cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Measurement of Neuronal and Glial Metabolism in Rat Brain In Vivo Using Co-infusion of [1,6-13C2]glucose and [1,2-13C2]acetate

In this work the feasibility of measuring neuronal-glial metabolism in rat brain in vivo using co-infusion of [1,6-13C2]glucose and [1,2-13C2]acetate was investigated. Time courses of 13C spectra were measured in vivo while infusing both 13C-labeled substrates simultaneously. Individual 13C isotopomers (singlets and multiplets observed in 13C spectra) were quantified automatically using LCModel. The distinct 13C spectral pattern observed in glutamate and glutamine directly reflected the fact that glucose was metabolized primarily in the neuronal compartment and acetate in the glial compartment. Time courses of concentration of singly and multiply-labeled isotopomers of glutamate and glutamine were obtained with a temporal resolution of 11 min. Although dynamic metabolic modeling of these 13C isotopomer data will require further work and is not reported here, we expect that these new data will allow more precise determination of metabolic rates as is currently possible when using either glucose or acetate as the sole 13C-labeled substrate.
Estimation of a change-point in the mean function of functional data

The paper develops a comprehensive asymptotic theory for the estimation of a change-point in the mean function of functional observations. We consider both the case of a constant change size, and the case of a change whose size approaches zero, as the sample size tends to infinity. We show how the limit distribution of a suitably defined change-point estimator depends on the size and location of the change. The theoretical insights are confirmed by a simulation study which illustrates the behavior of the estimator in finite samples.
Relationship between the peabody picture vocabulary test-revised, wide range achievement test-tevised, and weschler intelligence scale for children-revised

Abstract The present study investigated the relationship of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) to academic achievement. The PPVT-R was correlated with the Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised (WRAT-R) and the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised (WISC-R). The subjects consisted of 181 children referred for special education evaluation in Arkansas. The PPVT-R correlated significantly with the Reading, Spelling, and Arithmetic subtests of the WRAT-R. Correlations between the PPVT-R and WISC-R were significant, the WISC-R Verbal score correlating the highest with the PPVT-R. It was concluded that the PPVT-R could be used to screen students for academic underachievement.
Evaluation of cell viability, DNA damage, and cell death in normal human dermal fibroblast cells induced by functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube.

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are an example of a carbon-based nanomaterial that has won enormous popularity in nanotechnology. Due to their unusual one-dimensional hollow nanostructure and unique physicochemical properties, they are highly desirable for use within the commercial, environmental, and medical sectors. Despite their wide application, there is a lack of information concerning their impact on human health and the environment. While nanotechnology looms large with commercial promise and potential benefit, an equally large issue is the evaluation of potential effects on humans and other biological systems. Our research is focused on cellular response to purified functionalized MWCNT in normal human dermal fibroblast cells. Three exposure concentrations (40, 200, and 400 μg/ml) of functionalized MWCNT and control (Tween-80 + 0.9% saline) were used in this study. Following exposure to MWCNT, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and apoptosis assays were performed using standard protocols. Our results demonstrated a dose-dependent toxicity with functionalized MWCNT. It was found to be toxic and induced massive loss of cell viability through DNA damage and programmed cell death of all doses compared to control. Our results demonstrate that carbon nanotubes indeed can be very toxic at sufficiently high concentrations from environmental and occupational exposure and that careful monitoring of toxicity studies is essential for risk assessment.
The Chlamydia Type III Secretion System C-ring Engages a Chaperone-Effector Protein Complex

In Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, specialized chaperones bind to secreted effector proteins and maintain them in a partially unfolded form competent for translocation by type III secretion systems/injectisomes. How diverse sets of effector-chaperone complexes are recognized by injectisomes is unclear. Here we describe a new mechanism of effector-chaperone recognition by the Chlamydia injectisome, a unique and ancestral line of these evolutionarily conserved secretion systems. By yeast two-hybrid analysis we identified networks of Chlamydia-specific proteins that interacted with the basal structure of the injectisome, including two hubs of protein-protein interactions that linked known secreted effector proteins to CdsQ, the putative cytoplasmic C-ring component of the secretion apparatus. One of these protein-interaction hubs is defined by Ct260/Mcsc (Multiple cargo secretion chaperone). Mcsc binds to and stabilizes at least two secreted hydrophobic proteins, Cap1 and Ct618, that localize to the membrane of the pathogenic vacuole (“inclusion”). The resulting complexes bind to CdsQ, suggesting that in Chlamydia, the C-ring of the injectisome mediates the recognition of a subset of inclusion membrane proteins in complex with their chaperone. The selective recognition of inclusion membrane proteins by chaperones may provide a mechanism to co-ordinate the translocation of subsets of inclusion membrane proteins at different stages in infection.
Simultaneous use of 14C and 3H to determine autotrophic production and bacterial protein production in periphyton

