cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Object Interaction Language (OIL): An intent-based language for programming self-organized sensor/actuator networks

This paper introduces the Object Interaction Language (OIL) that allows programming and coordination of distributed, heterogeneous sensor-actuator networks, such as sensor networks and multi-robot systems. OIL is an interpreted, object oriented language and is contained in an OIL environment. An OIL environment provides communication between agents and allows agents to exchange code snippets among each other. Possible implementations of OIL environments can be — in the simplest case — a sheet of paper with OIL code literally printed on it, or a computational agent endowed with sensors, actuators and wireless communication. The atomic primitive in OIL is the intent for which implementation is resolved during runtime, potentially using code from other OIL environments and leading to distributed execution. We develop the structure of the language and demonstrate its key properties using a distributed computation task that is parallelized via an OIL environment. We evaluate the algorithm empirically by running OIL code on a team of six computational agents that communicate wirelessly. We then show experimentally how OIL can be used to allocate sensing and mobility in a multi-robot system using a case study in navigation, where one robot dynamically provides laser range data to another robot which is blind to its environment.
Doppler-detected tricuspid, mitral or aortic regurgitation in end-stage renal disease.

Abstract Cardiac abnormalities in patients with end-stage renal disease are common. Premature calcium in the mitral anular ring and aortic valve occurs secondary to derangements in calcium and phosphorous metabolism. 1,2 Functional aortic and pulmonary regurgitation, left ventricular hypertrophy and pericardial effusions occur. 3–6 There are little data on the frequency of Dopplerdetected valvular regurgitation in end-stage renal disease. We determined the frequency of regurgitation in patients with end-stage renal disease and its relation to calcium in either the mitral or aortic valves and left ventricular dysfunction.
A method of producing bacteremia in dogs

Summary A method of producing a bacteremia consistently in dogs by injecting intravenously one billion Staphylococcus aureus organisms is described. Cultures used were fresh. Cells were suspended in sterile saline to eliminate toxic products of metabolism. Thirty dog experiments were carried out. These dogs were divided into three equal groups. All groups were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus organisms, the phage type differing for each group. The most immediate and consistent results were obtained in dogs inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus, phage type 80/81. This method has been found to be an effective means of studying the effects of circulating organisms on vascular prostheses. The mortality rate is not prohibitive.
The impact of hybrid-core processors on MPI message rate

Power and energy concerns are motivating chip manufacturers to consider future hybrid-core processor designs that combine a small number of traditional cores optimized for single-thread performance with a large number of simpler cores optimized for throughput performance. This trend is likely to impact the way compute resources for network protocol processing functions are allocated and managed. In particular, the performance of MPI match processing is critical to achieving high message throughput. In this paper, we analyze the ability of simple and more complex cores to perform MPI matching operations for various scenarios in order to gain insight into how MPI implementations for future hybrid-core processors should be designed.
Metabolism of 3',5'-cyclic amp by strains L cells.

Abstract 1. The metabolism of [8− 14 C]3′,5′-cyclic AMP by Strain L cells was studied. The intracellular and extracellular labeled metabolites were separated and identified by ion-exchange column and paper chromatography and quantitated by liquid scintilation counting. 2. 2. The principal metabolites were: intracellular: AMP, ADP, and ATP; extracellular: inosine. 3. 3. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase was present in the Strain L cells but not in the extracellular medium. 4. 4. The results suggest the inhibition of cell growth by 3′,5′-cyclic AMP is due to the intact cyclic nucleotide since no significant amounts of toxic metabolites were found.
Quantitative somatosensory thermotest. A key method for functional evaluation of small calibre afferent channels

The quantitative somatosensory thermotest (QST) assesses the function of afferent channels concerned with sensory submodalities served by small calibre fibres. Measured ramps of ascending or descending temperature are applied to the skin through a Peltier contact thermode, and detection thresholds are recorded as the subject signals the onset of a particular sensation. The present study describes underlying principles, methodological aspects and normal reference values for the QST. In patients, measurement of thresholds for cold sensation, warm sensation, cold-induced pain and heat-induced pain, applied to 465 individuals, yielded 13 abnormal patterns segregated into three main groups: (i) thermal (cold or warm) hypoaesthesia; (ii) thermal hyperalgesia (abnormally reduced threshold for cold and/or heat induced pain); (iii) thermal hypoaesthesia combined with thermal hyperalgesia. Critical analysis of these results yielded a number of observations of general relevance: (i) thermal specific (warm or cold) hypoaesthesia and thermal (heat or cold) hyperalgesia may occur in the absence of hypoaesthesia for tactile submodalities served by large calibre afferents; (ii) cold hypoaesthesia and warm hypoaesthesia may dissociate from each other; (iii) thermal pain hyperalgesias may occur in the absence of hypoaesthesias for specific cold or warm sensations; (iv) cold hyperalgesia and heat hyperalgesia may dissociate from each other. Thus, a negative routine sensory examination and unimpaired sensory nerve action potentials do not exclude possible somatosensory dysfunction. Furthermore, while most methods of sensory testing only document normality or deficit, the QST permits additional documentation of hyperalgesia, a positive sensory phenomenon that implies unusual pathophysiologies such as sensitization of receptors, central hyperexcitability, disinhibition or, possibly, ectopic nerve impulse discharge. This psychophysical test does not specify the level within afferent channels, between skin and brainmind, where the abnormality resides. It is recommended that the QST for all four thermal specific and thermal pain functions be incorporated in routine neurological assessment.
Endoscope reprocessing and repair costs

