cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty quantification of forecast error in coupled fire–atmosphere wildfire spread simulations: sensitivity to the spatial resolution

A methodology to quantify uncertainty in wildfire forecast using coupled fire-atmosphere computational models is presented. In these models, an atmospheric solver is coupled with a fire-spread module. In order to maintain a low computational cost, the atmospheric simulation is limited to a coarse numerical resolution, which increases the uncertainty in the wildfire spread prediction. Generalised polynomial chaos is proposed to quantify this uncertainty and obtain a response function for the forecast error in terms of the atmospheric resolution and the forecast horizon. The response is obtained from a set of simulations of a grassland fire with an in-house coupled fire-atmosphere model at varying degrees of resolution. Global sensitivity analysis of the response shows that the resolution is the primary parameter affecting the error. However, due to the strongly coupled fire-atmosphere dynamics in the initial fire development, the forecast time horizon locally becomes the dominant variable. A parametric study on the effect of the fire spreading regime suggests that the forecast uncertainty is large in plume-dominated spreading conditions: coarse resolution forecasts accumulate a large error because they cannot capture the intense small-scale vortical motion at the fire front.
Establishment of Bovine-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) have been successfully developed in many species. However, the establishment of bovine-induced pluripotent stem cells (biPSCs) has been challenging. Here we report the generation of biPSCs from bovine mesenchymal stem cells (bMSCs) by overexpression of lysine-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) and the other reprogramming factors OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, cMYC, LIN28, and NANOG (KdOSKMLN). These biPSCs exhibited silenced transgene expression at passage 10, and had prolonged self-renewal capacity for over 70 passages. The biPSCs have flat, primed-like PSC colony morphology in combined media of knockout serum replacement (KSR) and mTeSR, but switched to dome-shaped, naive-like PSC colony morphology in mTeSR medium and 2i/LIF with single cell colonization capacity. These cells have comparable proliferation rate to the reported primed- or naive-state human PSCs, with three-germ layer differentiation capacity and normal karyotype. Transcriptome analysis revealed a high similarity of biPSCs to reported bovine embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and embryos. The naive-like biPSCs can be incorporated into mouse embryos, with the extended capacity of integration into extra-embryonic tissues. Finally, at least 24.5% cloning efficiency could be obtained in nuclear transfer (NT) experiment using late passage biPSCs as nuclear donors. Our report represents a significant advance in the establishment of bovine PSCs.
Treatment of Patients with a Mental Illness in a Primary Care Setting: Does it Increase the Provider’s Stress?

Purpose/Aims: The purpose of this study is to survey primary care providers regarding their perceived stress related to treating patients with a mental illness. The specific aim is to determine whether or not primary care providers experience stress while treating patients with a mental illness. Background/Significance: Accessibility to mental health care is a growing problem in our country. It is increasingly becoming common for patients with a mental illness to present for treatment in a primary care setting. Many factors lead patients with a mental illness to seek treatment in a primary care setting, such as presenting symptoms or chronic conditions, stigmas involved with mental illness, and untimely access to a mental health facility. Despite the growing numbers of patients with a mental illness in primary care settings, primary care providers are often uncomfortable addressing mental health issues (Butler & Kane, 2008). Since these providers do not specialize in mental health, they have, at best, received a minimal amount of education in this specific area. Williams et al. note that staff in primary care settings have received very little previous training in mental health, and an urgent need exists to ensure that these staff can address the mental health problems within their communities (Williams, Ryzhkova, Proselkova, Zakroyeva, Gask & Goldberg, 2012). This need for more education suggests that the primary care providers may not be appropriately equipped to properly diagnose treat, and manage patients with a mental illness. Without proper knowledge and experience, the providers may not have the necessary confidence in their abilities to know that they are correctly caring for and treating their patients with a mental illness. The lack of confidence and comfort in accurately treating and diagnosing patients with a mental illness may affect the stress levels of primary care providers. Methods: This study will be descriptive and cross sectional. A purposive sampling of primary care providers from Central Appalachia will be used to obtain the data for this study. The recruitment for this study will take place at a nurse practitioner association meeting as well as a nurse-managed community health center. A demographic survey (consisting of age, gender, education level, and experience in primary care) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) will be collected from each participating primary care practitioner. The 10item PSS asks questions about perceived stress related to treating patients with a mental illness. The PSS uses a Likert scale with response options that range from never, almost never, sometimes, fairly often, and very often. Each item will be scored based upon the response to each item. The data collected from the demographic survey and the 10-item questionnaire will be analyzed using descriptive statistics.
The mechanism of hemagglutination by influenza virus.

