cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some problems in the study of simultaneous multiple nutrient deficiencies in plants

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to determine some of the problems associated with study of multiple nutrient deficiencies in plants. In the first experiment in which bush beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Improved Tendergreen) were grown in solution with no added Fe, no added Mn, or with both omitted simultaneously, vegetative yields of trifoliate leaves were depressed by 25% for no Fe, 77% for no Mn, but only 58% for both no Fe and Mn. There was a clear interaction then, that resulted in better growth for no Mn and no Fe than for no Mn with Fe. In the second experiment in which bush beans were grown in solution culture with low P and K (10‐5M each singly and together), the multiple deficiency resulted in trifoliate leaf yields about the same of those of the individual nutrients alone indicative of the operation of the law of the minimum.
Compensating saturation in feedback control systems by excess error storage

BROADLY speaking, there are two types of saturation in a servo system: (1) sustained saturation, and (2) transient saturation. As an example of sustained saturation, the value of a ramp input may exceed the maximum speed of the servomotor when referred to identical basis. The only solution then is a trivial one, changing the servomotor. On the other hand, the transient saturation is by far more important and interesting technologically, and will be the subject of the present study.
Environmental Protection in the Russian Federation: Lessons and Opportunities

Environmental managers in Russia face severe problems, both from Soviet-era and continuing environmental degradation and due to the weakness of current institutions with responsibilities for environmental protection. This paper draws on surveys, a case study of water pollution and workshops on Russian environmental decision making to explore prospects for environmental improvements. Using concepts from the regulatory reform literature, it focuses on the use of market incentives, the construction of a civil society and community involvement, and emphasizes that Russian non-governmental organizations may have a particularly important role to play in improving environmental management. Solidifying their legal base, coalition-building skills and the capability to conduct independent, pragmatic policy analyses would enhance their contribution.
Coding of FM sweep trains and twitter calls in area CM of marmoset auditory cortex

The primate auditory cortex contains three interconnected regions (core, belt, parabelt), which are further subdivided into discrete areas. The caudomedial area (CM) is one of about seven areas in the belt region that has been the subject of recent anatomical and physiological studies conducted to define the functional organization of auditory cortex. The main goal of the present study was to examine temporal coding in area CM of marmoset monkeys using two related classes of acoustic stimuli: (1) marmoset twitter calls; and (2) frequency-modulated (FM) sweep trains modeled after the twitter call. The FM sweep trains were presented at repetition rates between 1 and 24 Hz, overlapping the natural phrase frequency of the twitter call (6-8 Hz). Multiunit recordings in CM revealed robust phase-locked responses to twitter calls and FM sweep trains. For the latter, phase-locking quantified by vector strength (VS) was best at repetition rates between 2 and 8 Hz, with a mean of about 5 Hz. Temporal response patterns were not strictly phase-locked, but exhibited dynamic features that varied with the repetition rate. To examine these properties, classification of the repetition rate from the temporal response pattern evoked by twitter calls and FM sweep trains was examined by Fisher's linear discrimination analysis (LDA). Response classification by LDA revealed that information was encoded not only by phase-locking, but also other components of the temporal response pattern. For FM sweep trains, classification was best for repetition rates from 2 to 8 Hz. Thus, the majority of neurons in CM can accurately encode the envelopes of temporally complex stimuli over the behaviorally-relevant range of the twitter call. This suggests that CM could be engaged in processing that requires relatively precise temporal envelope discrimination, and supports the hypothesis that CM is positioned at an early stage of processing in the auditory cortex of primates.
Optimizing the success of cell transplantation therapy for stroke

Stem cell transplantation has evolved as a promising experimental treatment approach for stroke. In this review, we address the major hurdles for successful translation from basic research into clinical applications and discuss possible strategies to overcome these issues. We summarize the results from present pre-clinical and clinical studies and focus on specific areas of current controversy and research: (i) the therapeutic time window for cell transplantation; (ii) the selection of patients likely to benefit from such a therapy; (iii) the optimal route of cell delivery to the ischemic brain; (iv) the most suitable cell types and sources; (v) the potential mechanisms of functional recovery after cell transplantation; and (vi) the development of imaging techniques to monitor cell therapy.
Small regulatory RNAs inhibit RNA polymerase II during the elongation phase of transcription

