cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A method for interdicting the development of severe jaundice in newborns by inhibiting the production of bilirubin.

Every now and then, in a pharmaceutical world dominated by agents that are “me-toos” or “variations on a theme,” there appears a truly new molecular entity that offers an entirely new approach to treating a disorder that previously had only partially effective therapies or, sometimes, no effective therapy at all. The article by Attallah Kappas1 in this issue describes such a potential advance: tin-mesoporphyrin. This truly new entity was developed specifically by Kappas and his colleagues to block the action of heme oxygenase in converting hemoglobin to bilirubin. By shutting off the production of bilirubin at its source rather than removing it by exchange transfusion or phototherapy after it is formed, this agent has the potential to revolutionize management of jaundice from any cause just as Rh immune globulin did for preventing Rh hemolytic disease of the newborn when introduced in the 1960s. What is remarkable (and lamentable) is that … Address correspondence to Duane Alexander, MD, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, 31 Center Dr, Room 2A03, MSC 2425, Bethesda, MD 20892-2425. E-mail: da43w{at}nih.gov
Fact-retrieval automatization and math problem solving by learning disabled, attention-disordered, and normal adolescents.

Learning disabled, attention-disordered, and normal adolescents were assessed with two performance measures and three behavioral measures, recorded while the Ss worked on math problems
The bodies of Eberth as a source of connective tissue ground substance in Rana catesbiana, Shaw

The bodies of Eberth in the skins of tadpoles appear in young stages as fine threads and develop into heavy, amorphous masses in close contact with the basal membranes of the epidermal cells. They possess extensions which pass from the epidermal cells through their membranes into the corium. During metamorphosis, when the amount of dermal connective tissue is greatly increased, the bodies disappear the more distal first and the most proximal latest. The processes which pass into the dermis are the last parts to remain visible. Examination of a series of stages suggests that they pass through the cell membranes of the epidermis and into the corium. The bodies then, may be regarded as reserve accumulations of secreted material which are used up in the formation of dermal connective tissue. This explanation accounts for three otherwise unexplained peculiarities of the skin of the developing frog: (1) the presence and growth of the bodies of Eberth; (2) their disappearance during metamorphosis; (3) the sudden large increase in connective tissue fibers of the dermis at metamorphosis.
Problems of Data Organization and Analytical Methods in Geography

Abstract A paradigm is offered for understanding the interlocking modes of data analysis that have come to characterize geography as a result of its recent “quantitative revolution.” Among the most serious new problems to emerge have been those related to autocorrelation in spatial series. Two cases are discussed: spatial point processes in the plane, and generalized contiguity in continuous spatial series. In both cases the stationarity assumption is questioned, and an alternative formulation using diffusion theory is proposed.
Physical and Statistical Modeling of Saturn's Troposphere

The 5.2-μm atmospheric window on Saturn is dominated by thermal radiation and weak gaseous absorption, with a 20% contribution from sunlight reflected from clouds. The striking variability displayed by Saturn's clouds at 5.2 μm and the detection of PH 3 (an atmospheric tracer) variability near or below the 2-bar level and possibly at lower pressures provide salient constraints on the dynamical organization of Saturn's atmosphere by constraining the strength of vertical motions at two levels across the disk. We analyse the 5.2-μm spectra of Saturn by utilising two independent methods: (a) physical models based on the relevant atmospheric parameters and (b) statistical analysis, based on principal components analysis (PCA), to determine the influence of the variation of phosphine and the opacity of clouds deep within Saturn's atmosphere to understand the dynamics in its atmosphere.
Perspectives in diagnostic parasitology

Summary Parasitic diseases continue to be a problem in the United States, and their diagnosis depends on the laboratory. Various recent developments may improve laboratory diagnosis, but at the present time, the most important factor is competence of personnel.
NATURAL ORGANIC MATTER AT OXIDE/WATER INTERFACES : COMPLEXATION AND CONFORMATION

A conceptual model for the adsorption of linear, flexible weak polyelectrolytes on oxide surfaces is applied to the adsorption and conformation of natural organic matter (NOM) on hematite. The polyelectrolytic nature of NOM and the complexation (specific) interactions between the functional groups of NOM and oxide surface sites are taken into account in this model. Model results are compared with experimental data for adsorption of Suwannee River humic acid on hematite at different pHs and ionic strengths. When the initial surface charge of hematite is positive (termed the oppositely charged case), the experimental adsorption density and adsorbed hydrodynamic layer thickness decrease with increasing pH and with decreasing ionic strength. When the initial surface charge is negative (termed the similarly charged case), the experimental adsorption density decreases with increasing pH and the adsorbed hydrodynamic layer thickness increases with increasing pH. Model results with a reaction represented by >MeOH + L− = >MeOHL− agree with the experimental adsorption density and adsorbed hydrodynamic layer thickness for the oppositely charged case, and the adsorption density for the similarly charged case. This suggests that the adsorption of NOM on hematite is related to the polyelectrolytic nature of NOM and to the complexation interactions between the neutral surface sites of oxides and the deprotonated functional groups of NOM. The effects of solution chemistry on the adsorption of NOM are due to a great extent to its effects on surface and NOM speciation, which can influence the specific interactions between NOM and surface sites. Model calculations also indicate that for the oppositely charged case, the adsorbed NOM overcompensates for the positive charge of the hematite surface. Simulations of electric potential and volume fraction indicate an interrelationship between the adsorption of NOM and interfacial properties.
Envisioning Better Approaches for Dementia Care