Publisher Summary This chapter is confined to the case of normal egg-adapted virus. Aberrant forms of the virus, such as the long rods that occur principally with freshly isolated strains and the incomplete, noninfectious virus produced when very large inocula are used also undergo the hemagglutination reaction in similar fashion to normal virus. Genetic variants of the virus can show vastly different abilities with respect to hemagglutination. Virus newly isolated from human sources, in particular, is very different in this respect from egg-adapted strains. The chapter is concerned with the dual property of hemagglutination and elution. It briefly describes the main features of the reactions and proposes scheme for the reaction. It has been that the ostensible simplicity of the hemagglutination reaction is, in reality, confused by a mass of diverse, and often contradictory, evidence.
Brawn for Brains: The Role of MEF2 Proteins in the Developing Nervous System

The myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors were originally identified, as their family name implies, on the basis of their role in muscle differentiation. Expression of the four MEF2 proteins, however, is not restricted to contractile tissue. While it has been known for more than a decade that MEF2s are abundantly expressed in neurons, their contributions to the development and function of the nervous system are only now being elucidated. Interestingly, the emerging mechanisms regulating MEF2 in neurons have significant parallels with the regulatory mechanisms in muscle, despite the quite distinct identities of these two electrically excitable tissues. The goal of this chapter is to provide an introduction to those regulatory mechanisms and their consequences for brain development. As such, we first provide an overview of MEF2 itself and its expression within the central nervous system. The second part of this chapter describes the signaling molecules that regulate MEF2 transcriptional activity and their contributions to MEF2 function. The third part of this chapter discusses the role of MEF2 proteins in the developing nervous system and compares the analogous functions of this protein family in muscle and brain.
Database Organization and Similarity Searching with E-State Indices

Any approach to the quantitation of atoms or fragments within a molecule must be built upon the context and their relationships operating within this complex system. We can view each atom present in a molecule as existing in a field within a molecule in which all other atoms share and participate. The methyl group in the toluene molecule is different from the methyl group in acetic acid by virtue of its different molecular environment and connectivity, in spite of its intrinsic state as a methyl group. Quantifying the methyl group requires both an identity as a methyl group and it’s relationship to all other atoms present in the molecule in which it resides. The influence of all other atoms present in the toluene molecule makes the methyl group unique relative to other methyl groups in all other possible molecules which include a methyl group. There are also intrinsic characteristics of the methyl group which transcend its molecular context. These inner characteristics must be identified in order to correctly describe this molecular fragment in a quantitative way. We consider each of these characteristics in turn.
Monetary Policy in a Very Open Economy: Some Major Analytical Issues

This paper develops three considerations relevant to the possibility of modification of the Hong Kong currency board system for conducting monetary/exchange-rate policy. The first concerns the system employed by Singapore, an economy similar in several ways to Hong Kong's, whereby the exchange rate is adjusted periodically in activist response to inflation and output developments. The second concerns a generalization, one that calls for adjustments of a weighted average of exchange rate and interest rate instruments, so designed to be effective whether the economy is, or is not, in a liquidity-trap situation. Finally, the third topic concerns political-economy aspects of policy, which tend to incline against the use of the activist systems.
High-pressure investigation of the heavy-fermion antiferromagnet U 3 Ni 5 Al 19

Measurements of magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and electrical resistivity at applied pressures up to $55\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kbar}$ have been carried out on single crystals of the heavy-fermion antiferromagnet ${\mathrm{U}}_{3}{\mathrm{Ni}}_{5}{\mathrm{Al}}_{19}$, which crystallizes in the ${\mathrm{Gd}}_{3}{\mathrm{Ni}}_{5}{\mathrm{Al}}_{19}$ orthorhombic structure with two inequivalent U sites. At ambient pressure, an upturn of the specific heat and $T$-linear electrical resistivity below $5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ indicate non-Fermi liquid (NFL) behavior in the presence of bulk antiferromagnetic order at ${T}_{N}=23\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. Electrical resistivity measurements reveal a crossover from non-Fermi liquid to Fermi liquid behavior at intermediate pressures between 46 and $51\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kbar}$, followed by a return to NFL ${T}^{3∕2}$ behavior at higher pressures. These results provide evidence for an ambient pressure quantum critical point and an additional antiferromagnetic instability at ${P}_{c}\ensuremath{\approx}60\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kbar}$.
Birth weight, gestational age, and renal glomerular development as indices of fetal maturity.

Abstract Below and up to 34 weeks' gestation in girls and 35 weeks' gestation in boys, the mean birth weights in Negroes were consistently higher than in Caucasians. Above these gestational ages, the mean birth weights of Caucasians exceeded those of Negroes. In spite of such birth weight differences, renal maturity, measured by examining the nephrogenic zone of babies who died early neonatally and were stillborn, was not significantly different in the two races within each gestational age interval. The concept that Negro fetuses mature more rapidly appears invalid. Gestational age seems to be better than birth weight as an indicator of fetal maturity if gestational age is properly recorded.
Growth Attenuation, Parental Choice, & the Rights of Disabled Children: Lessons from Ashley X Case