A method of simultaneously quantifying photoautotrophic (algae and cyanobacteria) and bacterial production in periphyton communities by 14C-bicarbonate and 3H-leucine incorporation was investigated and applied to communities subjected to specific intensities of photosynthetically active radiation (400–700 nm). Maximum photosynthetic output (2.23 ± 0.29 (SE) μg C cm-2 h-1) and bacterial production (0.07 ± 0.006 μg C cm-2 h-1) occurred at the highest photon flux density (400 μmol m-2 s-1). Over a photon flux density range of 20–400 μmol m-2 s-1, bacterial and autotroph productivity were significantly and positively correlated (r = 0.89). Furthermore, application of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethyl urea, a photosystem 11 inhibitor, to periphyton films reduced bacterial production by 46%, but it had no such effect on bacteria-only cultures. Therefore, the magnitude of bacterial production in periphyton was coupled to the photosynthesis/metabolism of algae and/or cyanobacteria.
High-Density Integration of High-Frequency High-Current Point-of-Load (POL) Modules With Planar Inductors

Planar inductors made by mixed laminates of low-temperature sintered Ni-Cu-Zn ferrite tapes and metal-flake composite materials are used for high-density integration of point-of-load (POL) modules. Incremental permeability and core loss density were characterized on toroidal samples under high dc bias to demonstrate that both materials are suitable for application in high-frequency high-current POL converters. In order to realize a high power density POL module, a multilayer ferrite inductor laminated with alternating layers of ESL 40010 and ESL 40012 in a 1:1 ratio has been fabricated and integrated with the active layer. Meanwhile, standard printed circuit board (PCB) processing has been adopted for the POL integration with a PCB-embedded inductor using NEC-TOKIN's metal-flake composite materials. These developed 3-D integration approaches can be used to reduce the footprint and increase the power density for POL converters. It has been demonstrated that the power efficiency of both POL modules with integrated planar inductors can achieve above 87% at an operating frequency of 2 MHz and an output current of 15 A. Additionally, no obvious efficiency degradation was observed on the integrated POL modules after a certain number of thermal cycling from -40 °C to +150 °C.
Disease Assessment Concepts and the Advancements Made in Improving the Accuracy and Precision of Plant Disease Data

New concepts in phytopathometry continue to emerge, such as the evolution of the concept of pathogen intensity versus the well-established concept of disease intensity. The concept of pathogen severity, defined as the quantitative measurement of the amount of pathogen per sampling unit has also emerged in response to the now commonplace development of quantitative molecular detection tools. Although the concept of disease severity, i.e., the amount of disease per sampling unit, is a well-established concept, the accuracy and precision of visual estimates of disease severity is often questioned. This article will review disease assessment concepts, as well as the methods and assessment aides currently available to improve the accuracy and precision of visually-based disease severity data. The accuracy and precision of visual disease severity assessments can be improved by quantitatively measuring and comparing the accuracy and precision of rates and/or assessment methods using linear regression, by using computer-based disease assessment training programmes, and by developing and using diagrammatic keys (standard area diagrams).
Evaluating Process Optimums for Production VLSI Lithography

A new statistical analysis technique will be shown for process comparisons and optimization in production photolithography. The experimental layout proposed allows for efficient collection of data off-line for calculation of a process index relating the 6 sigma repeatability to assumed specification limits for each experimental cell of a full factorial experiment. Appropriate blocking of the experiment and number of repeats used allows the process index to be compared to the process capability calculations in popular use throughout the semiconductor industry.
Mechanical behavior of ultrafine-grained/nanocrystalline titanium synthesized by mechanical milling plus consolidation: Experiments, modeling and simulation

Abstract High quality bulk ultrafine-grained/nanocrystalline titanium samples were prepared through room temperature mechanical milling and conventional consolidation processes. The prepared bulk samples showed high purity, very low porosity and high ductility under compression. The dependency of yield stress and post-yielding behavior on grain size, strain rate and temperature were comprehensively studied. The texture evolution of the ufg/nc samples under compression was measured by synchrotron XRD. On the macroscopic scale, the viscoplastic phenomenological Khan–Liang–Farrokh (KLF) model was used to correlate the experimental results of the ufg/nc Ti.
The influence of the thyroid gland on brain cholinesterase activity of mature rats.

Summary The cholinesterase (ChE) activity of the brainin toto and regionally was studied in adult male rats following a 4-week period of treatment with 0.1% propylthiouracil (PTU), thyroidectomy (Tx), or daily subcutaneous administration of sodium- l -thyroxine (T4, 100 μg/kg). In addition resting metabolic rates of these animals were determined prior to, during and at the conclusion of the treatment interval. The data revealed that the ChE activity of the brainin toto is decreased in the adult hypothyroid rat whereas it is increased in the hypermetabolic animal. When the brain was separated into 4 regions, namely, (I) telencephalon, (II) diencephalonmesencephalon (midbrain), (III) cerebellum, and (IV) pons-medulla oblongata, PTU treatment resulted in diminished ChE activity of regions II and IV. Tx produced a decline in ChE activity of the diencephalon-mesencephalon, cerebellum, and ponsmedulla. Treatment with T4 increased the esterase activity of the telencephalic region (I) of the mature brain. These results suggest that the thyroid gland influences significantly the acetylcholine-ChE system of the mature brain. Alteration of the thyroid state of the rat exerted no significant effect on the weight of the brainin toto.
Palmitoyl Transferase Activity of Lecithin Retinol Acyl Transferase