The vast majority of patients with dementia receive their care in primary care settings. Clinicians find it challenging to provide optimal care for these patients and their often-stressed and overl...
Re-examination of empirically derived formulas for horizontal diffusion from surface sources

Field measurements indicate that the dispersion parameter σy is proportional to xp, where x is the downwind distance and the power p is generally less than unity but greater than 12. The conventional explanation for this less-than-linear growth is that the diffusion is undergoing a transition from the near-field to the far-field limits of Taylor's equation. An alternate explanation is presented in this paper for surface releases. This explanation assumes that the less-than-linear growth of σy with x is due to the logarithmic wind profile. A simple roughness- and stability-dependent diffusion model based on this explanation is shown to compare well with field measurements of σy. In neutral conditions, the model indicates that σy should be proportional to x0.86 and z00.14, where z0 is the roughness length.
Kinetics and equilibria of pyrimidine nucleoside monophosphate kinase from human erythrocytes.

Abstract The common type of pyrimidine nucleoside monophosphate kinase (ATP:CMP phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.4.14), purified 50 000-fold from human erythrocytes, reacted with a wide variety of nucleotides, but only ATP, dATP, UMP and CMP were good substrates. The optimum Mg 2+ concentration, 2–3 mM, was generally independent of substrate concentration, of the nature of the substrate, and of the direction of the reaction. Kinetic studies indicated that a ternary complex was formed, that the substrates were bound at two unlike sites, and that the order of addition of subtrates was random. Equilibrium constants were ATP + UMP 0.98, ATP + CMP 1.59, dATP + UMP 1.13, and ATP + AMP 1.20.
The ultrastructural localization of enkephalin and substance P immunoreactivities in the nucleus tractus solitarii of the cat

In the medial and commissural subdivisions of the nucleus tractus solitarii enkephalin and substance P immunoreactivities were localized within synaptic terminals, unmyelinated axons, and neuronal cell bodies. Both enkephalin and substance P immunoreactivities were contained within synaptic terminals which had a mixture of small clear vesicles and dense core vesicles. The presence of dense core vesicles within both the enkephalin- and substance P-immunoreactive terminals was a consistent feature, although they were not associated with the actual synaptic junction. While enkephalin- and substance P-immunoreactive terminals shared a similar morphology, their respective distributions along the dendritic tree were quite distinct. Enkephalin-immunoreactive terminals contacted mainly the cell body and proximal portions of the dendritic tree. In contrast, substance P-immunoreactive terminals synapsed predominantly with spines and shafts of small to medium-sized dendrites. Few substance P-immunoreactive terminals contacted proximal dendrites and they were never presynaptic to the neuronal cell body. This apparent segregation of synaptic terminals on neurons suggests that enkephalin synapses have a more pronounced effect than substance P terminals.
Effects of single or multiple choice trials per session on drug discrimination performance.

Drug discrimination procedures typically provide for multiple choice opportunities per training session. This practice allows non-drug cues (presence or absence of reinforcement) to mediate choice behavior during that portion of the session following the initial choice. In this experiment, rats were trained to discriminate 1.0 mg/kg cyclazocine from saline using a novel procedure that employed a single-choice trial per training session. Drug discrimination acquisition and generalization were compared to those of rats given discrimination training with 30 choice trials per session. The one-trial procedure yielded stable and reliable acquisition but more slowly than did the multiple trials procedure. The one-trial procedure produced longer first trial choice latencies and enhanced the tendency for subjects to respond on both choice levers during the first trial. The cyclazocine generalization functions were comparable, but the one-trial subjects more often responded on both choice levers, particularly when administered intermediate test doses of cyclazocine. Control of choice behavior by the reinforcer cue was evaluated on a mid-session cue reversal test. Multiple-trial subjects persisted in responding on the saline level following a midsession injection of cyclazocine, whereas one-trial subjects shifted to the cyclazocine-appropriate lever.
INDIVIDUAL THERMAL AND BEHAVIORAL FACTORS IN COLD‐INDUCED VASODILATATION

Individuals were classified as fast and non-vasodilators during a first hand-cooling experience. They were then required to carry out a prolonged detection task in 80°F and in 55°F air temperature. Comparisons were made of bodily thermal characteristics during hand cooling and during the detection sessions and of the percentage and speed of detection. The results suggest the possibility of characteristic differences between the two classified groups as well as of a relationship between behavioral and thermal regulating mechanisms.
The Seasonal Upwelling in the Gulf of Guinea Due to Remote Forcing

