cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust and accurate algorithms for solving anisotropic singularities

This dissertation is focused on the construction of robust and accurate algorithms for mathematical models of physical phenomena that exhibit strong anisotropies, that is, when the quantities have very slow and smooth variations in some directions but have rapid variations in other directions. Our first result is on the mathematically characterization of optimal or nearly optimal meshes for a general function which could be either isotropic or anisotropic. We give an interpolation error estimate for the continuous and piecewise linear nodal interpolation. Roughly speaking, a nearly optimal mesh is a quasi-uniform triangulation under some new metric defined by the Hessian matrix of the object function. We also prove the error estimate is optimal for strictly convex (or concave) functions. Based on the interpolation error estimates, we introduce a new concept Optimal Delaunay Triangulation (ODT) and present practical algorithms to construct such nearly optimal meshes. By minimizing the interpolation error globally or locally, we obtain some new functionals for the moving mesh method and several new mesh smoothing schemes. We then apply our mesh adaptation algorithms to the convection dominated convection-diffusion problems which present anisotropic singularities such as boundary layers. We develop a robust and accurate adaptive finite element method for convection dominated problems by the homotopy of the diffusion parameter. We give an error analysis of a one dimensional convection dominated convection-diffusion problem that is discretized by the standard finite element method on layer-adapted grids. We find that it is not uniform stable with respect to the perturbation of grid points. We then design a special streamline diffusion finite element method and prove the uniform stability and optimality of our new method. We also discuss some related concepts and problems on the optimal Delaunay triangulations.
A State-Space Model for Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output Manufacturing Systems

A state-space model for a class of multiple-input-multiple-output manufacturing systems is presented. This work is a generalization of a previous formulation for single-input-single-output systems. Buffers can receive or feed workpieces from multiple, instead of a single, machines in each machining stage. The coupling among buffer input processes, as well as cross-coupling among input and output processes, are explicitly modelled. A simple operating rule, which gives priority to the machine with the longest waiting time, is used to allocate workpiece or buffer space when there is a contention for it. Simulation results are included to show the dispatching of multiple channels of parts flow into and out of a general buffer, as well as blocking and starving due to full and empty buffers respectively. The model can be used to study the sensitivity of system performance to buffer size and machining rate. It can also be used to develop control strategies for minimizing work-in-process while maintaining, desired throughput.
Selective and cytochemical staining of frozen-dried preparations for study with the electron microscope

I should like first to show some examples from my laboratory of the use of organic and inorganic reagents for the selective and cytochemical staining of frozen-dried preparations.
Spare Capacity Planning for Survivable Mesh Networks

The design of survivable mesh based STM networks has received considerable attention in recent years and is a complex multiconstraint optimization problem. In this paper, a new spare capacity planning methodology is proposed utilizing genetic algorithms. The method is based on forcing flows/traffic which are on paths that are disjoint to share backup spare capacity. The major advantages of the new approach are a polynomial time complexity and the capability of incorporating nonlinear variables such as nonlinear cost functions into the solution algorithm. Numerical results illustrating the form of the genetic algorithm solution and comparing the proposed methodology to existing techniques from the literature are presented.
Contrasting Trajectories of Labor-Market Integration Between Migrant Women in Western and Southern Europe

The labor-market assimilation hypothesis predicts poorer initial labor-market outcomes among immigrants followed by convergence toward the outcomes of the native-born working-age population with time lived in the receiving country. We investigate the applicability of this hypothesis to migrant women’s labor-force participation in Europe. We compare labor-force participation rate (LFPR) gaps between migrant and native-born women in nine European countries, and examine how these LFPR gaps change with migrant women’s additional years in the receiving country. Consistent with the assimilation hypothesis, the LFPRs of migrant women in the “old” migrant-receiving countries of Western Europe begin much lower than for otherwise-comparable native-born women and converge, although not always completely, toward the LFPRs of native-born women with additional years lived in the country. In the “new” migrant-receiving countries of Southern Europe, however, the LFPRs of migrant women at all durations of residence are similar to those of native-born women. Additional descriptive evidence of high unemployment and under-employment and of difficulty achieving family work balance among Western European migrant women points toward receiving-country context as a major explanation for these empirical patterns.
Rhodopsin and phototransduction: a model system for G protein-linked receptors.

Rhodopsin is the photoreceptor protein in rod cells of the vertebrate retina and the first member of the class of G protein-coupled receptors for which the amino acid sequence was determined. Rhodopsin is available in greater quantities than any other receptor of its class and therefore has been studied biochemically and biophysically by methods difficult or impossible to apply to its fellow receptors. Such studies support a model in which rhodopsin consists of seven transmembrane helices that form a binding pocket for its ligand, 11-cis retinal. Insights into the structure and function of rhodopsin serve as a model for understanding the structure and function of other members of the receptor class. Rhodopsin undergoes a change in conformation upon photoexcitation and activates a G protein, transducin, and is phosphorylated by a receptor-specific kinase, rhodopsin kinase. The phosphorylated photoactivated rhodopsin is bound by arrestin, thereby terminating activity of the receptor in the signal transducti...
Naloxone retards the expression of a genetic predisposition toward alcohol drinking.

