cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toxic geranium trichomes trigger vein cutting by soybean loopers, Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The Africa-derived ornamental geranium, Pelargonium × hortorum, is now widely planted in North America, leading to novel interactions with native herbivores such as the soybean looper, Chrysodeixis includens. Soybean looper eggs and larvae survive poorly on P. × hortorum. High mortality can be attributed specifically to glandular trichomes. Individual eggs treated with exudate from a single tall glandular trichome were significantly less likely to hatch than untreated eggs. Few early-instar larvae survived on either intact or excised leaves, but survival increased when trichome exudate was removed by rinsing leaves with ethanol or when the tall and short glandular trichomes were both plucked from the leaf surface. Surprisingly, final instar loopers often severed the veins of geranium leaves before feeding beyond the cuts, a behavior normally exhibited on plants with canal-borne exudates such as latex. To identify the cue that triggers vein cutting, loopers were tested with solutions of two known defensive compounds found in Pelargonium (l-quisqualic acid, 22:0 anacardic acid); both were inactive in eliciting vein cutting. However, exudate collected from the tall glandular trichomes triggered vein cutting, thus documenting for the first time the chemical stimulant for vein cutting in a plant species that lacks canal-borne exudates. Loopers severed leaf veins more frequently on plants previously fed upon indicating that the chemical trigger for vein cutting increases with damage. Vein cuts sever the major supply arteries in the leaf, thus potentially blocking inducible geranium responses to herbivory.
Reliability and Validity of Test-Session Behavior Observations: Putting the Horse Before the Cart:

Studies that show marginal generality of test-session behaviors to non-test situations are criticized for addressing the question of validity without first establishing evidence of observational reliability. Internal consistency indices of reliability for observational instruments, while necessary, are insufficient without evidence of interobserver and intraobserver agreement. Data are presented that show that interobserver and intraobserver agreement is inconsistent both in direction and level of ratings when 42 test-session behaviors are rated during each of 21 test sessions in which the WPPSI-R was used as the standardized assessment instrument. A systematic research program on the utility of this clinical practice is needed, with a primary focus on improving observational reliability. Until data that substantiate this clinical practice are accumulated, clinicians are urged to exercise caution when they are drawing inferences from test-session behaviors.
Monumental Italians: Machiavelli, Risorgimento and nation-building in Chile

‘Thus, one should not let this opportunity pass, for Italy, after so much time, to see her redeemer. I cannot express with what love he would be received in all those provinces that have suffered f...
On the Mechanism of Niobium Electropolishing

Pure Niobium is the material used to make Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) cavities. These cavities need to be free from surface defects like pits, bumps and protrusions to achieve the best performance. Electropolishing is commonly used as a final process to give a good surface finish to the niobium surface. The standard electrolyte used for electropolishing niobium is a 1:9 ratio of HF (48%) and H2SO4 (96%) respectively. The mechanism of electropolishing is not fully understood and also the best electropolishing parameters need to be determined. Acid concentration, stirring, temperature and amount of material removed are the parameters expected to affect the surface finish. Their effect is studied using electrochemical polarization measurement, galvanostatic and potentiostatic techniques. The electro-dissolution occurring needs to be under mass transport control for the phenomenon of electropolishing to occur. This is characterized by the presence of a current density plateau in the niobium polarization curves. However Galvanostatic experimental result analysis points to other interfering transport processes as well. Results based on microscopy, surface profile measurement and current transient measurements for different electrode configurations indicate the presence of natural convection as one of the reason which could be causing deviation from a perfect semi infinite linear diffusion model.
Optimal operation of distribution grids: A system of systems framework

There are many entities in the modern power systems that collaborate together to operate the system in a secure and reliable manner. Each of the entities is managed and operated autonomously and intends to increase its own benefit. This paper presents a system of systems (SOS) framework for optimal operation of distribution grids. The distribution grids are modeled as the SOS utilized by distribution companies (DISCOs) collaborating with different loads and microgrids. In this framework, the DISCO and microgrids are regarded as the individual systems which are independently managed and operated aiming at maximizing their own profit. Considering the correlation among the independent systems, the ORIGIN and CLIENT data are introduced and the relationship table is constructed to represent the correlated variables between the entities. The relationship table indicates the sequences of the optimization problems for the entities. The proposed framework is applied to a typical distribution grid and results are discussed.
Plasma and Follicular Steroid Levels of Laying Hens after the Administration of Gonadotropins