Abstract A linear model on an equatorial β plane is integrated over a 120-day period in a basin that approximates the tropical Atlantic Ocean. An increase in the westward wind stress of 0.025 N m−2 in the western Atlantic excites an equatorially trapped Kelvin wave that propagates eastward along the equator, moves poleward at the eastern boundary, and produces upwelling throughout the Gulf of Guinea. Cases that study the effects of nonlinearities and the inclusion of a northward wind stress are included. Nonlinearities are shown to have the effect of amplifying the effects of the Kelvin wave and prolonging the upwelling event. The inclusion of a southerly wind stress in the eastern basin provides a secondary mechanism for upwelling south of the equator along the eastern basin. Local winds. cannot account for the seasonal upwelling in the Gulf of Guinea. The simple baroclinic ocean model is integrated from rest. The effects of mean currents and bottom topography are not considered in detail.
Impact of Autophagy on Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Mediated Tumor Cytotoxicity: "To Live or not to Live".

Autophagy, a highly regulated cell "self-eating" pathway, is controlled by the action of over 34 autophagy-related proteins (collectively termed Atgs). Although they are fundamentally different processes, autophagy and apoptosis (type I programmed cell death), under certain circumstances, can be regulated by common signaling mediators. Current cancer therapies including chemotherapy and ionizing radiation are known to induce autophagy within tumor cells. However, autophagy plays a dual role of either pro-cell survival or pro-cell death in response to these cancer treatments, depending on the cellular context and the nature of the treatment. We review the current basic and translational cancer research literature on how autophagy impacts tumor cell survival (“to live”) and death (“not to live”) following treatment as well as the role of chemical mediators of autophagy.
An alternative approach to determining present and future value interest factors for annuities due

Abstract This note presents an alternative approach to determining present and future annuities due interest factors. Many students find the adjustment to present and future ordinary annuities interest factors confusing and, consequently, memorize the rules without fully understanding their concepts. We encourage the use of an intuitive approach that makes adjustments with only one simple rule.
UV/time-resolved FTIR beamline at Duke FEL Laboratory

We describe the commissioning of a novel two-color beamline at the Duke Free Electron Laser Laboratory, designed to perform time-resolved FTIR spectroscopy in a pump-probe scheme with sub-nanosecond resolution to measure dynamical processes with durations as long as ten nanoseconds. The UV pump pulses are produced by the tunable (193 to 700 nm) output of the OK-4 Storage-Ring FEL. The broadband, infrared probe pulses are generated as synchrotron radiation in a bending magnet downstream of the OK-4 wiggler. The repetition rate of the light source (2.79 MHz) is ideal for operating the interferometer in the rapid-scan, asynchronous sampling mode.
polytypy in folk biological taxonomies1

The mathematical relationship between the size of biological genera (the number of included species, or polytypy) and their relative frequency has been well understood for over fifty years. It is argued here that a similar mathematical relationship should hold for the distribution of polytypy within folk biological taxonomies, but with the overall degree, or tendency toward polytypy subject to influence by cultural factors (salience, agricultural practices, etc.). This is demonstrated with data from several different folk taxonomies. The findings support the contention that folk systems of biological nomenclature accurately reflect natural biological diversity, and that they are able to do this despite the strong influence of cultural factors. The data also provide indirect support for some of Berlin's suggestions concerning the temporal development of folk taxonomic systems.
Existence of a mannitol hydrate during freeze‐drying and practical implications

We report thermal and crystallographic evidence for a previously unknown mannitol hydrate that is formed in the process of freeze-drying. The mannitol hydrate was produced by freeze-drying pure mannitol solutions (1-4% w/v) using the following cycle: (1) equilibration at -5 degreesC for 1 h; (2) freezing at -40 degreesC; (3) primary drying at -10 degreesC for 15 h; and (4) secondary drying at 10 degreesC for 2 h and then 25 degreesC for 5 h. This crystal form was also observed upon freeze-drying in the presence of sorbitol (1% w/v). The mannitol hydrate showed a distinct X-ray powder diffraction pattern, low melting point, and steplike desolvation behavior that is characteristic of crystalline hydrates. The mannitol hydrate was found to be metastable, converting to anhydrous polymorphs of mannitol upon heating and exposure to moisture. The amount of the mannitol hydrate varied significantly from vial to vial, even within the same batch. The formation of mannitol hydrate has several potential consequences: (1) reduced drying rate; (2) redistribution of the residual hydrate water during accelerated storage to the amorphous drug; and (3) vial-to-vial variation of the moisture level.
Solvent Effects on the Infrared Spectra of Organophosphorus Compounds

Solvent effects on the P→O and [P-0]G absorptions in organophosphorus compounds of the type (GO)3P→0, (GO)2G-P→0, [(GO)G-PO(OH)]2, [(GO)2PO(OH)]2, and G3P→O are described, in which G is an alkyl or aryl group. The unassociated phosphoryl dipoles are affected by solvents in a manner similar to the carbonyl dipole. The consequences of the solvent effects on the physical properties of these compounds are discussed.
Carl Sauer and Cultural Evolution