Objective: This study examined whether repeated daily treatment with naloxone prevents expression of a genetic predisposition toward high alcohol drinking in rats selectively bred for alcohol preference (P line). Methods: In phase 1, alcohol-naive male rats were given food and water ad libitum and were pretreated with naloxone (2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 mg/kg, IP) or saline prior to scheduled access to alcohol (2 h/day) for 30 days. In phase 2, naloxone treatment was suspended for 30 days while rats continued to receive food and water ad libitum and scheduled access to alcohol. In phase 3, alcohol access was suspended for 14 days while rats continued to receive food and water ad libitum. In phase 4, daily pretreatment with naloxone or saline, followed by scheduled access to alcohol, was reinstated for an additional 30 days. Results: Naloxone dose-dependently retarded acquisition of alcohol drinking. Following discontinuation of naloxone treatment, alcohol intake increased to levels comparable to those seen in the saline-treated group. Naloxone dose-dependently suppressed reinstatement of alcohol drinking (relapse) after a period of imposed abstinence. Conclusions: The results suggest that naloxone retards the acquisition of alcohol drinking and suppresses reinstatement of alcohol drinking in rats genetically predisposed toward high alcohol intake.
An optimal feedback regulation of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems via slow manifold approach

Abstract A concept of exact slow optimal control is defined for a general class of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems utilizing the slow manifold theory. Under a set of conditions an exact optimal feedback regulation restricted to the slow manifold is obtained. The result is applied to a class of nonlinear systems with nonlinear fast actuators. It is shown that by adding an extra compensating slow control to the near optimal control an exact optimal feedback regulation is achieved on the manifold. An upper bound on the perturbation parameter is obtained under which the result is valid.
A Theoretical F Region Study of Ion Compositional and Temperature Variations in Response to Magnetospheric Storm Inputs

The response of the high-latitude F region to magnetospheric storm inputs is modelled. During the 'storm', the spatial extent of the auroral oval, the intensity of the precipitating auroral electron energy flux, and the plasma convection pattern were varied with time. During the storm growth phase, the auroral oval expanded, the precipitating electron energy flux increased, and the magnetospheric convection pattern changed from a symmetric two-cell pattern with a 20 kV cross-tail potential to an asymmetric two-cell pattern with a total cross-tail potential of 90 kV. During the storm, there were significant changes in the ion temperature, ion composition, and molecular/atomic ion transition height. The storm time asymmetric convection pattern produced an ion temperature hot spot at the location of the dusk convection cell that contained significantly enhanced NO(+) densities. During the storm recovery phase, the decay of these densities closely followed the decrease in the plasma convection speed.
What is the superconducting order parameter for UPt3

Abstract The author observed that information inferred from current interpretations of experimental data for the heavy electron superconductor UPt 3 constrain the order parameter to be of E 2u symmetry. Possible objections to the current interpretations will be given.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Adults

Eosinophilic esophagitis in adults is a disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal mucosa and symptoms of long-standing solid food dysphagia and food impactions. First described in 1978, this syndrome is being recognized increasingly in the developed world, with multiple case series reported from the United States, Europe, and Australia during the past decade. Diagnosis requires the presence of greater than or equal to 15 eosinophils/high-power field on esophageal biopsies. Successful treatment in adults has been reported with the use of systemic and topical swallowed steroids. Endoscopic treatment has been associated with increased an risk for tears and perforations.
Nucleon decay into a dark sector.

A sub-GeV dark sector fermion X can have baryon-number-violating interactions induced by high-scale physics, leading to nucleon decay into X+meson and neutron→X+photon. Such processes can mimic standard search modes containing a neutrino, but have different kinematics and may have escaped detection. If a dark force mediated by a light vector Z(d) acts on X, depending on parameters, neutron→X+Z(d) can be important. In typical scenarios, Z(d) decays into l(+)l(-), where l=e,μ, with an order unity branching fraction. Nucleon decay searches can potentially uncover new dark states that are otherwise inaccessible, due to their negligible coupling to ordinary matter or cosmological abundance.
The molecular basis of the sparse fur mouse mutation

The ornithine transcarbamylase-deficient sparse fur mouse is an excellent model to study the most common human urea cycle disorder. The mutation has been well characterized by both biochemical and enzymological methods, but its exact nature has not been revealed. A single base substitution in the complementary DNA for ornithine transcarbamylase from the sparse fur mouse has been identified by means of a combination of two recently described techniques for rapid mutational analysis. This strategy is simpler than conventional complementary DNA library construction, screening, and sequencing, which has often been used to find a new mutation. The ornithine transcarbamylase gene in the sparse fur mouse contains a C to A transversion that alters a histidine residue to an asparagine residue at amino acid 117.
Geochemistry of aquatic humic substances in the Lake Fryxell basin, Antarctica

