cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SEDIMENT INFLOWS AND WATER QUALITY IN AN URBANIZING WATERSHED

ABSTRACT Lake Whatcom is a large, deep, monomictic lake in the Puget lowlands of Washington State. Expanding development from the city of Bellingham and a large diversion of water from the Nooksack River to the lake are two recent impacts. Bellingham depends on the lake as its sole drinking and industrial water supply. Additionally, the lake is an important recreational resource. Monitoring of the lake began in 1962 and was continuous to 1972, and recent work began in 1979. These data and information from sediment cores have been used to determine trends in water quality. Historically, watershed uses were mainly logging and some coal mining. Sedimentation rates based on Pb-210 were about 0.5 cm/yr. More recently, sedimentation rates have increased to 0.8–1.2 cm/yr., apparently due to increased runoff related to urbanization and the diversion of Nooksack River water containing glacial meltwater with high particulate loads. Much of the particulate material is sedimented in a 6.5 ha lake below the diversion ...
Effects of sulfur, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, and boron applications on sunflower yield and plant nutrient concentration

Abstract Sulfur, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, and boron application did not affect the seed yield or oil percentage of sunflower (Hilianthus annuus L.) on both dryland and irrigated soils in North Dakota in 1981. Field averages indicated significant Zn, Mn, and B uptake by sunflower at the 12‐leaf stage as a result of fertilization with these elements. Increased Zn uptake was also observed in the uppermost mature leaf at anthesis from zinc fertilization. Although sunflower yield from boron fertilization was not significantly different from the check, a trend was observed in which boron fertilization seemed to decrease sunflower yield. Sunflower yields from the boron treatment were the lowest out of seven treatments in three out of four fields. Also, sunflower yield from the boron treatment was significantly lower than both iron and sulfur treatments when all fields were combined.
Integration of cover crops with postemergence herbicides in no-till corn and soybean

Abstract The integration of cover crops with selected postemergence herbicides was evaluated on the basis of weed control and grain yields in no-till soybean and corn. Soybean was planted into wheat residue, whereas corn was planted into hairy vetch residue. Full, half, and quarter rates and sequential herbicide applications were made. The wheat cover crop did not increase weed suppression but increased soybean grain yields. Half rates of thifensulfuron plus quizalofop-P as single or split applications were as effective as full rates in reducing weed weight in soybean. Soybean grain yields were similar in the half- and full-rate treatments in 1994, but yield was highest in the full-rate treatment in 1995. The hairy vetch cover crop did not increase weed suppression but lowered corn stands and grain yields in 1995 and enhanced corn grain yields in 1996. Full, half, and quarter rates (1996 only) of nicosulfuron plus primisulfuron were equally effective in reducing weed weight. Corn grain yields were similar...
Fibrils Formed in Vitro from α-Synuclein and Two Mutant Forms Linked to Parkinson's Disease are Typical Amyloid†

Two missense mutations in the gene encoding α-synuclein have been linked to rare, early-onset forms of Parkinson's disease (PD). These forms of PD, as well as the common idiopathic form, are characterized by the presence of cytoplasmic neuronal deposits, called Lewy bodies, in the affected region of the brain. Lewy bodies contain α-synuclein in a form that resembles fibrillar Aβ derived from Alzheimer's disease (AD) amyloid plaques. One of the mutant forms of α-synuclein (A53T) fibrillizes more rapidly in vitro than does the wild-type protein, suggesting that a correlation may exist between the rate of in vitro fibrillization and/or oligomerization and the progression of PD, analogous to the relationship between Aβ fibrillization in vitro and familial AD. In this paper, fibrils generated in vitro from α-synuclein, wild-type and both mutant forms, are shown to possess very similar features that are characteristic of amyloid fibrils, including a wound and predominantly unbranched morphology (demonstrated by...
Effect of rate-alteration on speech perception in noise in older adults with normal hearing and hearing impairment.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of using slow and fast speaking rates in competing noise on older adults with normal hearing (NH) and those with hearing impairment (HI)...
Degradation of Potentially Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films at Three Diverse U.S. Locations

For widespread adoption of biodegradable plastics as agricultural mulches, dependable biodegradation across contrasting conditions is necessary. The in situ degradation of four potentially biodegradable mulches (two commercially available starch-based films, one commercially available cellulose paper mulch, and one experimental spunbond polylactic acid mulch) were evaluated by measuring percentage of area remaining (PMAR) after burial for 6, 12, 18, and 24 months in high tunnel and open field tomato production systems at three geographically distinct U.S. locations (Knoxville, TN; Lubbock, TX; Mount Vernon, WA). The PMAR of the mulches did not differ between high tunnel and open field systems at any location, and PMAR of cellulose mulch was 0% within 12 months but >90% for experimental spunbond at 24 months. The PMAR of the two starch-based products did vary by location and was lowest at Lubbock (˜2%) compared to Knoxville (49%) or Mount Vernon (89%). Relative to the other two locations, Lubbock had the g...
CFF thresholds: relation to macular pigment optical density.