Eukaryotic cells express a wide variety of endogenous small regulatory RNAs that regulate heterochromatin formation, developmental timing, defence against parasitic nucleic acids and genome rearrangement. Many small regulatory RNAs are thought to function in nuclei. For instance, in plants and fungi, short interfering RNA (siRNAs) associate with nascent transcripts and direct chromatin and/or DNA modifications. To understand further the biological roles of small regulatory RNAs, we conducted a genetic screen to identify factors required for RNA interference (RNAi) in Caenorhabditis elegans nuclei. Here we show that the gene nuclear RNAi defective-2 (nrde-2) encodes an evolutionarily conserved protein that is required for siRNA-mediated silencing in nuclei. NRDE-2 associates with the Argonaute protein NRDE-3 within nuclei and is recruited by NRDE-3/siRNA complexes to nascent transcripts that have been targeted by RNAi. We find that nuclear-localized siRNAs direct an NRDE-2-dependent silencing of pre-messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs) 3' to sites of RNAi, an NRDE-2-dependent accumulation of RNA polymerase (RNAP) II at genomic loci targeted by RNAi, and NRDE-2-dependent decreases in RNAP II occupancy and RNAP II transcriptional activity 3' to sites of RNAi. These results define NRDE-2 as a component of the nuclear RNAi machinery and demonstrate that metazoan siRNAs can silence nuclear-localized RNAs co-transcriptionally. In addition, these results establish a novel mode of RNAP II regulation: siRNA-directed recruitment of NRDE factors that inhibit RNAP II during the elongation phase of transcription.
ON THE CHOICE OF SHEAR CORRECTION FACTOR IN SANDWICH STRUCTURES

The first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is a relatively simple tool that has been found to yield accurate results in the non-local problems of sandwich structures, such as buckling and free vibration. However, a key factor in practical application of the theory is determination of the transverse shear correction factor (K), which appears as a coefficient in the expression for the transverse shear stress resultant. The physical basis for this factor is that it is supposed to compensate for the FSDT assumption that the shear strain is uniform through the depth of the cross section. In the present paper, the philosophies and results of K determination for homogeneous rectangular cross sections are first reviewed, followed by a review and discussion for the case of sandwich structures. The analysis presented in the paper results in the conclusion that K should be taken equal to unity, as a first approximation, for both two-skin as well as for multi-skin sandwich structures.
In-water component retrieval over Case 2 water using Landsat 8: Initial results

Ocean color satellites (i.e. MODIS, SeaWiFS) are designed for studying large-scale water bodies and therefore perform well for retrieving water quality parameters at a global scale (e.g. MODIS Chlorophyll-a product). However, medium scale (i.e. hundred of meters) water bodies are not resolvable by these kinds of satellites due to their spatial resolution (i.e. 1000m). This work presents a methodology to address this problem using the Landsat 8 satellite for color producing agents (CPAs) (chlorophyll-a, sediments and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM)) retrieval over inland and coastal waters (Case 2 waters). First, a model-based empirical line method (ELM) is used to correct the Landsat 8 imagery for atmospheric effects, having water reflectance pixels as output. Then, the concentration of these water pixels are estimated by a nonlinear optimization routine that searches in a look-up table (LUT) created with the in water radiative transfer model, Hydrolight.
Transforming command-line driven systems to Web applications

A method fo add a Web-based interface to a command-line driven system is presented. Without programming, Javamatic can generate a graphical user interface, then invokes commands in the legacy system transparently to the user. The user interface (UI) is automatically generated as a Java applet or stand-alone interface from a high-level description of the application, which is UI independent, using a set of UI mapping rules. The application is wrapped with an interface serverl thus multiple clients can use the legacy application through the Web.
Rediscovering thalidomide: A review of its mechanism of action, side effects, and potential uses

Thalidomide, a hypnosedative drug introduced in the 1950s, has been used in a variety of dermatologic conditions during the past few decades. Although originally withdrawn from the world market on discovery of its teratogenic effect, it has since been selectively reintroduced for use in various disorders thought to have an autoimmune or inflammatory basis. A review of the literature focused on clinical uses of thalidomide in the treatment of dermatologic diseases was performed. Diseases for which thalidomide has been found effective include erythema nodosum leprosum, prurigo nodularis, actinic prurigo, discoid lupus erythematosus, aphthous stomatitis, Behcet's syndrome, and graft-versus-host disease. Side effects such as teratogenicity and peripheral neuropathy remain its limiting factor. Thalidomide is a useful addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for treatment-resistant dermatoses as long as proper vigilance for adverse effects is maintained.
Non-van der Waals treatment of the hydrophobic solubilities of CF4.

A quasi-chemical theory implemented on the basis of molecular simulation is derived and tested for the hydrophobic hydration of CF4(aq). The theory formulated here subsumes a van der Waals treatment of solvation and identifies contributions to the hydration free energy of CF4(aq) that naturally arise from chemical contributions defined by quasi-chemical theory and fluctuation contributions analogous to Debye-Huckel or random phase approximations. The resulting Gaussian statistical thermodynamic model avoids consideration of hypothetical drying-then-rewetting problems and is physically reliable in these applications as judged by the size of the fluctuation contribution. The specific results here confirm that unfavorable tails of binding energy distributions reflect few-body close solute-solvent encounters. The solvent near-neighbors are pushed by the medium into unfavorable interactions with the solute, in contrast to the alternative view that a preformed interface is pulled by the solute-solvent attractive interactions into contact with the solute. The polyatomic model of CF4(aq) studied gives a satisfactory description of the experimental solubilities including the temperature dependence. The proximal distributions evaluated here for polyatomic solutes accurately reconstruct the observed distributions of water near these molecules which are nonspherical. These results suggest that drying is not an essential consideration for the hydrophobic solubilities of CF4, or of C(CH3)4 which is more soluble.
The Analysis Of Precision In Digital Image Metrology

The general problem of precise position estimation is analyzed in the context of quantization errors. A formalism referred to as the locales approach to geometric precision is reviewed. A lower bound on position estimation uncertainty due to quantization is discussed. Some simulation results for an optimal position estimation algorithm, referred to as position decoding, are presented. A heuristic development of an image geometric fidelity measure is presented.
The experiences of African American women faculty and administrators in higher education: Has anything changed?