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in Lake Fryxell, 10 streams flowing into the lake, and the moat surrounding the lake was studied to determine the influence of sources and biogeochemical processes on its distribution and chemical nature. Lake Fryxell is an amictic, permanently ice-covered lake in the McMurdo Dry Valleys which contains benthic and planktonic microbial populations, but receives essentially no input of organic material from the ahumic soils of the watershed. Biological activity in the water column does not appear to influence the DOC depth profile, which is similar to the profiles for conservative inorganic constituents. DOC values for the streams varied with biomass in the stream channel, and ranged from 0.2 to 9.7 mg C/L. Fulvic acids in the streams were a lower percentage of the total DOC than in the lake. These samples contain recent carbon and appear to be simpler mixtures of compounds than the lake samples, indicating that they have undergone less humification. The fulvic acids from just above the sediments of the lake have a high sulfur content and are highly aliphatic. The main transformations occurring as these fractions diffuse upward in the water column are 1) loss of sulfur groups through the oxycline and 2) decrease in aliphatic carbon and increase in the heterogeneity of aliphatic moieties. The fraction of modem14C content of the lake fulvic acids range from a minimum of 0.68 (approximately 3000 years old) at 15m depth to 0.997 (recent material) just under the ice. The major processes controlling the DOC in the lake appear to be: 1) The transport of organic matter by the inflow streams resulting in the addition of recent organic material to the moat and upper waters of the lake; 2) The diffusion of organic matter composed of relict organic material and organic carbon resulting from the degradation of algae and bacteria from the bottom waters or sediments of the lake into overlying glacial melt water, 3) The addition of recent organic matter to the bottom waters of the lake from the moat.
Abstract 5667: Cytotoxicity of two-component drug delivery systems targeting HER2(+) cancer cells.

The HER2 (ErbB-2) is a class of epidermal growth factor receptors, which is overexpressed in 20-30% breast cancer cases that consequently show poor prognosis, cancer growth, and progression. Trastuzumab is a humanized, monoclonal antibody widely used as a first line therapeutic against HER2(+) breast cancers. However, recent clinical observations reveal that approximately half of patients with HER2(+) disease do not benefit from trastuzumab or have disease that becomes refractory to it. The combination therapy based on antibody-drug conjugates is a promising strategy to overcome the immunotherapeutic resistance of tumors. Since single delivery components face the barriers of extravasation from vessels and diffusion to the target site, we have developed a sequential two-component delivery system where components are assembled on the target cell surface and internalized delivering high dose of therapeutics. In this study, trastuzumab was functionalized with PEGylated azide groups and labeled with rhodamine or NIR CF-680 dyes, to obtained T(PEG 4 -Az) 8 (Rhod/CF-680) 2 as a first delivery component. Albumin (BSA) was functionalized with strain-promoted alkyne (DIBO), substituted with paclitaxel, and labeled with Alexa Fluor 488 or CF-750 to obtained A(DIBO) 10 (Pac) 2 (Alexa 488/CF-750) 2 as the second delivery component. Substitution of paclitaxel was carried out with sulfo-NHS-paclitaxel which increases the solubility of the drug in reaction medium. While reduced solubility of paclitaxel modified BSA was observed for the substitution of >5 paclitaxel molecules, one to four paclitaxel substitutions on BSA shows no precipitations in PBS. The in vivo cytotoxicity of the two-component delivery system was assessed using HER2(+) overexperssing BT-474 breast cancer cells and a standard WST-8 assay. For in vitro therapeutic study, we used T(PEG 4 -Az) 8 (CF-680) 2 and A(DIBO) 10 (Pac) 2 (CF-750) 2 (with non-functionalized trastuzumab as the first component in controls). We observed an increased cytotoxicity of the two-component delivery system with IC 50 of 0.101 μM, comparing to IC 50 of 0.247 μM for the control. Citation Format: Sudath Hapuarachchige, Yoshinori Kato, Dmitri Artemov. Cytotoxicity of two-component drug delivery systems targeting HER2(+) cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5667. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5667
The legends of the Caucasus: Economic transformation of Armenia and Georgia

Abstract Considered peripheral in economic terms the structurally fragile Armenia and Georgia with obvious limitations are open to international business. This article constructs a compact analytical synthesis of the duo's potential across macroeconomic, industrial, external exposure risk, institutional, and the Diaspora (dispersion) effects within the five forces model of the social and economic transformation. Post-Great Recession dynamic analysis, sketching sectoral and business trends, tackles issues of market entry and foreign investor strategy. Armenia's impressive pre-crisis pattern has yet to be recovered, while Georgia's post-crisis record has been more consistent with earlier years. Armenia's entrepreneurial and innovative capacity, vital to new business accommodation, ranks above Georgia's, where traditional sectors are dominant. All in all there is a need for an individual, not “bulk”, analysis of the post-socialist periphery. Foreign firms’ managers are suited to gain if acquire local context and local (or Diaspora-) based partner (public or private) prior to regional or standalone entry. Despite multiple headwinds, both economies retain strong international business potential and hope for an economic and social resurrection.
Crystallization of Escherichia coli CdtB, the biologically active subunit of cytolethal distending toxin.

Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) is a secreted protein toxin produced by several bacterial pathogens. The biologically active CDT subunit CdtB is an active homolog of mammalian type I DNase. Internalization of CdtB and subsequent translocation into the nucleus of target cells results in DNA-strand breaks, leading to cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis. CdtB crystals were grown using microbatch methods with polyethylene glycol 8000 as the precipitant. The CdtB crystals contain one molecule of MW 30.5 kDa per asymmetric unit, belong to space group P212121 and diffract to 1.72 A.
Sex differences in vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) concentrations in the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus of rats.

Abstract Recent evidence suggests that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), a putative prolactin (PRL)-releasing factor, is both synthesized and released by anterior pituitary cells, to act as a paracrine or autocrine factor. We have investigated the hypothesis that hypothalamic or pituitary VIP levels differ in male and female rats, since neuroendocrine control of PRL is sexually differentiated. Opposite sex differences were found in the hypothalamus and anterior pituiary. Random-cycle female rats had one-third higher VIP levels in the hypothalamus than males. In contrast, anterior pituitary VIP levels were 3 times as high in male rats as in females. Median eminence VIP levels were similarly low in both sexes. These results support a possible role of VIP in the sexually dimorphic regulatory mechanisms of PRL secretion. Moreover, demonstration that hypothalamic and pituitary VIP levels vary in opposite directions suggests that VIP is differentially regulated at the two sites.
Musculin isoforms and repression of MyoD in muscle regeneration.

We studied possible negative regulators of MyoD using a 27 time point muscle regeneration series in vivo and identified Musculin as a key candidate for transcriptional repression of MyoD. Characterization of Musculin proteins showed two isoforms: the previously characterized 201 aa protein (1a) and a novel 180 aa isoform (1b). We show that the Musculin 1b isoform is equally effective at blocking MyoD-induced transcription as the 1a isoform. Our data narrow the likely repressor domain to between position 158 and 173 in the Musculin protein sequence, and suggest that the induction of Musculin is responsible for the rapid down-regulation of MyoD at 4–5 days during staged regeneration.
The nervous system in acrodynia

Summary 1. The findings in the nervous system in a case of acrodynia are reported. 2. No pathologic changes were found in serial sections through the diencephalic sympathetic nuclei. This fails to support the belief that this region is the primary focus of involvement. 3. Degenerative changes were present in the anterior horn cells of the lumbosacral region and in the intermediolateral cell column of the spinal cord. 4. A review of the literature and the data supplied by the present case show that while alterations in the nervous system are not infrequently observed, they are not constant in occurrence, kind, or localization and hence do not offer a satisfactory explanation of the clinical picture. 5. Since the latter, nevertheless, quite consistently points to a disturbance in the sympathetic nervous system, it is desirable that further and more systematic search for lesions in this system be made.
Infection threads in the root hairs of soybean (Glycine max) plants inoculated withRhizobium japonicum

The mode of infection leading to nodulation was studied in soybean (Glycine max) plants inoculated withRhizobium japonicum strains 61A76, 3I1b83, 3Ilb142, and 3Ilb143 and a commercial inoculum. Infection threads were noticed in the root hairs of plants grown in small field plots, Leonard bottle-jar assemblies and on agar slants. Two infection threads per root hair were commonly observed. Root hairs with infection threads were persistent on the nodules. The maximum number of infection threads per plant was observed in Leonard bottle-jar assemblies.
The efficacy of HSV-2 vaccines based on gD and gB is enhanced by the addition of ICP27

DNA vaccines expressing HSV-2 gD, gB, ICP27, VP22 and VP13/14 were shown to be immunogenic in mice; gD and gB elicited neutralising antibody, and all five antigens induced T cell responses measured by IFNγ ELISPOT. In murine HSV-2 challenge studies, gD and gB provided moderate to high levels of protection while ICP27 provided a lower level of protection depending on the model (intravaginal or intranasal) and the challenge dose. Combining vaccines expressing gB or gD with vaccines expressing ICP27 provided greater protection than any antigen alone. We conclude that the addition of ICP27 to enhance the anti-viral T cell response can improve the efficacy of gD- and gB-based vaccines.
Integrating X.400 message handling into the IBM VM/SP environment