The case of Ashley X, a profoundly disabled child from Washington whose growth and sexual development were purposely stunted through medical and surgical treatments elected by her parents, raises important questions about the law's role in protecting children from the decisions of their parents, and about the rights of disabled children. This paper argues that the deference traditionally afforded parents in making medical decisions for their children, the very deference afforded Ashley's parents by the ethics committee that reviewed her case, is inappropriate when parents choose to alter a disabled child's body for social, not medical reasons. The magnitude of potential and actual harm, the potential conflict of interest faced by parents and the potential for abuse in cases like Ashley's support the imposition of limitations on parental choice. The paper considers the calls from the disability rights community for a moratorium on growth attenuation procedures, but concludes that third party review, like that required for involuntary commitment, sibling donation, and involuntary sterilization, is the decisionmaking model that will best protect children with disabilities.
The Evolution of HAZARD, the Fire Hazard Assessment Methodology

The United States alone spends $700 billion a year on new and renovated construction. About 20% of this money assures safety from unwanted fires, and this portion includes the cost of insurance to families and businesses. This enormous cost could be reduced by introducing fire safe products to the building and transportation industries, both in the United States and abroad, and by introducing advanced detectors, suppression systems, and firefighting equipment to the fire protection industry. In order to show that these products and mechanisms are safe to use, industries need performance measures. Performance-based fire standards are currently being developed to augment prescriptive standards around the world.
Seven Assumptions of a Solution-Focused Conversational Leader

How can we consistently create effective conversations in our interac tions with students, teachers, parents, and community members? How can we listen compassionately to stakeholder concerns white trans forming these concerns into actions that lead to solutions? What assumptions should we maintain to move conversations from com ptaints about kids, parents, teachers, and schools to conversations that produce results?
Stresses in a perforated circular ring

This paper presents a solution for the stresses in a perforated circular ring containing a ring of uniformly distributed circular holes. The stress function is constructed by using ring-periodic biharmonic functions. Even and odd solutions are formulated separately. The solution is illustrated by numerical examples of a ring containing six holes under two types of loading.
Homogeneous and heterogeneous kinetics of the atomic Al/O2 reaction in the 1000–1700 K range

The kinetics of Al oxidation by O 2 has been studied in the AeroChem high-temperature fast-flow reactor over the temperature range 1000–1700 K at pressures from 1 to 50 Torr. Measurements of relative [Al] by atomic absorption and fluorescence, as functions of [O 2 ], [M], t , and T showed that for the conditions of this work the oxidation process is described by − d ln[Al] nrel / dt = k w + k 1 [O 2 ]. Over the entire pressure range the homogeneous gas-phase reaction Al+O 2 →AlO+O (1) dominates; k 1 has been determined to be (3±2)×10 −11 ml molecule −1 sec −1 . The data suggest a γ A1 of ≈10 −2 for the zero-order (in [O 2 ]) wall-oxidation process. Within the accuracy of the data no effect of temperature on k 1 and k w is evident.
Hormones and social monitoring: Menstrual cycle shifts in progesterone underlie women's sensitivity to social information

Abstract During the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, women's bodies prepare themselves for possible pregnancy and this preparation includes a dramatic increase in progesterone. This increase in progesterone may underlie a variety of functionally relevant psychological changes designed to help women overcome challenges historically encountered during pregnancy (e.g., warding off social threats and recruiting allies). This paper reports data supporting the hypothesis that increases in progesterone during the luteal phase underlie heightened levels of social monitoring—that is, heightened sensitivity to social cues indicating the presence of social opportunity or threat. Increases in progesterone during the luteal phase were associated with increased accuracy in decoding facial expressions (Study 1) and increased attention to social stimuli (Study 2). Findings suggest that increases in progesterone during the luteal phase may be linked functionally with low-level perceptual attunements that help women effectively navigate their social world.
Effects of hypoxia, blood PCO2 and flow on O2 transport in excised rabbit lungs

Abstract In previous studies using isolated perfused rabbit lungs, an O 2 deficit measured by an alveolar gas-to-end capillary blood P O 2 difference ( a -aD O 2 ) was absent at blood flows ( Q ) consistent with severe exercise. Thus factors such as V a / Q heterogeneity, shunt and diffusion limitation that contribute to an O 2 deficit in vivo were absent. Here we attempted to increase diffusion limitation to O 2 transport by reducing the equilibration coefficient D/( β Q ), the ratio of the diffusing capacity (D) to the product of Q and the capacitance coefficient ( β , the slope of the blood O 2 content-P O 2 curve). First, we used hypoxic (10% O 2 ) ventilation in conjunction with a low P v O 2 (≈25 mmHg) because β is largest in this region of the O 2 dissociation curve. Second, we increased β by decreasing blood P CO 2 which shifts the O 2 dissociation curve to the left (Bohr effect). Third, we increased Q to three times control to reduce D/ Q . CO diffusing capacity was measured as a function of blood flow and blood P O 2 . A deficit in O 2 transport as measured by a significant a -aD O 2 was measured only under conditions of hypoxia and high blood flow. The measured O 2 deficit matched the predictions from the equilibration coefficients D/( β Q ) based on measurements of β , D and Q .
Silicon nanostructure cloak operating at optical frequencies

