cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COP-15 in Copenhagen: How the Merging of Movements Left Civil Society Out in the Cold

What happened to non-governmental organizations' participation at the COP-15 round of climate negotiations in Copenhagen? Although the climate regime has been seen as relatively open to civil society, everything changed in Copenhagen and civil society became increasingly disenfranchised. This article discusses the three main forces that led to civil society's disenfranchisement at this round of the climate negotiations: increased registration, poor planning by the Danish organizers and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Secretariat, and the merging of movements. I conclude by discussing implications of the increase in civil society disenfranchisement to the climate regime and to the study of global environmental politics more broadly.
Comment of Egami's concept of the evolution of nitrate respiration

Recent results suggest that the presence of common nitrogen salts (sodium nitrite and nitrate) in the irradiation medium can markedly protect filamentous blue-green algae from potentially lethal ultraviolet irradiation. The present results as well as general biological arguments of Egami support and extend Egami's original view that anaerobic respiratory pathways using nitrite and nitrate as terminal electron acceptors evolved prior to oxygen requiring aerobic respiratory pathways.
Cataractogenesis from high-LET radiation and the Casarett model

Space radiations, especially heavy ions, constitute significant hazards to astronauts. These hazards will increase as space missions lengthen. Moreover, the dangers to astronauts will be enhanced by the persistence, or even the progression, of biological damage throughout their subsequent life spans. To assist in the assessment of risks to astronauts, we are investigating the long-term effects of heavy ions on specific animal tissues. In one study, the eyes of rabbits of various ages were exposed to a single dose of Bragg plateau 20Ne ions (LET infinity approximately equals 30 keV/micrometer). The development of cataracts has shown a pronounced age-related response during the first year after irradiation, and will be followed for two more years. In other studies, mice were exposed to single or fractionated doses of 12C ions (4-cm spread-out Bragg peak; dose-averaged LET infinity = 70-80 keV/micrometer) or 60Co gamma-photons (LET infinity = 0.3 keV/micrometer). Measurements of the frequency of posterior lens opacification have shown that the tissue sparing observed with dose fractionation of gamma-photons was absent when 12C-ion doses were fractionated. Development of posterior lens cataracts was also followed for long periods (up to 21 months) in mice exposed to single doses of Bragg plateau HZE particles (40Ar, 20Ne and 12C ions: LET infinity approximately equals 100, 30 and 10 keV/micrometer, respectively) or 225 kVp X-rays. Based on average cataract levels at the different observation times, the RBE's (RBE = relative biological effectiveness) for the ions were circa 5, 3 and 1-2, respectively, over the range of doses used (0.05-0.9 Gy). Investigations of cataractogenesis are useful for exploring the model of radiation damage proposed by Casarett and by Rubin and Casarett with a tissue not connected directly to the vasculature.
Weakly supervised click models for odontocete species classification

This paper addresses the problem of automatic learning of statistical models of clicks for odontocete species classifications, particularly focusing on improving accuracy of the classifier by iteratively identifying click-like sounds that are likely to be noise and removing these from the model training set. The algorithm is weakly supervised in that no hand-labeled click regions are available, but knowledge of the species present during the time of recording is used. Experiments classifying which of the three species are present show 7-12% reduction in cross species error from a small number of iterations, but also show a need for improved feature extraction to normalize for recording condition bias.
Influence of the Enzymatic Modification of the Nonstarchy Polysaccharide Fractions on the Baking Properties of Reconstituted Rye Flour

The effect of the nonstarchy polysaccharide (NSP)-hydrolases on the properties of rye bread was established by enzymatic modification of the enriched soluble and insoluble NSP fractions, followed by flour recombination and bread baking (20g flour per minibread). Two microbial enzyme preparations were used for the modification (incubation 2 hr at 28°C, 15 min at 75°C, and 10 min at 95°C; pH 4.6). Modification of the insoluble NSP decreased crumb firmness and increased specific volume. Hydrolysis of the soluble NSP decreased the specific volume. Treatment of both fractions improved crumb structure, decreased crumb firmness and increased the width/height ratio of the minibreads.
Development of an instrument to measure attitudes of physical therapy providers working with people with dementia.

Background and Purpose:This study investigated the factor structure of an instrument to measure attitudes and beliefs of how physical therapist (PT) practitioners perceive working with people with ...
Sexually dimorphic metabolism of branched-chain lipids in C57BL/6J mice.