Purpose: Only two small studies have evaluated the relation between individual differences in macular pigment (MP) levels and visual health prior to retinal disease. In this study, we assess the relation between MP and a general measure of visual health, the critical flicker fusion (CFF) threshold. Methods: A total of 134 subjects were assessed. CFF values were determined psychophysically using a 570 nm, circular 1-degree test field centrally fixated. MP optical density was measured using flicker photometry and a 1-degree circular 458 nm test field centrally fixated. Personal characteristics were determined by questionnaire. Results: Similar to past studies, we found a significant decline in CFF values with age (r = −0.56). There was a significant positive relationship (r = 0.30, p < 0.001) between MP density and CFF values that was independent of age. Conclusions: These results are consistent with a protective effect of MP on visual health across the lifespan.
Is the macrophage the stimulating cell

Using CAF1 spleen cells to stimulate parental strain BALB/c spleen cells in a mixed lymphocyte culture, column separation of responding cells increased their response whereas the same treatment of stimulating cells reduced their activity approximately 95 per cent. Peritoneal macrophages from CAF1 mice were found to stimulate BALB/c spleen cells poorly if present in comparable numbers or if they were cultured for 24 hours before adding responding cells. However, if the F1 macrophages were in contact with the BALB/c cells for only 4 hours, their stimulating effect was increased strikingly. Under these conditions BALB/c macrophages had no effect. It is concluded that the macrophage is probably the most effective stimulating cell and may be the only cell with this capability.
Applications Of The Microprocessor In Automated Ophthalmic Instruments

Since the development of the microprocessor, instrument designers can take a fresh look at the performance require ments of their system designs. The microprocessor allows the instrument to perform tasks which previously required subjective judgement of a skilled technician. The instrument can adjust its mode of operation dependent upon the nature of the data collected. It can also employ internal calibration techniques and statistical analysis of data to improve its consistency. Data can be stored and processed before being displayed, or a decision can be made to take additional data to improve the accuracy. The output format can be tailored to customary formats which can be easily modified on demand. This paper describes how these approaches have been employed in cwo ophthalmic instruments. The first is the Dioptron8automatic refractor which is used to objectively obtain a preliminary eyeglass prescription. The second is the Perimetron automatic projection perimeter which measures the contrast sensitivity of the retina over the entire field of vision. This instrument. is capable of performing many tasks normally requiring a highly skilled technician.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Time-Dependent Thermal-Neutron Energy Spectra in a Monatomic Heavy Gas

The time-dependent thermal neutron energy spectra, for times greater thsn the slowing-down time, were generated in a monoatomic heavy gas using multigroup formalism. These spectra were obtained for infinite as well as finite media of Be and graphite. The behavior of asymptotic energy spectra during the last stage of neutron thermalization and diffusion periods was studied. The thermalization time constant for the establishment of the final Maxwellian velocity distribution of neutrons, in a monoatomic heavy gas, was estimated to be equal to (l.l74 xi SIGMA /sub so/v/sub o/)/sup -1/. Total thermalization times for neutrons in Be and graphite were found to be equal to 114 and 238 mu sec, respectively. Using the energy-dependent transport mean free path, the diffusion cooling coefficient for Be was calculated to be equal to 0.890 cm/sup 2/. For graphite, under the constant diffusion coefficient assumption, the diffusion cooling coefficient was determined to be equal to 1.922 cm/sup 2/. (auth)
With a Little Help from the Crowd: Receiving Unauthorized Academic Assistance through Online Labor Markets

Although a vast majority of crowd sourcing tasks are for ethical purposes, the anonymity and global reach of online labor markets also create a clearinghouse for unethical crowd sourcing tasks. Recent studies show a majority of students have engaged in academic dishonesty using the Internet, and a growing number find this behavior is acceptable. We conduct a study to see if crowd workers will provide solutions to exams and homework assignments, and knowingly permit these solutions to be used for this purpose. For those who don't agree, we examine if additional financial incentives can entice them. Our findings indicate most crowd workers are willing to permit the use of their work, however, for those that are unwilling, additional financial incentives have little effect on altering their decision.
Enamines derived from the reactions of 2‐amino‐3‐(o‐bromobenzyloxy)pyridine with esters of acetoacetic and β‐aminocrotonic acids. Enamines as intermediates in the formation of 4H‐pyrido[1,2‐a]pyrimidin‐4‐ones

Two stable crystalline enamines, 10 and 11, have been isolated from the reactions of 2-amino-3-(o-bromobenzyloxy)pyridine, 4, with esters of acetoacetic or β-aminocrotonic acids. The formation of 10 and 11 occurred in the absence of a solvent or in diethylbenzene at 100–175°, and was always accompanied by the formation of the cyclized derivative, 9-(o-bromobenzyloxy)-2-methylpyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-one, 12. Molecular models, ir, and pmr spectra were employed to establish the structure of the enamines and to demonstrate that in solution, 10 and 11 existed as six-membered chelate structures, with intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the NH proton and the ester carbonyl oxygen atom. The thermal cyclization of 10 and 11 to 12 occurred under a variety of conditions: (a) in diethylbenzene at 170–175°, (b) fusion at 175–180° under atmospheric pressure, or (c) heating at 175–180°/1 mm, thus suggesting that an enamine is the intermediate in cyclization reactions that lead to the formation of pyrido [1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones.
Characteristics of a Funnel Type Electron Channel Multiplier with a Grid Entrance Window