A prototype X.400 message handling system for IBM's VM/SP operating system is discussed. The system is designed to provide smooth integration of X.400 services into the predominantly used means of interpersonal communication in the VM/SP environment (RSCS). The system provides native X.400 services to its users and therefore is not a gateway between RSCS and X.400 protocols.
Two-Stage System for Prioritizing Riparian Restoration at the Stream Reach and Community Scales

This paper describes a two-stage system for prioritizing stream reaches and riparian communities along a given river for protection or restoration. The system uses associations between geomorphology and riparian vegetation at stream reach and community scales as a basis for defining reference conditions. First-stage reach classification involves collecting and analyzing data from topographic maps and aerial photographs. These data, along with judgment-based criteria for ranking reaches relative to reference conditions, are used to classify stream reaches as suitable for protection, recommended for mitigation or restoration within existing site-specific regulatory procedures, or requiring further analysis to evaluate community-scale restoration needs. Second-stage field sampling is conducted on the reaches needing further analysis to determine the riparian communities present, the associations between communities and floodplain landforms, and reference community conditions. This stage requires collection of field data on geomorphic conditions, plant species composition, and plant community structure. Cluster analysis or a comparable technique is used to classify plant communities associated with floodplain landforms and identify reference conditions for each landform. Community structure and species composition are compared to reference conditions to define restoration possibilities at the community scale. The combined results from stream reach and community-scale analysis provide a strategy for protecting and restoring riparian resources for a whole river. Implementation requires further site-specific information on hydrology, geomorphology, and other factors.
Anterior leaflet procedures during mitral valve repair do not adversely influence long-term outcome

Abstract Objectives. This study was done to assess the impact of anterior mitral leaflet reconstructive procedures on initial and long-term results of mitral valve repair. Background. It has been suggested that involvement of the anterior leaflet in mitral valve disease adversely affects the long-term outcome of mitral valve repair. Our policy has been to aggressively repair such anterior leaflets with procedures that include triangular resections in some cases. Methods. From June 1979 through June 1993, 558 consecutive Carpentier-type mitral valve repairs were performed. The anterior mitral leaflet and chordae tendineae were repaired in 156 patients (mean age 58 years). The procedures included anterior chordal shortening in 78 patients (50%), anterior leaflet resections in 44 (28%), resuspension of the anterior leaflet to secondary chordae in 42 (27%) and anterior chordal transposition in 27 (17%). Concomitant cardiac surgical procedures were performed in 75 patients (48%). Results. The operative mortality rate was 2.5% (2 of 81) for isolated mitral valve anterior leaflet repair and 3.8% (6 of 156) for all mitral valve anterior leaflet repair. Freedom from reoperation at 5 and 10 years was, respectively, 89.7% (n = 160) and 83.4% (n = 24) for the entire series of 558 patients, 91.9% (n = 51) and 81.2% (n = 10) for patients with anterior leaflet procedures, 88.8% (n = 109) and 84.4% (n = 14) for patients without anterior leaflet procedures and 91.7% (n = 118) and 88.9% (n = 18) for patients without rheumatic disease. Logistic regression showed that rheumatic origin of disease (odds ratio 2.99), but not anterior leaflet repair, increased the risk for reoperation. Conclusions. These results demonstrate that expansion of mitral valve techniques to include anterior leaflet disease yields immediate and long-term results equal to those seen in patients with posterior leaflet disease.
Acculturation, Risk Behaviors and Physical Dating Violence Victimization Among Cuban-American Adolescents

The purpose of this study is to describe the relationships among acculturation, risk behaviors, and reported physical dating violence among Cuban-American ninth grade adolescents. Participants (N=82) completed a questionnaire that assessed their level of acculturation to the U.S. (Americanism), their maintenance of the Hispanic culture (Hispanicism), binge drinking, drug use, sexual intercourse, condom use and physical dating violence victimization. Multiple logistic regression was conducted. Hispanicism was associated with a decrease in odds of reporting physical dating violence victimization. Drug use and not using a condom were associated with an increase in odds of reporting physical dating violence victimization.
Vibrational spectra and assignments for quinoline and isoquinoline

Abstract Assignments of the vibrational spectra of quinoline and isoquinoline are reported. Calculated frequencies are based on normal coordinate analysis, using the Urey-Bradley Force Field including Kekule modification with force constants transferred from naphthalene and s -triazine. The calculated assignments are in good agreement with those based on observed frequencies. Thermodynamic functions based on the assigned frequencies are also given.
Conditional Coding, a General Method for Simulating Conditional Distributions