Despite the importance of branched chain lipid oxidation in detoxification, almost nothing is known regarding factors regulating peroxisomal uptake, targeting, and metabolism. One peroxisomal protein, sterol carrier protein-x (SCP-x), is thought to catalyze a key thiolytic step in branched chain lipid oxidation. When mice with substantially lower hepatic levels of SCP-x were tested for susceptibility to dietary stress with phytol (a phytanic acid precursor and peroxisome proliferator), livers of phytol-fed female but not male mice i) accumulated phytol metabolites (phytanic acid, pristanic acid, and Δ-2,3-pristanic acid); ii) exhibited decreased fat tissue mass and increased liver mass/body mass; iii) displayed signs of histopathological lesions in the liver; and iv) demonstrated significant alterations in hepatic lipid distributions. Moreover, both male and female mice exhibited phytol-induced peroxisomal proliferation, as demonstrated by liver morphology and upregulation of the peroxisomal protein catalase. In addition, levels of liver fatty acid binding protein, along with SCP-2 and SCP-x, increased, suggesting upregulation mediated by phytanic acid, a known ligand agonist of the peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor α. In summary, the present work establishes a role for SCP-x in branched chain lipid catabolism and demonstrates a sexual dimorphic response to phytol, a precursor of phytanic acid, in lipid parameters and hepatotoxicity.
Atomistic simulations of phenoxy ring flips in the glassy region of a semicrystalline polyimide

A quasi-static atomistic simulation methodology is used to study the 180° (π) flip motion of phenoxy rings in the amorphous glass of a semicrystalline polyimide. The π-flip is carried out for the rings in various local microenvironments in the polymer. Results show that the activation energy distribution for the flip covers a broad range of values. The energetics, short and long scale matrix movements, and the interrelation between cooperativity and polymer structure are also studied. The results are in qualitative agreement with previous simulation and experimental work on other glassy polymers such as bisphenol-A polycarbonate and polystyrene. The nature of the movement of the amorphous matrix, in response to the ring flip, is far reaching with greater atomic displacements closer to the phenoxy ring. Intermolecular van der Waals and electrostatic interactions contribute significantly to the energy changes associated with the ring flip. Cooperativity is observed for torsion angles along the repeat unit containing the flipped ring. The mean value of the activation energy compares reasonably well to the experimental value for the flip that has been observed previously through solid-state NMR experiments.
The Memories of an All-Black Northern Urban School Good Memories of Leadership, Teachers, and the Curriculum

Until recently, educational historians have not thoroughly examined the actual schooling practices of all-Black schools. A majority of the work on Black education history has focused on the South. Very few scholars have examined all-Black schools before the Brown decision in an urban context. This research focused on unearthing the history of an all-Black de facto segregated school in Columbus, Ohio. This examination of actual schooling characteristics and practices of an all-Black school before Brown may assist educational scholars in implementing factors important to the success of Black youth.
Reversible activation of proactivator (factor B) of the alternative pathway without cleavage of the molecule.

The serum of a patient (M.C.) with chronic glomerulonephritis and renal deposits of IgA, C3, and properdin converted C3 on overnight exposure of 0 degrees C. The cold reaction was dependent on immunoglobulin, initiating factor, Factors B and D, and magnesium but not on properdin. Factor B, the C3-cleaving enzyme in this reaction, was used in zymogen form. After participation in this rection, Factor B zymogen in M.C. serum could be fully activated by cobra venom factor (CVF) at 37 degrees C. That activation without fragmentation was not due to an abnormal form of Factor B was shown by its typical cleavage on incubation of MC. serum with CVF or C3b or after depletion of C3b inactivator. The evidence indicates that in the cold reaction only the initial C3 convertase of the alternative parhway is formed and that this enzyme is responsible for the observed C3 consumption.
Antagonistic association of the chlorellavorus bacterium ( “Bdellovibrio” chlorellavorus ) with Chlorella vulgaris

The chlorellavorus bacterium (Bdellovibrio chlorellavorus Gromov and Mamkaeva 1972) attaches to (but does not enter) cells of the unicellular green alga,Chlorella, which is killed and the cell contents of which are digested. The bacterium is pleomorphic (vibrios 0.3 μm wide; cocci 0.6 μm wide), and it has a Gram-negative cell wall structure pili, and a single, unsheathed, polar flagellum. Division may occur only in bacterial cells attached to algal cells, an attachment mediated by a pad (245×36 nm) of unknown composition. Bacterial growth occurs only in the presence of liveChlorella cells, and not on various bacteriological culture media, killedChlorella cells, 4 strains ofPrototheca, or 24 strains of Gram-negative bacteria. The chlorellavorus bacterium may not require algal protein synthesis, since the bacterium grows on algae in the presence of cycloheximide (30 μg/ml). Although the DNA base composition of the chlorellavorus bacterium (50 mol % G+C) is in the same range asBdellovibrio bacteriovorus, its ultrastructure, developmental cycle, host range, and format of its intermicrobial association all distinguish the chlorellavorus bacterium from members of the genusBdellovibrio.
Effect on Urinary Nitrogen Excretion of Rate of Administration of Solution of Amino Acids in Man

Summary1. Seven subjects (including normal individuals and patients) were given daily intravenous infusions of a 10% solution of amino acids at widely varying rates of infusion. 2. There was no correlation between the daily non-protein nitrogen excretion and the rate of infusion. Very rapid rates of infusion did not increase the nitrogen excretion and thus did not reduce the biological value of the amino acid solution.
Humic and fulvic acids stimulate the growth of Mycobacterium avium