The response uniformity across the entrance window of a 1 cm diam funnel electron channel multiplier has been increased by installing a high transparency grid in front of the multiplier and operating at the same potential. The funnel surface was scanned by a 1/8 diam 1-20 keV hydrogen atom beam. With either a negative potential applied to the front edge or positive potential to the collector, the response as indicated by the counting rate, was flat over the central 8-9 mm multiplier aperture. Measurements of the multiplier gain indicated maximum gain near the outer edge and minimum gain in the channel region.
Hierarchical Morse—Smale Complexes for Piecewise Linear 2-Manifolds

Abstract. We present algorithms for constructing a hierarchy of increasingly coarse Morse—Smale complexes that decompose a piecewise linear 2-manifold. While these complexes are defined only in the smooth category, we extend the construction to the piecewise linear category by ensuring structural integrity and simulating differentiability. We then simplify Morse—Smale complexes by canceling pairs of critical points in order of increasing persistence.
Combating network pollution attacks: A cascaded error-control coding approach

Linear network coding provides a new communication diagram to significantly increase the network capacity by allowing the relay nodes to encode the incoming messages. However, this communication diagram is fragile to communication errors and node compromising attacks. How to combat errors while maintaining the network efficiency is a challenging research problem. In this paper, we characterize a linear network coding through a series of cascaded linear error-control codes. This representation enables us to determine the independent source of errors in the cascaded network level. It could lead to a successful decoding of the original message and locating of the malicious network nodes. We provide comprehensive theoretical analysis on network coding in both unicast and multicast scenarios. Our research provides a new approach to understand network coding schemes and also a novel methodology to develop network coding schemes that can combat node compromising attacks and locate the malicious nodes.
Calmodulin-stimulated plasma membrane (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase: inhibition by calcium channel entry blockers.

Abstract Calcium channel entry blockers representing different structural classes were studied for their effects on human erythrocyte basal and calmodulin-stimulated (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase. Effects on the activity of (Mg2+)-ATPase and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase were also assessed. Of the four Ca2+ entry blockers tested, only verapamil and diltiazem specifically inhibited the calmodulin-stimulated (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity, the basal enzyme activity being unaltered by these drugs. Other membrane-associated ATPases were not affected. Calmodulin concentration effect curves showed the inhibition by verapamil (10−3M) and diltiazem (10−3M) to be non-competitive. This concentration inhibited the calmodulin-dependent increment (5.1 nM calmodulin) of the ATPase activity by 35 and 36% respectively. Similarly, both drugs inhibited the Ca2+-activation process of calmodulin-stimulated activity in a non-competitive manner, decreasing Vmax by 23 and 17% respectively. Basal (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity was not affected by verapamil or diltiazem at any calcium concentration. In contrast, cinnarizine non-specifically inhibited all four membrane ATPases including calmodulin-stimulated (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity at concentrations above 3 · 10−6 M. Nifedipine was without effect on any of the four membrane ATPases. From this we conclude that certain calcium channel entry blockers can inhibit calmodulin-regulated plasma membrane Ca2+-pump ATPase. Therefore, this identifies an additional functional low affinity receptor in the plasma membrane for some of the calcium channel entry blockers.
Folding of βpep-4 β-sheet sandwich dimers and tetramers is influenced by aliphatic hydrophobic residues at the intersubunit interface

For the designed peptide 33mer, beta pep-4, formation of beta-sheet structure [Ilyina, Roongta and Mayo (1997) Biochemistry 36, 5245--5250] is thermodynamically linked to self-association. Dimers and tetramers are stabilized by interactions between hydrophobic residues lying on the hydrophobic faces of the amphipathic monomer subunits. The present study investigates the effects on folding and self-association of the substitution of two key hydrophobic residues (Ile(20) and Val(22)) at the beta-sheet sandwich interface of beta pep-4. Single-site (I20L, I20V, I20A, V22L, V22I and V22A; where I20L corresponds to the substitution of Ile(20) with leucine etc.) and double-site (I20L/V22L and I20V/V22I) variants have been investigated. Like parent beta pep-4, all variants can form dimers and tetramers. NOESY data indicate that the overall beta-sheet fold and intersubunit beta-strand alignments are the same in all variant tetramers. CD data for all variants indicate mostly beta-sheet character in dimers and random coil character in monomers. Only for the V22I variant is the beta-sheet fold stabilized in the monomer state. Pulse-field gradient NMR-derived diffusion coefficients, measured as a function of peptide concentration, provide a means for deriving the distribution of monomer, dimer and tetramer states and, therefore, equilibrium association constants. Relative thermodynamic stabilities, which vary no more than approx. 0.5 kcal/mol (where 1 kcal identical with 4.184 kJ) from peptide to peptide, are I20V/V22I>I20V>I20L/V22L=beta pep-4 (Delta G(D) of 7.5 kcal/mol)=I20L=I20A>V22I>V22L>V22A for dimer formation and I20V>I20L/V22L>I20L>beta pep-4 (Delta G(T) of 6 kcal/mol)>V22I>I20V/V22I>V22L>I20A>V22A for tetramer formation. For the most part, dimer and/or tetramer stabilities are enhanced by the presence of valine and leucine and are attenuated by the presence of isoleucine and alanine.
Measuring the Virial Temperature of Galactic Halos through Electron Scatteringof Quasar Emission Lines

