501 participants had an incident infection: chlamydia, 18%; HSV-2, 4%; gonorrhea, 4%; and trichomoniasis, 3%. At either enrollment or follow-up, 53% had >/=1 STD; of those with 1 lifetime partner, 30% had an STD. Having a new partner (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1. 1-4.2) or friends who sell cocaine (OR, 1.6; CI, 1.0-2.6) was independently associated with incident infection. STD incidence and prevalence were extremely high in this population, even in teenagers with only 1 lifetime partner. Individual risk behaviors appeared less important for STD risk than population factors.
Docking of nitrogenase iron-and molybdenum-iron proteins for electron transfer and MgATP hydrolysis: The role of arginine 140 and lysine 143 of the Azotobacter vinelandii iron protein

Docking of the nitrogenase component proteins, the iron protein (FeP) and the molybdenum-iron protein (MoFeP), is required for MgATP hydrolysis, electron transfer between the component proteins, and substrate reductions catalyzed by nitrogenase. The present work examines the function of 3 charged amino acids, Arg 140, Glu 141, and Lys 143, of the Azotobacter vinelandii FeP in nitrogenase component protein docking. The function of these amino acids was probed by changing each to the neutral amino acid glutamine using site-directed mutagenesis. The altered FePs were expressed in A. vinelandii in place of the wild-type FeP. Changing Glu 141 to Gln (E141Q) had no adverse effects on the function of nitrogenase in whole cells, indicating that this charged residue is not essential to nitrogenase function. In contrast, changing Arg 140 or Lys 143 to Gln (R140Q and K143Q) resulted in a significant decrease in nitrogenase activity, suggesting that these charged amino acid residues play an important role in some function of the FeP. The function of each amino acid was deduced by analysis of the properties of the purified R140Q and K143Q FePs. Both altered proteins were found to support reduced substrate reduction rates when coupled to wild-type MoFeP. Detailed analysis revealed that changing these residues to Gln resulted in a dramatic reduction in the affinity of the altered FeP for binding to the MoFeP. This was deduced in FeP titration, NaCl inhibition, and MoFeP protection from Fe2+ chelation experiments. In addition, it was found that changing Arg 140 and Lys 143 to Gln resulted in a significant uncoupling of MgATP hydrolysis from intercomponent electron transfer rates between FeP and MoFeP. The wild-type complex was found to hydrolyze 2.5 MgATP per electron transferred, whereas the R140Q and K143Q proteins, when coupled to wild-type MoFeP, required 6 and 31 MgATP for each electron transferred, respectively. It is concluded that both Arg 140 and Lys 143 of the A. vinelandii nitrogenase FeP are important in the docking interaction with the MoFeP and that these residues probably function in aligning the FeP with the MoFeP for intercomponent electron transfer. A model is discussed in which these positively charged amino acids of the FeP might interact with negatively charged amino acids (Asp and Glu) on the MoFeP near its 8Fe cluster.
Neuromorphic architectures for fast adaptive robot control

An architecture for an adaptive neuromorphic system designed to control a robot is suggested. The proposed architecture utilizes two important features of neural networks: the abundance of local minima in the network's state space and the uniformity of convergence of these minima in the face of growing dimensionality. The proposed approach is expected to yield controllers which are both faster and simpler than controllers which are designed by the methods of model reference adaptive control and self-tuning regulator. The controller's complexity is expected not to grow exponentially with the number of unknown parameters, and to allow adaptation in both continuous and discrete parameter domains. The possible benefits of the architecture are demonstrated on a single-degree-of-freedom manipulator, whose controller is assisted by a neural estimator. >
Use of the blue MACS: acceptance by clinical instructors and self-reports of adherence.