Mycobacterium avium, an environmental, opportunistic pathogenic mycobacterium, has been isolated frequently and in high numbers from waters in Finland and from acid, brown water swamps of the southeastern coastal USA. M. avium has also been recovered in high numbers from Finnish drinking water and frequently isolated from Finnish AIDS patients. Boreal forests and brown water swamps are similar in that they are rich in humic and fulvic acids and of low pH and dissolved oxygen. Growth of representative isolates of M. avium in natural water was stimulated markedly by the addition of humic and fulvic acids. Further, the M. avium isolates grew at pH levels as low at 4.0 and at oxygen levels equal to 4% of atmospheric levels. The high numbers of M. avium in boreal waters and brown water swamps are likely due to their ability to proliferate in those humic- and fulvic-rich, acidic, micro-aerobic environments.
Cancer-promoting effects of phenols in tea

Black tea (10 kg) bought at the local market was extracted and separated into four fractions. With spectroscopic and gas chromatographic methods phenols and dimethylphenols were found in the phenolic fraction. An initial application of 1% acetone solution of 3/4 benzopyrene to the neck region of each of 15 young Swiss mice was followed by paintings of tea to the neck region on alternate days for 55 applications. A control group of 15 similar mice received only the single benzopyrene painting. The control mice developed no skin lesions, but all of the mice treated with benzopyrene plus tea demonstrated various stages of cancer development. To produce cancer it is not necessary that both initiator and promoter agents be present in the same product; they may be completely separate in origin. The author concludes that we should become increasingly concerned about our environment, which contains in many instances minute amounts of initiators and larger amounts of promoters.
Whole Language and the Practitioner

A detailed comparison of the typical public school classroom and a whole language classroom
Hazardous Liaisons: Risk, Power, and Politics in the Liberal State

This article presents a new approach to interpreting and analyzing technological risks and evaluating their impact on policymaking in liberal societies. I argue that risks must be seen first as emergent phenomena that resist reduction for either explanatory or policy purposes to the individual persons, events, or decisions that constitute them. Second, risks are intrinsically political things, involving aspects of power and interest in ways that also make policy decisions difficult. As emergent and political phenomena, then, modern technological risks pose unique policy difficulties for societies steeped in the epistemological and political individualism of classical liberalism.
Bridging the Gap for Lesbian Youth: Making Our Community Their Community

This conceptual contribution expands upon the relevant literature regarding adolescent identity development, generally, as well as highlighting the specific tasks and challenges associated with identifying as a lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) youth. Social support and community are discussed as important components of a healthy LGB identity, and the latter half of the article addresses barriers that are specific to lesbian youth when seeking community and/or social support. These barriers may be broadly construed as: the elusiveness of a centralized community, identity politics, and a lack of individual responsibility among those already involved in the community. Each barrier is discussed in detail and suggestions for decreasing the barriers are proposed.
The diagnosis of love-sickness: experimental psychophysiology without the polygraph.

Psychophysiological concepts and methodology are central to the practices of Erasistratos, Galen, and Avicenna, great physicians of antiquity whose lives span a period in history from the third century, B.C., to the eleventh century, A.D. This point is illustrated by means of a diagnostic vignette common to all three physicians’clinical experience, namely, the discovery of a concealed love object by monitoring changes in pulse rate. Within the context of these case sketches can be found the seeds of modern concepts in psychophysiology and psychosomatic medicine. Some of the texts examined are new translations of Greek and Latin originals.
Reactor residence time distribution effects on the multistage polymerization of olefins—I. Basic principles and illustrative examples, polypropylene

Abstract Many polyolefins are produced by catalyzed olefin polymerization over solid catalysts. A variety of processes are currently in use including loop, continuous-stirred tank, horizontal stirred bed and fluidized-bed technologies. In each of these continuous processes, the reactor residence time distribution is unique and affects the resulting distribution of polymer properties. In this paper we present a population balance modeling approach for modeling multistage olefin polymerization processes using catalyst residence time as the main coordinate. The catalyst may possess a broad particle size distribution and contain multiple active sites with a comprehensive kinetic scheme involving multiple monomers. Diffusion limitations during reaction may also be a consideration. A variety of reactor systems can be modeled each with unique residence time distributions and having different internal and external residence time distribution. In addition, the modeling allows the consideration of particle size selection effects within the process. These effects are implemented in a model of a fluidized-bed reactor. The population balance model is illustrated with examples of propylene polymerization in the four major commercial processes listed above, with a high activity TiCl 4 MgCl 2 catalyst. Comparisons of total production capacity, catalyst yield distribution, polymer particle size and porosity distribution are made. It is found that significant differences exist between the different industrial processes. It is also found that the performance of the fluidized-bed reactor is highly sensitive to fluidization conditions, particle size selection effects and the catalyst particle size distribution. Differences in product quality are discussed and issues such as fines generation and particle sticking are addressed.
Evaluation of the Effect of Endothelin-1 and Characterization of the Selective Endothelin A Receptor Antagonist PD155080 in the Prostate