Abstract Consider a realization of a stochastic process X and a noisy measurement M of a function of that process. We give a general method, called conditional coding, for sampling from the conditional distribution of X given M. The main idea is to apply Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling to the uniform random numbers used by a simulation algorithm. Conditional coding is an implementation of the MCMC method that requires only that X be formulated as a simulation algorithm. It is therefore applicable to processes that lack the structure required for traditional uses of MCMC methods. In one example we show how conditional coding can be used with a model that has a conditional distribution whose only tractable formulation is the algorithm that defines it.
The influence of soil drainage on the growth of salt marsh cordgrass Spartina alterniflora in North Carolina

The occurrence of the height forms of Spartina alterniflora was directly related to marsh soil drainage and aeration in a natural salt marsh in North Carolina. Linear regression analysis indicated that differential soil drainage among the height forms accounted for 70% of the variation in plant height. Total biomass of tall and medium Spartina and the aerial standing crop of short Spartina were significantly reduced when soil drainage was experimentally impaired in the field. When the degree of soil drainage was manipulated in greenhouse experiments under low nutrient regimes, biomass production of tall and medium Spartina was greatest when the soil-root system was undrained. Short Spartina was relatively unaffected by the soil drainage treatment. In phytotron greenhouse experiments under high nutrient regimes, the biomass of tall Spartina transplants also increased as soil drainage decreased; however, stagnant conditions (water level constant at 5 cm above the pot-soil surface) resulted in the least growth.
PEG-Hemoglobin as a resuscitation solution in the treatment of hypovolemic shock in the anesthetized rat.

Abstract: This study was designed to determine the advantages of using the hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, polyethylene glycol conjugated bovine hemoglobin (PEG-Hb), as an additive to Ringer's lactate solution (RLS) for the treatment of acute hemorrhage in anesthetized female rats. Different compositions of PEG-Hb and RLS were administered intravenously in a paradigm that provided 30 ml/kg of resuscitation fluid following an episode of 15 min of hypotension. Hypotension was achieved by the removal of blood (1 ml/min) from the femoral vein until the mean arterial pressure was lowered to or below 50 mmHg and subsequently maintained until resuscitation. Short-term cardiovascular assessment showed that resuscitation fluids containing PEG-Hb resulted in higher mean arterial pressure, aortic blood flow, renal blood flow, and less dramatic shifts in arterial base excess and respiratory blood gases than plain RLS. The long-term survival experiment showed lower lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels in most groups resuscitated with solutions containing PEG-Hb, but no differences in survival (100%) were observed. The data suggest that the addition of PEG-Hb to RLS improves its resuscitative effects. Specifically, a solution of 50% RLS:50% PEG-Hb appeared to have the most favorable cardiovascular and metabolic effects in this anesthetized rat hypovolemic shock resuscitation model. Presumably, the improved effects seen with the addition of PEG-Hb were due to its innate plasma expansion and oxygen-delivery capabilities.
HE II Line Emission as a Tracer of Nonradiative Preionized Shocks: Application to Winds and Circumstellar Disks in the Orion Nebula

Collisionally excited Balmer line emission from H occurs whenever neutral hydrogen enters a sufficiently strong shock. Such emission has many important applications for the study of Herbig-Haro objects and supernova remnants. This paper explores the collisional excitation and ionization of the H-like ion He II in shocks, a process that may prove to be useful in cases where no Balmer emission from H occurs because the preshock H is completely ionized. Like the Balmer lines of H, Balmer lines of He II also radiate because of collisional excitation at the shock, though the complexities of broad and narrow components present in the H lines should be absent in He II emission. New narrowband images of the Trapezium region of Orion in He II λ4686 and the adjacent continuum near this wavelength fail to show any He II emission signatures from shocks. Upper limits on the He II fluxes in these images, combined with predictions of the brightness of He II λ4686 in nonradiative shocks, give an upper limit to the mass-outflow rate from Θ1 Ori C consistent with the mass-loss rate estimated from UV observations. The new images show that HH 202 represents the superposition of two bow shocks moving in opposite directions, which explains some anomalies seen previously in emission-line images of this source taken with Hubble Space Telescope (HST).
Reduced microcrack density in melt processed (Y,Sm) Ba2Cu3O6+x

Abstract The microcrack density in melt processed YBa2Cu3O6+x was reduced by maintaining the tetragonal phase during cooling to room temperature with subsequent oxidation to form the orthorhombic phase. The effect of microcrack reduction on the magnetic critical current density (Jc) of YBa2Cu3O6+x was determined. Melt processing at 1100°C with a mole fraction of 5% Sm2BaCuO5 addition and a two step annealing process yielded the highest magnetic critical current density. Processing at 1050°C resulted in a decrease in both the grain size and the magnetic Jc.
Serum immunoglobulin free light-chain measurement in primary amyloidosis: prognostic value and correlations with clinical features

Immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs) are the precursors of amyloid fibrils in primary amyloidosis (AL). We studied the relationship between FLC levels and clinical features in 730 patients with newly diagnosed AL. The plasma cell clone was λ in 72% patients, and κ in 28% patients. κ-AL had more GI tract and liver involvement, where as renal involvement was more with λ-AL. While the overall survival (OS) was similar for κ and λ-AL, the median OS for those without an identifiable serum heavy chain was significantly shorter (12.6 vs 29.9 months; P = .02). The OS was shorter among those with a higher dFLC (involved FLC−uninvolved FLC; κ > 29.4 mg/dL or λ > 18.2 mg/dL using median for cutoff); 10.9 vs 37.1 months; P < .001. In multivariate analysis, dFLC was independent of other prognostic factors. The type of light chain impacts the spectrum of organ involvement and the FLC burden correlates with survival in AL.
QUANTITATION OF THE POROUS NATURE OF PROSTHETIC MATERIALS.

Summary o 1. A plea is made for quantitative characterization of the porous nature of prosthetic materials used in surgical research. 2. This characterization must include the porosity (both absolute and effective), permeability and pore size distribution. 3. Practical methods for estimating these parameters are illustrated.
Acute renal failure in cystic fibrosis: association with inhaled tobramycin therapy.

We describe a 20-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis who developed acute nonoliguric renal failure associated with inhaled tobramycin. Clinical evaluation and renal biopsy findings were consistent with aminoglycoside-induced changes. Renal failure due to inhaled aminoglycosides has not been previously reported. The incidence may rise, however, with the increased use of this treatment modality. Measurable tobramycin levels due to inhalational therapy with conventional dosing in the reported patient indicate that the drug can be systemically absorbed, and renal tubular toxicity may occur.
Water expulsion during soil freezing described by a mathematical model called M1

Abstract It has been shown empirically that when a freezing front advances through a saturated and unfrozen soil, soil water may either be attracted to the freezing front or expelled, depending upon soil type, applied confining pressure, and rate of freezing. In this work, the problem of water expulsion is studied analytically based on a mathematical model called M1. The condition of water expulsion is found to depend on the properties of a given soil, given thermal and hydraulic conditions. The theoretical predictions are compared with data of Kanto loam and the agreement between them is found to be satisfactory.
Hypernatremia predicts adverse cardiovascular and neurological outcomes after SAH

Abnormalities of serum sodium are common after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and have been linked to poor outcome. This study analyzed whether abnormal serum sodium levels are associated with cardiac outcomes and mortality after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). In a prospective cohort study of SAH patients, the primary predictor variable was subjects' sodium level. Hypernatremia was defined as sodium >143 mmol/L and hyponatremia was 1.0 μg/L, left-ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%, presence (vs absence) of regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) of the LV, pulmonary edema, and death. Additional analyses studied the degree of hypernatremia and sodium supplementation, and the temporal relationship between hypernatremia and cardiac outcomes. The study included 214 subjects. Forty-eight subjects (22%) were hypernatremic on at least one study day, and 45 (21%) were hyponatremic. After multivariate adjustment, hypernatremia was an independent predictor of LVEF <50% (OR 4.7, CI 1.3–16.2, p=0.015), elevated cTi (OR 3.7, CI 1.2–11.9, p=0.028), and pulmonary edema (OR 4.1 CI 1.4–1.5, p=0.008). It was not, however a statistically significant predictor of mortality (p=0.075). In the acute period after SAH, hypernatremia is associated with adverse cardiac outcomes and death. SAH patients with hypernatremia should be monitored for evidence of cardiac dysfunction.
Lipase activity in the hemolymph of Biomphalaria glabrata (Mollusca) challenged with bacterial lipids.

Abstract The levels of lipase activity in both the cellular and serum constituents of the hemolymph of Biomphalaria glabrata that had been challenged in vitro to beat-killed and sonicated Bacillus megaterium as well as samples challenged with live B. megaterium were ascertained. There were no significant alterations in the levels of enzyme activity in both cells and serum of the samples that had been challenged with sonicated bacteria; however, there was a signficant elevation in the enzyme activity associated with both the cells and serum of hemolymph that had been challenged with live bacteria. It has been concluded that live B. megaterium can stimulate hypersynthesis of lipase, a lysosomal enzyme, in phagocytes of B. glabrata and that this enzyme subsequently is released into serum. Consequently, the hydrolysis of lipid constituents of bacteria could theoretically occur in serum as well as within phagocytes.
Active Control of Lean Blowout for Turbine Engine Combustors