Chicken or ovine gonadotropins were injected into laying hens at 12 h after the C1 oviposition (approximately 14 h before the C1 ovulation). Plasma and the walls of the 3 largest follicles were taken from the hens within the period from 15-90 mm after hormone injection to be assayed for progesterone (P) and estrogen (E) by RIA. P concentrations in plasma and in the 3 largest follicles, particularly the largest one, rose sharply during the first 30 mm after the injection of chicken anterior pituitary (CP) or ovine LH (oLH) and reached maximum at 30 mm. Plasma and follicular P were sustained ass high level for 90 mm after the CP injection, while the P levels in hens given 0LH decreased from 455090 mm after injection of oLH. CP was effective in causing significant elevation of E in plasma and the 2 smaller follicles. but not in the largest one. at 30 and 45 mm after the injection, while no such increase was induced by 0LU, excepting in the third follicle, but at only I time point. The injection of ovine FSH (oFSH). at the highest dose level (400 �tg) used. resulted in significant increases of follicular P and plasma F. Synergistic effect between oFSH and oLH was found on P synthesis and release, but not on F. The values of plasma and follicular P elevated by CP and 0LH werecomparable to those of the preovulatory peak in the normal cycle.
Diskette data from federal agencies

Abstract This paper provides an overview of public data files that are available on diskette. Sources of the data are the issuing agencies or National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161.
Association of Medical Home Care and Disparities in Emergency Care Utilization Among Children With Special Health Care Needs

Objective The aim of this study was to determine whether having a medical home is associated with a reduction of racial/ethnic disparities in emergency care utilization by children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of 35 301 children, aged 0 to 17, from the 2005–2006 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs. The primary dependent variable was emergency care utilization, defined as 1 or more emergency care encounters in the last 12 months. The primary independent variables were race/ethnicity and type of care (medical home, usual source of care, no medical home/no usual source of care). Multiple logistic regression was conducted to investigate associations between race/ethnicity, type of care, and emergency care utilization. Results Analysis of type of care and its interactions with race/ethnicity showed that non-Hispanic black children with a medical home had higher odds (odds ratio [OR] 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–1.54) of emergency care utilization compared with non-Hispanic white children with a medical home. The odds of having 1 or more emergency care visits were higher for non-Hispanic black children (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.22–1.56) compared with non-Hispanic white children after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Having a medical home was associated with lower odds of emergency care utilization (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.72–0.90) compared with having neither a medical home nor a usual source of care. Conclusions Emergency care utilization for CSHCN differed significantly according to race/ethnicity. Having a medical home may be associated with a reduction in disparities in this fragile population.
Are Phospholipids Stabilized by Short, Strong H-Bonds?

Short-strong H-bonds are defined as H-bonds between anions such as the carboxyls of maleate held proximal by a proton and maleate's cis-doublebond. They are stabilized by the combined resonance of the anions they connect.Bilayers in living membranes are typically stabilized by P-lipids or glycolipids (G-lipids). G-lipids, examined by Xray & NMR, show that in addition to the extensive van der Waals bonding between chains, the headgroups have multiple H-bonding between the sugars. P-lipids can be zwitterionic, PC & PE. However most P-lipids (PG, PS, PI, etc.) have anionic repulsive headgroup interactions. Yet bilayers made of P-lipids have physical properties, Tm's, etc., similar to those of the G-lipids. In chloroplasts and many bacterial membranes all of the P-lipids are either uncharged (G-lipids) or anionic! Nonetheless the Xray (& NMR) data both show that all the P-lipid headgroup conformations are identical: 3 glycerol carbons perpendicular to the membrane plane with the phosphate on top and the primary chain ester directly below them. The polar R-group is attached to the apical phosphate. This high density of surface anions must result (Guoy-Chapman) in a high density of protons at the uniformly erect phosphates at the membrane surface. Together with the high proton density this suggests short-strong H-bonds between the phosphates such as those formed in stable oleic acid bilayers (Haines, TH, PNAS 80,160 (1983)) and in cardiolipin conformed in bilayers. (Haines, BBA-Biomem-branes 1788, 1997-2002 (2002)) In the data shown in the PNAS article, the number of protons oleate needs to form bilayers varies from 20 to 80% of the total anions (carboxyls). I propose that the erect phosphates trap fleeting protons between the anions, stabilizing a phosphate ionic sheet for bilayer formation such as occurs in oleic acid bilayers.
Airborne lidar sensing of internal waves in a shallow fjord

A dual polarization lidar was used to sense internal waves from a small aircraft. Internal waves are gravity waves that are formed by a vertical displacement of a density gradient in the ocean. If the perturbation is great enough, a nonlinear wave is produced and the balance between nonlinearity and dispersion can create a soliton-like wave packet. We observed nonlinear wave packets in West Sound, Orcas Island, Washington. In this region, a density gradient is formed in the summer by solar heating of the surface water. The perturbation is produced by strong tidal flow through a narrow, shallow channel at the mouth of the sound. Plankton layers form in association with the density gradients, and these layers produce an enhanced lidar return that moves up and down with the wave. We observed these internal waves with a lidar operating at 532 nm. They were much more visible when the receiver was polarized orthogonal to the transmitted laser pulse. This was the case whether linear or circular polarization was used, with no significant difference between the two cases. These internal waves were also visible to the naked eye, when the surface currents produced by the waves modulated the small surface waves that produce the apparent texture of the ocean surface.
Prism project: fostering green energy industry training