Endoscope reprocessing and repair are important factors in regard to patient safety, optimal endoscope function, and costs. Endoscope reprocessing requires high level disinfection. There are three steps in reprocessing; mechanical cleaning, disinfection, and that is followed by rinsing and drying. The most critical step is mechanical cleaning which results in a 10 (4) reduction in microbial contamination or bioburden. Improper cleaning can overwhelm high-level disinfection regardless of subsequent steps and is the most susceptible to error. Endoscopy costs are dependent on costs of instruments, cleaning costs, and repair costs. The average repair costs at our endoscopy unit remained stable for more than 4 years suggesting a durable life of use. Consideration of endoscope accessories use should consider potential damage to endoscope use, cost to process re-useable items, sterility, and consideration of recent legislation on reprocessing of single-use devices.
Rab7 prevents growth factor-independent survival by inhibiting cell-autonomous nutrient transporter expression.

Abstract Growth factor withdrawal results in the endocytosis and degradation of transporter proteins for glucose and amino acids. Here, we show that this process is under the active control of the small GTPase Rab7. In the presence of growth factor, Rab7 inhibition had no effect on nutrient transporter expression. In growth factor-deprived cells, however, blocking Rab7 function prevented the clearance of glucose and amino acid transporter proteins from the cell surface. When Rab7 was inhibited, growth factor deprived cells maintained their mitochondrial membrane potential and displayed prolonged, growth factor-independent, nutrient-dependent cell survival. Thus, Rab7 functions as a proapoptotic protein by limiting cell-autonomous nutrient uptake. Consistent with this, dominant-negative Rab7 cooperated with E1A to promote the transformation of p53 −/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). These results suggest that proteins that limit nutrient transporter expression function to prevent cell-autonomous growth and survival.
Bird's eye view of emerging zoonoses.

Suggested citation for this article: Potter P. Bird’s eye view of emerging zoonoses. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2010 Feb [date cited]. http://www.cdc.gov/eid/content/16/2/369.htm
Chromatographic and electrophoretic methods used for analysis of milk proteins

Current knowledge of milk proteins and their behavior in dairy foods is based on early applications of chromatography and electrophoresis. Electrophoretic identification of the number and genetic variety of milk proteins inaugurated a research effort in which chromatographic techniques were successfully applied to the isolation of each milk protein, thus facilitating the characterization and further study of milk and dairy products. This review focuses on recent applications of chromatography for separations and analysis and on analytical applications of electrophoresis.
Exercising animal models in inhalation toxicology: interactions with ozone and formaldehyde

Exercise during exposure to inhaled toxicants increases inhaled dose rate and alters dose distribution within the respiratory tract, and exercise has long been recognized as a critical exposure variable. While modern inhalation exposure studies with human subjects routinely use an exercise protocol, most investigations with animal models are performed with resting subjects. Animal inhalation exposures under exercising conditions frequently induce respiratory toxic effects well beyond that expected from the simple increase in ventilation dose rate. Different classes of irritants can induce different reflex breathing patterns, and small mammals have different capacities for hypothermic or hyperthermic responses to rest or exercise exposure. Respiratory tract injury and breathing pattern responses of rats to upper and lower airway irritants ozone and formaldehyde were measured under conditions of rest and exercise to illustrate the complexities of comparison to human exposures. In addition to the exercise effects on dose and dose distribution and the possibility of hypo- or hyperthermic responses, exercise enhancement of inhalation injury may also be related to a combination of toxicant-induced disruption of the pulmonary epithelial permeability barrier and exercise-induced pulmonary capillary stress failure.
Understanding the placebo effect in clinical trials for postural tachycardia syndrome.