Lecithin retinol acyl transferase (LRAT) has the essential role of catalyzing the transfer of an acyl group from the sn-1 position of lecithin to vitamin A to generate all-trans-retinyl esters (tREs). In vitro studies had shown previously that LRAT also can exchange palmitoyl groups between RPE65, a tRE binding protein essential for vision, and tREs. This exchange is likely to be of regulatory significance in the operation of the visual cycle. In the current study, the substrate specificity of LRAT is explored with palmitoylated amino acids and dipeptides as RPE65 surrogates. Both O- and S-substituted palmitoylated analogues are excellent substrates for tLRAT, a readily expressed and readily purified form of LRAT. Using vitamin A as the palmitoyl acceptor, tREs are readily formed. The cognate of these reactions occurs in crude retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) membranes as well. RPE membranes containing LRAT transfer palmitoyl groups from radiolabeled [1-14C]-l-α-dipalmitoyl diphosphatidylcholine (DP*PC) t...
Intracranial self-stimulation in 3-day-old rat pups

Three-day-old rat pups with electrodes directed at the medial forebrain bundle at the level of the lateral hypothalamic area were trained to push a paddle to receive electrical brain stimulation. Pups receiving stimulation that was contingent on lifting the paddle responded more frequently than did control pups and also learned a two-choice spatial discrimination task that was rewarded with brain stimulation. The experiments indicate that a neural substrate in the area of the medial forebrain bundle is involved in the central mediation of reinforcement in the rat pup.
Prenatal MRI characterization of brainstem glioma

We describe a unique case of prenatally diagnosed diffuse brainstem glioma, detected during routine obstetric ultrasound and characterized with fetal magnetic resonance imaging. The diagnosis was supported by early postpartum imaging and confirmed at autopsy. Few examples of these rare lesions have been described in neonates by imaging and fewer cases have been confirmed by histopathological examination. Our case contributes to the limited literature concerning the clinical, MRI, and pathological correlates of brainstem gliomas in the perinatal period.
Quantity and Quality of Fruit and Vegetable Servings in a Lower Mississippi Delta Rural Population Compared with National Survey Data

Abstract Twenty-four hour dietary intake data were collected for a pilot study from telephone and non-telephone households by telephone/cell phone or in-person interview from 409 subjects residing in three rural counties in the Lower Mississippi Delta. Fruit and vegetable consumption was analyzed for average number of servings. Types of fruits and vegetables consumed were compared to USDA's Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) data. T-tests and chi square analyses were used to determine whether these servings were statistically different from those reported in CSFII. We found that overall mean consumption (±SD) was 0.9±1.3 servings of fruit and 2.8±2.8 servings of vegetables, compared to mean fruit servings of 1.5+1.8 and mean vegetable servings of 3.1±2.2 from CSFII. Additionally, we noted that the consumption of French fried potatoes and potato chips in this population accounted for 30% of the total servings of vegetables (11.5% from chips and 18.5% from fries), compared with 16.7% from CSFII (4.3% from chips and 12.4% from fries). While a decline in consumption of these foods was noted with increasing age in CSFII, we did not observe a substantial decline with age in the Delta population. Furthermore, we found that African-Americans consumed more than twice the number of vegetable servings in the form of pptato chips and French fries as did the Caucasians in our study (34.9% vs 16.5%). These findings have implications for interventions to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. Culturally appropriate nutrition education and behavioral change strategies are also being considered. The Consortium plans to conduct a subsequent survey to determine food and nutrient intakes in the larger Lower Mississippi Delta population.
Transition from Quantum to "Classical" Partition Function

The quantum-mechanical partition function for a system of interacting electrons and nuclei is examined in the "classical" limit, in which $\ensuremath{\hbar}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ in the nuclear kinetic energy operator while $\ensuremath{\hbar}$ is constant in the electronic kinetic energy operator. It is shown that in the "classical" limit, the apparent nuclear potential energy which appears in the partition function is actually the free energy of the electrons in a system of fixed nuclei, as a function of nuclear configuration and temperature. The lowest order quantum correction is obtained. The effect of the adiabatic approximation is studied; it leads to the correct "classical" limit but a formally inexact lowest order quantum correction.
The relative biological effectiveness of 160 MeV protons. I. Microdosimetry.