The green energy industry has emerged as agrowing industry over the last few years. Economicdemands for green energy push for skilled engineers andpeople with technical skills and proper training in theseareas to fulfill the forecasted job growth in these sectors.The birth of the PRISM project is to present and provide thetraining opportunities in solar energy, fostering a greenenergy industry training center. PRISM Project is a$238,000, NSF funded training project for three years,centered at Daytona State College in Daytona Beach. Itsgoal is to provide entry level and short-duration training inphotovoltaic and solar energy. The training programcurriculum is designed with the objectives that the graduatesof the program are equipped with the basics knowledge inphotovoltaic energy production basic theories, installations,and troubleshooting. Here is discussed PRISM project andits successes in training and collaborating with the greenenergy industry. Index Terms - solar energy; photovoltaic; training; green;engineering education; NSF
De-globalisation and creativity: a contribution towards sustainable and intercultural architectures and cities

History offers the opportunity to reflect about sustainability and creativity. Even though contexts and dynamics are specific to the period, sustainability and creativity have always been present in urban matters. After all, there has always been a reasonable use of resources. But in the contemporary age, the correct balance between the exploitation of resources and their availability may be lost for future generations. The challenge for architecture and urban design is to modify spatial and functional assets responding to cultural differences of citizens. This is an important alternative to homologation and semantic impoverishment by 'archistars' and their followers. We cannot define a method to plan and to design the intercultural, creative and sustainable city but we can fix strategic objectives (Clemente, 2008). We must think cities where everybody can recognise and feel his urban culture.
Communist Devolution: The Electoral Decline of the KPRF

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation may be unable to rebound from its disastrous loss in the 2003 parliamentary election.
-Adhesion molecules in inflammatory bowel disease: therapeutic implications for gut inflammation

Mucosal endothelium has become one of the major areas of investigation in gut inflammation. It is now well recognised that it plays an active role in the pathogenesis of both forms of inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, since endothelial cells regulate mucosal immune homeostasis, acting as "gatekeepers", controlling leukocyte accumulation in the interstitial compartment. This process is mediated by leukocyte-endothelial adhesion molecules. This paper reviews the major molecules that mediate leukocyte-endothelial interactions, and summarises the results of the most recent clinical trials targeting adhesion molecules in inflammatory bowel disease.
Communicating with Clinicians:: The Experiences of Surrogate Decision-Makers for Hospitalized Older Adults

Objectives: To describe communication experiences of surrogates who had recently made a major medical decision for a hospitalized older adult. Design: Semistructured interviews about a recent hospitalization. Setting: Two hospitals affiliated with one large medical school: an urban public hospital and a university-affiliated tertiary referral hospital. Participants: Surrogates were eligible if they had recently made a major medical decision for a hospitalized individual aged 65 and older and were available for an interview within 1 month (2�5 months if the patient died). Measurements: Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using methods of grounded theory. Results: Thirty-five surrogates were interviewed (80% female, 44% white, 56% African American). Three primary themes emerged. First, it was found that the nature of surrogate�clinician relationships was best characterized as a relationship with a �team� of clinicians rather than individual clinicians because of frequent staff changes and multiple clinicians. Second, surrogates reported their communication needs, including frequent communication, information, and emotional support. Surrogates valued communication from any member of the clinical team, including nurses, social workers, and physicians. Third, surrogates described trust and mistrust, which were formed largely through surrogates' communication experiences. Conclusion: In the hospital, surrogates form relationships with a �team� of clinicians rather than with individuals, yet effective communication and expressions of emotional support frequently occur, which surrogates value highly. Future interventions should focus on meeting surrogates' needs for frequent communication and high levels of information and emotional support.
Effects of dieldrin in seawater on the development of two species of crab larvae, Leptodius floridanus and Panopeus herbstii

Some of the effets of dieldrin on the development of two species of crabs, Leptodius floridanus (Rathbun) and Panopeus herbstii (Milne-Edwards), were studied. It was found that the larvae of neither species were able to complete their development at 10 ppb dieldrin or higher in seawater. Groups of L. floridanus larvae reared in 1 ppb dieldrin in seawater had a 15 to 27% higher mortality during development to the postlarval stage than controls. The highest mortality occurred during the first zoeal stage. The time of development to the megalopal stage was as much as 11.4% longer among larvae reared in 1 ppb than among controls. The survival of L. floridanus larvae was not affected by 0.5 ppb dieldrin in seawater. The survival of P. herbstii larvae to the first crab stage was not affected by 1 ppb dieldrin in seawater at 28.5 °C, 30%.S. It was concluded that a comprehensive study of the toxicity of a given pesticide to all stages in the life cycle of a species is necessary to give even an incomplete idea of how the pesticide might affect the animal in its natural environment.
Tetrahydrobiopterin and Dysfunction of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Coronary Arteries