Semianalytic models of galaxy formation postulate the existence of virialized gaseous halos around galaxies at high redshifts. A small fraction of the light emitted by any high-redshift quasar is therefore expected to scatter off the free electrons in the halo of its host galaxy. The broadening of the scattered emission lines of the quasar can be used to measure the temperature of these electrons. For gas in virial equilibrium, the velocity width of the scattered line profile is larger by a factor of ~(mp/me)½ = 43 than the velocity dispersion of the hostgalaxy and reaches 10,000 km s-1 for the massive galaxies and groups in which bright quasars reside. In these systems, the scattered width exceeds the intrinsic width of the quasar lines and hence can be used to measure the virial temperature of the quasar host. The high degree of polarization of the scattered radiation can help filter out the extended scattered light from the central emission by the quasar and its host galaxy. The signal-to-noise ratio of the spectral broadening can be enhanced by matching the full spectrum of the scattered radiation to a template of the unscattered quasar spectrum. Although the central fuzz around low-redshift quasars is dominated by starlight, the fuzz around high-redshift quasars might be dominated by scattering before galaxies have converted most of their gas reservoirs into stars.
Chromatic dispersion compensated 25Gb/s multimode VCSEL transmission around 850nm with a MMF jumper

A special multimode fiber jumper was designed to provide desired DMD characteristics for a multimode fiber link for chromatic dispersion compensation. 25 Gb/s VCSEL transmission experiment was conducted. Performance benefit of CD compensation was observed.
NMDA antagonist effects on striatal dopamine release: Positron emission tomography studies in humans

Previous brain imaging studies with [(11)C]raclopride have suggested that the psychotogenic effects of the noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist ketamine in humans might be mediated by increased dopamine (DA) release and increased stimulation of DA D(2) receptors in the striatum. The goal of the present study was to assess the effect of ketamine on D(2) receptor availability in subregions of the striatum (dorsal caudate, DCA; dorsal putamen, DPU; ventral striatum, VST) in humans. Ten healthy subjects were studied twice. In a first group of five subjects, PET scanning was obtained twice for 90 min during bolus plus constant infusion of [(11)C]raclopride. No significant differences were observed in [(11)C]raclopride specific-to-nonspecific activity ratios (V(")(3)) measured during an early interval (30-50 min) and late interval (70-90 min), confirming that a state of sustained equilibrium had been established from 30-90 min (end of infusion). In a second group of five subjects, a similar experiment was performed twice, except that ketamine was administered beginning at 50 min (0.12 mg/kg i.v. bolus followed by 0.65 mg/kg/h i.v. infusion for 70 min). Raclopride V(")(3) measured before ketamine (30-50-min interval) was compared to [(11)C]raclopride V(")(3) measured during ketamine infusion (70-90-min interval). Ketamine induced a robust dissociative state. However, no significant differences were observed in D(2) receptor availability measured before and during the ketamine infusion (n = 10) in any of the regions examined (DCA, DPU, and VST). These data fail to demonstrate an effect of ketamine on [(11)C]raclopride BP and are consistent with microdialysis studies in rodents and nonhuman primates which reported only small effects of acute NMDA receptor blockade on extracellular striatal DA concentration.
American Indian Family Caregivers’ Experiences with Helping Elders

In recent years, a vast literature has accumulated on the negative effects on family caregivers of providing care to elders, while relatively little research has explored caregiving as a positive experience. Only a handful of studies have examined any aspect of informal caregiving among American Indians. This mixed methods study explores the negative and positive aspects of providing elder care among 19 northern plains American Indian family members. These caregivers described low levels of burden and high levels of reward, attributable to cultural attitudes toward elders and caregiving, collective care provision, strong reciprocal relationships with elders, enjoyment of elders, and relatively low levels of care provision. Caregiving manifested as part of a complex exchange of assistance rather than a unidirectional provision of assistance from the family member to the elder. That caregiving emerged as such an overwhelmingly positive experience in a community faced with poverty, alcohol disorders, trauma, and cultural traumatization is testimony to the important roles that elders often continue to play in these communities.
Design Considerations For A Modern Multiple-Star Photometer

A two-star photoelectric photometer has been designed for use on the 18-inch reflector at Appalachian State University's Dark Sky Observatory. The system will be composed of commercially available components, including integrated detector-amplifiers, stepper-motor controlled x-y stages, and automatic counters. Fiber optics will be used to route the light from the image plane to the detectors. Separate channels will monitor the sky beside each star.
A constitutive relation for the deformation of snow