This chapter explores factors of concern for, and overall experiences of, African American female faculty and administrators, including salary issues, affirmative action, racism, sexism, homophobia, campus climate, isolation, tenure and promotion processes, and salary.
Interpretation of thermal desorption spectra

Abstract The desorption of an adsorbed state from a solid surface is considered for a second-order process at a typical heating rate employed when a microbalance is used to measure the desorption of the gas. The microbalance method has not been used as frequently as other techniques for determining the activation energy for desorption E and the frequency factor v of an adsorbed state θs. Calculated curves obtained with v ranging from 109 to 1016 sec−1 and E from 15 to 50 kcal/mole for homogeneous and heterogeneous surfaces are used to illustrate the limitations of interpretation and resolution of the desorption spectra. It is shown that for a process of first or second order, the temperature range at forty per cent of the peak height of measurable desorption is an important adjunct to the maximum desorption rate for deducing the correct values of E and v. The temperature range of desorption can also be used to estimate the degree of homogeneity of the surface.
The effects of multiple probes on the hybridization of target DNA on surfaces

DNA microarrays have disruptive potential in many fields including genetics and medicine, but the technology has yet to find widespread clinical use due to poor reliability. Microarrays work on the principle of hybridization and can only be as dependable as this process is reliable. As such, a significant amount of theoretical research has been done to understand hybridization on surfaces on the molecular level. Previous simulations of a target strand with a single, surface-tethered probe molecule have yielded valuable insights, but such is an ideal system and little is known about the effects of multiple probes—a situation that more closely approximates the real system. This work uses molecular simulation to determine the specific differences in duplex stability between one, three, six, and nine tethered probes on a surface. The results show that it is more difficult for a single target to hybridize to a probe as the number of probes on the surface increases due to crowding effects; however, once hybridized, the duplex is more stable than when fewer probes are present. The data also indicate that hybridization of a target to a probe on the face of a group of probes is more stable than hybridization to probes at the edge or center locations. Taken as a whole, the results offer new insights into the cause of the poor reproducibility exhibited by microarrays.
On-column synthesis coupled to affinity capillary electrophoresis for the determination of binding constants of peptides to glycopeptide antibiotics.

Abstract Binding constants of the glycopeptide antibiotics teicoplanin (Teic), ristocetin (Rist), and vancomycin (Van), and their derivatives to D-Ala–D-Ala terminus peptides were determined by on-column ligand and receptor synthesis coupled to affinity capillary electrophoresis (ACE) or partial filling ACE (PFACE). In the first technique, 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc)–amino acid–D-Ala–D-Ala species are first synthesized using on-column techniques. The initial sample plug contains a D-Ala–D-Ala terminus peptide and two non-interacting standards. Plugs two and three contain solutions of Fmoc–amino acid–N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester and buffer, respectively. Upon electrophoresis, the initial D-Ala–D-Ala peptide reacts with the Fmoc–amino acid NHS ester yielding the Fmoc–amino acid D-Ala–D-Ala peptide. Continued electrophoresis results in the overlap of the glycopeptide in the running buffer and the plug of Fmoc–amino acid–D-Ala–D-Ala peptide and non-interacting markers. Subsequent analysis of the change in the electrophoretic mobility (μ) or relative migration time ratio (RMTR) of the peptide relative to the non-interacting standards, as a function of the concentration of the antibiotic, yields a value for the binding constant. In the second technique, derivatives of the glycopeptides Teic and Rist are first synthesized on-column before analysis by ACE or PFACE. After the column has been partially filled with increasing concentrations of D-Ala–D-Ala terminus peptides, a plug of buffer followed by two separate plugs of reagents are injected. The order of the reagent plugs containing the antibiotic and two non-interacting standards and the anhydride varies with the charge of the glycopeptide. Upon electrophoresis, the antibiotic reacts with the anhydride yielding a derivative of Teic or Rist. Continued electrophoresis results in the overlap of the derivatized antibiotic and the plug of D-Ala–D-Ala peptide. Analysis of the change in RMTR of the new glycopeptide relative to the non-interacting standards, as a function of the concentration of the D-Ala–D-Ala ligand yields a value for the binding constant.
The question of Citrus viroid IV as a Cocadviroid