AbstractPurpose: To evaluate the contractile effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on prostatic urethral pressure and to characterize the effect of the selective ETA receptor antagonist PD155080 on ET-1 mediated prostatic urethral pressure.Materials and Methods: The effect of intravenous ET-1 administration on canine urethral pressure was determined in the presence and absence of PD155080. The affinity of PD155080 for endothelin mediated contraction was determined using antagonist dissociation studies. Saturation and competition binding studies were performed using [(125) I] ET-1 in both human and canine prostate.Results: ET-1 bolus injection elicited shallow and prolonged increases the prostatic urethral pressure. Pretreatment with PD155080 totally abolished the urethral contractile response to ET-1. Specific [(125) I] ET-1 binding was saturable and of high affinity. Two ET receptor subtypes (ETA receptor, ETB receptor) have been identified in human prostate. The ratio of ETA to ETB receptors was approximately 1...
Identifying genetic interactions in genome-wide data using Bayesian networks.

It is believed that interactions among genes (epistasis) may play an important role in susceptibility to common diseases (Moore and Williams [2002]. Ann Med 34:88–95; Ritchie et al. [2001]. Am J Hum Genet 69:138–147). To study the underlying genetic variants of diseases, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that simultaneously assay several hundreds of thousands of SNPs are being increasingly used. Often, the data from these studies are analyzed with single-locus methods (Lambert et al. [2009]. Nat Genet 41:1094–1099; Reiman et al. [2007]. Neuron 54:713–720). However, epistatic interactions may not be easily detected with single-locus methods (Marchini et al. [2005]. Nat Genet 37:413–417). As a result, both parametric and nonparametric multi-locus methods have been developed to detect such interactions (Heidema et al. [2006]. BMC Genet 7:23). However, efficiently analyzing epistasis using high-dimensional genome-wide data remains a crucial challenge. We develop a method based on Bayesian networks and the minimum description length principle for detecting epistatic interactions. We compare its ability to detect gene-gene interactions and its efficiency to that of the combinatorial method multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) using 28,000 simulated data sets generated from 70 different genetic models We further apply the method to over 300,000 SNPs obtained from a GWAS involving late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Our method outperforms MDR and we substantiate previous results indicating that the GAB2 gene is associated with LOAD. To our knowledge, this is the first successful model-based epistatic analysis using a high-dimensional genome-wide data set. Genet. Epidemiol. 34:575–581, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Growing our own: partnering with the city school district

In early 2002, the President of the Rochester Institute of Technology, Dr. Albert Simone, was approached by a board member from the Rochester Business Education Alliance, encouraging him to participate in the Youth Apprenticeship Program. This program, with a long successful history in the Rochester area, partners high school sophomores with local businesses. Prospective students must meet a stringent set of requirements before being selected to interview with the business of their choice. If they are hired, they begin a two-year paid apprenticeship, working throughout the summer and after school during the academic year. When Dr. Simone accepted the challenge to allow a partnership with the University, he opened the door to a history-making opportunity. This was the first time that an institution of higher education had joined the program. It became the first time that the program was able to offer information technology apprenticeships. The President agreed to fund two students in the first year and I agreed to create a real-life work experience for them. We are now into Year Three of this very successful partnership, with our first two students having graduated from high school. They have both been accepted into RIT for the fall and we have the bonus of being able to integrate them into the ranks of our ITS student employees - coming to the University as freshmen but with two years of ITS experience. This paper will focus on their journey with us and the mutually satisfying outcome.
The effect of detritus and ration size on the growth of Fundulus heteroclitus (L.)

Abstract In a laboratory experiment using juvenile killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus L., detritus addition to a commercial fish food diet of 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10 and 14 % dry body weight/day did not significantly affect the growth of Fundulus when compared with replicate groups not receiving detritus. Even though Fundulus ingested detritus, they did not apparently use it for maintenance or growth. The fish required at least a daily ration of commercial fish food of 4–6 % dry body weight for maintenance. The ash content of fish fed at diets of fish food below 4 % dry weight/day increased, and the C N ratio decreased, indicating the inadequacy of these rations. Fish grew almost at field rates at higher amounts of commercial fish food. When feeding in the field, fish at above-maintenance rations must exert a strong influence on prey populations.
OPEN CLUSTERS IN THE MILKY WAY OUTER DISK: NEWLY DISCOVERED AND UNSTUDIED CLUSTERS IN THE SPITZER GLIMPSE-360, CYG-X, AND SMOG SURVEYS

Open stellar clusters are extremely valuable probes of Galactic structure, star formation, kinematics, and chemical abundance patterns. Near-infrared (NIR) data have enabled the detection of hundreds of clusters hidden from optical surveys, and mid-infrared (MIR) data are poised to offer an even clearer view into the most heavily obscured parts of the Milky Way. We use new MIR images from the Spitzer GLIMPSE-360, Cyg-X, and SMOG surveys to visually identify a large number of open cluster candidates in the outer disk of the Milky Way (65? < l < 265?). Using NIR color-magnitude diagrams, stellar isochrones, and stellar reddening estimates, we derive cluster parameters (metallicity, distance, reddening) for those objects without previous identification and/or parameters in the literature. In total, we present coordinates and sizes of 20 previously unknown open cluster candidates; for 7 of these we also present metallicity, distance, and reddening values. In addition, we provide the first estimates of these values for nine clusters that had been previously cataloged. We compare our cluster sizes and other derived parameters to those in the open cluster catalog of Dias et al. and find strong similarities except for a higher mean reddening for our objects, which signifies our increased detection sensitivity in regions of high extinction. The results of this cluster search and analysis demonstrate the ability of MIR imaging and photometry to augment significantly the current census of open clusters in the Galaxy.
All-Optical Quantum Information Processing Using Rydberg Gates