Abstract Measurements of the distribution of lineal energy density, the microdosimetric parameter analogous to linear energy transfer (LET), were performed on the 160 MeV proton beam at the Harvard Cyclotron. Measurements at various positions on the extended Bragg peak produced by a beam modulator are compared with each other and with measurements on an unmodulated beam. The results are compared with computer-generated spectra produced by using a simple model to simulate the action of the beam modulator. The spectra are found to be highly sensitive to position at the extreme distal portion of the extended Bragg peak. The effective dose mean lineal energy density (corrected for saturation) increases by ∼ 20% from the front to center of the extended peak region, and increases by a factor of two from center to rear. Thus, relative biological eflectiveness RBE may be a function of position, and biological effects in an extended specimen may be enhanced in a slab a few millimeters thick located at the distal portion of the extended Bragg peak.
Excitation of the 1S0 state of Pr3+ in crystal hosts

Abstract Absorption and fluorescence properties of the high lying (4f 2 ) 1 S 0 state of Pr 3+ in several crystal hosts are measured through a one photon absorption into the nearby 4f5d band and through a two photon excited state absorption from the intermediate 1 D 2 level into the 1 S 0 state. The 1 S 0 energy and lifetime are determined for several sites, and the effect of an enhanced configurational interaction due to the proximity of the 4f5d band is discussed.
Temperature-dependent polymorphism and magnetic properties of three-dimensional copper pyromellitate coordination polymers containing 4,4′-dipyridylamine

A pair of three-dimensional divalent copper pyromellitate (1,2,4,5-benzene-tetracarboxylate, pyro) coordination polymers containing 4,4′-dipyridylamine (dpa) was hydrothermally prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The higher-temperature phase ([H{sub 2}dpa][Cu{sub 3}(pyro){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 3}]·2.5H{sub 2}O){sub n} (1) displays an acentric 3-D 4,4,6-connected anionic network with (4{sup 4}5.6)(5{sup 4}8{sup 2})(4{sup 4}5{sup 4}6{sup 3}7{sup 4}) topology, featuring (Cu{sub 2}(OCO){sub 4}) paddlewheel dimers and isolated copper ions. Charge-balancing H{sub 2}dpa cations are embedded in incipient voids. Prepared at lower temperature, ([Cu{sub 3}(pyro){sub 2}(dpa){sub 2}(dpaH){sub 2}]·3H{sub 2}O){sub n} (2) manifests a 3-D 4,4,4-connected neutral network with uncommon (4{sup 2}6{sup 4}){sub 4}(6{sup 4}8{sup 2}) frl topology based on (Cu{sub 3}(OCO){sub 2}) linear trimers. Antiferromagnetic coupling (J=–82(5) cm{sup –1}) was observed within the (Cu{sub 2}(OCO){sub 4}) dimeric units in 1, while weak ferromagnetic coupling (J=1.0(4) cm{sup –1}) was evident for the (Cu{sub 3}(OCO){sub 2}) linear trimers in 2. Thermal degradation behavior of these new materials is also presented. - Graphical abstract: Two copper pyromellitate coordination polymers containing 4,4′-dipyridylamine were prepared. The higher-temperature phase ([H{sub 2}dpa][Cu{sub 3}(pyro){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){sub 3}]∙2.5H{sub 2}O){sub n} displays an acentric 3-D trinodal anionic network with (4{sup 4}5.6)(5{sup 4}8{sup 2})(4{sup 4}5{sup 4}6{sup 3}7{sup 4}) topology, featuring antiferromagnetically coupled (Cu{sub 2}(OCO){sub 4}) paddlewheel dimers andmore » isolated copper ions. - Highlights: • Copper pyromellitate (pyro) coordination polymers with 4,4′-dipyridylamine (dpa). • Higher-temperature phase 1 has 3-D anionic trinodal network with H{sub 2}dpa cations. • Lower-temperature phase 2 has rare 3-D frl network. • Dimers and chains in 1 show antiferromagnetism, trimers in 2 show ferromagnetism.« less
Target Identification for a Promising Anti-Lupus Drug

Target identification is one of the more difficult aspects of modern chemical genetics. In this issue of Chemistry & Biology, Johnson et al. provide a compelling case for going through the trouble [1]. As a byproduct of their identification of the cellular target of an anti-lupus compound, they have uncovered a powerful tool for the characterization of a fascinating molecular machine, the F1F0-ATP synthase.
Ankyrin-G directly binds to kinesin-1 to transport voltage-gated Na+ channels into axons.

Summary Action potentials (APs) propagating along axons require the activation of voltage-gated Na + (Nav) channels. How Nav channels are transported into axons is unknown. We show that KIF5/kinesin-1 directly binds to ankyrin-G (AnkG) to transport Nav channels into axons. KIF5 and Nav 1.2 channels bind to multiple sites in the AnkG N-terminal domain that contains 24 ankyrin repeats. Disrupting AnkG-KIF5 binding with small interfering RNA or dominant-negative constructs markedly reduced Nav channel levels at the axon initial segment (AIS) and along entire axons, thereby decreasing AP firing. Live-cell imaging showed that fluorescently tagged AnkG or Nav 1.2 cotransported with KIF5 along axons. Deleting AnkG in vivo or virus-mediated expression of a dominant-negative KIF5 construct specifically decreased the axonal level of Nav, but not Kv1.2, channels in mouse cerebellum. These results indicate that AnkG functions as an adaptor to link Nav channels to KIF5 during axonal transport before anchoring them to the AIS and nodes of Ranvier.
Light dosimetry calculations for esophageal photodynamic therapy using porfimer sodium