The ability to render objects invisible using a cloak (such that they are not detectable by an external observer) has long been a tantalizing goal1,2,3,4,5,6. Here, we demonstrate a cloak operating in the near infrared at a wavelength of 1,550 nm. The cloak conceals a deformation on a flat reflecting surface, under which an object can be hidden. The device has an area of 225 µm2 and hides a region of 1.6 µm2. It is composed of nanometre-size silicon structures with spatially varying densities across the cloak. The density variation is defined using transformation optics to define the effective index distribution of the cloak. A triangular array of silicon nanostructures is experimentally demonstrated to function as an optical cloaking device, operating in the near-infrared at a wavelength of 1550 nm. This approach could, in principle, be extended to larger areas using fabrication techniques such as nanoimprinting.
Accumulation and metabolism of the anticancer flavonoid 5,7-dimethoxyflavone compared to its unmethylated analog chrysin in the Atlantic killifish

The use of dietary flavonoids as potential chemopreventive agents is a concept of increasing interest. Recent findings indicate that methylated flavones have the advantage of increased metabolic stability. One such compound, the naturally-occurring 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (5,7-DMF), has been shown to be a potential chemopreventive agent in human cancer originating from the liver, mouth, esophagus and lung. As bioavailability is a key issue for potential in vivo effects, the tissue accumulation and biliary elimination of 5,7-DMF and its non-methylated analog chrysin were examined in a small fish model (Fundulus heteroclitus). The fish were exposed to 5,7-DMF, chrysin or vehicle control (DMSO<0.01%) in seawater for 8h. Toxicity was not observed at the 5microM exposure level. Tissues and bile were harvested and analyzed by HPLC and LC/MS for quantitation and identification of parent compound and metabolites. 5,7-DMF accumulated 20-fold to 100-fold in all tissues examined, with the highest accumulation in liver and brain, whereas chrysin was barely detectable in any tissues except the liver. The bile of chrysin-exposed fish contained very low concentrations of unchanged chrysin but high concentrations of two glucuronic acid conjugates. In the bile of 5,7-DMF-exposed fish, the parent compound was detectable in significant amounts along with glucuronic acid conjugates of O-demethylated 5,7-DMF. In conclusion, our study demonstrated high tissue accumulation and limited metabolism of 5,7-DMF compared to chrysin in vivo, making this flavone a promising chemopreventive molecule.
Kar2p availability defines distinct forms of endoplasmic reticulum stress in living cells

Accumulation of misfolded secretory proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) activates the unfolded protein response (UPR) stress pathway. To enhance secretory protein folding and promote adaptation to stress, the UPR upregulates ER chaperone levels, including BiP. Here we describe chromosomal tagging of KAR2, the yeast homologue of BiP, with superfolder green fluorescent protein (sfGFP) to create a multifunctional endogenous reporter of the ER folding environment. Changes in Kar2p-sfGFP fluorescence levels directly correlate with UPR activity and represent a robust reporter for high-throughput analysis. A novel second feature of this reporter is that photobleaching microscopy (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching) of Kar2p-sfGFP mobility reports on the levels of unfolded secretory proteins in individual cells, independent of UPR status. Kar2p-sfGFP mobility decreases upon treatment with tunicamycin or dithiothreitol, consistent with increased levels of unfolded proteins and the incorporation of Kar2p-sfGFP into slower-diffusing complexes. During adaptation, we observe a significant lag between down-regulation of the UPR and resolution of the unfolded protein burden. Finally, we find that Kar2p-sfGFP mobility significantly increases upon inositol withdrawal, which also activates the UPR, apparently independent of unfolded protein levels. Thus Kar2p mobility represents a powerful new tool capable of distinguishing between the different mechanisms leading to UPR activation in living cells.
Characteristics of prolactin binding sites in the brain of the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria)

Abstract Radiolabeled ovine prolactin ([ 125 I]oPRL) was found to bind specifically to crude membrane fractions prepared from ring dove brain homogenates. Specific binding changed with incubation time and temperature but did not fluctuate systematically with pH. Specific binding levels were highest in hypothalamus and forebrain and were lowest in cerebellum and brain stem. A linear increase in specific binding was observed in pooled midbrain and forebrain membrane fractions as membrane protein concentrations increased from 0.2 to 6.0 mg/ml. Scatchard analysis of binding saturation and competitive binding data revealed that dove midbrain/forebrain membranes bound oPRL with high affinity ( K d = 2.1–2.6 × 10 −10 M ) but had low binding capacity ( B max = 2.9–4.8 fmol/mg protein). Unlabeled oPRL and human growth hormone competed most effectively with radiolabeled oPRL for occupation of midbrain/forebrain binding sites. Turkey PRL and human placental lactogen were less effective as competitors but were 8–15 times more effective than ovine or turkey growth hormone, porcine insulin, or ovine luteinizing hormone. Subcutaneous injection of unlabeled oPRL lowered specific binding in liver and midbrain/forebrain by 76 and 39%, respectively, over that observed after saline injection. Prior MgCl 2 -induced desaturation of membrane binding sites greatly reduced or eliminated these treatment differences. These results suggest the existence of specific, saturable binding sites for PRL in dove brain which conceivably could mediate the reported effects of PRL on behavior and gonadal function in this species.
Problems of PL/I for system programming