In this Letter, we propose a hybrid scheme to implement a photonic controlled-z (CZ) gate using photon storage in highly excited Rydberg states, which controls the effective photon-photon interaction using resonant microwave fields. Our scheme decouples the light propagation from the interaction and exploits the spatial properties of the dipole blockade phenomenon to realize a CZ gate with minimal loss and mode distortion. By excluding the coupling efficiency, fidelities exceeding 95% are achievable and are found to be mainly limited by motional dephasing and the finite lifetime of the Rydberg levels.
The Demand for Residential Space and Water Heating Fuel by Energy Conserving Households

A model of residential demand for the natural gas used in space and water heating is developed. Parameter estimates of thermal efficiency, internal design temperature, furnace efficiency, family, and economic variables are derived for a sample of households defined as “energy conservers” by virtue of having retrofitted their homes. The paper also addresses econometric problems of simultaneity and index bias. Results indicate that, for this sample, residential demand for natural gas is price elastic.
HMGCoA reductase Potentiates hedgehog Signaling in Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila HMGCoA reductase (hmgcr) catalyzes the biosynthesis of a mevalonate precursor for isoprenoids and has been implicated in the production of a signal by the somatic gonadal precursor cells (SGPs) that attracts migrating germ cells. Here, we show that hmgcr functions in the hedgehog (hh) signaling pathway. When hmgcr activity is reduced, high levels of Hh accumulate in hh-expressing cells in each parasegment, while the adjacent "Hh-receiving" cells cannot sustain wg expression and fail to relocalize the Smoothened (Smo) receptor. Conversely, ectopic Hmgcr upregulates Hh signaling when it is produced in hh-expressing cells, but has no effect when produced in the receiving cells. These findings suggest that Hmgcr might orchestrate germ cell migration by promoting the release and/or transport of Hh from the SGPs. Consistent with this model, there are substantial germ cell migration defects in trans combinations between hmgcr and mutations in different components of the hh pathway.
Clinical and economic effects of pharmacy services in a geriatric ambulatory clinic

Pharmacy services were introduced in an established multidisciplinary geriatric ambulatory clinic. The pharmacist collaborated with primary care providers to optimize patients' drug regimens. Over 8 months there were 250 patient visits to the clinic. Traditional medical care was provided at 144 (57.6%) of these visits and traditional medical care plus pharmacist evaluation was provided at 106 (42.4%). The pharmacist identified 220 potential and actual drug-related problems. Acceptance of pharmacist-recommended changes in drug therapy was 98.6%. A mean reduction of 3.4 agents/patient was achieved in the intervention group (p<0.0001). Clinical outcomes of changes in drug therapy were neutral or positive in 99.5% of cases. Pharmacy services resulted in net savings of $7,788 annually.
Erythropoietin in Cancer Patients

Therapy with erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) is associated with well-documented benefits to anemic cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, most importantly a reduction in the likelihood of needing red cell transfusions. One challenge in supportive cancer care is a relative resistance to ESAs, requiring high doses with a significant rate of nonresponse. Recent advances in our understanding of iron metabolism in patients with chronic illness and the results of clinical trials indicate that parenteral iron improves ESA response in this setting. Another issue is the safety of ESA treatment in cancer patients. There is an increased risk of venous thrombosis that must be considered in clinical decision making. There are also recent data raising concerns that ESAs may enhance tumor progression or decrease patient survival. Although the preponderance of the data suggests that ESAs do not alter survival when used to treat chemotherapy-induced anemia, large well-controlled trials addressing this issue are needed.
Comparative tumorigenicity and DNA methylation in F344 rats by 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and N-nitrosodimethylamine

The tumorigenic activities and DNA methylating abilities in F344 rats of the tobacco specific nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and the structurally related nitrosamine N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) were compared. Groups of 30 male rats were given 60 s.c. injections of 0.0055 mmol/kg of either NNK or NDMA over a 20-week period (total dose, 0.33 mmol/kg). The experiment was terminated after 104 weeks. The numbers of rats with tumors were as follows for NNK and NDMA, respectively: liver, 10 and 6; lung 13 and 0; and nasal cavity, 6 and 1. NNK was significantly more tumorigenic than was NDMA toward the lung (P less than 0.01) and nasal cavity (P less than 0.05). Groups of rats were treated with a single s.c. injection of 0.39 mmol/kg or 0.055 mmol/kg of NNK or NDMA and the levels of 7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine were measured in liver, lung, and nasal mucosa 1-48 h after treatment. In liver and lung, levels of 7-methylguanine and O6-methylguanine in DNA were 3-22 times (P less than 0.001) greater in NDMA treated rats than in NNK treated rats. Levels of methylation induced by NDMA and NNK in the nasal mucosa were similar. The results of this study demonstrate that NNK is a more potent tumorigen than NDMA in the F344 rat and suggest that DNA methylation alone does not account for its strong tumorigenicity in rat lung and nasal mucosa.
Aquifer/aquitard units of the Dakota aquifer system in Kansas; methods of delineation and sedimentary architecture effects on ground-water flow and flow properties