Background: Photodynamic therapy using porfimer sodium (Ps-PDT) is approved for use in patients with Barrett's highgrade dysplasia and esophageal carcinoma. Ps-PDT light dosimetry, however, is critically important to treatment outcomes since insufficient ablation results in residual dysplasia and carcinoma while excessive treatment results in stricture formation. Aim: The aim of this study was to model esophageal PDT with optical absorption and scattering coefficients derived from an ex-vivo porcine multilayer esophagus model. Methods: Optical coefficients were derived for the mucosal and muscle layers of normal pig esophagus. The mucosal layer (mucosa, muscularis mucosa and submucosa) was separated from the muscle layer. Diffuse reflectance and transmittance were measured with an integrating sphere spectrophotometer. Absorption and reduced scattering coefficients were determined with the inverse adding doubling method. (Table not available in abstract, see pdf of paper) Multilayer Monte Carlo simulation and single-layer mathematical dosimetry equations were employed to model esophageal PDT with the derived coefficients. Porfimer sodium addition was modeled with an increase in both absorption and scattering. Depth of injury, assumed to require a threshold light dose, was estimated for various light doses commonly used in clinical practice. Depth of injury was then compared to clinical outcomes reported in the literature for various light doses.
Crystal chemistry of ABC(PO4)2 phases (A=K, Rb, Cs; B=Ca, Sr; C=Ln and Bi) with the hexagonal LaPO4 structure

Abstract Thirty ABC(PO 4 ) 2 phases with A = K, Rb and Cs, B = Ca and Sr and C = Ln and Bi that crystallize with the hexagonal LaPO 4 structure have been synthesized. Among these, phases with B = Sr and C = Bi have not been previously reported. Efforts to synthesize pure phases with A = Na and B = Mg, Cd and Ba were unsuccessful. Substitution of larger alkali ions in the structure resulted in an increase in the a o parameter but a decrease in the c o parameter. The substitutions of alkaline earths and lanthanides showed the expected correlations of ionic radii and unit cell parameters. Comparisons of the cell parameters of phases containing C = La, Nd and Bi suggested that Bi exhibits different lone pair effects in the B = Ca and B = Sr phases.
Site preference and interaction energies of Co and Cr in gamma prime Ni3Al: a first-principles study

Nickel-based superalloys are critical for aerospace and power applications due to excellent high-temperature properties. These high-temperature properties are attributed to the coherently precipitated gamma prime phase in the gamma matrix. The segregation of alloying elements between the matrix and the gamma prime phase drives precipitate misfit strains and impacts material strength. This study aims at understanding the site preference of Co and Cr within the ordered gamma prime phase. The study also calculates the interaction energy between alloying additions within the ternary systems Ni–Al–Cr and Ni–Al–Co, and the quaternary system Ni–Al–Cr–Co. It is found that Co has mixed substitution behavior between the Al and Ni sites in the gamma prime phase. The results from the Ni–Al–Cr ternary system show that two Cr atoms prefer being close to each other, with the most stable configuration of the first nearest neighbors of the Al–Al site. The interaction energies calculated from the Ni–Al–Co system show that the initial distance between two Co atoms will decide whether the two Co atoms prefer Ni–Ni or Ni–Al configuration. The study on the quaternary system Ni–Al–Cr–Co reveals that the initial configuration of Cr and Co atoms will affect the final most stable configuration. The results are found to be consistent with our previous findings.
Underground Gas Storage Inventory Analysis by a Noniterative Method

Underground gas storage inventory and conditions are predicted using a practical model and a noniterative solution algorithm. Various simulation scenarios concerning underground gas storage in depleted reservoirs with variable production rate and temperature conditions demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. It is shown that the gas storage parameters can be determined conveniently by solving the system model directly without resorting to the tedious procedures of the previous approaches.
The Effect of the Interval Between Test and Retest on the Constancy of the IQ

There are reported, in the psychological literature, a number of experiments in which a group of individuals, generally children, were tested with the Binet intelligence test and then retested after an interval. Commonly, coefficients of correlation have been computed between the IQ’s on test and retest. These correlations vary widely, as do also the intervals between test and retest. The purpose of this paper is to bring together the results of these various experimenters and, by the method of least squares, determine how the coefficient of correlation varies with the interval between test and retest.
Life-Cycle Assessment of Urban Water Provision: Tool and Case Study in California

The exploration of life-cycle energy use and environmental effects from U.S. water infrastructure has been limited in spite of the strong connection between energy and water use. This research presents a methodology for quantifying the life-cycle energy consumption and associated air emissions from water supply, treatment, and distribution. A decision-support tool, the Water-Energy Sustainability Tool (WEST), has been developed to aid such analysis. WEST calculates the environmental effects of material production, including the supply chain, material delivery and transportation, construction and maintenance equipment use, energy production, and sludge disposal. Deterministic and probabilistic results for a California case study utility are provided to show the tool’s capabilities. Results indicate that producing a million liters of water consumes 5.4 GJ and produces 390 kg of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases. Energy production is the most significant activity (50%), but material production, especially for ...
Cytotoxicity of bioactive polymeric fractions from grape cell culture on human hepatocellular carcinoma, murine leukemia and non-cancerous PK15 kidney cells.