Summary Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is characterized by excessive increases in heart rate (HR) upon standing. Previous studies have shown that standing HR decreases over time in POTS patients given placebo. We hypothesized that this reduction is due to cardiovascular physiological alteration, as opposed to psychological benefit from perceived therapy. To prospectively test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of an open-label ‘no treatment’ intervention (NoRx) compared with a patient-blinded placebo on standing HR in POTS patients. Twenty-one POTS patients participated in a randomized cross-over trial with oral placebo versus NoRx administered at 0900 h. Seated blood pressure (BP) and HR were measured at baseline and every hour for 4 h. Similarly, BP and HR were measured while patients stood for 10 min at these time points. Standing HR decreased significantly over time with both NoRx (112 ± 13 and 103 ± 16 b.p.m. at baseline and 4 h, respectively) and placebo (112 ± 14 and 102 ± 16 b.p.m. at baseline and 4 h, respectively; Ptime < 0.001), but this effect was not different between interventions (Pdrug = 0.771). Postural tachycardia syndrome patients have exaggerated orthostatic tachycardia in the morning that decreases over time with either placebo or NoRx interventions, suggesting this phenomenon is due to cardiovascular physiological variation. These data highlight the need for a placebo arm in haemodynamic clinical trials in POTS and may have important implications for the diagnosis of these patients.
Analysis and simulation of non‐Newtonian flow in the coat‐hanger die of a meltblown process

Meltblown is one of the fastest growing processes for nonwoven production. The design of the coat-hanger geometry of a die is very important for meltblown technology. In this article, melt rheological properties were studied based on capillary rheometry, followed by analysis and simulation of the melt flow in the die and its experimental verification. It is essential for the optimal design of the die and helps to better understand the meltblown process as well. The result of this research showed that the rheological properties of melt flow in the die obey the power-law equation very well in the meltblown process. The coat-hanger die has a good operation feasibility for different resins and various operation conditions from the view of web uniformity. The pressure drop through the orifices is the major contribution to the pressure drop in the die.
Field dielectric measurements of frozen silt using VHF pulses

Abstract Radiowave propagation experiments utilizing short pulses in the VHF band were conducted in the permafrost tunnel at Fox, Alaska. The purpose was to measure dielectric properties of this naturally occurring, perennially frozen organic silt which is common to much of interior Alaska and for which ice content varies between about 54 and 79% by volume. Transmissions across a septum dividing two drifts gave relative dielectric permittivity values between 3.9 and 7.3. The low values resulted when transmission was predominantly through an ice wedge. Propagation along the septum gave values of 3.3 and 5.0 depending on antenna polarization. This propagation was influenced by the dry, surface silts, as was propagation along a ceiling section, which also gave an approximate value of 3.3. The data from attempted transmissions from the ground surface directly above the tunnel to the tunnel ceiling (approximately 12 m distance) are ambiguous, as signals that propagated indirectly along the transmitter cable through a nearby ventilation shaft may or may not have masked direct transmission through the permafrost. The results agree with previous laboratory investigations conducted at temperatures well below that of naturally occurring materials in interior Alaska suggesting that winter refrigeration of the tunnel by circulated outside air greatly affected the natural conditions at this site.
Phase behaviour in a thermotropic polyether involving rod-like mesogenic groups based on conformational isomerism

Abstract A thermotropic polyether (MBPE-5) which was synthesized by coupling of 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(2-methyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane α , ω -dibromopentane shows complicated phase transition behaviour. Our thermal analysis, polarized light microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction results lead to a recognition of a liquid crystalline phase in this polymer, and it is monotropic. In addition, crystals with two different metastabilities are identified. The more stable crystal grows from its melt in a high isothermal temperature region, characterized by a normal spherulitic texture with banding pattern. The less stable crystal develops from its parent liquid crystalline phase in a low temperature region. The schlieren texture is still kept after this crystallization. Isothermally, in an intermediate temperature region, mixed crystals, formed by both different stabilities, can be observed.
Effects of different serum supplements in maturation medium on meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation of pig oocytes

The temporal progression of meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation of pig oocytes cultured in a medium supplemented with 0.4% polyvinylalcohol (PVA), 10% fetal calf serum (FCS), 10% newborn piglet serum (NPS), 10% porcine follicular fluid (PFF) or 10% porcine seminal fluid (PSF) was examined after 20, 30, 40 and 50 hours of culture. There were no differences in germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) among FCS and NPS supplements. After 20 hours of culture, the frequency for GVBD was higher (P < 0.05) in FCS and NPS (54% and 52%, respectively) than in PVA (32%) and PFF (33%) culture media but were not different at 40 and 50 hours of culture. Supplementation with PSF resulted in a rapid chromosome condensation of pig oocytes after 20 hours culture, but all GVBD oocytes stopped developing at the condensed germinal vesicle stage. Oocytes were not penetrated by spermatozoa when inseminated following 20 hours of culture, while high penetration (87 to 100%) and polyspermy rates (86 to 100%) were consistently obtained in all the supplement groups when inseminated after 30, 40 or 50 hours of culture. Male pronuclear formation rates at 10 to 12 hours after insemination, following a 50-hour culture period in FCS and NPS, were 28 and 28%, respectively, in comparison with 54% in PVA and 59% in PFF. The results indicate that supplementing maturation media with serum such as FCS and NPS reduced the ability of pig oocytes to form a male pronucleus, and further suggest that the detrimental effects may be due to accelerated progression of maturation events.
Domain elucidation by mass spectrometry