Background The l-arginine/nitric oxide pathway plays a key role in the regulation of arterial tone. Biosynthesis of nitric oxide requires activation of nitric oxide synthase in the presence of tetrahydrobiopterin as a cofactor. Biochemical studies demonstrated that activation of purified nitric oxide synthase at suboptimal concentrations of tetrahydrobiopterin leads to production of hydrogen peroxide. The present experiments were designed to determine whether in coronary arteries inhibition of tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis may favor nitric oxide synthase–catalyzed production of hydrogen peroxide. Methods and Results Primary branches of canine left anterior descending artery were incubated for 6 hours in minimum essential medium in the presence or in the absence of the tetrahydrobiopterin synthesis inhibitor 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine (DAHP; 10−2 mol/L). Arterial rings were suspended for isometric tension recording. Production of cGMP was measured by radioimmunoassay. Experiments were performed in the...
Reduced levels of catalase activity potentiate MPP+-induced toxicity: comparison between MN9D cells and CHO cells

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) has been shown to be toxic by inducing oxygen free radicals in the mammalian nervous system, especially in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. The present study was designed to compare the toxic effects of MPP+, the active metabolite of MPTP, in MN9D neuronal cells that exhibit relatively low levels of catalase activity, as compared to CHO cells, which exhibit high levels of catalase activity. The survival of the MN9D cells in the presence of 250 microM MPP+ was less than 10%, whereas CHO cells exhibited 70% survival at the same concentration of MPP+. The ED50 values of MPP+ in MN9D and CHO cell lines were 60-600 microM, respectively. MN9D cells contain less catalase, an enzyme believed to be involved in the detoxification of free radicals compared to CHO cells. The catalase activity was 2 Units/mg protein in MN9D cells and 30 U/mg protein in CHO cells. The catalase activity in CHO cells increased with increasing MPP+ concentrations from 100-500 microM, however, it decreased at 1 mM MPP+. In contrast, catalase activity in MN9D remained the same at all MPP+ concentrations. When the CHO cells were pre-treated with 10-25 mM 3-aminotriazole (3-AT), which inhibits catalase activity, and exposed to MPP+ at various concentrations, they became susceptible to MPP+. It is evident from these data that the differential susceptibility to MPP+ in these two cell lines are due to differences in catalase activity. In addition, the inhibition of constituentive catalase activity in CHO cells by 3-AT treatment enhances their susceptibility. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that catalase activity represents an important defence mechanism in MPTP-induced toxicity.
Atom-wide Co wires on Cu(775) at room temperature

We report on a surface phase of the Co-vicinal-Cu(111) system which exhibits self-assembled uniform Co quantum wires that are stable at 300 K. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM)-imaging measurements show that wires will self-assemble within a narrow range of Co coverage and, within this range, the wires increase in length as coverage is increased. The STM images show that the wires form along the leading edge of the step rise, differentiating it from previously theoretically predicted atomic-wire phases. The formation of relatively long laterally unencapsulated one- and two-atom wires also differentiates it from past experimentally observed step-island formation. Furthermore, our experiments also show directly that the Co wires coexist with another Co phase that had been previously predicted for growth on Cu(111). Our observations allow us to comment on the formation kinetics of the atomic-wire phase and on the fit of our data to a recently developed lattice-gas model.
Narratives on experiences of African‐American women in the academy: conceptualizing effective mentoring relationships of doctoral student and faculty

This qualitative study explored the effectiveness of traditional mentoring functions for an African‐American female doctoral student aspiring for the professoriate, and the professional advancement of an African‐American female professor who matriculate in separate predominantly White institutions (PWIs). Findings from their experience narratives indicate that while traditional mentoring components were helpful, additional dimensions were needed to help them survive and achieve at their PWIs. They offer strategies to aid other women and minorities at PWIs to succeed. Specific strategies are also offered to university administrators who desire to recruit, retain, graduate, and promote African‐American females in the academy.
TU-E-BRB-04: Confidence Limit Variation for a Single System Following the TG119 Protocol

Purpose: To evaluate the consistency of TG119‐based quality assurance metrics for an IMRT system. Methods and Materials: Four planners constructed treatment plans for the five IMRT test cases described in TG119 using iPlan RT Dose 4.1 software. All plans were delivered on a Varian 6EX to a 30×30×15cm solid water phantom in one treatment session in order to minimize session‐dependent variation from phantom setup, film quality, machine performance, etc. Composite measurements utilized EDR2 film and an Exradin A1SL ionization chamber (sensitive volume of 0.056 cm3). Each film was developed and digitized immediately after exposure. Per‐field measurements were collected using a MapCHECK device at an effective depth of 5cm. All data collected were analyzed using the TG119 specifications to determine quality assurance metrics for each planner separately and then compared. Results: The mean variance of ion chamber measurements for each planner was within 1.7% of the planned dose. Resulting confidence limits were 3.77%, 1.98%, 4.50%, and 5.99%. Confidence limit values determined by composite film analysis were 26.43%, 25.02%, 21.50%, and 56.58%. Using normalization to a film point rather than to ionization chamber, these confidence limits were reduced to 12.27%, 12.73%, 6.96%, and 15.75%. Confidence limits from per‐field measurements were 1.55%, 0.00%, 0.00%, and 2.89%. Conclusions: For a single IMRT system, the accuracy assessment provided by TG119‐based quality assurance metrics showed significant variations across all composite and per‐field evaluations. Performing the TG119 evaluation a single time may not provide an adequate estimation of IMRT system accuracy.
Effects of the par locus on the growth rate and structural stability of recombinant cells.