Abstract Previously, we isolated two fractions (TP-4 and TP-6) from grape cell culture that were potent catalytic inhibitors in a human DNA topoisomerase II assay for cancer chemoprevention. The objectives of this study were to further assess cytotoxicity of these fractions on cancerous and non-cancerous cells, and to subfractionate and characterize the composition of TP-6, a fraction that was selectively cytotoxic to carcinoma cell lines. Both TP-4 and TP-6 provided significant cytotoxicity to L1210 mouse leukemia cells. Only TP-6, a procyanidin-rich fraction, significantly reduced viability in HepG2 human liver cancer cells, yet unlike resveratrol, caused no cytotoxicity to non-cancerous PK15 pig kidney cells. After further subfractionation of TP-6 (maximal toxicity = 67.2%; ED50 = 50.5 μM), the cytotoxicity of subfractions on HepG2 cells was TP-6-5 (maximal toxicity = 71.8%; ED50 = 14.1 μM), TP-6-6 (maximal toxicity = 64.3%; ED50 = 67.0 μM), and TP-6-4 (maximal toxicity = 27.6%; ED50 = 118.0 μM) in descending order. LC–ESI/MS data suggested that cytotoxicity of these procyanidin mixtures to HepG2 cells was proportional to the degree of polymerization. Because TP-6 and its subfractions were selectively cytotoxic to cancerous cell lines tested, they warrant further investigation as potential natural anticancer agents.
Archaeological Situation at Spiro, Oklahoma: a Preliminary Report

Since its discovery and exploitation by commercial diggers in 1933, the unusually rich ceremonial complex of the Spiro Mounds, Leflore County, Oklahoma, has engaged the interest of archaeologists. The importance of the Spiro site to Southeastern archaeology has been recognized, and the science has awaited report of the scientific excavation undertaken by the Work Projects Administration and the University of Oklahoma for a number of years. No comprehensive report on this important area has been published to date.
Spectral analysis of coastal vegetation and land cover using AISA + hyperspectral data

This paper describes a spectral analysis of several coastal land cover types in South Padre Island, Texas using AISA+ hyperspectral remote sensing data. AISA+ hyperspectral data (1.5 metre) were acquired throughout the area on 9 March 2005. Data over mangrove areas were converted to percent reflectance using four 8×8 metre reflectance tarps (4%, 16%, 32% and 48%) and empirical line calibration. These data were then compared to percent reflectance values of other terrestrial features to determine the ability of AISA+ data to distinguish features in coastal environments. Results suggest that these data may be appropriate to discriminate coastal mangrove vegetation and provide researchers with high resolution spatial and spectral information to more effectively manage coastal ecosystems.
The strategy of protest: problems of negro civic action:

The logical and empirical elements of bargaining are receiving increased attention as the effort proceeds to fashion an analytical tool useful for better understanding the nature of controversy. In many of these discussions, the focus has been on those who enter into the bargaining relationship out of either necessity or hope of gain (4, 9). The notion of bargaining is simplified if one assumes that the need for or desirability of bargaining is given. This is the case when two businessmen, for example, seek goals which are partially incompatible but individually attractive. Each stands to gain if his end can be realized, and to realize it he must deal with the other fellow. There is, in short, an inducement for each to bargain. Equally interesting is the situation in which one party seeks a goal which it can realize without obtaining concessions from a second party. The second party opposes the realization of that goal, but has nothing which the first party needs or wants, and hence finds it difficult to place itself in a position in which the first party must bargain. This might be called the problem of the powerless. It arises, for example, when a disfranchised group seeks a law giving it the right to vote but, lacking the vote, has difficulty recruiting lawmakers who will support its cause. The most important group today which must act from a position of near powerlessness is the Negro. This article will (a) sketch some of the logical elements involved in attempts by the powerless to wield power, (b) relate these elements to certain empirical factors characteristic of the Negro in large Northern cities, and (c) describe the consequences of this situation as revealed by issues implicating Negro interests which were studied in Chicago.
Ovalbumin aerosol challenge in actively sensitized guinea pigs: relationship between airway microvascular leakage and airflow obstruction

Airway inflammation is a common feature of asthma, and one of the cardinal features of inflammation is increased microvascular permeability. We investigated the characteristics of inhaled ovalbumin challenge-induced airflow obstruction and airway microvascular leakage in vivo in mechanically ventilated guinea pigs actively sensitized to ovalbumin. A method was used to quantify both airflow obstruction and airway microvascular leakage in order to investigate the relationship between these 2 pathophysiological features in the same animal. Airway microvascular leakage was assessed by Evans blue dye extravasation into airway tissues. Actively sensitized guinea pigs developed both acute airflow obstruction (increased lung resistance and reduced dynamic lung compliance) and Evans blue dye extravasation in response to exposure to aerosolised ovalbumin. Evans blue dye extravasation was preferentially distributed in the distal airways and correlated with airflow obstruction. The results show that inhaled allergen induced both acute airflow obstruction and airway microvascular leakage.
Zein nanoparticles produced by liquid-liquid dispersion.