I am especially thankful to Drs Adrian R Ferre-D'Amare, Xiaoling Xie, Dimitar Nikolov, Hal Lewis and Ketan S Gajiwala from the laboratory of Stephen K Burley and Drs Urooj A Mirza and David Fenyo from the laboratory of Brian T Chait. I gratefully acknowledge the critical comments on this review from professors Brian T Chait and Stephen K Burley, both of whom encouraged its creation.
A feature-based planning support system

Abstract This paper concerns the application of the concept of cartographic features in the framework of computerized geographic information systems to support urban and regional planning. It includes a discussion of the conceptual background for this application, goals of the planning support system, the model to be used for its implementation, and a discussion of the range of planning problems to be addressed. The concept of cartographic features is addressed from the perspectives of Bouille's Hypergraph-Based Data Structure (HBDS) model, the recent trend toward object-oriented geographic information systems (OOGIS) methodology, and the proposed U.S. Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS). For planning applications, it is also necessary to consider the planning process, as exemplified by the Krueckeberg and Silvers (1974) text on planning methods, and data availability of which the TIGER system is the most striking current example. The advent of SDTS in the United States will greatly facilitate both the development of local planning support systems and their transferability to a variety of situations in both developed and developing countries.
A novel program to improve patient safety by integrating peer review into the emergency medicine residency curriculum.

Abstract Background Evaluating the quality of care as part of a quality improvement process is required in many clinical environments by accrediting bodies. It produces metrics used to evaluate department and individual provider performance, provides outcomes-based feedback to clinicians, and identifies ways to reduce error. Discussion To improve patient safety and train our residents to perform peer review, we expanded our quality assurance program from a narrow, administrative process carried out by a small number of attendings to an educationally focused activity of much greater scope incorporating all residents on a monthly basis. We developed an explicit system by which residents analyze sets of high-risk cases and record their impressions onto structured databases, which are reviewed by faculty. At monthly meetings, results from the month's case reviews are presented, learning points discussed, and corrective actions are proposed. Conclusion By integrating Clinical Quality Review (CQR) as a core, continuous component of the residency curriculum, we increased the number of cases reviewed more than 10-fold and implemented a variety of clinical process improvements. An anonymous survey conducted after 2 years of resident-led CQR indicated that residents value their exposure to the peer review process and feel it benefits them as clinicians, but also that the program requires a significant investment of time that can be burdensome.
Basaloid follicular hamartomas associated with autoimmune disease: a possible role for retinoids in therapy

A basaloid follicular hamartoma (BFH) may be localized or diffuse. It may also be congenital or acquired. Development of diffuse BFHs has been associated with autoimmune disease and with the development of diffuse alopecia. Two women with autoimmune diseases had diffuse alopecia develop. We present the histologic features of BFH seen in these 2 women using vertical and transverse sections, and the response of 1 patient to retinoid therapy. Histologic sections showed a hamartomatous proliferation of hair follicles involving the majority of their hairs. The hamartomatous follicles showed variable degrees of hair differentiation. One patient, treated with oral and then topical retinoids, showed a partial regrowth of scalp hair and some regression of the cutaneous nodules. Increased sonic hedgehog signaling pathways with increased Gli-1 transcription has been shown to be present in the spectrum of follicular hamartomatous changes seen in BFHs. This may explain the response of one patient to retinoid therapy, because retinoids decrease Gli-1 transcriptional activity.
Bearing fluting [motors]

When unexpected bearing losses were questioned at a paper mill, work began at the mill that led to a long-term investigation to determine the causes and incidence of a type of bearing damage called "bearing fluting." It was discovered that many paper machines have bearing fluting that has caused significant down time and increased maintenance costs. Additionally, bearing fluting was found to be associated with the use of AC or DC sectional variable-speed control. This problem is not new, but the understanding of its origin, magnitude, and treatment has improved over the past couple of years. A number of ways to control the problem were investigated. Electrical bearing damage, including fluting and frosting, was controlled by using shaft grounding.
Dyspnea self-management strategies: Use and effectiveness as reported by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Purpose The purposes of this study were to (1) identify the frequency with which patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) use dyspnea self-management strategies and (2) quantitatively describe the patients’ perceptions of self-management strategy effectiveness. Method Surveys were administered to 79 patients with COPD (forced expiratory volume in 1 second Findings Patients in this study experienced both dyspnea intensity (M = 5.52) and dyspnea distress (M = 4.10). Results indicated that patients used a variety of problem-focused self-management strategies to ease their dyspnea. The most helpful strategies were associated with movement and/or pace. Breathing self-management strategies were reported as least effective unless the patient had previous experience with pulmonary rehabilitation. Discussion This study presents a beginning understanding of the perceptions of dyspnea self-management strategy effectiveness and frequency of strategy use in patients with COPD. The study also emphasizes the need for clinicians to individualize self-management strategy recommendations.
PUPILLARY RESPONSE TO DOUBLE-PULSE STIMULATION; A STUDY OF NONLINEARITY IN THE HUMAN PUPIL SYSTEM.