A group within the Computer Science Department of the IBM T. J. Watson Research Center is now engaged in the design and development of System/A, an experimental operating system to support a variety of user activities with multiprocessing hardware. PL/I has been chosen as the system implementation language. Work with the language has shown that it is very good for system programming. However, there are problems. A number of minor annoyances can be circumvented rather easily but there are a few more basic problems which often stem from the fundamental concepts of PL/I.
Kinetics of environmental fatigue crack growth in a nickel-copper alloy: Part II. In hydrogen

A systematic matrix of fatigue crack growth rate data in a hydrogen environment has been generated in a nickel-copper alloy and compared with the base line data in the milder oxygen and vacuum environments described in the preceding paper. It is found that crack growth in the hydrogen environment is characterized by high values of the Paris equation exponent and faster crack propagation rates as compared to those in the milder environments. Fractographic examination shows that brittle inter granular separation occurs superimposed on an otherwise ductile crack mode in the hydrogen tests. Quantitative fractographic analysis of the hydrogen affected fracture surfaces indicates that the percentage of intergranular failure (area fraction) is a uniquely related function of the mean stress intensity rather than the maximum stress intensity level of fatigue loading. This dependence is discussed in terms of dislocation sweep-in transport of hydrogen deep into the plastic zone during fatigue cycling.
Dynamics of Multi-Disk Rotor System with Rub-Impact Fault

In this paper, a multi-disk rotor system is studied. The rotor system is properly simplified and the finite element model is established. Assuming that contact region is an arc when the practical rotor-stator rub-impact fault occurs. Contact analysis and nonlinear finite element method are adopted to carry out numerical simulation of rub-impact. The results show that 1/2 fractional frequency components appear in slight rub-impact stage; 1/3 fractional frequency components appear in moderate rub-impact stage and 1/4 fractional frequency components appear in serious rub-impact stage. The research results will provide theoretical support for fault diagnosis of rub-impact.
Reversal by vitamin K of cycloheximide inhibited biosynthesis of prothrombin in the isolated perfused rat liver.

Abstract Cycloheximide inhibition of prothrombin synthesis from isotopic leucine in the isolated perfused rat liver can be reversed by high doses of vitamin K1 without affecting the blockade of synthesis of non vitamin K-dependent proteins. A partially competitive type of inhibition was observed which suggests that cycloheximide affects the association of vitamin K with a regulatory protein bound to the ribosome. Puromycin, on the other hand, inhibited both general and vitamin K-dependent factor synthesis, regardless of the dose of vitamin K in the system.
Personalized assessment and treatment of depression

The drive to personalize the delivery of psychosocial and pharmacologic treatments is embodied in Gordon Paul's (1967) famous question, ‘ What treatment, by whom , is most effective for this individual with that specific problem, and under which set of circumstances?’ Traditionally, researchers have examined ‘what works for whom’ via post hoc moderator analyses. However, these efforts have been largely unsuccessful, suffering from poor replication and statistical bias due a lack of random assignment. Recent advances in genetic and biological technologies and statistical methods have facilitated an explosion of research on the personalization of treatment for psychological disorders. The present review examines recent developments in the personalization of depression treatment.
Enhanced Laser Damage Behavior of Laser Mirror by Modification of the Top Layer Design

We show the laser damage resistance of ion beam sputtered Ta2O5/SiO2 for high energy lasers can be increased by 50% when the Ta2O5 in the top few layers of the stack is replaced by HfO2 or Y2O3.
In VivoGene Therapy with a Cationic Polymer Markedly Enhances the Antitumor Activity of Antiangiogenic Genes

Abstract A cationic polymer, Superfect, when complexed to the therapeutic genes, p53 and a TSP fragment, displays a much greater antitumor activity compared to cationic liposomes. At the dosages used, this polymer did not demonstrate any nonspecific antitumor effects in contrast to the liposome carriers. These in vivo findings should further stimulate the development of carrier polymers as well as expedite the evaluation of several antiangiogenic genes.
Caracterización y clasificación de la bahía de Puerto Montt mediante batimetría de multihaz y datos de backscatter

Se efectuo un levantamiento batimetrico de alta resolucion con sonar multihaz en la bahia de Puerto Montt, Chile. Ademas se obtuvo, con el mismo sistema de sonar, datos de intensidad de las senales acusticas reflejadas sobre el fondo del mar y se calculo la razon entre la energia acustica emitida y la recibida en los transductores (backscatter o retrodispersion acustica). El modelo topografico resultante presento una suave plataforma costera y una vertiente submarina abrupta. Existen pequenos canales submarinos en la zona de la vertiente y en la zona central de la bahia hay un canal principal que puede ser relacionado con la depresion que da origen al canal Tenglo. Estos canales han servido de conducto para el transporte de sedimentos desde el sector somero al profundo. La informacion de backscatter se utilizo para clasificar los sedimentos del fondo apoyado con los resultados de muestras de sedimentos. Se encontro que los sedimentos mas gruesos tienen mayor intensidad o fuerza de backscatter que los finos. En la bahia predominan las arenas fangosas, pero los materiales mas gruesos tienden a concentrarse en sectores someros y los mas finos en sectores profundos. En el interior y en las bocas del canal Tenglo, el transporte de sedimentos es fuertemente influenciado por las corrientes de marea, no asi el transporte de materiales sobre las vertientes submarinas y el area mas profunda de la bahia, donde otros mecanismos, como corrientes de turbidez, tendrian mas importancia
A procedure for ordering fuzzy subsets of the unit interval