Abstract In this paper a constitutive equation which describes the uniaxial deformation of snow is developed. The basic assumption underlying this work is that the stress-strain response can be derived by considering the structure of the material. The equation which describes the plastic portion of the deformation is developed by considering the relationship between three fundamental variables: the mean spacing between ice grains, the relative velocity between grains, and the fraction of the total number of grains which participate in the deformation process. The mean distance between ice grains is determined by a stereological investigation of the snow structure, and the velocity component is found by empirically characterizing the relaxation of the snow. To determine the mobility of the ice grains acoustic emission data are used. An equation describing the pattern of acoustic emissions for constant rates of deformation is derived and applied to a number of tests. Combining the above variables produces a compressive and tensile constitutive equation which reflects the behavior of the snow under both uniaxial deformations.
Metabolic disorders presenting as liver disease

A wide range of inherited metabolic disorders lead to biochemical disturbances within the liver. A number of disorders of energy metabolism present as hepatomegaly with hypoglycaemia e.g. glycogen storage diseases or with hypoketotic hypoglycaemia e.g. disorders of fat oxidation. Other defects of carbohydrate metabolism also present with hypoglycaemia and liver disease either in neonates e.g. galactosaemia and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase deficiency or at weaning i.e. hereditary fructose intolerance. Mitochondrial respiratory chain defects frequently present in neonates/infants as liver disease but often there is other (multi)-organ involvement and persistent lactic acidaemia. Many disorders of peroxisomal and lysosomal metabolism cause a spectrum of liver dysfunction. Urea cycle disorders manifest as hyperammonaemia often presenting acutely in neonates but also in older children and adults. Other causes of liver disease include disorders of copper, bile acid and bilirubin metabolism. Definitive diagnosis requires specialist expertise, however once clinical liver disease is apparent, most disorders are associated with characteristic findings on routine laboratory testing that should raise the suspicion of metabolic disease.
The state of symbolic computation

When I was first asked to give this banquet talk, I was somewhat hesitant to accept. I have not been very heavily involved in the field of symbolic and algebraic manipulation for the past three years. I have contented myself with such behind-the-scenes activities as serving as an associate editor for the ACM Transactions on Mathematical Software and as a member of the SIGSAM Nominating Committees two years ago and again this year.
Relationships between reported macronutrient intake and insulin dynamics in a multi-ethnic cohort of early pubertal children.

Background. Racial/ethnic differences in the pediatric population in insulin dynamics have been documented. Additionally, girls tend to be more insulin resistant than boys. Although the mechanism d...
The Minimum Grading Controversy: Results of a Quantitative Study of Seven Years of Grading Data From an Urban High School

In an effort to reduce failure and drop-out rates, schools have been implementing minimum grading. One form involves raising catastrophically low student quarter grades to a predetermined minimum—typically a 50. Proponents argue it gives struggling students a reasonable chance to recover from failure. Critics contend the practice induces grade inflation and social promotion. The authors performed a quantitative study of seven years of grading data from one school where minimum grading had been implemented to better evaluate these competing claims. Statistical analyses revealed no evidence that minimum grading was inducing either grade inflation or social promotion. These and other related findings have implications for educators looking to institute reforms that lead to fairer and more accurate student assessment.
Interpolated Background Subtraction Method For Coronary Stenosis Quantification

The determination of percent stenosis of coronary arteries is an important task in medicine. In this paper we discuss three different algorithms which can be used in conjunction with videodensitometry to measure this quantity. These algorithms may be used in subtracting the background under a vessel segment thus eliminating the need for a preinjection mask. Mathematical details of the algorithms and experimental results are presented.
Single-crystal elastic constants of magnesium difluoride (MgF2 ) to 7.4 GPa

The six independent elastic constants (C11, C12, C13, C33, C44, and C66) of single-crystal MgF2 in the rutile structure have been measured by Brillouin spectroscopy at room temperature from ambient conditions to 7.4 GPa. Measurements were performed on two monocrystals with perpendicular faces, (001) and (100). A quasi-linear fit from finite strain theory was applied to the experimental data revealing the pressure dependence of the six elastic constants of MgF2. The shear modulus CS¼1/2(C11 � C12), and the aggregate shear (Voigt–Reuss–Hill) modulus G show a softening with increasing pressure, indicating the approach of the rutile-to-CaCl2-type structural phase transition at P� 9 GPa. The adiabatic bulk modulus (Reuss average) and its pressure derivative have been determined: K0S¼105.170.3 GPa, (∂K0S/∂P)T¼ 4.1470.05. The pressure–volume equation of state of MgF2 was computed self-consistently from the Brillouin data. Our results are in good agreement with X-ray diffraction data. As the phase transition is approached, MgF2 becomes strongly anisotropic and develops partially auxetic behavior (a negative Poisson's ratio in certain directions).
The Synthesis of Fluorinated Acrylics Via Fluoro Tertiary Alcohols

Acrylic polymers of linear and of cross-linked varieties are important classes of materials, and the fluorocarbon polymers are likewise important for substantially different reasons. The broad resistance of fluorocarbons to physical and chemical attack suggests that acrylics could be enhanced by the introduction into the molecules of substantial amounts of fluorine, provided such an addition did not compromise the characteristic acrylic properties. Fluorocarbons also possess a range of unusual surface chemical properties which could make for greater versatility in the acrylics if imparted thereto. For example, a fluoroacrylic resin in the liquid, precured state is expected to be of low surface tension and excellent wetting capability for difficult-to-wet fillers, such as powdered Teflon, whereas the cured fluoracrylic can be expected to be relatively non-wetting and non-absorptive of most liquid systems, particularly those that are water based. In order to attempt such an enhancement of acrylic properties, the synthesis of a series of fluorine-bearing acrylics of various functionalities was undertaken.
Slope and hydrodynamic modulation of radar scatter from the sea