Variables during production of zein nanoparticles using a liquid-liquid dispersion process were researched in this work for the potential development of food-grade nanoscalar delivery systems. The process was based on dissolving zein in 55-90% aqueous ethanol, followed by shearing the stock solutions into deionized water. The size of zein nanoparticles was typically 100-200 nm, and smaller particles were formed at a higher shear rate, and a higher ethanol concentration or a lower zein concentration in stock solutions. The addition of 1% zein nanoparticles into 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose solutions (adjusted to pH 3-9) increased the viscosities of the polymer solutions, and the increase was found to be larger at higher pH. The results showed that liquid-liquid dispersion is a simple and scalable process to manufacture nanoscalar delivery systems of many bioactive compounds. However, physical properties of eventual food products are to be examined for the potential influence of the added delivery systems.
On the development of information science

The citations appearing in two recent comprehensive bibliographies in information science and technology are reviewed, and a comparison is made with bibliographies dating back to 1962. Some conclusions are drawn concerning the development and current state of information science.
Crowd-Enabled Technical Writing Services

Availability of high quality technical documentation is a critical enabler for users to fully take advantage of service capabilities, such as Cloud-based offerings where clients interact with the service via a portal and have no direct access to a service support. Technical writers are relying on the input from subject matter experts (SMEs) to create usable portal content. This disrupts service operation and reduces the productivity of the entire service offering team. While technical documentation may include contributions from a large distributed team, it often results in disconnected content with different writing styles. In this paper, we describe Scribe Crowd, a service for managing the process of composition of technical documents. Based on the principles of crowdsourcing, where a task may be outsources to many qualified agents, Scribe Crowd manages the distributed process of documentation and assigns incomplete pieces of write-up to appropriate experts. We present how Scribe Crowd has been used to engage over 120 business consultants to efficiently create content for 450 documents as part of an enterprise learning portal that serves information about banking, insurance and financial markets.
Redescription of Ankylosaurus magniventris Brown 1908 (Ankylosauridae) from the Upper Cretaceous of the Western Interior of North America

The armor-plated dinosaur Ankylosaurus magniventris is redescribed based on specimens from the Hell Creek Formation of northeastern Montana, USA., Lance Formation of Wyoming, USA., and from the Sco...
Power-dependent line shapes of transitions to autoionizing Rydberg states

The line shapes of the $6sns$, $^{1}S_{0}\ensuremath{-}6{P}_{\frac{1}{2}}\mathrm{ns}$ transitions in Ba as a function of the laser intensity are modeled with the use of two-channel multichannel quantum-defect theory and the isolated-core-excitation model. An analytical expression for the line shape is derived and used to obtain a value of $|〈g|r|e〉|=4.1$ a.u. for the dipole transition moment of the ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{+}$ ionic $6s\ensuremath{-}6{P}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ transition, in agreement with a recent theoretical calculation.
Bilateral breast cancer in patients with initial stage I and II disease

Between January 1947 and the end of 1976, of 2076 patients with Stages I and II breast cancer treated at M. D. Anderson Hospital, 126 received treatment for cancer in both breasts. Records of 94 patients who had only one cancer treated at U. T. M. D. Anderson Hospital and in whom staging and treatment details were not available and records of the patients who developed local, regional, or systemic failure prior to the diagnosis of the second breast were excluded. Of 126 patients with bilateral breast cancer, 39 had simultaneous tumors (both cancers diagnosed within six months) and 87 had consecutive tumors. The disease-free 20-year survival rate shows no significant difference between patients with unilateral tumors and those with bilateral simultaneous or consecutive tumors. Analysis by radiotherapy modality or surgery alone shows, if anything, a lower incidence of cancer in the second breast in the irradiated patients, indicating that in patients with Stage I or Stage II lesions, the doses of radiation given in the management of the first breast cancer were not conducive to the development of a cancer in the remaining breast.
Commuting Pairs in the Centralizers of 2-Regular Matrices

InMn(k),kan algebraically closed field, we call a matrixl-regular if each eigenspace is at mostl-dimensional. We prove that the variety of commuting pairs in the centralizer of a 2-regular matrix is the direct product of various affine spaces and various determinantal varieties Zl, mobtained from matrices over truncated polynomial rings. We prove that these varieties Zl, mare irreducible and apply this to the case of thek-algebra generated by three commuting matrices: we show that if one of the three matrices is 2-regular, then the algebra has dimension at mostn. We also show that such an algebra is always contained in a commutative subalgebra ofMn(k) of dimension exactlyn.
Measurement Specialists: Testing the Faith–A Reply to Mehrens

The centrality of the validity issue in any discussion of test use is the focus of George's reply to Bill. While acknowledging that one can distinguish between a decision and the tools used to assist in making the decision, he argues that in most high-stakes tests the decision is inherently linked to the test. Hence, the validity of the decision is directly related to the validity of the test.
Birefringence in strained multiple quantum wells for high-contrast spatial light modulators (SLMs)