Abstract Time and change are basic concepts in Carl Sauer's cultural geography: how he used time and conceived change is the subject of this paper. I interpret his historical method in the context of reaction against turn-of-the-century theories of unilinear and providential cultural evolution in favor of cultural historical approaches. The roots of Sauer's anti-evolutionism are found in his early rejection of environmental determinism for an empiricist chorology of material culture traits and in his connection with contemporary anthropology. Anti-evolutionism, and an empiricist, chorological approach to geography are also characteristic of Sauer's mature work on culture change. A comparison of his geographical practice with evolutionary thinking suggests that his emphasis on material expressions of culture as objects of study encouraged genetic explanations of the products of culture change rather than theoretical explanations of evolutionary processes.
Experiments on the pattern recognition system for validation and security verification

Experiments on an optical pattern recognition system used for validation and security verification are provided. The system verifies a random phase mask bonded to a gray scale primary image. Using a limited set of images, the system performance is investigated in the presence of different types of input noise and distortions such as scratches, fingerprints, and bendings. The experimental results indicate that for the noise and the distortion tested here, the system provides a good correlation performance by verifying the phase mask.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Temperature Dependence of the Free Energy, Enthalpy, and Entropy of P+QA- Charge Recombination in Rhodobacter sphaeroides R-26 Reaction Centers

For reaction centers of photosynthetic bacteria reconstituted with low-potential quinones in the QA site, the state P+QA- formed by light activation decays to the ground state via a thermally activated route through the P+H- state. The rate of charge recombination by this thermal pathway is proportional to the equilibrium constant between P+QA- and P+H-. Thus, the free energy difference between P+QA- and P+H- can be determined by measuring the charge recombination rate via the uphill route. The enthalpy and entropy change of the reaction can then be deduced from the temperature dependence of the charge recombination kinetics. The free energy, entropy, and enthalpy changes between P+QA- and P+H- were determined at temperatures from 40 to 318 K for several low-potential quinones. From 200 K to room temperature, ΔH° ≈ ΔG°, so the entropy changes are small. However, in the temperature range 80−200 K, a significant entropy change is observed, and the free energy becomes strongly temperature-dependent. The newl...
Quantitation of valvular insufficiency in man by angiocardiography.

Abstract A method is described for quantifying aortic and/or mitral valvular regurgitant flow. This method is based on a comparison of left ventricular stroke volume and forward flow per stroke. Left ventricular stroke volume is determined from biplane angiocardiograms. Cardiac output, determined by the Fick or indicator-dilution method, is used as a measure of forward flow. These techniques were applied to study 37 patients with valvular heart disease. Regurgitant flow values of three to four times forward flow were found in subjects with severe valvular insufficiency. In 15 subjects, aortic or mitral valve orifice sizes as calculated from these data agreed closely with findings at operation or postmortem examination.
Integration of Virtual Reality and an Assistive Device for Hand Rehabilitation Following Stroke

In this paper, virtual reality and an assistive device for hand rehabilitation after stroke is developed. A stereoscopic head mounted display (HMD) incorporating head-tracking to generate a panoramic virtual scene was used in conjunction with Shadow Glove and PneuGlove. The glove is used for grasp-and-release tasks to practice grasping objects not readily available in traditional settings.
Relation of metabolic control to complications in diabetes mellitus.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine-metabolic disease of childhood, with a prevalence of one in 500 children younger than 18 years and an annual incidence of approximately 16 in 100,000 population? The metabolic derangements require daily treatment with insulin, attention to nutrition, and self-monitoring of blood or urine glucose. In addition, patients face the possibility of long-term complications involving the microvasculature and macrovasculature, risk they share with the larger group of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The complications are responsible for about 5000 annual cases of blindnes~ z and an increasing number of patients requiring dialysis and renal transplantation. 3 Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of both new cases of blindness and end-stage renal disease in adults. Although these complications appear after puberty and usually after 10 to 15 years of established diabetes, by which time most patients are no longer under the care of their pediatrician, the genesis of the complications may occur during the early years of diabetes. It has long been debated, often with more heat than light, whether the complications result from the metabolic derangements of diabetes and whether they can be related to the degree of long-term metabolic control. The issue is more than just philosophic; if complications are related to the degree of metabolic control, then pediatricians caring for children with diabetes must recommend that patients Reprint requests: Mark A. Sperling, M.D., Division of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229. maintain as near normal metabolism as is feasible and provide the level of care that allows patients to reach this goal. Physicians Cannot be expected to transmit such recommendations if they are not convinced of the possible relation between metabolic control and complications, and the potential benefits of good metabolic control. In 1976 an editorial in the Journal posed two questions regarding control of diabetes mellitus: Is it achievable? Is it desirable? 4 Evidence accumulated in the ensuing interval has decidedly swung the balance in favor of an affirmative response to the second question, at least. We review the clinical evidence linking long-term microvascular compli
Abstract A17: Cancer immunotherapy using naked DNA vaccine targeting p53.