Microwave backscatter from the ocean surface is largely due to Bragg scattering from short surface ripples. Modulation of the signal results from changes in the local angle of incidence as the local slope changes, and from variations in Bragg ripple amplitude. The slope (tilt) modulation can be modeled as a memoryless nonlinear system. The hydrodynamic modulation results from a nonuniform distribution of the amplitude of the small-scale ripples over the large-scale waves. For azimuthally traveling waves the hydrodynamic modulation dominates, while for waves propagating in other directions, both tilt and hydrodynamic modulation are significant. The authors developed a 35-GHz radar vector slope gauge (VSG) to measure the orthogonal components of the surface slopes within the radar footprint. Simultaneous measurements of the surface slope and radar cross section permit determination of the relative contribution of slope and hydrodynamic modulations to the overall fluctuation of the radar signal. The authors present a method for separating effects due to the surface tilting from hydrodynamic effects. They include a sample result based on this approach with data from the SAXON-FPN experiment in November, 1990. >
Disposition of Basal Insulin Peglispro Compared with 20-kDa Polyethylene Glycol in Rats Following a Single Intravenous or Subcutaneous Dose

Basal insulin peglispro (BIL) comprises insulin lispro covalently bound to a 20-kDa polyethylene glycol (PEG) at lysine B28. The biologic fate of BIL and unconjugated PEG were examined in rats given a single 0.5-mg/kg i.v. or 2-mg/kg s.c. dose of BIL with 14C label in 20-kDa PEG or 125I label in lispro. Unconjugated 14C-labeled 20-kDa PEG was dosed at 10 mg/kg i.v. or s.c. Blood, urine, and feces were collected up to 336 hours after dosing. Radioactivity was measured by scintillation spectrometry, and BIL was quantitated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Area under the curve and half-life for immunoreactive BIL were lower than those for both 14C and 125I after subcutaneous and intravenous administration. The half-lives of 14C after BIL and PEG dosing were similar. The clearance of immunoreactive BIL was 2.4-fold faster than that of 14C and 1.6-fold faster than 125I. After a subcutaneous dose of BIL, immunoreactive BIL accounted for 31% of the circulating 125I and 16% of the circulating 14C, indicating extensive catabolism of BIL. Subcutaneous bioavailability of BIL was 23%–29%; bioavailability for unconjugated PEG was 78%. For unconjugated PEG, most of the 14C dose was recovered in urine. For BIL, ≥86% of 125I was eliminated in urine and 14C was eliminated about equally in urine and feces. The major 14C-labeled catabolism product of BIL in urine was 20-kDa PEG with lysine attached. The attachment of 20-kDa PEG to lispro in BIL led to a different elimination pathway for PEG compared with unconjugated 20-kDa PEG.
Population Characteristics of the Mussel Villosa iris (Lea) (Rainbow Shell) in the Spring River Watershed, Arkansas

Abstract the goal of this study was to better understand population characteristics of Villosa iris (Lea) (Rainbow Shell) in the Spring River drainage in north-central Arkansas through documenting seasonal spatial patterns, movement behavior, population size, size-frequency distributions, sex ratios, and fecundity. We conducted monthly mark and recapture sampling between May and September 2007 (i.e., before, during, and after spawning) and documented the sex, size, fecundity, and spatial location of individual Rainbow Shell at 2 sites (SFSR1 and SR1). Population estimates were relatively high at both sites with 166 ± 32 (SE) and 381 ± 37 (SE) individuals at SFSR1 and SR1, respectively. Sex ratio was highly skewed toward males at SFSR1 with a ratio of 1.0:2.6, but only slightly skewed at SR1 with a ratio of 1.0:1.3. Mean fecundity was 27,849 ± 11,653 (SE) and 15,089 ± 11,710 (SE) glochidia at SFSR1 and SR1, respectively. Spatially, statistically more males were found upstream of non-gravid females during t...
Superantiferromagnetic EuTe nanoparticles: room temperature colloidal synthesis, structural characterization, and magnetic properties

In this communication, EuTe nanoparticles with different size distributions have been synthesized for the first time at room temperature by injection of ethylene glycol solution of Na2Te into ethylene glycol solution of EuCl2 in the presence of triethanolamine. By adding phenanthroline into EuCl2 solution, EuTe nanospindles have also been synthesized. The as-synthesized EuTe nanocrystals show size-dependent optical properties. Low-temperature magnetic measurements show that 6.5 nm EuTe nanoparticles show pronounced superantiferromagnetic transition between 2 K and 20 K. Our facile synthesis route opens up the opportunity of studying and applying this classical Heisenberg antiferromagnetic material in quantized-size range; our magnetic analysis indicates that the properties of EuTe can be tuned by the change of its diameter.
The Long-Term Use of Felbamate in Children With Severe Refractory Epilepsy