Abstract We introduce a function to help in the ordering of fuzzy subsets of the unit interval. This function is the integral of the mean of the level sets associated with the fuzzy subsets. Various properties of this function are studied.
Why history matters to philosophy of physics

Abstract Naturalized metaphysics remains the default presupposition of much contemporary philosophy of physics. As metaphysics is supposed to concern the general structure of reality, so scientific naturalism draws upon our best physical theories to attempt to answer the foundational question “par excellence ” viz., “how could the world possibly be the way this theory says it is?” A particular case study, Hilbert's attempt to analyze and explain a seeming “pre-established harmony” between mind and nature, is offered as a salutary reminder that naturalism's ready inference from physical theory to ontology may be too quick.
Evaluating hypotheses for the initiation and development of Alexandrium fundyense blooms in the western Gulf of Maine using a coupled physical–biological model

A coupled physical/biological model and observations are used to investigate the factors governing the initiation and development of an Alexandrium fundyense bloom in the western Gulf of Maine (WGOM) during the spring of 1993 (March 19–June 6). The physical circulation is simulated using a 3D primitive equation model forced by climatological sea-surface elevation and observed winds, irradiance, and river outflow. This is coupled with a biological model constructed from laboratory and field data that estimates the germination and growth rates of A. fundyense as a function of environmental conditions. Four biological model structures of increasing complexity are considered, with each structure representing a hypothesis for factors controlling bloom initiation and development. The model/data fit is optimized over the uncertainty in the parameters to which the model is most sensitive. The significance of changes in the model/data fit between model structures is quantified using a maximum likelihood ratio test. The baseline biological model, which parameterizes growth as only a function of temperature, salinity, and light, severely over-estimates observed A. fundyense abundance in the late spring. It is thus rejected with greater than 99% confidence in favor of biological models that include a mortality term or a dependence of growth on dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). The overall best-fit simulation uses both nitrogen dependence and mortality. However, simulations using one or the other of these factors could not be differentiated from the best-fit case with greater than 90% confidence. The best-fit model captures the general timing and magnitude of the observed bloom and some of its secondary features. However, considerable misfits may exist in the point-to-point comparison, and some regional misfits remain. Diagnosis of the cell budget suggests that germination from a large cyst bed offshore of Casco Bay provides the majority of cells comprising spring A. fundyense populations within the WGOM. The size of the modeled bloom is largely set by the size of this cyst-driven source. Transport of cells from the eastern Gulf of Maine becomes increasingly important later in the spring. Net growth of the modeled A. fundyense populations is first limited by low water temperatures and then by the combined influence of nitrogen limitation and mortality. This results in low domain-averaged net growth rates (o0.05 day � 1 ) throughout much of the simulation. However, rates are sometimes elevated locally and therefore add notable spatial structure to the bloom. Primary uncertainties within the biological model include spatial and temporal variability in mortality, and the influence of sediment dynamics and inter-annual variability in the cyst abundance on the
Prevention of innominate bone separation during pregnancy in the mouse.

SummaryThe innominate bones in virgin mice of the Brown-belt strain were tied together at the pubic symphysis with silk thread. This was done to prevent innominate bone separation and concomitant enlargement of the birth canal during pregnancy. The females were then mated. Each pregnant mouse gave birth to normal living young at the usual time even though its birth canal was not enlarged during pregnancy by innominate bone separation at the symphysis. All of the pelvic joints became flexible, including the symphysis. Although the tied innominate bones remained closely approximated at the symphysis the pre-pregnancy symphysial cartilage was replaced by ligamentous tissue.
Fractal Analysis of Long-Range Paleoclimatic Data: Oxygen Isotope Record of Pacific Core V28-239

R/S analysis of the oxygen isotope curve of Pacific core V28–239 yields a fractal dimension of 1.22. This value is considered to characterize global climatic change over the last 2 million years as expressed by changing δO18 ratios and confirms that climatic variations are characterized by long-term persistence. The fractal dimension of 1.22 compares favorably with the approximate fractal dimension of 1.26 for annual precipitation records for nine major cities in the United States. Although the precipitation and oxygen isotope data are measured in different physical units and recorded at different time scales, fractal analysis allows for a mathematical comparison of the two phenomena. Additionally, since the fractal dimensions of the oxygen isotope and precipitation records are similar, it is implied that such fractal dimensions are characteristic of climate change over the spectral range of 10 to 106 years. Given this, temperature curves based on fractal parameters of long-term δO18 data could be constructed which would allow examination of characteristics of temperature variation over tens and hundreds of years. Such studies may allow the establishment of limits on natural temperature variation and document the persistence of temperature trends through time. If these trends and limits can be resolved, long-range climatic prediction is feasible.
394. Neuron-Specific, In Vivo Gene Delivery Mediated by Non-Viral Vectors