A decreased growth rate of recombinant cells is observed when a cloned gene protein encoded in a multicopy plasmid is induced from a strong promoter. This negative effect on the cell growth rate may be the consequence of alternate use or reallocation of energy, precursor metabolites, and protein synthesizing machinery. In order to analyze the causes for this adverse effect, we have studied how genetic elements present in multicopy plasmids affect the growth ofrecombinant Escherichia coli (K12ΔH1 ΔtrpEA). Turning on of the PL promoter, whether or not protein-coding sequences were present downstream of the promoter, decreased the growth of the recombinant cells by 15–50 %. This result suggests that the essential factor(s) for cell growth may be sequestered by the genetic elements present in the plasmids and thus may cause the decreased growth. The negative effect of the de-repressed PL promoters on cell growth was partially reversed when the par sequence from pSC101 was inserted into the same plasmid. In each case when the plasmid carried only the PL promoter, the PL promoter followed by the N-terminal part of the protein-coding region, or the PL promoter followed by complete sequences encoding a protein, the par sequence exhibited a positive effect on the growth rate of the recombinant cells, which usually grow at a slower rate than the host cell. In addition, it was found that the recombinant cells bearing the plasmid with the par locus were as resistant as the host cell to osmotic shock when exposed to distilled water, whereas the recombinant cells bearing the plasmid without the par locus were sensitive to osmotic shock and resulted in lysis.
Induction and processing of promutagenic 04-ethylthymine lesion in specific gene segments of plasmid DNA

High affinity antibodies were used for the quantitative assessment of the miscoding O4-ethylthymine (O4-EtThy) base lesion in nanogram amounts of membrane transblotted restriction fragments of ENU treated DNA. The polyclonal antibody (TB3) specifically recognized attomoles of the alkylation adducts in modified DNA with no cross-reactivity to an excess of unmodified DNA. The sensitivity of the immuno-quantitative method was determined to be in the range of 76 attomoles to 2.43 fmol, corresponding to 0.24 x 10(-7) to 7.9 x 10(-7) adducts per nucleotide in plasmid DNA. Modification levels in ras and tk genes were estimated as 0.025 and 0.014 adducts respectively. Specific antibody binding was proportional to the dose of ENU and size of the DNA fragments. In differentially ethylated ras gene, the amount of O4-EtThy was quantified as 0.026, 0.08 and 0.13 adducts per gene fragment. A DNA concentration dependent antibody binding was observed with large (23.13 and 9.41 kb) and smaller (2.02 kb) fragments of HindIII digested ENU treated phage lambda DNA. To monitor the repair of O4-EtThy lesions in specific segments, damage was assessed in sequences of plasmid DNA established in various Escherichia coli strains. The loss of antibody binding to O4-EtThy adducts in ethylated DNA fragments of 6.4 kb ras gene and 3.6 kb tk gene occurred with an approximate t1/2 of 45 and 35 min, respectively, in the repair proficient wild type E. coli. On the contrary, no repair was seen in the alkyltransferase deficient double mutant ada-ogt- strain. The results specifically demonstrate the sensitivity of the immunological technique and the unique ability of the O4-EtThy specific antibodies to scan this promutagenic base lesion and its repair in very small amounts of selected gene segments in DNA.
Attitudes Toward the Employment of Older Foodservice Workers

The foodservice industry is currently facing serious labor shortages in many segments and areas of the country. To ease the labor shortage, an increasing numberof older workers are being recruited into the hospitality industry. Hospitality firms will be hiring and managing a greater number of older employees in the future. The overall objective of this study was to determine attitudes of school foodservice employees towards older workers and to determine if age bias and stereotypes exist.
Separation of helium and hydrocarbon mixtures by a two-membrane column

Abstract The permeabilities to pure gases can be directly used in the calculation of mixed gas permeation through a rubbery membrane (silicone rubber), but the permeabilities of cellulose acetate membranes to mixed gases are considerably affected by the presence of hydrocarbons. The efficiency of separation increases with decreasing pressure ratio and reaches a maximum when the pressure ratio becomes zero. The enrichment of the less permeable gas can be easily achieved in a stripper. Combining two strippers made out of two different membranes, highly concentrated products (99%) are continuously obtained at both ends of the column. As a result, the overall separation factors are greatly increased.
Dynamic nature of coronary collateral blood flow