It has been suggested that Citrus viroid IV (CVd-IV) be classified as a species within the genus Cocadviroid. This relationship was based on the presence of a terminal conserved hairpin (TCH) and absence of a terminal conserved region (TCR) as specific structural motifs in common with isolates of Coconut cadang-cadang viroid (CCCVd) as well as phylogenetic relationships with members of the genus Cocadviroid. Evidence is presented for a “vestigial” TCR in CVd-IV as well as the introduction of the terminal repeat region (TRR) motif and an alternative sequence analysis that suggests a closer phylogenetic relationship of CVd-IV to isolates of Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd), a species within the genus Pospiviroid than to CCCVd. This position is further supported by the striking similarity of biological properties between CVd-IV and CEVd with the suggestion offered that biological evidence be considered for specific adjustments to any overall classification scheme for viroids.
Effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol on uterine and vaginal cytology of ovariectomized rats

The estrogen-like activity of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta9-THC), an active component of marihuana, as measured by uterine weight gain and vaginal smear techniques in ovariectomized rats, is reflected in histological examination of uterine and vaginal tissues. Doses of 1, 2.5, and 10 milligrams of delta9-THC per kilogram elicit hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the uterus; the dose of 2.5 milligrams per kilogram is most effective. There is an increase in stratification of vaginal epithelium with doses of 2.5 and 10 milligrams per kilogram; cornifying cells are seen with 2.5 milligrams per kilogram.
Early measles virus infection is associated with the development of inflammatory bowel disease.

OBJECTIVE: The measles virus has been implicated as a possible etiological agent in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Measles infection at an early age is associated with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, a degenerative neurological condition caused by persistent measles infection of the central nervous system. We sought to determine whether infection with measles virus at an early age was also associated with an increased risk of developing IBD. METHODS: Patients with measles infection diagnosed before the age of 5 yr were identified through the diagnostic indices of the Mayo Clinic and the Rochester Epidemiology Project. A questionnaire was used to ascertain a subsequent history of IBD, which was confirmed by records from the subjects' physicians. The risks of developing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis were calculated relative to expected rates for these conditions in the Olmsted County, Minnesota population. RESULTS: Of 1164 eligible cases, 662 (57%) completed the questionnaire. There were six confirmed cases of Crohn's disease and six of ulcerative colitis. The expected number of cases was 1.9 for Crohn's disease (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1-6.8) and 2.0 for ulcerative colitis (SIR 3.0, CI 1.1-6.5). There was a trend towards a higher risk of developing IBD with an earlier age of infection. CONCLUSIONS: Early measles infection is associated with an increased risk of developing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The risk may be higher with earlier infection.
SNPMiner: A Domain-Specific Deep Web Mining Tool

In this paper, we propose a novel query-oriented, mediator-based biological data querying tool, SNPMiner. The system searches and queries single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) data from eight widely used web accessible databases. The system provides a domain-specific search utility, which can access and collect data from the deep web. This is a web-based system, so any user can use the system by accessing our server from their own computers. The system includes three important components, which are the Web server interface, the dynamic query planner, and the Web page parser. The Web server interface can provide end users a unified and friendly interface. The dynamic query planner can automatically schedule an efficient query order on all available databases according to user's query request. The Web page parser analyzes the layout of HTML files and extracts desired data from those files. The final results of the query are organized in a tabular format, which can be reviewed by a biological researcher.
MAP kinase and the activation of quiescent cells

Virtually all mitogens lead to the rapid activation of one or more mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. In almost all cases, mitogen-activated surface signaling complexes transmit an essential signal via ras on to a protein kinase cascade that involves the serine/threonine kinase raf. Raf appears to be a MAP kinase kinase kinase, activating MAP kinase kinase which, in turn, activates MAP kinase. Among the targets of MAP kinase are other kinases, nuclear transcription factors and other proteins with roles in cell cycle activation. Both G0-arrested somatic cells and G2-arrested oocytes use many of the same signaling mechanisms to break cell cycle arrest; this is a useful concept in light of newly developed cell-free systems from quiescent oocytes that can be used to study signal transduction in vitro.
Atmospheric injections of polonium-210 from the recent volcanic eruptions.

The concentrations of 210Pb and 210Po in a total of 73 samples of individual rain and snow collected at Fayetteville (36°N, 94°W), Arkansas, were determined radiochemically during the period between October 1982 and January 1984. A clear seasonal pattern of variation of the 210Po/210Pb ratio in rain was observed: the ratio reaches a maximum during the months of November and December or January and February each year. The 210Po/210Pb ratio data obtained in our laboratories since 1971 were compared with the results of the studies on seasonal variation of the sulfate concentrations in the stratosphere reported by Sedlacek et al. (1983) and the following general trend was observed: the occurrence of a peak sulfate concentration in the stratosphere caused by a major volcanic eruption is followed by the occurrence of a peak 210Po/210Pb ratio in rain and snow samples collected several months later. Effect of the atmospheric injections of excess 210Po from major eruptions of volcanoes located in Alaska, Aleutian Islands, Kamchatka and Kurile Islands can be seen more clearly at Seattle (47°N, 122°W), Washington, than at Fayetteville (36°N, 94°W), Arkansas.
CO- AND POSTTRANSLATIONAL TRANSLOCATION MECHANISMS DIRECT CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRANSMEMBRANE CONDUCTANCE REGULATOR N TERMINUS TRANSMEMBRANE ASSEMBLY