The work here described attempts to locate anatomically and to clarify the nature of dominant nonlinear operators in the human pupillary system for reflex to light. For this work an apparatus was constructed capable of stimulating both eyes simultaneously and recording the pupil diameter of one eye. Short light flashes were used as the input stimulus, and the maximum change in pupil diameter was chosen as the amplitude of response. Results of the experiments (1) confirmed the loglike dependence of response on input-light-flash energy, (2) demonstrated a dependence of response amplitude on duration between pulses in the double-pulse stimulating situation, (3) established the equivalence of response to double-pulse inputs in the cases of monocular and binocular double-pulse presentations, and (4) determined for the monocular and binocular cases the dependence of response amplitude on the amplitude of the second pulse in a double-pulse presentation. The similarity of results of the monocular and binocular cases suggests that the dominating nonlinear operation occurs after the summation of signals from the two eyes. The dependence of response amplitude on duration between pulses is discussed in terms of its implication of central mechanisms.
Structural analysis of covalent peptide dimers, bis(pyridine-2-carboxamidonetropsin)(CH_2)_(3-6), in complex with 5'-TGACT-3' sites by two-dimensional NMR

The peptide pyridine-2-carboxamidonetropsin (2-PyN) binds specifically in the minor groove of 5'-(A,T)G(A,T)C(A,T)-3' sequences as a side-by-side antiparallel dimer. Tethering two 2-PyN ligands through the nitrogens of the central pyrrole rings with propyl, butyl, pentyl and hexyl linkers affords covalent peptide dimers, bis(pyridine-2-carboxamide-netropsin)(CH_2)_(3-6), which bind in the minor groove of DNA with increased binding affinities and improved sequence specificities. Two-dimensional NMR studies of the complexes formed upon binding of these covalent peptide dimers to an oligonucleotide containing a 5'-TGACT-3' site reveal that the dimeric peptides bind as intramolecular dimers with nearly identical geometry and peptide-DNA contacts as in the (2-PyN)_2•5'-TGACT-3' complex.
Mycotic aneurysm of the renal artery: CT appearance.

Mycotic aneurysms of the renal artery are rare with the diagnosis usually made by angiography (Clark et al, 1972; Kaufman & White, 1978). Computed tomographic diagnosis of abdominal mycotic aneurysms has been discussed (Pripstein et al, 1979), but to date the CT appearance of a renal artery mycotic aneurysm has not been reported. Mycotic aneurysms are uncommon and difficult to differentiate on CT from an aortic dissection with involvement of the renal artery. However, renal artery mycotic aneurysms should be considered, given the appropriate clinical circumstances. We report a case of a pathologically proven main renal artery mycotic aneurysm. A 66-year-old white man was admitted with right lower quadrant tenderness, fever, and leukocytosis. His urinalysis indicated three to five white blood cells per low power field and the rare occurrence of bacteria. He had a longstanding history of chronic urinary tract infections secondary to benign prostatic hypertrophy, and the urinalysis findings were considered h...
Elimination of thiol reagent interference during Lowry protein determination.

Abstract Pretreatment of protein samples containing mono- or dithiol reagents with N -ethylmaleimide significantly reduces interference during subsequent protein determinations by the Lowry method. When the Lowry procedure as modified by M. A. K. Markwell et al. ( Anal. Biochem. 87 , 206) is utilized, the effectiveness of N -ethylmaleimide pretreatment is not influenced by a variety of substances including detergents, lipids, EDTA, sucrose, and salts. The combination of the modified procedure of Markwell et al. with N -ethylmaleimide pretreatment is rapid, easily applied to a large number of samples, and equally applicable to both soluble and membranous protein samples.
The Effect of Imaging on the Clinical Management of Breast Pain

BACKGROUND Breast pain is a common complaint to primary care and breast specialists. Literature recommends imaging to provide reassurance of benign etiology. The effect of imaging on reassurance and subsequent healthcare utilization has not been described.
Facile methodology for monitoring amyloid-β fibrillization.

Amyloid-β (Aβ) is a peptide fragment that is prone to aggregate into large fibrils under physiological conditions. Many techniques have been developed to quickly monitor the transition from a primarily monomeric peptide into fibrils. Here we propose a novel method for both incubating and monitoring changes in Aβ aggregation by using modified NMR tubes, a microtube thermoshaker, and a fluorescence or UV–vis spectrometer. These NMR tubes are thin and cylindrical, which allows efficient heat transfer and orbital shaking. Our results demonstrate that our technique is both reliable and expedient when tracking Aβ fibrillization using fluorescence or turbidity assays, which presents an alternative for laboratories without specialized equipment for incubating peptide.
Notched T Waves in Young Persons with Central Nervous System Lesions