Abstract How coronary collateral blood flow is "turned on" and "turned off" is not known. Moreover, the rapidity with which coronary blood flow can become evident after total occlusion of a coronary artery and then become nondetectable again after resolution of the coronary artery occlusion has been reported infrequently. 1,2 Recent studies 3,4 showed that collateral channel filling may improve within 60 to 90 seconds after sudden coronary occlusion by an angioplasty balloon in certain patients with severe coronary stenosis. This report demonstrates the dynamic nature of coronary collateral flow. Collateral blood flow appeared immediately after total occlusion of a coronary artery. After transluminal disobliteration, 5 anterograde blood flow returned and collateral blood flow was no longer seen.
Silicon photonic evanescent field molecular sensor using resonant grating interrogation

A silicon waveguide evanescent field molecular sensor interrogated by reflection from a surface grating is demonstrated. The sensor is probed by a beam of light incident at θ = 45° through the backside of the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. The reflected power shows a strong resonant feature near λ = 1532 nm, arising from resonant coupling of incident beam, guided mode, and the reflected beam. The resonant wavelength is very sensitive to molecular surface coverage. We have measured a Δλ = 1.0 nm resonance shift when a monolayer of streptavidin protein is bound to the sensor surface, or a 60% reflectivity change when measured at a fixed wavelength.
Uncoupling protein-2 regulates lifespan in mice

The long-term effects of uncoupled mitochondrial respiration by uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) in mammalian physiology remain controversial. Here we show that increased mitochondrial uncoupling activity of different tissues predicts longer lifespan of rats compared with mice. UCP2 reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress throughout the aging process in different tissues in mice. The absence of UCP2 shortens lifespan in wild-type mice, and the level of UCP2 positively correlates with the postnatal survival of superoxide dismutase-2 mutant animals. Thus UCP2 has a beneficial influence on cell and tissue function leading to increased lifespan.
The Effect of Air Traffic Increase on Controller Workload

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been increasing the National Airspace System (NAS) capacity to accommodate the predicted rapid growth of air traffic. One method to increase the capacity is reducing air traffic controller workload so that they can handle more air traffic. It is crucial to measure the impact of the increasing future air traffic on controller workload. Our experimental data show a linear relationship between the number of aircraft in the en route center sector and controllers’ perceived workload. Based on the extensive range of aircraft count from 14 to 38 in the experiment, we can predict en route center controllers working as a team of Radar and Data controllers with the automation tools available in the our experiment could handle up to about 28 aircraft. This is 33% more than the 21 aircraft that en route center controllers typically handle in a busy sector.
Performance analysis of the LINK-16/JTIDS waveform with concatenated coding in both AWGN and pulsed-noise interference

Link-16 is a tactical data link widely used in the United States Armed Forces and North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The communication terminal of Link-16 is called the Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) and features Reed-Solomon (RS) coding, symbol interleaving, cyclic code-shift keying for M-ary symbol modulation, minimum-shift keying for chip modulation and combined frequency-hopping and direct sequence spread spectrum. In this paper, we investigate the performance of a Link-16/JTIDS-type waveform in both additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and pulsed-noise interference (PNI) when an alternative error correction coding scheme for the physical layer waveform is employed. The waveform considered uses a concatenated code consisting of a rate r = 4 / 5 convolu-tional code as an outer code and a (31, k ) RS code as an inner code. Currently, the JTIDS waveform is received noncoherently at the chip level. In this paper the performance of the alternative, JTIDS-compatible waveform is evaluated for both coherent and noncoherent demodulation. The performance of the alternative waveform for the case where AWGN is the only noise present as well as when PNI is also present is investigated. The performance obtained using the alternative error correction coding scheme is compared to that of the existing JTIDS waveform when the same assumptions are made for both waveforms.
Quantitative analysis of inflammatory cells in aortic atherosclerosis of young adults.

Abstract Cellular analysis of aortic atherosclerotic lesions has been pursued extensively in recent years, although most of these investigations have involved the detection of inflammatory cells in chronically diseased tissue or artificially induced atherosclerosis in an animal model. Few studies have attempted to quantify accurately, using computer analysis systems, the degree of cellular infiltration in a statistically significant number of samples, in tissue from young adults. In this study, segments of human aortae were collected at autopsy from 29 individuals ranging in age from 15 to 35 years. The tissue was embedded in paraffin and stained using routine histological and automated immunohistochemical staining techniques. The sections were evaluated using advanced image analysis techniques to investigate the differences in cellular composition and cell activation between the dorsal and ventral aspects of the human aorta and to correlate these findings to the age of the subjects. These regions have been previously shown to have a high (dorsal) and low (ventral) probability of developing sudanophilic lesions. Our data demonstrated that statistically different cell populations exist in the dorsal and ventral regions of each vessel. The dorsal aspect (i.e., high-probability region) had a greater number of HAM56 + (36.9% increase, p = 0.0002) and HLA-DRα + cells (44.2% increase, p = 0.0035) than did the ventral surface (i.e., low-probability region), although there were no significant differences in the number of CD43 + lymphocytes. When grouped according to age, results showed significant increases in the dorsal region when considering HAM56 + and HLA-DRα + cells ( p = 0033 and 0.046, respectively). Morphologically, a greater number of foam cell aggregates were found to occur in the dorsal region of the vessel than in the ventral portion. Our results indicate that the microarchitecture and cellular composition of the dorsal and ventral aorta are significantly different, with these variations becoming more marked with age.
Impact of Limiters on Accuracy of High-Resolution Flow and Transport Models