Top of pageAbstract The development of nucleic acid delivery vehicles for the central nervous system (CNS) is an important technology goal in the advancement of molecular therapies for neurological diseases. An existing challenge to CNS delivery is efficient and targeted uptake of vehicles by neurons. In this work, two peptide-based targeting ligands were evaluated for their ability to mediate neuron-specific delivery. The neurotensin (NT) peptide undergoes rapid internalization via its high-affinity neurotensin receptor, which is predominantly expressed by neurons. A novel peptide sequence identified by phage display with potential neuron targeting abilities identified was also evaluated. Peptides were conjugated to cationic polymers and the modified polymers were complexed with plasmid DNA. The resulting nanoparticles were characterized by gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements. In vitro gene delivery to differentiated, neuron-like PC-12 cells was demonstrated. Nanoparticles containing fluorescently-labeled (Cy3) plasmids were injected unilaterally into murine spinal cord. In this procedure, 8-12 week old C57Bl/6 female mice anesthesized with Avertin and the T10-T11 inter-laminar space exposed. Then, mice were fitted into a stereotactic frame and nanoparticles were injected at the junction of the intermediate gray matter and the lateral funiculus with a stereotactically guided Hamilton's syringe fitted with a 33 gauge Hamilton's needle. After injecting for 2 min, the needle was left in place for another 1 min and withdrawn slowly to prevent reflux. Optimized formulations resulted in migration of nanoparticles from the injection site in both caudal and rostral directions. The distribution of nanoparticles in the CNS was assessed by confocal microscopy with staining for microglia (Iba-1), mature and reactive astrocytes (GFAP), and neurons (NeuN) 3 days and 7 days post-injection. Specific co-localization of nanoparticles in neurons was observed with limited uptake in ramified microglia. Current work includes evaluation of transgene expression efficiency in neurons. Thus, these targeted nanoparticles can potentially be used in vivo to deliver nucleic acids to neurons with potential applications in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Frequency of Congenitally Bicuspid Aortic Valves in Patients ≥80 Years of Age Undergoing Aortic Valve Replacement for Aortic Stenosis (With or Without Aortic Regurgitation) and Implications for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

The purpose of the present report was to determine the frequency of a congenitally bicuspid aortic valve in patients ≥80 years of age old with aortic stenosis (AS) severe enough to warrant aortic valve replacement. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has traditionally been reserved for patients ≥80 years of age with severe AS involving a 3-cuspid aortic valve. Traditionally, AS involving a 2-cuspid aortic valve has been a contraindication to TAVI. We examined operatively excised stenotic aortic valves in 364 patients aged ≥80 years to determine the frequency of an underlying congenitally bicuspid aortic valve. Of the 347 octogenarians and 17 nonagenarians, 78 (22%) and 3 (18%) had stenotic congenitally bicuspid aortic valves, respectively. In conclusion, because the results of TAVI are less favorable in patients with stenotic congenitally bicuspid valves than in patients with stenotic tricuspid aortic valves, proper identification of the underlying aortic valve structure is important when considering TAVI as a therapeutic procedure for AS in older patients.
Multiphoton EUV photonics: Demonstration of quasi phase matchingat short wavelengths

We present the first demonstration of quasi-phase-matched frequency conversion of laser light into the extremeultraviolet (EUV) region of the spectrum.
Sensitivity of blood-clotting factors and digestive enzymes to inhibition by organophosphorus pesticides

Organophosphorus pesticide toxicology is normally evaluated in relation to inhibition of cholinesterases (acetyl and butyryl), neuropathy target esterase, and carboxylesterases, with less attention given to other physiologically important hydrolases. This study considers the relative organophosphate sensitivities of the aforementioned serine hydrolases compared with purified blood-clotting factors (thrombin, plasmin, and kallikrein) and digestive enzymes (alpha-chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase), assayed under similar conditions. Inhibitors that we examined are organophosphorus insecticides or their activated metabolites (paraoxon, chlorpyrifos oxon, and profenofos) and other toxicants (phenyl saligenin cyclic phosphonate and tribufos) for comparison with values that are found in the literature for the fluorophosphonates (isoflurophate and sarin). Thrombin is the most sensitive blood-clotting factor with IC-50 values of 19 to 160 microM for tribufos, the cyclic phosphonate, isoflurophate, and profenofos; plasmin and kallikrein are less affected (IC-50 >100 microM). Alpha-Chymotrypsin, trypsin, and elastase are most sensitive to the cyclic phosphonate (IC-50 1.3-15 microM) and less so to isoflurophate, sarin, and profenofos (IC-50 values from 3.6 to greater than 100 microM). The cholinesterases, carboxylesterase, and neuropathy target esterase are the most sensitive to inhibition with IC-50 values for the insecticides of less than 0.001 to 0.6, 0.002 to 0.009, and 0.15 to 100 microM, respectively. The generally low potency of these organophosphates for blood-clotting factors and digestive enzymes suggests that associated toxic effects are unlikely at sublethal doses.
Nonlinear Dynamics of Longitudinal Oscillations in a Homogeneous Collisionless Plasma with an External Magnetic Field