Transmembrane topology of most eukaryotic polytopic proteins is established cotranslationally at the endoplasmic reticulum membrane through the action of alternating signal and stop transfer sequences. Here we demonstrate that the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) achieves its N terminus topology through a variation of this mechanism that involves both co- and posttranslational translocation events. Using a series of defined chimeric and truncated proteins expressed in a reticulocyte lysate system, we have identified two topogenic determinants encoded within the first (TM1) and second (TM2) membrane-spanning segments of CFTR. Each sequence independently (i) directed endoplasmic reticulum targeting, (ii) translocated appropriate flanking residues, and (iii) achieved its proper membrane-spanning orientation. Signal sequence activity of TM1, however, was inefficient due to the presence of two charged residues, Glu92 and Lys95, located within its hydrophobic core. As a result, TM1 was able to direct correct topology for less than half of nascent CFTR chains. In contrast to TM1, TM2 signal sequence activity was both efficient and specific. Even in the absence of a functional TM1 signal sequence, TM2 was able to direct CFTR N terminus topology through a ribosome-dependent posttranslational mechanism. Mutating charged residues Glu92 and Lys95 to alanine improved TM1 signal sequence activity as well as the ability of TM1 to independently direct CFTR N terminus topology. Thus, a single functional signal sequence in either the first or second TM segment was sufficient for directing proper CFTR topology. These results identify two distinct and redundant translocation pathways for CFTR N terminus transmembrane assembly and support a model in which TM2 functions to ensure correct topology of CFTR chains that fail to translocate via TM1. This novel arrangement of topogenic information provides an alternative to conventional cotranslational pathways of polytopic protein biogenesis.
Maternal depression and early intervention: A call for an integration of services

Depression is a serious disorder with severe and far-reaching consequences. Two decades of observational research have shown robust associations between maternal depression and adverse consequences on offspring (Campbell et al., 2004; Campbell, Matestic, von Stauffenberg, Mohan, & Kirchner, 2007; Campbell, Morgan-Lopez, Cox, & McLoyd, 2009; National Research Council & Institute of Medicine, 2009). Depressive symptoms may pose particular risk to infants and toddlers with neurodevelopmental disabilities, whose long-term outcomes depend heavily on the provision of Early Intervention (EI). EI is most effective with active parental engagement. Maternal depressive symptoms may reduce parental engagement, thereby limiting EI benefits to the child (Gaynes, Gavin & Meltzer -Brody, 2005; O'Hara & Swain, 1996). At present, maternal mental health is not directly addressed in EI. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the literature and significance of maternal depression and apply that evidence to mothers of children with developmental delays and disabilities. We conclude that maternal mental health and well-being is currently insufficiently addressed in the EI population. An increased integration of mental health and EI services is needed to serve the unique needs of families who face an increased risk of stress and depression while coping with their child's special needs.
IL-1β Regulates the Expression of the Gi2α Gene via Lipid Mediators in Guinea Pig Tracheal Muscle

When isolated guinea pig muscle preparations were incubated with human recombinant IL-1β, mRNA level of Gi2α but not of Gsα increased in a time and dose dependent manner. The increase was partially blocked by inhibitors of lipoxygenase (NDGA) and cycleoxygenase (indomethacin) and PAF antagonist (SC47014A), while U46619 (thromboxane A2 mimetic), LTD4, 15-HETE and PAF partially mimicked it. The IL-1β induced Gi2α expression was almost completely inhibited by anti-phospholipase A2 antiserum, whereas preimmune serum had no apparent effects. From these observations, we suggest that IL-1β first induces the synthesis and release of Type II inflammatory phospholipase A2, which in turn stimulates the expression of Gi2α gene via production of various lipid mediators.
Infrared absorption of solid nitrogen activated by CO2, H2O and C2N2

Abstract The mechanism for activation of infrared absorption by N 2 matrices has been studied. FTIR spectra of isotopically enriched CO 2 trapped in N 2 provide new and convincing evidence supporting the hypothesis proposed by Nelander that the activation is electromagnetic in origin for the CO 2 /N 2 system. The N 2 absorption appears to be triggered by the near coincidence of the N 2 stretching frequency with the asymmetric stretch of C 16 O 18 O. The activation of absorption by N 2 in matrices doped with H 2 O and C 2 N 2 has also been observed. For these systems, however, alternate explanations for the activation appear to be necessary.
Variations of Molecular Weight Estimation by HP-Size Exclusion Chromatography with UVA versus Online DOC Detection

High performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) with ultraviolet absorbance (UVA) detection has been widely utilized to estimate the molecular weight (MW) and MW distribution of natural organic matter (NOM). However, the estimation of MW with UVA detection is inherently inaccurate because UVA at 254 nm only detects limited components (mostly π bonded molecules) of NOM, and the molar absorptivity of these different NOM constituents is not equal. In comparison, a SEC chromatogram obtained with a DOC detector showed significant differences compared to a corresponding UVA chromatogram, resulting in different MW values as well as different estimates of polydispersivity. The MWs of Suwannee River humic acid (SRHA), Suwannee River fulvic acid (SRFA), and various mixtures thereof were estimated with HPSEC coupled with UVA and DOC detectors. The results show that UVA is not an adequate detector for quantitative analysis of MW estimation but rather can be used only for limited qualitative analysis. The NOM i...
PATIENT IMPAIRMENT LEXICON: A PSYCHOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Growth in managed care has magnified the needs for assessment of treatment efficacies and standardized communication regarding treatment needs. Addressing both needs requires a common terminology describing the scope of treatable mental health impairments. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV provides a common categorical language for describing clinical disorders, but its categories are not discrete and do little to facilitate communication regarding specific treatment needs. Goodman, Brown, and Deitz developed a Patient Impairment Lexicon intended to address these limitations. The current vignette study provided initial psychometric assessment of this nomenclature, specifically examining interrater reliability, temporal stability, and content validity. Findings are discussed with respect to both applications in managed care and psychometric research.
Effective Porosity of Gas Fields in Jackson County, Missouri: ABSTRACT

A study of four gas fields near Kansas City, Missouri, shows a production per acre varying between 400,000 and 2,000,000 cubic feet. Calculations of the space required End_Page 947------------------------------ for this gas in reference to the average thickness of the gas-producing sand would indicate that the effective porosity of these fields varies between seven and eighteen per cent. End_of_Article - Last_Page 948------------
The use of computers in an introductory computer science course

Supplementing a course by the use of the computer for record keeping, quizzes and other adminstrative tasks assists in providing a firm foundation in computer science for large numbers of students with diverse backgrounds. This partially computerized environment provides the individual student with the opportunity for drill on the course material, and an equitable method of testing and flexibility in the educational process.
A chloroplast DNA phylogeny of the Caryophyllales based on structural and inverted repeat restriction site variation

Phylogenetic relationships among 25 representatives of the Caryophyllales and three outgroup taxa from Polygonaceae and Plumbaginaceae were assessed using structural variation in the chloroplast genome and restriction site variation in the highly conserved inverted repeat region of the chloroplast genome. In addition to the previously reported loss of the chloroplast rpl2 intron in the common ancestor of the Caryophyllales, observed structural mutations include: 1) the loss of the rpll6 intron in the chloroplast genome of Limonium (Plumbaginaceae); 2) three large, phy- logenetically informative deletions within the gene ORF2280, and 3) parallel, 6-kb inversions in the large single-copy region of the chloroplast genomes in Pereskia (Cactaceae) and in Atriplex and Chenopodium (Chenopodiaceae). Sixty-two of the 161 restriction sites scored were phylogenetically informative. Parsimony analyses of the structural and restriction site characters indicate that: 1) the Caryophyllales consist of two major clades, one comprising Amaranthaceae and Chenopodiaceae, and the other all remaining families; 2) two families, Phytolaccaceae and Portulacaceae (Portulaca and Claytonia), are polyphyletic, with elements of the former (Phytolacca and Rivina) strongly linked with Nyctaginaceae; 3) Pereskia (the only examined representative of Cactaceae) is, surprisingly, strongly linked to Portulaca, and 4) Caryophyllaceae and Molluginaceae, the only anthocyanin- producing taxa in the order, occur in the same portion of the trees and are not basal to the group. Relationships among several families are poorly resolved.
Sensitivity analysis and optimization of thermo-elasto-plastic processes with applications to welding side heater design

A computational scheme is presented to optimize quasi-static weakly coupled thermo-elasto-plastic processes in three dimensional Lagrangian reference frames. Sensitivity formulations are developed from the radial return algorithm based thermo-elasto-plastic finite element equations using the direct differentiation method. These formulations are exemplified in the optimization of the side heaters in the transient thermal tensioning welding process for minimum residual stress. The results of the direct differentiation sensitivity analysis are validated by comparing with finite difference sensitivity calculations. Optimization is performed using the BFGS line search method.
Lithium electrochemical cells at low voltage: Decomposition of Mo and W dichalcogenides

Abstract Results are presented for low voltage discharges of lithium electrochemical cells containing layered dichalcogenides of molybdenum and tungsten. Reversible intercalation of Li at high voltages occurs only for phases with octahedrally-coordinated metal atoms but all phases decompose irreversibly at low voltages to a mixture of Mo or W and Li2X, where X is S, Se, or Te. Lithium can be removed electrochemically from these mixtures at a voltage that correlates with the free energies of formation of Li2X.
Sarcoidosis and Malakoplakia