High-resolution finite volume schemes used to predict mass transport and free surface flows utilize limiters such as Minmod, Double Minmod, and Superbee to prevent spurious oscillations commonly associated with second-order accurate schemes. These limiters effectively switch between the classical Lax-Wendroff, Warming-Beam, and Fromm schemes, or amplified versions of these schemes that artificially increase gradient magnitudes to minimize damping of high frequency solution components. A Von Neumann analysis illustrates that gradient or slope amplification reduces numerical dissipation, but also increases the phase error and should therefore be cautiously used. The Double Minmod limiter closely mimics the Fromm scheme and possesses better phase accuracy than the Minmod and Superbee limiters. Near sharp solution gradients, slope amplification used by the Double Minmod and Superbee limiters reduces artificial smearing. The Minmod limiter does not use slope amplification and therefore yields the most solution smearing. Results of model tests show that the combined attributes of the Double Minmod limiter yield more accurate predictions of mass transport and circulation zones in shallow water than those of other limiters such as Minmod and Superbee.
Imaging translocation and transformation of bioavailable selenium by Stanleya pinnata with X-ray microscopy

Selenium hyperaccumulator Stanleya pinnata, Colorado ecotype, was supplied with water-soluble and biologically available selenate or selenite. Selenium distribution and tissue speciation were established using X-ray microscopy (micro-X-ray fluorescence and transmission X-ray microscopy) in two dimensions and three dimensions. The results indicate that S. pinnata tolerates, accumulates, and volatilizes significant concentrations of selenium when the inorganic form supplied is selenite and may possess novel metabolic capacity to differentiate, metabolize, and detoxify selenite concentrations surpassing field concentrations. The results also indicate that S. pinnata is a feasible candidate to detoxify selenium-polluted soil sites, especially locations with topsoil polluted with soluble and biologically available selenite.
Recent Studies of Solar Cosmic Rays

The energetic protons and heavier nuclei accelerated in solar flares were measured during many events by detectors on balloons and space vehicles. These particles are distributed according to exponential spectra expressed in terms of their magnetic rigidity. This spectral form permits an understanding of several of the associated phenomena that also occur during these events. A study of the time variations of the intensities near the earth show that these variations can be explained by a diffusion model. The adjustable parameters specifying this process, the meanfree-path, and the dimensions of the diffusing medium, may be determined from these studies. (auth)
Inflammatory Markers and Gait Speed Decline in Older Adults

Background. Increased inflammatory activity and gait speed decline are common with aging, but the association between the two is not well established. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of inflammatory markers, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha, on gait speed performance and decline in older adults. Methods. We conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of 333 adults aged 70 and older (61% women) with gait and biomarker assessments identified from participants in the Einstein Aging Study, a community-based aging study. Gait velocity measured at baseline and annual follow-up visits (median follow-up 2.3 years) was the main outcome. Results. At baseline, higher interleukin-6 levels were associated with slower gait velocity (estimate −4.90 cm/s, p = .008). Adjusted for age, gender, education, and medical illnesses, a one-unit increase in baseline log IL-6 levels was associated with a 0.98 cm/s faster gait speed decline per year (p = .002). The results remained significant after adjustments for additional potential confounders such as physical activity levels, body mass index, and medications. Participants in the highest IL-6 quartile had a 1.75 cm/s/year faster decline in gait velocity compared with those in the lowest quartile (p = .002). Tumor necrosis factor alpha was not associated with gait velocity at cross-section or with gait speed decline. Conclusions. IL-6 levels are associated with gait performance in community residing seniors and predicts risk of gait
Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders Compared to Typically Developing Controls on the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2).

Abstract As the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Second Edition (BASC-2) is often used to aid in diagnosis it is important to discern how children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) score on the BASC-2 compared to typically developing controls. This study compared scores of typically developing children and adolescents to those diagnosed with ASD on all subscales and composites of the BASC-2. Except for the aggression subscale, anxiety subscale, and the internalizing composite, the ASD group scored significantly higher on all clinical subscales and composites (i.e., hyperactivity, conduct problems, externalizing composite, depression, atypicality, withdrawal, attention problems, and the Behavioral Symptoms Index). However, the ASD group scored significantly lower on the adaptability composite and all subscales comprising this composite.
Solid‐State Acquisition of Fingermark Topology using Dense Columnar Thin Films