The effect of wave-wave scattering of longitudinal oscillations in a homogeneous collisionless plasma with an external magnetic field is derived. The nonlinear dynamics of the modes existing near multiples of the electron cyclotron frequency are discussed, and it is shown that resonant wave-wave scattering of unstable low harmonic modes is an important mechanism for transferring energy to the higher harmonics.
Correlations between Nimbus-7 Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer Data and an Antecedent Precipitation Index

Passive microwave brightness temperatures from the Nimbus-7 Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) can be used to infer the soil moisture content over agricultural areas such as the southern Great Plains of the United States. A linear regression analysis between three transforms of the five dual polarized SMMR wavelengths of 0.81, 1.36, 1.66, 2.80 and 4.54 cm and an antecedent precipitation index representing the precipitation history showed correlation coefficients greater than 0.90 for pixel aggregates of 25-50 km. The use of surface air temperatures to approximate the temperature of the emitting layer was not required to obtain high correlation coefficients between the transforms and the antecedent precipitation index.
The calibration and use of a calcium ion-specific electrode for kinetic studies of mitochondrial calcium transport.

Abstract A calcium ion-specific electrode has been used to study calcium transport by isolated,hepatic mitochondria. The methodology used requires only a sensitive pH meter operated in the millivolt mode with the electrode. Free calcium ion concentrations may be followed continuously. Using incubation conditions which cause release of intramitochondrial calcium, the calcium electrode system may also be used to determine total. intramitochondrial calcium. Techniques for the calibration of the electrode response are discussed. Free calcium ion concentrations have been calculated from total calcium concentrations and the association constants for the binding species present in the assay medium. The observation that the electrode response is linear to submicromolar concentrations allows calculation of a linear least-squares fit of millivolt reading to computed free calcium ion concentration. A computer program written in BASIC for these computations is included in Appendix material. The half-maximal rate constant for mitochondrial calcium uptake has been found to occur at a free calcium ion concentration of 6.5 μ m . The interaction or Hill coefficient for the process is 2.3, indicating positive cooperativity.
Registration of three-dimensional magnetic resonance and radionuclide skeletal images.

Purpose To apply postprocessing techniques to register three-dimensional TI-201 bone SPECT datasets with MRI. This may provide more accurate anatomic-functional correlation when localizing active tumors. Materials and methods Three-dimensional datasets were constructed from previously acquired MRIs using routine imaging protocols. Registration software was used to coregister the TI-201 SPECT studies and the MRIs in three dimensions. Results Adequate TI-201 uptake in muscles and soft tissues along with relatively low accumulation in tendons and joint spaces provided adequate landmarks for visually aligning SPECT and MRI datasets. MR abnormalities were more extensive because of surrounding reactive tissue, and more focal TI-201 uptake could be demonstrated within the region of MR signal abnormality, allowing the focal metabolically active tissue to be distinguished from adjacent edema. Conclusions Image registration of SPECT and anatomic imaging (CT or MRI) is used routinely to evaluate functional abnormalities within the brain. This technique has now been applied to the combination of TI-201 SPECT and MR data for evaluating bone lesions and may provide additional anatomic information for localizing functional abnormalities. This may be valuable for defining targets for biopsy, planning surgical treatment, and using minimally invasive therapies.
Examination of caesium-137 areal activities in control (uneroded) locations

Caesium-137 (137Cs) redistribution has been used to quantify erosion for periods of up to 35 years. One of the basic tenets of the 137Cs technique is that sampling of an uneroded (control) area will provide a baseline input level of 137Cs fallout. The problem with many 137Cs studies is that they have failed to characterize the statistical variability of 137Cs within the control locations, and thus their estimates of sediment redistribution are biased. The primary objective of this study was to determine the variability of 137Cs in three control locations in Saskatchewan. The locations differed with respect to soil type, vegetation and gradient. The 137Cs areal activities (Bq m−2) were not correlated with organic carbon concentration, dispersed particle size fractions, and several topographical parameters calculated from a digital elevation model. Caesium-137 was randomly distributed, with no indication of erosion, or solution transport. Caesium-137 was normally distributed and autocorrelation analysis indicated no serial correlation. Classical statistics were used to estimate that between 12 and 20 samples were required to estimate the population mean 137Cs activity at the 95% confidence level with an allowable error of ±10%. There were no significant differences in 137Cs activity between control locations. Therefore, data from 75 sample sites were pooled, and the arithmetic mean and 95% confidence band for 137Cs was 2150±100 Bq m−2.