This paper describes novel multiple quantum well optical modulators in which the optical modulation is achieved by field dependent birefringence in strained MQW layers. The modulator operates under normal incidence. In our study, field dependent birefringence is obtained by straining the MQW layers using Surface Acoustic Waves. Computations of refractive index change, absorption coefficient and contrast ratio are presented. The devices are being fabricated using lattice matched InGaAsP/InGaAsP layers on InP substrates. The polarization-sensitive birefringent spatial light modulators are different from conventional multiple quantum well SLMs and self electro-optical devices which generally utilize electro- absorption.
Mouse latent TGF-β binding protein-2: molecular cloning and developmental expression

Abstract The molecular cloning and developmental expression of mouse LTBP-2 are presented here. We established the identity of the cDNA by sequence comparison (80% identity with human LTBP-2) and by chromosome localization (mouse chromosome 12, band D, a region of conserved synteny with the human LTBP-2 gene). In contrast to LTBP-1 and LTBP-3, mouse LTBP-2 apparently is a more modular protein, with proline/glycine-rich sequences always alternating with clusters of cysteine-rich structural motifs. We found for the first time that LTBP-2 gene expression in mouse embryos was restricted to cartilage perichondrium and blood vessels, a somewhat surprising result since other LTBP genes are widely expressed in rodent tissues. Therefore, mouse LTBP-2 may play a critical role in the assembly of latent TGF-β complexes in developing elastic tissues such as cartilage and blood vessel.
Metallographic characterization of rubber‐modified poly(methyl methacrylates)

The microstructure of rubber-modified samples of poly(methyl methacrylates) was characterized by depositing a thin layer of gold on a polished surface and then applying the conventional techniques of metalography. Samples were prepared with a known volume fraction of rubber comprising particles of known size. It was shown that the methods of quantitative microscopy were successful in estimating these parameters. The method was also shown to provide information about crazing or cracking, which was viewed near the tip of an arrested crack. It is recommended that adoption of the metallographic method be extended to characterize other polymeric systems.
Genetic Algorithm based Simulation-Optimization for Fighting Wildfires

Wildfire is one of the most significant disturbances responsible for reshaping the terrain and changing the ecosystem of a particular region. Its detrimental effects on environment as well as human...
Comparison of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Apoptosis and Fibrous Cap Morphology in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Disease

The biological cascades that lead to carotid plaque disruptions and symptoms are largely unknown. Certain cellular events within the plaque might be responsible for destabilizing the plaque, though the popular belief is that the plaque size is directly related to symptoms. The aim of our study was to assess the morphology of the fibrous cap and apoptosis in the plaque and compare these two pathological features in symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery disease. Our work was carried out in plaques obtained following carotid endarterectomy performed for symptomatic disease (including hemispheric transient ischemic attacks, amaurosis fugax, or stroke) or asymptomatic high-grade severe stenosis. Scion images of Gomori's stained sections were used to measure fibrous cap thickness and area. TUNEL assay was performed to assess the extent of apoptosis. The results indicated that the area of the fibrous cap did not significantly correlate with the presence of symptoms. There was a higher percentage of apoptotic nuclei and the thinner fibrous cap in symptomatic plaques than in asymptomatic plaques. This finding suggests that these factors might be involved in destabilizing plaque, causing rupture and leading to symptomatic carotid disease.
Detection in correlated Gaussian plus impulsive noise

A detector which is designed to operate in a correlated Gaussian-plus-impulsive-noise environment is presented. The detector whitens the data robustly and then uses a two-sided threshold test to determine the presence of impulsive samples. The impulsive samples are discarded, and the remaining samples are used to detect the presence or absence of a signal using a matched filter. An approximate analysis is presented, and simulations are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach. >
Overcoming dysfunctional momentum: Organizational safety as a social achievement

Research on organizational safety and reliability largely has emphasized system-level structures and processes neglecting the more micro-level, social processes necessary to enact organizational safety. In this qualitative study we remedy this gap by exploring these processes in the context of wildland fire management. In particular, using interview data gathered from 28 individuals involved in wildland firefighting, we explore the validity of the idea that a deterrent to organizational safety is an inability to redirect ongoing actions once they are underway. The findings suggest four major themes. First, individuals and groups redirect ongoing action as a result of re-evaluating that action. Second, noticing early warning signs, while necessary, is not sufficient to drive change. Third, two social processes — giving voice to concerns and actively seeking alternative perspectives — appear to be key drivers of re-evaluation. Fourth, the process of redirecting action is moderated by two social factors: ins...
Theseus gradient guide: An indoor transmitter searching approach using received signal strength

The searching for a location-unknown radio transmitter is a challenging task for autonomous robot. We propose an adaptive searching algorithm named theseus gradient guide (TGG) which is designed for solving the searching problem in indoor environments using received signal strength (RSS). While the RSS gradient serves as the main guide, the robot prefers to move to the places which have never been traveled. Thus the robot will not get stuck in the local maxima. Moreover, unlike the commonly used random kick strategy the TGG drives the robot escaping the local maxima with low cost in terms of travel distance. Meanwhile, TGG is not sensitive to motion errors. Simulation results show that the searches using TGG cost much less compared with those using other gradient based methods in our testing indoor environment. Guided by TGG, the robot can successfully reach the location-unknown radio transmitter with a ratio over 97% when the standard deviation of motion error is up to 20% of the step length.