Various vacuum techniques are employed to develop fingermarks on evidentiary items. In this work, a vacuum was used to deposit columnar thin films (CTFs) on untreated, cyanoacrylate-fumed or dusted fingermarks on a limited selection of nonporous surfaces (microscope glass slides and evidence tape). CTF deposition was not attempted on fingermarks deposited on porous surfaces. The fingermarks were placed in a vacuum chamber with the fingermark side facing an evaporating source boat containing either chalcogenide glass or MgF(2). Thermal evaporation of chalcogenide glass or MgF(2) under a 1 μTorr vacuum for 30 min formed dense CTFs on fingermark ridges, capturing the topographical features. The results show that it is possible to capture fingermark topology using CTFs on selected untreated, vacuumed cyanoacrylate-fumed or black powder-dusted nonporous surfaces. Additionally, the results suggested this might be a mechanism to help elucidate the sequence of deposition.
Antenna selection method employing orthogonal polarization and radiation patterns for MIMO antenna

This paper proposes a simple antenna selection method that is suitable for the MIMO (Multi-Input Multi-Output) terminal antenna employing orthogonal polarizations and patterns. The combination of the antenna elements with the orthogonal polarizations and patterns is effective in reducing the antenna coupling and spatial correlation. As a basic consideration, a configuration of three orthogonal dipoles, which is the simplest configuration with orthogonal polarizations and patterns, is investigated to clarify the effectiveness of the antenna selection method. In this method, the vertical antennas, which tend to exhibit a high signal-to-noise ratio, are always used. This method allows the use of a fairly simple RF-switch circuit because the number of the antenna combinations is reduced. Based on numerical analysis, the proposed method provides channel capacity that is as high as that provided by the ideal antenna selection.
Influence of metoprolol on heart rate variability in survivors of remote myocardial infarction

We assessed the influence of metoprolol on heart rate variability in survivors of remote myocardial infarction. In 43 survivors of myocardial infarction 12 to 18 months previously (26 men and 17 women, aged 38 to 69 years), two 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiograms were recorded 2 weeks apart. In patients in group A (n=28), who had taken metoprolol for the previous year, the drug was discontinued for 2 weeks, after which the first recording was done. The second recording was done 2 weeks after metoprolol was resumed. In patients in group B (n=15), who had not taken metoprolol for the previous year, it continued to be withheld, and two 24-hour recordings were done 2 weeks apart. In group A, metoprolol increased the time domain variables indicative of enhanced vagal tone; root-mean-square successive difference in normal RR (NN) intervals was 20 +/- 11 ms (mean +/- SD) without and 24 +/- 9 ms with metoprolol (p 50 ms (pNN50%) was 3.6 +/- 6.0 without and 5.5 +/- 6.0 with metoprolol (p<0.05). In the frequency domain, the logarithms of the 24-hour very low frequency and the 24-hour high-frequency power (reflecting parasympathetic activity) were increased (5.12 +/- 1.03 and 4.48 +/- 1.51, respectively, without metoprolol; 5.32 +/- 0.99 and 4.83 +/- 1.24, respectively, with metoprolol, p <0.05 for both). Thus, in survivors of remote myocardial infarction, metoprolol enhances parasympathetic cardiac activity in the time and frequency domain measures of heart rate variability.
Preliminary results from the Sprites94 Aircraft Campaign: 2. Blue jets

Initial observations of a newly documented type of optical emission above thunderstorms are reported. 'Blue jets', or narrowly collimated beams of blue light that appear to propagate upwards from the tops of thunderstorms, were recorded on B/W and color video cameras for the first time during the Sprites94 aircraft campaign, June-July, 1994. The jets appear to propagate upward at speeds of about 100 km/s and reach terminal altitudes of 40-50 m. Fifty six examples were recorded during a 22 minute interval during a storm over Arkansas. We examine some possible mechanisms, but have no satisfactory theory of this phenomenon.
Activating refactorings faster

Refactoring tools promise to increase the speed at which programmers write code, but programmers report that contemporary tools sometimes slow them down. Some of that slowdown can be attributed to the time it takes to activate refactoring tools, typically with a combination of code selection, hotkeys, linear menus, and wizard interfaces. In this paper, I present pie menus and refactoring cues, two new mechanisms for activating refactoring tools. These mechanisms were designed to accommodate how program-mers want to refactor and to make good on the promise of refactoring tools to help programmers write code faster.
The induced electromagnetic field associated with wakes-signal processing aspects

It is shown that the spectrum of the electromagnetic field induced by the motion of conducting sea water in the wake of a sea vehicle is detectable using signal processing techniques. >
CheckT/sub c/ and minT/sub c/: timing verification and optimal clocking of synchronous digital circuits

Two CAD tools, checkT/sub c/ and minT/sub c/, for timing verification and optimal clocking are introduced. Both tools are based on a new timing model of synchronous digital circuits. The model has the following features: (1) it is general enough to handle arbitrary multiphase clocking; (2) complete, in the sense that it captures signal propagation along short as well as long paths in the logic; (3) extensible to make it relatively easy to incorporate 'complex' latching structures; and (4) notationally simple to make it amenable to analytic treatment in some important special cases. These tools are being used to help in the design of a 4 ns gallium arsenide micro-supercomputer. >