Eighty-nine abnormal electrocardiograms taken on young persons with central nervous system (CNS) lesions were reviewed. Most had S-T segment and T-wave abnormalities of a nonspecific type. A high incidence of notched T waves was also noted. In this group of patients with CNS lesions the notching may be due to asymmetrical alterations in sympathetic tone to the ventricle.
Seasonal changes in submarine groundwater discharge to coastal salt ponds estimated using 226Ra and 228Ra as tracers

Abstract Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to coastal southern Rhode Island was estimated from measurements of the naturally-occurring radioisotopes 226 Ra ( t 1/2 = 1600 y) and 228 Ra ( t 1/2 = 5.75 y). Surface water and porewater samples were collected quarterly in Winnapaug, Quonochontaug, Ninigret, Green Hill, and Pt. Judith–Potter Ponds, as well as nearly monthly in the surface water of Rhode Island Sound, from January 2002 to August 2003; additional porewater samples were collected in August 2005. Surface water activities ranged from 12–83 dpm 100 L − 1 (60 dpm = 1 Bq) and 21–256 dpm 100 L − 1 for 226 Ra and 228 Ra, respectively. Porewater 226 Ra activities ranged from 16–736 dpm 100 L − 1 (2002–2003) and 95–815 dpm 100 L − 1 (2005), while porewater 228 Ra activities ranged from 23–1265 dpm 100 L − 1 . Combining these data with a simple box model provided average 226 Ra-based submarine groundwater fluxes ranging from 11–159 L m − 2 d − 1 and average 228 Ra-derived fluxes of 15–259 L m − 2 d − 1 . Seasonal changes in Ra-derived SGD were apparent in all ponds as well as between ponds, with SGD values of 30–472 L m − 2 d − 1 (Winnapaug Pond), 6–20 L m − 2 d − 1 (Quonochontaug Pond), 36–273 L m − 2 d − 1 (Ninigret Pond), 29–76 L m − 2 d − 1 (Green Hill Pond), and 19–83 L m − 2 d − 1 (Pt. Judith–Potter Pond). These Ra-derived fluxes are up to two orders of magnitude higher than results predicted by a numerical model of groundwater flow, estimates of aquifer recharge for the study period, and values published in previous Ra-based SGD studies in Rhode Island. This disparity may result from differences in the type of flow (recirculated seawater versus fresh groundwater) determined using each technique, as well as variability in porewater Ra activity.
The relative importance of fire and watercourse proximity in determining stand composition in mixed conifer riparian forests

Abstract Factors related to the composition of riparian forest stands on three streams in the northern Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forest type were related to proximity to the water course and years since fire. Using a linear regression analysis 46 variables were correlated to the natural log of distance from the thalweg “ln(distance)” including a highly significant positive correlation to dominance and percent canopy cover of conifers, and a significant negative correlation to the same variables when applied to hardwoods. Twenty six variables were correlated to years since fire “years” including similar correlations to the dominance and cover of hardwood and conifer species. However, the significance of the correlation and the degree of sample variability described by fire age was relatively low in comparison to that found for distance from the thalweg. In addition the relative frequency of fire scars increased in a linear fashion with distance from the watercourse. The results of this study indicate that the importance of fire as a determining influence on forest composition declines in proximity to the riparian zone.
Development of IPs calligraphus on foliage-based diets.

Larvae of a bark beetle, Ips calligraphus (Germar), were reared on semiartificial diets containing previous year’s (mature) or current year’s (immature) foliage of Pinus elliottii Engelman var. elliotti . On diets containing 11.8–28.6% foliage, development to the adult stage was 19–44% with previous year’s foliage vs. 1–9% with current year’s foliage. Larval and pupal development was slower on current year’s foliage diets, and adults did not develop normal pigmentation on such immature foliage. Adults reared on diets with both ages of foliages were able to reproduce normally on the inner bark of pine logs (natural food and habitat) through the F3 generation.
Updated reach of CERN LHC and constraints from relic density, b → sγ and aμ in the mSUGRA model

We present an updated assessment of the reach of the CERN LHC pp collider for supersymmetric matter in the context of the minimal supergravity (mSUGRA) model. In addition to previously examined channels, we also include signals with an isolated photon or with a leptonically decaying Z boson. For an integrated luminosity of 100 fb−1, values of m1/2 ~ 1400 GeV can be probed for small m0, corresponding to a gluino mass of m ~ 3 TeV. For large m0, in the hyperbolic branch/focus point region, m1/2 ~ 700 GeV can be probed, corresponding to m ~ 1800 GeV. We also map out parameter space regions preferred by the measured values of the dark matter relic density, the b→sγ decay rate, and the muon anomalous magnetic moment aμ, and discuss how SUSY might reveal itself in these regions. We find the CERN LHC can probe the entire stau co-annihilation region and also most of the heavy Higgs annihilation funnel allowed by WMAP data, except for some range of large m0 and m1/2 if tan β50.
Microfabricated thin-film microelectrode for amperometric determination of CO2 in the gas phase

Abstract A thin-film platinum microelectrode has been produced using microfabrication techniques. This microelectrode behaves identically to the inlaid microdisk electrode. The fabricated thin-film microelectrode device is used for amperometric determination of CO2 at room temperature. The microsensor shows a 90% response time of 30 s, a sensitivity of approximately 9 nA/% the reproducibility of the sensor is good for 6 h of continuous operation. However, these performance characteristic are affected by electrochemical crosstalk between the electrodes under long-tem operating conditions.
Comparison of spontaneous and induced mutation rates in an immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line and its tumorigenic derivative.