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of felbamate (FBM) as add-on therapy in pediatric patients with severe uncontrolled seizures during a 3-year follow-up. Thirty-six patients were enrolled between February 1994 and February 1997. Patients suffered from partial epilepsy (n=13), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) (n=9), infantile spasms (IS) n=8 or other forms of generalized epilepsy (n=6). FBM was titrated weekly from 15 up to 45 mg/kg. By February 1995, all patients had hematological and biochemical monitoring prior to FBM therapy and every 15 days during the study. The results achieved at different treatment durations were analyzed. Overall efficacy measured as > or =50% reduction in seizure frequency varied during follow-up: 69% at 3 months, progressively decreasing to 66% at 6 months, to 47% at 1 year and 41% of the initial cohort at the end of the study. Most frequent side effects were anorexia, weight loss, urinary retention, somnolence, nervousness and insomnia. FBM controlled a broad spectrum of otherwise refractory seizures. Best results were obtained against simple partial seizures with or without secondary generalization, tonic and atonic seizures. A substantial improvement in seizure control was maintained in one-third of the patients for at least 3 years.
Quantitative trait loci associated with resistance to Fusarium head blight and kernel discoloration in barley

Resistance to Fusarium head blight (FHB), deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation, and kernel discoloration (KD) in barley are difficult traits to introgress into elite varieties because current screening methods are laborious and disease levels are strongly influenced by environment. To improve breeding strategies directed toward enhancing these traits, we identified genomic regions containing quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with resistance to FHB, DON accumulation, and KD in a breeding population of F4:7 lines using restriction fragment length polymorphic (RFLP) markers. We evaluated 101 F4:7 lines, derived from a cross between the cultivar Chevron and an elite breeding line, M69, for each of the traits in three or four environments. We used 94 previously mapped RFLP markers to create a linkage map. Using composite interval mapping, we identified 10, 11, and 4 QTLs associated with resistance to FHB, DON accumulation, and KD, respectively. Markers flanking these QTLs should be useful for introgressing resistance to FHB, DON accumulation, and KD into elite barley cultivars.
A Tale of Two Ideologies: Explaining Public Support for Economic Interventions

This article proposes a theory of two ideologies in which we explain how the different evaluative processes underlying operational and symbolic ideology should influence public support for an economic recovery plan. Exploiting the political and economic uncertainties of a postelection, pre-inauguration period, we conduct a survey experiment in which we manipulate the source of an economic recovery package. We find that symbolic attachments and principled beliefs have independent yet comparably sized impacts on policy judgments. We show that the directional effects of symbolic attachments are contingent upon source cues while the directional effects of principled beliefs are fixed. Finally, the results demonstrate the conditions under which the symbolic sacrifice of ideological attachment and the principled sacrifice of ideological beliefs moderate the impact of political trust on support for government intervention.
Concurrent administration of zoledronic acid and irradiation leads to improved bone density, biomechanical strength, and microarchitecture in a mouse model of tumor‐induced osteolysis

Background and Objectives Bone metastases are typically treated with bisphosphonates as adjuncts to radiation therapy. The goal of this study was to determine whether radiotherapy combined with a bisphosphonate could restore bone density, microarchitecture, and biomechanical strength of a tumor-burdened bone to normal. Materials and Methods Breast cancer cells were injected into the right femur of 30 female nude mice. Mice were divided into three treatment groups (0 Gy, 20 Gy, and 20 Gy + ZA). Left limbs served as non-operated normal bones. Tumor-bearing femora were irradiated 3 weeks later. ZA (100 µg/kg SC) was administered once weekly for 6 weeks. Mice were euthanized at 9 weeks or earlier if severe lameness or pathology occurred. Results Mice treated with 20 Gy/ZA exhibited higher bone density, bone volume, fractional trabecular bone volume, and biomechanical strength compared to mice treated with 20 Gy only (P < 0.05). Statistical analysis revealed that mice treated with 20 Gy/ZA were not significantly different from normal bones with respect to bone density and strength. Micro-CT reconstructions showed improved microarchitecture in the 20 Gy/ZA group compared to 20 Gy. Conclusions Treatment of an osteolytic bone with radiation therapy plus zoledronic acid restores normal bone qualities with respect to bone density, microarchitecture, and biomechanical strength. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:284–290. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Augmented Ventilatory Response to Exercise in Pulmonary Hypertension

The ventilatory response to submaximal exercise, defined as the slope of minute ventilation over carbon dioxide production ( V ˙ e/ V ˙ co2), was determined in 12 normal subjects, ten patients with pulmonary hypertension before and after heart-lung transplantation, and eight patients following heart transplantation. Patients with pulmonary hypertension show an augmented ventilatory response compared to normal subjects (pulmonary hypertension [mean, 57.7 ±6.8 (SE) ml/ml V ˙ co2; normal subjects, 22.3 ±1.4 ml/ml V ˙ co2; p<0.001]). Following heart-lung transplantation, V ˙ e/ V ˙ co2 slope fell to 24.7±1.6 ml/ml V ˙ co2, a value which is not significantly different than the value in normal subjects. Patients after heart transplantation show a mean slope value of 25.3±1.3 ml/ml V ˙ co2, which is not significantly different than the normal value or the value found after heart-lung transplantation. The augmented ventilatory response to exercise did not correlate with the usual chemical modulators of ventilation (arterial pH, arterial carbon dioxide tension, or arterial oxygen tension). These results suggest the following: (a) the existence of a neural system in patients with pulmonary hypertension which results in an augmentation of ventilatory drive in response to exercise; (b) the augmented ventilatory response reflects excessive neural activity of pulmonary afferents during exercise; (c) narrow regulation of the ventilatory response to exercise in normal subjects which is preserved in the denervated lung, indicating that pulmonary afferents are not critical to ventilatory control during exercise in the normal subject; and (d) the possible use of measurements of the ventilatory response to exercise as a noninvasive screening test for pulmonary hypertension.
The emergent problem of ambulance misuse.