ABSTRACT In the near future, the demand for water in many parts of central and western Kansas will exceed the supply available from near-surface aquifers, forcing exploitation of the underlying Dakota aquifer. The Dakota aquifer framework consists of discontinuous sandstone aquifers confined by mudstone aquitards belonging to the Cretaceous Cheyenne Sandstone and the Kiowa and Dakota Formations. These strata were deposited in a variety of nonmarine through marine settings associated with several cycles of sea-level rise and fall. The aquifer comprises two entire and one partial unconformity-bounded sequences recognized in the Western Interior: Cheyenne-Kiowa, lower Dakota J sequence, and upper Dakota D sequence. Scale-dependent heterogeneity characterizes the Dakota aquifer, because of the inf uence of sedimentary processes on the arrangement and geometry of sandstone bodies and on the fabric of the sandstones. A multidisciplinary approach is being employed in the Dakota Aquifer Program of the Kansas Geological Survey to delineate aquifer/aquitard units and characterize scale-dependent heterogeneity using a variety of techniques. Colorized images of the subsurface from gamma-ray logs in cross sections reveal the complex arrangement of sandstone bodies within the Dakota due to deposition in fluvial and deltaic/estuarine to marine settings. At the more local scale, borehole geophysical logs are being used both to delineate local aquifer zones and to estimate overall ground-water quality. Pumping test results indicate that the contrast of hydraulic properties between a sandstone aquifer and its surrounding mudstone aquitard significantly "channels" the flow of ground water through the aquifer. he geometric mean hydraulic conductivity of fluvial sandstones is generally higher than in deltaic/estuarine sandstones in either the Dakota or Kiowa Formations. Overlapping ranges of hydraulic conductivity values in fluvial and deltaic/estuarine sandstones may be due to the uniformity of the sediment supplied from source areas combined with variations in the energy of transport and winnowing within each of these depositional systems. Permeameter tests of coreplugs and gamma-ray response on logs indicate that the better sorted, coarser, and less radioactive sandstones make the most permeable aquifer units in two cores of fluvial and deltaic/estuarine sandstones. Experimental variograms using coreplug data indicate that bedding is a significant control on the partitioning of hydraulic con uctivity within sandstone bodies. Succeeding efforts will focus on using the results presented in this paper combined with techniques, such as indicator kriging and geologic process modeling, to map the distribution of sandstone aquifers and their properties in the subsurface within small geographic areas of manageable size where detailed information is needed.
Amplification of ultrashort solitons in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers

Pulse amplification in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers is studied by considering a general model that includes both gain saturation and gain dispersion. The effects of gain dispersion are studied numerically for the case in which a fundamental soliton is launched at the amplifier input. The results show that fiber amplifiers may be useful for simultaneous amplification and compression of weak optical pulses. Under high-gain conditions the input pulse is found to split into a train of amplified subpulses whose width and repetition rate are governed by the gain bandwidth. The numerical results are in qualitative agreement with recent experiments. >
Effects of Sex, Strain and Estrogens on Quality of Chicken Roasters

Abstract This study was conducted to determine the effect of sex, strain and hormone treatment on cooked yields and meat quality of chicken roasters. The two strains were the Hubbard White Mountain and the Penobscot. The three treatments were the injection of estradiol-17 beta monopalmitate, the feeding of dienestrol diacetate, and the control birds which did not receive any hormones. Cooking yields were significantly higher for male roasters than for female roasters. Taste panel scores for breast meat showed a significant difference in flavor and odor between the meat from the two sexes, that of the male chickens obtained higher scores. Panel scores for the thigh samples were higher for flavor of Penobscot birds than Hubbard White Mountain. Texture of thigh meat was preferred to that of breast meat. No other differences were detected in flavor, odor and texture. Shear values obtained from a Kramer Shear press showed highly significant differences between the two types of meat. The samples from the Musculus iliotibialis were more tough than the samples from the Pectoralis major and the samples from the Pectoralis minor. Compression slope values of the Pectoralis minor were significantly higher for the Penobscot strain as compared to Hubbard White Mountain strain. Sex was the only factor that had any effect on shear values of thigh muscle. Male roasters were more tender than the female roasters. The hormone treatments had no effect on any of the measurements obtained from either the Kramer Shear press or taste panel scores.
Using ytterbium-labeled forage to investigate particle flow kinetics across sites in the bovine reticulorumen