A complete, active control system has been developed to permit turbine engine combustors to operate safely closer to the lean-blowout (LBO) limit, even in the presence of disturbances. The system uses OH chemiluminescence and a threshold-based identification strategy to detect LBO precursor events. These nonperiodic events occur more frequently as the LBO limit is approached. When LBO precursors are detected, fuel entering the combustor is redistributed between a main flow and a small pilot, so as to increase the equivalence ratio near the stabilization region of the combustor. This moves the effective LBO limit to leaner mixtures, thus increasing the safety margin. The event-based control system was demonstrated in an atmospheric pressure, methane-air, swirl-stabilized, dump combustor. The NOx emissions from the piloted combustor were found to be lower than those from the unpiloted combustor operating at the same safety margin and same nominal velocity field. The controller minimizes the NOx at constant total power by keeping the pilot fuel fraction at the lowest value needed to limit the number of precursor events to an acceptable level.
Social Construction (Continued)

In this Review in June 1993 Anne Schneider and Helen Ingram argued that the social construction of target populations is an important political and policy phenomenon. Robert Lieberman criticizes Schneider and Ingram's “circular” conceptualization of public policy and social construction. He proposes a “historical-institutional” framework for understanding the role of group identities in political change. Lieberman analyzes the dual experience of African-Americans in the American welfare state as an example of political institutions and policy changes' affecting changing group constructions. Ingram and Schneider respond that their purpose is to understand how social constructions shape policy designs, which in turn affect citizen perceptions and participation, and argue that Lieberman's ideas of institutions and history yield no analytic improvement. They provide their own analysis of the case of welfare to illustrate the advantages for future research of their conception of policy targets.
Discrimination of ice from water in clouds by optical remote sensing

Abstract Water and ice, although nearly transparent in the visible, absorb weakly in the near infrared, and spectral absorption differs for the two phases, especially in the wavelength region between 1.55 and 1.75 μm. Multiple scattering in clouds amplifies absorption, so that cloud reflectance or transmittance measurements would enable the interfence of thermodynamic phase. A ground-based near-infrared radiometer, which measures the relative spectral reflectance from sides of clouds in the wavelength range 0.63 to 1.9 μm, was built and used to obtain spectra from cumulus congestus and cumulonimbus clouds. Results from measurements in summer 1985 seem to indicate that such a ground-based technique can accurately determine the phase of clouds.
Carvedilol and the Food and Drug Administration-Approval Process

Abstract A brief response to Professor Moye’s article is given. It addresses the relative irrelevance of an article in the New England Journal of Medicine for FDA regulatory purposes, the control of type I error, and why the run-in period of the carvedilol studies was not addressed.”
Predicting Homeowners' Mitigation Responses to Radon Test Data

Radon gas can accumulate indoors to levels that present a serious lung cancer risk. Six data sets were examined to discover what homeowners do to cope with this hazard after they have tested for radon. The best predictors of mitigation intentions proved to be global appraisals of threat plus the radon levels themselves. Translating these intentions into action, however, seemed to reflect situational obstacles rather than beliefs about radon risk, beliefs about radon mitigation, or demographic variables. Survey respondents had difficulty understanding the amount of risk posed by radon in their homes, and it appears that the observed correspondence between radon levels and mitigation responses was due almost entirely to the existence of a government-established action guideline.
ROS: Really involved in Oxygen Sensing

The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cellular response to cellular oxygen sensing has been controversial. Three papers in this issue of Cell Metabolism (Brunelle et al., Guzy et al., 2005; Mansfield et al., 2005) used genetic tools to establish that ROS produced by mitochondria are required for the normal induction of HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor), which is a master regulator of oxygen-sensitive gene expression, by low oxygen.
High-Tech, High-Stress Environment: Coping Strategies for the Perioperative Nurse

The operating room (OR) is among the most technologically advanced environments within the healthcare profession. This high-tech environment has a unique set of occupational demands that can cause increased stress for the nursing staff. Situations that lead nurses to experience pressure in the OR include the need to work quickly, to face higher medical dispute risks, to work uncertain shifts, to handle precision instruments, and to master complex techniques. Along with this, perioperative nurses are struggling with heavy workloads, high patient acuity, various instrument processing issues, low morale, and staff shortages. The nurse must killfully manage all of these tasks while keeping patient safety at the fulcrum of it all. nterestingly, the most intense stressor perceived by OR nurses was patient safety. In addition to the occupational stressors that are involved in the OR setting, there are a myriad of interpersonal stressors. The manner in which staff communicate can often times be unprofessional and lead to unresolved conflict and hostile working environments. Recent studies have found that OR nurses felt bullied by other nurses and perceived themselves to be victims of physician-perpetrated abuse. Undoubtedly, he culmination of daily stressors that the perioperative nurse encounters can have dverse effects on one’s personal and professional life. Like perioperative nurses, burn nurses at the US Army Institute of Surgical esearch experience increased amounts of occupational stress. Nurses in the Burn enter provide care for patients with inhalation injuries, circumferential extremity urns, and general burns of the body. This challenging patient population requires hat the nursing staff have the necessary skills to communication with the patient and heir families concerning issues such as complex wound care to include pain control long with death and dying. These are sensitive topics that normally elicit emotion