Background: The pivotal role of p53 as a tumor suppressor protein is illustrated by the fact that this protein is found mutated in more than 50% of human cancers. In most cases, mutations in p53 greatly increase the otherwise short half-life of this protein in normal tissue and cause it to accumulate in the cytoplasm of tumors. The overexpression of mutated p53 in tumor cells makes p53 a potentially desirable target for the development of cancer immunotherapy. However, p53 protein represents an endogenous tumor-associated antigen (TAA), and immunization against self-antigen is challenging because antigen-specific immune response likely only generate low affinity antigen-specific CD8+ T cells. This represents a bottleneck of tumor immunotherapy when targeting endogenous antigens expressed by tumors. Purpose: The objective of the current study is to develop a safe cancer immunotherapy using a naked DNA vaccine employing xenogenic p53 gene to break immune tolerance resulting in a potent therapeutic antitumor effect against tumors expressing mutated p53. Our study assessed the therapeutic antitumor effect after immunization with DNA encoding human p53 (hp53) or mouse p53 (mp53). Results: C57BL/6 mice immunized with xenogenic full length of hp53 DNA plasmid intramuscularly followed by electroporation were capable of protecting against challenge with murine colon cancer MC38. In contrast, mice immunized with mp53 DNA were incapable of protecting mice against challenge with MC38 tumors. In a therapeutic model, established MC38 tumors were also well controlled by treatment with hp53DNA therapy in tumor bearing mice compared to mp53 DNA. Mice vaccinated with hp53 DNA plasmid also exhibited an increase in mp53-specific CD8+ T cell precursors compared to vaccination with mp53 DNA. In antibody depletion experiments, we also demonstrated that CD8+ T cells play crucial roles in the antitumor effects. Conclusion: This study showed intramuscular vaccination with xenogenic hp53 DNA vaccine followed by electroporation is capable of inducing potent antitumor effects against mutated p53 expressing tumors through CD8+ T cells. Citation Format: Rueyshyang Soong, Chien-Fu Hung, T.-C. Wu. Cancer immunotherapy using naked DNA vaccine targeting p53. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances; Dec 2-5, 2012; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A17.
Halophilic vibrios from extraintestinal lesions in man.

Three cases of human tissue lesions which yielded halophilic Vibrio species are reported. In the first one, V. alginolyticus was isolated from the drainage in an otitis media. In the second case, an ornithine-negative Vibrio species was the only isolate from a gallbladder gangrene. In the third case, V. parahaemolyticus was isolated together with six other potential pathogens from a leg injury sustained in an airplane crash. The bacteriology and differential diagnosis of the isolates is described. The results of some sensitivity tests varied with the salt content of the medium. The V. parahaemolyticus and V. alginolyticus strains were more likely seaborne; the origin of the Vibrio sp. strain remained obscure. The pathogenic properties of the V. parahaemolyticus strain appear somewhat doubtful.
Highly cooperative opening of calcium channels by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate

The kinetics of calcium release by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) in permeabilized rat basophilic leukemia cells were studied to obtain insight into the molecular mechanism of action of this intracellular messenger of the phosphoinositide cascade. Calcium release from intracellular storage sites was monitored with fura-2, a fluorescent indicator. The dependence of the rate of calcium release on the concentration of added IP3 in the 4 to 40 nM range showed that channel opening requires the binding of at least three molecules of IP3. Channel opening occurred in the absence of added adenosine triphosphate, indicating that IP3 acts directly on the channel or on a protein that gates it. The channels were opened by IP3 in less than 4 seconds. The highly cooperative opening of calcium channels by nanomolar concentrations of IP3 enables cells to detect and amplify very small changes in the concentration of this messenger in response to hormonal, sensory, and growth control stimuli.
Microbial degradation of 2,4,6‐trichloroaniline in aquatic samples and laboratory enrichment cultures

Abstract Microorganisms present in water samples obtained from a small tributary to the Gunpowder River in Maryland degraded 2,4,6‐trichloroaniline following a prolonged acclimation period. Creek water sediments, but not the co‐substrate aniline, reduced the lag time prior to degradation. The microorganisms in the samples could be enriched to grow on 2,4,6‐trichloroaniline as indicated by increases in carbon dioxide, chloride, and adenosine triphosphate and by slight biomass increases accompanying the degradation of the compound. Uptake bf 2,4,6‐trichloroaniline by the enrichment population was as rapid as that of the original sample population but was without an apparent lag. Similar enrichment cultures could not be developed from five other sites.
Improving gravity field determination in ill-conditioned inverse problems