To determine the relationship between neoplastic transformation and increased genetic instability, spontaneous and induced mutation rates were compared in a nontumorigenic, immortalized human bronchia
Reliability and validity of the physical disector method for estimating neuron number.

The physical disector was proposed as an unbiased and efficient means to estimate neuron number; however, the validity and reliability of this method have been examined only infrequently. Estimates of neuron number in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana) were compared to nucleolar counts based on 3-dimensional reconstructions. Accuracy of disector estimates were not affected by size of the animal. Similarly, disector estimates were not systematically altered when area measurements were limited to cellular regions of the DRG versus inclusion of the entire cross-sectional area. However, the recommended protocol for applying the disector resulted in sampling errors that introduced considerable variability in repeated estimates of neuron number from a single ganglion. In addition to this lack of reliability, disector estimates were consistently lower than those obtained by means of a nucleolar counting method that was calibrated against 3-dimensional reconstructions of neuronal profiles. The systematic error of the disector method was greater when ganglia were cut parallel to the long axis of the DR than when they were cut perpendicular to this axis. Increasing the sample size beyond what was recommended increased the reliability of estimates obtained with the disector; however, the bias associated with the plane of section was not reduced. These results emphasize the need for empirical validation of methods used to estimate neuron number in the tissue to which they are to be applied. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
SCREENING ANTIOXIDATIVE AND PROOXIDATIVE ACTIVITY IN A SOLID MEDIUM MODEL SYSTEM

A variety of substances was evaluated for antioxidant or prooxidant activity in an aqueous model system of linoleic acid, Triton X-100, and 2-thiobarbituric acid solidified with agar in a Petri plate. Test samples were applied to wells cut from media. The oxidation reaction was initiated with ferric/ferrous chloride (50 mM/50 mM). Quantitative data were obtained by determining the diameter of the reaction ring surrounding test substance. Test substances and linoleic acid were oxidized, then subjected to the 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test for comparison. Simulated food systems were also tested using both systems. Correlation coefficients between the test method (inverse ring diameter, cm) and nmoles malondialdehyde/ml measured by the TBA test were r = 0.98, 0.90, and 0.91 for BHA, vitamins E and C, respectively.
LOQO:an interior point code for quadratic programming

This paper describes a software package, called LOQO, which implements a primal-dual interior-point method for general nonlinear programming. We focus in this paper mainly on the algorithm as it applies to linear and quadratic programming with only brief mention of the extensions to convex and general nonlinear programming, since a detailed paper describing these extensions was published recently elsewhere. In particular, we emphasize the importance of establishing and maintaining symmetric quasidefiniteness of the reduced KKT system. We show that the industry standard MPS format can be nicely formulated in such a way to provide quasidefiniteness. Computational results are included for a variety of linear and quadratic programming problems.
Seasonal and geographic climate variabilities during the Last Glacial Maximum in North America: Applying isotopic analysis and macrophysical climate models

Abstract Climate models provide estimates of climatic change over periods of time in the ancient past. Macrophysical climate models (MCM) differ from the more widely used general circulation models (GCM), in that MCMs provide temporally high-resolution (~ 100 years) and site-specific estimations of monthly values of climate variables such as temperature and precipitation. In this paper, seasonal changes in climate variables are modeled for six 14C-dated fossil localities in North America. Five of these localities represent the time of maximum extent of ice during the most recent glacial episode, the Full Glacial (25 + –15 ka), including one at the peak of the Last Glacial Maximum (17–15 ka). The other locality represents the time as the ice began to recede, the Late Glacial (15–11 ka). Seasonal variations in temperature and precipitation modeled by MCM are herein compared with interpretations of seasonal variation based upon oxygen isotopes from serially sampled hypsodont teeth (mostly Equus and Bison) collected from each of these localities. Additionally, the MCM-modeled seasonal variations are used to predict the expected abundances of different plant functional groups (PFG) during those times, especially C3 and C4 functional groups, using modern relationships. These predictions are compared with carbon isotopic values from the same teeth. The importance of atmospheric pCO2 for the relative abundance of plants utilizing the C4 metabolic pathway is discussed, given that glacial episodes are known to have been times of lower atmospheric pCO2. Interpretations of seasonal variability and the relative abundance of C3 versus C4 vegetation based upon isotopes from tooth enamel are in broad agreement with predictions using the MCM and the modern distribution of PFGs with climate variables. The influence of pCO2 on the distribution of C4 vegetation during glacial times appears to be negligible.
Enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in the rat cerebellum developing in situ and in vitro.