Background and Purpose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical instructors' (CIs') acceptance of and self-reported adherence to instructions for use of The Blue MACS (5th edition) for evaluating the clinical performance of physical therapist students. Subjects and Methods. One hundred twenty-four usable survey instruments were returned by CIs. Results. Twenty-two items from The Blue MACS were collapsed into a score representing acceptance, and 10 items were collapsed into a score representing reported adherence to instructions. Ninety-six percent of the CIs surveyed expressed a positive opinion of the instrument. Ninety-eight percent of the CIs reported at least moderately consistent adherence to instructions. Conclusion and Discussion. The instrument was regarded as a useful tool, and most CIs reported using the instrument according to the instructions. A positive opinion of the clinical performance assessment instrument is desirable to facilitate its use by CIs. Consistent use by different CIs is desirable to promote accurate communication among students, CIs, and the educational institution.
Frequency offset estimation with improved convergence time and energy consumption

An approach to simultaneously improve the energy consumption and convergence time (given the input SNR and required estimation variance) of feedforward data-aided frequency estimation is presented. Four well-known frequency estimation algorithms are compared using actual ASIC hardware implementations to verify the results. It is demonstrated how a modification to the algorithms can simultaneously achieve lower energy consumption and improved convergence time. For example, for an input SNR of 12 dB and required estimation variance of 2/spl times/10/sup -5/, convergence time is decreased by a factor of 4 while decreasing the energy consumption by a factor of 4.3. Directions on how to apply these algorithms to spread spectrum systems are provided.
Linearized analysis of Richtmyer-Meshkov flow for elastic materials

We present a study of Richtmyer–Meshkov flow for elastic materials. This flow, in which a material interface is struck by a shock wave, was originally investigated for gases, where growth of perturbations of the interface is observed. Here we consider two elastic materials in frictionless contact. The governing system of equations comprises conservation laws supplemented by constitutive equations. To analyse it, we linearize the equations around a one-dimensional background solution under the assumption that the perturbation is small. The background problem defines a Riemann problem that is solved numerically; its solution contains transmitted and reflected shock waves in the longitudinal modes. The linearized Rankine–Hugoniot condition provides the interface conditions at the longitudinal and shear waves; the frictionless material interface conditions are also linearized. The resulting equations, a linear system of partial differential equations, is solved numerically using a finite-difference method supplemented by front tracking. In verifying the numerical code, we reproduce growth of the interface in the gas case. For the elastic case, in contrast, we find that the material interface remains bounded: the non-zero shear stiffness stabilizes the flow. In particular, the linear theory remains valid at late time. Moreover, we identify the principal mechanism for the stability of Richtmyer–Meshkov flow for elastic materials: the vorticity deposited on the material interface during shock passage is propagated away by the shear waves, whereas for gas dynamics it stays on the interface.
Span-ratio analysis used to estimate effective lift: drag ratio in the double-crested cormorant Phalacrocorax auritus from field observations

A method is described for measuring the effective lift:drag ratio of a bird in flapping flight from the bird9s span ratio; that is, the ratio of the wing span in the upstroke to that in the downstroke. The method depends on the assumptions that the circulation on the wing is constant, and that the lift varies in proportion to the span. With some simplifications, it can be applied in the field to birds that cruise in steady, continuous flapping flight. Double-crested cormorants, observed on foraging nights, flew at a mean airspeed of 14.7 ms −1 , with a span ratio of 0.70. The effective lift:drag ratio, taking account of mechanical components of power only, was estimated to be 14.8. A much lower estimate (8.96) was obtained from a power curve program (Pennycuick, 1989). The discrepancy could be due (at least partly) to bias in the observations, but it is also suggested that one or more of the default values, used in the program for calculating induced, profile and parasite power, may be in need of downward revision.
Evaluation of source term treatments for high-speed reacting flows

Numerical treatments for addressing the scales associated with the chemical aspects of high-speed reacting flows are evaluated in a shock-induced combustion flow field. The error associated with the source term is found to be correlated to the cell Damkohler number. Both a scaling and an interpolation method are evaluated and are found to improve the comparison between a computed flow field and experimental data. Performance of the methods are also found to be dependent on the particular reaction scheme used in the modeling.
A Mentor-Based Targeted Intervention for High-Risk Latino College Freshmen: A Pilot Study

This article describes the implementation and evaluation of a pilot mentoring program that provided support for Latino college freshmen at risk for poor academic outcomes. Latino is a term used in ...