Abstract It is well known that the determination of the Earth's gravity field from satellite observational data in ill-conditioned inverse problems can provide inaccurate results. A usual practice to overcome the effects of this ill-conditioning is the addition of a priori covariance information (on the nominal solution) into the solution process. This technique will bias the estimates toward the nominal solution and tend to stabilize the calculations. A problem with this method however, is that the recovery of the gravitational and nongravitational parameters depends too strongly on the a priori statistics used instead of the observational data. It has been shown recently that the estimates in unobservable (singular) orbit determination problems can be improved in such situations by scaling optimally the a priori covariance through the use of “ridge-type” estimation methods. The work presented here concentrates on the improvement in the accuracy of gravitational field recovery using ridge-type estimation methods in observable (full-rank) but ill-conditioned inverse problems without the use of a priori statistics. These types of problems are more representative of real-world situations. The results of such a gravity field determination simulation are presented, the accuracy of which is compared to the accuracy of the gravity field obtained by standard minimum variance estimation methods.
Electrophysiological and biochemical evidence that DEG/ENaC cation channels are composed of nine subunits.

Members of the DEG/ENaC protein family form ion channels with diverse functions. DEG/ENaC subunits associate as hetero- and homomultimers to generate channels; however the stoichiometry of these complexes is unknown. To determine the subunit stoichiometry of the human epithelial Na+ channel (hENaC), we expressed the three wild-type hENaC subunits (α, β, and γ) with subunits containing mutations that alter channel inhibition by methanethiosulfonates. The data indicate that hENaC contains three α, three β, and three γ subunits. Sucrose gradient sedimentation of αhENaC translated in vitro, as well as α-, β-, and γhENaC coexpressed in cells, was consistent with complexes containing nine subunits. FaNaCh and BNC1, two related DEG/ENaC channels, produced complexes of similar mass. Our results suggest a novel nine-subunit stoichiometry for the DEG/ENaC family of ion channels.
The effect of blood pressure variations on muscle fatigue with chronic arterial occlusion.

Summary o 1. Dogs with chronic arterial occlusion had quadriceps muscle fatigue patterns studied with rhythmic stimulation with varying levels of aortic blood pressure. 2. The femoral artery pressures distal on an occlusion directly reflected changes in central aortic pressure. 3. Elevated femoral artery pressure due to intravenous infusion of levarterenol and phenylephrine significantly improved the muscle fatigue pattern while histamine infusion lowered femoral pressure and worsened the fatigue pattern. 4. This mechanism is suggested as a possible explanation for spontaneous improvement in some patients with intermittent claudication who develop hypertension.
Maintenance of COTS-intensive software systems

The software industry has made extensive use of commercial software tools such as compilers and editors in development environments of computer-based systems for several decades. However, in recent years an emerging trend is the extensive use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software products as a major part of delivered software systems. It is generally recognized that this trend introduces a significant change to the development of computer-based systems. The thrust of this paper is that this trend also introduces a significant change to the software maintenance process. The paper addresses some of the issues involved in the maintenance of COTS-intensive software systems, and the reasons why the COTS factor constitutes a significant change from traditional software maintenance processes. Finally, some lessons learned are offered as suggestions for addressing the issues in the maintenance of COTS-intensive systems. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The land value impacts of wetland restoration.

Abstract U.S. regulations require offsets for aquatic ecosystems damaged during land development, often through restoration of alternative resources. What effect does large-scale wetland and stream restoration have on surrounding land values? Restoration effects on real estate values have substantial implications for protecting resources, increasing tax base, and improving environmental policies. Our analysis focuses on the three-county Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill, North Carolina region, which has experienced rapid development and extensive aquatic ecological restoration (through the state's Ecosystem Enhancement Program [EEP]). Since restoration sites are not randomly distributed across space, we used a genetic algorithm to match parcels near restoration sites with comparable control parcels. Similar to propensity score analysis, this technique facilitates statistical comparison and isolates the effects of restoration sites on surrounding real estate values. Compared to parcels not proximate to any aquatic resources, we find that, 1) natural aquatic systems steadily and significantly increase parcel values up to 0.75 mi away, and 2) parcels 0.5 mi from EEP sites gain substantial amenity value. When we control for intervening water bodies (e.g. un-restored streams and wetlands), we find a similar inflection point whereby parcels
Reactions forming pyrite and marcasite from solution: II. Via FeS precursors below 100°C

The formation of pyrite and marcasite from a FeS precursor has been examined experimentally. In aging experiments at 65°C, the conversion of precursor amorphous FeS depends on these geologically relevant variables: concentration of sulfur-contributing species, acidity, redox state, time, Fe(II)/S(−II) ratio in solution, and addition of an organic ligand (citrate). The results indicate that pyrite and marcasite formation proceed at a significant rate only if intermediate sulfur species (i.e., polysulfides, polythionates, or thiosulfate) are present in solution. In the absence of any sulfur contributor or with only hydrogen sulfide or bisulfide present, no FeS2 formed within 16 days. Sulfidation of the precursor proceeds through progressively more sulfur-rich, Fe-S phases: am FeS (Fe1.11S-Fe1.09S) → mackinawite (FeS0.93-FeS0.96) → greigite (Fe3S4) → pyrite/marcasite FeS2. Greigite is absent under very reduced environments. The conversion sequence found in this study is in good agreement with iron-sulfide distribution patterns found in modern marine sediments.
Blood Flow Assessment With Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MR techniques for producing flow related images of vessels are generally grouped into two categories: (1) wash-out methods and (2) phase-encoding methods. Wash-out images of arterial flow generally utilize rapid imaging to produce flow related enhancement. Phase-encoding methods rely upon the effects of phase shifts resulting from motion along a field gradient to produce flow dependent signal differences. We present the results of experiments which utilized the phase-encoding technique to produce flow images in dogs and normal volunteers.
Differentiation of postembryonic skin endothelial cells.