Sarcoidosis and malakoplakia are granulomatous diseases of obscure etiology. This is the fifth biopsy proved case of sarcoidosis and malakoplakia. The mean age was 42 years and all five cases were women, three Negroes, and in two the race was unknown. Sarcoidosis and malakoplakia have similarities and may be related.
Serum levels of soluble tac peptide in acute and chronic hepatitis B virus infection

Abstract Serum-soluble Tac peptide was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 12 patients with acute type B hepatitis, 33 patients with chronic type B hepatitis, and 15 age- and sex-matched controls. All 12 patients with acute type B hepatitis had elevated levels of soluble Tac peptide with a mean (±SD) of 1527 ± 432 U/ml, significantly higher than that of normal controls (264 ± 74 U/ml) or patients with chronic type B hepatitis (646 ± 399 U/ml). Serial follow-up showed that serum levels of soluble Tac peptide tended to return to normal 2–4 months after onset of acute hepatitis along with the normalization of alanine aminotransferase and seroconversion of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to anti-HBs. Patients with chronic type B hepatitis also had significantly higher levels of soluble Tac peptide than normal controls, although only 63.6% ( 21 33 ) of them had a level greater than the upper limit of normal. Serum levels of soluble Tac peptide in patients with chronic type B hepatitis varied considerably with the inflammatity in liver. The hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients with chronic active liver disease had significantly higher levels of soluble Tac peptide (928 ± 424 U/ml) than HBeAg-positive (412 ± 146 U/ml) or anti-HBe-positive (424 ± 175 U/ml) patients with chronic persistent hepatitis or minimal histological change. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between serum levels of soluble Tac peptide and alanine aminotransferase. These findings suggested that activation of T cells might play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic type B hepatitis. Assay of serum-soluble Tac peptide might provide a simple and useful means to better understand the immune mechanisms of acute and chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
Electron temperature and density determination from RF impedance probe measurements in the lower ionosphere

Abstract An expression is derived using a quasi-static approximation for the impedance of an electrically-short, cylindrical antenna in a warm magnetoplasma with a high collision frequency. More specifically, the plasma conditions assumed would be similar to those in the D and lower E region of the ionosphere and in which the magnetic field is parallel to the axis of the antenna. The method employed is that of solving the first three moment equations along with Poisson's and Maxwell's equations. The antenna impedance is found as a function of electron temperature, density and collision frequency. The theoretical results are compared with other similarly oriented theories and then used to determine electron temperature and density from impedance measurements taken throughout a rocket flight.
Separatrices in high-dimensional state space: system-theoretical tangent computation and application to SRAM dynamic stability analysis

Shrinking access cycle times and the employment of dynamic read/write assist circuits have made the use of standard static noise margins increasingly problematic for scaled SRAM designs. Recently proposed dynamic noise margins precisely characterize dynamic stability using the concept of stability boundaries, or separatrices, and provide elegant separatrix tracing algorithm. However, the present separatrix characterization method is only efficient in the two-dimensional state space and hence not practically applicable to fully extracted SRAM designs with additional parasitics. We present a rigorous system-theoretical approach for computing the tangent approximation to the separatrix in the high-dimensional space. Using this as a basis, we develop fast method based on tangent approximation and exact iterative-refinement method for analyzing SRAM dynamic stability. The proposed algorithms have been implemented as a SPICE-like CAD tool and are broadly applicable to efficient computation of dynamic noise margins.
Radiation-induced permeability and leukocyte adhesion in the rat blood–brain barrier: modulation with anti-ICAM-1 antibodies

We assessed the acute effects of radiation on the rat blood-brain barrier. A cranial window model and intravital microscopy were used to measure changes in permeability and leukocyte adhesion in pial vessels after a localized, single dose of 20 Gy. Permeability was assessed using five sizes of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran molecules (4.4-, 10-, 38.2-, 70-, and 150-kDa) with measurements performed before and 2, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after irradiation for the 4.4 and 38.2-kDa molecules and before and 24 h after irradiation for the other three molecules. To demonstrate the nature of blood-brain barrier permeability, we concurrently studied the permeability of microvessels in the cremaster muscle. In both tissues, permeability to FITC-dextran was significantly greater 24 h after irradiation than before (P<0.05). The exception was that radiation did not affect the permeability of pial vessels to the 150-kDa molecule. The particle-size dependence of the permeability changes in the brain were indicative of altered integrity of endothelial tight junctions and occurred concomitantly with an increase in cell adhesion which was determined by fluorescent labeling of leukocytes with rhodamine 6G. An early inflammatory response to irradiation was apparent in the brain 2 h after irradiation. The numbers of rolling and adherent leukocytes increased significantly and peaked at 24 h. Injection with the anti-ICAM-1 mAb significantly reduced leukocyte adhesion and permeability thereby linking the two processes. These findings provide a target to reduce radiation-related permeability and cell adhesion and potentially the side effects of radiation in the CNS.
Some Studies on Compression Properties of Tablet Matrices Using a Computerized Instrumented Press