Study objective: The primary objective was to determine whether rates of ambulance misuse varied systematically by type of health insurance. The secondary objective was to determine whether the level of service provided in the ambulance varied by ambulance company ownership. Design: Survey. Setting: A 175-bed community hospital in central Connecticut. Participants: One hundred forty-five records were selected randomly for study from the records of the 488 patients presenting to the hospital emergency department within a 45-day period. Outcome measures: The urgency of presenting complaint and the use of life support measures within the ambulance were obtained from each ambulance run form. Type of health insurance, clinical data, and disposition were obtained from ED records. Ambulance use was deemed unnecessary if the patient's presenting complaint was nonurgent, the patient was ambulatory, and the patient was not ultimately hospitalized. Advanced life support measures were deemed unnecessary if they were applied to patients with nonurgent complaints. Results: Patients with private insurance made appropriate use of ambulances in 77.8% of cases, patients with Medicare did so in 65.8% of cases, and patients with Medicaid did so in 14.7% of cases. These results were statistically significant at P Conclusion: Ambulance misuse is common in the studied community and may be related to the broader problem of the provision of care to the poor or otherwise underserved. Our results raise several interesting questions for further research.
Identifying effective connectivity parameters in simulated fMRI: a direct comparison of switching linear dynamic system, stochastic dynamic causal, and multivariate autoregressive models

The number and variety of connectivity estimation methods is likely to continue to grow over the coming decade. Comparisons between methods are necessary to prune this growth to only the most accurate and robust methods. However, the nature of connectivity is elusive with different methods potentially attempting to identify different aspects of connectivity. Commonalities of connectivity definitions across methods upon which base direct comparisons can be difficult to derive. Here we explicitly define “effective connectivity” using a common set of observation and state equations that are appropriate for three connectivity methods: Dynamic Causal Modeling (DCM), Multivariate Autoregressive Modeling (MAR), and Switching Linear Dynamic Systems for fMRI (sLDSf). In addition while deriving this set, we show how many other popular functional and effective connectivity methods are actually simplifications of these equations. We discuss implications of these connections for the practice of using one method to simulate data for another method. After mathematically connecting the three effective connectivity methods, simulated fMRI data with varying numbers of regions and task conditions is generated from the common equation. This simulated data explicitly contains the type of the connectivity that the three models were intended to identify. Each method is applied to the simulated data sets and the accuracy of parameter identification is analyzed. All methods perform above chance levels at identifying correct connectivity parameters. The sLDSf method was superior in parameter estimation accuracy to both DCM and MAR for all types of comparisons.
Use of Thermal Infrared Imagery to Complement Monitoring and Modeling of Spatial Stream Temperatures

Thermal infrared (TIR) surveys are effective methods to map surface spatial temperature patterns along a river. We used two data sets of TIR-derived longitudinal temperature profiles to analyze reach-scale spatial patterns of thermal heterogeneity of the Wenatchee River, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States as part of a temperature total daily maximum load investigation. The TIR data indicate that the river has a general downstream heating trend; the magnitudes, reach variability, and longitudinal gradients are influenced by the headwater conditions, channel morphology, tributary locations, flow rates, and weather. Detailed TIR images facilitate identifying regions with high local thermal heterogeneity where we recommend a weighted average approach to estimate local spatial average temperature using temperatures from pixels of the thermally distinctive areas rather than using the temperature extracted from pixels sampled along the central part of the channel. TIR-derived daily maximum temp...
Taxonomy of Haptanthus Goldberg & C. Nelson

Haptanthus is known from only a single collection despite several attempts to recollect it. Because of its unique inflorescence and flowers, and the specimen's lack of fruit, the original authors were unable to assign it to an existing family. After 12 years Nelson described it as the type of a new family, Haptanthaceae. The original authors mainly described and illustrated the gross morphology, pistil anatomy, and pollen of Haptanthus. In attempting to assign it to a family, eight familial placements were considered and reasons were given for their rejection. In the present paper additional characters of the leaf, stem, and pistil, mainly anatomical, are described and illustrated. Most of the wood characters are archaic (primitive). Haptanthus has a suite of characters indicating that it is probably wind-pollinated. Consideration of all the characters studied to date, and examination of additional literature and herbarium specimens of several families, enable us to suggest Flacourtiaceae and Euphorbiaceae as the closest relatives of Haptanthaceae. Recently, Flacourtiaceae has been suggested by another author. Key characters of the three families are compared in a table.