Abstract To better understand particle flow kinetics across the reticulorumen (RR), we monitored concentrations of Yb-marked forage across several RR sites over time. We offered three forages (bromegrass, low-fiber alfalfa, high-fiber alfalfa) ad libitum to lactating Holstein dairy cows in an incomplete 3 × 3 Latin square design. After dosing Yb-marked forage in the mid-dorsal sac (DS), we determined Yb concentrations of particulate samples taken from several sites (DS, ventral sac [VS], ventral blind sac [VBS], reticulum [RT]) from 0 to 72 h. For each site we constructed marker concentration profiles and applied non-parametric (local quadratic) and parametric (two-compartmental, G2 → G1 → O) regression models to these profiles. We determined mean residence time (MRT) and peak marker concentration using the original profile observations and regressions. Across forage diets, intake of dry matter differed ( P =0.022) but that of other chemical fractions did not ( P =0.125). The local regression fit the data well visually, and MRT calculated using this model and original observations closely agreed. This suggests the local regression successfully smoothed the original observations, which had considerable stochastic variation, without changing the underlying shapes they implied. Similar considerations showed the G2 → G1 → O model fit the data poorly. Visually, marker profiles shapes varied greatly, but we found few differences attributable to diet and site. Mean residence and peak marker concentration times, which reflect marker profile shape, did not strongly differ by diet ( P =0.434, 0.0824) or site ( P =0.113, 0.0824), though they did by cow ( P =0.036, 0.004). These results further show differences in profile shapes (and the particle flow kinetics they reflect) are explained poorly by diet and site but somewhat explained by unidentified animal factors. Based on studies that demonstrate particles flows through RR in the partial order DS → VBS ↔ VS → RT, we expected MRT values to follow the order DS
SMT-Directory: Efficient Load-Load Ordering for SMT

Memory models like SC, TSO, and PC enforce load-load ordering, requiring that loads from any thread appear to occur in program order to all other threads. Out-of-order execution can violate load-load ordering. Multi-processors with out-of-order cores detect load-load ordering violations by snooping an age-ordered load queue on cache invalidations or evictions-events that act as proxies for the completion of remote stores. This mechanism becomes less efficient in an SMT, as every completing store must search the loads queue segments of all other threads. This inefficiency exists because store completions from other threads in the same core are not filtered by the cache: thread 0 observes all of thread 1's stores, not only the first store to every cache line. SMT-Directory eliminates this overhead by implementing the filtering traditionally provided by the cache in the cache itself. SMT-Directory adds a per-thread "read'' bit to every cache line. When a load executes, it sets the bit corresponding to its thread. When a store completes, it checks the SMT-Directory bits of its cache line and searches the load queue segments only of those threads whose bits are set. As a result, local store completions trigger searches only for data that is actually shared.
Does your gene need a background check? How genetic background impacts the analysis of mutations, genes, and evolution

The premise of genetic analysis is that a causal link exists between phenotypic and allelic variation. However, it has long been documented that mutant phenotypes are not a simple result of a single DNA lesion, but are instead due to interactions of the focal allele with other genes and the environment. Although an experimentally rigorous approach focused on individual mutations and isogenic control strains has facilitated amazing progress within genetics and related fields, a glimpse back suggests that a vast complexity has been omitted from our current understanding of allelic effects. Armed with traditional genetic analyses and the foundational knowledge they have provided, we argue that the time and tools are ripe to return to the underexplored aspects of gene function and embrace the context-dependent nature of genetic effects. We assert that a broad understanding of genetic effects and the evolutionary dynamics of alleles requires identifying how mutational outcomes depend upon the 'wild type' genetic background. Furthermore, we discuss how best to exploit genetic background effects to broaden genetic research programs.
Effect of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflamatory Drugs on the Outer-Hair Cell Protein Prestin

Prestin belongs to the SLC26 protein family of anion transporters. Prestin (SLC26A5) is a motor protein essential for the electromotility of the outer hair- cells (OHC) and therefore the amplification of sound in the cochlea. This protein is able to convert changes in membrane potential to mechanical force and to modify the length of the OHC. The electromotility of prestin-expressing cells is associated with a nonlinear capacitance (NLC) that can be measured electrophysiologically. Prestin is a mechanosensitive protein and its function is altered by reagents known to change membrane mechanical properties.The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) salicylate has been showed to inhibit the NLC and the electromotility of OHC and prestin-expressing HEK. It is thought to compete with anions such as chloride for the anion-binding site on prestin. Other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, piroxicam or diflusinal can trigger side effects related with hearing and sometime cause tinnitus by an unknown mechanism. Here, we investigate a possible mechanism for these adverse reactions by examining the effects of these drugs on the function of prestin. The prestin-associated NLC is monitored by whole-cell as well as inside-out patches from HEK cells expressing prestin, and recorded before and after the perfusion of NSAIDs. This allows a cell-by-cell comparison of the NLC parameters in the presence and absence of the tested molecule. Ibuprofen and naproxen both showed an effect on the half-maximum voltage (V1/2) and the charge density parameters of the NLC. The effect of ibuprofen was particularly pronounced, shifting V1/2 from −70 mV to −52 mV and increasing the maximal charge movement by 30%. Further studies will contribute to our understanding of whether NSAIDs act through alteration of the mechanical properties of the membrane or specifically interfere with prestin function.
Reliability of Flex Coatings for High-Performance Applications