Specific cell markers for selective isolation and growth of cells from the lymphatic and vascular systems have increased our understanding of the structure–function relationships of both systems. Using these markers, a subset of blood vessel endothelial cells (BECs) with the properties of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) has been identified in psoriasis and eczema. The differentiation potential of BECs and LECs in vivo and in vitro is reviewed.
Increase in myocardial collateral blood flow during repeated brief episodes of ischemia in the awake dog.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether coronary collateral blood flow changes in response to repeated brief periods of ischemia in dogs in which no attempt has been made to stimulate collateral vessel development. The dogs were instrumented with aortic and left atrial catheters and a balloon occluder on the left circumflex coronary artery and were studied in the awake state the following day. Blood flow to the collateral dependent myocardium was measured using 9 μ radioactive microspheres during four coronary occlusions of two minutes duration, each separated by one hour of reperfusion. A small but statistically significant increase in mean collateral blood flow was noted between the first and fourth occlusions; .03 to .05 ml/min/g. These data suggest that transient periods of brief ischemia may result in increases in collateral blood flow.
Chemical and Size Characterization of Layered Lead Iodide Quantum Dots via Optical Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy

Lead iodide (PbI2) clusters were synthesized from the chemical reaction of NaI (or KI) with Pb(NO3)2 in H2O, D2O, CH3OH, and C3H7OH solvents. The observation of absorption features between the 550 and 350 nm region obtained with an integrating sphere strongly suggests PbI2 quantum dot formation in solution. Comparison of spectra of PbI2 clusters in solution with PbI2 clusters formed by impregnation of PbI2 in four different pore-sized porous silica substrates indicates that the PbI2 cluster size in solution is less than 2.5 nm in the lateral dimension. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements of PbI2 solutions deposited on mica and highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surfaces indicate that the clusters are single layered. The measured height is 1.0 ± 0.1 nm, which is ∼0.3 nm larger than the layer thickness observed for the bulk materials. The swollen layer thickness can be attributed to the intralayer contraction from the strong lateral interaction among PbI2 molecules, which is supported by ab initio ca...
Fluoride content of mechanically deboned beef and pork from commercial sources in different geographical areas

Extract: Mechanically deboned meat (MDM) from flat bones of mature cows and bulls from three regions of the country and pork MDM from two regions were evaluated. The samples were collected from regions where high levels of fluoride occuring in the water and vegetation have been reported. Higher magnesium, iron and fluoride contents were found in beef MDM from the West and Midwest regions when compared to the Southern region. Higher iron and fluoride contents were found in beef MDM compared to pork MDM. MDM had a higher iron content than regular muscle, which was attributable to increased amounts of iron in bone marrow. Iron was suggested as a method for determination of red bone marrow percentage in MDM.
Microbalance study of the corrosion kinetics of lithium hydride by water

Abstract The corrosion kinetics of commercial LiH powder (∼100 μm, Alfa Aesar) by gaseous water in a humidified nitrogen stream was found to be constant in time and first order in gas phase water (
Direct spectrophotometric observation of intracellular nitro-blue tetrazolium and its formazan by multiple internal reflectance infrared spectroscopy

A technique is described which permits the direct, infrared (IR) spectrophotometric observation of peripheral leukocytes by utilizing multiple internal reflectance (MIR) spectroscopy on zinc selenide prisms. The IR spectra of nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) and its derivative, nitro-blue diformazan (NBF), are described and examined and these spectra are compared with those of the intracellular NBT and NBF yielding several peaks which may prove to be analytically useful. Additionally, the presence of unreduced NBT in leukocytes is demonstrated, which microscopic and chemical “NBT tests” have not previously done.
Treatment preference patterns during a videotape decision aid for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Abstract Objective As part of a study of men's responses to a videotape decision aid [Rovner DR, Wills CE, Bonham V, Williams G, Lillie J, Kelly-Blake K, Williams MV, Holmes-Rovner M. Decision aids for benign prostatic hyperplasia: applicability across race and education. Med Decis Making 2004;24:359–66], preferences for BPH treatment options were assessed. Methods One hundred and sixty men stratified by race and education completed a semi-structured interview that included assessments of treatment preferences. Results Most men initially and ultimately favored watchful waiting over other options, and 56.6% never changed their preference rank orders while viewing the videotape. BPH severity in context of treatment risk avoidance, efficacy, and expert opinion factors were frequently cited reasons for preference orders. Lesser education was associated with higher likelihood of changing preferences ( r = −.30, p r = −.19, p Conclusion Conservatism regarding BPH treatment is moderated by context-specific factors, including new information. Practice implication Counseling in a provider–patient partnership model should address both sources of variance in men's treatment preferences.
IntelliBid: An Event-Trigger-Rule-Based Auction System over the Internet