(1982). Some Studies on Compression Properties of Tablet Matrices Using a Computerized Instrumented Press. Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 63-86.
CW Laser Annealing Of Ion-Implanted Silicon

Experimental measurements and theoretical calculations of recrystallization induced by single laser scans over amorphous silicon are reported and quantitatively compared. The details of laser-induced crystal regrowth of high dose ion implanted silicon studied over a wide range of experimental parameters are accurately predicted from three dimensional thermal transport considerations and solid phase epitaxial crystal growth. Best agreement between theory and experiment is obtained with the value of 2.24 eV for the activation energy of recrystallization.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Field-induced space-charge layer in strontium titanate

Abstract A long thin bar of SrTiO3 exposed to a large dc field exhibits a transverse electromechanical resonance even after the dc field is turned off. In addition, its capacitance is lowered irreversibly and there is pyroelectricity. All these phenomena are treated in the light of a model involving layer structure of the sample induced by the application of a transient dc field. It is shown that a surface layer of about 4 μ thickness exhibits piezoelectricity and a dielectric constant much lower than that of the bulk, due to trapping of a strong electric field near the surface.
The Effect of PM10 on Human Lung Fibroblasts

Asthma diagnoses are increasing nationally with the highest rates in the New England states. Epidemiological studies have suggested a relationship between airborne particulate matter (PM) and severity of an asthma attack. However, because particulate matter, PM, is such a complex mixture, it is difficult to isolate the exacerbating factors. In this paper we investigate the effect of NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and Maine PM and the soluble metals released from the PM on the growth of human lung fibroblasts. While the NIST PM itself had the most pronounced effect on cell survival rates, solutions of metals extracted from the PM also affected cell survival. Treatment of cells with 10, 50, 100 and 200 ug/cm2 resulted in 84 ± 13%, 69 ± 15%, 58 ± 14% and 58 ± 16% survival, respectively. Appropriate concentrations of eight acid soluble metals from NIST PM were determined and tested on cells giving 91 ± 11%, 87 ± 10%, 72 ± 18% and 66 ± 20% survival, respectively. Soluble metals from Main...
Impure public goods, matching grant rates and income redistribution in a federation with decentralized leadership and imperfect labor mobility

We examine the decentralized provision of an impure public good by regional governments in a federation similar in certain respects to both the European Union and the United States. The central authority redistributes income and provides matching grants on a per rate basis after it observes the regions’ contributions to the impure public good. Imperfectly mobile workers react to regional and central governments’ policies by establishing residence in their most preferred region. We show that the allocations of the impure public good and the population are generally efficient in a federation with decentralized leadership.
Rearrangement of synaptic connections with inhibitory neurons in developing mouse visual cortex

Cortical inhibition is determined in part by the organization of synaptic inputs to gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) neurons. In adult rat visual cortex, feedforward (FF) and feedback (FB) connections that link lower with higher areas provide approximately 10% of inputs to parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GABAergic neurons and approximately 90% to non-GABAergic cells (Gonchar and Burkhalter [1999] J. Comp. Neurol. 406:346-360). Although the proportions of these targets are similar in both pathways, FF synapses prefer larger PV dendrites than FB synapses, which may result in stronger inhibition in the FF than in the FB pathway (Gonchar and Burkhalter [1999] J. Comp. Neurol. 406:346-360). To determine when during postnatal (P) development FF and FB inputs to PV and non-PV neurons acquire mature proportions, and whether the pathway-specific distributions of FF and FB inputs to PV dendrites develop from a similar pattern, we studied FF and FB connections between area 17 and the higher order lateromedial area (LM) in visual cortex of P15-42 mice. We found that the innervation ratio of PV and non-PV neurons is mature at P15. Furthermore, the size distributions of PV dendrites contacted by FF and FB synapses were similar at P15 but changed during the third to sixth postnatal weeks so that, by P36-42, FF inputs preferred thick dendrites and FB synapses favored thin PV dendrites. These results suggest that distinct FF and FB circuits develop after eye opening by rearranging the distribution of excitatory synaptic inputs on the dendritic tree of PV neurons. The purpose of this transformation may be to adjust differentially the strengths of inhibition in FF and FB circuits.
National and international efforts at integrated coastal management: Definitions, achievements, and lessons

Integrated coastal management (ICM) is a global practice involving approximately 90 coastal nations and semisovereign states which have been engaged in at'least 180 programs, projects, or feasibility studies. Despite the continual growth of ICM over the past three decades, relatively little information has been generated on what works, what does not work and why. Improving the state of the art and increasing successes while diminishing failures depend on a number of factors, such as formulation of a better consensus on definitions, concepts, and measuring achievements; determination of lessons that can be derived from cross‐national comparisons and the transferability of these lessons to international, national, and subnational institutions; and development of new as well as improved information exchange networks. This article addresses these factors and recommends an agenda for improving the practice of ICM.