A study was undertaken to select a suitable coating for a high-pin-count flexible edge connector (Flex) that interconnected a multichip thin-film silicon carrier to a printed circuit board. The Flex with cantilevered inner leads were joined to the contact pads at the perimeter of the carrier. 15 polymeric coatings were evaluated by subjecting coated Flexes to tests consisting of inner lead bending, temperature/humidity/bias (85°C/80%/15 V/350 hours), corrosion, line peel, and/or pressure cooker (126°C/20 psig/120 hours). Inner lead bending measurements were performed to assess the potential of lead shorting at the inner lead bonding sites during thermal cycling. From this study, a low-stress silicone evolved as the best candidate. The results leading to this conclusion will be shown and discussed.
Identification of ETS domain proteins in murine T lymphocytes that interact with the Moloney murine leukemia virus enhancer.

Abstract The enhancer of Moloney murine leukemia virus (Mo-MuLV) contains an array of transcriptional control elements that direct viral gene expression in diverse cell types. The murine transcription factor Ets-1 was shown to bind to the LVb and LVc elements of the enhancer by DNase I protection and methylation interference assays. Enhancers containing disrupted Ets-1 binding sites were tested in transient expression assays in the murine T-cell line EL4.E1; alterations in the LVb element affected constitutive enhancer activity, while mutation of either the LVb or LVc element disrupted phorbol ester-induced enhancer activity. Members of the ets gene family of proteins display similar DNA-binding properties; therefore, we speculated that ets proteins other than Ets-1 also might bind these elements. Crude nuclear extracts of EL4.E1 cells were assayed to identify the protein(s) that potentially functions at the LVb element. The predominant binding activity was not Ets-1 but rather two independent DNA-protein complexes that comigrated in mobility shift assays. UV cross-linking and denaturing gel electrophoresis sized the two DNA-binding species, which we denoted p55 and p100. Immunoprecipitation combined with UV cross-linking identified p55 as the alpha subunit of GA-binding protein. The DNA-binding properties of p100 and several ets proteins were compared. Similarities suggested that p100 is also an ETS domain protein, possibly Elf-1. This strategy could be used to identify other ETS domain proteins in crude nuclear extracts. These findings suggest multiple ETS domain proteins could regulate gene expression of Mo-MuLV.
Development of Valves in the Marine Diatom Genus Trigonium

Trigonium arcticum and T. formosum, marine diatoms epiphytic on Ectocarpus sp., were collected from the sublittoral off Point Loma, California. Forming valves of these two sympatric species were studied using scanning electron microscopy. The earliest developing valve of T. arcticum encountered is a porous basal layer of silica, triangular, with pseudocelli just starting to form at each corner. The central annulus, the site of the earliest valve formation, appears to be about the size of a single areola. Early rimoportulae (labiate processes) are interspersed between central areolae and are simple oval openings. Internally these form their labiate lip-like structures just before cribrum formation. Ridges form on the external side of the basal layer in a honeycomb pattern and produce the walls of the loculate structures. The ridges expand outward until cribrum formation is initiated. Small protuberances grow out from the edge of the ridge-like structures and then become anvil-shaped as they grow toward the center of the pores and form the ‘roofs’ of the loculi. In external view of the mature valve, the pores are smoothly covered over except for a ring of C-shaped slits. These cribra are flush with the surface of the valve. At about the time the cribra are completing, rotae are formed within the porelli of the pseudocelli by extensions from two or three sides. The quadrangular T. formosum develops along much the same pattern. Differences are the less numerous, more centrally located rimoportulae, which possess external tubes and the formation of highly domed cribra.
Inhibition of nuclear import by the proapoptotic protein CC3.

We report here that the normal cellular protein CC3/TIP30, when in excess, inhibits nuclear import in vitro and in vivo. CC3 binds directly to the karyopherins of the importin β family in a RanGTP-insensitive manner and associates with nucleoporins in vivo. CC3 inhibits the nuclear import of proteins possessing either the classical nuclear localization signal or the M9 signal recognized by transportin. CC3 also inhibits nuclear translocation of transportin itself. Cells modified to express higher levels of CC3 have a slower rate of nuclear import and, as described earlier, show an increased sensitivity to death signals. A mutant CC3 protein lacking proapoptotic activity has a lower affinity for transportin, is displaced from it by RanGTP, and fails to inhibit nuclear import in vitro and in vivo. Together, our results support a correlation between the ability of CC3 to form a RanGTP-resistant complex with importins, inhibit nuclear import, and induce apoptosis. Significantly, a dominant-negative form of importin β1 shown previously to inhibit multiple transport pathways induces rapid cell death, strongly indicating that inhibition of nuclear transport serves as a potent apoptotic signal.