This paper presents the design and implementation of an Event-Trigger-Rule-Based auction system called IntelliBid. A network of Knowledge Web Servers, each consisting of a Web server, an Event-Trigger-Rule (ETR) Server, an Event Engine, a Knowledge Profile Manager, and Bid Servers and their proxies constitutes IntelliBid. Together, they provide auction-related services to the creator of an auction site and the bidders and suppliers of products. IntelliBid offers a number of desirable features. First and foremost is the flexibility offered to bidders for defining their own rules to control their bids in an automatic bidding process, which frees the bidders from having to be on-line to place bids. By using different rules, the bidders can apply different bidding strategies. Second, it furnishes valuable statistical information about past auctions to both suppliers (or sellers) and bidders. The information can assist a bidder in bidding and a seller in setting a reasonable base price and/or the minimum incremental price. Third, since rules that control the automatic bidding are installed and processed by the ETR servers installed at bidders' individual sites, bidders' privacy and security are safeguarded. The statistical information that is released by IntelliBid only depicts the trend of the bidding prices of a product. The information about bidders is kept completely secret, thus safeguarding the privacy of the bidders. Fourth, IntelliBid's event, event filtering and event notification mechanisms keep both bidders and suppliers timely informed of auction events so that they or their software system can take the proper actions in the auction process. Fifth, any registered user of IntelliBid, bidder or supplier, can monitor the bids placed to any product being auctioned in IntelliBid. Sixth, IntelliBid allows bidders to do both on-line (or manual) bidding and automatic bidding. It also allows a bidder to participate in several auctions at the same time, in both manual and automated modes. The bidding of a product can depend on the result of the bidding of another product. Last, but not least, IntelliBid allows a person or organization to play both the role of bidder and the role of supplier simultaneously. The Profile Manager keeps the information as a bidder and information as a supplier separately. Moreover, IntelliBid's architecture uses a parallel event management system to do event registration and notification. This paper also reports the result of a performance study on the implication of using such a parallel system to achieve scalability.
Nitrite Variability in Coastal North Carolina Rainwater and Its Impact on the Nitrogen Cycle in Rain

The concentration range for nitrite (NO{sub 2}{sup {minus}}) in 115 rain samples collected in Wilmington, NC, from June 1996 through February 1998 was 0.022--0.603 {micro}M. Nitrite concentrations did not correlate with precipitation volume, suggesting a continuous supply of nitrite during rain events possibly by slow scavenging of gas-phase material such as HONO(g) or NO{sub 2}(g) or in-cloud oxidation of other reduced forms of nitrogen. Nitrite levels exhibited no seasonal oscillations, which is in contrast to other rainwater parameters at this site such as pH, nitrate, non-seasalt sulfate (NSS) and ammonium. Concentrations of nitrite did not correlate with concentrations of pollutant indicators (pH, nitrate, and NSS). The concentration of nitrite in both winter El Nino rains and summer tropical rains was less than half its concentration in non-El Nino or non-tropical events, suggesting a possible terrestrial source of nitrite or nitrite precursor. Controlled laboratory studies demonstrated that hydrogen peroxide can oxidize nitrite in rainwater at environmentally relevant H{sup +}, H{sub 2}O{sub 2}, and NO{sub 2}{sup {minus}} concentrations. Nitrite oxidation by H{sub 2}O{sub 2} in the aqueous phase has important ramifications with respect to N cycling and acid generation within the troposphere.
Influence of Rheologic Changes and Platelet–Neutrophil Interactions on Cell Filtration in Sepsis

We examined the role of erythrocyte (red blood cell; RBC) aggregation and deformability, neutrophil (polymorphonuclear neutrophil; PMN) deformability, whole-blood viscosity, and platelet–neutrophil interactions on cell filtration in subjects who were critically ill with sepsis (CIS), critically ill noninfected subjects (CINS), and healthy controls (C). We assessed cell deformability by filtration through filters of 5- μ m pore size. Whole blood, RBC, PMN, and combinations of PMN and RBC were studied. Viscometry was done on isolated RBC. Platelet–PMN interactions were assessed with monoclonal antibodies to CD41 and activated CD63 platelet receptors, and to CD66b PMN receptors. Filtration pressure (Pi) for CIS was significantly greater than for C and CINS at both high and low PMN and RBC concentrations. Viscometry confirmed decreases in RBC deformability and demonstrated significant increases in RBC aggregation in CIS. Increments in Pi were significantly greater with PMN and PMN–RBC combinations suspended i...