Abstract Seven enzymes of the glycolytic, citric acid cycle, and pentose phosphate shunt pathways have been studied by quantitative micro-methods in areas corresponding to the internal granular layer from both frozen-dried cultures and sections of cerebella of rats at various ages. Characteristic increases with age were observed for hexokinase, lactic dehydrogenase and malic dehydrogenase during development in situ and in culture. However, the increases in the cultures occurred about 2 days earlier than in situ. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase showed a sharp rise with a peak at the eighth day followed by a gradual decline in situ, whereas its activity continued high in the cultures, even to the twenty-fourth day. NADP+-dependent isocitric dehydrogenase paralleled glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase showed no particular trend. We concluded that the enzymatic spectrum during development in culture, with some modifications, closely reproduces that observed during in situ development. These results genrate further confidence in the use of the rat cerebellum cultures as a biological model for studies of central nervous system development and function. Lactic dehydrogenase may be inducible in culture. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADP+-dependent isocitric dehydrogenase may serve in pathways which supply NADPH required for synthetic processes.
Porphyrin concentration of the hamster (mesocricetus auratus) harderian gland: Effects of incubation with delta-aminolevulinic acid and various hormones

Abstract 1. 1. Porphyrins were measured by fluorescence in 24 hr incubates of hamster Harderian tissue. 2. 2. The addition of delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) to incubated Harderian glands caused highly significant increases in both tissue and media porphyrin concentrations. 3. 3. Neither gonadotrophins, estradiol benzoate, testosterone propionate nor melatonin, when added with ALA to the incubation media, had significant effects within 24 hr on tissue or media concentrations of porphyrins. 4. 4. The data support the conclusion that male Harderian tissue is deficient in ALA and that this precursor induces active release of porphyrins from both male and female tissue.
An explicit factorization formula for the singular values of φ and the generalized principal ideal theorem

Abstract Let K be a quadratic imaginary number field, f ∈ N and let O f be the order of conductor f in K. We consider the singular values of the Kleinian normalization φ of the Weierstrass σ-function belonging to an arbitrary proper ideal of O f . The factorization of these singular values goes back to K. Ramachandra, R. Schertz and W. Bley. But the factorization formula in [W. Bley, Konstruktion von Ganzheitsbasen in abelschen Korpererweiterungen von imaginar-quadratischen Zahlkorpern, Dissertation, Universitat Augsburg, 1991] is very implicit and not easy to handle in view of many practical applications. In this paper we provide an explicit factorization formula and give different tools to control this factorization. As an immediate application we prove the generalized principal ideal theorem in the ring class field situation.
Modeling of fast conductivity phenomena in semiconductors

A simple transmission line model, which seeks to explain fast conductivity phenomena in semiconductors, such as photoconductivity or avalanching (induced by either light or displacement current waves), is proposed. The model relies on breaking up the semiconductor drift space into small cells, each of which contains an imaginary transmission line element so as to allow an electromagnetic wave to propagate away from the generated plasma. The same transmission line may be used to convey light energy produced in the semiconductor. The transmission line also serves as the energy storage element. Time varying nodal resistors, located at the transmission line junctions, control the conductivity. The nodal resistors embody the physics of the semiconductor, whereas the transmission line matrix accounts for energy spread. Slower semiconductor mechanisms, such as carrier drift, may be easily incorporated into the formalism, if necessary. The model points out the importance of triggering either an avalanche or displacement current wave in regions where the static field is high. Under certain conditions the model predicts a growing electromagnetic wave with sufficient amplitude to sustain avalanching.
4912 Management of superficial esophageal cancer: outcomes of esophagectomy, photodynamic therapy, or endoscopic mucosal resection.

Background:Superficial esophageal cancer (high-grade dysplasia/carcinoma-in-situ [HGD/CIS] or intramucosal carcinoma [IMCa]) has traditionally been treated with esophagectomy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) offer new alternatives. We compared outcomes of esophagectomy, PDT, and EMR in selected patients with superficial esophageal cancer. Methods:Among patients with superficial esophageal cancer as determined by EUS and CT, optimal operative candidates underwent esophagectomy. Suboptimal operative candidates were selected to undergo PDT or EMR, depending on the extent of the lesion. All PDT and EMR patients underwent follow-up EGD with biopsies 4-6 weeks after treatment and every 3-6 months thereafter. Surgical patients had follow-up EGD with biopsies as dictated by symptoms. Eradication was defined as the absence of HGD/CIS or IMCa on follow-up biopsies. Procedure-related complications were reviewed. Results:37 patients (36 adenocarcinomas, 1 squamous cell carcinoma) were treated for HGD/CIS (n=22) or IMCa (n=15). 19 patients underwent esophagectomy, 12 underwent PDT, and 6 underwent EMR. Mean age of the esophagectomy group (65 years) was younger than the PDT or EMR group (76 years and 73 years, respectively, p